"A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is a young adult fantasy novel written by Brigid Kemmerer. The book tells the story of Harper, a teenage girl from modern-day Washington D.C., who is transported to the fantasy kingdom of Emberfall. In Emberfall, Harper meets Prince Rhen, who has been cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over again until he can find true love. The curse also transforms him into a ferocious beast at the end of each season.
As for Harper… Gosh! I admire that girl so freaking much! She inspired me when I started reading the book and she still does! Despite her disability (cerebral palsy) she was fierce and brave and strong-willed and sensitive, and maybe a bit reckless, but she somehow wanted to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. She didn’t mind if she was going to get hurt in the process.
I honestly don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to save a girl from a mysterious man in a dark alley. I don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to save family from attackers, while the family’s house was being turned to ash. And yet, she did both of those things!
As you probably understand, if you read this review till the end of it, I absolutely ADORE A Curse so Dark and Lonely and I highly recommend this book to everyone who loved the ACOTAR series, by Sarah J. He s already tried to woo all of the girls in Emberfall, and now has been forced to send his captain of the guard, and closest confidant, Commander Grey, to a different world ours to retrieve other girls.
The curse also transforms him into a ferocious beast at the end of each season. The main idea of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is the suitability of the curse that Rhen endures and its impact on him and those around him. Throughout the story, Rhen grapples with the burdens of his curse and the weight it places on his shoulders.
BOOK REVIEW: A Curse so Dark and Lonely, by Brigid Kemmerer ~ A new all-time-favourite novel! *SPOILERS & DISCUSSION*
Hello awesome people and welcome to the last book review for the month of March and one of my all-time-favourite reviews ever. And that is because A Curse so Dark and Lonely is, as of this past Tuesday, one of my all-time-favourite novels EVER ! I mean… dah! Give me a Beauty and the Beast retelling, a fast-paced novel and unforgettable characters and I’m all in for it!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this beauty back in October 2018 and I read it for the first time in early 2019. Back then though I was working on the final details for the Guardian of the Auras, I was in a big reading slump and I feel like I didn’t fully appreciate the book. So, when I received the US hardcover AND my FairyLoot February box , which featured A Curse so Dark and Lonely, I decided to reread the final copy and I simply fell deeply and irrevocably in love with this story and its characters.
As per usual, I will start my review with the spoiler-free section and will move on to the spoilers later in the post. But don’t worry, dearies. If you haven’t read the book yet and you don’t want to be spoiled, rest assured that I will let you know when the hectic spoilers will begin. This way you can leave, read the book and come back later to share your thoughts and feelings about this MASTERPIECE (at least, in my opinion). 😍
With all that being said, let’s get to the summary of the novel.
“ Fall in love, break the curse.
It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.”
CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: Abduction, death, murder, gore, torture, abuse, attempted sexual assault, talks of suicide, cancer, and ableist comments.
Where do I even begin with A Curse so Dark and Lonely?
This contemporary retelling of the all-time-favourite fairy tale was simply UNPUTDOWNABLE ! It was fast-paced, exceptionally well-written, with much darker themes than the original, well-known story, and unique, unforgettable characters.
The narration was beautiful and for a reader like me, who adores descriptions, this novel was such a wonderful treat! 🤩
I absolutely adored the multiple points of view, as they allowed me to get a general perspective and get to know the characters in depth.
The love story felt so very realistic and I truly enjoyed the unique take in the original tale. Also, I recently found out there’s going to be a sequel, so I do look forward to seeing how Harper, Rhen and Grey are going to evolve as characters.
So, that’s all I can say without delving into more details and without spoiling anything for you. If you have read the book, you’re more than welcome to stay. If you haven’t read it yet and you don’t want to be spoiled beware… Hectic spoilers are coming!
LAST CHANCE TO GO…
At first, I was confused by the “seasons” and thought that Rhen was actually 327 years old in the body of an 18-year-old. But then things got crystal clear and I realised that he and Grey were both in a loop, reliving time and again the exact same days, from the day when Lilith cursed Rhen, to the end of each season, when he transformed, time and again, into a beast. 😱 Holy guacamole! If this isn’t an original take in the classic fairy tale, I honestly don’t know what is.
I mean, the Beast knew he had some sort of deadline to make a girl fall for him (“until the last petal falls” and all) or he would stay a beast forever. Rhen on the other hand was basically being tormented for all ETERNITY! Hoping… Turning into a beast… Hoping… Turning into a beast… And this had happened 326 times already! 🥀
As for Harper… Gosh! I admire that girl so freaking much! She inspired me when I started reading the book and she still does! Despite her disability (cerebral palsy) she was fierce and brave and strong-willed and sensitive, and maybe a bit reckless, but she somehow wanted to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. She didn’t mind if she was going to get hurt in the process.
I honestly don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to save a girl from a mysterious man in a dark alley. I don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to save family from attackers, while the family’s house was being turned to ash. And yet, she did both of those things!
The land of “Disi” was so hilarious and something tells me it’s going to play a crucial role in the sequel, too. Again, I felt like Harper was a bit reckless, going to visit Freya and the kids at the inn to bring the food, but that simply proved how selfless and caring she really is as a character. Amazing qualities for a female lead.
Also, Rhen’s mind was simply… so fall-in-lovable! 😍 Even when he actually turned into a beast, he kept bits and pieces of his humanity, and it was all thanks to Harper… ❤️ My hopeless romantic heart felt warm and happy and certain that this curse was going to break, no matter what! ❤️ And it did!
As for the enchantresses and Rhen’s grandfather, I felt that he was the reason why this whole curse started out in the first place. And speaking of enchantresses… let me just point out that I loathe Lilith with a passion! 🤬 Can’t we just end here and now, and let Harper and Rhen be happy? Even though Grey said that he killed her at the end of the novel, I still wonder whether this actually happened or not. 🧐
On with the love story of A Curse so Dark and Lonely, the tension between Harper and Rhen was truly palpable, and it’s amazing how many Feysand vibes I got from them, right from the beginning. 😍 I hadn’t felt so invested in a novel since my ACOTAR/ACOMAF/ACOWAR reading days, and that definitely says something, folks.
I left Grey last because… HE’S MY NEW FAVOURITE PAL ! I could spend days with him training (even though Cassian will always be first in my heart), I could spend days with him playing cards, and I could basically spend endless days with him just talking. Seriously now… that “My lord, I did nothing. I sat down and asked.” quote literally melted my heart!
As for the revelation at the end of this first instalment in the A Curse so Dark and Lonely series, that Grey is that half-breed of some sort (part human, part sorcerer) and the lawful heir to the throne of Emberfall, I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. Grey is a man of honour, someone who lived 327 seasons protecting Rhen and believing that he’s the General of the guard. I don’t know how this is going to change in the sequel, but I’m more than willing to find out. For this will make my Scary Grey evolve as a character, it’ll show the ethical questions he’ll put to himself and, more importantly, it’ll make for an excellent sub-plot.
As you probably understand, if you read this review till the end of it, I absolutely ADORE A Curse so Dark and Lonely and I highly recommend this book to everyone who loved the ACOTAR series, by Sarah J. Maas, as well as THE CRUEL PRINCE , by Holly Black.
“MY FATHER ONCE SAID THAT WE ARE ALL DEALT A HAND AT BIRTH. A GOOD HAND CAN ULTIMATELY LOSE – JUST AS A POOR ONE CAN WIN – BUT WE MUST ALL PLAY THE CARDS FATE DEALS. THE CHOICES WE FACE MAY NOT BE THE CHOICES WE WANT, BUT THEY ARE CHOICES NONETHELESS.”
~A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, BY BRIGID KEMMERER
Have you guys read A Curse so Dark and Lonely? Did you enjoy it? Are you planning on keeping up with the series?
Thank you all for stopping by once again! It means the world to me and I do want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted. Still, seeing you here makes me wanna improve and give you more, better content.
Love you all to Pluto and back, awesome nerds! 💜
Till next time… Toodles!
And she’s not excited about the prospect of being stuck in the middle of wifi-less nowhere away from her mother, who is dying, and her brother, who may be in trouble without her serving as his lookout. It takes her a minute to come to terms not only with her new surroundings, but the people who live there as well.
He is constantly in fear of losing himself to the beast within and the violence that accompanies it. This sense of despair and hopelessness is a central theme in the book, as Rhen's struggle with his curse becomes a metaphor for the challenges we all face in managing our own personal demons. The suitability of Rhen's curse is also examined through the lens of true love. The curse dictates that Rhen must find someone who loves him and breaks the curse before the end of each season, or else he will be forced to start the cycle again. This requirement highlights the importance of genuine connection and emotional intimacy in breaking the curse. The book explores themes of love, vulnerability, and trust as Harper becomes entangled in Rhen's world and must navigate her own feelings towards him. Furthermore, the setting of Emberfall adds an additional layer to the suitability of the curse. Emberfall is a kingdom plagued by political turmoil and violence, making it an unstable environment for Rhen to search for true love. The kingdom's vulnerability mirrors Rhen's own inner struggles, emphasizing the oppressive nature of his curse. In conclusion, "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" delves into the suitability of Rhen's curse and the impact it has on his life and the people around him. It explores themes of despair, hope, love, and vulnerability against the backdrop of a kingdom in turmoil. The book serves as a reminder of the importance of personal growth and connection in overcoming our own inner struggles..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Magic: A Curse So Dark and Lonely as a Suitable Introduction to Fantasy"
- Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" after seeing all the hype, but I was disappointed. The story felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions often made no sense. The love triangle felt forced and unnecessary. Overall, I found the book to be unoriginal and predictable.
- James - 3/5 - While "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" had its moments, I found it hard to connect with the main character, Harper. She came across as whiny and impulsive, constantly putting herself and others in danger without much thought. The plot, although promising, was filled with cliches and tropes that made it feel like I've read this story a hundred times before. The pacing was also uneven, with slow parts that dragged on and action scenes that felt rushed. I wish the book had lived up to its potential, but unfortunately, it fell short for me.
- Sarah - 2/5 - "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" was a struggle for me to get through. The writing style was repetitive and overly descriptive, making the story feel drawn out and monotonous. The romance felt forced and unrealistic, with no real build-up or chemistry between the characters. I also found the world-building to be lacking, with a magic system that was poorly explained and left me confused. Overall, this book just didn't captivate me and I wouldn't recommend it.