Dear [Name], I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express something that has been on my mind for quite some time now. I must confess that I have developed a fondness for you, a feeling that has grown stronger with each passing day. It all started when we first met. There was something about you that instantly captivated me, be it your infectious smile or your warm and genuine personality. I found myself drawn to you, wanting to know more about you, to spend more time with you.
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.
I found myself drawn to you, wanting to know more about you, to spend more time with you. As we got to know each other better, my admiration for you only grew. I was amazed by your intelligence, your passion, and your unique perspective on life.
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.
You are an individual with a depth and complexity that I find incredibly intriguing. **It is not just your external qualities that have won me over, but also the person you are on the inside**. You have a kindness and compassion that shines through in everything you do. I have witnessed firsthand how you treat others with respect and empathy, and it is truly admirable. I find myself constantly thinking about you, wondering how you are doing and hoping that you are happy. You have become a central figure in my thoughts and dreams, and I cannot deny the impact you have had on my life. **I understand that this may come as a surprise to you**, as I have not openly expressed my feelings before. But I believe that it is important to be honest and authentic, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Please know that I am not expecting anything in return. I simply wanted to let you know how I feel and to acknowledge the profound effect you have had on me. If you feel the same way, I would be overjoyed, but if not, I understand and respect your feelings. Regardless of the outcome, I value our connection and the friendship that we have built. You are an extraordinary person, and I feel blessed to have you in my life. **Thank you for taking the time to read this letter**. I hope it has given you some insight into my emotions and has shed light on the deep admiration and affection I hold for you. Whatever the future holds, I know that you will continue to inspire and impact those around you. With heartfelt regards, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Ralfi Pagan: The Voice That Makes Me Smile"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ralfi pagan to disclose my fondness for you". The songs were lackluster and forgettable, and Pagan's vocals felt flat and uninspiring. I didn't connect with any of the tracks, and I found myself getting bored after just a few songs. Overall, I felt like this album was a wasted opportunity for Pagan to showcase his talent.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While there were a few standout tracks on "Ralfi pagan to disclose my fondness for you", I found the majority of the album to be average at best. The production felt generic and the lyrics were cliché. Pagan's voice had potential, but it felt underutilized on this album. I was left wanting more depth and originality from the artist. Overall, it was a mediocre release that didn't leave a lasting impression.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to "Ralfi pagan to disclose my fondness for you", but I was left disappointed. The album lacked coherence and felt disjointed. The songs didn't flow well together and there were no standout moments. Pagan's voice is undoubtedly talented, but it was overshadowed by the subpar production and uninspired songwriting. I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone looking for a memorable listening experience.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Ralfi pagan to disclose my fondness for you" was a complete letdown for me. The songs were formulaic and derivative, and Pagan's voice lacked emotion and depth. I couldn't connect with any of the lyrics and found myself losing interest quickly. Overall, it felt like a forgettable album from an artist who had potential but failed to deliver. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money on this release.