A Curse So Dark and Lonely — Brigid Kemmerer

January 30, 2019

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

TITLE: A Curse So Dark and Lonely
AUTHOR: Brigid Kemmer
SERIES: A Curse So Dark and Lonely, #1
RELEASED: January 29th, 2019; Bloomsbury YA
GENRE: Fantasy
AGE RANGE: YA

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Harper’s life isn’t easy—her father has left her family with all his debts, her brother is working for the same loan sharks they owe, and her mother is in the final stages of cancer. Meanwhile, in the land of Emberfall, Crown Prince Rhen is facing the final season of his curse: if he doesn’t find love within three months, he’ll be left forever in the form of the bloodthirsty beast that overtakes him with each failed courtship. When the prince’s guard kidnaps Harper for one last shot at breaking the spell, will she choose a dying kingdom, or her family?

I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, but we’ve had so many of them that they need a fresh take to catch my eye nowadays, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely absolutely had that to offer. Between the mixture of urban and high fantasy worlds, and the protagonist’s cerebral palsy representation, I’ve been hyped as heck for this release since the synopsis was first announced. In fact, I think I hyped myself up too much for it, because when my copy arrived,it was hard to pick it up right away just thanks to being nervous over how devastated I knew I’d be if it wasn’t amazing!

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“You are responsible. You, Rhen. You alone will destroy them all.”

Thankfully, every last one of my concerns were TOTALLY unnecessary, because I thought this was flawless. I adored the atmospheric setting, the flawed characters, the representation, and how dark the curse was. Brigid Kemmerer took this classic tale of a prince cursed to live life as a beast, and tossed it into such a heavy, violent spin that I was hooked from the first page.

Everything is always the same. Except for the dead. They never come back.

Of course, there are the characters, too, who are so lovable despite being ridiculously flawed (or because of that, maybe, because they all feel so complex and multidimensional!). Harper is a phenomenal heroine and I LOVED her CP rep—there are just so many good conversations taking place in this book regarding how the world treats people with disabilities.

There is blood under my fingernails. I wonder how many of my people I’ve killed this time.

And then, of course, there’s Rhen, who is so angsty and tragic but in the best way, and my favorite, Grey, the guard. Grey was honestly the star of this show for me, between his quick wit, cool demeanor, and neverending loyalty and bravery. Can I please get a book about him, Brigid? Pleeeaaaaase?

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Seriously, though, I just don’t have anything negative to say about this gorgeous fantasy novel. Between the writing, characters, story, rep—it’s the whole package, and easily my favorite work that I’ve read from Brigid Kemmerer so far. I love her contemporary writing, too, but this made me genuinely hope she keeps putting out fantasy releases, because she’s a total natural.

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I’d recommend this to any fans of fantasy stories, especially if you enjoy retellings and/or high/low fantasy crossovers!

5stars

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Bloomsbury YA for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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More about Destiny @ Howling Libraries

Just a children's librarian/horror aficionado/geek girl trying to juggle motherhood, grad school, blogging, gaming, and everyday life.

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Leave a comment

    1. malanielovesfiction

      January 30, 2019

      I LOVE THIS REVIEW SO MUCHHH. And I had absolutely no desire to read this book before today, because for some stranger reason I’m v tired of fairy tale retellings??? AND IDK WHY because I loved The Lunar Chronicles and I vowed to spend my life searching for a character I loved as much as Cress
      but your review is so beautifully written + aesthetically pleasing to look at + I would pls like to attend a class in which u teach how to write amazing reviewwwwws <3
      Also you gave it five stars AND the book has a violent spin (I just rlly love violent fantasy books). I am for sure adding this to my tbr i'm v excited c: c: c:

      Reply

    1. Danielle Hammelef

      January 30, 2019

      I can’t wait to read this book! thanks for the review!

      Reply

    1. Briana | Pages Unbound

      January 30, 2019

      Sounds fabulous! I wasn’t particularly excited about this one, but my co-blogger likes the author’s other books and is looking forward to it, plus I’ve seen so many positive reviews now that I might have to change my mind.

      Reply

    1. Grace

      January 30, 2019

      Lovely review. I would have bought this book yesterday if not for lack of funds…. but I hope to get a copy ASAP. ?

      Reply

    1. Sarah

      January 31, 2019

      You’ve sold me! I wasn’t entirely sure what this was about before now, but after your review I’m definitely giving it a shot.

      Reply

    1. 24hr.YaBookBlog

      January 31, 2019

      What a wonderful review & its great to see disability rep in fantasy! I wasn’t too sure whether I wanted to read A Curse So Dark & Lonely, but your review definitely convinced me to check it out! ?✨

      Reply

    1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

      February 1, 2019

      Right now I’m mad at how slowly I’m getting through Escaping From Houdini because my mom brought my FC of this book over and I WANT TO READ IT NOW. Like. You know how long I’ve been waiting to read it.. :’)
      [And on a TOTALLY DIFFERENT and shameless NOTE – if you ever, ever want to get rid of that ARC, I’m happily claiming it. Just saying.] Totally shameless. Idc.

      Reply

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