A Curse So Dark and Lonely

A Curse So Dark and Lonely
A Curse So Dark and Lonely Book One
Written by Brigid Kemmerer
Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
496 Pages
Published February 2nd 2019
Thank you to Bloomsury Australia
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★★★★
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. 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.
Harper is a formidable character, determined and resourceful. Growing up with cerebral palsy has shaped her into a fierce young woman, capable and never to be underestimated. Since her father left his family with debt they couldn't repay, Harper's brother Jake was forced into a life of thuggery, working as a shakedown man for their local debt collector while their mother battles cancer. Harper is tagging along on Jake's latest job as a lookout when she witnesses a young, unconscious woman being taken from the streets of Washington. Harper intervenes, saving the young woman's life but is taken herself and transported to Emberfall.

Prince Rhen hasn't been seen by the good folk of Emberfall since the curse was placed upon him, most believing the royal family had fled the castle due to the monster roaming the lands. For Rhen, his life is on constant replay each season of his eighteenth birthday. To break the curse, he must find a young woman to fall in love with him. He may be a Prince but the ladies of Emberfall aren't so easily impressed, the ones who've survived the monster, so he's been sending his trusted footman Grey to the earthly plane to find a woman to break the curse. They didn't bargain for the streetwise, ballsy Harper though.

Prince Rhen is dashing and handsome, clearly intended as the love interest for Harper and readers alike. I wasn't shipping it folks. He's nice enough, when not in monster form but he was too busy trying to woo Harper rather than treating her as an intellectual and his equal. It was Grey that realised Harper's potential and because she begun to feel comfortable in his presence, they soon became friends. Apart from stealing Harper from the streets of Washington, Grey is a gentleman. He refers to Harper as my lady and I can imagine the intense hat tipping as a result. He reminded me of Chaol earlier in the Throne of Glass series, with the difference being that Grey is incredibly polite rather than gruff.

I was shipping Grey and Harper. Hard. They shared a chemistry that just wasn't present between Harper and Rhen, whether or not that's due to the pressure of Rhen's curse and Harper feeling overwhelmed or even obligated but I could help but ship the wrong couple. Let me live in ignorant bliss. Being taken and the age old discussion of Stockholm Syndrome will always be raised with kidnapping narratives and rightly so. Often the captor manipulates the person being held captive into believing they need their captor to survive, they're a nice person who's misunderstood and soon enough, feelings are skewed. Harper isn't being manipulated and herein lies the difference, throughout the narrative she isn't forced into a romantic relationship and although she's aware of the curse, she isn't under any obligation to fall in love with Rhen. In fact, he soon releases Harper's independence and tenacity as a strong, independent young woman are the qualities he most admires within her personality.

Harper is a character with a disability. Her cerebral palsy is never romanticised nor seen as a weakness, quite the opposite. Those of Emberfall believe her limp is a result of an injury, something she fiercely defends and embraces. Within the narrative, she mentions the multiple operations she experiences as a child to make her the woman she is today. She realises her limitations but also knows she can work around them. It's wonderful to see a character with a disability simply be and their disability not used as a device to further the storyline.

From the opulent palatial grounds to the humble merchant towns, the Essence of A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a beautiful retelling of a quiet resistance. A modern fairytale, a tenacious young woman and a ship you can sail into the sunset. Cannot wait for the next installment!

36 comments

  1. Damn I hadn't heard of this one. How haven't I heard of this one, It sounds awesome!
    Fantastic review Kelly. This is going on the TBR list NOW!
    The Harper character sounds fantastic and can't wait to meet her.

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    1. It really surprised me too Sarah. I loved the character dynamics, especially Harper and Grey and it's amazing seeing a character with cerebral palsy that isn't defined by her disability, quite the opposite. I think you'll really enjoy this one too!

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  2. I just loved this one so much. I was taken right from the start and couldn't put it down. I think one of the things that I loved most about it, like you said. Was that Harper didn't let her disability stop her, but she also knew what she could and couldn't. It was really nice seeing disability this way in a fantasy setting. Thanks for the review Kelly

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    1. Wasn't it just! I think this is the first young adult book I've read with a character with cerebral palsy as well. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment!

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  3. So the more I read about this, the more I feel like I might want to read it, it sounds really good and when people love it, it makes me want to love it. Great review! I'll be seeing if my library will getting this!

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    1. I hope they do if not, it's most definitely worth requesting they purchase a copy. It was highly entertaining and really enjoyed it. I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  4. I've been hearing such good things about A Curse So Dark and Lonely! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one, Kelly, even if you are shipping the wrong couple. It's totally okay to live in ignorant bliss. ;) I love hearing that Harper's cerebral palsy isn't a plot device and is instead used as a strength rather than a weakness.

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    1. And so wonderfully written as well Sophia, Harper has an incredible strength. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have, looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  5. This sounds like a great book that doesn't conform to the strictures of romance novels, I might have missed it. But is this a YA novel? It sounds like a storyline I'd see in a YA.

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    1. It's young adult with the characters being around eighteen years of age or slightly older. I really enjoyed that romance wasn't the driving force behind the narrative but I loved the attraction between Harper and Grey, the Prince's guard rather than the Prince himself. Such an entertaining read, I really enjoyed it.

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  6. I've had this one on my radar for a while now but I keep going back and forth because fantasy isn't usually my thing. (With a few rare exceptions like the ACOTAR series.) But the synopsis grabbed me from the start and now your review has me convinced to give it a try. I just put the ebook on hold with my library so hopefully I'll have it soon!

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. I'm a very selective fantasy reader too Tanya but this feels very much like a mild fantasy, much in the same way A Court of Thorns and Roses is. The only fantasy elements is the curse placed upon Rhen and the veil that separates modern day from the historical world of Emberfall. I think you'll really enjoy this one Tanya, hopefully they'll have it available to lend soon!

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  7. I had my eye on this book for a while because I love Beauty and the Beast retellings. I didn't know that the main character has CP (love the representation and I'm glad it wasn't romanticized,) but I'm shocked it's Urban Fantasy. She's from D.C.?! Lovely review!
    Vivien @ Pages of Wonderland

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    1. She is! In Emberfall when she has to introduce herself, it makes for many comical moments. Being such a strong young woman in the Prince's escort, the folk of Emberfall assume she's a Princess from a far away land called Disi (D.C) and it's hilarious. This has been one of my favourite retellings and can't wait to see what you think of it Vivien!

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  8. there is a next instalment? this interesting retelling is really cool, heroines doesn't have to be perfect for once Yay

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    1. The ending, surely there must be. I'm even more excited for the next instalment Ailyn, it was brilliant!

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  9. Wow, I've never heard of this one. I think it's amazing that the main character has a disability like this in an epic fantasy. Send s a great message! I love inclusive books. Thanks for the heads up on this!
    Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review

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    1. Same Rebecca, it was a great example of inclusion but her disability not being used as a device to further the narrative. I really enjoyed this one and would love to see what you think of it!

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  10. I can see why you would want Grey and Harper, I was really afraid of a love triangle. I think the most book will mostly be about Grey so I hope you love it.

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    1. I assumed the love triangle aspect as well but was pleasantly surprised Amber. I hope you're able to pick this one up soon, I think you'll really enjoy it.

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  11. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this book. I just recently picked up a copy and can't wait to dive into it!

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    1. Oh I can't wait to see what you think of it Suzanne! Such a fun and entertaining read!

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  12. Alright, you have me firmly in the Harper/Grey camp after this review. She sounds amazing, btw, and the disability rep sounds like it was treated so well!

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    1. It was Verushka. I was so impressed! It wasn't used to further the narrative or to show Harper's limitations but to demonstrate that people aren't their disabilities and that their disability is only a small part of who they are. My goodness I loved Grey, I can't wait for you to meet him!

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  13. I keep walking past this one at the supermarket and convincing myself not to buy (I don't know why either). Your review is making me want to slap myself and race to the shop to buy it. I am meant to be saving money but this may be sneaking into my shopping basket during my weekly shop after all the good things you've said.

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    1. It's well worth going without bread for the week. I really enjoyed this one, much more than I had anticipated actually. Such an engaging read and one I think you'll really enjoy as well.

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  14. Yes! I was hardcore shipping Grey and Harper, too! They connected instantly, and I loved the two of them together. I think there was too much stress and expectation for her and Rhen, although I do think she cares about him. Also, Grey and Harper challenged one another and shared their feelings... it felt more natural. I cannot wait to see what happens next!! <3 Wonderful review!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. I felt exactly the same. I thought she had chemistry with Grey but not so much Rhen. Grey treated her as a person rather than a love interest and although it wasn't specific, I think he fell in love in with her. He feels like the Chaol we all deserved from the Throne of Glass series and super excited for book two!

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  15. I have just received my copy in the post. What a cover! So glad it s as good as it looks.

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    1. It's wonderfully entertaining Sue, looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  16. I'm glad you really enjoyed this one. I think it's awesome that Harper has a disability but it's not shown as a weakness. We need more of that in YA lit, and just books in general. Rhen doesn't sound like the best guy...I think I'd be shipping Harper and Grey too then. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Characters with physical disabilities are so incredibly lacking in young adult. While we're seeing characters with sensory disabilities, we need to reflect the wider community as well. This was wonderful in that regard, her Cerebral Palsy wasn't used to further her narrative, it simply was.

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  17. I LOVED this retelling too and I can't wait until book 2! :)

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  18. I've heard some amazing things about this, I am glad to hear that her disability was well handled. Hoping to pick this one up this year.

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  19. I saw so many good review about this book and now I am curious to read it. Thank you Kelly :D Glad to know harper's disability was not romanticised nor seen as a weakness.

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