So I admit it. I’m a sucker for a retelling, especially if it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Then add to it the fact that I am a big Brigid Kemmerer fan, and this book was sure to be something I would enjoy. Thank goodness it lived up to the hype I built up in my mind.

Contemporary fantasy is an apt description of this book, as leading lady Harper is actually just a girl from modern Washington D.C. And when she tries to stop what she sees as a kidnapping, she finds herself pulled into a parallel fantasy realm. This realm features Prince Rhen and his loyal Commander of the Royal Guard, Grey. However it also features a curse, one that could destroy the kingdom…if a neighboring kingdom doesn’t interfere first.

This story pretty much jumps right into the action. The story starts in the minutes before Harper finds herself in Emberfall. Because of the start, I was so quickly drawn into the story. I needed to know what was going to happen and how Harper and Rhen were going to interact with each other.

Harper is such a great character. She is so fierce and determined and strong, and I think her cerebral palsy is just another trait to go along with those previously mentioned ones. She has adapted to the way her life is, and she is very quick to show others that she is not weak and that she is not disabled. It’s honestly pretty fantastic.

Man, this review could so easily just turn into a gush fest. I already want to re-read this book, and I just finished it yesterday. This wait until January 2020 for the sequel is going to be a long one, I can tell.

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!

→ L I K E S :

“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?

→ F I N A L THOUGHTS :

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.

→ RECOMMENDING TO… :

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

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!

Wonderfully inventive Beauty and the Beast inspired story! Strong representation of a person with a disability who does t let her physical challenges stand in her way. Immersive world building and characters I really got attached to. Couldn’t put it down!

Four stars: An exciting retelling that breaths new life into an old favorite.

Harper is anxiously serving as lookout for her older brother Jake. While she waits, she sees a man trying to abduct a young woman. Harper can’t stand there and do nothing. She grabs an iron bar and attacks. The next think she knows, she is transported to a strange kingdom with an enchanted castle and a prince. Rhen has been living a nightmare for years, ever since he was cursed by the enchantress. Every season, he is given a chance to woo another female, and if he fails, he turns into a monster who ravages the kingdom and kills everyone. Rhen doesn’t know how to break the curse, and he is tired of trying. When Captain Grey delivers Harper, it is one final chance to break free or die. Will plucky Harper help Rhen save his kingdom and break the curse once and for all, or will they die trying?
What I Liked:
*I admit, fairytale retellings are hit or miss for me, but when I started reading all the stellar reviews for A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I decided to take a chance. I am so glad I did as this book was a delight. I loved the characters, the world building, the imaginative retelling and the romance. It was a wonderful modern retelling, well worth reading.
*Harper is an outstanding heroine. I loved that she comes from the modern day United States. She finds herself magically transported to the kingdom of Emberfall. I loved that she had spunk and fire and she never let anything hold her back, including her cerebral palsy. Not only is she is a force to be reckoned with, but she is also kind, compassionate and altruistic. Time and time again, she aids others who are in need. She was always thinking of others and putting their needs ahead of her own. She was fantastic!
*Rhen was so much more than a prince and a beast. At first, he seemed to be self absorbed, but once Harper arrives, he transforms. I enjoyed seeing him finally stand up and try to take control of his life and his situation. He had his faults, but when it came to his kingdom and Harper, he finally gets it.
*The secondary cast is just as amazing. I couldn’t get enough of Grey, Rhen’s Captain of the Guards. Grey is loyal without question, but he is also kind and compassionate. I almost wanted him to be the romantic hero. Then there is Zo and Freya as well as Noah. Noah ended up being a surprise, and I found myself wishing for more of him! These characters rounded out the entertaining cast and kept things interesting.
*I appreciated that the curse was refashioned into something unique. Rhen isn’t a beast full time, he only turns into a beast at the end of the season. His beast is a true monster who kills without regard. Meanwhile, the kingdom has suffered mightily under the curse, and it is up to Harper, Grey and Rhen to try and save the people. So the curse is much more than a beastly burden.
*I loved the world building. The book opens in modern day Washington, D.C. but then Harper is whisked to Emberfall a true fairy tale kingdom. It was easy to slip into this world, and I thought the author did an excellent job with the detail.
*The romance is wonderful. I loved how it evolved. It starts out as enemies and then transforms into trust and friendship and mutual admiration. It builds and builds before finally blossoming into romance. I thought the pace was perfect. It was excellent.
*The ending is satisfactory. Many of the major story arcs are drawn to a satisfactory close, leaving the reader content, but then there is a tantalizing development regarding one of the characters that has me more than eager to follow up on in the sequel.
And The Not So Much:
*One of the sticking points for me was the frustration of not knowing the nature of the curse. Not even Rhen knew for sure why he was cursed or how he must break it. Even after all is said and done, they still aren’t certain on the curse. I wanted to understand the curse. Why?
*I was also bothered by the whole season thing. It was unclear how long a season was, it seemed variable??
*The villain Lilith was not fleshed out as well as the other characters. She shows up to torment, but her motives are hidden. Why did she curse Rhen? What was her deal?
*I was completely invested in the story until the final portion. For some reason, the last part of the book was a bit of a mess for me. A lot happens, and I felt like some of it was rushed. I don’t know how to explain it, the last part of the book wasn’t as captivating for me.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a modern day Beauty and the Beast retelling worth checking out. I loved the characters, the world building and the refashioning of an old classic. Retellings are hit and miss for me, but I felt like this one was refreshing and original. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy fairy tale retellings.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

I got this as an ARC through NetGalley. I enjoyed the story. It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. There is a very strong female lead Character, Harper. I think at times it could be a little too strong in an uncompromising sense. I was frustrated by the evil Enchantress. She was truly evil and any "reasoning" that she had for attacking Rhen and his family, I think, was totally off the scale. I liked that they worked on getting the kingdom back together. I can't wait for the next book. I need to know what happens to Gray. I will be recommending this book on my Library's website. www.lickingcountylibrary.org

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is everything I've ever wanted from a fantasy book. Our MC is a strong, independent woman who finds her willpower and gains even more confidence in herself throughout the book. She does have cerebral palsy and this disability rep is the best I've ever seen. We get to see how condition looks to others, how they judge her, and how she deals with it. It's never a stopping point for her and her willpower, intelligence, or cunning is always the reason people are impressed with her, not the fact that she can overcome her illness. I loved this part of the book and I think it is going to do wonderful things for people who need to see this kind of positive light on disabled rep. Harper is funny, witty, and caring. The journey she goes through in this book is extremely challenging, but the growth we see from her is exquisite. We see how she deals with how people see her and decides how she wants to be seen.

Our other two main characters are exquisite. Rhen is a prince having to live through his worst nightmare for hundreds of years while facing his mistakes and learning from them. We get to see him grow and learn from Harper. They play off each other so well and teach each other hard truths. I also absolutely adored Grey, who I would characterize as the main character although he is not the main POV. He's the guard who feels a responsibility to the Rhen being cursed, but also is loyal to his kingdom and prince. We see the relationship between him and Rhen change, while he forms a good relationship with Harper.

There's a lush world that meets ours, along with an evil sorceress and a terrifying monster. There's terrible abuse and terrible choices to be made. This book will sweep you up into the world of Emberfell and you'll never want to leave. This is the most exquisite fantasy book I've read in a long time, maybe all year. I could not recommend this Beauty and the Beast retelling more.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bloomsbury YA through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This excellent adventure is told in two voices-Harper, a girl from Washington, DC who has some serious family issues and Rhen, a cursed prince in a magical realm, who also has some serious family issues. Harper has been kidnapped by Rhen's commander to help to try to break the curse. At first, Harper is reluctant to take part, but eventually finds that she likes the magical kingdom better than she ever imagined, but her own family needs her too. One of the things that is really great about this story is that Harper has cerebral palsy and although at first, it seems like it might be an impediment or slow her down in someway, but it turns out it's not really the most important part of the story. This would be a fun book to compare to Beauty and the Beast (and any of the other versions of that story). I think middle and high schools students will like this one a lot.

I received an e-arc of this book from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This book was not on my radar at all. When I first read the teaser summary, it felt too disconnected. It almost seemed like I was reading a blurb about two different books in two different genres. After hearing all the praise it was getting, and how many people were recommending it on Instagram, I thought I'd give it another try and I'm so glad I did.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is such an amazing take on the Beauty and the Beast tale we all know and love. With a determined heroine who doesn't let her disability stop her from doing what is right, and a young man who's exhausted from failing time and time again. Though they start out at odds, with one refusing to trust the other, feelings slowly start to develop.

Nothing ever felt slow. Something was always happening, wether it as an action scene, or the characters bickering or strategizing. The romance was a bit of a slow burn, but I've read too many books where the couple fall instantly in love that this felt more realistic. One of my favorite aspects of the novel is the fact that the beast isn't present. The curse has the prince transform into the beast at the end of the season, giving him a chance to woo the lady.

I had a hard time putting this book down. At work I would hope to sneak away for a few minutes to try to sneak a couple of pages in. Always, one more chapter, just one more chapter, then I'll go to bed. Who needs sleep when you're curled up with such an amazing story? I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a fairy tale retelling with a leading lady who doesn't shy away from a fight and expect Prince Charming to save her in the end.

Prince Rhen has been cursed by an enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year. The only way to break the curse is to get a girl to fall in love with him. But that's harder then it seems since he turns into a beast at the end of each season. Over 300 seasons in and it looking as if the curse will never break an unlikely girl brings hope to the castle. Harper was just trying to save someone but ends up in a strange new world. Told she's the last hope of saving the prince and the kingdom of Emberfall. Will they be able to break this curse before time runs out?
This new twist on the beauty and the beast story might just be my new favorite of all the retellings of that story. I loved how badass Harper is even though she has Cerebral Palsy. The author shows how people with medical conditions still have the ability to kick some major ass. Harper and Rhen's connection through the book touched my heart as well as the friendships built between many of the characters. It was refreshing that the author didn't have Harper fall instantly in fairy tale love with the prince but rather had it build over time like real love would. Also that at the end of the book the reader is left wondering if it was Harper or Greys actions that caused the change. Either way I'm looking forward to the sequel A Heart So Fierce And Broken. Since we were left with that huge cliffhanger I didn't see coming about commander Grey. Also can't wait to read more about Harper and Rhen and everyone else in the kingdom.
I received an early electronic book version of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. This book will be released on January 29th, 2019 (this Tuesday!) and I highly recommend that you pick it up if you love a good fantasy read!

I enjoyed getting a different twist on the classic beauty & the beast trope -- what if there's not just one beauty? What if the beast is trapped in a nightmarish groundhog day where he tries to woo a different beauty every season and keeps failing over & over again? And what if the latest beauty is brought into this fantasy world from our world? So full kudos on the premise being an interesting take on a classic trope. I also really enjoyed the characters. That being said, something about the way the narration works in conjunction with the start/stop pacing is just off for me. So much happens, but it's always told in a sort of reportage/throw away style. So somehow this book moves way too fast and way too slow at the same time- that really took away from my enjoyment. I also firmly do not think this should be a series. I am taking what wrap up there is at the end and letting that be my ending. All in all, I'd call this decent but not overly memorable YA fantasy playing with my favorite fairytale trope

From everything I've heard this is a lovely book representing illness in its many forms. It's definitely something I want to read as I'm going through a similar time with my own mother struggling with cancer.

Holy Cliffhanger, Batman...

In two very different worlds, two very different teens are living through hell. In the kingdom of Emberfall, Prince Rhen and his guard, Grey, are cursed to repeat Rhen's 18th autumn until Rhen can find true love. If he doesn't, he'll turn into a horrible monster at the end of the season. Meanwhile, in our world, in Washington D.C., Harper's life has fallen apart. Her mother is dying, her father has abandoned them, the loan sharks are coming to collect, and now her brother is forced to repay their father's debts. One night, everything changes when a single act of heroism ends with Harper in Emberfall....

I love retellings, and this is one of the best Beauty and the Beast retellings I have ever read. I love Harper and how strong she is as a character and as a person. Harper has cerebral palsy, and while she walks with a limp it doesn't stop her. Some of her physical therapy sessions from childhood were spent on horseback, which comes in handy in Emberfall. (Also, something really cool to see in literature; my sister volunteers at a therapeutic riding center, and a lot of people are surprised to find that such things exist.)

Rhen is a wonderful if complicated character. He's not perfect. He is the beast, after all. But he tries. He tries to be better, tries to be a good ruler, tries to learn from his mistakes and Harper calling him out on his behavior. He regrets his words often with a lot of humility and grace.

Then there is Grey. This boy will sleep when he's dead and maybe even then not for another twenty-four hours. The Hufflepuffiest Hufflepuff. So loyal. So strong. I love him and I want to see him happy. (Which makes my heart pound in anticipation of Book 2 because, again, Holy Cliffhanger Batman!)

This is an amazing story, with a fantastic world and characters. Will most definitely be excited to see what comes next.

Harper is supposed to be the lookout for her brother. When she witnesses an almost-kidnapping, she cannot just stand there and watch it happen. When Grey, a Royal Guard, drags Harper to His Highness’ feet, there seems to be something different about this girl. Rhen needs to break the curse—which is harder than it looks—to free his kingdom, his guard, and himself. In this magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer captures the hearts of readers.

It took me mere pages to know that I was going to love this book. The writing is what truly gripped me from the start. Kemmerer reimagines a contemporary Beauty and the Beast like you've never seen it before. Despite its modernity, the whimsy of the fairytale is still strong.

I was hesitant at first because of the length, totaling around almost 500 pages. However, every single page sweeps you away into this gorgeous tale. The pacing is so fast, and if it wasn’t for my need to sleep, I would’ve finished the book in one sitting. Kemmerer builds an enchanting story that grips you in at every scene.

Harper was born with cerebral palsy. I’m not very knowledgeable in the disorder but I’m glad Kemmerer includes a brief Author’s Note for those who wish to seek out more information. Harper’s courage to fight was extremely relatable. As much as we only glimpse into her life, it’s filled with memories that create such a detailed character. Sure, I would have enjoyed some flashbacks of her life before meeting Rhen, instead of a description of a short memory or even photos on a cellphone. However, I expect that her development—and, hopefully, her back story will continue to grow in the sequel.

In all Beauty and the Beast retellings, you can’t very well retell the story without the beast and A Curse So Dark and Lonely is no exception. However, Kemmerer takes the notion of the beast and turns it upside down. Rhen is free to be his human self in the lovely days of summer but when the season changes, so does the man. The beast is revealed and seemingly has very little human tendencies. It truly is a new way to see the tale.

Rhen is broody, mysterious, and strives to be better. He plays the perfect Beast in the retelling. Something I adored about this retelling is that the stakes are much higher. Rhen has been trying to break the curse for years and the enchantress decides that this will be the last season he gets the chance to. There may not have been rose petals falling in the West Wing but readers can feel Rhen’s desperation and hope to be free.

The story is told in two perspectives: Rhen's and Harper's. Both voices were entirely different. Since they both came from very different backgrounds and time periods, their voices reflect their experiences. Harper is brave, cautious and a bit rough around the edges. Rhen is stately, shameful and almost exhausted.

Side note: I've been seeing a lot of reviews compare this to Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Even before reading, it was giving me major ACOTAR vibes especially with the cover. With both being Beauty and the Beast retellings, the comparison is rather inevitable. However, they are extremely different. First off, A Curse So Dark and Lonely has zero faeries. And whereas Maas' version of Beauty and the Beast follows a little more closely to the classic by Gabrielle-Suzanne Bardot de Villeneuve; the version in A Curse So Dark and Lonely has many elements from Disney's version. Also, ACOTAR is meant for an older audience with its sexual content. This book is meant for the YA audience, and has no graphic sexual content whatsoever. The two characters share some kisses but do not go beyond that.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is, in fact, book one to a new series. And if the first book is any indicator, this series is one to watch out for. I'm already counting down the days for the sequel to release.

Kemmerer ties up a lot of loose ends, especially within the Beauty and the Beast story arc. Based on the reveal at the end, the sequel is sure to go deeper into the world Kemmerer has created. And the ending does leave some major questions unanswered. This book made quick work of putting me in a book hangover that—it’s been days—I’m still not over.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a magnificent retelling of the Beauty and the Beast with its superb writing, fast pace and its relatable characters. This is a fantastic start to a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

There is much to love in A Curse So Dark and Lonely. While it is recognizable as a Beauty and the Beast rebelling, it is also unique. When Harper finds herself kidnapped and brought to the castle of Prince Rhen, she displays every ounce of spunk and attempts a daring escape, despite her physical impairment.

While there were a few spots I didn't enjoy in the story, I really enjoyed the interaction between Harper, Rhen, and Grey, and hope to see more from this author in the future.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely was a breath of fresh air. The introduction of a protagonist with cerebral palsy felt special and will hopefully set an example for future YA authors to broaden their horizons in character development. I am not generally a fan of realistic fiction or urban fantasy but this splendid book combined them in a way that was spell-binding. This book may be a loosely-based Beauty and the Beast re-telling, but there were so many twists and turns that I couldn't put this book down. Highly recommend for lovers of fairy tales and strong female protagonists.

The first review of the year! Writing this one always feels fresh and hopeful to me and like it may set the tone of my reading year in a way. This was a very good one to start with. And the moral of this story appears to be: I will never tire of Beauty and the Beast retellings. A fact I was not unaware of, but that I am happy to have confirmed once more, this time after reading Brigid Kemmerer's A Curse So Dark and Lonely. My favorites tend to run the Robin McKinley way, with the most recent favorite retelling being Meagan Spooner's wonderful Hunted. But this is the first retelling of my favorite fairy tale that I've read that includes both traditional fantasy and modern contemporary settings. I didn't think it could work. Or, at least, I was skeptical that the one would interfere with the other or that the different dialogues might clash. How happy I was to find that the whole thing played out seamlessly. How happy I am to have discovered Brigid Kemmerer's writing full stop. I have one of her contemporaries sitting on my nightstand now, and I'm looking forward to diving in.

***

I can remember my own arrogance.

I want to walk out of the castle and fling myself off a cliff. That doesn't work. I've tried. More than once.

I always wake up here, in this room, waiting in the sunlight. The fire always burns low, just as it is now, the flames crackling in a familiar pattern. The stone floor appears freshly swept, wine and goblets sitting ready on a side table. Grey's weapons hang on the opposite chair, waiting for his return.

Everything is always the same.

Except for the dead. They never come back.

***

Prince Rhen longs for death. He has lived the same tragedy over and over again, too many times to count, too many lives lost at his own hands. But the curse prevents him from staying dead, no matter how many times he tries. He always comes back. His loyal guard Grey at his side awaiting orders. The castle as beautiful and enchanted as ever, the season ready to start anew. And another poor woman's life is at risk as she is abducted and brought to his dark home to be a pawn in the endless game to break the curse. But this time, Grey returns with someone unexpected. A young woman who spotted him attempting to abduct another woman and who stepped in to stop him. Rather violently so. And Grey was forced to bring the wrong girl back. Both he and Rhen are uncertain what to do with her. For her part, Harper is spitting mad and on extremely uneven ground. Not only does she find herself magically transported to a foreign land, but she is expected to play a part in the mysterious attempt to save a strange man's life as well as his kingdom. Meanwhile, she is desperate to return home where her mother is dying and her brother is forced into a life of crime to pay back their wastrel father's debts. Somehow, she will get to the bottom of the ominous curse and make a deal with her captors to return home before it's too late.

I loved Harper from the first swing of her tire iron at Grey's head. Because with that instinctive, intentional swing she changes the story. She becomes an active agent in a would-be abduction. And with that protective action, she hurls herself into her new story. Harper is scrappy and determined and has fought her entire life to be independent, despite her struggle with cerebral palsy and her father abandoning them to pay for all of his mistakes. And so, if she doesn't exactly hit the ground running as a stranger in a strange land, she manages to find her footing remarkably well. She will be no one's pawn. And she consistently defies the prince's orders to stay in her room and not stray from the castle grounds. She demands Grey teach her to throw knives, and she rides out beyond the grounds to take food to his starving people and find safe havens for stranded children. It is no wonder Grey forgoes his normally stoic manner to teach her to fight. It is no wonder Rhen finds himself entertaining, one last time, the possibility of an end other than his own. I became so enamored of this unlikely trio—the prince, the guard, and the girl who could save them all.

Brigid Kemmerer takes all the time she needs to let them unfold the story at their own pace. There is no instalove here. There is no inexplicable, immediate falling together. Harper and Rhen aren't drawn to each other at first or even twelfth glance. They are two unwieldy and unwilling partners in an impossible bind. And ever so slowly they find a way to move forward side by side rather than entwined. Harper discovers the extent of Rhen's curse bit by bit, hidden chamber by hidden chamber. Rhen is loath to reveal the truth behind his transformations into a beast, and his repeated failures loom heavy in the specters of all the women whose lives he ruined. And linking them together is Grey, the only one who stayed when the curse was cast over his prince and his land.

***

Grey's expression has no give to it now. This isn't the man who charmed smiles out of children in the snow. This isn't even the man who spoke passionately of honor and duty in the hallway. This is the lethal swordsman who kidnapped me. This is the scariest Grey of all.

***

These three distinct individuals, they aren't the bendable kind. I loved their burgeoning friendships. I loved the long loyalty that ties Rhen to Grey and how I couldn't tell where it would go or how it would end. It wasn't until the final pages that I realized how tangled those ties actually were, and it's going to take at least one more book to follow the three of them down the dark path that opens up at the end of this one. But no matter how long it takes, I am for them.

"I really just brought you here to protect you."

My pride flinches. "It is I who should be protecting you."

"You've been doing that for a while. Maybe it's my turn."

I love the way some of the elements of Beauty and the Beast were reimagined in A Curse So Dark and Lonely. Instead of appearing as a monster 24/7, Prince Rhen relives the same season over and over knowing that at the end of the season, he’ll turn into a bloodthirsty monster and have no memory of himself. The monster will kill anyone in his path, so even while Rhen is human, he’s tortured by the guilt of what he’s done as a monster in the past and filled with dread at what will happen the next time.

Rhen’s only surviving companion is Grey, the last surviving member of the Royal Guard. I loved Grey. He’s sharp, focused, and loyal. The only thing that worried me about him was how much I liked him—I worried he’d steal the show. (Looks like he’ll get his own chance to tell a story, though. I wasn’t expecting a sequel to this book, but the ending definitely sets up for one.)

Let’s talk about Harper. She’s spunky. She’s brave. She loves her family with her whole heart. She’s so moved by the suffering of the villagers in Emberfall that she begins to find ways to fight for them. And her compassion wakes Rhen’s passion for his people. I loved that.

One of the cool things to me about >em>A Curse So Dark and Lonely was the way the genres collided. The contemporary parts set in present-day DC really read like contemporary YA. The fantasy parts had a really distinct fantasy feel to them as well. I thought that was really well done and maintained perfectly through the whole book.

The end threw me a little bit, though. I don’t want to give away details. But it’s unclear which actions change things—even the characters seem unsure. I’m hoping that the second book makes all of this clearer.

All in all, A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a must-read for fairy tale lovers. It’s a rich, beautiful re-imagining of the story packed with great characters. Great for fans of Robin McKinley or Wendy Spinale.

Modern day teen Harper stands lookout for her brother Jake, who is trying to buy time in paying back their father’s loans, when she sees a woman being abducted. She foils the abductor’s plan, but gets kidnapped herself.

She finds herself in a foreign land, Emberfall, with the crown prince Rhen and his loyal commander Grey. Rhen has been cursed by the evil Lilith, and only Harper has the power to break the curse. It’s a modern day and fantasy world Beauty and the Beast collision, as Rhen, Harper, and Grey form an uneasy alliance to save the kingdom from the curse and from outside armies. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader.

The major strength of A Curse So Dark and Lonely is its protagonist Harper. She is a strong and spunky female lead who has cerebral palsy. When villains in the story or just less aware figures use ableist language, she shuts them right down. Despite being in a magical world with luxuries, Harper never loses sight of the struggles her family faces. In turn, this makes her incredibly empathetic when meeting suffering people in Emberfall.
The titular curse describes the primary love interest Rhen's existence. Harper first views this prince as arrogant and selfish, but he actually keeps to himself to protect his people. Misunderstandings ensue but once the characters figure out how to communicate, romantic interest ensues.
Sometimes the book felt slow and repetitive. The plot closely follows Beauty and the Beast with some expansion of the enchantress's role and the welcome addition of geopolitics. The boundary between the world of Emberfall and Harper's modern-day DC (complete with cellphones, Game of Thrones, and Risk) is never explained, and the magic that enables movement between the two is a bit farfetched. The book read as a standalone until the last pages. It will be interesting to see where the sequel goes. Definitely recommend for its inclusivity (a protagonist with a disability, queer characters), less so for its fantasy elements.

I only read a few chapters. I review for the Maine Student Book award which is for grades 4 -8. I often look for edgier books to satisfy the 8th graders without having too much sex, violence, and language for the younger readers. Just 4 chapters in I felt this was really too YA for my purposes. If I was just reading for me I would have kept going though.