A Curse So Dark and Lonely (The Cursebreaker Series Book 1)

A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY was so enjoyable from start to finish! I've been struggling with some YA reads lately so I was afraid that like many others I've read recently that this would fall into a pit of tropes, but this book soared beyond my expectations! Right off the bat, I loved the tone of the book and I think the crossover/connection between the modern world in Washington DC and the fantasy world of Emberfall really made a difference. The readers are able to get a unique twist on this fantasy concept with a modern voice from Harper and that old-world, medieval-type feel from Rhen. You may have heard that A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY is a Beauty and the Beast adaptation and I thought that was done brilliantly! Concepts are taking from the classic fairy tale but still given their own twist. Not every piece of Beauty and the Beast was made to fit this novel and A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY also goes along its own paths, not needing to stick to the concept 100%. What I loved even more was seeing the book's originality lead back to the fairy tale adaptation without realizing we were on that road and I was so impressed seeing things circle back around to the adaption in their own way. I've read a lot of retellings over the years and some stories stick too religiously to the original work so I was really happy to see how expertly the author's original concepts were woven in with the inspiration from Beauty and the Beast. The characters here were just wonderful and they really made this story what it is in so many ways. Harper is strong and fierce but the way that Brigid Kemmerer chose to craft this character was really special. There are so many badass YA heroines out there that get too cocky or are just magically perfect, but Harper felt more like a real person to me than most of those other leading ladies. I loved that Brigid Kemmerer included Harper's cerebral palsy and how it was portrayed as the way that Harper was born and not as a disadvantage or weakness. It was also great to see Harper grow into her boldness, from being a little sheltered by her brother to being thrown into this fantasy world and having to make a name for herself, quite literally. She didn't change in personality but merely let that side of her grow in the proper atmosphere and situation. The reader was able to see that potential in Harper and with her situation in Emberfall and the other people by which she was surrounded, Harper was able to really grow into her confidence and it really felt so natural. Rhen was another fantastic character in so many ways. Harper originally felt that he was a cocky prince but really he had so many levels that unfolded as the book progressed. Readers learn of his remorse for everything that's happened to the kingdom and how much he really took it all to heart. Rhen's challenge in the book seemed to be with his emotions and feelings, having to trust in his heart and let go of some of his overthinking. Being forced to repeat so many scenarios due to his curse, he essentially has ages to plan without growing older and somewhat replaying the opportunity to fall in love to break the curse, he employs different strategies, none of which work, of course, because love can't be won by strategy. Harper and Grey, Rhen's commander, help Rhen learn how to trust his heart and not feel so forced to fall in love. He has to let go before he can really latch on. One of my favorite things about the book was the romance, which doesn't happen often these days. So many people get excited over big love scenes, passionate kisses, and fiery romances. I was all about this gorgeous slow burn romance that took its time and really established those deep emotions! It's not quite a hate-to-love situation but since neither Harper nor Rhen trust each other (naturally), there's quite a spark of mistrust and Harper's brashness also leads to a few spats that have these two at odds in the beginning. I really loved that as well because it's so much more rewarding seeing the two soften towards each other and really piques that curiosity if the two can manage to fall in love. That's the whole point of the book so you assume it's coming and yet there's still the question if that really is what will happen and how they'll both come to believe it. It's so expertly crafted and those quiet, stolen moments were absolutely everything in this book! I love those moments more than anything in books and I think they're some of the most special scenes to read. Finally, there's the fact that this book delivers something of its own with a few unique twists that I did not see coming! I loved the set up for the next book and reading something like this actually made me glad that it's a series whereas usually I'm wishing for more stand-alones. I do think that this book could have been made into a stand-alone if that's what the author had wanted and it would have been beautiful, but I'm also glad that I get to keep reading about these characters, this world, and this beautiful writing for a little bit longer!

Absolutely great book. I get a beauty and the beast vibe from it which goes hand in hand with my love for Disney. Characters are amazing and the love that they find for each other in the end is incredible

Me encantó este libro, al ser un retelling nos presenta la historia de un príncipe maldecido y que para romper la maldición debe enamorarse, pero eso no es lo más importante sino lograr salvar a su reino. Los personajes para mi fueron sumamente entrañables y bien estructurados, los adoré; la protagonista es fuerte, valiente y eso me pareció un punto muy bueno. Se lee rápido y se disfruta mucho, lo recomiendo ampliamente si se busca aventura, acción y romance. El producto llegó antes del día previsto y en buenas condiciones, está muy bonito, solo con el inconveniente de que las primeras y últimas páginas no están totalmente bien pegadas y la goma de las demás hojas podría desprenderse al abrirlo mucho.

Awesome! A great reading. I loved the story, the characters. Interesting, intriguing, entertaining and touching. Pretty good character's development and evolution. I've enjoyed a lot Harper and her relationship with Grey, Then and other characters. She's a great female leader. She's brave besides her fears and can say thank you or I'm sorry and that doesn't make her any less cool, just the opposite. I've already started the next book of this series.

I have had this series on my shelf waiting to be read for ages, and finally got round to reading them. Iv been so excited to read this new Beauty and the Beast twist, I have heard so many amazing things about this series and couldn't wait to dive into it, and they weren't wrong. This first book was phenomenal and I got sucked right into the pages and the story. Prince Rhen is the prince of a kingdom named Emberfall, but not all as seems it is cursed, and he has to keep repeating the same eighteenth birthday and seasons, to break the curse, a girl has to fall in love with him, but with his only companion commander Grey finding many girls and with the same result happening, them not falling for the prince. Harper, a girl from Washington DC hasn't be an easy life Harper and her brother Jake, have had to survive from the mistakes of their father. Until one night by trying to help save another girl being taken/attacked, Harper is sucked into Emberfall, she has to learn how to fight and survive in a new world she didn't know existed, and put up with a prince she does not trust and who is always so calculated. With Harper she is so fierce and daring I love that about her, she does what she thinks right without thinking of the dangers and consequences that lay ahead. But can the curse be broken and will Emberfall still be standing by the end. "𝙄𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩." Absolutely loved this book. Rhen,Grey, and Harper are such brilliant strong characters in this first book. I loved learning all their different backgrounds and personality and the lives they have been through to get where they are. I'm a massive disney fan so when I saw a review quote that it was a suspenseful take on Beauty and Beast I had to read it, I'm so glad I finally got to read, I'd just wished I had started it earlier lol. Extraordinary start of a magical adventure, which I can't wait to dive into the second installment A Heart so Fierce and Broken.

Ich habe mich sofort in das Cover verliebt! Auch der Titel passt perfekt zur Gefühlswelt des Protagonisten. Handlung: Märchenadaption zu "Die Schöne und das Biest". Harper aus dem modernen D.C. wird in das Fantasyreich "Emberfall" entführt, um einen alten Fluch zu brechen. Sie soll sich in Prinz Rhen verlieben, der sich immer wieder nach Ablauf einer bestimmten Zeit, in ein Biest verwandelt und den Tag seines 18. Geburtstages immer wieder durchlebt. Er steckt seit vielen hundert Jahren in dieser Zeitschleife fest, an seiner Seite nur seine Leibgarde Grey. Rhen ist einsam, verbittert und ohne Hoffnung. Kann, nein "will" Harper diesen Fluch brechen? Meinung: So lange will ich dieses Buch lesen. Ich liebe den Schreibstil von Brigid Kemmerer und habe schon einige Bücher von ihr gelesen, jedoch keins aus dem Fantasybereich. Da Diese Reihe nun endlich 2021 übersetzt wird, wollte ich es zuerst auf Englisch wagen. Und ich bin begeistert! Es war definitiv anders als erwartet. Sehr abgewandelt zum eigentlichen Märchen, doch so kreativ und neu! Erfrischend! Die Charaktere haben sich sehr schnell in mein Herz geschlichen, vor allem der Prinz. Ich konnte seinen Schmerz und die Einsamkeit und Hoffnungslosigkeit auf jeder Seite spüren! Obwohl er so verzweifelt nach der Erlösung sucht, zwingt er Harper zu nichts und akzeptiert sein Schicksal! Harper und ihre Familiengeschichte in D.C. haben einen tollen Kontrast in die Geschichte gebracht. Sie war definitiv keine süße Prinzessin, sondern eine toughe, sture und manchmal etwas nervige Protagonistin. An Harpers Stelle wäre ich wahrscheinlich sofort beim Anblick des Prinzen eingeknickt, doch Harper blieb bockig. Die Nebencharaktere haben auch nicht wenig Szenen und besonders Grey wurde toll gezeichnet. Ich freue mich schon auf den 2.Band wo es um ihn geht. Der Plot konnte mich von Anfang an fesseln und hat mich tagelang nicht losgelassen. Die düstere, melancholische Atmosphäre war greifbar, ebenso wie die Emotionen der Charaktere. Das Ende hat mich sehr überrascht und macht Lust auf mehr! Dennoch bin ich mir fast sicher, dass dieses Buch nicht jedem gefallen wird, da die Story trotz großartiger Kulisse im Mittelteil doch eher ruhig bleibt und das dem ein oder anderen zu langatmig sein könnte. Info Nebenbei: Wenn ihr euch nur für die Lovestory interessiert, könnt ihr auch nur Band 1 lesen, da im 2.Band zwar die Grundstory um das Königreich weitergeht, jedoch andere Charaktere im Fokus stehen. Die Lovestory ist in diesem Buch relativ abgeschlossen erzählt. Doch nach dem krassen Ende, wollt ihr weiterlesen, versprochen! Für Fans von "Kuss der Lüge".