by Brigid Kemmerer - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
When the royal family has passed, and the remaining Prince has locked himself within his castle, one usually doesn't think to themselves; "What of the Kingdom?"
Well, this is a book that did. Inspired by the classic fairytale of everyone's favorite bookish lass; Beauty & The Beast comes a story about unity, consequences, and what it means to genuinely fall in love.
Harper is your average gal who's on the lookout one day for her debt collector brother when she witnesses a man attempting to have his way with a lass highly intoxicated. Being the kind and brave gal she is, Harper steps in between them with a wrench and this is exactly how she ends up in every bad situation. Harper finds herself being held captive (not really) by Prince Rhen, who locked himself up in his palace. She makes multiple trips to the kingdom throughout the book, forcing Prince Rhen to really understand the damage the kingdom has suffered. Then after witnessing a rivaling kingdom invade his lands, Rhen decides to step up and do something about his forgotten kingdom, the curse be damn.
All the while Harper is trying to find a way back to her world where her mother is sick and her brother needs help. Turns out, even though she cannot break the prince's curse, she can help him rally up his kingdom and protect it from invading forces. The two understood the agreement that the other won't fall in love, by as they get to know each other more, the leeway for romance blooms just the slightest.
Whoa. I have no idea what I expected him to do, but that's even better.
Start / End: 01.06.20 / 01.07.20
Page Count: 477.
Reading Format: Physical.
Owned Copy(s): Hardback. Fairyloot Hardback.
Song:
How I Met This Book?
I learned a month ago that the author of this book was coming down to Florida, my region, for a book signing on the release date of the book's sequel. So I decided to bump this up on my TBR, so I could attend the event knowing full well everything she was saying. Author events are only fun if you know the book, after all.
"My lord. I did nothing. I sat down and asked."
Kelly Coon had guest-starred and showed a great dynamic with Brigid Kemmerer. The panel started with introductions and synopsis of A Curse So Dark And Lonely & A Heart So Fierce And Broken. (Gravemaidens as well, Coon's debut book.)
The audience got an insider tip about the process of publishing a book. It's here I learned that A Curse So Dark And Lonely was sold to a publisher back in 2016, and got its release date for 2019! That's crazy! I also learned of the inspiration behind A Curse So Dark And Lonely, and that it's not a retelling of Beauty & The Beast, but inspired by. It must sting to have the front of the book call it a retelling, but marketing will always be out of us writer's control.
The idea of Cursebreakers appeared back in 2012 but wasn't able to get sold to a publisher. It was only when Brigid Kemmerer was on the verge of giving up writing did her husband ask her to write something for her, for fun, no pressure, no deadlines. So she removed Cursebreakers from the shelf, and let it flow. It was an inspirational story that left me even more motivated to write what I've abandoned long ago! This story can also be found in the acknowledgments of the book.
Originally, Harper was sassier, in a smartass way. It's thanks to Kemmerer's editor, Mary Kate Castellani that we got to see a more clever heroine. Harper was also based on a dear friend of Kemmerer, which I found heartwarming.
I was surprised to learn that Grey, originally wasn't going to have much screen time (let alone a whole book!) It was when Kemmerer was writing the scene of Harper and Grey fighting over the phone, did Kemmerer decide Grey's importance to be upped.
Overall, I had a lovely time and learned a lot from these ladies! I look forward to going back in time and reading all of Kemmerer's works, and I'll look forward to everything Coon pushes out!
"It's very possible to have many voices get in your head. Reviews, critics, publishers. We forget that we should just have fun." - Brigid Kemmerer.
The Bookish Checklist
The Concept
When I first read this book, I didn't see it as a Beauty & The Beast retelling. The author actually had to point it out to me that it was seen that way to many when really all Beauty & The Beast did was inspire the story. That being said, I found the concept very original. It was a simple idea, a simple story.
And from that one story, many lives were made and taken shape. The time loop twist made for some dark humor, which I'm glad the author took advantage of. It also leaves a scar that will never fade on two of the characters, and although they were more concerned with breaking the curse. I look forward to seeing how the time loop effects them in the next two books.
Harper's role in the story was the best concept I've heard in awhile. To explore the kingdom that was cursed and neglected by it's King. Getting to see what despair and chaos the people fell into was something I'd never think of. I'm so glad I had the honor of reading it. The details, the characters. Everything word was spinning a new life, and I adored each word I absorbed.
The Storytelling
Very simple to follow, it made all the words feel light, and fun. The book knew when to take itself seriously, and when it did, it was never off-putting. It felt right and smooth. It's written through the narrative of Harper and Prince Rhen, who can never bore the readers.
There wasn't anything too drastic to differentiate between Perspectives, which kept the same style tone of the book through and through. That was a bit disappointing, considering the two characters come from very different backgrounds and built their kindness in two very different ways.
The pacing did go a bit too fast for me towards the ending, but overall the book did amazing to keep the story entertaining and interesting.
The Characters
Where do I start? I love them all! Our heroine, Harper, was easy to like. From the get-go, I couldn't find anything annoying about her. Maybe a bit stale, but her character growth took two steps at a time up the stairs! Harper is sassy, clever, and kind. She doesn't quite fit in one character archetype, but several. Harper "suffers" from CP, but she doesn't let it get to her. It's not what defines her character, nor is it something I really noticed as I was reading. The fact remains, Harper's condition and how she handles it plays a major voice to her character.
But of course, Prince Rhen is such a great candidate for "favorite character". From the beginning, you were never given the chance to dislike his personality. The most you could do is be bored with his edgy prince act and doubt his intentions. But because you can also see his perspective of things after Harper's, you're given one reason after the other to like him. By the end of it all, if Harper hasn't fallen in love, you sure did.
The book really relies on its characters to get the readers to the end. Aside from our Beauty and Beast, you had Grey to bridge the two. Grey is awesome, just, for the record. But so is a ton of characters, Like Noah, Zo, Lilith and Freya. The book does a splendid job in making you invested in these character's well-belling and growth. Something that, surprisingly, you do get to see, despite the little page time.
And it doesn't feel out of place.
Amazing. Just... all my praise.
The Genre; Fantasy & Romance
So the fantasy was on the softer side. I believe the book did well with the type of setting the author decided to settle on. The royal clothing were easy to imagine, the dialogue of Emberfall was a bit too basic, but the twist of Earth's dialogue gave a freshness to Emberfall's. There wasn't any plot holes with the rules of fantasy as far as I could see, overall I think it did well in terms of Fantasy.
Now the romance? It is with great joy that I am, for the first time since starting this blog, can say that the romance was beautiful. Very realistic, had me second guessing "will they won't they" but never in an annoying fashion. I enjoyed the pacing it took. No instalove, Stockholm syndrome, or 180 flip from hate to love. Nope, just natural progression of two getting to know each other more.
Would I Recommend?
! Y E S ! The concept was original, the characters were all great, every single one of them that appeared. The conflicts our protagonists encountered were worth investing and the romance was so beautiful to watch bloom that I myself couldn't help but dghsdjkfnkfvss. You want a book that'll warm you up like a rich cup of cocoa?
Then 10 out of 10, definitely recommend!
"Jake said you two had to 'do something real quick' and then we'd be home. Hilarious."
This concludes my rambling disguised as a review on A Curse So Dark And Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer!
Thank you for supporting me and listening to me go on and on!
-Amethyst Majestorye
Comments