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A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers 1) by Brigid Kemmerer

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A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is the first book in the Cursebreakers series, offering a modern, young adult fantasy retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The story ...

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is the first book in the Cursebreakers series, offering a modern, young adult fantasy retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The story blends contemporary Washington D.C. with the magical, cursed kingdom of Emberfall and is praised for its strong characters and inclusive representation.

Summary

Prince Rhen of Emberfall is trapped in a cyclical curse, forced to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over. At the end of each cycle, he transforms into a vicious beast, bringing destruction upon his kingdom and killing his people, including his own family. The curse can only be broken if a girl falls in love with him. After 300 failed attempts, his guard commander, Grey, brings a new girl from another world—modern-day Washington D.C..

Enter Harper, a tough and resilient seventeen-year-old whose life in D.C. is already challenging, with a dying mother and a brother involved with loan sharks. When Harper intervenes in what she thinks is an abduction (Grey attempting to find a girl for the curse), she is inadvertently transported to Emberfall. Harper is a strong heroine with cerebral palsy, and her condition is portrayed as an integral part of her identity, not a weakness. As she learns about the curse and the dire situation in Emberfall, she must decide if she can help Rhen break the curse and save the kingdom from ruin.

Key Characters

Harper: A quick-thinking, strong-willed girl from Washington D.C. with cerebral palsy who is unexpectedly pulled into Emberfall.
Prince Rhen: The cursed heir to Emberfall, who appears arrogant and apathetic but is deeply tormented by his failures to save his kingdom and people from the cyclical destruction.
Commander Grey: Rhen's fiercely loyal, stoic guard commander and only remaining friend, who aids him in the desperate attempts to break the curse.
Lilith: The powerful and cruel enchantress who placed the curse on Rhen after he spurned her.

Reception and Themes

A Curse So Dark and Lonely was a New York Times bestseller and gained significant popularity on social media platforms like TikTok.

Disability Representation: The portrayal of Harper's cerebral palsy has been widely praised by reviewers for being authentic and empowering, showing her as a capable protagonist who works around her limitations.
Romance: Reviewers note the slow-burn romance between Harper and Rhen, built on trust and mutual respect, which avoids "insta-love" tropes. Some readers found a stronger connection between Harper and Grey, leading to hints of a love triangle that develops more in later books.
Themes: The book explores themes of loyalty, courage, sacrifice, and what it means to be a good ruler. It also delves into the human cost of the curse, focusing not just on the prince but on the suffering of his people.
Criticisms: Some reviewers noted weaknesses in the villains, who are sometimes characterized as one-dimensional, and a somewhat predictable plot.

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Last updated: 8 months ago

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