In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.
Find the heir, win the crown.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.
Win the crown, save the kingdom.
Grey may be the heir, but he doesn't want anyone to know his secret. On the run since he destroyed Lilith, he has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother's violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?
The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews A Curse So Dark and Lonely was one of my top reads in 2019! I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling and this is up there with some of the best. I have been waiting for this for what seems like forever.
The last book was told almost exclusively from the POV of Rhen and Harper. This book is told mostly from the POV of Grey and Lia Maria. In the first book, I loved Rhen. I loved him so damn much but his fears, his fears, they just take over. It makes him very difficult to like.
Grey and Lia are fantastic characters. Both grow so much throughout this book. Grey goes from loyal Guardsman to the rightful heir. But he does it so reluctantly and naturally that it doesn't feel like a betrayal. Lia has always been strong and a natural leader but she doesn't realise it. Her sister has been chosen as the heir and that's the end of it for her.
It was clear from early on how this story was going to progress. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey very much. I also enjoyed the whole host of side characters that we got to meet.
I am not very excited for book 3 which cannot come soon enough!
