A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (The Cursebreaker, #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

A New York Times bestseller!
"Has everything you'd want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale." - Jodi Picoult

In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

Fall in love, break the curse.


It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

Reviewed by Emma (SCR) on

5 of 5 stars

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This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Bloomsbury for my copy of this via Netgalley. I also got a copy of this in my February Fairyloot box. I ADORE Beauty and the Beast so I was stoked to get a special copy of this from Fairyloot. I flicked between the netgalley copy and the Fairyloot copy.

I was a little scared to read this just in case it was terrible and ruined BATB for-Evermore. However, I had nothing to worry about. This book was AMAZING! It was different, yes but I loved it. The chapters are told from alternating points of view with the characters name after the chapter number to let you know who's POV you are reading.

Harper is a strong character. Despite her cerebral palsy, she is determined not to be a victim. She is brave and confident but also stubborn as hell. She made a great Belle. I loved her chapters so much.

Rhen is 'The Beast'. In this retelling, Rhen isn't a beast all the time. He only turns into a beast near the end of the season. Rhen has done everything he can to protect his people but the kingdom is in real danger. I really loved Rhen from the beginning. He was damn easy to fall for. I so wanted things to work out between Rhen and Harper. I also loved his relationship with Grey. Grey has been there for him since the curse began and he has never given up.

I really loved the ending of this book and I CANNOT wait for the next book

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 8 April, 2019: Finished reading
  • 8 April, 2019: Reviewed