From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers, #1)

Brigid Kemmerer

Start date: April 1, 2019

Finish date: April 30, 2019

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: romance
[close] Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: romance

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 506 topics — 19,054 comments total

Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
By Bailey · 4 posts · 30 views

last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
By Bailey · 10 posts · 59 views

last updated Aug 27, 2025 04:41PM

showing 10 of 10 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 18, 2019 Caitie (caitiegirlreads) rated it liked it

This book has been a struggle to review. I didn’t connect with the characters like I wanted too, and it felt a bit long and drawn out. I don’t think I like Rhen at all. (Don’t hate me!) Harper is fierce and amusing as the Princess Of Disi. 😂 I do like Grey and I want him to find all the happiness in the world! The trio’s attempts to save the kingdom through illusion of power was intriguing and heartwarming.

There were definitely things that made it a unique retelling, but my heart wasn’t investe ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2019 Katerina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

5/5

When it comes to re-tellings, I am always in the hesitance to start them. I have been let down in the past with books not living up to their full potential, or not taking a new twist on the fairy-tale they wish to re-tell. However, to the skeptics out there that are also hesitating to read this book. Let me put your hearts at ease... this book was AMAZING.

I wish I could tell you the depth that the author went to not only research and consult a friend with cerebral palsy to get the details co 5/5

When it comes to re-tellings, I am always in the hesitance to start them. I have been let down in the past with books not living up to their full potential, or not taking a new twist on the fairy-tale they wish to re-tell. However, to the skeptics out there that are also hesitating to read this book. Let me put your hearts at ease... this book was AMAZING.

I wish I could tell you the depth that the author went to not only research and consult a friend with cerebral palsy to get the details correct and accurate in the book but also researching how doctors speak, how knives would have been thrown...I mean seriously this author did the work above and beyond what most would do. P.S this information is found in the acknowledgements!

The beginning was a hook, line, and sinker. I was never left wondering and the pages almost turned themselves. I won't lie, and this may seem a bit gross, but I was heating up as I got closer to the end. Like seriously sweating with anticipation...that has never happened to me before. I am fairly certain I should consult a doctor!

Harper Our lovely and very REAL protagonist. Too many times I see a character come in a fall in love with the "hotie-mchotstuf" and I was so grateful from the reprieve of reading another love at first sight novel. No instead we are given a girl that has real hardships, that faces real dangers in her world and in this parallel world, and a girl that finds a way to live live around a birth-defect. This is the first time I have found a character that isn't annoying and does stupid irrational things. Her growth and development through the book is definitely something to watch for as you are reading. Yes, she is already strong-willed due to her background; however, there was so much room for growth and we get it.

I really don't want to get into the romance because the thing is, it was real and not really present. Meaning, it built and took time and it was in the background of what was really going on. No love at first sight, no swooning over each other. Solid trust was what ALL the relationships were built on in this book. You have two very handsome characters:

1. Grey the uptight soldier, who will do anything to protect his crown prince. And while he was not a contender in the romance. The close bond he creates with Harper is still quite magical. So I rooted for him anyways. Just cuz I can.

2. Rhen the "once-upon-a-time" arrogant prince, who has to face his consequences every day. He definitely fits the "idea" of being a prince. He has the right structure, the mind-set, the skills, and he knows how to give orders. It was pretty amazing to watch a character, like him, shift into something that you normally would find strange. I quite enjoyed it.

I am happy with how this book turned out and I am excited to get my hands on the second book in the series. Here is to hoping we don't get hit with "second-book-syndrome". ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2019 Tweller83 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: retellings, own-read, fantasy, favorites

Finally, one of my most anticipated that lived up to the hype. The first 5 star read from that list. I really loved the main character, Harper. She is so snarky. Prince Rhen was good sometimes and yet I felt like he didn't really grow as much as I'd hoped in this book. I really liked "Scary Grey" better. Of course, I thought it was a stand alone rather than the beginning of a series, sigh... Oh well, what is one more series on my list? I guessed the twist (or at least a portion of it - but don't ...more

Like · see review

Jun 10, 2020 Priya rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, ya, series, 2020

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book. It's actually much more than your usual Beauty and the Beast retelling - bit more grit, bit more original mythology.

Solid! ...more

Like · see review