A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer - Restarting August 14th 2023

[Maddie]

Sounds good Jenny! I'm going to read more tonight!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting August 1st 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[ikram]

I'm starting!!

Chapter 1 - 14

(view spoiler)[Does anyone get this A Court of Thorn and Roses & The Cruel Prince vibe?

Alright so far so good, although I kinda have few issues with it....first, what actually happened to all the girls...they don't just disappear, right? And I feel really, really bad for Rhen :((((( (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

AND OH (view spoiler)[I REALLY LOVE HARPER???? i'm only on chapter 14 and she already kicked so many ass i'm just in love (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

I just started. Or well, I started some time ago but got online right now, lol.
Anyway, Happy Reading Everyone!

[Ritika]

Chapter 10 done. (view spoiler)[Holy Cow! Just what happened! Did Rhen REALLY kill his entire family without even realizing it? I'm like, so curious to read more! (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

Ritika wrote: "Chapter 10 done. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[me: their parents are dead...but not killed. just dead
a curse so dark and lonely: rhen killed his family
me: *shocked pikachu picture* (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

ikram wrote: "Ritika wrote: "Chapter 10 done. [spoilers removed]"

me: their parents are dead...but not killed. just dead
a curse so dark and lonely: rhen killed his family
me: *shocked pikachu picture*"

That's me too! Lol.

[ikram]

im going to continue to read!! which page are you on right now?

[Ritika]

ikram wrote: "im going to continue to read!! which page are you on right now?"

I'm using an ebook so I'm not sure about the page number but I finished reading chapter 18.

Did you read chapter 17? I was laughing so hard by the time it ended.

Which chapter are you on, by the way?

[Jill]

Started!

[ikram]

Ritika wrote: "ikram wrote: "im going to continue to read!! which page are you on right now?"

I'm using an ebook so I'm not sure about the page number but I finished reading chapter 18.

Did you read chapter 17?..."

chapter 29!!

[ikram]

chapter 29 now!

(view spoiler)[i was about to hate rhen forever for not letting harper help hispeople. it turned out, rhen was ahead of her, i almost, ALMOST kick him for it (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

(view spoiler)[and the whole harper pretending to be a princess.....omg. she may not be a real princess by title, but harper indeed has the spirit. she commands grey without hesitation, uses trickery to protect people and now she dresses like a warrior queen. i may just be in love (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Really liking this beauty and the beast retelling so far. Interesting how its a parallel universe instead of the same place. And its kind of a mix of present day and the past. I'm liking Rhen and Harper so far. Their constant bickering is bound to turn to love, right? And I wonder what happened to all of the palace, including Rhen's parents. What's the deal with the monster? Every time he fails, the monster is unleashed? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 10

[ikram]

Jill wrote: "[spoilers removed]
Ch 10"

(view spoiler)[i feel disoriented whenever harper puts out her phone somehow..like out of place. i don't usually enjoy the mixture of modern and medieval setting in one book, but this could be an exception (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Restarting this!

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-10

(view spoiler)[So this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and it feels very similar so far to ACOTAR. Yeah, I know that's a retelling so, but it feels more like that book than any other retelling I've read so far.

Although, Harper having cerebral palsy is something I don't think I've come across in YA before. One of my brother's best friends growing up has cerebral palsy so I know a bit about it, but so far I can't speak for the representation because I haven't lived with it myself and I haven't read enough about it in this book yet.

Also, the whole abducting girls and forcing them to try and love Rhen is very creepy. While I love enemies-to-lovers, abductor/abductee to lovers is a little weird.

Lilith seems nice (sarcasm).

Also, why is Grey so hateful towards Harper? Because she's trying to defend herself? You'd think he'd be nicer towards the girl that could break the curse!

I'm not sure if I like this book... Which is awful because everyone else I know who's read it, loves it :(

Wait a minute.. if only Grey could get through to Harper's world once a season for an hour and they've 'kidnapped' tons of girls, what happened to the other girls???????????

(hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

ikram wrote: "Jill wrote: "[spoilers removed]
Ch 10"

[spoilers removed]"

I know what you mean (view spoiler)[but I like the split realities :P (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

ikram wrote: "I'm starting!!

Chapter 1 - 14 "

(view spoiler)[I haven't read ACOTAR so not sure. I think The Cruel Prince is a little more fantastical and the lead is more of a "bad guy." I like Rhen and feel bad for him too. He seems like a bad guy who learned the error of his ways and is now good. He deserves a chance. (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

ikram wrote: "AND OH [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[She's a tough cookie who's holding her own, even if they keep capturing her. They def respect her a lot too, as seen with the whole card game thing (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

Ashleigh wrote: "Chapters 1-10"

(view spoiler)[ I'm not buying the whole "all the girls go back home" bit at all. I think Grey is hiding it from Harper, but she finds out and flips her shit. Grey doesn't seem like a bad guy, just very loyal. But who knows, he can turn out to be anything (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

And here I am, still stuck on chapter 18, lol.

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Harper is a firecracker and a do gooder trying to save the innkeeper. Rhen wants to but he is hopeless about everything. I loved her improv to the enemy and Grey shanked the dude in the leg lol! She is starting to give Rhen hope to save the kingdom and I hope they can get it done! Wonder what plan he has up his sleeve and still waiting on this budding romance.. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 11-20

(view spoiler)[Oh, that explains my question haha. Some get to go home unharmed. How many did Rhen kill though???

Grey is growing on me.. as is this book haha.

Oh but Harper, sweet Harper, we all know you'll fall in love with Rhen. You're destined honey :) But love the fact she mentioned Stockholm Syndrome haha. I'm sure that's the one thing everyone says about Beauty and the Beast, either that or a bestiality thing hahaha.

Rhen is annoying me something rotten!! Is there any reason for him to be so.. I don't even know how to describe it... like he's blowing hot and cold and even in his POV, I don't particularly like him?

Like he does little gestures (like pay for the family's lodgings for 6 months) but then why was he so cruel to Harper on the way there, basically insulting her and calling her stupid and naive for not thinking about her proposals to help the people. What is going with him??? I understand the whole curse thing and he's given up all hope, but his manner is rude and really off putting.

At this point, there's more chemistry between Harper and Grey imo.

(hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[I love this alternate plan to save Rhen's people/kingdom and get Harper back home. Rhen isn't this evil guy, he actually cares and wants to fix everything. It's clear he got everyone in the situation they're in and killed everyone. I'm think he's the monster that gets unleashed and is very ashamed of it. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 30

[ikram]

Jill wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Chapters 1-10"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[i honestly agree with you...it's very fishy at first (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

Jill wrote: "[spoilers removed]
Ch 30"

(view spoiler)[i think rhen is slowly accepting his faith that there'll be no girls that could save him (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

chapter 37

(view spoiler)[ so when rhen and harper kissed......i am honestly feeling the angsty there BUT am i the only one who feels like their romance is a little bit forced? (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

and, (view spoiler)[ i feel like this is the part where harper would go back to DC and meet her family. i can't say i like the idea, because i don't want her to leave rhen and emberfall, but let's see what's going to happen (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Harper is totally this badass warrior princess and I love it. I also love the message of not pitying people who are different/have a disability. Sooo true. I'm liking the disability rep thus far. Harper and Rhen dancing has me ded. When she got Zo to play the violin for them, I totallyyyyy pictured her playing "Tale as old as time" like obvi. When they kissed I died, they're totally in love. Rhen has become so selfless. True to the original, he tells Harper to go back to save her family and that killed me. He reveals his true nature to her and she doesn't go running for the hills. I think she'll stick to her word and return to Emberfall (hide spoiler)]
Ch 40

[Jill]

ikram wrote: "chapter 37

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Not forced, but a slow burn. It's taking them a while, which I kinda like. I hate insta love and that's not what happens in the original (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

@Jill (view spoiler)[fair point!! i just feel like harper and grey have more chemistry than harper and rhen. but i love their dynamics as well (hide spoiler)]

[ikram]

ch 55

(view spoiler)[ is rhen even aware of his surroundings???? this is too intense........ and the whole pop culture reference makes me giggle. and now we also have jake the crown prince of disi helping his sister destroys the monster. i am glad that harper gets the help he needs to help rhen and emberfall. but really...the last chapters are too intense (hide spoiler)] going back to read now

[ikram]

i am finished..... i don't know what to think or feel...... i'll talk about it tomorrow because (view spoiler)[ the reveal in the end shocks me...oh..grey. oh poor grey. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 21-30

(view spoiler)[I still feel like Harper and Rhen have more chemistry and I'm kinda shipping them.. I think even Lilith picked up on their closeness.

Also, I kinda don't care about the whole plot with the other kingdom attacking and their building a fake army or whatever and going on a fake royal visit around. Its just boring me right now.


(hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[Harper wanted to return but couldn't find Grey :( I feel like she got over her mother's death a little too fast. Once her mom passed she was desperate to get back to Emberfall. No grief whatsoever. Wth?? I'm glad Grey came back eventually and brought all of them there. I hope Rhen can snap out of his monster state for Harper to break the curse (hide spoiler)]
Ch 49

[Jill]

(view spoiler)[I low key figured that Grey was the halfling. I kinda loved it and am interested to see what happens with that. Does this mean he has magic powers? Glad Rhen turns back and Harper continues their relationship. It's clear they care for each other but it wasn't so instalove. I appreciate that. And I love them together. (hide spoiler)]
End

[Ashleigh]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Sigh. I really wanted to like this book. My problem was I just didn't care about anything. And I didn't enjoy it. I know, I'm disappointed in myself.

I really thought Harper and Grey would fall in love. It seemed to be leaning that way to me. But whatever. Also, I didn't care for the reveal at the end that Grey is the other heir. How original. Guarantee a love triangle will pop up in book two. Which I won't be reading. Because I don't care.

Also, I kinda hated that Jake and Noah came to Emberfall with them. Makes no sense. Adds nothing to the story. Will only cause problems later.


As I've said, not carrying on with this series. Just really didn't like this book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Uh oh Ashleigh 2 stars XD

[ikram]

my thought:

(view spoiler)[ Honest to say, I like more Grey and Harper relationship more. I think, they share more chemistry than Harper and Rhen, but it doesn't mean I don't approve Harper and Rhen either. Thinking about it now, I agree with Ashleigh, there'll be potential love triangle on the next book.

The ending was intense but I don't think it solves anything, other than breaking Rhen's curse. But, it's not solving other problem such as the invasion. Well, I hope it'll be solved on the next book.

3.5 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Chapter Thirty One done. (view spoiler)[Holy moly! That attack was sure something to talk about! I mean, I read it and I was like...WOW! What is going on Harper? Will they even look at you in a strong light after this? But turns out, they do. Hehe. I'm excited to read more! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Maddison wrote: "Uh oh Ashleigh 2 stars XD"

I know :/ I feel bad because everyone else loves it :(

[Maddie]

I'm loving it so far XD

[Ritika]

Chapter 41. (view spoiler)[Oh no! Oh no! Her mother dies. You know, I felt it right before she passed away. The way she said, I've been waiting for you both. Always love each other...
Oh no! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Is Chapter 46: Monster blank for everyone or is it just for me?

[Jill]

Ashleigh wrote: "Maddison wrote: "Uh oh Ashleigh 2 stars XD"

I know :/ I feel bad because everyone else loves it :("

Lol, I actually give it 3.5 stars. Wasn't crazy insanely in love with it, but I enjoyed it. It had good moments..

[Jill]

Ritika wrote: "Is Chapter 46: Monster blank for everyone or is it just for me?"

It's blank, but if you keep reading you will understand the context :)

[Ritika]

Jill wrote: "Ritika wrote: "Is Chapter 46: Monster blank for everyone or is it just for me?"

It's blank, but if you keep reading you will understand the context :)"
Then it's fine. Hehe.

[Ritika]

Finished! (view spoiler)[Ah, I just finished! And I am flabbergasted. Okay, so I definitely expected the end to be something like..um, the curse getting broken and everything but Grey? Grey? That was such a no-no zone for me! (hide spoiler)]