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

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 6-12

[spoilers removed]"

I like Rhen and Grey equally so far. The patience with which Rhen is treating Harper even after all these seasons of failure and disappointment is..."

(view spoiler)[I think I like Grey more so far. I didn't really read it as patience, but more a resignation that he has one last chance to break the curse. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 1-6
I think that it has a pretty promising start. I do read a lot of fantasy, and I really like retellings in general. I'm glad to see that you're expanding your horizons, and I hope that..."

(view spoiler)[ I'm also interested with all of their backstories. I'm wondering why Lilith cursed Rhen. What exactly did Rhen do?

Aside from that, I find the book an easy read despite having many pages. I like the cross over between the high fantasy and low fantasy. I think that was unique (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 1-6
I think that it has a pretty promising start. I do read a lot of fantasy, and I really like retellings in general. I'm glad to see that you're expanding your horizons, a..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I do agree that the worldbuilding is pretty unique. The Beauty and the Beast retellings that I've seen are mostly high fantasy, but this was a nice change. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

Simone wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 6-12
[spoilers removed]"
"

(view spoiler)[ I have an opposite feeling. I like Rhen more. I think it's because it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. And Rhen trying to understand Harper despite of everything has happened so I guess that's a plus for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Wasn't able to read yesterday. But hopefully, I'll catch up today..

[Akshita]

Chapter 12-18
(view spoiler)[
The romance in fantasy is so much better than contemporary romances. It's (as far as I know) very subtle, a slow-burn, which adds much more depth to it.
I wish we could get a bit of Grey's perspective on things? Why did he stay? Does he ever get tired of this? What does he think of Harper?
I am quite surprised that Rhen's kingdom is not already in hands of some another ruler.. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Chapters 18-24

(view spoiler)[I really like slow burn romances (it just feels more realistic to me). With Beauty and the Beast retellings, you have to make sure that it is actual love and not Stockholm Syndrome, and I think this book is doing a good job of that? (I don't know much about Stockholm Syndrome.) So anyway, summary.

Rhen comes up with a plan to scare away Karis Luran's army. Harper and Grey agree to help, and the plan begins. The romance between Harper and Grey grows, and Harper forgives Rhen for his advances.

I like Grey more than Rhen so far, and I too am in desperate need of his backstory. I mean, considering it is a BatB retelling, I doubt they'll end up together, but I kind of ship it. What I'm wondering is why Lilith decided to loop Grey in with the curse? Is there something about him that we don't know, or did he request it, or is it purely because he is the only one from the castle to survive?

Lol Rhen's kingdom is going to take a lot of work. And I do not see the trip to Silvermoon going well. They are probably most definitely going to get attacked/captured. (hide spoiler)]

Really enjoying the book so far!

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 12-18

I really like slow burn romances..."

You know what you did there!? You numbered the chapters wrong and spoiled me for the next 6 chapters!! -_-

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

Chapter 12-18 - (view spoiler)[ I'm surprised that the people don't know that it's not Rhen who's forcing people out of their houses. On the other hand, it's not surprising at all that Rhen didn't know what's happening to his kingdom. I only wish that he could've care for these people waaaaay before Harper came. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 12-18
The romance in fantasy is so much better than contemporary"

(view spoiler)[ I completely agree with you. Despite the fact that I really ship Rhen and Harper, I need a Grey POV. I'm sure he gets tired from time to time. But why does he still do it??? He could leave like the other guards. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "Chapter 12-18 - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I mean, I'm not exactly sure that it was a lack of caring. Both he and Grey had never even left the castle grounds (except to get girls). I do wish that he had thought of his people more, but I think he just assumed that they would be better off without him. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 12-18

I really like slow burn romances..."

You know what you did there!? You numbered the chapters wrong and spoiled me for the next 6 chapters!! -_-"

OMG I AM SOOOO SORRY!!

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 12-18

You know what you did there!? You numbered the chapters wrong and spoiled me for the next 6 chapters!! -_-"

OMG..."


Haha. No problem.

[Akshita]

Chapter 18-24
(view spoiler)[ I am really liking the romance so far. Though Harper and Grey are growing quite close, I can see some advancements with Rhen as well.
The way some conversations are paired with a game of cards is interesting. I like it how their game strategy resonates with their thoughts in general. Especially the part where Rhen finishes telling her about his plan, while presenting his Prince card at the same time and Harper is like "I stare at him, stunned. It didn’t matter what I played. He would have won anyway."...That, for some reason, blew me away!

These chapters presented us with a whole new picture of Rhen. I like him even more now..
We are getting more of Grey's past as well. But I am still not sure that I like it when he never shows any emotions. I want my characters raw.. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 18-24

I really like slow burn romances (it just feels more realistic to me). With Beauty and the Beast retellings, you have to make sure that it is actual love and not Stockholm Syndrome,..."

Same. There plan seems too fragile to actually work. (view spoiler)[ How do they expect people to react when their prince comes out of his 'palace' after 5 years of hiding, while his people starved and suffered!?
And with enemy forces all around, I hardly believe they would get out of Silvermoon unharmed. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Chapters 24-30

(view spoiler)[Jamison is hired as Lieutenant. Lilith comes, tortures Rhen in front of Harper, and when Harper throws a knife at her, she cuts Harper's cheek. Frey and Harper become closer. They travel to Silvermoon to make their presence known. Rhen is in the middle of teaching Harper archery when Rhen is knocked back and Harper screams. (Knew that the trip would end badly!)

More romance between Harper and Rhen. We find out more about Grey. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Chapter 18-24
I am really liking the romance so far. Though Harper and Grey are growing quite close, I can see some advancements with Rhen as well.
The way some conversations are paired with a ga..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, Rhen has definitely been growing on me (I still like Grey more though). I like how the differences between Grey and Rhen is shown through the card games. Grey is a lot more straightforward, and though he is a good player, he does not strategize to the extent Rhen does.

Both Grey and Rhen are pretty closed off, though Rhen became a bit more vulnerable post Lilith's torture. I wonder if we'll have any more sweet moments with Grey, or if it'll just be Rhen from here (because you know Rhen is endgame). (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 24-30
..."

(view spoiler)[I like that Rhen is finally trying to communicate with his people. It is clear now how much he cares for his people.
Romance between Rhen and Harper is gradually gaining ground. But Harper still seems to trust Grey more than Rhen. I am starting to like Grey much more now as we get to know more of his story.(though I would still ship Rhen and Harper). He is also beginning to let his guard down a bit, though rarely.

That attack though.. I wonder if it's the common people or Karis' men...( I wouldn't be surprised if it were the common people!) (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 24-30
..."

I like that Rhen is finally trying to communicate with his people. It is clear now how much he cares for his people.
Romance between Rhen and Harper is graduall..."

(view spoiler)[I actually would be surprised if it were the common people. By that, I mean just random people on the street who have no affiliation with Karis. I definitely think that there are common people who are against Rhen's rule, but I doubt that they would attack him. I mean, looking him in the eye is one thing, but attacking both him, and the woman said to be a warrior princess? That makes me think that it's Karis's men. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Chapters 30-36

(view spoiler)[It turns out that the attack was indeed done by the civilians (something that Akshita, totally predicted and I did not) who were mad about, well, the royal family abandoning them for 5 years while a beast terrorized the lands. Rhen orders Grey to kill one of those men, Harper shows mercy on that man, Rhen now has his people's loyalty. Rhen and Harper nearly kiss, Lilith shows up and severely tortures Rhen, and as a result Rhen is closed off.

They enlist people for the Royal Guard (Harper now has a personal guard, Zo), people want to fight Karis Luran, Rhen goes to the Grand Marshal for an army. He didn't want Harper to come, but she comes anyway, and alerts them to treason by the Seneschal. Rhen promptly kills the Seneschal and they go home. Harper comforts Rhen, finds out more about what Lilith did to him, and she invites him into her room. They talk, dance, and all around have a romantic time.

Rhen starts sleeping in Harper's room every night, and Lilith doesn't visit him. Harper is a great, kind, and compassionate princess, who also trains and becomes a warrior. She reveals more about her old life, and Rhen reveals more about his. They prepare for war (with actual retired military personnel), and all seems well for now. But most certainly something will go wrong.

Wow, a lot happened in this section! I'm enjoying that way the world and politics is weaved into the story without the use of huge info-dumps. I find that I am enjoying Rhen and Harper's romance, but I still like Grey more. I don't know what it is about him but he's just so endearing to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 30-36

..."
(view spoiler)[
I totally agree on the politics part. I am glad that I am being able to comprehend this world instead of feeling all lost (considering it's my first real fantasy read ever :P)

Things have made huge progress in these few chapters. They have a good number of people on their side now. The focus is slightly shifting towards building an army and protecting their lands..It's not all about the curse now.
I am loving the romantic moments between Rhen and Harper. They always feel so real and carry this anticipation.
We didn't get much of Harper and Grey in these chapters, and I am guessing that's how it's gonna be from now on? (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 30-36

..."

I totally agree on the politics part. I am glad that I am being able to comprehend this world instead of feeling all lost (considering it's my first real fantas..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I think that from now on it'll be pretty much strictly Rhen and Harper. I enjoy their dynamic, but I wish we got more of Grey. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Chapters 36-42

(view spoiler)[Lilith visits Harper and tells her that her family is in danger, and gives Frey the ability to cross over to her world whenever. We also learn that Lilith killed Grey's entire family. Harper and Rhen talk (and kiss), Rhen orders Grey to return her home, Rhen begins to change into a beast. He gets scales this time, which makes me think he'll either be a fish or a dragon (leaning more towards the dragon lol. But seriously, imagine if one time he just became a normal goldfish. Anyway, on with the summary.)

After Harper returns home, she asks Grey to come back to go to Emberfall. Jake is suspicious that she's some sort of trap, Harper's mom dies. Rhen meets with Karis Luran, who knows that his father's dead and that Disi is nonexistant. Rhen finds out that his father paid her a tithe, and that he's not the true heir. Lilith visits, and Rhen commits suicide (but probably not actually). I feel like either Lilith will do something, or he'll transform midair. I mean, if he becomes a dragon, that would be pretty easy to do, right? (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 36-42
l..."

(view spoiler)[
That was my first guess too..Rhen transforming mid-air. I have no idea what will happen to Rhen's POVs once he gets transformed.

And he has a half-brother..? I so want it to be someone we already know, not just a random person walking out of the crowd. (This thing really bugs me, when in a book or movie, an entirely new but important character shows up near the end.) But that leaves us with only a few options...

I wasn't a huge fan of the way Harper's homecoming was written. I think I wanted some more emotions there than what we got.

But so far, I am really loving this book! Everytime I start reading, I don't want to stop.. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Chapters 36-42
l..."


That was my first guess too..Rhen transforming mid-air. I have no idea what will happen to Rhen's POVs once he gets transformed.

And he has a half-brother..? ..."

(view spoiler)[I feel like his half sibling is probably someone we know. I have a feeling that it may be Grey, considering that would be both a huge stab in the heart, and a good decision story-wise. Plus, it says that his mother was a lady's maid, which would've given Rhen's father the perfect opportunity to...

Anyway, that seems like the most logical of the characters we know. I feel like it's either Grey, or someone we don't know, because none of the other characters that we know are likely it. And, I'm assuming that this is a patrilineal monarchy, so a sister as heir is pretty much out of the question. But, that also would've been an interesting twist.

I definitely agree with you on Harper's homecoming. It was rushed, and not as intense as it should've been for one of the most climactic scenes in the Disney movie, where Belle needs to rescue her father from an insane asylum. Here, it was like, yes, her mother just died, and yes, she and Jake may be murdered at any point, but eh. It just felt like an unnecessary detour rather than an important plot point, like it did in the Disney movie. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Chapters 42-49

(view spoiler)[Harper returns, tells Jake about where she has been (who doesn't believe her). She meets Noah, Grey comes back severely injured, and takes all of them back to Emberfall. They meet Jamison, and prepare to fight the Monster/Rhen. We also get some incredibly upsetting chapters from the Monster's POV, in which he actually remembers Harper. Which means he'll probably recognize Harper when they face off. (hide spoiler)]

[Akshita]

Is Chapter 46 supposed to be nothing..or is their some fault in my ebook?

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Chapters 42-49

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah..*probably*

These chapters were comparatively short..

(view spoiler)[
I had really liked it when Harper's life in DC and Emberfall were almost separate..I mean, when she had no connection with it and no means of communication. But now we have her brother and his boyfriend come here too.. not sure how I feel about that. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Is Chapter 46 supposed to be nothing..or is their some fault in my ebook?"

Yeah, it's nothing in my copy too. (view spoiler)[I believe that it's meant to show that Rhen as a monster is a mindless killing machine. (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Lol I realized that I accidentally did 7 chapters instead of 6 last time, but oh well.

Chapters 50-Epilogue

(view spoiler)[Noah and Jake arrive in Emberfall. Rhen the monster recognizes Harper, and they destroy Syhl Shallow's army. They face off Lilith, break the curse, Grey disappears, and Jake and Noah are stuck in Emberfall. Grey is the true heir (which I predicted!), and he runs off into the woods. (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed both this book and this buddy read a lot! Are you interested in buddy reading the second book, A Heart So Fierce and Broken?

[Akshita]

Simone wrote: "Lol I realized that I accidentally did 7 chapters instead of 6 last time, but oh well.

Chapters 50-Epilogue

[spoilers removed]

I enjoyed both this book and this buddy read a lot! Are you interes..."

I too enjoyed buddy reading with you! :-)
I would love to get to the sequel. But I already had things planned for June. Maybe we can start in July? Or if I could spare some time in June, I would let you know?

[Akshita]

That Epilogue though..
(view spoiler)[
As you had already guessed, Grey is the true heir. But he decides it is best if this remains concealed...and tries to run? hide?
And what exactly happened after he killed Lilith (if he did).. How did he return to Emberfall?
And somewhere in the book, Lilith mentioned the existence of another person possesing magic... Will that have a significance?

The good news is that the sequel is from Grey's POV!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "That Epilogue though..

As you had already guessed, Grey is the true heir. But he decides it is best if this remains concealed...and tries to run? hide?
And what exactly happened after he killed Li..."

(view spoiler)[I'm curious on how long Grey would be able to stay hidden. I mean, he can't stay invisible forever. And when he does inevitably appear, what will be the backlash? Will people have even guessed the true heir?

I honestly have no idea whether or not Lilith is dead. I'm leaning towards yes, because the second book is about her daughter, but maybe that's the big reveal?

The other person possessing magic will most certainly be significant. And I'm assuming that the aforementioned daughter is this person in question.

Yeah, I'm so happy to be reading Grey's POV!! (hide spoiler)]

[Simone]

Akshita wrote: "Simone wrote: "Lol I realized that I accidentally did 7 chapters instead of 6 last time, but oh well.

Chapters 50-Epilogue

[spoilers removed]

I enjoyed both this book and this buddy read a lot! ..."

I'm fine whenever you are :) Just message me when you want to start.

[Jenn]

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting December 5th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

I finished this almost a week ago, but I really loved it!(view spoiler)[I am sorry that Grey didn't come back to Emberfall, or rather to the palace, since I'm still not very clear as to where her ended up.
I was worried that Grey would turn out to be a love interest in this, as there were quite some amount of passages where it seemed like Harper was 'noticing' him, if you know what I mean. And though I would have loved seeing Rhen even more jealous than he was behaving, I am glad that this didn't turn into a love triangle! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

(view spoiler)[I am sad that the next book isn't going to have a Harper or Rhen POV, since I wanted more to their story, but I also wanted to read more about Grey, so it's a win-some-lose-some situation.
I am interested about who the love interest might be in the next book, since I don't think we saw anything about them in this book (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

(view spoiler)[I am also pretty invested in Jake and Noah's romance, and though I would love to see more about that in the next book, it seems pretty doubtful. The fact that they are stuck in Emberfell is giving me hope that this won't be the last we see of them, but who knows? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

(view spoiler)[I already mentioned this in my review, but I loved that we had a main character with a medical condition that I was not very aware about, and I love learning about different conditions like this! Probably one of the reasons I loved PJO, I didn't know anything about ADHD and/or Dyslexia before I read them.
CP is one of the many conditions that I have heard about, but never found out what exactly it was.
I am hoping that we will see more representation like this in the next book? Maybe another different medical condition? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

I hope you like it! If you decide to read the next one too, me and a friend are reading it on the 26th!

[ColeBG]

I'm a little late, but I'm going to start reading this book.

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

ColeBG wrote: "I'm a little late, but I'm going to start reading this book."

Yay! Hope you like it!

[Jenn]

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting February 27th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Elizabeth]

Can't wait to start this one!

[Evelyn]

Started a little early because I'm ahead of all my BR's! Will still be here when you guys start to read though :)

[Evelyn]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I totally love Harper so far. I can tell she's gonna be a really strong protagonist. I've heard there's gonna be a love triangle which sucks, but I think it's pretty obvious she'll end up with Rhen since he's the beast.
I wonder what other obstacles will be in this book since it's over 450 pages and there hasn't really been many characters introduced yet. Maybe Lilith will interfere, but I don't think so because she cursed him and is giving him one last chance. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I've read quite a few Beauty and the Beast retellings, so I went into this one hesitantly. Obviously the plot won't be wholly original but I always like to see what the author does with it.
I really like Harper at this point. She is feisty and pretty independent. I like that the book is inclusive. Cerebral Palsy doesn't get a lot of attention in fiction, especially YA. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Grey is growing on me. I like him more than Rhen right now, though I feel bad for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I think Harper would be a great princess, since she cares so much about people. Even putting herself in danger to help them. (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 8"
I totally agree! I love to see disabilities being represented in YA