A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Review

Source: Purchased.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely (A Curse So Dark and Lonely #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

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 Lacy. 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.

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So I've been excited about A Curse So Dark and Lonely for a while now. Partly because I'm always down for a b&tb retelling, but also because fantasy and Brigid and also ahaha that synopsis omg. But when this beautiful book finally made its way into my hands, it took me a little while to pick it up. Because man, I was intimidated. I've had multiple friends sing this one praises. And while that's a vote of confidence, that is also PRESSURE. I do not do well reading under pressure. But I finally got up the nerve to read this book and my friends--I am ready to join the club in singing A Curse So Dark and Lonely praises because it deserves ALL OF THEM.

There are so many things that were done well in this novel, I'm sure I'm going to forget something but I'll walk you through the highlights:

- The Characters. Each and every one. They were fleshed out so skillfully. Rhen--both his past, arrogant self and his current, remorseful one. The contradiction between the two. His growth in that time, and then throughout the course of this book itself. Harper--her strength that she always and but only came to realize and harness when put in an out-of-this-world situation. Her cleverness. Her kindness. Her general badassery. And Grey--loyal to no end. Kind. Fierce, but soft when needed. When it matters. Oh, and the most lethal guy in the room. 

- The Friendships. Okay this was probably what had me most head over heels for this book. Harper and Grey and their beautiful friendship is kind of what I live for now? Their playing cards and him teaching her to throw knives and her trying to stab him and him being like "hey maybe hold it this way for better defense." I'm trash for this. Then there is Grey and Rhen which has layers. They have their past and they have their present and they're connected and close and I am a huge 100% fan. 

- The Slow Burn. I spend my life searching for well done slow burn romances and ring-a-ding-ding here is one right here thanks to Brigid Kemmerer. Rhen and Harper have so much going on. Honestly, it SHOULD take them time to figure out their feelings for each other, the way things are so intertwined with the state of the kingdom. But when they had their moments...my eyes were GLUED to the page. I devoured those moments. They were beautiful.

- The Retelling. This take on Beauty & the Beast was honestly stunning. It's easy for retellings to read in a way that can be kind of stale, at least in part, but this one felt unique and fresh and even when I saw it hitting the beats in the old tale it also had enough originality that I wondered what would come next. Mostly because this isn't JUST a retelling. It's a retelling within another, larger story. And I loved it.

- The Execution. When I love a book I either read the whole thing straight through in barely a day or I take my time and read it s l o w l y. This one fell into the second category because I was so enchanted I needed to savor the story. The words. The characters. The world. It was all so well written, I never wanted to let go. It took me about a week to read this book, and it still felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. I miss it already. 

Overall, A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a stunning retelling. Well constructed characters, fleshed out relationships, and so much more made this one that I didn't want to end. And you BET I'm gonna be over here snatching up that sequel the first moment I can. In the meantime, if you haven't given this one a shot yet--you really should. This is one that's not to be missed.

5 stars - An enchanting, lovely story that I never wanted to end!

A Curse So Dark And Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Review & ARC giveaway

An instant New York Times Best Seller! 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 Lacy. 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.

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It's been a really long time since a book grabbed hold of me the way this one did.  I was sucked into the pages and stuck there until all 496 pages were devoured.  And then I paced around because I want book 2.  I need more.  This book will hold you well after the last page is read.  I keep thinking about the story.  The characters.  The land they lived in.  They own me and I miss them.  I want to start again and read it over.  I long for more.

Harper is from Washington DC.  Her life is less than good.  She tries to help take her of her mother who is suffering from cancer and look out for her brother who is just trying to help them survive.  One night she is doing just that when she is sucked into an enchanted world.  A world with it's own problems and people she begins to care for.  But nothing is as it seems and any hope she has of getting back to help her family or even help the people of Emberfall is slim at best.

I love Harper.  She struggles with cerebral palsy but she doesn't let it define her.  It doesn't matter that things are impossible, she tries anyway.  She stands up to a Prince, a enchantress and a guardsman.  A Princess she is not but a champion she becomes.  I love her spunk.  She's determined to learn to protect herself.  She learns too.  She speaks her mind and she does what she believes is right.  She rocks it.

As for Rhen, he is in an impossible position.  He may have been an arrogant a$$ when this curse began but that has been tortured out of him.  I want to slap Lilith for her stupid curse.  She's just a spoiled brat that didn't get her way.  Too bad she has some magic that makes Rhen's life miserable.  He's tried very hard to break the curse.  The guilt he feels for each failure is a huge weight upon him.  His concern is for his people.  And I love him for it.  Whatever Harper ends up feeling, Rhen loves her.  And my heart breaks for him.

There is also Gray.  It's not a love triangle, really but there is something.  It's hard to explain.  This man, though, he is honorable.  He cares for Rhen.  He's loyal to him.  I fell for him hard.  And I hope there is more about him in the next book.  I need more about him.  There is not a cliffhanger so much as a plot line not finished or the weavings of a second story left to tempt us.  The major part of the story is resolved.  I just...I need that second story.  And a year is a long time to long for more.

The writing is amazing.  I was startled several times by things that never even occurred to me.  The twists and turns right up to the very end capture your attention and hold you in the story.  The characters are real and you are cheering for them.  The hatred for Lilith is a real thing.   I wish her more than death.  When an author can pull my emotions so strongly into the story, the writing is amazing.

Rhen does not try to romance Harper.  There is some but she is leery of it.  It is their banter, their alliance, their friendship and finally their trust that leads them to each other.  It is a different kind of romance.  The rest is a slow burn that is sweet and true.

This book, this world, these characters have woven itself in my heart and I can't wait for more!

                                             

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Cover Reveal ~ Sacrrifice (Elemental, #5) by Brigid Kemmerer

Sacrifice: Book 5 in the Elemental Series
Author: Brigid Kemmerer

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

 Australia/New Zealand Cover

Breathless (Elemental, #2.5) by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Review

Source:  Purchased eBook

Book Description:

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

My Thoughts:

 

3 stars - 

I wanted to like this one more than I did.  One thing that I've come to expect from Brigid Kemmerer is the unexpected but this book walked the predictable line for me.  Saw it from the description and was pretty surprised that there wasn't anything unexpected in there.  

I love Nick.  He's this stable force that holds the Merrick's together.  He did need his drama and I guess this is it but somehow I can't see this as the type of drama that's gonna drive his book (Secrets, Elemental #4 is Nick's book).  Maybe it's because I don't see his issue as a big deal.  I want the unexpected from this author.

Quinn is losing it in this book.  I do wonder what will happen with her in Secrets.  She certainly has some issues to overcome.  She's snarky but a little bitter too.  I hope for good things for her.
  
Adam is an interesting addition.  I like that he's a dancer who knows what he wants.  At one point in this book he was asked what would happen if he failed his audition.  His response was perfect.  He'd try again because he knew what he wanted in his life.  Nice to see someone who knows that.  

This is a fast read and if you've read this series than you need to zip through this one.   

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Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Review

Source:  Received ARC from the  publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
 
Spirit (Elemental, #3)

Book Description:

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

My Thoughts: 



4 stars - My mouth is still hanging open - this one shocked me.

Um..what do I say about this book?  I really don't know.  But here goes anyway.

When I read book 2, Spark, I was very interested in the paradox of those sent to "take care of" the Elementals being much more dangerous than the Elementals themselves.  This book explores that idea.  The fifths seem to have just as much power and very little conscious to restrain it.  They are trained (and when I say trained what I mean is beat to believe) that full Elementals are dangerous and must be destroyed no matter what.  But not every fifth has lost their conscious.  Hunter Garrity may be one of those.  He really can't figure out what side he's on. 

By the end of Spark, Hunter had redeemed himself for me and I thought I liked him.  That was put to the test in this book.  It's not that I don't like him, I do.  He's just confused.  I wanted to hit him and scream at him that he should trust the Merricks and avoid the guides at all cost.  But the lessons of his past had been ingrained so well, that he couldn't go against them.  And then so much of what he thought he knew, he didn't.  I ached for him.  The pain in this book was similar to that of the prequel, Elemental.  I read what happened but I didn't want to believe it.  It hurt Hunter so much and I just didn't want it to be true.

That's something I have learned about reading Brigid Kemmerer.  Her stories rarely go where I think they will.  She brings the pain to her characters.  Sometimes things work out okay in the end and sometimes things go all to hell.  This story was not what I was expecting and I'm not really sure I'm okay with it.  Hunter grew a lot.  I think he has a side, finally.  But he'll never be the same.  I want peace for him.  I guess there isn't gonna be any for this group of 5 till the bitter end.

Going back to read Breathless next.  Missed that one and I need to understand Nick's story.  I'm excited for Secret, book 4.  As many secrets as this series has had, I'm very curious as to what that ones about. 

Really, this book went fast.  I read it in two major sessions a week apart from each other.  But BEA was that week apart so it wasn't the book that had me stopping.  If you have enjoyed the rest of this series, then you need this one too.  If you haven't started this series but enjoy the paranormal YA scene, then this is a great one.

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Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Review

Source: Purchased

Fearless (Elemental #1.5)

Summary from Goodreads:

Being a force of nature doesn’t keep you safe.

Hunter Garrity is used to watching his back. The kids at school sense something different about him. And they’re right.

Hunter has powers that have nothing to do with how hard he can throw a punch.

Maybe that’s what Clare Kasten is picking up. She’s shy, quiet, and intense, but she’s sought him out. There’s no telling what she wants from him.

But Hunter knows enough to sense a secret when it’s close. And getting close to Clare is a danger he’s ready to face…

My Thoughts:



4 stars- Great YA Paranormal read

After reading Storm, I was no fan of Hunter.  Not sure that that has changed.  I get him better.  I am, perhaps, more prepared to have him around in Spark.  He really was a good guy, trying to help someone and got burned.  I guess that explains him in Storm.

His story actually takes place before Storm and explains what leads to him coming to the area in the first place.  It leaves us hanging but if you've read Storm, then you know the rest of the story.  I wondered many times while reading it that maybe this should be Elemental 0.75 because all of the events come before book 1.  I think it could be read either way.  

I liked the story of why Hunter doesn't trust peeps.  His dad told him to pay attention and learn a lesson.  I had if figured out before he did but I enjoyed watching him get up to speed.  

The speed, flow and flavor of this book is very similar to Elemental #0.5.  Things develop quickly and some of the world is explained but much is left unsaid.  I enjoyed seeing more of the guide side of things, though I don't think I approve of the guides.

If you've read Storm, you will want to get this one too.  If you haven't started this series, then maybe check this one out before Storm.

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