Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

54 reviews

bookfortbuilder's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition

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3.5

“We are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose - just as a poor hand can win - but we must all play the cards the fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.”

This book gave the Beauty and the Beast vibes I wanted! I liked all of the three main characters, but there's something about this book that I didn't enjoy as much. The middle was slow, but it really picked up at the end. The writing is decent, the plot felt like a lot at times, but as a retelling it was pretty good!

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prashiie's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but in this story the prince is cursed to find his love before the end of the season and turns into a beast. If he doesn’t, the season starts again. An endless loop. The female main character is a girl from D.C. who tries to save a woman from getting kidnapped and gets kidnapped herself in the process. She’s described to have cerebral palsy and at first I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t know much about cerebral palsy but I was surprised to find out more about it. I didn’t realise that people with this condition still can do a lot.

I have a lot of thoughts on Harper, but it was funny when she explains to the people of Emberfall that she’s from D.C. and the kingdom of Disi is born, lol. Other than that, Harper was exhausting and annoying, mainly because of her short-sightedness and impulsiveness.

“I don't know what's happening to my mother or my brother, but the unknown can't compete with what she's doing right in front of me.”

AND she doesn’t trust Rhen’s judgement on his OWN kingdom. Harper who had been there for one day already knows Emberfall and its people better than Rhen. And when he says that, he’s patronising her. Great. And the moment she slaps Rhen… not cool.

“She has been here one day and I am already exhausted.”

Same…. But I guess her impulsiveness, even though it was annoying, was what Emberfall needed.

My favourite character was definitely Rhen, surprise surprise! The curse has made him hopeless, but it also did a lot for his personal development. He became a better version of himself–merciful, understanding, and patient. He’s great!

But I do wonder how this curse gets broken. Is it because Grey kills the enchantress or because Harper does love Rhen but doesn’t know it herself? Or is it because Grey is freed from his oath and is still willing to sacrifice for Rhen?

“True love is not about romance. True love requires sacrifice. A willingness to place another's life above your own.”

AND GREY IS THE ACTUAL HEIR TO THE THRONE?! I hope this doesn’t turn into a tiresome love triangle, but it probably will.

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cdoubet's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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onefineelephant's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

9/10. I really enjoyed this book. Not gonna lie, the beginning was pretty confusing and I was worried that it was gonna stay that way. However, after only like 3 (short) chapters, it got really good. I love the alternating POV. My only slight critique of this book was that there was A LOT going on. There were multiple complicated plot points and a lot of side characters but overall, I think the author did a nice job of having a lot going on but only enough that it advanced the story in an organic way. Also, the romance was nice, though I wish the characters were aged up just a couple years (not in a weird way, 16/17/18 just seems really young to be for the maturity levels of these characters). I am always a sucker for the "he fell first" and "he fell harder" tropes. Also, as a disabled person, I appreciated how the fmc's disability was incorporated and acknowledged. Definitely recommend.

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kaitie_reads's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Enjoyable.

Definitely very *YA*, but I was immersed in the story and characters throughout. As a beauty and the beast retelling, it's not a new concept, but I liked the spin on it that the author added into this retelling. Harper is a great FMC, I love how strong and self-assured she is throughout the story.

I could've done with like 1000 less "my lady's," and Rhen's character falls a little flat.

As a teenager, I would've been all over this. I just felt at times it was a bit *too young* for me personally as a reader.

I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing where the story goes.

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kylieqrada's review

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really feel like this was a case of right place, right time. I needed something silly, fun, entertaining, and basic AF and that is what I got. I don't know that I would recommend it, but I enjoyed it.

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