Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - A Curse So Dark and Lonely

“The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.”

As I said in other reviews, Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. Therefore, I'm always looking for retellings of this fairy tale. But I'm always very cautious because not everything that is marketed as a retelling is really a retelling or they are but they are really bad books. And so, I was reticent in starting this trilogy, especially because is a hyped one. It seems that, in social media, everyone and their mother loves this trilogy.

Nonetheless, I decided to read it. And I ended up loving it! The bones of the original fairy tale are there, but it also can stand up as its own story. The characters are interesting and well-written (and there is disability representation, which is a positive point). The story is well-structured and the pacing is just right. I loved it! Its probably one of my favorite books of 2023.

Overall, it's a solid story that I recommend if you're looking for retellings that can be their own story.

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imbored_soillread's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny fast-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

5.0

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readwithde's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

This may be my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling.

First, I love having any character, but especially a MC with a chronic disease or disability. It was handled so well in the narrative; it never felt like a plot point or focus, but simply part of Harper.

Second, I really liked the way the romance between Rhen and Harper played out. The friendship and trust is built first, then the romance begins to bloom. I liked that there was initial attraction, but it was a true slow burn. Normally I'm impatient about that, but it felt so organic and well-developed.

I'm less of a fan of the

love triangle with Grey. At first, it felt like he was a brother figure to both, especially when Harper compared him to Jake a few times. Honestly, I would ship him with Rhen over Harper.

I do like how Grey's narrative turned out, for the most part.

Being a "halfling" human and magic user, and perhaps heir to the throne, was a big revelation, and I'm glad we saw him struggling with that in the epilogue.

I was most excited about how the kingdom and the people reacted to Rhen and his decision to start doing something for them. It helped build up the story to be worth a trilogy instead of a single book.

Even though it's off-brand for me, I like the semi-vague ending

of whether or not Harper loves Rhen, whether she broke the curse or if Grey did.

While there's still a clean ending, a resolution, it gives room for more play in the series without stirring up extra (i.e. unnecessary) drama.

Overall, I really liked it, and I'm excited to read more in the series.

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roseofphantom's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

THIS WAS AN AMAZING READ

There are so many Beauty and the Beast retellings - which, as a huge fan of BatB, I don't mind. But this took the traditional store and enhanced it to an original story and made it so much more than that.

First of I love how well rounded the characters are. None of them are perfect, all their weaknesses, flaws, and strengths are on display. Harper is one of the most realistic characters I have every read. She's powerful, strong, and tough. I definitely appreciate the CP representation and how it's made clearly to be apart of her identity but only a small part of who she is. Her peers greatly respect her and while they question her CP at first she VERY quickly shows them she is not weak. She also has relatable love and care for her family members, for those around her. The friendship she develops with Grey and Zo feels completely real. Her progression into a leader as Princess character feels natural, gradual, and real and she falls into the role at a pace that feels accurate.

Like all the other characters Rhen is just the same. He's polite and the kind of guy you would hope Harper would fall for, but he also has his weaknesses. Sometimes Harper is right. Sometimes Rhen is right. He's charming and kind, but not this salivating swoonworthy character (which to me is a compliment because he feels much more realistic that way).

Gray is the greatest fighter and most loyal friend.
Freya is an absolute sweetheart and a wonderful mother figure who also has the appropriate amounts of scary.
Zo is a wicked best friend! She's totally kickass but also sweet and devoted.
Jake was the perfect brother figure- annoying and irritating, but also very loving.
Noah may have only been in the story a short while, but even he felt fully developed. He shows his care for Jake but also he has a heart of practicality without being judgmental and is determined but has the utmost care for patients and will not hesitate to get aggressive in order to save someone's life.
The writing and voice of each individual character was so good I literally heard different voices and accents in my own head while reading and that doesn't even happen with books I love!
There was magic in this writing style, the story felt so fresh and new I forgot it was a retelling I am just so in love with this book and I felt MADLY in love with all the characters this really filled my heart I haven't loved a book like this in SUCH a long time!

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