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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content
Ok. I write this as I sit in front of my computer an hour after I finished the book, which took me only about 4 hours to read. I read A Curse so Dark and Lonely in April 2020, and I loved it. It means a lot to me because I was in a reading slump since March, and it got me out of it. I say all of this because I want to explain how much this book meant to me. I have made so many friends because of it and that is something one should probably take into account. A Vow so Bold and Deadly had me sobbing purely because the Cursebreakers trilogy was ending. Aside from how I liked it personally, I very much enjoyed the different Points of View, and how they switch. I found Kemmerer's writing to be absolutely amazing, and her way of portraying emotion fantastic. How she addresses mental health was fantastic, and I hope to read only books that deal with mental illness that well in the future, though I am sure that that is a far fetched goal. While I personally hate open ended endings, as I believe them to be unsatisfactory, the ending is fitting. There are no other words then those to describe it.
THE ENDING MADE UP FOR EVERYTHING
MY HEART IS TOO WEAK FOR THIS
MY HEART IS TOO WEAK FOR THIS
I like where the characters ended up, but getting there in this book was rough. All the lead characters except Grey just sucked in this book, and he wasn’t that amazing either. Rhen was just awful 95% of the time, and Harper was annoying AF for sticking with him and defending him. I’m really mad the awesome, bold, character from the first book became this. Meanwhile, Lia Mara lost her backbone pretty much entirely. Maybe I could have taken any ONE of those characters and their issues, but going from one to the other to the next was just too much. And the big bad Lilith was just so over the top. She was so absurdly cruel to the point that her motivation was just totally lost. She was a just a VERY one dimensional villain.
The end of the book left a lot of room for the story to continue, but the focus would have to be on Grey and Lia Mara… making the premise of the original book of (Harper being a 21st century girl yanked into Beauty and the Beast fantasy land) pretty pointless going forward. Her character seems to have run its course as a lead character.
The end of the book left a lot of room for the story to continue, but the focus would have to be on Grey and Lia Mara… making the premise of the original book of (Harper being a 21st century girl yanked into Beauty and the Beast fantasy land) pretty pointless going forward. Her character seems to have run its course as a lead character.
In light of torturing myself with the second installment, and skimming the third, I am compelled to reassess my initial praise and wholeheartedly assert that the series, as a whole, fails to live up to the promise and potential displayed in this first book. Initially, I rated it with 5 stars for its captivating storytelling, the compelling portrayal of a resilient protagonist with a disability, and the skillful incorporation of a gripping cliffhanger, which heightened the overall intrigue.
Regrettably, subsequent developments in the subsequent books have left much to be desired. The meticulously built character arcs and intricate love-triangle dynamics appear to have been rendered inconsequential, leaving readers with a sense of profound disillusionment. The once formidable heroine, in whom resided a remarkable sense of strength and determination, now regrettably emerges as a mere shadow of her former self, displaying an uncharacteristic sense of weakness. The very essence of her formidable persona has been stripped away, diminishing the appeal that initially captivated readers.
Moreover, the subsequent narrative veers away from the individuals we had grown to connect with in the first book, instead focusing on unfamiliar characters who bear a superficial resemblance to the admired heroes of the initial installment. This diversion disrupts the continuity of the saga and detracts from the investment readers had placed in the original protagonists.
Regrettably, subsequent developments in the subsequent books have left much to be desired. The meticulously built character arcs and intricate love-triangle dynamics appear to have been rendered inconsequential, leaving readers with a sense of profound disillusionment. The once formidable heroine, in whom resided a remarkable sense of strength and determination, now regrettably emerges as a mere shadow of her former self, displaying an uncharacteristic sense of weakness. The very essence of her formidable persona has been stripped away, diminishing the appeal that initially captivated readers.
Moreover, the subsequent narrative veers away from the individuals we had grown to connect with in the first book, instead focusing on unfamiliar characters who bear a superficial resemblance to the admired heroes of the initial installment. This diversion disrupts the continuity of the saga and detracts from the investment readers had placed in the original protagonists.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I think the way the central plot conflict was tied up was very anticlimactic and quick (seemed too simple and convenient unfortunately) but what’s better is that I never really cared about that part anyway and was more invested in the character relationships. Any character tensions were relieved well and I enjoyed how there was a sense of unity against a common enemy.
I couldn’t find myself invested in Lia Mara’s perspective as much but that was most likely a me issue; a lot of complexities left unfinished to be discussed in Forging Silver Into Stars.
I couldn’t find myself invested in Lia Mara’s perspective as much but that was most likely a me issue; a lot of complexities left unfinished to be discussed in Forging Silver Into Stars.
Returning to Emberfall (and Syhl Shallow) one last time was a joy unlike any other, especially this year, when I'm trying so hard not to feel. Brigid made that impossible. A Vow So Bold and Deadly is all the best parts of the Cursebreakers series on steroids. Precious and powerful, VOW delivers gentle heartache and even more tender hope from all four of the perspectives you've come to love (or hate), proving once again that there are few authors who address different types of strength the way Brigid does. And there are even fewer authors who can make you care this deeply for the characters on the page - make you see, feel, and understand them. This is a gorgeous, beautiful book about trying desperately to do the right thing and screwing up and finding yourself on opposite sides of a war you don’t want to fight. It's fierce and fantastical in a way you'll never see coming. So once again, I implore you, read this series - read this book. (originally written 10/11/20)
Expanded on the blog: https://bibliobrittish.wordpress.com/2021/01/26/a-vow-so-bold-and-perfect/
Expanded on the blog: https://bibliobrittish.wordpress.com/2021/01/26/a-vow-so-bold-and-perfect/
Oh finally after years, I finally finished this series.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly is the final book of A Curse So Dark and Lonely series. The third book following our four main characters: Harper, Rhen, Grey, and Lia Mara. The story continues from Grey who finally going to claim his throne to Emberfall. He given Rhen 60 days to prepare for the war, or maybe yielding before that.
Lia Mara is now the queen and she wanted to rule without violence, she didn't want to be like Karis Luran, her mother but not everyone is used with this system. Even worse, there's a faction created of those who are against magic, especially that now Syhl Shallow has Grey on their side. Meanwhile Grey, trying his best to fit in, to prove that he's on their side, to pleased all of Syhl Shallow for giving him place. Some people didn't believe in him, some people thought he's going to take the throne from Lia Mara and more.
Harper, finally know that Lilith still alive and threatening Rhen once again. Lilith is as cruel as ever but somehow, I kinda sympathy her for doing revenge after her beings was not get any mercy by both Syhl Shallow and even killed by Emberfall. Meanwhile Rhen, trying his best to get any hope to win the war against Grey but lots of people didn't see him as the rightful king anymore.
How do I say about this book.., Well, on the second book, AHSFAB, I was growing more sympathy to Grey while still having some for Rhen even though I can finally see how he can be as cruel as Karis Luran. But Grey in this book is very... disappointing. He's doing so much so he can pleased all people in Syhl Shallow so they can accept him, to can finally see that he's on their side. Grey on ACSDAL was so loyal, and it was his best trait. In this book he's completely on the other side, willing to kill Rhen if he needed to, even tho he said that he didn't want to have a war with him but still he planning one. It feels like weird to read his part, how he called Syhl Shallow's army as his. I don't really hate him but I totally disliking him in this book. Especially that he's not commander anymore, he can say anything without coating them with Rhen, with Harper, and we can see his true side which sadly, very disappointing.
I like the other characters, Harper, Rhen, Lia Mara. But Grey,, also Jake as well is somehow.. I don't know how to put it. Grey who siding with Syhl Shallow and ready to attack Rhen, Jake who suddenly has much loyalty to Grey like, I don't know what's the word but they kinda made me irritated. Of course I understand why they are being like that, why Grey is doing much for Syhl Shallow, how he's truly didn't actually want to attack Rhen, how he still thinking about Rhen, especially knowing that Rhen is his brother but still... Or maybe it's because I like Rhen better so yeah I don't know what it is.
The ending is okay, pretty nice, pretty good. I don't want to be that person but I thought there would be more gruesome thing that I surprised some characters were still alive, haha but yeah good thing though. It still has some question left of course but yeah, quite nice ending.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly is the final book of A Curse So Dark and Lonely series. The third book following our four main characters: Harper, Rhen, Grey, and Lia Mara. The story continues from Grey who finally going to claim his throne to Emberfall. He given Rhen 60 days to prepare for the war, or maybe yielding before that.
Lia Mara is now the queen and she wanted to rule without violence, she didn't want to be like Karis Luran, her mother but not everyone is used with this system. Even worse, there's a faction created of those who are against magic, especially that now Syhl Shallow has Grey on their side. Meanwhile Grey, trying his best to fit in, to prove that he's on their side, to pleased all of Syhl Shallow for giving him place. Some people didn't believe in him, some people thought he's going to take the throne from Lia Mara and more.
Harper, finally know that Lilith still alive and threatening Rhen once again. Lilith is as cruel as ever but somehow, I kinda sympathy her for doing revenge after her beings was not get any mercy by both Syhl Shallow and even killed by Emberfall. Meanwhile Rhen, trying his best to get any hope to win the war against Grey but lots of people didn't see him as the rightful king anymore.
How do I say about this book.., Well, on the second book, AHSFAB, I was growing more sympathy to Grey while still having some for Rhen even though I can finally see how he can be as cruel as Karis Luran. But Grey in this book is very... disappointing. He's doing so much so he can pleased all people in Syhl Shallow so they can accept him, to can finally see that he's on their side. Grey on ACSDAL was so loyal, and it was his best trait. In this book he's completely on the other side, willing to kill Rhen if he needed to, even tho he said that he didn't want to have a war with him but still he planning one. It feels like weird to read his part, how he called Syhl Shallow's army as his. I don't really hate him but I totally disliking him in this book. Especially that he's not commander anymore, he can say anything without coating them with Rhen, with Harper, and we can see his true side which sadly, very disappointing.
I like the other characters, Harper, Rhen, Lia Mara. But Grey,, also Jake as well is somehow.. I don't know how to put it. Grey who siding with Syhl Shallow and ready to attack Rhen, Jake who suddenly has much loyalty to Grey like, I don't know what's the word but they kinda made me irritated. Of course I understand why they are being like that, why Grey is doing much for Syhl Shallow, how he's truly didn't actually want to attack Rhen, how he still thinking about Rhen, especially knowing that Rhen is his brother but still... Or maybe it's because I like Rhen better so yeah I don't know what it is.
The ending is okay, pretty nice, pretty good. I don't want to be that person but I thought there would be more gruesome thing that I surprised some characters were still alive, haha but yeah good thing though. It still has some question left of course but yeah, quite nice ending.
S*
This was a very satisfying conclusion. I’m glad we got all four perspectives.
I think where book two fell a tiny bit short for me was book one was similar to a beauty and the beast retelling, whereas book two definitely was not. It also took time to get acquainted with the new characters in book two. Book three didn’t have any of those small roadblocks and was a great read.
This was a very satisfying conclusion. I’m glad we got all four perspectives.
I think where book two fell a tiny bit short for me was book one was similar to a beauty and the beast retelling, whereas book two definitely was not. It also took time to get acquainted with the new characters in book two. Book three didn’t have any of those small roadblocks and was a great read.