A review by roseofphantom
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

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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