Queen B’s Decree: I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so I was all in on A Curse So Dark and Lonely.
For a young adult book, this was surprisingly dark. You’ve got: human trafficking, kidnapping, the Prince turning into a dangerous monster (with a very high kill count), terminal illness. You may be wondering where is the lightheartedness and romance? Yeah, dear reader, I wonder that too.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was invested and wanted to keep reading, and yet I’m not sure how much of it was enjoyable. There was more chemistry between our FMC Harper and side character Commander Grey…not the Prince, and the ending was not very satisfying. I know, it’s wild, but I kind of want some romance in my YA fantasy books between my main characters.
This was my first from the author and I plan to try them again, I’m just hoping it’s got a smidge more romance.
Book: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Cursebreakers #1
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Plot Devices/Tropes: Beauty and the Beast