Review: “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” is the “Beauty and the Beast” retelling of my dreams! Kemmerer tells the story from Rhen and Harper’s points-of-view, giving us both Belle and the Beast’s perspectives, which I enjoyed. 

While Rhen share’s the Beast’s arrogance, Harper is no Belle. She’s much better! When she is kidnapped from Washington DC and taken to the land of Emberfall, she is no longer able to benefit from her brother’s protection. She learns how to handle an assortment of weapons in order to defend herself in her new environment, transforming into a badass warrior princess. 

Her cerebral palsy does not get in the way of her becoming this version of herself and she proves to the people around her that she can do anything able-bodied people can do. I truly love the dis/ability representation in this novel!

Rhen also undergoes many changes as a character. He initially isolated himself from his kingdom to protect his people from the beast. Harper helps him come to the realization that his absence was more harmful than helpful. His arrogance slowly gives way to selflessness, showing that deep down inside he has always cared for his people and would give his life for them. 

Kemmerer writes slow burn well! Rhen falls first. He grows fiercely protective of Harper and does everything he can to get her home, acknowledging that her departure would leave him prey to the curse. The longer Harper stays in Emberfall, however, the more she falls in love with the kingdom and the prince she thought was her enemy. 

There is just so much to love about this book, which is why it instantly made my favorites list! If you have not read “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” already, do yourself a favor and pick it up!