2019 5 Star Read #6 - A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Published Jan 2019 by Bloomsbury YA

Format Read: Print ARC received at Book Expo 2018

Description from Goodreads:
Fall in love, break the curse. It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she's instead somehow sucked into Rhen's cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom. A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

My Review:

This was one of those times I kicked myself for not reading a book sooner! I had this book for nine months before I sat down to read it, and I did so because the buzz got SO huge, I couldn't take it anymore... and I get why.  This is a STELLAR Beauty and the Beast retelling. 

The re-imagining of how the curse worked was so well done and my heart broke for Rhen (the Prince) and what he went through over the decades that he battled the curse.  The true friendship that developed between Rhen and Captain Grey (my favorite character, for sure!) was steadfast and inspiring.  The friendship that develops between Grey and Harper, our heroine, plucked at all my heartstrings.  

And Harper, if I could have created a heroine that I would root for until the very end, it is HER.  She has cerebral palsy, but never, ever lets it stop her from achieving her goals. She is smart. She is a fighter.  She is brave, and loyal, and so kind.  This is the "Belle" that modern girls can follow.  

If you like fairytale retellings at all, give this one a shot. Please.  I CANNOT wait for book two, A Heart So Fierce and Broken. 

Kill Me Softly

Kill Me Softly
by Sarah Cross

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.


In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns. (description from Amazon.com)
 
I loved the idea of this book. I loved it a lot...and while the world-building was wonderful, and the secondary characters were great, I was somewhat disappointed in the main character, Mira. 
 
Beau Rivage was a decadent, dark, and dangerous place. Full of everything I love in a dark fairy tale. The inhabitants of Beau Rivage were also fascinatingly dark. I loved the "evil" fairy who ran the seedy nightclub, the girl cursed to spit up jewels and flowers who sang as the headliner in a band, and I really loved the blue haired boy who fought so hard to keep from killing even one more girl with his kisses...
 
...and then there was Mira. The sad little girl who seemed so spunky and headstrong, but fell like the weakest  little doe straight into the arms of the big bad wolf.  It was a horrific case of "Bella-itis"  and I wanted to strangle her right through my car stereo. I even  found myself rolling my eyes so badly I was afraid they would roll right into the back of my head and never come out again at some points during her pining...
 
I loved the way the book ended. The right people found each other and curses, though not necessarily lifted, were lifted just enough for a potentially happy, yet realistically tough, ending. I would happily read another book set in the world of Beau Rivage. In fact, I would LOVE to delve back into this world to explore the remaining stories of some of the other characters. 

EW posted the exclusive CINDER book trailer today!

I can't tell you how excited I am to read Marissa Meyer's debut book, Cinder!



I had previously posted information about the upcoming Lunar Chronicles series because it is a scifi/fairy tale blend that sounds awesome. Anyway, Entertainment Weekly posted the exclusive trailer here today - and it does a really great job of letting you know what the book's about and still being totally intriguing.

I cannot wait to read this book!!

Check it out and let me know what you think~

Oooh...A SciFi Fairytale series??

So, I came across information today about what I think is a totally intriguing new series. Done right, this could be AH-MAZING!!

Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles will include four retold fairytales. The twist...they are futuristic sci-fi versions! Sounds awesome. The first title is Cinder and will be out in Jan. 2012.



Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

I think this could be the start of a beautiful reading relationship!!

Winner! - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

I am pleased to announce that the winner of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making giveaway (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Carol M!!

Carol, check your email...you have until Thursday, June 29th to contact me with your mailing address so we can send the book out to you. Congratulations again!

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making - Book Trailer and Giveaway!!

I am officially psyched to read this book! It's gotten great buzz online, the origin story is so cool (it was originally published serially online and then the author was offered the chance to publish it in novel format!) and the storyline sounds great! So, what book am I talking about??


The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
by Catherynne M. Valente

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday. (description from Amazon.com)

Check out the great new book trailer:


So, have I peaked your interest, yet?

I have one copy of this awesome book (thanks to Zietghost Media!) to giveaway to someone.

If you would like to enter, leave a comment with your name and email address below. I will randomly choose a winner on Sunday, June 26th. The winner will be announced and contacted that same day. The winner has until Thursday, June 29th to contact me with a US or Canadian mailing address (per publisher) where they would like the book sent. Good luck!!

In My Mailbox - February 27, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

On My Nook:


Eye Candy by Tera Lynn Childs
Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce

From The Library:


By These Ten Bones by Clare Dunkle
Ominous by Kate Brian


Pandora Gets Angry by Carolyn Hennessy
Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

For Review:


Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray
Forgotten by Cat Patrick


Huntress by Malinda Lo
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

*Thank you to Little Brown and SLJ for sending these ARCs after the SLJ Spring Book Buzz Webcast!!!*

Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

*Thank you, Tera, for sending this copy!!*