Regardless of her cerebral palsy, she’s not to be underestimated. With that in mind, if you expect Harper to besotted with the Beast like the typical Belle, think again. Brigid basically said that she explicitly mentioned Stockholm Syndrome in her work because she did not want Harper to be a character who frustrated readers with her ignorance. Empowered by such knowledge, Harper protected her agency and resolved not to fall in love with him under any circumstance.Ī few days ago, the author went live on Instagram, so I asked her about the delicate romance in ACSDAL. I was amazed by how she immediately deduced the reason for her abduction despite Rhen’s penchant for keeping secrets. I took the quote above from one of Harper’s internal monologues. If you see this as a lack of world-building, I understand.Īs far as retellings are concerned, ACSDAL has a refreshing Belle archetype, one who is aware of Stockholm Syndrome. The narrators don’t explain how their worlds coexist, so you have no choice but to suspend your disbelief. Gleaning from how Harper quickly adjusts to her new life and all its peculiarities, this novel is also a work of magical realism. However, Grey, a guardsman who can “cross the veil between worlds,” eventually brings her to a magical kingdom called Emberfall. Harper, the heroine, initially lives in Washington, D.C. However, this book evokes originality by using both real and fantastical settings. Since A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a reimagining of a beloved classic, you might already have assumptions about the plot.

Harper, Rhen, and Grey are indeed fictional, but their respective struggles and interactions will make you wish that they were real. Compared to other retellings of Beauty and the Beast, such as Hunted and A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Curse So Dark and Lonely is probably the most gripping, especially in terms of character development. I’m very happy to convey my thoughts about this YA masterpiece. I’ve never fallen in love with anyone, much less someone who snatched me right off the street. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A curse so dark and lonely review