Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a young adult fantasy novel that has risen to the top of a saturated category and gained appreciation from both YA fans and others. The story is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast that starts out in the real world before the heroine, Harper, is transported to the land of Emberfall. Harper has felt like anything but a heroine. But she’s forced to rely on an inner strength she didn’t know she had when she finds herself in the mysterious castle. Her host is Rhen, who has been cursed to relive the same autumn over and over. Kemmerer does an excellent job of world-building and creating an engaging cast of characters. Recommended for readers looking for a stronger entry in the young adult category or those who like a fast-paced novel with an entertaining plot and likable leads.
Raela Schoenherr is an editor at a Minnesota publishing company. She loves to talk books and writing on Twitter at @raelaschoenherr.
