Book Review: A Curse So Dark and Lonely

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Format: Hard cover book

Pages: 477

Categories: Beauty and the Beast Retelling, Slow Burn Romance, Young Adult

Book Blurb:

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

In A Curse So Dark and Lonely, we meet Harper, who is a girl with Cerebral Palsy. She lives in Washington D.C. and is on a job with her brother Jake, as a look-out. Her family has fallen into dire straits and her brother has to do what he has to do to keep the family surviving. During her job with her brother she sees what seems to be a kidnapping and gets involved. In her attempt to help she gets transported to an enchanted castle, in a parallel world/dimension. A Prince lives in this castle with his Commander, whose name is Grey. The Prince is under a curse and must make a girl fall in love with him within a season. But at the end of the season is when he turns into a beast, so for about five years he’s been unsuccessful. The stakes are raised now because the enchantress who cursed Prince Rhen informs him this is his final season to break the curse.

When I think of Beauty and the Beast – I think about the Disney movie with bookworm Belle and the Beast who is already in his beast form. And he shall remain that way forever if he doesn’t break the curse *before the last rose petal falls*🌹 .

In this retelling, Prince Rhen is still in his human form, eighteen years old to be exact (for the past 5 years) and his beast only shows up at the end of the season. The beast is different every time but it does the same thing – kill anyone in it’s path. It’s taken a toll on the Prince who’s killed his family, his friends and his people over the years. It’s quite gruesome when you think of it and really sad.

I love Harper. She is brave and determined when plunged into this new world, and dealing with her physical limitations. And in most instances she pushes past those limitations which made me cheer her on. She’s also worrying about her mom who is dying and her brother who might be getting into trouble with some bad people. Harper can’t do anything for them while trapped in Emberfall but she doesn’t do nothing either.

I thought the beginning of the book had promise, especially when she enters the enchanted castle. But my mind started wandering in the middle of the book as I waited and waited for this magical love to appear between Beast and Belle, oh, I meant Harper and Prince Rhen 😉. I was starting to think it wasn’t going to happen as a hint of a love triangle started to manifest between Commander Grey and Harper.

So how does Prince Rhen try to make Harper fall in love with him? He has barely any hope that the curse will break . It just doesn’t come naturally for Rhen and Harper, they both have such high defensive walls to penetrate, though Rhen’s is much higher I think. Trust takes too long to develop between them, and as Rhen keeps worrying: there is NO time. So instead, Prince Rhen, Harper and Grey spend the time planning for the needs of Emberfall if the curse is not broken. It’s another reason why I love Harper – because she brought in the wild hope in this hopeless situation, not for Rhen to fall in love and break the curse, but actually to help his people no matter what happens.

As far as it being a Beauty and the Beast retelling I think it did it pretty well. I caught the similar elements from the original story and I loved the unique spin on it. The action in the last half of the book was exciting – I mean a lot happens when the neighboring kingdom comes for Emberfall, Rhen’s beast is about to make his debut, and Harper’s mom is dying back in D.C. Whew! 🤷🏻‍♀️ And don’t get me started on Lilith, the wicked enchantress that started the curse in the first place. She pops up here and there just making life hell for Rhen and Grey.

Also we find out a few interesting things about Grey at the ending of the book which I definitely have to know more about like…yesterday.

I can’t recall ever reading a book with a protagonist that had cerebral palsy, so thank you to the author for making me more aware and giving us a tough heroine who rose to the challenges to save her loved ones in whatever predicament they were in.

Book Review: Broken Wings (Dark Legacy – Book One)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Authors: Jaymin Eve & Tate James

Format: Kindle E-book

Pages: 325

Categories: Alpha Males, Dark Romance, Bully Romance, Major Cliff Hanger, Car Racing

Book Blurb:

They rule my new town, my school, and with more money than God, there’s very little out of their reach.

Four gorgeous, perfect, scary boys. There used to be five, but one of them died, leaving a fifth position that I now fill.

I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want to be part of this billionaire-boys-club. But no one cares about what I want.

Sebastian Beckett is the worst of them. Their leader. He draws me in, and strips me of every defense I have. He calls me Butterfly, but it’s not a pet name, it’s a threat. Beck wants nothing more than to break my wings, pin me to a board and watch me writhe.

He wants to see me broken. Body, heart and soul.

And what these elite want, they get.

Only they’ve never met Riley Jameson.

Let the battle begin.
**This dark romance features four sexy, dangerous boys but is NOT a reverse harem.**

MY REVIEW

Broken Wings was, WOW. It is the first book in what looks like a two book series. The story takes place in a high school but this reads as a New Adult novel. It has alpha males and steamy sex. If you do not enjoy dark romance/bully romance novels, this book isn’t for you. What is it about bad boys who are bullies at first? It’s those guys we love to hate, who come off hard but has some issues to deal with inside. All it takes is that one girl that penetrates their wall and makes them fall in love, hard. It just makes for a juicy tension filled story. But I did grow up with four alpha male cousins, and I know that bully romances in real life sometimes just do not end very well. Thank goodness this is fiction though!

I will note that although there are four main alpha males this is not a reverse harem, which made me happy because I’m not the biggest fan of reverse harem quite yet. I’ve found a few I liked though so I’m working my way into it. But I’m a big sucker for a soul-mate connection.

In Broken Wings, we meet Riley Jameson who is in a car accident, loses both her parents and finds out the life she believed was all based on a lie. She is not a Jameson, but a Deboise and her real parents brings her back into the family again – with an agenda. Riley finds herself thrown into a world of the rich and powerful. But with riches come power and with power comes sacrifice and a multitude of dangers as Riley comes to find out immediately.

Riley is no push-over, which I love. She stands up to Catherine, her cold biological mom (did that woman really birth her? Because my goodness, the hate from that woman), she loves to race fast cars, and she can handle herself among the alpha males even when they scare her. Then there’s Sebastian Beckett, the leader of this little group of four alpha males she’s tied to through the family business. The tension between them is strung tight and yes eventually they have some very amazing sex. Sebastian is a typical hot alpha male, but trained in extreme survival skills no twenty year old has business knowing. He was born into this life but a life that was void of family love, so he’s not all bad, or is he? But why was my heart sort of pining for Riley to hook up with Dante, her best friend? I know she’s crazy about Beck (Sebastian) but Dante is awesome too.

Dante has been there for Riley since before she became a rich girl. He’s got her back. I love him! Hot, rich, powerful, sexy Sebastian Beckett? Or hot, tatted, got his own connections, best friend Dante? What’s a girl to do? And Riley does find a female friend among this sea of alpha males. A girl needs her girlfriends, right? Her new best friend Eddy, sister to one of the alpha males, is a cool chic that welcomes her right away. Thank goodness for Dante and Eddy for keeping Riley grounded.

This book was a fast read! I could not put it down. I will say though that some things about the story made me pause: The unprotected sex scene – I get it – it happens in real life, but I was rolling my eyes like Riley, you’re going to get pregnant at seventeen! 🤦🏻‍♀️ And Beck (Sebastian) is 20 but it’s crazy to think he’s not even 21 yet with all that financial power – I felt like I was reading about a 30 year old! I know they live a fast lifestyle because of their status and position but at some points I had to remember Riley was only 17 and so the boys had to between 18-20. To think these boys would rule the world? Yikes…

Other than those minor things this book was a fun, exciting, intense read. There is sex, violence, high school parties, car racing and that cliffhanger ending! Oh my! I’m ready for book two because I have to know what happens, that twist in the end. Like, WHAT? How dare they…oh it’s so good. I’m so glad I don’t have too wait long for book two to come out. I’m ready to fall back into Riley’s world again.

Book Review: The Queen’s Rising

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Rebecca Ross

Reading Format: E-book

Pages: 480

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Book Blurb:

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

MY REVIEW

The first time I attempted to read this book, I had borrowed a physical copy from the library. I thought it was too slow for me. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood to read it? I can’t quite pinpoint what didn’t interest me about this book.

Fast forward to present day, I borrowed this book on Overdrive as an e-book. I started it earlier in the day when my daughter napped because I remembered how slow the beginning was. I recognized pages I’ve already read and it enticed me back into the world. This time I was interested, very interested. And what really drew me in as I immersed myself in this world was the oh so beautiful writing!

Brienna is half Maevana and half Valenian. She lives in the kingdom of Valenia and is sent to Magnalia House at ten years old, a place where girls learn certain subjects and excel in them. Later on these girls “passion” (think of it as graduating and earning a degree) and find a patron to contract themselves too. The passions are: Wit, Drama, Knowledge, Music and Art.

I loved reading about Brienna’s interaction with her fellow ardens or sisters, as she calls them. Yes to sisterhood! She has trouble picking a passion but eventually settles with Knowledge. Her relationship with her Master (her instructor), is verging on being taboo so though it doesn’t go further than tension filled glances, and one touch on the hand in the beginning, I think it stays pretty mild. Now romance is not the main theme in this book, which I actually appreciated a lot. There was enough intrigue and plotting going on that romance wasn’t needed. It does come back later in the story though when Brienna isn’t a student anymore and her Master is someone she didn’t expect him to be.

Although the beginning is slow, I believe it’s due to the world building being outstanding. I was transported to Valenia while reading the author’s very lyrical writing. I’m glad it went slowly because I had a chance to savor the words. I felt like I was Brienna and when a plot to overthrow the ruler of the neighboring country Maevana takes place, I got very nervous things would not work out. I could not put the book down, even though I had to! I started at noon, took a break here and there because of my kids, then once they fell asleep at night I picked it up again and thankfully didn’t have to read past midnight. By then I managed to finish the book before midnight. Yippee!

There is a lot happening within the story after Brienna finds a patron. She is involved in a scheme to overthrow the ruthless ruler of Maevana. Brienna also harbors memories of her dead Maevana ancestor – which means she is the only person who can find two objects that the rebels need to secure the loyalty of the people to help fight in the rebellion. I was so glad Brienna got to learn about her Maevana side. I mean a kingdom that used to only be ruled by Queens with magic? Yes please!

I’m so glad I decided to read this book again! Brienna started off as just a girl with so many missing parts: no mom, didn’t know her dad, her grandpa sent her away to school. She wasn’t the strongest in her passion, she was always conflicted. But Brienna managed to balance her conflicted thoughts and emotions to her strength and found a way to help her Maevana friends and newfound family. I actually felt this could have been a stand alone book but I know the second book, The Queen’s Resistance, has just been published. I look forward to reading part two in Brienna’s journey and read more of Rebecca Ross’s gorgeous writing! 😍

Book Review – The Hidden Witch (The Coven: Academy Magic Book 1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Author: Chandelle LaVaun

Format: Kindle Edition E-book

Pages: 414

Categories: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Witches, Academy, Teen Romance, Arcana.

Book Blurb:

Magic. Isn’t. Real.
At least that’s what I thought. But now, my story is changing…

You know you’re invisible when even your bullies forget to pick on you. That’s me, Bettina Blair, hidden in plain sight. No matter how hard I try I just never fit in with my classmates.

Now I know why. I’m a witch…apparently.

One little demon attack and my parents confess their ugly secret…and ship me off to an elite academy of magic- for witches only.

I can’t summon magic. I can’t fight with my hands or my fists. I just don’t belong here, and Jackson Lancaster keeps reminding me every single chance he gets. This boy is the most insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, judgmental person to ever have the right to be that gorgeous. I don’t care how sexy his British accent is, or that literally everyone else on campus adores him. He hates me, and the feeling is mutual.

Suddenly, I’m sent on a quest into the Old Lands to find the only thing that can save Eden from a demon invasion. I’m in way over my head, and my best chance of coming back alive lies in the hands of the guy who wants me gone…

The Hidden Witch is the first book in a brand new, fast paced urban fantasy adventure featuring a sharp-witted heroine, swoon-worthy hero, and one epic hate-to-love rollercoaster set inside a magical academy!

MY REVIEW

Bettina Blair is a teenage girl who finds out she’s a witch after being attacked by a demon. She gets sent to Edenburg Academy, a school where she learns about her powers, the history of witches and how to train to become a Sword.

Bettina struggles with her combat training at first but with help from her new friends and coven leaders she eventually rises to her potential at being a Sword. Of course there is the issue of her gorgeous instructor, Jackson Lancaster, who always seems angry with her – but the tension between them is far from hateful feelings brewing, it’s just the opposite.

This was a quick read and it was exactly the fast paced kind of story I was looking for. I like how Bettina developed into a kick-ass fighter at the Academy. She’s a character that’s easy to like. There is a great supporting cast of characters and with the next books I hope we get to know them much better.

The last half of the book throws Bettina and her friends into some battle situations where she gets to use her combat skills. She is then chosen to partake on a mission to the Old Lands, a dimension not part of Earth. The book does end in a cliffhanger so I was ready to download Book 2 when I finished this book at almost one in the morning but book 2 doesn’t come out until May 19, 2019! Other than the ending which I felt was a bit rushed, it’s a great start to a series and I look forward to reading more of Bettina Blair and her adventures.