I would go as far as to say I preferred it to the original. If you somehow missed, let’s start with saying this is a bloody fantastic retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Coherent thoughts shall follow along shortly, right now I must go stare into a void and digest all that has just happened. Okay so I don’t know how to THINK right now – that plot twist at the end just took the rug out from under my feet! This book is amazing! I loved it! The diversity! The plot! The characters! AHHHH.

Review on Goodreads HUGE thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!

What weapon does Harper use at the beginning of the book? A tire iron - 7 Which leg does Harper have trouble with? Her left - 8 What is the one thing that doesn't reset every season? The dead - 10 What is the name of the horse Harper uses to try to escape the castle? Ironwill - 19 What is the name of Emberfall's castle? Ironrose Castle - 22 What is the closest city to the castle? Silvermoon Harbor - 22 Which of his sisters' rooms does Rhen have the girls stay in? Arabella's - 28 What is the name of Rhen's oldest sister? Arabella - 28 What is the name of the enchantress that cursed Rhen? Lilith - 31 What is the name of Jake's boyfriend? Noah - 42 The second time Harper tries to leave the palace, how does she get out of her room? She climbs through the window - 53 What does Harper put in the satchel that she takes with her the second time she tries to escape? An extra sweater and everything from the food tray - 53/54 At the beginning of the book, what season is it outside the castle? Winter - 56 What is the name of the woman that Harper saves when she leaves Ironrose? Freya - 65 What is the name of the inn that Rhen sends Freya and the kids to stay at? The Crooked Boar - 65 How long does Grey cross over at the beginning of every season? One hour - 708 What condition does Harper have? Cerebral palsy - 72 Where do the inkeeper and his family offer to sleep to let Rhen use their home? The stables - 76 What is the name of the inkeeper's son? Bastian - 77 What drink does Evelyn offer Harper and Rhen when they first enter the inn? Apple mead - 78 What are the names of the couple who run the inn? Coale and Evelyn - 79 What land does Harper pretend that she is from? Disi - 79 What drink does Coale offer Grey at the inn? Hot tea - 82 What does Rhen give Bastian for taking care of the horses? A silver coin - 84 What are the four suits in the deck of cards the Grey has? Stones, Swords, Crowns, and Hearts - 91 What card game does Grey teach Harper? King's Ransom - 92 How old is Grey? 20 - 93 In King's Ransom, what card allows you to steal one of your opponent's kings? A prince - 92 Where did Harper sleep in the inn? In a chair - 88 When Rhen asks Grey how he got Harper to play cards with him, what is his response? 'I did nothing, I sat down and asked.A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer 5/5 STARS

A curse so dark and lonely book