A Curse So Dark and Lonely

by Brigid Kemmerer

First published 2019

Harper has enough problems in Washington DC. Her mother is dying, her father disappeared long ago, and her brother treats her like she can't handle herself because of her cerebral palsy. When she tries to help a stranger on the street, she finds herself transported to the kingdom of Emberfall. There she meets Prince Rhen, who lives under a terrible curse. Every autumn of his eighteenth year repeats endlessly. At the season's end, he transforms into a destructive beast that has already destroyed his castle and killed his family. Rhen believed a girl's love could break the spell, but previous attempts have failed. Harper doesn't know if she can trust this strange prince or his impossible story. As she spends time in this magical world, she discovers the stakes go far beyond one cursed royal. Powerful enemies threaten Emberfall itself. Harper must decide whether to believe in magic, in Rhen, and in her own strength to save a kingdom.

Genres: romance, fantasy, young-adult, fairy-tale-retellings

Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family

Setting: Washington DC, Emberfall

Period: Autumn

484 pages · Hardcover · Bloomsbury YA

More by Brigid Kemmerer

Readers who liked A Curse So Dark and Lonely also liked

View on Siftivo