The authorized age for the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series has been a topic of discussion among parents and educators. The series, written by author Brigid Kemmerer, is a young adult fantasy series that follows the story of a young girl named Harper who is transported to a magical kingdom called Emberfall. Despite being categorized as a young adult series, it is important to consider the age appropriateness of the content within the books. The primary concern for parents and educators is the level of violence depicted in the series. Harper, the main character, is thrown into a world filled with political turmoil and a cursed prince. The series includes scenes of physical combat, including sword fighting and magical battles.
“A fresh twist on an old story. . . . Fans of Sarah J. Maas will be eager for this one.” —Booklist
Avoiding disability inspiration tropes, she is a fallible, well-rounded character who fights for the vulnerable and resists being labeled as such herself despite how others perceive her. Rhen s monster side is responsible for untold gore and destruction, including the slaughter of his own family and an unknown but presumably large number of others.
The series includes scenes of physical combat, including sword fighting and magical battles. The violence is often described in detail, which may be too intense for younger readers. Additionally, the series includes some mature themes and content.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely (The Cursebreaker Series) (Paperback)
A New York Times bestseller!
"Has everything you'd want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale." - Jodi Picoult
In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.
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. 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.
About the Author
Brigid Kemmerer is the author of the New York Times bestseller Defy the Night, the New York Times bestselling Cursebreaker series, which includes A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and A Vow So Bold and Deadly, and Forging Silver into Stars. She has also written the contemporary young adult romances Call It What You Want, More Than We Can Tell, and Letters to the Lost, as well as paranormal young adult stories, including the Elemental series and Thicker Than Water. A full-time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family.
www.brigidkemmerer.com
@BrigidKemmerer
Praise For…
“Has everything you'd want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale: a finely-drawn fantasy world, a heroine rarely seen in fiction, and a tortured hero with a secret. I have only one complaint: I wish the sequel were already available!” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A SPARK OF LIGHT and SMALL GREAT THINGS
“Absolutely spellbinding. A Curse So Dark and Lonely expands on all the beloved themes of 'Beauty and the Beast' to create an intensely original retelling: one full of fierce new characters, wicked magic, and wondrous amounts of heart. Brigid Kemmerer doesn't just tell a story, she builds an entire world that you will never want to leave.” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of CARAVAL and LEGENDARY
“I couldn't get this creative, suspenseful take on 'Beauty and the Beast' out of my head.” —Sara Holland, New York Times bestselling author of EVERLESS
“Slow burning, big hearted, magical fun! I loved every minute.” —New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins
“Heartwarming, thoughtful, and romantic: Brigid Kemmerer took me on a magical journey with this dark fairy tale about growing up, falling in love, and making impossible choices. I can't wait to see where these characters go next.” —Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling co-author of MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE
“Beautifully dark, filled with wild adventure and a modern-day heroine every reader will find a bit of themselves in.” —Alexandra Christo, author of TO KILL A KINGDOM
“Harper is the undisputed hero . . . Avoiding disability inspiration tropes, she is a fallible, well-rounded character who fights for the vulnerable and resists being labeled as such herself despite how others perceive her. A fast-paced, richly detailed feminist epic.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“This enthralling modern fable champions altruism while illustrating intimacy's relationship with honesty, respect, trust, and consent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Fans of Cassandra Clare, Marissa Meyer, or Alex Flinn, as well as any reader looking to sink into a top-notch story with great characters, will want to read this book.” —VOYA, starred review
“A complex, creative, and compelling reimagining of Beauty and the Beast.” —School Library Connection, highly recommended
“A fresh twist on an old story. . . . Fans of Sarah J. Maas will be eager for this one.” —Booklist
“Kemmerer knows how to blend a compelling story with a swoony romance, and the love triangle that inevitably develops . . . is organic and unforced because of strong characterization.” —BCCB
“A unique world filled with fantasy and menace . . . will leave readers anxious to see what happens next.” —School Library Journal
“Kemmerer merges modern sensibilities with an epic love story in this Beauty and the Beast retelling.” —Shelf Awareness
“Readers looking for a different sort of coming-of-age story or teen protagonists grappling with complex situations will fall in love with this romance-tinged novel.” —Starred review, Booklist on MORE THAN WE CAN TELL
“A must-have for any YA collection. Give to teens who enjoyed A Boy Called It by Dave Pelzer or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.” —Starred review, School Library Journal on MORE THAN WE CAN TELL
“This book is going to fly off the shelves to all teens, but it will hold special interest for those looking for a tear-jerking romance and serious readers of realistic fiction.” —VOYA on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“A great concept, delivered in a compulsively readable package . . . romance readers will stay up late to finish this very satisfying and heartfelt read.” —Booklist on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“Explores the ideas of carving identity out of pain and the way perception colors expectations.” —BCCB on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“Readers will find themselves rooting for the real Declan to win Juliet's heart the same way his online persona did. Consider this tale of modern star-crossed love as a first purchase for YA collections.” —School Library Journal on LETTERS TO THE LOST
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
- Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance
- Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
- Hardcover (January 29th, 2019): $18.99
The amazing Beauty and the Beast twist. Good role models, fantasy, magic, suspense, and a brilliant storyline. An absolute must-read for 12 and up!
There are instances of death and loss, as well as discussions of war and political intrigue. The main characters also face challenges and make difficult choices that may not be suitable for younger readers. While the exact authorized age for the series may vary depending on individual maturity levels, a general consensus among parents and educators is that the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series is best suited for readers in their mid to late teens. This age range allows for a better understanding of the complex themes and content within the books, as well as the ability to handle the level of violence depicted. As with any book, it is important for parents and educators to have open conversations with young readers about the content they are consuming. This can help guide them in determining whether or not a series like A Curse So Dark and Lonely is appropriate for their individual child. The authorized age is not set in stone, and each child should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis..
Reviews for "Analyzing the portrayal of violence in the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series for age appropriateness"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the authorized age for the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series. The characters felt shallow and lacked depth, often falling into cliches and predictable tropes. The plot was also weak and failed to hold my interest. Additionally, I found the pacing to be slow and the worldbuilding underdeveloped. Overall, this series did not meet my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the authorized age for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing felt overly simplistic and lacked sophistication. The worldbuilding, although interesting in concept, was poorly executed and left me wanting more. The characters, while initially intriguing, quickly became one-dimensional and their actions felt forced. Ultimately, I found the series to be a forgettable read that failed to leave a lasting impression.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While I didn't dislike the authorized age for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series, I can't say I loved it either. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and lacked proper development. The characters, although relatable, didn't have enough depth to truly connect with. The romance aspect felt forced and predictable. However, the author's writing style was engaging and easy to read, which made the book somewhat enjoyable. Overall, it was an okay series, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to others.