The sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer takes readers back to the world of Emberfall, where Prince Rhen is still trapped under a curse that turns him into a monstrous beast every season. In A Heart So Fierce and Broken, the focus shifts to another character, Grey, who was introduced in the first book as Rhen's loyal guard. This second installment delves deeper into Grey's character and his own struggles. After the events of the first book, Grey finds himself on the run and has to navigate a whole new set of challenges. He is dealing with the aftermath of betrayal and trying to find his place in the world. **The main highlight of the story is Grey's internal battle with his own identity and his desire to live his own life instead of just being defined by his role as a guard.
**The main highlight of the story is Grey's internal battle with his own identity and his desire to live his own life instead of just being defined by his role as a guard.** Alongside Grey, the sequel also introduces a new character named Lia Mara. She is a princess from a neighboring kingdom and has her own share of struggles and responsibilities.
Book Recommendation: “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey
I just finished reading “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey. I’ve read a couple of, well, self-help books for people with high IQ and in comparison to those books, I really liked his style. Given that he runs a service called “Asshole Consulting” (see this posting) it is no surprise his style is … somewhat blunt, but also — thankfully — no-nonsense. He bases his observations and analyses on his own experience — apparently an IQ of 141 or 138 — and his clients and friends experiences.
In general, I am weary of (mostly) unsystematic observation. Some of the things he writes about might be illusory correlations or just plain wrong. It’s hypocritical to argue against unsystematic observation with ones own unsystematic observation, but in my experience, people notice problems with high IQ usually only when there are, well, problems with high IQ. Might sound trivial, but I guess with many people you don’t notice the high IQ, just the high performance. Of course they have to be smart, but that never becomes the focus. You’re captured by their work. But if a smart person has problems, then both the problems and the high intelligence (indicated by the high performance in at least one area) come into focus. There’s an inconsistency. This person has problems, yet did some amazing stuff, so s/he can’t be dumb. That is noticeable. Personally, I am pretty sure most people with high IQ don’t really have problems, and they are too busy performing to notice their high IQ as a potential problem. It’s those who have problems for whom the high IQ becomes an issue.
But this objection is moot, given that the people who read books like these are likely part of the same subgroup of high-IQ people who also have problems. So while his book might not generalize to all high IQ people, it might generalize to his readers. So, essentially, no problem. He also recommends to get one’s IQ tested, which is always nice (please, no more people self-diagnosing intelligence high intelligence, or psychological disorders).
And regarding the problems, he goes into a number of problems high IQ people have — mostly simply due to (per definition) statistical rarity and the way the world works. He covers the major issues from education to career to dating and friends and the like. And while doing so, he’s honest enough not to promise heaven and earth:
This isn’t a promise that all the problems abnormally intelligent people suffer will go away. Matter of fact, many of these problems have no solution as they’re just inherent to the nature of statistics and your only option is to suck it up and endure it. But at minimum we can provide an explanation as to why you’re feeling down, why you drink, why you can’t find friends, why you can’t hold a job, etc. It may not result in happiness, sobriety, or an active social life, but it will at least provide an explanation and the precious sanity that comes with it.
Clarey (2016)
And after describing the problems as he sees them (strongly influenced by his personality), he leaves the reader the choice what to do. It’s a “this is how I see it, the decision is yours” style.
So, overall, an interesting and short read. I agree with the person who wrote his foreword:
Prepare to be reaffirmed in many opinions you may already have, but felt you needed to keep quiet due to societal pressures/conditions, professional aspirations, or friends and loved ones. One thing all of us who are fans have in common is that we love that there’s someone who says what we’ve all been thinking.
Matt Baldoni in Clarey (2016)
Recommended for a different take on high IQ.
- creative_people
- know_yourself
- living_as_a_creative
- social
- think_differently
- worst_cases
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This blog is not focused on a single topic, or method. As long as it is relevant to improving creativity (or allowing it in the first place), it's fair game. The heterogeneity of the postings can make reading this blog a bit cumbersome, at least if you are only interested in one topic. You can either use the search function (above), or use the categories or the tags to narrow down the postings you see.
This blog is not focused on a single topic, or method. As long as it is relevant to improving creativity (or allowing it in the first place), it's fair game. The heterogeneity of the postings can make reading this blog a bit cumbersome, at least if you are only interested in one topic. You can either use the search function (above), or use the categories or the tags to narrow down the postings you see.
The story intertwines Grey's and Lia Mara's perspectives as they navigate their way through political intrigue and a brewing war. While there are still elements of romance and fantasy in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, the sequel takes a more introspective approach. It explores themes of identity, duty, and choices, emphasizing character development and the complexities of the human experience. Overall, A Heart So Fierce and Broken offers a fresh perspective on the world of Emberfall and expands on the original story's themes and characters. It presents readers with new challenges, complex characters, and deeper exploration of personal struggles. **The central idea of the book is the exploration of identity and the desire for individuality amidst duty and expectations.** The sequel successfully builds upon the foundations laid in the first book, making it a compelling continuation of the series..
Reviews for "A Kingdom in Peril: The Sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to dive into the sequel to "A Curse So Dark and Lonely," but I was left feeling disappointed. The plot felt forced and predictable, without any of the originality and suspense that made the first book so gripping. The pacing was also off, with too much time spent on unnecessary details, making the story drag. Additionally, the character development felt lacking, with the main characters feeling like pale imitations of themselves from the previous installment. Overall, I found "The sequel to a curse so dark and lonely" to be a letdown compared to the first book.
2. Alex - 3/5 stars - While I enjoyed revisiting the characters and world of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" in the sequel, I couldn't help but feel that it didn't live up to its predecessor. The pacing was sluggish, with long stretches of mundane dialogue that did little to move the plot forward. The romance, which was a highlight in the first book, felt forced and contrived in this sequel, lacking the depth and chemistry between the characters. The resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends untied. Overall, it was an okay read, but I expected more from "The sequel to a curse so dark and lonely."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was excited to continue the journey with Harper, Rhen, and Grey in "The sequel to a curse so dark and lonely," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add much to the overall narrative. The dialogue was often stilted and lacked the charm and wit that made the first book so enjoyable. I also found myself bored with the repetitive descriptions and uninspired world-building. Overall, I was left disappointed and unsatisfied with this sequel.