BOOK SERIES REVIEW

THE CURSEBREAKERS SERIES BY BRIGID KEMMERER

Reading has always been an inevitable hobby since my childhood and being that way, fairy tales are always special. Who doesn't love escaping what we know as reality and living in a magical land with mysterious and interesting creatures, witches, characters that we dream about, superpowers and what not?

The Cursebreakers series has one such fictional world called Emberfall with totally lovable characters. I binge read this series last month and have been trying to post a review which is finally happening. For people who haven't heard of this series, it is a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast.

I am going to share my thoughts for each book separately so that I can let you know as much as possible of my entire reading journey. There are going to be spoilers but I've marked the start and end of spoilers below so that if you don't want to be spoiled, you can skip those parts. Let's get started!

A Curse So Dark and Lonely:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is the first book in the series and to be honest, my least favourite of the three. I know people absolutely loved this book when compared to the other two but it's the other way around for me.

Firstly, I absolutely adored the world building and OMG! The characters! Ah! Can I not live with them? Besides their own imperfections, I really wish to be one among Rhen, Harper & Grey (This man has all my heart!). The idea of blending both the contemporary real world and parallel fantasy land worked really well and I found it impressive.

Overall, the first book was pretty good ignoring few issues that I had with it which I also saw was justified to an extent in the next two books. The first half of the book really felt rushed (though not intolerable) and I couldn't just accept everything that was happening. Little more events could have been added to make things appear as if it naturally happens.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD******

Looking at the situation that Harper had in the real world (with her mom and brother), her reaction for landing in Emberfall, coming into a parallel existence and knowing that all fictional stuffs actually exist in Emberfall felt a bit unreal and ridiculous. Like, I would have gone nuts if I have been her and I wouldn't even have thought of helping someone over there.

Next are the relationships in this particular book. The idea of Rhen and Harper falling in love was not that strong considering the time or the way they have been together. In that sense, I felt the relationship between Grey and Harper to be more powerful and I even wished that they would get together.

*****END OF SPOILERS******

The plot towards the end was really good but I had a hell lot of questions which was a driving force to pick the second book almost immediately. A big appreciation to Brigid Kemmerer for the wonderful representation of Cerebral Palsy. Did I say about Noah? He is a cute funny character or what I would call the comfort character right from when he appeared. 

To sum up ACSDAL, my rating would be 3.75/5.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken:

Alright, if you are someone who loved Rhen and Harper, then I know this book would have been a huge disappointment for you. It was the same for me as well until almost 50 percent of the book after which things got different and I am ready to forget all that happened at the first part. I am not sure if it will be the same for all but if you are like me who likes Grey more than Rhen, you may also love this book.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD******

The way Rhen was portrayed was totally unacceptable for me and where did the powerful and brave Harper go all the time that Rhen was torturing Grey or when he killed Sorra? Those were the moments that I felt like throwing the book. I agree that Harper did save Grey but why didn't she prevent all this from happening?

Anyways, the events that succeeded focusing Grey and Lia Mara were just amazing and that was why I love this book.

*****END OF SPOILERS******

This book had so many moments that I was thrilled, excited and had to take a moment, breathe and then get back. Eliminating Rhen and Harper, this book has everything. The delicate romance, the journey and development of the characters were just amazing and this made everything that I read before worthy. AND THAT ENDING! WHAT WAS THAT? This book ends in a huge cliff hanger and I was not at all prepared. What I did? Just went and picked up the next book.

My rating would be 4.5/5 for AHSFAB.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly:

The third book in the series was also a great read and this book justified everything that I felt went wrong in the first two books making it a perfect wrap to the series. I could see much improvement in the way of plotting, writing and what the characters have become. There was a point when I felt the character of Lia Mara was unrealistic but that was okay. The most important fact is that, this book focuses all the primary characters and I felt so connected with them and couldn't get enough of them.

I would rate AVSBAD 4.5/5.

So if you are a fan of fantasy reads and retellings, this is a very good series to spend time with and I am sure you will carry these characters with you forever. A huge thanks to Brigid Kemmerer for giving such amazing characters (literally every one of them). 

And to end in a happy note, there is another book series coming out which is set up in the same world and follows the character called Tycho (Yes, he is such a sweet heart!).