I have
been on a huge Brigid Kemmerer reading kick lately. Since A CURSE SO DARK AND
LONELY was an upcoming Book Talk book (something we do in SCBWI
CenCal) and so many people said they loved it, I definitely wanted to read it.
And I wound up loving it, too. I never think I’m going to like a fairy tale
retelling, and then I do. Not only is the story excellent with wonderful
twists, the writing is just so darn addictive, compelling and good.
Why stop
there? I got all her books that my library carried and read them.
Some of her older books are only ebooks and I don’t want to read on the computer
or my phone. I have ordered her latest standalone book and another one that I
couldn’t get at the library (also accidentally ordering one I already read).
The great thing about her writing is that reading it over and over is
immensely helpful with my own writing.
Another
plus, her website offers writing advice too. I am a total fangirl now and just
can’t get enough. The stories are unique and interesting and the characters
full and awesome.
Here are
the books I’ve read already.
A CURSE
SO DARK AND LONELY – book one in the Curse Breaker series
(Description from the publisher)
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 Lacy. 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.
Harper is
such a feisty and formidable heroine. Prince Rhen is full of confidence and
self-loathing. They help each other grow and understand others and find
compassion for the other, making you root for them individually and together.
The two worlds are fully realized. I was never taken out of
the story. The tension and suspense is magical, too. It is IMPOSSIBLE to wait
for the next book, A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN.
The next
book I read was, LETTERS TO THE LOST. (Description from the publisher)
Juliet Young has always written letters to her mother, a world-traveling
photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her
grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the
midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying
to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he
can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and
their connection is immediate. But neither of them knows that they’re not
actually strangers. When real life at school interferes with their secret life
of letters, Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
I loved
the passion and angst in this story. I don’t usually enjoy angst, but it wasn’t
too much and fit the characters perfectly. All the characters are fully
developed and have their own lives going on and it’s artful to read. But what’s
extra cool is, this story takes one of the secondary characters and continues
his story in the next book, MORE THAN WE CAN TELL.
MORE THAN WE CAN TELL (Description from the publisher)
Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving
adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a
letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling
back.
Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built
from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve
any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment
escalates, she’s truly afraid.
When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of
their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their
situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways
they never expected.
What is
wonderful about each book is that there is a unique story and a love story. Every
book is told from two points of view, the male and female main characters. The
voices are spot on. The interactions, storytelling, endings, I want to be Brigid
when I grow up. The details in this one range from Bible quotes to online
gaming to abuse in many forms. I care about the characters and feel what they
go through whether familiar to me or not. Universal storytelling at its best.
The
series I’d like to read is her Elemental Series. I don’t understand why these
aren’t sold as a box set anywhere. I will read them eventually.
Her next
two books I’m reading: THICKER THAN WATER and CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT.
I
can’t wait!
