Un serment si noble et funeste: Un serment si noble et funeste

Cursebreakers #3

by Brigid Kemmerer, Alice Delarbre (translator)

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Retellings, Fiction, Magic

544 pages

First published January 26, 2021

About the author

Brigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of dark and alluring romantic fantasy like Warrior Princess Assassin, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and Defy the Night, and compelling contemporary romance like Letters to the Lost. Her books have sold over one million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, finding readers all over the world. A full time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the actual fuck? Did I read the same book as everyone else? Fair warning, this is a super long, ranty and spoilery review. Yet, let the record reflect that I loved ACSDAL.

The tl;dr is that: Every character in this book is an idiot. Oh, and watching Rhen getting cucked into oblivion made my blood boil.

I'm so sad that this story became a series when it should have remained a standalone. I really didn't enjoy AHSFAB but I was so invested in the characters and confident in BK's writing ability that I still managed to look forward to this.

We return to Emberfall and Syhl Shallow as the 60-day clock ticks down to when Grey plans to invade Emberfall and claim his rightful place on Emberfall's throne.

This is where I make a case for recaps at the start of a book à la Jay Kristoff's Nevernight Chronicle. I have loaned the first two books to a friend so I couldn't check back on any plot points to understand what Grey's claim was . . . until it struck me that he doesn't have one.

I need someone to explain to me why he's the rightful heir? No-one actually attempted to confirm his provenance, and even if he is indeed Rhen's older brother, he's a bastard and therefore has no right to the throne at all, right? I'm not saying that's fair, but if the law works differently here, a sentence from BK would have cleared that up.

Secondly, why does he deserve the throne? What are his qualifications? Everyone seems to be in agreement that Grey should be king, but why? Because he's a nice guy? Well, if that's the only criteria, then any fella from Hutchins Forge to the Blackrock Plains can stake a claim. Tycho is a sweet lad, can't he have a crack at it?

I'd make the case that actually, Grey ISN'T a nice guy at all. Everyone in the book seems to forget that Grey betrayed Rhen. He fled and withheld information that could compromise national security (bear in mind that Rhen has no idea that it's supposedly Grey who is the heir). It felt like someone was lamenting Grey's whipping with every second breath, but this was the consequence of Grey not trusting his friend to at least hear him out. At that point, Grey didn't want the throne anyway!

We're beaten over the head with Grey's perceived loyalty in ACSDAL, and yet betrays Rhen for this? It seems very OOC for a usually rational Grey to think fleeing and declaring war on your best friend is better than risking his ire by confessing the "truth" about his parentage. His coldness towards Harper was wholly unecessary - why is he so pissed at her? Let's not forget she was visibly heartbroken over the discord between the boys and Grey has Harper to thank for his freedom.

So, he's off at Syhl Shallow with Lia Mara and every chapter from either of their POVs was painful. To me, they have zero chemistry and I struggle to believe that someone as disciplined and driven as Grey would have any interest in her at all. I love smut and I skimmed their sex scene, which of course results in a baby.

Lia Mara is nice, did you know that? Niceness is a laudable trait, but on its own offers fuck all. I don't blame her army for not respecting her. I respected them less when they started listening to a word she said. She won the crown as a result of perfectly lobbing a knife at her mam (despite having no prior experience with such a thing) and then wants everyone to be best pals.

She is totally toothless and incapable of doing anything without Grey and/or her sister propping her up. I understand that Lia Mara is meant to serve as a balm to the Celeanas and Mias of the YA world, but being compassionate and fair are only a strength when paired with competency. She started stamping her feet a bit at the end, and I wasn't convinced by all her battle-hardened warriors coming immediately to heel. I was honestly hoping Nolla Verin would usurp her, because as unpalatable as she is, it'd at least be interesting.

And then we come to Harper and Rhen. Much as I was pleased to get more of their POVs, I wanted to hear more from them. I actually enjoyed the progression of their relationship; fractured and untrusting at the beginning, and ugly conversations that felt realistic. I felt like in the end they were both trying to be better for each other and for Emberfall even though it felt impossible and sad.

It really irritated me that Harper was so naïve about asking for Grey's help, but beyond that, I felt she was true to character and remained likeable. The way BK addresses Harper's cerebral palsy remains very positive, too.

As for Rhen, whilst this feels like an unpopular opinion, I don't believe he deserves almost anything that happens to him, and the things he has done wrong I feel he is sincerely contrite for. He's lived centuries forced to terrorise his kingdom whilst coping with the death of his family for *checks notes* sleeping with a woman in whom he lost interest?

Well, if that's so dreadful, let's look at his track record since breaking the curse: he readies his forces as appropriate and tries to win favour by visiting his nobles, yet doesn't take any drastic military action that would unnecessarily risk his force or Grey's. He is tormented by a psychopath and intentionally bears the brunt of her torture as far as being actually mutilated, begs for the opportunity to once again become the monster of his nightmares despite the immense personal cost, kills the enchantress causing all this strife and then graciously accepts Grey as sovereign.

WHAT

It absolutely disgusted me that Grey steamrolled over Rhen like that. Rhen's kingdom wasn't in tatters because he was hopeless, rather that the kingdom had been cursed. He had the potential to be a great ruler, was trained for it and accepted the responsibility. He also loved his people dearly, whereas we never hear about Grey feeling any duty to the people of Emberfall. Why oh why couldn't Lia Mara and Grey rule Syhl Shallow and Harper and Rhen rule Emberfall? We would then be assured of a peaceful land with those precious trade routes in tact.

The end of the book sees Rhen as a broken and directionless man whom Grey teases as if they're still best pals and has the audacity to be like: "Hey bro, you know I still need you, right?" How dare he?!

The one thing that saved AHSFAB was its pacing because it was easy to burn through, but this was a total slog. This feels like a really pointed criticism, but it feels like BK realised that she'd tanked the character development of essentially everyone in AHSFAB and doubled down by gaslighting readers into believing there's a consensus over Grey's goodness and Rhen's awfulness going into this book. I wanted to check previous books to understand how I'd got it so wrong.

I honestly resented every minute of reading this, because each page eroded the very genuine affection I felt for Harper, Rhen and Grey's story in Book 1.

[Lia Carstairs · Rating 4 out of 5]

wait, wait WHAT-

that cannot be the end. I-

I don't know how to feel.

that moment when the ending prevents a book from being a 5 stars *sadness*



I'll start off with this—RHEN. DESERVED. MORE.

I refuse to believe that this is the end of the Cursebreakers world. There literally has to be more because that ending did not resolve everything and if I'm being honest, I'd say the only people who truly got their happy ending are Grey and Lia Mara...and I could care less about them (I know, ✨unpopular opinion✨).

Not saying that Rhen and Harper didn't get their HEA but like there's still so many questions I have for them AND IT ENDED WITHOUT ASDFBGGDSAMNMBSBDAJSSDNAM IM ANGRY. I WANTED A DIFFERENT OUTCOME FOR RHEN *sobs*

That's probably just me and my unhealthy obsession with Rhen though. If I looked at this in a more critical POV, Brigid really did end this series in a realistic way, where not everything is fixed and everyone's happy.

ughhh still doesn't mean I have to like it. Rhen deserved more and I will forever keep saying that until he gets it. meanwhile I'll be waiting for when she releases info on a spin off or something



(🛑There shall be SPOILERS from the previous books...you have been warned🛑)

•❅──────✧❅♕❅✧──────❅•

"Yield to yourself. Yield to forgiveness. Yield to happiness. Yield to this moment. It's not hers. It's yours. It's mine."

"It's ours."

Tell me that isn't just one of the sweetest speeches in history? And that scene--ohmygod I wanted to burst into tears who am i kidding? i totally did

From book 1, Rhen and Harper have had my heart and that will never change. They both made terrible mistakes, but what matters more is that they learned and changed for the better. Especially Rhen.

I know many despised Rhen ofc i didnt after whipping both Grey and our little cinnamon roll, Tycho in A Heart So Fierce and Broken—and what he did was definitely unforgiveable, even after learning that Lilith was behind making him do that.

I'm not making excuses for his actions, but I believe you have to look at it a bit differently and see it from the other side of the story. We didn't get Rhen's POV in AHSFAB so we wouldn't know, but here...we see how much it pained him to do that to his brother and best friend, but in the end, Rhen would've done it all over again if it meant Harper was safe from Lilith.

And I respect that.🥺 That's true love right there even if it did harm others in the process.


So yes, I absolutely loved how many scenes we got with Harper and Rhen as you could tell from my status updates asdfghjhfgdsaf my heart is so happy thinking about them even now.

Also, where Harper might've looked all docile and unlike her usual self in AHSFAB, she definitely wasn't like that here. It was the Harper we all know and love who didn't let Rhen get away with *ahem* certain actions and I lived for those moments.


AND I WILL NEVER FORGET RHEN BLUSHING

N E V E R

I'm gonna keep rereading that scene until I die. It was amazing.😭💖

•❅──────✧❅♕❅✧──────❅•

If my people must see strength, then we need to show them ours.

Edit: no no no, never mind i don't know what i was thinking when i wrote this, i must've been high or something because when i think of Lia Mara now, i just remember how much she annoyed me and would constantly let people push her around SO IGNORE EVERYTHING I SAID BELOW. seriously, what a joke she is.
Lia Mara definitely grew a lot from the previous book. She still longs for peace between nations and all people, and although she has so many come at her for being too kind, too fair, and too just -- which leads to being 'weak', Lia Mara doesn't let that change her ways and continues acting as the queen she wants to be for her people.

Strength is shown in many ways, and Lia Mara truly showed that to be possible.


And then there's Grey. As someone who started off being a royal guard and now this...truly a huge leap from the first book.

He's become much more confident in himself and a great leader to those around him (though that's not really surprising...he's Grey). No longer does he always follow orders given from others, but he gives the orders.

But one thing that hasn't changed is that he's still ~Scary Grey~ and the big softie everyone fell in love with. but not me ofc, my heart belongs to Rhen


Too bad I couldn't care much about his and Lia Mara's POVs though. (In fact, I actually disliked them less in this book) I feel like AVSBAD was really for Rhen & Harper and I'M 100% OKAY WITH THAT.🥰

Every time I got to their POVs, my heart would do a happy dance and whenever I was not reading from their POVs, I'd literally skip ahead to see how many more pages were left until I got to be back in Harper/Rhen's POV (yes, I know I'm sad).

Living for their scenes is what I do✌

I swear to god, I was seriously going to give this 5 stars and move it on my all-time-fav shelf bUT THAT ENDING-


I despise that ending with every fibre of my being. Why, Brigid, why? DON'T LOOK AT THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T AVSBAD --------> okay, but maybe I'm getting mad over something stupid BUT Rhen lost his kingdom, lost his status as king, LOST HIS EYE, is scarred, nobody in his kingdom likes him, doesn't know what to do with his life now....and GREY gets his own kingdom, everyone loves him, he's perfectly fine with no noticeable scars (unlike Rhen *sobs*), he and Lia Mara are going to have a baby, he's king....I DON'T LIKE THE UNFAIRNESS OF THIS BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS REALISTIC CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED IN BOOK 2. RHEN, MY BABY😭😭

And another point someone made me realize -- why go through all that trouble in book 1 with Rhen struggling through breaking the curse, suffering from Lilith's torments, and trying to save and rule his kingdom...ONLY TO LOSE ALL OF THAT TO GREY. *rage* I HATE GREY AND LIA MARA.🙂🔪 But I still love this series so much because of rhen & harper and for that, I shall continue praying there's a spin-off.

Actually, I bet there is going to be a spin-off -- and if I'm right, let it be known that I am a wickedly, brilliant fortune teller. and if I'm wrong...well rip💀

Oh Grey, Lia Mara, Rhen, and Harper...I'd say goodbye, but I don't believe this is the last we'll see each other. If it is altho i wont allow that, then my final words are:

FOR THE GOOD OF EMBERFALL🔥

And down with Syhl Shallow.🙂

(*cough* HarperxRhen for life)



•❅──────✧❅♕❅✧──────❅•


Pre-read Review ~ January 22, 2021:

ASDFGHJGFDSAGSAS MY COPY CAME IN 4 DAYS EARLY THANK YOU, AMAZON
For once, amazon hasn't failed me with my preorder :' )

IM SO SCARED. RHEN MY LOVE, PLEASE BE OKAY.

dammit, I have to finish my other book first

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, it might have been a mistake to have had high hopes for this. i gave the previous book the benefit of the doubt and told myself i wouldnt judge everything until i read this, hoping for redemption, but man. this was rough.

i mean, if this was a book all on its own, completely unrelated to ‘a curse so dark and lonely,’ this is objectively a very good book. the writing is great, the pacing is decent, and the characters are complex. but i have to look at the bigger picture.

i dont want to spoil anything but if you take the characters from book one and compare them to the characters in this (and even book two), they arent the same. and i think omitting two vital POVs from book two weakened this series. there is sooo much back-tracking and explaining done in this because it was missing from the previous installment that so much page time is literally wasted. and for what seems like nothing in the end.

also, i have no idea why this is being sold as the conclusion for the series because there is still sooo much left unresolved. like, a new issue is literally added within the last chapter and all of the sudden the series is done and over? its just a very bizarre choice.

anyway, BK is still a good author and i wont hesitate to pick up her books, i think this series just went in the wrong direction and unfortunately suffered because of it.

↠ 3 stars

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Yield to yourself. Yield to forgiveness. Yield to happiness. Yield to this moment. It's not hers. It's yours. It's mine. It's ours.”


Ladies and Gentlemen, this is it. I found my most disappointing book of the year. I didn't expect to find it so soon, but I did it. A Vow so Bold and Deadly was one of my most anticipated novels of this year. I've read the first two books last year and absolutely loved them. They were even on my favourite books of last year list and this has managed to shatter that love completely.


After I finished reading this earlier, I was willing to give it 2 stars, just because of Rhen, but the more I think about it, the more I realise how much I actually hated this book, so I'm just gonna lower my rating to 1 star. This pains me. This actually pains me.


**mild spoilers for the first two books ahead**


Emberfall is a torn kingdom, devided between the people supporting Rhen and the ones supporting Grey. Grey has agreed to wait to months before attacking Emberfall with the help of Syhl Shallow and during this time Rhen has completely shut himself away from everybody. Harper is trying to get to him, to find peace between the two kingdoms, but she isn't having much success there. Meanwhile, Lia Mara is having a hard time trying to rule Syhl Shallow. Her subjects aren't happy of her decision to ally with an enchanted prince and with Grey's deadline approuching she isn't sure she is the queen her country needs.


I'm honestly not sure if my standarts when it comes to books have just raised since I read the ACSDAL and AHSFAB or this was just that bad. I couldn't even tell it was part of the same series. It had none of the epic moments that the previous books had, the characters had this sudden changes in them and, unlike the first books, this was so slow paced that it was actually painful.


I don't know what happened to the main characters in this book. I used to love them all, but in here the only thing they managed to do was piss me off.

Rhen

He was the only reason I did not DNF this book. I actually forgot how much I loved him and this book reminded me of that. He goes through so much in this series and I hate how, whenever we get scenes with him, the main focus was everything he did bad. About every bad decision he's made. Guess what? He's human. He makes mistakes so please let him be and also think about the good things he did. Thank you.
Honestly, out of all the characters in this series, he is the most loveable. Yes, I said what I said. Fight me.

Harper

Oh my poor Harper, what happened to you? She just wasn't the same character that I knew in ACSDAL. Yeah, it's obvious that she changed. But what she's had in this book cannot be called character development as it's not that. I feel like everything that I loved about her was erased by the end of the book. I did not recognize her anymore, She wasn't the brave girl that I knew anymore. End of story.

Grey

He was my favourite chararacter in the first two books and I'm just so mad. His character was completely ruined in this one. Utterly and completely ruined. His personality? Just gone. All of it, gone. His only personality trait in this one was that he loved Lia Mara. That's it. That's all. I'm just sitting here asking what was the author thinking? He had such a nice development in the previous books and now all of it gone. His chapters were so boring, I couldn't care less about what was going to happen to him. I just wanted more of Rhen's POVs while reading Grey's. That's the only thing I was thinking about. That I would much rather read from Rhen's perspective.

Lia Mara

I completely hated her in this one. I remember liking her in AHSFAB, but in here she managed to annoy me in every chapter that she was in. After the events of the second book, she is now the Queen of Syhl Shallow and she was just so unfit for that. She let her little sister undermine her on so many occassions. Girl, you are the Queen not your sister. Grow a spine and do what you have to do to be a good Queen for your people. I remember her being clever, but nope. She is as dumb as a brick in this one. I was just so aggravated by her unwillingness to do what she has to do in order to win the war and be the Queen she was needed to be, that I was screaming at the book. I wish I was kidding, but I am not. Her chapters were the most painful to read and honestly, I think I skimmed through more than half of them because of how bored and annoyed I was.



The way the chapters were devided was so wierd. In this one we follow the POVs of all 4 main characters we had previously and I just hated the way the chapters wee devided between them and honestly, I hated the decision to have all of tehir perspectives. I feel like Rhen and Grey would have been enough. Harper and Lia Mara felt more like side charcters in this one than main charcters really. Their POVs revolved constantly around the boys and the decision to also have their perspectives felt like a poor attempted on the author's part to show us that they are still main characters.


The plot dragged a lot. For the first 300 pages I was so bored and by the time the plot picked up I was just so over the story and I wanted it to be finished. The thing that I liked about this series was that it was an easy and fast read, but this one was everything but that. Also I'm not sure what we had can be actually called plot.


I hated the ending. Am I really supposed to like the way everything turned out? I will forever be bitter about this ending and this book in general. This was one of the worst endings for a series or a book that I've read. Rhen deserved so much better. He was basically the only character that I cared about by the end and he did not deserve what he got. He deserved so much better. And, now speaking in all honestly, do not come after me if you love Lia Mara and Grey both Grey and Lia Mara got more than they deserved. I'm not happy.
I'm just gonna erase this from my mind and pretend this ending whole book did not happen.


I'm not sure if this is the end in this world or if we are going to meet this characters again and to be honest I'm not sure what I actually want. For example, I would love to see Harper and Rhen again and them getting the ending they deserve instead of all this crap, but at the same time I'm not sure I would be able to endure another book with Lia Mara. Although with another book maybe my love for Grey would return. I miss the Grey I used to know.
This author has many possibilities for a return to this world and I'm curious to see what she would do if that happens.


This review was actually painful to write. I had such high expectations for this book and I'm not sure I have ever read a book that disappointed me this much. I wanted to love it, but it jsut wasn't meant to be.


On a very last note, Rhen, Harper, *reluctanly turns to Grey* and you too, Grey, I'm gonna miss you guys. I hope we get to meet again.

FOR THE GOOD OF EMBERFALL!

I don't care about Syhl Shallow

______________________________


I guess I just found my most disappointing book of the year.
RTC.

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I MIGHT CRY 😭😭

I really feared this was what was going to happen with this book. I LOVED the first one SO MUCH! I loved Harper, Rhen and Grey. They second book caught me by surprise and didn't fully live up to the first but I was okay with it. But it also made me fear for the conclusion of this series. It made me fear, that the magic of the first book would be completely lost. Sadly, for me at least, that fear came true.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Lia Mara: I was okay with Lia Mara in book two. She wasn't my favourite character, but I sympathised with her quest to be a more benevolent ruler than her mother and to bring peace to her people. But in this book she let me down completely. I couldn't like her because she never 'got into character' so to speak. She didn't step up to the plate. She didn't do what she set out to do because she was too busy second guessing herself and letting others make the tough decisions for her. It didn't sit well with me. I felt like she had such potential to be the greatest character, but Kemmerer let her down. Almost as if Kemmerer didn't really like her either...

Grey: Grey confuses me. He has for a while. I just don't understand his reasoning or his decision making process. It doesn't seem logical to me. I can't follow how he gets there. I simply don't understand him as a character.

Rhen: Now. Rhen is a real problem. I absolutely loved him in the first book. Absolutely hated him in the second. And now, with this book, we are somehow meant to love him again? It feels like a split personality. It doesn't make any sense. And when we here learn why Rhen was so terrible in the second book, it doesn't even come close to making up for his behaviour. I am deeply conflicted by this. I like character development, but there has to be a reason for it and it has to seem plausible. Rhen is not plausible.

Underwhelming: All in all this was just... underwhelming. There was too much talking and not enough walking, so to speak. This was definitely a character driven book, and when I didn't like 3 out of 4 characters it probably isn't so surprising that I am underwhelmed...

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[Yun · Rating 3 out of 5]

After loving the first two books of this series, I have just been bubbling with excitement, ready to completely immerse myself into what surely must be the epic last book of this trilogy. There is no way A Vow So Bold and Deadly would let me down, right?

Sigh.

Diving into this book was like diving into... nothing. Because nothing happens in the first half (that's 200 pages!) of this book. When we left off at the end of book 2, it was clear that war is coming. So I expected to jump right into war, or conflict, or excitement. But instead, we are treated to scene after scene of preparing for war, talking about war, training for war, and petty squabbles about war.

We are also treated to Lia Mara's insufferable dithering in pretty much every scene. In the previous book, it wasn't as irritating because she was still growing and figuring out where she belongs. But the character growth I expected out of her never materialized in this book. She is still doubting herself and never standing up for what she believes in, instead allowing everyone to walk all over her. She is constantly hesitating and gasping and being startled. At one point, she almost cried when there was food in front of her. Ugh, how am I supposed to cheer for her as a leader when she doesn't even have the courage to eat?

In this book, all four main characters' stories converge, and we get to see it from each of their perspectives. I have been looking forward to this, but it left me a little confused. Often, I didn't really understand each character's reasoning for doing what they were doing. They all say they want peace, but then their actions would make the other side believe the opposite, which leads to unnecessary conflict.

Thankfully, the plot finally starts to coalesce around the halfway point. And once the action gets going, all the things I have loved about this series up to now emerges again. My girl Harper is as badass as ever, showing courage and strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. Our favorite villain is back in force, wrecking havoc and destruction in our characters' lives. And Rhen and Grey come face to face again, and their interactions are as wonderful and heartwarming as I remember.

Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a bad book. But it was the weakest of the trilogy simply because it didn't have enough meat to fill out its bones. There was so much unnecessary filler in the beginning, it completely bogged down the pacing. And since all the action and development was saved for the end, the rest of the book felt meandering and plodding.

Still, I enjoyed the way the conclusion wrapped everything up, and felt it sufficiently brought a terrific series to its end. I'm just walking away a little disappointed that the last book of the trilogy wasn't as superb as the earlier ones.

My heartfelt thanks for the advance copy that was provided for my honest and unbiased review.

[spring ~♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is messier than my bedroom and I'm not even being sarcastic. (I wish I was though. Life would've been better)

I know this is probably going to be the only review with such a low rating and this is going to be one of the most unpopular opinion in the history of unpopular opinions but you know what? screw that.

Ugh! I'm so disappointed and frustrated right now I can't even...

The things all of us me wanted from this book:

- Rhen to be sorry for what he did. He needs to understand what a scumbag he is.

- Harper to slap Rhen hard. Possibly leave him for forever a couple of weeks so this guy would see her worth.

- Grey to learn more about his powers. Also squeeze Lilith. Around the neck. Hard.

- Lia Mara to "act like a queen" not a 24/7 insecure whinnying crybaby princess.

- Grey and Lia Mara to rule Syhl Shallow together. Harper and Rhen to rule Emberfall together. *and they starts living happily ever after* *sobs*

WHAT WE GOT:
-Continuous doze of Lia Mara crying CaUsE oH sHe iS nOt hEr mOtHeR aNd sHe is too soft and too kind and too sweet and too annoying (somebody stop her before she lets out all the murderers and criminals from dungeon to prove her "generosity")

-Harper and Rhen fighting over nothing.

- Grey doing nothing for 80% of the book but since he is GREY all is forgiven

- Rhen being a jerk to Harper cause oh why can't she just trust him and accept what a scumbag he is and move on!

- more Harper and Rhen's fighting.

- Rhen realising his mistakes and try to make up for it. which is possibly the only thing stopped me from dnf-ing this shit

- that ending.

- is Brigid Kemmerer serious? Wtf was that ending?

- I refuse to believe this is how the book ends. This book is a mess. (PLEASE TELL ME THIS WAS JUST A CRUEL JOKE AND THIS IS NOT HOW THE BOOK ENDS)

Life was better before this book happened. Now all I want in my life is Lilith to come back. Stab Lia Mara, Grey, Rhen and Harper for atleast a million years. take Emberfall and Sylh Shallow for herself. THE END.

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3 stars ~

This was pretty disappointing and definitely not the ending I wanted, and from what I gather from talking with other people, not the ending many people wanted.

I loved how it was setting up. I thought the plot was interesting and much better developed than the first two. It had more of a purpose and the pov's were more evenly balanced. Though that initial satisfaction didn't last too long I quite enjoyed it overall, same with the writing. It was a fast read, and I sped through it. But unfortunately it was not as good as the first two overall, and was just a let down. It could have done so much, it could have chosen so many different paths, but it chose the one that made the least sense.

The climax and downfall, and the entire ending in general was underhwlemig and unsatisfactory on many levels. Lot's of filler content, and it should have taken less time with the unnecessary and more time building the intensity for the fall of the villian. It should have focused a bit more on the conflict, so that when the climax happens it feels like it. I didn't mind the buildup at first, but it got tiering after a while. And once the climax did happen, it happened too fast, and before I knew it, the book was over.

This is not a terrible book, but quite mediocre. And I do not think it is redeemable, no matter if there is some sort of spin off or novella, though if there was one, I would read it. I wish this could have been a great finale to an overall solid series, but it was not.


Reviews for the first two books:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely

A Heart So Fierce and Broken

•••••
(3/3/21)

I've literaly been waiting for a copy to be available at the library for over a month because one of my 2021 goals is to not buy anymore books until I read at least half of my unread ones, and now it FINALLY is ready!

I'm both really excited and scared to start, just looking at all the mixed reviews I've seen .

[Cait Jacobs (Caitsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury YA for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Quick Stats:
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 4.5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: A Vow So Bold and Deadly is exactly what I wanted in a finale. It was epic, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, with amazing characters that I absolutely adored.

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Torture, Chronic Illness, Suicide Mention, War Themes, Murder, PTSD //

Release Date: 1/26/2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Page Count: 416
Premise:
A Vow So Bold and Deadly is the final book in the Cursebreakers series, following all four of our previous POV characters as they head towards that inevitable conclusion that we’ve been dreading.

- Initial Thoughts -

I was scared to read this book. After A Heart so Fierce and Broken, I was left conflicted and concerned. The direction the plot was going in, and how some characters were treated, really bothered me, and I knew that the final book in this series will make me love it, or hate it.

I love it.

What scared me most about A Heart so Fierce and Broken was how it seemed to hint at a character having PTSD, but instead of addressing it, they made that character seem more villainous. A Vow So Bold and Deadly continues to show that characters struggle with PTSD, but the handling of it was so much better than in the previous book. I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you were upset about the direction that character went in in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, you’ll feel better after reading A Vow So Bold and Deadly.

- Characters -

But let's talk about all of our characters. We spend time with each of the main four protagonists in this book. In my opinion, Harper and Rhen stole the show. There was so much going on in their point of view, and I loved hearing more of their side of what happened in the previous books and how they’re dealing with the decisions they made. There was so much depth and development for the both of them (especially Rhen), and I couldn’t have been happier.

Lia Mara and Gray also get point of view chapters, and I did enjoy them, but I found their development to be a little weaker in comparison. Although, to be honest, it’d be pretty hard to compare to Harper and Rhen’s story here.

- Plot -

One of the things that I loved most about the first two books in this series was the addictive pacing and plot. Well, I can confirm: A Vow So Bold and Deadly still has it. I read this book in two sittings, but I definitely could have read it in one. I was glued to the page, always eager to see what was going to happen next. There were also fantastic twists in this book that I never could have predicted, that made me want to throw the book in shock.

- Conclusion -

Pros- Great character development, addictive, fun twists
Cons- I wish I cared more about Gray and Lia Mara than I did (but I know some people adore them so this definitely won’t be a problem for everyone)
Overall- 5/5 stars.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly was exactly what I was hoping it would be. While I’m so sad this series is over, I couldn’t imagine a better conclusion.

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[~Calliope~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Devanshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: This review has been written by a Prince Rhen admirer. There are chances others might get hurt. And this is all over the place. No method. No order

One poor choice shouldn’t undo a thousand good ones.

So buckle up everyone. I'm gonna tell you a story about a series that could have been full five stars but the end takes one of those shining stars away. This is me trying to get over that end, if you can even call it an end.

So much loss, and yet there’s always room for more.

Let me get one thing cleared. I really love this series. I was so connected with the characters from the first book itself that I remember I binge read the first two books and was unable to sleep after the end of the second. I craved for this book then. And so whatever I say, it's because I didn't get the end I think this beautiful series deserved.

“I wonder if he would see me as a failure—and I also wonder if I would want a man like that to see me as a success.”

So if we get to the story, there was not a single moment I felt bored. Maybe the Lia Mara POV? But even then, I wanted to read the next page and the next. The plot is that engaging. The writing that beautiful. It is wonderfully crafted.

The Characters

Prince Rhen
I’m realizing that I got so caught up in the poor choices you made I forgot that you knew how to make good ones.

Rhen is and will always remain the best thing of this series. The way he took all the brute of Lillith's torture to protect his people and Harper really hurt the deepest part of me. And after everything that happened, how can he NOT get the ending he deserved. Like what is even the point of book 1 and 2 if we are here. I think he redeemed himself plenty before reaching here. And it's not like he was the only one with poor choices.

He suffered from Lillith's torture. He was the one whose guards and family were killed. He lost an eye. He lost Harper for a while. He lost his friend. He begged to be killed multiple times. And then he lost his kingdom? The only thing that had kept him going for so long and would have even had him going through everything again if he had a chance he could protect it. What did Grey lose? A game of dice????
(Okay. I'm feeling a bit better after that)

Harper
“Go ahead,” she whispers. “Take me home. Let’s see how long you live on my side.”

Harper is still my cool badass girl. I love her. Literally everything about her makes her one of the best female protagonists!! She can be kind and helping but when necessary she can just pin the scariest enchantress to the ground😂.

Grey

Language and politics don’t matter once a blade is flying. All that matters here is skill.

If you leave behind how he went from I-dont-want-your-throne to can-you-be-my-advisor, I actually like him. Definitely not the same extent as Rhen (that's immeasurable) but I liked how he did have something for Rhen. How he did want to help in the middle of the impossible situation.

Lia Mara

I am not my mother

I really can't find ANYTHING other for her. Wait. Is she even a character with a development. You want peace. I get it lady and I respect it. But just repeating that again and again with null actions doesn't make it happen. She is such a bland character. I might have even skimmed through her chapters.

The relationships

Rhen and Harper

“Yield to yourself. Yield to forgiveness. Yield to happiness. Yield to this moment. It’s not hers. It’s yours. It’s mine. It’s ours.”

After a very long time, I got to read a really beautiful relationship. I was begging for just one moment more between these two. In spite of the choices they made they stood together and understood each other. Still, I didn't get the proper END I wanted!!!

Grey and Lia Mara

Forgive me but I don't have a quote here. It was just meh. They had their sweet moments but no. Not for me.

Rhen and Grey

Grey clasps my hand, his grip tight. “You and me, Brother. For the good of all.”

Despite everything that happened between them, all those betrayals, stupid choices, miscommunications or lack of communications, these two have a beautiful relationship. Both feel for each other. It was made clear from the very start that neither of them wanted a war. My eyes might have moistened at their reunion (tho that may have more to do with Rhen on his knees yielding and begging to be killed)

Grey and Harper

“As I said once before, I could have chosen no one better, my lady.”

That is one friendship that's done so well. I really loved all those moments they talked because it felt like Harper knew Grey's depths more than Lia Mara.

Overall? If I was not THAT mad at the ending, this was definitely a solid 5 star and I still might have cut that 1 star more because of emotions rather than being realistic. Because many would agree with that ending. I, for the life of me, can't. It hurts. The way Rhen's having an existential crisis after EVERYTHING he suffered from. It just effing hurts.

“You once told me that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
She nods at me in the mirror, but then her eyes fill again.
“Sometimes I worry that the light can be doused too easily.”
“Then we just light it again,”

Well, this rant certainly made me feel better.










Silver hell!

I'm so torn right now😖

RTC

[Cardan Greenbriar]

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book so much and the second book was good but I’m truly not going to read these again. I’ll get them on kindle on sale but I’m unhauling the hardbacks.

I love Grey and I appreciate that ending with Grey and Rhen but I just didn’t love the book itself. Such is life .... whatever life truly is any more.....

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Arini · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 A Curse So Dark and Lonely — 3 Stars
#2 A Heart So Fierce and Broken — 3 Stars

You know when you’re reading a book and you feel like you’re moving but not going anywhere??? Then when you get to the last page, you feel bereft because you thought, ‘Wait, that’s it??? But the characters barely accomplished anything!!!’ Well, there you go. That’s basically this book for you.

I felt like I was reading the beginning from start to finish as if this book didn’t have a middle and an end. The characters were just moping around on their side of the castles, and things didn’t pick up until the last few chapters. Even then, some things still felt unconcluded at the end despite the fact that this was marketed as the conclusion/final book.

*Spoilery Thoughts*
Prince Rhen: Am I the only one thinking he was just so weak and lame in this book?? I liked that he only hesitated for a ~short~ time telling Harper about Lilith’s comeback, but at the same time I wish he’d told her sooner. I mean, did you see how fast she handled the situation?? She didn’t even cower and literally stabbed her the moment Lilith *poofed* herself into existence.

Harper: I loved that she stuck by Rhen even when everyone else didn’t and (until the moment Rhen confided in her) she herself didn’t quite understand what had changed him. Not to mention, even when he was being a jerk considering how much they fought in this book. Honestly, why did everyone put up with his sh!t and forgave him easily just because he was tortured by Lilith?!

Lia Mara: She was whiny and full of self-doubt. While I empathized with the burden she carried, I was also frustrated and often wanted to shout, ‘STOP CRYING AND DO SOMETHING!!!’ 😭 Her sister was even more annoying with her “advising” because the way she voiced them didn’t seem genuinely supportive but felt showy and demeaning as if she believed herself she was more capable than Lia Mara in rulling their kingdom.

Grey: He was noticeably ~still~ in this book, like he pretty much didn’t do anything for 80% of it. I don’t understand his sudden willingness to rule. Sure, he was the true heir and whatnot, but I feel like it’d make more sense if Rhen stayed in power and them as brothers. Also, I didn’t expect we’d come out of this with him having a baby with Lia Mara. With everything going on, that was just too soon IMO.

I know some people have rockier journey with this series compare to my rather steady one (though I admit I was being generous with this installment), but I hope this is it—goodbye. Despite the loose ends, I don’t want to waste time reading another mediocre book that doesn’t know how to tie itself in unity with the rest of its mates in the series.

(Read as an Audiobook)

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

EDELWEISS HAS DELIVERED AND SO I MUST BINGE THE SERIES AND BE BROKEN

I JUST SHRIEKED IN THE LIBRARY AND I DON'T CARE BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING A 3RD BOOK

well they LIED ABOUT THE PURPLE COVER but I'm okay with that because that red cover looks fierce and I've already got so many epic Bookstagram ideas

[human · Rating 3 out of 5]

(i have no idea what to rate this 3 am human, who is clearly far wiser than 2 am human, has decided on the admittedly gracious rating of 3.0/5 for this book)

Lmao not me struggling to type this review on my phone at 2 am because I have too much to rant about-


Spoiler alert! Unmarked spoilers ahead!


In many ways, this book was both a disappointment, as well as the outcome of the trilogy that I was expecting. That being said, it tries to do entirely too much, cover too much, and isn’t enough in other aspects, which I see as its ultimate downfall.



First of all, there are the main characters themselves. While I didn’t enjoy the use of the not-like-other-girls trope which was used to characterize Harper for much of the first book, there’s no denying that she was a fierce protagonist who wouldn’t take anyone’s BS, least of all Rhen’s.

It pains me to say that there seems to be some reverse character growth that occurred between the second and third books. In this book, Harper doesn’t have much impact on the plot, at least until the very end. The entire time, she’s constantly defending Rhen, while also simultaneously being (justifiably) angry with him. But the Harper from book one who stood up for her opinions and would do what she needed to even if no one would help her is unfortunately gone. All we have left is a Harper who is wish-washy and uninspiring.

Then, there’s Rhen. I won’t say much about him because I’m scared of the fangirls coming after me in the comments, but I found it tiresome that everyone seemed at once ready to excuse his behavior in the second book, on account of the fact that he had done other good.



Now, I don’t know about you, but I genuinely feel that Rhen’s character could have been further explored in this book, especially regarding his morals and views when it comes to doing what is right and what is best for his kingdom. Everyone choosing to forgive what he did to Grey and Tycho somewhat rubbed me the wrong way, because while he did regret his actions and was only acting out of desperation to keep his kingdom together, I would have appreciated more dialogue, internal or otherwise, about his thoughts and ethics, especially because we didn’t get to see any of it during the second book.

And, of course, there’s Lia Mara. Oh, Lia Mara. I absolutely loved her in the second book, and I wish I had appreciated her more then. In this book, she’s spineless and lacks force. She works hard for what she believes needs to be done for queendom but constantly yields to her sister.

I had honestly thought that much of this issue would have been resolved or that Lia Mara would grow more into her role in this book, but the more I read, the more it seemed that she was deferring control to others rather than sticking up for herself :(



Grey, thankfully, stays mostly the same since he was in the first book. At this point, I’d say that he’s the most reliable one in terms of character development, because the others’ character arcs are erratic and change suddenly, often with no driving force behind them.

Unfortunately, the side characters from both books one and two were mostly sidelined in this book. In particular, Noah and Jake were barely discernible from the background drama, and Tycho, my favorite character, was encountered even less of >:(



That being said, you’d think that the main villain of the ENTIRE TRILOGY would have more backstory revealed or even character depth shown, but nooo. Lilith only shows up occasionally to add more spice to the soup, at least until the last third or so of the book.

I will never not make it clear how much potential I saw in the kind of villain I believe Lilith could be, but was never put to any use. What even is Lilith’s motive for doing all of this?? I mean, you’d think that the curse and all that it entailed would have been enough reckoning for being spurned away from the prince after sleeping with him, but the way Lilith manipulates so many characters and revels in the pain she causes suggests that she has suffering of her own that she wishes to revenge. Sadly, it’s never really made clear, and we’re left with a comically shallow villain.



Ugh.

Let’s talk about something that wasn’t as disappointing: the romance - probably only because both relationships were mostly developed in the previous books and didn’t need to be put under too much attention by this book, thankfully. Specifically, the one between Lia Mara and Grey.

Honestly speaking, I love these two. They’re adorable and suit each other so well. Almost to the point where it interferes with the plot.

That being said, while I like Lia Mara and Grey’s relationship more, I enjoy Rhen and Harper more. They have this near-constant push and pull that I would otherwise hate, but with them, it seems to work. And yeah, I’ll admit that while they definitely got their happily ever after, the ending of this book was far more focused on Grey and Lia Mara (which actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it) than it was on these two.

Which made me kind of sad.



Speaking of which, there’s the ending. And everything that came before that. Double ugh.

The beginning of the book was intriguing and had me speeding through it, most likely because it featured mostly Rhen and Harper’s POVs. Then it switched to Grey and Lia Mara, and I realized that this book was a lot more tedious than it would lead you to believe.

See, the thing is, I’m pretty sure that the first HALF of the book was spent switching between what was happening in Emberfall as well as Syhl Shallow in the grace period prior to “war”. And as a result, it was frustrating to read about how both sides were making almost half-hearted war preparations, because both sides had done wrong, but could also resolve the whole issue without further bloodshed.

Instead, what we got was a lot of filler, mostly consisting of romantic side plots, ie, relationship drama, on both sides. Probably to distract us from the fact that the real plot that we were all here for had gone MIA.



All of the angst and whatnot eventually got annoying. I mean, fantasy political drama is intriguing, don’t get me wrong, but at one point, it stops being interesting and just becomes tedious. Which, of course, dragged the book out and withheld the climax of the book for as long as possible, resulting in a lackluster confrontation, and a laughably speedy """final showdown""" between the main characters and Lilith.

I’ve seen and read that a lot of readers hated the ending of this book, and, technically, the cumulative ending of this trilogy, and I can understand. While it’s certainly the most realistic one, considering all the lies that Rhen fed his people compared to the hope that Grey represented, and the possible mending of the relationship between the two brothers that’s quite heavily hinted at, I felt that it wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been - as it should have been.

It wasn’t enough to make me resent the book or feel that it ruined the rest of the series, but I can see why some do.



The writing was much of the same quality as the previous books thankfully. It was detailed where it needed to be, but not overly so. I can't remember at any point thinking that there was some serious info-dumping going on, especially in this book, which is definitely a good thing.

The world-building still isn't exactly solid, but at least there's a map at the beginning to make things slightly less confusing.

That being said, this book wasn't the ending that I wanted for this trilogy. I'm going to be honest and say that I was expecting something more action-packed and meaningful; something that would do this series some justice.



Part of that, I think, comes from the fact that there's a lot of potential in these books as well as the characters *cough* LILITH *cough*, that simply wasn't put to good use. And while I'm at peace with how this book ended this series, I guess I can't help but be a little disappointed, or think about how it could've been better.

Overall, it was a fairly enjoyable experience, but there could have been more.

~~~~~~~~~

That little teaser was not enough! I NEED more!

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

1) A Curse So Dark and Lonely ★★★★☆
2) A Heart So Fierce and Broken ★☆☆☆☆

Just read A Curse So Dark and Lonely and pretend it's a standalone. It's what I should have done.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vow So Bold and Deadly is the final installment to Brigid Kemmerer's popular YA-Fantasy Cursebreakers trilogy.

I have an issue closing out trilogies and series. Mainly, I put it off because I don't want my experience with them to end. I definitely feel that's why it took me so long to read this.



Honestly, now that I've completed it, I am really sad.

Why did I do this to myself? I'm not ready to say goodbye to Emberfall, Harper, Rhen, Grey, and even Lia Mara. I'll sleep fitfully tonight.

All jokes aside, is this the last time I am going to see these characters? I know Forging Silver into Stars is related, but how related? If you know, comment below!!



Since this is the 3rd-book in the series, I'll try to avoid revealing too much about the plot. I sort of feel like I'm the last person to read it, but you never know what other procrastinators could be lurking around.

Firstly, I was giddy with happiness about returning to this world. It felt so good to be reuniting with the characters I had grown to love over the previous two novels.

I enjoyed how Kemmerer formatted this series, with Rhen and Harper being the focus of book 1, Grey and Lia Mara, book 2, and everyone getting equal play in this one. I felt like that was a clever choice and a great way to get the Reader to attach to everyone equally.



At this point in the story, you do have characters on opposing sides and that was difficult to read. I wanted everyone to be back together and happy.

Grey was definitely pulling my attention in this one. He was being his best badass, alpha male self and I was absolutely, 100%, here for it.

There was still so much drama involving Rhen, but I did really feel for him and his circumstance. It felt so hopeless at times. I feel like Kemmerer captured the desperate nature of his feelings so well. It tore at my heart.



I loved how this felt, as we were moving back and forth between the various perspectives, you could tell you were building up to a big showdown. It was super enjoyable as the tension continually increased.

When everything came to a head, I was reading so quickly. I had to know the ultimate outcome. I did love the conclusion as well. It wasn't stars and rainbows and fairy tale happily ever afters, but it did make sense, and I think it was as satisfying as could be wished for many of these characters.



As sad as I am that this journey through Emberfall is finally over for me, I'm definitely looking forward to picking up more of Kemmerer's Fantasy work!!

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️]

Just a small sample!



I wasn’t too happy to find out I just got a sample of the book it is 4 very small chapters. I am one that never reads long excerpts or if a writer has a chapter available early on, I never read it. I want to read the whole book at once. Though since I grabbed this from Netgalley I figure I have to honor my commitments and do at least somewhat of a review.

The sample definitely whet my appetite for the book. It has all our favorite characters Rhen, Harper, Grey and Lia Mara. It also has Iisak the scraver, Harper’s brother Jake and Tycho. It basically takes off where A Heart so Fierce and Broken left things. Rhen and Grey are on opposite sides. I will read the book, but I am not sure when I will get to it. Though I can’t wait to find out how things turn out.

The sample was not enough to give a rating so I am not putting any stars on this review.



I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

After loving the first book in this series, and not loving the second one quite as much… I was curious to see how this third book would measure up. I enjoyed this one so much more than the last. I liked the conclusion, but I’ll be honest… I would love one more book (or novella) just to tie everything up and give me more of these characters I love so much.

Honestly, the reason the last book wasn’t my favorite was because of a lot of the choices Rhen made. I feel like he redeemed himself in this book. We continue to follow Harper, Rhen, Grey, and Lia Mara. I loved that we got all 4 of their perspectives. Grey is still my favorite out of all of them and this just solidified that x

Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Melissa Bayern, Kate Handford, Matt Reeves and Davis Brooks
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Fantasty
Length: 12 hours and 36 minutes

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but it was disappointing compared to the first two. This book is told from Grey, Lia Mara, Rhen and Harper's point of view. The pacing in the beginning was slow but it quickly picked up. There was a lot of action in the middle of the book but after the climax it slowed down again. The world building was interesting. I really liked the magic, but I wanted the world to be more detailed. I really liked Harper in this book, she is strong, determined and brave. I don't know how I feel about Rhen, at times he was caring and sweet and other times he was arrogant and rude. I really liked Grey, he is strong and loyal, but I wished he developed more as a character. I liked Lia Mara, but there were times when I didn’t agree with the decisions she made. The character development was lacking, I hoped to learn more about the characters and see them grow. The ending was erupt and wasn't as resolved as I hoped it would be.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit: So I just randomly decided to skim through this book because why not (didn't technically count as reading because I DEFINITELY didn't read all of it- I'd only actually read the interesting scenes. *cough* Harper and Rhen basically *cough*) and this has definitely resurfaced feelings, and I now realize that I rated this too high.

I loved this book. The beginning and middle were amazing but then it all turned and plummeted at the end. I will never forgive that ending. RHEN DESERVED THE WORLD AND YOU GIVE HIM THIS? It's not fair how Grey gets everything handed to him while Rhen has to live with this!

Spoilers for the ending below because I have to rant.
So let's just dive in. Grey gets to rule an entire kingdom with Lia Mara, he has a BABY ON THE WAY (this was unnecessary), his kingdom ADORES HIM, and everything is handed to him. AND THEN WE HAVE MY BABY RHEN WHO NEEDS MORE LOVE. HIS KINGDOM HATES HIM, HE'S MISSING AN EYE, HE HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT LILITH DID TO HIM AND NOW HE HAS TO GIVE UP BEING THE KING, SOMETHING HE HAD TRAINED HIS WHOLE LIFE FOR???? It's not fair at all, especially considering how much I love Rhen. It makes sense, but I wish that the story had completely cut out that Grey and Rhen were brothers, and I just wish they had made it so that Rhen is king and he and Grey are super close again, and Rhen has Harper by his side and they all live happily ever after. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?? APPARENTLY SO.

Writing this out makes me realize how much I hate Grey. I don't feel indifferent to him anymore. I hate him with a PASSION. And I also realize I don't like Lia Mara as much as I said I did- she kinda has a personality, which is really just being nice and fair to everyone, which isn't a bad personality to have at all, but still, she needs more depth.

New rating: 4 stars

“One poor choice shouldn't undo a thousand good ones.”

<><><><><><><><><>
“I’m confident in my strengths, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about my weaknesses.”

I blazed through this entire book, and my heart is beating so fast right now as to what has happened in this book.

So first off, I LIVED for Harper and Rhen's POVs, and I adored that they got so much attention in this book, and their chapters were so interesting. They're my favorites, if you can't already tell. I love them together, and I feel SO BAD for Rhen. He deserved so much more than what he actually got, and what happens to him breaks my heart. 😭 He gets his eye ripped out by Lilith, he thinks Harper's dead, he gets so many cuts and scars, and GREY GETS TO RULE AN ENTIRE KINGDOM WHERE EVERYONE LOVES HIM?? It's just not fair. 😢



So, I do think this book was a step up from A Heart So Fierce and Broken personally. The characters seemed more in character, Rhen isn't so cold and callous, and the plot had me HOOKED.

“Yield to yourself. Yield to forgiveness. Yield to happiness. Yield to this moment. It's not hers. It's yours. It's mine. It's ours.”

I will always and forever hold this scene with Harper and Rhen in my heart for the rest of my days.

Grey and Lia Mara: So Grey wasn't my favorite character in A Curse So Dark and Lonely and A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which is probably an unpopular opinion, but I grew to kind of like him I guess. I just don't like how Rhen gets so much hate in his kingdom while everyone practically fawns over Grey. Anyways, back to his and Lia Mara's relationship. I do like them together, and I do really enjoy Lia Mara's character. Though I did NOT expect that pregnancy bit. Don't know how I feel about it, because the pregnancy trope sucks, but at least we didn't get to see a baby, because that would've made me throw the book across the room They're both strong characters, and they work well together.

Harper and Rhen: You can probably already gauge my feelings towards these two. I have loved them both since the first book, and I will always and forever continue loving them. I just wish this whole BOOK could be about them, but I suppose that Grey and Lia Mara's POVs were relevant as well. During Harper and Rhen's parts, I felt happy Except the moment when literally everyone is getting killed and Rhen's eye gets ripped out and I was enjoying learning more about the two of them and both of them together.

I also really loved the side characters in this book, just as I did in the previous book. This book had so many twists and turns, and while I enjoyed the first book in this series better than both of the other books, I still highly enjoyed this one.

4.5 stars

“I know trust is not something you win once, but is instead something you must earn over and over again.”

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 38 years old you’d think I’d have gotten past devoted, unconditional love stories. Brigid Kemmerer has reminded me that I haven’t. And maybe it’s because for 12+ years I’ve had my Grey/Rhen next to me; so I know love exists. Or maybe it’s because the 16 year old version of me is bawling her eyes out at how poignant and amazing these characters and their stories are. Either way I’m glad to still be able to enter a fantasy world made for teens and fall in love with it.

My personal notes:
- As a lover of Grey, from early in book 1, I can honestly say that his character progression is lovely. And I love him even more after every page I flipped
- Rhen and Harper still annoy me... in the last half of the book I got over it without even realizing it until I was at the end. Lol
- Noah and Jake are adorable and I wish there was so much more of them
- Virginity is lost! It’s YA rated but still pretty steamy
- Blood is spilled. Like a lot of blood. And yes I loved that too. Give me a tortured soul any day
- Beauty and the Beast has never been my favourite story. But this series is proof it can be done without it seeming totally inappropriate or wrong. I’m impressed.

If you’d read the first two books then you don’t need me to tell you to read this. Just know that the ending is lovely. And as someone who hates most endings it’s nice to smile and put this third book down, content with where we are at.
Although I’m already dreading the possibility of a follow-up series... because I’m paranoid to touch good things in case they get messed up. However, as Kemmerer points out to us many times during this series, you cannot gain anything without risking something as well.

There are many lovely lines and adages to take to heart in this last book of the Cursebreaker series; but I think my favourite one is this one; because in real life people make mistakes and we hurt one another. Trust is always so hard to gain; and yet easily lost. Kemmerer reminds us to give others a break sometimes; as we need one ourselves at times:
”One choice shouldn’t undo a thousand good ones.”

Excuse me while I go kiss my husband and thank him for all our wonderful years together; and all those to come. Don’t forget to love those around you openly and unabashedly. Just as Rhen and Grey do their ladies.

[Sara St. Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an absolutely lame, joyless experience this was! Here's the thing: I didn't expect a whole lot out of this.

I really enjoyed A Curse So Dark and Lonely but A Heart So Fierce and Broken was one of the worst books I read in 2020. It took everything I loved about the first book and undid, reversed, or changed just about everything I once enjoyed. It turned Rhen into a villain, Harper into a cardboard cutout of herself, and Grey into a completely unrecognizable twat with an annoyingly self-righteous girlfriend.

So where did that leave us for A Vow So Bold and Deadly? I really wasn't sure I was going to read this one. The last time I forced myself to finish a series I wasn't enjoying, it was Throne of Glass, and if you are at all a regular reviewer of mine, you'll know that didn't end so hot. That said, I knew this was (probably) the last book, so I bit the bullet and decided to go forth.

I will say that I didn't loathe this experience the same way I did A Heart So Fierce and Broken. Rhen and Harper are back to Main Character status and, even if their purpose as characters has been neutered, their chapters were always a welcome reprieve. However, as soon as I would relax into their storyline despite how trite it was, I'd be thrust back to Grey and Lia Mara, where I decidedly did not want to be. Everything that made Grey interesting as a character was stripped away from him in A Heart So Fierce and Broken and everything that made Lia Mara interesting never existed at all.

Kemmerer also does this really cute thing where she backpedals on half of the characterization she implemented in A Heart So Fierce and Broken. Were you as upset as I was that Rhen, Harper, and Grey acted completely different from how they did in A Curse So Dark and Lonely? No worries, they are now stuck in a weird homeostasis between their behaviors in the two books wherein they are yet again unrecognizable! You can almost feel Kemmerer's regret in demonizing Rhen and weakening Harper, so Rhen gets redeemed very quickly and very smoothly while all the characters basically have to go on a crash course to forgive him so we can fast-track this finale. Kemmerer even tries her damnedest to turn Grey back into Scary Grey, even going so far as to repeat it a handful of times, but there is just some damage that cannot be undone.

It's all incredibly ham-fisted and it only further proves the same thing A Heart So Fierce and Broken did: A Curse So Dark and Lonely should have been a standalone novel. Kemmerer only dug her grave deeper, taking her so far away from what made A Curse So Dark and Lonely special that she can't get back to it. She's terrible at consistent characterization, mistaking character development for constant heel turns and personality transplants. It's dizzying, disappointing, and leaves me longing for the good old days when these characters actually behaved like themselves.

This sucked. I wish I could say I'm heartbroken, but I really didn't expect so much from it because my heart was already broken by A Heart So Fierce and Broken. Good riddance.

[Lauren Lanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m confident in my strengths, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about my weaknesses.”

I was really sceptical going into this finale. A Vow So Bold and Deadly was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, but seeing so many disappointing reviews only served to lower my expectations. Thankfully, Kemmerer gave my favourite former bodyguard (and his friends Tycho + Iisak) some great development and page time, which is all I needed.

I adored Brigid Kemmerer’s writing. She articulates each of the four protagonists’ thoughts and emotions with impressive clarity. It’s never easy to make character perspectives sound distinguishable (especially when there are so many), but all of Rhen, Grey, Harper and Lia Mara’s chapters achieved just that.

My biggest issue (one of very few) was Lia Mara. I really liked her in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, but her characterization went off the rails in this finale. She was no longer the ambitious girl with a clear vision on how she intended to rule. Instead, she never took initiative for anything when she had previously fought her way to become Queen. I was happy for her and Grey in the end, but her mindset along the way was frustrating.

This was a pretty great conclusion (if slightly open-ended). While I can definitely see why some were disappointed by it, I found the second half in particular to be exhilarating and fast paced! The action scenes were really well written. If anything, I feel like Kemmerer could write a short novella following the conclusion of A Vow So Bold and Deadly; I’d love to see where these characters are at!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blog Review: https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2...

I received a free e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This excerpt was nowhere near enough. At all. It was all nice and slow and just easing into the story, when the last page of the excerpt really went, BOOOM you thought, girl?

I'm really scared about Rhen because oh God he doesn't know about Grey's abilities, and Grey's not telling him, and these two fools are going to destroy the world because of miscommunication.

Its just so sad seeing Harper and Rhen together right now with Harper somewhat scared of Rhen. I don't like this. He needs to be fixed. He needs to go back to what he was. Or eveolve into somehting better, I don't particularly care.

Grey and Lia....well what do I even say? I just love them. But this excerpt was so ominous on that front. It seems like they're growing apart in the wake of Lia's rule. And I don't like that either. This is horrible.

I for one, cannot wait to read the rest of this book!


Pre-reading review:

I SWEAR TO GOD, IF SOMEONE DIES IN THIS I WILL MURDER BRIGID KEMMERER

AND RHEN NEEDS TO REDEEM HIMSELF

AND GREY AND LIA NEED TO STAY TOGETHER


AND I WANT MORE HARPER


HAAAAAAARPEEEEEEER

[A y a · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a land of myth, and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name…

Weeeellll actually it rested on the shoulders of a young group and their names were: Harper, Rhen, Grey, Lia Mara, Tycho, Noah, Jake, Zo, Iisak *carries on naming characters*

I know I just keep getting bad at these but bare with me please.



…

The final battle for the throne of Emberfall is about to commence, the one true heir has been revealed and the people's loyalty haw been left divided. Stay with the old ways or begin a new era.

Rhen has become ever more lonely, especially when a certain someone thought to be dead make's a reappearance and finds himself in a more unsettling place than he ever was during the curse. With the whispers of war looming close by Rhen faces the hardest battle of them all. Himself.

Grey has given Rhen 60 days before he marches at the doors of Emberfall, fleeing to Shyl Shallow at the time of his escape seemed the safest thing to do, but those in the kingdom have not seen magic since it was driven out and now Lia Mara’s allegiance with Grey has unsettled the people of Syhl Shallow and the deep rooted fear of magic within them slowly rises.

There’s only one throne and only one future king can sit upon it but with battles raging from all oppositions, every corner, who's to say the kingdom won’t crumble and fall even before the right heir takes their seat.
…

I’ve been following this series for three years now since 2019, were now in 2021 and when reading the last few lines, it felt so surreal and special, what a wonderful journey this has been, and I would wait in anticipation during those three years all over again to read this series because it was damn well worth it.

So I planned my review before hand and it just ended up being too way long and boring as always but the gist of it was how I enjoyed this final installment, Rhen and Harpers relationship really develops in this book, we see how Brigid gives us a key message of how important communication is in any type and kind of relationship. Rhen and Harper have this built up anger within them, secrets they keep on keeping from each other, feelings they’re too stubborn to express to one another and because of this they continuously drift apart. Thankfully they realise this error and work to be more open with one another and it was so naturally and beautifully done. Grey and Lia Maras relationship was fierce in this book which I also really enjoyed reading. Grey was determined whatever the outcome was he would not leave Lia Mara, he would not betray or abandon because his place was by her side. It was really interesting to see the conflicting thoughts Rhen and Grey had, they were so very similar, both acted as royals should, keeping the peoples best interest in them, protecting their kingdom and title, but deep down both of them regret their actions and wish they could turn back time and do this all differently, both of them don’t want a war they just wanted their brother. Lia Mara struggles with being newly crowned queen was hard, she’s not like her mother who was cruel and merciless but she knows that’s why the kingdom survived, stood its ground and was able to oppose outside enemies, her mother was an example of not needing a man to rule by your side and Lia Mara finds it hard to break the customs her mother so firmly implemented but she is not her mother, she’s kind and caring and that’s exactly how she will run the kingdom and there’s nothing no one could do about it *cough Nolla Verin cough*. Harper oh Harper, if I ever want to be a character in a book Harper would be my top pick, she so genuine I love it, Harper fits perfectly in this world despite spending all her life in ‘Disi’ – I couldn’t help it - and only a few months in this fantasy realm, when a certain someone comes back, the way Harper stood up to them knowing she was disadvantaged in so many ways – jbsfijsebfij;bf;ijewbgjw – gosh I love this girl SO MUCH.

Tycho, Jake and Noah gosh these lot are so cute I love everyone of them to bits, Tycho and how cute he is he doesn’t even have to try and how he doesn’t want to fail anyone, Noah and how accepting and understanding he is and how kindly he uses his knowledge to help those in need of aid and Jake putting aside his anger and being the friend Grey really needed at a time.

Lets not forget Zo and Iisak the fierce characters they are, Zo and Harpers friendship I loved and I loved how Zo was not afraid to defy anyone when something clearly wrong is happening and Iisak’s just cool like do we need to say anymore?

The ending was bitter sweet, I did feel really bad for Rhen to be honest, I felt he started the series with nothing and ended the series with nothing as well – although he’d argue quite the opposite – it would seem Rhen is still mentally going to go through things now the kingdom is moving on without him but that sweet moment that lovely moment when Grey tries everything in his power to make sure Rhen is there every step of the way, giving him a job he knows will keep him at the center of the kingdom, a job his damn well good at.

Although this isn’t physically said in the book it was beautiful to see that Rhen and Grey were brothers from the very beginning, when Grey chose to stay and endure the curse with Rhen after everyone fled and left and when Rhen told Lilith to take out all the torment on him and not Grey, and they didn’t need the same blood running through their veins for them to realise that.

[Camila Ochoa · Rating 2 out of 5]

me decepcionó un poco, siento que fue un final muy flojo y muy ..???? para libros TAN épicos como los dos anteriores. Ya desde el vamos arrancó flojisimo. Esta trilogía NO cumple con la maldición del segundo libro, todo lo contrario, el segundo es el mejor y el que mejor ritmo de lectura tiene y pasas de estar atrapado en cada capítulo a IMPLORAR PORQUE ALGO PASE EN EL TERCERO. El final no me gustó nada, yo me estaba esperando un final específico que sinceramente hubiese quedado mucho más a la altura de esta trilogía que el que tiene. Además de que hay un cierto detalle al final que 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 UGH
la autora llegó muy lejos desarrollando ciertos personajes para que termine así, juro que estoy indignada pero bueno le tengo muchísimo cariño a los otros dos libros y a sus personajes así que igualmente estuvo bueno leerlos una vez más.

[ALet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book, really disliked the second book, towards this one I feel neutral. In general I liked this series, I liked the writing style and the characters, but in my opinion, plot was pretty weak (in the last two books).
I really wanted to like this book more, but simply it wasn’t that great, but at least I had semi-fun time reading it.

[Charlotte May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok - spoilers ahead for this one!

I enjoyed being back in Emberfall and Syll Shallow, but despite the excitement along the way, the ending wasn’t satisfying for me at all.

Grey and Lia Mara are planning war against Rhen. With distrust everywhere and attacks on Lia Mars’s life since she took the throne from her mother, no one is safe.

Meanwhile Lilith the demon enchantress returns to wreak havoc once again.

I like these books, they are easy to read and the characters are alright. I do think that Rhen should have stayed King rather than i to Grey. Grey has no experience leading people or a country, plus he is with Lia Mara who already had a kingdom?!

I just feel like it didn’t make sense to me.
But I really like the writing so will keep going with her other fantasy books.