A Crazy Little Thing Called YA discussion

Hey guys! Here's the discussion post for our buddy read of A Curse so Dark and Lonely. We're going to be reading a chapter at a time as a few of us have quite hectic schedules. So go ahead and read the first chapter, then come back here to discuss! Then when everyone's ready we can move on to the next chapter. If you do read ahead, then just try not to put spoilers on here before we talk about it!

Can you all just comment below if you're going to be joining us, so we know who to wait for to comment after each chapter?

Happy reading!

Do you all mind if I join, even if I read the book before? I read it ages ago when I came out but I want to reread it since the next one is out. I promise no spoilers! I honestly don't remember much about it at the moment, other then the fact I LOVE Brigid Kemmerer.

Of course not! I’m only three chapters in so we can discuss whenever you guys are ready.

Awesome! Thanks for setting this up!

I'm starting the book soon and can't wait to talk about it!

Should we set up a tentative reading schedule?

Sure thing! I'm pretty flexible about reading schedules, so I'm good with whatever pace

I guess it would depend on how fast we want to read it. Like, a chapter a day? Then we can pick a date to start reading.

Simplekind wrote: "Should we set up a tentative reading schedule?"

Im good with whatever

How about we start on the 16th?

We can do either a chapter a day, or maybe 5 chapters a week - then plan to chat it out on the weekend?

Simplekind wrote: "How about we start on the 16th?

We can do either a chapter a day, or maybe 5 chapters a week - then plan to chat it out on the weekend?"

Im good with either but just in case some are busy we could do 5 chapters a week

Hey guys, sorry I was off my phone yesterday. I’m honestly happy to do whatever, but I have already started this as we originally said we’d start from Sunday just gone.

Also the chapters are super short, so should we try 5 chapters a week, and then discuss over the weekends?

I’m also good starting this on the 16th!! I’ll hold off reading any more until then 😂

The 16th is perfect! I'm so excited for this book (hope you guys don't mind if I join you lol).

Sounds like everyone one is agreed. We will start reading on the 16th and will read 5 chapters a week. On the weekend we will post discussions.

Awesome stuff!

Honestly so happy that we've got so many people up for reading this!!

So guys, what did we think of the first 5 chapters? I’m definitely intrigued by this parallel world that Harper and Rhen live in, and what the curse is!! I also lovvvveeee the fact that we have a bit of disability representation in Harper, it’s definitely so refreshing to see!

I was a bit apprehensive at first about the perspective-swapping, but getting more into it now! I 100% agree about the disability representation - definitely not done enough in books, and the author is pretty good at actually bringing it into the plot (like when she's in the alleyway) instead of just giving her a trait for the sake of it

I'm a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast retelling (it is my favorite besides Robin Hood), so I'm really excited for this. Our first five chapters was a great start to this read. I love that Harper is a badass. Like, despite her difficulty walking she has no problem getting on a horse or beating Grey with a tire iron. I'm super excited to see what other mischief she gets into.

Simplekind wrote: "I'm a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast retelling (it is my favorite besides Robin Hood), so I'm really excited for this. Our first five chapters was a great start to this read. I love that Harper ..."

I can't believe I forgot it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling!

Okay I'm a bit lost but that's expected with the beginning of any fantasy book. So far I'm really interested with the concept and idea of it all and I like the characters and I really like how Harper is so strong and doesn't let her disability stop her from being strong. I'm extremely worried about the brother and her mom though. So far I have more questions than answers but I'm really excited to see how this story will continue!

Xitlaly wrote: "Okay I'm a bit lost but that's expected with the beginning of any fantasy book. So far I'm really interested with the concept and idea of it all and I like the characters and I really like how Harp..."

Ditto. I wonder about the time difference since it is explained a little how differently the times run in both universes. Maybe only a little time will have passed if/when she goes back?

Bit late adding how I thought about the next 5 chapters! I love watching the relationship develop between Harper, Rhen and Grey, and to be honest I could see a little love triangle pop up here...it’s also great to hear a bit more about what’s happening in Emberfall, it’s given the place a bit more scope

I definitely am really worried about the mom and brother and I am very curious as to who this mystery guy her brother is with is. I want to know how the outside world works. Do they know a little about the curse? With all this I cant wait to see which direction the author takes this.

Georgie wrote: "Bit late adding how I thought about the next 5 chapters! I love watching the relationship develop between Harper, Rhen and Grey, and to be honest I could see a little love triangle pop up here...it..."

I'm totally Team Grey

I'm late too! I didn't get much reading done last weekend so I took today to catch up till chapter 10.

I'm really loving Harper. Who cares that she has a bum leg. She is still climbing out of her window onto an old trellis. I wouldn't have the guts to do that even with two good working legs. And it seems like Grey is really fascinated by her and her...balls to try to get a way. He seems like he is having fun.

Okay, next 5 chapters read!

See how the curse has affected the subjects of Emberfall is so sad to see, and I’m glad Rhen hasn’t just brushed it off. Also not sure if it’s just me, but Harper reminds me a bit of Yennifer from The Witcher in some ways! Not just her physical disability, but her strength and presence too.

Hmmm definitely feel like Grey is one to watch, and I feel like Harper feels the same way 😏

Also not sure how I feel about all the blood being in that room...was a bit confused as to whether that was before the new season or after. If it was before, surely it would have disappeared?

Georgie wrote: "Okay, next 5 chapters read!

See how the curse has affected the subjects of Emberfall is so sad to see, and I’m glad Rhen hasn’t just brushed it off. Also not sure if it’s just me, but Harper remi..."

I agree with you about the whole blood thing. Like, of everything Harper is willing to understand (or maybe, not worry about) is a room full of blood and entrails. I feel like she forgot about that way too soon.

Okay. I read chapters 11-16.

I've read a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings. I love how this one walks a different path. Harper has already figured out how to end the curse. I'm interested to see how that will change the storyline.

I totally agree, I love the fact that this is a very disguised Beauty and the Beast retelling!

So I’ve read up to chapter 20! Things are definitely getting interesting (and complicated) between these three. We’re really starting to see that darker bitter side of Rhen too, so he’s starting to resemble the Beast we all know. In the back of my head I anticipate that Harper will fall for him, and I think she knows it too, but I also think that Grey will certainly make her feelings more complicated!

It’s also interesting to know more about the people trying to cause havoc in the kingdom. It’s slightly inevitable seeing as the royal family have been so absent, but I’m also intrigued to see how Rhen’s plan plays out...

I just have a question about the whole Rhen turns into a monster thing... I don't know if it has already said in the book and I missed it but... how long does he become a monster for?

Read chapters 16-20.

I find Rhen's "flirting" with Harper interesting. Like, he doesn't even realize he is doing it but Harper really does like it. I think she doesn't like it because she thinks it is the same way he acting around all the other girls. I think Rhen doesn't like it because he realizes he is doing in unintentionally.

I hope Grey gets a POV chapter!

Tianna wrote: "I just have a question about the whole Rhen turns into a monster thing... I don't know if it has already said in the book and I missed it but... how long does he become a monster for?"

It keeps getting called "a season". I don't remember the exact timing but I think it was a couple months.

yeah, he has a season to try and break the curse, each season is 3 months long I'm pretty sure. but if he doesn't break the curse he turns into a monster, I was wondering how long he became a monster for.

Tianna wrote: "yeah, he has a season to try and break the curse, each season is 3 months long I'm pretty sure. but if he doesn't break the curse he turns into a monster, I was wondering how long he became a monst..."

Wasn't the number of females in the hundreds?

Simplekind wrote: "Tianna wrote: "yeah, he has a season to try and break the curse, each season is 3 months long I'm pretty sure. but if he doesn't break the curse he turns into a monster, I was wondering how long he..."

ahhh you guys aren't understanding my question. Yeah the number of females was in the hundreds it was 327 but my question is when he fails to break the
curse he turns into a monster. si i was wondering how long he turns into a monster for

Simplekind wrote: "Tianna wrote: "yeah, he has a season to try and break the curse, each season is 3 months long I'm pretty sure. but if he doesn't break the curse he turns into a monster, I was wondering how long he..."

I skimmed what we have read so far of the book, and don't see anything about a set timeline for how long he is the beast. Maybe when Grey kills him everything restarts? Just a guess. Doesn't the season restart after all the times Rhen kills himself?

I even tried googling it and didn't figure out. We might get more info as we read on.

Chapter 21-25

I'm behind again.
Not much seemed to happen in these chapters. Rhen is starting to take better care of Emberfall. I think Harper has been a good influence on him about this. I hope his plan about making a fake guard will help. I wonder if the enchantress will intervene?

Chapter 26-30

That was a terrible place to stop reading!

These 5 chapters were pretty quick to read. I like that we see a little more of Rhen when he isn't so closed off towards Harper. I think he surprises himself with his reactions to Harper.

Don’t worry, I’m behind again too! Only just got to the end of Chapter 25!

Agreed that nothing much happens, although I feel like there have definitely been some boundaries set between Rhen and Harper which I’m sure will be blurred soon enough 😏

Finished the end of chapter 30!

Wow, what a cliffhanger!! I did feel like their visit was going too smoothly...

Also, I think that the romance between Harper and Rhen is building, but there’s still something going on between Grey and Harper that I can't put my finger on yet!

I think that the part where Lilith cuts Harper is an important moment too, it's almost showing her scars outwardly now, and she could learn to wear them with pride.

Read Chapter 31-35

Okay, so a lot happened in these chapters. The most important, thought, being between Harper and Rhen. I feel like Rhen pushes away Harper. I think he pushed away all the women. Like, boy, how do you expect to fall in love if you can't be yourself?

I'm not sure how I felt about the talk Harper and Rhen had before dancing. He remarked on how she has learned to do all this stuff, how she has helped him, and has be unafraid to step in when needed. But she is afraid of dancing. I get that he doesn't understand her disability but it seems to cheapen that part of her. Do you know what I mean? Like there is no way Rhen can understand what this meant for her in modern times.

Simplekind wrote: "Read Chapter 31-35

Okay, so a lot happened in these chapters. The most important, thought, being between Harper and Rhen. I feel like Rhen pushes away Harper. I think he pushed away all the women...."

I have too!

I feel like the dance they had was a bit like the dance in the original story which was a nice tough! I agree about the comment he makes about her being afraid, and just generally on a sensitivity level he shouldn't make fun of her fear.

I am getting a little annoyed with Rhen at the moment. I know he is being tormented by Lilith, but he's done such a U-turn on how he reacts to Harper. I get that he may be trying to protect her, but it's almost slightly extreme.

Chapter 36-the end

I couldn't but it down so I decided to just finish the thing. I forgot how much I loved this book (I love everything I've read by this author actually). I just went and ordered the next two from my library.

Apologies for not giving another update yet, I managed to leave my kindle at my boyfriend’s when I moved back home before lockdown 😂 but hoping to get it back soon!