Review: A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer [Spoilers!]

“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.”

brigid kemmerer

---

Goodreads Summary: 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 a magical scraver by her side. As Grey’s deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs. As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and a dangerous enemy returns, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

Rating:

Thoughts:

I’m gutted that this series is over. I have fallen so completely in love with so many aspects of it that I’m sad to let it go. I hope that we see some bonus material of these characters in the future. I would consume anything related to them! It’s hard to believe that this series started out as a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s truly become something entirely its own and I have enjoyed the journey so much. Please be aware that this review will contain spoilers of all books!

Firstly, I loved the variety of points of view we were given in this final installment. It brings so much insight and color to the story to be able to see things from so many major characters’ eyes and Kemmerer does it so well that it never feels jarring to switch characters. Although I’d enjoyed that aspect of the other books so far, I felt it was especially appropriate for this book with the way the plot is set up and how this book is the culmination of the entire series. Perhaps because we just spent the majority of our time with Grey and Lia Mara in AHSFAB, I was longing for my babies from ACSDAL, but I found myself eating up all of Rhen’s and Harper’s point of view during the book and longing to get back to them each time it jumped to Grey or Lia Mara. Or maybe it was really that I was so enraged when Lillith reappeared that I was just itching to see her downfall which couldn’t happen while we were in Syhl Shallow. Regardless, I did drag a bit in some parts of this book compared to reading the previous two.

I did enjoy the character development that came with this final book. Harper really just flourishes in it and I loved the way she finally confronted Rhen for what he did in AHSFAB. The scene was so intense that I think I hardly breathed while reading it. Grey’s struggle with his true identity is palpable and his reluctance and unease with the decisions he had to make really made my heart squeeze. Seeing Lia Mara come into her own and learn to stand up for herself brought a perfect well-rounding to the story. And Rhen. I still feel so much for him. The things he had to go through–the complete insanity of the repercussions he had to face from a single poor choice one night. I really appreciate that Kemmerer brought some attention to PTSD through Rhen but I also would’ve been down for even more exploration of his character in that aspect. He is by far one of the most interesting and complex young adult characters I’ve read in a very long time. I’m also surprised by how much I liked Jake by the end of this series. Noah and he brought some much needed humor and grounding during the book.

Essentially, this installment lost a star because I just wanted more. I feel like there’s so many loose ends to the story and the characters, and so many potential plot points that were hinted at then never developed. I loved the way ACSDAL ended where it was uncertain whether Harper broke the curse or if it was Grey killing Lillith that broke it. I searched both sequels for any conversations regarding the fact that Harper did actually break the curse and had fallen in love with Rhen, but it never came! My heart jumped when Jake points out to Grey that Harper would’ve come with them if Grey had only asked. The potential of angst and heartache within that implication! The longing and connection that Harper still felt for Grey, but it’s never explored, even when she went to Syhl Shallow. What really happened to Tycho that makes him avoid soldiers? It was like each time Kemmerer would tiptoe to an interesting plot point only to back off and leave my angst-loving heart disappointed.

And then the ending. Despite what took place in AHSFAB, my little heart was still so sad for Rhen. He lives out a hundred lives of pure torture for years. He spends all of his time trying to break the curse so he can help his people and bring prosperity back to his kingdom. He’s lost his entire family by his own hand, all of the guards that he potentially knew since childhood. He hatches one of the most clever plots to save his people and land from Syhl Shallow. And then in the end, he gets…nothing? He loses his throne. His kingdom becomes allied with the very country that tortured and killed his people. And he becomes permanently disfigured. I admit I held out hope until the very last pages that Grey would choose to abdicate his claim to the throne of Emberfall and choose instead to reign alongside Lia Mara in Syhl Shallow only. But I understand that there would’ve been huge pushback against this by the people of Emberfall because of everything that had taken place before that. But perhaps that is part of the genius in Kemmerer’s writing. I’m still left here weeks after finishing the book longing for more and still thinking of the sad parts. I’m so glad I discovered this series!

Goodreads | Bookstagram | Twitter | WeHeartIt