📖 Overview
Brigid Kemmerer is an American young adult fiction author known for her contemporary fantasy and romance novels. Her works frequently blend realistic issues with fantastical elements, gaining particular recognition for the Cursebreakers series and Defy the Night series.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1978, Kemmerer worked in finance before transitioning to full-time writing. She draws inspiration from authors like Christopher Pike, Jodi Picoult, and Charlaine Harris, while her own childhood reading preferences included works by Anne Rice and Elaine Bergstrom.
The Cursebreakers series, beginning with the New York Times bestseller "A Curse So Dark and Lonely," reimagines Beauty and the Beast with contemporary elements. The series notably features a protagonist with cerebral palsy, inspired by one of Kemmerer's friends.
Kemmerer's recent work includes the Defy the Night series, set in a kingdom plagued by illness and political intrigue. She currently resides in the Baltimore area with her family, continuing to produce works that combine fantasy elements with contemporary themes and social issues.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Kemmerer's authentic portrayal of disabilities and mental health challenges in her characters. Many reviews highlight her ability to blend fantasy elements with real-world issues. The Cursebreakers series receives praise for its complex relationships and fresh take on fairy tale retellings.
Likes:
- Strong character development across series
- Balanced romantic subplots that don't overshadow main storylines
- Inclusive representation
- Fast-paced plotting
Dislikes:
- Some readers find the romance elements predictable
- Later books in series receive criticism for shifting away from original protagonists
- Concerns about pacing in middle sections of longer works
Ratings:
- Goodreads: A Curse So Dark and Lonely - 4.1/5 (175,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: Letters to the Lost - 4.6/5 (1,000+ reviews)
- Defy the Night series averages 4.3/5 across platforms
Recent reader quote: "Kemmerer excels at creating morally gray characters who challenge your assumptions" - Goodreads review, 2023
📚 Books by Brigid Kemmerer
A Curse So Dark and Lonely (2019)
A Beauty and the Beast retelling where a modern teenage girl with cerebral palsy falls into a fantasy realm and must help break a prince's curse.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken (2020) Former guard commander Grey discovers his hidden magical abilities while navigating political tensions in the kingdom of Emberfall.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly (2021) The final Cursebreakers installment brings together multiple kingdoms in a climactic confrontation over power and sovereignty.
Defy the Night (2021) In a kingdom ravaged by a deadly illness, an apothecary's apprentice steals medicine for the poor while opposing a seemingly cruel monarchy.
Defend the Dawn (2022) The continuation of the Defy series follows Tessa and Weston as they search for a cure while facing increasing political unrest.
Forging Silver into Stars (2022) A spin-off of the Cursebreakers series following a young blacksmith and baker who become entangled in magical conspiracy.
More Than We Can Tell (2018) A contemporary story about two teens dealing with family trauma and online harassment.
Letters to the Lost (2017) Two grieving teenagers connect through anonymous letters left at a cemetery.
Call It What You Want (2019) A contemporary novel about two outcasts finding connection amid family scandals and social isolation.
Storm (2012) The first in the Elementals series follows a girl who becomes involved with a family of brothers who can control natural elements.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken (2020) Former guard commander Grey discovers his hidden magical abilities while navigating political tensions in the kingdom of Emberfall.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly (2021) The final Cursebreakers installment brings together multiple kingdoms in a climactic confrontation over power and sovereignty.
Defy the Night (2021) In a kingdom ravaged by a deadly illness, an apothecary's apprentice steals medicine for the poor while opposing a seemingly cruel monarchy.
Defend the Dawn (2022) The continuation of the Defy series follows Tessa and Weston as they search for a cure while facing increasing political unrest.
Forging Silver into Stars (2022) A spin-off of the Cursebreakers series following a young blacksmith and baker who become entangled in magical conspiracy.
More Than We Can Tell (2018) A contemporary story about two teens dealing with family trauma and online harassment.
Letters to the Lost (2017) Two grieving teenagers connect through anonymous letters left at a cemetery.
Call It What You Want (2019) A contemporary novel about two outcasts finding connection amid family scandals and social isolation.
Storm (2012) The first in the Elementals series follows a girl who becomes involved with a family of brothers who can control natural elements.
👥 Similar authors
Sarah J. Maas writes fantasy series featuring strong female protagonists and romance storylines that blend magic with political intrigue. Her Court of Thorns and Roses series and Throne of Glass series contain similar elements to Kemmerer's fantasy works.
Holly Black creates young adult fantasy novels that mix modern settings with fairy tale elements and complex romantic relationships. Her Folk of the Air series deals with power dynamics and court politics in ways that mirror Kemmerer's approach to fantasy storytelling.
Leigh Bardugo writes fantasy series with detailed world-building and characters facing both magical and personal challenges. Her Grishaverse novels contain similar themes of power imbalance and social justice that appear in Kemmerer's work.
Victoria Aveyard focuses on fantasy worlds with political upheaval and protagonists fighting against systemic injustice. Her Red Queen series explores themes of power and privilege that align with elements in Kemmerer's Defy the Night series.
Alexandra Bracken writes young adult novels that combine contemporary issues with supernatural elements. Her works, including The Darkest Minds series, feature characters dealing with both magical abilities and real-world challenges similar to Kemmerer's approach.
Holly Black creates young adult fantasy novels that mix modern settings with fairy tale elements and complex romantic relationships. Her Folk of the Air series deals with power dynamics and court politics in ways that mirror Kemmerer's approach to fantasy storytelling.
Leigh Bardugo writes fantasy series with detailed world-building and characters facing both magical and personal challenges. Her Grishaverse novels contain similar themes of power imbalance and social justice that appear in Kemmerer's work.
Victoria Aveyard focuses on fantasy worlds with political upheaval and protagonists fighting against systemic injustice. Her Red Queen series explores themes of power and privilege that align with elements in Kemmerer's Defy the Night series.
Alexandra Bracken writes young adult novels that combine contemporary issues with supernatural elements. Her works, including The Darkest Minds series, feature characters dealing with both magical abilities and real-world challenges similar to Kemmerer's approach.