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ryleem's review against another edition
4.0
grey is jsut such a good character, rhen sucks, disappointed in harpers character she’s so dumb to stay with him just bc grey didn’t tell the truth right awya which he was doing that for their sake
books_with_kaumudi's review against another edition
4.0
A enjoyable step forward into the magical world with a new story and new characters.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken is the second installment in the Cursebreaker series by Brigid Kemmerer. This one is also a dual perspective novel, however the story is now told from the point of view of two different character - one of them being Grey, the actual heir of the Emberfall who has magic and Lia Mara, eldest daughter of the queen of Syhl Shallow but is not the named heir. The story follows from the aftermath of the events at the end of the first book.
I enjoyed the story. I do have a few issues here and there, but still the overall story was enjoyable. I liked the romance between Grey and Lia Mara. There was a hint in the beginning that Grey might have liked Harper a little bit in the beginning of the story and even Lia Mara had her doubts, but in the end it is Grey and Lia Mara for us. There is a lot of lack of communication going on around in the story as a whole. Grey doesn't tell Rhen about his identity, Lia Mara doesn't come clean to her sister about her feelings for Grey. Still the redeeming quality of the story is that people do think about their choices and ponder over if they have chosen right or wrong. However, I did like the various turns the story took. I was really glad when Lia Mara killed her mother and took the position of the queen. I didn't see it coming. Another thing that I didn't see coming was the end and the return of Lilith, which was quite thrilling and the way she has manipulated Rhen into making a deal with was quite exciting. The end surely made me look forward to the next one. Another disappointing thing was that I got so little of Rhen and Harper and their relationship. They are around for a very short period and even then take sort of backstage which was quite sad. But then this story belonged to Grey and Lia Mara for most parts, so I can't complain much.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken is the second installment in the Cursebreaker series by Brigid Kemmerer. This one is also a dual perspective novel, however the story is now told from the point of view of two different character - one of them being Grey, the actual heir of the Emberfall who has magic and Lia Mara, eldest daughter of the queen of Syhl Shallow but is not the named heir. The story follows from the aftermath of the events at the end of the first book.
I enjoyed the story. I do have a few issues here and there, but still the overall story was enjoyable. I liked the romance between Grey and Lia Mara. There was a hint in the beginning that Grey might have liked Harper a little bit in the beginning of the story and even Lia Mara had her doubts, but in the end it is Grey and Lia Mara for us. There is a lot of lack of communication going on around in the story as a whole. Grey doesn't tell Rhen about his identity, Lia Mara doesn't come clean to her sister about her feelings for Grey. Still the redeeming quality of the story is that people do think about their choices and ponder over if they have chosen right or wrong. However, I did like the various turns the story took. I was really glad when Lia Mara killed her mother and took the position of the queen. I didn't see it coming. Another thing that I didn't see coming was the end and the return of Lilith, which was quite thrilling and the way she has manipulated Rhen into making a deal with was quite exciting. The end surely made me look forward to the next one. Another disappointing thing was that I got so little of Rhen and Harper and their relationship. They are around for a very short period and even then take sort of backstage which was quite sad. But then this story belonged to Grey and Lia Mara for most parts, so I can't complain much.
lmsully's review against another edition
4.0
“Ah, yes, the most dangerous person at the party is always the girl sitting alone with a book.”
obsessively's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kels_jo_143's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was an entertaining and engaging book but I can't help but feeling like the author essentially dumped the original characters from the first book. A certain individual lost nearly all of the character growth he achieved in book 1 and our original heroine was pretty much excluded from the narrative entirely. I really hope that the next book explains or fills that gap otherwise I will be disappointed in the series overall.
This was fun to read but unsatisfying as a sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely.
This was fun to read but unsatisfying as a sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely.
spoiledfaemilk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ashs_books's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I loved this book sooo much!! Just as much as the first one!! Grey is my absolute favourite! And I loved all of the characters in this story, especially Iisak and Tycho. The last part of the book was very intense and now I’m VERY frustrated that I have to wait for the next book! Like grrrrrrrr!!! Why did I do this to myself?! This series is so good! Read it now!!!
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY GOD.
If you're not reading this series already, you're really, really missing out. I don't think I've read a better YA fantasy in YEARS.
It's the crying over this book at the public service desk for ME.
Brigid Kemmerer has done it again. A Curse So Dark and Lonely was such a pleasant surprise for me earlier this year. I read so much of the book before I could even mark I was reading it because it sucks you in immediately, and I found that I couldn't put it down. The same thing happened with A Heart So Fierce and Broken, especially once the ball got rolling and we really got into the heat of the action.
There's a lot here that's really narratively interesting. Unlike ACSD&L, which followed Harper and Rhen, AHSF&B follows Grey, after his realization on his true identity, as he tries to avoid doing harm to Rhen via his very existence and exists undercover. Simultaneously, we're introduced to Lia Mara, first-born of Karis Luran in Syhl Shallow but not the daughter who is set to become queen. It's a bold move to start your novel off following two characters who, to the reader's initial perspective, come off as villains and threats to Rhen, who readers are attached to from the previous novel. But when Lia Mara and Grey cross paths and take off together - seeking alliances from each other - the journey that follows quickly complicates matters, complicates readers' opinions on Rhen and his claim to the throne, and explores royalty and rule without cruelty. It's a fascinating way to enrich a fantasy that's already well-plotted and intricate, and I'm truly obsessed with how good Brigid's writing is in this series. I know A Vow So Bold and Deadly will be an epic conclusion!
I don't want to give too much away, so I won't discuss too many spoilers, but the romance once again is a perfect ten, and I was left swooning often. The character development and their emotional journeys are compelling, contemplative, and crafted to perfection. I truly don't know if I've ever read a BETTER sequel to an already stellar first book.
Also, THE EPILOGUE. I AM CRYING. I WANT TO DIE. OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY G O D
So yeah, Brigid is going to tear my heart out in AVSB&D, but I think I'm going to love it. One more month left!(!!)
If you're not reading this series already, you're really, really missing out. I don't think I've read a better YA fantasy in YEARS.
It's the crying over this book at the public service desk for ME.
Brigid Kemmerer has done it again. A Curse So Dark and Lonely was such a pleasant surprise for me earlier this year. I read so much of the book before I could even mark I was reading it because it sucks you in immediately, and I found that I couldn't put it down. The same thing happened with A Heart So Fierce and Broken, especially once the ball got rolling and we really got into the heat of the action.
There's a lot here that's really narratively interesting. Unlike ACSD&L, which followed Harper and Rhen, AHSF&B follows Grey, after his realization on his true identity, as he tries to avoid doing harm to Rhen via his very existence and exists undercover. Simultaneously, we're introduced to Lia Mara, first-born of Karis Luran in Syhl Shallow but not the daughter who is set to become queen. It's a bold move to start your novel off following two characters who, to the reader's initial perspective, come off as villains and threats to Rhen, who readers are attached to from the previous novel. But when Lia Mara and Grey cross paths and take off together - seeking alliances from each other - the journey that follows quickly complicates matters, complicates readers' opinions on Rhen and his claim to the throne, and explores royalty and rule without cruelty. It's a fascinating way to enrich a fantasy that's already well-plotted and intricate, and I'm truly obsessed with how good Brigid's writing is in this series. I know A Vow So Bold and Deadly will be an epic conclusion!
I don't want to give too much away, so I won't discuss too many spoilers, but the romance once again is a perfect ten, and I was left swooning often. The character development and their emotional journeys are compelling, contemplative, and crafted to perfection. I truly don't know if I've ever read a BETTER sequel to an already stellar first book.
Also, THE EPILOGUE. I AM CRYING. I WANT TO DIE. OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY G O D
So yeah, Brigid is going to tear my heart out in AVSB&D, but I think I'm going to love it. One more month left!(!!)