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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'll admit, I audibly stopped and said "what?" at the end of this book because that's where it's going to end? What the heck. This is why I have been mostly waiting to read series once they are all published. But I digress!
The stakes were risen in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. Between all the running and the curses and the magic, their relationship is growing and changing, even if they don't want to admit it. As readers, you definitely want them to get together. Definitely a will they, won't they kind of situation.
While I still haven't read Caraval (it's on my list, I swear!), I've found I've been able to understand what's going on in this series without much difficulty. So if you're thinking about jumping in without having read the original trilogy, you can do it with this one!
The stakes were risen in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. Between all the running and the curses and the magic, their relationship is growing and changing, even if they don't want to admit it. As readers, you definitely want them to get together. Definitely a will they, won't they kind of situation.
While I still haven't read Caraval (it's on my list, I swear!), I've found I've been able to understand what's going on in this series without much difficulty. So if you're thinking about jumping in without having read the original trilogy, you can do it with this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Toxic friendship, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual content
chronicacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
hazychapters's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First of all, let me just say that Jacks carried the whole freaking thing all by himself. Jacks is much more present in this book than in the previous one (this is also why I found the beginning of book 1 a bit long). I adore him, he is truly an exceptional character who remains true to himself. But, I still have a lot of questions about him, his past, the Fates, and a lot of other things.
The plot is direct and quick, very quick, maybe too much sometimes. I enjoyed the first 80% of the book, but unfortunately, the end felt rushed. Basically, during the whole book, we collected so many questions, and by the end of it, we don't have all the answers. We need answers Steph! I remember I had little trouble with the girly princess aesthetic of the first book; it's still the case with this one, but I enjoyed it a little bit more because I knew I was going back to that atmosphere again. Or maybe because it was a bit darker (not that much but still a lot for this worldbuilding) with all these quests and curses and everything.
As for the plot, I need more info about the characters. Except for Jacks (but it's because we know him for a while now), the other characters are plain. I didn't like Evangeline for most of the book, because she's too childish for me (and a bit stupid 😬). The only thing I love about her is her relationship with Jacks because each of their interactions was ✨priceless✨ and the angst 🤌🏻 Right now I just need to reread some very precise scenes because I already miss them together 😩
Overall, for me, it's a nice book to read if you have no expectations. Everything is rushed, there's no deep explanation and details about this or that, the characters are okay, and Jacks is THE must of this book (and that's why I'm reading it). But it's a pleasant story if you want to read something light and relaxing 😌
The plot is direct and quick, very quick, maybe too much sometimes. I enjoyed the first 80% of the book, but unfortunately, the end felt rushed. Basically, during the whole book, we collected so many questions, and by the end of it, we don't have all the answers. We need answers Steph! I remember I had little trouble with the girly princess aesthetic of the first book; it's still the case with this one, but I enjoyed it a little bit more because I knew I was going back to that atmosphere again. Or maybe because it was a bit darker (not that much but still a lot for this worldbuilding) with all these quests and curses and everything.
As for the plot, I need more info about the characters. Except for Jacks (but it's because we know him for a while now), the other characters are plain. I didn't like Evangeline for most of the book, because she's too childish for me (and a bit stupid 😬). The only thing I love about her is her relationship with Jacks because each of their interactions was ✨priceless✨ and the angst 🤌🏻 Right now I just need to reread some very precise scenes because I already miss them together 😩
Overall, for me, it's a nice book to read if you have no expectations. Everything is rushed, there's no deep explanation and details about this or that, the characters are okay, and Jacks is THE must of this book (and that's why I'm reading it). But it's a pleasant story if you want to read something light and relaxing 😌
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, and Murder
kels_18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Blood, Violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
Moderate: Classism
luminareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Second reread (October 2023): 5 Stars*
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I went out the morning of its release, purchased a copy, and proceeded to come home and read the entire book in one sitting. I love Stephanie Garber and I LOVE this series (possibly more than I enjoyed Caraval).
This sequel picks up right at the end of where "Once Upon a Broken Heart" ended. Jacks has betrayed Evangeline, and Evangeline has vowed to never trust him again. But to her dismay, Evangeline needs Jacks to help break the curse on her husband, Apollo. Forced to work together, Evangeline and Jacks set off to find the stones needed to unlock a very mysterious gate that is rumored to hold the secrets needed to bring Apollo back.
I believe this is Stephanie Garber's best book yet. The descriptions for the world are so vivid and immersive, and the magic with the fates is so enchanting. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I have never been so lost in a book world before. I particularly loved seeing a softer side of Jacks. Jacks is a good guy deep down, but through circumstance he needs to play the villain to get Evangeline to play her part. I am normally not a fan of enemies to lovers, but boy am I rooting for Evangeline and Jacks to be together. Jacks is always there for Evangeline but he never pushes her to believe in him more than what she sees. I really love Evangeline as a character, because she still remains soft where she needs to, and she never lets the absolute anarchy change her good heart.
As with every other review of this book: THAT ENDING! I screamed, I cried, and I am contemplating writing my own fanfiction for this book, because that CANNOT be the end. I am rarely so distraught over an ending in a book, and I need Evangeline and Jacks to have their redemption arch. BOOK THREE NEEDS TO BE OUT NOW!
You better believe I will read the next book the day it comes out!
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I went out the morning of its release, purchased a copy, and proceeded to come home and read the entire book in one sitting. I love Stephanie Garber and I LOVE this series (possibly more than I enjoyed Caraval).
This sequel picks up right at the end of where "Once Upon a Broken Heart" ended. Jacks has betrayed Evangeline, and Evangeline has vowed to never trust him again. But to her dismay, Evangeline needs Jacks to help break the curse on her husband, Apollo. Forced to work together, Evangeline and Jacks set off to find the stones needed to unlock a very mysterious gate that is rumored to hold the secrets needed to bring Apollo back.
I believe this is Stephanie Garber's best book yet. The descriptions for the world are so vivid and immersive, and the magic with the fates is so enchanting. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I have never been so lost in a book world before. I particularly loved seeing a softer side of Jacks. Jacks is a good guy deep down, but through circumstance he needs to play the villain to get Evangeline to play her part. I am normally not a fan of enemies to lovers, but boy am I rooting for Evangeline and Jacks to be together. Jacks is always there for Evangeline but he never pushes her to believe in him more than what she sees. I really love Evangeline as a character, because she still remains soft where she needs to, and she never lets the absolute anarchy change her good heart.
As with every other review of this book: THAT ENDING! I screamed, I cried, and I am contemplating writing my own fanfiction for this book, because that CANNOT be the end. I am rarely so distraught over an ending in a book, and I need Evangeline and Jacks to have their redemption arch. BOOK THREE NEEDS TO BE OUT NOW!
You better believe I will read the next book the day it comes out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
_azure76's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I absolutely adore Jacks, so getting more of his backstory was amazing! This book was good amount of action packed and chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. While I saw a lot of it coming, nothing that was predictable felt like it was supposed to be a shocker, more like you’re in the journey with Evangeline, discovering things as she does. And the twists were great! The ending killed me. I so hope that this is a trilogy because I need more after that ending!
The narrator was really good, with the overall vibe of the audiobook fitting the fantastical setting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Stephanie Garber for providing me access to this audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, and Violence
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