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emilia_thereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Minor: Death of parent
pooogsz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was good, easily read it in half a day
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Murder, Gore, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Torture, War, and Stalking
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a hard read for me. Not in the way I read it because I did consume it quickly. There’s a whimsy to Stephanie’s writing that is a person with synesthesias dream. But while it’s not described as such her books are horrors. Maybe a fantasy horror but damn dude. The gaslighting and terrible relationships? The betrayal and secrets? The freaking ending? I wanna know what happens after this but I’m also afraid. This book is easily very triggering for DV victims or someone such as myself that has trauma surrounding men. Ugh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
achay91's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Violence
Minor: Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Child death, Torture, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual content, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
laneys_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Nothing beats the original Caraval book, but I love this spin off, especially since Jacks is my favorite character. I enjoyed this one even better than ‘Once Upon A Broken Heart’ Lots of truths are revealed and we learn a lot about Jacks past. The ending was shocking and amazing and I’m desperate for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Self harm, Torture, Gore, and Grief
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
theespressoedition's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My most-anticipated release of 2022 and I wound up giving it 3.5 stars. That hits me right in the feels.
I've felt a lot of weight on my chest as I've thought about writing this review. It's not easy for me to give anything less than raves to my favorite authors' books. However, The Ballad of Never After left a lot to be desired. Right now, the thought that's at the front of my mind is how much I hope that the third book redeems how I feel about the series (and thank goodness she announced the third book not long after this one came out because I was nearly sick with worry at the end).
Because I didn't do a reread of Once Upon a Broken Heart prior to reading this one, I was concerned that I would be a little lost at the beginning. I wouldn't say it was super easy to pick up where I left off, but after about one or two chapters, everything came flooding back and I didn't have difficulty following along after that. The author did a good job of subtly bringing in the plot points from the previous book in order to clue the reader in on what was happening.
My unease wasn't instantaneous, which almost made it worse. Instead, it felt as though I had eaten something delicious that eventually began to turn in my stomach. I've always loved Jacks--a morally gray character with a penchant for mischief and rakishness. While he made it spectacularly clear to Evangeline that he was "not the good guy" in OUABH, that particular narrative was ridiculously overdone in this book. However, because Evangaline is married to Apollo in this book, rather than rooting for her to wind up with Jacks despite his untoward behavior, I watched with horror as their romantic dallying became stronger and stronger... full-on infidelity.
Not only that, but there were a lot of blurred lines when it came to consent. This includes occurrences of sexual touch and advances without both parties agreeing upon it--and even times where someone was drugged or asleep when these took place. Instead of it feeling romantic, it felt racy. Lines were crossed and that was definitely not something I was comfortable with. Now, I recognize that my perspective may be slightly skewed by my own past, but I do think that this is at least something that others should be aware of going into the book.
Someone may have told you to expect heartbreak when reading this, and they're not entirely wrong. While I didn't find myself sobbing my eyes out at any point, I did slam the book shut at the end, then stand in the hallway looking completely forlorn, freaking my husband out until I said, "why would she do this to us?" The ending is unexpected and as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I'm really thankful that there will be a third in the series. My hope is that it clears up some of the confusion, brings a little joy, and ultimately redeems how I'm currently feeling about Jacks and Evangeline and their truly problematic tryst.
I'm sure I'll have more to say come autumn of 2023...
I've felt a lot of weight on my chest as I've thought about writing this review. It's not easy for me to give anything less than raves to my favorite authors' books. However, The Ballad of Never After left a lot to be desired. Right now, the thought that's at the front of my mind is how much I hope that the third book redeems how I feel about the series (and thank goodness she announced the third book not long after this one came out because I was nearly sick with worry at the end).
Because I didn't do a reread of Once Upon a Broken Heart prior to reading this one, I was concerned that I would be a little lost at the beginning. I wouldn't say it was super easy to pick up where I left off, but after about one or two chapters, everything came flooding back and I didn't have difficulty following along after that. The author did a good job of subtly bringing in the plot points from the previous book in order to clue the reader in on what was happening.
My unease wasn't instantaneous, which almost made it worse. Instead, it felt as though I had eaten something delicious that eventually began to turn in my stomach. I've always loved Jacks--a morally gray character with a penchant for mischief and rakishness. While he made it spectacularly clear to Evangeline that he was "not the good guy" in OUABH, that particular narrative was ridiculously overdone in this book. However, because Evangaline is married to Apollo in this book, rather than rooting for her to wind up with Jacks despite his untoward behavior, I watched with horror as their romantic dallying became stronger and stronger... full-on infidelity.
Not only that, but there were a lot of blurred lines when it came to consent. This includes occurrences of sexual touch and advances without both parties agreeing upon it--and even times where someone was drugged or asleep when these took place. Instead of it feeling romantic, it felt racy. Lines were crossed and that was definitely not something I was comfortable with. Now, I recognize that my perspective may be slightly skewed by my own past, but I do think that this is at least something that others should be aware of going into the book.
Someone may have told you to expect heartbreak when reading this, and they're not entirely wrong. While I didn't find myself sobbing my eyes out at any point, I did slam the book shut at the end, then stand in the hallway looking completely forlorn, freaking my husband out until I said, "why would she do this to us?" The ending is unexpected and as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I'm really thankful that there will be a third in the series. My hope is that it clears up some of the confusion, brings a little joy, and ultimately redeems how I'm currently feeling about Jacks and Evangeline and their truly problematic tryst.
I'm sure I'll have more to say come autumn of 2023...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
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