Scan barcode
lauraeerika's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
letiross's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
bblanka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
g4bby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Jacks >>>mysterymom40's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting
luminareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Stalking and Toxic friendship
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Second reread (September 2022): 4.5 stars*
Stephanie Garber has long been one of my favorite authors. I was entirely mesmerized by the Caraval trilogy, and I knew that I would love this spinoff series just as much.
"Once Upon a Broken Heart" follows Evangeline, an orphaned young lady who is willing to do anything for love. Her longtime, secret love is set to marry her stepsister, so Evangeline decides to make a deal with a fate in order to stop the wedding. She decides the Prince of Hearts will be the most sympathetic to her plight, and in exchange for stopping the wedding, she agrees to kiss three people of his choosing. Evangeline soon discovers that she has bit off more than she can chew as she finds herself on an epic adventure to fulfill her end of the bargain and find her true love.
I was so excited to pick up this book because I found Jacks to be this immensely interesting and complicated character in the Caraval world. I loved getting to read more from him and see him interact with more characters. I also think Stephanie Garber really stepped up her writing game and has really honed in on her craft in this new series. Although I felt like Caraval was well-written, I think this new series shows Stephanie growing as a writer and really fleshing out her characters, as well as building a beautiful and enchanting world. Evangeline is a powerful, kickass woman and I loved reading from her perspective. Despite seeing the worst in people, she is always so willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. I LOVED that despite her difficult life, she is not jaded, AND she still wants to believe in true love. I did think the plotline that she had to kiss three people of Jacks choosing was a little cringy and juvenile, but I suppose it does make sense given that Jacks is the Prince of Hearts.
This book read a little younger YA than I was expecting, but I still really loved it, and I am so ready to see where this story goes in book two.
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
clairew97's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bethy_joy's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship