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jiffygiraffe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Violence
fluture's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I personally think this second book of Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy is waayy better and more intense than the first book. Just now I could feel the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks and understand why people got head over heels ove this boy. The plot, the challenges, the events that happened in this book which unveil the dark past and truth about The North was definitely shocking yet enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Blood
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Violence
boba_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
I *almost* never write a review directly after finishing a book, but with The Ballad of Never After, I just have to get my thoughts out NOW.
After being betrayed by Jacks, Evangeline finds that her trust in him is broken yet again. But in order to rid herself of yet another curse, she finds it necessary to work with Jacks. Again. Evangeline wants to despise him after all of Jacks's betrayals, but something inside is telling her that Jacks might be the only person she can trust after all.
Jacks's and Evangeline's love story has been cursed from the start, but that doesn't keep Evangeline, and readers, from hoping their story has a different ending. Even though I knew the entire time that Jacks had already found his one true love in Donatella (yet again so glad I read the Caraval trilogy first), I found myself hoping along with Evangeline that there might be some back door to the curse of Jacks's deadly kisses.
The ending fake-out was CRUEL, Stephanie!! (I think we're on a first-name basis after that cliffhanger.) I loved seeing the differences between the two times the arch was opened. The line, "There is nothing of equal value to me," has ruined me. Jacks never truly loved Donatella, and that is seen in the selfishness behind his actions in the Caraval series. But no one can say Jacks doesn't love Evangeline--this is a selfless act if I've ever seen one.
Anyone reading this novel should have the next one, A Curse for True Love, at the ready because that cliffhanger is BRUTAL.
I *almost* never write a review directly after finishing a book, but with The Ballad of Never After, I just have to get my thoughts out NOW.
After being betrayed by Jacks, Evangeline finds that her trust in him is broken yet again. But in order to rid herself of yet another curse, she finds it necessary to work with Jacks. Again. Evangeline wants to despise him after all of Jacks's betrayals, but something inside is telling her that Jacks might be the only person she can trust after all.
Jacks's and Evangeline's love story has been cursed from the start, but that doesn't keep Evangeline, and readers, from hoping their story has a different ending. Even though I knew the entire time that Jacks had already found his one true love in Donatella (yet again so glad I read the Caraval trilogy first), I found myself hoping along with Evangeline that there might be some back door to the curse of Jacks's deadly kisses.
Anyone reading this novel should have the next one, A Curse for True Love, at the ready because that cliffhanger is BRUTAL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual content
alaskachan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship
snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book made me laugh out loud several times. I even got emotional a few times. The Ending tough, why did we have to do this trope?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Body horror, Abandonment, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Violence, Grief, Murder, Self harm, and Torture
embroidery_by_booklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I love all the twists and turns!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death of parent
klsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death, Torture, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
luarna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Violence
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
The second book in the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART trilogy, continuing the story of Evangeline Fox and Jacks the Prince of Hearts.
I LOVED this book. I read the majority in a single day and had the best time. Jacks is EVERYTHING I want in a morally grey YA fantasy hero (villain?) and there were lines in here so good I literally stopped breathing for a second when I read them (“There is nothing of equal value to me.”)
I can’t say too much more without spoilers, but I cannot WAIT to read book three. Highly recommend this trilogy!
CW: Violence/blood/injury; mentions of torture
The second book in the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART trilogy, continuing the story of Evangeline Fox and Jacks the Prince of Hearts.
I LOVED this book. I read the majority in a single day and had the best time. Jacks is EVERYTHING I want in a morally grey YA fantasy hero (villain?) and there were lines in here so good I literally stopped breathing for a second when I read them (“There is nothing of equal value to me.”)
I can’t say too much more without spoilers, but I cannot WAIT to read book three. Highly recommend this trilogy!
CW: Violence/blood/injury; mentions of torture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Torture
bren20's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence