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boba_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
Will all of Stephanie Garber's books be 5 star reads for me?? Only time will tell.
Evangeline Fox thought her first love would be her forever love until she finds out that he is engaged to her step-sister. After the death of both of her parents, Evangeline cannot take any more heartbreak, so she goes to the one person who might understand: the Prince of Hearts. Evangeline decides to strike a deal with this immortal to stop the wedding. But Evangeline soon learns that bargains with immortals are more dangerous than they let on. This simple heartbreak sets off a cataclysmic chain of events that will alter Evangeline's life forever. Does she have enough hope to go on searching for her happily ever after?
Once Upon a Broken Heart can easily be described in a couple of words: magical and whimsical. This fairytale of a novel questions how stories are passed down, who is trustworthy, and whether endings are as clear-cut as happily ever afters and tragedies.
I'm so glad I read the Caraval trilogy prior to this book and would suggest that reading order to anyone looking to start their Stephanie Garber journey, since these books have interconnecting worlds and characters. They happen within a short time period of each other, too.
I loved seeing some of my favorite characters from the Caraval trilogy make appearances in this novel. In the case of the Prince of Hearts, I always appreciate his antics and the way his character fluctuates--he always keeps you guessing. Evangeline is a great new heroine who didn't choose this life but was forced into it. I love a reluctant protagonist who is just as strong as any other.
Stephanie Garber's writing is nothing short of magnificent. The way she weaves these magical tales and settings while masterfully developing her characters should be studied. Sometimes Young Adult (YA) books can feel a bit too immature for an adult audience, but Garber's books do not. They are just as enjoyable to an adult audience as they would be for teens.
Thank you for this wonderful world, Ms. Garber. I can't wait to read more of it.
Will all of Stephanie Garber's books be 5 star reads for me?? Only time will tell.
Evangeline Fox thought her first love would be her forever love until she finds out that he is engaged to her step-sister. After the death of both of her parents, Evangeline cannot take any more heartbreak, so she goes to the one person who might understand: the Prince of Hearts. Evangeline decides to strike a deal with this immortal to stop the wedding. But Evangeline soon learns that bargains with immortals are more dangerous than they let on. This simple heartbreak sets off a cataclysmic chain of events that will alter Evangeline's life forever. Does she have enough hope to go on searching for her happily ever after?
Once Upon a Broken Heart can easily be described in a couple of words: magical and whimsical. This fairytale of a novel questions how stories are passed down, who is trustworthy, and whether endings are as clear-cut as happily ever afters and tragedies.
I'm so glad I read the Caraval trilogy prior to this book and would suggest that reading order to anyone looking to start their Stephanie Garber journey, since these books have interconnecting worlds and characters. They happen within a short time period of each other, too.
I loved seeing some of my favorite characters from the Caraval trilogy make appearances in this novel. In the case of the Prince of Hearts, I always appreciate his antics and the way his character fluctuates--he always keeps you guessing. Evangeline is a great new heroine who didn't choose this life but was forced into it. I love a reluctant protagonist who is just as strong as any other.
Stephanie Garber's writing is nothing short of magnificent. The way she weaves these magical tales and settings while masterfully developing her characters should be studied. Sometimes Young Adult (YA) books can feel a bit too immature for an adult audience, but Garber's books do not. They are just as enjoyable to an adult audience as they would be for teens.
Thank you for this wonderful world, Ms. Garber. I can't wait to read more of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
fluture's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
4.5
An intense fantasy romance. The plot was good and can make you suspect everyone before the culprit finally got revealed. Perang batin dengan pemikiran karakter utama cukup relatable and very much humane. The book is enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse
emmieanna's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Objectively, this is not the best written book I have ever read, the world building is pretty basic and I do wish that certain aspects were more elaborate. This is definitely a plot over anything else kind of book (which are my faves I will say) but character development is a consequence of the plot, not what drives the plot.
However, I was HOOKED. I was making notes on my kindle like nobody’s business and was really rooting for the characters. I am so undecided with who my favourite is at this point, (LaLa is winning so far, then probably Apollo) and I will definitely be continuing the series.
However, I was HOOKED. I was making notes on my kindle like nobody’s business and was really rooting for the characters. I am so undecided with who my favourite is at this point, (LaLa is winning so far, then probably Apollo) and I will definitely be continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Murder
klsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
booksandstardust's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse
aliceloyallaleon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
teabrewer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The story is exicting. It has fairy tale vibes. I don't know if it's because I didn't read the caraval series but I had to force myself a little to read until chapter three, after that I couldn't put the book down. There are a few plot holes you have to ignore but it's generally very good. The main character is very sweet, innocent and optimistic and sometimes makes impulsive decisions but fit her personality very well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
irb0red's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death
Minor: Emotional abuse
bookfilledcottage's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
This was my very first Steohanie Garber and I think I love her!
The book had a beautiful, vivid and whimsical setting that came to life with her descriptions and the characters’ voices.
The main cast was both adorable, and felt really humane: like someone you could have met in real life, put into a world filled with magic.
I found Evangeline very realistic and easy to relate to: someone lovely and brave, who gets pushed ariund by her own feelings, but wants to always see the good in people even though it’s proving increasingly difficult as her circumstances change.
I knew Jacks was big on the bookish sphere and I do understand he has a certain magnetism and charm that jump out of the book to you, which makes it hard not to fall for him.
I felt like the plot was pretty well-crafted, and like it was an exciting and sweet start to a very promising trilogy.
The book had a beautiful, vivid and whimsical setting that came to life with her descriptions and the characters’ voices.
The main cast was both adorable, and felt really humane: like someone you could have met in real life, put into a world filled with magic.
I found Evangeline very realistic and easy to relate to: someone lovely and brave, who gets pushed ariund by her own feelings, but wants to always see the good in people even though it’s proving increasingly difficult as her circumstances change.
I knew Jacks was big on the bookish sphere and I do understand he has a certain magnetism and charm that jump out of the book to you, which makes it hard not to fall for him.
I felt like the plot was pretty well-crafted, and like it was an exciting and sweet start to a very promising trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Blood, and Child abuse
georga's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder