Reviews with content warning for Confinement - Once Upon a Broken Heart

Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

22 reviews

tak_everlasting's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-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

2.0

This feels like someone read The Cruel Prince and said "I could write that!"

Spoiler alert, Garber could not.

Every interesting aspect of this book has been done better elsewhere, and the whole thing felt like a collection of interesting premises that are never explored. There was no depth to the characters or their relationships, there is absolutely no set up and pay off, and the emotionally abused girl is villified.

Defending the clunky writing style by saying that it's "YA" is an insult to young adult books everywhere. The writing style doesn't convey emotions well and holds back the story from reaching it's full potential, stripping the tension from many places by infodumping in the middle of action scenes, and skipping over any bonding time these characters may have had with one another. It's bad writing, and you can call it that.

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meeklovestoread's review

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adventurous challenging funny 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? No

4.0

The first half of this book (about like the 1st 200 pages) I didn't really have too many high hopes for. It wasn't bad, but for the first half I could feel how YA this book is if you get what I mean. I just felt like the storyline wasn't really that interesting and that I just grew out of fantasy (this is my first fantasy book after I got back into reading last year). I didn't really see why it was so beloved. I was finding trouble imagining the characters. The descriptions. The world. I thought maybe fantasy just isn't for me anymore, but I'm so glad I continued it cuz it just went up from there. I was so invested and entertained. I'm so glad Stephanie didn't take the traditional route in terms of the relationships between Evangeline and Jacks. I was pretty entertained after the second half of the book and I can feel my love for fantasy start to sprout again. I'll definitely be reading the 2nd book and the 3rd that comes out later.

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kassidyreads's review against another edition

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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

4.0

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saurahsaurus's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I liked it, and the the main character is overall fine, but I find the her naïveté and idealization of romance/“happily ever after“ to be really irksome. I can deal with an unreliable narrator, but she can be pretty silly…and it’s not endearing. Otherwise, I like her and Jacks’ dynamic and plan to read the next book.

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elizlizabeth's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I would've loved this book when I was 16 tbh, but as it is, it was kinda weak. There were plenty plot points to keep things interesting, but the characters didn't have much substance and and fell into the tell rather than showing trap. Evangeline was kind of annoying (calling herself ugly and undesirable while both plot and narrator show us that she's anything but), and at one point the events happening felt manufactured and self-indulgent from the author, per example:

there is a whole B plot where vampires are briefly introduced, despite them having only minimal importance moving forward, it spans for several chapters; cameos from characters from the author's other saga are also constant and while not vital to understanding the book, the appearances are framed as a wink WINK that doesn't add to the story.

I think for a fantasy book it lacked some depth, and sometimes it seems to sacrifice the themes for a good ol' shocking plot-twist. If you're on the younger-ish side an/or are on the look out for a quick read, this one's your book though.

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queergoth_reads's review against another edition

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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

4.75

I enjoyed this book a lot. Like a lot a lot. I don't like to admit it out loud but I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic and this fed into that so well. It's got everything I love, fantasy and fairytale and romance.

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laurajeangrace's review

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adventurous 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

2.25

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karapillar's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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livinginbetweenthepages's review

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adventurous 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

3.75

*WARNING: This review contains spoilers!*

“But hope is a difficult thing to kill, just a spark of it can start a fire.”

A few years ago I have read the entire Caraval series, which I absolutely loved. It was so lovely and magical to be back in the world Stephanie Garber has created, but now in another part of it, namely the Magnificent North. The world-building is amazing, and I loved the snowy setting and to travel through this place alongside the characters: from the Curiosity Shop to Fortuna Castle, Wolf Hall, the place where Chaos and the vampires roam around, and Jacks' place. Especially the latter I enjoyed very much. It gave an extra glimpse of Jacks, for example with what books he had sitting on his bookshelf. It felt almost private. I also found the little dragons adorable! Can I have one too? Furthermore, I loved the new information of history, like that of the prophecy, arches, the fates and the royal family and the magical system we got to explore in Once Upon a Broken Heart which wasn't shown yet in the world of Caraval. I liked trying to solve the mystery (which I was trying very hard to do so while annotating) together with Evangeline. I absolutely adored getting a glimpse of some of the old characters, like Scarlett, Donatella and most of all, Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. I found it very nice to be able to get to know him a bit better: his past, motives, character, and thoughts. Even though he can be so cruel, manipulative, wicked, sly, and mischievous, and although I hated the nicknames he gave for Evangeline (Little Fox and pet) I can't help but fall in love with him more and more. He is just a very loveable villain, how cruel he might be. However, I would have loved to learn even more about him. How did he grow up, for example? Just a little more depth I was longing for. I also loved the symbolism behind Evangeline's rose gold hair and that of Jacks' blue locks.

“The fates weren't dangerous because they were evil; the fates were dangerous because they couldn't tell the difference between evil and good.”

Then I also loved meeting Evangeline. I adore her bravery, kindness, and empathy. She made some not so smart and very naive decisions, and some of her actions were so naive and not understandable as well, like how she didn't act when her beloved family's shop was closed, or how she didn't try to stop the prophecy, goes back to the castle alone without a proper plan besides the potion and all she could think of was wanting love and a happy ever after along the way, which sometimes made me close my eyes in question. She just went along with so many things. But for some decisions, I understood where they and some of her actions were coming from, no matter how naive they might seem. She is not the perfect girl as the prophecy, newspaper (I loved reading those parts), and people portray her as she makes mistakes, but that doesn't mean she isn't brave and doesn't deserve to be understood to be forgiven for her actions. I actually liked her naivete sometimes, for it also makes her feel more human and innocent. I thought it so well done how Stephanie let us introduce her to the reader, by slowly getting to know her past, then her in the present moment, and what the future could bring if the prophecy about the girl with the rose gold hair is true. I also very much liked LuLu in this story. I had so much empathy for her, and I found her so delightful. However, in Finale, she is portrayed as cruel, while in this one, there is not a single trace of that shown here. I can't quite understand that and would have liked to learn about the development, as I found this quite confusing. I now think that I missed some depth in more of the characters, for example, that of Luc or Chaos. The chemistry between Jacks and Evangeline was amazing, and I actually loved it even more that there was barely true romance in the book yet. I could still feel the tension and attraction lingering in the air and growing stronger and stronger. Jacks' tight, protective hold on Evangeline's waist while having to hold her for 24 hours, or when their attraction towards each other grew in the cemetery, even though that was it, it was enough for now. It was still, I won't call it romantic, but, terrifically captivating, and hot. Especially in the crypt. I found it interesting to see Jacks' mask fall a bit off, by him slowly beginning to care, and even worry about Evangeline. The plot was, besides some big flaws, good and enchanting as well, and not even spoken of the plot twists that I didn't see coming which made me gasp and let my mouth drop open. I didn't expect Chaos the be the guard or that Apollo was still alive, for instance. About the flaws, some examples: it was very repetitive and similar to the Caraval series (although It didn't bother me very much at the moment of reading it). Some moments didn't make sense at all, like why does Scarlett want to send a stranger to the North while she has learned not to believe everything that is shown to her, that Jacks gets angry with a single insult by Evangeline when she mentions him as a coward while he is known as not caring for such things and being ice cold in comparison with the raging Fallen Star, how Jacks tells Evangeline he can only have control over three or four people's minds, while in Legendary, he freezes a whole ballroom, how can it be so that he can speak in Evangeline's mind? The shift of tone when Marisol hears Evangeline wanted to end her marriage while first, she was so sorry for her, and the part with the vampires. I did love the latter, but the reader barely gets to know how come there are vampires in this world which have never mentioned vampires before. I didn't mind it being in the book itself, I just would have loved to learn more about the history of it all. There are also so many things briefly told, but not explained. Then there were some moments in the plot that made me a bit mad, like when Jacks mocks Evangeline for her being content with only having kissed Luc and when she says Luc is an excellent kisser, he says ''How do you know if you have nothing to compare it with?'' Which is of course how Jacks is. But then she has to kiss three people in the rest of the book, from one she even enjoyed. This was just one of the many examples. However, I found the book lovely nonetheless. The story reads like an enchantment to me, with lots of enjoyable drama. And how I loved the ball, different potions, and the unique dresses.

''Secret ballrooms were built for it in forests where fallen stars had once landed, leaving everything laced with bits of enchantment.''

I couldn't stop flipping the pages, and I stayed awake late in the night to finish the story. The story reads fast. Stephanie describes everything in so many details and imaginary which makes every scent, like apples and poison, sight, thought, touch, and feeling come alive.

''It was the feel of candlelight twilight, paper dust caught in the air, and rows and rows of unusual books on crooked shelves.''

Her storytelling is truly magical. And what a cliffhanger! I can't help but wonder about who is behind the wolf attack, how Apollo will react when he will be woken up and wonder who opened the door, and what this is going to mean for the rest of the story. And how the story is going to follow in general. I can't wait for the sequel. And I hope Jacks gets the one true love he deserves, and I so hope it is not going to be Tella, who broke his heart and shattered it to pieces. I am left with so many questions, and I hope they will be answered very soon. I am torn between the fact that so many things just don't make sense at all and aren't explained well enough, and between very much loving the book in the meanwhile as well. The book is described as a fairytale, and I wonder if that perhaps tries to hide away what was is lacking. Although I also understand why it is mentioned as a fairytale, I still found it magical and lovely with its enchanting writing and world-building, characters, the potential of love, mysteries and the magic system. If I only listen to my mind, it tells me to rate the story 3 stars, but I simply can't. I find it also important to listen to my heart, and I can't ignore the feeling of adoration for the story and how much I enjoyed it and could escape and dream in it, and am longing to return to the North, which is why I rate Once Upon a Broken Stars with 3.75 stars.

“I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.”

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kbairbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

(Spoiler review) when this book started off I thought: interesting…let’s see where this goes, then okay it’s very fantastical and floaty and Alice and wonderland-y, then I thought it was getting weirder but an easy quick read, then we started getting more excited and more things were lining up then it was quite exciting and that ending? Ooooh I leaned back and looked at Sean and was like. That’s an ending. I loved Evangelines hope, I HATED Marisol and her bitch ass mom, I didn’t care for Luke, and Chaos was interesting. Lala was an unexpected character and the Prince of Hearts was loveable but also way into blood for a fate that wasn’t a vampire. And what’s with the apples?? The door smiling at the end was wicked, and Evangeline realizing her strength and heroism was a lovely touch. Ummmm yeah I’m excited to see where book two goes and I guess now I have to read Caraval 😂

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