A review by restlessreason17
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

adventurous 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

0.25

(Note: I read this before reading Caraval [didn't even know these were connected until reading reviews]; idk if that'll affect the way I thought about the book)

Most of the book just felt really forgettable?? I don't know why, but nothing really...stuck. I couldn't visualize anything beyond Jacks, who was described again and again and again, and Evangeline. I have NO idea what any iconic landmarks look like (descriptions were light for some reason?? Like why wasn't the literal castle given more details, especially when she's ENGAGED TO MARRY THE PRINCE???)

Also. Someone please explain that cemetery scene. 🤮 I hated that.
WHY DID HE TOUCH HER LIKE THAT? SHE DIDN'T LIKE HIM AT A L L??? BRO WAS WHISPERING AND LICKING HER NECK AND SAYING "I WANT TO BITE YOU" WHILE ONE FINGER WENT INTO HER CORSET??? AND HE HELD HER SO CLOSE?? SHE DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS AT ALL?? AND WHAT ABOUT THAT FIRST NIGHT OF THE BIG BALL THING?? S T O P


And oh gosh. The plot was SO convoluted imo.
first you think it's Jacks, then Marisol, and then it's Apollo's brother??? Like??? Bestie where was the foreshadowing? You played it so heavy-handed with Marisol being the possible culprit, but we met Tiberius ONCE. ONCE before Apollo dies, and ONCE after. I don't understand.


Is Jacks supposed to be the love interest? I sure hope he's not. I literally couldn't tell. He's LITERALLY USING HER and more often than not he's portrayed as sexy boy. No. Literally no. 

That's all :)
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