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A review by macion
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I am really struggling to rate this book. The descriptions and internal monologues in the book's first half were so painful to read. It left me with the impression of a young kid discovering they can string a bunch of descriptors together and call it exposition. However, I kept reading because the story was interesting.
Stephanie's skills seem to lie within dialogue and plot progression more than anything. Given those are both the majority of the content in the book's second half, my reading experience became much more enjoyable. Frankly, I couldn't put it down once we got to the Third Part.Damn you cliff hanger!!!!!
Although I do believe this book could benefit from having a better all-around writer versus just someone with a fantastical story to tell, I will be seated for the next book! Keeping my fingers crossed that there is either an improvement in "showing versus telling" OR it's not needed as much since we have all the exposition necessary to continue.
*Update* ....... Upon reading some reviews it is now dawning on me that this is actually YA... which explains why there is so much repetition of character motives and plot points. I had the thought in the beginning that this was possibly YA but then I was like why would so many adult people I know recommend it? Also, this is apparently a spin-off series? Now who was going to tell me that... I hate reading things out of order, I pride myself on being a series reader! Alas, Stephanie, it seems once I finish this trilogy, I will have to check out your original trilogy.
Stephanie's skills seem to lie within dialogue and plot progression more than anything. Given those are both the majority of the content in the book's second half, my reading experience became much more enjoyable. Frankly, I couldn't put it down once we got to the Third Part.
Although I do believe this book could benefit from having a better all-around writer versus just someone with a fantastical story to tell, I will be seated for the next book! Keeping my fingers crossed that there is either an improvement in "showing versus telling" OR it's not needed as much since we have all the exposition necessary to continue.
*Update* ....... Upon reading some reviews it is now dawning on me that this is actually YA... which explains why there is so much repetition of character motives and plot points. I had the thought in the beginning that this was possibly YA but then I was like why would so many adult people I know recommend it? Also, this is apparently a spin-off series? Now who was going to tell me that... I hate reading things out of order, I pride myself on being a series reader! Alas, Stephanie, it seems once I finish this trilogy, I will have to check out your original trilogy.