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A review by maddiemoiselle
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
4.0
I read the first two chapters of Once Upon a Broken Heart on kindle several months ago and I wasn’t impressed. The writing felt juvenile and the dialogue especially seemed unnatural. Still, I’ve been haunted by this book in the form of Instagram reels and so I decided to give it another go. Surprisingly, I’m rather glad I did. So, let’s talk.
What works:
-The plot is, at times, all over the place but by the final chapter I think it was worth it for the most part. I really, really enjoyed the fairytale aspect of this and at times it reminded me faintly (very faintly lol) of Folk of the Air (THE BEST!!). I loved the Magnificent North and the whimsy in the story. I love how bells have a sixth sense and Jacks is always eating an apple. I loved how “The Archer and The Fox” is frequently mentioned. It felt very fairytale-esque and I really did enjoy this.
-JACKS. I’m genuinely shocked by how much I liked his character. The author of OUABH also wrote Caraval and I wasn’t nearly as intrigued by the MMC in that series. I think Garber has grown immensely as an author because I am impressed with Jacks character development. I love how Evangeline and Jacks aren’t ever the “obvious” choice. I love how he has already found his true love. I was so certain Garber was going to have Evangeline be his one true love which would be sweet, yes, but it is much more interesting this way. I mean I’m 95% sure Evangeline and Jacks will end up together but now there’s tension. Jacks is very interesting and I like how he is portrayed as cruel and relentless. It was reminiscent of Cardan without being a carbon copy.
-The Fates are a fun concept. I really liked reading about them, especially Chaos. Don’t judge me, I have a thing for vamps. Also, the scene in the mausoleum was damn sexy and there was nary a kiss to be seen. So take note, Sarah J. Maas. Sometimes the small things are the sexiest
What works:
-The plot is, at times, all over the place but by the final chapter I think it was worth it for the most part. I really, really enjoyed the fairytale aspect of this and at times it reminded me faintly (very faintly lol) of Folk of the Air (THE BEST!!). I loved the Magnificent North and the whimsy in the story. I love how bells have a sixth sense and Jacks is always eating an apple. I loved how “The Archer and The Fox” is frequently mentioned. It felt very fairytale-esque and I really did enjoy this.
-JACKS. I’m genuinely shocked by how much I liked his character. The author of OUABH also wrote Caraval and I wasn’t nearly as intrigued by the MMC in that series. I think Garber has grown immensely as an author because I am impressed with Jacks character development. I love how Evangeline and Jacks aren’t ever the “obvious” choice. I love how he has already found his true love. I was so certain Garber was going to have Evangeline be his one true love which would be sweet, yes, but it is much more interesting this way. I mean I’m 95% sure Evangeline and Jacks will end up together but now there’s tension. Jacks is very interesting and I like how he is portrayed as cruel and relentless. It was reminiscent of Cardan without being a carbon copy.
-The Fates are a fun concept. I really liked reading about them, especially Chaos. Don’t judge me, I have a thing for vamps. Also, the scene in the mausoleum was damn sexy and there was nary a kiss to be seen. So take note, Sarah J. Maas. Sometimes the small things are the sexiest