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

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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