A review by elaichipod
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.75

I finished this book in one sitting. It was impossible to stop reading and it was a lot more gripping than OUABH. I think Evangeline might be one of my most favorite female leads in a long, long time. She is good-hearted, compassionate, and courageous, despite how much heartbreak and betrayal she suffers. In this book, I feel like I understood why Jacks is the way that he is. At the end of the day, Jacks and Evangeline was the exact same thing; their true love. Although, Jacks is a lot more callous and cynical in his approach. He has been heartbroken for so many years, searching for his one true love, and Donatella not choosing him broke him even more. When he revealed to Evangeline that he wanted the stones to back in time so that he'd have another chance with Donatella, I was so appalled. He doesn't even see what he has in front of him and how deeply they feel for one another. I really felt for Evangeline when he finally explained his reason for desperately searching for the stones. Evangeline and Jacks are perfect for one another, and I cannot accept any other pairing. In this book, Jacks uses Evangeline's name 11 times and calls her love once. Also, his worry and tension when Evangeline had been injured was top tier. Their time in the Hollow, regardless of it being influenced by the mirth stone, was such a beautiful time. Jacks was so soft for Evangeline and he had really bared his true feelings for her, physically at least. I desperately want them to be happy. Even though it happened differently from what Jacks explained about going back in time, the fact that Evangeline still lost her memories of Jacks was so painful. Plus, the fact that it was Apollo who did all that when I thought he was human and wasn't supposed to have any powers was something I had never expected.

Even when Evangeline was stone, she was still soft.