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chronic_listener's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Torture, and Death of parent
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Okay why were people so mad about this book?? I do agree that there are a lot of loose ends, but doesn't that just mean we'll get more answers in some of her other books? She's coming out with a new Caraval book in a couple months. I actually haven't even read Caraval yet, mostly because I didn't know it existed, but now I think I'm going to. This trilogy was SO good.
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
I added sexual assault/violence to the "minor" section because it's difficult to ignore the writing style of the scenes in which Apollo is restraining Evangeline, stealing memories, etc. It's written with sexual threat even if none actually happens.reminiscences's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
rosannaqp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death and Cursing
onewhogivesthevictory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
I have never cried over a book before...
This book got me!
This book got me!
“So you’d rather live without me?”
“I’d rather you live.”
“I am living, Jacks, and I am not going to die anytime soon.” Evangeline
closed her eyes and then she kissed him.
It was a kiss like a prayer, quiet, almost pleading, made of tremulous lips
and nervous fingers. It felt like reaching out in the dark, hoping to find alight.
The moment I read that line I kid you not-
I gasped and my eyes widened so hard!!! Like Stephanie, fan service delivery!
I loved this series and the ending was so satisfying despite the trials and plot.
Every scene was necessary for the plot. She outdid herself with this masterpiece. As a writer, this is one of those moments where I am honestly starstruck at how beautifully orchestrated the story was and how the characters grew!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I'll try to make this a spoiler free review!
What I liked: the multiple POV moves the story along really well. I enjoyed the direction the plot went in and thought that the wrap-up made sense. I read this in one day because I could not put it down!
What I didn't like: the events felt a bit rushed to me at the end, however I wonder if that was partly because it seemed like less happened overall in this book.
I do think if I were to reread the whole series all at once this book as a finale would be closer to perfect for me. All that to say I really liked this series and am glad to have read this!
What I liked: the multiple POV moves the story along really well. I enjoyed the direction the plot went in and thought that the wrap-up made sense. I read this in one day because I could not put it down!
What I didn't like: the events felt a bit rushed to me at the end, however I wonder if that was partly because it seemed like less happened overall in this book.
I do think if I were to reread the whole series all at once this book as a finale would be closer to perfect for me. All that to say I really liked this series and am glad to have read this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Somehow the worst book in the whole series. HERE'S EVERYTHING I DID NOT LIKE AND WHY.
1. Did... did we just say "fuck it" about all those other characters in the first two stories?? Luc was barely in the novel to begin with AND HE WAS SOMEHOW SUPPOSED TO BE THE PERSON EVANGELINE LOVED FIRST??? I THOUGHT HE'D BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HE WAS. Instead he was like background information??? He was only really used as a plot device. First he's cursed, then he's stone, then he's disappeared?? And Evangeline misses him?? then he's just A VAMPIRE and then he looses all importance.
1a. Tiberius who???? Also another plot device. He was really only there to make life hard for Evangeline in the first novel and then POOF. GONE. Clearly he wasn't important so why even put him in the novel?? He just disappears and no one hears of him EVER AGAIN.
1b. I thought her stepsister would come back WHERE DID HSE EVEN GO?!?! DID SHE REALLY JUST RUN AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK IN THE SECOND BOOK??? That felt like some very lazy fucking writing. What was the point of having a powerful witch stepsister IF SHE WASN'T GOING TO BE UTILIZED PROPERLY.
1c. I did not need all this Valor crap. They bored me honestly. I saw their careful usurping of Prince Apollo's throne from a mile away. Aurora's whole ARC wasn't news either. I knew she loved Jacks and that her thing with Lyric was probably all a lie. Hell, for a minute there I even though Lyric would POP UP and turn out to NOT actually be dead. That seemed on brand with how Stephanie writes so I wholeheartedly expected it.
1d. I still don't like LaLa and I HATE how Stephanie would bring the one POC character (Luc seemed POC too?? unclear honestly) in only to move the plot along. Lala only appeared to help Evangeline or to throw a wrench in the plans (like when Eva overheard Lala talking to Jacks about how she put the Archer curse on her). Still never forgave her for that in book two.
1f. Kristof Knightlinger (if that's even how you say his name. I can't remember. But the journalist of the north!) what was the point of showing him TWICE in this novel. I thought Eva was going to go meet him, talk to him. NOPE. Why even have him give her his card if SHE WAS GOING TO LOOSE IT (or Apollo took it. I'm unsure). Seemed like a pointless addition to the story.
1g. Why did she suddenly make me hate Prince Apollo? In the first two books I felt so BAD for the Prince. He was cursed MULTIPLE TIMES. He seemed to really love Eva and I was actually rooting for them to be together a little bit (mostly when Jacks was being a prick). So why was he made the bad guy in this novel??? If she wanted him to be a villain, she should have just shown how Aurora was manipulating him the whole time AND NOT ACTUALLY HAVE HIM BE A BAD GUY. He never seemed like a bad guy in the other two novels. He seemed pretty decent. This was how I felt about Jacks in Finale too. Whats the point of suddenly making these boys into bad guys.
2. Still can't wrap my head around how Eva is in love with Jacks??? It makes no sense. Just because a guy is hot doesn't mean you should love him. I'm still of the mind that the best version of Jacks is his introduction in Legendary (still hated how he was in Finale though). He was... okay here in this series for the most part though I guess.
2a. That scene where they're covered in sleep dust and trying to take each others clothes off was so hard to read. Eva still didn't have her memories and they seemed like they were drugged almost it just felt SO WRONG. I didn't like it.
3. hearts... in glass jars.... Again... why is Stephanie adding lore RIGHT AT THE END.
4. THE COP OUT OF NOT TELLING US WHAT THE APPLES MEAN??!?!?!!!? WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ADDING THAT IN THE EPILOGUE. SHE SHOULD HAE JUST LET THE STORY CURSE "BURN" THE STORY. THAT WOULD'VE BEEN BETTER HONESTLY.
1. Did... did we just say "fuck it" about all those other characters in the first two stories?? Luc was barely in the novel to begin with AND HE WAS SOMEHOW SUPPOSED TO BE THE PERSON EVANGELINE LOVED FIRST??? I THOUGHT HE'D BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HE WAS. Instead he was like background information??? He was only really used as a plot device. First he's cursed, then he's stone, then he's disappeared?? And Evangeline misses him?? then he's just A VAMPIRE and then he looses all importance.
1a. Tiberius who???? Also another plot device. He was really only there to make life hard for Evangeline in the first novel and then POOF. GONE. Clearly he wasn't important so why even put him in the novel?? He just disappears and no one hears of him EVER AGAIN.
1b. I thought her stepsister would come back WHERE DID HSE EVEN GO?!?! DID SHE REALLY JUST RUN AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK IN THE SECOND BOOK??? That felt like some very lazy fucking writing. What was the point of having a powerful witch stepsister IF SHE WASN'T GOING TO BE UTILIZED PROPERLY.
1c. I did not need all this Valor crap. They bored me honestly. I saw their careful usurping of Prince Apollo's throne from a mile away. Aurora's whole ARC wasn't news either. I knew she loved Jacks and that her thing with Lyric was probably all a lie. Hell, for a minute there I even though Lyric would POP UP and turn out to NOT actually be dead. That seemed on brand with how Stephanie writes so I wholeheartedly expected it.
1d. I still don't like LaLa and I HATE how Stephanie would bring the one POC character (Luc seemed POC too?? unclear honestly) in only to move the plot along. Lala only appeared to help Evangeline or to throw a wrench in the plans (like when Eva overheard Lala talking to Jacks about how she put the Archer curse on her). Still never forgave her for that in book two.
1f. Kristof Knightlinger (if that's even how you say his name. I can't remember. But the journalist of the north!) what was the point of showing him TWICE in this novel. I thought Eva was going to go meet him, talk to him. NOPE. Why even have him give her his card if SHE WAS GOING TO LOOSE IT (or Apollo took it. I'm unsure). Seemed like a pointless addition to the story.
1g. Why did she suddenly make me hate Prince Apollo? In the first two books I felt so BAD for the Prince. He was cursed MULTIPLE TIMES. He seemed to really love Eva and I was actually rooting for them to be together a little bit (mostly when Jacks was being a prick). So why was he made the bad guy in this novel??? If she wanted him to be a villain, she should have just shown how Aurora was manipulating him the whole time AND NOT ACTUALLY HAVE HIM BE A BAD GUY. He never seemed like a bad guy in the other two novels. He seemed pretty decent. This was how I felt about Jacks in Finale too. Whats the point of suddenly making these boys into bad guys.
2. Still can't wrap my head around how Eva is in love with Jacks??? It makes no sense. Just because a guy is hot doesn't mean you should love him. I'm still of the mind that the best version of Jacks is his introduction in Legendary (still hated how he was in Finale though). He was... okay here in this series for the most part though I guess.
2a. That scene where they're covered in sleep dust and trying to take each others clothes off was so hard to read. Eva still didn't have her memories and they seemed like they were drugged almost it just felt SO WRONG. I didn't like it.
3. hearts... in glass jars.... Again... why is Stephanie adding lore RIGHT AT THE END.
4. THE COP OUT OF NOT TELLING US WHAT THE APPLES MEAN??!?!?!!!? WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ADDING THAT IN THE EPILOGUE. SHE SHOULD HAE JUST LET THE STORY CURSE "BURN" THE STORY. THAT WOULD'VE BEEN BETTER HONESTLY.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
chelbelle122's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Beginning dragged for me. But the story got the ending it deserved. And that last sentence. Chefs kiss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
cornelia24's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
This was terrible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The third book in the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART trilogy, continuing the story of Evangeline Fox and Jacks the Prince of Hearts.
I read this one in a single day, and had a fantastic time. It wasn’t my favorite in the trilogy (that honor definitely goes to BALLAD, which I ADORED), but it was fun and fast paced and I loved the ending. Evangeline and Jacks definitely have my heart and are taking spots as a favorite fantasy couple for me.
I did feel like some aspects of the ending were a bit rushed (and there were a few answers I wanted and never got) but all in all I HIGHLY recommend this trilogy (though it should be read after CARAVAL) and can’t wait to see what Stephanie Garber writes next!
CW: Violence/blood/injury; kidnapping/emotional abuse/gaslighting
The third book in the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART trilogy, continuing the story of Evangeline Fox and Jacks the Prince of Hearts.
I read this one in a single day, and had a fantastic time. It wasn’t my favorite in the trilogy (that honor definitely goes to BALLAD, which I ADORED), but it was fun and fast paced and I loved the ending. Evangeline and Jacks definitely have my heart and are taking spots as a favorite fantasy couple for me.
I did feel like some aspects of the ending were a bit rushed (and there were a few answers I wanted and never got) but all in all I HIGHLY recommend this trilogy (though it should be read after CARAVAL) and can’t wait to see what Stephanie Garber writes next!
CW: Violence/blood/injury; kidnapping/emotional abuse/gaslighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail