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bel017's review against another edition
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Violence, and Toxic friendship
amre23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kefredriksen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even though this is a 2nd book in a series, it was better than the first! I couldn't put it down, the characters are delightfully complicated, and the ending had me screaming. Easily a fav in this genre!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Infidelity, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I didn't like it as much as the first one, but that doesn't negate the fact that it was still interesting. I don't know if it's just her books, but for some reason for me it's when I read her books I don't fully get into it until the later parts. But it might be on me because I've only read two and I'm just now getting back into fantasy. It was interesting enough to keep me going but nothing really immersing to me. I kept wanting to hit Evangeline for being too trusting, too quickly. It's cool how consistent Stephanie keeps Jacks character. The ending was crazy. Glad there's gonna be a third book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Medical content and Gaslighting
pooogsz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was good, easily read it in half a day
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Torture, Stalking, Abandonment, and War
katvou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence and Grief
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'll admit, I audibly stopped and said "what?" at the end of this book because that's where it's going to end? What the heck. This is why I have been mostly waiting to read series once they are all published. But I digress!
The stakes were risen in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. Between all the running and the curses and the magic, their relationship is growing and changing, even if they don't want to admit it. As readers, you definitely want them to get together. Definitely a will they, won't they kind of situation.
While I still haven't read Caraval (it's on my list, I swear!), I've found I've been able to understand what's going on in this series without much difficulty. So if you're thinking about jumping in without having read the original trilogy, you can do it with this one!
The stakes were risen in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks. Between all the running and the curses and the magic, their relationship is growing and changing, even if they don't want to admit it. As readers, you definitely want them to get together. Definitely a will they, won't they kind of situation.
While I still haven't read Caraval (it's on my list, I swear!), I've found I've been able to understand what's going on in this series without much difficulty. So if you're thinking about jumping in without having read the original trilogy, you can do it with this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent
theespressoedition's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
My most-anticipated release of 2022 and I wound up giving it 3.5 stars. That hits me right in the feels.
I've felt a lot of weight on my chest as I've thought about writing this review. It's not easy for me to give anything less than raves to my favorite authors' books. However, The Ballad of Never After left a lot to be desired. Right now, the thought that's at the front of my mind is how much I hope that the third book redeems how I feel about the series (and thank goodness she announced the third book not long after this one came out because I was nearly sick with worry at the end).
Because I didn't do a reread of Once Upon a Broken Heart prior to reading this one, I was concerned that I would be a little lost at the beginning. I wouldn't say it was super easy to pick up where I left off, but after about one or two chapters, everything came flooding back and I didn't have difficulty following along after that. The author did a good job of subtly bringing in the plot points from the previous book in order to clue the reader in on what was happening.
My unease wasn't instantaneous, which almost made it worse. Instead, it felt as though I had eaten something delicious that eventually began to turn in my stomach. I've always loved Jacks--a morally gray character with a penchant for mischief and rakishness. While he made it spectacularly clear to Evangeline that he was "not the good guy" in OUABH, that particular narrative was ridiculously overdone in this book. However, because Evangaline is married to Apollo in this book, rather than rooting for her to wind up with Jacks despite his untoward behavior, I watched with horror as their romantic dallying became stronger and stronger... full-on infidelity.
Not only that, but there were a lot of blurred lines when it came to consent. This includes occurrences of sexual touch and advances without both parties agreeing upon it--and even times where someone was drugged or asleep when these took place. Instead of it feeling romantic, it felt racy. Lines were crossed and that was definitely not something I was comfortable with. Now, I recognize that my perspective may be slightly skewed by my own past, but I do think that this is at least something that others should be aware of going into the book.
Someone may have told you to expect heartbreak when reading this, and they're not entirely wrong. While I didn't find myself sobbing my eyes out at any point, I did slam the book shut at the end, then stand in the hallway looking completely forlorn, freaking my husband out until I said, "why would she do this to us?" The ending is unexpected and as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I'm really thankful that there will be a third in the series. My hope is that it clears up some of the confusion, brings a little joy, and ultimately redeems how I'm currently feeling about Jacks and Evangeline and their truly problematic tryst.
I'm sure I'll have more to say come autumn of 2023...
I've felt a lot of weight on my chest as I've thought about writing this review. It's not easy for me to give anything less than raves to my favorite authors' books. However, The Ballad of Never After left a lot to be desired. Right now, the thought that's at the front of my mind is how much I hope that the third book redeems how I feel about the series (and thank goodness she announced the third book not long after this one came out because I was nearly sick with worry at the end).
Because I didn't do a reread of Once Upon a Broken Heart prior to reading this one, I was concerned that I would be a little lost at the beginning. I wouldn't say it was super easy to pick up where I left off, but after about one or two chapters, everything came flooding back and I didn't have difficulty following along after that. The author did a good job of subtly bringing in the plot points from the previous book in order to clue the reader in on what was happening.
My unease wasn't instantaneous, which almost made it worse. Instead, it felt as though I had eaten something delicious that eventually began to turn in my stomach. I've always loved Jacks--a morally gray character with a penchant for mischief and rakishness. While he made it spectacularly clear to Evangeline that he was "not the good guy" in OUABH, that particular narrative was ridiculously overdone in this book. However, because Evangaline is married to Apollo in this book, rather than rooting for her to wind up with Jacks despite his untoward behavior, I watched with horror as their romantic dallying became stronger and stronger... full-on infidelity.
Not only that, but there were a lot of blurred lines when it came to consent. This includes occurrences of sexual touch and advances without both parties agreeing upon it--and even times where someone was drugged or asleep when these took place. Instead of it feeling romantic, it felt racy. Lines were crossed and that was definitely not something I was comfortable with. Now, I recognize that my perspective may be slightly skewed by my own past, but I do think that this is at least something that others should be aware of going into the book.
Someone may have told you to expect heartbreak when reading this, and they're not entirely wrong. While I didn't find myself sobbing my eyes out at any point, I did slam the book shut at the end, then stand in the hallway looking completely forlorn, freaking my husband out until I said, "why would she do this to us?" The ending is unexpected and as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I'm really thankful that there will be a third in the series. My hope is that it clears up some of the confusion, brings a little joy, and ultimately redeems how I'm currently feeling about Jacks and Evangeline and their truly problematic tryst.
I'm sure I'll have more to say come autumn of 2023...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Murder and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Second reread (October 2023): 5 Stars*
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I went out the morning of its release, purchased a copy, and proceeded to come home and read the entire book in one sitting. I love Stephanie Garber and I LOVE this series (possibly more than I enjoyed Caraval).
This sequel picks up right at the end of where "Once Upon a Broken Heart" ended. Jacks has betrayed Evangeline, and Evangeline has vowed to never trust him again. But to her dismay, Evangeline needs Jacks to help break the curse on her husband, Apollo. Forced to work together, Evangeline and Jacks set off to find the stones needed to unlock a very mysterious gate that is rumored to hold the secrets needed to bring Apollo back.
I believe this is Stephanie Garber's best book yet. The descriptions for the world are so vivid and immersive, and the magic with the fates is so enchanting. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I have never been so lost in a book world before. I particularly loved seeing a softer side of Jacks. Jacks is a good guy deep down, but through circumstance he needs to play the villain to get Evangeline to play her part. I am normally not a fan of enemies to lovers, but boy am I rooting for Evangeline and Jacks to be together. Jacks is always there for Evangeline but he never pushes her to believe in him more than what she sees. I really love Evangeline as a character, because she still remains soft where she needs to, and she never lets the absolute anarchy change her good heart.
As with every other review of this book: THAT ENDING! I screamed, I cried, and I am contemplating writing my own fanfiction for this book, because that CANNOT be the end. I am rarely so distraught over an ending in a book, and I need Evangeline and Jacks to have their redemption arch. BOOK THREE NEEDS TO BE OUT NOW!
You better believe I will read the next book the day it comes out!
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I went out the morning of its release, purchased a copy, and proceeded to come home and read the entire book in one sitting. I love Stephanie Garber and I LOVE this series (possibly more than I enjoyed Caraval).
This sequel picks up right at the end of where "Once Upon a Broken Heart" ended. Jacks has betrayed Evangeline, and Evangeline has vowed to never trust him again. But to her dismay, Evangeline needs Jacks to help break the curse on her husband, Apollo. Forced to work together, Evangeline and Jacks set off to find the stones needed to unlock a very mysterious gate that is rumored to hold the secrets needed to bring Apollo back.
I believe this is Stephanie Garber's best book yet. The descriptions for the world are so vivid and immersive, and the magic with the fates is so enchanting. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I have never been so lost in a book world before. I particularly loved seeing a softer side of Jacks. Jacks is a good guy deep down, but through circumstance he needs to play the villain to get Evangeline to play her part. I am normally not a fan of enemies to lovers, but boy am I rooting for Evangeline and Jacks to be together. Jacks is always there for Evangeline but he never pushes her to believe in him more than what she sees. I really love Evangeline as a character, because she still remains soft where she needs to, and she never lets the absolute anarchy change her good heart.
As with every other review of this book: THAT ENDING! I screamed, I cried, and I am contemplating writing my own fanfiction for this book, because that CANNOT be the end. I am rarely so distraught over an ending in a book, and I need Evangeline and Jacks to have their redemption arch. BOOK THREE NEEDS TO BE OUT NOW!
You better believe I will read the next book the day it comes out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent