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arual_14o3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Bullying and Murder
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot express how much I love this. Jacks x Evangeline's dynamic just works. He is mean and dark and full of desire, but in a way that makes you know there's a reason he is the way that he is, which gives you hope for him as naive as Evangeline's. He's a fully fleshed out character. She is as well, good-hearted and smart but fully capable of making mistakes. She's like a sweet fluffy pink frosted cupcake. They make every scene interesting. I hate Marisol's character though - she's very much like Taryn from Folk of the Air. And the plot does not disappoint. It is crisp and new, an almost-redo on old fairytales and prophecy stories. So much of the worldbulding/lore and plot twists here are fresh. And I adore the descriptions of all the dresses!!
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. She gives a steadily good performance in which the listener can tell the difference between the characters. However, sometimes her vocals are far too loud/unequalized.
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. She gives a steadily good performance in which the listener can tell the difference between the characters. However, sometimes her vocals are far too loud/unequalized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am loving how this author is expanding on the world of the Caraval series. I think Evangeline more than the Dragna sisters and I think it’s because while she acts like a teenager and makes mistakes, she also tries to fix them in very heroic ways. She is flawed and young but I still see her strengths in this book. Her efforts to do the right thing made for an interesting story with lots of dynamics, and leads into the future books well. I also felt like I never knew what would happen next in the story. Lots of plot twists I didn’t see coming, which made for a fun and quick read. I’m so excited to continue reading this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
jessversteeg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.5
Caraval was dark and broody, but OUABH is bright and sugary. It reminds me of pink cupcakes and enchantments. But maybe that’s because my cover is all pink. The beginning of the story runs concurrently with the events of Finale, in a different part of town but Jacks is at the center of it all.
Jacks is a fun character, though his devil-may-care attitude is not quite vicious/indifferent to be convincing. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series, but at this point I’m not expecting it to blow me away. I do love the cupcake-enchantment-winter-wonderland vibe, though.
Jacks is a fun character, though his devil-may-care attitude is not quite vicious/indifferent to be convincing. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series, but at this point I’m not expecting it to blow me away. I do love the cupcake-enchantment-winter-wonderland vibe, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
margaretwaltemath09's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
Will all of Stephanie Garber's books be 5 star reads for me?? Only time will tell.
Evangeline Fox thought her first love would be her forever love until she finds out that he is engaged to her step-sister. After the death of both of her parents, Evangeline cannot take any more heartbreak, so she goes to the one person who might understand: the Prince of Hearts. Evangeline decides to strike a deal with this immortal to stop the wedding. But Evangeline soon learns that bargains with immortals are more dangerous than they let on. This simple heartbreak sets off a cataclysmic chain of events that will alter Evangeline's life forever. Does she have enough hope to go on searching for her happily ever after?
Once Upon a Broken Heart can easily be described in a couple of words: magical and whimsical. This fairytale of a novel questions how stories are passed down, who is trustworthy, and whether endings are as clear-cut as happily ever afters and tragedies.
I'm so glad I read the Caraval trilogy prior to this book and would suggest that reading order to anyone looking to start their Stephanie Garber journey, since these books have interconnecting worlds and characters. They happen within a short time period of each other, too.
I loved seeing some of my favorite characters from the Caraval trilogy make appearances in this novel. In the case of the Prince of Hearts, I always appreciate his antics and the way his character fluctuates--he always keeps you guessing. Evangeline is a great new heroine who didn't choose this life but was forced into it. I love a reluctant protagonist who is just as strong as any other.
Stephanie Garber's writing is nothing short of magnificent. The way she weaves these magical tales and settings while masterfully developing her characters should be studied. Sometimes Young Adult (YA) books can feel a bit too immature for an adult audience, but Garber's books do not. They are just as enjoyable to an adult audience as they would be for teens.
Thank you for this wonderful world, Ms. Garber. I can't wait to read more of it.
Will all of Stephanie Garber's books be 5 star reads for me?? Only time will tell.
Evangeline Fox thought her first love would be her forever love until she finds out that he is engaged to her step-sister. After the death of both of her parents, Evangeline cannot take any more heartbreak, so she goes to the one person who might understand: the Prince of Hearts. Evangeline decides to strike a deal with this immortal to stop the wedding. But Evangeline soon learns that bargains with immortals are more dangerous than they let on. This simple heartbreak sets off a cataclysmic chain of events that will alter Evangeline's life forever. Does she have enough hope to go on searching for her happily ever after?
Once Upon a Broken Heart can easily be described in a couple of words: magical and whimsical. This fairytale of a novel questions how stories are passed down, who is trustworthy, and whether endings are as clear-cut as happily ever afters and tragedies.
I'm so glad I read the Caraval trilogy prior to this book and would suggest that reading order to anyone looking to start their Stephanie Garber journey, since these books have interconnecting worlds and characters. They happen within a short time period of each other, too.
I loved seeing some of my favorite characters from the Caraval trilogy make appearances in this novel. In the case of the Prince of Hearts, I always appreciate his antics and the way his character fluctuates--he always keeps you guessing. Evangeline is a great new heroine who didn't choose this life but was forced into it. I love a reluctant protagonist who is just as strong as any other.
Stephanie Garber's writing is nothing short of magnificent. The way she weaves these magical tales and settings while masterfully developing her characters should be studied. Sometimes Young Adult (YA) books can feel a bit too immature for an adult audience, but Garber's books do not. They are just as enjoyable to an adult audience as they would be for teens.
Thank you for this wonderful world, Ms. Garber. I can't wait to read more of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i loved this silly little book
its a unique little YA fantasy full of classic tropes and i ate it up
its for the disney girlies, the once upon a time girlies, the vampire girlies, the peasant/royal girlies
I love how it plays around the idea of fantasy kingdoms and has all the classic Disney fantasy vibes of baroque fancy colorful buildings and towns with friendly bakers and neighbors and evil step family with orphaned naive heroic girls who think they'll be saved. I loved how the MC is that classic damsel in distress believing in wishing on stars and true love and I can't wait for her to be slowly crushed by the realization that there is no prince coming to save her lol
It was also super fast-paced which was fun and also very solidly in the area of "YA" its clean romance with fun little silly kisses and romance.
I thought it was perfectly tropey with interesting world-building. Classic tropes include: peasant/royal, hurt/comfort, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, miscommunication, etc
The world-building was a mix of classic fairytale fantasy kingdoms with pretty ball gowns and princely looks with some magic sprinkled in. I liked the Fates aspect which essentially functions as Gods but have tarot cards vibe base.
not gonna lie when I say I picked these up for the beautiful (UK) covers but stayed for the dumb tropes
that had me kicking my feet and giggling all the way through 10/10
its a unique little YA fantasy full of classic tropes and i ate it up
its for the disney girlies, the once upon a time girlies, the vampire girlies, the peasant/royal girlies
I love how it plays around the idea of fantasy kingdoms and has all the classic Disney fantasy vibes of baroque fancy colorful buildings and towns with friendly bakers and neighbors and evil step family with orphaned naive heroic girls who think they'll be saved. I loved how the MC is that classic damsel in distress believing in wishing on stars and true love and I can't wait for her to be slowly crushed by the realization that there is no prince coming to save her lol
It was also super fast-paced which was fun and also very solidly in the area of "YA" its clean romance with fun little silly kisses and romance.
I thought it was perfectly tropey with interesting world-building. Classic tropes include: peasant/royal, hurt/comfort, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, miscommunication, etc
The world-building was a mix of classic fairytale fantasy kingdoms with pretty ball gowns and princely looks with some magic sprinkled in. I liked the Fates aspect which essentially functions as Gods but have tarot cards vibe base.
not gonna lie when I say I picked these up for the beautiful (UK) covers but stayed for the dumb tropes
that had me kicking my feet and giggling all the way through 10/10
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
klsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
memmah's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship