Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

146 reviews

reminiscences's review against another edition

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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


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witcheep's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

3.0


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alexisvv14's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

This book is full of twists and turns, unanswered questions, and betrayal that makes it impossible to put down. Absolutely phenomenal. 

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jessversteeg's review

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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. 

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gildedspines's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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underscoresyd's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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geny_pop's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious fast-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

5.0


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margaretwaltemath09's review against another edition

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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


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dms3899's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0


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boba_nbooks's review against another edition

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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.

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