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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: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Animal death
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: Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
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: Death, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
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: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
savvyrosereads's review
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: Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Blood
booksandstardust's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, and Violence
Moderate: Dementia, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
bbmaan's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: War, Sexual content, and Suicide
melina_30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great series overall! I really enjoyed reading/listening to all three books but for this last one there are a few things I didn't like as much.
There are so many loose ends and unanswered questions at the end of the book that it surprised me how fast the story ended.
I also found the many Apollo POVs a bit annoying especially when there were only about 3 Jacks POVs... Some of them didn't add much to the story and could have easily been told from Evangelines POV. It felt like Jacks wasn't really part of the story anymore...
The first two books felt like we were building up to something big and I was anticipating how Garber would resolve the problem about Jacks kiss being lethal.I really loved the idea of Aurora cursing him to only be able to kiss someone that would never love him and that this kind of person would be the only one being able to survive his kiss. That gave the whole Donatella/Jacks situation a great twist! But with how it was resolved in the end just felt like Garber didn't have any great ideas of how the curse might be broken and just went with that whole "true love of my life" conviction on Evangelines part because anything else would have been too complicated to come up with.
Moreover, it was a bit disappointing how it seemed like the valors were nothing special (?). There was so much build up to how miraculous this family was and in this book they just seemed like your average people that just wanted to love a normal life ? I would have loved to see more of them and their powers!
Also why did it seem like Chaos was a tame pet rather that a murderous vampire? I was almost scared of him im the last book so why did he seem so harmless in this one?(Except for the one instance where he murdered this whole family in their home... but we were just told it was him and only read about the aftermath so it didnt really seem like a threat or that it had any consequences other than Apollo wanting to frame Jacks with it...)
Overall I loved the series and this third book was a fast and easy read. I was really immersed in the story and I loved the little details like the dragons, the trees, the concept of the hunt and the forest, the story curse giving everything a twist (although it seemed to have a stronger impact in the earlier books) and the idea of having two kinds of hearts.(Was it ever resolved if Jacks put his heart back in place? Didn't he just drop it after the kiss or when the tree caught fire and it was never mentioned what happened to it afterwards? Or did I miss that detail?
There are so many loose ends and unanswered questions at the end of the book that it surprised me how fast the story ended.
I also found the many Apollo POVs a bit annoying especially when there were only about 3 Jacks POVs... Some of them didn't add much to the story and could have easily been told from Evangelines POV. It felt like Jacks wasn't really part of the story anymore...
The first two books felt like we were building up to something big and I was anticipating how Garber would resolve the problem about Jacks kiss being lethal.
Moreover, it was a bit disappointing how it seemed like the valors were nothing special (?). There was so much build up to how miraculous this family was and in this book they just seemed like your average people that just wanted to love a normal life ? I would have loved to see more of them and their powers!
Also why did it seem like Chaos was a tame pet rather that a murderous vampire? I was almost scared of him im the last book so why did he seem so harmless in this one?
Overall I loved the series and this third book was a fast and easy read. I was really immersed in the story and I loved the little details like the dragons, the trees, the concept of the hunt and the forest, the story curse giving everything a twist (although it seemed to have a stronger impact in the earlier books) and the idea of having two kinds of hearts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
esterslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Death, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Torture
deluna's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death and Animal cruelty