When the man Evangeline loves becomes engaged to her stepsister, she becomes convinced that he has been bewitched. Desperate to stop the marriage, she makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts: in exchange for three kisses, he will stop the wedding. It is a seemingly small price to pay for her future happiness, but as with any deal made with a Fate, it ends up entailing more than meets the eye. Soon, her very heart is on the line.
Review of Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Stephanie Garber has done it again – she has written yet another fantastic book. Once upon a Broken Heart is truly unputdownable. As soon as I began reading it, I was completely engrossed, and I ended up binge reading all 403 pages in a little over a day. Already, I am fighting the urge to pick it back up and reread it, as I so enjoyed it.
With its magical and transportive qualities, the story hooks you from the get-go. It ferries you away to a fairytale-like world filled with intrigue, danger, and otherworldly beings. Magic is as pervasive as deception and ulterior motives, the consequence of which being that you can never be entirely sure of who to trust or what will happen next. If you are anything like me, you will find yourself periodically exclaiming, or at the very least mouthing, “What?!” while reading this book.
Complementing this captivating plot is a cast of complex and interesting characters, including Jacks, the enigmatic Prince of Hearts. He is one of the most compelling characters I have come across in recent history. At times villainous and other times quasi-heroic, his underlying motives are never wholly apparent. You want to give him the benefit of the doubt and trust him, but to do so seems unwise. Nonetheless, his tragic backstory of unrequited love and curse of killing all of the women that he kisses, save his one true love, garner him sympathy and make him seem almost (but not quite) human. His swoon-worthy appearance and confident, teasing demeanor certainly don’t hurt either.
Then, there is Evangeline, the story’s protagonist. Although different from Jacks in many regards, she is also quite similar to him. She is flawed, and much like Jacks, she is prone to letting her desires influence her decisions. Both, for instance, have made some questionable choices as a result of a broken heart. Unlike Jacks, however, it is clear that at her core, she is a good person. The jury is still out on Jacks’ true nature.
The mix of shared traits and differences creates an intriguing relationship between Jacks and Evangeline. They feel drawn to each other, yet they both try to resist this pull. Caraval trilogy fans know why Jacks holds back; Evangeline’s reluctance stems from Jacks’ bad deeds and poor reputation. To care for Jacks would mean accepting him, including all his past and likely future wrongdoings. It would also mean trusting her already hurt heart to a man not known for kindness. This push and pull between wanting and rejecting each other leads to electric chemistry between them. You sense the magnetic attraction they share, and when they give in, it ignites passion.
While not as central as Jacks and Evangeline, the supporting characters deserve mention. Familiar faces from the Caraval series, like Scarlett and Tella, show up. New characters join the mix, including some Fates and even a group of vampires. Evangeline’s stepsister stands out as a well-crafted character. Like Jacks, her real motives are never completely apparent; she oscillates between appearing untrustworthy and being greatly misunderstood. She introduces conflict and tension to the narrative, which ultimately enhances the book’s appeal.
The book’s appeal is also enhanced by its world-building elements. Once upon a Broken Heart delves into a section of the Caraval universe that had previously only been briefly referenced: the North. Enveloped in stories and rich with enchantment and hexes, the North serves as an enchanting setting and amplifies the fairytale quality of the narrative. Roaming its fanciful streets and daunting underground is an adventurous experience. Peril, thrill, and tension: we can enjoy all of these from the comfort of our couches.
What unites all of these components and genuinely makes the narrative stand out is Garber’s writing. She is a natural storyteller and writes in an appealing, easy-to-follow style. She has structured the narrative flawlessly, guaranteeing that the reader’s engagement remains constant. In addition, her use of a singular perspective (Evangeline’s) further strengthens her grasp on the audience’s focus by increasing the suspense and aura of mystery in the narrative. Garber has successfully crafted Once upon a Broken Heart in a way that allows enjoyment even for those who haven’t read the Caraval trilogy, which is quite an accomplishment. With that in mind, I suggest you read the Caraval series before diving into Once upon a Broken Heart if you intend to read the Caraval books eventually, since Once upon a Broken Heart includes some spoilers for Finale, which is the last book in the Caraval trilogy.
Overall Take on Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Once upon a Broken Heart is one of the spellbinding fantasy and a brilliant start to the eponymous series. Readers are already chomping at the bit for the sequel. So in case you enjoyed Caraval, you will love Once upon a Broken Heart.
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