Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Release Date: September 28, 2021
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval, the first book in a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true
love and happy endings…until she learns that the love of her life will
marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her
wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but
wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three
kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But
after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with
an immortal is a dangerous game— and that the Prince of Hearts wants
far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans
that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most
exquisite tragedy.
Once Upon a Broken Heart, by Stephanie Garber, is the first installment in the authors Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. Garber’s new series takes readers back to a world they know from the Caravel trilogy, but with new characters and new stories. Fan favorite Jacks, aka the Prince of Hearts, is a key character along with 17-year-old rose gold-haired Evangeline Fox who appeared in Finale. Her father ran a business called Maximilian's Curiosities, Whimsies & Other Oddities.
Evangeline grew up thanks to her mother knowing the rules about dealing with the Fates from her mother who grew up in the North. She was told to always promise less than you can when Fates tend to take anything they can from you. Do not make bargains with more than one Fate. And, do not fall in love with a Fate. For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings, until she learns that the love of her life Luc Navarro will marry her step-sister Marisol Tourmaline.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing. After the bargain is complete and Evangeline returns home, she finds the entire wedding reception turned to statues. Overcome with guilt, Evangeline drinks a magical potion to free the wedding guests, and in turn turn herself to stone. But before she can agree to his bargain, she takes a poison and is turned into a stone statue.
She stays in this state for six weeks, until a fate by the name of Poison
finally releases her. Upon turning human, Evangeline realizes that she
has become some sort of celebrity, with many suitors coming after her
with a wish for marriage. Later, Evangeline is invited by the Empress Scarlett to have tea with herself and her sister, Donatella. Evangeline accepts the invitation, and Scarlett asks her to be her ambassador to the Magnificent North, where she would participate in their traditional event, Nocte Neverending where His Highness Crown Prince Apollo Arcadia is to choose his bride.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss with Apollo, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy. With Evangeline being torn to pieces by all sides, including Marisol, and learning about her apparent role in what Jacks wants, Evangeline will have to make the most important choices of her lifetime. Failure is not an option.
*Thoughts* Even though I am giving this an overall good rating, there are some things that bothered me. Evangeline, who appeared in Finale and seems to have some magic of her own that may or may not connect her to a prophecy, kind of reminded me of Cinderella in that she loses her parents at an early age, ends up being raised by a step-mother along side Marisol who I have to say grated on my nerves. She's a squirmy little worm and I won't say why because it will just spoil everything that happens. Evangeline does have a good heart which is why she needs to be taken aside and taught that actions have consequences.
Especially when you start playing around with a Fate who thought he once found true love, only to be stabbed, literally, in the heart. The most head scratching moment is when Evangeline is taken to meet a alluring vampire by Jacks who can somehow claim you with just a look. Nope, just NO. Not necessary. I will not go as far as to say that you must read the Carvale trilogy to enjoy this story. The author kindly fills in the blanks while Evangeline was stationary as a statue. It is fair to say that Garber loves love triangles, so don't be shocked when you read about the one that happens in this book.
No comments:
Post a Comment