Once Upon a Broken Heart

2.5 stars. It really read as if it was for elementary students. The story line in the beginning was forced to make plot move in a way that really didn't make any sense. The story itself has a lot of promise and is a great idea, but its been poorly executed. The beginning should have been better set up to make the story flow smoother.

03/01/24: I have picked this already once, read the first part and decided it wasn't for me. The motivation of the MC was for me somehow to weak to even start with. I decided I would pick it up again, mainly because Vippi loved the trilogy and kept talking about it. I hope it will work for me this time.

Review:

From the premise I had started off biased. The idea that the bargaining chip with a potentially dangerous being was kissing had given me the idea that the story was only focused on romance and love triangles or polymers. Until 30% I still wasn't entirely convinced because even though the falling in love was fictitious, the dynamic had the feel of a love triangle. once I got past that hurdle, I was hooked on the story, its mysteries and characters. But let's go in order.

The book is set in a fantasy world. It seems that the continent is divided into a northern part that takes a bit of inspiration from a Nordic and Harry Potterian setting (cold climate, fairy-tale atmosphere, creatures like dragons, lots of legends and magic - with lots of shops selling potions and spell books and very fairy-tale names). Not having read caraval I can't say whether the setting was described in more detail in the trilogy, but I would have preferred more depth and cohesion. Perhaps a map of the whole continent where the events of Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart take place would have come in handy. I note that there is a map of the magnificent North (very nice and in fairy tale style) but not of the Middle Empire (southern part of the containing where the story begins). In short, world building is very interesting but lacks cohesion.

The plot has a strong build-up (tension) and kept me on my toes until the end. I really want to know where and how it will end. The story is told in 3rd person by Evangeline, so it is one of those situations where you either like or dislike the voice of the protagonist. Evangeline is naive and stubborn, but the author in my opinion was good at reworking all the doubts and insecurities of the protagonist, because in the end I cared about her as well as all the secondary characters.

The secondary characters I found them sufficiently characterised and many still remain a mystery, considering the length of the book, perhaps the reason why I'm interested to know more about them and what role they will play in the following books.

In short, this story, the world and the characters are all shrouded in an aura of mystery, with Disney-style curses distorting the truth. Every piece of information is cleverly revealed to the reader drop by drop with a good balance between mystery and characterisation. It all contributes to building up this tension of wanting to unravel mystery after mystery and gives one a thirst for answers.

Unexpectedly, I really enjoyed the book and devoured it. I will definitely read the second one. I hope the second one delves further into the world and setting, bringing us closer to the cause of all the curses and I hope Evangeline matures by learning from her experiences. Recommended!

PS. Jacks & Chaos are in my heart. I hope a prequel spin-off is made about Chaos (unless this has already been done with Caraval).

Recensione:

Dalla premessa ero partito prevenuta. L'idea che la merce di scambio con un essere potenzialmente pericoloso fossero dei baci mi aveva dato l'idea che la storia fosse concentrata solamente sul romance e su triangoli e polimeri amorosi. Fino al 30% non ero ancora del tutto convinta perché anche se l'innamoramento era fittizio, la dinamica aveva il sapore di un triangolo amoroso. una volta passato questo scoglio mi sono appassionata alla storia, ai suoi misteri e ai personaggi. Ma andiamo con ordine.

Il libro è ambientato in un mondo fantastico. Sembra che il continente sie diviso in una parte a Nord che prende un po ispiratione de un' ambientatione nordica e harrypotteriana (clima freddo, atmosfera fiabesca, creature come draghi, tante leggende e magia -con tanto di negozi che vendono pozioni e libri di incantesimi e con nomi molto fiabeschi). Non avendo letto caraval non posso dire se l'ambientazione fosse stata descritta più in dettaglio nella trilogia, pero avrei preferito avere più profondità e coesione. Magari una mappa di tutto il continente dove si svolgono le vicende di Caraval e once Upon a broken heart avrebbe fatto comodo. Noto che c'è una mappe del magnifico Nord (molto carina e in stile fiabesco) ma non dell'impero di Mezzo (parte sud del contenente dove la storia inizia). Insomma, world building molto interessante ma manca di coesione.

La trama è caratterizzata da forte build-up (tensione) e mi ha tenuto sulle spine fino alla fine. voglio proprio sapere dove e come andra a finire. La storia è raccontato ine 3º persona da Evangeline, quindi è una di quelle situazioni in cui la voce della protagonista vi piace o non vi piace. Evangeline è ingenua e testarda, però l'autrice secondo me è stata brave a rielaborare tutti i dubbi e le insicurezze della protagonista, perché al fine mi importava di lei come di tutti i personaggi secondari. I personaggi secondari li ho trovati sufficiente mente caratterizzati e molti rimangono ancora un mistero, considerando la lunghezza del libro, forse ragione per cui mi interessa sapere di più su di loro e che ruolo andranno a ricoprire nei libri successivi.

Insomma, questa storia, il mondo e i personaggi sono tutti avvolti da un'aura di mistero, con maledizioni in stile disneyano che distorcono la verità. Ogni informazione viene sapientemente rivelata al lettore goccia per goccia con un buon equilibrio tra mistero e caratterizzazione. Il tutto contribuisce a costruire tutta questa tensione di voler svelare mistero dopo mistero e dà sete di rsiposte.

Inaspettatamente il libro mi è piaciuto molto e l'ho fivorato. sicuramente leggero il secondo. Spero che il secondo approfondisca ulteriormente il mondo e l'ambientazione, portandoci + vicini alla causa di tutte le maledi zioni e spero che Evangeline maturi imparando dalle sue esperienze. Consigliato!

Jacks & Chaos nel cuore

PS. spero che venga fatto 1 spin-off prequel su Chaos (a meno ciò sia già stato fatto con Caraval).

This book was a revelation. An immersive experience, I was so invested in these characters and the story. The world was fantastic! A very entertaining, twisty world that kept me guessing. I have to say I was expecting an “in your face” ending, so I was a little disappointed about where it left off. But I had a great time reading it and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2!

Note to self: Read the Caraval series!

OMG, I loved it so, so much. I knew I was going to love it because I've already read the Caraval series and it's one of my favorites and I know how beautiful and magical Stephanie Garber's writing style is. I was so excited to get to know Jacks better.

This book left me wanting more and I can't wait for the next one, I bet it's going to be even better than this one!

Ik heb heel lang getwijfeld wat voor rating ik dit boek moet geven. Aan de ene kant was het een erg leuk boek met een leuk verhaal en aan de andere kant was het best wel slecht.
Ik moet eerlijk toegeven dat ik soms heel erg confused was en dat ik daardoor dit boek een lagere rating wilde geven. Maar eerlijk gezegd vind ik het wel een leuk verhaal en wil ik wel graag de rest van de serie lezen, dus vandaar dat mijn rating toch 4 sterren is geworden.
Ik vloog ook echt door dit verhaal heen. Het las heel erg makkelijk weg. En dat komt omdat Staphanie Garber een hele fijne schrijfstijl heeft.

This probably was my most anticipated book of the year so I really wanted to like it, and for most part I did, but I feel that something was missing.

I should say that the story surprised me completely since I expected one thing and I received far more. The twists and turns of the story kept everything so interesting, and honestly I couldn't predict anything. From friend to foe, to the kisses function. I or Jacks's motivations.

I love the world, it is so imaginative and vivid that I need to see more of that. Door bells that think or feel, not sure, tiny dragons, fate's magic and rose gold hair?!?

Low key this book made me rethink my love for vampires...

Anyway, for some reason I got very confused at the end of the book as to where Jacks stands as friend or foe to Evangeline. Through the story it seems like Jacks couldn't care less for her and then he needs her to do something . But now he might think higher of her than he lets show and that he might care more than we know. At last the extra contents of this book is telling me otherwise maybe? Now I don't know if I should care for him or not.

I have not read Legendary or Finale so I didn't know him, and apparently he does something to Donatella, so I'm intrigued. But the way, I prefer him blonde, just so you know. Also how on earth did Scarlet and Donatella end up there??? ( hoping that if I finish the Caraval series I find out)

I feel that as far as I know Jacks is a very complicated character or he is just an a**. I really hope it is the first because I feel that there are two hearts at risk here, Evangelin's and mine's. As you can see I do like the guy at some twisted level. what I did not like was when he was calling her “Pet”. I was like: “WHY?...”

Very looking forward to the next book so I can live in peace with all the answers that I need and hopefully a happily ever after.

In this first installment of the folow-up series to the Caraval series, Evangeline thinks her true love has been put under a curse by her stepmother. All of a sudden, he wanted to marry Evangeline's stepsister and stopped talking to Evangeline. Evangeline ends up making a deal with the fate, Jacks, to stop this wedding from happening. But of course, making a deal with the Fates is never a good idea, and everyone at this wedding turns to stone. From there, Evangeline must reluctantly work with Jacks to figure out the politics of the North, all while trying to protect herself from all of the machinations going on around her.

I love a good fairy tale story. I love the whimsical, fantastical setting that quickly turns dark and malevolent. Stephanie Garber is incredible at this type of story, as shown in the Caraval series. The plot was ever-changing, full of plot twists and betrayals. The characters were all complex with hidden motivations. This all combined to create a fast paced, wonderful story. The naivete of Evangeline would normally be annoying to a reader, but because Garber employs the fairy tale devices, it just adds to the fantastical nature of the story. Jacks is the perfect broody anti-hero/villain (depending how you look at him) who keeps the story interesting. He is constantly being pushed and pulled to and from Evangeline in ways that make the reader want to scream (in a good way). I can't believe I have to wait for the sequel for who knows how long!

TW: attempted murder, blood, bones, cults, death, emotional abuse, hostages, murder, poisoning, violence, questionable consent

Overall I liked this book more than Caraval, although it suffers from the same kind of repetitive internal conflict/monologue and descriptions of people and places taking up entire pages. Also I think I got spoilers for what happens next in the Caraval series? Which is kind of a bummer since I still have to read 2 books and like 800 pages and now I know where the story (most likely) ends. I didn't even realise it was the same universe before Scarlett and Donatella were mentioned 😅 Oh well my bad

3.5/5 ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

I don't even know what to say yet - I did like this, but I don't think I loved it as much as everyone else does (please don't hate me) - it's definitely not the book, it's a me thing
RTC

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score card:

plot: 3/5
characters: 3/5
world/setting: 4.5/5
pacing: 4/5
enjoyment: 3/5

total: 3.5/5ੈ✩‧₊˚

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₊˚⊹♡ reading log

28/04 5:27pm ୨ৎ
ok so are we team jacks or are we team rhysand i need to know - what are these men doing to me what is GOING ON

28/04 3:17pm ୨ৎ
aw jacks that's not cool man i did not see that coming am i blind?

28/04 11:33am ୨ৎ
marisol don't betray me please i was really starting to like you - we've switched over to the audiobook

27/04 6:30pm ୨ৎ
ok damn jacks why you gotta do me like that DAMN

26/04 2:17pm ୨ৎ
omg i love everyones enthusiasm for this and i'm only 13% in but i get it? there's some sort of drug in this i swear it's very magical, it reminds me of like, tinker bell/the og barbie movies (swan lake in particular)

₊˚⊹♡ pre-reading

oh my god guys i'm buying into more romantasy books i can't believe it - i have a feeling im not going to like this as much as ACOTAR but we'll see everyone says this is like fairy tales in a bottle which i'm not toooooo sure about but i'm trying to have an open mind, i know so many people adore this