Title: Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Author: Stephanie Garber
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Publication: Hodderscape (2022 – 2024)
Spin-off: From the Caraval series
Introduction
The Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber, a captivating spin-off from her popular Caraval series, weaves a dark and twisted fairytale that promises romance, heartbreak, and magic with a sharp edge. Let’s jump down the rabbit hole to discuss this series more!
Warning: the rest of this review of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series DOES contain spoilers, sorry!
Once Upon a Broken Heart Summary: The First Book
Evangeline Fox has always been a dreamer, enchanted by the idea of true love and fairy-tale endings. So, when the love of her life gets engaged to her stepsister, Marisol Tourmaline, Evangeline makes a bold decision to strike a deal with the captivating yet sinister Prince of Hearts. In return for his assistance, he demands three kisses, to be given whenever and wherever he decides.
However, after fulfilling the first kiss, Evangeline realises that dealing with an immortal like Jacks comes with serious risks. The Prince of Hearts has far grander and more dangerous plans for her than she ever imagined. His intentions could either lead her to the most magical happily ever after or plunge her into a beautifully tragic fate. Ooh…!
Favourite Quotes from Once Upon a Broken Heart
“For anyone who has ever made a bad decision because of a broken heart.”
“You don't want to be the hero, you want the happy ending- that's why you came to me. If you do this, that will never happen. Heroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people. Is that what you really want?”
“If you think I'm jealous because someone else got to stab you, then you're right.”
“I'll never understand humans. All of you seem to welcome our lies, but you never like it when we tell the truth.”
Full Plot Breakdown of Once Upon a Broken Heart
Evangeline had her heart broken and sought to mend it by seeking advice from a Fate. However, after realising the danger of putting her faith in a Fate, she faced numerous challenges to rectify the disastrous situations that arose from trying to heal her broken heart – silly girl! (if it meant I got the chance to meet Jacks, I’d do it too…)
Evangeline meets the Prince of Hearts in his church in a last-ditch effort to stop the wedding of her stepsister and fiancé (Marisol and Luc). She strikes a deal with him, agreeing to give him three kisses, which he will choose the time and recipient for, in exchange for him halting the wedding.
After the bargain is made and Evangeline returns home, she finds the entire wedding reception turned to stone. Overcome with guilt, she drinks a magical potion to free the guests but ends up turning herself to stone.
She remains in this state for six weeks until a Fate named Poison frees her. Upon returning to her human form, Evangeline discovers she has become a celebrity, with many suitors seeking her hand in marriage.
Later, the Empress Scarlett Marie Dragna invites Evangeline to tea with her and her sister, Donatella. During their meeting, Scarlett asks Evangeline to be Valenda’s ambassador to the Magnificent North and participate in their traditional event, Nocte Neverending. Evangeline agrees on the condition that she can bring her stepsister, Marisol.
At a private dinner hosted by Prince Apollo the night before Nocte Neverending, Evangeline is surprised to see the Prince of Hearts, who is concealing his identity and posing as an aristocrat named Lord Jacks. He has dyed his hair dark blue (truly a gorgeous choice) and is a close confidant of Prince Apollo. Rumours suggest he is recovering from heartbreak and was exiled to the North after causing trouble with the southern princess, Donatella. Evangeline realises that Jacks orchestrated her owing him three kisses and becoming the ambassador to the Magnificent North to meet Prince Apollo – shocker 🙂
Evangeline’s first kiss is to Apollo, causing him to become obsessed with her. He proposes to her on the second night of Nocte Neverending. On the night of their wedding, Evangeline wishes to break the spell Apollo is under. Jacks reluctantly agrees, but when the spell is broken, Apollo’s heart shatters, and he dies.
Evangeline is accused of killing Apollo and is tied to a chair. Jacks rescues her, and she later learns that Apollo is not dead but in a deep sleep due to another curse caused by Jacks. Evangeline is believed to be the key to unlocking the Valory Arch and this is why Jacks wants her, so right from the start, everything was a part of his plan.
The Ballad of Never After Summary: Once Upon a Broken Heart Book 2
After that explosive finale of book one and the betrayal incurred, we can move on…
After the Prince of Hearts, Jacks, betrays her, Evangeline Fox vows never to trust him again (rightly so) But now that she’s discovered her own magical powers, she’s determined to reclaim the happily ever after that Jacks snatched away!
When a horrifying new curse emerges, Evangeline reluctantly finds herself teaming up with Jacks once more. This time, the stakes are higher and the dynamics have shifted. Jacks isn’t the only danger on her radar; paradoxically, he might be the only ally she can rely on, despite her overwhelming urge to loathe him.
Instead of a love spell causing chaos, a deadly curse now looms over Evangeline’s life. To break it, she and Jacks must face old allies turned enemies, confront new adversaries, and navigate a web of magic that toys with minds and hearts alike. Evangeline has always followed her heart, but this time, she’s unsure if it will lead her astray.
Favourite Quotes from The Ballad of Never After
“In the morning, you can forget it. You can go back to pretending you don't like me, and I can pretend that I don't care. But for tonight, let me pretend you're mine.”
Full Plot Breakdown of The Ballad of Never After
Evangeline, still reeling from Jacks’ betrayal, desperately searches for a way to wake Apollo from his suspended state. After failing to find a cure, Jacks offers her a deal: if she collects four stones and opens the Valory Arch, he will help her wake Apollo. Evangeline refuses, even after the arrival of Lucien Jareth, a distant cousin of Apollo who has come to claim the title of Crown Prince.
Unexpectedly, Apollo awakens due to the Archer’s curse from ‘The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox,’ causing him to hunt Evangeline. A mirror curse also links Evangeline and Apollo, so any harm to one affects the other. As you can imagine, this is almost a ‘kill two birds with one stone’ scenario.
Apollo begins his hunt but does not want to harm Evangeline. Jacks saves her several times, and together they search for the four stones needed to open the Valory Arch. They find the Truth stone in Glendora Slaughterwood’s grave while attending LaLa’s betrothal party. Evangeline kills another key, Petra Youngblood, in self-defence and is comforted by Jacks.
Evangeline and Jacks continue their quest and find the Mirth stone. Apollo attacks Evangeline again on the day she is set to open the Valory Arch. Jacks confesses he wants to use the stones to travel back in time to the moment he met Donatella, believing her to be his true love after she didn’t die when they kissed. Evangeline realises she loves Jacks and tries to dissuade him, but he insists on his plan.
The Valory Arch contains members of the Valor family, believed to have been killed. Chaos reveals himself as Castor Valor, saved by Jacks and turned into a vampire by his mother, Honora Valor. Chaos attacks Evangeline, and Jacks uses the stones to turn back time and save her rather than sticking to his initial plan of going back in time to his first kiss with Donatella.
Evangeline is now back outside the arch, away from the danger of Chaos. Jacks stops her from going in and repeating history (literally), and she realises she must tell Jacks she loves him. While she is trying to find him, she is stopped by Apollo, who uses magic to erase her memories and convinces her she is his wife. The end! (Until book three, of course…)
A Curse for True Love Summary: Once Upon a Broken Heart Book 3
Now, for the last book in this phenomenal trilogy.
Evangeline Fox journeyed to the Magnificent North in pursuit of her fairy-tale ending, and it appears she’s found it. She’s wed to a charming prince and resides in a legendary castle. However, Evangeline is blissfully unaware of the devastating cost of this dream come true. She has no idea what she’s sacrificed, and her husband is bent on ensuring she remains in the dark… but first, he must eliminate Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.
Blood will be spilt, hearts will be stolen, and the very essence of true love will face its ultimate trial – drama indeed!
Favourite Quotes from A Curse for True Love
“I am a monster, but whether you remember it or not, I’m your monster, Evangeline.”
"Please, Little Fox, remember."
Full Plot Breakdown of A Curse for True Love
Evangeline is lost in the Magnificent North, with no recollection of how she got there. Apollo, the man responsible for her amnesia (and her husband), keeps her confined to the castle for her supposed ‘safety’ from Jacks, and she feels like a captive. A maid named Martine is assigned to her to help her feel more comfortable.
During a walk in the gardens, Evangeline is pushed into a well but is saved by Jacks, who she no longer recognises. Jacks, calling himself Archer, tries to teach her self-defence. Evangeline soon realises that Jacks and the Archer are the same person after seeing a wanted poster issued by Apollo.
During the Hunt, an annual tradition in the North, Evangeline is almost killed and runs into the Cursed Forest to escape. Jacks saves her and takes her to an inn, where she finds a letter she had written to herself in his shirt, restoring her memories. Jacks, however, disappears.
Apollo tries to manipulate Evangeline into admitting Jacks killed people at the inn, but she insists it was a vampire. Lala helps Evangeline escape to the forest, where they find Jacks acting strangely due to a deal he made to give his heart to Aurora Valor in exchange for the Slaughterwood cuff to protect Evangeline.
Evangeline and Lala then set out to search for Jacks’ heart, ultimately finding out that he plans to destroy it. Evangeline convinces Jacks to break his curse by kissing him, and he regains his heart – and she doesn’t die! Victory!
Apollo captures Evangeline and takes her to the Tree of Souls to gain immortality, but the tree absorbs him instead. Jacks and Evangeline walk away together, hand-in-hand, ready to face their future together.
Analysis and Evaluation
Writing Style in the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Stephanie Garber’s writing is lush and immersive, drawing readers into a world where magic feels real and emotions run high. The prose is vivid and descriptive, creating a rich tapestry of settings and characters.
Plot and Structure
The plot is a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with a pacing that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The enemies-to-lovers arc is particularly well-executed, adding tension and intrigue to the story.
Character Development
Evangeline, though sometimes annoying, is a relatable protagonist whose journey is compelling. Jacks, on the other hand, is a fascinating character whose complexity adds depth to the story. The villains are well-crafted, though their introduction and progression towards the climax felt a bit rushed.
Themes and Messages
The series explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of making deals with dark forces. It also delves into the idea that magic, while enchanting, can be dangerous and unpredictable.
Setting and World-Building
The world-building is one of the series’ strengths, with a magical realm that is both wondrous and perilous. The settings are vividly described, making it easy for readers to lose themselves in the fantastical landscapes.
My Opinions of the Once Upon a Heart Series
Critique
While the series is highly engaging, Evangeline’s character can be frustrating at times. Additionally, the villains, though intriguing, could have been better integrated into the plot with more development. The rushed ending regarding their arc left some questions unanswered, particularly the fates of characters like Luc, Tiberius, and Marisol.
Conclusion of the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series
Overall, Once Upon a Broken Heart is a series worth reading. It transports you into a world of wonder and leaves you slightly dazed and thoroughly entertained. It’s a near-perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and sheer awesomeness. Go grab it, dive in, and prepare to be enchanted.
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