Booklog 46/2021: Stephanie Garber: Once Upon a Broken Heart

[jacey]

Until I read some Goodreads reviews after finishing this book, I didn't realise that there had been a previous series set in the same universe with overlapping characters. To be honest I didn't find it a problem to step into this world at this point. What I did find was a problem was discovering, right at the end, that this is not a standalone. It didn't so much conclude as finish somewhere in the middle of the story. Don't get me wrong, I like series and trilogies, but I do need each book to have a satisfying ending, and sadly this didn't. Until the last page I was enjoying this book.

Evangeline is in love with love, but when her stepsister steals her boyfriend and leads him to the altar, she makes a bad bargain with Jacks, an immortal Fate. When she asked Jacks to stop the wedding, she didn't intend the whole wedding party to be turned into stone. Wishes have unforeseen consequences, and Evangeline spends the rest of the book getting deeper with Jacks, whom she doesn't trust but can't hate. Jacks has a plan, and Evangeline is an unwitting part of it. She's whisked off to the cold north where she catches the eye of Prince Apollo… or does she? Is there magic at work? Expect magic, court politics, several Fates, and a handful of vampires. Don't expect a satisfying ending. I think you'll have to read the whole series for that, and unfortunately the next book isn't out yet.