The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber | A Book Review

I finished reading this stupidly beautiful amazing ethereal second book from the series Once Upon a Broken Heart written by my all-time favorite author Stephanie Garber. I used to watch videos of this second book where people made it seem like this book is something else. I did not believe it for a second............. until I read it. The first book was good...giving of beautiful cozy fairytale vibe but this second one......I have to say Stephanie changed the game in this one. So, Let's get to review but first here is the Goodreads description of the book;

After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away. But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can...

GENRE
Fairytale, Fantasy, Romantasy

THEME AND TONE
Ethereal, Whimsical, Beautiful Setting

LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE
Easy to Read

CHARACTERS
Complex Multilayered Characters

TROPES
☙ A Quest to Save the Cursed Prince
☙ Falling for the Villian
☙ Hate to Love
☙ A Quest to find Happily ever after
☙ Magic and Curses
☙ Tragic Ballads
☙ Beautiful Places and Setting
☙ Villian is Anti Hero Basically
☙ Heart-wrenching and Soul-Crushing Story
☙ One True Love kind of Vibe

MY REVIEW

This second book started out in a good way with Evangeline getting to know what exactly Jacks did to pursue Evangeline in opening the Valory Arch. Evangeline write a letter to her future self if she ever falls for the charm of Prince of Hearts to stay away from him. But things happen and Evangeline again has to work with Jacks to complete the goal.

I will be honest they make a great team. Jacks keeping Evangeline protected and Evangeline keeping Jacks grounded....well Jacks was never grounded. He was like a tornado destroying everything in his path just to get what he wanted. Jacks is the most unhinged character in the series. He thinks far ahead and starts things in motion just to get the result he wants. and I loved this character so did Evangeline. Their dynamic is so cute.

The most loved thing in this book was the places. I loved going to half of Magnificent North. The description of the places was magical and whimsical. I love the Hollow and I got sad that The Hollow won't be the same ever again.

Lala and Evangline's friendship was amazing too. Lala is also a fate and she also is a bit like Jacks. Apollo is not covered much in the book. I felt sad or him because he is under curse after curse. A perfect recipe to make him a Villian. well, I haven't read the last book but I am predicting that is where the story will go. He will come out as the villain too.

As Stephanie said in Caraval there are two types of endings. True ending and a not-so-true ending. So, the not-so-true ending of this book was heart-wrenching and heartbreaking. I sat straight while reading and my mind was going into shock but then I remembered some pages were left to keep reading. then things got better but then again the true ending of the book was a mind f*ck. I was like NO!!!!! Stephanie, you got to be kidding me. Now, I am a little afraid but cannot wait to start the next book.

On the whole....this is a 5-star Gem. I recommend it strongly. Here Check out my photography 😅

THE BEST PART
☙ Jacks protecting and taking care of Evangeline
☙ Evangeline attraction towards Jacks
☙ Chaos and Lala ( a minor scene where Lala comes into Eva's dreams)

THE WORST PART:
☙ No Worst part.

Best Character
☙ Jacks
☙ Evangeline
☙ Chaos
☙ Lala

WORST CHARACTER
☙ No one

Best Quotes

“It hurts, Jacks.”
“I know, love. I’m going to take you somewhere safe.”

“There is nothing of equal value to me.”

“It didn't matter if he stayed forever cursed. All that mattered was that he stayed, that he chose her instead of fear.”

“Sorry to break your fairytale, Little Fox, but ballads don't end happily, and neither do the two of us.”

“Jacks no longer felt like her enemy, he felt like her home.”

“A tormented scream pierced the night like a blade. The sky bled, and darkness fell instead of stars, erasing lights across the Magnificent North.”

“The truth is never what you want it to be, Little Fox.”

Happy Reading!!