Review: The Ballad Of Never After by Stephanie Garber
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Introduction:
Not every love is meant to be.
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…
Review:
Reviewed by Jessica Dawson
Stephanie Garber has done it again with The Ballad of Never After, the dazzling second installment in her Once Upon a Broken Heart series. If you were worried this book might fall victim to the dreaded “middle book syndrome,” rest easy—Garber absolutely crushes it. This sequel is just as enchanting, thrilling, and gut-punchingly emotional as its predecessor, if not more so.
First, let’s talk about Evangeline Fox. At seventeen, this girl has been through a lot. We’re talking betrayal, heartbreak, curses, secrets, and more twists than a carnival ride—all while trying to hold onto some semblance of hope and humanity. It’s impossible not to root for her as she navigates an impossibly chaotic journey, constantly balancing her head and her heart while the weight of the world (or at least an entire kingdom’s fate) rests on her shoulders. Evangeline’s resilience and bravery are inspiring; she’s the kind of protagonist who will make you want to cheer one moment and hug her the next.
And then there’s Jacks, the enigmatic, morally gray, and utterly compelling Fate who keeps us all guessing. Without giving too much away, let’s just say the ending is a masterclass in emotional devastation. The heart-wrenching sacrifice Jacks makes is one of those moments that will have you staring at the page, blinking back tears, and questioning how Garber manages to wield so much power over your emotions.
Speaking of Garber’s power—her writing is nothing short of magical. She weaves words like a spell, drawing you into her richly imagined world where every setting feels alive and every scene pulses with energy. The story is brimming with intrigue, romance, and tension, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, BAM—a plot twist smacks you in the face. The twists and turns in this book are jaw-dropping, and the cliffhanger at the end is the kind that makes you want to throw the book across the room (lovingly, of course) while immediately begging for the next installment.
Garber is a master at creating characters you can’t help but care about, worlds you want to get lost in, and stories that linger long after you’ve turned the last page. The Ballad of Never After is a shining gem in the fantasy genre—a book that will break your heart and then make you thank it for the privilege.
If you haven’t picked up this series yet, what are you waiting for? Just prepare yourself: this book will own your soul, and you’ll love every second of it.
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