The Ballad of Never After: Once Upon a Broken Heart, Book 2
By Carrie R. Wheadon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Damsel-in-distress tale lacks appeal of author's "Caraval."
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What's the Story?
In THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER: ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART, BOOK 2, Evangeline has a tough decision to make. She alone can open a magic doorway called the Valory Arch once four magic stones are found, but does she want it opened? Rumors abound on what it contains. It could house a destructive monster or terrible magic that was meant to stay hidden. But it also could contain a way to break the curse on her husband, Prince Apollo, who's in an enchanted sleep and near death. Jacks, a handsome immortal, is one of the strongest voices trying to persuade her to open the door, and he's a voice she doesn't quite trust. But then her husband mysteriously, suddenly awakens and chases her on horseback, shooting arrows at her. Without Jacks to protect her and hide her with a coven of vampires she would have been killed. Jacks explains that Apollo was cursed again, driven to hunt Evangeline down until he kills her. So now Evangeline's only chance to save Apollo and herself is to open the magic arch.
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy-romance is lacking character appeal and exciting world building and overstuffed with damsel-in-distress moments. To build the romantic storyline, The Ballad of Never After actually relies completely on action scenes where the main character, Evangeline, almost dies and Jacks, the hot but emotionally distant immortal, must swoop in to save her and then tells her what to do -- hide out here, run away here, don't go here. Instead of propelling the reader forward toward new revelations about the characters, it keeps the pair in a destructive pattern you wouldn't want for anyone's relationship. It doesn't matter how well Jacks dresses or leans into a wall with a smoldering glance, he needs to open up already. Evangeline gives up power to him again and again, even though she's the one with the power to open the arch or not and the one who can sense the magic stones she must gather.
On the world-building front, The Ballad of Never After is a disappointment. After the Caraval Trilogy that brings us to this series, we know what author Stephanie Garber is capable of. The mysteries just aren't as thrilling or twisty-turny or as carefully plotted out. There's an archway with unknown magic on the other side and magic stones to find before the door will open. There are curses, on Evangeline's prince and also one about storytelling and houses of power at war with themselves. There's even a baby dragon that just shows up for breakfast, hangs out, goes away. It all feels like filler until the next damsel-in-distress emergency. If only more of the immortal Fates entered the story and more of their secrets were revealed. If only the engagement party at the house full of weaponry had a bit more intrigue, a few more colorful characters, and didn't focus so heavily on Evangeline's jealousy or ball gowns. Let's just start with the dragon. Maybe it's important to the sequel and will help fly the series in a better direction.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship depicted in The Ballad of Never After. It's totally part of the fun of a good forbidden-romance tale, getting that un-gettable partner you shouldn't want. But is it always just fun in this story? In what ways does Jacks control and manipulate Evangeline? How does she explain this behavior away? Would you want to fall for a character like Jacks?
Think of the most romantic moments of the book where the characters let their guards down and show some truer feelings. They are usually paired with danger and injury and getting saved. Can you think of other "damsel in distress" tales? Are they as common now as they were decades ago?
What appeals to you in a romance tale? What are the characters like who fall in love? Who's your favorite female romantic hero? What does her ideal partner look and act like? Are you looking for a person like that in your own relationships?
What do you think is next for Evangeline? Jacks? Are you rooting for an ending where they are together?
Book Details
- Author: Stephanie Garber
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Book Characters , Fairy Tales , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Flatiron Books
- Publication date: September 13, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 18
- Number of pages: 416
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 22, 2022
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