Have you ever found yourself falling for someone you know you shouldn’t trust? Someone who’s broken your heart before, but still manages to make it skip a beat every time they’re near? If so, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Evangeline Fox, the protagonist of Stephanie Garber’s captivating new novel, “The Ballad of Never After.”
As the second installment in the “Once Upon a Broken Heart” series, this book picks up right where its predecessor left off, plunging readers back into the enchanting and treacherous world of the Magnificent North. And let me tell you, it’s one hell of a ride.
A Tale as Old as Time, with a Twist
At its core, “The Ballad of Never After” is a story about love—the kind that consumes you, terrifies you, and makes you question everything you thought you knew. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s a tale of magic, betrayal, and the power of choice. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves and the ones that are written for us.
Garber weaves these themes together with the skill of a master storyteller, creating a narrative that’s as unpredictable as it is enthralling. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, she throws another curveball your way, leaving you frantically turning pages to see what happens next.
Characters That Come to Life
One of the things I love most about Garber’s writing is her ability to create characters that feel real, despite the fantastical world they inhabit. Evangeline, our pink-haired heroine, is no exception. She’s flawed, she’s stubborn, and she’s got a heart big enough to get her into all sorts of trouble. But that’s what makes her so relatable and lovable.
And then there’s Jacks, the enigmatic Prince of Hearts. Oh boy, where do I even start with him? He’s the kind of character you want to shake one minute and kiss the next. His complex relationship with Evangeline is the beating heart of this story, and Garber does a masterful job of keeping us guessing about his true motivations until the very end.
A World You’ll Want to Get Lost In
The Magnificent North, with its magical arches, cursed tales, and mysterious artifacts, is a setting that’s begging to be explored. Garber’s world-building is top-notch, painting a vivid picture of this enchanted land without ever bogging down the narrative with excessive description.
From the eerie beauty of the Hollow to the opulent halls of Slaughterwood Castle, each location feels distinct and alive. It’s the kind of place you’ll find yourself daydreaming about long after you’ve finished the book.
The Magic of Storytelling
One of the most intriguing aspects of “The Ballad of Never After” is its exploration of the power of stories. In this world, tales can be cursed, changing every time they’re told. It’s a clever metaphor for the way we reshape our own narratives and the stories of those around us.
Garber plays with this concept brilliantly, weaving fairytales and legends into the fabric of her plot. The result is a story that feels both timeless and thoroughly modern, with echoes of classic tales that add depth and resonance to the narrative.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Get ready to feel all the feels, folks. This book will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and rage – sometimes all within the span of a few pages. Garber has a knack for hitting you right in the feels when you least expect it, and she wields that power mercilessly in “The Ballad of Never After.”
The emotional journey of this book is intense, to say the least. But it’s also incredibly satisfying. Every high and low feels earned, and by the time you reach the end, you’ll feel like you’ve been through the wringer—in the best possible way.
Comparisons and Context
If you loved “Once Upon a Broken Heart,” the first book in this series, you’re in for a treat. “The Ballad of Never After” takes everything that made its predecessor great and cranks it up to eleven. The stakes are higher, the romance is steamier, and the twists are even more shocking.
Fans of Garber’s Caraval trilogy will also find plenty to love here. While this series stands on its own, there are subtle nods to the world of Caraval that add an extra layer of enjoyment for those in the know.
For those new to Garber’s work, think of this as Sarah J. Maas meets Alice in Wonderland, with a dash of Brothers Grimm thrown in for good measure. It’s a unique blend that’s entirely Garber’s own, and it’s utterly addictive.
The Verdict
“The Ballad of Never After” is a triumph of YA fantasy. It’s the kind of book that will keep you up way past your bedtime, promising yourself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’ve finished the whole thing.
Garber’s writing is lyrical and immersive, her characters are complex and compelling, and her plot twists will leave you gasping. It’s a worthy sequel that not only lives up to the promise of its predecessor but surpasses it in many ways.
What’s Next?
With the third book in the series, “A Curse for True Love,” on the horizon, the anticipation is already building. Garber has set up some tantalizing threads in “The Ballad of Never After” that have me itching to see how it all plays out.
Will Evangeline and Jacks ever find their way to each other? What other curses and magical artifacts are lurking in the shadows of the Magnificent North? And most importantly, will we ever get to see Jacks without his shirt on again? (Hey, a girl can dream, right?)
Final Thoughts
“The Ballad of Never After” is more than just a book – it’s an experience. It’s the literary equivalent of a grand adventure, complete with dashing rogues, magical mysteries, and heart-stopping romance. If you’re looking for an escape from the everyday, you couldn’t ask for a better guide than Stephanie Garber.
So go ahead, lose yourself in the pages of this enchanting tale. Just don’t blame me when you can’t put it down. After all, as Evangeline learns, some stories are worth getting lost in, even if they might break your heart.