Review: “Once Upon a Broken Heart” brings us back to the Caraval universe in a fun and exciting way! 

I loved the return of characters like Jacks, Tella, and Scarlett from the “Caraval” trilogy. I really enjoyed seeing what they were up to and I am all for the Garber Book Universe!

I absolutely LOVE Evangeline Fox, the main character of “Once Upon a Broken Heart.” Throughout the course of the novel, she makes so many sacrifices to protect the ones she loves, which is admirable. Though she did not find the love that she wanted in this first book, I am secretly hoping she will find her happily ever after with Jacks in “The Ballad of Never After.” I am obsessed with their relationship. I love how Jacks calls her “little fox” and uses his telepathy to be in constant communication with her. He was so protective of Evangeline towards the end and you could tell that they developed feelings for each other at one point. 

 Like “Caraval,” “Once Upon a Broke Heart” possesses different formats. The letters and scandal sheets like The Whisper Gazette and The Daily Rumor were thoroughly entertaining. The scandal sheets in particular aided in creating the eerie atmosphere that was needed for the murder mystery of sorts that appeared towards the middle of the novel. 

The world-building in Garber’s new series is incredible! In “Caraval,” the reader wasn’t give the chance to fully explore regions outside of Valenda. “Once Upon a Broken” ventures out to The Magnificent North and sheds light on the empire’s differing culture and diverse population. I was intrigued by traditions like Nocte Neverending — an event beginning on the first Winter’s Day that does not end until whoever is in power finds a spouse — and the history of the Valors and their arches. What made the region more real to me was the emphasis on prophecies and storytelling. Garber crafted some of the widely known stories which I found engaging. The presence of vampires, witches, and the fates that weren’t introduced in the “Caraval” books (The Unwed Bride and Chaos) made The Magnificent North the magical, yet dangerous place detailed in the stories spread from empire to empire.

September cannot come fast enough! I needed book two yesterday!