Would you make a deal even if it could give you an unknown fate? This promise could establish either great pain or give pure happiness to heal your broken heart. In the book Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, you are welcomed back into the world of the Caraval Series. The book is connected to events of the third book in the Caraval Series, Finale, but explained through the eyes of Evangeline Fox who lives her life in the hope of a happily ever after but that comes crashing down when the boy she thought was her one true love dumps her for another.
With only the pieces of her broken heart she makes a deal with Jacks, a fate known as the Prince of Hearts. The thing about Jacks is he does not play Cupid and would rather play people to get what he wants. This deal will lead Evangeline to the Magnificent North, a land that has both delight and wonder as well as mysteries and danger. There she might be a piece in the greatest fairytale of all time or the greatest tragedy the world has ever witnessed.
Her journey will lead her to fates both good and bad, secrets that deepen her history to the North and characters who wear masks of deception and secrets. Will Evangeline have the smooth happily ever after she wanted or a story filled with twists and turns that might rebreak her heart or shatter her whole world?
(Some Spoilers Ahead)
Members of the book club talked about the complexity of Jacks and wondered if he is just an antihero. Or, could he be more than a trickster and backstabber who cares only about himself? The heroine Evangeline was also mentioned and if her deep trust is truly what leads her to her twisted fate. That leads her to the Magnificent North, her connection to the fates and the prophecy that binds her. Also, members of the book club wondered if her upbringing caused her to show this deep trust to those who didn’t deserve it and didn’t give the same amount back. Ideas about Evangeline’s step sister were discussed: was she truly mean and manipulative, or was she just twisted by her mother’s hateful and judgemental ways? The idea of the fate’s promises and the magic system in the book was also mentioned. If this promise created true good and bad luck or a mix of the two to those who made a deal connected to magic.
The book as a whole was a good read to many members. Mrs. Stafford,the head of the club, even said, “I liked the story a lot and I thought the characters were really interesting, like Jacks and Evangeline, but I did not like that it ended on a cliffhanger.” In the end, the story of Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts Jacks continues. “Happily Ever After” can be a reality; you just need to read on and see.
