Title- A Heart so Fierce and Broken (sequel)
Author- Brigid Kemmerer
Rating– 4.5/5
Genre- YA Fantasy
POV- present tense switches between two alternating main characters, Lia Mara and Grey
Trope- enemies to lovers
Steam level- (0- no sex, 5- erotica)- 1/5
Cover– Gorgeous. I wish it was my blue-ish to match the first, but they’re all striking
My emotions- a bit frustrated and disconnected from Rhen & Harper, but I’m assuming it’ll serve its purpose in the third novel
Comments while reading-
Page 14- I love that Grey has a POV… Will this continue or will I still get the POV from the first book?
Page 28- ah! Im overwhelmed with all the new names. We have Nola Verin, Sorra, Parrish, Tik, & Dyhl- none of which were in the first book
Page 67- I flipped forward briefly. I’m sad that Rhen and Harper don’t have any points of view other than chapter 1.
Page 103- if this is a typical romance I’m disappointed that the two main characters haven’t met yet. Grey & Lia Mara will perhaps fall in love? Right now, I’m not invested in them two together.
Page 149- finally! It took long enough
Page 223- halfway through. I love how the author has successfully made me switch alliances. Well done. Iisak is an awesome creature!
Page 264- this is great overall but the Savior complex feels a tiny bit icky when compared to religion but I’m excited to read on. It’s crazy how well the good guy reversed to the bad guy and opposite
Page 284- I feel like this will end up being more of a theme of brotherhood and friendship. Like in the show, FRIENDS, the talk was about Ross & Rachel but the essence of the story was Chandler & Joey. Right now it feels like Grey & Rhen will be the highlight.
Page 297- I feel exhausted reading this when the characters never seem to sleep lol
Page 422- good climax scene but still not as impactful and powerful as I had expected
Characters–
I already have a feeling that when I’m done reading this trilogy, the character’s personalities will linger with me for a while.
Plot/Blurb-
Find the heir, win the crown.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.
Win the crown, save the kingdom.
Grey may be the heir, but he doesn’t want anyone to know his secret. On the run since he destroyed Lilith, he has no desire to challenge Rhen–until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?
Best part- The fierceness of the female characters. What’s interesting is the concept of “love” isn’t jumped into too fast without thinking/processing. This feels rare in romance novels. So, maybe this is primarily fantasy and not romance. Either way, I appreciate that the authors lets these adolescents be hesitant about that word and say “maybe some day” or “maybe I could love him/her.” Yet, at the same time I’m a little disappointed that they don’t reach that moment.
What I’d change- I wanted Grey and Rhen to have a few more in person moments. I hoped the climax scene would’ve been more crazy. I wanted to hear from Harper and Rhen 1-2 times randomly from their POV throughout the novel, but the epilogue gives me good insight as to why not
Quote- “There are good and bad options, but the most dangerous is to not make any choice at all.”
Pacing- Fast. I read this within 24 hours
Cassie Swindon 