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A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers, #2)

Brigid Kemmerer

Start date: January 1, 2020

Finish date: January 31, 2020

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What Members Thought

Mar 14, 2020 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, young-adult, reviewed, own-ebook-read, favorites, fantasy, tortured-hero-or-heroine, wish-list-physical, cover-love

This book definitely wasn't what I was expecting but I loved every moment. This book is told from the perspectives of Grey as well as a new character, Lia Mara, who is the daughter of Karis Luran. We are afforded with one chapter from both Rhen's and Harper's perspectives as well. I really loved getting Grey's perspective in this one since I was longing for it in the last book. While I honestly missed Rhen and Harper's perspectives, it was refreshing to get other perspectives in this book.

I was This book definitely wasn't what I was expecting but I loved every moment. This book is told from the perspectives of Grey as well as a new character, Lia Mara, who is the daughter of Karis Luran. We are afforded with one chapter from both Rhen's and Harper's perspectives as well. I really loved getting Grey's perspective in this one since I was longing for it in the last book. While I honestly missed Rhen and Harper's perspectives, it was refreshing to get other perspectives in this book.

I was really surprised by how much I adored the characters in this book and the relationships that they have. Grey warmed my heart. I loved him so much in A Curse So Dark and Lonely and I knew that he wouldn't disappoint me in this book. He totally captured my heart. I also fell hard for Lia Mara. I warmed up to her immediately. I loved her personality. I loved getting more of Jake and Noah in this book. Tycho was such a darling. I loved Iisak's character as well. I loved the dynamic between Grey, Lia Mara, Jake, Noah, Tycho, and Iisak when they were traveling. They became such a unit and I adored their friendships. I also loved the sibling relationship that Lia Mara had with her sister, Nolla Verin. They were both so very different yet loved each other so very much. I felt that the character development was really great. For Grey and for Lia Mara.

I have to applaud Brigid Kemmerer for her storytelling skills. She writes books in such a way that the reader becomes enveloped in the story effortlessly.

The plot of this story is probably going to shock a lot of readers but I really loved it. I think that the author took a big risk in the story and I think that it totally pays off in the end. Granted, we still have one more book to go, but the way that this book plays out is very strategic. An overlying theme in this second installment of the Cursebreakers series is fear and how people react to it. And the way that some of the characters react to their fears in this book is pretty shocking. Apart from the story mechanics, the book has a great flow and definitely keeps the interest of the reader. I never knew what to expect, which I loved!

I really enjoyed the romance between Grey and Lia Mara. It felt very natural where Rhen and Harper's almost felt a little forced because of their circumstances. Grey and Lia Mara are a perfect match and they have undeniable chemistry with one another. I think that they also bring out the best in each other.

Overall, this is a clever and unexpected sequel that is brimming with political intrigue, betrayal, friendships, and unexpected allies. And with that ending, I am just itching for the final book in this series! I dare say that the next book with surprise us all more than this one has and I am totally on board for it!

More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2020 Jenn rated it liked it

Shelves: royalty, 3-star-reads, books-i-own, cover-love, read-in-2020, young-adult, fantasy, disappointed, do-you-believe-in-magic

Nooooooooooo

Guys, I am so sad right now.

After reading the AMAZINGNESS that was A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I was ready. I needed this book in my life to find out what happens to my precious Grey and how will Rhen and Harper survive and I just needed all the things!! I guess the saying is true, be careful what you wish for.

I DID NOT WISH FOR THIS!

I honestly don't know what happened...? I feel like this book just completely ignored everything that happened in the first one. But before I rage, let' ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2020 Tammie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-completed, fantasy, owned-ebook, young-adult, retellings, trilogy

Find the heir, win the crown. Win the crown, save the kingdom.

3.5 stars.

I loved the first book in this series. It was my favorite YA fantasy last year so there was a lot of hope going into this one that I would love it too. Well, I ended up not loving it quite as much as the first one, but it was still pretty good.

First, I need to say that I was expecting this book to include points of views from Harper and Rhen. We get a little of Rhen in the prologue and epilogue, but nothing from Harpe ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Dr. Andy rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2020

If you're looking for the book that follows Prince Rhen and Harper, this is not that book. If you want to know what happens to Grey and who exactly are these enemies from Syhl Shallow, then this is the book for you.

A Heart so Fierce & Broken is mainly told from two new POVs: Ex Commander of the Guard, Grey and the looked over daughter of Karis Luran, Lia Mara. Grey knows the truth now, he is the true Prince of Emberfall and Rhen's brother. Before killing Lilith in the mortal world, she told him If you're looking for the book that follows Prince Rhen and Harper, this is not that book. If you want to know what happens to Grey and who exactly are these enemies from Syhl Shallow, then this is the book for you.

A Heart so Fierce & Broken is mainly told from two new POVs: Ex Commander of the Guard, Grey and the looked over daughter of Karis Luran, Lia Mara. Grey knows the truth now, he is the true Prince of Emberfall and Rhen's brother. Before killing Lilith in the mortal world, she told him the truth of his birth and he has fled to try and protect Rhen from this truth. Lia Mara is Karis's older daughter, but not the one she has picked to be her heir. Karis is also determined to either ally with or rule Emberfall in order to gain access to trade ports and she's willing to use any tactic she can to get them. Lia Mara despises her mothers violent tendencies and dreams of peace, even if she isn't certain of how it could be achieved.

While I missed Harper's voice, I was swept away by both Grey and Lia Mara. I adored their characters and I really loved seeing their character arcs. I loved that Lia Mara was constantly trying to get everyone to stop depending on their weapons. Grey was so much fun and I really liked getting to know him in a role other than Commander of Rhen's guards. I've always been a little conflicted about Rhen as a character and this book definitely didn't help. He reminded me a bit of Tamlin from ACOMAF and that's not a good thing. Tamlin is irredeemable in my mind, but Rhen still has some promise at least.

I loved getting to see other parts of Emberfall besides the castle. Grey working as a stable hand was pretty laughable, but his friendship with Tycho was so adorable. Grey also begins to discover his magical abilities and it was so fun to see them develop. We also get to see a lot more of Syhl Shallow as a country and not just an enemy. I loved the relationship between Lia Mara and her sister, Nola Verin. While it was strained, I could tell how much they cared for each other.

I wasn't completely swayed by the romance in the beginning, especially since Grey was a bit hung up on Harper. But seeing Lia Mara and Grey become friends and beginning to rely on each other was so wonderful. They had a lot of fun banter too. The ending to this was one part THANK GOD and another part WTF JUST HAPPENED. I can't wait to see what will happen in the third and final book. I'm really hoping it will be narrated by Harper and Grey at the very least. ...more

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Feb 15, 2020 Susan rated it it was amazing

Love love LOVED this book!!! I wish the ending was a tad different but with that ending there has to be another book (at least I hope there is).

This story was about Grey and where he went once he killed Lilith in the first book.
(view spoiler) ...more

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Jul 31, 2019 Kayleigh {K-Books} rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-physical, fantasy

A Heart So Fierce and Broken Review on K-Books

"Choices are never easy. There are good and bad options, but the most dangerous is to not make a choice at all."

There are seriously no words to explain just how excited I am to be writing this review. I have been a huge fan of Brigid Kemmerer's and I was so excited when she first announced this series as fantasy books are my absolute favourite. A Curse So Dark and Lonely was my favourite read of 2018 and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the seq A Heart So Fierce and Broken Review on K-Books

"Choices are never easy. There are good and bad options, but the most dangerous is to not make a choice at all."

There are seriously no words to explain just how excited I am to be writing this review. I have been a huge fan of Brigid Kemmerer's and I was so excited when she first announced this series as fantasy books are my absolute favourite. A Curse So Dark and Lonely was my favourite read of 2018 and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel. I had such high expectations for A Heart So Fierce and Broken and it just went way above and beyond anything I could have wanted. In a word, this book was perfection!

A Heart So Fierce and Broken follows Grey, the rightful heir to the throne as he hides from Rhen in order to protect him from the truth. But as Rhen becomes more brutal in his hunt for the truth and an outside force threatening Emberfall once again can Grey stay hidden for long? Or is it better to fight for the throne, and the good of Emberfall?

Grey was my favourite character in the first book in this series so I was super excited that this one was going to follow him more. Even though I loved both Gray and Rhen in the first book, I definitely fell more and more in love with Grey the more I read of this book. He is one of my all time favourite characters from any book. He is just sweet and noble and will do anything to protect those that he loves. I absolutely adored the introduction of Lia Mara in this book. She is such a fantastic kick-ass character who wears her heart on her sleeve and will do anything to help protect the people... whether they are her people or the people of another kingdom. She is so perfect for Gray and their relationship in this book was everything I could have wanted! It was uplifting and heartwarming and I just adored it.

Brigid Kemmerer once again proved herself to be a master storyteller. Right from the start, I couldn't put this book down. She has just honed her craft so perfectly and I loved every single thing in this book. Her fantastic world building continued and her characterisation was brilliant. There is nothing bad I can say about this book. It was just stunningly beautiful and I can't wait to see what is going to happen in this series next.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken was perfection. I loved every single moment of it and I can't wait to read it again and again while I am waiting for the next book. The story and the characters I fell in love with in book one developed and twisted and I loved every second of the journey with them. This is fast becoming one of my favourite series of all time and one I will read again and again. If you haven't picked this one up yet, I highly recommend that you do. It was beautiful and brilliant.

"You say Rhen is a man of honour, but I believe you are. I saw it in Blind Hollow. Your people would love you. If you would give them the chance. If you would give yourself the chance."

...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2020 Tbirdplanstoread rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-hard-back, z-2020-read, owls-april-2020

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2019 Anna 'Bookbuyer' marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: own, own-kindle, own-to-read

So I got the special first chapter preview of this book and I almost don't want to read it cause then I have to wait 6 months till I get the rest! I might wait till like a week before pub date. Re-read the first book and then tease myself with the first chapter!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ ...more

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Mar 06, 2020 Margaret rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, retelling

I really enjoyed this second installment in the series. I loved that Grey got more story, I had wanted to find out more about him in the first book. Rhen, I don't really like Rhen in this book, but I'm sure I'm not supposed to. He's done some pretty unlikeable things. For Harper to still be backing him is interesting. We get to see more of Jake and Noah ( <3 ) and meet a bunch of new people. Iisack is very intriguing to me.
There was lots of excitement and action in this story, and I can't wait ...more

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Jul 28, 2020 Payal Banik rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, witches, magic, interesting, wizards, fiction, 2020

Liked the plot....but not the characters. In the previous book, Rhen was depicted as a protagonist however in this part, he was depicted exactly opposite. Which is fine coz I totally believe someone cannnot always be righteous all the time!! But I didn't like the way the positive characters were turned into negative characters. So I really liked Rhen from #1 and now author created a negative image for Rhen and failed to create any feelings for Grey.

Still a four rating...I liked the plot. ...more

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Apr 17, 2020 Maddie rated it liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, books-i-own-have-read, ya-fantasy

Was the whole first book totally useless -_- This felt like such a whole different story! Very disappointed with this one for the amount I was anticipating it. I like the introduction of two new POVs, but the characters felt like opposites of what they were previously, and I didn't like that. Everyone felt new to me. And the new POV was so typical. I hope the third one brings it back. ...more

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Jan 26, 2020 Melanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned

My feelings are mixed. I definitely didn't love this as much as the first one, but I think that was the plot. I'm really sad that the POVs changed, but I loved the ones that were in it... Just missed the old ones. I feel like I can't say much else without spoilers.... I called the ending though. ...more

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