🔍
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber book cover
BookPediaBooksYoung Adult FictionThe Ballad of Never After
Young Adult Fiction

The Ballad of Never After

Photo of Stephanie Garberby Stephanie Garber
Published
📅 2024
Read time
⏱️ ~4h
Language
🌐 EN
ISBN
🔖 9781250268433
✅ Who should read this: Young adult readers and fans of romantic fantasy who enjoy magical worlds, dark fairy tales, and enemies-to-lovers dynamics.

📘 About This Book

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Stephanie Garber’s THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER is the jaw-dropping sequel to the ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak Not every love is meant to be. After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away. But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him. Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can. . . .

📖 Summary

The Ballad of Never After is the enchanting and jaw-dropping sequel to Stephanie Garber's bestselling novel Once Upon a Broken Heart. This young adult fantasy novel continues the mesmerizing journey of Evangeline Fox and the notorious Prince of Hearts, Jacks, diving deeper into a world brimming with dark magic, tantalizing mystery, and profound heartbreak. At the start of this new chapter, Evangeline is dealing with the painful aftermath of a severe betrayal. After Jacks crosses her, Evangeline vows that she will never trust him again. She has also recently discovered her own hidden magic, and she believes this newfound power is the key to restoring the chance at her happily ever after, which Jacks selfishly stole away from her. However, the magical realm is rarely straightforward, and safety is an elusive concept. Plans change abruptly when a new and terrifying curse comes to light, threatening everything in its path. Faced with this impending doom, Evangeline finds herself forced into a tenuous and reluctant partnership with the Prince of Hearts once more. This time, however, the rules of their dangerous game have fundamentally changed. Jacks is no longer the only force or villain that Evangeline needs to be wary of as she navigates her treacherous path. In a stunning twist of fate and circumstance, the infamous Prince of Hearts might actually be the only person she can truly trust, or at least the only one capable of helping her survive what lies ahead. Stephanie Garber weaves a rich tapestry of romance and peril, keeping readers guessing at every turn as Evangeline uncovers deeper layers of her own identity and the complex motives of the immortals surrounding her. The narrative explores the high stakes of vulnerability, the complexity of forgiveness, and the blurred lines between enemies and allies. As Evangeline presses forward into the unknown, readers are treated to a lush, atmospheric adventure filled with unexpected alliances, perilous bargains, and the lingering ache of a romance that defies easy definitions. This installment elevates the tension and expands the lore of the universe, offering a captivating read for anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings with a dark and romantic twist.

🎯 Key Lessons

1Trust is difficult to rebuild once it has been broken by betrayal.
2Discovering one's inner strength and magic can change the course of destiny.
3Sometimes old enemies must become reluctant allies to face a greater threat.
4Rules and dangers in magical bargains always change when new curses arise.
5Not every love story follows a traditional path to a happily ever after.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

Engaging and immersive continuation of the story and world-building

Dynamic and complex relationship between Evangeline and Jacks

Introduction of high-stakes curses and mysterious new forces

Rich blend of romance, magic, and heartbreak

⚠️ Cons

Characters face heavy emotional turmoil and betrayal

Trust is severely tested, making the romance complicated

✍️ About the Author

Photo of Stephanie Garber, author
Stephanie Garber

Stephanie Garber (b. 1984) is an American author best known for the 'Caraval' trilogy, a bestselling young adult fantasy series known for its lush, magical settings.

View all books →

❓ FAQ

Who is the author of The Ballad of Never After? +

The book is written by Stephanie Garber.

What book in the series is this? +

It is the jaw-dropping sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart.

Who are the main characters featured in the story? +

The story stars Evangeline Fox and Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

What triggers Evangeline and Jacks to work together again? +

They enter into a tenuous partnership after a new terrifying curse is revealed.

What genre does this book belong to? +

This book belongs to the young adult fiction genre.

💬 💬 Reader Comments (0)

Loading comments...

Similar Books

View all →
Looking for Alaska by John Green - Young Adult Fiction book cover

Looking for Alaska

John Green

260 pagesMedium
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - Young Adult Fiction book cover

Hush, Hush

Becca Fitzpatrick

432 pagesHard
The Maze Runner by James Dashner - Young Adult Fiction book cover

The Maze Runner

James Dashner

386 pagesMedium
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - Young Adult Fiction book cover

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

250 pagesMedium
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - Young Adult Fiction book cover

The Cruel Prince

Holly Black

355 pagesMedium
Bajo la Misma Estrella / the Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Young Adult Fiction book cover

Bajo la Misma Estrella / the Fault in Our Stars

John Green

304 pagesMedium

Related Articles

All articles →
The Art of Deep Work: Master Focus in a Distracted World

The Art of Deep Work: Master Focus in a Distracted World

Discover the art of deep work and learn proven strategies to master intense focus, eliminate distractions, and produce your most meaningful, high-value work every day.

10 min read

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: A Deep Dive Review

Explore a comprehensive review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Discover why this magical debut still captivates readers globally.

5 min read

فن العمل العميق: كيف تحقق إنجازات استثنائية في عصر التشتت

اكتشف فن العمل العميق وكيف يمكنك تحقيق إنجازات استثنائية بالتركيز الكامل بعيداً عن التشتت الرقمي وضوضاء العصر الحديث.

5 min read

Why Sleep Matters More Than You Think: The Science

Discover why sleep is your body's most powerful tool for health, memory, and longevity — and how to finally get the quality rest you deserve.

8 min read

More by Stephanie Garber

View all →
Caraval by Stephanie Garber - Fiction book cover

Caraval

Stephanie Garber

416 pagesHard
Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber - New York Times bestseller book cover

Ballad of Never After

Stephanie Garber

Medium
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber - New York Times bestseller book cover

Once Upon a Broken Heart

Stephanie Garber

432 pagesHard
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber - Juvenile Fiction book cover

A Curse for True Love

Stephanie Garber

368 pagesMedium
Legendary by Stephanie Garber - Young Adult Fiction book cover

Legendary

Stephanie Garber

0Medium