Booklist Reviews
Harper, a girl from the mortal world, helped to break the curse holding the kingdom of Emberfall and Rhen, its prince, captive, but there's no happily ever after in sight. The breaking of the curse has unleashed a political maelstrom, complicating relations between Emberfall and its distrustful neighbors. And Grey, Rhen's guardsman and most loyal companion, has vanished—he has discovered the true heir to Emberfall and wants to spare Rhen the truth. But to Rhen, it seems as though Grey has betrayed him. And when Grey appears to ally with the queen of Syhl Shallow and her daughters, including the cunning Lia Mara, those fears are confirmed. While Harper and Rhen were the primary focus of A Curse So Dark and Lonely (2019), Grey and Lia Mara narrate the bulk of this second series entry, which leaves the Beauty and the Beast–style narrative in the first book behind for a more Arthurian story line here. Action packed, deeply romantic, and more focused than its predecessor, this volume creates more problems than it solves, keeping readers eagerly on the hook for the next installment. Grades 7-10. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.
ForeWord Magazine Reviews
Continuing her inventive reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer blends magic, romance, and the growing specter of war in A Heart So Fierce and Broken.
With the curse broken and the enchantress Lilith defeated, Prince Rhen attempts to return Emberfall to normalcy, but whispers of a true heir threaten his position and leave him vulnerable to the ruthless Karis Luran of the neighboring Syhl Shallow. After learning he is the rightful heir, Grey—Rhen's most loyal guardsman and friend—leaves Ironrose Castle, believing his absence to be the only way to protect Rhen.
When Lia Mara, Karis Luran's daughter, arrives seeking peace, she is met with the violence that has grown typical of Rhen against his people's revolts. Grey, found and imprisoned along with newfound friends, also sees Rhen unraveling and forms a wary alliance with Lia Mara in order to escape. Alliances deepen to friendship and further as the group heads to Syhl Shallow, witnessing episodes of Rhen's cruelty along the way, but it is nothing compared to the threats that await in Karis Luran's court.
Best read as the sequel it is, the novel adds to the intricate world building of the first volume. Magical elements are expanded upon, as are returning characters, and many questions are put to rest, while intriguing jumping-off points are raised for the series finale. The focus shifting to Grey offers an opportunity to examine the double-edged sword of loyalty and love, and Lia Mara is a refreshing introduction, a headstrong heroine who refuses to sacrifice compassion for strength.
Tension builds naturally, both within relationships and the political climate. Diplomatic maneuvering and royal intrigue abound as Grey and his allies walk a tightrope over the viper's nest of Syhl Shallow, leading to a climactic choice for Lia Mara that opens up enticing possibilities.
A white-knuckle fantasy begging to be read in one sitting, A Heart So Fierce and Broken has a satisfying end and promises excitement to come.
© 2019 Foreword Magazine, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Kirkus Reviews
A group of young people forge unexpected bonds that are tested when they must choose between love and duty. The enchantress's curse has been broken, but no happily-ever-after awaits Princess Harper and Prince Rhen; Rhen struggles with severe PTSD while rumors spread of an heir with magical abilities, weakening his claim to the throne. While the queen of Syhl Shallow regroups after a failed invasion, her elder daughter, 18-year-old Lia Mara, makes a doomed attempt to negotiate peace with Rhen. Meanwhile, Rhen's former guard commander, Grey, has been captured and questioned about his knowledge of the mysterious heir. When Rhen's conditioned fear of magic leads him to do the unthinkable, Lia Mara helps Grey escape. Their journey, told through alternating first-person perspectives, provides a Cook's tour of both countries, prompting thoughtful consideration of their distinct social and cultural traditions—and just enough time for romance to blossom. Like Harper in A Curse So Dark and Lonely (2019), Lia Mara proves herself the undisputed hero right up to the stunning conclusion. T his sweeping, romantic epic repeatedly turns the tables on the fantasy tropes that readers might be expecting. Apart from Harper's brother's boyfriend, who is black, the majority of characters appear to be white; Harper has cerebral palsy. This nuanced sequel offers new perspectives and emphasizes the value and complexity of both sibling and romantic relationships. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright Kirkus 2019 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.