In every review I write about a Kemmerer book, I always mention the authors brilliant skill in writing good friendships. This book was no exception. I really LOVE Grey. He reminds me of Geralt from The Witcher because he's very stoic and contained but sharp and tactful when he needs to be. That combination of gentleness and wanting to do what's right mixed with absolute lethal power is so intriguing to me, so I liked it when the story focused on his development. Also, the new characters in this book were so much fun to read about. I love Lia Mara and Tycho, and even side characters from book one like Noah and Jake grew on me. Grey was always loyal to Rhen and then to Harper as well. He and Harper became great friends, and when he disappeared they both thought he was dead. In AHSFAB, Grey is still the noble and formidable warrior, but also intelligent and relentless in his drive to do what he thinks is right. He is still loyal to the Kingdom and to Rhen despite everything he has learned and gone through. Grey is a true Hero.

A Heart so Fierce and Broken (Audio Download): Brigid A Heart so Fierce and Broken (Audio Download): Brigid

I swear if any of the four die in the next book, I will FOREVER HATE THIS SERIES FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE! And don't come for me like "oh he's different now because he's away from Rhen and his duty!!". Like yeah, sure, character development is expected and appreciated. I was happy to see him smile and form bonds with people for a change that did not purely rely on a master and servant dynamic. He's precious and deserves the world. But there's that and then there's not even recognizing a character's fundamental traits anymore. The one thing I can't figure out about this is how the characters we loved in book one are becoming villainized. It's definitely an interesting take to see these characters pitted against one another, especially after learning more about them and the ways they hold each other's lives at stake. But actions Rhen took in this book and the way he spoke to Grey just made him completely irredeemable for me, and I almost consider the Cursebreakers series about Grey rather than Rhen at this point.My throat tightens. I turn to look out over the courtyard again, hoping the breeze will drag my tears away. "He was trapped with you for ... ever," I say. "Forever, Rhen. "How could you do that to him?"

A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN | Kirkus Reviews A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN | Kirkus Reviews

I made a moodboard for this book and was planning to write an elaborate review, but I’m so damn conflicted about this installment that I can’t say for sure how I feel about all of it. I think my definition of a sequel compare to this author’s must’ve been vastly different bcs this book was not at all what I pictured a continuation of a series would be like. After sleeping on it for almost two weeks, I think I’m just going to settle for a moderate rating. I feel like this book is an SJM Tower of Dawn sort of book, a little pointless but enjoyable to read nonetheless. Grey and Lia Mara are deeply in love. Grey respects her intelligence, compassion and tenacity. At the end of A Vow So Bold and Deadly it is revealed that Lia Mara is pregnant with Grey's child.My final critique of this book is that I would have preferred it to have included more than just Grey and Lia Mara’s points of view. Excluding the first and final chapters, the entire book alternates between Grey and Lia Mara’s perspectives, which causes the story to feel lopsided and biased. We are unable to view events through the eyes of Rhen or Harper and have to take Grey and Lia Mara’s descriptions of events at face value. The good Jake and Grey had a rough start, with Grey dragging Harper along with Jake and his boyfriend Noah to Emberfall in an attempt to save them from being shot. The two have been at odds, their opinions often colliding. Over time, the two of them grow to respect each other - so much, that Grey sees Jake as one of his best friends. There are 50 chapters and an epilogue. The story is told from the points of view of Grey, Lia Mara, Harper, and Rhen. Noah seems to be the only one who truly has his shit together anymore, and even though he's mostly trapped in side character hell, I found him to be one of my favorite people in general still. All I'm going to say about the new otp is that: Grey and Lia Mara work so well together, I cannot deal with their brand of cuteness. Their personalities compliment each other and I'm very much jealous of Lia Mara.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken: Brigid Kemmerer (The

Transition and pacing. One of the things I can say that honestly did not disappoint in this book was the pacing. Sometimes fantasy novels fall into the trap of having a lull in the middle of the story up until the end but this kept me engaged when I was reading it...even if I didn't actually like what I was reading. And the transition from book one to book two flowed super well in my opinion. The author does a great job of recapping book one without ever making it boring or redundant.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is a darker story than its predecessor in many ways, starting from the audience’s realisation that Rhen may not be the hero to the moral conflicts each of our protagonists face. Grey doesn’t want to challenge Rhen for the crown, but he may not have a choice except to defy the king he once served if he wishes to survive and protect his people. Lia Mara wants for everyone to live and be happy, but that is a naïve wish that doesn’t take into account the history of bloodshed and violence between Emberfall and Syhl Shallow which will not so easily be smoothed over. At what point does she end up as a traitor to her people if she continues pushing for reconciliation despite the deaths that have occurred on both sides?

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer Editions of A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

An eternity at Prince Rhen's side, surviving his monster, surviving Lilith, surviving as a guardsman, and I'm going to die in the leaves beside a campfire because I was stupid .” What we do know is what’s most important: this prince’s reign will come to an end, one way or another.” The sequel did not disappoint! The relationships soared, the action was heart-pounding, and the cliff-hanger made me tear up a little bit. Or a lot. I KNOW people do not like love triangles. Hell, I don't need love triangles in 99.998% of cases either, but this might be one of the rare ones where I would have preferred that over what we actually got. so even though this is not the sequel i wanted or was hoping for, once i put all of my expectations aside and just enjoyed this for what it is, i really had fun reading this. i hope other readers will be able to do the same.Earlier this year I read A Curse So Dark and Lonely and I truly loved it. I was so excited to get to the next book, A Heart So Fierce and Broken. I’ve got to say, I have mixed feelings about this one. There were things about it I actually liked a little more than the first, but there were also things (Rhen…) I liked less. Yes, you can. You can get out of here just like I can.” He leaves the window to stop in front of me, and when he speaks, his voice grows quiet. “He’s not your warden either. You don’t have to spend your nights waiting up for him.”