Quick Thoughts: A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken

(Cursebreakers #2)

by Brigid Kemmerer

January 29, 2020

Goodreads Summary:

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.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been 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?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Review

After finishing A Curse So Dark and Lonely I could not wait to dive into A Heart So Fierce and Broken! My sole reason being Grey. Yep. He completely stole my heart in the first book! I desperately needed to see what became of him. Also I just generally needed more of him ;P

What I Liked:

- the story picked up right after the events of ACSDaL

- the writing had me on an emotional roller coaster

- the uncertainty of a bright future after so much deception

- the always present knot of tension

- such intense confrontations between beloved characters

- seeing more of Grey:

   - a new side that's not the Commander

   - his complicated feelings towards Rhen

   - the slow changes

   - his brotherly affection for Tycho (and Rhen)

   - learning (to control) his magic

- Lia Mara's cleverness and kind heart

- all of me was invested in Grey and Lia Mara's romance:

   - an irresistible slow burn!

   - its quiet and gentle nature

- Grey and Jake's hostile-to-friends interactions

- Lia Mara and Nolla Verin's genuine and sweet sister bond

- seeing Harper standing resolutely by Rhen's side

- the most heartbreaking of choices

The Not So Much:

- it makes for a juicy story but man is it convenient for Grey to be the true heir

- I'd very much like to tear that Epilogue out, please and thank you

"Choices are never easy. There are good and bad options, but the most dangerous is to not make any choice at all." (p. 367)

"To rule is to take on the weight of all your people, to become leader instead of follower. To become parent instead of child." (p. 368)