Emily R. King spins a tale of sailing and island exploration in her latest novel and first in a brand new trilogy, Before the Broken Star, making it the perfect summer read! There’s uncharted waters, a mysterious island to explore and a world conflicted by the gods. It has a storybook charm that makes it quick to read and ends with a cruel plot twist that will leave you reaching for its sequel! I want to thank Netgalley and Skyscape for the opportunity to read an early copy and review it.

“Could you become a monster to destroy one?”

This is definitely the constant question that Everley Donovan asks herself. This is a main character whose heart is filled with rage and revenge. Her story weaves much like the rumors surrounding Anastasia. She is the sole survivor of a targeted attack on her family, leaving her with one goal in mind; avenge her family by killing the very man who executed them.

“But I believe in monsters. I have seen them take and destroy, suffocate and shred, every sliver of light in the world. Monsters exist and Markham is the worst sort. He pretends he’s charming, but I have felt the coldness of his steel in parts of me that no man has seen or ever will see. He’s the vilest, most treacherous monster there is—the kind that feeds off the light.”

I liked how goal-oriented she was because it showed how committed she was in her mission. She didn’t flip flop which was really great because there’s nothing worse than a main character who can’t make up their mind. No, this girl had no doubt in her mind and the only time she second guessed herself was when those she cared for were caught in the crossfire. Her head was clear and her lust for revenge made her a treat to read. I wouldn’t call her an anti-hero but she was definitely different than most heroines because she wasn’t afraid to act to get what she wanted. She’s also not your typical 17-year-old girl hell-bent on revenge. She’s also working on borrowed time and that has everything to do with her clock for a heart. See when her family was killed, she looked straight into the man’s eyes as he drove the sword through her chest. Something that should’ve killed her and yet didn’t. Admirable and very Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. It was a great, unique way to cause more problems for her and she handled it with a stubborn grace.

“Neither of us would make a good wife. I’m not the doting sort, and you…darling, you’re as frosty as a blizzard.”

Her lust for revenge sends her chasing after Markham to this unknown island that only her father has explored. The Queen in this story has an idea that reminds me a lot of the tv show, The 100 where they send convicts (who are expendable) to sniff out and make sure that it’s actually safe and habitable and this is exactly what happens here. Convicts are sent to colonize this new island and Everley gets a first class ticket to the women’s ship and marriage was definitely not on her mind, but you know things never go according to plan. Enter Jamison Callahan, Lieutenant and second in charge. Oh and Everley’s new husband! I absolutely love the fake relationship tropes and this one was on point!

“Quinn, dance with Laverick and Claret. My wife needs to rest. ‘Don’t call me that.’ He winks at Quinn. ‘My wife is testy.”

Jamison is an honest, sweet, confident gentleman with a pretty great sense of humour. I devoured every scene with him because he was such a likable character. Most of the time the main character steals the show because they get the most time to develop but King was able to establish the same degree with Jamison. They were an evenly matched pair which I feel is rare. His relationship with Everley reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games power couple, Peeta and Katniss. Both of their personalities seem to be very closely matched and that dynamic made this an addictive read. This was naturally a slow burn romance due to their unconventional meet and abrupt marriage but if anything I think that made the story even better because it didn’t feel like an unrealistic insta-love story. These two took time and it definitely tries a person’s patience but it’s worth it. With the ending (don’t worry no spoilers here!) I definitely think he deserves better but he’s quite adorable and the perfect guy for Everley!

“You’re more than a girl with a clock heart. You’re Everley Donovan, born into this world to do great things.’ He tips his head against mine, his forehead to my temple. His deep voice curls into my ear. ‘You are not broken.”

Sorry! I also forgot to mention that this guy is definitely swoon-worthy!!! (Yes, every one of those exclamation points are necessary haha) This is a love story where she hates everything he stands for and he’s blinded by a promise to protect her.

The only downside I found with this book was the sheer amount of creation story involved because it was definitely a complicated world to understand and the lengths that King went to to explain became a little overwhelming. It was like she was too caught up in her world that she created, she forgot to explain in a more structured, less sporadic way of the events that unfolded to establish it. This is a slight criticism because it could definitely be a ‘me’ only problem but too much lore can muddle the plot and that’s what happened here for me. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked this book and her world was fascinating and the creation of it with a fairytale-esque feel definitely got me hooked. I enjoyed all the easter eggs of famous fairytales hidden in here and I must admit, that was pretty clever of King. I finished this book eager to start the next!

I absolutely loved this book. There is something about the way that Emily R King writes that I just can’t put down. It was such a neat concept that Everly’s heart is attached to time. The story flowed so nicely together that it was hard to stop reading. I didn’t expect Prince Killian, or what happened with the princess.. My only complaint is I felt the final battle was very built up and then just ended very quickly and abruptly.

The book started of interesting, but didn’t manage to keep my interest. The characters were bland, and the reasoning for what that was happening on the page did not hold the grounds for it to make sense to me. Like for example: they all know a certain character is a villain, and they have to team up with him. Later he does “evil” things and they are all shocked, as if they already didn’t know he was the bad guy? The whole book has too many different vibes for it to work for me as well, the pacing felt really off. So all in all, I didn’t really enjoy it, but was intrigued by some parts. 2/5 stars.

This book did a wonderful job of world building. The main character was interesting, strong, and well developed character.

I loved how this story just started right away. No long introductions before anything happened. Half way through it got a little slow again, but that wasn't really a bad thing for the story.

The main characters are described very well and you really get sucked into this elaborate world. It was just a really beautiful book.

3.5

I did enjoy this novel––the world-building, prickly, revenge-riddled Everly, and the myth and legends entwined with the story but the book at times dragged, the "surprise character reveal" at the climax was predictable, and I honestly do not feel any desire to read the next book.

I liked the beginning–learning about Everly, her clock heart, and the source of her revenge and when the villain revealed his true motive––this was my exact face 0____0

But at times, it was a little too predictable–––Like wow, the first guy introduced somehow turns into a love interest even if at first they are enemies, someone from Everly's past JUST HAPPENS to come at a crucial time, and she kinda just so happens to be the chosen one...

Overall, it was a well-appreciated change from the other YA novels that are romance driven and lack plot but I felt like the author held back––instead of focusing on the journey so much, give me ELEVES, MYSTICAL BEASTS, and JUST MORE FANTASY. DOn't promote fantasy and not deliver.

Before the Broken Star is the first book in the Evermore Chronicles and introduces us to Evelyn Donovon, a young woman living on borrowed time. She is the only survivor of her family’s brutal murder and lives for the day when she might meet the man responsible and see justice is done. She’s headstrong, determined, and owing to the company she chooses to keep, ends up on a penal colony on a cursed island.

There is a nice mix of magic and legend as Evelyn discovers that she, alone, can help uncover the centuries-old secret of the island.

I found Before the Broken Star to be an easy read. The worldbuilding was good and the plot was well-thought out with a couple of good twists. I prefer characters with a little more depth, but that didn’t deter from my enjoyment.

This book is a marvellous mix of magic and adventure, with an heroine that is strong-willed and has an enormous heart for those she loves. I absolutely loved all the characters (and hated the villainous ones). The misadventures bring her to a penal colony on a cursed isle, where everything she knew will be questioned.

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Before the Broken Star is the first book of The Evermore Chronicles by Emily R. King. I picked this one up on a whim as I was drawn in by the idea of this character with a clockwork heart. From the start, this story grabbed my attention and I found it to be a fairly quick read.

Everley Donovan is living on borrowed time. As the only survivor of her family’s assassination, she is determined to confront the person responsible for taking everything from her. As she finds herself on a cursed island uncovering secrets and finding things she never expected, Everley must figure out if revenge is really the most important thing. As a character, I loved her determination and willingness to sacrifice what she wants for the safety of those around her.

The story and the world building are done well by King and helped get me into the right frame of mind. I know this sounds weird, but I was immediately interested in this idea that women who were arrested were being sent to this penal colony (what is believed to be a cursed island) to essentially marry and populate the island in support of the Kingdom. The idea that these forced marriages would be a positive thing set my teeth on edge and then Everley finds herself married to a man she hardly knows. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Jamison had the right intentions, but it was definitely not what she wanted.

I like the relationship that developed between Everley and Jamison. They definitely don’t fully trust one another but there is something there between them from the very beginning and although they hit some bumps along the way, they do begin to build something.

There is plenty of action in this book to move the story along and quite a few twists that kept me turning the pages. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely check out the next book in the series to see what happens next.

This was a pretty interesting read. 

I really enjoyed the plot and all the craziness the main character went though. There are a ton of plot twists that kept me going during the entire book along with a mashup of unique aspects such as a clockwork heart, assassinations, and a mysterious island. 

The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of were the moments that I felt a bit bored sprinkled here and there. But, I don't think it made the story unbearable to continue because right around the corner was a plot twist to rejuvenate my reading experience. 

I gave this one 3 out of 5 stars. It was a great start to a YA Fantasy series. There are a lot of components to this book that I think there could be something fun to read for every fantasy reader.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book! It was fresh, original, captivating and well written.

Though I enjoyed this book as a rollicking good adventure story with a fierce female heroine, I was left somewhat wanting in the end. I understand authors have to leave some things unresolved for a sequel, but I could definitely have done with some more romance - because Jamieson is a snack. That said, some solid worldbuilding, a fast-paced plot and excellent supporting cast made this an all-round good read. Will be keeping an eye out for the sequel.

Everley is a survivor. She was the only one in her family to make it out of a massacre and she stays alive because she has a clockwork heart. Everley believes she knows who was behind her family’s deaths, but she quickly learns that not everything is as it seems. Now she is sentenced to 7 years on a penal colony and is expected to marry and help build a new world. She knows she must keep her clockwork heart hidden, but with love in the mix, that may not be as easy as she wishes.

Before the Broken Star is the first book in The Evermore Chronicles. This story begins like most steampunk novels and quickly morphs into a totally different adventure. It is hard to classify it into one genre, but readers of steampunk, adventure and fantasy will all enjoy these pages. King has created a storyline that made me want to return to the book often so that I could finish it quickly. The second book is scheduled to be released in August and I will be willingly waiting for the opportunity to continue this adventure.

More often than not, when I pick a YA fantasy up, I am not expecting to be surprised. Entertained, maybe, and possibly charmed, but not surprised. Never surprised. I feel like if I do, I am setting myself up for disappointment on purpose.

Because rare are the YA fantasy books that are so original they don’t immediately remind you of previous fantasy books you’ve read. This is why it’s extremely easy for readers and professionals to market those stories as ‘‘said book’’ meets ‘‘said book’’. It’s when you’re unable to do that when you review a book that you realize that what you hold in your hands is completely fresh. And isn’t that an amazing feeling? I MEAN THE MAIN CHARACTER RELIES ON A CLOCKWORK HEART TO STAY ALIVE. Was this written for me or was this written for me?

The characters were very believable, with their feelings, confusion and mistrust. Emily R. King fully had me immersed in this story and I'm here to stay.

Thank you Netgalley and Skyscape for an edition of this book to read for my honest review!
--- I was approved for the second book in the series first so I was glad when this one popped up as well!

This book follows Everly who is living on borrowed time gifted to her by none other than Father Time himself. It follows Everly as she delves into this magical fantasy world in which the fairy tales children hear at night before bed are the truth. Revenge it what guides her throughout the tale even as others tell her that her need to seek revenge is misguided.

I thought that King did an excellent job building this world up and the possibility of seven different realms to explore leaves a lot of possible story to tell. The revenge that guides Everly is heartbreaking and makes you feel her anguish while relating to her character and the strength she shows at each step. While the twist was somewhat expected since a true villain was needed I was glad that doubt was placed into our minds until the very last second, and then immediately ripped out our (not clock) hearts!

Overall, the tale was unique and the main heroine was someone you couldn't help but want to root for. I read this book after a mini-marathon of reading and I still couldn't manage to put it down even though my eyes were exhausted!

Kings builds another detailed fantasy world while a strong female protagonist. Everley is living on borrowed time with a specific mission--avenge the deaths of her family. The time has arrived to see her plan to fruition; however, her nemesis is not what he seems. Highly adventurous with good plotting and character development.

Every now and then you come across a story that kind of sticks with you. And though most fantasy stories do not resonate with me on that level, even though I love them, this one kind of did. This is a reimagining of the Pinocchio story and I was not so sure I would like it at all but just the opposite of is true, I loved it!



This story is about a girl named Everly who is out for vengeance against the man that killed her family and left her to die. Raised by her uncle who gave her a clockwork heart so that she may live she nearly throws it all away in her pursuit for justice.



Banished to a wild island that her family’s murderer governs she finds herself lost in a fairy tale where she finds the answers to her questions are nothing like she thought. In the end can Everly finish what she came to the island to do and lose herself, or will she finds greater a purpose?



Emily R. King is the author of the Hundredth Queen series which has pretty good reviews though I’ve never read them. With Before the Broken Star I feel she had written a masterful work of art. I feel like her writing is effortless it just flows and ignites the imagination.



Before the Broken Star feels like real life in an old world fantasy setting. I loved the world building and the evolvement and depth of the characters. There are many surprised in-store for readers of this book.



To all my fantasy loving booklings I dare say you’ll love this book too, and the rest of you will likely love it too!



I am giving this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars. Look for a review coming soon of it’s sequel, which I can’t wait to read, Into the Hourglass.



Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.

[Excerpt]:

I haven’t read any of Emily R. King’s books before, although I do have her Hundredth Queen series on my “want to read” list because a) the covers are beautiful and b) the premise seems right up my alley! So when I saw King had a series up on NetGalley, I didn’t think twice about requesting a copy.

“Before the Broken Star” caught my interest for one reason: the main female protagonist has a clock heart. That right there screams “emotional mess” to me, and I’m always here for female MCs who don’t know how or can’t handle their emotions for one reason or another. A clock heart is a pretty good reason to struggle with life.

After the brutal murder of her family, Everley Donovan has lived with her uncle in his clock shop as an apprentice. All the while, however, she’s been preparing to avenge her family by going after the man responsible: Killian Markham. He killed her parents, butchered her siblings, and stabbed her through the chest with his sword, thus forcing her uncle to construct a clock heart so that Everley could live. She’s always felt like she’s been living on borrowed time because a clock heart, like most self-sufficent mechanisms, don’t last forever.

[Full review on my blog!]

I love Emily R.King and this vook was no exception.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis
It’s been 10 years since Everley watched a man abuse and slaughter her entire family right in front of her. She can still hear her sisters screams in her nightmares and see her mother’s lifeless eyes as she lay in a pool of her own blood. She would have joined them as the man plunged the sword into her chest if it hadn’t been for her uncle. Since then she has lived with a clock in her chest where her heart should be. The clock heart shouldn’t work, it shouldn’t function as an organ to keep her alive, but it does. She can’t help but feel one day Father Time will come to her and claim the time she has stolen. Until then, Everley is full of thirst for revenge for the man who took everything from her. Killian Markham. Unfortunately, she wasn’t as prepared as she would have liked when he casually worked into her uncles shop completely unaware of who she was and the raging intensity of her hatred towards him. She pushed through all her emotions and allowed herself to be taken prisioner on one of his ships sailing out to the cursed Dagger Island to claim her chance once and for all. It was worth everything she had to discover the truth.

‘”You mustn’t go,” Uncle Holden pleads. “The store, the workshop, our home – this will all be yours someday.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” I say, lowering my hood. “But I’ve lived longer than either of us thought possible. I cannot let this time go to waste.”
Sweeping my cloak behind me, I dash into the cover of night.’

My Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was so unique and satisfying I couldn’t put it down!
Everly was a brilliantly written character with a dark haunting past that she cannot lay to rest, the evidence on her body is encouragement to find and destroy the man that tore her life apart. I absolutely loved her clock heart, gift from Father Time that had saved her the night her family was murdered. A constant reminder that time is precious but instead of living each moment, Everly spends her time waiting for revenge. Training with a sword to strengthen herself for when the opportunity arose to use it on the one person who has plagued her nightmares for years. She’s brave, courageous and pushes past her limit to save others. It’s endearing to see her develop affection for those around her, feelings she tried to fight off, particularly with Quinn and Jamison.
Lieutenant Jamison Callahan was extremely intriguing. A high ranking officer born of privilege willing to risk his future to save Everley, a girl he barely knew in order to keep his promise to protect her. He married her without a thought and kept her safe in his cabin whilst sleeping on the floor for the entire journey to Dagger Isle. He claims they want the same thing, and that their marriage won’t change any feelings towards one another. But when he starts to put her above everything else, you can’t help but wonder where it will lead. Falling for a girl without a heart.

‘He bends and rests his ear over the ticker. Each beat echoes through my head as though my own ear is pressed to my chest. He straightens and touches under my chin.
“You’re a marvel,” he says.
“No-”
“Yes. These years you were given are a gift. Don’t be so distracted with what keeps you alive that you neglect to live.”
I duck my whin, burying it in my loose dress. Though I am still mostly covered, I feel completely naked.’

The storyline was fantastic, you don’t know what’s going to take place when they arrive at the cursed island where they plan on spending the next 7 years in banishment. An island Everley’s father discovered which lead rumour to the Ruined Kingdom, story read to children full of mythical creatures and pure fantasy. Or is it? The surprising twists and unexpected plot holes will keep you hooked and craving more. The best part is, it doesn’t end here. This is only the first book of The Evermore Chronicles. I’ve already preordered her next book, Into The Hourglass!