I’m still pretty over the moon to have had a chance to read this book before its release date. Thanks, Bloomsbury! You’re the best!

I’d read some other reviews of the book early on that made me a little worried about reading A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN. Mostly, I worried that Rhen would end up being painted as this unlikeable character, and I just really like him, okay?! I didn’t want to lose my ability to like him.

No spoilers, though, so I won’t say more than this: I definitely felt my Team Rhen spirit challenged at times. But at the end of the day, I didn’t find this book to be one that forces you to choose between them. That’s certainly not what Grey wants, anyhow.

So, the real story: did I love it? YES. I loved falling back into the story world. I loved the return of characters from A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY. The new characters took a little getting used to– I wasn’t sure if they were going to trample my old loyalties or make me fall in love with them. I do have some new favorites. (Iisak, for instance.)

One of the things I’ve seen discussed a lot with this book is the very feminist rule of Karis Luran and her people. I liked that there were some conversations between Grey and Lia Mara about gender roles and equality, courtesy and independence. The story explored those ideas in a really natural way and showed that a man can be both courteous toward a woman and respect her as an equal.

I also loved the message that cruelty and strength aren’t the only kind of power. We see it in Emberfall as Rhen wrestles to bring his people back to faith in his rule. We see it as Lia Mara wrestles with her own value, because she’s been taught to believe that her mother’s way– cruelty and strength– are the only way to rule over others, and Lia Mara isn’t good at those things. She has the opportunity to appreciate and value her gifting as a strategist, and her strength of will and determination, even if her family or her people never appreciate those things.

While A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN does continue the story of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, it doesn’t continue with a new re-imagined fairy tale (which is fine… just pointing out the difference). It does leave plenty of room for a third book and lots more adventure with characters I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

If you like strong female characters and strong heroes, definitely add A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN to your list.

I discovered this series through the 2019 Teen Reads winner's list when A Curse Dark and Lonely caught my eye. As one of our YA book club selections, I quickly decided to read the Beauty and the Beast retelling to prepare for our mini Battle of the Books. I fell in love with Emberfall, Ren, Grey, and Harper. I honestly did not think I could love a book more... and then the sequel dropped.

Perfect timing for me, too! I was preparing my case for why Harper faced the greatest struggle as the MC (but I also wanted to know what happened next in her story). When I started A Heart So Fierce and Broken, I expected more of Harper. What I got instead, was a wonderful surprise. This book is all about Grey, and I am so OK with that.

If you are familiar with the series, you know the setting is richly developed and the characters have incredible backstories and growth. What this book does, however, is take you deeper into all of those elements through Grey's story. (I love him.) He is complicated and well developed. So. Many. Layers. If I were to battle it out with this book, Grey would definately have the upper hand for character growth and greatest struggle. I loved seeing him grow into his full potential as well as the support being offered from the new characters (or old characters seen in new ways).

There is also a new character that is pretty great too.

As this story develops, you're left wondering who you are rooting for. Before you cast your judgements, wait for the mic drop moment. It exaplains everything and will leave you itching for the final book.

The first book in this series was one of my favorite reads of the year, so I was so excited to jump right in to book number two. Unfortunately it was a bit of a let down for me. Don't get me wrong, it was still entertaining and I wanted to know what happened to my beloved characters, but I just really didn't connect with Grey in this book like I wanted to and I felt like the new leading lady didn't really hold my attention. I would still recommend this novel and will definitely read book three, but this one just wasn't my favorite. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first book, I just had to read this one. I was so excited to see it on Netgalley. A Heart So Fierce and Broken does not disappoint. It gives the read exactly what they were looking for after A Curse So Dark and Lonely ended. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves beauty and the beast retellings but also those who want a strong protagonist that knows what she wants.

Unfortunately I can't read on my computer screen because it gives me migraines. Had I known a Kindle review copy option was not available I would not have requested this book. I want to read it so badly, but will be finding a copy elsewhere. I wish I didn't have to leave a review for this, but I'm trying to keep up my Netgalley ratio and so I have to write something. Thanks so much to the pub for allowing me access. I only wish I could have read it!

I received a copy of A Heart So Fierce and Broken through Netgalley. I recently read A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I could NOT put that book down, so when I heard the sequel was coming out, I could not wait to read more about Grey. Love him! 😍😍😍
This book follows Grey and Lia Mara, both in difficult positions, Grey just finding out he’s the true heir of Emberfell and Lia Mara the rejected daughter of the queen of Syhl Shallow. I honestly missed Rhen and Harper in this book as I was so engrossed in their story in the first book, however, the development of Grey and Lia Mara’s characters throughout the book was fantastic. I grew to love them both. I cannot wait to read the next installment in this book series. ❤️

I was desperate to read this book after how much I loved the first installment in the series, but the format of this ARC never worked for me. I downloaded the additional app and followed all the directions, but it keep saying "There is no valid license for this pdf." I'm really disappointed! Star rating is SOLELY based on my accessibility to the book and not the book itself.

After the cliffhanger of book one I was so excited to get my hands on book two! This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down and I can not wait until 2021 for the third title!! The pacing in this one was even better than the first and I have to say that as Kemmerer does these amazing titles they just keep getting better and better. I hope that she does another fantasy/contemporary in the future. This story expands on what we learned in book one and I have to say that I loved every second of it. I need book three yesterday and I don't know what I am going to do until I get it.


Go Into This One Knowing: Must Read

One of the marks of a good series are those where you can start reading after book one and fairly quickly pick up the world and the events. An even better series makes you immediately go get the previous book(s). This is one of those books.

We're in a version of the Beauty and the Beast story, post-broken curse. Instead of continuing to follow Rhen and Harper, we spend time (and share POVs) with Lia Mara and Grey as they travel through Emberfell and escape to Syhl Shallow, along with their small group of not-so-merry, not-so-men. There were some times when the plot dragged, and there are a few coincidences that were overly contrived, but otherwise this was a good addition - and will leave readers waiting for the next book.

Me? I'm planning to read A Curse So Dark and Lonely as soon as possible.

eARC provided by publisher.

Amazing!! Back again for the sequel are the characters we loved from the first novel, along with some new and important names as well!!
Creative, magical, and diverse!! Just to name a few points!!
I love the Outlook on living with a disability as Harper does. As the mother of a child with a disability it touched my heart how strong, brave, and open Harper is.
It is nice to get a deeper look into the court politics and other characters. As always amazing writing from author Brigid Kemmerer I can't wait to get a physical copy too!!

Rarely does a second book in a series surpass the first, but A Heart so Fierce and Broken does. I was happy to leave Rhen and Harper behind in Emberfall and focus on Grey and the new addition Lia Mara. Lia Mara is an excellent character. Whereas Harper annoyed me in book 1, Lia Mara was a strong, focused female lead. I really enjoyed the development of Jake and Noah as well.

The book had two major "Whoah!" moments for me, and I can't wait until the third one comes out!

This was SO good. Even after reading my review from A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I can’t say that I remember a whole lot about the first book in this series. I remember liking it but not being completely in love. I also remember wanting to focus more on Rhen since he was the actual love interest/ part of the main couple BUT being more drawn to Grey instead. You see, Grey is my exact brand of BBF. He reminded me a lot of Chaol from the Throne of Glass series and anyone who knows me, should know that he is the damaged cinnamon roll of my heart.

As much as I feel bad saying this, too, I didn’t get into the book fully until after we leave Rhen and Harper in Emberfall and fully get to Grey and Lia Mara’s time together. Rhen does….some pretty shitty things in this book. I don’t think that they were really out of character for him for a number of different reasons however, I think there’s a good chance that it’s going to piss some die hard Rhen fans off when they read this…at least until they get to the epilogue.

Anyway, Grey not surprisingly, was a damn treat. Again, he is so like Chaol in the sense that he has this very specific sense of duty and honor and following orders without question because that’s all he’s done all his life. When he’s inevitably found and brought back to the castle, he refuses to tell Rhen that he’s the heir/the one with magic. He thinks he’s keeping Rhen safe and when Rhen does a certain something that I can’t say, his old and steady view of things drastically changes.

It’s then that the real story begins. He ends up on a journey with Lia Mara, eldest daughter (but not heir) of the queen of Syhl Shallow, a boy named Tycho that has become quite attached to Grey, a new magical creature called a scraver that is named Iisak, and Harper’s brother, Jake and boyfriend Noah round out the rag-tag group. Even though Jake annoyed me at first, he actually became a really well rounded character. I mean all of them, really. I felt like I was way connected to them than half the people mentioned in book one. Lia Mara was my favorite, though. She was so smart and kind and STRONG. Like the scene where she and Grey carried that deer to the fire…that was amazing. I loved how he just basically was this cheerleader for her and held her up with kind (but always very truthful) words. He made her see the potential in herself and that she WAS smart, kind, strong, and important. Also, their romantic scenes were so. Damn. Swoony. I want to go back and re-read them all immediately and probably will.

Overall I think this book had a lot more development than the first. Grey’s growth as a character in itself was beyond what I could have imagined. I had already been dying to see how things were going to pan out in book three but even more so after the epilogue.

First line: I miss knowing exactly what time it is.

Summary: Harper and Prince Rhen broke the curse over Emberfall but another threat is on the horizon. There are rumors of another heir. And he possesses magic.
Grey has left the enchantress in the other world but instead of returning home to Emberfall he looks for anonymity. He takes work at a stable, changes his name and tries to stay hidden from royal guards that may recognize their former commander. However, when a fellow guard appears in his small town he is taken prisoner and forced back to the palace to face Prince Rhen.

My Thoughts: I liked this book even more than the first one. I enjoyed getting a deeper look into Grey and who he is. I loved the addition of Lia Mara and the scraver. I have appreciated that Kemmerer has her heroines be someone who is underestimated. Harper has cerebral palsy. Lia Mara may be the eldest daughter but not the heir. She reads, likes the quiet and is determined to bring peace. But she still has spunk. I enjoyed every interaction between her and Grey.

I was really angry at the beginning because Rhen seemed different as soon as the curse ended. He was a wonderful character in the first book but I really hated him in this one. But with a twist that I was hoping was coming made me change my views. I cannot wait to see how the author will finish the trilogy. I especially want to see how the scraver and his people play a part in the finale.

And finally the covers are stunning!

FYI: Book one in the trilogy is A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

I loved this book as much as the first book! I enjoyed getting more of Gray's perspective. The author also did a great job of developing the relationships in the book, especially the friendships. I will absolutely be recommending this book, and the first, to all my students!

Most sequels never surpass their predecessors, but A Heart So Fierce and Broken surely did. This book has been one of my highly anticipated releases after reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely at the beginning of this year. I didn't think it was possible for anything to top ACSDL, but I was wrong.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken takes place shortly after the events of ACSDL. Instead of it being in Harper and Rhen's point of views, this book alternates between Grey and Lia Mara's point of view.

Can I just say how much I love these two characters? I was weary at first because I love Rhen and Harper with all my hear, but Kemmerer makes you fall in love with Lia Mara and her compassion and bravery. Of course, Scary Grey holds a special place in my heart.

Lia Mara is the oldest daughter to Karis Luran and all she wants is peace between Syhl Shallow and Emberfall. What could go wrong, right?

Kemmerer also introduces readers to a new cast of characters, Tycho and Iisak, while also bringing back familiar faces like Noah and Jake.

I don't know how I'm going to survive the next year waiting for the conclusion of this trilogy,

I’m thankful to Netgalley for this ARC.
As far as sequels go, this one stood strong. It didn’t suffer from the second book curse we so often hear about. There were several, several times I audibly screamed and threatened to throw my phone the shock of actions by the characters making me so angry. It’s rare to find books that aren’t predictable these days. The fact that I stayed on my toes, always on alert to what would happen next made this book remarkable. The new character is likeable and loveable and you enjoy her scenes greatly, but the absence of old characters leaves you anxiously reading for the moments in which they are in the story.

[Spoilers below]
The only reason I gave it four stars was because Rhen and Harper weren’t in it for the most part. Minus small scenes here and there and remarks made by them in passing, it was wholly a Grey book. While I liked the story in these pages, I wasn’t a fan of hate being given towards Rhen even though we know he isn’t perfect or the nicest at times. It actually puts Harper in a bad light to be willing to stay with such a guy. At the end of the book, you’re really pissed off at his actions and it seems very different from the way he was in the first book. I’m unsure of where this is going to go but I do expect someone important to die in book three. Who it is will remain a mystery to me. However, with the way book two went, I have my guess.

WHAT?! Yes. This title to this book is fitting. A heart so broken. Because this ending had me gasping and angry and broken. I'm already trying to figure out how to get the third one right now. I need to find blueprints to a time machine. This book follows our loyal cinnamon roll, Grey, and a brand new character that I also just adored. This book was so wonderful and I can't wait for the absolute soul crushing experience that I KNOW the third book will be.

The first book in this series left us with a rather startling revelation, and we pick up just a few months later, leaving the original Beauty and the Beast inspiration behind. Rhen and Harper only narrate a couple of chapters, with the focus this time being on Grey and a new character, Lia Mara.

Despite the (Book 1 spoiler here) end of Rhen's curse, Grey is still doing the best he can to protect the kingdom--which, this time, means disappearing and working incognito as a groom and general helper at a gladiator-style attraction. We get to know much more about him as a person.

Lia Mara--what can I say, I love her. I identify with her more than any other character in this series. Her self-doubts resonate. She wants to do the best she can for her country, even if it means not complaining when her younger sister is chosen over her as heir to the throne.

Of course, she and Grey meet and have to work together.

Peripheral characters are all well-drawn.

When we do see Harper, she is still her fierce self, convinced she can help everyone, loving Rhen even when he's a jerk.

And believe me, he's a jerk in this book. I did NOT like Rhen in this story at all, and I frankly got annoyed with Harper for continuing to support him. Hence my 4-star review.

We do get to see things through Rhen's eyes in the last chapter, and it's a bombshell. Kemmerer better write fast--the second book is not even released yet, and I'm dying for the next one.

Speaking of Kemmerer, I want to give her a shoutout here--she is so responsive to fans on Twitter!

I received an ARC of this from the publisher, via NetGalley, for my honest review.

Who might like this book: Those who like loyal, strong, but flawed characters. Those who like modern "real world" characters displaced into a fantasy world. Those who like adventure and romance. Probably ages 13 and up. This book is equally for boys or girls

Possible objectionable material: fighting, killing, lots of blood. Same-sex relationships. Magic.

I absolutely loved this book and it was exciting to see how this series has developed from a Beauty and the Beast retelling to a full high fantasy world of its own. I think I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first book because it wasn't constrained by retelling plot lines and had the freedom to develop interesting, compelling characters and have them interact in the world as it expanded as well. I wanted more of Grey after the first book and this one definitely delivered. Grey and Lia Mara are strong, determined, and willing to go above and beyond people's expectations of them to do what's best for the kingdoms they love. I love seeing a high fantasy that spends time with the people in the kingdom and not just the royals. That cliff hanger left me immediately wanting to read more! I think this book will delight readers of the first book and draw in new readers to this beautiful world.

I loved the first book in the series and was excited for this one. I liked getting Grey’s perspective and the events after the curse. I was not expecting Rhen to go the way he did and wasn’t entirely happy with it. The ending left me wanted more and I can’t wait for the next one in the series to see where it goes.