A Heart so Fierce & Broken (Cursebreakers #2) by Brigid Kemmerer - Restarting November 18th 2021

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

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.

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.

[HeatherH]

Started this tonight and up through chapter 10!

(view spoiler)[ While I was so excited to be jumping back into this world, it feels like it is dragging a bit and I'm really hoping some action starts happening. Looks like Grey is about to be reunited with Rhen and Harper so maybe that will help.. And Rhen arresting the Princess. That can only lead to trouble I'd imagine!

Rhen is kinda...bleh so far. I liked Grey better in book one but was totally satisfied with Harper+Rhen but if he stays like this.. eh, I won't be rooting for him much longer. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

I have a feeling this will be another ‘read a bit then find chapters have raced by’. Unfortunately, I’m waiting for my hold to come into the library. Fingers crossed I’ll get it in the next few days.

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "I have a feeling this will be another ‘read a bit then find chapters have raced by’. Unfortunately, I’m waiting for my hold to come into the library. Fingers crossed I’ll get it in the next few days."

Keeping fingers crossed for ya! I started with the audio because I was working on some other stuff but not a fan of narration so will continue with the physical book within the next day or so.

[Katie]

Started this one!!!! I don't have my book in front of me right now, but according to my app, I'm about 18% through.

^^ I agree with Heather's comment up about about it... (view spoiler)[ dragging a bit. It's not that I don't enjoy it, but it's a slower start than the first book for me. I think it's because the characters are still split up. I'll give some more updates when I get the book in front of me :) (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

ch 15
(view spoiler)[ I'm really trying to go at this as a whole new book on it's own rather than a sequel because it just isn't the sequel I hoped for. Rhen is so bleh, Harper is almost non-existent as you mentioned. I love Grey and I'm starting to enjoy Lia Mara's chapters more now that I'm accepting that this isn't going to be a continuation of the characters I loved from book one but rather an exploration of other characters in the same world coming into play. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Ch20
(view spoiler)[ WTH RHEN?! Whipping grey and tycho?! I can’t even. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

HeatherH wrote: "ch 15
[spoilers removed]"


My opinions about the characters are the same, Heather! (view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed Rhen in the first book, and I wonder if it's because his point of view is missing in this book that I don't quite enjoy him as much now. He was so adorable winning over Harper's heart, and both of them communicated so well to each other. I miss it! And Harper was one of my all time favorite YA characters from last year, so to have her on the sideline this book, just feels like a waste of a nicely built up character. I was so excited to have her brother around, and he also disappeared right away in the book. I kind of thought this book would be a continuation of their story, and it's really not so far. I'm all for new characters and world building, but I hope it starts making a bit more sense to why we added other points of view that just aren't quite as good as Harper's and Rhen's. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15- (view spoiler)[ We've been introduced to some new characters, which is taking me a bit to get used to. I would say there are *almost* too many new characters to care about, but they have already killed off Lia Mara's guard, so we're down one now. I was honestly excited to hear from Grey's point of view, but for some reason, he doesn't seem as witty or as charming in this book. He was just brought to Rhen, so I'm hoping their friendship and relationship can be fixed! And I hope there will be more to Harper's brother. Why bring him here if he's not going to be a part in this book?? (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Through Ch 35
(view spoiler)[ I'm really into this idea of Grey as king and Lia Mara by his side so I'ma need that to happen. Also, I LOVE JAKE AND NOAH! I'm so glad they are getting more page time finally!! I want Harper to be a bigger part but also enjoying this separate story of Grey and Lia.

And, Isaac? ADORE! (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

I can't wait to read this! I still have to finish Starry Eyes before this but I'm trying to crank it out so I can start this immediately. I've waited too long for this book xD

[Katie]

^^ Awesome, Klancy!

[Katie]

Chapter 18- (view spoiler)[ I think I'm getting used to being in these new character's heads! I think...HA! Let's just say I feel like I'm getting invested in the new characters :) (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Email received-should be in the library on Friday. Weekend sorted!

[HeatherH]

Katie wrote: "Chapter 18- [spoilers removed]"

Took me a minute as well but now I'm loving it!

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "Email received-should be in the library on Friday. Weekend sorted!"

Looking forward to your thoughts as you read!

[Katie]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch20
[spoilers removed]"

!!!!!!!!!!!!! (view spoiler)[ YIKES!! This was tough to read. :( :( I had a feeling Rhen would hurt Grey for answers, but Tycho??! Little too far... I just want them to find out they are brothers and figure out how to make it work....I miss their friendship so much! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23- (view spoiler)[ I'm really loving this now...Something clicked in the last few chapters that I'm really enjoying the new characters now, and I'm very excited to see how all the story arcs come together!!!! I'm also so happy that Harper's brother is back in the picture and has so much animosity towards Grey. I love Grey, but I do enjoy the tension there! So glad Harper helped Grey escape! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Chapter 25- (view spoiler)[ I'm really enjoying Lia Mara's character! The chapter of her hunting for dinner and her conversation with Grey was a really good moment! Such strong females in this YA book! It's nice to read! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

So excited to start one. :D

[HeatherH]

Katie wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Ch20
[spoilers removed]"

!!!!!!!!!!!!! [spoilers removed]

Chapter 23- [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I adore Grey and Jake's interactions through this whole thing! Truly one of my favorite parts of it all! (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ While this wasn't what I had hoped for, I ended up really loving Grey and Lia Mara's journeys and the set up for the big finale! I'm sad that Rhen turned into another Tamlin-ish character and that Harper was almost non-existent here, but otherwise this was a pretty solid middle book! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Oooo definitely count me in sometime in the next week!

[Katie]

Chapter 35- (view spoiler)[ Loving it! But I hope something isn't up with Iisak...something just seems off with him being captured and not saying much to Lia Mara about it except how "she needs a lesson on kindness and vulnerability so very badly." I want LIA as QUEEN!! (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Andrea wrote: "Oooo definitely count me in sometime in the next week!"

Yay!! I'll be stalking for comments hah!

[Katie]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ WOW! I ended up liking this! I ended up enjoying the new characters, but it just took me a bit too long to get completely invested in the new characters, and I was hoping to have a bit more of Rhen and Harper at the end of this. Harper was one of my favorite characters from last year, and I was very bummed to not have her play a more important part in this book. But, I love Grey, and Jake!! And I'm so glad that Lia became queen! Good build up for the next book! I enjoyed it A LOT, just not quite as much as my love for the first book. (hide spoiler)]

Court of Thrones and Roses/Court of Mist and Fury Spoiler- (view spoiler)[ Here's the issue I had with this book...and I had this with A Court of Thorns and Roses. I HATED what Sarah J. Maas did to Tamlin's character between the first book and the next couple books in the series. And this is very similar to Rhen's character in my opinion. I just feel like this has been done before, and honestly, I didn't like it. So that was part of my disappointment with this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

HeatherH wrote: "Finished!
[spoilers removed]"

OH MY GOSH YES!!! I didn't read your comment until I posted mine, but YAS!!!!!!

[Klancy]

16%
So far I'm more interested in Lia Mara's chapters than Grey's. (view spoiler)[It's interesting to see what Nolla Verin and Syhl Shallow are up to. I'm guessing Lia Mara and Grey will meet at some point, but right now Rhen just refused Nolla Verin's offer for an alliance. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Klancy wrote: "16%
So far I'm more interested in Lia Mara's chapters than Grey's. [spoilers removed]"

I adored Lia Mara's character throughout this!

[Klancy]

@Heather - Me too! She's so strong and compassionate. I love her dynamic with Grey too.

59%
(view spoiler)[Rhen had Grey and Tycho lashed. Like wtf?? I get that Rhen is afraid of the heir/magesmith and the threat of possibly being harmed by magic but where should the line be drawn? Because I really don't think torturing Grey for information is the answer to his problems. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

@Klancy (view spoiler)[ I was so angry when I read that scene.. and like, I wasn't even all that surprised about him torturing Grey but tycho is innocent! (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

I'm really disappointed because I actually didn't like this book. (view spoiler)[It felt flat to me. Grey's chapters were basically just repeated information, and whenever something new was introduced I just didn't care. I didn't care about him. I didn't care about Jake either. The only person I actually liked reading about was Lia Mara and even then I wish that her relationship with Nolla Verin and Karis Luran had been explored more in the beginning.

It was interesting that Lilith was back, but it's not enough for me to want to read the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

HeatherH wrote: "Finished!
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm really disappointed about Rhen's character arc as well. I loved him in the first book and he's kind of an ass in this book, which was really sad to see. The way that everything has been set up I don't know if he'll make it out alive in the next book (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Klancy wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Finished!
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I don't have high hopes for him to redeem his actions or to survive honestly. It was truly disappointing! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

That's too bad Klancy, but I totally understand with everything you've said (view spoiler)[ about Rhen! He was so boring this book, and I didn't care for his character at all :( (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Am I the only person who doesn't like Lia Mara?
I mean, it's not like I don't like like her. It's just that I spent an entire year waiting to read more about Harper. And this feels like Harper's story is already done. :(
Plus, I kind of don't like the way people are behaving with Lia Mara. Makes sense?

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

I am on chapter three and Lia Mara is showing up. I haven't even read her chapter and I feel the same. I am really not liking her and maybe that will change as I read the story.

[Klancy]

@Heather & Katie - (view spoiler)[It just felt like he wasn't even himself. I would've believed it more if we had more chapters from his perspective and could see how he was changing but as it was he just felt like a completely different person for no reason (hide spoiler)]

@Ritika - (view spoiler)[I liked Lia Mara in the beginning, but she started to annoy me by the end! It was like she was poisoning the people Harper and Rhen love against them. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

ch 15 (view spoiler)[omfg I love that Lia Mara figured out Greys secret. I am happy. Also I want her and Harper to be friends so badly. I’m really glad Tycho wasn’t hurt when Grey ended up getting captured. Agh I love this already. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 27(view spoiler)[ so he does have magic!! Well this is exciting. I can’t believe Rhen did that to Tcyho. I’m so disappointed in him. Even if he has PTSD it’s not an excuse for the way he acted. Harper was amazing as always tho (hide spoiler)]

Ch 37 (view spoiler)[ahhh they kissed 😍😍 I ship it 😂 I’m so worried about Grey and his situation tho. Like what is Karis Lauran gonna do with him. And I want IISAK to fucking kill her. Please tear out her throat (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Shit!!!! How long has Lilith been back for? HOW IS SHE NOT DEAD (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Katie wrote: "Finished- [spoilers removed]

Court of Thrones and Roses/Court of Mist and Fury Spoiler- [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I definitely got a lot of Tamlin vibes from Rhen in this story. I've never really liked either of them tho so there's that lol (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Will have to go back and respond to comments from those of you lucky enough to have got underway on time...my library has finally alerted me that it's in, so I'll collect it tomorrow morning.

[Karen]

Katie wrote: "Started this one!!!! I don't have my book in front of me right now, but according to my app, I'm about 18% through.

^^ I agree with Heather's comment up about about it... [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Moaning about having left DC and not being sure about how to return seems a little churlish. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch5. Even away from Rhen and in disguise, we see the trust Grey inspires. There’s a lot of people biding their time at the moment.

[Karen]

Up to ch11. Not sure why so many comment on disliking our new character-perhaps because she’s not Harper. Does seem odd to have so little focus on those you come to like so much in book one. Not sure why Grey has been put in this position so early.

[Karen]

Up to ch18. Really didn’t expect things to pull together quite so fast. Pleased Lia Mara confirms what we suspected.

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "ch 15
[spoilers removed]"

Yes, I think it acts almost as a companion read even though the story is a continuation.

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch20
[spoilers removed]"

This scene was really hard to read. (view spoiler)[ I know Rhen fears magic, but to do this to someone you see as a close companion is hard to imagine. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Katie wrote: "Chapter 25- [spoilers removed]"

Think we needed something to move us on from Harper, who doesn't really seem to be having much to do.

[Aly]

I'm starting this now!

[Karen]

Aly, you’ll catch up in no time but I’ll keep an eye out for your comments. Up to ch27. Loving the way they’re working together and I do like the way Grey is developing.

[Aly]

Ch 3 (view spoiler)[ I just wanted to say I already don't like Lia Mara's sister. The mom is evil and she's clearly cultivating that in her younger daughter. Ordering that poor man and his daughter killed was awful. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch34. Rather surprised that they’re not being entirely honest but it does seem that people could get behind this. (view spoiler)[ I was hoping Rhen would be better than this. (hide spoiler)]