#BookReview: A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN by Brigid Kemmerer @BrigidKemmerer @KidsBloomsbury @TheEmilyRose

Publication: 7th January 2020 – Bloomsbury UK

Find the heir, win the crown.
Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Harper has freed Prince Rhen from the curse that almost destroyed his kingdom. But all is not well; rumours are rife that there is a rival heir with a stronger claim to the throne and that ‘Princess’ Harper of Disi is nothing but a fraud.

Grey has fled the castle carrying a terrible secret. When he is discovered by soldiers and returned to Ironrose by force, Grey’s allegiances begin to shift. And as he grows closer to an enemy princess, he is forced to decide whether he will stand against Rhen for the crown he never wanted.

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I was thrilled when I received an early copy of A Heart So Fierce and Broken because I adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. So I am very thankful to Emily and Bloomsbury UK for sending me a beautiful proof.

For those who haven’t read A Curse So Dark and Lonely (and I highly recommend that you do!), it is the story of Prince Rhen, heir to the throne of Emberfall, cursed to repeat his eighteenth year over and over again, and Harper the girl from Washington DC that could (or could not) break his curse. In its sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, the author focuses on who was my favourite character in the first book: Grey.

In A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Grey was Commander of the royal guard and only companion to Rhen during the curse. He was also “Scary Grey”, he was trustworthy and loyal to Rhen and to the crown. Now he is hiding a secret that could destroy him and that it tests his loyalty and makes him question everything he believe in.

And there is Lia Mara. A princess who thinks that words and not swords will bring peace among her people, but the queen doesn’t agree with her and she has to prove herself repeatedly and win over her affection. Lia Mara reminded me of Harper: compassionate, impulsive, fearless, caring, and selfless, she is willing to sacrifice herself and her happiness for others.

Told mainly from Grey and Lia Mara’s points of views, the story is compelling, addictive, and full of surprises with loyalties and friendships being tested. Harper and Rhen make a few appearances. Harper is still the same caring and impulsive girl that she was in the first book, but now she is also a princess. The curse left Rhen scared and scarred and he is ready to do anything to protect his throne. I was happy to see more of Jacob and Noah. They are a fantastic couple and they add some humour to the story. A perfect and worthy sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken left me completely engrossed (I read it on the tube and missed my stop realizing it only three stops later!) and eager to see how what is going to happen in the third novel. Highly recommended!!!