Book Review of The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber is a breathtaking continuation of Evangeline Fox’s story — a blend of magic, heartbreak, and enchantment that perfectly captures the feel of a dark fairy tale.

Here’s a short synopsis of the book: 

“Not every love is meant to be.

After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she’ll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can. . . .”

This book takes place immediately after the first book, Once Upon a Broken Heart, so be sure to read that one first. I also have a summary and review of that one. 

Full Book Review Without Spoilers

I’ve been a fan of Stephanie Garber’s writing since the Caraval trilogy, and while I loved that series, I think the Broken Heart series has become my favorite. I first picked up Once Upon a Broken Heart last year and immediately fell in love with Evangeline’s optimism and Jacks’s tragic charm — but The Ballad of Never After took everything to another level. By the end of the book, I found myself completely enthralled and desperate for the next book in the series.

As a fantasy and romantasy reader, The Ballad of Never After completely swept me away with its fairy-tale feel, whimsical world, and addictive storytelling. Stephanie Garber once again crafts a world that feels like stepping into a dream — full of magic, secrets, and curses that blur the line between love and fate. I adored the way the story built upon the first book, deepening Evangeline Fox’s journey through the Magnificent North and her connection to the Prince of Hearts, Jacks.

Jacks is the perfect morally grey MMC, the kind of character who’s dangerous, devastatingly charming, and yet heartbreakingly loyal underneath it all. If you like a romantasy with a lot of yearning from the MMC, you need to read this one! 

Characters

One of the best parts of this story was how much I loved all the characters — both the main and supporting ones. Evangeline Fox continues to shine as a strong, determined main character who refuses to stop believing in happy endings, even when faced with murderous spells and shattered trust. The side characters — from Lyric Merrywood to Honora Valor and even the members of the Valor family — added so much depth to the story.

Plot

The plot was both intriguing and fast-paced, filled with twists, prophecies, and unexpected turns that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end of the book. Every chapter felt like uncovering another piece of the Valory Arch or solving another riddle in this intricate fantasy world.

Writing

Garber’s storytelling has this lyrical, enchanting quality that pulls you in from the first page. She has a way of balancing whimsy and heartbreak, creating a fantasy world that feels both romantic and dangerous.

Full Book Review With Spoilers

You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them. 

Garber is just so good at weaving together small details and seemingly unrelated details to create such a bing-worthy fantasy. Between the new terrifying curse, the mirror curse, and all the missing pieces of the Valory Arch, every page was filled with tension and mystery. But the main reason this book became one of my absolute favorites was the romance — the yearning, the heartbreak, and that fragile hope for true love between Evangeline and Jacks.

And all of the characters fit so well with the story and feel of the fantasy parts. The dynamic between old friends and new foes kept the plot intriguing, and the tenuous partnership between Evangeline and Jacks made every interaction feel charged with emotion.

Another thing I loved was the worldbuilding and the slow reveal of the prophecies, magical stones, and curses. The youth stone, truth stone, and mirth stone added new layers to the magic system, and the idea of Evangeline unlocking her own magic through the power of love and heartbreak was such a beautiful theme. The way Garber wove in elements like the scandal sheet, the great houses, and Evangeline’s complicated relationship with Prince Apollo (and his cursed arm!) made every plot twist hit harder.

By the end of The Ballad of Never After, I was left with so many emotions — awe, heartbreak, and excitement for what’s to come. The end of this book delivers one of the best plot twists I’ve read in a long time, and I have so many unanswered questions heading into the third book.

Pros of the Book

The biggest pro of the book is the romance between Jacks and Evangeline. Even though they physically cannot kiss, there’s so much tension and yearning between them, it’s crazy! If you’re a fan of romantasy, this is a must read! 

Another pro is that while the romance is so good, the plot isn’t forgotten. It still feels almost magical, like you’re reading a fairytale. 

Cons of the Book

I really didn’t have any complaints about the book. Now that I’ve read the third also I can say this one is the perfect second book of a trilogy. 

Conclusion

For fellow readers who love morally grey love interests, yearning that aches off the page, and fairy tales filled with danger, curses, and devotion, this series is a must-read. The Ballad of Never After is everything I adore about fantasy romance — magical, emotional, and unforgettable.

I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points. 

Rating-5 out of 5 stars

As someone who loves fantasy and romantasy, I was completely drawn in by the magnificent north, the haunting magic of the Valory Arch, and the intoxicating tension between Evangeline and the Prince of Hearts. From the very first chapter, it’s clear that Garber knows how to create a world that feels both whimsical and dangerous, making it impossible to put down.

Who Would Enjoy Reading?

For fans of romantasy, this would be an awesome book to add to your TBR. However, if you like your romantasy with spice, this may not be the book for you as there is no spice.   If you like your fantasy without the romance, then this may be pass.   

What to Read After The Ballad of Never After

If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

You should read the next and last book in the series following this one. All your favorite characters are back, and it picks up right where this book ends. 

Continue on to the third book and next book in the series, A Curse for True Love, with my review and summary.

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

If you want a book with the same feel as this one, especially if you loved Evangeline and Jacks dynamic, try this one! 

Dance of Thieves by Mary Pearson

Another great YA romantasy that has the same feel as this one is Dance of Thieves. Give this one a read for your next book.