About Burn The Kingdom Down: An action-packed enemies-to-lovers romantasy filled with a romance that will leave you breathless, betrayals that will rip your heart out, and a princess who will stop at nothing for revenge. Out April 7th 2026.

Whether best friends or rivals since birth, sisterhood is one of the most complicated, most fulfilling, and most enduring relationships we can experience.  No one knows you better than your sister, so no one can hurt you more deeply. This also means no one can love and understand you more completely.

As someone who is lucky enough to have two sisters, I’ve always been drawn to exploring this fierce, chaotic, and beautiful relationship in the books I write—as well as the books I read. From loving and loyal, to down-right devious (and even murderous!), here’s a list of my all-time-favorite YA sister fantasies for when you need a good dose of family drama.

No list of sister stories would be complete without the OG sister fantasy, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister, Primrose, is selected to compete in the Hunger Games (a brutal tournament where children are forced to fight to the death in an arena) Katniss volunteers to go in Prim’s place. It’s the ultimate example of protective big-sister energy, and Katniss’s love for Prim is a big part of what carries her through the games.

One the complete opposite end of the loyalty spectrum, we have triplet sisters Mirabella, Katharine, and Arsinoe from Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. Once a generation, triplet queens are born—each with unique powers and equal rights to the throne. But only one sister can rule, and in order to wear the crown, they must kill the two who stand in their way. Sibling rivalry at its finest!

While some sisters are defined by rivalry and competition, others are almost codependent in their bond. Such is the case for Iris, Grey, and Vivi in House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. When enigmatic, oldest sister, Grey, goes missing, Iris and Vivi must unite to find her, unraveling dark secrets along the way. The intense bond between these three is quite eerie and unsettling. At times, they almost feel like a single creature with multiple heads.

If you’re looking for large family dynamics with lots of personalities at play, look no further than Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows. A deliciously macabre retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Annaleigh’s four older sisters have recently met tragic and untimely ends that might be related to the glittering, late-night balls her sisters have been sneaking out to attend. If Annaleigh can’t unravel the darkness plaguing her family, she might be joining her older sisters in an early grave—and condemning her younger sisters to the same fate.

Scarlett and Donatella Dragna, the sister duo in Caraval by Stephanie Garber, might seem like opposites who constantly annoy each other, but when Tella is kidnapped to use as bait in a magical, interactive game, Scarlett will stop at nothing to bring her sister safely home. Through the games’ deadly twists and turns, the sisters’ true hearts and loyalties are revealed.

Sometimes, the closeness of sisterhood can highlight their flaws and imperfections. Other times, the pedestals they’re placed on are so high, it overshadows the truth. When oldest sister, Rowenna, is sent as a captive bride to any enemy kingdom in Addie Thorley’s, Burn the Kingdom Down, younger sister, Indira, doesn’t know how to fill her sister’s perfect shoes—or function without her. And when Rowenna dies under mysterious circumstances, Indira takes her place, determined to punish Ro’s murderer and bring the entire kingdom to its knees. But when Indira arrives in enemy territory, nothing is as expected and everyone, even her sister, had secrets. Deadly ones.

The post YA Fantasies That Celebrate Sisterhood appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Stephanie Garber’s Alchemy of Secrets, which releases on October 7th 2025.

It starts with a class in an old movie theater.

Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.

With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.

Folklore 517
The Best Sidecar in Town

It’s the second night of class.

You’re once again in the old theater. Tonight, it smells slightly sweet. Caramel corn— or is it Cracker Jack?

The scent is so sticky and strong you half expect to see the student closest to you munching on a box of the classic candy. But everyone is transfixed by what’s happening on the stage. No one is drinking their coffees or typing on their laptops. Of course, laptops are not allowed, just pens and notebooks— thank you very much— but no one is using those, either.

The Professor has already begun.

A tiny click echoes, and she smiles as a slide appears on the silver screen. It’s a photograph of a rectangular business card. Black, with a series of gold art deco– style lines around the edges. It looks as if there was once writing in the center of the card, but it’s blurred now.

The next slide is clearly older; the gold and the black are duller. The design of the business card is unmistakably the same, only there doesn’t seem to be any writing in the middle, blurred or otherwise.

A few more slides take their turns, each one more aged than the last. But the gold-and-black business card in each picture is always the same.

You never thought you cared for art deco before, but you’re mesmerized by the elegance of the border when the slides turn to black and white.

At the bottom of one slide is typed 1942.

Then 1936.

Followed by 1927.

The entire time, the Professor doesn’t speak.

You keep expecting her to say something—s he promised to tell a story— but she’s just standing there with a Mona Lisa smile.

Finally, someone raises his hand and, without waiting to be called on, says, “Are we supposed to find one of these cards?”

The Professor laughs, dry and raspy. Not quite amused. “You do not find these cards, young man. There’s only one way to obtain one.” Finally, she launches into her story. “There are a number of haunted hotels in Los Angeles, and there is one in particular that the devil favors. It’s said he enjoys drinking their sidecars.”

The person next to you whispers, “What’s a sidecar?” “I think it’s a drink,” you murmur.

“It’s a cocktail,” the Professor says, looking right at you. “Made of cognac and citrus, the sidecar has been around for over a century, and if you buy one of these for the devil, he’ll give you one of his business cards. Each card may be used only once for an appointment with the devil, where you can make a deal for whatever you want, and then— ”

She waves her fingers in a gesture that universally means magic, as she explains that this is why the cards are all blank— they have been used for deals with the devil, and thus the writing has disappeared.

You’re skeptical. Her only proof is the photographs, and you’re not even sure they’re real. Anyone could have created these images.

The devil is a myth. One you don’t believe in.

But when you walk out of the theater, you want one of those cards.

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Alchemy of Secrets’ by Stephanie Garber appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Queen of Days released on 24 October 2023 and it’s an epic adventure that weaves together a flawed-but-lovable family of thieves, a battle between fallen gods, and stakes high enough to cause vertigo.

The allure of the trickster is always rooted in the will-they-won’t-they pull of right versus wrong. It’s what makes watching the new Loki series so irresistible. It’s not just the gleefully mischievous mayhem wrought by Asgard’s second son, but also the question of whether he will ever manage to do the right thing. And the secret hope that he will keep skipping gleefully into the shadows. So, if morally grey is your favorite color, read on to find five books that might scratch that trickster itch.

THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF by Christopher Buehlman

Kinch Na Shannack is no one’s idea of a hero. Deeply indebted to the Taker’s Guild that trained him, he makes the ill-fated choice to steal from a lone woman on the road. Except the woman is a knight on an epic journey across monster-infested lands and Kinch is going to help her whether he wants to or not. Delightfully irreverent and brimming with all the banter you could ever hope for, THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF is an instant classic that had me laughing out loud time and again.

GODKILLER by Hannah Kaner

The world of GODKILLER is rife with gods, but that doesn’t make them welcome. Or invincible, thanks to godkillers like Kissen. But when Kissen discovers that Skedi, the God of White Lies, has bonded himself to a young girl named Inara, Kissen finds herself unable to do her job. For a God of White Lies, Skedi’s point of view chapters reveal him to be surprisingly devoted to young Inara, and the mystery of how they became connected will keep you turning pages. In addition to some unique worldbuilding, this fantasy quest story also has some major Witcher vibes thanks to the friendship that grows between Kissen and Inara. This is a highly unique tale and a must-read for those who enjoy books with no easy answers.

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART by Stephanie Garber

Calling all YA readers! When broken-hearted Evangeline makes deal with Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, to stop her boyfriend’s wedding, you just know things are going to end badly. Garber fans will recognize Jacks from the CARAVAL series, but by some mysterious authorial alchemy, the often-villainous, always untrustworthy, and occasionally heroic Jacks becomes someone that you want to root for. Just don’t think you can ever guess what he will do next. Or why.

AMONG THIEVES by M.J. Kuhn

This high-stakes fantasy heist novel is positively chock-full of trickster-type characters. Like many a heist novel, this crew is out to make the score of a lifetime. Unlike many, every single member of the crew goes in planning to betray the others. Readers will have their pick of morally grey rascals to root for: from the slightly bumbling Tristan, an assassin with a surprising secret, to the terrifyingly and shark-like Callum. This multi-point of view tale is intricately plotted and makes for a fast-paced page turner that will have you immediately grabbing for book two.

LOKI by Melvin Burgess

What list of books featuring morally questionable characters would be complete without an appearance by the original trickster himself, Loki? Burgess’s debut into the adult space, LOKI has something of an experimental and quasi-autobiographical feel to it. Sharply funny, Loki paints a portrait of Norse mythology that is rife with intensely human-like gods and a Valhalla that doesn’t seem quite so heavenly as we’ve been led to believe. This book is a fantastically weird take well-known source material, with a voice that will leave you laughing. 

Bonus Reading! The Old Kingdom Series, by Garth Nix

Okay, so this one is a deep cut (hence the bonus entry), but can we all just remember how cool Mogget is? First appearing in SABRIEL, and returning many times since, Mogget is introduced as a talking cat begrudgingly bound to serve the line of Abhorsens—necromancers tasked to put down the dead. But Mogget isn’t a docile house pet, he’s more like a fallen god/demon in disguise. And in Mogget, Nix just spells out what we are all thinking: all tricksters are cats at heart. Though Mogget may serve the Abhorsens, and might be wooed with promises of fish, only a fool would test that theory by removing his collar.

The post 5 Books To Read If You Love A Good (Or Not So Good) Trickster appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Once upon a time, Evangeline Fox embarked on a quest to the Magnificent North in pursuit of her very own fairy tale ending, and boy, did she find it! Now, she’s got a dashing prince as her husband, a legendary castle as her home, and a picture-perfect life that’s the stuff of legends. It’s everything she’s ever wanted…so why does she feel like something’s missing?

Evangeline is suffering from a strange case of amnesia. Her memory of the last year is a blank slate, and even though her husband reassures her that the past is best left untouched, a lingering curiosity nags at her. Why does she feel such a strong connection to Archer, the mysterious guard who keeps saving her life? And why is her husband so relentless in his mission to eliminate Jacks, the Prince of Hearts? In the dark corners of her fairy tale castle, secrets and shadows abound, and Evangeline is determined to uncover every last one of them.

If there is one thing Stephanie Garber excels at, it’s writing a compelling romance. From the very start of this trilogy, the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks has been nothing short of electric, and A Curse for True Love is no exception. Evangeline and Jacks’ love story is a masterclass of emotion, dripping with sexual tension, witty banter, and will-they-won’t-they moments so steamy that you’ll need a fan to cool down. Each heated exchange between Evangeline and Jacks sparks off the page, leaving readers tantalised by the question of whether this star-crossed pair will ever find their way to each other. Their sizzling romance truly is the heart and soul of the entire trilogy, and I couldn’t get enough.

Not only that, but Garber’s writing in A Curse for True Love is a true showstopper. It’s a symphony of lush, sensuous words that dance across the page like falling stars and broken enchantments. Every sentence delights the senses and positively drips with ultraviolet prose. The sensory descriptions of Wolf Hall, the eerie Cursed Forest, and the enchanting Phoenix Tree encircle the readers in a fairy tale realm that feels both fantastical and familiar, almost like a childhood fever dream.

However, one of this book’s most impressive aspects is its breakneck pacing. I devoured it in less than half a day—a testament to its addictiveness and fast-paced plot. The tight narrative is carefully crafted to maintain a high level of tension and anticipation, ensuring that you’re always eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle. It’s like literary quicksand; it pulls you in, and there’s no escape until you reach the final page.

A Curse for True Love is the final installment of the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, and it is an explosive tour de force of imagination and romance. The long-awaited kiss between Evangeline and Jacks is a moment of pure magic that delivers the well-earned emotional payoff that readers have been yearning for since book one (and we finally get to know what Jacks’ apples are for!). It’s the cherry on top of this literary sundae, and it’ll leave you with happy sighs and hearts in your eyes.

That said, A Curse for True Love does have its imperfections. While each narrative thread gleams with its own unique beauty, when viewed from a distance, they struggle to form a cohesive storyline. In the Collector’s Edition of Caraval, Garber herself acknowledges, “I have an idea, and I think it’s good enough, but it almost always needs to be taken a little farther.” This sentiment resonates with much of the worldbuilding within the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. The fantasy elements are there, but they come across as haphazard, convoluted, or only half-formed. One can’t help but wish for that extra step, as Garber herself alluded to—a more comprehensive exploration that would have enriched the magical tapestry of this enchanting world.

Moreover, the narrative leaves several loose ends, making me look for a deeper resolution outside of the realm of romance. Characters such as Marisol, Luc, and Lala seemed to be abruptly cast aside once their relevance to the plot waned, and this discontinuity had a tangible impact on the overall coherence of the worldbuilding.

But unresolved subplots and convoluted worldbuilding aside, this trilogy’s grand finale is a swoon-worthy and satisfying crescendo that demands your undivided attention. It’s one of those rare books that will whisk you away so completely that sleep and even food become mere afterthoughts. In short, A Curse for True Love is a story I truly love.

A Curse for True Love is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!

Will you be picking up A Curse for True Love? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE, the breathtaking conclusion to Stephanie Garber’s #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy

Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out. . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

The post Review: A Curse For True Love by Stephanie Garber appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Stephanie Garber is best known for her immersive storytelling, whimsical writing, and vibrant characters. The Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series solidified Garber as a legendary young adult author, and with the release of A Curse for True Love nearing, it’s going to be difficult to say goodbye to the Caraval universe.

If you’re struggling to find books that give off the same magical feel of Garber’s novels, look no further than these recommendations.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna is the start of a gothic romantic fantasy trilogy told through the perspective of Signa Farrow. Orphaned since birth and thought to be cursed, Signa moves from relative to relative without a true home. That is until she receives a letter from the Hawthorne family inviting her to stay at the grim Thorn Grove manor. All is well until Signa discovers the dark secrets that lie within the walls of Thorn Grove and that the only person who can help her bring those secrets to light is Death.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Here by Autumn Krause (October 3)

Romance. Curses. Death. Poisoned apples. With a premise like that, it’s almost as if the Prince of Hearts wrote it himself. Catalina has been told the story of the Man of Sap since she was a child. When her father is killed and her brother is taken, Catalina embarks on a journey in the woods to find the truth behind the legend and rescue her brother. Along the way, she encounters a stranger who offers his assistance, but as Catalina soon realises, not everything is as it seems.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle (October 3)

If your favourite part of the Caraval series is the Fates, you’ll love the mythology surrounding the Tides of Fate and the fictional story, the Song of the Drowned Gods in Curious Tides. This dark academia debut centers on Emory Ainsleif, a Healer whose best friend was one of the eight students lost to the Dovermore Coves. Emory is convinced that there is more to the drownings than meets the eye, and she is determined to figure it out, even if that means putting herself in danger. With strong female bonds, lyrical writing, myths, and a love triangle, Stephanie Garber fans should keep an eye out for this upcoming release.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals is all the rage on social media, and for good reason. This fantasy romance duology opener follows journalist Iris Winnow as she navigates loss and hardship amid a war between gods. With her brother on the frontlines, her mother battling addiction, her position at the Oath Gazette hanging by a thread, and her rival, Roman Kitt, constantly challenging her, Iris finds solace in her grandmother’s magical typewriter. Iris believes her letters are being sent to her brother, and little does she know they are being received by Roman.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

A reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, Heartless tells the story of Catherine Pinkerton, a girl who dreams of opening her own bakery. In a society run by royalty, Catherine’s goals are frowned upon. Catherine is set to marry the King, but things don’t go as planned as she falls in love with the court joker, Jest. The novel takes a dark turn as Catherine’s decisions shape her into the infamous Queen of Hearts.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

With its beautiful writing and electrifying romance, Sorcery of Thorns captures the same sense of whimsy and wonder you would expect in a Stephanie Garber novel. Magic, grimoires, and adventure drive a spellbinding tale where aspiring librarian Elisabeth Scrivener must team up with sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon servant Silas to stop an ancient evil destroying the Great Libraries.

Do you have any other book recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Six Books You’ll Love If You’re A Fan of Stephanie Garber appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Stephanie Garber, who is best known for her best-selling YA series, Caraval. This year, Garber releases her latest novel Once Upon A Broken Heart, so we chat all about this new novel, writing, book recommendations, and more!

Hi, Stephanie! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your latest novel, Once Upon a Broken Heart?

Hello! I’m a young adult fantasy author. I love writing books with morally gray characters, deceptively magical worlds, and kissing. Once Upon a Broken Heart is my newest book and it is all about broken hearts, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for a happily ever after.

What three words would you use to describe Once Upon a Broken Heart? 

Fantastically bad decisions.

Did you encounter any difficulties whilst writing this book?

Once Upon A Broken Heart is set in the same universe as Caraval, but I really wanted to make sure this book could be read without reading the Caraval series. It was a bit of a tricky thing to balance because I knew some readers would enter into this book already knowing  one of my main characters—Jacks—while other’s would be meeting him for the very first time, and I really wanted to write a book that would appeal to both. It was definitely a challenge to do this, but it was an exciting one and I can’t wait to see how both sets of readers respond to this story.

What was your favourite part or scene to write?

It involves biting—I can’t say more because spoilers, but you should know it when you get there.

Would you consider writing some POVs from Jacks in the sequels?

Great question! I’m actually considering it right now. I’m revising the sequel to OUABH. Currently it is only from Evangeline’s perspective, but I’m thinking of adding some scenes from Jacks’s point of view. I haven’t mentioned this to my editor yet, so it might not happen, but I really think it would be fun to do.

Will we get to see other characters from the Caraval series returning in the rest of the series?

I’m not sure yet . . . but it’s definitely a possibility.

Was the writing experience different for you when writing this book in comparison to the Caraval series?

Each book in the Caraval series was a completely different writing experience. So, on the whole I would say this was different than writing that series. But I a lot of ways it was very similar to writing Caraval. Caraval was a book that really came from my heart. I wrote the story because I loved it so much I felt as if I had to write it—and I believed that other people would love it just because I loved it, which is exactly  how I felt writing Once Upon A Broken Heart. And like Caraval, OUABH was just really fun to write.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

This is a tricky one. I think the thing that helps me the most is shutting out all the outside voices—specifically taking breaks from social media. I’ve found that more than anything, too much social media makes it hard for me to concentrate on my writing and when I’m able to cut it out completely, I rarely, if ever, suffer from writer’s block.

Are you currently working on the sequel? What can we expect in the next book?

Yes! The sequel to OUABH is drafted and right now I’m waiting on notes from my editor. I can’t say much about the book storywise—sorry!—but as soon as I have more information I will be sharing it on my social media.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Yes! I recently read and loved These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan. It has a fae love triangle, which I feel is all I really need to say about that book. Another book, which also has a love triangle that I adored is Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. This one is adult fantasy and it doesn’t come out until next year, but the world building is magnificent, the storytelling is fascinating, and the writing is beautiful, so I’ve been recommending it to everyone.

Will you be picking up Once Upon A Broken Heart? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Stephanie Garber, Author of ‘Once Upon A Broken Heart’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This book was absolutely magical! As a huge fan of the Caraval series, I was beyond thrilled to hear the announcement of Once Upon a Broken Heart and can’t wait to dive into the astonishing world of Caraval again. For the new readers who haven’t read the Caraval series (although you really should), don’t worry, this book doesn’t contain any major spoilers from the previous series. It is in fact, focused on a brand new character, but also an original character that everyone loved!

Filled with unrequited love, whimsical plot twists, and broken hearts (which you probably have guessed from the title), the tale follows a young girl’s seemingly bad decision to make a deal with a prince who might not exactly be the Prince Charming that she had initially hoped for.

Meet our new character Evangeline Fox and our beloved and wickedly charming Fate Jacks’ in a new story intertwined with magic, romance, and betrayals. After all, what’s a story without spells and broken hearts? Our main character Evangeline is a young woman who believes in love at first sight and indulges in fairytales and wants nothing more than to find her own happily ever after. But like every other heroine, happily ever after doesn’t come easily. After crossing paths with Jacks, the Prince of Heart himself, a bargain was made which led her into a whirlwind of passionate and shocking events. There, Evangeline encountered problems where her decisions will either result in her own happily ever after or perhaps the greatest tragedy of all time. And it all returns to the same question: how far will you go to achieve your happy ending? This really reminded me of Once Upon a Time on some level.

Garber cleverly linked this new book with her previous series without giving too many spoilers, but somehow making Caraval readers feel nostalgia at the same time. Readers of the Caraval series will be delighted to see some familiar faces and cameos from our favourite characters. However, there is the potential of *minor* spoilers (but wouldn’t affect your general reading experience) so I would also recommend reading the trilogy first before diving into the world of Evangeline and Jacks (because why not)!

Evangeline is a strong and bold young woman who cares about others very much. She might seem to be incredibly naïve at first, a girl who desires her one true love and a happy ending. She might come across as childish, but who didn’t once believe in happily ever after? Her character developed a lot throughout the book (love a good character development), and I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow in the next book. Her optimistic attitude is one of the reasons why everyone adores her; she is clear about what she wants in life, and she is not one to shy away from tempting fate. This leads us to our other character, our beloved Fate, Jacks. Still as mischievous and charming as ever. Seemingly to be recovering from a heartbreak, Jacks is already planning his next devious acts. Truth be told, I wasn’t completely a Jacks fan when I first read the Caraval series (sorry Jacks fan), but this book focused on him in more detail since he’s the main character and delved into his character a bit more. We all know there must be something more hidden under that attractive yet poisonous mask, and we got to know more about his story as well. I am pleading to have some POVs from Jacks! They would be so much fun to read! I loved Jacks and Evangeline’s interactions throughout this book. It is so nice to see charismatic Jacks again, but in a whole new light and perspective. Their banter is absolutely delightful to read and you definitely can tell there are some sparks going on over there. Could the Prince of Hearts finally find his one and only Princess?

As always, Garber’s building of the magical world is magnificent. The plot twists were insane to say the least, I can say I definitely did not expect some of them to happen, leaving me shocked to my core. The pace of the story was relatively fast, which I found was nice in general, although there were some bits and pieces which were a bit confusing, but they’ll probably be explained in future books. The writing is fluid, and you won’t even realise that you have already finished half the book once you started. Yet again, we are left with a shocking cliffhanger and it’s going to be another long year before we get to know what happens next—why Stephanie why?! You will probably find me curled up in a corner reading the Caraval series over and over again from now on till the next book comes out to overcome the pain of waiting. Nevertheless, it has been such a pleasure stepping inside this spectacular fairytale and reliving the magical experience once again!

Last but not least, shout out to the gorgeous covers! They are simply breathtaking!

Once Upon A Broken Heart is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 28th 2021.

Will you be picking up Once Upon A Broken Heart? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.

But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

The post Review: Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Good Omens meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in this defiantly joyful adventure set in California’s San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts.

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, this is a gorgeously written novel about a family searching for the truth hidden in their past and the power they’ve inherited, from the author of the acclaimed and “giddily exciting” (The New York Times Book Review) Brooklyn Brujas series.

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Once Upon a Broken Heart marks the launch of a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after from Stephanie Garber, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval.

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, comes Certain Dark Things, a pulse-pounding neo-noir that reimagines vampire lore.

Among Thieves by M.J. Kuhn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A thrilling fantasy debut—a high-stakes heist novel set in a gritty world of magic and malice, and perfect for fans of Six of Crows!

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani respins old stories into fresh fairy tales for a new era and creates a world like no other. These stories know you. They understand you. They reflect you. They are tales for our times. So read on, if you dare. 

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this stunning new fantasy novel from international bestselling author C. S. Pacat, heroes and villains of a long-forgotten war are reborn and begin to draw new battle lines. This epic fantasy with high-stakes romance will sit perfectly on shelves next to beloved fantasy novels like the Infernal Devices series, the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and the Red Queen series.

Gutter Mage by J.S. Kelley
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J.S. Kelley weaves epic fantasy and hardboiled noir in this fast-paced, twisting tale of magic, mystery, and a whole lot of unruly behaviour.

She Who Rides the Storm by Caitlin Sangster
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In this atmospheric YA fantasy that is Wicked Saints meets There Will Come a Darkness, four teens are drawn into a high-stakes heist in the perilous tomb of an ancient shapeshifter king.

The Actual Star by Monica Byrne
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David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas meets Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series, as acclaimed author Monica Byrne (The Girl in the Road) spins a brilliant multigenerational saga spanning two thousand years, from the collapse of the ancient Maya to a far-future utopia on the brink of civil war.

The Body Scout by Lincoln Michel
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Diamond-sharp and savagely wry, The Body Scout is a timely science fiction thriller debut set in an all-too-possible future.

The Escapement by Lavie Tidhar
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In this dazzling new novel evoking Westerns, surrealism, epic fantasy, mythology, and circus extravaganzas, World Fantasy Award winner Lavie Tidhar (Central Station) has created an incomparable dreamscape of dark comedy, heartbreak, hope, and adventure. Chronicling a lone man’s quest in parallel worlds, The Escapement offers the archetypal darkness of Stephen King’s The Gunslinger within the dark whimsy of a child’s imagination.

The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young
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New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with The Last Legacy, a captivating standalone about family and blood ties, reinventing yourself, and controlling your own destiny.

The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s debut novel is a page-turning exploration of humans and machines that is perfect for readers of Ann Leckie, Ursula Le Guin, and Kameron Hurley.

From the Neck Up by Aliya Whiteley
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The new collection of beautiful, strange and disarming short stories from the award-winning Aliya Whiteley, deftly unpeels the strangeness of everyday life with her trademark wit. Witness the future of farming in a new Ice Age, or the artist bringing life to glass; the many-eyed monsters we carry and the secret cities inside our bodies.

No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull
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One October morning, Laina gets the news that her brother was shot and killed by Boston cops. But what looks like a case of police brutality soon reveals something much stranger. Monsters are real. And they want everyone to know it. As creatures from myth and legend come out of the shadows, seeking safety through visibility, their emergence sets off a chain of seemingly unrelated events.

What September 2021 fantasy and sci-fi book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

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