The Ballad Of Never After

Stephanie Garber

Published: September 13, 2022

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 416

Ballad of Never After is one of those series that where the story generally becomes better. Whether it’s movies or books, I don’t often see the sequels becoming any better. It’s a challenge for the sequels to be rated any higher than the previous books. So it was more than a surprise to enjoy this book more than Once Upon a Broken Heart.

The first book walked so Ballad of Never After could run. Not only were there many plot twists, but they were all exciting and unique, unlike the predictable plot twist from before. At times I felt forced to read the previous book, but I was completely engaged with this one. The angst romance went through the window, exceeding my expectations all the way. The ending was tasteful and only made me crave more for the story. Even as I write my review, many questions and possibilities of the next book fill my mind.

With all the drama that happened with Marisol and Evangeline, I was relieved to see some hope for their friendship. As I mentioned in my previous review, I wished there was more girls supporting girls in books. So the fact Evangeline was willing to forgive Marisol for everything she did was a blessing to me. I was thankful that Evangeline wanted to save her stepsister, which I think is the most reasonable thing to do. That also makes me ponder about morality when it comes to strangers. I notice that people can forgive their family members or friends, yet bat an eye towards a stranger. Nonetheless, I’m glad the FMC doesn’t think of herself higher than others.

On the topic of the FMC, I liked the plot twist that Evangeline wasn’t the only key who existed. After discovering there was another pink haired woman alive, it begged the question if there were others who were alive. And how many of them exist? Normally stories portray the MC as the only chosen one, as if there was none chosen before them. It only brings more depth and significance to not only the importance of the Arch and her life that’s on the line. She’s not an invincible person who is untouchable. No, her actions have consequence.

Unlike Jacks from the previous book, he’s much more likeable. Not only does he seem more mature, but also much more respectable than his previous self where he was uncomfortably touchy. It was nice to see his vulnerable side that he finally revealed to Evangeline, although it’s uncertain if that vulnerability was from the rock or himself. I like to believe he allowed himself to become vulnerable to Evangeline. The event in The Hollow was bittersweet because it is clear that both Evangeline and Jacks want love. They’re both heartbroken and desperate for it, yet choosing different ways to find it. In a sense, they’re using each other to achieve their own goals. Evangeline teams up with Jacks to save Apollo from his curse, whereas Jacks teams up with her to save the possibility of a relationship with his “true love”. Once again, in The Hollow, they used each other for their loneliness. The Hollow was the most perfect place to run away from everything and escape pain because fairytales only remained fantasies in the place. But for Evangeline, it would only become another moment of love where she knew it was forced, similar to Apollo’s forced love for her. Overall, Jacks is the perfect mix of sweet and bitter.

While I loved everything about the book, I wish there was more potential for Apollo. I loved the idea how he was desperately in love with Evangeline, however cursed into desiring to kill her. Not only that - But if he killed her then he would die as well. The whole situation fills a hopeless romantic emotion within me that I wish was explored. I know that Apollo’s love for Evangeline isn’t real, but technically if it seems real for so long then could it become real? I would’ve loved angst scenes between Apollo and Evangeline, perhaps he could’ve been seen as a secondary MMC.