You ever start a book and feel like you walked into a party thirty minutes late where everyone is already laughing at an inside joke? That is exactly what happens if you mess up the once upon a broken heart series in order. Stephanie Garber didn’t just write a trilogy; she basically built a sprawling, glitter-coated trap for your emotions. If you jump into the middle, you’re going to be staring at a pink-haired chaotic god named Jacks and wondering why everyone on TikTok is crying over a literal apple. It's a whole thing.
Honestly, the Magnificent North is a place where logic goes to die and whimsy takes over with a sharp, murderous edge. Evangeline Fox is our protagonist, and she’s a dreamer. Maybe too much of one. She starts the series by making a deal with a Fate—which is basically the "don't do this" equivalent of poking a sleeping bear—to stop the love of her life from marrying someone else. It goes about as well as you’d expect. Which is to say, it goes terribly.
💡 You might also like: Who was in One Direction: The Five Names That Defined a Decade
The Absolute Best Way to Read the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series in Order
Look, there are three main books in this specific arc. You have to read them as they were released because the cliffhangers are brutal. I’m talking "staring at a wall for twenty minutes" kind of brutal.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021): This is where the obsession starts. We meet Evangeline and Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. His kiss is lethal to anyone except his one true love, which makes for some incredibly high-stakes tension.
- The Ballad of Never After (2022): Most fans agree this is the peak. It’s darker, the stakes are higher, and the ending? It’s a crime against humanity. You’ll need tissues.
- A Curse for True Love (2023): The finale. It wraps up the messy, magical knot that Garber tied in the first two books. Some people found the pacing here a bit different, but you can't skip it if you want closure for Evangeline’s heart.
Wait. There is a catch.
Do You Actually Need to Read Caraval First?
This is the question that keeps bookish Reddit up at night. Technically, the once upon a broken heart series in order stands alone. You can pick up book one and understand what’s happening. But—and this is a big but—Jacks first appeared in the Caraval trilogy. Specifically, he shows up in Legendary.
If you skip Caraval, you miss the origin story of the Fates. You won't fully grasp why Jacks is the way he is, or the specific rules of the world Garber built. It’s like watching a sequel without seeing the original. You get the plot, but you miss the soul. If you want the full, immersive experience, the "true" order starts with Caraval, then Legendary, then Finale, before you ever touch Evangeline’s story. It makes the cameos in the later books hit way harder.
Why the Order Matters for the Magic System
The magic in these books isn't like Harry Potter. There are no wands. Instead, there are bargains and debts. If you read the once upon a broken heart series in order, you see the evolution of the curse. Stephanie Garber is a master of the "be careful what you wish for" trope.
In the first book, the magic feels like a fairytale. It’s sparkly. It’s hopeful. By the time you get to The Ballad of Never After, the magic feels heavy. It feels dangerous. Reading them out of order ruins the slow realization that the Prince of Hearts isn't just a love interest—he's a literal force of nature that can't be controlled. The character development for Evangeline is also super specific. She grows from a girl who believes in "happily ever after" to someone who realizes that stories are often written in blood and betrayal.
Common Mistakes People Make With These Books
People often try to find "spoiler-free" summaries of the first book so they can jump straight to the second one because they saw a cool edit of Jacks on Instagram. Don't do that. You'll miss the subtle world-building about the Valory Arch. You’ll miss the weird, slightly unsettling vibes of the North.
Also, don't ignore the different editions. This sounds like a weird tip, but Garber did different "hidden" covers and bonus content for different retailers like Barnes & Noble or Waterstones. Some of those bonus letters from Jacks or the epilogues actually add a lot of flavor to the story. They aren't essential for the plot, but for the vibes? Essential.
The Emotional Tax of the Magnificent North
Let's talk about the Prince of Hearts for a second. Jacks is the quintessential "morally gray" character, but he’s also deeply tragic. When you follow the once upon a broken heart series in order, you witness his slow unraveling. He tries so hard to be the villain because it’s easier than being the hero who fails.
Evangeline is a polarizing character for some. She’s optimistic to a fault. Some readers find her naive, but that’s the whole point. She’s the foil to Jacks' cynicism. Their chemistry isn't just about romance; it's about the collision of two completely different worldviews. If you don't see that play out from page one of the first book, the payoff in the third book feels unearned.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Read
If you’re ready to dive into the Magnificent North, here is how you should actually handle it:
- Start with Caraval if you have the time. If you don't, at least read a summary of who the Fates are so you aren't confused when the Deck of Destiny is mentioned.
- Track the apples. It sounds crazy, but pay attention to whenever Jacks is eating an apple. It’s a mood indicator and a plot point.
- Read the physical books if possible. The formatting, the maps, and the little decorative touches make the experience feel more like a real fairytale.
- Avoid the "A Curse for True Love" tags on TikTok. People post the ending without warnings, and it will absolutely ruin the twist of the second book for you.
- Look for the "Letter from Jacks." There are various versions of a letter he wrote floating around online from the special editions. Find them after you finish book two.
The most important thing is to let yourself get lost in the prose. Garber writes like she’s describing a dream you had after eating too much candy. It’s lush, it’s over-the-top, and it’s deeply addictive. Just make sure you follow the once upon a broken heart series in order so the magic actually makes sense when the rug inevitably gets pulled out from under you.