A Vow So Bold and Deadly was exactly what I was hoping it would be. While I’m so sad this series is over, I couldn’t imagine a better conclusion. See, the thing is, I’m pretty sure that the first HALF of the book was spent switching between what was happening in Emberfall as well as Syhl Shallow in the grace period prior to “war”. And as a result, it was frustrating to read about how both sides were making almost half-hearted war preparations, because both sides had done wrong, but could also resolve the whole issue without further bloodshed.

Edited to add: Because a few people have told me I would like this book more if I had continued it, I probably should mention that, after choosing to "officially" DNF it where I did, I skimmed forward and read chunks of the rest of the book here and there to see if I might be more intrigued by what was happening. I then also skipped ahead and read the last few chapters (I know, blasphemy, but this is something that has convinced me to continue a boring or disappointing book many times in the past, so I was hopeful). Unfortunately, not only did I find the plot line predictable enough that literally NOTHING about the end surprised me, but I was even more frustrated by the characters by the end that I can safely guarantee nothing that happened between the sections I read would have redeemed AHSFAB for me. :( /end edit

It wasn’t enough to make me resent the book or feel that it ruined the rest of the series, but I can see why some do. A Heart So Fierce and Broken is a darker story than its predecessor in many ways, starting from the audience’s realisation that Rhen may not be the hero to the moral conflicts each of our protagonists face. Grey doesn’t want to challenge Rhen for the crown, but he may not have a choice except to defy the king he once served if he wishes to survive and protect his people. Lia Mara wants for everyone to live and be happy, but that is a naïve wish that doesn’t take into account the history of bloodshed and violence between Emberfall and Syhl Shallow which will not so easily be smoothed over. At what point does she end up as a traitor to her people if she continues pushing for reconciliation despite the deaths that have occurred on both sides? Lia Mara is brought down by her sister who is heartbroken but grey doesn’t kill her and instead tries to save her. Still, the others get caught with arrows aimed at their heads, Karis Lurans tells her men to kill them but Grey uses his magic that he has been practicing. Yield to yourself. Yield to forgiveness. Yield to happiness. Yield to this moment. It's not hers. It's yours. It's mine. It's ours.” Prince Rhen is no longer under a curse, but he still has many hardships to face, including the rumors of another heir that is coming in between his coronation; though he does have Harper by his side, he is still down a powerful ally since his guard commander grey had disappeared and thought dead.

A Heart So Fierce And Broken begins with grey which; in the first book found out that he is the secret heir of ember fall, so he went into hiding as not to get recognized and keep the kingdom safe. Underwhelming: All in all this was just... underwhelming. There was too much talking and not enough walking, so to speak. This was definitely a character driven book, and when I didn't like 3 out of 4 characters it probably isn't so surprising that I am underwhelmed... There are 50 chapters and an epilogue. The story is told from the points of view of Grey, Lia Mara, Harper, and Rhen.

About the contributors

In many ways, this book was both a disappointment, as well as the outcome of the trilogy that I was expecting. That being said, it tries to do entirely too much, cover too much, and isn’t enough in other aspects, which I see as its ultimate downfall. This author has many possibilities for a return to this world and I'm curious to see what she would do if that happens.

My throat tightens. I turn to look out over the courtyard again, hoping the breeze will drag my tears away. "He was trapped with you for ... ever," I say. "Forever, Rhen. "How could you do that to him?" He suffered from Lillith's torture. He was the one whose guards and family were killed. He lost an eye. He lost Harper for a while. He lost his friend. He begged to be killed multiple times. And then he lost his kingdom? The only thing that had kept him going for so long and would have even had him going through everything again if he had a chance he could protect it. What did Grey lose? A game of dice???? They all start moving on foot. They get too tired and decide to rest for a while since they have also eaten nothing, and they are starving. So first off, I LIVED for Harper and Rhen's POVs, and I adored that they got so much attention in this book, and their chapters were so interesting. They're my favorites, if you can't already tell. I love them together, and I feel SO BAD for Rhen. He deserved so much more than what he actually got, and what happens to him breaks my heart. 😭 He gets his eye ripped out by Lilith, he thinks Harper's dead, he gets so many cuts and scars, and GREY GETS TO RULE AN ENTIRE KINGDOM WHERE EVERYONE LOVES HIM?? It's just not fair. 😢 My main gripe with this book relates to its characters. Harper was my favorite part of A Curse So Dark and Lonely, but she is hardly featured in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, having been swept to the sidelines in favor of Grey and Lia Mara. The few times that she does appear, she is a shell of her former self. Gone is her fierceness; in its place is meekness. She stands by Rhen while he commits atrocities and makes excuses for his abhorrent behavior. While we are on the subject of Rhen, what became of him in this book? He has done a complete 180, transforming from kindhearted to despicable. All of the groundwork that was laid in the first book to show how much he cares about his people has gone out the window in this book. Further, his invention of the kingdom of Disi to protect his people from Syhl Shallow, which was touted as admirable in A Curse So Dark and Lonely, is portrayed as skeevy in this book.Lia Mara was trying to escape from her room when she saw Grey being brought in front of prince Rhen, and she figures out that he is the heir and he is the one everyone is looking for. If you’d read the first two books then you don’t need me to tell you to read this. Just know that the ending is lovely. And as someone who hates most endings it’s nice to smile and put this third book down, content with where we are at. Grey endeared himself to many in the first book and incorporating his perspective in this book as a main character was a fantastic choice. His confident competence and loyal devotion to the crown (and Rhen in particular) plus his chivalrous manner and steadfast integrity is swoonworthy. If he wasn’t already your book boyfriend, his central role in A Heart So Fierce and Broken will cement his status as such!

Review in a Nutshell: A Vow So Bold and Deadly is exactly what I wanted in a finale. It was epic, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, with amazing characters that I absolutely adored. The world-building still isn't exactly solid, but at least there's a map at the beginning to make things slightly less confusing. Content Warning: Violence, Death, Torture, Chronic Illness, Suicide Mention, War Themes, Murder, PTSD //

Customer reviews

My biggest issue (one of very few) was Lia Mara. I really liked her in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, but her characterization went off the rails in this finale. She was no longer the ambitious girl with a clear vision on how she intended to rule. Instead, she never took initiative for anything when she had previously fought her way to become Queen. I was happy for her and Grey in the end, but her mindset along the way was frustrating. Rhen is quiet for a moment. "He was your friend, too, my lady. I was not the only one he ran from."