Brigid Kemmerer brings to us a well-written, action-packed sequel that follows Grey's journey as he deals with the truth about who he is. All secrets come to light at some point, and it is the same in this story. When the truth about Grey comes to light, he is seen as a threat to the kingdom. Rhen, now freed from the curse is not ready to see reason or understand. All he sees is betrayal.
The author weaves together a rather complicated set of emotions spread among all the chaaracters, all layered one on top of the other. To get to them, we have to peel back each layer and deal with what is revealed. With so many rumours about Harper and the rival heir about, Rhen is at his wits end to keep everything together. This story mainly focuses on Grey's journey, his actions and decisions and his interaction with the enemy princess and kingdom. We see how he grows, how he learns to become a prince in his own right and how he interacts with the people around him. There is a stark contrast to Grey's personality and Rhen's which is beautifully brought out in this book.
This story is a wonderful sequel to the first, showing us a different aspect of the plot and story and culminating in a cliff hanger, leaving the reader wanting for more! I am sure that every cursebreaker is impatiently waiting for the next book to know what happens!

A Heart so Fierce and Broken
Audible Audiobook
– Unabridged
Brigid Kemmerer
(Author),
Melissa Bayern
(Narrator),
Matt Reeves
(Narrator),
Kate Handford
(Narrator),
Davis Brooks
(Narrator),
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
(Publisher)
&
3
More
©2020 Brigid Kemmerer (P)2019 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Other sellers and formats from ₹ 223.30
By completing your purchase you agree to Audible’s
Conditions Of Use
Amazon's Privacy Notice and if applicable Audible's Recurring Payment Terms.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
People who bought this also bought
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
- Audible Audiobook
- Audible Audiobook
- Audible Audiobook
- Audible Audiobook
- Audible Audiobook
Product details
Listening Length | 13 hours and 28 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Brigid Kemmerer |
Narrator | Melissa Bayern, Matt Reeves, Kate Handford, Davis Brooks |
Audible.in Release Date | 07 January 2020 |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B081S98GBM |
Best Sellers Rank |
#7,879 in Audible Audiobooks & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Audiobooks & Originals)
#13 in Fairy Tales for Teens #18 in Fantasy Romance for Teens |
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,872 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from India
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in India on 1 March 2020
Report abuse
Verified Purchase
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
Reviewed in India on 30 January 2020
Verified Purchase
(Also reviewed on For The Love of Fictional Worlds)
A Heart So Fierce and Broken picks up where the first book left off – so no, this book DOES NOT standalone – but it does give a whole new perspective to read about – the deliciously stout Commander Grey, who is now on the run from Prince Rhen and Harper; the two people who is the most dear to Grey.
Now, rumours are bound afoot in Emberfell, about another heir to challenge Rhen’s claim to the throne; it doesn’t help that Rhen and Harper’s most trusted man isn’t by their side. On the other hand, Grey is trying his best to live a life in hiding, away from the palace and without any emotional attachments. But things, reality for that matter has a way of cropping up, when you least want it; and that’s exactly what happens with Grey.
I swear, I don’t want to give away any more spoilers (beyond what I have already given you) but I swear; if you haven’t already picked up this series; you are missing out on a lot!
A Heart So Fierce And Broken, killed me and there’s a part of me that hasn’t survived reading it – the fact that Brigid Kemmerer made sure that her readers realise that even Fictional heroes are susceptible to human errors and trust me, that lesson was learned harshly with the pieces of my soul never going to be whole again!
Again, per usual; Ms. Kemmerer writes in such a fabulous way; that I honestly wanted to binge – read the book while simultaneously trying to savour it as well! And believe you me; it wasn’t an easy task AT ALL.
Also Lia Maria; our princess was somehow the PERFECT choice for our Commander Grey – she gave me a solid foundation and strength to stand for what’s right + unconditional support that he had rarely gotten from anyone else *heart eyes*
Also; I absolutely adored that she gave some amazing page time to wonderful secondary characters; and the team that was forged in some trying and traumatic circumstances, now is solid and standing right behind Grey for what seems to be an epic confrontation.
And that cliff-hanger? I barely survived the year’s wait till this beauty released and now you want me to wait a WHOLE YEAR for the third book? I mean; how mean can one author be? But I will wait, cause I NEED to know that everything will be okay with Rhen, Harper and Grey (oh dear Lord, please let everything be okay!).
A Heart So Fierce and Broken picks up where the first book left off – so no, this book DOES NOT standalone – but it does give a whole new perspective to read about – the deliciously stout Commander Grey, who is now on the run from Prince Rhen and Harper; the two people who is the most dear to Grey.
Now, rumours are bound afoot in Emberfell, about another heir to challenge Rhen’s claim to the throne; it doesn’t help that Rhen and Harper’s most trusted man isn’t by their side. On the other hand, Grey is trying his best to live a life in hiding, away from the palace and without any emotional attachments. But things, reality for that matter has a way of cropping up, when you least want it; and that’s exactly what happens with Grey.
I swear, I don’t want to give away any more spoilers (beyond what I have already given you) but I swear; if you haven’t already picked up this series; you are missing out on a lot!
A Heart So Fierce And Broken, killed me and there’s a part of me that hasn’t survived reading it – the fact that Brigid Kemmerer made sure that her readers realise that even Fictional heroes are susceptible to human errors and trust me, that lesson was learned harshly with the pieces of my soul never going to be whole again!
Again, per usual; Ms. Kemmerer writes in such a fabulous way; that I honestly wanted to binge – read the book while simultaneously trying to savour it as well! And believe you me; it wasn’t an easy task AT ALL.
Also Lia Maria; our princess was somehow the PERFECT choice for our Commander Grey – she gave me a solid foundation and strength to stand for what’s right + unconditional support that he had rarely gotten from anyone else *heart eyes*
Also; I absolutely adored that she gave some amazing page time to wonderful secondary characters; and the team that was forged in some trying and traumatic circumstances, now is solid and standing right behind Grey for what seems to be an epic confrontation.
And that cliff-hanger? I barely survived the year’s wait till this beauty released and now you want me to wait a WHOLE YEAR for the third book? I mean; how mean can one author be? But I will wait, cause I NEED to know that everything will be okay with Rhen, Harper and Grey (oh dear Lord, please let everything be okay!).
Reviewed in India on 12 July 2020
Verified Purchase
After taking the longest time ever, I just finished the book.
Initial thoughts - I didn’t like this one as much as the first book. I wasn’t captivated by it like the previous one. So that got me a little disappointed.
I was really disappointed of the fact that we didn’t get Harper and Rhen’s side of the story. I really feel the book could have been the same length with the chapters of Harper and Rhen too. (I really don’t want it to be longer that this).
The fact that Rhen was not someone I loved in the previous book was solidified by this one.
I had really loved Grey in the first book and was happy to read from his perspective. But the best part of the book was Lia Mara. She stole the show man! She really did. I didn’t think I could like anyone more than Grey, but I was absolutely wrong. There is nobody like Lia Mara.
The book wasn’t as magical as the first one. But the way it has ended I am really hoping for a great third part. I think this would give me what I am hoping for in the series.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initial thoughts - I didn’t like this one as much as the first book. I wasn’t captivated by it like the previous one. So that got me a little disappointed.
I was really disappointed of the fact that we didn’t get Harper and Rhen’s side of the story. I really feel the book could have been the same length with the chapters of Harper and Rhen too. (I really don’t want it to be longer that this).
The fact that Rhen was not someone I loved in the previous book was solidified by this one.
I had really loved Grey in the first book and was happy to read from his perspective. But the best part of the book was Lia Mara. She stole the show man! She really did. I didn’t think I could like anyone more than Grey, but I was absolutely wrong. There is nobody like Lia Mara.
The book wasn’t as magical as the first one. But the way it has ended I am really hoping for a great third part. I think this would give me what I am hoping for in the series.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in India on 26 October 2020
I literally had to drag myself for four months to finish the book.
First of all we don't get any POV of Rhen and Harper in this book. Considering the fact that they were the actual main characters in the first book the writer should've given them at least some POVs. Instead of introducing us to complete new POVs all of a sudden.
And then there's Grey. Now that the enchantress revealed his secret to him he's just trying to escape ever since. Halfway through the book nothing exciting happens. It's just grey and his escaping plans.
If they'd have just talked I think a lot of complications between him and Rhen would've been solved.
Then there's this new princess from the enemy territory. I just couldn't relate to her. Even though she's written just like us. A quite bookworm. But to me it felt like her character was forced.
*The plot of the story was average but filled with stupidity*
*And the characters? They are the same kind of characters we get to see in most fantasy books. They felt similar from time to time. Nothing new.*
Totally Disappointed.😑
How the hell this common fantasy story got so much hype is beyond my imagination. 🤦
Verified Purchase
It's Just So Boring😩
I literally had to drag myself for four months to finish the book.
First of all we don't get any POV of Rhen and Harper in this book. Considering the fact that they were the actual main characters in the first book the writer should've given them at least some POVs. Instead of introducing us to complete new POVs all of a sudden.
And then there's Grey. Now that the enchantress revealed his secret to him he's just trying to escape ever since. Halfway through the book nothing exciting happens. It's just grey and his escaping plans.
If they'd have just talked I think a lot of complications between him and Rhen would've been solved.
Then there's this new princess from the enemy territory. I just couldn't relate to her. Even though she's written just like us. A quite bookworm. But to me it felt like her character was forced.
*The plot of the story was average but filled with stupidity*
*And the characters? They are the same kind of characters we get to see in most fantasy books. They felt similar from time to time. Nothing new.*
Totally Disappointed.😑
How the hell this common fantasy story got so much hype is beyond my imagination. 🤦
I literally had to drag myself for four months to finish the book.
First of all we don't get any POV of Rhen and Harper in this book. Considering the fact that they were the actual main characters in the first book the writer should've given them at least some POVs. Instead of introducing us to complete new POVs all of a sudden.
And then there's Grey. Now that the enchantress revealed his secret to him he's just trying to escape ever since. Halfway through the book nothing exciting happens. It's just grey and his escaping plans.
If they'd have just talked I think a lot of complications between him and Rhen would've been solved.
Then there's this new princess from the enemy territory. I just couldn't relate to her. Even though she's written just like us. A quite bookworm. But to me it felt like her character was forced.
*The plot of the story was average but filled with stupidity*
*And the characters? They are the same kind of characters we get to see in most fantasy books. They felt similar from time to time. Nothing new.*
Totally Disappointed.😑
How the hell this common fantasy story got so much hype is beyond my imagination. 🤦

2.0 out of 5 stars
Should've DNFed
By August 🪐 on 26 October 2020
It's Just So Boring😩By August 🪐 on 26 October 2020
I literally had to drag myself for four months to finish the book.
First of all we don't get any POV of Rhen and Harper in this book. Considering the fact that they were the actual main characters in the first book the writer should've given them at least some POVs. Instead of introducing us to complete new POVs all of a sudden.
And then there's Grey. Now that the enchantress revealed his secret to him he's just trying to escape ever since. Halfway through the book nothing exciting happens. It's just grey and his escaping plans.
If they'd have just talked I think a lot of complications between him and Rhen would've been solved.
Then there's this new princess from the enemy territory. I just couldn't relate to her. Even though she's written just like us. A quite bookworm. But to me it felt like her character was forced.
*The plot of the story was average but filled with stupidity*
*And the characters? They are the same kind of characters we get to see in most fantasy books. They felt similar from time to time. Nothing new.*
Totally Disappointed.😑
How the hell this common fantasy story got so much hype is beyond my imagination. 🤦
Images in this review

Top reviews from other countries

Tasha Ní Mhiacháin
5.0 out of 5 stars
*POTENTIAL SPOILERS*
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2020Verified Purchase
“Fear makes people act in ways we'd never expect.”
I wasn’t sure what direction this book was going to go in, I certainly didn’t think I was going to love it as much as A Curse so Dark and Lonely but I ended up loving it even more…
This book follows my all time favourite literary characters – Grey. That man has been through so much, and he tries to keep it all hidden. I honestly don’t know how he remained so strong throughout the curse, and then with everything that followed. My heart goes out to him. I love him so much.
Lia Mara was a pleasant surprise. I was charmed almost immediately. She doesn’t see herself the way others do, and I love that she has people around her trying to make her see her strengths.
Iisak and Tycho became instant favourites for me. I swore when reading it if anything happened to Tycho leading up to Grey's questioning I would never forgive Rhen.. And I won’t. I don’t care what is being done to him in secret. I will never get past what happened.
This story was emotional and intense. I didn’t know who to trust. I wasn’t expecting everything to unfold the way it did. I suspected the ending but everything else was a rollercoaster. I want to reread it right now.
"The most dangerous person at the party is always the girl sitting alone with a book.”
I wasn’t sure what direction this book was going to go in, I certainly didn’t think I was going to love it as much as A Curse so Dark and Lonely but I ended up loving it even more…
This book follows my all time favourite literary characters – Grey. That man has been through so much, and he tries to keep it all hidden. I honestly don’t know how he remained so strong throughout the curse, and then with everything that followed. My heart goes out to him. I love him so much.
Lia Mara was a pleasant surprise. I was charmed almost immediately. She doesn’t see herself the way others do, and I love that she has people around her trying to make her see her strengths.
Iisak and Tycho became instant favourites for me. I swore when reading it if anything happened to Tycho leading up to Grey's questioning I would never forgive Rhen.. And I won’t. I don’t care what is being done to him in secret. I will never get past what happened.
This story was emotional and intense. I didn’t know who to trust. I wasn’t expecting everything to unfold the way it did. I suspected the ending but everything else was a rollercoaster. I want to reread it right now.
"The most dangerous person at the party is always the girl sitting alone with a book.”
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse

BookWorm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent sequel with great characters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2020Verified Purchase
This exceptional follow-up novel is every bit as good as the original, maybe even better. The characters we learned to love in the first novel must continue their challenges - because Kemmerer's books might have a fairytale setting but there's no such thing here as happy ever after. It is narrated in alternating chapters by a returning favourite character, Grey, and a new character (who'll quickly become a favourite), Lia Mara. The curse has been lifted on prince Rhen and his kingdom, but his hold on power is tenuous, his subjects rebellious, and his neighbours eager to invade. Grey, once loyal commander of the palace guard, is living in exile and hiding a dangerous secret. Meanwhile Lia Mara, princess of the hostile queen of Syhl Shallow, is travelling with her mother to deliver an ultimatum to the beleaguered prince. Before long, these two plotlines collide.
Everything about these novels just works so well. The characters are loveable - the main characters, and also the secondary ones. Each is an individual and believable, and you root for every one of them, even when they are on different sides. Kemmerer doesn't pull punches - there are some shocking and brutal moments in these stories. The emotional angst is high as the characters we love end up enemies, which is a painful contrast from the friendship and camaraderie between them that got them through the trials of book one. It makes for a highly compelling read.
If you enjoy 'sword and sorcery' type fantasy novels you simply can't go wrong. The plot is strong, the characters great, the writing good quality and flows well. Kemmerer is a fabulous writer and after the cliffhanger ending I really hope she's got her head down working on the next!
Everything about these novels just works so well. The characters are loveable - the main characters, and also the secondary ones. Each is an individual and believable, and you root for every one of them, even when they are on different sides. Kemmerer doesn't pull punches - there are some shocking and brutal moments in these stories. The emotional angst is high as the characters we love end up enemies, which is a painful contrast from the friendship and camaraderie between them that got them through the trials of book one. It makes for a highly compelling read.
If you enjoy 'sword and sorcery' type fantasy novels you simply can't go wrong. The plot is strong, the characters great, the writing good quality and flows well. Kemmerer is a fabulous writer and after the cliffhanger ending I really hope she's got her head down working on the next!
One person found this helpful
Report abuse

Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars
a new direction to the first
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2020Verified Purchase
I'd heard mixed reviews about this book - I'm not sure if I just lowered my expectations, but I loved this continuation of the story. We do move on to newer characters, and at first, I was a bit upset about this. But you know what - I fell in love with these new ones, perhaps more than Harper and Rhen. One of my sticking points with the first was that I wanted a bit more from the characters - I think A Heart So Fierce and Broken did deliver this for me.
I wasn't sure I was going to feel that strongly toward Lia Mara - she is one of the new viewpoints we follow from in this part of the story. But I love her so much! She loves books, she's caring, unflinching, and level headed. I thought I'd miss Harper's view, but I think I liked Lia a bit more.
And that end! By heck do I need to know what is going to happen next!!!
I wasn't sure I was going to feel that strongly toward Lia Mara - she is one of the new viewpoints we follow from in this part of the story. But I love her so much! She loves books, she's caring, unflinching, and level headed. I thought I'd miss Harper's view, but I think I liked Lia a bit more.
And that end! By heck do I need to know what is going to happen next!!!
One person found this helpful
Report abuse

Flo
1.0 out of 5 stars
A series of terrible mistakes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2021Verified Purchase
I loved the first book so much but this book somehow let me down. After being so attached to the characters in the first book, it was hard to completely turn that off and concentrate on the new POVs while they depict Rhen as a tyrant. I do think it all started with Grey making such a bad decision by running away and not telling Rhen.
I think it’s understandable why Rhen behaved the way he did and it shows what trauma can truly do to a person (and he was terribly wrong for harming Grey). He was physically and mentally damaged by magic and gave all he had to protect his people. Then this unknown heir threatens to take everything away from him and worse, this heir has magic. It’s like one nightmare after another and his best “friend” ran away from him. He’s not even sure if Grey was working for Lilith or not.
I don’t mind my perspectives about Rhen and Harper is being challenged in this book (when did Harper become so passive?) but it’s tiring seeing the repeated messages that Lia Mara is a very nice and naive person and Grey had suffered Rhen so much during those days. Only having the 2 POVs and seeing the incoherence in characters’s behaviours made me feel a bit disconnected with this series.
It’s just my opinions and feelings reading this book. Of course I know everyone is different and many people love this second book. Maybe I expected to see more of Rhen and Harper and learning more about Grey and Lia at the same time. Not completely separated and while Rhen is done dirty this way. Hopefully the last book will be better tho.
I think it’s understandable why Rhen behaved the way he did and it shows what trauma can truly do to a person (and he was terribly wrong for harming Grey). He was physically and mentally damaged by magic and gave all he had to protect his people. Then this unknown heir threatens to take everything away from him and worse, this heir has magic. It’s like one nightmare after another and his best “friend” ran away from him. He’s not even sure if Grey was working for Lilith or not.
I don’t mind my perspectives about Rhen and Harper is being challenged in this book (when did Harper become so passive?) but it’s tiring seeing the repeated messages that Lia Mara is a very nice and naive person and Grey had suffered Rhen so much during those days. Only having the 2 POVs and seeing the incoherence in characters’s behaviours made me feel a bit disconnected with this series.
It’s just my opinions and feelings reading this book. Of course I know everyone is different and many people love this second book. Maybe I expected to see more of Rhen and Harper and learning more about Grey and Lia at the same time. Not completely separated and while Rhen is done dirty this way. Hopefully the last book will be better tho.

Stephanie Evans
3.0 out of 5 stars
Swerve it if you love Rhen like I do . . .
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 April 2020Verified Purchase
** spoiler alert **
What I Liked:
I loved learning more about Grey and the building relationship between him and Tycho. I also liked Lia Mara a lot. Yes, she's a bit of a Mary Sue, but of late, it actually feels refreshing to read a lead female character who isn't hot-headed. She is a genuine and warm, and Brigid really got that across.
Grey is mega-swoonworthy. We all knew he had it in him, but he's quiet and smouldering intensity was really enjoyable to read. More of that, please.
These books are so well-paced. I normally can't read books where it's essentially a journey from A > B, but she writes with such ease that I didn't mind.
I really enjoyed being introduced to Syhl Shallow and their customs and loved the dynamic between the two sisters. Nolla Verin is really compelling and I hope she's a big player in the next book.
What I Disliked:
I can't help it, I feel like Brigid Kemmerer really did Rhen the dirty in this book. I feel like ACSDAL spun a tale to weave this rash and uncompromising, but ultimately compassionate character, and then AHSFAB tossed him into the flames. EITHER, Rhen has just turned into a paranoid megalomaniac OR this book is simply filler for him to be redeemed in the third and final book. I don't know which would be worse.
I loved Rhen in the first book, and I appreciate that Noah is utilised to explain the concept of PTSD, but there is almost nothing in the way of a soft edge that gives you hope for him going forward, and also presents this condition as pretty one-dimensional, which I feel does sufferers a disservice. I feel like Rhen was sacrificed in order to elevate our opinion Grey, when Grey is an exceptionally-well written character already. Immolating Rhen so utterly just wasn't necessary in order to move the plot along.
I was gutted that we saw so little of Harper, and felt like her passiveness was completely out of character. She saved everyone in the first book with her boldness, goodness and bravery and presumably became a shrinking violet in the couple of months between books? I loved that her POV and Rhen's were so different, whereas sometimes I had to check the chapter title to check whether I was reading Grey or Lia Mara.
I'm sad that I'm just not excited for the conclusion of this trilogy. I'm hoping that this book really was just a filler for some really heart-wrenching decisions and genuine turmoil. I can't see a way for the central conflict to be compelling if the way forward has already been paved. Redeem Rhen, I beg you!
What I Liked:
I loved learning more about Grey and the building relationship between him and Tycho. I also liked Lia Mara a lot. Yes, she's a bit of a Mary Sue, but of late, it actually feels refreshing to read a lead female character who isn't hot-headed. She is a genuine and warm, and Brigid really got that across.
Grey is mega-swoonworthy. We all knew he had it in him, but he's quiet and smouldering intensity was really enjoyable to read. More of that, please.
These books are so well-paced. I normally can't read books where it's essentially a journey from A > B, but she writes with such ease that I didn't mind.
I really enjoyed being introduced to Syhl Shallow and their customs and loved the dynamic between the two sisters. Nolla Verin is really compelling and I hope she's a big player in the next book.
What I Disliked:
I can't help it, I feel like Brigid Kemmerer really did Rhen the dirty in this book. I feel like ACSDAL spun a tale to weave this rash and uncompromising, but ultimately compassionate character, and then AHSFAB tossed him into the flames. EITHER, Rhen has just turned into a paranoid megalomaniac OR this book is simply filler for him to be redeemed in the third and final book. I don't know which would be worse.
I loved Rhen in the first book, and I appreciate that Noah is utilised to explain the concept of PTSD, but there is almost nothing in the way of a soft edge that gives you hope for him going forward, and also presents this condition as pretty one-dimensional, which I feel does sufferers a disservice. I feel like Rhen was sacrificed in order to elevate our opinion Grey, when Grey is an exceptionally-well written character already. Immolating Rhen so utterly just wasn't necessary in order to move the plot along.
I was gutted that we saw so little of Harper, and felt like her passiveness was completely out of character. She saved everyone in the first book with her boldness, goodness and bravery and presumably became a shrinking violet in the couple of months between books? I loved that her POV and Rhen's were so different, whereas sometimes I had to check the chapter title to check whether I was reading Grey or Lia Mara.
I'm sad that I'm just not excited for the conclusion of this trilogy. I'm hoping that this book really was just a filler for some really heart-wrenching decisions and genuine turmoil. I can't see a way for the central conflict to be compelling if the way forward has already been paved. Redeem Rhen, I beg you!
Unlimited FREE fast delivery, video streaming & more
Prime members enjoy unlimited free, fast delivery on eligible items, video streaming, ad-free music, exclusive access to deals & more.