A Curse For True Love – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

A Curse For True Love

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

89%

WISE Score

The glittery, high-stakes finale to the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy where memories are stolen and the 'happily ever after' is anything but guaranteed.

A Curse For True Love

book

2023

89%

WISE Score

The glittery, high-stakes finale to the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy where memories are stolen and the 'happily ever after' is anything but guaranteed.

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the 'dessert' of YA fantasy: colorful, sweet, and totally addictive. It’s the conclusion to the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, so don’t even think about picking this up if you haven't read the first two. If your kid is already deep in the Stephanie Garber fan club, this is the essential finale they’ve been waiting for.

Garber excels at creating a world that feels like a 'vibe' first and a location second. It’s safe, imaginative, and avoids the gritty cynicism found in a lot of modern fantasy. It’s a great pick for kids who want to get lost in a story without needing a trigger warning for every other chapter.

Age Fit

Perfect for 12 to 18-year-olds who love 'cozy-adjacent' fantasy with a bit of a bite. It’s a safe bet for middle schoolers who are ready for slightly more complex romantic dynamics but aren't ready for the 'spicy' side of BookTok.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it leans into the 'villain' romance trope, the core values center on true agency and the weight of choices. It avoids the explicit 'spice' of modern New Adult fiction, keeping the romance intense but emotionally focused.

Imaginative

Stephanie Garber’s Magnificent North is a masterclass in fairy-tale world-building. It’s a world of literal curses, magical apples, and logic that feels like a fever dream in the best way possible.

Safe

As a YA novel, it contains fantasy violence and some blood, but it lacks graphic gore or explicit sexual content. The primary 'danger' is emotional intensity and romantic manipulation.

Enriching

The story tackles complex themes like the cost of 'happily ever after' and how memories shape our identity. It’s a great catalyst for talking about consent and intuition in relationships.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Atmospheric world-building that feels like a classic Grimm tale updated for a modern YA audience.
The ultimate 'morally gray' lead in Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, who provides a great case study in complex character motivations.
Fast-paced plotting that rewards readers who have stuck through the first two books with massive payoffs.
Clean romance that focuses on tension and emotional connection rather than explicit content.

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What to Watch For

Memory loss tropes drive the plot, which can be frustrating for readers who want the protagonist to 'just remember already.'
Romantic manipulation is a central theme; Apollo is a textbook example of a controlling partner, which is meant to be seen as negative but is intense to read.
Fantasy violence includes stabbings, poisoning, and some blood-based magic, though it never crosses into horror territory.

Conversation Starters

"If you could trade your most painful memory for a 'perfect' life, would you do it?"
"Does Apollo actually love Evangeline, or does he just love the idea of owning her?"
"Why do you think Jacks is so afraid of his own feelings for the majority of the series?"
"How does the setting of the Magnificent North change the way the characters act compared to the world of Caraval?"

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