Review: The Broken Ones by Danielle L. Jensen

BOOK STATS

Rating: ☆☆☆.5
Title: The Broken Ones
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Series: The Malediction Trilogy #0.6
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Eric Michael Summerer, Erin Moon
Length: 9 hours (267 pages)
Publisher: Angry Robot
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Source: Audible subscription
Recommended for fans of: The Malediction Trilogy
Content Warnings: miscarriage, fatal disease

SYNOPSIS

Lovers of Romeo and Juliet’s tale of star-crossed romance will be swept away by this breathtaking retelling full of fantasy and magic.

Cursed to the confines of their underground city, an ancient rivalry between the most powerful troll families has reached a fevered pitch. At the heart of it is Pénélope d’Angoulême, a talented artist and the eldest daughter of a power-hungry duke. When Pénélope accidentally destroys her sister’s chance to become queen, her father gives her an ultimatum: find proof that Marc Biron, the right hand to their family’s greatest enemy, is guilty of treason. Or die trying.

The trouble is, she’s in love with him.

Together, Marc and Pénélope must navigate the complex politics and dangerous magic of their world. Powers on all sides are intent on using them as pawns, forcing them to risk everything for a chance at happiness.

Except being together will be the greatest risk of all…

THE BROKEN ONES takes place in the magical world of the USA Today bestselling and Goodreads Choice finalist STOLEN SONGBIRD. A star-crossed romance, THE BROKEN ONES is certain to break the hearts of fans of Holly Black. Readers new to this world may begin here!

MY THOUGHTS

The Broken Ones is a prequel to The Malediction Trilogy about Marc and Penelope’s star-crossed/forbidden romance. According to the author, it can be read as a standalone; however, she recommends reading it after book two as it spoils some things in the main series. On the other hand, the series definitely spoils the events of this book. I read it after book 3.

This book gives us an insider’s perspective of the aristocracy and politics of Trollus. It was interesting to see Tristan as a side character with the spotlight on his cousin Marc. I enjoyed diving deep into this backstory and learning more about the characters’ pasts, but knowing how it would end the whole time took the suspense out of the story, a common problem with this type of spin off book.