Review: The Broken Ones by Danielle L. Jensen

The Broken Ones

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Release Date: June 6th, 2017

Publisher: Angry Robot

Th Malediction Trilogy Book #0.6

ISBN:   0857666975

ISBN13:  9780857666970

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

A prequel to the USA Today bestseller and Goodreads Choice finalist Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy).

Below Forsaken Mountain, a plot is being hatched to overthrow the tyrant king of Trollus, and Marc is the right-hand man of its leader. His involvement is information more than one troll would kill to possess, which is why he must keep it a secret from everyone, even the girl he loves.

After accidentally ruining her sister’s chance to become queen, Pénélope is given one last opportunity by her father, the Duke d’Angoulême, to make herself useful: she must find proof that the boy she’s in love with is conspiring against the crown. If she fails, her life will be forfeit.

Marc and Pénélope must navigate the complex politics of Trollus, where powers on all sides are intent on using them as pawns, forcing them to risk everything for a chance at a life together.

Except being together may turn out to be the greatest risk of all.

I had not heard of this series before seeing it on NetGalley so the world is completely new to me. I very much enjoyed reading THE BROKEN ONES and learning about the world that the Malediction Trilogy is set in but, according to the author, it should be read after book two. I'm not sure what I missed out on not having two previous stories under my belt.

THE BROKEN ONES was both interesting and heartbreaking. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the love story definitely pulled at my heartstrings.  Penelope and Marc were both easy to like and the supporting cast of characters brought more to the storyline. 

The ending of THE BROKEN ONES was shocking. So shocking that it definitely made me interested to see how things turn out in the future for a few of the characters. Book One, Stolen Song, is on my to-be-read list.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.