Author
Stephanie Garber
6 books here
Finale
Young adult · ages 13–18 · 780L · 2019
Lush prose and romantic stakes land hard for the right reader, but the concluding arc prioritizes spectacle over character clarity and may feel rushed compared to the first two books.
Caraval
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 790L · 2017
Lush, intricate puzzle-box fantasy that rewards re-reading; the twist lands harder if you've paid attention, and Scarlett's journey from paralyzed to purposeful is genuinely earned.
The Ballad of Never After
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 800L · 2022
Garber's prose is lush and the magic system feels lived-in; the romantic tension with two suitors is genuinely complex, and Evangeline's agency matters—but it's a series payoff book that assumes familiarity with *Broken Heart*.
A Curse for True Love
Young adult · ages 12–18 · 900L · 2023
A polished, fast-paced fantasy that leans into the 'chosen one' trope but delivers a satisfying character arc for readers who want magic without heavy angst.
Legendary
Young adult · ages 14–18 · 780L
Smarter and less predictable than its predecessor—the magic system deepens, the love triangle actually has teeth, and Tella's agency is complicated by genuine moral ambiguity.
Once Upon a Broken Heart
Young adult · ages 12–16 · 780L · 2021
Lush fantasy romance with genuine stakes and a protagonist who actively drives the plot rather than being rescued — the pacing stumbles mid-book, but the final act delivers.