| Title | : | A Bond of Broken Glass (Severed Realms #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 173742438X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781737424383 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 464 |
| Publication | : | First published April 10, 2023 |
Ellie knows what she wants in life:
Open a glassblowing shop in the art district.
See her father retire.
Marry for love. (If she can find someone who can keep up, that is).
Winning the fae prince’s heart doesn’t make the list.
So when Prince Evander throws a ball to find a human bride, Ellie respectfully declines. And when she reads the morning paper and discovers the prince danced the night away with a mysterious stranger, only for the woman to flee at the stroke of midnight, Ellie can’t help but laugh.
Until she learns the mystery girl left behind a glass slipper.
Ellie’s glass slipper. From the set that went missing from Ellie’s workshop.
So when the idiotic prince decides it’s a good idea to use the slipper to identify the love of his life (because, you know, no two women could possibly share the same shoe size), Ellie doesn’t hesitate to prove the slipper is hers.
Little does she know there’s been a modification to her work of art. The prince may or may not have attached a fae bargain to the shoe, and when Ellie places it on her foot, she finds herself both legally and magically betrothed to the very prince she detests.
Not that Prince Evander is thrilled about the situation, either. After all, he’d thought the shoe would only fit Cinderella.
Together, the unhappy couple must discover a way to break the fae bond, but there’s danger along the way.
And what’s more dangerous than falling in love with someone whose heart belongs to another?
A Bond of Broken Glass (Severed Realms #3) Reviews
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Definitely my favorite book in the series so far! I had completely different expectations when I read that it was a Cinderella retelling, but fell absolutely in love with how the story unraveled. It’s been a long time since I read something that made me so emotionally charged at the lives of the characters. Ellie is such a well written, flushed out character, and I think shows a lot of vulnerability when necessary. Evander is so cheeky and kind, and the way he comforts Ellie will live in my brain rent free for a very long time. It was a lot of fun to read the conflicting emotions and conflicting motivations that both Ellie and Evander had. There were so many moments that I was screaming for both of them to understand what was going on, what was at stake. The supporting characters add a lot to the story; Blaise and Imogen do a great job of redirecting attention at times, and I think their added histories really furthers the plot in a great way.
I can honestly say I’ve never seen Cinderella be more terrifying; her manipulation at every turn drew me in and scared the hell out of me.
Like the rest of the series so far, ABOBG has a lot of heart and confronts a lot of hard truths within its characters. Nothing is ever black and white, and there’s always a twist coming (which I look forward to every single time!). I can’t wait to continue reading this series and see who else I’m going to fall in love with!
Also, let’s talk about Finn for a moment. This man has a strangle hold on me; and his few pages was not nearly enough to quench my thirst. I’m desperately hoping to see more of him in the next book! -
I am in absolute awe... usually as I continue series they become less and less appealing (at times, not always!) but T.A. Lawrence has created an internal battle as to which book I like the most in this series so far. The twist on the Cinderella concept had me hooked! All the details had me envisioning everything in my head like a movie. It was just so beautifully written I had to stop a few times to relish in certain moments in the books to simply sigh and replay it in my head. The characters are well developed which made it easy to connect to with and of course, sprinkling in other characters from previous books was the cherry on top for me. The world is slowly coming together and I'm ready for it!!
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE x 1,000!!!!!!!
*While this series doesn’t have to be read in the order that the books were released, I DO recommend reading A Word So Fitly Spoken before reading this one. It will help you get a better understanding of the magic system and what is happening at the end of this book.*
I am SO obsessed with this series and this book just heightened my obsession. I wasn’t sure how Cinderella could fit into the world that Lawrence has built but it came together so well. Ellie and Evander’s ARC throughout the story is amazing. And Evander is to die for. He’s so perfect! Lol There we’re a few plot twists that I NEVER saw coming. They had me seriously messed up. My heart was racing and I just couldn’t put the book down.
Cinderella being a villain was such an interesting twist and made for a FANTASTIC plot. The Old Magic is also very interesting and I can’t wait to find out more about it. Everything just fit together so well!!
One of my favorite things about this book was that we finally got to see some of our favorite characters from another book in the series. I could have cried! Lol That part was also very thought out and executed perfectly. And we got a cliffhanger this time that I can’t wait to see come to fruition!
I 100/10 recommend this book! -
Why do these books just get better and better, literally this series is so good. And now there’s gonna be a 4th and 5th book? Amazing. I love this world, so ready for more but also sad about the impending end to it. Everyone read it rn 😤😤
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Okay when I devoured that book what (also I’m not exactly looking forward to the next book which is so sad cause liek come on) also releasing a book every three months??? What
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It was my favorite book of the series yet. I was immediately intrigued by the prologue and was biting my fingernails while rooting for the characters. It had all the humor from the first book and so much more.
I have read all three books and would recommend at least reading the first one for a better understanding of the world setting and how the old magic works. Plus, you will see some beloved characters from the other books!
This story shows a fresh and entirely different perspective of a Cinderella telling, and I LOVED it! I fell in love with the characters. Ellie is such a strong, independent, and witty person, and Evander seems like a good-for-nothing but grows while the story unfolds.
I love that it isn't just a cliché love story, but a slow-burn romance with a more realistic touch that keeps you thinking for hours after you finish reading.
The best part is, of course, the twist so masterfully crafted by T. A. Lawrence. No book series had caught me so off-guard as this one. Each book feels like part of a puzzle, and I cannot wait to get every single piece! -
Using this book as a placeholder for completing T.A. Lawrence's novella, A Face to Slay the Shadows, which is not on Goodreads.
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A retelling of cinderella where cinderella isn't the heroine?? I picked up this book and couldn't put it down!
Romance: 4/5
Spice: 1/5
Trope(s): slow burn, reluctant friends to lovers, crazy ex, forced engagement
Ellie is a glassblower who finally perfected the perfect glass slipper, just not in time to replicate it and sell it to the thousands of women going to the prince's ball. But low and behold, her work gets stolen by the seductress who ensnared the prince's heart and then disappeared. So when the royal guard comes along she of course tells them it is her shoe, that it was stolen and she would like it back. The guards, thinking she meant 'it was hers' the way all the other women said it was theirs to try and marry the prince decline to mention that trying on the slipper meant entering an unbreakable bond of marriage to the prince! When the shoe fits Ellie (obviously, she made it out of molds from her own feet!) she sets off a series of actions that end up with her falling in love with a prince that has his heart set on a woman he met for a single night.
I loved Ellie. Her passion, her quick thinking, her inevitable fall for Evander, her heartbreak, her strength. She was everything I hope to read about in a fmc.
Evander is.. lost. He was never meant to be heir but when his older brother died he found himself thrust into a world he never asked for. Met with scorn from his father and unable to let himself mourn his loss, he falls head over heels for the first woman who treated his loss like a person rather than an opportunity. She then disappears at midnight leaving him with a glass slipper and a wholly unimpressed glassblower. Evander finds himself protecting Ellie and wishing for her survival and happiness as they get closer and closer to their impending nuptials. He slowly starts to forget about the dream of cinderella and focuses on the real person Ellie is- the person who he could be the king he wants to be with her by his side.
The slow burn love that builds between Evander and Ellie was the sweetest, most heart-renching tale! The readers know from the prologue that cinderella is not who she seems and there are enough clues throughout the story for the readers to guess why he is so obsessed with her even after he admits to feeling conflicted and falling in love with Ellie. He wants to marry Ellie, but when cinderella makes her way back into his life, at the expense of Ellie, he is horrified at instinctively choosing her over Ellie in a moment of rash thinking. I was obsessed at reading about their love blossoming over this story and I loved how even through the heart break Ellie and Evander were there for each other.
Honestly, there are only 2 things that dampened my enjoyment of this book- it was a pretty perfect book imo!
1. I wasn't super into the twist villian. But I AM looking forward to her story.
2. I hate hate hate hate hate fey/human romances that just accept the human half of the pairing aging and dying in 50 years while the other half will... live forever? Will he remarry? Fall in love again? Die with her? Will his sacrifice live on after her death? Either way, I like my fantasy romances to have a *complete* HEA- lifespans included. I prefer my fantasy romances to have the 'if you're bonded to an immortal being then your lifespan expands to match' type of trope. -
I love the way T.A. Lawrence writes, very few authors get me into the plot the way she does. This third book of the Severed Realms series delivered everything and then a bit more to me.
Things I loved about this book, spoiler-free:
1) It is a retelling of Cinderella where she is the villain I have never read anything like that before. I love the way that sometimes you think this is Cinderella, and then you think not that one, this is the real Cinderella, discovering her identity leaves you with a good taste in your mouth.
2) All the new characters in the series are very well created, they have a good backstory, desires, fears, and some bad traits, they don't feel half done, they feel very real and human.
3) We can see other characters from previous books interact more with the characters in this book, I love that Taylor took advantage of the book to continue the plot of the first two books and at the same time introduced us to several new characters.
5) An excellent book, a piece of advice, if you have a super active imagination, reading this book before bed, helps you create new scenarios and chapters while you dream, this is something that happened to me when reading the first book, with the second and with this one Also, it's super fun dreaming up new chapters or continuation of the situations you're reading :) -
finally!!
A retelling that isn’t a YA or just about lust. The plot was great! Also, the EMOTIONAL development which doesn’t seem to happen a lot in these books made me so happy. The author legit went through their thought process and their emotions with it. Usually it’s one or the other. The growth of romance and not just talking about their looks or boning. There is as no spice which usually makes me like the book less but I feel like it was the right choice. This book was well done!
SPOILER!!!
The person who had done it confused me and it didn’t really seem like she would have done it. It didn’t fit who she was at all. It seemed she would immediately go for help from her personality. So I got frustrated but then I put myself in the persons shoes and realized she had no family, and most likely had to do everything herself since she was young and they just became an adult. What person at that would go get help when they never had any to begin with? Also, at that age your personality is still developing into what it could be and when something that traumatic happens? So she is tough but her toughness hasn’t solidified completely yet. There are cracks that are fixed when growing and learning. This was thrusted upon her making a crack that was supposed to be filled widened. So her making a desperate attempt fix it herself makes sense. -
This series has had a tight hold on me and it just keeps getting tighter. I loved this book so much. I don’t think I could explain the extent of how good this book is but I will give it my best shot. Let me start off by saying that this book is my tippity top favorite of the whole series. I have read all the books in the series and it just gets better and better with each book released.
Evander and Ellie’s love story was so fun to read. Evander with his mischievous and playful personality and Ellie with her strong will and fierce attitude. They are so different but one in the same and perfectly made for each other. Their banter back and forth was so funny, I laughed out loud more times than I can count. There were a few times I wanted to strangle their necks but it all came together perfectly in the end. Speaking of endings… talk about falling out of your seat with suspense, ya well I literally fell out of mine at the revelations at the end of this book. Completely through me for a loop and some. Ha Ha. I really wish I could make time speed up so July can get here, like tomorrow, so I can read the next book and find out what happens. Lol.
I have said this before, but I am going to say it again because it is 1000% true, T.A. Lawrence is a phenomenal author and can really bring her books to life right in front of your face.
T.A. Lawrence -
4.5 out 5 stars
The reason I'm not giving this book 5 stars is because of how slow the beginning was for me. I was skeptical if I'd like the book, but I ended up adoring and loving the book because its a Cinderella retelling, the twists, and the slow burn development between the male and female lead. I absolutely love how there are different points of views in the book because I like being able to understand and read about what goes on in each character. Their emotions, their thoughts, their actions, etc. It definitely makes the book interesting whenever the point of view switches in the chapters.
I fell in love with the first book, "A Word So Fitlty Spoken," that I absolute loved the references and mentions of the characters from the first book. It really ties in interesting plot points together in this story.
Overall, I loved the story! I loved how I gave the story a chance as I kept reading. I keep getting pulled into the writing, the story, the plot that I never wanted the book to end. I'm sure everyone will love the characters, the plot, and the twists just as much as I did. -
The book is part of the Severed Realms series and although it can be read individually, I recommend that it be read in order, not only so that some details are better understood, but also because the first two books are amazing (A Tune to Make Them Follow being my only 5 stars of the year so far).
I really like T.A. Lawrence's writing. She always manages to get me hooked on the stories and modernize traditional fairy tales in order to escape the clichés we always see, and that's exactly what happened in this book.
Elle and Evander's story is a lot of fun to read and seeing how the two fall in love almost unintentionally was my favorite part (although I also loved seeing some characters from previous books).
I just missed a greater connection with the story that started in the previous books and I wish I had had more explanations for some events.
But despite that I loved the book and can't wait for the next ones! -
This is my favourite book in the whole series. It is so fun and cute Ellie and Evander are so loveable they were made for each other.
This was definitely the most creative Cinderella retelling ever, it calls out the flaw in the original story about shoe size. The two MCs are reluctantly paired together to go through the royal marriage trials to legitimise their wedding lest they die because of the fae bargain. Ellie ends up complementing Evander more than Cinderella would have. She keeps him grounded and truthful while he shows her the joys of life and elevated some of her stress. They are so perfect and deserve the best. -
If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings and Fae romance, you will enjoy this book. The third in the series, these books are standalone yet not. There is some character overlap and Easter eggs, so reading the first two will definitely help the reader’s understanding.
This was an interesting spin on Cinderella, with a different take on Cinderella being the villain instead of the fated princess. Ellie was a great character: witty, intelligent and strong-minded. Evander was the kind hearted prince with a reputation as a womanizer. Who Cinderella really was in the end was a surprise as there was some obvious misleading during the story.
An enjoyable book that is very YA. The series as a whole has been entertaining. -
A Word So Fitly Spoken is still my favorite book in this series, but this is a close 2nd. The twists and turns in this book were amazing! I really liked that the magic was a bit different in this book and had its own agenda, vs what the “host” wanted. The banter between Ellie and Evander was perfect. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight for them. Evander was too immature and blinded by Cinderella, and Ellie was way too stubborn to see what was right in front of them. The “ending” of their love story was wrapped up really well without feeling too rushed. I’m really looking forward to the next book and can’t wait to see more of my favorite characters.
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Another great addition to this collection of books!! I love that her characters and plots are so different in all of these three books. It makes them so enjoyable to read and captivating!
Lawrence did an amazing job creating tension and resolve 👏🏼. So if you want a swoony feel good book with a few twists, this is a definite read! Along with the other two in this collection.
I loved seeing some of the old characters too ☺️.
This is an ARC review 😘 but 💯 my true thoughts (otherwise i probably wouldn’t have finished it in less than 24 hours haha!) -
Easily the best of the series so far. I was not expecting the different twists this book gave me.
I fell in love far faster with the couple in this book than the two previously, though all have a special place in my heart. T.A. Lawrence does a tremendous job weaving characters and stories that make you feel as though you’re truly experiencing what they are in real time. I can’t wait to see how all of these books come together, even with the little snippet we got in this one with the return of a certain couple.
Thank you for an ARC of this book 🥰 -
Brilliant take on a Cinderella inspired tale
I read this in 6 hours. I couldn’t put it down.
The way I gasped at the reveal because I was so SMUG the whole time thinking I’d worked it out and I hadn’t. Hats off for that because I loved it.
I genuinely think I’m struggling to decide which of these books pairs have been my favourite. All of the women have been fierce and admirable in different ways and I love them all the more for it.
I cannot wait for the 4th instalment as I’ve recognised more characters from each book appearing! -
I wish I could give this book 10,000 stars!
I've loved each of the books in this series, but this one is my absolute favorite so far.
The story is fresh and unique, like nothing I've read before, and the banter, you guys. THE BANTER!!!😍😍😍
Top tier, next level banter. I was cackling my way through this book. It was witty and creative and so funny.
I can't say enough good things about this book. This is a must read. One of my favorite reads of 2023 so far! -
A perfect mix of snarky and emotional
This book got me laughing at so many points...The sarcastic and snide remarks of Ellie and the perfect reply by Evander...
All those trials and hardships and how they overcame it together...truly...the first half of the book was absolutely riveting...
The second half was a bit slow for me...but the plot twist at the end...the real identity of cinderella was shocking...I really didn't see that coming... -
I thought I wouldn't like this book knowing that the ml is in love with another woman and not with the fl.
Male lead is a fae, he is very spoiled that's what I thought the author wanted to portray at the beginning. But he is someone who feels lonely and waiting for someone to call his. That's where the other woman comes.
And he is so utterly convinced that she is the love of his life. He goes ahead and sends a marriage proposal to her. That's where the female lead comes. His guard mistakes her as the other woman and she got tied to him cause in that proposal there was a bargain too.
It was hilarious. To be honest I was laughing at his situation. 🤣 Even though he is a fae, he is not good at all at bargaining. 😭
Nonetheless, I found him adorable 😭 lmao. The banter between the ml and fl is peak entertainment.
This is great for people who doesn't like to read smut, cause there's none. This is a romance with fantasy. This was a fun read. -
i hadn’t cried with a book in a while, but i whined like a baby with the sorrow Andy feels for Jerad! the way she makes you feel like you can too lose someone close and die to have a conversation with them afterwards… beautifully done.
as usual, taylor creats strong characters that are willing to grow as the story goes and that just makes me happy.
the plot twist in this book… CHEFS KISS! 🤌🏻
can’t wait for ATOB&I -
Another book that took me longer to read than it should have. There’s nothing wrong with it, I enjoyed it- but I wasn’t racing to finish. I did like the twist that Cinderella is the villain, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t realized the red herring was that until two chapters before the reveal, which was awesome. But overall, fun book, I enjoyed it, but it’s not one I’m going out of my way to recommend to others
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I was so into this one until Evander REPEATEDLY chose cindy over Ellie. I know later it came out he was under a sort of spell but the man barely even apologized. Ellie almost died twice and he chose the murderer twice and then they just get married???? I was tilted. I felt like the whole “he was under her spell” think needed to be fleshed out more. It felt like a cop out. Up until that point I was so Team Evander. Now idk, Ellie deserves better
