The Broken Ones by Danielle L Jensen

Marc and Penelope get their own story – but their doomed fate spells disaster for them and everyone around them.

Title: The Broken Ones
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Series: The Malediction Trilogy
Genre: YA High Fantasy 
Publisher’s Description:
Prequel to the USA Today bestselling and Goodreads Choice finalist Stolen Songbird.

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. Now 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.

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Kat Mandu says…

The Broken Ones is a prequel to the Malediction trilogy, a series that features a hidden and cursed city called Troullus, which is full of trolls and ancient magic. Marc, who is the best friend to the lead character in the trilogy, is one of the narrators in this book. Penelope, who is mentioned in the trilogy but never really plays a big role for obvious reasons, also lends her voice to the story.

It’s exciting in the way that you get to hear more about the backstory of Marc and Penelope, but if you’ve read the whole trilogy like I have, you already know what’s going to happen. Their history has a lot of impact on Marc’s character in the trilogy, especially when it comes to romance. He’s always the one trying to spur Tristan into loving with all his heart and going for it. It’s very fun when you hear them bicker because the boys are like an old married couple.

Penelope is new, so I’m going to talk about how much I enjoyed that her character was so different than everyone else in Trollus. With her affliction, she wasn’t as strong or intimidating as all the other trolls, especially like those in her family or Tristan’s. She doesn’t come close to having a lot of power, so it’s up to her to use other skills that can get her what she needs. She’s sneaky and strategic, even if her father is always one step ahead. Plus, she genuinely loves Marc, even though she knows it’ll end badly for her. And what can I say, I love dedicated characters. I don’t know what it would be like to grow up in her position, pitied and expendable to those she feels should love her.

The one downside for this book for me was that I already knew what was going to happen. There were no surprises, no suspense, and no cliffhangers. It was almost too predictable, despite the political mind games being played and the beautiful romance. Regardless, this world is still wonderfully built and the magical system is always intriguing. The author always delivers a very vivid tale of power, politics, and romance. It’s a sad ending – but leads into a new beginning.  

Our reviews in this series…

• Stolen Songbird
• Hidden Huntress
• Warrior Witch (Forthcoming)

Other recommendations…

I’d recommend authors like Holly Black, Sherry Thomas, and Morgan Rhodes.

 

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