Once Upon a Broken Heart reading order
Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy in publication order, and why Caraval is a related earlier series — not a hidden book one of this path.
Start here
Once Upon a Broken Heart
It is book one of this trilogy (2021). Caraval is an earlier related series. You can start here. You should not start with A Curse for True Love.
A finished trilogy. Publication order is the only path. For the earlier series, see Caraval.
The trilogy
| # | Title | Year | Notes | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Once Upon a Broken Heart | 2021 | Start here. | Amazon |
| 2 |  The Ballad of Never After | 2022 | Amazon | |
| 3 |  A Curse for True Love | 2023 | Closes the trilogy. | Amazon |
Contested order, labeled: some readers want Caraval first because this trilogy shares a world. Garber has treated OUABH as a door you can open without the earlier three. House rule: start here if this is the title you came for. Read Caraval first only if you want the earlier sisters before you meet this cast. Do not start on book three of either series.
Common mistakes
- Starting with A Curse for True Love.
- Treating Caraval book 3 as OUABH book 0 in a way that postpones this book one.
- Mixing the two trilogies into one six-book scramble.
What to read next
- Caraval (Stephanie Garber) — If you want the earlier series in the same world.
- Folk of the Air (Holly Black) — If you want another finished YA faerie run.
- ACOTAR (Sarah J. Maas) — If you want a longer courtly romantasy.
- [The Ballad of Never After, then the last book.] Do not stop after the first if you want the designed ending.
- Stop after the three. The trilogy is complete.
FAQ
Do I need Caraval first?
No.
Is the trilogy finished?
Yes.
Sources
- Stephanie Garber — author site. Opened 2026-09-13.
- Macmillan, Once Upon a Broken Heart — publisher page for book one. Opened 2026-09-13.
Same shelf
