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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
(4.5 stars, rounded up)
Content warnings: war violence, death, murder, zombies
The kingdoms of the Ward are preparing for war as Queen Erida of Galland and her prince consort Taristan invade Madrence. The Companions (pirate's daughter Corayne, squire Andry, assassin Soraya, immortal Elder Domacridhan, bounty hunter Sigil, Jydi witch Valtik, and forger/priest Charlie) are reeling after battling sea monsters and closing the Spindle in [b:Realm Breaker|54513688|Realm Breaker (Realm Breaker, #1)|Victoria Aveyard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606844931l/54513688._SY75_.jpg|85088505].
The Companions must appeal to the rulers of the kingdoms of Allward (except the aggressor Galland) to stop Cor-blooded Prince Taristan from opening the Spindles and ruining their world and allowing What Waits (their version of the Dark One/Satan/devil) to access all worlds. Corayne also carries the old blood and is the hero the world needs, as she can close the Spindles Taristan forces open.
The novel's narration switches between the Companions and the evil Queen Erida. Erida uses Taristan's army of the undead to conquer a neighboring country. While Taristan only cares for finding more Spindles and bringing about the end of all worlds, Erida wants to become an empress of the myriad countries that sprang from Old Cor's once united lands.
Realm Breaker, the first novel in the series, was one of my favorite reads from 2021 and I have been patiently waiting for the series to continue. The novel picks up right where the first book in the series leaves off. The book has the feel of the middle book in a trilogy, where much of the plot is leading to an epic finale. The action ramps up to a battle worthy of a saga toward the end of the novel, which breaks the middle book mold. The final battle leaves the reader with mixed feelings of loss and triumph and leaves them wanting to know what happens to our heroes in the next installment.
I genuinely hope this series finds its readers because this epic fantasy delivers a diverse and interesting cast of characters and intriguing worldbuilding that lays the groundwork for it to be this generation's [b:The Lord of the Rings|54707|The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1363248420l/54707._SX50_.jpg|3462456].
Recommended for epic fantasy readers who love The Lord of the Rings or The Wheel of Time.
Representation: racially diverse characters, nonbinary, lesbian
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/blade-breaker
Content warnings: war violence, death, murder, zombies
The kingdoms of the Ward are preparing for war as Queen Erida of Galland and her prince consort Taristan invade Madrence. The Companions (pirate's daughter Corayne, squire Andry, assassin Soraya, immortal Elder Domacridhan, bounty hunter Sigil, Jydi witch Valtik, and forger/priest Charlie) are reeling after battling sea monsters and closing the Spindle in [b:Realm Breaker|54513688|Realm Breaker (Realm Breaker, #1)|Victoria Aveyard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606844931l/54513688._SY75_.jpg|85088505].
The Companions must appeal to the rulers of the kingdoms of Allward (except the aggressor Galland) to stop Cor-blooded Prince Taristan from opening the Spindles and ruining their world and allowing What Waits (their version of the Dark One/Satan/devil) to access all worlds. Corayne also carries the old blood and is the hero the world needs, as she can close the Spindles Taristan forces open.
The novel's narration switches between the Companions and the evil Queen Erida. Erida uses Taristan's army of the undead to conquer a neighboring country. While Taristan only cares for finding more Spindles and bringing about the end of all worlds, Erida wants to become an empress of the myriad countries that sprang from Old Cor's once united lands.
Realm Breaker, the first novel in the series, was one of my favorite reads from 2021 and I have been patiently waiting for the series to continue. The novel picks up right where the first book in the series leaves off. The book has the feel of the middle book in a trilogy, where much of the plot is leading to an epic finale. The action ramps up to a battle worthy of a saga toward the end of the novel, which breaks the middle book mold. The final battle leaves the reader with mixed feelings of loss and triumph and leaves them wanting to know what happens to our heroes in the next installment.
I genuinely hope this series finds its readers because this epic fantasy delivers a diverse and interesting cast of characters and intriguing worldbuilding that lays the groundwork for it to be this generation's [b:The Lord of the Rings|54707|The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1363248420l/54707._SX50_.jpg|3462456].
Recommended for epic fantasy readers who love The Lord of the Rings or The Wheel of Time.
Representation: racially diverse characters, nonbinary, lesbian
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/blade-breaker
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I fell in love with this author after red queen. This tale is excellently written in the style of a true journey epic. It gave me the spirit of Wheel of Time, but without as many side quests (thank you Victoria for less tomes too!).
Tags:
#angst #plottwists #mindplay #characterdeath
Quick Review:
4/5 Stars. Orange/Citrus. Would recommend.
Yes, the long review is supposed to be a little silly.
Long Review:
Dearest reader,
I started this journey, only to be swept away by the relentless tides of college, work, and the waves of life’s demands. Yet, an untold story lingered, pulling me back to these pages with an almost magnetic force. And once again, Madam Victoria dazzles. Her pen has breathed such life into these characters, weaving them anew from the trials of the last book—her artistry is truly something to behold.
I must confess: I am often tempted to skim when details come thick and fast. But I have been practicing the art of slowing down, of savoring each layer she so carefully crafted. And, oh, she spared nothing in her devotion to detail.
And that ending—well, that’s all I dare say about it.
With admiration,
M
#angst #plottwists #mindplay #characterdeath
Quick Review:
4/5 Stars. Orange/Citrus. Would recommend.
Yes, the long review is supposed to be a little silly.
Long Review:
Dearest reader,
I started this journey, only to be swept away by the relentless tides of college, work, and the waves of life’s demands. Yet, an untold story lingered, pulling me back to these pages with an almost magnetic force. And once again, Madam Victoria dazzles. Her pen has breathed such life into these characters, weaving them anew from the trials of the last book—her artistry is truly something to behold.
I must confess: I am often tempted to skim when details come thick and fast. But I have been practicing the art of slowing down, of savoring each layer she so carefully crafted. And, oh, she spared nothing in her devotion to detail.
And that ending—well, that’s all I dare say about it.
With admiration,
M
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An incredibly entertaining book with a world that you can get easily invested in as the story progresses. This was a wonderful "escape" book for me. I think the ending of the book is well summarized by "well shit" lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief
Cause of death: made eye contact with a queer coded woman
The ending felt like much more of a buildup and had more tension than the previous book so loved that. I also like traveling books more than getting the gang together books so that was a plus. I'm hoping the next book is almost entirely fighting or action. I'm surprised the gang didn't split up in this book so I'm worried that might be what book 3 is. Andry was so Sam and I was kinda living for it, but it def would've been better if he and Corayne had a weird little guy following them around 0/10 no gollum :(
The ending felt like much more of a buildup and had more tension than the previous book so loved that. I also like traveling books more than getting the gang together books so that was a plus. I'm hoping the next book is almost entirely fighting or action. I'm surprised the gang didn't split up in this book so I'm worried that might be what book 3 is. Andry was so Sam and I was kinda living for it, but it def would've been better if he and Corayne had a weird little guy following them around 0/10 no gollum :(
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes