Reviews with content warning for Death - Blade Breaker

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was good. Loved getting to read about Corayne, Andry, Dom and Sorasa again. I loved how this book explored their characters as they developed and grew. I do wish there'd been more romance. Corayne and Andry, and Dom and Sorasa, are a slow burn that I'm hoping will have some more romantic interactions and not just hints and light flirting.

Although, I did enjoy reading about Dom acting like an overprotective dad to Corayne.
I had forgotten some characters from the first book, like Sigil, Charlie and Ridha. I hadn't found them very memorable but in this book they left a mark on me.

I like that this book is told from six different character's POV: Corayne, Andry, Dom, Sorasa, Ridha and Erida. But I do think that Ridha and Erida's weren't really necessary. And I found myself skimming most of their chapters. Ridha only had a few chapters, so it wasn't as bad but Erida had more. And they were long. Usually 20 or more pages and I found they just dragged. Especially as I didn't think they added much to the story. The war she was waging and the land that she conquered could've been mentioned in other characters POVs.

I would happily read more from Corayne, Andry, Dom or Sorasa than Erida.

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sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-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

4.0

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abbypeekreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.25

This was such a great sequel to Realm Breaker! I loved how we got more insight into the whole cast of characters (villains included), and i also really enjoyed getting to see the interpersonal relationships of the Companions deepen and shift as the story went on. Can’t wait to see how it all ends in Fate Breaker!

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frantically's review

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

What a great sequel! This series feels so much more grown-up and serious than Red Queen did and I love seeing Aveyard's writing develop.

The cast of characters is still large (at some times perhaps a bit too large) but most of them do get their own storylines/focused chapters and the found family trope is so well done, especially as it's not just kids running around, they also have found parent-ish figures! Family! Corayne and Andry have my heart <3 but so do all the others.

Of course, you know me, I'm always rooting for the evil queens and Erida is such a well-rounded character and as I'm a hoe for queen's/gender history, you can really tell that Aveyard has done her research here — Erida represents so many aspects of reigning women in history and their motivation, aswell as the internal and external criticisms they have to deal with. If she weren't in league with Taristan, I'd almost want her to succeed.

The ending was absolutely devastating but so so good, too, and a great set-up for the next book.

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ali_k0's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A definite improvement on Realm Breaker. Blade Breaker doubles the pace of the first novel and dives into the characters stories as much as it does the overarching plot. Taristan and Erida reach new levels of wickedness as their goal to rule the Ward comes within their grasp. I was hoping to see more in Coranye as she learns to fight, but the end of the novel set up for her to come fully into her potential. Even without the skills of a warrior, she and all the other Companions make fun, fascinating characters whose trials and triumphs grip at your heart.

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thebakerbookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? Yes

3.0

I had mixed feelings about this book…I still remain fascinated by this world and these characters and I will definitely be finishing the series. But this book unfortunately felt very much like a filler book.

Let’s start with the things I like:

- world/magic is expanded further

- the assassin is actually an assassin and yet I love her

- any scene with Corayne and Andry

- our band of characters spend a lot of time together in this book

- the multiple POV chapters

- Erida is probably the best female villain I’ve read in a while, and her relationship with Taristan brings such depth to both characters (you know it’s good when the villains have you doubting who you’re rooting for)

- the ending *shakes hand at cliffhangers*

Things I didn’t like

- the plot was. so. slow. it feels like nothing happens in this 500-plus-page book

- a few of the side characters, like Charlie and Sigil, don’t really get much attention and feel as if they’re there more to move the plot forward (which is bad when the plot doesn’t actually appear to be moving)

- the repetition

- did I mention that parts felt very boring?

Anyways, mixed feelings. I’m looking forward to the third book though—my optimism is telling me it’ll be the best one of the series *fingers crossed*

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