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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2nd read: 3/19/25 3.5⭐
I still enjoyed reading this, and now I can continue on that I'm fresh on the plot. This was definitely an intro book, and my feelings more or less were the same. I was more clear on the motivations of the characters, and the cliffhanger left me intrigued.
I still enjoyed reading this, and now I can continue on that I'm fresh on the plot. This was definitely an intro book, and my feelings more or less were the same. I was more clear on the motivations of the characters, and the cliffhanger left me intrigued.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This would be a fine book. Only 49 pages in, I can see its potential. Classic fantasy, decent story building
For me, it had one glaring problem that made each page and absolute hike to get through:
Every sentence was about the same length
If you know anything about writing, it’s like music. Storytelling has a rhythm, a flow. Even my sentences in this review vary in length, while this book’s did not. It made the read monotonous. Boring. Frustrating. And it is frustrating, because the potential is there
Maybe I shall revisit in the future, but for now I’m returning it
For me, it had one glaring problem that made each page and absolute hike to get through:
Every sentence was about the same length
If you know anything about writing, it’s like music. Storytelling has a rhythm, a flow. Even my sentences in this review vary in length, while this book’s did not. It made the read monotonous. Boring. Frustrating. And it is frustrating, because the potential is there
Maybe I shall revisit in the future, but for now I’m returning it
It was okay, probs won’t continue the series. Feel like some things moved too fast then other things weren’t explained enough. Also some super cringy moments…
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
I went into this thinking halfling, like a dnd halfing, short 2 maybe 3 foot tall person. So I was pleasantly surprised.
'A Broken Blade' is the first book in Melissa Blair's The Halfing Saga. Trained since childhood to be an assassin and spy at the institute where all halfing females are placed Keera has risen through the ranks to the top position as the King's Blade. Being the Blade is not easy as Keera spends most of her time turning in an killing her people for a king that sees them as expendable tools. When she is sent to the neighbouring Faeland to search for a thorn in the King's side known only as the Shadow she finds herself struggling to fit into the box she's felt she's forced to live in.
spoilers
I found myself really enjoying this but at the same time not sinking into it the way I love to do in my favourite fantasy worlds. I loved that Keera was not the perfect anything, she was incredibly talented yes but that has a lot to do with her years of training and her as yet not fully fleshed out ancestry. I also very much enjoyed how realistic the alcoholic abuse was, it didnt disappear overnight, theres subtle mentions through out the book of how it effects her mentally, physically, her work abilities.
Her relationship with Riven was pretty good, it had all the regular little fantasy romance elements of forced proximity, the whole one bed, traveling solo a lot. I enjoyed their relationship but I have a feeling theres a bit more to him, another side, that I expect to come out about who he really is in the next book.
I think what might have held me back about really loving this book is the world building. Some parts were so well done. And then other parts weren't as fleshed out. I admit I was confused about all the different races and who's a half of what for the most of the book and I still might not have it all right. This was made difficult because I listened to the audiobook and I think if I had a physical copy I would have been flipping back until I fully understood. Then the different, kingdoms, can I call them kingdoms? why does Killan say he won't keep the crown cause the land isn't supposed to have a king? So theres more I just feel like im missing.
Anyways kiddos call, I will be continuing on.
'A Broken Blade' is the first book in Melissa Blair's The Halfing Saga. Trained since childhood to be an assassin and spy at the institute where all halfing females are placed Keera has risen through the ranks to the top position as the King's Blade. Being the Blade is not easy as Keera spends most of her time turning in an killing her people for a king that sees them as expendable tools. When she is sent to the neighbouring Faeland to search for a thorn in the King's side known only as the Shadow she finds herself struggling to fit into the box she's felt she's forced to live in.
spoilers
I found myself really enjoying this but at the same time not sinking into it the way I love to do in my favourite fantasy worlds. I loved that Keera was not the perfect anything, she was incredibly talented yes but that has a lot to do with her years of training and her as yet not fully fleshed out ancestry. I also very much enjoyed how realistic the alcoholic abuse was, it didnt disappear overnight, theres subtle mentions through out the book of how it effects her mentally, physically, her work abilities.
Her relationship with Riven was pretty good, it had all the regular little fantasy romance elements of forced proximity, the whole one bed, traveling solo a lot. I enjoyed their relationship but I have a feeling theres a bit more to him, another side, that I expect to come out about who he really is in the next book.
I think what might have held me back about really loving this book is the world building. Some parts were so well done. And then other parts weren't as fleshed out. I admit I was confused about all the different races and who's a half of what for the most of the book and I still might not have it all right. This was made difficult because I listened to the audiobook and I think if I had a physical copy I would have been flipping back until I fully understood. Then the different, kingdoms, can I call them kingdoms? why does Killan say he won't keep the crown cause the land isn't supposed to have a king? So theres more I just feel like im missing.
Anyways kiddos call, I will be continuing on.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes