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katscradle's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I thought the main romance would be sapphic... it's not </3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Self harm
Moderate: Addiction and Sexual harassment
katiebbycakes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
TW! self harm (cutting)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
crinkledmochi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next one to see what happens but some of the twists and turns were kinda obvious and the characters could’ve been a little more fleshed out
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, Gore, Blood, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Colonisation, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Torture, Genocide, Addiction, Vomit, War, and Sexual content
lunaviolet's review against another edition
4.5
Initial Thoughts: This author knew the story she wanted to tell and how to tell it. I look forward to seeing more of the stories she has to tell.
Full Review:
Melissa Blair knew what story she wanted to tell and told it well. I could not put this book down.
The world was so immersive and well thought out. I felt like this book hit the perfect balance between fantastical and realistic world building. It was grounded in reality despite being set in an entirely different world. The exploration of social structures and colonialist societies was grounded in reality while the fantastical settings lifted the text out of the real world, allowing for a facade of surface level escapism.
The main character's internal dialogue and struggles with morality and identity is where the book (and Blair's writing) really shine. Her self-hatred and internal conflict felt very realistic and well written.
If you enjoy high-fantasy novels exploring the aftermath of ethnic cleansing and dipping into the politics of a colonized land, you'll love this book.
Full Review:
Melissa Blair knew what story she wanted to tell and told it well. I could not put this book down.
The world was so immersive and well thought out. I felt like this book hit the perfect balance between fantastical and realistic world building. It was grounded in reality despite being set in an entirely different world. The exploration of social structures and colonialist societies was grounded in reality while the fantastical settings lifted the text out of the real world, allowing for a facade of surface level escapism.
The main character's internal dialogue and struggles with morality and identity is where the book (and Blair's writing) really shine. Her self-hatred and internal conflict felt very realistic and well written.
If you enjoy high-fantasy novels exploring the aftermath of ethnic cleansing and dipping into the politics of a colonized land, you'll love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Alcoholism
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Death and Genocide
Aftermath of ethnic cleansing and colonialismstormbringer52's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My thoughts toward this book are complicated.
The beginning is incredibly heavy. It felt like the author was relying too much on exposition, using it to try and cram how bad the world is down our throats rather than actually showing us. It made living in this world seem almost cartoonishly horrible withdescriptions of dead and starving people lining the streets . This method undercut the characterization of both the protagonist, Keera, and the major antagonist, King Aemon.
With Keera, the author was simultaneously making sure we knew that she was a badass but also beating us over the head with the fact that her life as the King’s Blade has been horrific. Like with the world, this was mostly told to us. Keera's internal monologue switches back and forth between arrogant bravado and utter despair in a way that feels disjointed and unconvincing.I also found it unrealistic that she had been the King's best assassin for 30 years but had been a raging alcoholic for 20 of those years, but that is neither here nor there. Keera's exposition gives us a clear picture of who King Aemon is, showcasing the terrible things he has done and how he feels no remorse over them. This sets him up as a good antagonist. However, in the narrative itself, he is presented simply as a monarch who is stressed about the existence of a rebellious force within his kingdom. We do not actually see him perform any horrendous acts.
However, as the book progresses, the presentation of events becomes more balanced. We leave behind Keera's downtrodden monologue and are actually brought into the present, watching events unfold. We actually meet characters who are impacted by events, and Keera starts to show the effects of her life rather than just tell them to us. The actual plot of the book is revealed, and it is intriguing and compelling. It became interesting. Keera improved as a character for me when she was part of an ensemble cast and had to interact with others.
Now, it is a romantasy book. The romance subplot actually develops somewhat naturally, but it is completely tarnished by inappropriate moments of sexual tension that detract from otherwise serious scenes. The relationship between the leads starts from a point of mutual mistrust, and they gradually get closer as assumptions are broken down. There is a steady progression of the relationship that would otherwise be compelling. However, the constant horniness presenteven during their first fight scene is a major disappointment. Rather than adding anything to these moments, it was a complete disruption that undermined what should have been a tense scene. At one point, I wanted to throw my book across the room.
The book has potential. The plot is interesting, and the cast is diverse and complex. However, the heavy exposition at the beginning and the inappropriate sexual tension completely tarnish it for me. I can't help but leave reading the book with a sour taste in my mouth.
The beginning is incredibly heavy. It felt like the author was relying too much on exposition, using it to try and cram how bad the world is down our throats rather than actually showing us. It made living in this world seem almost cartoonishly horrible with
With Keera, the author was simultaneously making sure we knew that she was a badass but also beating us over the head with the fact that her life as the King’s Blade has been horrific. Like with the world, this was mostly told to us. Keera's internal monologue switches back and forth between arrogant bravado and utter despair in a way that feels disjointed and unconvincing.
However, as the book progresses, the presentation of events becomes more balanced. We leave behind Keera's downtrodden monologue and are actually brought into the present, watching events unfold. We actually meet characters who are impacted by events, and Keera starts to show the effects of her life rather than just tell them to us. The actual plot of the book is revealed, and it is intriguing and compelling. It became interesting. Keera improved as a character for me when she was part of an ensemble cast and had to interact with others.
Now, it is a romantasy book. The romance subplot actually develops somewhat naturally, but it is completely tarnished by inappropriate moments of sexual tension that detract from otherwise serious scenes. The relationship between the leads starts from a point of mutual mistrust, and they gradually get closer as assumptions are broken down. There is a steady progression of the relationship that would otherwise be compelling. However, the constant horniness present
The book has potential. The plot is interesting, and the cast is diverse and complex. However, the heavy exposition at the beginning and the inappropriate sexual tension completely tarnish it for me. I can't help but leave reading the book with a sour taste in my mouth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, Genocide, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Trafficking, Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Minor: Physical abuse and War
downeytianna's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
It was interesting enough to keep me going, but fairly slow. I have higher hopes for the second, hoping this was more world/plot building and that we will have more excitement in book 2 because I do enjoy the plot of this series.
It was interesting enough to keep me going, but fairly slow. I have higher hopes for the second, hoping this was more world/plot building and that we will have more excitement in book 2 because I do enjoy the plot of this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault
booksdogsandcoffee's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
4.5
For the people who loved tog and Acotar but knew it was missing diverse and queer characters A Broken Blade is absolutely for you. Blair provides us with lush storytelling f all while the plot is parallel to what we did to indigenous people (USA &canada) Keera is a multilayered character that you can’t help but love because of her big heart all the damage she carries with her. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, War, Xenophobia, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Sexual content
widdlemun's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. I relate to the main character heavily and I really enjoyed following her development. When I say I want a meaningful character arc this is what I mean. The plot was compelling and I was immersed in the world. The only thing I didn't love was the worldbuilding with the Elves vs Fae. It's never entirely clear what distinguises them other than their parantage. Can't wait to read the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Self harm
_alyssar_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Classism, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Gore, Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Slavery
mickiepags's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Self harm