Reviews tagging 'Grief'

A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair

23 reviews

datgirllani's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative 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? No

5.0

“I do not pretend to know the details of your pain, but I know the weight of it. I will not judge you for how you lighten the load.”
The best fantasy book I’ve ever read. And I don’t even like fantasy. I can’t even pick what my favorite part of the book is. The writing? The characters? The plot? The themes/tropes? I picked this book up and finished in one sitting, that’s how invested I was in it. The main character is so badass that you get jealous. She knows how to put people in their place and isn’t afraid to do. She does what needs to be done and doesn’t take shit from anybody. She’s a critical thinker, quick witted, ruthless yet merciful, unyielding, I could go on and on about how an amazing character she is. I love this author’s way of writing, some books feel as if  they came straight from Wattpad but the flow of the writing keeps you roped in, reading seamlessly. For this being her first book she did amazing. If you love a true enemies to lovers then look no further. I’m talking about both wanting the other dead and willing to do anything to do it. Add in the slow burn of their romance and it’s chefs kiss. Bonus point for the plot twist. If you like fantasy, you will love this book. READ IT!

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_alyssar_'s review

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25


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bergha1998's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

3.75

I was not expecting this book to be so unique, I thought it would just be a Romantasy. But it’s so much more dialogues about racism, addiction, slavery. Very well done and interesting. I’m excited to read the second book. 

Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Character Development, 2 🔥

“And still he found beauty in the darkness of it, in my light and my shadows.”

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hazelgirl21's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.75


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trippyotter's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Throughout the book, I teetered with my rated and settled on 4 stars for the treachery. 

Everyone has an agenda and will do just about anything to achieve their goals, including our heroine. 

Though many of their goals align, will they be ready for the truth of their actions and how they impact one another?

And I have to say, like many others, I'm not sure about the love interest. I kinda want it to be someone else, so we'll see how it all comes together in the end. 

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3xhhheather's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.5

A bit slow, but the characters are interesting enough and the final third of the book picked up in a way that I’ll continue the series. 

Five stars though for making the MC an actual adult going through all this ✨

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lcesario's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Main character is a baddie, we love her. 

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moodreadererin's review

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A Broken Blade follows Keera , the king's blade . She is given a mission to find the new enemy of the crown: the shadow . We go on this journal with her find the shadow and everything that precedes/follows . This is a story of addiction , loss , love , revenge , and violence . 

Things I liked :

-enemies to lovers execution was fantastic 

- one bed trope

-bipoc representation 

- exploration of loss , addiction, recovery in face of violence . 

-found family 

Things I didn't like :

- the pacing was slower than I liked . I didn't like it until the end /last part of the book.

With that said , I still recommend this book. I am looking forward to the sequel .

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booksalacarte's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

A Broken Blade- 3.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️


Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the King’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure called the Shadow starts making moves against the Crown, Keera is forced to hunt the masked menace down.

She crosses into the magical lands of the Fae, trying to discern if her enemy is Mortal, Elf, or a Halfling like her. But the Faeland is not what it seems, and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she discovers and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is…

The King that destroyed her people? The Prince that tortures them? Or the Shadow that threatens her place at court?

As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago. A promise not only to save herself but an entire kingdom.

✨My Opinion✨

The cover is beautiful! The iridescent is so fitting for the mystery of an assassin.

The FMC is an alcoholic, so be aware of that being actively described throughout the book. She also self-harms. It brings a severity to her character that is heavy and hard to get past. 

The book takes a look at the genocide of a race of Elves and a war brewing beneath the surface. Characters are multidimensional from the start. The foreshadowing was great and I really enjoyed the characters.

Morally grey FMC
Chosen one
Female assassin
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
One horse
One bed
Who did that to you
Betrayal
Bi rep

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kowhaiii's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

This was a great book! I loved Keera and her struggles throughout the story. I found her relationships alright, but somewhat stale at times. Wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but I'll have to wait for the sequel to really decide! Loved the diversity and queer representation in this book. I really couldn't fault the world, premise, or character concepts if I tried!

A Broken Blade was a brilliant debut novel with wonderful world building and memorable characters. I have many unanswered questions in the best and worst ways, and I can't wait for the series to continue! :D

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