Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Though her heart was only really beating as a courtesy these days, it could still ache.”
💀💀💀💀💀
💀💀💀💀💀
I am blown away by the brilliance (brilliantly dark, let’s say) of this book!
I did not go into What Doesn’t Break with very high expectations… I was a little disappointed by Kith and Kin; that story didn’t resonate with me. While all characters from the three different Critical Role campaigns make for interesting protagonists to join in the exploration of their backstories, Laudna is an absolute standout. The amount of trauma rooted in the genesis of this poor undead girl makes for a soil rich with potential.
What instantly grabbed me, however, was the masterful prose of Cassandra Khaw. I was immediately swept up in a gorgeous tale of vivid pictures and poignant emotions. The dark ambiance was inescapable and perfectly mirrored the darkness of this tale.
On the nerdy side: seeing a D&D concept executed this well as a novel is an absolute joy! It is so rare for those concepts to translate well, but I think it works here because the story was not about the shenanigans of a group of players trying to replicate the inside jokes they have experienced around a gaming table. This is a real story about death, trauma, heartbreak and a powerful desire to belong. Laudna is the absolute sweetest girl, shunned by the world for her otherness—a powerful parallel for queerness. The contrast between what her heart desires and the reactions of other people as soon as they see her broke my heart every time.
Finally, the audio narration was nothing short of phenomenal – obviously! – coming from part of the cast of Critical Role (and the awesome voice actress of Delilah from the TV show).
This book is a must for any Critical Role fan, but also for any fan of fantasy.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was what happened when you held the world in enough regard to think it still had the courtesy of miracles. You believed, maybe, if you were sincere enough, miserable enough, it could be shamed into putting your heart back together
My heart was broken into a million pieces. Over and over. Broken by circumstances, by fate, by cruelty, by abandonment and by fearful hatred by others.
I will carry Laudna in my heart with me forever, I think. 🖤 Somewhere where it‘s safe.
adventurous
slow-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
laura bailey and grey delisle could have screamed for 11 hours and i would have thanked them. this book was fine i guess but i liked it mostly bc i love laudna already? felt like reading fanfic for sure. but obviously hearing robbie daymond , marisha ray, grey delisle, and laura bailey do it improved it. though i must say that robbie does have somw weird speech patterns? tho ig that might just be bc i'm not american? idk. anyway cute ! the epilogue was the best part for sure my heart was like growing three sizes 💗 also i love bella and i love robbie's voice for her
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wish I could have Robbie Daymond read me all of my books… I haven’t read any of the author’s other books but I didn’t overly vibe with the style of writing here. I’m not exactly sure what it was about it as I’d usually love anything Critical Role. Bits were really good – the beginning and the epilogue, for sure – but I didn’t love this as much as I thought I would. Some chapters were a bit boring. Which feels wrong to say, as Launda’s definitely been through a lot – it’s not her fault she spent a lot of time alone. I read another review that mentioned this could have been a tighter novella and I’d have to agree. Either that, or cut some of the middle of this book and include more with Imogen at the end!