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A review by katsbooks
The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
Update: April 2023
“You don't find a life. You have to make one, with the people around you and the causes you put your strength into.”
“Know a person's desires, and you have leverage- Give a person their desires, and you have an extension of your own will”
"'We pray for rain,” Touraine said. "No.” Jaghotai squeezed Touraine's arm tightly. "Be the rain.”
I first read this book right after it came out and I was so excited to reread it now that the sequel is out too. I felt much the same about it now as I did then except, I, apparently, liked the audiobook a lot more last time than I did this time around. I guess I listen to audio a lot faster than I used to and I actually found it hard to follow along if I wasn't physically reading the words. However, a lot of the other aspects absolutely hold up. I really enjoyed my time with this book and how the story really explores ideas of racism and colonialism. The politics and military intrigue were excellent. I loved how queerness felt normalized. The respective found families Touraine and Luca had were lovely. Beau-Sang was the worst but his kids deserve the most.
My main critique of the whole novel is still Luca and Touraine's relationship. I originally wasn't a huge fan of the power dynamic but, this time around, I recognize that that is intentionally the flaw in their relationship. I don't think we're supposed to root for them as a couple. My critique is actually about the pair as characters. They're messy as hell. I know lots of people love messy characters, and frankly, it makes them more realistic so it's not even a huge critique. Their stupid ass decisions are what moves along a lot of the plot which rings very true when studying actual history, as well. So I think I understand the literary decisions behind their characters but, damnit, if I didn't want to shake both of them on multiple occasions! Like Luca is supposed to be proving herself to be QUEEN. She was constantly talking about how she has to show so much restraint in her position but she was constantly making decisions based on her desires and/or hurt feelings. Touraine was no better but at least she had the excuse of literally being kidnapped from her home as a small child and raised as a military conscript. Trauma like that would screw anyone up. Anyway, rant over. I genuinely enjoyed my time with this book and can't wait to read the sequel!
Original Review:
First of all, I would highly recommend the audiobook for this novel. It was absolutely amazing! That being said, the beginning was a little slow but once it got going, it did not slow down! By the end of the book, I almost didn't want it to end. I will definitely be looking for the second installment. I'll be honest, though, I was really apprehensive about this book. I don't normally gravitate towards books with a lot of political or military intrigue but, ultimately, how Clark weaves together that intrigue and subtle commentaries about racism and colonialism is so interesting and kept me hooked. I also really loved how many major characters were queer yet it wasn't a major plot point. It was simply a part of who those characters were. I also really loved that in the world of the novel, women in power was common.
My only real gripe was in regards to Luca and Touraine's relationship. I couldn't put my finger on it at first but then I saw another review that referenced the power dynamic between the two and realized that was why it didn't quite sit right with me. I realized that, while there was a part of me was rooting for them to end up together, the fact that Luca basically held Touraine's fate in her hands made the relationship feel impossible.
“You don't find a life. You have to make one, with the people around you and the causes you put your strength into.”
“Know a person's desires, and you have leverage- Give a person their desires, and you have an extension of your own will”
"'We pray for rain,” Touraine said. "No.” Jaghotai squeezed Touraine's arm tightly. "Be the rain.”
I first read this book right after it came out and I was so excited to reread it now that the sequel is out too. I felt much the same about it now as I did then except, I, apparently, liked the audiobook a lot more last time than I did this time around. I guess I listen to audio a lot faster than I used to and I actually found it hard to follow along if I wasn't physically reading the words. However, a lot of the other aspects absolutely hold up. I really enjoyed my time with this book and how the story really explores ideas of racism and colonialism. The politics and military intrigue were excellent. I loved how queerness felt normalized. The respective found families Touraine and Luca had were lovely. Beau-Sang was the worst but his kids deserve the most.
My main critique of the whole novel is still Luca and Touraine's relationship. I originally wasn't a huge fan of the power dynamic but, this time around, I recognize that that is intentionally the flaw in their relationship. I don't think we're supposed to root for them as a couple. My critique is actually about the pair as characters. They're messy as hell. I know lots of people love messy characters, and frankly, it makes them more realistic so it's not even a huge critique. Their stupid ass decisions are what moves along a lot of the plot which rings very true when studying actual history, as well. So I think I understand the literary decisions behind their characters but, damnit, if I didn't want to shake both of them on multiple occasions! Like Luca is supposed to be proving herself to be QUEEN. She was constantly talking about how she has to show so much restraint in her position but she was constantly making decisions based on her desires and/or hurt feelings. Touraine was no better but at least she had the excuse of literally being kidnapped from her home as a small child and raised as a military conscript. Trauma like that would screw anyone up. Anyway, rant over. I genuinely enjoyed my time with this book and can't wait to read the sequel!
Original Review:
First of all, I would highly recommend the audiobook for this novel. It was absolutely amazing! That being said, the beginning was a little slow but once it got going, it did not slow down! By the end of the book, I almost didn't want it to end. I will definitely be looking for the second installment. I'll be honest, though, I was really apprehensive about this book. I don't normally gravitate towards books with a lot of political or military intrigue but, ultimately, how Clark weaves together that intrigue and subtle commentaries about racism and colonialism is so interesting and kept me hooked. I also really loved how many major characters were queer yet it wasn't a major plot point. It was simply a part of who those characters were. I also really loved that in the world of the novel, women in power was common.
My only real gripe was in regards to Luca and Touraine's relationship. I couldn't put my finger on it at first but then I saw another review that referenced the power dynamic between the two and realized that was why it didn't quite sit right with me. I realized that, while there was a part of me was rooting for them to end up together, the fact that Luca basically held Touraine's fate in her hands made the relationship feel impossible.