A review by kabrahams
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

4.0

May Blackberry Wine Bookclub Pick
We follow many points of view in this novel, including Siri, who is sent to marry Susebron the God King instead of her sister to prevent a war, Vivenna, Siri's sister who goes to rescue her and falls in with a band of mercenaries, and Lightsong, a returned "god" who is involved in the complex political landscape of two kingdoms on the brink of war. I enjoyed the Siri and Vivenna POVs a lot more.

Magic system is very cool (no surprise there though since it's Brando Sando). Breaths give you power and some people have biochromatic breaths that heighten colors around them. Inanimate objects and even dead people can be brought to "life" with breath and commanded, creating weapons and armies. There is a sentient sword named Nightblood that is wielded by Vasher.

Also not surprising, there are many fun twists.
Susebron the God King is not the terrifying, all-powerful tyrant that everyone believes him to be, but harmless as a child and with his tongue removed by his own priests so he cannot use his powerful breaths to command. Bluefingers, who initially seems to befriend and advise Siri, ends up betraying and almost killing her. Lightsong and Blushweaver are both killed in the attempt to start a war even though they are supposed to be immortal gods. Vivenna's mercenary friends betray her and she also almost dies.


Overall, not my favorite Brando Sando, but still very fun. I'm not sure why this was recommended to me as having a good romance subplot?? There's a kiss at 75% and that's about it. Maybe I would've enjoyed it more if I had had lower or different expectations.
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