You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by corabookworm
Heavenbreaker (Standard Edition) by Sara Wolf
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I don't know why this book was marketed as a fantasy romance. It would more accurately be described as a science fiction horror/mystery/thriller. Or, what it truly is: a story about depression, friendship, manipulation, politics, class, and giant epic space robots.
For real though, Synali's fight with depression and suicidal thoughts was such a powerful element of this story, and even if it got a bit repetitive sometimes, it was brilliant to see something like that in a book of this genre. The other elements of this story were incredible too. Super unique space worldbuilding and unique giant robots, full of mystery regarding their origins and functions. The politics were well-written, with great commentary on class issues. And RAH the way it was all designed as like a medieval world (latin, kings, christianity, nobles, jousting) but in some kind of futuristic eerie space station? DELICIOUS.
I cannot really form coherent words right now, clearly, but basically this book was really good and so much more than the classic vengeful-girl/enemies-to-lovers story that I thought it was going to be. The layers of depression, mystery, and outright horror made it a much darker and more complex story.
For real though, Synali's fight with depression and suicidal thoughts was such a powerful element of this story, and even if it got a bit repetitive sometimes, it was brilliant to see something like that in a book of this genre. The other elements of this story were incredible too. Super unique space worldbuilding and unique giant robots, full of mystery regarding their origins and functions. The politics were well-written, with great commentary on class issues. And RAH the way it was all designed as like a medieval world (latin, kings, christianity, nobles, jousting) but in some kind of futuristic eerie space station? DELICIOUS.
I cannot really form coherent words right now, clearly, but basically this book was really good and so much more than the classic vengeful-girl/enemies-to-lovers story that I thought it was going to be. The layers of depression, mystery, and outright horror made it a much darker and more complex story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, War
SPOILERS!! One character watches her mother get murdered, which sends her into a suicidal spiral. Most of the book revolves around her desire to die. She also reflects on her time at a brothel, though not in detail. Another character has a history of being physically abused by his family, and similarly reflects on past suicidal thoughts. Another character is an assassin, tortures and murders people, and also deals with recovery from a drug addiction, though it is mostly off-page. Other potentially triggering aspects of this book: heavy emphasis on corrupt nobles and classism, brains get eaten, people get sick, there is a LOT of manipulation and betrayal, etc. etc..