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A review by unavezmas
Banewreaker by Jacqueline Carey
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"We are all pawns in the Shapers' war. The difference is that some of us know it and some do not."
It's a story about perspective. It's a story about gods and mortals who find themselves their pawns. It's a story about prejudice and hate. It's a story about love and sacrifices.
It's an epic fantasy from the Dark Lord Satoris perspective. He really does not want to harm anyone least of all his siblings but he isn't given a choice. And he cares for his people as best as he can. This review is gonna discuss the setup and themes so not much spoilers but beware.
Satoris has three emissaries also called the Branded because they wear his brand.
"It is Ushahin's choice to wear this broken face, these crippiled hands. He was not denied. He chose to keep his pain and his madness. Again and again he has chosen."
Ushahin is halfbreed who's a result of a war crime and who has been treated horribly because of it. Now he takes in all the unwanted people in Darkhaven and makes them servants of the Darkhaven. Also he's the spymaster with ravens. Person who has every reason to hate the world but chooses not to is my favorite trope ever.
Tanaros is the war general who upon finding out his king slept with his wife had killed then both and fled from Darkhaven. Some 1000 years later he still misses her every day.
Vorax is the simplest character in this book. He is responsible so supply lines and money. And in his free time he drinks and enjoys pretty things.
I couldn't put this book down I NEED TO KNOW IF MY FAVES ARE OKAY PLS. 😠I loved every second of it.
P. S. You know thr book's been written by a woman when she mentions people begging for death because giving birth is really painful.
It's a story about perspective. It's a story about gods and mortals who find themselves their pawns. It's a story about prejudice and hate. It's a story about love and sacrifices.
It's an epic fantasy from the Dark Lord Satoris perspective. He really does not want to harm anyone least of all his siblings but he isn't given a choice. And he cares for his people as best as he can. This review is gonna discuss the setup and themes so not much spoilers but beware.
Satoris has three emissaries also called the Branded because they wear his brand.
"It is Ushahin's choice to wear this broken face, these crippiled hands. He was not denied. He chose to keep his pain and his madness. Again and again he has chosen."
Ushahin is halfbreed who's a result of a war crime and who has been treated horribly because of it. Now he takes in all the unwanted people in Darkhaven and makes them servants of the Darkhaven. Also he's the spymaster with ravens. Person who has every reason to hate the world but chooses not to is my favorite trope ever.
Tanaros is the war general who upon finding out his king slept with his wife had killed then both and fled from Darkhaven. Some 1000 years later he still misses her every day.
Vorax is the simplest character in this book. He is responsible so supply lines and money. And in his free time he drinks and enjoys pretty things.
I couldn't put this book down I NEED TO KNOW IF MY FAVES ARE OKAY PLS. 😠I loved every second of it.
P. S. You know thr book's been written by a woman when she mentions people begging for death because giving birth is really painful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, and Xenophobia