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trashwild's review against another edition
3.0
I have been torn between 3 and 4 stars. On the one hand, I really adore the less-than-perfect main character who deals with PTSD, self harm, and alcoholism. There is enough pretty perfect princess MCs out there so I love that Keera is a lot tougher around the edges. I also really appreciate how the character's sexuality is introduced in a subtle, natural way and is almost explored with the reader instead of being like **hey read this book where the heroine is bi and that's her only defining quality**
I like the plot, albeit it started to move a little slow. And I find myself even interested in the world building and politics which are typically a weak point for me.
What I don't like is the Shadow. He came on strong with this alluring lore and Zorro-esqe fight scene but once the hood came off I was underwhelmed. He's too much of a nice guy and the mystery is gone. I don't feel like he and MC have enough chemistry. If his character had a little more substance, I think this would have been an easy 4 stars. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to checking out the next in the series.
I like the plot, albeit it started to move a little slow. And I find myself even interested in the world building and politics which are typically a weak point for me.
What I don't like is the Shadow. He came on strong with this alluring lore and Zorro-esqe fight scene but once the hood came off I was underwhelmed. He's too much of a nice guy and the mystery is gone. I don't feel like he and MC have enough chemistry. If his character had a little more substance, I think this would have been an easy 4 stars. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to checking out the next in the series.
medievalme's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty interesting! Romance fell a little flat for me, but it was still a decent read.
kat_a_strophe's review against another edition
3.0
I got this beauty in the Bookish Box subscription, gorgeously covered inside and out with painted edges. However, I was bummed the book fell apart so easily. The spine crack and split ar the back, and I was super gentle with this special edition. Made me a bit sad.
This was a tough read. It wasn't because it was dense or overloaded. It was tough because I had gotten my hopes too high. Fae is a very hard subject to dive into. There is such a high and ethereal light about them. Mischievous and beautiful and untouchable and so much more that makes them so bewitching.
Sadly, I couldn't find that in this book. Keera, a deadly halfling assassin, seemed like such a tough character. She had a lot to fight for and a mysterious past. But, as the book went on, I struggled to remain invested in her as it seemed that her alcoholism had taken over her life and made her a hindrance to the mission of saving a Fae race. And her enemy-to-lover, Riven was shrouded in doubt and distrust. I found myself liking the side characters so much more.
The world-build felt like a chicken that just wasn't fully cooked yet. There was quite a bit tha twas eye-catching, but there lacked magic. I mean there was magic, yes. This is fantasy, but not with the imagery. Not there. Not for me. I couldn't feel it or see it.
This was by no means horrible, but it just didn't do the job for me. It didn't take me all the way there in the Fae genre.
Full Review:
https://thescarletreaderreviews.wordpress.com/2023/03/13/assassins-anonymous-a-broken-blade-a-book-review/
This was a tough read. It wasn't because it was dense or overloaded. It was tough because I had gotten my hopes too high. Fae is a very hard subject to dive into. There is such a high and ethereal light about them. Mischievous and beautiful and untouchable and so much more that makes them so bewitching.
Sadly, I couldn't find that in this book. Keera, a deadly halfling assassin, seemed like such a tough character. She had a lot to fight for and a mysterious past. But, as the book went on, I struggled to remain invested in her as it seemed that her alcoholism had taken over her life and made her a hindrance to the mission of saving a Fae race. And her enemy-to-lover, Riven was shrouded in doubt and distrust. I found myself liking the side characters so much more.
The world-build felt like a chicken that just wasn't fully cooked yet. There was quite a bit tha twas eye-catching, but there lacked magic. I mean there was magic, yes. This is fantasy, but not with the imagery. Not there. Not for me. I couldn't feel it or see it.
This was by no means horrible, but it just didn't do the job for me. It didn't take me all the way there in the Fae genre.
Full Review:
https://thescarletreaderreviews.wordpress.com/2023/03/13/assassins-anonymous-a-broken-blade-a-book-review/
megsthebolter's review against another edition
3.0
it was… okay. i’m curious enough to read the second one
considering it’s Melissa’s first book, it makes sense that some of the storytelling fell a bit to the wayside. i’m hoping as the series goes on it’ll only get better
considering it’s Melissa’s first book, it makes sense that some of the storytelling fell a bit to the wayside. i’m hoping as the series goes on it’ll only get better
storyoflife's review against another edition
mgmaliska's review against another edition
4.0
Complex story line of the politics of humans, Fae, Elves, and halflings . At the heart of it is the power, and danger, of revolution — of oppression turning to power and crumbling the regimes that cause pain.
Keera is without a doubt a totally powerful badass struggling with her own demons (alcoholism, rejection, danger, not knowing who she is and where she is from). The fight scenes and adventures were action oriented and kept the pages turning. The side characters introduced were fairly dimensional but often stayed in the sidelines with Keera dominating the story.
I enjoyed the magic and intrigue of this book and am curious to see where it will go next. Only 3-4 stars for two reasons: 1. The book hits lulls at points, repeating similar story arcs that doesn’t really drive the story ahead; and 2. The LGBTQ rep is sad and unfair. Keera we discover had a long term girlfriend that died (soooo over the bury the gays trope) and the love interest she is kind of forced into (unasked for kiss at the start and felt forced over all) is straight. Keera could be bi or pan but it just felt like token queer rep instead of authentic character building and back story given we get soooo little of her former love beyond night terrors and passing stories.
Overall, a story of adventure and overthrowing a horrible king. If you like Leigh Bardugo books you’ll like this.
Keera is without a doubt a totally powerful badass struggling with her own demons (alcoholism, rejection, danger, not knowing who she is and where she is from). The fight scenes and adventures were action oriented and kept the pages turning. The side characters introduced were fairly dimensional but often stayed in the sidelines with Keera dominating the story.
I enjoyed the magic and intrigue of this book and am curious to see where it will go next. Only 3-4 stars for two reasons: 1. The book hits lulls at points, repeating similar story arcs that doesn’t really drive the story ahead; and 2. The LGBTQ rep is sad and unfair. Keera we discover had a long term girlfriend that died (soooo over the bury the gays trope) and the love interest she is kind of forced into (unasked for kiss at the start and felt forced over all) is straight. Keera could be bi or pan but it just felt like token queer rep instead of authentic character building and back story given we get soooo little of her former love beyond night terrors and passing stories.
Overall, a story of adventure and overthrowing a horrible king. If you like Leigh Bardugo books you’ll like this.
novelbound1813's review against another edition
3.0
In A Broken Blade, we follow Keera, a halfling assassin who unwillingly works in service of the king. She does what she can to subvert him while not getting found out. She eventually gets sent into the land of the Fae where she meets an Elf named Rowan…I mean, Rivan. They get off to a rocky start but eventually learn to work together and start a romance. Sound familiar? This is pretty much Throne of Glass fanfiction.
I’m not sure the plot really makes sense, but if you don’t get bogged down in those details it’s an enjoyable read. The characters are interesting, but they felt somewhat two dimensional. It is refreshing that the FMC isn’t a teenager. She’s a whopping 60 years old! This actually makes so much sense in a world where people can live much longer lives and she’s been in training for a very long time.
I didn’t think I would read the second book, but the twist at the end was just interesting enough to tempt me.
I’m not sure the plot really makes sense, but if you don’t get bogged down in those details it’s an enjoyable read. The characters are interesting, but they felt somewhat two dimensional. It is refreshing that the FMC isn’t a teenager. She’s a whopping 60 years old! This actually makes so much sense in a world where people can live much longer lives and she’s been in training for a very long time.
I didn’t think I would read the second book, but the twist at the end was just interesting enough to tempt me.
chloe_schnore's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at the last 100 pages. It just felt like a bunch of SJM books pasted into one book where I didn’t like the characters, didn’t like the plot, everything just felt wrong or unanswered. The author’s favorite word was “he/she whispered” and I just cannot. Not good, don’t recommend unless you want the basic plot line of popular fantasy books where everything is copy and paste with a change in kingdom, name and not much else. The writing left much to be desired and felt very elementary at times, great action scenes but not much else going on, very predictable plot.
meganwoody's review against another edition
4.0
this was a book i saw recommended by someone i trust for books on youtube and she did not disappoint! it was definitely like a "booktok" type of book. Still, it was genuinely so good and had some really good representation/coverage of difficult topics like alcoholism, self-harm, etc. overall, quite a good book. Still, there was a twist i thought would happen with the identity of certain characters and when i finished i was a bit disappointed and confused on why it didn't happen and then i found out there are like 3 more books so i'm hoping i'm right and that it will be revealed in the later books!
alzena28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0