The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Classism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Blood, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Murder, Drug use, Police brutality, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Misogyny, Stalking, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, and War
ambaright's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Realm Breaker truly is a book about how the A team fails and how the B team, full of a bunch of misfits, come together to save the world. I loved all of the characters and their quirks, the world building is astounding (like the Queen herself always does). I canât wait to see how Corayne continues to rise to the challenge and save the Ward.Â
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, War, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Grief, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Ableism, Excrement, and Slavery
abbypeekreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
First, let's discuss the world building. I had a bit of a back and forth relationship with it, mainly because I felt it bogged the story down in the back half. But even so, I always appreciate when a world is incredibly well-developed, and Allward is nothing less than that. Each region was so unique, each with their own geographical descriptions and cultural norms, and it made for an intriguing and complex landscape for the story's events.
I had so much fun getting to know the characters of this story. They were a ragtag bunch, which I surprisingly formed attachments to early on. Each of them brought a unique perspective to the story, and while most of them didn't have much 'development', I think there's a lot of room left to explore their growth throughout the series, which gets me excited. I craved a bit more detail regarding Taristan's backstory and motivations, but I have a feeling that will come later in the series.
All in all, I had fun diving into this new world Aveyard has created! It gave me Lord of the Rings vibes, which I hadn't been expecting but ended up liking a lot. While there was still a few things left to be desired with this book, and I had hoped for more focus on the magical elements of the world and the Spindles, it's good to remember that this is just the first book in a full series. I'm certain that more and more will be revealed over time, which only makes me more excited to get to Blade Breaker soon!
Graphic: Murder and Violence
maple_dove's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Violence, Grief, and Murder
madisone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, War, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
nora_knight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: War, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Self harm, Grief, Death, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Slavery, Death of parent, and Confinement
jessicaludden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ââWell, if you donât belong to a place, perhaps we belong to each other? We who belong nowhere?ââ
I really liked this and my only âcomplaintâ is that I need more. There is a massive amount of world building in this book, which is necessary because itâs a very complex world. Victoria does a great job including lots of detail and lots of descriptions, almost to the point where itâs too much. I loved the world building donât get me wrong, but I wouldâve traded that for a little more character interaction. I loved the characters and I loved their potential relationships with each other, but I think we shouldâve seen more of it. My favorite scenes included these characters having one on one conversations and building that trust between each other. I absolutely loved the scene with Dom and Andre having a heart to heart about the shared grief and survivorâs guilt theyâre feeling. Scenes like that are what I felt was missing from this. I wouldâve loved to see more Dom and Sorasa, more Sorasa and Corayne, and more Corayne and Andry. Iâm okay with it for now because I know weâre going to get more in the rest of the series, but I couldnât help but feel that part missing from the story. It was also difficult for me to get attached to characters like Sigil, Charlie, and Valtik because they showed up so much later in the story and we didnât really get a feel for who they are. What surprised me the most was how much I loved the villains, especially their potential little romance occurring. Taristan is such a great villain and Erida is so complex. I love their dynamic and I canât wait to see them try to take over the world together (and possibly get closer at the same time). Overall I loved the world and loved the characters. Iâm not gonna fault this book for what it was lacking because I know thereâs more to come and Iâm so excited!
Favorite Quotes:
âCorayne knew herself, and while she was her motherâs daughter, she was not her motherâs equal.â
ââBoys do stupid things to feel like men, no matter how old they are.ââ
âThe Amhara has great need for those who can pass unseen, and who is more unseen to men than a woman?â
âAndry, afraid of the city ahead. Corayne, afraid of the sword on her back. Dom, afraid of nearly everything.â
ââIf I could, Iâd make you a knight right here. Youâve certainly earned it by now.ââ
ââSo the realm stands on the brink of destruction. It might have tipped already. And for some reason, you need me to join thisâŚâ He glanced down their line. This time his scrutiny felt like an insult. âMerry band of heroes?ââ
âHe doesnât belong here with us, as much as he tries to. The end of the world is no place for Andry Trelland. He doesnât deserve it.â
âHe imagined leaving Sarn behind at almost every turn, but found he could not picture her battling a bounty hunter to death, and certainly not over someone as unimportant as Charlon Armont.â
âMortals are impossible to fathom, especially Sorasa Sarn.â
âAn immortal Veder, a Jydi witch, a copper-eyed assassin, a royal squire, a criminal fugitive, and a pirateâs daughter, the Wardâs hope. What a mess we are, Dom thought as Sarn claimed a corner of the room.â
âAs in Ascal, Andry was torn between duty and desire. The squire will march and fight and carry on until he drops. Until someone gives him permission to stand back, and be a little less strong.â
âSarn is still occupied, Valtik is useless, Corayne can barely swing a blade, and Andry is somehow sleeping through everything.â
ââEven when it isnât the end of the world, the realm is a dangerous place for women,â Sorasa added, gesturing between herself and the bounty hunter. Sigil grinned broadly. âAnd so we became dangerous.ââ
âNo amount of squiring had prepared him for a girl like Corayne.â
âCharlie not so much, but if he is trampled, so be it. His blood isnât saving the Ward anytime soon.â
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Violence, and Murder
mayaschmerf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Murder, Grief, Animal death, Death, Cursing, and Blood
caitlin033's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Chronic illness