Reviews with content warning for Murder - Warbreaker

[EDIT original rated 3.75 stars, reason at end]

i’ve only read 5 of brandersons work, but i think this one is the weakest/my least favorite. not that it’s objectively, i just felt like for the first half of the book i was reading an alternate AU of mistborn. taking down the corrupt ruler, an unassuming girl getting some power, charismatic leader character, etc. obviously didn’t end up being the case but for a good minute i was not excited to read vivenna’s perspective.

i will say the magic system is splendid. very unique and just generally pleasant to read about. but the ending felt a bit rushed. idk if this is because i was reading it so quickly or if it was all happening too quickly.

there were also some moments where it felt very telly and not a whole lot of showy. vivenna loves her sister so so so much… but we got no semblance of that before the inciting incident. siri is constantly told that she ignored her tutors lessons, she’s not fit for this, etc. got a lil old. also reading about every time their hair changed colors. i was like we get it

i very much enjoyed it. i’ve read 5 branderson books so far and im still shocked when somehow he turns the last 30 pages into a solid ending.

i very much recommend this book but if you are working your way specifically to clear his bibliography, maybe read this one later on, or as a break between his longer books

EDIT:

after thinking more on this book i had to bump it down a star because why [spoiler] did the villains end up being the oppressed group of people who just wants to get back at their imperialist oppressors? it’s a bit odd imo and it seems strange when mistborn is like the opposite of this one in terms of messaging. like bluefingers could’ve been a kelsier character who’s fighting for his people…

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modernhobbitvibes's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

3.0

Took a bit to get invested, but once I was, it became a much easier read. Definitely the horniest Sanderson I've read to date, which was odd in places, but it could've been worse. I understand why people want a sequel to this one.

Also how the heck did Nightblood get on another planet

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wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I don't really know how I feel about this one... The world building was, as usual for the author, impeccable and the magic system compelling, if a little confusing. It was more predictable than I would expect a political intrigue ridden book to be and the romance sub plot(s) were kind of uncomfortable and cringe inducing. There were times I was really enjoying it, but I think the overall take away was pretty mid.

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badbadwolf's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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cinhein's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Single-handedly responsible for a 7 month reading slump.

The first Sanderson book that was genuinely a slog to get through.

It is distinctly mid-2000s in vibe (not complimentary).

The 'villains' being entirely justified but ThEy WeNt ToO fAr had to be tired when it was published. Now it reads like a bad joke. Sure, it would suck for the Main Characters but we've just spent 600 pages surrounded by characters doing their best to prove that they would deserve it.

And no, the sex slave-slaver romance will never work no matter how you try to justify it.

There are 3 good characters here, and I spent most of the book hoping that everybody would die violently else. Not a great response to trigger for a book with a main theme of 'war bad'.

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takarakei's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Wow! What a wild ride, especially with the graphic audio. I did follow along with an ebook as it was my first time reading this (and there's def some small bits left out of the GA, so I'm glad I did that - it was mostly inner-dialogue stuff but still a bit curious). The ending of this book really takes off and that especially on GA was like "eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!"

I just honestly had a GOOD ASS TIME reading this book. Really enjoyed the characters! Lightsong especially was just hilarious (also one of my fav tropes: the reluctant hero). The interactions between characters was fun to read, good banter. Sanderson is really good at writing distinctly different povs and then weaving them into a storyline that comes together in the end. THE MAGIC SYSTEM is SO cool! Felt like magic created for visual artists for sure.

The ending was what is described as a typical "Sanderlanche" where there's really a point of no return while reading and you're not gonna wanna put it down. So much happens at the end it's a lil nuts in a "I'm at 96% in this book and HOW is this gonna end" way - and how it does end is a little abrupt. Supposedly, Sanderson is going to write more in this world, and I could definitely see how that's possible with where things end (although it is definitely still a standalone so no worries about a cliffhanger).

So far... this is my top rated Sanderson book, but I've just started Stormlight and was told to read this before Words of Radiance (which I have HIGH expectations for).

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aleyajo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Giggling and kicking my feet, Brandon you’ve done it again.

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aseel_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Sanderson got my cackling aloud in public 🤣 I did not predict any of the twists and I'm still trying to wrap my head around how the events of these books relate to the stormlight archive series but I guess I'll see

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