reallifelesbian's review against another edition
3.0
this book has two sides. on the one, it’s a fascinating fantasy world that examines the effects of colonialism and the influence on those caught in the middle. and on the other, it feels like a striptease — all sorts of things happen with some suggestion of what’s to come, but in the end, none of them are resolved and you’re left feeling dissatisfied
christmas42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
readablelife's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashandherbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you so much to @orbitbooks_us & @hachetteus for the gifted copy !
We follow Tourraine, who is a conscript snatched from her native land and fully raised up to defend the empire that has conquered her home. This is her first time back since she was stolen as a child and is caught in the midst of a brewing rebellion.
What I loved : the world building is amazing. The north African inspired setting was so beautifully done and was really a character in and of itself that kept you so anxious, wondering around which corner the rebels were hiding. I thought the way CL clark explore colonization and all the souls caught in between was really well done. We know an unjust system continues to be perpetuated when you get the opressed peoples to buy into and defend their own oppression. That was explored so beautifully in this book. I also loved the rebels and their magic and the commentary on faith, religion and indigenous practices being lost. Cl clark had me at the healing magic tbh.
What I didnt love : I wish we spent more time with the rebels. The first half of the book is a bit slower as Tourraine is recruited by a struggling queen regent Luca who needs someone to infiltrate the rebels. In true colonizer fashion we see her view Tourraine as a tool that can get her what she wants and "peace" in the conquered city. That involved a lot of time with her and I wish that much time was spent with the rebels
You will love this if you love : sapphic goodness. Lesbian characters on the page not in the periphery. If you love military fantasy and a character driven story.
Follow Ash&herbooks on insta for more reviewa :)
We follow Tourraine, who is a conscript snatched from her native land and fully raised up to defend the empire that has conquered her home. This is her first time back since she was stolen as a child and is caught in the midst of a brewing rebellion.
What I loved : the world building is amazing. The north African inspired setting was so beautifully done and was really a character in and of itself that kept you so anxious, wondering around which corner the rebels were hiding. I thought the way CL clark explore colonization and all the souls caught in between was really well done. We know an unjust system continues to be perpetuated when you get the opressed peoples to buy into and defend their own oppression. That was explored so beautifully in this book. I also loved the rebels and their magic and the commentary on faith, religion and indigenous practices being lost. Cl clark had me at the healing magic tbh.
What I didnt love : I wish we spent more time with the rebels. The first half of the book is a bit slower as Tourraine is recruited by a struggling queen regent Luca who needs someone to infiltrate the rebels. In true colonizer fashion we see her view Tourraine as a tool that can get her what she wants and "peace" in the conquered city. That involved a lot of time with her and I wish that much time was spent with the rebels
You will love this if you love : sapphic goodness. Lesbian characters on the page not in the periphery. If you love military fantasy and a character driven story.
Follow Ash&herbooks on insta for more reviewa :)
ashhowland's review against another edition
4.0
CL Clark saw the bar for historical military fantasy and punted it miles higher.
The world-building and main characters are precisely created, carefully fleshed out; and moments that you think you can anticipate flash-bang into something completely different. Because of the careful creation and gradual presentation of all the complexities and characters, the book feels like a slow-burn at times.
When a small citizen group tries to overthrow their larger, better-armed and funded oppressor, it's not neat and tidy, quick and easy. It's gritty, bloody, frustrating and tantalizing. This is a strength of the book, and readers who hold on for the ride will be rewarded with a stunning ending.
The scope of this book is enormous. It manages to tackle colonialism, casteism, racism (internalized and external, systemic and organizational), ableism, and misogyny while creating a queernorm world with deep history, fantasy, and magic. It examines found family versus birth-family; loyalty to people, to cause, to self; and what happens when those do not - cannot - align. A tremendous feat. Thanks to Orbit books for the ARC!
The world-building and main characters are precisely created, carefully fleshed out; and moments that you think you can anticipate flash-bang into something completely different. Because of the careful creation and gradual presentation of all the complexities and characters, the book feels like a slow-burn at times.
When a small citizen group tries to overthrow their larger, better-armed and funded oppressor, it's not neat and tidy, quick and easy. It's gritty, bloody, frustrating and tantalizing. This is a strength of the book, and readers who hold on for the ride will be rewarded with a stunning ending.
The scope of this book is enormous. It manages to tackle colonialism, casteism, racism (internalized and external, systemic and organizational), ableism, and misogyny while creating a queernorm world with deep history, fantasy, and magic. It examines found family versus birth-family; loyalty to people, to cause, to self; and what happens when those do not - cannot - align. A tremendous feat. Thanks to Orbit books for the ARC!
jamfase's review against another edition
3.0
Anti-imperalist uprising fantasy. But the main character and the romance is the least convincing part of all of it to me. But, I am actually interested in seeing where the second book goes.
hannah_ormrod's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book was amazing! Such good world building, i loved the characters and i cant wait until the next book comes out. Cant recommend it enough
bea_adventure's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
piccle's review against another edition
3.0
“You don't find a life. You have to make one, with the people around you and the causes you put your strength into.”
it’s my goodreads page and i get to write my reviews so we’re doing this anthony fantano style—the unbroken by c.l. clark gets a soft four in my book.
two girls who live on the same side of the coin that is balladaire—luca and touraine live two opposite lives that somehow intertwine through their interactions with the rebels in qazāl, where touraine is serving as a lieutenant to the balladarian military and luca is the princess, and the rightful heir to the throne. touraine serves as a personal guard to luca, where the two venture on a political journey to quell the qazālian rebels, of which touraine finds herself (originally unwillinginly) intertwined with.
the book features serious world building within its ~500 pages, and is packed with information, character growth, and suspense. i found myself loving luca, she was definitely my favorite character.
don’t be fooled, this is a good book. it’s entertaining and emotional and definitely kept me reading—the key word is at times. this book has difficult pacing that left me as tired as cantic was with touraine at times—but we both loved touraine. i rooted for her and was heartbroken when she cried, and smiled at her triumphs. yet, i felt this book had few of those moments and the slow pacing irritated me personally. i wasn’t the biggest fan of the political world building, and yet, i loved the world, and the story. i am interested in seeing where this story goes next!
it’s my goodreads page and i get to write my reviews so we’re doing this anthony fantano style—the unbroken by c.l. clark gets a soft four in my book.
two girls who live on the same side of the coin that is balladaire—luca and touraine live two opposite lives that somehow intertwine through their interactions with the rebels in qazāl, where touraine is serving as a lieutenant to the balladarian military and luca is the princess, and the rightful heir to the throne. touraine serves as a personal guard to luca, where the two venture on a political journey to quell the qazālian rebels, of which touraine finds herself (originally unwillinginly) intertwined with.
the book features serious world building within its ~500 pages, and is packed with information, character growth, and suspense. i found myself loving luca, she was definitely my favorite character.
don’t be fooled, this is a good book. it’s entertaining and emotional and definitely kept me reading—the key word is at times. this book has difficult pacing that left me as tired as cantic was with touraine at times—but we both loved touraine. i rooted for her and was heartbroken when she cried, and smiled at her triumphs. yet, i felt this book had few of those moments and the slow pacing irritated me personally. i wasn’t the biggest fan of the political world building, and yet, i loved the world, and the story. i am interested in seeing where this story goes next!