Reviews

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark

mhayes1999's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

Absolutely loved this. In turns heartbreaking and riveting, and the character work is fantastic. 

tayloreve07's review against another edition

I have got to stop reading these tragic fantasies that tear my heart out and stomp all around on it. But with that I’ve finished the saffron sapphic trifecta and I had a good time ! I’m very upset now but a good time !

sashahc's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

Chaotic lesbians dealing with colonialism, rebellion, magic, military politics, loyalty, espionage, etc.  It scratches quite a few itches.

infyria's review against another edition

challenging 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

3.75

busyblackbookworm's review against another edition

Couldn’t deal with the colonizer/colonized romance subplot I’m so sorry. Also just don’t have enough brain cells to read a fantasy atm which is not the book’s fault 

lesenilpferd's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

3.0

emwilliams's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

pedey's review against another edition

4.0

A queer-coded story Fantasy focusing on the relationships two very different characters suffering from the consequences of colonialism, imperialism, and racism: the French-inspired Balladairan Princess Luca— who is send to this unruly 'Colony' in an effort to 'prove' herself heir the throne she believes herself worthy for; and the North-African inspired Touraine— a 'Sand' who is stolen from her Qazali homes and trained in the Balladairan military as one of its disposable regiments.

The story has its issue with pacing (and making more problems for the characters to suffer out of thin air due to Touraine's... well, everything) but is otherwise an interesting study in how under-the-surface power dynamics, political situations, misplaced infatuations, and racism can form the lumpy shape of relationships.

julis's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

5.0

This came from one of those tumblr posts on what to read when GtN has just occupied your brain and yeah.

Anti-colonialism fantasy about French North Africa and how it only takes a handful of genuinely bad actors to completely destabilize a good faith attempt at peace. Also, as might be guessed, queer women.

Has a few moments that made me go “yeah this is a first novel” mostly in some of the transitions, but exceptional work otherwise. 

just_a_city_gorl's review against another edition

4.25

• I’m really liking this so far. There’s intricate world building without me being totally lost the entire time with I like. 
• I also really like Touraine. She better get fucking promoted. I’m excited to see more of Luca. Fuck that Rogan guy. 
• This is a rollercoaster but I’m loving every second. Overall thoughts so far, I love Touraine, like, so much. But I don’t really like Luca. She has her moments when I’m rooting for her but even then, I don’t really like her that much. I hope it changes but like… 
• Rogan can die, I’d do it myself but I’d never take that from Touraine. Pruett can fuck off too. Jaghotai sucks balls, oh my god I hate her so much. 
• Poor Tibeau but I didn’t really like him anyway tbh. Fucking Beau-Sang. Don’t get me started, fucking Christ. I like Gill. I think. 
• That really was a rollercoaster. I fucking hated Luca, I don’t think I can actually physically describe how much I hated her dude, but she made up for it at the end and, though I’ll need time, I’m pretty sure I’ll like her. 
• Rogan’s dead!!! Joy!!! Beau-Sand is in prison!!! He’ll probs be executed!!! What a wonderful fucking ending. Cantic’s also dead!!!
• I’m sad about Djasha. And Aranen. I hope she decides to live though. And I think I like Jaghotai as well. Again, I need a bit more time to warm up to her. I’m iffy on Pruett still. 
• I loved Touraine. I loved her so much. She deserves everything.
• The world building and politics in this were very intricate and I loved them a lot. And I’m very excited for the next book. 
• First book of the sapphic trifecta complete.