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
redplanetreads'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? It's complicated
4.0
Favorite Male Character: Andry Trelland
I really liked this one! Iâve been reading work by this author for a while, and I have to say that her writing has grown so much since her first series. RB felt a little non-linear and confusing at times, but once I really got into it I fell in love with the setting and the characters. With an expansive world build and enthralling storyline of danger, deception, and royal intrigue, I would recommend this for fans of LOTR, Six of Crows, and general sweeping fantasy novels.Â
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Grief and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
erin_mh362's review against another edition
4.5
I need to get the second book as soon as possible because I'm loving this story so far and I need more of it!!
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death
queer_bookwyrm'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? No
3.0
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard is book one in the Realm Breaker series. I was quite disappointed with this one, actually. I loved the Red Queen series, but this fell flat to me.Â
We follow a group of seven people who are on a quest to save the Allward. Corayne, Spindle touched and the chosen one is the one one who can save the realm from being torn apart by her uncle, who only wants chaos and destruction. Andry, the dutiful squire wracked with survivor's guilt and PTSD and possible love interest for Corayne. Sorasa, (the best character) the sarcastic assassin who has the best banter, and I wanted to know more about her backstory. Dom, the immortal Elder who is our resident himbo and good boy who doesn't get along with Sorasa. Charlie, the forger and ex-priest with a heart of gold, and is clearly pining for a boy. Sigil, the bounty hunter and all around badass and scary lady. And finally, Valtik, the witch that doesn't make any sense, but gets them out of a pinch anyway.Â
Personally, I thought there were too many different POVs, and the result was a very slow and drawn out story. I was 80% of the way through the book before the gang was completed. It just took way too long to get to where you knew the story was going. I also don't care enough about most of these characters, because we don't get enough time with each of them. Sorasa was the only one I had strong feelings about.Â
If you don't mind a slow build up in book one, this could be a good epic YA Fantasy read, but if you're looking for fast paced action, this isn't it. I don't think I'll continue the series.Â
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, and Blood
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
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
sarahsbooklife'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
3.5
I think the only reason I could cope with how slow it was was because I saw somewhere that it was inspired by Lord of the Rings. And if you've read those books you know just how slow they are.
I enjoyed it and I'm definitely interested in seeing what's going to happen in this series.
But I really hope that pace picks up and the story really gets going.Â
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation and War
Minor: Animal death