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pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I have mixed feelings about this book. I know it's incredibly popular on social media, but I feel like it had such potential but ultimately fell into tropes or mirrored other popular books. Towards the end of the book I kept on wondering when it would end, as the plot for the first book had wrapped up, but it kept on going.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
corditeq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.75
It isn’t a perfect book, but it is damn good nonetheless. I had been sold it as a “sapphic romantasy”, so I was really confused when the m/f romance started. The main character is bisexual, an alcoholic, and absolutely tormented and broken. The cast of characters was brilliant, and the undertones of discourse about colonisation were fantastic. I am off to read book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide and Grief
elskede's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Murder, and Abandonment
sshearer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This books is everything. It has the strong fix who struggles with her choices, a kingdom on the brink of collapse, a mysterious villain (or hero?).
Keera struggles with so much. She is seen as this deathly assassin, but everything she does she does in service to her people. This book explores heartbreak, addiction, mental illness, class divides, and more. I will never not love this book and all it says.
Keera struggles with so much. She is seen as this deathly assassin, but everything she does she does in service to her people. This book explores heartbreak, addiction, mental illness, class divides, and more. I will never not love this book and all it says.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Mental illness
reed_harmon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Genocide and Physical abuse
missgarceau's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
sarahfmack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When starting this book, there was a lot of world building very fast. I enjoyed it, and once I knew the layout, it took off.
<Spoiler>
Keera is complex and troubled. Her coping with alcoholism is raw and rarely something I read in a fantasy novel.
Even the way her withdrawal played out was gritty and long.
Her relationships with the other halflings and her new comrads don't start out smooth and happy.
Melissa showed the indoctrination of the halflings, and the conflict they felt serving and being a part of the very court that wants them destroyed is nuanced and very VERY real.
She shows the way Halflings have lost a part of their identity, many not knowing where they come from. Which is such a painful and beautiful allegory for what many Indigenous and Black people in America have dealt with because of colonization and slavery. </Spoiler>
I want more of this story as soon as possible. Kthanks.
<Spoiler>
Keera is complex and troubled. Her coping with alcoholism is raw and rarely something I read in a fantasy novel.
Even the way her withdrawal played out was gritty and long.
Her relationships with the other halflings and her new comrads don't start out smooth and happy.
Melissa showed the indoctrination of the halflings, and the conflict they felt serving and being a part of the very court that wants them destroyed is nuanced and very VERY real.
She shows the way Halflings have lost a part of their identity, many not knowing where they come from. Which is such a painful and beautiful allegory for what many Indigenous and Black people in America have dealt with because of colonization and slavery. </Spoiler>
I want more of this story as soon as possible. Kthanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Colonisation, and War
starrysteph's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A Broken Blade was a playful yet powerful start to a fantasy series! I love the Booktok love. :)
Keera is an assassin working for the crown; and as the Blade she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. When a mysterious figure called the Shadow starts making moves against the King, he becomes Keera’s next target. But things aren’t as they seem, and Keera starts to question her loyalty and who her enemy truly is.
This is a first person narration, and Keera is a very compelling, morally gray protagonist. As an orphaned Halfling (half elf and half human), she has no rights and is “owned” by the Crown. She’s constantly torn between her own survival, trying to help her fellow oppressed people, and bitter self loathing. Keera struggles with alcoholism, and I thought this aspect of the story was written with care.
I enjoyed Keera’s journey and her character development. Without sharing spoilers, she learns how to let others in and stand up for her people - something she was unable to do before, without the support of a community. She grapples with her ethics and with her copic mechanisms. She makes tough decisions, but is ultimately quite likable.
This is a story about oppression. The leaders of this world hold all the privilege and all the power, and those beneath them are struggling to adapt and survive in any way they can. A good chunk of A Broken Blade is slower-paced worldbuilding and setup which lingers on this abuse and trauma, but this is the first in a series - a reshaping of the world is in order (starting with book 2?!). The content can be heavy at times, and Blair (who is an Anishinaabekwe author) doesn’t shy away from her themes of colonialism and systemic violence.
At the same time - this book was dedicated to Booktok, and it playfully engages with many of the tropes that Booktok tends to favor. You’ll see a slowburn enemies to lovers romance, an “only one bed” scene, Fae, etc. There are lots of classic fantasy elements, but also some unique storytelling and great representation (many - most? - of the characters are POC and queer).
The ending was a pretty big cliffhanger, and there were also some interesting plot points with unanswered questions. I’m looking forward to the next book!
CW: murder, racism, violence, gore, alcoholism, sexual content (18+), assault, colonialism, slavery, war, depression, grief, suicidal thoughts, self harm, vomit
(I received a free review copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Keera is an assassin working for the crown; and as the Blade she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. When a mysterious figure called the Shadow starts making moves against the King, he becomes Keera’s next target. But things aren’t as they seem, and Keera starts to question her loyalty and who her enemy truly is.
This is a first person narration, and Keera is a very compelling, morally gray protagonist. As an orphaned Halfling (half elf and half human), she has no rights and is “owned” by the Crown. She’s constantly torn between her own survival, trying to help her fellow oppressed people, and bitter self loathing. Keera struggles with alcoholism, and I thought this aspect of the story was written with care.
I enjoyed Keera’s journey and her character development. Without sharing spoilers, she learns how to let others in and stand up for her people - something she was unable to do before, without the support of a community. She grapples with her ethics and with her copic mechanisms. She makes tough decisions, but is ultimately quite likable.
This is a story about oppression. The leaders of this world hold all the privilege and all the power, and those beneath them are struggling to adapt and survive in any way they can. A good chunk of A Broken Blade is slower-paced worldbuilding and setup which lingers on this abuse and trauma, but this is the first in a series - a reshaping of the world is in order (starting with book 2?!). The content can be heavy at times, and Blair (who is an Anishinaabekwe author) doesn’t shy away from her themes of colonialism and systemic violence.
At the same time - this book was dedicated to Booktok, and it playfully engages with many of the tropes that Booktok tends to favor. You’ll see a slowburn enemies to lovers romance, an “only one bed” scene, Fae, etc. There are lots of classic fantasy elements, but also some unique storytelling and great representation (many - most? - of the characters are POC and queer).
The ending was a pretty big cliffhanger, and there were also some interesting plot points with unanswered questions. I’m looking forward to the next book!
CW: murder, racism, violence, gore, alcoholism, sexual content (18+), assault, colonialism, slavery, war, depression, grief, suicidal thoughts, self harm, vomit
(I received a free review copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gore, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and War
ali_k0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There were 2 (count em! 2!) instances in which there was only one bed. Need I say more? (Okay but seriously this is a beautiful book with an amazing plot that does a great job at integrating all your favorite tropes.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual harassment
cemeterygay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I adored this book and I think it as an absolutely refreshing take on colonialism in a genre that so heavily promotes and plays into colonial thinking.
Before I get into why I adored this book so deeply, I need to start with the critiques I have the book. This book needed I think just another round of editing there are some issues with repetition that could have been easily fixed with just one more round of edits. I do also wish there had been a tad bit more rep of darker skinned characters in the main cast but that's about it. This book also just needed more character descriptions in general. There was also an antisemitic description in the book that has been removed after speaking to a Jewish reviewer for future editions but is still important to point out.
I think this book does a phenomenal job of portraying the struggles of those who have been forcibly culturally disconnected under colonialism and how colonized people survive under these systems while trying to work to tear them down. I especially adore the lack of judgement given to characters like Keera who did what they needed to survive under colonial systems. I love how the author made a big point of that and very intentionally balances both the harm that has been done and why that harm was done in the first place.
While not a major aspect of the novel, I really enjoyed the romance between Riven and Keera and I really liked that there were genuine conversations about consent in this book that are missing in so many books similar to this. While we only get a quick look at some of these side characters I'm really looking forward to seeing them grown in future books and to learn more about them. I especially adored Nikolai and I am looking forward to seeing more of him.
I adore Keera as a main character and her struggles with colonialism resonated so deeply with me. I was happy to see her stick up for herself consistently and could understand were her choices were coming from. I look forward to seeing more of how she came to the point on colonialism that she was at the beginning of the novel. I think this book definitely focuses more on how Keera moves forward with the understanding the harms of colonialism than how Keera comes to understand the horrors of colonialism which is not necessarily for everyone.
I really like the world Melissa Blair built and I'm looking forward to see more of it but as it exists now we just haven't been able to see to much of it.
The villains in this story are incredibly well-done and instantly inspire the appropriate amount of hatred.
I really liked the way the realities of war and revolution are handled in this book and I enjoyed the plot and pacing as a whole. I also really like the humor in this book and love the interactions between character.
Spoiler for most of the book: I also appreciate the amount of casual queer rep and the rep of non-white characters. I especially appreciate that Keera was allowed to talk about her queerness without it either just being completely forgotten in favor of her relationship with a man. I just love that Keera is allowed to be both unapologetically queer and in a relationship with a man.
If you are looking for a book that tackles the colonialism inherent in SJM books and books similar like that while still featuring a highly skilled woman as a primary protagonist, this is the book for you.
Before I get into why I adored this book so deeply, I need to start with the critiques I have the book. This book needed I think just another round of editing there are some issues with repetition that could have been easily fixed with just one more round of edits. I do also wish there had been a tad bit more rep of darker skinned characters in the main cast but that's about it. This book also just needed more character descriptions in general. There was also an antisemitic description in the book that has been removed after speaking to a Jewish reviewer for future editions but is still important to point out.
I think this book does a phenomenal job of portraying the struggles of those who have been forcibly culturally disconnected under colonialism and how colonized people survive under these systems while trying to work to tear them down. I especially adore the lack of judgement given to characters like Keera who did what they needed to survive under colonial systems. I love how the author made a big point of that and very intentionally balances both the harm that has been done and why that harm was done in the first place.
While not a major aspect of the novel, I really enjoyed the romance
I adore Keera as a main character and her struggles with colonialism resonated so deeply with me. I was happy to see her stick up for herself consistently and could understand were her choices were coming from. I look forward to seeing more of how she came to the point on colonialism that she was at the beginning of the novel. I think this book definitely focuses more on how Keera moves forward with the understanding the harms of colonialism than how Keera comes to understand the horrors of colonialism which is not necessarily for everyone.
I really like the world Melissa Blair built and I'm looking forward to see more of it but as it exists now we just haven't been able to see to much of it.
The villains in this story are incredibly well-done and instantly inspire the appropriate amount of hatred.
I really liked the way the realities of war and revolution are handled in this book and I enjoyed the plot and pacing as a whole. I also really like the humor in this book and love the interactions between character.
Spoiler for most of the book:
If you are looking for a book that tackles the colonialism inherent in SJM books and books similar like that while still featuring a highly skilled woman as a primary protagonist, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, Violence, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
CW: Systemic violence, depression