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mari1532'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? It's complicated
4.0
Due to Blair's vivid writing, I bonded with Keera throughout the story and the more I learned about her the more endearing she became. I am emotionally invested in her as a character and will greedily read the entire series emotionally invested in the outcome. I also enjoyed the romance subplot that Keera was a part of. The care that Keera's love interest has for her and their emphasis on consent was refreshing.
I picked up on enough context clues beforehand to see a few of the plot twists coming, so they did not shock me. That being said I am intrigued about how Blair is going to bring all the threads of the plot together. It is clear that Blair has a vision for the world and Keera and I am intrigued to see where this is all going.
I will say it was a little confusing keeping track of how old each of the characters was. Overall I do not think this distracts from the plot of the story, but it keeps coming up so I think that it might be important. The importance of age concerns the potential revelations about Keera. I hope it's more fleshed out in the next book.
Overall, this is what I want from a series starter, something that is exciting to read and makes me emotionally invested as a reader. Blair has accomplished that with this book and I look forward to reading more.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual violence
bergha1998'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
3.75
Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Character Development, 2 🔥
“And still he found beauty in the darkness of it, in my light and my shadows.”
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
daysireads's review against another edition
The world we are thrown into seems vicious and terrible, but it lacks a bite. Keera is very juvenile for someone who is supposedly a highly competent soldier/leader. TBH I am squinting to see the qualities that would enable her to hold such an important position in her kingdom. Hint: I still can’t see them. It’s unfortunate, but for the role she holds and from what we’re told about her character, she doesn’t seem to be very fleshed out. And even though the book is exclusively from her POV, I hesitate to say I know anything of substance about her.
It feels like this book is an amalgamation of several other popular books which wouldn’t be so bad if it executed those tropes and themes well. Ultimately, I think you either love it or you just walk away feeling meh about it.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Genocide, Self harm, Slavery, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny, Torture, and Death of parent
booksalacarte'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
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
kowhaiii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Broken Blade was a brilliant debut novel with wonderful world building and memorable characters. I have many unanswered questions in the best and worst ways, and I can't wait for the series to continue! :D
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Self harm, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Genocide, Sexual assault, and Torture
cosmicmo'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Slavery, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, and Torture
soniajoy98's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence