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A review by cemeterygay
A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair
- 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