#allward

✩🥀🗡️Review:

*Thanks to @epicreads and @vaveyard for gifting me a Fate Breaker Box!*

I found myself holding my breath at all times while reading this book! 

With the realm hanging in the balance “Fate Breaker” follows the Companions as they race to reunite while they rally old allies and seek unexpected new ones, in one final push against darkness.

Though the Companions spend a majority of the book apart, Aveyard manages to create captivating storylines for each character that advance the plot of “Fate Breaker” forward. With the Companions separated, their different points-of-view allow the reader to explore different regions of the ward and see how they have been affected by Erida’s reign. As always, Aveyard completely immersed me in her complex world with her detailed descriptions of each region and its customs. At the same time, Aveyard further develops her characters. With war on the horizon, I really enjoyed watching Corayne step into her role as the Breaker of Fates. I was also fascinated by Erida’s character  as she descended into darkness to achieve her goals. Above all else, I LOVED chapters written from either Sorasa or Domacridhan’s perspectives. Their chemistry is top tier, their dynamic is entertaining, and the shenanigans they get up to only strengthen their bond. 

Once the Companions reunited, the epic battle at the novel’s end was everything I wanted it to be and more! The elaborate action sequences blew me away, the betrayals were a punch to the gut, and my poor fingernails went through it as the lives of favorite characters were threatened. In the end, I was left feeling satisfied (perhaps also a tad horrified). I cannot thank Aveyard enough for the bonus scene starring my favorite ship *squeals* in the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition. Enduring all the pain and one of the slowest burning romance subplots I’ve ever read was so beyond worth it. 

✩🐉🛡Review:

Victoria Aveyard absolutely outdoes herself when it comes to “Blade Breaker” and it’s ending. 

In this sequel to the “Realm Breaker” trilogy, Aveyard gives the reader the opportunity to explore the Kingdoms of Ibalet, Trec, and Madrence. We are made aware of their differing cultures, values, and monarchs through alternating viewpoints, which is something that I appreciated. One such monarch that Aveyard acquaints the reader with is Isadere, the King of Ibalet’s Heir and Lasreen’s Chosen. Isadere identifies as neither male nor female and uses they/them pronouns, providing necessary and important non-binary representation in young adult fantasy. I absolutely love Isadere’s character in “Blade Breaker” because of their unique abilities gifted to them by the goddess of death and life. I look forward to seeing what role they will play in the final installment of the trilogy! 

In addition to getting to know new characters, the reader is exposed to a new side of certain members of the Companions. For instance, Aveyard allows us to see a crack in Sorasa’s mask when she shares the reason for her exile. The ruthless assassin’s vulnerability humanizes her, making her feel all the more real and relatable to the reader. 

While Sorasa opens up to her newfound friends, Erida shuts down. Her trust in others (aside from Taristan) disintegrates as she embraces cruelty and sheer villainy. I enjoyed reading from her point-of-view and sympathized with the root of her frustrations, but as the saying goes “two wrongs don’t make a right.” In this case, conquering the realm may not be the solution to all of her problems like she thinks it is. 

Corayne’s slow development from young girl to soldier across the first two books was also fun to follow. I particularly appreciated Aveyard’s choice to make her a novice swordsman rather than a skilled warrior. Her progress is more realistic this way.  

Because Aveyard spent a lot of time establishing the world of Allward in “Realm Breaker,” I expected more action sequences throughout “Blade Breaker.” In actuality, this was not the case. As previously mentioned, the band of Companions spend time in multiple Kingdoms. Thus, the majority of the book chronicles the travels of the Companions as they move from spindle to spindle. While the build up is slow, however, the reader is ultimately rewarded with two epic battle scenes in the last hundred pages before being hit with Aveyard’s most painful cliffhanger yet! I cannot wait to see whether or not the realm will be saved in book 3!

➤ 4.5 stars

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