This book is the recipe for the perfect adult epic fantasy. We have sapphic protagonists, political plots, lots of action scenes, backstabbing, and excellent overall world-building. I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers.

This is the second publication C. L. Clark (https://clclarkwrites.com) is the author of two novels. The Broken was published in 2021 and is the first book in her Magic of the Lost series. It is the 80th book I completed reading in 2023.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

Touraine was taken as a child and raised to be a warrior. She is one of the desert-born conscripts called Sands. Now, as a lieutenant, she leads her own unit in the Colonial Brigade. Her company is sent back to her homeland, Qazāl, and that brings back memories. She is falsely accused of treason and murder. That results in her being dismissed from the only life she knows, the army.

Princess Luca Ancier needs someone to help her with her plans. Someone willing to operate outside of conventions. She wants to learn the local magic to help her people. Touraine is the perfect candidate, and she is made Ancier’s assistant.

Ancier uses Touraine as her ambassador. Contacting the rebels and negotiating for the Princess. Meanwhile, Ancier works to remove her uncle from the throne. Together, they try to save the nation, though their only path is fraught with danger.

I enjoyed the 15.5 hours I spent reading this 545-page fantasy novel. The novel is a little slow in places. There is a romantic relationship between the women in the plot. It is a good fantasy but not exceptional. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3.9 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Fabulous epic fantasy with queer sapphic protagonists. A queen in waiting and himbo cross paths in their goals to secure various forms of power, political machinations commence accordingly

'The Unbroken' is a riveting epic fantasy set in a queernormative world. It revolves around fully fleshed out characters that drive the action forward in ways that never cease to engage. The world is a balanced blend of the familiar and the dangerously unknown. Y'all ain't ready.

Clark's writing is powerful and evocative, with a talent for creating rich and complex characters. Touraine is a compelling protagonist, struggling with the conflicting loyalties that tear her apart. Her journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as she grapples with questions of identity, loyalty, and the meaning of freedom.

The world-building in "The Unbroken" is superb, with a fully-realized setting that feels both familiar and unique. The political and social tensions between Touraine and Balladaire are woven into the story seamlessly, creating a sense of realism and depth that enhances the story's themes.

One of the strengths of "The Unbroken" is its portrayal of complex characters with conflicting motivations. Even the villains of the story are given depth and nuance, making them more than mere caricatures of evil. The relationships between the characters are also well-drawn, with a sense of history and complexity that adds richness to the story.

Overall, "The Unbroken" is a fantastic debut novel that explores complex themes with skill and sensitivity. Clark's writing is powerful and engaging, and her characters are well-drawn and memorable. If you're looking for a thought-provoking fantasy novel that tackles issues of oppression and rebellion, "The Unbroken" is definitely worth checking out.

I didn't dislike the beginning of the book, but something about it really wasn't hooking me. I'm not opposed to giving it another try in the future, but for now, I don't know that this book is my cup of tea.

I finally read this after staring at it for a year but I was motivated to pick it up because the sequel comes out this month which I plan to read this month. This is a fantasy series called The Magic of the Lost and we follow 2 characters, one is technically heir to the throne of this colonial empire and the other is someone who has been taken from one of the colonies as a child to be trained as a soldier for the empire but for this character at the beginning she is sent home with a bunch of other contrips to basically beat down a rebellion so she’s starting to have to deal with split loyalties and all that drama and intrigue.

It is a high fantasy and that’s exactly what I signed up for, it’s exactly what I got. It is very brutal so I’d include some dark fantasy in the mix with that as well. This is one of those books where if the beginning doesn’t quite reel you in, I recommend sticking with it and getting to some of the juice because I was the same, I was a little wish washy at first but it started to pick up for me toward the middle and I ended up really really enjoying it to where I am now excited to read the sequel for all of the black lesbians, political intrigue, back stabbing and I still don’t know which side I want to go with even though the answer seems obvious but I’m skeptical. And Torraine one of the main characters is someone I love but I also want to punch. She leads with her heart and emotion but is written in a way that I can be okay with that and then you have two sides of the same coin, Luca the princess who leads with her head. If you are a big fantasy reader, you should have this in your collection, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Worldbuilding is top notch, beautiful pining. LOVED! My friends and I spent several days going over the many different layers of this book but the thing I kept coming back to was WOW, these characters felt super real and believable to me.

In short, what a reader is getting with The Unbroken is not an epic fantasy that plays by the rules, but one that succeeds in putting engaging, subversive characters in the places they need to be to cause the best kind of dramatic mayhem. As a debut novel, The Unbroken isn't flawless: the pacing is a little odd around the midpoint and ending, and I was led to expect a little more “lovers” in the “enemies to lovers” dynamic between Touraine and Luca than I ended up getting. But what it does to absolute perfection is be interesting: in its worldbuilding, in its range of characters, and particularly in its indifference to reader expectations. Come for the biceps, stay for the complex colonial uprising: you won't be disappointed.

Adri Joy

The Unbroken follows Touraine, a solider, and Luca, the future ruler. It’s a story of colonialism, choices of where loyalties lie, and betrayals..

I so wanted to love The Unbroken. The synopsis had me intrigued, and when I started reading, I was immediately engaged in the setting. The aspect of colonialism through the empire, and the bits and bobs of African history and location peppered within had my attention. If I was only reviewing the book for that, it would get all the stars because the descriptions were great.

Where the book lost me was the characters, which is generally an important part of a book. Touraine and Luca should have been interesting. There were so many interesting aspects about them, the dichotomy between the soldier and the future ruler and the choices they needed to make for not only their own self interests, but also those they each cared about. The need for the others aid should have created enough conflict and tension with what their own interests were to push the book forward.
Instead, I found that each choice the characters made was just a form of self sabotage to create more conflict through the book. What could have come naturally just because of the nature of the story, we had two characters who not once in the entire story made a logical decision. It was bad decision after bad decision, and I honestly started to hope one or both of the main characters would die, and one of the side characters who seemed to use their brain could be the new main.
A book doesn’t need endlessly manufactured conflict to be interesting. I would have loved if either Touraine or Luca made even just one good decision and had some things work out for them. That could propel the story forward too, but instead I was stuck with two people making bad choices. For ages. The Unbroken is a decently sized book, and it felt so much longer when you’re trapped with stupid characters making stupid choices.

I also know a lot of people were interested in The Unbroken because it was sapphic. It is, but there isn’t really romance in this book. We have small crushes, and then more self sabotage and bad choices. If you’re okay with bad choices for the main story, and only wanted to read this in hopes of decent romance, you won’t get that either unfortunately.

All in all, I think Clark is probably a really great writer. The descriptions and the setting definitely had my attention, and the writing itself was engaging. I just don’t like the characters and how that pushed the plot of the book. If you’re a reader who cares more about beautiful writing and are less bothered by plot, you could love this book.

I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. My review will be based on the physical ARC I read (if I qualify)

“We pray for rain.”

ARC provided by the publisher Orbit UK through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After years of occupation the rebels is ready to make their move, in the middle of it all is a scholar princess with ambitions to win back her throne and a conflicted soldier discovers her true path in a society that forced her into a life of military obedience. The Unbroken is a riveting fast paced adult fantasy debut by C. L. Clark.

Looking at the books that I wanted to read this month I had to put The Unbroken high on my list as it was one of my most anticipated releases in 2021. Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC (Advance Readers Copy) for me to read. The first thing that caught my eye is the magnificent cover designed by Lauren Panepinto and art by Tommy Arnold, the artist that also made the art for The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. Tommy did a wonderful job bringing to life Touraine and the architecture of the Shal temple. With the Balladairan banner in the back too! The cover is stunning that itself is enough reason for anyone to go and read the book.

Going into this book I knew nothing about the story, not even the synopsis. I wanted to maintain a degree of mystery so I can go into it with zero thoughts. From the rating above it was an enjoyable read. For those who are interested in reading an excerpt of the book, it is up for free on the Orbit website (click here).

The Unbroken is the debut and the first instalment to the Magic of the Lost trilogy by C. L Clark. The story takes place in El-Wast, capital city of Qazāl, Balladaire’s southern colony, a place inspired by the deserts of North Africa.

There are two main characters in this story, Touraine, a conscript of the Balladairan Colonial Brigade and Luca, the crown princess of the Balladairan Empire. Lieutenant Touraine is a Sands, a word used to refer to the Qazāl born conscripts in the Balladairan military. All her life she has prepared herself for this moment, the moment where she will rise and become the first ever Sands in the Balladairan military to be promoted as Captain. Which will help the Sands by showing them that they can thrive if they cooperate with Balladaire.

Princess Luca crown princess of Balladaire, a princess that lost her throne to her uncle, is driven by her ambition to prove to him that she is capable to rule. Given the task by the king to handle the rebellion in Qazāl, the idealist scholar princess tries to find peace that can cement her reputation so Luca can get closer to her throne. To do this she needs someone to be her representative that can tether between Balladaire and the rebels.

Since their first encounter together Touraine caught Luca’s eye, after a series of unfortunate events Touraine’s reputation is jeopardized. Luca seeing an opportunity bargains with Touraine, taking her in as Luca’s assistant to negotiate with the rebels.

Colonialism is the main part of the world building, Balladaire is an empire that is reminiscent of France one of the European countries that colonized North Africa in the 18th and the 19th century. As cited from “North Africa Within the Past, the Present, and the Future” by Amin Shaker, translated by Halla @incernadine on Twitter.

“The French conquered Algeria in 1830 and began an extensive colonization program that led to Algeria’s annexation in 1870 as an integral part of metropolitan France. Yet annexation brought unequal benefits to the residents of Algeria. French settlers in Algeria enjoyed full citizenship rights and were represented by their own deputies in the French parliament. The indigenous people of Algeria were colonial subjects, reduced by law and practice to a subordinate status in their own land.”

The people of Qazāl doesn’t share the same rights as Balladairans that colonized their land. They live in poverty and is exploited by Balladaire to meerily exist as second class citizens that isn’t deserving of freedom. They are mistreated and underpaid by many Balladairans, for example Beau Sang, a Balladairan nobleman that is very fond in inflicting violence towards his servants.

The Balladairans enacted a compulsory military service for the people of Qazāl by kidnapping their children and then training them from a young age to serve in the military. Alienating the children from their family, their culture, their language, and they are forced to antagonize their own people by calling them “Uncivilized”.

The use of conscripts, Sands, in the story is hugely inspired by history, during the 18th century France has forced the military might of African soldiers in the World War. Cited from the same book, “North Africa Within the Past, the Present, and the Future” by Amin Shaker.

“… the French continued to recruit and conscript North African soldiers for service on the Western Front. Over the war years, more than three hundred thousand North Africans – 180,000 Algerians, eighty thousand Tunisians, and forty thousand Moroccans – served in France as soldiers on the Western Front.”

Based on history the colonial countries values the lives of the African soldiers as lesser than a white man. Colonial African troops during the war are known to be in the front lines just like the Sands, they are the first one to be sacrificed, as they are stationed in the most dangerous posts and the first one to engage the enemy. If one of the Sands chose to desert, the consequence is death by the hands of a stranger or a fellow Sands.

As mentioned in a letter by a senior officer responsible for West Africans’ training in the camp of Fréjus wrote in a letter in January 1918 that African soldiers were “cannon fodder, who should, in order to save whites’ lives, be made use of much more intensively.” (cited in Michel, Marc: L’appel à l’Afrique. Contributions et réactions à l’effort de guerre en A.O.F., Paris 1982, p. 323). Below is a quote from The Unbroken that depicts the position of Sands during warfare times in the story.

“Who is closest to the conflict? Who walks with it through the streets? How many times had Touraine told her the Sands were always at the front? And if the Sands were at the front, they would see the most.”

C. L. Clark has built a world that shows the inner workings of colonialism, that provides insight for readers that aren’t familiar with history that has long since been overlooked. Clark built this world with the intent of showing all sides of the conflict, from the rebels, the government officials, the Sands, and the innocent people in between. Social conditioning is used to control the Qazālis, especially the Sands. The world itself becomes the perfect base for a wonderful story.

Clark incorporated religion into the magic system, the religion of the Shal Empire gives their believers power based on their faith in the Shal. To be granted power by the Shal, one must pray and believe in Shal. Aside from that, one also must give something in order to gain something. There is balance to the magic system. The power Shal grants varies from healing, destruction, psychic powers, etc. With the power that is granted to the Shal believer depending on their intention it can also back fire to the user.

C. L. Clark has done a wonderful job creating a faith based magic system that is very well balanced. There is also other variations of magic for example Many Legged, they use magic that has something to do with the connection between the worshipper and the animals they worship.

It seems that the Many Legged are able to control the animals to do their bidding. The Balladairans on the other hand progressed as a nation, advancing in many fields such as : agriculture, medicine, etc; abandoning religion and their belief in Gods. Fear catalyzed the act of opressing the Qazālis as proven in their history when the Shal’s power was weaponized by Shal Empire’s last ruler to attack Balladaire.

“Every god had two sides, like a coin, and each gift had a price.”

The Shal religion is dying because of the Balladairan empire’s colonization of Qazāl. Religion is viewed as “uncivilized”, the teachings of viewing religious practices as “uncivilized” is deeply indoctrinated within the teachings of Balladaire.

There are two doctrines that exist within the society, the Droitist and Tailleurist. Both doctrines engraves the belief that condemns religious practices, which is applied to the colonized citizens of Qazāl and the Sands.

These social conditioning by Balladairans limits the activity and movements of the Qazālis, preventing them from having rights and making them a second class citizen. History is blurred to prevent Qazālis from using magic against the empire. Dwindling down the numbers of Shal magic practitioners to near extinction.

The Unbroken is a political heavy and character driven story. From both Touraine’s and Luca’s POV readers are given two contrasting views, from the rebels through Touraine and from the empire through Luca.

Touraine as a character in the beginning of the story is strict, obedient, and the epitome of a model soldier. She has dreams of wanting to show other Sands that they are capable of achieving something more. If they stay, obey their orders and do their duty for Balladaire. Since her kidnapping she grew up in Balladaire and looks up to Cantic, a Balladairan general and some sort of mother figure to Touraine.

Being raised from a very young age in Balladaire, all she knows is Balladaire and only Balladaire. Coming to Qazāl, Touraine views the place as a foreign land full of foreign people. Based on her upbringing it sparks inner conflict in Touraine that slowly grows more intense, as she questions her position and mission in life. Torn between two sides of the conflict, either defend the nation that has trained her and her friends or fight for the liberation of her people from colonization. This aspect of Touraine’s character is complex, Clark writes her struggles so raw and vulnerable.

Readers can feel the conflict brewing inside Touraine as she juggles both sides all the while discovering her true purpose. The shift in Touraine’s views from a conscript to a valuable member of the rebellion is built up beautifully throughout the story. Each decision and each revelation is written full of purpose by Clark to show a steady growth in Touraine’s character.

“Why would a god direct her life to this moment, this side of the rebellion? No adequate weapons, no actual soldiers, and it was a lot harder to dig out an entrenched army than to rout a marching one. This looked like the losing side. It even felt like the losing side. It didn’t feel like the wrong side.”

Luca on the other end is a sheltered princess with a mission to win back her throne. Her scholarly background and her position in the story reminds me so much of Elend Venture from the Mistborn trilogy (I am making this comparison because I read The Well of Ascension before this book). They share an idealistic point of view in politics but they are different when it comes to their personality and approach.

Luca is much more strict, rigid, and isn’t afraid in sacrificing anything to get what she wants. There is a power dynamic as well whenever other characters interact with Luca. Her ambition to prove herself and to be a better ruler than her predecessors is unbending. Luca truly believes that she is capable of saving her people, squash the rebellion, all the while gaining supporters to get her throne back. Luca doesn’t shy from showing her power and stature to intimidate other people.

As a character with disability Clark doesn’t boil her character down to that, Clark makes sure to show readers Luca’s strengths. Because Luca is the person that holds the highest authority, as a princess, she is accustomed to getting what she wants in life. There are moments when Luca doesn’t realize her position of privilege, even if she sympathizes towards the Qazālis she still has a lot to learn in becoming a better ruler than her predecessors.

I have learned your god says, ‘Peace above all.’ So let it be.”

Both characters shares the same drive to achieve their dreams and goals. But they also share responsibility for their actions in the story. Touraine’s and Luca’s judgement and decisions led to the outbreak of the rebellion. From this story arises the question of who is to blame for the series of events that led to the deaths of innocent people from both sides of the conflict.

C. L. Clark portrayed both characters in a way that sparks conversations about the strain of colonization towards the people that are being oppressed, showing the real victims as they are forced in a situations of constant fear of violence and death.

Relationship wise, watching the progress and growth of relationship between the two main characters is interesting. Clark showcased plenty of intimate moments between Luca and Touraine that is full of yearning and heated tension that leaves you breathless (Spoiler : leg massages). Their power dynamics is uneven and sometimes down right unforgivably unfair. But I’d say this is what makes the story of The Unbroken so impactful.

Luca as a future ruler of the colonizer in this case is responsible for the havoc that her people has caused for the Qazālis, I hope in the sequel we get to witness this being done to see an outcome of movement toward decolonization. Though for me personally the way the final stand off reached its blowing point when the story peaks, it wasn’t as I expected. Everything happened so fast and in the end it felt rather rushed. But this did not hinder me from enjoying the whole story.


Final thoughts! I am very surprised and impressed. If this is the first book from C. L. Clark, I can’t wait to read more from them. The world building, magic system, and amazing characterization is intricate and detailed. To make things even better the plot is fast paced, the moment readers start reading they can easily slip into the story.

Besides the two main characters, the side characters are so well fleshed out and distinct. Though I must say, my most adored side characters lean towards the rebels more because of their found family aspect.

One of my favorite side characters has to be Jaghotai, she is unstoppable, a bad ass, and so snarky. Jaghotai is that b*tch with sick boots and flying kicks. I love her! To make it even more perfect is how ruthless she is, not to mention that she only has one arm which makes her even more deadly. The reputation of her kicks knows no bounds! Jaghotai’s sub plot is also one of the best in the story, a woman as bad ass as her showing vulnerability and love is too emotionally quaking for me to handle.

One thing I forgot to mention is the subtlety of the queerness is in this book. It is so classy and nonchalant the way Clark portrays the female / female romance. The tension and yearning is so deliciously lush *chef’s kiss*. All I want is for Touraine to wrap me up in her arms!

The Unbroken by C. L Clark did not disappoint at all! I am so happy I picked it up. Thank you again to Orbit and NetGalley for the arc for me to review. I highly recommend for everyone that loves political heavy military fantasy with strong female characters, mysterious magic, and yearning! So much yearning! This is the book for you. Also another thank you to Halla for helping me with the historical references in this review. Don’t forget to pre-order the book and to add it on Goodreads!

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

“North Africa Within the Past, the Present, and the Future” by Amin Shaker, published 1958, page 167 – 170, translated by Halla from Halla’s Corner or @incernadine on Twitter.
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/colonial_military_participation_in_europe_africa

This book has a bit of a mixed review from me. On the one hand, parts of it were extremely engaging and I couldn't put it down, especially the beginning and the end. However, the middle parts dragged and I actually put it down for a few weeks before picking it up again. Some of the choices the main character made weren't well-supported and that made me lose interest in some parts, as I wasn't invested in the outcome when the events weren't playing to the character's growth. The world was vivid and interesting, as were the characters. It was a good story, but also the rebellion theme was missing something. I think there was a lack of personal feeling from the main character about her personal stake in the rebellion, even though it was nominally a very high stake, it wasn't communicated well in my opinion.
Overall, I liked it. Not sure I was engaged enough to pick up the sequel, though.

As a military fantasy, the worldbuilding and execution of the plot are great! The politics and the magic were intriguing and thoroughly described. That said, I don't enjoy colonizer romance and could have done without that subplot. The main characters were largely unlikeable and their choices were frustrating, but the secondary characters were so interesting! Overall, definitely an enjoyable read that I'd recommend, with that one reservation.

The first thing to say about this book is that it's probably not for everyone. But if you enjoy your fantasy on the more political side, on the detailed worldbuilding side, then this is a book for you!

The Unbroken doesn't take any shortcuts or easy ways. It looks not only on the big picture, but more importantly on the every-day people living in an empire. On the good and, more importantly, the bad sides of ruling, of colonialism. It offers a solid commentary without being preachy and without platitudes.

The created world is a rich one, as well. The different types of magic or lack of magic in some cases, different classes of people and the dynamics between them. Everything is thought through, all the details are needed and actually add to the story.

One of the best fantasy novels of this decade, in my humble opinion.

3.5 Stars

Sapphic fantasy. Full of magic, rebellions, colonialism, and romance. The writing was well done with interesting characters, a setting that I don't get to read about too often, and a queer romance that I very much enjoyed.

I think my expectations were slightly too high based on all the internet buzz, but still a mostly enjoyable read. I will read book 2 when it comes out.

I enjoyed this and it gives an interesting look into colonialism from BOTH sides. Beautiful and descriptive wiring, the only thing with the story was that it is a little slow paced. I loved Touraine's character. Its heavy on the military aspect.

Oh my goodness. This book was so good and the mixture of fantasy and real world cultures as analogs was masterfully done. Mature students would learn much about the affects of colonization and the internal conflict created in those that are raised in such institutions. Luka and Touraine made me want to constantly shake them in the best ways possible.

This is an incredible military fantasy that discusses colonization, imperialism, identity. As a child of a diaspora I related a lot to it and found the writing superb. I also loved the disability representation and can't wait for the next book.

Touraine is a soldier in an occupying army, a soldier for a country that stole her from her family and home. When Touraine finds herself in a death or death situation, she becomes a part of the Princess' plans. However Touraine must find who she is and what she wants to do if she's going to navigate a path of conflicting feelings and justice for her homeland.

This was okay. It starts off reasonably well, if a bit predictable, but the middle of the book was a bit of slog for me. I had a tough time staying engaged with the characters. The story of someone who has been oppressed and brainwashed trying to throw off that brainwashing is not something that I enjoy. It just really dragged. This book is also touted as a sapphic book, and while the main characters are lesbians or bi, there is not much of a romantic relationship of any sort. It was really nice to see different kinds of representation throughout though.

Overall, either the characters themselves were not interesting or something about the writing just didn't engage me. The magic also was not super fleshed out since Touraine or Luca the main characters didn't know anything about it. This is definitely a military fantasy and may appear to readers who enjoy that.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit books for the copy of the e-book!