I was so excited for this book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it very much. This book is a mostly military-centered fantasy, and one of the main characters, Touraine, is a lieutenant, and the other, Luca, is a princess. Although Luca's motivation throughout the book is keeping her uncle from taking the throne, we never even see the uncle and there is very little said about this situation. Touraine, on the other hand, almost immediately starts helping the rebels, and while that was the right choice, I didn't feel like she thought about it carefully. It was almost like one chapter she was loyal to Balladaire, and the next she was helping out the rebels. I also didn't really understand the magic system, as it was barely mentioned throughout the entire book and then used as a plot device towards the end of the book.

This upcoming fantasy deals directly with colonialism, religion, and racism along with featuring queer characters of all kinds. On one hand, this premise (and that cover! heart eyes) are everything I want in a novel, but on the other it felt less action-y than I had anticipated. This is a slow-burn political drama basically, and I think I was expecting a bit more swords and sorcery. But that's not a knock against the book at all, it's just not what I was looking for at the moment. I highly recommend checking this one out if you're interested in political or philosophical fantasy!

Oh. My. God.
First, let me start out with the necessary thanks and assurances of second-born children that will be delivered to NetGalley, Orbit, and now C.L. Clark for the copy of the ARC.

I was approved yesterday. It is the avalanche sections of the semester: I have two overdue papers, one due Wednesday, two final projects that I need to be working on, and two other papers due before next week. And a lot of other, overdue assignments. Technically those are all more important, but the first six words of this book ("A sandstorm brewed dark and menacing") caught my eye, and I had to finish the sentence. Then the chapter, as the first sentence gripped me so tightly. Then seventy percent of the book until words started mushing in my head.

This book is a fantastic, heavy book. Touraine is a conscripted soldier from a colonialized country, and has risen in the ranks high enough to be a lieutenant, but not enough, never enough to be respected. She is aware of this, aware that it is her friends, her family of other stolen children grown to soldiers, who pay the heaviest tolls in skirmishes and more. They're first out on the battle lines, first to die, and the most to die. They're her family, far more than the names and faces she barely and cannot let herself remember, the people she loves most in the empire she serves.

When Touraine and her family are sent back to the country of their birth to settle and quell the rebellions of the people still living them, there are those who are torn between the country of their birth and the country they have been raised to serve. Touraine can't let herself be. The country that raised her is hers, and her regiment her family-- not the whispers of the mother who gave her birth, not the uprisings.

Complex and gorgeously written-- all of Touraine's choices, all her decisions, all the actions she takes as she's dragged to discover herself and who she is in the best and worst of circumstances. Set alongside her is the empire's "rightful" queen and heir, Luca. Luca means to prove herself as a capable ruler so that she might take the throne her uncle sits on in "temporary" keeping. She might desire peace, but there's an important question raised throughout the first section of the book: who's right is it to provide peace? who has the right for peace? how is arranging peace a privilege? what does a peace say, a peace mean?

Touraine faces racism through the book, mostly from those who serve the same empire she has. That she might be higher-ranked than them, that she is trusted by the princess makes no difference: she isn't Balladairan, for all that she has lived there for far more of her life, had a Balladairan educate, and lost her birth name to acquire a Balladairan name. Expansionism and colonialism feature heavily as well, shown to us in multiple perspective's: Touraine's, the princess's, those who still live in Qazāl, and those who fight for Qazāli freedom.

Neither woman has exactly the same agenda, nor the same goals. Still, they're pressed together, and attraction sparks, one that neither lets herself act upon yet speaks so clearly throughout the entire book. Their relationship, while not the total of the book, might actually pale in comparison to one of the others written, perhaps specifically: Touraine and one of the rebels. Touraine has other significant relationships throughout the book: her mentor the general she greatly respects, her close friends among the conscripts, Touraine, a priestess, and the priestess's wife, Luca and one of her bodyguards, and most especially, Touraine and herself.

This book is fantastic. I would scream about it more, but I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything. Complex and devastating and beautiful and emotional and achingly full, it is a stunning work and series I'll probably be yelling about for days. My greatest disappointment is that I have to wait for this book to come out so i can read a preview of the next!

Wow - I need a moment to process. This was a kicka** novel filled to the brim with solid and diverse character creation, nuanced and intricate power dynamics, and fully-realized world-building.

The book essentially chronicles the life of Touraine, protagonist and deeply flawed conscript soldier. I can't really tell you how I feel about Touraine; I like her, but she was complex and made some difficult choices that were hard to read. She was so real and well-written, but her character arc was volatile and often misguided. Through various tense plot points, some with considerable consequences, we see Touraine as an amalgam of uncaring, selfish, ill-informed, brave, loving, broken, harsh, and determined actions. She was so real, but painfully so.

Touraine engages in a romantic relationship with Luca, arguably the deuteragonist. Their connection is engrossing but, at times, difficult to read. C.L. Clark doesn't pull any punches or protect her characters; they are fully influenced and shaped by their environments, which were rough and excruciating. Her characters make tough choices and hurt others. Yes, there is love, but there is also pain.

I think the story's most affecting element is Clark's skillfully interwoven critique and subtle observations of the effects of expansionism, colonialism, xenophobia, and racism in this book. The main protagonist's life is shaped by the effects of these insidious social conditions. Salient topics these are, considering the reckoning happening across the world. Even through narrative, we can find meaning and ways to analyze and reconsider the world around us, and Clark's novel provides a fresh and gritty perspective.

This was such a complex, engrossing, and devastating book; it is well written and constructed. I would recommend it to anyone, but be prepared for a painful read.


ARC copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. [Full review to be posted to social and Goodreads closer to release date per publisher request]

Clark's "The Unbroken" is an epic fantasy about loyalty and picking sides. The main character Tourraine is a soldier off to help the Queen-to-be put down a rebellious colony. Like many other "Sands," Tourraine is returning to her birthplace from whence she was stolen as a child and trained to be a so,diet for the Empire. Here, her loyalties are tested as she struggles with whether her loyalty lies with the Empire, her fellow indentured soldiers, or her birth people who she barely remembers. Her loyalties are further tested as she becomes the Princess' assistant, confidant, and lover. In this novel, their tragic romance seems natural as part of the story. Is her loyalty to the rebels, to her former fellow soldiers, or to the Princess?

The Empire feels like the French Empire, particularly the names and the manner of address. The colony feels much like North Africa, particularly the desert climate and the Magic practiced by an unknown culture in the hills. But it is no more France he Morroco than Robert Howard's Stygia was Egypt or Aquilonia was medieval England.

This is a novel that becomes more intense as it goes on with the stakes becoming higher and higher. And, there is at least a sequel in the works.

This was by far a fast and fun read. I’m not 100% sure if this is the first one by the author, but holy cow check this one out. No spoilers, but hurry and read and let’s chat!

A very original piece of fantasy that delivers in every aspect of it. The story, the characters, the world building. it felt great, original and entirely satisfying. If you love fantasy, this is a new title totally worth your time! I highly recommend it!

This was a thrilling read, full of diverse and queer characters. I love the entire world-building element of The Unbroken. It was vivid and skilfully constructed. The Unbroken explores the concepts of colonialism and racism. The story is told from the POV of two characters that couldn't be more different. Luca, the heir apparent to the throne and Touraine, a conscript soldier.

I enjoyed the politics and the unexpected twists and the search for magic. But the romance, which was the whole reason I wanted to read the book, felt underdeveloped to me. I would've liked more interaction between Touraine and Luca before they go around yearning and crying for each other. I can't believe Luca forgave Touraine so easily. I was really hoping for a big angsty blow up there. Also, something that bugged me was that Luca is protecting and saving Touraine at every turn and Touraine didn't even worry about Luca catching the death plague.

Between Touraine's good intentions, dumb decisions and terrible luck she made a very interesting protagonist that I wanted to hug her, punch her or both sometimes. First she was loyal to the sands, then after becoming assistant to the princess she betrays the princess and the rebels to save the sands causing a war, then she joins the rebels but is forced to make them surrender to protect the lives of the sands. Plus she was the whole reason they took Aranen.
So yeah she is a little flaky and a lot dumb but still is impossible not to like and makes the read very engrossing due to her unpredictable actions. I really loved her near the end when she refused Luca's help and choose to die with her people. The one scene is enough of a reason to read the book. Crack skulls, magic healing and of course ARANEN!
Where Touraine is lead by her heart and emotions, Luca follows her head, and is supposedly shrewd and clever. She is driven by the desire to take her rightful throne from her uncle. For the most powerful character of the book, she didn't utilize her power well enough till that end speech of hers.. Luca's character has a lot more potential and I hope it will be utilized in the next installment.

The side characters were all well developed and interesting. I especially liked Jaghotai, Djasha and most of all Aranen. The General, I just can't decide if I hate or not.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The last 100 pages were the best of the book and I would give anything to read Luca's letter. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.



ARC copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book knowing I would probably love it and I was right. I LOVE IT. The world and the history created is beautiful, the relationships both romantic and familial and friendship based are incredible and so well done. I loved how invested into the history and rich depictions of the two warring countries I am now. An incredible story with thought provoking characters and themes. I enjoyed every second of this story and I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on it. The only downside is now I have to wait for the next book and my impatience doesn't allow for that.

An absolute must read for 2021- it'll give you a book hangover for days ( in the absolute best way).