Blade Breaker

Content warnings: war violence, death, murder, zombies

The Companions must battle to save their world and every other world from evil prince Taristan.

The kingdoms of the Ward are preparing for war as Queen Erida of Galland and her prince consort Taristan invade Madrence. The Companions (pirate's daughter Corayne, squire Andry, assassin Soraya, immortal Elder Domacridhan, bounty hunter Sigil, Jydi witch Valtik, and forger/priest Charlie) are reeling after battling sea monsters and closing the Spindle in Realm Breaker.

The Companions must appeal to the rulers of the kingdoms of Allward (except the aggressor Galland) to stop Cor-blooded Prince Taristan from opening the Spindles and ruining their world and allowing What Waits (their version of the Dark One/Satan/devil) to access all worlds. Corayne also carries the old blood and is the hero the world needs, as she can close the Spindles Taristan forces open.

The novel's narration switches between the Companions and the evil Queen Erida. Erida uses Taristan's army of the undead to conquer a neighboring country. While Taristan only cares for finding more Spindles and bringing about the end of all worlds, Erida wants to become an empress of the myriad countries that sprang from Old Cor's once united lands.

Realm Breaker, the first novel in the series, was one of my favorite reads from 2021 and I have been patiently waiting for the series to continue. The novel picks up right where the first book in the series leaves off. The book has the feel of the middle book in a trilogy, where much of the plot is leading to an epic finale. The action ramps up to a battle worthy of a saga toward the end of the novel, which breaks the middle book mold. The final battle leaves the reader with mixed feelings of loss and triumph and leaves them wanting to know what happens to our heroes in the next installment.

I genuinely hope this series finds its readers because this epic fantasy delivers a diverse and interesting cast of characters and intriguing worldbuilding that lays the groundwork for it to be this generation's The Lord of the Rings.

Recommended for epic fantasy readers who love The Lord of the Rings or The Wheel of Time.

Victoria Aveyard is a bestselling YA author and screenwriter. She lives in Los Angeles.

Series: Realm Breaker, #2

Publisher: HarperTeen

Length: 592 pages

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Representation: racially diverse characters, nonbinary, lesbian

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.