06 September 2024
Five Broken Blades Review & Book Club Questions
Reviewed by: Melissa Ng
Quick Facts
Book Publication Date: 7 May 2024
How I Read It: Borrowed from my local library
Where You Can Find Five Broken Blades By Mai Corland: Amazon Australia* | Kobo US* | Kobo Canada*
Content & Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, descriptions of sexual assault, mild coarse language, a little spice but it’s not explicit. Full trigger warnings are provided at the start of the book.
Five Broken Blades Book Review
When I first heard about Five Broken Blades through Cari Can Read on YouTube, I was immediately drawn in by the premise. A group of misfits banding together to assassinate an evil king? Yes, please.
What really stood out, though, was the Korean-inspired setting – a refreshing backdrop that added layers of richness to the story.
Before we dive into the review, let’s talk about the essentials.
Corland does a great job of laying out content warnings upfront. It’s clear that she cares about her readers and wants them to know what they’re in for.
That being said, I do wish there was a glossary or pronunciation guide. Luckily, I’ve watched enough K-dramas that I think I got it right, but a guide would still have been appreciated.
The book alternates between multiple points of view (POVs), which I’m a huge fan of, and in Five Broken Blades, it definitely works. I love a good short and quick chapter.
One thing to note is that the description says it’s about five assassins coming together, but the story is told from six main POVs, and even more characters pop up along the way. So, if you’re not a fan of the multi-POV style, the story may feel slightly crowded and jumpy.
Let’s run through the five assassins.
Five Broken Blades Characters
- Royo: A strongman hired to be Aeri’s bodyguard.
- Aeri: A thief who’s a bit ditzy.
- Euyn: The banished price, believed to be dead.
- Mikail: The king’s spymaster and Euyn's lover.
- Sora: A poison maiden who’s trying to free herself and her sister.
And as a bonus, we also get the point of view of Tiyung, the son of a nobleman who owns Sora.
Five Broken Blades Summary
Now, let’s get into the plot.
The story kicks off with a strong premise: a ragtag crew of killers and thieves are assembled to take down King Joon. It’s a classic “band of misfits” tale, reminiscent of Mistborn* (though some might say it’s more Six of Crows*, which I haven’t read yet).
The short and snappy chapters keep the pace quick, often ending with just enough of a cliff-hanger or reveal to make you say “Okay, just one more chapter.”
However, while the plot and setting are solid, there were a few predictable moments. I’m no stranger to fantasy twists, so I saw the big reveal coming as it was being set up.
That said, even though the twist wasn’t earth-shattering, it still tied the story together nicely and kept things engaging. It was honestly a fun read. Lies, deception, betrayal, high stakes. Five stars, right?
Unfortunately, one area where the book let me down was the romance. It’s there, but it’s easily the weakest part of the book.
It felt like it was thrown in as an afterthought and didn’t have the emotional depth I was hoping for. It was more instalove and didn’t feel natural. That’s the only reason why I rated this four stars rather than five.
Overall, Five Broken Blades is a solid start to what could be a fantastic series. And yes, the ending sets things up perfectly for Four Ruined Realms, the next book in the series.
If you’re into fantasy adventures with a diverse cast and a unique setting, it’s definitely worth picking up. Just don’t in expecting ground-breaking romance – this one’s more about sharp swords and sharper lies.
Five Broken Blades Book Club Questions
- Did you enjoy the Korean-inspired setting? Did it bring something new to the fantasy genre for you?
- Who was your favourite character and why?
- Which character did you relate to the most and why?
- Did you enjoy the multiple point of views, or did it feel overwhelming?
- What did you think about the pacing of the book? Did the short chapters and quick reveals keep you engaged?
- What did you think of the romance subplot? Did it add to the story or detract from it?
- Do you think any of the relationships will survive / continue into the next book?
- What did you think about the dynamic between the group of misfits? Did they work well together or were they more likely to backstab each other?
- Were there any reveals or plot twists that surprised you?
- If Five Broken Blades was adapted into a TV show or movie, what actors would you pick to play each character?
- Did you guess who the traitor was early on?
- Will you read the second book, Four Ruined Realms?
- What predictions do you have for Four Ruined Realms based on how this book ended?
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