⚔️ Book Review ~ FIVE BROKEN BLADES by Mai Corland ⚔️

Five Broken Blades (The Broken Blades, #1)
by: Mai Corland
Series: The Broken Blades
Genre: New Adult Romantic Fantasy
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Red Tower Books

It’s the season
for treason…

The king of Yusan must die.

The five most dangerous liars in the land have been mysteriously summoned to work together for a single objective: to kill the God King Joon.

He has it coming. Under his merciless immortal hand, the nobles flourish, while the poor and innocent are imprisoned, ruined…or sold.

And now each of the five blades will come for him. Each has tasted bitterness―from the hired hitman seeking atonement, a lovely assassin who seeks freedom, or even the prince banished for his cruel crimes. None can resist the sweet, icy lure of vengeance.

They can agree on murder.

They can agree on treachery.

But for these five killers―each versed in deception, lies, and betrayal―it’s not enough to forge an alliance. To survive, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other…but only one can take the crown.

Let the best liar win.

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland is an addictive read that’s hard to put down. The first book in the NA Romantic Fantasy Broken Blades or Blood Betrayal Trilogy will have you frantically turning the pages trying to see how a group of strangers come together with a plan to kill King Joon and restore an equal balance amongst the citizens of Yusan.

Told from multiple points of view, Five Broken Blades brings together a thief (Aeri Soo), a muscle for hire (Royo), a poison maiden (Sora), the son of a count (Tiyung), an assassin/spy (Mikail), and an exiled prince (Euyn). Each has their reasons for wanting the king dead. And each has secrets upon secrets. When one is committing treason, and everyone around you are liars by nature is there anyone you can truly trust?

Five Broken Blades has me seriously fangirling. Mai did an amazing job of creating likable and believable characters who suck you in. They’re all morally grey, but there is something to love about every single one of them. And while the characters enrich the story, the story itself is special and addicting. Throughout the book, these six characters who are strangers begin to become friends, they fight together, risk their lives for each other, and start to care for one another. They become a family. There are budding romances that had my heart soaring. Mai shows what an amazing author and storyteller she is with twists and turns you don’t see coming. There was never a dull moment with this book. The ending…smh…the ending is just wow.

I will be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“You are everything that matters to me in this life and the next.”

“Never underestimate a person’s ability to surprise you.”

“Coming to terms with what you’ve done wrong is better than just being a good person.”

“The truth sounds bad sometimes.”

“Anything is possible.”

**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a deluxe hardcover copy.**

Rating: 5

Purchase Five Broken Blades from:

Amazon | Hardcover (Deluxe) | Hardcover (Standard) | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads

(Affiliate Links Used)

Mai Corland is a Korean American attorney and writer, born in Seoul and adopted into New York. From there, she ran away from winter and studied in Florida at Rollins College and the University of Miami. Due to a variety of questionable decisions, she currently lives in the cold again with her partner, children, and a goldfish who will outlive them all. When not writing, you can find her asleep or clutching her latte machine. Mai writes award winning children’s and young adult books under Meredith Ireland.

Places to find Mai Corland:

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

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