Read Your Writes Book Reviews: Book Review ~ THREE SHATTERED SOULS by Mai Corland

Three Shattered Souls (The Broken Blades, #3)
by: Mai Corland
Series: The Broken Blades
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Publisher: Red Tower Books

Some betrayals cut deeper than blades.

The Blades were never supposed to survive this long. But after the battle in Quu Harbor, escaping is no longer enough. The most dangerous liars in the four realms have one last mission―return to Yusan and finish what they started.

But now a usurper sits on the serpent throne. And he may be more dangerous than the god-king.

With three relics of the Dragon Lord in their possession, the Blades will face the might of the four realms. Enemies will become allies. Allies will become traitors. And the ones they love most? They’ll be the ones to break them.

Grief will carve the Blades into something ruthless and unrecognizable. But only by losing everything can they win this game of kings and crowns.

As I was reading Mai Corland’s Three Shattered Souls, the third and final book in her Broken Blades series, I realized that it was my most anticipated read of 2025. I fell in love with Mai’s writing, characters, and world-building immediately when I started reading Five Broken Blades. My love for the Broken Blades series continued with Four Ruined Realms. When it was revealed that the title for the final book would be Three Shattered Souls, I was excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time. Five Broken Blades broke me. Four Ruined Realms ruined me and still leaves me in agony. I just KNEW Three Shattered Souls was going to shatter me into a million pieces.

In Five Broken Blades, six strangers—Aeri, Euyn, Mikail, Royo, Sora, and Tiyung—came together with the sole purpose of killing King Joon and restoring an equal balance among the citizens of Yusan. However, this group got more than they bargained for when they became friends—with some going from enemies to lovers or simply lovers, and all becoming a true found family. Trust and loyalties were often tested, and betrayal was never far behind. Three Shattered Souls continues where Four Ruined Realms ends. Now all four realms—Fallow, Khitan, Wei, and Yusan—are after the blades. No place is safe. Knowing who they can trust changes with the wind. This time around, the betrayals are more devastating than ever.

Mai once again takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The blades are fractured, but they still do their best to trust and be there for each other. In the previous books, readers already learned what kind of people they truly are. Who they are at their core never changes, but their actions in this story speak volumes about who they truly are.

Three Shattered Souls is told from the multiple points of view of all the main characters. The action scenes are intense, and I have to admit, I felt the betrayals just as badly as the characters. Three Shattered Souls made me smile. It made me cry. It broke my heart. I was surprised by how the story played out, yet at the same time, I think it was the only way it could have gone.

I will admit, I wasn’t as shattered as I expected to be. Some might think I’m crazy for saying this, but Three Shattered Souls actually left me feeling hopeful for what’s to come. I highly recommend Mai Corland’s Broken Blades series. From world-building to character depth to plot twists and surprises Mai has established herself as a must-read romantasy author, in my book. The Broken Blades series and these characters will FOREVER be in my heart.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“Cowardice has a way of erasing bravery.”

“Just because you don’t want to believe the truth doesn’t make it false.”

“There are weights you bear alone because the truth will crush someone you love.”

“You are more than what you endure.”

“There’s always hope that tomorrow will be better.”

“Only by owning your mistakes can you really hope to change.”

“It’s a kind of violence to erase the history of a realm.”

“There’s light after all this darkness.”

“Sometimes we don’t have the words to express what someone means to us. Sometimes they aren’t necessary.”

“Bravery isn’t the absence of fear; it’s persevering despite it.”

“You have to believe in hope. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

“Even the strongest blades can break.”

“You’re everything and so much more than you know.”

“People must know their past to avoid repeating it.”

I have SO MANY more favorite quotes!

**Personally purchased a deluxe hardcover copy. Okay, multiple deluxe special edition copies.**

Rating: 5

Purchase Three Shattered Souls from:

(Affiliate Links Used)

The Broken Blades Series:

Five Broken Blades (Book 1) ~ Review

Four Ruined Realms (Book 2) ~ Review

Three Shattered Souls (Book 3)

Meredith Ireland is a Korean American writer, born in Seoul. She is a Rollins College and University of Miami School of Law alumna. She is the author of award-winning young adult and children’s books and is proudly represented by Lauren Spieller of Folio Literary Agency.

Meredith is also Mai Corland, a USA Today, Indie Booksellers List, Sunday Times, and instant New York Times bestselling author of new adult fantasy. Her debut novel, FIVE BROKEN BLADES, the first of a trilogy from Red Tower Books, was the May pick for Book of the Month, Amazon, Indigo, and Apple Books Best book of 2024, and a Book Page honoree. It was a Goodreads Choice finalist for Favorite 2024 fantasy and a Libby Finalist for Best Romantasy. Her follow-up, FOUR RUINED REALMS, was also an international bestseller and an Amazon editor’s pick for Best Books of 2025 so far. The last in the Broken Blades trilogy, THREE SHATTERED SOULS, has received a starred review from Kirkus and was an instant New York Times bestseller.

Mai’s next series, a romantasy murder mystery, will begin with VERITY GUILD in May 2026.

Meredith/Mai resides in New York with her children, partner, and a county fair goldfish who will probably outlive them all.

Places to find Mai Corland:

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page