Series: Magic of the Lost #1
Published by Orbit on March 23, 2021
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 464
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
She was here because she was a soldier. A fighter. She didn’t have anything else, and she was good at it.
Touraine was kidnapped as a child and re-educated in Balladaire. There, she was raised to be the perfect soldier, one who would kill and die for the empire. Her only other loyalty is to her fellow conscripts, known as the Sands. She has no memories of her childhood in Qazāl. Now, she returns to Qazāl as a lieutenant to stop a rebellion, seeking to prove herself to her superiors. Initially, Touraine believes in the system and desires to work within the system. But her fellow conscripts feel differently. Some want to join the rebellion; others don’t trust Balladaire, but believe they’re safer siding with the empire. As Touraine interacts with the Qazali, she grows to realize that the system she trusted cannot—will not—protect her loved ones.
Luca is the rightful heir to the Balladairian throne. She desires to reach a peaceful resolution with the Qazali, so she can prove to her regent uncle that she has what it takes to assume the throne. In order to make her point, she needs a turncoat, someone who can infiltrate the rebels and convince them to make peace. While this sounds nice, it becomes increasingly clear that she seeks to serve her own interests, which means the interests of Balladaire. Her biases are evident in the assumptions she makes about what the Qazali want and need, and in her attempts to apply her book learning to her rule in the colony. While her character often frustrated me (it’s hard to read about colonialism), I appreciate how her POV gives a human face to the colonizer—and how her interactions with Touraine explores the complexities of an imbalanced relationship between colonizer and colonized.
Winning isn’t everything. It’s how you win that matters most.
The world is influenced by the French colonization of Northern Africa. Multiple ethnic groups live in Qazali, and we learn about Balladaire’s colonial work in other parts of the land. Colonial influences are apparent in the way Balladairans have integrated themselves into society, with some considering Qazāl their home. And also in the different ways that people demonstrate culpability and complicity in the system of colonialism. While this book was, in many ways, a hard read because of the topics it addresses, I found joy and life in the human connections that Touraine and Luca form over the course of The Unbroken—and in the big and small ways that the people of Qazāl thrive even in the midst of oppression. In the ways they hold onto hope and come together, despite their differences, by the novel’s end.
It’s in our nature to doubt. The key to faith is standing by someone anyway.
Through Touraine and Luca’s stories, and the stories of the people with whom they interact, C. L. Clark explores the effects of colonialism, when an empire takes over a people group and their land, exploiting their resources (land and people). But she also offers a story of hope, that the system can be changed. And she offers a story about strong women who fight and who make a difference.
The Unbroken wraps up the primary conflict while leaving more room to explore the world and the aftermath of the events. Luca still has a work to do back home in Balladaire, Touraine has a heritage to explore, and the two have some messy feelings to sort. I look forward to what C. L. Clark has in store for us in book two!
Things to Know
Queernorm world with lesbian, gay, bi, and trans rep. The main relationship is a sapphic romance. Multiple POVs (Touraine and Luca). Strong women who fight (in different ways).
Content Warning
From the author’s website: View Spoiler »
Let’s Chat
Have you read The Unbroken or plan to read it?
What are your thoughts?
Jess C says
This one sounds so good. I like the quotes you pulled.
Amber Elise @ Du Livre says
Great review Crystal – I’m really curious about how the second book will develop given the lines drawn in the sand.
Crystal says
Thanks, Amber. I’m also looking forward to the developments in book 2!
Eustacia Tan says
Sounds like a very intense book – the influence of the French colonisation of Africa is particularly interesting because I don’t think I’ve seen that as a setting/influence for setting before.
Crystal says
It is. I hadn’t seen this setting/influence before either.