A Journey Through Chaos: My Thoughts on Four Ruined Realms (The Broken Blades, #2)
When I first picked up Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland, I felt a flutter of excitement. The first book in the Broken Blades series had me captivated with its rich character dynamics and gripping story, earning a solid four-star rating from me. So, it’s safe to say that I was eager to dive back into this world of magic, betrayal, and complex relationships. However, while I was hopeful, I soon found myself navigating a labyrinth of confusion and frustration instead.
As I journeyed through the pages of Four Ruined Realms, I was struck by the transformation of key characters. Tiyung emerged as a standout — his development felt organic, adding depth to the narrative that truly highlighted Corland’s talent. Aeri surprised me as well, as her growth throughout the book was refreshing. I appreciated that, when she wasn’t caught up in her feelings for Royo, she brought a strength to the storyline that was both unexpected and welcome. Yet, it was disheartening to witness how such vibrant characters sometimes lost their spark amid a more chaotic plot.
Unfortunately, I found myself grappling with a major flaw in the execution of the epic/high fantasy elements this time around. The worldbuilding felt sporadic; every character seemed to have their own mini-backstory that often interrupted the narrative flow. At times, it felt less like a cohesive story and more like a series of disconnected thoughts. The sheer number of new names and characters left me feeling adrift, as if I were supposed to know their significance without any real context. This muddiness made for a reading experience that felt laborious, especially when the relationships I had loved in book one were frayed by betrayal.
Corland’s writing style, while still engaging, felt cluttered in this installment. It often seemed as though each character had to comment on every single event that unfolded, leading to a narrative redundancy that bogged down the pacing. There were moments where I screamed internally, “Can we please just move on?” especially when characters engaged in repetitive internal dialogue during critical action scenes. It detracted from what could have been thrilling moments and instead made me long for the clever subtlety that characterized the first book.
Etched into my mind are the unvarnished revelations about Sora and Mikail. Sora’s evolution from a fierce assassin to an altruistic beacon felt like a disservice to her powerful character. I missed the dangerous woman willing to do whatever it takes. Meanwhile, Mikail drove me up the wall with his relentless criticism of Euyn, making it hard to see his supposed love clearly. It left me questioning the authenticity of their connection.
Overall, my reading experience of Four Ruined Realms was bittersweet. If you cherished the intricate relationships and emotional stakes of book one, you might find some enjoyment here; however, if your interest was waning, it may be best to sit this one out. For me, it ultimately stretched over 432 pages that felt more like a sluggish 800, with only the last portion bringing any semblance of momentum.
As I seek my next adventure, I can’t help but reflect on how Four Ruined Realms has impacted my journey as a reader. It reminds me that every series has its ups and downs, and sometimes, the thrill of the first book can’t carry through. I’ll be curious to see where Corland takes this story in a potential third installment, knowing that growth often stems from both triumph and disappointment. Happy reading, fellow book lovers!
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