Picking Up Where We Left Off
The book starts right where Five Broken Blades ended. I really liked the first book and gave it a 5 out of 5 stars. At the time, the sequel hadn't been released, so I had to wait. Recently, while going through my Goodreads "Want to Read" shelf, I saw that it had finally been added and had released in January, which was a pleasant surprise. I immediately thought, "Yeah, I need to pick this book up." And I wasn't disappointed. The story wastes no time diving into action, keeping the tension high from the very beginning.
The Quest for the Ring
All five main characters are on a mission to steal a powerful ring that belongs to Queen Quilimar. This ring has the ability to turn anything it touches into gold. It’s an intriguing artifact, though its exact mechanics are still unclear.
Queen Quilimar is the rival of King Joon, and it is Joon who has tasked the group with retrieving the ring. However, after everything that happened in the previous book, the fragile bonds between the characters are now nearly shattered. Betrayal, distrust, and hidden agendas create a constant feeling of unease, making every interaction between the characters incredibly gripping.
On top of that, the journey itself is absolute chaos—too many obstacles, impossible stakes, and constant danger. What makes it even more thrilling is that everyone has their own reasons for obeying King Joon, but none of them are truly loyal to him. Their plan? To betray him the moment they get the chance, because he’s a tyrant.
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Romance Amidst Chaos
I really like the romance between Royo and Aeri because it is so well-written and emotionally compelling. He’s obviously angry at her for lying to him in the first book, and she spends a lot of time trying to break through the walls he has put up. Their interactions are filled with tension, regret, and longing, making their dynamic one of the most engaging aspects of the story.
But what makes it even better is that, despite his anger, Royo still cares about her. This leads to some truly heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout the book—moments that feel like brief breaths of relief amidst all the intensity.
A Cast of Strong and Flawed Characters
There are five main characters in this book, and of course, I have my favorites. Aeri and Sora stand out the most to me. They are very different from each other, but both share incredible strength and fierce determination. I’ve always been drawn to strong female characters, and these two fit the role perfectly.
Between them, I guess I like Aeri a little more than Sora because she has a sweeter, more vulnerable side beneath her toughness.
Then we have Mikail who is such an intriguing character. He’s got this rough, almost mysterious vibe to him, yet there’s a vulnerability beneath the surface that makes him really compelling. His loyalty and inner struggles are what drew me in the most. I love how his journey isn’t just about physical battles, but also the emotional ones he faces.
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On the other hand, my least favorite character is Euyn, and honestly, I can’t stand him. He is the embodiment of betrayal, constantly backstabbing those around him without remorse. His moral compass is completely broken, and he has done unforgivable things throughout his life. As King Joon’s heir, he seems just as cruel as his father—if not worse.
I also dislike reading the chapters told from his point of view because I cannot stand him. Every time the story shifts to his perspective, I find myself impatiently waiting to move on. Honestly, I just wished he would die at some point in the book. Maybe he will redeem himself, or maybe he won't. But for most part of the book, he feels like a lost cause. Instead of getting better, he just keeps getting worse.
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Royo & Mikail
Non-Stop Action
This book is so fast-paced that I reached the halfway point without even realizing it. There’s never a dull moment—something is always happening, and the stakes are constantly being raised. Unlike some books that slow down in the middle, this one maintains its momentum throughout.
I love books that keep me hooked, and this one definitely does that. There’s no time to breathe, no time to feel safe. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the chaos.
Heartbreak and Cliffhangers
This book broke my heart because characters that shouldn’t have died, died. Some of the deaths were shocking, and I still haven’t fully processed them. Just when you start to hope that things might turn around, the story takes another brutal turn.
And then, the book ended on a cliffhanger. Not just any cliffhanger, but the kind that leaves you staring at the last page in disbelief. I thought I’d have to wait a year or more for the final book, but thankfully, Three Shattered Souls, the last installment in this trilogy, is expected to be published in July 2025. I just hope the release date doesn’t get delayed!
Final Thoughts
This book is everything I wanted from a sequel—fast-paced, intense, and filled with complicated relationships, betrayals, and high stakes. It builds on the foundation of the first book while raising the tension even higher.
I gave this book too 5 stars. Which is rare for a sequel to achieve. Now, I just need to prepare myself emotionally for whatever heartbreak awaits in the final book.