Genre: Fantasy
LGBTQ+ Category: Ace, Bi, Demi, Gay, Poly
Reviewer: Estora
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About The Book
A spy lurking in the shadows, a nation on the verge of an invasion, a man desperate to protect his home.
Lucian is the Blade of Castrial–the kingdom’s spymaster and first line of defense, lauded for his success in repelling an invasion from Garaner. But the war has left Castrial’s economy in shambles, and when the neighbouring kingdom of Sarian musters their armies and sends spies into Castrial, Lucian realises two things: they have a spy in their midst, and they can’t afford the cost of fighting off another invasion.
And if that wasn’t trouble enough, there is Alaric, the Shield of Castrial and the only man in the Echelon whose power is equal to Lucian’s. Returned from banishment like the vengeful spirit of their long-lost relationship, Alaric carries a deep-set grudge against Lucian, a grudge that may well be justified.
Lucian’s desire to protect his nation is nearly equal to his wish to reconcile with Alaric, but if he cannot get his act together and convince the Shield to work with him, Castrial will fall.
Blade Broken is a queer, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and the first book in The Echelon Series. If you love flawed characters, betrayals and redemption, and gritty worldbuilding with lots of political machinations, you will love this book.
Warnings: DEATH, MURDER POISON, BLOOD, VIOLENCE, TORTURE DOMESTIC ABUSE RAPE/ SEXUAL ASSAULT GRIEF, LOSS, PAIN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER TRAUMA, PTSD SLAVERY CONSENSUAL SEX WITH A SLAVE NIGHTMARES ILLNESS/ DISABILITY DUE TO TORTURE BRITISH AND INDIAN SPELLINGS
The Review
The kingdom of Castrial is in a temporary, fraught peace with neighbouring countries Garaner and Sarian, but tensions are boiling. With spies in every corner and espionage underway, the King can only rely on a select handful of people. One is Lucian, the Blade of Castrial – spymaster and skilled warrior who protected Castrial from invasion from Garaner. The other is Alaric, the Shield of Castrial, and recently returned from a banishment after being framed for a crime he did not commit – and betrayed by Lucian, his former lover.
We are introduced to the story through Alaric’s perspective. It’s been years – or rather, “farials” – since he last set foot in his beloved nation, but he doesn’t have much time to relax and recover. He’s back on the job, working closely alongside Lucian despite the tension between them, in service to the King. But unless he and Lucian can overcome their emotions and resentment with each other over the matter that drove them apart, Castrial will be in imminent danger. War is brewing, and only the repaired bond between Lucian and Alaric might be able to save their country, and each other.
Blade Broken is the first book in The Echelon series by Niranjan. This is a novel full of political intrigue, spies, espionage, loyalty, and betrayal. Lucian and Alaric’s complicated past and feelings are inseparable from the plot. While I was invested in Alaric’s and Lucian’s relationship, wondering how they could ever heal and move forward together, I was equally intrigued by the characters of Sylvester, a spy, and the King, a man whose entire purpose is to protect his nation – by any means necessary. Sylvester was the standout character to me – his abilities, his skills, and his devotion to Castrial and the King made him the most compelling character of the novel, and I was glad to have read so many chapters from his point of view.
This being the first book in the series, a lot of the plot and interactions feel like set-up for higher stakes. Thankfully, I already have the next book, Blade Reforged, on pre-order – because after that killer of an ending, I am eager to get a resolution!
The Reviewer
Estora is a long-time reader and writer of LGBT+ speculative fiction.
