The Unbroken

By: Cherae Clark

Narrated by: Rasha Zamamiri

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

In an epic political fantasy unlike any other, two women clash in a world full of rebellion, espionage, and military might on the far outreaches of a crumbling desert empire.

Touraine is a soldier. Stolen as a child and raised to kill and die for the empire, her only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts. But now, her company has been sent back to her homeland to stop a rebellion, and the ties of blood may be stronger than she thought.

Luca needs a turncoat. Someone desperate enough to tiptoe the bayonet's edge between treason and orders. Someone who can sway the rebels toward peace, while Luca focuses on what really matters: getting her uncle off her throne.

Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren't for sale.

©2021 C. L. Clark (P)2021 Orbit

R-Rated Fantasy

The Unbroken is an R-Rated adult fantasy that questions whether the conquered should bow to the conquerers, or if the colonizers should acquiesce to the colonized. The author expertly weaves the question of what truly is a homeland when a person is stolen from one, but raised from nearly infancy in another. And is unwavering patriotism loyalty to one’s place of birth, or to the government who provided for them from not too long after birth? Also, we are shown just how little it takes to gain loyalty from those who are made to feel as though they have nowhere else to go. One can easily illicit gratitude by offering a starving man crumbs, even if they are the ones responsible for burning down his own bakery. The Unbroken feels like the movie Glory with under-notes of Sarafina. Filled with realistic depictions of war, devoid of insta-love, and filled with a sense a keen to urgent-dreariness, this book is ONLY for the strong hearted.

Struggled to finish this book

I tried to continue listening to this book but, had a hard time following. The scene transitions were hard to follow which sometimes lose you as you are listening.

hmmm..

I loved the story telling and detail. I really didn't like the back and fourth of the lieutenant. like, blink and she's on another side and acting so high and mighty, blaming everyone else.. when a lot was actually her fault! also.. wtf.. you flip flop so much but get mad at others who aren't agreeing with you!? I kept rolling my eyes. Then have the gull to say "if the princess doesn't free me (after everything aweful you did..) she doesn't really care? whaatttt??????

mumble jumble

story is amateur. narrator and production are bad. volume badly needs compression. mumbling whispers make it hard to follow without cranking the volume up, which means your ears will bleed when she shouts out of nowhere. unlistenable.

Amazing!!!

I love this book even though it is definitely emotionally taxing. It is written so well. The two main characters, Luca and Touraine are so frustrating for so many reason but you still feel connected to them..

slow burn

narrator did a wonderful job of expressing the difference between each character and their personalities. Overall the book was a slow burn but very enjoyable.

Brilliant !!!

This is such a tough, heartbreaking, and gorgeous novel! Clark’s ability to humanize even the worst characters is a real talent

Excellent Characters and World

Love it for the story, the world, AND the queer plot line. Can't wait for the sequel!

Was really refreshing

loved the story and the arcs. left me wanting more info at the end but in a good way. ending was satisfying.

I NEED Book 2 Now!

This book is amazing. So captivating. It has a fair amount of energy early and does a good job of slowing and ramping back up appropriately to keep things interesting without burning out the reader (listener).

Could not get on with the story

Just lost interest, could not finish it. The narrator was a bit poor so story got lost.