The Unbroken

Starred review from December 14, 2020
Clark conjures an elaborate fantasy world inspired by Northern Africa and delves into an international political conflict that draws on real histories of colonialism and conquest in their excellent debut, the first in the Magic of the Lost series. Touraine was kidnapped from Qazāl as a child and trained as a soldier for neighboring nation, Balladaire. Over the years, she rises through the ranks of the Balladairan army, eventually becoming lieutenant. But when her brigade is sent to quash a rising rebellion in Qazāl, now a colony of the Balladairan empire, Touraine must return to the homeland she only hazily remembers. Straddling the line between colonizer and colonized, she struggles with both her identity and her allegiance as she faces hard realities about who she is and the world she lives in. Clark’s precise, thorough worldbuilding allows this remarkable novel to dive deep into the intricate workings of colonialism, exposing how power structures are maintained through social conditioning and exploring the emotional toll of political conflict. The result is a captivating story that works both as high fantasy and skillful cultural commentary. Agent: Mary C. Moore, Kimberley Cameron and Assoc.

Starred review from February 1, 2021

Touraine is a Sand: one of many children kidnapped by Balladaire and raised to be soldiers willing to live and die for the Empire. Now back in Qazāl, the land Touraine was stolen from, she is forced to confront her conditioning and her heritage as the colony continues to rebel. Luca is princess of the Empire, and determined to show her people that she can bring the Qazāli in line, securing her throne from her uncle. For that, she needs a way to bend the rebels toward peace, and who better than one who can dance on the fine line between treason and loyalty, when her life is at stake? Touraine is torn between her anger over being abandoned, her treatment as a conscripted soldier, and her desire for the princess. For how can love blossom when it is nourished by blood and secrets? A queernorm world dealing with racism, magic, and head-versus-heart decisions creates rich settings and characters. VERDICT This strong debut is filled with exciting action and worldbulding, intriguing characters dealing with themes of colonization, military conscription and indoctrination, and an explosion of feelings. Readers will be clamoring for more of Touraine and Luca before they finish.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2021
Clark's debut introduces a remarkable LGBTQ+ culture amid a story of colonial conquest, exploitation, prejudice, and brewing revolt in a land with a lost history of mystical powers. After twenty years away, Lieutenant Touraine returns to the city of her birth, which is not the place she calls home. Taken from her parents as a small child, she was a conscripted soldier in a company and used as battle fodder. Some of her brethren, also returning to their birthplace for the first time, are eager to run. However, Touraine, who aspires to a captaincy, holds them together with the promise of a better future. When a false murder accusation strips her of everything, and then an opportunity to prevent a new uprising presents itself, Touraine takes the chance, hoping to benefit both herself and her comrades-in-arms. But soon she may be faced with making a choice between two families, the one she has built and the blood relations left behind in childhood. Fans of epic military fantasy will eagerly await more from Clark.

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