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Broken
The world of the fifty-two domains finds itself fractured.
After the awakening of the rogue leader’s powers and the invasion of the dark creatures known as Vain, Neela answers the summons of the Card Holder of the Ace of Spades. He seeks to rigorously hone and strengthen her powers for the arduous battles to come as she plays her part in the prophecy of sibling gods.
Neela is put through a series of trials that not only challenge her physical abilities, but push her to an emotional limit. Doubts of past decisions fester as her morals are tested. Her fears of becoming someone unrecognizable grow with each passing day. As she reflects on her unsettling changes and increasing isolation, she can’t help but think…
Just one small push could send her plummeting over the edge.
After the awakening of the rogue leader’s powers and the invasion of the dark creatures known as Vain, Neela answers the summons of the Card Holder of the Ace of Spades. He seeks to rigorously hone and strengthen her powers for the arduous battles to come as she plays her part in the prophecy of sibling gods.
Neela is put through a series of trials that not only challenge her physical abilities, but push her to an emotional limit. Doubts of past decisions fester as her morals are tested. Her fears of becoming someone unrecognizable grow with each passing day. As she reflects on her unsettling changes and increasing isolation, she can’t help but think…
Just one small push could send her plummeting over the edge.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 4, 2024
4.5 stars!
I was so excited when the opportunity to ARC read this book came along! I’ve loved the Card Holders so far, and I couldn’t wait to jump into the next one. I said this last time, but I am continuing to be hooked by this series. I sometimes struggle to get through a big book series because of how much emotional investment and time it takes to complete. However, I’m not struggling with that at all during this book series. It is fast-paced and easy to read, and it holds my attention all the way through. I’ve really enjoyed this series so far and can’t wait for the next book!
The tension mounted throughout this story, building as the impact of Neela’s experiences began revealing itself to the reader (and to Neela herself). Without spoiling much, I will say the ending was much different than I had expected, and it left me feeling a bit hollow—as I would assume the author intended.
Moving on to the aspects of the story that stood out to me, I really enjoyed Neela’s and Amil’s relationship (much to no one’s surprise I’m sure). It continues to develop at a slow and natural pace. I’m a HUGE fan of slow burn, and I also love romance that’s not based purely on physical attraction. As someone who’s not always big on physical touch, I can relate a lot to Neela and how she displays her emotions (or sometimes struggles to).
There is a lot of depth to this story, and the character development of Neela continues to be fleshed-out and complex. Neela has grown up a lot from the first book. She’s taken on a lot of responsibility, learning to act with more maturity and think for herself, and really take charge of her destiny. We really see how she’s being shaped and affected by her life in this book, and Legaspi has written this well.
The new characters that were introduced (some only for a brief time) all added to the story and fulfilled individual roles in Neela’s journey.
If there’s one thing Legaspi does well, it’s introducing meaningful character relationships. In every book of this series, we’ve gained new important relationships for our main character, Neela. The author excels at building plot-driving relationships, and the relationships in Broken are no exception.
Overall, this was an amazing next installment to the Card Holders series. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a dystopian YA series to become invested in—because YOU WILL become invested. I now wait (very eagerly) to see what’s next for Neela’s story.
I was so excited when the opportunity to ARC read this book came along! I’ve loved the Card Holders so far, and I couldn’t wait to jump into the next one. I said this last time, but I am continuing to be hooked by this series. I sometimes struggle to get through a big book series because of how much emotional investment and time it takes to complete. However, I’m not struggling with that at all during this book series. It is fast-paced and easy to read, and it holds my attention all the way through. I’ve really enjoyed this series so far and can’t wait for the next book!
The tension mounted throughout this story, building as the impact of Neela’s experiences began revealing itself to the reader (and to Neela herself). Without spoiling much, I will say the ending was much different than I had expected, and it left me feeling a bit hollow—as I would assume the author intended.
Moving on to the aspects of the story that stood out to me, I really enjoyed Neela’s and Amil’s relationship (much to no one’s surprise I’m sure). It continues to develop at a slow and natural pace. I’m a HUGE fan of slow burn, and I also love romance that’s not based purely on physical attraction. As someone who’s not always big on physical touch, I can relate a lot to Neela and how she displays her emotions (or sometimes struggles to).
There is a lot of depth to this story, and the character development of Neela continues to be fleshed-out and complex. Neela has grown up a lot from the first book. She’s taken on a lot of responsibility, learning to act with more maturity and think for herself, and really take charge of her destiny. We really see how she’s being shaped and affected by her life in this book, and Legaspi has written this well.
The new characters that were introduced (some only for a brief time) all added to the story and fulfilled individual roles in Neela’s journey.
If there’s one thing Legaspi does well, it’s introducing meaningful character relationships. In every book of this series, we’ve gained new important relationships for our main character, Neela. The author excels at building plot-driving relationships, and the relationships in Broken are no exception.
Overall, this was an amazing next installment to the Card Holders series. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a dystopian YA series to become invested in—because YOU WILL become invested. I now wait (very eagerly) to see what’s next for Neela’s story.
August 20, 2024
I am ecstatic about the opportunity to review this excellent book and series as an ARC reader. For many reasons, The Card Holders has been a fantastic new read of mine this year. My enjoyment of this series is related explicitly to how well Kaitlyn writes, along with the emotional depth and creative descriptions she adds to the characters in her series.
Broken has everything you've come to expect from author Kaitlyn Legaspi's fantastic work. If you have read the Card Holder series until now, this book will have more of what you've been looking for. Mixing in romance, action, memorable characters, emotional scenes that grasp you, and a continuously growing cast of characters you wish were your friends in real life.
This book fleshes out the anticipation of what will happen and how the characters, especially Neela and Amil, will continue to grow. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy these two characters' interaction and bubbling romance. They both show a solid and realistic growing romance as friends and getting close to each other through both circumstances and dedication to caring for each other on a deeper level.
My favorite part was
My favorite returning character was Zara,
The fourth book, Broken, has become my favorite in the Card Holders series due to the maturing characters and continuing action, drama, and romance that Legaspi effortlessly weaves together. I look forward to seeing where this series goes next and how Neela continues to grow through her interpersonal relationships with many different dynamics I have enjoyed.
Broken has everything you've come to expect from author Kaitlyn Legaspi's fantastic work. If you have read the Card Holder series until now, this book will have more of what you've been looking for. Mixing in romance, action, memorable characters, emotional scenes that grasp you, and a continuously growing cast of characters you wish were your friends in real life.
This book fleshes out the anticipation of what will happen and how the characters, especially Neela and Amil, will continue to grow. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy these two characters' interaction and bubbling romance. They both show a solid and realistic growing romance as friends and getting close to each other through both circumstances and dedication to caring for each other on a deeper level.
My favorite part was
My favorite returning character was Zara,
The fourth book, Broken, has become my favorite in the Card Holders series due to the maturing characters and continuing action, drama, and romance that Legaspi effortlessly weaves together. I look forward to seeing where this series goes next and how Neela continues to grow through her interpersonal relationships with many different dynamics I have enjoyed.
August 3, 2024
It’s been a while since I read the previous books.
But once I dived into Neela’s world, I soon became engrossed…
You definitely need to read in order as it’s an ongoing story.
It’s paced pretty well, we get a little back history, but not too much (that’s why I recommend reading in order.) Action is written really well, and we have the side characters that just add to the story. We have our love interest, but it’s not at the forefront, the story is Neela’s up and coming battle (with herself and what lies ahead.)
It’s really hard not to just spill out the story, but that ruins it for others, so I’ll just give my thoughts on the book and try really hard not to give away anything 😃
Neela is still fighting, surviving and trying to live as normal a life as possible. But losing loved ones take its toll, it takes a piece of you that you never get back 😔 she has people she cares about, but through the books Neela has lost people she truly loved.
Her powers grow ever stronger, and a side that we don’t expect appears 🤐 and Neela finds herself scared and worried for the people around her!
And the ending…. Although not a cliffhanger in anyway, it does make me sad for Neela!
What a great addition to this series. I’m thinking of going back to the beginning to reacquaint myself with it all, as I’d forgotten how good they were.
A highly recommended read. I’m fact I’d recommend the whole series. And at the end of the book, we find out there is another one to look forward to 😁
🦋
But once I dived into Neela’s world, I soon became engrossed…
You definitely need to read in order as it’s an ongoing story.
It’s paced pretty well, we get a little back history, but not too much (that’s why I recommend reading in order.) Action is written really well, and we have the side characters that just add to the story. We have our love interest, but it’s not at the forefront, the story is Neela’s up and coming battle (with herself and what lies ahead.)
It’s really hard not to just spill out the story, but that ruins it for others, so I’ll just give my thoughts on the book and try really hard not to give away anything 😃
Neela is still fighting, surviving and trying to live as normal a life as possible. But losing loved ones take its toll, it takes a piece of you that you never get back 😔 she has people she cares about, but through the books Neela has lost people she truly loved.
Her powers grow ever stronger, and a side that we don’t expect appears 🤐 and Neela finds herself scared and worried for the people around her!
And the ending…. Although not a cliffhanger in anyway, it does make me sad for Neela!
What a great addition to this series. I’m thinking of going back to the beginning to reacquaint myself with it all, as I’d forgotten how good they were.
A highly recommended read. I’m fact I’d recommend the whole series. And at the end of the book, we find out there is another one to look forward to 😁
🦋
August 3, 2024
First, a huge thank you to the author for sending me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this less than the third book in terms of plot, but I will say the romantic storyline got a LOT better. The dynamic between the main couple felt a lot less weird, a lot more natural and healthy. So that was good- REALLY good. I really enjoyed it throughout the book.
Also, while the plot wasn’t quite as engaging as that of book 3, it still held my interest the whole time, and I did really appreciate the character development, especially of Neela Blydes. Neela has grown so much, both as a person and as an unbound, and I have loved following her growth through these four books.
I was really sad while I was reading this one, because somehow I missed the memo that this was not the final book of the series and I thought it would be the end, when I finished. But I am SO EXCITED that there is another one in the works, and I will definitely be reading it when it comes out!
I liked this less than the third book in terms of plot, but I will say the romantic storyline got a LOT better. The dynamic between the main couple felt a lot less weird, a lot more natural and healthy. So that was good- REALLY good. I really enjoyed it throughout the book.
Also, while the plot wasn’t quite as engaging as that of book 3, it still held my interest the whole time, and I did really appreciate the character development, especially of Neela Blydes. Neela has grown so much, both as a person and as an unbound, and I have loved following her growth through these four books.
I was really sad while I was reading this one, because somehow I missed the memo that this was not the final book of the series and I thought it would be the end, when I finished. But I am SO EXCITED that there is another one in the works, and I will definitely be reading it when it comes out!
August 4, 2024
By now you'll know how much I love this series. I'm the biggest neela and amil stan. This book settled down a tiny bit after all the major
events of book 3. It also has our main character, neela, going off the rails a little, All her trauma is slowly catching up and you can feel a darkness lurking. This book also contains a lot of my favorite boy, amil. Its also overall just a really
cute story with nicknames and the cutest slow burn but god it's burning slowly and slowly burning, The tension is killing me. This book focuses a lot on character and story development, It introduces some amazing new players into the game. It also develops the magical aspects of each characters and I like the bit of deep dive we get into their skills and strengths but also their weaknesses. It's overall a great continuation of the story and it has me really excited for book 5. (I also finished it before i even realized it, it's so quick and easy to read)
events of book 3. It also has our main character, neela, going off the rails a little, All her trauma is slowly catching up and you can feel a darkness lurking. This book also contains a lot of my favorite boy, amil. Its also overall just a really
cute story with nicknames and the cutest slow burn but god it's burning slowly and slowly burning, The tension is killing me. This book focuses a lot on character and story development, It introduces some amazing new players into the game. It also develops the magical aspects of each characters and I like the bit of deep dive we get into their skills and strengths but also their weaknesses. It's overall a great continuation of the story and it has me really excited for book 5. (I also finished it before i even realized it, it's so quick and easy to read)
September 4, 2024
Broken is an excellent addition to the Card Holders series. I enjoyed Neela and Amil's growing maturity, but I was a tiny bit disappointed that they were kept apart for a large portion of the book. I understand that the time part was necessary for their continued growth, but it hit like a punch to the gut.
I fully admit to major emotional distress while reading Broken. Neela has already had to face so much in her life, and this book ramped up that feeling about 100x. She has to counteract the demons in her mind along with the baddies of the world who wish her harm. But, she continues to draw upon her strength and comes out on top.
I think it is probably good that Amil was not with her while going through this metamorphosis, because it taught her that she is strong and proves to herself that she can overcome anything, whether inside her mind or outside forces.
I really loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a dystopian strong FMC.
I fully admit to major emotional distress while reading Broken. Neela has already had to face so much in her life, and this book ramped up that feeling about 100x. She has to counteract the demons in her mind along with the baddies of the world who wish her harm. But, she continues to draw upon her strength and comes out on top.
I think it is probably good that Amil was not with her while going through this metamorphosis, because it taught her that she is strong and proves to herself that she can overcome anything, whether inside her mind or outside forces.
I really loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a dystopian strong FMC.
February 23, 2025
I will be the first to say that books like the Card Holders series are not usually my first choice (I like light and fluffy books, and these are not that lol), but each installment keeps me hooked. Once again, Kaitlyn brings characters to life in a way that makes you love them, and the action sequences/fight scenes are EXCELLENT. My favorite aspect of this book, though, was the complexity of the conflict- both the main inter-character conflict and Neela’s internal conflict. There is such a richness to the story because there are so many layers to what drives the action. Throughout the book, I found myself rooting for Neela’s compassion and wanting to see her hold on to hope in her dark circumstances, which kept me turning pages. Looking forward to the next book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews