Cry, Voidbringer

by Elaine Ho

In a broken system, do you save yourself or fight for the people you love?

With the godspower waning, the queen of Ashvi has had to find another way to bolster her fight against her imperialist oppressors. The solution: wrenching children of other cultures from their homes and conscripting them into service.

Hammer was one of those children. Now, she’s a jaded soldier waging Ashvi’s perpetual war, thinking only of her own survival. But when she accidentally rescues Viridian, a child with rare and potentially devastating powers, her priorities shift. The girl appears to be the answer to the queen’s prayers—the perfect weapon to restore her kingdom’s ancient borders, even if the colonized cities they reconquer don’t want her version of liberation. Can Hammer protect Viridian from the system that broke her . . . before the girl’s power is unleashed on the world?

Cry, Voidbringer is a gripping saga of how far one will go for freedom and control—and how easily it can all be taken away.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Queer, Fiction, Adult, LGBT, High Fantasy

482 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2025

About the author

Elaine Ho is an award-winning Asian-American illustrator and author. She bounces between the US and Singapore, belonging to both and neither. Ho’s work primarily explores themes of identity and home, while also being drawn to the broken and the beautiful. She originally received a degree in psychology before pivoting into art full-time. Find her work at artofelaineho.com.

Reviews

[edie-may ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᯓ✦.ᐟ “Change doesn’t benefit those already in power.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ rating: ★★★★★
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ age rating: 16+
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ spice: 1.5/5
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ genres: adult fantasy
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ content warnings:
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ (war) violence, gore & death
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ sexual content (2x scenes)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ major language
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ child death
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ grief

‎ ‎ ‎ thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!


⊹⋆｡° ✴︎ ₊ ⊹


⚝°₊⊹┆ playlist:

‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ black out days, phantogram
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ everybody wants to rule the world, lorde
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ glory and gore, lorde
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ gods & monsters, lana del rey
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ jungle, emma louise
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ way down we go, kaleo


⚝°₊⊹┆ tropes:

‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ badass fmc
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ found family
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ lovers to enemies
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ multiple povs
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ politics
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ reverse grumpy x sunshine
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ sapphic
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ support women’s wrongs™
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ the MCs are touch starved™
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ toxic relationships
‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ war


✶.˳·˖ ∿ plot:

‎ ‎ ‎ cry, voidbringer was somehow everything i expected and yet nothing at all like it. i went into this with sky-high hopes (from the cover alone) and thought i’d set myself up for failure. i am so glad i was wrong. it was gritty, raw, and brutally honest in a way i did not predict. it was difficult to digest all at once purely because it was so harrowing at times, but i am so grateful to my past self for making the conscious decision to stick it out.

‎ ‎ ‎ what made me fall in love with this book was that its characters were all so completely flawed. each was deeply human in their own way—including the characters that literally were not human. they were complex and multilayered, and i can’t hate any of them.

‎ ‎ ‎ i’ll admit, it started off pretty slow and confusing. i wasn’t entirely sure what i was getting myself into and it was hard to immediately sink my teeth into. when the twists started coming, however, they just… didn’t stop. this was miserable, exciting, emotional, heartwarming, and gut wrenching. this book put me through the absolute wringer.

‎ ‎ ‎ side note: the amount of casual representation in this was incredible. you’re telling me there are multiple queer main characters… and it isn’t their only trait? i’m shocked.


✶.˳·˖ ∿ world-building & writing style:

‎ ‎ ‎ the writing style of this book drew me in immediately. it has been a while since i read something so eloquent that simultaneously describes gore in excruciating detail. i am floored that this is somebody’s debut novel. the blend of first- and third-person narratives was so interesting, and the fourth-wall breaks were masterfully done. i am so impressed.

‎ ‎ ‎ the only drawback i can name is the lack of a map. while the world-building was remarkable, i often found myself confused about the whereabouts of certain events. the mythology? beautiful. the politics? addicting. the locations? …not a clue babe.


⚝°₊⊹┆ characters:

‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ hammer
‎ ‎ ‎ on a serious note: taken by the blood tithe and conscripted into the ‘faceless’ as a child, hammer is a brutal powerhouse. on a less serious note: my girl is an absolute muscle mommy. enough said.

‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ crescent
‎ ‎ ‎ ahh, the other half of the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope. another member of the ‘faceless’ and hammer’s ally throughout this novel. i love him.

‎ ‎ ‎ ↠ viridian
‎ ‎ ‎ a twelve year old girl stolen from her home and saved by our beloved MCs. the perfect beginning to a found family trope.


┆ ⤿ 🪐 ⌗ pre-read:

‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ got the arc for this weeks ago but did you really expect me to skim over the chance to read a book with a name like ‘cry, voidbringer’? my expectations are so high.


┆ ⤿ 🌋 ⌗ tl;dr / final thoughts:

‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ while it starts slow, cry, voidbringer is raw and emotional, with complex characters, rich worldbuilding, and natural queer representation.
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ overall, this was a phenomenal book. i am genuinely in awe. i cannot wait to get my fingers on a physical copy once this is released.


ᯓ✦.ᐟ i would recommend this to anyone looking for a gritty, thought-provoking fantasy novel filled with political intrigue and complex characters!


☾⋆｡🔨 ° ִ ࣪𖤐

[Alya · Rating 4 out of 5]

UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Cry, voidbringer by Eliane Ho
Publication date: October 28th 2025

Thoughts
I've done it again with a blind pick based off of the cover and skimming the synopsis and I have you know it is yet again one of tbe most entertaining fantasy reads -- yes coming from a not big fantasy reader -- this was gorgeous!!! The world building pulled me in from the get go! The flawed characters added such layers to the story but my favourite part? The politics? Oh my days I couldn't book the book down.. The badass FMC .. The writing style was so well done the blend between first and third person, usually I'm not a fan of third person narrative but I guess it differs from story to story. If you enjoy fantasy reads with complex layered characters and politics then this book is for you!!

What to expect / CW

▪︎ Found family
▪︎ Strong female lead and touch starved MMC
▪︎ Politics
▪︎ Lovers to enemies
▪︎ Multiple povs
▪︎ Sapphic
▪︎ Reverse grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ War
▪︎ Toxic relationship
▪︎ Death and gore
▪︎ Sexual scenes (2)
▪︎ Greif

Plot Summary

In Ashvi, the god's power is waning and the queen wages war by conscripting children from conquered lands into her army. Hammer, one of those taken and hardened by years of fighting, thinks only of her own survival—until she rescues Viridian, a girl with rare and perilous abilities. To the queen, Viridian is the perfect weapon to reclaim lost territory, regardless of the cost. To Hammer, she is someone worth protecting from the very system that broke her. But as Viridian’s powers grow, Hammer must choose between saving herself and defying a cycle of conquest and ruin

My Bookstagram

[Zana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite its lulls, I had a good time with this book. But sadly, it didn't really turn out to be as memorable as I was hoping it would be.

This novel's strong points were definitely its worldbuilding and the storylines with Elera, Rafaeis, and Viri. Those kept me reading when the court politics POVs were putting me to sleep.

I loved how the author incorporated Southeast Asian influences into the worldbuilding without making it feel so forced. Reading about the food that the characters were eating, the places that the characters were traveling to, and the religions and mythologies felt like they all naturally belonged together. It was all very lived in instead of shoehorned in just for the rep.

I also loved the found family aspect of Elera, Rafaeis, and Viri's storylines. It was very Witcher (young girl who's the Chosen One + world weary antihero warrior + equally as capable love interest), but make it Southeast Asian and reverse some gender roles.

Sure, the gruff antihero with a heart of gold is an overdone trope, but this didn't read like the author went to the Build a Trope store and wrote it to market. Elera felt like a real person who was forced to do things she had no control over, and is now trying to do her best with what little power she has.

The court politics storylines with Khall and Naias weren't my favorite. While I liked seeing the behind the scenes scheming and ruling, their romance and couples' problems read like a roller coaster of YA feels to melodramatic soap opera and distracted me from the story. If this were kept to a minimal, or if there hadn't been any romance between them (just a will they? won't they? trope would even work), then I would've given this book a higher rating.

Despite my complaints, I had no regrets picking up this book and I'll gladly read more from Elaine Ho in the future.

Thank you to Left Unread and NetGalley for this arc.

[a foray in fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait so that was actually insane. Calling these characters morally grey is an insult to morality as a concept. The pitch of "toxic lesbians and the bi character is toxic too" is the best way to describe this book.

I thought, in the first quarter, that it was just *too* similar to The Unbroken, which is an all-time favorite. From that point on, it diverged pretty significantly, though I still found myself comparing the main romances in each book to each other.

This is such a different 5 stars than my usual 5 star reads. It was raw, personal, rough around the edges, and yet drew me in so neatly.

Thank you to Bindery Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Aster · Rating 3 out of 5]

stop hiding from people the fact that books are part of a planned series

[❁lilith❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Bindery Books for access to this eARC. All thoughts are my own.
____________

This has such a great premise and interesting world-building that could really create a solid story. Unfortunately, between lacklustre characters and a meandering plot, I didn't get as much out of this as I hoped for.
There were some good instances of political themes, dealing with power struggles, assassinations, being overlooked due to discrimination, and more. I liked the clear descend into anarchy, monarchy falling apart due to selfishness and greed.
The relationships really fell flat for me. Two characters that got together had zero chemistry at all, partly due to one of the characters being very uninteresting and the both of them getting a strange side-plot story that had me very bored and hoping for an end to it. The other character in the relationship was my favourite, but she gets really lost in the plot when the interesting stuff is happening away from her.
The world is interesting, but we don't get as much of it as I'd like and it feels both bloated and underdeveloped at times. I could see the writing on the wall a lot of the time and that led to neither the characters nor the plot being able to carry the book.

[Krystal Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWWWWW

My new obsession, I can barely put into words the way that this book has made me feel. I was absolutely blown away. This is high fantasy, high stakes, political intrigue, and it was so refreshing to be in such a new world but it be so well developed. The world building was out of this world. so immersive. I appreciated the book being written from not only multiple character point-of-views, but two literary point-of-views as well, and how well executed it was. This book was a reminder of everything that I enjoy about story telling, and truly reminded me of the work of my absolute favorite author N. K. Jemisin, this was reminiscent of both The Broken Earth and Inheritance trilogies, highly recommend. I cant wait for more readers to get this book in their hands.

[Laura❄️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the Publisher Solaris for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

So when I saw one of my Friends on Goodreads had reviewed this book, so what did I do? I went and requested a copy of the Arc myself as I was intrigued. It’s hard to define this book into one genre, it’s definitely fantasy but with other elements mixed in. What got my interest from the beginning was Hammer and Crescent, both trapped into fighting a war that neither believed in and was not their own. Stolen from their homes as part of a blood tithe, their families and loved ones and forced to become elite soldiers called Faceless and cruelly branded on their foreheads.

After what was supposed to be a routine raid on the orders of the Queen of Ashvi to disrupt the supply train of her own enemies the Tevurian Empire, Hammer and Crescent find not riches but a Godschild, Viri. The Godschildren hold the powers of the gods but their powers are weakening and both sides are desperate to win this war. Can Hammer protect Viri from the system that broke her before she is turned into a weapon of war?

It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did I was absolutely hooked and this book firmly had me in it grip. Now that I have finished it I’m desperate for the next book. I really loved Hammer as she was so relatable, she’s been hardened by her experiences but both Viri and Crescent worked their way into her heart and my heart broke for her after that ending. Viri was abused and treated cruelly by Khall the Ashvi Queen, treated like a weapon instead of a person, she deserved better. Naias I did feel for as she was trying to do what was right but the road to hell is paved with good intentions as they said. Khall the Ashvi Queen didn’t really like her from the start, what Naias saw in her I’ll never know. I really enjoyed the world building and the writing, the magic system was fairly easy to understand. I really can’t wait for book two.

[CarlysGrowingTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Thoughts:
I like this book I'm so much more than I anticipated. This is a high fantasy novel that encompasses the themes of colonization, child slavery/soldiers and does so with absolute perfection.

Nobody in this book is perfectly good and nobody in this book necessarily deserves what's happening to them. And yet that is the reality of the situation. So much is going on in this book that I loved. The characters were so nuanced and interesting. They were up against multiple odds and were making decisions I completely understood. They were characters that I absolutely loved, and they were characters that I loved to hate. All of this kept me extremely interested and kept the book fresh and unique.

I do feel like the book was lacking a little bit, explaining of the political world, and I wish it had delve deeper into that aspect. I do, however, think the pacing was really good. Even during moments of low action, something was going on and things were moving along. I appreciate a book that can keep the momentum going even in periods of non-fighting scenes.

I do wish there had been a little bit more explanation of the gods and who they were, but for what the Book gave me I felt like I did OK with it. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I think the writin

[AndaReadsTooMuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This book starts right in the thick of the action. It’s heart-pounding and does not let up for a second. This is a book about power, corruption, and the erosion of innocence told through multiple viewpoints. Hammer, a solider without a name or face, who fights for the nation she was captured by. Naias, once a Faceless like Hammer, but trying to find a way to make change through the new ruler and her bed despite being considered a “lesser” being. And Viridian. A godchild taken by one clan for slavery and then by another, only to be forced into serving a petty queen for her powers to kill. She’s 12.

This book doesn’t blink. It doesn’t flinch. It doesn’t look away at the hard parts. It’s raw and brutal. It has moments of hope. It has moments of utter despair. It’s not an easy read, but it should be an essential one. There’s beauty in the brutality, in the way it lays everything out and asks you to really see the effects of war and tyranny. I don’t know what to say to make you read this except for this quote:

“Tyranny doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. It is a slow descent, helped by the complicity of those who think they have no power.”

Don’t blink. Don't flinch. Don’t turn away.

Cry, Voidbringer hits shelves October 28. Thank you to Bindery Books | Left Unread for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Fanna]

an epic fantasy that explores how postcolonial societies perpetuate the same crimes as their oppressors; timely

[Maëlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mourn for me, godchild, and the world will know the pain they’ve put upon us.

What a powerful debut!

Objectively there are some crafting issues in this book, notably with the pacing, how much time was passing by and how that was affecting the different character dynamics, but oh my god I loved this book so much? It was heart-wrenching, raw and staring many harsh truths directly in the eye.

I fell in love with the characters straight away and I loved all the different relationships explored. A gruff warrior has to take care of a child and it teaches her how to love and hope again? My ultimate weakness I fear. It was also so interesting to read from Viri’s perspective, seeing how the people she’s loved have let her down or are gone, but how much she wants to give her trust to the adults around her because she’s only ten... It is so worth paying attention to how her perspective starts out being the only one in first person, but eventually see how she loses herself because that is the easiest way to survive. Hammer will go to any length to protect her innocence and identity, having that been stripped away from her so early in life, and maybe saving just one child from the same fate might be worth hoping.

And oh how freely Crescent feels despite it all and how he determined he is to gain Hammer’s trust and show her she is still human. But she can’t shake off the betrayal she’s been through and the resentment she feels towards Naias is unwavering. However, could that personal betrayal be worth it for a chance at survival? Naias is now the lover of the new Queen, discontented and wanting power for herself, maybe to change her own circumstances but maybe to topple the system that has kept her people in servitude. But can she truly change things from the inside? For once in fantasy,we don’t see a romanticised relationship between oppressed and oppressor. Naias’ and Khall’s relationship toes the line between love and devotion, entitlement, manipulation and power imbalance. Seeing how the dynamic plays out throughout the story is exactly as it should be, because how can someone who doesn’t even see you as human love you.

The ending was also wild and while it definitely feels like there should be a sequel, the story stands on its own in my opinion, almost as an origin myth for the gods mentioned in this world and being told to future generations.

Elaine Ho is unflinching in her exploration of the monstrosity of humankind through the trauma of child soldiers, ethnic oppression and cleansing, and the hypocrisy of the powerful and observant actors. While unrolling a narrative that is doomed from the start and following broken characters, it is at its heart a book about love and its sacrifices. Can’t wait for more by this author and to see how her authorial voice grows in the future! And imagine writing this heart-wrenching of a book AND being a talented illustrator!!

ARC provided by Netgalley, all thoughts are my own

[CJ Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work, omfg insane last third!!!!! I stayed up late to finish this I was shook you guys are not ready

[Michaela Helíková (bookchalka) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this one, the premise sounded amazing, exactly the kind of story I usually love. Sadly, the execution just didn’t deliver.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s missing, because the core idea and heart of the story are genuinely strong. The problem lies in it’s delivery. 
The characters feel two-dimensional, and the reader is mostly told how to perceive them instead of being shown. Each character has a layered backstory that could have been revealed gradually and used to shape their interactions, but most of that information is simply stated outright.

The book introduces several ethical dilemmas that could have made for an incredible commentary on morality and choice. That aspect was most definitely my favourite, though I feel the potential wasn’t reached. Whenever a scene seemed poised to deepen the story, either through action or theme, it ended before it could make an impact.

Unfortunately, there are also quite a few plot holes, unnecessary time jumps, and generally weak world-building. Overall, it reads like a wannabe high fantasy that hasn’t quite found its footing.

All of this being said, the ending was really intriguing and created ground for a sequel with lots of potential. Still, since it wasn’t mentioned that this was the start of a series, and given the uneven first instalment, I don’t think I’ll be continuing it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eArc.

[KMart Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerhouse of a story. A searing exploration of oppression, survival, and the devastating cost of rebellion and impossible choices; and it refuses to flinch, even when things get brutal. It starts as a story about rebellion, but it quickly unravels into something far more complicated and raw. It is a story about what it costs to fight, to hope, and to keep living when the world has already taken everything. It is a searing exploration of oppression, survival, and the devastating cost of colonization. It refuses to flinch, even when things get brutal.

The author doesn’t flinch from the ugliness of war or the moral rot of systems built on oppression. The worldbuilding is razor-sharp and deeply layered with themes of colonization, complicity, and the illusion of freedom. It reminded me of The Unbroken: both brutal and beautiful, both hopeless and defiant.

And the characters! My goodness, the characters. None of them are heroes or villains; they’re just people trying to survive the wreckage of what came before. It’s complex, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s real. You can feel the weight of this world pressing down on every choice the characters make. The found family that forms among three of them is fragile but luminous, a flicker of warmth in all the wreckage. It’s one of the most emotionally gutting found family arcs I’ve read in a while. Their connection is built from shared trauma and reluctant trust, and watching it both strengthen and then fracture broke my heart. Even if there’s still some flicker of hope there among the ashes.

An unforgettable, gut-punch of a book. Complex, devastating, and beautifully done. It’s the kind of story that leaves you wrung out but grateful for the ache it leaves behind. Complex, devastating, and unforgettable.

Thank you to the author, Bindery, Left Unread, and Colored Pages Book Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

Hammer was once a lost child, ripped from her home and conscripted into service. Now she is a lethal soldier with a hardened heart, fearful of losing anything else. Viri is the child forced into her care, one with abilities that could make or break the kingdom. Hammer has no time or inclination to care for this scared child but must fulfil her orders and do so anyway. Can the silent child show her that kindness can be a stronger force than brutality, or will she prove, once again, that it is always wisest to never let anyone or anything in, for they will only become a chink in your armour that your enemy can use against you?

Misunderstood and grumpy, black cat characters have my heart, and Hammer definitely fulfilled her role there. I loved the split perspectives and how each opened up a side to the character that they did not reveal, or were even aware, about themselves.

This book was a politically dense and endlessly interesting one, but had a good dose of heartwarming moments that alleviated the tone and made for a wonderful reading experience. Elaine Ho has crafted something very special here.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Elaine Ho, and the publisher, Solaris, for this opportunity.

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 4 out of 5]

An INCREDIBLY strong start, and then...kinda a mess of an ending (I had wanted the gods aspect more strongly foreshadowed). Okay, this is an entire mess of a book, but I really, really enjoyed it.

Everyone sucks (okay except Crescent). And it's awesome.

Anywho, this is a whole lot of epic fantasy that deserves a series (it definitely ends in a cliff-hanger of sorts with series potential). That cover is giving science fiction or like speculative literary fiction and it is gorgeous but a lie. Cry, Voidbringer is all epic high fantasy, baby.

Throughout it all is found family, really awful choices, loneliness and desperation. And so much heart. Plus the quest for freedom and the turning toward control and tyranny.

It felt a lot like The Second Death of Locke meets The Dawnhounds by way of The Unbroken.

Go in knowing nothing.

I received an ARC from the publisher

[Tristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bindery Books and Left Unread for the digital ARC of Cry, Voidbringer by Elaine Ho.

Some books entertain. Some inform. But once in a long while, a book comes along that reconstructs you from the inside out. It does not just invite you into its world, it drags you into its marrow and demands that you look, truly look, at what it means to hope in the face of annihilation. What it means to be complicit, to survive, to love, to lose, and to keep breathing anyway.

Cry, Voidbringer is that book.

This debut novel is nothing short of breathtaking. It is literary alchemy. It is ferocious and tender, intimate and epic, unflinching and achingly human. It is a fantasy novel, yes, but calling it that alone feels reductive. It is also political. It is deeply emotional. It is mythic. It is real in the ways that matter most.

Elaine Ho explores the rot of colonialism, not as an abstract idea, but as something embedded into the daily lives, choices, and compromises of people trying to survive inside systems designed to crush them. The story asks a brutal question: what happens when those who have been broken by empire become its enforcers? There are no tidy answers here. Instead, we are given flawed, exhausted people making impossible decisions that are just as understandable as they are devastating.

Hammer is a marvel of character work. She is hardened by trauma and dulled by routine. She is someone who has long given up on hope. Watching the smallest ember of her compassion reignite as she protects Viridian, who is both a child and a symbol, fragile and frighteningly powerful, is one of the most emotionally nuanced arcs I have read in years. And Viridian herself? She is a child shaped by violence and hunger, who refuses to let the world define her completely. She tries to hold onto her softness even as the world punishes her for it. Her chapters cracked me wide open.

And then there is Naias. She is a former faceless who now holds the illusion of power in a structure still built to break people like her. Her chapters are quiet and surgical. Her arc is a meditation on survival under empire. It shows how empire shapes you, how it hardens you, how it convinces you that you have overcome it even as it continues to consume you. The way she moves through the world is a masterclass in character complexity.

The structure of this book is as bold as its themes. The narrative voice shifts fluidly throughout the story and it is done with clear intention, each change drawing the reader deeper into a specific emotional space. These shifts create a kaleidoscopic effect that makes the story feel more alive, more intimate, more human. You don’t just read this story. You experience it. It breathes on your neck. It whispers in your ear. The second-person passages especially feel like being seen in your most vulnerable state.

Let’s talk about the worldbuilding. There is no info dump, no front-loading of lore. You are dropped into a world that is brutal and beautiful, and it demands your attention. Slowly, through character choices and moments of survival, the picture becomes clear. The world feels fully realized without ever feeling overwritten.

This book is heavy. It is brutal. There are gory moments. But the violence that lingers most is the emotional kind. Still, there is light here. There is connection. There is tenderness in the cracks. And there is an insistence, quiet and unwavering, that healing is not only possible, but worth reaching for even if it hurts.

By the end, I was not the same person. I had cried, whispered no to myself, gasped aloud, and clutched my chest through scenes that shattered me. And I was grateful for every moment. This book is a reckoning. It is a song for the lost and the wounded. For the ones who are still fighting. For the ones who need to believe they are worth saving.

This is not just a five-star book. This is a masterpiece. It is the kind of debut that will be taught and talked about for years to come. It sits comfortably on the same shelf as the works of Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin. Elaine Ho has written something extraordinary, and I count myself incredibly lucky to have read it early.

Elaine Ho, thank you.

Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @mythicalreadsreviewer.

[hoola.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Spoiler Free]

I am honestly astounded that this is a debut?! Seriously, consider Elaine Ho as an auto-buy author for me from now on.

My only critique is that it took until about 20% into the book before I felt like I fully grasped the world and its lore but it was so, so worth getting to that turning point.

That aside, this is a phenomenal read. Thought-provoking is such a cliche but there are so many parts of this book that you just need to sit with. It’s not always going to make you feel good feelings but, fuck, is it going to make you f e e l .

I’ve never felt so conflicted over MCs. I love them, I hate them, I fear them and I despair of them. She said flawed and she meant it.

This has been bumped up to a 5 star because I can’t stop thinking about it.

This is heavy on politics, grief, loneliness, war and death. If you like Saara El-Arifi’s Ending Fire Trilogy or N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy, this is a must read!

Thank you, Solaris, for a proof copy of this book! It will be treasured.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am devastated and in awe at this debut epic fantasy. This is an unflinching portrayal of the horrors of war and oppression, the costs of revolution, and how people who think they can bring about change by playing the oppressor’s game end up on the wrong side of history.

I’m honestly blown away. The complexity of the characters and the impossible choices they face, the beautiful prose, the intricate world building - all of it perfect. This will resonate with fans of The Poppy War and Blood Over Bright Haven.

“Tyranny doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. It is a slow descent, helped by the complicity of those who think they have no power.”

Many thanks to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

[misfantasyfiction ☆ﾟ.*･ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was INCREDIBLE where are my cry, Voidbringer fans!!! I need someone to rant to

Hammer, a jaded warrior, was born into a country that uses conscription to wage its losing war against the oppressors. Khall is the queen ruling, thrust into leadership after the abrupt death of her father, and growing increasingly paranoid about assassinations and plots. Naias is her advisor, hell bent on securing her place in Khall’s court and augmenting her station.

When the child of a god is discovered with a deadly power, Khall seizes the opportunity to utilise the weapon she could be. Could she be the answer to all of Khall’s prayers? Or the harbinger of the end of the world…

The characters were what really made this book shine! They themselves were so developed, as well as their relationships with each other. Naias and Khall’s relationship was so complex and I adored reading it. If you love court intrigue with a side of sapphic romance (or is it?), this is for you!

Elaine’s writing was superb; the metaphor of Hammer’s relationship with Viridian to a wounded bird has stuck with me ever since I read it. The plot never wavered or meandered, and I devoured each and every page. After the way this ended, I cannot wait for the next book (I know, I know, this just came out 😭)

Have you read Cry, Voidbringer? I’ve hardly seen any commotion about this book on booksta and I need to find my tribe!

Thank you to @solarisbooks and @netgalley for the digital ARC!

[Jamedi]

Rtc

[Christopher J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall 4.5🌟

There is so much I really loved about this book.

Hammer, Viri, and Crescent were so incredibly well done.

I really need another book set in this magic to dive in further with the magic and the history of the world

Couple things did not work for me though.

Typically I can appreciate a character that I hate. But there was nothing in Khall or Naias that I appreciated.

Also there is a romance subplot throughout the story, that turns into a pretty big plot point by the end that I wish had been more developed a bit better. I felt like the relationship kept getting stronger off page.

Overall a hell of a story and an author that I definitely want to read more of.

[pqrs.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh this book tried so hard to be an epic fantasy and still it wasn’t enough.
First of all, I loved Hammer as a character. I always enjoyed getting her POV and in my opinion she was the only character that had a minimum of depth and development. If it wouldn’t have been for her I probably would have dnf‘ed this book.

For the rest of the story I can only say I was underwhelmed. In my opinion there was an absolute lack in worldbuilding and lore. Especially during the middle of the book there was so much politics and stuff on the other hand that it ended up being well too slow paced since we as readers did not get enough input to actually find it interesting long enough.

Viri as a character had a lot of potential especially ethically. But why on earth did she have to be a child? That literally ruined the whole book for me because her POV was not written as the POV of a child. If she would have been 17 I could have seen her being grown up fast due to her past trauma. But she’s way younger while not sounding a tidbit different from for example Hammer.
For that exact same reason her development also failed to be as impressive as it could have been. Seeing a child becoming the monster in the end would have been much more dramatic if there would have been a change in tone during her POV. Or a different way to describe the experiences. I was completely missing that.

The ending was interesting and was giving an interesting preview- but I don’t think I can ignore the issues I had with this book enough to continue with a sequel.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

[Sarah SG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is too short to read books that bore you -rtc

[Suki J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two Faceless soldiers rescue a child with potentially valuable powers who turns out to be the weapon the queen of Ashvi has been looking for.
We follow three points of view in this book. Viri, the godchild, Hammer, the soldier, and Naias, consort to the queen, who is trying to enact real change in the kingdom.
I enjoyed Hammer and Naias' POVs the best, with the former being the perspective of a war weary soldier just trying to do her best in difficult circumstances, and the latter desperately attempting to influence the queen.
The world-building and the political scheming were the best parts of the book for me. My main gripes were that at times some of the characters felt a little flat, and the romance seemed rushed.
The last 25% was incredibly gripping and I couldn't put it down, so I'm hoping this bodes well for any potential sequel.

[Camilla_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a hard book to review, because it was so excellent that I'm finding it hard to do it justice. Epic fantasy with incredible world building, political intrigue, rebellion and war, a very cool magic system and the brutal realities of colonialism laid bare. This is the queer-normative, diverse fantasy world I always wanted Game of Thrones to be.

We have three POVS in Cry, Voidbringer, each a different voice while simultaneously having things in common.
Their lives are intertwined: one a Faceless, an elite soldier-slave kidnapped in childhood and trained for empire; another the advisor and lover to the queen of a once-great nation brought to its knees, who will do anything to climb higher; the third a child, violently ripped from her home for her gods-blessed powers, rescued only to face another terrible fate.

We're thrown straight in the deep end in terms of action and plot, with a lot of characters and lore introduced in quick succession. I was a little stunned by it at first, but once I had a grasp on things I flew through the rest of the book, desperate to unravel the secrets building up throughout.

Thoroughly recommended to anyone who loves a good political fantasy with epic potential.

[🎐 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5, so many thoughts about this lol

* this is the first book i've read from Bindery Books... i will definitely be checking out other books they have published!
* the narration was interesting... three different POV characters and i found each of them very compelling. the narrator randomly addressing "you" was jarring but kind of interesting? it took a little bit to figure out who the narrator actually was. i respect the experimental vibes
* i really enjoyed how complex naias's character was... really all three of the POV characters. i liked the contrast between them
* a lot happened in this book and i did feel like the pacing was inconsistent (although that was literally addressed in the meta-narration so maybe it was on purpose). in particular i think there could have been a little bit more time spent on hammer and crescent's relationship. overall maybe could have used another round of editing?
* specific to the audiobook: i'm glad they were able to publish it in audio format at all, given that bindery is v small. however there were multiple mistakes (multiple takes of the same phrase/sentence left in) which were distracting. also i didn't love the voice used for viri's POV chapters lol. but the use of different accents was helpful for keeping up with who was talking even though it was kind of funny randomly hearing an american accent
* i am a little annoyed that the ending seems to clearly be setting up for a sequel(?!) despite absolutely no mention of this potentially being a series in the marketing. maybe with the publishing model of bindery, they didn't want to commit to announcing a series...?

[Manda Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this eARC from Bindery Books on NetGalley; all thoughts are my own.

Oh. My. Gosh. This book deserves all the hype bc holy crap!! The characters? 10/10 The world building? 10/10 The story!? 10 out of freaking 10!! A multiple pov experience with lots of depth & culture. Easy to follow along & it has you constantly wanting to know what’s gonna happen next! I could see myself in the different characters & felt a deep connection with them. This book is going to clutch your heart in its hands!! There are so many deep meanings & messages throughout the book; I just couldn’t get enough.

[Mair Alys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM SOBBING.

Amazing. Incredible. I can’t consider my thoughts through the tears but what a fucking book.


All the stars.