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All the Broken Blades
“I dreamed no dreams, loved no one, lost nothing but what I destroyed with my own hands.”
Kahna’s blood is poison and death. Still, she longs for the touch of another human being.
Caenlux has slain all rival gods, but a champion from another world dares challenge him.
The laces, the comb, the apple—were these the Queen’s weapons, or the Mirror’s?
Welcome to the fantasy worlds and dark fairy tales of Y.M. Pang. For the first time, sixteen acclaimed stories and poems are gathered in one collection.
Join the tribulations of a traumatized assassin, an unfortunate innkeeper, a heartless fisherwoman, and a weary immortal, alongside familiar faces from fairy tales and mythology. In All the Broken Blades, mortals prove deadlier than gods, princes long to be merfolk, and happy endings are not guaranteed.
Kahna’s blood is poison and death. Still, she longs for the touch of another human being.
Caenlux has slain all rival gods, but a champion from another world dares challenge him.
The laces, the comb, the apple—were these the Queen’s weapons, or the Mirror’s?
Welcome to the fantasy worlds and dark fairy tales of Y.M. Pang. For the first time, sixteen acclaimed stories and poems are gathered in one collection.
Join the tribulations of a traumatized assassin, an unfortunate innkeeper, a heartless fisherwoman, and a weary immortal, alongside familiar faces from fairy tales and mythology. In All the Broken Blades, mortals prove deadlier than gods, princes long to be merfolk, and happy endings are not guaranteed.
- GenresFantasy
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2025
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Y.M. Pang
25 books13 followersY.M. Pang spent her childhood pacing around her grandfather’s bedroom, telling him stories of magic, swords, and bears. Her work has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Clarkesworld, and other venues. She is a four-time finalist in the Aurora Awards and has been shortlisted for the WSFA Small Press Award. She dabbles in photography and often contemplates the merits of hermitism. Her debut short story collection, All the Broken Blades, released in May 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 26, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'All The Broken Blades' is an anthology of short fantasy stories. Each story is different, ranging from fairy tale retellings with a darker twist to epic poems to intense originals.
The author truly can create amazing images, especially when it came to the sword battles and the gorgeous palaces. Their writing was also lush, with darker undertones and intriguing complex characters with an emphasis on the villainesses and antiheroes.
In addition, the stories offered a variety of love stories, most of them tragic, but all of them passionate. However, a few of the stories weren't as interesting as others, especially the ones in the first half. But others were truly great.
'All The Broken Blades' is an anthology of short fantasy stories. Each story is different, ranging from fairy tale retellings with a darker twist to epic poems to intense originals.
The author truly can create amazing images, especially when it came to the sword battles and the gorgeous palaces. Their writing was also lush, with darker undertones and intriguing complex characters with an emphasis on the villainesses and antiheroes.
In addition, the stories offered a variety of love stories, most of them tragic, but all of them passionate. However, a few of the stories weren't as interesting as others, especially the ones in the first half. But others were truly great.
May 20, 2025
All The Broken Blades is a delightful collection of short stories that span the genres of high fantasy, fairytale retellings, and an Arthurian legend parody to boot!
There’s a satisfying blend of love, death, betrayal, grief, and duty. I thoroughly relished ‘Dress of Ash’ and ‘The Lady of Butterflies,’ both set in the same world. I’m hopeful for more from this setting in the future!
An additional bonus that I particularly enjoyed was the story commentary at the end of the book, which offers valuable insights into Pang’s thought process as she wrote and compiled her stories.
I’ll be looking out for more of Pang’s work in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and Myriad Flames for the opportunity to read this title.
4.5/5
There’s a satisfying blend of love, death, betrayal, grief, and duty. I thoroughly relished ‘Dress of Ash’ and ‘The Lady of Butterflies,’ both set in the same world. I’m hopeful for more from this setting in the future!
An additional bonus that I particularly enjoyed was the story commentary at the end of the book, which offers valuable insights into Pang’s thought process as she wrote and compiled her stories.
I’ll be looking out for more of Pang’s work in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and Myriad Flames for the opportunity to read this title.
4.5/5
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May 1, 2025A big thank you to the author for an ARC of the book for a blurb!
ALL THE BROKEN BLADES is a collection filled with new fairytales, as well as twists on those familiar, perfect for readers to savour under an ancient tree. Pang weaves the whimsy and wonderous and witty with the dark yet romantic to explore themes of royalty and duty, love and fragility, familial aches, and memories lost and found, taken and given away.
ALL THE BROKEN BLADES is a collection filled with new fairytales, as well as twists on those familiar, perfect for readers to savour under an ancient tree. Pang weaves the whimsy and wonderous and witty with the dark yet romantic to explore themes of royalty and duty, love and fragility, familial aches, and memories lost and found, taken and given away.
July 15, 2025
I honestly liked this a lot more than I thought I would. All Broken Blades is a compilation of short stories all within the realm of fantasy. It offered a view into the Author's writing and you can really see the different style and genres that the author plays with. Some stories held my attention more than others as this was my very first thing I ever read by the author. What I absolutely loved about this was the explanation of each of the stories. it really provided me more insight into what was going on at the time the story was written and what the author was looking to achieve with the story.
Thank you Net Galley and Team for allowing me to obtain and read an E-ARC!
Thank you Net Galley and Team for allowing me to obtain and read an E-ARC!
June 27, 2025
I received an ARC of All The Broken Blades by YM Pang from NetGalley. Many thanks to the author/publisher for approving me.
One of the things that prompted me to request The Broken Blades is that it’s a short story collection. Short story collections are something I want to read more of. I like the idea of having one on hand that I can just whip out and read a story without having to commit to a novel. It’s the sort of thing where I can see myself just reading a story from a short story collection here and there between longer works. At the end of the day, it’ll probably take me forever to get through a single short story collection and I’m ok with that.
Fantasy is one of my go-to genres. So picking up a collection of fantasy short stories - including fairy tale retellings - felt like a good idea.
Also, full disclosure: I didn’t really know anything about YM Yang when picking up All The Broken Blades. For that reason, I really enjoyed reading the follow up chapter at the end of All The Broken Blades. This chapter helped me gain some insight into Yang’s process and what went into the writing of the stories found in All The Broken Blades.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. The stories that I was most drawn to in All The Broken Blades tended to be the fairytale retellings. Pang took that approach of “what if the outcome of the story is the same, more or less, but the character motivations are different?” You might end up with a fairytale that has a very different villain, for example. I think I was drawn to these tales in particular because they were ones that I was familiar with.
As Marie Bilodeau wrote, “Y.M. Pang will unapologetically punch your heart while filling it with hope.” I think this succinctly sums up my thoughts on All The Broken Blades: I often found myself being saddened by what the characters were experiencing, but was left hopeful that things could and would work out.
One of the things that prompted me to request The Broken Blades is that it’s a short story collection. Short story collections are something I want to read more of. I like the idea of having one on hand that I can just whip out and read a story without having to commit to a novel. It’s the sort of thing where I can see myself just reading a story from a short story collection here and there between longer works. At the end of the day, it’ll probably take me forever to get through a single short story collection and I’m ok with that.
Fantasy is one of my go-to genres. So picking up a collection of fantasy short stories - including fairy tale retellings - felt like a good idea.
Also, full disclosure: I didn’t really know anything about YM Yang when picking up All The Broken Blades. For that reason, I really enjoyed reading the follow up chapter at the end of All The Broken Blades. This chapter helped me gain some insight into Yang’s process and what went into the writing of the stories found in All The Broken Blades.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. The stories that I was most drawn to in All The Broken Blades tended to be the fairytale retellings. Pang took that approach of “what if the outcome of the story is the same, more or less, but the character motivations are different?” You might end up with a fairytale that has a very different villain, for example. I think I was drawn to these tales in particular because they were ones that I was familiar with.
As Marie Bilodeau wrote, “Y.M. Pang will unapologetically punch your heart while filling it with hope.” I think this succinctly sums up my thoughts on All The Broken Blades: I often found myself being saddened by what the characters were experiencing, but was left hopeful that things could and would work out.
May 12, 2025
Thanks for the advance copy!
All the Broken Blades will, quite frankly, break you. Look, I'm not the biggest lover of short stories. I feel that there's usually not enough time for me to get fully invested in a character and to experience the intensity of emotion I look for in fiction. So when I say the stories here made me fall in love with the characters as well as any novel could (and broke my heart three times as much), you know this is something special. If you like epic fantasy, if you like fairy tale retellings, if you're a human being living on this space rock called earth, you need to read this.
Strategically interspersed moments of levity (the misadventures of an unfortunate inkeeper, the hilarity of a fanfic-writing King Arthur) set you up perfectly to be absolutely wrecked over and over again. But this isn't just misery for misery's sake. Within these pages, you'll find some of the most fascinating and true-to-life characters you've ever read. Some are heartless and cruel; some are endearing and full of love; some, you just want to run up to and give a big hug. The entire breadth of humanity is explored here: the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the triumphant, and the tragic.
If you're here for the suffering, you won't be disappointed. But All the Broken Blades is so much more. Love. Betrayal. Grief. Longing. Hatred. You'll experience the full gamut of emotions. Y.M. Pang is a true master when it comes to translating the depth and richness of the human experience into prose. I'll be eagerly anticipating a follow-up! Now excuse me while I go put the broken pieces of myself back together.
All the Broken Blades will, quite frankly, break you. Look, I'm not the biggest lover of short stories. I feel that there's usually not enough time for me to get fully invested in a character and to experience the intensity of emotion I look for in fiction. So when I say the stories here made me fall in love with the characters as well as any novel could (and broke my heart three times as much), you know this is something special. If you like epic fantasy, if you like fairy tale retellings, if you're a human being living on this space rock called earth, you need to read this.
Strategically interspersed moments of levity (the misadventures of an unfortunate inkeeper, the hilarity of a fanfic-writing King Arthur) set you up perfectly to be absolutely wrecked over and over again. But this isn't just misery for misery's sake. Within these pages, you'll find some of the most fascinating and true-to-life characters you've ever read. Some are heartless and cruel; some are endearing and full of love; some, you just want to run up to and give a big hug. The entire breadth of humanity is explored here: the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the triumphant, and the tragic.
If you're here for the suffering, you won't be disappointed. But All the Broken Blades is so much more. Love. Betrayal. Grief. Longing. Hatred. You'll experience the full gamut of emotions. Y.M. Pang is a true master when it comes to translating the depth and richness of the human experience into prose. I'll be eagerly anticipating a follow-up! Now excuse me while I go put the broken pieces of myself back together.
May 27, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy.
First off, this is a short story anthology. It's a bunch of new worlds with stories twisted just enough to give reminders of the "classic" European tales. I ate it all up. My favorite story was Palace of the Silver Dragon and I want that to be a full-length novel. It was dark and mysterious and weirdly magical. It's dark and it twists the emotions and I needed that. I needed to not have super peppy, bubbly, bright MCs. I wanted some darkness. I wanted less feels. This one has sea dragons and a palace under the sea with very dark secrets and a dragon prince who is separated from his brothers and cursed by his own song. It's about a girl who tries to escape and find him instead. I. WANT. MORE.
My second favorite story was the Bride of Blue Manor and I would also read a full-length novel of this story. It is a spin on the Bluebeard lore with a man whose wives keep mysteriously dying or disappearing. A girl gives herself up to this man and attempts to take him out. On their wedding night, she discovers that he is harboring a secret and they strike a deal... It's soft and clear until it isn't.
I would absolutely read more from this author! I do find it very difficult to rate individual stories/poems in an anthology. So my rating is an overall one.
First off, this is a short story anthology. It's a bunch of new worlds with stories twisted just enough to give reminders of the "classic" European tales. I ate it all up. My favorite story was Palace of the Silver Dragon and I want that to be a full-length novel. It was dark and mysterious and weirdly magical. It's dark and it twists the emotions and I needed that. I needed to not have super peppy, bubbly, bright MCs. I wanted some darkness. I wanted less feels. This one has sea dragons and a palace under the sea with very dark secrets and a dragon prince who is separated from his brothers and cursed by his own song. It's about a girl who tries to escape and find him instead. I. WANT. MORE.
My second favorite story was the Bride of Blue Manor and I would also read a full-length novel of this story. It is a spin on the Bluebeard lore with a man whose wives keep mysteriously dying or disappearing. A girl gives herself up to this man and attempts to take him out. On their wedding night, she discovers that he is harboring a secret and they strike a deal... It's soft and clear until it isn't.
I would absolutely read more from this author! I do find it very difficult to rate individual stories/poems in an anthology. So my rating is an overall one.
June 8, 2025
the cover was the first thing that hooked me in— with all the deep blues, a green moon and a sword with a mermaid's art at the behind was such an intriguing element— the fun part was how it was related to the couple of short stories in this book!
It was an epic read with vivid storytelling with twist on already existing fairytales and lores— with real life themes explored, by leaving the conflict at the end unsolved in some stories. Y.M. Pang's short stories are best described as mystical with the twists on the familiar fairytales that brings nostalogia and after reading the short stories I'm left with awe and surprise how refreshing it feels!
Even though, I'm not a huge fan of poetries nor do I read them— Y.M's poetries were delicate pieces of arts that I enjoyed reading and exploring.
At places, I felt the writing style could have been more lyrical, the prose a bit more expanded with well known writing techniques such as show, don't tell. But as the short stories went, writing style was better suited off to short stories. I feel this was more of a personal nuisance rather than a critical detail to be pointed out as I'm not an avid short story reader.
P.s. thanks to Victory Editing Co-op and Y.M. Pang for an ARC.
It was an epic read with vivid storytelling with twist on already existing fairytales and lores— with real life themes explored, by leaving the conflict at the end unsolved in some stories. Y.M. Pang's short stories are best described as mystical with the twists on the familiar fairytales that brings nostalogia and after reading the short stories I'm left with awe and surprise how refreshing it feels!
Even though, I'm not a huge fan of poetries nor do I read them— Y.M's poetries were delicate pieces of arts that I enjoyed reading and exploring.
At places, I felt the writing style could have been more lyrical, the prose a bit more expanded with well known writing techniques such as show, don't tell. But as the short stories went, writing style was better suited off to short stories. I feel this was more of a personal nuisance rather than a critical detail to be pointed out as I'm not an avid short story reader.
P.s. thanks to Victory Editing Co-op and Y.M. Pang for an ARC.
May 26, 2025
I went into All the Broken Blades not knowing exactly what to expect, and I ended up pleasantly surprised. This book reads more like a collection of short stories, each one set in the same universe but offering its unique slice of character, theme, and emotion. I love story collections that feel cohesive without repetition, and Y.M. Pang delivered on that.
Each tale felt like it was emotionally raw in the best way. There’s a quiet power in how the stories build on each other, and by the end, I was left with a lingering ache and a lot to think about.
If you're into fantasy that's lyrical, layered, and more character-focused than action-packed, this one’s for you. It's a great pick for readers who enjoy slow-burn revelations, a touch of heartbreak, and multiple perspectives wrapped into one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read!
Each tale felt like it was emotionally raw in the best way. There’s a quiet power in how the stories build on each other, and by the end, I was left with a lingering ache and a lot to think about.
If you're into fantasy that's lyrical, layered, and more character-focused than action-packed, this one’s for you. It's a great pick for readers who enjoy slow-burn revelations, a touch of heartbreak, and multiple perspectives wrapped into one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read!
June 6, 2025
This collection of short fantasy stories is one of the best written I have ever read. Each story hooked me in to some degree, and they are all told so well it makes you wish every one was longer. The endings were not all clear or happy, but each one made sense to me as to how the story was woven by the author.
It was impressive to me how well done the fantasy was in some of the stories - and like I said they could have been much longer and I would have been thrilled.
The only parts I didn't love were an entirely personal thing - there were a few retellings I didn't enjoy as much, though they were still very creative twists on the way I'm used to hearing them.
All-in-all, a great read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Myriad Flames/Victory Editing and YM Pang for an eARC copy of this book!
It was impressive to me how well done the fantasy was in some of the stories - and like I said they could have been much longer and I would have been thrilled.
The only parts I didn't love were an entirely personal thing - there were a few retellings I didn't enjoy as much, though they were still very creative twists on the way I'm used to hearing them.
All-in-all, a great read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Myriad Flames/Victory Editing and YM Pang for an eARC copy of this book!
May 9, 2025
Received an advance ebook via Kickstarter!
All in all, a fantastic collection that I spent too long reading when I should have been sleeping. Tales of tragedy and loss are interspersed with enough humor to keep each story lively and a pleasure to read, with a variety of stories ranging from action-packed twists on fairy tales, to humorous stories about side characters, to original epic tales of strife between gods and champions. Each work is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy landscape. Do yourself a favor, and don't miss out on reading this work! Can't wait to (hopefully) see more from this author in the future.
All in all, a fantastic collection that I spent too long reading when I should have been sleeping. Tales of tragedy and loss are interspersed with enough humor to keep each story lively and a pleasure to read, with a variety of stories ranging from action-packed twists on fairy tales, to humorous stories about side characters, to original epic tales of strife between gods and champions. Each work is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy landscape. Do yourself a favor, and don't miss out on reading this work! Can't wait to (hopefully) see more from this author in the future.
May 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
This is a short story and poetry collection that is mostly fairytale and myth retellings, but it also includes a lot of original world building.
The stories vary greatly in length. The writing style uses short snappy sentences and many of the stories are broken into lots of small parts. This was not my favorite writing style, but I did enjoy the ideas behind the stories.
The added story commentary at the end of yhe book is an interesting touch.
I'd recommend this to people who want to read interesting fantasy and fairytale retellings, but don't have time to get into traditionally very long fantasy books.
This is a short story and poetry collection that is mostly fairytale and myth retellings, but it also includes a lot of original world building.
The stories vary greatly in length. The writing style uses short snappy sentences and many of the stories are broken into lots of small parts. This was not my favorite writing style, but I did enjoy the ideas behind the stories.
The added story commentary at the end of yhe book is an interesting touch.
I'd recommend this to people who want to read interesting fantasy and fairytale retellings, but don't have time to get into traditionally very long fantasy books.
May 26, 2025
This book was an absolute highlight of my evenings after long shifts. I took my time reading it as it's a collection of short stories, perfect reads for a bookish escape when you dont have time for a full-blown book.
It felt like it literally had everything. Retellings, fairytales, sword fights and just a hint of darkness. An emotional deep sea at some points that I found myself emerged in. Thank you for writing such a capturing book Y. M. Pang and I cannot wait to see what else you got tucked away in your beautiful intriguing mind.
It felt like it literally had everything. Retellings, fairytales, sword fights and just a hint of darkness. An emotional deep sea at some points that I found myself emerged in. Thank you for writing such a capturing book Y. M. Pang and I cannot wait to see what else you got tucked away in your beautiful intriguing mind.
July 1, 2025
An expertly crafted set of short stories from Y.M.Pang that fit together wonderfully and balance the dark, the tragic, the humourous, and the emotionally resonant.
The Palace of the Silver Dragon was a favourite of mine, with a vivid and fresh setting, gripping mysteries - what does Karonin want and what is behind those doors? - and complex, morally dubious characters.
Y.M.Pang's writing is poetic and her characters feel true to themselves. Each story had something to savour and was enjoyable to read.
The Palace of the Silver Dragon was a favourite of mine, with a vivid and fresh setting, gripping mysteries - what does Karonin want and what is behind those doors? - and complex, morally dubious characters.
Y.M.Pang's writing is poetic and her characters feel true to themselves. Each story had something to savour and was enjoyable to read.
May 29, 2025
Loved reading the stories here, with a good mix of Western and Eastern-inspired settings, from fairy-tales, to sword-and-sorcery adventures, to Wuxia-esque fighitng between gods and mortals.
These stories are extremely character-driven, with a literary bent, and feel like vignettes out of larger stories and worlds. Many stories are much longer than the typical short-short story length and excellent for getting lost in.
These stories are extremely character-driven, with a literary bent, and feel like vignettes out of larger stories and worlds. Many stories are much longer than the typical short-short story length and excellent for getting lost in.
June 4, 2025
I'm not normally a big short stories fan but this collection is mind-blowingly good. Each one hits a fresh note and characters come to life within a matter of pages. Taking influence from all sorts of folk stories and fantasy areas, it's an excellent start to the fantasy genre but also well suited to those wanting a flavour of magic without dipping into a lengthy series. Some of these stories will stay with me for a long time, can't recommend enough!
March 9, 2026
Bought this during the initial Kickstarter and WOW, I understand why the stories within win awards. Amazingly creative and brilliantly executed. Perfect for anyone that likes dark, twisted takes on fantasy.
October 29, 2025
A beautiful assortment of stories
- I would like to thank Netgalley for the eARC -
ANTHOLOGY OF NOVELLAS
I'll admit, I was a bit anxious going into this because I usually don't like short stories. But those really stole my heart. Some were longer or shorter, but all of them were entertaining to read. I loved how the author grabbed details and people from all backgrounds and sides of the world they created to paint a picture of somewhere that's not perfect but very interesting either way. It was immersive, beautiful, sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, and I went through all the feelings, which I really like. The inspiration from other famous fairytales for some stories was truly beautiful and I loved how the author twisted them. It's my first time really enjoying this type of book and I'm really glad I bumped into this one.
I really recommend if you like to be surprised by several stories in a great world.
"A sharp blade meant little pain. That was my first lesson."
TW: violence, death, murder, blood, assault, abuse
- I would like to thank Netgalley for the eARC -
ANTHOLOGY OF NOVELLAS
I'll admit, I was a bit anxious going into this because I usually don't like short stories. But those really stole my heart. Some were longer or shorter, but all of them were entertaining to read. I loved how the author grabbed details and people from all backgrounds and sides of the world they created to paint a picture of somewhere that's not perfect but very interesting either way. It was immersive, beautiful, sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, and I went through all the feelings, which I really like. The inspiration from other famous fairytales for some stories was truly beautiful and I loved how the author twisted them. It's my first time really enjoying this type of book and I'm really glad I bumped into this one.
I really recommend if you like to be surprised by several stories in a great world.
"A sharp blade meant little pain. That was my first lesson."
TW: violence, death, murder, blood, assault, abuse
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews