This post contains reflections and quotes from all three books in Mai Corland’s fantasy trilogy: Five Broken Blades, Four Ruined Realms, and Three Shattered Souls. If you haven’t read them yet, consider bookmarking this post and returning after you’ve finished the series!
In February of this year, my co-worker recommended that I
read Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland. I am slowly diving into the world of
fantasy books, and so I decided to give it a try. Once I discovered the world
Mai Corland had created, I knew I wanted to read the other books in this series.
Book two was already published, but the third, and last, book in the trilogy
would not come out until the Summer.
I started with Five Broken Blades. The book is an adventure
fantasy packed with corruption, betrayal, and mythic intrigue. The cast of
characters is unforgettable. A thief, a strongman, a spy, an assassin, a
nobleman, and an exiled prince. Corland’s character development captivated me
and nearly made it impossible to put the book down, so I finished it in two days.
The balance of humor, romance, and intense fight scenes sets the stage for a vast
world that is both thrilling and emotionally rich.
I raced through Four Ruined Realms even faster than the
first. The short chapters dedicated to specific characters and their shifting
perspectives kept the momentum high and intriguing. New characters were added, involving mystery and complexity to an already great storyline. Corland
expanded her world in this book, blending action, romance, and heartbreak in a
way that felt seamless. Favorite characters started to form in my mind as I
felt myself rooting for their success as the second part of the story came to a close.
The wait for Three Shattered Souls was worth it, as the
story seamlessly picks up where I had left my heroes only a few months before.
The stunning conclusion wraps up the trilogy with emotional intensity and
gripping tension. Royo, my favorite character, shines in this installment. His
journey through the books is raw, complex, and beautifully written. Corland has
a gift for weaving pain and hope together, and this book proves it.
Two quotes from the final book especially stayed with me:
“Broken hearts grow thorns as they stitch themselves back together.”
“There are weights you bear alone, because the truth will crush someone you love.”
These lines reflect the emotional depth and poetic beauty that
define the series. While I did not want Three Shattered Souls to be the last
book in this series, it elevated it and left me feeling emotionally drained
from this amazing world I had stumbled upon only months earlier.
Mai Corland’s trilogy is a masterclass in fantasy storytelling. It blends epic adventure with intimate emotions. The series left me heartbroken, but grateful, that I was able to live in that world for a short while. I didn’t want the story to end with book three, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that Corland will add to this amazing fantasy world she has created over time.
Five Broken Blades Published: May 7, 2024Read: February 14, 2025
Read: February 18, 2025
Read: August 26, 2025
aB . All Rights Reserved . 2025
