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The Broken Lands #1
Heart of the Empire
The Empire is heartless, but fate is crueler still.
Tainted magic spills from a crack between worlds. Quakes rattle the Atal Empire, opening rifts that split towns in two. As the land shatters and betrayals cleave the Emperor's court, ancient power awakens in a flame-haired young woman.
Savra, a miner on a remote coast, lives in relative innocence of her Emperor's savage rule. When she turns seventeen, she expects to be assigned sluice mining as her official Function. Everyone from her home village is a sluicer--unless they turn renegade and fugitive like Savra's father. But when she's suddenly torn from her home, turned pawn in the plots of madmen, a chance meeting with a young man provides the first glimpse of her tangled destiny.
For nineteen years, Kostan has been groomed for one thing: ascension to the throne. One of thirteen imperial Scions, he bears a wound that won't heal until his twenty-first birthday. On that date, only the shape of the Scions' scars will determine the next Atal Emperor.
Savra secretly fears she carries her father's rebel blood. Kostan despises everything the Empire stands for. Neither desires a fight, but as the Empire crumbles around them, they stand on opposite sides of a war. Each could be part of Empire's salvation, if only they could bridge the chasm dividing them.
Tainted magic spills from a crack between worlds. Quakes rattle the Atal Empire, opening rifts that split towns in two. As the land shatters and betrayals cleave the Emperor's court, ancient power awakens in a flame-haired young woman.
Savra, a miner on a remote coast, lives in relative innocence of her Emperor's savage rule. When she turns seventeen, she expects to be assigned sluice mining as her official Function. Everyone from her home village is a sluicer--unless they turn renegade and fugitive like Savra's father. But when she's suddenly torn from her home, turned pawn in the plots of madmen, a chance meeting with a young man provides the first glimpse of her tangled destiny.
For nineteen years, Kostan has been groomed for one thing: ascension to the throne. One of thirteen imperial Scions, he bears a wound that won't heal until his twenty-first birthday. On that date, only the shape of the Scions' scars will determine the next Atal Emperor.
Savra secretly fears she carries her father's rebel blood. Kostan despises everything the Empire stands for. Neither desires a fight, but as the Empire crumbles around them, they stand on opposite sides of a war. Each could be part of Empire's salvation, if only they could bridge the chasm dividing them.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
351 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 25, 2017
To see more reviews, considering taking a peek at my first in series YA book blog here
I had EXTREMELY high expectations for this book, and while it wasn't bad- it didn't exactly deliver as much as the synopsis promised.
It really felt like An Ember in the Ashes copy cat:
Terrible Empire
select people with hiddenfaces feet
Said select people in line to be the next emporer
Simple female main character who joins rebellion
female main character and male meet and really don't have that much interaction
female kind of forced into rebellion so she can help her family.
Does it sound familiar? Does it? Does it? Except, there were too many minor details and not enough surprises and action shots. Will I read the next book? Honestly I don't know. Probably not. I can read an Ember in the Ashes if I want this plot.
Overall, was an okay read, but was far from original.
I had EXTREMELY high expectations for this book, and while it wasn't bad- it didn't exactly deliver as much as the synopsis promised.
It really felt like An Ember in the Ashes copy cat:
Terrible Empire
select people with hidden
Said select people in line to be the next emporer
Simple female main character who joins rebellion
female main character and male meet and really don't have that much interaction
female kind of forced into rebellion so she can help her family.
Does it sound familiar? Does it? Does it? Except, there were too many minor details and not enough surprises and action shots. Will I read the next book? Honestly I don't know. Probably not. I can read an Ember in the Ashes if I want this plot.
Overall, was an okay read, but was far from original.
February 27, 2018
I received an ARC of this book and have voluntarily reviewed it.
Heart of the Empire by Carrie Summers is the first book in the new dystopian fantasy series The Broken Lands. The book is written in both first person and third person (something I wish had been different, but I'll come back to that later). It is well written with incredible world building and an intricate plot. The characters are interesting and well-developed with both admirable and flawed characteristics.
The plot itself is rather intricate. There is no clear answer to what the best outcome should be in the end; much like in real life. Unlike most rebellion stories this does not simply follow the rebels with the clear intent of them overthrowing their oppressors and rising up, instead we see both sides and get a glimpse into why things are the way they are in the Empire. Should things change? I think yes. But I don't think the change should come about as the Sharders want either. It's going to be a struggle for the main characters to accomplish their goals in the following books, I'm pretty sure of that at least.
The world of Heart of the Empire is fascinating and very nearly pulled me in completely. The only thing that stopped me from becoming completely enthralled with the story is the jarring first-person back-and-forth of two main characters. I really wish the entire story had been written third-person, and I'll explain why. This is a multiple point-of-view story, told in first-person. What that means is the story is told in first-person, but from two different characters points-of view. It alternates back and forth between Savra and Kostan every other chapter, except the rare time it changes perspective completely and has a chapter written from a character other than Savra or Kostan in third-person.
This first-person perspective but from two different character's point-of-view can be jarring. Personally, I find it near impossible to actually lose myself in the story when I have to keep reminding myself who 'I' is in the story. I'm not sure why an author does this. If you want to write from multiple points-of-view why not just use third-person? First-person (to me at least) is for one point-of-view, otherwise, it can start to get annoying.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and did like it more than I disliked the multi-first-person perspective (which is the only reason I gave the book 4 instead of 5 stars).
Recommended to fantasy lovers, those who appreciate well-done world building and a plot that makes you think
Heart of the Empire by Carrie Summers is the first book in the new dystopian fantasy series The Broken Lands. The book is written in both first person and third person (something I wish had been different, but I'll come back to that later). It is well written with incredible world building and an intricate plot. The characters are interesting and well-developed with both admirable and flawed characteristics.
The plot itself is rather intricate. There is no clear answer to what the best outcome should be in the end; much like in real life. Unlike most rebellion stories this does not simply follow the rebels with the clear intent of them overthrowing their oppressors and rising up, instead we see both sides and get a glimpse into why things are the way they are in the Empire. Should things change? I think yes. But I don't think the change should come about as the Sharders want either. It's going to be a struggle for the main characters to accomplish their goals in the following books, I'm pretty sure of that at least.
The world of Heart of the Empire is fascinating and very nearly pulled me in completely. The only thing that stopped me from becoming completely enthralled with the story is the jarring first-person back-and-forth of two main characters. I really wish the entire story had been written third-person, and I'll explain why. This is a multiple point-of-view story, told in first-person. What that means is the story is told in first-person, but from two different characters points-of view. It alternates back and forth between Savra and Kostan every other chapter, except the rare time it changes perspective completely and has a chapter written from a character other than Savra or Kostan in third-person.
This first-person perspective but from two different character's point-of-view can be jarring. Personally, I find it near impossible to actually lose myself in the story when I have to keep reminding myself who 'I' is in the story. I'm not sure why an author does this. If you want to write from multiple points-of-view why not just use third-person? First-person (to me at least) is for one point-of-view, otherwise, it can start to get annoying.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and did like it more than I disliked the multi-first-person perspective (which is the only reason I gave the book 4 instead of 5 stars).
Recommended to fantasy lovers, those who appreciate well-done world building and a plot that makes you think
January 25, 2019
3 stars
Took me a loong time to finish this. Usually if it takes so much it means I'll never finish that book.
But there was something about this one. Really don't know what. And I did read all of it. It was okay. And I'm already on the second one. Why do I like these books? No freaking clue.
It's slow. There are a lot of new terms and some history that you have to pay attention to. Also a lot of characters.
Screw it. I just like it. Doesn't matter why.
Took me a loong time to finish this. Usually if it takes so much it means I'll never finish that book.
But there was something about this one. Really don't know what. And I did read all of it. It was okay. And I'm already on the second one. Why do I like these books? No freaking clue.
It's slow. There are a lot of new terms and some history that you have to pay attention to. Also a lot of characters.
Screw it. I just like it. Doesn't matter why.
March 22, 2018
Started slow but
Finally picked up speed about last 15 chapters. Debating reading the next book but probably will. Enough of a cliff hanger to leave me curious!
Finally picked up speed about last 15 chapters. Debating reading the next book but probably will. Enough of a cliff hanger to leave me curious!
August 21, 2017
This is an amazing story of epic proportions! If I had to compare it to any other epic adventure it would be Lord of the Rings. This book had magic, adventure, evil, betrayal, young love, families torn apart, earthquakes, upheaval, lower class citizens revolting, upper class citizens with their bigotry, palace intrigue and suspense; I could go on. But suffice it to say, this was very well written, no let me change that to extremely well written. I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it. Even though I received this book as an ARC I gave this my totally honest review. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who loves epic adventure stories and to anyone else because this is one story you won't want to miss out on.
November 16, 2018
You can check out this review and my other reviews at Writing the Universe
Title: Heart of the Empire: The Broken Lands Book 1
Author: Carrie Summers
Pub. Date: July 21, 2017
Rating: ♥♥♥♥ -4.5
Like with the majority of my reviews, the first part of this review will be non-spoiler, followed by a spoiler section.
You know when you’re on Amazon, and you click a book that you’re interested in, and then it gives you all those other book options? You know the ones I’m talking about – “if you like this book, then people also bought all of these” – if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go to Amazon, and search your favorite book, and scroll down. There are scrollable pages full of books to choose from.
Well, if you haven’t figured it out already, that’s exactly how I found Heart of the Empire. It was pretty much a One-Click purchase for me…hell, based on the cover alone I wanted it. When it arrived in the mail, I stood in my kitchen and read until chapter 6 before I put it down.
Initially I went into this book thinking it was a Young Adult Fantasy, but it really isn’t. Though, I also don’t want to label it solely an Adult Fantasy (not that there is anything wrong with either. Personally, this read more as Upper YA, kind of up there with Sarah J. Maas and Elise Kova (two high fantasy authors I can think of off the top of my head (read the Air Awakens Series if you haven’t yet)).
I’m all for Fantasy YA – hell, I read enough of it and it probably makes up 70% of my entire library in my room – but when it comes to high fantasy, I like my characters older than 16. You don’t know how excited I was to read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabba Tahir and have OLDER characters, actually young adults in their 18-21 range! But I digress, this is a review for Heart of the Empire and not my age preferences for fictional characters. (My MC’s are 17/18 in my SF manuscript, but by the time they get to where they are going they are 19/21, and I would consider it upper YA).
Now that I’m done talking about character ages, let’s get onto the non-spoiler part of this review. Heart of the Empire follows Savra and Kostan, two very different people living in the Atal Empire. Savra comes from a small province that is slowly being pull away from the main continent by the Maelstrom off the coast. She works the sluices collecting metals for the Empire. She’s virtually a nobody until a mage sent by her father comes to rescue her.
Kostan is a Scion – one of 13 who have been deemed worthy enough to potentially inherit the throne of Atal – but he hates everything the Empire stands for, and vows to make changes if he should become Emperor.
As the Empire crumbles around them, Savra and Kostan have to learn how to stand on their own two feet to navigate and save the Empire, before it collapses to its knees.
I really enjoyed this book, I read about half from my PB copy, and listened to the other have via Audible – highly recommend the audiobook versions – I got really excited when I found out that they existed! There are five points of view in this book, but Savra and Kostan are the main focus.
Let’s start with Savra. I really liked her as a character. Even when she’s dealt shitty hands over and over again, she rises up to the occasion, and rarely has anyone save her. She’s not invincible and not always able to save herself, but she’s not constantly relying on other characters to get her out of bad situations. She’s a quick thinker and often even in panic, is able to keep a relatively level head. She takes risks to protect the people she loves and has compassion for those she doesn’t. She’s a pretty strong character by the end of the book.
I really loved her growth and development through this book, because who Savra is at the beginning, is not who she is at the end, but her change only makes her stronger and smarter.
When I first met Kostan I knew he’d play the love interest, because duh. I really liked that he had compassion for others when the majority of the people surrounding him only cared about themselves, saw themselves above everyone else. Kostan has this habit of looking out for the little people.
For someone with no “real world” skills, he catches on kind of quickly, but he also kind of flounders quite a bit. It’s takes Kostan quite a bit of time to figure out his next moves, but when he does, it’s often 0-100 real quick.
Next, we have Havialo. More about him in the spoiler section, because my feelings are strong about him.
PARVELD. I loved him. Having lived for a very long time, he has insider knowledge about everything going on with the Empire, and he’s made it his duty to help in whatever ways he can. It will be interesting to see where his story ends up.
Finally, Evrain, Savra’s father. Unofficial leader of a rebel group. Willing to do anything to protect his daughter and bring justice to the Empire.
If you want a fantasy book that has drama, betrayal, action, love, friendship and magic, you definitely want to check this out! I don’t think you’ll be able to put it down.
Title: Heart of the Empire: The Broken Lands Book 1
Author: Carrie Summers
Pub. Date: July 21, 2017
Rating: ♥♥♥♥ -4.5
Like with the majority of my reviews, the first part of this review will be non-spoiler, followed by a spoiler section.
You know when you’re on Amazon, and you click a book that you’re interested in, and then it gives you all those other book options? You know the ones I’m talking about – “if you like this book, then people also bought all of these” – if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go to Amazon, and search your favorite book, and scroll down. There are scrollable pages full of books to choose from.
Well, if you haven’t figured it out already, that’s exactly how I found Heart of the Empire. It was pretty much a One-Click purchase for me…hell, based on the cover alone I wanted it. When it arrived in the mail, I stood in my kitchen and read until chapter 6 before I put it down.
Initially I went into this book thinking it was a Young Adult Fantasy, but it really isn’t. Though, I also don’t want to label it solely an Adult Fantasy (not that there is anything wrong with either. Personally, this read more as Upper YA, kind of up there with Sarah J. Maas and Elise Kova (two high fantasy authors I can think of off the top of my head (read the Air Awakens Series if you haven’t yet)).
I’m all for Fantasy YA – hell, I read enough of it and it probably makes up 70% of my entire library in my room – but when it comes to high fantasy, I like my characters older than 16. You don’t know how excited I was to read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabba Tahir and have OLDER characters, actually young adults in their 18-21 range! But I digress, this is a review for Heart of the Empire and not my age preferences for fictional characters. (My MC’s are 17/18 in my SF manuscript, but by the time they get to where they are going they are 19/21, and I would consider it upper YA).
Now that I’m done talking about character ages, let’s get onto the non-spoiler part of this review. Heart of the Empire follows Savra and Kostan, two very different people living in the Atal Empire. Savra comes from a small province that is slowly being pull away from the main continent by the Maelstrom off the coast. She works the sluices collecting metals for the Empire. She’s virtually a nobody until a mage sent by her father comes to rescue her.
Kostan is a Scion – one of 13 who have been deemed worthy enough to potentially inherit the throne of Atal – but he hates everything the Empire stands for, and vows to make changes if he should become Emperor.
As the Empire crumbles around them, Savra and Kostan have to learn how to stand on their own two feet to navigate and save the Empire, before it collapses to its knees.
I really enjoyed this book, I read about half from my PB copy, and listened to the other have via Audible – highly recommend the audiobook versions – I got really excited when I found out that they existed! There are five points of view in this book, but Savra and Kostan are the main focus.
Let’s start with Savra. I really liked her as a character. Even when she’s dealt shitty hands over and over again, she rises up to the occasion, and rarely has anyone save her. She’s not invincible and not always able to save herself, but she’s not constantly relying on other characters to get her out of bad situations. She’s a quick thinker and often even in panic, is able to keep a relatively level head. She takes risks to protect the people she loves and has compassion for those she doesn’t. She’s a pretty strong character by the end of the book.
I really loved her growth and development through this book, because who Savra is at the beginning, is not who she is at the end, but her change only makes her stronger and smarter.
When I first met Kostan I knew he’d play the love interest, because duh. I really liked that he had compassion for others when the majority of the people surrounding him only cared about themselves, saw themselves above everyone else. Kostan has this habit of looking out for the little people.
For someone with no “real world” skills, he catches on kind of quickly, but he also kind of flounders quite a bit. It’s takes Kostan quite a bit of time to figure out his next moves, but when he does, it’s often 0-100 real quick.
Next, we have Havialo. More about him in the spoiler section, because my feelings are strong about him.
PARVELD. I loved him. Having lived for a very long time, he has insider knowledge about everything going on with the Empire, and he’s made it his duty to help in whatever ways he can. It will be interesting to see where his story ends up.
Finally, Evrain, Savra’s father. Unofficial leader of a rebel group. Willing to do anything to protect his daughter and bring justice to the Empire.
If you want a fantasy book that has drama, betrayal, action, love, friendship and magic, you definitely want to check this out! I don’t think you’ll be able to put it down.
September 28, 2017
I was instantly captured by the detailed writing and extensive world building. This is some of the best descriptive writing I have read, though the second half of the book could have used more editing. The descriptions make the story flow beautifully and never get old. However toward the end, the plot seemed more generic and less thought out. I found myself getting bored right at the climax of the story, and underwhelmed by a plot revelation made by the characters. The story ends open-ended without any major cliff-hanger. Regardless, the detailed world, the stark political turmoil, the descriptions of the different types of magic, and the trials the characters face will definitely keep me waiting for Book 2.
The chapters are quite short, and scenes seemed split up prematurely in order to jump back and forth between POVs. I would have preferred longer scenes, and a more consistent timeline between the characters.
Speaking of POVs, this book is an undesirable mix of 1st person and 3rd person. The two main characters, Savra and Kostan, are written in 1st person, where all other characters are in 3rd person. Those scenes were awkward, as if the author is more accustomed to writing in 1st person (if it has to be 1st person, it seems there should only be one “I”), and added 3rd person blurbs as an afterthought. My preference is for an entire book to be in 3rd person, so it definitely took some getting used to. But it won't keep me from coming back for more.
With two young angst-ridden protagonists, I was expecting more of a teenage romance in the book. Instead I had to settle with a single scene of infatuation-at-first-sight. I was disappointed in this, as the protagonists have the good makings of star-crossed lovers. I can only hope something develops throughout the series, and hopefully doesn't take too much longer...
The chapters are quite short, and scenes seemed split up prematurely in order to jump back and forth between POVs. I would have preferred longer scenes, and a more consistent timeline between the characters.
Speaking of POVs, this book is an undesirable mix of 1st person and 3rd person. The two main characters, Savra and Kostan, are written in 1st person, where all other characters are in 3rd person. Those scenes were awkward, as if the author is more accustomed to writing in 1st person (if it has to be 1st person, it seems there should only be one “I”), and added 3rd person blurbs as an afterthought. My preference is for an entire book to be in 3rd person, so it definitely took some getting used to. But it won't keep me from coming back for more.
With two young angst-ridden protagonists, I was expecting more of a teenage romance in the book. Instead I had to settle with a single scene of infatuation-at-first-sight. I was disappointed in this, as the protagonists have the good makings of star-crossed lovers. I can only hope something develops throughout the series, and hopefully doesn't take too much longer...
August 10, 2017
Wow, epic....
This is such a good book, the storyline, the details, the worlds, the characters, I loved everything about it.
It is so well written, reading pace is fast and still all this finished details. The only thing that was a bit less is getting used to the different pov's. Each chapter it switches. You read about Savra or Kostan, both written in first person. There are some other chapters about other people, they are written in third person, can't really ellaborate without spoilering so I'll leave it at that. But the two pov in first person and the few others in third really help as to not getting too confused about which character that certain chapter is about. Although every chapter begins with a very handy summary of the main character and the whereabouts of that person. So not much room for confusion. Carrie seems to have been thinking about everything, defenitily will be reading her other works!
And oh my, just wait until you reach the last 30 pages 😱 The events kept on adding to the suspence!
Such a great storyline without holes, everything is well designed and the plot is just great. It ends with so much possibilities since it's not quite sure whether the Empire is left in good hands or not. And still not really a cliffhanger, it is such a great ending to the first installment of what seems to be a great series. Can't wait for book two!!
This is such a good book, the storyline, the details, the worlds, the characters, I loved everything about it.
It is so well written, reading pace is fast and still all this finished details. The only thing that was a bit less is getting used to the different pov's. Each chapter it switches. You read about Savra or Kostan, both written in first person. There are some other chapters about other people, they are written in third person, can't really ellaborate without spoilering so I'll leave it at that. But the two pov in first person and the few others in third really help as to not getting too confused about which character that certain chapter is about. Although every chapter begins with a very handy summary of the main character and the whereabouts of that person. So not much room for confusion. Carrie seems to have been thinking about everything, defenitily will be reading her other works!
And oh my, just wait until you reach the last 30 pages 😱 The events kept on adding to the suspence!
Such a great storyline without holes, everything is well designed and the plot is just great. It ends with so much possibilities since it's not quite sure whether the Empire is left in good hands or not. And still not really a cliffhanger, it is such a great ending to the first installment of what seems to be a great series. Can't wait for book two!!
August 14, 2017
I read this book in the span of a week (sidetracked due to summer ARCs received in the mail, and outings, and whatnot), and will try to read it in one sitting in the future. The author is an excellent story-teller. I loved her way with words, how she made the story flow, and the overall story was good. Savra is an awesome character-much like a young Khalessi, in fact, only without dragons or any of the Game of Thrones characters. She also vaguely reminded me of Caelaena Sardothian from the Throne of Glass series. She's that cool.
The story was brisk, fast paced though it did have a few interludes where it slowed down to explain things, which I liked. The setting was sharp and vivid, and everyone was fighting to stay alive in a realm where the empire rules with an iron fist. Everyone had their own goals, their own plans, and it was all very real and very lifelike.
I definitely am going to read the next book in the series, because I want to savor all of this series. It's like a hidden gem; full of awesome goodness that you didn't expect to find but you're pleasantly surprised that you've done so.
Five stars to a job splendidly done!
The story was brisk, fast paced though it did have a few interludes where it slowed down to explain things, which I liked. The setting was sharp and vivid, and everyone was fighting to stay alive in a realm where the empire rules with an iron fist. Everyone had their own goals, their own plans, and it was all very real and very lifelike.
I definitely am going to read the next book in the series, because I want to savor all of this series. It's like a hidden gem; full of awesome goodness that you didn't expect to find but you're pleasantly surprised that you've done so.
Five stars to a job splendidly done!
January 21, 2018
The world building in this was really really well done and the plot a lot more convoluted (in a good way) than I expected this to be. I am also a sucker for interesting covers, and I will admit that most of the books I pick up are based on the cover.
I liked just about all of the characters. Well written and each had their own depth. The only problem I had was that sometimes the characters rambled on to themselves, which had me bored and skimming over parts. This is an interesting world. It sort of reminds me of The Red Queen series, where there is a division in the people and the lower (Provs) class gets treated like crap and only because of their birth. This was faced paced too, I didn't expect to finish as fast as I did and when it ended, I was really disappointed because I wanted more.
A lot of the times I can see the plot of a story/book from the start, they typical ones ALL have the same checkpoints, but I honestly have no idea what is going to happen in this one throughout the next 2 books. It could take so many paths, and there is still so much to learn about this magical world.
The instalove has me rolling my eyes though. Savra and Kostan BARELY spend time with each other and there is a sudden connection? Eh...I am not believing that one.
I liked just about all of the characters. Well written and each had their own depth. The only problem I had was that sometimes the characters rambled on to themselves, which had me bored and skimming over parts. This is an interesting world. It sort of reminds me of The Red Queen series, where there is a division in the people and the lower (Provs) class gets treated like crap and only because of their birth. This was faced paced too, I didn't expect to finish as fast as I did and when it ended, I was really disappointed because I wanted more.
A lot of the times I can see the plot of a story/book from the start, they typical ones ALL have the same checkpoints, but I honestly have no idea what is going to happen in this one throughout the next 2 books. It could take so many paths, and there is still so much to learn about this magical world.
The instalove has me rolling my eyes though. Savra and Kostan BARELY spend time with each other and there is a sudden connection? Eh...I am not believing that one.
May 13, 2020
This is the second book I've read by Carrie Summers and I enjoyed this one immensely better!
Savar & Kostan are both key to fixing the issues in the empire. Both have a different gift/calling.
I liked both characters and some of the supporting characters.
The idea is not all new but I did like the journey. This read is heavy in the storytelling department and I liked that about this book. The world-building could have used more descriptions but my imagination filled in the missing details. I like the mages & their gifting.
Kostan is a very moral character and I liked that he wanted to bring about changes that would upend some of the ideals that made the empire so dominating.
Savar was gifted but you don't figure out her gifts until the book is almost over.
I hated to lose some of the characters that ended up dying in the book but progress.
I will definitely continue to book 2!
Savar & Kostan are both key to fixing the issues in the empire. Both have a different gift/calling.
I liked both characters and some of the supporting characters.
The idea is not all new but I did like the journey. This read is heavy in the storytelling department and I liked that about this book. The world-building could have used more descriptions but my imagination filled in the missing details. I like the mages & their gifting.
Kostan is a very moral character and I liked that he wanted to bring about changes that would upend some of the ideals that made the empire so dominating.
Savar was gifted but you don't figure out her gifts until the book is almost over.
I hated to lose some of the characters that ended up dying in the book but progress.
I will definitely continue to book 2!
August 4, 2017
Heart of the Empire, is book 1 in the Broken Land series, by Carrie Summers. And it's definitely something new and interesting you should try out, just saying.
The storyline is incredible. And it's so very well written. Summer's has written it so well that she has made it difficult for us as a reader to guess what the outcome of the story would be. Because we get first person pov from both main character, Savra and Kostan. Which means, we get a bigger viewer points of the problems.
I was drawn right into the story, and it kept me entertained page by page. The characters are well developed. And the story contains everything you would want in a great story!
I highly recommend it!!
I thank the author for providing a copy to voluntarily review.
The storyline is incredible. And it's so very well written. Summer's has written it so well that she has made it difficult for us as a reader to guess what the outcome of the story would be. Because we get first person pov from both main character, Savra and Kostan. Which means, we get a bigger viewer points of the problems.
I was drawn right into the story, and it kept me entertained page by page. The characters are well developed. And the story contains everything you would want in a great story!
I highly recommend it!!
I thank the author for providing a copy to voluntarily review.
November 12, 2017
I love fantasy stories, but I usually stick to the classics and steer clear of newer authors. Most of them seem to just be rehashes of the better stories that have gone before. But with Carrie Summers I was pleasantly surprised. She knows the art of worldbuilding, the craft of plot construction, and how to judiciously use cliffhangers. I greatly enjoyed this book, and can't wait to see what happens next.
September 21, 2018
This is an excellent book. Not only is it's world-building of the magic-infused Empire, but the characters are very well rounded and layered - and not easily placed into one camp as (at least in this series book 1) there is no clear delineation of good and evil. The leads, Kostan and Savra, clearly have a long path ahead of them, but it looks like it will be a fun path to follow along.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 21, 2025
Not sure what it was about this book... it's fine, really. The writing's fine, it's well-paced, the plot and worldbuilding are solid, I liked the characters well enough, but it just couldn't keep my attention for more than a few chapters at a time. Feels like I should have liked this more, but it just didn't hook me. Maybe a case of wrong book, wrong time. Might give the sequel a shot at some point.
July 10, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. And I had a pleasant surprise because the story is really very good. Since the first page I was captivated with the characters and the plot that surrounded them. I highly recommend reading for anyone who likes fantasy stories. I'm looking forward for the next book.
July 11, 2017
This is a very well written fantasy story. I enjoyed the storyline and characters. The author has created an interesting situation that I think will allow for a very intriguing series. It draws you in quickly and leaves you wanting to learn more about the characters and what the future has in store for them.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
October 1, 2017
I guess I am the minority when it came to rating this book.
When reading a book, I don’t care if the writing has some grammatical errors or if they didn’t use the right pros language etc. I am drawn by the story and that’s how I rate the story. This book did not draw me in. I found myself skipping chapters..... bored.
Did not finish story. Maybe I’ll try again in a couple of months
When reading a book, I don’t care if the writing has some grammatical errors or if they didn’t use the right pros language etc. I am drawn by the story and that’s how I rate the story. This book did not draw me in. I found myself skipping chapters..... bored.
Did not finish story. Maybe I’ll try again in a couple of months
November 10, 2017
I was looking for a change in pace and thought I'd try this fantasy series. Lots of unresolved plot at the end, more than one might like. The heroes are young and the narrative is in the first person from their POV. There is magic, power through metals, not all well sorted in my mind. Will try the second in the series.
January 13, 2018
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
A solid YA fantasy! I wasn't exactly blown away but I loved the writing and worldbuilding. It got confusing at times and I still have no idea what the heck is happening. Still this was an enjoyable read and reminds me a lot of Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes. Looking forward to book two!
A solid YA fantasy! I wasn't exactly blown away but I loved the writing and worldbuilding. It got confusing at times and I still have no idea what the heck is happening. Still this was an enjoyable read and reminds me a lot of Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes. Looking forward to book two!
March 15, 2018
Different...keeps you guessing.
Story was good. Complicated to begin with trying to keep track of all the characters. Got better as the book progressed. Never felt like I got to that " ah hell yes!" moment. Felt like this is not a stand alone book. Too many unresolved conflicts, however the next book has promise. Worth the read.
Story was good. Complicated to begin with trying to keep track of all the characters. Got better as the book progressed. Never felt like I got to that " ah hell yes!" moment. Felt like this is not a stand alone book. Too many unresolved conflicts, however the next book has promise. Worth the read.
February 12, 2019
Amazing!
Fascinating world. Likeable and believable characters. A well-planned and unpredictable plot. Intrigue, fighting, magic and a bit of romance. True heroes and villains. I'm blown away!
Carrie Summers it's obviously an amazing author and I'll hurry on to read the next book! :-)
Fascinating world. Likeable and believable characters. A well-planned and unpredictable plot. Intrigue, fighting, magic and a bit of romance. True heroes and villains. I'm blown away!
Carrie Summers it's obviously an amazing author and I'll hurry on to read the next book! :-)
February 15, 2019
Enjoyed the story!
I enjoyed the story and the writing style. It never felt bogged down or incredibly slow. I wish more time was spent on each character i stead of jumping between the two main characters quite so quickly, but the intertwining timelines and stories made it interesting. Looking forward to book 2.
I enjoyed the story and the writing style. It never felt bogged down or incredibly slow. I wish more time was spent on each character i stead of jumping between the two main characters quite so quickly, but the intertwining timelines and stories made it interesting. Looking forward to book 2.
July 18, 2017
If fantasy with magic, suspense and danger is your elixir of choice, then look no further than Heart of the Empire. Ms. Summers does a magnificent job world building and creating characters that you cheer for on both side of the conflict. This one of those stories that you are anxious to see how everything works out but don’t want it to end. Fortunately for the reader, this is but one in a series, so there are more exciting chapters to this original story. Looking forward to exploring the other titles that Ms Summers has completed, while I wait for the second installment in this series.
I was given an Advanced Reading Copy of Heat of the Empire in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an Advanced Reading Copy of Heat of the Empire in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2017
This is a wonderful fantasy! Full of amazing characters that just get you invested right away. Tricky situations pop up and great fight scenes as well. I really enjoyed the plot and the development of the story!
I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
August 15, 2017
Good fantasy adventure. Enjoyed very much.
I enjoyed the tale of our heroine, Savra and Scion Kostan. Sometimes a little slow moving, but generally entertaining. Looking forward to book 2 in series. Give it a try. Happy Reading!!!!
Tim
I enjoyed the tale of our heroine, Savra and Scion Kostan. Sometimes a little slow moving, but generally entertaining. Looking forward to book 2 in series. Give it a try. Happy Reading!!!!
Tim
July 14, 2017
You guys are going to love this! Riviting from start to finish & characters you will love. Intriguing story will draw you in. I can't wait to see what happens next.
August 9, 2017
The complex characters, and surprising story twists are only matched by the superb writing! I especially like how the author provides a dramatic ending without falling into a cliff-hanger!
August 25, 2017
I wanted to like this book a lot more...but it was slow for me. I found myself skimming pages the more I read.
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