Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts)

4.5/5 Stars This book was so remarkable! It drew me right in and wouldn't let me go. I was really impressed with the composition of the story. The premise of the story is very compelling and it really makes a statement to the reader. Broadbent's writing style really spoke to me and had a very smooth arrangement that kept me engrossed in the story. I enjoyed the world-building for the most part but felt that the magic of the world wasn't covered very well. I went back a few times to see if I had missed something crucial to the story but it just seemed to be something that wasn't developed well enough. The story was still enjoyable even with only a vague understanding of the world's magic but I still felt confused on more than one occasion due to the lack of details. The characters were excellent. Both Tisaanah and Maxantarius were fleshed out really well and the reader couldn't help but love them. We dive right into Tisaanah's past right away and it really sets the tone for the story. I loved getting glimpses of Max's past as the story progressed. I admit, some of the side characters really blended together at first in the beginning. Once I got a grasp on things it was easier to distinguish them apart though. There was a surprising character that I am very eager to learn more about in the next book! The romance in this book was a slow-burn one that was so worth it. The way that Tisaanah and Max come together and come to care about each other is so full of feels. I loved the gradual change from Max's outright refusal to train her, to his reluctant help, to their friendship, to more. They shared bits and pieces of themselves with each other and developed a strong bond. I really loved how Max admired Tisaanah for wanting to help the slaves from her homeland. It's hard not to fall for someone that cares so deeply and is so selfless. I also loved how Tisaanah brought Max out of his funk and out of his loneliness. He had been secluding himself for so long and she sort of brought him out of his shell. Overall, I was wholly impressed with this story. There is definitely an awe-inspiring message under the surface. If not for the sparsely developed magic in the story this would certainly have been a five-star read for me. I am eager to read the second book and see what happens to these memorable characters.

I have read some of Carissa's other books and really enjoy her writing style and world building. This is one of the most fleshed out worlds I've read in a while, the plot was engaging, and the MCs were very likable, imo. However, one of the characters (a woman) made one of the most sexist comments I've ever seen in literature. For that, I removed a star. "You know," Via went on, returning to the closet, "women always come in here looking at the pretty silver bows or the little dainty daggers and those kinds of [boring] things. But I thought...well. She seemed interesting." I'm hesitant to throw out the NLOG accusations, because people overuse it now and apply it to any woman who dares to have masculine hobbies, or god forbid, think they are short. However, this is a really blatant example of demeaning an entire group of people to uplift a single person as superior. All women are boring and uninteresting, apparently! I love you Carissa, but you need to examine the internalized misogyny that led to this line. Unless you intended to make this character sexist, in which case you did a bang up job!

I rate books primarily based on vibes and how they make me feel, so keep that in mind. I also strive to keep my reviews spoiler-free! Plot: 4/5 Spice: 1/5 Tropes: Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Grumpy/Sunshine (kind of), Teacher/Apprentice, Tragic Backstory Audiobook: Two narrators (introduced after Part 2) A quick side note: I did a tandem read, switching between the book and the audiobook. The audiobook introduces a second narrator in Chapter 39, who voices the MMC and his POV. Now, on to the review: The plot is mainly fantasy, with a minor subplot of romance and political intrigue. This first book follows the FMC, Tisaanah Vytezic, who has a tragic backstory. Her people were slaughtered, and she was taken as a slave in Threll at a very young age. The author does a fantastic job addressing these harsh subjects while handling them with grace and sensitivity. In this world, there's an island called Ara, home to a group of magic wielders known as the Orders. The Orders are divided into two factions: the Valtains and the Solaries. The magic system is unique, but it's written in a way that's easy to follow and understand. Tisaanah is considered an outcast, or "fragmented," because she doesn’t fit into any specific magic group. With mismatched eyes, patchy skin, and multicolored hair, she feels like she doesn’t belong. It’s fascinating to watch her growth throughout the book as she struggles with her identity and learns to navigate her internal conflicts. Tisaanah eventually gains her freedom and flees Threll, heading to Ara to join the Orders and help her friends back in Threll. There, she faces numerous challenges, including a language barrier and the struggle to harness her magic. We also meet the MMC, Maxantarius Farlione (Max for short), a grumpy member of the Orders who becomes her new teacher. As the story unfolds, we learn about Max's tragic past and the reasons behind his demeanor. Together, they navigate the challenges presented by the Orders while working toward their personal goals. The story introduces some complex characters, such as Reshaye, and I'm excited to see how this character will evolve throughout the series. In conclusion, I LOVED THIS BOOK. The story is a powerful one, filled with themes of revenge, heartbreak, devastation, justice, and hope for a better world. Since this is just the first book, I can’t wait to see the trials Tisaanah will face as she strives to save her friends and loved ones. Carissa writes with such emotion, immersing me in the story every time.

To be honest, fantasy is not one of my favorite genres, and this long saga failed to change my opinion. The author is unquestionably talented, bringing her characters and settings to life with the sheer magic of her words. But the tangled plot veered from long stretches of inaction to furious, implausible battles between good and evil that ended too abruptly, leaving me with more questions than answers. This book ends in a cliffhanger, so the next two volumes might hold some of the answers for those who care enough to spend the extra time and money. Here's a bit of the plot. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!) When the story opens, our heroine (Tisaanah, a young slave) manages to kill her master--the most powerful man in Threll--with only a look. Really, just a look! After he brutally whips her bare back with 27 lashes and shows no signs of stopping, she somehow compels him to look into her eyes and he dies. Despite her serious injuries, she crosses plains, forests, and a vast sea to reach the island of Ara, home of the Twin Orders. With the help of the Orders, she plans to return to Threll to rescue her friends, free all the slaves, and avenge her mother's death. First, though, she must complete an apprenticeship, become a Wielder, and join the Order. Her trainer and our handsome hero (Maxantarius) is a grumpy, reclusive, former high-ranking member of the Order who quit the military after the last war and has spent the last eight years growing flowers. He initially refuses to train Tisaanah, but he can't resist her beauty and unrelenting determination. She moves into his isolated cabin in the middle of his vast garden, where he spends five months teaching her the skills of a Wielder. I loved Max's character: his dry humor, sarcastic wit, and inevitable attraction to Tisaanah. But this training period consumes a lengthy portion of the book (except for a brief battle in Tairn), and it gets rather tedious after a while. Tisaanah can kill with a look, so why does she need all this training? And our hero and heroine live together for five whole months without so much as a kiss between them? Seriously? This is the slowest slow-burn romance I've ever read! Tisaanah passes her evaluation and becomes a Wielder, but the Arch Commandant (Zeryth) has special plans for her. He summons her to the Towers, where she hopes he'll agree to send an army to Threll to free the slaves and remove the Threllian Lords from power. Max, however, knows that Zeryth has something far more sinister in mind. Zeryth plans to implant Tisaanah's body with "Reshaye," a creature of raw and powerful magic that will transform Tisaanah into "a goddess of death and vengeance and utter, indiscriminate destruction." (Max knows that Reshaye can turn its host into a monster; years ago, when Max was its host during the Ryvenai War, Reshaye compelled him to kill his parents and six siblings. This scene sickened me.) Max begs Tisaanah to say no to whatever Zeryth proposes, but he made a blood pact with Zeryth to never speak of Reshaye again, so he doesn't tell Tisaanah until it's too late, when Reshaye is already inside her. (Good grief! What about his precious blood pact then?) Tisaanah makes her own blood pact with Zeryth, agreeing to host Reshaye and use it as a weapon against the Orders' enemies, in exchange for the Orders help to free the slaves in Krell. After Tisaanah recovers from the excruciatingly painful implant process, she and Max form a team with other Wielders and travel to Krell, where Tisaanah slaughters the slavers "with unexpected glee." Using Reshay's powers, "I relished the way that the slavers' terror ran down my arms just like their blood did when I rammed Il'Sahaj through their chests. Every strike of the blade left rotten smears of decay . . ." It's horrific, and she's not through yet. Max and Tisaanah finally have sex before they and their team confront the Threllian Lords in the city, brutally slaying the top lord and his soldiers with wicked daggers, ribbons of rot, and waves of blue flames. If you enjoy vivid scenes of mass killing, you'll relish this one, especially when Max transforms into something Reshaye gave him. Something with spectacular, lethal power. I'm stopping here. This story is far from over, but I've had enough. As I mentioned earlier, I loved Max's character. Tasaanah (and Reshay) were far too bloodthirsty for my taste. I don't expect fantasy novels to be realistic, but if this far-fetched, somewhat confusing plot is typical of fantasy novels, I'm sticking with psychological thrillers and romantic suspense. However, the author's considerable talent and remarkable imagination--enhanced with professional proofreading and that gorgeous cover--deserve no less than three stars overall.

Daughter of No Worlds is an epic fantasy book. I had a lot of fun with it, but there were a few things about it that just didn't quite come together for me. For the first quarter or so of the book, I was sure this was going to be a five star read, but then it sort of dropped off for me & I'm not really sure why. I was still invested in the journey, but it just seemed to lose direction or something. The middle dragged a bit, & it could've probably been a little shorter, IMO. About halfway through, an unexpected development really threw me off. It seemed like the scope of the novel suddenly changed from what I expected & I guess it just didn't resonate with me. I got back into it towards the last 20-30% or so. WHAT I LIKED: >> Tisaanah is a great female main character. I love her determination & her strength. I also love her self confidence. She doesn't think she can do something, she KNOWS it. She reminds me a bit of Aelin from Throne of Glass. >> Max is a compelling MMC, the stuff of great book boyfriends. He is so broken when he & Tisaanah meet, & I absolutely adored watching the two of them slowly heal each other without even realizing it. Both characters are well developed & likeable. >> The great grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The author did an excellent job writing Tisaanah & Max's relationship. It unfolded so organically, from their introductions as wary & slightly unwilling allies, which slowly warmed into friendship, to a true, deep bond as they recognized each other as kindred spirits. It took almost the whole book for them to realize they were in love, & I was totally here for how realistic it felt. No instalove here! >> The writing itself was on point, no grammatical errors that I noticed (although there are several times that Tisaanah, who is learning the language, makes mistakes in word order or mispronounces or misuses a word. These are mistakes that exist purposely to highlight her learning curve). >> It DOES NOT end in a cliffhanger. This is a big one for me. DoNW is a whole book, in which all of the primary plot threads are wrapped up, leaving clear room for sequels but not leaving the reader hanging. There is an epilogue that sets up the next book, including a twist at the very end but not anything that will rock your world. It's just enough to entice you to read the next book. WHAT DIDN'T REALLY WORK FOR ME: >> I thought the pacing was kinda messed up. At the beginning the stakes felt really high, then they were less urgent. This bouncing back & forth from extremely high stakes to chapters of downtime there me off. It seemed like there was either something life-changing & huge happening, or nothing at all. It was just kinda all over the place. >> Then about halfway through there was a completely unexpected development that I just wasn't really impressed with. I don't know why it didn't work for me, because like the rest of the book it was well written, but I just couldn't get into it & the story lost some of its overall lustre due to that. I still hadn't really warmed to it by the end of the book. It just brought such a change of tone. >> There are numerous secondary characters, some of whom have SO much potential, but I found myself wishing they had more depth. Many of the characters that were around off & on the entire book left absolutely no impression on me at all. There were a few people who popped up once then never again, dropping out of the story & leaving me wondering, "What was the point of that?" Maybe they'll become relevant later in the series, but for now they just felt superfluous. >> At 500+ pages, this is a decently long book, & usually I like that. I don't usually even read books with less than 300 pages, because I like the detail & depth of a book that size or bigger. However, in the case of Daughter of No Worlds, I think that if the page count had been pared down some, with a tighter overall narrative, this would've remained a 5 star read for me. Bottom line: I can totally see that some people out there will love this book. It has a lot going for it, & I did enjoy it. I want to see what happens next, but I'm not chomping at the bit to get there. I'll ready the rest of the trilogy, just not right away. I think lovers of sweeping epic fantasy & romantic fantasy will probably devour this novel. Despite my somewhat apathetic feelings towards parts of it, I really do think DoNW was a good book & I hope people give it a chance.

Daughter of No Worlds could be considered a fantasy romance or a romantic fantasy, depending on who’s describing it. The line between these two subgenres is a nebulous one, and in truth it’s more of a continuum. They say if you can take out the fantasy and you still have a love story it’s fantasy romance, and if you can remove the romance and still have a fantasy story it’s romantic fantasy. There are rare books that perfectly straddle the line between these two genres, where the fantasy and the romance are two halves of one seamless whole, interdependent, almost symbiotic. Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent is just such a book, a flawless symphony of immersive fantasy and enthralling romance, tied together by prose that is by turns gorgeous and profound. It easily cracks my top 10 books I have ever read, in any genre, and I urge you to pick it up and begin reading it today. The first thing that drew my attention was the prose. Broadbent’s writing shows passion, insight, and fine attention to detail. I stopped highlighting passages in the book because I found myself highlighting entire paragraphs on page after page. Some, just because the language was beautiful: Shadow doused the hard panes of his face, but his features were so sharp that they sliced through the dusk, meeting mine with equal determination and wary curiosity. Others because they hit my feels like a freight train: I didn’t make myself all of these terrible things—a whore, a killer, a traitor—just to be ignored and discarded before it could be worth something. And some just because they made me laugh: I quickly learned that Max was apparently only “made for” an exceptionally narrow set of environments, temperatures, activities, and interactions. I also noted something I don’t see very often in books: the perfect mastery of sentence variation. I know, it’s a writer-nerd thing to say, but many writers lean heavily into either exceptionally tight or exceedingly flowery prose. Broadbent threads the needle, keeping her sentences short and punchy when necessary, but she’s not afraid to let loose with her considerable linguistic firepower when the occasion calls for it. This speaks to discipline, and the result is a book that’s eminently readable, despite its rather chonky length. The characters are beautifully rendered and heartbreakingly real, especially Tisaanah, whose reaction to her considerable past trauma is to fight to make the world a better place. The trauma is on the page, present in her thoughts and reactions, but her character is not defined by it. She uses her experience to become more effective, more insightful, and stronger. Yes, she has rage—understandable given what she’s been through—but she’s more than just a reaction to her trauma. She’s a whole person who uses her experience to learn and understand, then takes that knowledge and puts it into action. Max is a delight as well, with layers of complexity beneath his sugary, sarcastic exterior. He has a troubled history as well, which is revealed in perfectly balanced stages as Tisaanah’s bullheaded tenacity cracks his silky-smooth veneer. You can’t help but root for these two, but BOY HOWDY is this a slow burn. I’m not complaining (much) because the author makes us suffer and pine in such delightful ways, and isn’t this half the reason we read romantic stories? The fantasy story, and the magic in particular, includes some common tropes that Broadbent breathes new life into, as well as some totally innovative stuff that caught me by surprise. The main antagonist, for lack of a better word, is a unique creation that I absolutely can’t tell you more about, but it’s what you come to fantasy for: magical beings like you have never seen before. I’ll be honest: I came to the book because of the romance, but the fantasy story is first-rate. But back to the romance. I mentioned that it’s a slow burn, which is not always my first choice, but it’s truly earned. Both characters’ experience with trauma renders them unwilling to let anyone else in, which—okay, you might think you’ve seen that before, but not like this. It’s not the usual bad-boyfriend/girlfriend-scarred-me-for-life story. It’s more than that, with layers upon layers, and the fantasy story is all tied up in the romance in all the best possible ways. And when the sainted moment finally arrives, Broadbent delivers the goods with a perfect mix of heat and emotion. The intimate scenes are gorgeous, just spicy enough but not at all mechanical, giving you everything you need while leaving you begging for more. Daughter of No Worlds should be considered a classic of modern fantasy, and it’s a must-read for fans of slow-burn romance as well. Forget your TBR. Your next read has arrived.

This book was recommended by other readers and I’m glad I read it. Tisaanah is a really amazing FMC, emotionally and mentally strong in ways most people aren’t. Max is our surly MMC who is snarky and quick witted like Tisaanah with a good dose of bitter anger and regret at his past. It made their interactions and relationship endearing, engrossing, and enter to read about. The plot moved forward fairly well although there were times it felt a little slow and my mind would start to wander or be tempted by a new book. That’s why I docked a star. I’m glad I persevered though. The ending had a really cool climax and then the epilogue let you know that more devious things are going down in the next book, drawing me in. Content warnings: one sex scene (although not explicit) and allusions to past prostitution, scattered use of the f-word, the c-word is used (I don’t like that one personally as I find it vulgar and would dock a half star if I could just for that), violence is a definite theme in the book from mentions of rape to slave abuse to vivid depictions of fighting and the wounds inflicted. Mental health is also a major theme although without the use of clinical terms. This could be potentially triggering for those who have struggled with depression especially as a result of trauma such as abuse or personal tragedy. I’d recommend this book to a mature young adult. Not for children or teens in my opinion but that’s between them and their parent or guardian to decide.

5 incredible stars. I'm sitting at my laptop minutes after finishing the book shell-shocked, quite frankly, by how phenomenal this story was. I felt all of the butterflies, all of the rage and accompanying anguish shared by all of the characters. Right from the start, you're instantly drawn in by the action. Tisaanah has been enslaved for the past 8 years*, doing whatever it takes to raise enough money to buy herself out of slavery. Her goal is to join The Orders, an organization of magic wielders, so that she can use her magic and influence to free her friends/dismantle the system she left behind. A series of events lands her as an apprentice of reclusive, surly, and infamous Max. I loved the reluctant Mentor/Mentee trope and the antagonistic strangers-to reluctant allies-to friends-to lovers relationship development that happens naturally over the course of the story. The story's strength lies in its characters. Tisaanah is a psychologically savvy and fierce protagonist. She arrives as a foreigner with self-taught language skills in a land unfamiliar to herself half-dead. She is not the "chosen one" because of the magic she possesses. No. She works HARD to control, understand, and develop her magic. She observes, she listens, and she acts in a way that makes sense! "My blade was out, the edge as sharp as the terror of the girl I was and the rage of the woman I became." And then there's Max. Honest, handsome, secretive, lost Max. He's resentful, says what comes to mind (whether it's strategic or not), and is by no means this flawless Hero. And really, it endears him all the more to me because he is utterly human, someone with great power who was forced to do terrible things. The best part of this book was the organic relationship development between Tisaanah and Max. Their friendship and relationship evolves slowly (love the slow-burn!) which made the romance all the more sweet when it happened. There were so many noteworthy quotes from their banter (humorous, romantic, profound). This book is a hidden gem, thank you Carissa for writing such a compelling story!

Eu estou impactada. Não esperava que iria gostar tanto dessa obra prima, mas cá estou eu! Confesso que no começo foi difícil para eu engatar na leitura, mas depois, só foi sucesso e surto e gritaria. Eu amei muito como a história foi construída, como os personagens foram se relacionando e confiando um no outro. Tisaanah é perfeita! A força, a determinação e a lealdade dessa mulher me deixou sem palavras. Vê-la se libertando de todas as suas amarras, confiando no Max e o ajudando a se curar também, aí aí aí, era só surto. Eu amo um casal! Max é tudo de bom! A metade da nossa mocinha/anti-heroina. Eles se completam de uma maneira gritante e intensa. Ele sempre a faz enxergar que ela é muita mais e meu Deus, é só tiro e porrada e bomba quando ela cai em si. Ai, vale muito a pena ler esse livro! Estou obcecada e já vou para o próximo! 💖

Absolutely loved this book. The story follows our main character Tissanah who loses her family and was sold when she was young to work as a slave and in order to gain freedom not only for herself but also for other enslaved people, she goes on this journey to the order, the most powerful of magic wielders in the world to ask for their help but in order to get what she wants she might need to agree on something that will change everything for better or worse. This book made feel lot of emotions and this whole series is just so beautiful and characters are just so amazing that they will leave an imprint on you atleast for me they did. From characters to their journey throughout this whole series that motivates them to fight for their people and the pain, the struggle that they went through everything was so beautifully done. Highly recommend.

I’m aware that the author now has a publishing contract - just bought her first hardback published by Bramble (The Songbird and the Heart of Stone) - but when I bought this book (and its sequels) they were self published. Bearing that in mind, the quality of this book is both impressive and remarkable - and I have a new favourite author! I did feel in the first couple of chapters that the author was maybe finding her feet a little, but that’s not really a criticism just an observation. As the story developed, I noted the wonderful world building, the elegant character development, and the beautiful writing. And the plot twists? I did not see them coming and, to be honest, I almost always do - so that’s high praise from me. This author has incredible skill and this book is an incredible read. It’s been a long time since I waxed so lyrical about a story but this one is just genius. A realistic universe, a genuinely viable magical system, an original premise, and some brilliant storytelling. The romance is beautifully evoked and the characters are complex - with compassion for even the unlikeliest of them gently drawn out of the reader. I absolutely loved this and have stopped to write this review before picking up book two. From now on, if Carissa Broadbent writes it, I’m going to be reading it. Faultlessly executed; brava!

I saw so much fanart about this book that I decided to read it, and I'm glad I did. It was a 5-star read and I can't wait to continue this series.

This was amazing. Heartbreakingly beautiful, I loved it, couldn’t put it down and I cried soooooooooo much. The character developlment was so amazing