In Rebecca Bretherton's The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta, power is wielded through fear, and freedom is bought with blood. Princess Solveig, a master of a forbidden power, serves as a ruthless executioner in the Luxenal Mines. Forced to return home after two years, she reluctantly partners with Prince Emmerich, her kingdom's enemy, to unravel a deadly curse plaguing magic users. As their bond deepens, Solveig questions everything she believes, uncovering a web of lies and betrayals. Her weakening power threatens her life, while her forbidden feelings for Emmerich offer a glimpse of a life she can't have. But a greater, sinister force lurks, ready to shatter the balance of Osvolta. This captivating fantasy romance explores themes of love, loss, and the blurred lines between hero and villain. Prepare for a mature and emotionally gripping read.
Review The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta
"The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta" had me hooked from the premise alone – a princess-turned-executioner with a unique power, a mysterious curse, and an enemy prince? Sign me up! The initial chapters delivered on the promise of a strong, powerful female lead, Solveig, and I was immediately invested in her plight. However, my enthusiasm took a bit of a hit as the story progressed.
While Solveig's backstory—the torture, the forced servitude as an executioner, the insidious brainwashing—was undeniably compelling, her character arc felt… incomplete. She possesses this incredible, terrifying power, yet for much of the book, she remains strangely passive, almost reliant on others despite her outward rebellion. Even when confronted with glaring inconsistencies and evidence suggesting a massive deception, her unwavering faith in the cult-like system felt frustratingly unrealistic. She’s a broken princess, yes, but her lack of agency left me wishing for more internal growth and a more decisive display of her inherent strength. To see such potential – the ability to control water, the potential for devastating power – constantly suppressed was a bit disappointing.
If the character development had been the only issue, I probably would have given the book a generous three stars. Unfortunately, the editing significantly impacted my enjoyment. I read the Kindle version, and the first forty percent was plagued by an alarming number of grammatical errors. Incomplete sentences were rampant, punctuation was haphazard, and there were even instances of incorrect word usage. It was jarring and constantly pulled me out of the immersive experience the author was clearly trying to create. I almost DNF’d, but, being the author's debut novel, I decided to persevere. It's a testament to the core plot that I did! The editing improved considerably in the latter half, allowing the engaging storyline and the burgeoning romance between Solveig and Emmerich to finally take center stage.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic, the hints of romance (tastefully done, thankfully!), the political intrigue, the graphic violence (which was handled well and served the story), and the overarching mystery of the curse all combined to create a captivating, if flawed, reading experience. The world-building was impressive, and the unique magic system was interesting, though I longed to see Solveig fully embrace and master her abilities.
Overall, "The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta" is a mixed bag. It possesses a truly compelling premise, intriguing characters, and a plot that kept me turning pages despite the initial editing frustrations. The second book holds the potential to rectify some of the issues I encountered, particularly regarding Solveig’s character arc. I’m hoping to see her finally unleash her full potential and truly claim her power. Whether I’ll return to Osvolta to witness this remains to be seen, but the potential is definitely there. It’s a debut novel, and debut novels have flaws – the author clearly has talent, just needs some additional editorial support for future books.
Information
- Dimensions: 5 x 1.5 x 8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 665
- Publication date: 2024
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