Tuesday Reviews: The Unbroken Queen by Terina Adams

Born illegitimate. Trained an assassin. Crowned a queen.

As an illegitimate princess, I’m bound by duty and betrothed to the crown prince of the House of Tannard, rulers of the nearby realms. However, beneath the royal façade, I serve as a loyal disciple of the formidable Sistern of Silence, the masters of soul voice. The sacred legacy of the death arts, a rare gift, courses through my veins, a heritage from my father’s line.

Upon reaching the distant shores of Tarragona to meet my betrothed, I discover I've been manipulated by the Mother of the Sistern. I was chosen to be the future queen for a reason I can’t yet fathom—a reason that could bring catastrophic consequences upon the realms.

As the northern realm's thirst for power intensifies and its enigmatic Razohan leader aims to reclaim the southern throne and the prized Etherweave, my disdain for my fiancé seems inconsequential, overshadowed by the imminent specter of war.

To protect the House of Tannard and maintain the delicate equilibrium of power, I must delve deeper into the clandestine pillars of the Sistern and awaken the lethal power of the death arts, lying dormant within me. 

In a world where treachery and concealed truths dominate, I must remember that in war, love and mercy are luxuries none can afford. I've pledged my allegiance to the House of Tannard, rendering the seductive Razohan leader—my persistent shadow—my adversary.

"The Unbroken Queen" offers a promising mix of intrigue and politics, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. While the story is rich with political maneuvering, the pacing is uneven, especially in the beginning, where excessive info-dumping and awkward dialogue made it a slog to get through.

The last 40% of the book does pick up, leading to more engaging moments, but the earlier sections felt bogged down by exposition. The antagonist, the Mother, lacked the menacing presence I hoped for, and the threat level from her and the Sistern was underwhelming. Tressya is a likable protagonist with her share of clever moments, though Tamas often comes off as impulsive and less intelligent than portrayed, which detracted from his character.

While I predicted many of the deaths, which dulled their impact, I’m still intrigued enough to pick up the next book to see where the story leads. If you enjoy a slower build-up with political intrigue, you might find value in this read.