Five Broken Blades - Mai Corland - A Short Summary and Review

 Five Broken Blades - Mai Corland - A Short Summary and Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

An ambiguous alliance attempts to assassinate an autocrat.

A Short Summary:

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland centers on a group of individuals brought together by a shared goal: to assassinate a powerful and dangerous ruler. Each member of the alliance brings their own motives, secrets, and skills, creating a fragile partnership built on necessity rather than trust.

As the mission unfolds, tensions rise, and loyalties are tested. What begins as a straightforward plan becomes increasingly complicated, revealing deeper layers of intrigue, betrayal, and consequence in a world shaped by power and ambition.

My Favorite Quote from the Book:

"One thing I do know for sure is that the gods rarely shine upon killers without exacting a price."

- Mai Corland

Questions to ponder while reading:

Do you trust others?

Do you wear lipstick?

My Review:

This one is just a really good time.

Five Broken Blades leans into everything that makes this kind of fantasy work—multiple characters with their own agendas, uneasy alliances, and a mission that’s never as simple as it sounds. The tension doesn’t come from whether things will go wrong—it comes from how and when.

The group dynamic is where it shines. Nobody fully trusts anyone else, and that uncertainty keeps the story moving. You’re constantly reassessing motivations, trying to figure out who’s going to break first or shift the balance.

It also works as a bit of a mental reset read. It’s engaging without being exhausting, fast-paced without losing clarity. After some heavier or more intense books, this hits that sweet spot where you can just enjoy the ride.

Great story. Strong pacing. And definitely the kind of book that leaves you ready for the next one.

If you liked Five Broken Blades, you may also like:

The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

Fire From Heaven - Mary Renault

The Odyssey - Homer

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About the Author

a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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