Book: A Ballad for the Broken by Hazel S. Wilkes
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4/5
A Ballad for the Broken is exactly the kind of sequel that makes the wait for a second book worth it. If you thought the tension in the first book was high, Hazel S. Wilkes absolutely ups the ante here.
The story picks up with Lyra in a position that would break most people, but she proves she is a force to be reckoned with. Playing to her strengths from her past life as a courtesan, she displays incredible resilience, bravery, and cunning while in captivity. Her dynamic with Casimir is absolutely fascinating and adds so much depth to his character.
And Draven. Oh, Draven. His desperation to find Lyra is palpable. He truly shows his devotion through the sacrifices he makes, proving he really would burn the world down for her. Wilkes excels at writing complex characters who face deep moral conflicts while striving to be better.
The book expands its scope by introducing a multi-POV structure. I am a massive fan of third-person multi-POV storytelling, though Lyra’s perspective remains in first person. While the transition between POVs and tenses can be a bit jarring at first, seeing the perspectives of the side characters completely enriched the story. It added so much depth and made me fall utterly in love with them (and yes, I would officially die for Rhea and Gray!).
The world-building continues to be lush and dark, and the found family elements hit all the right notes. It’s gritty, it’s political, and the slow-burn romance is the kind that stays with you long after the final chapter. If you’re a fan of complex, morally gray characters and a plot that refuses to play it safe, you need this on your shelf.
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam for the eARC! All opinions are my own.