Daughter of No Worlds is the kind of book that checks all the boxes on paper: intricate world-building, compelling characters, and a beautifully written narrative that doesn’t shy away from darker themes. And yet, for all its technical brilliance, something about it left me… indifferent. I couldn’t connect deeply with Tisaanah or Max. I was a distant observer to the beauty of the story without ever truly stepping into it.
Carissa Broadbent delivers a story that is well-crafted, but for all its emotional potential, it struggles to break past the surface and give me the gut-punch I craved.
The TL;DR
What’s it about?
Tisaanah, a former slave, strikes a deal to join a powerful magic Order in exchange for their help in freeing her people. She’s paired with Max, a brooding recluse who reluctantly becomes her mentor. Together, they navigate a world filled with war, power, and complicated loyalties.
Should you care?
If you love a slow-burn mentor/mentee dynamic, this book is worth your time. But if you need emotional depth and fully-fleshed out relationships to stay invested, you might find yourself left underwhelmed.
Reading Timeline
- Dates: December 21-30, 2024
- Mood: Vaguely entertaining in the moment, but ultimately forgettable.
Main Review
The Good: Strong Storytelling and a Likeable Heroine
First things first: Broadbent is a talented writer. The world of Daughter of No Worlds feels alive, from its magical system to its political intrigue. The world building is intricate without being overwhelming, and the story tackles themes of trauma, power, and betrayal with care.
Tisaanah’s resilience is particularly compelling. Her drive to survive and fight for those she left behind makes her easy to admire. Her journey from victim to fighter promises depth, with a layered backstory and high emotional stakes.
The Bad: All of the Ingredients, None of the Punch
For all the story’s potential, Daughter of No Worlds never quite delivers the emotional depth it promises. Tisaanah and Max’s pain, struggles, and feelings are touched upon but rarely explored in the kind of detail that makes you feel them. I wanted to dive into their grief, their anger, and their hope, but instead, I skimmed the surface of it.
The story was technically excellent but emotionally shallow. It’s the difference between hearing about someone’s heartbreak and experiencing it alongside them. I admired Tisaanah and Max as characters, but I wasn’t attached the them, and the detachment made the story more of a well-written performance than an immersive experience.
The WTF: All Brooding, No Action
Max is supposed to be this powerful, trained mage, but he spends most of his time tending a garden and brooding. For someone with the potential to change the world, he’s oddly passive, and it’s hard to root for someone who seems more interested in sulking than solving problems.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Read This
Read this if…
- You love detailed world-building and political intrigue.
- You want a fantasy that explores power, resilience, and war without overwhelming you.
- You’re here for a mentor/mentee dynamic with a slow burn romance that’s more tension than fire.
Skip it if…
- You need characters to grip your heart and refuse to let go.
- Broody characters who sulk more than they act drive you nuts.
- Emotional depth and raw feelings are non-negotiable in your fantasy reads.
Final Take
Daughter of No Worlds is visually stunning, intricately written, and packed with potential. Tissanah’s resilience and the story’s darker themes hold promise, but surface-level character development and a lacklustre romance keep it from soaring.
⅗ Stars: A feast for the eyes but not for the heart.
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