The Unbroken by C. L. Clark

In recent years, the fantasy genre has become more expansive with new narratives written by diverse and multicultural authors. Some of these narratives led to the emergence of new subgenres (i.e., historical fantasy) and other narratives present insight into the author’s heritage and their history—most of which is unknown to the general public. C. L. Clark joins R. F. Kuang, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tasha Suri, Shelley Parker-Chan, Rena Rossner, Katherine Arden, and several other authors who have written their culture into their stories and added them to the historical fantasy subgenre. The Unbroken is the first book in the Magic of the Lost trilogy and is Clark’s her debut novel.

There are two protagonists in this novel. The first is Touraine, a lieutenant in the Balladairan Colonial Brigade. After approximately 20 years, Touraine—and her regiment—are returning to Qazâl, her home. However, this is a bittersweet return because Touraine and the rest of the unit—known as Sands—were stolen from their families and their homeland and taken to Balladaire, the empire who colonized Qazâl, and forced them to train and to serve for the Balladairan army. Touraine has survived the “training” and has climbed the ranks to her current position. She hopes another promotion will make the Balladarians see her as an equal. Unfortunately, Touraine gets accused of a crime she didn’t commit and stripped of her position. Before she is sentenced for execution, someone with an even higher rank comes to her “rescue.”

The second protagonist is Luca Ancier, the Crowned Princess of the Balladairan Empire. Her uncle, the interim ruler, sends Luca to Qazâl in order to test her capability of ruling. Luca intends to do this, but in her own way. She decides brokering peace between Balladaire and Qazâl will make things better for all the denizens (and help her transition to becoming Empress). This is easier said than done because Balladaire forced Qazâl into colonization, which Qazâl retaliated with rebellion. Luca decides peace is the only way to continue with Balladaire’s way of life. However, she needs someone to be the agent between the rebels and herself; and, a Sand has been arrested on the charge of murder. 

Both Touraine and Luca—who exist on opposing sides of the spectrum—find themselves working together “for the good of the empire.” And yet, each woman has desires that outweigh the path to peace, including feelings for each other. In addition, there are other individuals from all sides, Balladairan, Qazâli, Sand, etc., who have their own ideas on what should happen next.

Despite everything, Touraine feels responsible for her regiment—her fellow Sands—especially her friends: Aimée, Tibeau and Pruett—who are caught between both sides of the social disputes as well, but have decided which side they would rather be on. General Cantic is Touraine’s commanding officer who believes anyone can serve the Balladairan Empire when given the “choice” to do so. Her foil is Captain Rogan, and he has no problem with asserting his dominance over those he believes are beneath him, especially the Qazâli and the Sands. Then, there is one of the leaders of the rebels, who may have ties to Touraine’s life before her abduction—including her actual name. All Touraine wants is to keep herself and the other Sands alive.

Luca’s household includes Gillett, the captain of her Royal Guard, who has been with her since her parents’ deaths. Once in Qazâl, Luca befriends siblings Aliez and Paul-Sebastian LeRoche—children of Casimir LeRoche, comte de Beau-Sang, and a social climber—who assist Luca with learning about all the various factions and history of Qazâl, including the magic some of the Qazâli use. They all assist Luca with the choices she makes for herself, and for 2 conflicting nations.

The novel jumps into the overall conflict, which is colonization and the repercussions it has on everyone whether or not they’re colonists, native citizens, the military, etc. The empire is the dominant force who took over another country for its resources, who then retaliated to an uprising by abducting children and forcing them to serve the empire. The country, which was forced to serve the empire, does everything in their power to regain their independence; and, when the invaders punish them, it only strengthens their resolve to take back what’s theirs. In addition, there are individuals who are caught in-between both countries. The Sands had their choice of a way of life taken away from them by the Empire; and some of the colonists only know of life in the colonies. There are a few individuals who have benefitted from colonialism, even more who have suffered from it, and those who are fenced in the struggle whether or not they want to be. The notion that colonization has two sides is proven false in this novel, and this is the reality within the fiction.

One of the things I enjoyed about the story is how the author presents the protagonists. The soldier and the princess find themselves in a conflict that has been ongoing since they were small children. Faced with the chance for peace, both Touraine and Luca must decide on whether or not the peace is worth the risk to their lives, to the individuals who look to them for leadership, and to their own desires. Not to mention, both protagonists are flawed. Touraine’s mistakes put her regiment in danger, and Luca’s sheltered upbringing reinforces the harshness of colonialism to the point where the Qazâli no longer see her as an ally. When their ideals begin to falter, each woman must choose which path is the most essential for them at that moment.

I believe Clark was trying to present colonization from all parties and from all viewpoints. In similar narratives—and in historical texts—we believe the falsehood that there are two sides, the dominant country and the colony. However, this narrative presents colonization with various factions who fight each other for the fate of the country. The military wants domination, the natives want independence, the colonized soldiers want their identity, and the colonial residents want a place to call home. While knowing more about each group of individuals does not make the situation any better, in most cases, there is more nuance surrounding the complexities within each faction.

Although The Unbroken delves into themes of colonization, race, social status and identity, it is a military fantasy as well. Both the military and the nobles struggle amongst themselves while they attempt to quash the rebellion. Fans of The Rage of Dragons, The Jasmine Throne, She Who Became the Sun and Black Sun should read this book. Readers who enjoyed The Unbroken should expect the second book in the trilogy—The Faithless—in the near future.

The Unbroken is one of the best, underrated books of 2021! Clark’s debut novel is a perfect balance between the subgenres of military and historical fantasy. Don’t forget to read this third of the “Sapphic Trifecta”!

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