The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks

Posted on by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes
details
Title: The Broken Eye.
Series: Lightbringer #3.
Writer(s): Brent Weeks.
Publisher: Orbit.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: August 18th, 2015 (first published August 2014).
Pages: 864.
Genre(s): Fantasy.
ISBN13:  9780316068147.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★★.
Previously in the Lightbringer series:
The Black Prism by Brent Weeks.
The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks.

thoughts

There’s development and then there’s DEVELOPMENT. Inside an epic fantasy world, the author possesses full control over the intricacies of the universe he’s building from the ground up. Whether it’s the past, present or future, he can mesh together history, politics, religion, science, psychology, and so much more, without having a single creative barrier. It only gets better when you follow characters who learn through experience, grow into wiser individuals, and transform into exemplary figures for others. For a reader, this is as close to literary heaven as he can get, especially if they’re sold as to what the characters, the setting, and the world has to offer. New York Times bestselling author of the Night Angel, Brent Weeks continues his Lightbringer series with a story arc luxuriating in misery, secrecy, deception, and revelation. Continuously sharpening his writing skills, he outdoes himself once again and delivers a refreshing and comfortably familiar journey that relentlessly grows into an evermore chromatic world.

What is The Broken Eye about? Following the events that took place in The Blinding Knife, the story continues the adventures of multiple recurring characters now facing complicated predicaments that pushes them into discovering unimaginable secrets hidden within the Chromeria. While some are captured by evil foes, forcing them into a life flipped upside down, others are on the hunt for solutions and answers that will help them avoid a civil war. With old gods being awakened and satrapies being splintered, it is through secret wars that things are being shaken up. Between Kip, Teia, Gavin, Liv, and Karris, the story unearths the mysterious mythology at the heart of The Seven Satrapies while diving deeper into the myriad of prophecies teased since the beginning of the Lightbringer saga.

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Author Brent Weeks delivers another outstanding and mind-numbing chapter in his series where he complexifies his intricate magic system and the evergrowing world with no respite. It was already an ingenious and magical mechanic that was brilliantly brought to life in The Black Prism but, this time around, he somehow manages to add dazzling ramifications that not only deconstructs certain established concepts about drafting but also rebuilds the historical, religious, and political facets that were associated to the color magic called Chromaturgy. While the Chromeria seemed to be the head behind the ongoing regime, the story unravels secret organizations and a network of allies and adversaries that have managed to proliferate under the noses of elites. It’s the awe-inspiring plotting that ultimately elevates the story-telling to the next level and allows the sensational finale to set the foundation for the next story arc.

As the tension around The Seven Satrapies increases tremendously, one would imagine that only certain key characters would play a quintessential role in the denouement. Author Brent Weeks showcases his unmatched writing talents in this story arc as he brilliantly weaves a multi-layered narrative through a motley of characters—even with the silly humour fused into their internal thoughts or their banter with one another. Gavin Guile experiences a life flipped completely upside down as he faces the wrath of an enemy that sees him as something less than nothing. Kip Guile is stuck with a terrifying force who wishes his death as he learns through trial and error what he is capable of. Karin White Oak is forced into putting aside her combat skills to utilize her wit and coordinate assets hidden in the region. Even the rest of the cast, through excellent use of third-person narration, remain unquestionably relevant and impactful in the grand scheme of things as they all grow into powerful individuals with a purpose given to them through duty, dreams, or destiny.

The Broken Eye is a stunning and cunning epic exploring fragile convictions, twisted politics, and rich lore within The Seven Satrapies.

EXHIBITA

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Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me a copy for review!

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Published by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Reader. Reviewer. Researcher. Criminology Ph.D. Candidate. Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Want to know more? Connect with him!

40 thoughts on “The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks”

  4. complexifies

    I was all set to crucify you for making up a pretend word and then I found it is proper Brit English. Eh, you Canucks! 😉

    I think you might be liking this series more than me. I wonder if part of that is that you’re not having to wait 2 years between books? I have zero desire at the moment to re-read the series (the Burning White was just so good though) but in 5-10 years I bet I’ll devour it all over again. How long did it take you to work through this volume? And are you reading the whole series and then blogging about it or reading other books between?

    Liked by 1 person

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    2. Pfft hahahaha Like I said, you always pinpoint the French words that I subconsciously just translate and insert (complexifier) hahahah

      I’m reading them at various intervals, depending on when I can fit each book into my schedule. I don’t really mind the wait in-between each book though; it’s a series that I find easy to dive back into without forgetting too much of the plot. I already have this series on my 5-10 years reread list myself. There’s so much substance in it, I’m sure I’ll appreciate the overarching plots with dreams, gods and whatnot hahah

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  5. I have the same question as Bookatooge…. 😉 how long did it take you to read? First I think the longer the book the less inclined I am to write a longer review. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t know why that’s so, maybe it’s just too much for my brain to immediately rehash.

    I also love what you said about book world creation. An author does have total control in developing their fantasy and it all comes from what they know of the world they live in. It totally makes me scream when when someone says oh that’s a HP knock off. This happens a lot with YA fiction. I’m not saying some authors aren’t taking too much creative license but it’s not the case many times.

    Oh great book review too 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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    1. I started the first book of this series back in July 2018, read the sequel in October 2019 and now I finished the third one in January 2020. As for the length of reviews, I find it harder to review sequels, especially 3rd book and forward since it gets quite spoilery too!

      And yes, it’s sad when there’s always mention of something being a knock off something else. Honestly, it doesn’t matter in the end, especially if the author knows how to make it even more original.

      Thank you, Dani! 😀 😀

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  7. It’s such a joy when a writer manages to expand and develop themes/ideas/characters successfully in a series without diminishing the quality of it (how many time have love book 1, been intrigued by where things go in book 2 and see things dip considerably in book 3?). Great review sir, glad this series is living up to expectations for you!

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    1. Indeed. It’s always scare to dip your toe into a sequel (books 2 and +). It can kill your desire to keep on going when you least expect it to. On top of the odds of something bad happening to your favourite characters! Thanks, Chris. I appreciate that you took the time to read this, sir! 😀

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  8. Amazing review, Lashaan! In fantasy it’s always so difficult to build a world and develop characters which may be far removed from reality but it seemed like the author did this really well in this book. Your enthusiasm for it really shows in this fantastic and well written review!

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  9. And here goes another enthusiastic review about an author that’s been on my radar for some time now – and after reading this I might have to bump the first book in this series up the reading queue… 😁 I’m very intrigued about your comments on “rich lore and twisted politics”!!!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  10. So, first up an apology to you: I stopped reading the review after the first paragraph because I haven’t yet read the first 2 books in the series. And next I have a question, if you’ve also read the Night Angel trilogy: which trilogy do you recommend for someone who has yet to read a Brent Weeks book? Being the crazy book collector I am, I have the first 2 books in this trilogy in ebook form and the Night Angel trilogy as a single paperback, I just haven’t gotten around to reading any of them. Thanks, Lashaan!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. No worries at all, Todd! I can understand that. 😀

      I haven’t read the Night Angel trilogy and am keeping it for after I complete the Lightbringer series. I’d always recommend the Lightbringer series first since I have, so far, heard mixed thoughts about the Night Angel trilogy (although I’m personally likely to love it). The Black Prism will give you a good idea of what the author is capable of. 😉

      Like

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  13. Fantastic review! I loved the sound of pretty much everything, including the universe, the characters and the multi-layered narrative. I always think, I’m not much of a fantasy reader, but my favourite series include LOTR, Rivers of London and Harry Potter, so perhaps I really ought to read more!

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    1. Thank you so much! I would highly recommend checking it out, especially if you have a little bit of interest in fantasy. It has everything to make it epic and fun at the same time. 😀 I definitely hope to try Rivers of London someday. Currently reading HP for the first time too! 😛

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. I’ve added the first book to Goodreads – let’s see if I manage to get to it. Rivers of London is such great fun, I highly recommend! Oh, and I wish I wrote HP – amazing how it constantly attracts new readers and never disappears from the bestseller lists. Are you enjoying it?

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Pingback: My Monthly Wrap-Up | January 2020 – Bookidote

  15. Great review! This is my favorite series of all time. I agree; there is so much development in this book. I called this one a much-needed reset after the first two action-packed books. Sets up the rest of the series quite nicely. I look forward to your thoughts on the last two books.

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  16. Pingback: The Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks – Bookidote
  17. Pingback: The Burning White by Brent Weeks – Bookidote

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