Daughter of No Worlds is an excellent fantasy book and the first in Carissa Broadbent’s trilogy series. With a strong main character like Tisaanah, a former slave girl who uses her magic powers to free herself and return to free her people from tyranny, this book is a great example of “romantasy” (romantic fantasy) storytelling.
Although I don’t read fantasy books often because it is difficult to keep track of interweaving imaginative worlds, powers, and places, this book was a simple read and beautifully written. Even though the worlds and magic in the book are complex, they are perfectly developed without being bogged down with irrelevant details. The main character, the heroine Tisaanah, is a likable and admirable leader, coupled with her trainer and eventual love interest, Maxantarius. Their character growth and love story provide an interesting read, even if the plot was a slow burn.
The book explores serious societal issues like war, corruption, slavery, grooming, sexual assault, murder, and grief, without being overly graphic in its depiction of any of these. Readers feel compassion for Tisaanah’s difficult upbringing and admire her bravery and dedication in honing her magic skills and standing up for what she believes in, which is freedom for her homeland. She will stop at nothing to help her friends break free from corrupt rulers, even at immense personal cost.
The theme of overcoming trauma to make a positive difference in the world, even at great personal cost, is a powerful one. The aging, awkward societal recluse Maxantarius is slowly coaxed out of his social isolation by the protagonist Tisaanah, and eventually their mentor-student relationship grows into an unshakable, loving bond. Their dedication to the people they care about is admirable as they overcome personal struggles in order to stand up for what they believe in, which is a world with less violence and tyranny.
If you like fast-paced fantasy stories, this is perhaps not the book for you. It is a lengthy tale, with complex world-building and character development, and slowly reveals the main characters’ back stories to explain their current personalities and actions. The love story between the two protagonists builds slowly over time as they develop a master-student connection before their emotional bond grows. The supporting characters are also likable, relatable, and full of quirks (and sometimes flaws). If you can power through the first chunk of the book, you will be rewarded by a rich and beautiful story with a slight cliffhanger of an ending!
I don’t know if I’ll read the next two books in the series, only because I find fantasy books complicated and dull stories full of overused plot elements and weak love stories. Although beautifully written, this is not a book I will re-read either. But if you enjoy fantasy books, especially slow-burn love stories and heroic battles, this is a great book for you.
