* SPOILER FREE*

Received an e-ARC for Three Shattered Souls from Entangled Publishing but realized that I haven’t actually read the first two books in the series. So this review is somewhat for the full series.

I liked the multiple POVs. Yes, it was confusing and hard to keep track in the beginning but once you get the hang of it, and know each of the characters, then you can tell whose POV is the chapter you’re in.

The pace for me is just about right. But the mini cliffhanger in certain chapters will really test your patience. Because it’s a multiple POV, when one chapter ends, you don’t immediately get what happens next because the next chapter could be another character’s POV and the timeline is not immediately following the last chapter. Keeps you on your toes, for sure!

Felt really sad this series is over. It’s like saying goodbye to your best friends, who you trauma bonded with in the three books. Hard to pick a favorite character, but if I had to, it would be Royo. The author hinted that there could be a spin-off, I hope it’s Royo’s.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book before its release!

Now, onto the review:
What more can I say? I usually like to break down my likes and dislikes, but with this one... the conclusion left me speechless. The ending. The tears. So many tears.

This book is a powerful and heart-wrenching finale to the trilogy. I thought I was prepared for the heartbreak, but the emotional weight and character growth from the first book to this last one hit so much harder than I expected. The trauma, the healing, the way each character dealt with everything, they all felt so real and raw.

Rereading the previous books to lead up to this one was so worth it. You notice all the changes, the growth, the relationships evolving in ways you didn’t catch the first time around. And OMG! This book. I LOVE it.

Thank you again. My heart is going to be aching for a while.

The thrilling finale of the Broken Blades trilogy delivers high-stakes dark fantasy with sharp character arcs, relentless action, and emotional depth. The ragtag crew face epic battles, dangerous magic, and heartbreaking sacrifices as they sprint toward a tense showdown against tyrants. If you love epic fantasy with sharp storytelling, battle‑scarred characters, and emotional payoff then Three Shattered Souls hits the mark.

This was my favourite book in the series! I’m still confused about it being the last one with that ending? Maybe a spin-off series?

I enjoy the short chapters in this series, it keeps the plot moving. Sometimes I feel a little spoon-fed with the reveals (perhaps it’s YA). But overall it’s an easy, „fun“ read with some intrigue, romance, and a lot of death, sprinkled in.

Mikail was really the star of this one!

I am ruined. I am unwell. I am still not over them and probably won’t be for a long while. I’m in a reading slump. I haven’t read a completed series in a while and I forgot how emptying it feels to say goodbye to the world and characters that you’ve spent books getting know. Their stregths, their flaws, and everything in between. If you are looking for found family, morally gray characters, a fantasy world based in Korean Mythology, heists, a splash of romance, and a completed trilogy, then you NEED to read these books.

"People lie. We are frail, flawed creatures. It seems silly to hold being human against someone.” -Mikail

The liars are back and ready to raise the stakes. Another fantasy heist adventure is on the horizon, and after the devastating events that happened in book 2, you will be eager to get your hands on the final installment in the series.

There was so much growth with these characters, stepping into who they were destined to become. Yes, it will end with three shattered souls!! Yes, you will be shocked by who the three are, and yes, you will be blown away by the conclusion of the story. I was happy with the way this trilogy ended and very satisfied with the final battle and concluding chapters. This book wrapped everything up (almost) perfectly and with a possible hint that this world might not yet be over.

Fav quote: “The three of us are family with bonds forged by blood and tears, but also mercy and hope. Together with the people we love, we changed the world. Now, we’ll make it worth the ones we lost.”

Let's talk about one of my favorite parts of this book... the whole soul meeting with Mikail and Euyn like that was perfection!!! It was so sweet and really gave tribute to Euyn for the events that happened in the last book.

Mikail stepping into his role as lost royalty was PERFECTION! Perfect character arc for him, even if he did end up sad and alone in the end, waiting to die to be reunited with Euyn after serving his people.

Next, Aeri becoming the dragon lord briefly with all the relics was ICONIC!! Even more iconic?? Her CROWNING Sora as Queen of Yusan! Like what a PLOT TWIST I did not see coming! Sora really will make a fabulous queen, so no real complaints there. Tiyung, I am hoping will get his romance with Sora and they will rule Yusan together.

Also... Royo and Aeri were the cutest couple! But let's talk about that ending with Royo. Is that a hint at a possible continuation of this world?? Mai Corland, I must know!!

Overall, really, really loved this book, and I am so happy this series will hold a place in my heart forever.

“The ones we hate die first”

I devoured this book in 1.5 days. This was an epic conclusion to a very beloved trilogy! Betrayals, grief, emotional damage, epic romance… Three Shattered Souls will have you feeling SO MUCH with every page. I love how Corland has been able to continually surprise the reader with the never ending reveals that keeps you guessing who is truly on whose side?

Our favorite liars are back trying to contend with a realm war, a usurper on the throne, and assassins who are trying to get their hands on the relics they possess. This book has action, strategy, political intrigue, characters coming to terms with the consequences of their and their loved ones actions, love, found family, and above all… grief. Overall, I think readers will find it a satisfying conclusion to series and I beg those of you who haven’t yet added this series to your TBR to do so now! I'm going to miss these characters so much! I'd rate this a 4.25 stars.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Entangled Publishing, and Red Tower for an eARC of this book!

I took my sweet time reading this book because I was not ready for it to end. I love all the characters that Mai Corland has graced us with, and I just was not ready.

Now that I have finished it, all I can say is that it was an absolutely perfect ending. I do not want to give anything away, so I will be quite vague, but this was one of those endings where everything was wrapped up exactly as you hoped. The characters were exactly who they should be until the very end. It will be incredibly difficult to give up the characters, but I could not ask for a better ending.

I am a life-long fan of Mai Corland now. Thank you so much for gracing us all with this absolutely engaging story.

I really enjoyed this conclusion to the series! I appreciate that we’re not given the best happy ending. We suffer loss and experience Sora, Royo, and Mikail’s grief.

I really enjoyed this series overall and thought it had a really great ending to the series. I loved the relationships between the characters and the struggles they had to really trust each other. The storyline is unique and unlike anything I've read before. I didn't see the ending coming with Aeri and Royo and was heartbroken at how their story ends and will probably always be sad they didn't get their tomorrows together. Although, I do think that not all books have to have a happy ending for every character, so I did appreciate that the characters did what was necessary and paid the ultimate price. It's a little refreshing to have that type of ending to a series that felt like they did was needed to be done, as well as leaving it a little open ended to imagine what could happen next. Overall highly recommend this series!

Thank you entangled publishing for the ARC!

"This isn't an alliance - this is a family. One to live for and die with."

I went into Three Shattered Souls knowing it was going to be heartbreaking, so I tried to mentally prepare myself. Y'all are definitely not ready!

It's full of heartbreak, love and found family. They are fighting for better days. I dont want to spoil anything but the way it ended felt right. It was the perfect conclusion but I'm definitely sad it's over. I'm hoping this isn't the last we see from this world!

I really enjoyed this finale to the broken blades trilogy! Similar to the earlier books this was fast paced, full of twists and turns and betrayals around every corner. I personally really loved the way the author chose to conclude the book!  I would recommend this series if you are someone who likes fantasy books with heists, complicated politics, found family and messy imperfect characters.

Thanks to Entangled for the eARC! What a great ending for a wonderful story. I loved all of the twists and turns throughout all three books! It was a breath of fresh air to read a series and not be able to guess what was going to happen next.

I also really enjoyed how Mai makes each character so different, it was so easy for me to know what chapter was in whose POV and helped me really relate to each character! All the characters had their flaws and their own personalities that really helped feel more invested in them.

The plot was good too and I felt the pace was pretty good too, I didn’t really feel like I got bored throughout the book.

I was beyond excited to receive an early copy of the third book in this series, it was so unexpected and I went through so many emotions when I got the email. Thank you so much Entangled Publishing for sending me an eARC of this book!!

I was in love with this series from the very first book, and it's been such an emotional adventure throughout this sereis. You know it's a great series when each book is better than the last, and Mai Corland has knocked this one out of the park.

It's also a great series when it makes you cry, laugh, or hang onto the edge of your seat. This book though... when you read it prepare to need some recovery time because it was indeed - shattering. Not only because of what happens in the book, but because it is the final book and you will have some withdrawal, knowing that there are no more pages to read and you're left with all the emotions. The attachments to the world and the characters of this series are easy to develop.

This is definitely one of my favorite series, and I can not recommend it enough!

There was four shattered souls after this one, but my god was it worth it. Nothing was done without a solid purpose, every piece had it's place and it was done magnificently and with absolute care.
Mai has and will continue to be one of my favourite authors.

thank you sooooo much red tower books & netgalley for the opportunity to review this early!!

REVIEW (no spoilers!!):

i was so so so so excited to get the ARC of this! i couldn’t believe it, i have been such a big fan of this series since book 1.

we pick up right where we left off of book 2 & ughhhh my poor babies 😭 these characters make up one of the greatest found family tropes i haven’t seen since i read six of crows. they love each other like family & would die for each other like family 😭😭😭

there was not one moment of calm in this whole book & i was beyond stressed the whole time… it was such a good last book

that ending 😭😭😭😭 mai i will never forgive you. EVER! but then the epilogue?!?!? i’m so confused & need more info NOW!!!!

read this series because you will fall sooo in love w these characters & their crazy (heartbreaking) journey 🥺💙
4.5💫

.5 off just because sometimes the writing took me out of the book for a sec ..

Just finished Three Shattered Souls and I am emotionally wrecked but spiritually thriving.

Mai Corland really said “what if we ended this trilogy with maximum betrayal, heartbreak, and soul-shattering beauty?” and then did that. The blades are back scarred, messy, loyal to a fault and every page feels like a punch wrapped in poetry. That scene on the storm-drenched cliffs? I stopped breathing. Like, audibly gasped, clutched-my-blanket levels of drama.

The world is lush and layered, the magic crackles, and the characters? So painfully real it hurts. And the best part? This finale gets it right. It ties everything together in a way that feels raw and earned not clean, not easy, but true to the story we’ve been building toward.

If you want an ending that leaves you crying, cheering, and texting your book bestie in all caps m this one’s for you. 10/10 would let these broken souls ruin me again.

This was a great conclusion to the series!

This trilogy has it all! There's action, romance, politics, and scheming. This book definitely had it all.

The world building is phenomenal and the characters are really well developed. I love the multiple POVs, it just adds so much more to the story.

I feel like this book was a little slower than the previous books but still a great read!

I was satisfied with the ending and highly recommend The Broken Blades trilogy.

Could not have wished for the better ending of the trilogy. Amazing found family, complex characters you get attached to from the start, twists and turns and backstabbing at every turn. I will miss this world so much. Planning to read everything Mai will write, lol!

Thank you Entangled for the ARC of this book!

This was QUITE the ending to the trilogy, let me tell you. Aeri? Still my favorite. Mikail? Sweet baby angel. Royo? What a mess, my dude. Sora? YAASS QUEEEN SLAY!

Honestly, one of my favorite parts about this series was how the cover design foreshadows events in the book. I didn't catch it until after I finished reading this one, but it's SO CLEVER.

The main thing I didn't like about this was the pacing. Somehow, despite having a million different points of view, the pacing was either incredibly fast, or there were 30 page sections where it felt like nothing was happening and the story was on pause. There was no in between.

The best part about this series isn't even the plot--it's the way the characters bond and become a family throughout the series, and this was a great wrap up of their journey together. I genuinely think everyone met an appropriate and fitting end (even if I *do* wish things had worked out a little differently for one particular character) and wasn't let down at all.

Especially with that little cliff hanger at the end....

Overall this is a great series to pick up if you want a good heist story rooted in a fantasy world that is all about the journey and the friends that become family along the way. I'm sad that it's over, but I'm definitely looking forward to the next book up Mai's sleeve!