The Unwilling (Barrier Lands, #1)

by Kelly Braffet

Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin

She has no name and no history, but she has a power greater than the Empire has ever known.

Thanks to her special gift Judah has enjoyed a privileged life, being raised alongside Gavin, the son and heir to Lord Elban's vast empire. But as they grow Judah comes to realise that while Gavin is being groomed for his future role, she has no true position, and no hope of ever travelling beyond the castle walls. Lord Elban has plans for Judah - for all of them - but to him, she's nothing but a pawn. And he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

But he's not the only one with plans. Outside the castle wall - in the starving, desperate city - is a healer with his own secret power and his own plans for the empire . . . and Judah.

The girl who started life with no name and no history will soon uncover more to her story than she ever imagined.

An epic tale of greed and ambition, cruelty and love, this deeply immersive novel is about bowing to traditions and burning them down. ___________

What people are saying about The Unwilling:

'Fantasy at its most sublime' ERIN MORGENSTERN

'An epic fantasy novel with ingenious, thrilling twists and turns' KELLY LINK

'Brilliantly executed. The Unwilling is about sharing joy, and sensing fear and cruelty, and caring beyond ourselves' VANITY FAIR

'Suspenseful: magical, wonderfully written and never predictable . . . An essential addition to the all epic fantasy collections' BOOKLIST

• ISBN10: 0778309401
• ISBN13: 9780778309406
• Publish Date: 11 February 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Mira Books
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 576
• Language: English

Reviews

[Brittany]

This book is dark. It’s uncomfortably horrifying sometimes and has many triggers for different things. These things also completely fit the world of the story so they don’t seem out of place even if they are disturbing.

That being said, I enjoyed it. It’s a LONG book and a slow read with A LOT of details. If you don’t enjoy a book like this then I wouldn’t recommend it. The details do not make it bad in my opinion, they aren’t all needed but it just adds to the world/character building. (It’s really no joke, I haven’t read a book with this much entwined into the story in a long time)

Reading this reminds me of when I read The Starless Sea, if you are not a fan of the writing of that book I don’t think you’ll enjoy this. It’s HEAVILY detail based and focuses more on the story and characters than romance. It’s not something quick and easy that will make you feel happy and lighthearted. Honestly through most of the book my anxiety was at an all time high.

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of The Unwilling through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Unwilling is the latest novel from the mind of Kelly Braffet, and this is a novel forcing opinions. It seems like people either love or hate it. So there’s no doubt that this is going to be a book that’ll get your emotions going.

This is a fantasy tale of magic, prophecies forced to fruition, and pride. This is the story of one prophecy – and all of the work and effort put into forcing its appearance and accuracy. It’s a unique look on that concept, as countless people work together to make it happen.

It all focuses on several young children. But are they key figures in this plot, or are they merely pawns? Only time will tell.

I’m not going to lie to you; this is a graphic telling. There were times where it was honestly too much for me, and I found myself skipping several pages ahead just to get away from what was happening. If that is not something you’re looking for, then you might want to move on. If you’re not certain, take a peek at my warning below, it might help you decide.

“He closed his eyes and saw, on the inside of his eyelids, the woman’s hard, angular sigil, burning like a horse brand.”

Warnings: The Unwilling is perhaps the most graphic and harrowing novel I’ve read in recent times, which is saying something. This novel depicts a lot of uncomfortable subjects and scenes. So many that I’m not entirely confident that I got them all. Inside this book, you’ll find scenes portraying: child abuse, psychological abuse, animal death (a graphic hunting scene involving dogs and deer), consent concerns (an abortion carried out on an unconscious woman), graphic death scenes (hunting dogs again, and a pregnant woman), and probably a lot more that I’m forgetting.


I’m honestly not even sure where to begin with my review for The Unwilling. I suppose I could start off with the writing, which was actually quite beautifully done. You can see that Braffet has a strong grasp of storytelling methods, showcasing her ability to plan ahead.

The Unwilling featured several storytelling techniques that I like. Mainly, the use of multiple points of view. I love it when an epic fantasy does this, for a variety of reasons. One of which being that it allows for a larger cast of characters.

I honestly do mean it when I say that I don’t think this novel is for anyone. I myself struggled with it, but mostly because of the graphic and detailed nature of certain scenes and elements. Had those been removed, I think I would have had an easier time enjoying this novel.

I did take a look at other reviews, before diving into mine. It was a case of needing to know how others felt, in order to help me process my own emotions. It looks like people either loved or hated this book. Those that loved it were able to dive into the core of the story Braffet was telling. Others, like myself, were constantly put off by the very elements I’ve already mentioned.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing that people are forming strong opinions about this book. Though I think that means that my review can only say so much on that matter. I can only tell you how I felt, and hope that it helps you made an informed decision when diving into this book.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[tweetybugshouse]

Four children two born to rule, one sold off to the highest bidder, and one bound forever to feel and endure what the other does and vice versa. Judah is bound to Gavin by an unquestionable bound that allows them to feel each other's emotions and pain. If Gavin goes on a drunken bender then Judah will also suffer the hangover. In the first part of the book we learn all about how the might Lord Elban had tested to see just how far this curious bond went. I almost stopped reading why would i want to read a story about someone who has to suffer so much abuse by those who have taken her in.
I continued on all the way to end cause eventually i had to know how things were not only going to play out for Judah and Gavin but for the others as well. Gavin is the eldest and at several moments in the first part of the book he is meant to kill his brother. Seconds sons command the armies. Though Theron is in now way suited to this task. He has a brilliant mind and i loved how even as things grew worse for him he still tried to communicate some of that brilliance. Gavin is bound to Judah and eventually they become so entangled that his farther constantly makes threats to end on or both there lives. Then we come to poor Eleanor who has been sold to marry Gavin and at one time Lord Elban.
This story weaves the tale of these four as they strive to survive and understand what the bond means. Their two story lines inter woven you have the political one of Lord Elban and him maintains a hold on his city and what transpires once he looses it. You also have the story of Judah and the magus Nate and what his mission is in regards to undoing the bond between Gavin and Judah.
This is a very long tale and i not sure i totally happy with the ending nor am sure I understand what exactly happened. It a different tale and i think it worth a read but maybe a second read or a third to really get all the details that are interwoven.