After these many years of being a reader, it’s not easy to take me by surprise. I’ve never experienced goosebumps or fear while reading a book, but the first book that ever did that to me was one of Sara Wolf’s and I was sold that very moment on any future work of hers.
Heavenbreaker is one of those books that come around once in a while that has the ability to grip the reader’s mind and never let go. Heavenbreaker was certainly not the longest book I’d read this year, but somehow Wolf has written this book in a way that ensures you feel the weight of the burden the protagonist carries. Every single page is one inch more, that the metaphorical hold this book has us in, sinks its talons in; you never lose sight of the measure of danger, desperation, risk, pain and social evils the book highlights. I honestly cannot imagine the state of Wolf’s mind as she wrote this book; was she just as much in the grips of the narrative as we were? Just as devastated and angry? Or was she the puppeteer to whose strings our hearts are pinned to?
The narration in this story alternates between the characters; and depending on the character, the style of narration changes as well—be it first person or third person perspective. Usually I’m not fond of flipping perspectives, I find them disorienting and confusing sometimes. However Wolf has many aspects working for her: from her writing and the artwork, to the very stark difference in each character’s voice that Wolf maintains throughout. The story reads like a movie, flipping camera perspectives to provide greater depth (both into the characters and the plot), clarity and increase the stakes. Heavenbreaker might just be my absolute favourite multiple-POV read.
The plot in Heavenbreaker begins with a very simple idea that can be explained in a single line; but with every page that you turn, you realise that Wolf is dragging you deeper into the unique and dangerous world she has created and you’re absolutely helpless but to follow her through, riveted and in the thrall of the story. By the end of the book, you see just how big a story the author has actually crafted and sit there reeling, turning the page blindly, forgetting the book has ended.
Wolf’s storytelling ability and her style of writing have always been unique and suited to my preferences. However, Heavenbreaker is nothing like I’ve ever seen her write before. The words in this book are claws and talons that hook into your brain and deliver the exact emotion that the protagonist experiences. I think it’s fantastic Wolf has written with such sharp edges and jutting corners, as it matches the voice of the story and characters perfectly. I have never seen her write like this, and I do not think I’ll ever see writing like this again. It’s beautiful to see how far Wolf has come, building on all her strengths and leaning into them heavily and I cannot wait to see where she goes from here.
The characters, are aplenty. It’s a true salute to Wolf’s writing that they all stick true in our minds with absolutely no effort. There are primary, secondary and tertiary characters. This is fine, quite normal, correct? However, these style of characters exist for all of the characters whose mind we sink into and that’s why this story is a feat to write and nail. Which Wolf did.
Synali von Hauteclare is one of the most interesting protagonists I’ve ever read, filled with complexities and contradictions. I have never seen a character more helpless or more powerful. Her reality has been shattered to pieces and she—it feels like—created a whole new world for herself from sheer grit and rage. She’s whip smart, furious, powerful and vulnerable. I cannot imagine a better heroine who could have been written with the strength to carry the weight of this story until the end.
There are many aspects of a book that need to come together to make it work. Whether it’s a light fluffy rom-com or a revenge-action-thriller set in space. One of the most complex aspects of a book to write is the worldbuilding and it would have been so easy for Wolf to have lost us at any point of the story because of how complex the reality of the world in Heavenbreaker is; but somehow the author only reels you further and further in, unravelling only as much as we need to know and as much as we can take at that time. The progress is extremely even and cumulative in nature and the set-up for book two is complete. This likely means the sequel will take off flying from the word go.
The pace in Heavenbreaker never lets up. You neither have a moment to breathe nor think. You are simply whatever Wolf wants you to be, think and do. From the very first page to the very last, I was lost to Wolf’s words and it won’t matter who the reader is or what their preferences are, this book will work for every reader because the author has used every weapon in her arsenal to ensure this book hits the mark and it does. Every page of Heavenbreaker strikes true.
Heavenbreaker is a singular and never-seen-before story that’s addictive, deeply emotional and powerful. Ten out of ten. Please check trigger warnings, this book is extremely heavy and can be emotionally gruelling.
Heavenbreaker is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local boosktore.
Will you be picking up Heavenbreaker? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The duke of the powerful House Hauteclare is the first to die. With my dagger in his back.
He didn’t see it coming. Didn’t anticipate the bastard daughter who was supposed to die with her mother―on his order. He should have left us with the rest of the Station’s starving, commoner rubbish.
Now there’s nothing left. Just icy-white rage and a need to make House Hauteclare pay. Every damn one of them.
Even if it means riding Heavenbreaker―one of the few enormous machines left over from the War―and jousting against the fiercest nobles in the system.
Each win means another one of my enemies dies. And here, in the cold terror of space, the machine and I move as one, intent on destroying each adversary―even if it’s someone I care about. Even if it’s someone I’m falling for.
Only I’m not alone. Not anymore.
Because there’s something in the machine with me. Something horrifying. Something…more.
And it won’t be stopped.
