Realm Breaker

A three-part fantasy series written by acclaimed American author Victoria Aveyard, Realm Breaker is the first installment of the series and is followed by Blade Breaker and Fate Breaker. Central to the story’s development are the political machinations that Taristan of Cor and Erida of Galland use to take over the entire realm of Allward. Their plot involves tearing open the sealed Spindles—doorways to other realms—in order to bring forth the demon god known as What Waits. Their efforts are opposed by Corayne and her band of Companions, a league of unlikely allies brought together by luck and circumstance—or what Valtik the witch would call fate. It is also important to note that the realm of Allward is comprised of many different kingdoms: the forested kingdom of Galland to the center east of the realm, the mountainous kingdom of Jyd to the north, the desert kingdoms of Kasa and Ibal to the south, the mountainous and forested kingdoms of Rhashir and Ishei to the west, and the flatland kingdom of Temurijon. Allward also includes other smaller, regional kingdoms such as Calidon, Madrence, Sardos, Siscaria, Larsia, and Ghera. The Elders (or the Vedera, as they call themselves) have hidden enclaves within these kingdoms; for example, the enclave of Iona is hidden within the forests of Calidon, the enclave of Kovalinn within Jyd, and the enclave of Sirandel in Galland.

Within the first installment, Aveyard establishes the origins of each of her characters. Corayne lives in Lemarta, a city in Siscaria where her mother conducts business. Andry lives and squires in the capital of Galland, Ascal, where his father was once a knight to the king. Domacridhan is prince of Iona, hidden away in Caledon. Sorasa originates from the Guild and worked as an Amhara under Lord Mercury’s guild, while Sigil is from Temurijon, and Valtik is presumably from Jyd. Although Charlon has lived in many areas, Corayne and the others find him Adira in the kingdom of Larsia.

The realm of Allward is bisected by the Long Sea, the main body of water in which trade and pirating occur. The Long Sea feeds into the realm’s two oceans: the Nocturan Ocean and the Auroran Ocean. Allward is also home to an unspecified number of Spindles, threadlike openings to other realms. Each Spindle infuses and affects the surrounding area with magical characteristics, and such regions are often referred to as being “Spindletouched.” It is through these Spindles that the Cors, who are known as children of crossing and conquest, first arrived in Allward and conquered the lands; nearly a millennium prior to the events of the series, they established a vast empire in Allward. To access the Spindles and travel through them, a Spindleblade is required along with Cor blood, which is said to be Spindleblood. However, the Spindles are kept sealed in order to preserve the internal balance of Allward, but if enough Spindles are torn open, they will all inevitably unseal and converge toward Allward; causing this cataclysm is the ultimate goal of Taristan and the demon god, What Waits. For this reason, Corayne and her Companions’ collective fight against Taristan is designed to thwart his plans and save Allward from certain doom.