Clark writes about Touraine’s relationship with colonialism remains deeply uncomfortable and also very brilliant.

She’s willing to assist in Luca’s political games to win the court’s favor if it means ensuring Qazal gets their due. Touraine is still trying to unclench her jaw that she’s been tasked with forming an alliance with Luca, who she justifiably wants to stomp into the ground most of the time. Beneath all that refinery is the rotting corruption making the Balladairan empire’s colonizer mess look like decrepit Viserys Targaryen later in House of the Dragon. I am enamored of her witticisms, especially when elegantly holding a sword or a drink.

Sabine, a “spoiled marquise,” remains a shining light throughout the whole thing. Set mostly in Balladaire, The Faithless has got all the glitz and bloody glamour of court fashion, extremely gay drunk aristocrats, and duels at parties readers could ever want. This, of course, is more difficult than she expected with her uncle pushing chess pieces in the precise positions, so every courtier worth their salt is seduced against her, and he can continue sitting on the throne in all the arrogant majesty Balladaire has to offer its hopeful king. Luca, per usual, is once again conniving for her throne. Touraine, an Ambassador to Balladaire, is begrudgingly traveling to Balladaire. It all starts off where The Unbroken left off. Clark’s debut with bloody politics you can cut your teeth on, queer women with sharp swords, intense action, and tense relationships reminiscent of harsh realities.

The faithless cl clark