Book Review: What Doesn't Break

Author: Cassandra Khaw

Pages: 253, hardback

Pub date: 8/10/2024

Rating: 4/5

"Death is a sorbid affair and it only ever seems to come for those who don't deserve it"

A prequel novel of our favourite undead spellacaster's lost years.

Laudna wakes up on a tree. Something burns her neck and her mind is shattered, but there is an ungodly laughter that bursts from her lips.

Laudna wakes up in a pile. She must not search the pile. She knows. There are faces in the pile she mustn't see.

Laudna wanders the land, more of a nightmare than a person, yet she longs for what the birds and the foxes have, that something that makes life worth being undead for.

Laudna longs to belong. But Laudna has a little voice in her mind, one laced with poison and honey, a rather demanding one at that, and the voice seems to know best.

Until the voice's promises are no longer enough.

It was the first book of the year, and my tears will forever stain its pages. For those of you unfamiliar with the world of Critical Role, let me introduce you to the magic of D&D. Critical Role is a group of nerdy-ass voice actors who, once a week, play Dungeons & Dragons, the famous tabletop role-playing game.

This book serves as a prequel for one of the characters introduced in their 3rd campaign, an undead spellcaster named Laudna, played by the incredible Marissa Rey.

I will start this review by saying that, unfortunately, unless you are familiar with the world of Critical Role, this book might be a little difficult to follow. There are elements of world-building missing from its pages, as the author takes it for granted the reader knows the world of Exandria and has a clear picture of the elements that inspired it (climate, technology, factions etc.)

However, if you are someone who enjoys character-driven stories, with less focus on world-building, this book IS for you.

Laudna became a favourite of mine since the very first episode of the campaign, and no, it was not solely based on her character build (one of the most fascinating aspects of D&D is the process of building your own character, from their race to the powers they have, and have them evolve as the campaign progresses).

She is peculiar in her own unique way, a fun-scary creature who feels too deeply, loves too deeply and will do anything for the people closest to her.

I loved everything about this book. Khaw's narration style is impeccable, as is her choice to speak from Laudna's POV, allowing us an in-depth understanding of her character and of the mysterious voice in her head. Time passes effortesly between chapters, with the author braving time jumps without tiring us with unnecessary details.

Laudna has a child-like approach to the world, contrasting her very grim beginnings. Her unique way of looking at things labelled morbid and unsettling could be overlooked as her own little quirk, but if you are willing to dig a little deeper, Laudna wills them to shine anew, as if to show the reader the ways she herself wishes to be treasured and cared for, despite her nature.

Throughout Laudna's journey, her desire to do the right thing and provide for the strangers around her is met with aggression and violence, for her undead nature is something that has been branded evil and wrong, with no room for exceptions or favours. Which made me think, as many books have in the past, why is this a recurring theme in storytelling? Why does our nature dictate we view that which is different from us as a threat and never leave room for kindness and curiosity?

What is it about diversity that scares us so deeply we seek to destroy it?

If you pick up this book, I would love to know your thoughts! And if you are looking for a song to go along with it, I recommend Zombie by Yungblud.

On to the next book!