Carissa Broadbent didn’t just write a book. She basically built a trap for anyone who loves a good "magic system that actually makes sense" and paired it with a romance that doesn't feel like a cardboard cutout. Honestly, Daughter of No World is one of those rare indie-to-traditional success stories that actually lives up to the TikTok hype, but for reasons people rarely talk about. It isn’t just about a girl with some sparkly powers. It’s a gritty, sometimes depressing, but ultimately hopeful look at what happens when a person who has been treated like property decides she’s done with that.
Tisia is the protagonist. She’s a former slave from a place called Myrina. She has these scars on her back that aren't just for aesthetic trauma—they represent a past she is actively trying to outrun while simultaneously trying to save the people she left behind. Most fantasy leads spend the first half of the book whining about their destiny. Tisia doesn't have time for that. She wants power because power is the only thing that keeps her from being owned again. It’s raw. It’s honest.
Then you have Maxantarius Farlara. Max. He’s the "grumpy" part of the equation, but he isn't a jerk for the sake of being an alpha male lead. He’s a war criminal. Or at least, that’s how the world sees him. He’s retired, living in a dilapidated house, drinking too much, and wanting absolutely nothing to do with the magic of the Orders.
What Makes the Magic in Daughter of No World So Different?
Most magic systems in modern fantasy feel like video game mechanics. You press a button, you fireball a guy, your mana bar drops. Broadbent went a different direction. In the world of the War of Lost Hearts, magic is tied to "Resonance."
It’s essentially about intent and connection to the world around you. If you can't feel the world, you can't change it. This creates a fascinating dynamic where Tisia, who has every reason to hate the world and shut herself off, has to learn to open up to it to become powerful. Max is her teacher, and their training sessions aren't these flowery montages. They are grueling. They are frustrating.
You’ve probably seen the "mentor-student" trope a thousand times. Usually, they fall in love by chapter five and the training just becomes an excuse for heavy breathing. Here? Max is genuinely annoyed that she’s there. Tisia is genuinely terrified that she’s failing. The progression feels earned. When she finally masters a weave or learns to manipulate the air, you feel that victory because you’ve sat through the pages of her failing.
The political landscape of Ara is also surprisingly complex. It isn't a simple "good kingdom vs. bad kingdom" setup. The Orders—the magical elite—are supposedly the protectors of the realm, but they are bureaucratic, stagnant, and deeply corrupt. They represent the "civilized" world, yet they turn a blind eye to the horrific slave trade happening right on their borders. It’s a stinging critique of how power structures maintain themselves by ignoring the suffering of outsiders.
The Reality of Tisia and Max: Not Your Average Romance
Let's be real for a second. Most "enemies to lovers" books are actually "mildly annoyed to lovers." Daughter of No World hits differently because the stakes are grounded in mutual survival and respect.
Maxantarius isn't trying to "fix" Tisia. He recognizes her autonomy from the jump, even when he’s being a prickly recluse. His trauma is just as heavy as hers, but it’s different. He’s haunted by the things he did during the war—the lives he took with the very magic he’s now teaching her. There’s a scene early on where he describes the feeling of magic as a burden, not a gift. It sets the tone for the entire trilogy.
The romance is a slow burn. Like, a really slow burn.
If you’re looking for instant gratification, this isn't it. It’s built on shared meals, quiet moments in a library, and the slow dismantling of walls. By the time they actually acknowledge their feelings, it feels inevitable. It feels like the only logical conclusion for two people who have been discarded by the world. Broadbent writes intimacy with a level of maturity that is often missing from the "spicier" side of BookTok. It’s less about the physical acts and more about the terrifying vulnerability of being known by another person.
Why the War of Lost Hearts Trilogy Works as a Whole
You can't just talk about the first book without looking at the trajectory of the series. The scale expands massively. We go from a secluded house in the woods to a full-scale continental war.
- Book 1: Personal stakes, training, and the introduction of the threat.
- Book 2 (Children of Fallen Gods): The expansion of the world and the devastating cost of leadership.
- Book 3 (Mother of Death and Dawn): The conclusion that somehow manages to stick the landing without feeling rushed.
Broadbent’s strength is her consistency. She doesn't forget the trauma of the first book just because the characters have bigger problems in the third. Tisia’s scars don't just disappear. Max’s guilt doesn't just evaporate. They carry these things.
A lot of readers get tripped up by the pacing in the middle of the first book. It’s dense. There is a lot of world-building regarding the different "Cadres" of magic and the history of the various wars. But stick with it. The payoff in the final third of the first book is some of the best action writing in the genre. The way the magic is described during combat is visceral. It isn't just lights and flashes; it’s the ripping of the atmosphere and the crushing weight of intention.
The Misconceptions About "Indie" Fantasy
For a long time, there was this weird stigma that self-published or small-press fantasy wasn't "as good" as the big five publishers. Daughter of No World helped blow that door wide open. Carissa Broadbent proved that you could have high-level prose, complex themes of colonialism and slavery, and a top-tier romance without a massive marketing machine behind you initially.
The book deals with some incredibly heavy themes. It doesn't shy away from the reality of Tisia’s past. If you’re a reader who prefers "cozy" fantasy, this might be a bit much. There are moments of genuine horror and deep emotional pain. But that’s what makes the triumphs feel so earned. You aren't just reading about a hero; you're reading about a survivor.
Actionable Tips for New Readers
If you're planning to dive into this series, there are a few things you should know to get the most out of it.
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First, pay attention to the footnotes and the chapter headings. Broadbent uses them to flesh out the world without doing massive "info-dumps" in the middle of the dialogue. It helps ground the history of Ara and Myrina.
Second, don't expect Tisia to be a "badass" from page one. She is capable, but she is also deeply damaged. Her growth is the point of the story. If she started out invincible, the stakes wouldn't matter.
Third, look for the parallels between the magic system and the emotional states of the characters. The magic is a metaphor for their internal lives. When Tisia struggles to hold a weave, she’s usually struggling with an emotional block. It’s clever writing that rewards attentive readers.
Finally, keep a box of tissues nearby for the second book. Just... trust me on that one.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Reading Experience
- Read the Prequel Novella: Slaying the Shadow Prince is technically part of a different series (Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers), but it’s set in the same world and gives some incredible context to the lore.
- Audiobook Recommendation: The narration for the series is top-notch. If you find the political segments a bit dry to read, the voice actors do a great job of bringing the tension to life.
- Check the Content Warnings: Seriously. Broadbent writes about slavery, torture, and PTSD with a lot of realism. If those are triggers for you, proceed with caution.
- Join the Community: The Carissa Broadbent fandom is huge now. Once you finish the first book, looking up fan art of Max and Tisia is basically a rite of passage.
Daughter of No World isn't just a fantasy novel; it’s a character study wrapped in a revolution. It asks what we owe to the places we come from and what we are willing to sacrifice for a future we might not even live to see. It’s gritty, it’s beautiful, and it’s arguably one of the best fantasy foundations laid in the last decade.
If you’re looking for your next obsession, you’ve found it. Get the book, clear your weekend, and prepare to have your heart absolutely shredded in the best possible way.
Next Steps for Readers
- Start with Book One: Grab Daughter of No World and focus on the first 100 pages; the world-building is heavy but essential for the payoff.
- Track the Magic System: As you read, note how "Resonance" changes based on the character's emotional state—it’s the key to predicting the plot twists.
- Prepare for Book Two: Buy Children of Fallen Gods before you finish the first one, because the cliffhanger is notoriously brutal.