Bloodbound

Bloodbound #1

by Erin Lindsey

Of all those in the King of Alden’s retinue, the bloodbinders are the most prized. The magic they wield can forge invaluable weapons, ones that make soldiers like Lady Alix Black unerringly lethal. However, the bloodbinders’ powers can do so much more—and so much worse…

A cunning and impetuous scout, Alix only wishes to serve quietly on the edges of the action. But when the king is betrayed by his own brother and left to die at the hands of attacking Oridian forces, she winds up single-handedly saving her sovereign.

Suddenly, she is head of the king’s personal guard, an honor made all the more dubious by the king’s exile from his own court. Surrounded by enemies, Alix must help him reclaim his crown, all the while attempting to repel the relentless tide of invaders led by the Priest, most feared of Oridia’s lords.

But while Alix’s king commands her duty, both he and a fellow scout lay claim to her heart. And when the time comes, she may need to choose between the two men who need her most…

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, High Fantasy, Magic, Adult, Young Adult, Fiction

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2014

Reviews

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/25/15: reread prior to reading THE BLOODFORGED.

I liked it even more the second time, and I'm really glad I decided to read it again, b/c I'd forgotten how hilarious the banter was. And Alix is just so badass. Oh, how I LOVE a warrior heroine.

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Fantasy Romance is one of my favorite sub-genres, but I rarely have an opportunity to read it, b/c there's not a lot of it available. This makes no sense to me, b/c AWESOME--it's fantasy and it's romance . . . what's not to like?

I think some people automatically shoot down anything designated as Fantasy, b/c they get overwhelmed by visions of infinite pages, multiple POVs, gruesome battle after gruesome battle, etc.

BUT.

Fantasy Romance is an entirely different beast. Yeah, some of them are a bit longer (not this one) than the average book, and yeah, there are often multiple POVs (only two), BUT the focus is different.

The characters are still trying to save the world (or the kingdom), but the story is primarily about the heroine and her love interest(s), NOT on so many characters and organizations that a glossary is required to keep track of them all.

At least that's my take. FYI.

And so The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey had been on my watchlist long before I had the opportunity to read it.

I instantly liked our heroine.

The story opens in the heat of battle, and we meet Alix as she decides to run headlong into danger when she sees her leader in trouble. When a friend tries to reason with her--reminds her that their orders are to stay put--her response is, "And their orders were to attack." 

And that is my reasoning every time I'm driving and have to pass some idiot on the right. You see . . . orders (rules, laws, speed limits, whatever) only work if EVERYONE follows them . . . and when everything goes according to plan.

Sometimes you just have to roll with situation you're thrust into, damn your orders, and Alix gets that.

So does her brother:

"We're not strong enough to confront the enemy directly, but we've become quite adept a hit-and-run strikes--taking out their scouting parties, raiding their camps, targeting their supply lines, that sort of thing. Some of the men disapprove of such devices--they've got fool-headed ideas about glory and honor--but I'm no martyr. I do what I can with the resources at my disposal, and no more."

I realize that's a lot of war talk for a fantasy I'm trying to differentiate based on the romance aspect, but there is a war going on, and there are battles. They just aren't the page after page (after page) of lopping off limbs and heads type of battles. And thank the nine Virtues for that.

Speaking of the nine Virtues, the world-building left a bit to be desired.

To save you the trouble, here are the Virtues I was able to figure out:

Farika - Patience/Grace(?)
Destan - Honor
Olan - Courage
Ardin - Boldness (Strength?)
Eldora - Wisdom
Rahl -
Hew - Wit
Garvin

Beyond that . . . I got nuthin'. I appreciate the lack of an info dump, but by the end of the book, I still hadn't gleaned enough information to know what all nine Virtues were, let alone understand their importance. I had similar issues with other aspects of the world-building, but it wasn't a huge problem for me, b/c I was too caught up in the story.

Why was I so caught up in the story?

Well . . . I don't know about you, but by the end of Thor: The Dark World , I was ready for Thor to kick Jane Foster to the curb, b/c Sif. I mean really . . . Jane was BLAH, and Sif . . . Sif was Sif (<------AWESOME).

Alix is Sif with red hair. And Erik is Thor, and Tomald is Loki. *shrugs* Hey, you have to get your inspiration somewhere, and I'm pretty convinced that's where Lindsey's came from:

Tom sat beneath the window with his back to the wall, one arm draped across his knee. He made no move to stand as Erik entered. He did not even raise his head.

Don't misunderstand--this is a completely new and original book, and one that I very much enjoyed. All I'm saying is that if you're a fan of one, then it's likely you'll be a fan of the other. At least I am, and I was.

Full of witty banter, immensely likable characters, and swoons aplenty, The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey is not to be missed. There's something for fans of both Romance and Fantasy, and I can't wait to see what Lindsey has for us next.

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/01/t...

UPDATE: In the US? We have a giveaway for The Bloodbound ends 10/10/14, more info here http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/01/t...

Erin Lindsey is also E.L. Tettensor, author of the mystery-fantasy Darkwalker that I enjoyed so much last year. So needless to say, I was really excited to read her new novel The Bloodbound, a sword and sorcery adventure with a more romantic bent.

The book introduces readers to Alix Black, a soldier and scout in the king’s host. I always enjoy it when I come across fantasy stories that feature both men and women fighters, and seeing someone like Alix, who is a noblewoman of a sort, in the army is doubly refreshing. Despite being one of the Greater Houses, the power and influence of the Blacks have waned over the years, leaving only Alix and her older brother Rig. Alix has left the life of luxury behind, trading in her gowns and lavish balls for leathers and her blood blade, swearing her service to King Erik.

But what she didn’t expect was actually becoming Erik’s bodyguard. When the king is betrayed on the battlefield by his own brother Prince Tomald, Alix rescues Erik and is named his protector. Leaving her comrades in the scouts behind, Alix becomes Erik’s personal guard but also a trusted confidante as the two grow closer. Complicating matters is Alix’s relationship with her former fellow scout and more-than-just-a-friend Liam, but what is a loyal soldier to do when her sovereign ruler requires her protection and the fate of their entire kingdom rests on the outcome of a brutal war?

While The Bloodbound might not be breaking new ground, it has all the ingredients for a winning fantasy novel. It has a strong female protagonist, who is deadly capable without being a cutting, embittered warrior. No damsels in distress here; we see a gender role reversal from the norm, with Alix doing her fair share of the rescuing, saving Erik’s kingly hide time and time again. There’s also an intriguing, fast-paced plot involving a traitorous royal brother and an invading foreign army. The world building is also rich but subtle, with plenty of the magic, history and politics of the book’s world getting through to the reader without ever becoming overbearing. And then, of course, there’s the romance.

I’ll admit, I had my reservations when I first encountered the love triangle. Torn between Erik and Liam who have both expressed their true feelings to her, Alix knows that eventually she will have to choose between them. But love is not as important as duty when you’re a king, a noblewoman, or even a common soldier who may be more than he appears. Meanwhile, a usurper threatens to take the throne and an attacking enemy force has the dark magical power to do great evil, so the Alix-Liam-Erik situation is further muddled by political need.

While I knew going in that The Bloodbound would have strong emphasis on romance, the love triangle still threw me off a little. Considered a staple of the Young Adult novel, at first I wasn’t sure how I felt to see it in my adult epic fantasy. However, after pondering the matter, I realized that even though love triangles are a common trope, my problems that stem from them have nothing to do with the love triangles themselves, but actually how they are written. Erin Lindsey ends up avoiding a lot of the common pitfalls, opting to forego the angst and melodrama, sparing me a lot of frustration and eye-rolling. Without the drawn-out dramatics of your typical love triangle, I ended up enjoying this one quite a bit. The romance is almost in perfect balance with the rest of the novel, and doesn’t distract too much from the overall bigger story.

All in all, this makes The Bloodbound a very special book. It mixes the modern with the classic, with the result being an epic fantasy type novel that would also be very easy to get into for fans of YA romance or Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance. An engaging love story is something I feel is missing in a lot of epic fantasy, so this book worked very well for me. It gives equal weight to both the romance and the fantasy world-building elements.

All told, this is a very well-written novel that I believe has wide appeal as well as the potential to connect with many kinds of readers. It can be read as a standalone, with a satisfying story and no cliffhangers, though it does keep the door open for future possibilities. I love the author’s style: simple and elegant, which is how I like it. No matter what name she writes under, I’m a fan.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of the authors who will be featured at When Words Collide this August. She has attended before, at the point where this book had just been published (as a panelist, but not a featured guest). Gotta like a book cover which features a woman with a big-ass sword!

Alix Black is an engaging main character, as she scouts for the army, fights when necessary, and sorts out her feelings for the men in her life. She has a bit of a tendency to act first and think later, which causes some complications! It also keeps her from being entirely a Mary Sue character—she makes enough blunders to keep her grounded.

For those who detest love triangles, you may want to give this book a miss, but if you have tolerance for such plot devices, this one resolves itself before the end of the volume. A bit predictably, but very sweetly.

I was impressed enough that I immediately put a hold on the second book at my library and I’ll be looking forward to hearing the author at this summer’s conference.

[The Captain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ahoy me mateys. I am sad I actually spent me money on this book. This book betrayed my enjoyment so it must walk the plank . . . Arrrrgh!

It has been on me list forever and I wanted so badly to read the first novel. However, local libraries in port didn’t have the first novel (just the second! Grrrr!). It seemed to have all the elements of fantasy that I love: Awesome cover, magic swords, fantastic heroine, a bit of romance, epic battles, etc. So after hemming and hawing, I gave in and got me a copy.

To be fair, I loved the author’s characters. The main character was a noble lady named Alix. She is funny and resourceful and clever. The scout, Liam was funny and sweet. The king, Erik, commanding and charming. Even the side characters like General Green and Kerta were likeable and fun to read about. I loved how the various banner houses were set up. I loved how women were respected and held high positions in the kingdom. I even appreciated how one of the bad dudes was conflicted and yet a little more complicated than I expected. I didn’t abandon this book because I enjoyed the characters a lot individually.

The problem was in the plot. A spy that shows up and is just trusted for no reason. Alix making dumb choices that went against her seeming intelligence. Other bad dudes who have no real reason for being evil. Complicated situations that are just fixed with almost no effort. Magic that almost seems pointless. And the love triangle from hell.

I liked Alix. I liked Erik. I liked Liam. How this triangle was set up was fine. It being in the book didn’t even bother me at first. But as the triangle continued to drag on, the plot surrounding it grew more and more ridiculous. The resolution was just plain horrible. Personally, Alix could have ended up with either of them. That was unusual for me and was due to the author’s characterizations. The conflict of Alix’s choice seemed realistic enough at times. However, the major “reveal” in the middle of the novel to how Alix makes her choice is what ruined the book for me. That and the love story taking center stage.

I wanted more complex politics and battles, a story that didn’t get bogged down because the king broke his leg and was castle bound forever, for the magic to be better explained and used, and for problems not to be solved with a wave of the hand. I will not be reading the rest of the series but would be willing to give the author’s next one a try if the love stuff could be toned way down and her plots tightened.

Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean that it won’t float yer boat. Give it a try if ye dare!

Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2015/0...

There are some books that are just incredibly fun and addictive reads. For me, The Bloodbound was one of those books. I read this in just over a day, shunning whatever it is I should have been doing. Honestly, as much as I read, I don’t do that very often. I feel like this is a book that encompasses all the elements that are fun, even if familiar. It’s a book that reminds me why I enjoy reading the genre, and why I enjoy certain tropes so much (I don’t think trope is a bad word, they are out there so much because we readers love them!)

I want to be very upfront, this book is a bit different for me in that is has a very strong romance element. Romance is often a thing I struggle with in books even when it is not a prominent part of the plot. I have always stood by the claim that I am by no means anti-romance and that actually enjoy it from time to time. The Bloodhound is proof of exactly that. There is a strong romance aspect, but I am remained quite engage.

There is also a love triangle and I can say it is one of the rare triangles where I was not positive who she would go for, and there was also not a clear favorite for me. I really enjoyed both the male characters that were involved and could have been happy with whoever she chose. I think that made me enjoy it more.

But another thing this book had that I just about always love is a strong female protagonist. Alix is a great character. A very independent, spirited woman that has a strong personal drive. And while she was in the middle of this love triangle, she never let that change her priorities. I always love characters like this, Alix is no exception.

This is a society where there seems to be no gender issues. Women, including upper class ladies, are fully accepted members of the military. There was an equal level of respect for the women, their gender was never brought up, and I fully appreciate that. It is a portrayal where women are afforded equal opportunities and respect in what we might consider non-traditional role for women. Particularly that this included prominent ladies of powerful houses spoke well of how women are viewed because these are women who may have had a choice, they are not there solely because it was the only opportunity available to them.

Overall, I found this be a very enjoyable read. I really liked the main character, she was smart and willful. I also enjoyed the other characters in this book, which is critical since it is very much character driven. Definitely look forward to finding out what is in store next for Alix and her companions.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bloodbound is the first in a fantasy series set in a world that is in the midst of war. Lady Alix Black disobeys orders and ends up saving the life of her king, and finds herself promoted to his bodyguard. While Alix feels some reservations for leaving her comrades behind, there are distinct benefits for being Captain of the king’s guards, like taking part in the war council. It also doesn’t hurt that King Erik isn’t hard on the eyes.

In all honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book. The premise for The Bloodbound caught my attention; I was getting a Tamora Pierce vibe what with the whole lady warrior thing. And this element was present in The Bloodbound but there just seemed to be something missing when it came to character development and character relationships.

Lady Alix Black is an impetuous young woman, not given much to thinking through her decisions. In The Bloodbound Alix came dangerously close to being a “special snowflake”. She’s promoted to Captain and her opinion automatically taken as important by the king. Yes, she saved the guy in battle, but I’m at a loss to explain what makes Alix stand out as a commander and leader other than readers are told this is the case. What saves Alix from the special snowflake syndrome is her lack of finesse when it comes to her romantic entanglements.

Before becoming Erik’s bodyguard, Alix was on the cusp of embarking on a relationship with her comrade at arms, Liam. However, considering the fact that Liam is a bastard, and therefore of no social standing, a permanent relationship (i.e. marriage) is not possible. Of course, this does not stop Alix from pursuing Liam, which leads to some complications down the road when Alix begins to find herself attracted to the king after being separated from Liam. Alix’s blundering into and out of these relationships go a long way in making Alix a more complex character, giving her some much-needed flaws.

Despite the fact that I liked the fact that Alix was embroiled in this tangled mess of romance, I also found the romance itself to be lacking. For me, the romance was a bit lifeless. Like Alix’s credentials as a military strategist, the romance and emotions surrounding it are told rather than shown. Personally, I would have liked a bit more exploration of these dynamics, and I think it would have made the romance(s) much stronger. Thankfully, there was resolution to this entanglement, which I think will make for some interesting reading in the next book in the series.

Lastly, for those fantasy fans that are big on world building, I have to say that you might be a little disappointed. Generally, I’m not overly concerned about intricate world building, since I’m all about the characters. I liked the world of The Bloodbound – the fact that women can take part in military service and lead men into battle is awesome. But, there were some details that were a little foggy, which I think might trouble those going into this hoping for an extensive and detailed world. This wasn’t a problem for me, but considering the fantasy buffs that I know, I can see this being a let down for some.

The Bloodbound was a decent introduction to a world and while it had it's flaws, I can't help but feel that the author did a good job in setting the stage for book two. Very convenient that I have book two loaded up on my Kobo. Look for my review of book 2, The Bloodforged next week!

*Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.

[Kimberly (Book Swoon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bloodbound is a terrific fantasy romance featuring a sword wielding heroine that puts some delightful kick-as time in. Mixed with brutal warfare and political intrigue, Erin Lindsey writes threads of romance that run equally throughout the story, keeping the romance lover in me as happy as the fantasy fan.

I immediately knew that Lady Alix Black, our sword carrying heroine, was going to fulfill my need for a tough, courageous heroine. What makes Alix a unique heroine is the fact that she comes from one of the royal banner houses and is of noble birth, yet she chooses to hold the position of a scout in the Kings army. Through her bravery, she unexpectedly saves King Erik when he is betrayed on the battlefield by his brother and left to the cruel mercy of the enemies forces, the attacking Oridians. Suddenly Alix is promoted to captain of King Erik's knights, as well as his personal bodyguard.

With shifting alliances and a deadly enemies at her sovereigns back, Alix shadows the kings every move. I love a strong, believable heroine, and Alix is as cunning as she is impetuous. There's plenty of threats against the kings life as well as the planning of warfare strategies that she proves time and again that she is smart, observant, and deadly with her sword.

The Bloodbound thrusts the reader into a war not only between an enemy that hints of a dark magic, but a brother who betrays his King. Threaded throughout is a growing romance and deepening friendship Alix experience with a fellow scout and the king himself. It becomes clear as the story unfolds where Alix's heart lies, yet the building up of the friendship is as important to the story as romance. Both romantic interest had my heart in different ways, and the author used a clever way to make the love interest not a triangle while keeping the reader on their toes wondering which path Alix would choose.

I'm not sure what I enjoyed more the romantic thread or the battle scenes that involve Alix, her fellow scout and King Erik. There's just something about a heroine who is covered in blood and gore from battle, yet has the undeniable admiration and attraction of her fellow warriors, and both a certain scout and king.

The Bloodbound is a great choice for readers looking for a well-done fantasy romance with a strong warrior heroine, plenty of action, plotting, battles and simmering romance.

My Rating: Four Stars. I really liked it!

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Fantastic high fantasy that has a captivating world, interesting characters, and non-stop action. I would highly recommend this to all fantasy lovers!

Opening Sentence: Smoke crawled up the side of the bluff, carrying with it the screams of the dying.

The Review:

Lady Alix Black is a member of the noble Black House in the kingdom of Alden. As is custom for all nobles, Alix is currently serving time in the king’s army as a scout. Alden is currently at war with a very formidable foe, the Oridians. They are from a neighboring kingdom and have a very lethal priest that works strange magic. Magic that no one in Alden has ever seen and it may cause them to lose the war if they can’t figure out how to stop it.

When the king of Alden is betrayed by his own brother in the midst of battle, Alix ends up saving his life, and is appointed to be his personal bodyguard. Now most of Alden believes the king to be dead and his brother has taken the throne. To reclaim his throne the king will have to not only battle his brother, but also the enemies ravaging through his kingdom. Being the king’s bodyguard is no easy feat, but Alix will do anything to protect the king and save the home that she loves.

Even though Alix was raised as a Lady she has never really acted like one. She has a quick mouth and witty personality that comes in very handy at times. She acts impulsively at times, but she generally doesn’t make stupid decisions like most impulsive characters do, which I really liked. She is not someone that is afraid to speak her mind and the advice she gives is always very intuitive. I love kick-butt female characters and Alix falls into this category. She can wield a sword better than most men and is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. I admired her strength and her courage, it made her someone you can easily look up to. But Alix also had flaws, which made her much more relatable as a character. She is not always the best about expressing her feelings and she has insecurities like most girls do. Overall, I thought that Alix was a very well rounded character and I really loved her.

Like the description says there is a love triangle in the story. But I want to point out that for the most part this was a very small part of the book. In all honestly there is actually very little romance at all, so I don’t think that this particular triangle will bother most people. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail about the boys because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will highlight some of my favorite things about them.

King Eric is the current king of Alden and his life has not gone as planned lately. Going to war was the right decision to make, but it has cost his kingdom dearly and now he also has to deal with the betrayal of his only family. Eric is a strong, loyal man that has had to make a lot of tough decisions in his life, but he is a good leader. He is kind, charming, and an all around genuine person. He doesn’t hesitate to admit when he is wrong and he welcomes council from others. From the moment I met Eric, I instantly like him, but I also felt really bad for him. He hasn’t had the easiest time dealing with everything that has happened, but he stayed strong and optimistic no matter what challenges he had to face. His relationship with Alix was sweet and mostly just flirtatious. I loved how Eric would turn to Alix for advice and he always treated her with respect. I think that Eric is a great character and I can’t wait to see where his story goes next.

Liam is also a scout in the king’s army and has gotten to know Alix very well over the last little while. They have worked together on many missions and started to grow close over time. But Alix is a noble and is expected to marry well, and Liam is a bastard which basically means they have no future together. I loved Liam, he is funny, charming, and intelligent. He has a contagious smile that always brightens everyone around him. He has something about him that just made him so likeable but there were moments when he could be a little frustrating as well. He and Alix have great chemistry and who doesn’t love a forbidden romance. Personally, I was cheering for them from the very beginning and I still am.

The Bloodbound is an epic high fantasy with a captivating world, interesting characters, and non-stop action. The plot had some interesting twists and was full of great suspense that keeps you interested throughout the whole story. Like I mentioned earlier, there is very little romance in the story but there was just enough to keep me satisfied. The one thing this story does not lack is intense battle scenes and there were many of them throughout the story. I also loved all the politics and court drama that was weaved into the story; it gave it an extra element of intrigue. Another thing I loved was that the girls in the kingdom are trained and expected to fight just like all the men, which is very unique for a high fantasy. There were a few moments when the story dragged a little bit for me, but for the most part the pacing was great. Things were wrapped up nicely at the end but there is still tons more to the story and I personally am very excited to read the sequel. Overall, I thought that this was a terrific high fantasy and I would highly recommend it to all fans of the genre.

Notable Scene:

She fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Liam, beating them back as best she could, but she knew they couldn’t hold out for long. Thralls were piling up at the choke point, jostling to get by one another in their frenzy. It was like holding back a riot. A thicket of blades flashed in every direction. Blood spattered across Alix’s chest as the Oridian she was fighting lost an arm to the man behind him. Men in full plate armour waded out into the river, only to be dragged under by the current. Others tried to scrabble up the embankment. Alix and Liam fell back again, but they were running out of room, and still the crowd pressed in. They’re going to trample us, she thought dully.

Suddenly, thralls began to stagger and fall. It took Alix a moment to understand what was happening; then she spied the arrows raining down from above, and she looked up to find the top of the bluff studded with archers. A war cry sounded, then another, and Kingswords poured down the embankment with sword and axe and mace.

FTC Advisory: Ace/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Bloodbound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy romance, with a bit more fighting than romance. So the romance could have been left out entirely, cos Alix sure spent a lot of time thinking of her men. Focus on the war woman!

So this society lets it's women fight too. Ok good for them. But it did raise some questions. If you are allowed to fool around during your two year service, what happens if the women get pregnant? I doubt the lords would like when their daughters come home with a bastards. So all bastards are just put into orphanages? Accidents happen? And is it just highborn ladies that must do military service? Or lowborn too? Cos I did not see any lowborn ones? And then there is the fact that men are stronger, sure many women became scouts, but still. I sure would not want to do military service for 2 years, that would suck.

Back to the book. Alix is very good at sneaking around, so she is a good scout. She is highborn and serving during war. But then she spends lots of time thinking about the love triangle she created. She suddenly falls for 2 men, but might like one more. She should have put an end to it at once, I did not like how she played it. And even if the book does have a happy ending, I did not like how it ended for one. All parties can never be happy in a triangle.

For those who love fantasy romance and lots of romance, then it might not be enough. For those who does not want romance in fantasy then there will be too much ;) But for those who just enjoy a good story then give it a go.

Politics, war, even some sort of zombies. I enjoyed the book and I want to read more.

But! I so want a map, I want maps in fantasy, I want to take look where they live.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really really easy to read.

The plot was not incredibly original (a somewhat medieval culture with one kingdom at war with another) but the main character was awesome! Sometimes I found her a little bit too special: she's pretty, she's the best scout, she saves the king by a hair breath several times... but at the same time she's super down to earth and very likeable.

Given the genre, there's quite a bit of romance in it (which I'm OK with) and a love triangle (which I'm not) I didn't think it was badly written, I'm just not a fan of love triangles. Plus I didn't like the resolution of it. I think the author dedicated way too much time to the relationship with Erik and not enough to Liam. We're supposed to understand that they love each other because they have a ton of history together, but we don't get to see that history! We see her interact with Erik all the time, see how good they complement each other, read Erik's point of view and how much he loves her... And then she marries Liam. So disappointing. :(

I also felt like the ending was a tiny bit weak. If you're going to raise the stakes of your game then you should at least go ahead with the play.

Overall a good read and I might pick the next book in the series at some point.

[Danya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin Lindsey’s THE BLOODBOUND is the perfect beach read for fantasy fans. Combining traditional sword and sorcery with a heavy dose of romance, Lindsey introduces a formidable heroine you can’t help but root for.

Alix Black is a scout in King Erik’s army when civil war breaks out and throws everything she thought she knew about her country into chaos. A capable swordswoman and a natural sneak, Alix excels in her role as a scout and is respected by her fellow soldiers and commanding officers alike. With an alternate Medieval setting, I was admittedly concerned that Alix’s martial achievements wouldn’t be acknowledged because of sexism. But I’m pleased to report that none of the characters gave a fig that Alix is a woman and there were many other women serving in the royal army.

There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about THE BLOODBOUND but somehow it still manages to be a clever and fun read, one that I flew through in no time. Erin Lindsey does a great job of inverting tropes – especially gendered ones. When Alix is assigned a position as King Erik’s personal bodyguard and spends approximately 50% of her time saving his ass. No damsels in distress here, no ma’am! Just kings in distress. Can we make that a thing? I want it to be a thing.

Aside from the more militaristic elements of the society, we also get some information about the political, religious, and class tensions at play in the kingdom. The most tantalizing was a glimpse of the conflict between the noble houses and the common people, particularly when it comes to religion. The lower classes are known for being more sincere in their belief in the gods than the nobility, despite how frequently the latter invokes their names. I’m positive that this is going to play a larger role in the series given how many times it was mentioned and I’m intrigued to see where it goes.

Love triangle haters should definitely be wary of this one, as it’s not long before our Alix finds herself in a bit of a romantic conundrum. Torn between her very real feelings for her fellow scout Liam and her burgeoning attraction to King Erik, Alix is unsure how to proceed. As a member of the Black family Alix must marry well, so Liam should be out of the picture, but the heart wants what it wants. What’s a noble-blooded soldier to do?

While triangles can be incredibly annoying (in both love and trigonometry, tbh) I didn’t find this one too bad at all. Yes, Alix is interested in two guys at once, but for once the circumstances make sense. I also really appreciated that as much as her feelings weigh on her, Alix never shirks her duty in favour of her own desires. Thankfully the whole thing seems to be resolved by the end of the book, since she definitively chooses a guy before the conclusion. All I’ll say about her choice is that I think Alix chose well for herself.

Erin Lindsey is a confident writer who breathes new life into old tropes; she’s a welcome addition to the fantasy romance sub-genre as far as I’m concerned. In her author bio she states that her goal is to write the perfect summer vacation novel and with THE BLOODBOUND she easily accomplished that. I’m excited to see what else she has to offer in the sequel, which comes out in September.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bloodbound is a fantasy with some romance thrown in and I absolutely loved it. I thought it had the perfect balance of fantasy and romance. The romance did not take over the book which was good. The romantic scenes were not fade to black, but were tastefully written without all the over the top words and descriptions that I dislike so much. This book included a love triangle, but I didn't hate it. I thought it worked well with the plot, and both love interests were equally appealing. I would have been happy if it had ended up either way.

I would have loved to have had a map in the book, but I'm one of those people that feels every fantasy novel should include a map. Overall a very good read that I could not put down. I think anyone who enjoys the Green Rider series might enjoy this one. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Mookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably an unfair rating, as I didn't read all of it, but life is short, and I have better things than to invest in a superficial love triangle. I mean, they're on the battlefield, and she's blushing, the King's checking her out, etc, just something felt rather teenybopper about this character. I was hoping for something along the lines of Kristen Britain's Green Rider series, but I couldn't get fast the superficiality and almost Mary-Jane quality of the main character.

[Lala_Loopsie [fire breathing B!tch Queen] · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as i was kept gripping the book wondering what would happen at any given moment, i don't expect to read the next one. It did surprise me, enough, at least, to think what the ffugger was that?? I mean, woooooww. It was a good book. Yes, don't doubt that. It didn't inspire me read the other novel.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟

[Lynn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2015...
The Bloodbound is one of my backburn books. I’ve had it waiting for quite some time after picking up a copy following glowing reviews. Why I waited so long remains a mystery but I’m very pleased to have finally started this series. How would I describe Bloodbound – I would say it’s the perfect beach read for fantasy lovers! There’s action, blood magic and romance and, yes, I would say that the romance does play a fairly central role but I enjoyed it.

The Bloodbound gets off to a fairly intense start. We begin the book as a bloody battle rages. Alix is a scout. At the start of the story she watches the battle from afar and realises with horror that her King (Eric) has been betrayed on the war field. The aid he is expecting is not going to arrive and he stands on the brink of massacre. Completely disobeying orders Alix rushes to King Eric’s aid dragging along with her Liam, another scout. What you must remember is that these are scouts and don’t normally make up part of the fighting contingent but Alix is bloodbound to her blade which does help to give her ferocious
precision with the sword. Unwittingly, Alix becomes the saviour of the moment and although she’s never sought any particular attention or regard finds herself newly elected to the position of bodyguard to the King. Eric has been betrayed by his own brother, who, expecting that Eric is dead has returned home to claim the crown effectively making Eric an exile. In order to regain that which is his right he must bide his time and form a plan, all the while trying to keep the enemy at his door from swooping through his kingdom and massacring everyone.

That’s all I’m going to go with in terms of plot.

World and characters. The world has an Arthurian feel to it almost. Knights in armour, heavy warhorses and swords. The difference here is that women go to war in this kingdom as well as the men. In terms of the fantasy elements these are fairly thin on the ground and are mainly related to the blood magic that binds weapons to their owners. This also plays a huge part in the dark magic that is used by the enemies in the story.

The main characters are of course Alix, Eric and Liam with a few peripheral figures that make up the King’s advisors and such like. Alix is a very easy character to like. She stands behind her own beliefs and isn’t afraid to speak up and make her thoughts known. She’s certainly not perfect and very capable of making mistakes – particularly where her love life is concerned! What I particularly like about the way Alix is written though is that she isn’t dainty or meek and mild (and let’s face it – it wouldn’t do to be so when fighting on a battlefield). She’s tall and strong and has a fiery character that matches her hair. Eric is also a character that I found easy to like – in fact truth be told I probably felt a little bit sad for him in more ways than one. And then we have Liam, who yes, makes up the love triangle that develops. Liam and Alix have a strong friendship developed over time that has forged something strong between them. They’re in a little bit of denial about their own feelings at the start but things are beginning to change.

Now, I’m not usually for love triangles but I do think that this story is well executed. I think my biggest problem with love triangles is that it makes me all judgemental (sorry but it’s true) about the person who is stuck in the middle. I confess I don’t like it, probably because I wouldn’t want to be played like that. That’s not to say that I don’t have sympathy for how the situation could occur it just tends to make me cross at the pinnacle character (that being Alix) and sad for the eventual character that will be left out in the cold. (And, can I just say, I would have chosen differently than Alix – there, I said it!)

All that being said though, it would be difficult to not like Alix and like her I did. It’s great to have such a tough female character who isn’t weak, can stick up for herself and isn’t afraid to play her part – even if it could mean a one way ticket to a tea party with the grim reaper.

So, in summary. This is a fast paced, fun read with plenty of action tempered with a little romance. I very much look forward to No.2.

This counts as one of my backburn books. This is a theme run by Lisa at Tenacious Reader. The idea being to try and read and review some of those books that you’ve let sit around looking all sad and gathering dust. Time to show them some love.

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

Sword and sorcery with a kickass heroine that would do any urban fantasy proud, THE BLOODBOUND offers romance, intrigue, and a fast moving plot that will immerse readers in this new world. I’ve read quite a few fantasy novels in my day, and Erin Lindsey’s mix of historical noble houses with a modern sense of gender equality was an enjoyable surprise.

Perhaps what makes THE BLOODBOUND such a light, enjoyable adventure is Lindsey’s deft touch with familiar tropes. Though the nobility bears a less gendered burden of fidelity than usual, after flirtation actual marriage is still dictated more by duty and politics than love. And while this familiar problem creates more than one love triangle in THE BLOODBOUND, these thwarted lovers are never bogged down with melodrama. Even familiar Urban Fantasy tropes are sprinkled in with just enough vigor to offer spice, but not distraction. Alix’s impulsive nature, as evident on the battlefield as it is in the bedroom, often lands her in peril but never tips into Too-Stupid-To-Live territory. While this light touch is generally a positive, it also creates a little less emotional weight in the dramatic moments, but that trade off that didn’t detract much from my enjoyment.

Blending all the hallmarks of sword and sorcery with the modern, romantic feel of urban fantasy, THE BLOODBOUND is an effortless adventure that will sweep readers away. I only hope that Lindsey brings us back to this world for more happily-ever-afters.

Sexual content: Non explicit sex scenes.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent first book by a new author. The novel is set in a low magic fantasy world, with a strong female MC, much like Deepwoods. Unlike Deepwoods, this novel is a romance novel combined with the kind of medieval warfare and combat normally accompanied by Carmina Burana in the background.

Surprisingly, one might even say shockingly, the requisite love triangle was actually woven well into the story. Even more impressively, it did not feature a pathetic nice guy and a incorrigible bad boy competing for a tstl Mary Sue protagonist. I don't think I have seen such a well done love triangle in a fantasy novel since I read the Alanna: The First Adventure series.

I particularly like that the author was able to write a strong female protagonist who is a warrior, without writing her as overly masculine or annoyingly feminine.

"It takes a woman to thread a needle" - if you finish the book, you will understand what this means. A hint: it has nothing to do with knitting or sewing.

[Kes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that there would be rather more magic in this than there actually is. Sure, the Bloodbound is that there is blood magic, and bloodbinders can forge a link between a person and a weapon. But the rest is largely standard European military fantasy set in a generic pre-industrial revolution society.

Alix Black is a Lady - she's part of the Banner Houses. The Banner Houses are basically the main nobility (the lesser nobility don't use colours as their surnames). The King is ambushed one day, and her saving him results in her being promoted to his bodyguard. The King's brother is behind this - so the King aims to take back his throne, avert civil war, and also fight off the invaders (who use blood magic to render their army thralls).

There is also an angst-worthy love triangle that is resolved.

Most of the magic is comes from the concept of bloodbound blade, which is a special blade that can only be wielded by the wielder alone. This was disappointing; I expected slightly more. I didn't really care for the characters.

1.5/5 stars

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok- will expand on this later but I wanted a fantasy to read this weekend and, god damn it, this delivered. Heavily inspired by Thor/Loki mythology but done in an original, truer to mythology sort of way rather than the moderately uncomfortable (OK, extremely uncomfortable) fan-fic way that I've had my eyes seared by too many times in the past year. I'm not naming names. Huge thanks to Jessica for the recommendation!

[Montana Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in love with this book until the last few chapters. The ending was such a cop-out. And even though the story continues for two more books, I don't think I will continue. This book is comprised of a fierce and heroine, and learning and noble king, and a completely useless yet witty secondary character that isn't even given a POV yet somehow comes out on top. In my opinion, the author what attempting a whole plot twist to throw readers off but all it did was change my opinion of the book as a whole and deter me from further reading her books. Don't get me wrong, the world building great and the dialogue and relationships are even better (for the most part).

SPOILERS:
Alix Black, the main character, is a noblewoman. All are required to serve the king in the army (2 years if memory serves right) She took the lowly position of a scout even though she could have been placed at a more respected assignment, simply because she has a knack for sneaking up on people (apparently). Immediately as the story begins, the king in which she serves, King Erik White is betrayed in battle by his brother, abandoned, while fighting the enemy. Alix and her companion, Liam, who's whit is enjoyable, (Despite his flirtations and mentions of his low birth, he appears to be nothing more of a friend) surges in battle to aid the king. She is equipped with a special weapon, a sword tied to her with some sort of blood magic. Alix finds herself in battle near the king as the king has become surrounded by the enemy. She saves him, although inadvertently causing him serious injury. She carries the king from the battlefield to the rest of the surviving men loyal to the king. Recovering from her own injuries in comfort bestowed by the king, she is happy to find her scouting companion and close friend, Liam, to have survived as well. Recovering and sulking over the betrayal by his brother, the king promotes her to captain of his guard and she immediately begins offering counsel as well as admonishing him for overexerting himself due to his injuries. She protects the livelihood of the king. Only a chosen few know he still lives. POV changes to that of the king. He is impressed by Alix and attracted to her. As Alix is torn between her new duties and the friend she made for herself in her service as a scout, coupled with the closeness of death, she falls in the flirtatious arms of Liam. Although the friendship has some substance (some being generous), it is another example of the hasty decisions made by Alix (some prove to be fruitful while others do not). The story progresses with a newly formed relationship between king and captain. He confides in her and trusts her judgement. Alix has a good mind for tact and isn't afraid to plead her case. When it comes to light that Alix's home is overrun by the enemy and her elder brother unaccounted for, the king deploys his general and some men to go looking, Liam included. Worried she may lose him, she sneaks out to the rest of the encampment and sleeps with her lowborn comrade, knowing that it can go no further. In Liam's absence, Alix falls into her duties and does well, avoided various attempts on King Erik's life. She and the king have various talks in confidence. Although she'd rather be with her comrades, she proves to be most acclimated in her new roll. When an attempt is made on Alix's life (she comes away with merely a wounded lip) Erik plays his hand. The kiss is rather steamy, and begins to progress to much more when the king utters Alix's nickname (that only her brother and Liam call her). Suddenly reminded of Liam, she pulls away. The king apologizes thinking that she does like want his attentions despite how much she responded in kind to his initiation. Alix is torn between her guilt about her rash decision to sleep with Liam and her attraction to the king and enjoying his advances. When Liam returns (without her brother in company) she confesses to him what happened with Erik. Liam is angry and asks her how it felt to be with the king. Alix confesses that it felt much like being with him. She comes to realization rather quickly that Liam is the former king's illegitimate son and therefore half-brother to Erik. Liam doesn't deny it. There relationship is strained at best. Alix knows that there can never be more for her and Liam but a relationship with the King is better than she could hope for. King Erik, recovered from his injuries and word of his non-death out in the open, comes to battle with the enemy, trying to gain support against his brother. On the battlefield he is met by more friends ad Alix's brother, Rig, arrives with his surviving men to win the battle. Rig and King Erik have been friends for years and their reunion is a happy one. It is no different for Alix. In war counsel, Rig notices immediately, the attraction between Erik and his sister. Alix confesses that she is torn between two but leans toward Erik. Her relationship with Erik blossoms. They open up to each other and become good friends, a relief from the mere flirtatious banter she had with Liam. Erik does not advance on Alix for sometime, focusing instead on winning his kingdom back. It is discusses to confront his brother head on at the castle and dare him to show his hand. An old counselor of Erik's arrives to advise him how to proceed. He also advises the king to forgo his long engagement to a woman he never loved and take up Alix as his intended instead. He does not agree but ponders the possibility. Alix and the King Erik share another chaste kiss and it is everything you want in a follow-up kiss yet leaving more to be desired between the two. When plans are fleshed out, the word of changing his engagement comes to light at the surprise of Alix. However, the two never get the chance to openly discuss it. Alix goes on a scouting mission (with Liam and others) to learn more about their enemy that has fights enthralled to beyond deathly injury. She and the others are almost lost in the process but make it back to the king. Erik tends to Alix (broken by what she saw) and she almost gives into her feeling for the king but he does not take advantage of her state. When time comes for the king to return home and face his brother, Alix confronts Erik about Liam being his brother. This brings his guilt to life. He finds himself much responsible for Liam's low upbringing, insisting when his father were alive that the the king's illegitimate child stay unknown to the world. Erik knows that he needs more support than ever and as a changed man (since Alix saved his life) he needs to right some wrongs. He has a private discussion with Liam and offers to recognize him as his brother, therefore giving him a title and a claim. Upon doing so he concludes that Liam and Alix are (were) lovers from a trinket Alix once carried that belongs to Liam. Erik feels guilty once again and decides that he must give up Alix (the one thing he's wanted for himself) to save his newfound relationship with Liam. How noble. I love him more every time I read from his POV. Anyway, Erik tells Liam that he will step down from Alix and that Alix still loves him. Although Liam is now a prince (his status having changed so that she now could marry him) Alix doesn't dwell on it. She believes their time has passed as lovers, though they have come to an understanding as comrades. It comes time for Erik to confront his brother. The meeting is ambushed and another attempt is made on Erik's life. Although Erik's brother helps during the attack, he is arrested and executed for his involvement in attempting to steal the throne. In the downtime of such events Liam confronts Alix to tell her that there is no engagement between her and the king (though she believed there to be) and that she is a free woman. Going against her penchant for hasty decision in her personal life, Alix takes her time. When she has made her decision, she goes to Liam and the two fall into each others arms. There is no discussion between Alix and Erik about their attraction or feelings. He doesn't fight for her. The enemy in encroaching. A plan is devised to take down the Priest among the enemy forces (the one who thralls his victims into fight to the death- like zombies) that Alix volunteers for. Liam volunteers to follow her into the enemy camp on their final scouting/sneaking mission to kill the Priest, hoping that will be a major hit to the enemy. I've never wanted a character to die so much. I thought that Liam's death would mean Alix's freedom to be with Liam without having to hurt his feelings. But no. They both survive. You can tell Erik still yearns for Alix as he carries her unconscious from the battlefield. The book abruptly ends with Alix's wedding to Liam. COP-OUT. This angered me to the bones. Liam's character has no substance other than his well written wit provided by the author. He doesn't lift up Alix, doesn't help her grow. Instead she overshadows him. However, in her encounters with Erik you see a growth in her, albeit more growth in the king due to her influences but still. I was greatly angered but that shattered hopes of an epic romance. I don't care it it's cliche. I want her to end up with the king.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This joint review was originally published at The Book Pushers

E: I considered this story several times because I was worried about the love triangle aspect before deciding I loved the thought of the rest of the blurb too much to pass it up. I will also admit while reading I got worried a bit over the love triangle but then secrets were revealed, characters matured, and I stopped worrying. I ended up really enjoying this story and I hope Lindsey continues writing in this world.

Marlene: Like E, I also considered, unconsidered and reconsidered this book. On the one hand, epic fantasy with romance is right in my wheelhouse. And on the other, ooh, dreaded love triangle. Thankfully, this book is not about Alix angsting between two lovers. It’s more about a group of young people thrust into a terrible situation and growing up.

E: Lindsey’s world is rather complex but built on a mostly feudal type system. It is a series of kingdoms with varying alliances and agreements. Alix lived in one of the larger more prosperous kingdoms who through treaties had been at peace for a few generations but now with a young unmarried heirless king ruling, the Oridians backed by their religious leaders decided to launch a serious attack. During one of the battles she realized the reinforcements under command of the King’s brother were standing by and not moving forward allowing the King’s forces to become overrun. Loyal to the crown, she disobeyed her orders as a lightly armored scout, and managed to save the King. As a reward or punishment she was made the King’s bodyguard. And he didn’t like listening to what she said because he refused to accept his new reality as a disposed king who was a target to everyone allied with his brother.

Marlene: First, I love that we have a quasi-medieval setting where women are expected to serve in the military, just like men. While their roles are generally different, it seems clear that what separates them are truly innate physical characteristics. In other words, women make better scouts and archers because they are generally smaller and have more dexterity than men, not just because it’s “their place”. Some women are infantry and some men are scouts and archers. In the end, it’s about their qualifications more than gender. (Not that there aren’t some less enlightened folks, but they are labeled as less enlightened) Also that women aren’t expected to get raped and rescued every time they venture out.

Something about the world that kept niggling; the great houses are all named for colors, and so are the members of the house. While it was nice not to have to deal with jawbreaker names, I was expecting a bit more variety, or something that made me think “not our world”.

E: The three main characters were all ones I liked which, is what caused some of my personal angst when I figured out the triangle was between them and how badly people could be emotionally hurt. As events unfolded I enjoyed watching all three grow and mature under pressure as the reality of their situation set in and it didn’t seem like things were going to get better anytime soon. Each went through their own crucible along the way as they learned some harsh lessons. Some from very unexpected people and others from life events, and the requirement to grow or die a gruesome death. I really liked how Lindsey planted the seeds to clear up the triangle from the beginning but let them unfold naturally over time. She didn’t provide an insta-solution so I was able to buy into the results.

Marlene: Alix, Erik and Liam are all likable characters, and they all grow up in the course of fighting the war. Erik is even looking back on his own younger self and resolving not to make the same mistakes, and also to rectify his earlier ones. There’s a sense that he is learning harsh lessons as we watch.

The triangle between the three of them is handled well. Not just because there isn’t too much angst, but because the reasons that things fall out the way they do are organic to the story as a whole. There is a sacrifice, but it makes sense, both in the context of Erik’s past and Alix’ and Liam’s present.

E: In addition to the character growth and noticeable maturity I also appreciated how the action was handled. The action included force on force, stealth guerrilla like quick encounters, assassins, psychological warfare, and magic. Each was nicely fleshed out and not only covered the events during the action but had follow-on effects. The attention paid to the details really kept everything together and moving smoothly. I liked how each person had something they brought with them to the story, which fleshed out the world and provided me with several individuals I hope to see again. Unfortunately the action also brought losses which helped cement the world even though the soft part of my heart would have preferred for everyone whose name I learned lived. The good aspect to my wishes meant none of them were throwaway characters and I stayed emotionally invested in the story.

Marlene: While this isn’t Game of Thrones (thank goodness), it’s true that important people that the reader has come to know and value (not necessarily like) die. It’s not egregious (I still think the butcher’s bill in the final battle in Harry Potter was way too high) but it is necessary. The country is being attacked, and there is a total war on every front. Some good and brave people have to throw themselves in the front lines so that the country can go on. Dammit!

E: I am glad I decided to pick this up because it was a great epic fantasy novel with a strong yet flawed heroine and equally strong and flawed main characters. The dynamics between them were complicated and yet fit together nicely. The world as they knew it was destroyed and as they rebuilt it into something they grew as characters and came up with inventive ways to regain control of their homelands. I really hope Lindsey continues to write in this world because I can’t wait to revisit it.

I give The Bloodbound an A-

Marlene: I enjoyed The Bloodbound a lot, but I often had the feeling that I’d read it, or at least salient parts of it, before. Also played some of it before; there were key plot points that reminded me all too much of Dragon Age: Origins. (That’s not necessarily a bad comparison, I LOVE that game) It also reminded me a bit of Amy Raby’s Hearts and Thrones series, which I also love.

One of the things I enjoyed most about The Bloodbound is that it is a heroine’s journey, and not a hero’s journey. Not that Erik and Liam don’t grow as characters, but the primary mover and shaker of this story is Alix Black, noblewoman, military scout, and Captain of the King’s Guard. The traditional path would have been to make this Erik’s story as king, but the world is different, and more intriguing, from Alix’ point of view. Especially since she gets to go out and do things while Erik is stuck in relatively safety in some castle.

I give The Bloodbound a B+

[He110Ne0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those 3 stars pain me to give, they truly do. I wanted to be happily handing out a 5 star review of this book since it held so much promise going in. Author Erin Lindsey is the pen name for E.L. Tettensor (or is it vice versa, who knows). At the very start of this year, her debut novel Darkwalker (a detective/thriller novel) got a resounding 5 stars from me. I was in love with her minimalist world building, solid plot pacing, flawed and believable characters, and the very barest hint of the supernatural at work behind the scenes. Her delicious vocabulary and character building also served to drive home one of the best debut novels I've read in awhile, and I still have very high hopes for the 2nd in that series coming out in Feb 2015. Therefore, when I heard that she was making a foray into a self described "perfect summer vacation novel, with just the right blend of action, heartbreak, and triumph" I thought to myself - this should be interesting. Sadly, it is not.

The Bloodbound is written in omniscient third person, although even that seems awkwardly balanced since most of the time it is simply third person narration of solely the main character, Alix Black. In fact it is narrating her activities so often that the few times it breaks off to get inside the head of other characters you get confused momentarily because of how few and far between those moments are. It's as if the author remembered "oh right I can do that" and shoved those scenes in to flesh out character development.

Taking place in an alt-history of medieval times with a refreshingly progressive attitude towards the fairer sex, Bloodbound features Alix Black as a noble-lady serving her required military service to the King, Erik White, as a scout. She is an excellent Scout and it is a position many higher-ranking families place their offspring in so as to fulfill military duties yet minimize risk of being killed in battle. Unfortunately, life has other plans, and when her King is betrayed on the battlefield by his own brother, Alix is forced to break orders to rescue what is left of the battle and save her King's life in a very narrow escape from his brother's treachery. This action, amongst other evidence, gets her a swift promotion to Captain and King Eric's personal bodyguard.

Introduce, however, the love triangle, and this is where the plot begins to fall apart for me. We are introduced to Liam right off the bat as Alix's comrade-at-arms in the Scouts. A man with a mysterious past, of course, and a bastard, of course, of unknown origins (for now). They seem to already have a friendship and camaraderie that we have to simply take the author's word for since very little is shown of it outside of teenage-angsty blushing and sarcastic commentary back and forth. We are also to take it that they are close since he's the only man other than Alix's brother who gets away with calling her "Allie." Ok sure.

I don't really need to tell you where this is going. Alix is cautioned to stay away from Liam as his bastard status doesn't fit her political station. The King, Erik, of course takes a sudden incredible fondness to Alix and makes a move on her and is suddenly "in love" with her despite absolutely zero development of such attachment beyond military conversation and a few heart to hearts about his brother's treachery. Also, in the of course category, Alix doesn't listen to anyone's advice and has a love affair with Liam which complicates everything and now has to "figure out" how to tell the King she's "just not that into him." Of course during a war which will decide whether they even have a kingdom to go back to. I don't know about you, but when I'm the Captain of the King's Guard I am CONSTANTLY thinking of which guy I want to sneak off and have a midnight tryst with. First thing on my mind in the morning, actually.

Moving right along - I won't spoil the very obvious plot twists that happen along the way, but they are painfully obvious. I know that Lindsey wanted to keep King Erik a likeable enough monarch since he does represent one of Alix's "choices" in love and whatnot but he is honorable to a severe fault. He says and does things absolutely no King in the history of ever would do or say and while I am all for progressive men and female equality in all things - the voices of the men in this book as they moon over their relationships are entirely female and not at all in alignment with the severity of what's going on around them.

The last fatal flaw for me in regards to this book was that despite flaunting the wonderful vocabulary and subtle world building that this author is adept at, it is riddled with dialogue that could be pulled out of a young-adult novel about...well...anything. Knights and Princes and royal scouts don't say things like "what's up" and "nice." It instantly pulled me out of the setting and I half expected them to say they had to run back to class. In that same vein, since I shelved this book as "young adult" the sex scenes in this book are non-existent. I understand wanting to be tasteful, but this is so tasteful there is no passion. I felt like I was reading the prudish edits made for a teen-suitable romance in a summer read. This is absolutely a book you could feel safe giving to your 15 year old daughter in every regard (violence, sex, romance, language, etc.). That's not a bad thing but to my knowledge this isn't marketed as YA lit so it was a real let down when I finally got to see some "proof of love" happen and got instead the most G rated fade-to-black bedroom scene I've read in years.

In conclusion - this is technically a very well written book. Unfortunately, the formula it was trying to follow has it's framework showing through painfully. It is obvious to a fault, it is lacking in suspense or intrigue, and it has tepid romance and unrealistic character building. The potential it does have is there, but hidden under the layers of mundane that I just listed above. This author's forte is clearly in the type of book she wrote before in Darkwalker. I was actually surprised with how much I disliked her male protagonists in this book because she has successfully written an entire book with a male protagonist that had none of the "female voice" issues that this did. I appreciate the attempt to step outside a comfort zone but if this is to be a series, I will definitely not be reading the next book. As it is, this ends on such a lack luster "cliff hanger" I don't even know what I would be coming back for.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid first book in a fantasy series, we'll say pseudo-European medieval-ish in time period, with a female soldier lead. I enjoyed the world building and relationships.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bloodbound is adult fantasy about warring kingdoms and warring hearts. It’s amazing in only the most trashy of ways, so obviously I had a lot of fun with it.

First off, the audiobook was absolutely not the right choice for this one. Jill Tanner’s a talented narrator, but she’s more Olenna Tyrell than Brienne of Tarth. Since it’s from the POV of a young king and his young, female bodyguard, the fact that an old woman was narrating it was puzzling. It made the sexy scenes feel illicit in a way that really wasn’t probably what they were going for. I’d definitely have had more fun with this in print, but oh well.

The Bloodbound has some of the classic marks of not great fantasy. For example, all of the aristocratic families have color names. The royal family (you’ve probably guessed) are the Whites. The heroine, Lady Alix, is a black. Subtle, this book is not. As per usual, their kingdom is beset by enemies without and within. King Erik’s brother is attempting a coup, and an outside nation with horrifying magic is trying to take over simultaneously. The amount that Erik whined about having guards was ridiculous. He is the king. Of course he has bodyguards. It’s not always the most well-thought-out book.

However, I did like Lady Alix as a badass warrior woman full of passions but completely confused by feelings. It’s pretty cute because in her trash trope love triangle both Erik and Liam basically instantly fall in love with her, all squishy and sensitive, and she just can’t resist kisses. Oops! They’re brothers, and I just can’t resist that trope surrryyyyy.

I would absolutely keep reading this series, except that neither library system I have access to has it. In fact, I checked worldcat, and only one library in the whole state has it. Though it’s good crack fun, I’m not paying 12 dollars for the ebooks of two and three. Maybe someday I’ll buy cheap, damaged mass markets but idk. Only recommend to those who are trope trash and want some crack fantasy. Not recommended on audiobook.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely mix of fantasy, action and romance. Really enjoyed the relationships between the characters.

[The Library Ladies · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Originally reviewed at thelibraryladies.com.)

Another book that landed on my to-read pile quite a while ago that now I have no memory of selecting. But, luckily for me, my past self must have been on top of things, because this lesser known fantasy novel hit just the spot!

I’m going to whip through the basic review portions to devote the rest of this post to two things that I feel make this book noteworthy in the long list of fantasy fiction being published currently.

General worldbuilding: pretty typical European-centric, medieval fantasy world. The bloodbinding magic used to create super weapons is interesting, but isn’t breaking any hugely new ground. I was fairly well into the book when I started questioning whether this even was a fantasy novel given how little these magical elements were mentioned. Later, however, it did play a bigger role, but if you’re interested in complex magical systems, this is not that book.

Characters: Alix is great. She’s a competent, funny, independent character whose abilities and intelligence are never questioned. She makes mistakes and is flawed, but her character arc takes her through these struggles smoothly, never undermining the stronger aspects of her character. The dialogue, both her own and those around her, was witty and I caught myself laughing out loud several times.

So, all of that aside there were two things that I found notable about this story. First, I was dismayed to find a love triangle smack dab in the middle of my adult fantasy novel.

As we all know, I do not appreciate most love triangles. I find them unrealistic, and they often seem to bring out the worst in all characters involved (selfish heroines, ridiculous-verging-on-abusive love interests). Now, I won’t say that I loved the inclusion of a love triangle even here. I’ve just never really been too entertained by the drama of multiple love interests. Seems like it would be stressful and, for me, it is the exact opposite of wish fulfillment. That said, this one righted many of the wrongs I’m used to seeing with love triangles. Perhaps the simple fact that the author is writing about adults and for adults makes the difference here. There are real consequences to the choices that are made. Hearts are broken. Confusion is unpleasant, not thrilling. And the relationships between all characters involved are real and priorities are rightly placed beyond the romance of it all. I still struggled with some of Alix’s internal musings about the situation, as it still seems unrealistic to me to be equally drawn to two different people. However, the author provided a decent explanation for this, if one that I still somewhat questioned in reality. Further, the reaction of the two men involved was a highlight. No silly posturing. No abusive possessiveness. Actual hurt and confusion. They are people who have real feelings involved. Further, they have lives, relationships, friendships, duties, and families outside of Alix that they rightly keep in perspective throughout all of this. I was particularly pleased with the way this love triangle resolved itself. So, all of that said, while I still don’t find love triangles particularly entertaining, this book proves that they can be told from a more realistic and appealing angle.

My second notable aspect of the story was its treatment of women. I am continually frustrated by stories that justify the maltreatment of its women characters (or, frankly, the glorification of very objectionable material) and the creation of generally very traditionally sexist societies by hand-waving it all under the claim that this is somehow “more realistic.” You’re writing a damn fantasy novel with magic, unicorns, and zombies for heaven’s sake. You’ve left “realistic” far behind, so why is this one aspect somehow imperative to the “reality” of your story? This book highlights how to create a fairly typical medieval fantasy world while leaving that all behind. It’s not preaching “woman power.” It’s not bashing anyone over the head with A MESSAGE. It’s just telling a story in a world where women simply are there in the army, are there in politics, are there representing the head of their family. No big deal. Sure, it’s mentioned that as women are not as physically strong, they’re often found as archers in the military. But this is by no means a rule, with the doors to others roles left wide open. And no one blinks an eye at any of this. This book is a perfect example and response to the aforementioned narrative that it is somehow impossible to balance this type of typical fantasy world with a more inclusive approach to women’s roles.

All said, I very much enjoyed this book. It’s not breaking any walls as far as plot, following a pretty simple plot structure. But the strong characters, entertaining dialogue, and well-represented world recommend it to anyone who enjoys traditional fantasy fare with a dash of romance.

[Becky Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey introduces a female warrior in a realm of fantasy dominated by men. What I appreciated most about the pace and plotline is that she wove the romance into the story almost seamlessly. The Bloodbound is a perfect example of a clearly acknowledged romance plot without any gratuitous physicality. And the romance in no way takes from the action, intrigue, and strength of the fantasy aspect of the story.

[Adria Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I always love a book that starts with a map. This book is well written and while there is a love triangle, the author doesn't dwell on the intimate scenes which I really appreciated.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently stumbled across this book sitting on my 'Read' shelf with four stars, and I didn't recognise it at all. Considering I'm a pretty cynical rater, I knew I had to reread Bloodbound to find out what was worth four stars. It's also why I'm writing this review: I don't like the fact that I've forgotten a book I've rated so highly. It's time to start writing reviews to help solidify these books in my memory or at least have something to jog it the next time I end up in this situation. What I will say, though, is that this book deserves this four star rating.

Alix is such a strong, resourceful female voice throughout this book, but what’s even better is that she isn’t perfect. She makes mistakes by succumbing to her emotions and instincts at the wrong times; she doesn’t just fall into doing the right thing in every moment. It’s so rare to have a protagonist, let alone a female one, with flaws, and it made her much more relatable.

While Liam comes into himself in Bloodforged (more on that later), I was very empathetic to his situation. He has spent his whole life in the shadows and assumes that is how he will spend the rest of it. Liam is kind and strong; his actions and reactions are believable and, like Alix, not always perfect.

Erik’s struggle throughout the book is beautiful - the push and pull between doing the right thing and being a good person provides a lot of depth to the story. He does feel more stilted than the other characters, but I choose to believe that's intentional; after all, he is royalty. Erik is a king at war, a war of his own making, and that comes with many responsibilities.

I enjoy how Erin Lindsey wrote this book; no long explanations to situate you into this world's geography or religion, almost as if it is the real world, so why would it need to be explained? I’m sure if you read the index at the end of the book, you'd catch on faster than I did, but as much as I love my Kindle, it doesn't make looking at the references easy. It didn't matter - I wasn't bogged down by the details or trying to understand the gods or war strategy. I just took it at face value and enjoyed the story.

Bloodbound is a little predictable and a bit too cheesy for five stars, but I love this world and its characters. Alix alone would make this an excellent book; the fully developed cast of characters is all bonus. I would recommend this to any fantasy fans who enjoy a pretty significant side of romance - it's worth it.

Other books in the Bloodbound Trilogy:
#2: Bloodforged ⭐⭐⭐
#3: Bloodsworn ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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