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Bound by Blood #2
The Bonds That Break Us
She wants revenge.
He wants her.
After learning of Sin’s dark deceptions, Wren travels to The Feral Vale where she is introduced to the rustic land of the elves. She vows to protect her family at all expense, even if that means keeping the Black Art’s treacherous secret.
When a realm divided draws the unwanted attention of a neighboring king, Wren and the elves must resort to clever schemes to gain leverage in the impending war. Wren and her family are determined to lay low—a challenging feat when the entire kingdom guard is searching for the “white-haired witch.” She longs to forget the betrayal that drove her here, more so, she longs to forget him, but when circumstance thrusts them together, the result is nothing short of incendiary.
As motives come to light, Wren isn’t sure who she can rely on, but one fact becomes startling, and infuriatingly, clear: Wren and Sin must combine forces if any of them has a hope to survive the disconcerting conflict ahead. With past hurts challenging them at every step, the road ahead is punishing.
War is brutal, but nothing is more maiming than furious love.
He wants her.
After learning of Sin’s dark deceptions, Wren travels to The Feral Vale where she is introduced to the rustic land of the elves. She vows to protect her family at all expense, even if that means keeping the Black Art’s treacherous secret.
When a realm divided draws the unwanted attention of a neighboring king, Wren and the elves must resort to clever schemes to gain leverage in the impending war. Wren and her family are determined to lay low—a challenging feat when the entire kingdom guard is searching for the “white-haired witch.” She longs to forget the betrayal that drove her here, more so, she longs to forget him, but when circumstance thrusts them together, the result is nothing short of incendiary.
As motives come to light, Wren isn’t sure who she can rely on, but one fact becomes startling, and infuriatingly, clear: Wren and Sin must combine forces if any of them has a hope to survive the disconcerting conflict ahead. With past hurts challenging them at every step, the road ahead is punishing.
War is brutal, but nothing is more maiming than furious love.
382 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
216 people are currently reading
5257 people want to read
About the author
Erin Mainord
3 books348 followersVisit my website to sign up for my newsletter. This is the best way to hear about my new releases and also where I send out my ARC sign-ups and feature giveaways. :)
Erin is a lover of all things fantasy and more than a little obsessed with morally gray characters. She holds a degree in Film and Media Studies but has shifted her focus to her one true love: writing novels set in fantastical places with dark, twisty romance. A self-proclaimed iced coffee enthusiast, you can often find Erin writing in local cafes, poorly singing along to the radio in a Starbucks drive-through, or rewatching The Vampire Diaries with a cold brew in tow. An avid traveler, Erin has lived all over the country, but Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has a special place in her heart. The Blood That Binds Us is her debut novel, and she looks forward to writing more stories where the "villain" gets the girl.
Erin is a lover of all things fantasy and more than a little obsessed with morally gray characters. She holds a degree in Film and Media Studies but has shifted her focus to her one true love: writing novels set in fantastical places with dark, twisty romance. A self-proclaimed iced coffee enthusiast, you can often find Erin writing in local cafes, poorly singing along to the radio in a Starbucks drive-through, or rewatching The Vampire Diaries with a cold brew in tow. An avid traveler, Erin has lived all over the country, but Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has a special place in her heart. The Blood That Binds Us is her debut novel, and she looks forward to writing more stories where the "villain" gets the girl.
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August 21, 2024
I could spend most of the word count picking apart the writing of this one, telling you how bad it is that the plot litterally stops halfway through the book (after they come back from the capital), or how even during the mission in the first part, somehow the character who's supposed to be the prisoner is the one leading them, with no confirmation from any outside sources or third parties.
I could tell you of how stupid it is for the new king of Baelliarah to attack the way he did, without cohordinating with Dusaro (since he blames Wren and not the kingdom for his father's death) and without having a ground force to actually kill his targets.
I could tell you of the uselessness of characters such as Ileana (who we spend a third of the book giving the ring to and she does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WITH IT) or Dusaro (who's there for the scene at the beginning where he tries to kill Wren and that's it) or the pointlessly large adoptive family (like seriously, what's the point of Zorina, Galen or Theon? Even Cosmina barely matters, the story could've cut her too and the plot device for the first book could be Morrinne, the only one who barely does anything is Eldridge) or the characters who misteriously vanish from sight after the plot "ends" (after they come back from the Capital), like, I wonder if Seraphine would want to spend time with her son when he comes back, expecially now that he's free to walk around and happily spending time with his lover, I wonder if Cathal would want anything to say about what's going on, I wonder what the fuck happened to Alistair, the supposed strongest member of the Vale's faction, after he comes back from the capital, even Vox appears one time and it's just to bait Sin's jelousy
I could ask what the fuck was Alistair's introduction even meant to be, with him overpowering Sin at a distance, penetrating his shields and absolutely demolishing him one versus one, but then AFTER that he's completely useless and we're told that ACTUALLY his magic is weaker than Sin's, even thought it clearly wasn't the first time, and even after he kills multiple people, supposedly getting more powerful with each kill (the outpost he slaughters), he still can't beat Sin like he did in his introduction. We're told Sin could smash him with his magic when it was clearly shown in the beginning that Alistair can block said magic...
I COULD ask what the fuck is going on with the elves and the new power system that was introduced and how their magic is supposedly different and more ancient than normal magic, but nobody uses that outside of Aeverie creating barriers and the gems in elven weapons that are never used, or how their culture was supposed to be "everyone does something, you have to pull your weight, you come here, you work" but then we're never shown this having consequences like creating difficulties with meeting each other in between working breaks.
Instead, i WILL elaborate in what the fuck the romance was, since it's clearly the only point of the story that actually matters (except for the war preparations in the last twenty pages, which is bait for the next book)
As i said for the previous book, Sin did a BIG nono in hurting Wren's family rather than her, in his betrayal. When authors pull the betrayal card, they're usually VERY careful about it only affecting the heroine (it's always the man doing the betrayal) and for good reasons: if she's the only one affected, she has the monopoly on dictating if and at what point the man is redeemed, therefore the MMC is "forced" to appease and appeal to her, giving her attention and thus creating room for romantic scenes full of swooning and pining and a lot of "I would do anything to get you back" stuff. Commonly read examples are Cardan and Jude's situation from FOTA 2/3, Xaden and Violet from Empyrean 1/2 or Casteel and Poppy from FBAA 1/2. These examples have two further things in common:
1) The betrayal happenes not for selfish reasons, but for a greater cause, one that can endear us to them: Cardan has to take a political stance to stop further wars with the Undersea, Xaden has to protect the other marked children and help the Griffin riders, Casteel is trying to save Poppy and his people.
2) There's a safety mechanism behind it: essentially, the FMC is not thrusted into the wild because of the betrayal since the MMC ensures that she's safe, or at least not fendig for herself, even if she doesn't want to stay with him (Jude can go to Vivienne's house AND can padron herself, Violet stays in the Academy and with Xaden's friends, Poppy stays with the Atlantians regardless of her wanting or not to be with Casteel) showing the MMC cares for her regardless of their relationship, once again endaring us to him.
This iterations fails all of the aforementioned points, meaning there is not much for the audience, as an outside spectator, to forgive. The way into forgiveness is devoit of any moral justification and the emotional attachment the reader might develp for Sin has to do litterally all the work. Let me explain myself:
First of all there is no "safety net" for Wren at the end of book 1: sure, WE know the elves aren't bad people and Seraphine doesn't want to hurt Wren, but SIN doesn't know that, he views his mother as someone who abandonded her own son to the bowels of hell, why would she care for a total stranger? And of course, who knows what the elves are like, hell, she's with Legion now, the people who raped her, abused her, beat her, took her as captive twice and tried to unleash her crazed magic on the kingdom (so nice to see no resolution on that part by the way), the same people who did even worse to his friend Ileana.
On the other hand, there is no higher goal Sin is seeking, MAYBE one could argue he was safekeeping the kingdom from Legion, but given his tyrannical rule, public executions, open apartheid policy and so on, I wouldn't call it really a good thing for his reign to persevere and Legion aren't really going to just pillage and destroy entire towns just to get back at Sin, they're actually quite honorable as they prefer to fight in the open and even lament Blackreach being "full of boobyetraps", meaning they're not into that, so I don't see them sacking everything, were they to win.
Lastly, and most importantly, not having Wren be the sole, or even the main, recipient of Sin's betrayal means that his redemption can't just come from Wren forgiving him, but it has come from AT LEAST Cosmina too, in order for them to be together. Unfortunately (and quite predictably) this is not what happens, or at least not properly, as neither Cosmina:
Nor Morrinne:
Keep truthing mother. Nor Eldridge:
Nor Zorina:
And I mean, probably (since he has like two lines in the book, why does he exist, again?) not even Theon has forgiven him.
So, yeah, nobody in her family, the people Wren will gladly give up her life for, likes the man (even thought Zorina had that one interaction at the campfire where she was like "Planning on Bonding Sin?" or something, while waggling her eyebrows, thought the quote about her being the only one who understands Morrinne is after this scene so...AND she would be the one to dislike Sin the most, so, again...???). They all tollerate him because Wren likes him, and like him she does, to a concerning point:
What do you even mean girl? It can't even be Fated Mates, since the Mating Bond is an actual mechaninc in the story and it hasn't happened yet. Regarding WHY does she like him so much, I have no clue. I mean, I guess it's the classic feeling of being special because he's a (tyrannical fearmonger) bad boy that only opens up to her, but nothing there really ellicits THAT big of a reaction, right?
Well the thing is, Wren HAD TO have such a strong reaction to him, otherwise going against her whole family wouldn't work, BUT at the same time, to have that bond deepen, they needed to progress their romance further before she confronted her family about it, otherwise it wouldn't hold up. That means she has to explore her feelings for him while he still hasn't cleared up the mess with Cosmina (and the rest of the family), but that is a really bad way of going about your relationship, expecially when the scenes with her family aren't really about them furthering a bond that we could infer was already there (since...they're family) but rather about all of them TELLING (rather than making us feel it, by showing) Wren that they really love her because of past events we're not shown (only told) and thus they will bend to whatever decision she makes. A quick fix for that would be Wren having a "thing" she does with each of her family members, something private that would show us they have a deep bond over something (the most she has is the banter with Eldridge, but he's the one who's against Sin THE MOST, maybe on par with Morrinne). This usually isn't something that's needed in stories about family, since...they're family, but here the familiar bond is specifically brought to the test since it has to hold them together against Wren's decision to be with someone who has hurt them as a family. There's a very good reason Princess Leila and Darth Vader do NOT reconcile at the end of Return of the Jedi, nor does she ever have a talk about it with Luke.
Regarding the relationship in itself, past the surface level attraction and flirting, there is very little:
Yeah they have things in common now, the problem is they were already in love before this, so it's kinda pointless. Their deeper issues aren't addressed in the slightest: he still wanted to kill the Transcendents even after knowing her family was full of them, to the point he had to be blackmailed against (genociding) "waging war" against the shifters, not has she helped him resolve any of his issues with his mother. On the other hand, she has shown to go drunk on her power:
Killing the last scout from Baelliarah because she could and most importantly forcing them to fight their way out of Blackreach, something that was previously condemned when Alistair did it at the outpost, to the point where it was obvlious it would be a point of contention, which it WAS...until it wasn't, it never got resolved, look at this:
I mean, yeah, sure, but why are YOU saying this? You're the one who forced them to slaughter their way out of the city. What consequences are you willing to face?
Yeah...
The delusion is strong with this one. That said Sin seems at first to be fighting back:
Holy based, brother. Unfortunately all of that stops as soon as the ceremony to heal the Vale is introduced and Sin is a lust crazed beast plus romantic sweetheart for the rest of the story.
Also, there's THIS line from him, which I don’t know what i'm supposed to make of
That's not what happened in the last book. Like, we're litterally making it up.
Oh, by the way, Cathal telling Sin he has fucked both his girlfriend AND his mother is a blow he will never recover from, bro is done, career ending injury
Since I got a bit of wordcount left, even the writing style is weird: words like "gatekeep", "forbidden wine" (blood) are clearly modern slang, while dialogues are weirdly constructed so characters intentionally say something obviously wrong so other characters can point it out to us, even thought internal dialogue is used A LOT, and it is used to then agree with the other's point without pause, as if the character already agreed in the first place:
They're...not his actions...? And sure, he says as much, but why are you even bringing this up? "It's your fault i ate to much sweets and now i have a belly ache". "No it's not". "Ah, right". What was even the point?
So why did we structure the dialoge to imply you didn't already agree? This is here for the audience alone and could have been cut, we're definitely not above using internal dialogue, so there really is no need to also talk like you're stupid.
Is this supposed to be the theme? Go for the bad boy, even if he hurts your loved ones, who love you so much they're willing to break bread with the man who persecuted them for their race and personally through imprisoning two of your relatives. THIS is how you reward their love? Bruh, imagine being stuck with this ungrateful ass for the rest of your life.
I could tell you of how stupid it is for the new king of Baelliarah to attack the way he did, without cohordinating with Dusaro (since he blames Wren and not the kingdom for his father's death) and without having a ground force to actually kill his targets.
I could tell you of the uselessness of characters such as Ileana (who we spend a third of the book giving the ring to and she does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WITH IT) or Dusaro (who's there for the scene at the beginning where he tries to kill Wren and that's it) or the pointlessly large adoptive family (like seriously, what's the point of Zorina, Galen or Theon? Even Cosmina barely matters, the story could've cut her too and the plot device for the first book could be Morrinne, the only one who barely does anything is Eldridge) or the characters who misteriously vanish from sight after the plot "ends" (after they come back from the Capital), like, I wonder if Seraphine would want to spend time with her son when he comes back, expecially now that he's free to walk around and happily spending time with his lover, I wonder if Cathal would want anything to say about what's going on, I wonder what the fuck happened to Alistair, the supposed strongest member of the Vale's faction, after he comes back from the capital, even Vox appears one time and it's just to bait Sin's jelousy
I could ask what the fuck was Alistair's introduction even meant to be, with him overpowering Sin at a distance, penetrating his shields and absolutely demolishing him one versus one, but then AFTER that he's completely useless and we're told that ACTUALLY his magic is weaker than Sin's, even thought it clearly wasn't the first time, and even after he kills multiple people, supposedly getting more powerful with each kill (the outpost he slaughters), he still can't beat Sin like he did in his introduction. We're told Sin could smash him with his magic when it was clearly shown in the beginning that Alistair can block said magic...
I COULD ask what the fuck is going on with the elves and the new power system that was introduced and how their magic is supposedly different and more ancient than normal magic, but nobody uses that outside of Aeverie creating barriers and the gems in elven weapons that are never used, or how their culture was supposed to be "everyone does something, you have to pull your weight, you come here, you work" but then we're never shown this having consequences like creating difficulties with meeting each other in between working breaks.
Instead, i WILL elaborate in what the fuck the romance was, since it's clearly the only point of the story that actually matters (except for the war preparations in the last twenty pages, which is bait for the next book)
As i said for the previous book, Sin did a BIG nono in hurting Wren's family rather than her, in his betrayal. When authors pull the betrayal card, they're usually VERY careful about it only affecting the heroine (it's always the man doing the betrayal) and for good reasons: if she's the only one affected, she has the monopoly on dictating if and at what point the man is redeemed, therefore the MMC is "forced" to appease and appeal to her, giving her attention and thus creating room for romantic scenes full of swooning and pining and a lot of "I would do anything to get you back" stuff. Commonly read examples are Cardan and Jude's situation from FOTA 2/3, Xaden and Violet from Empyrean 1/2 or Casteel and Poppy from FBAA 1/2. These examples have two further things in common:
1) The betrayal happenes not for selfish reasons, but for a greater cause, one that can endear us to them: Cardan has to take a political stance to stop further wars with the Undersea, Xaden has to protect the other marked children and help the Griffin riders, Casteel is trying to save Poppy and his people.
2) There's a safety mechanism behind it: essentially, the FMC is not thrusted into the wild because of the betrayal since the MMC ensures that she's safe, or at least not fendig for herself, even if she doesn't want to stay with him (Jude can go to Vivienne's house AND can padron herself, Violet stays in the Academy and with Xaden's friends, Poppy stays with the Atlantians regardless of her wanting or not to be with Casteel) showing the MMC cares for her regardless of their relationship, once again endaring us to him.
This iterations fails all of the aforementioned points, meaning there is not much for the audience, as an outside spectator, to forgive. The way into forgiveness is devoit of any moral justification and the emotional attachment the reader might develp for Sin has to do litterally all the work. Let me explain myself:
First of all there is no "safety net" for Wren at the end of book 1: sure, WE know the elves aren't bad people and Seraphine doesn't want to hurt Wren, but SIN doesn't know that, he views his mother as someone who abandonded her own son to the bowels of hell, why would she care for a total stranger? And of course, who knows what the elves are like, hell, she's with Legion now, the people who raped her, abused her, beat her, took her as captive twice and tried to unleash her crazed magic on the kingdom (so nice to see no resolution on that part by the way), the same people who did even worse to his friend Ileana.
On the other hand, there is no higher goal Sin is seeking, MAYBE one could argue he was safekeeping the kingdom from Legion, but given his tyrannical rule, public executions, open apartheid policy and so on, I wouldn't call it really a good thing for his reign to persevere and Legion aren't really going to just pillage and destroy entire towns just to get back at Sin, they're actually quite honorable as they prefer to fight in the open and even lament Blackreach being "full of boobyetraps", meaning they're not into that, so I don't see them sacking everything, were they to win.
Lastly, and most importantly, not having Wren be the sole, or even the main, recipient of Sin's betrayal means that his redemption can't just come from Wren forgiving him, but it has come from AT LEAST Cosmina too, in order for them to be together. Unfortunately (and quite predictably) this is not what happens, or at least not properly, as neither Cosmina:
“I told him he deserves to rot in the deepest, darkest pits of the earth.”
Nor Morrinne:
"do not wag your finger at me and tell me that I should ever forgive that monster for what he has done to my family.”
Keep truthing mother. Nor Eldridge:
"You were fucking the Black Art for Slaine’s sake, Wren. How did you expect me to react when I found out?”
Nor Zorina:
"Do not mistake Zorina’s cordiality as anything but a means to not lose you again. She’s the only one in this entire house that has a semblance of understanding of what I felt."
And I mean, probably (since he has like two lines in the book, why does he exist, again?) not even Theon has forgiven him.
So, yeah, nobody in her family, the people Wren will gladly give up her life for, likes the man (even thought Zorina had that one interaction at the campfire where she was like "Planning on Bonding Sin?" or something, while waggling her eyebrows, thought the quote about her being the only one who understands Morrinne is after this scene so...AND she would be the one to dislike Sin the most, so, again...???). They all tollerate him because Wren likes him, and like him she does, to a concerning point:
“Forgive me. I know what he did, Mama. I know what he did, and I don’t want to love him, I don’t, but I can’t stop.”
What do you even mean girl? It can't even be Fated Mates, since the Mating Bond is an actual mechaninc in the story and it hasn't happened yet. Regarding WHY does she like him so much, I have no clue. I mean, I guess it's the classic feeling of being special because he's a (tyrannical fearmonger) bad boy that only opens up to her, but nothing there really ellicits THAT big of a reaction, right?
Well the thing is, Wren HAD TO have such a strong reaction to him, otherwise going against her whole family wouldn't work, BUT at the same time, to have that bond deepen, they needed to progress their romance further before she confronted her family about it, otherwise it wouldn't hold up. That means she has to explore her feelings for him while he still hasn't cleared up the mess with Cosmina (and the rest of the family), but that is a really bad way of going about your relationship, expecially when the scenes with her family aren't really about them furthering a bond that we could infer was already there (since...they're family) but rather about all of them TELLING (rather than making us feel it, by showing) Wren that they really love her because of past events we're not shown (only told) and thus they will bend to whatever decision she makes. A quick fix for that would be Wren having a "thing" she does with each of her family members, something private that would show us they have a deep bond over something (the most she has is the banter with Eldridge, but he's the one who's against Sin THE MOST, maybe on par with Morrinne). This usually isn't something that's needed in stories about family, since...they're family, but here the familiar bond is specifically brought to the test since it has to hold them together against Wren's decision to be with someone who has hurt them as a family. There's a very good reason Princess Leila and Darth Vader do NOT reconcile at the end of Return of the Jedi, nor does she ever have a talk about it with Luke.
Regarding the relationship in itself, past the surface level attraction and flirting, there is very little:
Dusaro stands mighty and speaks of beasts that prey on the weak, but it was he that tossed his only son to the wolves like he was nothing more than spoiled meat. Heat tunnels in my veins, the thought an unwelcome reminder of my own mother ushering me into the street, never to return to the only warmth and security I’d ever known.
Yeah they have things in common now, the problem is they were already in love before this, so it's kinda pointless. Their deeper issues aren't addressed in the slightest: he still wanted to kill the Transcendents even after knowing her family was full of them, to the point he had to be blackmailed against (genociding) "waging war" against the shifters, not has she helped him resolve any of his issues with his mother. On the other hand, she has shown to go drunk on her power:
“Why did you take his life?”
I shrug my shoulders. “He called me the Black Art’s pet. I didn’t like that.”
Killing the last scout from Baelliarah because she could and most importantly forcing them to fight their way out of Blackreach, something that was previously condemned when Alistair did it at the outpost, to the point where it was obvlious it would be a point of contention, which it WAS...until it wasn't, it never got resolved, look at this:
“You can be angry with me for what happened in the city, but that doesn’t mean we can pretend it didn’t happen. Our actions have consequences—big consequences —that we need to prepare for.”
I mean, yeah, sure, but why are YOU saying this? You're the one who forced them to slaughter their way out of the city. What consequences are you willing to face?
“Blaming me for our predicament is not going to help us now.”
“Who would you have me blame?”
"Your father. Oh, and then there’s your savage predecessor, your entire council, your mother, your guards"
Yeah...
"You are the reason for my lapse in civility, as you like to say, and you are lying to yourself if you see it any other way.”
The delusion is strong with this one. That said Sin seems at first to be fighting back:
"I saved a girl who would rather rip out her own heart than take the life of another. But that,” he jabs a finger in the direction of the devastated keep, now far out of eye’s view, “I don’t know who that was.”
“I don’t care that you killed them. I care that you fell prey to the fucking impulses of your kind"
Holy based, brother. Unfortunately all of that stops as soon as the ceremony to heal the Vale is introduced and Sin is a lust crazed beast plus romantic sweetheart for the rest of the story.
Also, there's THIS line from him, which I don’t know what i'm supposed to make of
"I would have hurt you, and enjoyed it, because you were everything good and light, and I couldn’t stand looking at you and knowing I would never have what you did."
That's not what happened in the last book. Like, we're litterally making it up.
Oh, by the way, Cathal telling Sin he has fucked both his girlfriend AND his mother is a blow he will never recover from, bro is done, career ending injury
Since I got a bit of wordcount left, even the writing style is weird: words like "gatekeep", "forbidden wine" (blood) are clearly modern slang, while dialogues are weirdly constructed so characters intentionally say something obviously wrong so other characters can point it out to us, even thought internal dialogue is used A LOT, and it is used to then agree with the other's point without pause, as if the character already agreed in the first place:
“And what about your actions? We wouldn’t have even been in Blackreach if not for your father and his impulsiveness!”
They're...not his actions...? And sure, he says as much, but why are you even bringing this up? "It's your fault i ate to much sweets and now i have a belly ache". "No it's not". "Ah, right". What was even the point?
“This affects more than just us, you know?”
"Do not trust the elves. If it is us they need to restore their Source, there’s no telling what they’ll do to try to force our hands. We need to maintain leverage, and we’ll lose it quickly if we feed them too much too soon. For now, it’s me and you.”
He’s right. I’ve never trusted Aeverie or Vox
So why did we structure the dialoge to imply you didn't already agree? This is here for the audience alone and could have been cut, we're definitely not above using internal dialogue, so there really is no need to also talk like you're stupid.
“The heart is a cruel, evil thing, but rarely does it lead us astray."
"I would bear the pain of losing him again and again if it meant I also got to relive those moments of happiness.”
Is this supposed to be the theme? Go for the bad boy, even if he hurts your loved ones, who love you so much they're willing to break bread with the man who persecuted them for their race and personally through imprisoning two of your relatives. THIS is how you reward their love? Bruh, imagine being stuck with this ungrateful ass for the rest of your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
This is such a fun trilogy. Great tension, really solid enemies to lovers, interesting magic, growing world, DUET audiobook, spice that spices… it’s really a lot of fun. I’d say 3.75 - 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but rounding up for sure becauee I’m having a blast. Plot, pros, & cons below 👇🏼
PLOT
After Sin’s betrayal, Wren is off to the Vale with his enemies; transcendence, his mom, elves, & the hate in her heart. But with war in the horizon from multiple fronts, it becomes clear she & Sin will have to work together to prevent utter destruction of the people & places she loves most. This book has
- enemies to lovers (for real & again)
- mages, shifters, & elves
- kingdoms/peoples at war
- tension galore
- higher spice
PROS
- There’s just something about this that has me hooked. I just want to keep listening, keep reading, & I’m super excited for book 3.
- Sin & Wren’s dynamic is so wrought with tension & betrayal & lust & affection & it’s a constant battle between them that is fun to read.
- The elves are an interesting addition to this book & I liked the element they brought to it.
- Solllllid spice.
- Really good audiobook narrators!
MIDS
- For as badass as Wren is sometimes she lets people walk all over her. She loves so hard that she’ll do anything to keep those people happy including be a little bit of a doormat. We know she isn’t one - considering how she treats Sin post-betrayal despite her feelings for him - so sometimes it just throws me. It’s not a BAD thing necessarily & I do understand it but sometimes I’m just like “hey stick up for yourself more!”
CONS
- It’s just missing *something* to make me obsessssss over the MCs even though I am enjoying it a lot. So that’s kind of a dumb con that isn’t helpful lol but it is what it is.
Excited to read book 3 once it’s out on audio!
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
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no really
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- The Elven betrayal was bound to happen but I didn’t know what it would be & that was FUN/INTERESTING. I’m sort of sad Sin isn’t 5x powerful anymore but 3x still works. & part of me things Wren will get the dagger’s power back anyway & then them going through the mating thing next book will give it back to Sin too.
PLOT
After Sin’s betrayal, Wren is off to the Vale with his enemies; transcendence, his mom, elves, & the hate in her heart. But with war in the horizon from multiple fronts, it becomes clear she & Sin will have to work together to prevent utter destruction of the people & places she loves most. This book has
- enemies to lovers (for real & again)
- mages, shifters, & elves
- kingdoms/peoples at war
- tension galore
- higher spice
PROS
- There’s just something about this that has me hooked. I just want to keep listening, keep reading, & I’m super excited for book 3.
- Sin & Wren’s dynamic is so wrought with tension & betrayal & lust & affection & it’s a constant battle between them that is fun to read.
- The elves are an interesting addition to this book & I liked the element they brought to it.
- Solllllid spice.
- Really good audiobook narrators!
MIDS
- For as badass as Wren is sometimes she lets people walk all over her. She loves so hard that she’ll do anything to keep those people happy including be a little bit of a doormat. We know she isn’t one - considering how she treats Sin post-betrayal despite her feelings for him - so sometimes it just throws me. It’s not a BAD thing necessarily & I do understand it but sometimes I’m just like “hey stick up for yourself more!”
CONS
- It’s just missing *something* to make me obsessssss over the MCs even though I am enjoying it a lot. So that’s kind of a dumb con that isn’t helpful lol but it is what it is.
Excited to read book 3 once it’s out on audio!
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
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no really
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- The Elven betrayal was bound to happen but I didn’t know what it would be & that was FUN/INTERESTING. I’m sort of sad Sin isn’t 5x powerful anymore but 3x still works. & part of me things Wren will get the dagger’s power back anyway & then them going through the mating thing next book will give it back to Sin too.
March 6, 2024
Solid second book in this fantastic Dark Fantasy Romance series. I can never get enough of Sin + Wren. Release book 3 asap, please! :) 🖤
March 16, 2025
I will devour everything Erin Mainord writes! I absolutely loved book 2 in the bound by blood series, and I think book 3 is going to hit even harder! The last few chapters are a roller coaster!!
This is a true dark romantic fantasy full of tension, war, and beautifully painful relationships. I was gifted the arc for my honest review and honestly you need to bump this series up your TBR! Bonds that break us release March 5!
This is a true dark romantic fantasy full of tension, war, and beautifully painful relationships. I was gifted the arc for my honest review and honestly you need to bump this series up your TBR! Bonds that break us release March 5!
June 9, 2024
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Spice quality 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
Ahhhh, I am screaming, crying, squealing, and everything in between!!!
I received this book as an ARC, and my thoughts are honest and my own!
I love this frikken book and series so much! And Sin and Wren.... ahhhhh, I can not get enough of these two!! I love them together and no one can tell me otherwise!
The world building in this book is just frikken stunning and is done so eloquently that it makes you feel like you are right there with all the characters. And who doesn't love elves, shifters, blood witches, and the impending explosion of drama, tears, and love, even if that last one takes a little to get there. But it is so worth the wait.
I am trying to think how to explain how amazing this book is without spoiling anything, but I can't. So you are just going to have read this series for yourself. Trust me you will be sucked in this series and it will have you in a choke hold!
Erin has outdone herself with book two. And I can not wait to see what happens in the next one!!!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram! :)
RE-READ 9 JUNE 2024
I am still so in love with this book I can not wait for book three
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
Spice quality 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
Ahhhh, I am screaming, crying, squealing, and everything in between!!!
I received this book as an ARC, and my thoughts are honest and my own!
I love this frikken book and series so much! And Sin and Wren.... ahhhhh, I can not get enough of these two!! I love them together and no one can tell me otherwise!
The world building in this book is just frikken stunning and is done so eloquently that it makes you feel like you are right there with all the characters. And who doesn't love elves, shifters, blood witches, and the impending explosion of drama, tears, and love, even if that last one takes a little to get there. But it is so worth the wait.
I am trying to think how to explain how amazing this book is without spoiling anything, but I can't. So you are just going to have read this series for yourself. Trust me you will be sucked in this series and it will have you in a choke hold!
Erin has outdone herself with book two. And I can not wait to see what happens in the next one!!!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram! :)
RE-READ 9 JUNE 2024
I am still so in love with this book I can not wait for book three
October 9, 2024
I tried so hard to like this series. Objectively, I don't have much to complain about or criticize. But it just didn't GRIP me. I'd finish a chapter and be content to put the book down and do something else, which NEVER happens to me. Usually you have to pry a book from my hands to get me to do basic chores. I was just...BORED. DNF'd like 80% into this book. I tried, man. But also...can we STOP with the weird ass descriptions? If I have to read blood described as "juice" or "syrup" one more time... *wretch.* It also reads like the author puked a thesaurus all over the book. The one saving grace to these books is Sin's dirty mouth, because yes please 🥵
![Profile Image for Sara J [saras kindle era].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1705600451i%2F159607381._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 18, 2025
*ARC Review*
For the love of all things holy, this was so incredible! Like in book one, the world building, magic, political strategies, & character development is fantastic! Erin Mainord has quickly become a favorite fantasy/romantasy author of mine!
This one continues from where book 1 ended, with Wren & Sin going from enemies to lovers to enemies once again after that gut wrenching cliffhanger of an ending! It has Wren & her family with the elves & Wren wanting vengeance on the Black Art. Now I’m not going to spoil the story/details about how they are reconnected, but the slow burn between them is delicious! Also, Sin’s growth, accountability, & his devotion to Wren is *chef’s kiss*! Wren’s development is also so good, I truly love her & her bad bitch self! Their push & pull, angst, tension, & their insane chemistry is one of my favorite things about this series & I can’t wait to see how it continues to get even better in book 3!
This one doesn’t have quite the huge cliffhanger that book 1 did (praise! 🤣), but it has left me anxiously awaiting the 3rd book because I need their story to continue ASAP!
For the love of all things holy, this was so incredible! Like in book one, the world building, magic, political strategies, & character development is fantastic! Erin Mainord has quickly become a favorite fantasy/romantasy author of mine!
This one continues from where book 1 ended, with Wren & Sin going from enemies to lovers to enemies once again after that gut wrenching cliffhanger of an ending! It has Wren & her family with the elves & Wren wanting vengeance on the Black Art. Now I’m not going to spoil the story/details about how they are reconnected, but the slow burn between them is delicious! Also, Sin’s growth, accountability, & his devotion to Wren is *chef’s kiss*! Wren’s development is also so good, I truly love her & her bad bitch self! Their push & pull, angst, tension, & their insane chemistry is one of my favorite things about this series & I can’t wait to see how it continues to get even better in book 3!
This one doesn’t have quite the huge cliffhanger that book 1 did (praise! 🤣), but it has left me anxiously awaiting the 3rd book because I need their story to continue ASAP!
March 1, 2024
Book two does not disappoint!
"So possessive for something that isn't yours, Blackheart." This part had me squealing 🤭
The first bit felt a little slow going, but it quickly picks up and doesn't stop. I'm still obsessed with Sin and I'm loving the plot. I mean, I really love all the characters, but Sin be sinning and it's doing things to me. The ending made me literally scream. You authors really love to torture us and keep us on the edge of our seats with the endings 😂 I need book three asap and this one isn't even officially out yet!
Thank you so much to Erin for allowing me to arc read, I love this series! 🖤
"So possessive for something that isn't yours, Blackheart." This part had me squealing 🤭
The first bit felt a little slow going, but it quickly picks up and doesn't stop. I'm still obsessed with Sin and I'm loving the plot. I mean, I really love all the characters, but Sin be sinning and it's doing things to me. The ending made me literally scream. You authors really love to torture us and keep us on the edge of our seats with the endings 😂 I need book three asap and this one isn't even officially out yet!
Thank you so much to Erin for allowing me to arc read, I love this series! 🖤
March 4, 2024
This is a must read series especially for my slow-burn angsty readers! I didn’t think I could love book 2 more than book 1 but here we are! And I AM OBSESSED. This gave me everything I wanted and things I didn’t know I needed. Like let’s have a moment of silence for jealous and possessive Sin
On top of all that I loved reading Wren’s journey and seeing a FMC who gets shit done and is a total badass. But what I loved most is seeing all the different sides to her and her emotions. Honestly one of my favorite characters in the book (probably top 5 fav FMC all time). Chef’s kiss! I will probably be re-reading this book later in the year because I’m so obsessed. One of my favorite reads so far! Highly highly recommend reading this one especially if you like an angsty spicy fantasy!! Also 3 hot guys in one book??? Ummm yes pls (even though I have a clear favorite). I was giddy the whole time I read and couldn’t stop smiling. Legit my top 5 favorite series. Thank you so much for the ARC copy and I’m so beyond excited to read book 3 when it comes out!!
This book was everything and I’m so sad I finished it. Simply immaculate and I loved it so much. I will write a better review soon once I get my thoughts together.
On top of all that I loved reading Wren’s journey and seeing a FMC who gets shit done and is a total badass. But what I loved most is seeing all the different sides to her and her emotions. Honestly one of my favorite characters in the book (probably top 5 fav FMC all time). Chef’s kiss! I will probably be re-reading this book later in the year because I’m so obsessed. One of my favorite reads so far! Highly highly recommend reading this one especially if you like an angsty spicy fantasy!! Also 3 hot guys in one book??? Ummm yes pls (even though I have a clear favorite). I was giddy the whole time I read and couldn’t stop smiling. Legit my top 5 favorite series. Thank you so much for the ARC copy and I’m so beyond excited to read book 3 when it comes out!!
This book was everything and I’m so sad I finished it. Simply immaculate and I loved it so much. I will write a better review soon once I get my thoughts together.
July 9, 2024
Book Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MISS ERIN DID IT AGAIN!
I knew I was going to love this book but I didn’t expect to get whiplash and sucker punched in the face.
When an impending war is looming over the heads of Wren and her family they have no other option but to hide in the Vale with the elves in hopes that they can band together to come out the other side but when wren is still struggling to let go of her feelings for Sin and wash the betrayal from her mind, she puts all her energy into protecting her family. Except as fate would have it their paths inevitably get pushed back together and it’s definitely not what either of them wanted.
The world building, the character development, the suspense and the absolute twists this book held was phenomenal. I’m not lying when I say this book gave me whiplash like I’ll be walking around wearing a neck brace cause this book had me fucked up!
I can’t recommend this series enough, if you’re looking for a very easy to follow fantasy that has all the drama and the angst, spice and tension but isn’t overly drowned out and complicated then this series is for you besties.
Happy reading x
MISS ERIN DID IT AGAIN!
I knew I was going to love this book but I didn’t expect to get whiplash and sucker punched in the face.
When an impending war is looming over the heads of Wren and her family they have no other option but to hide in the Vale with the elves in hopes that they can band together to come out the other side but when wren is still struggling to let go of her feelings for Sin and wash the betrayal from her mind, she puts all her energy into protecting her family. Except as fate would have it their paths inevitably get pushed back together and it’s definitely not what either of them wanted.
The world building, the character development, the suspense and the absolute twists this book held was phenomenal. I’m not lying when I say this book gave me whiplash like I’ll be walking around wearing a neck brace cause this book had me fucked up!
I can’t recommend this series enough, if you’re looking for a very easy to follow fantasy that has all the drama and the angst, spice and tension but isn’t overly drowned out and complicated then this series is for you besties.
Happy reading x
February 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Just know, my sweet Blackheart, when I’m done chasing you, I will devour you. Bones and blood and soul.”
OHHHHH SHIT, this book was SO good! erin effectively said, “oh hey let me rip out the souls of my readers and then shove them back in their bodies. for funsies.” bc this book had me SCREAMING the entire time. i didn’t think i was gonna survive it.
i loved singards slow & steady redemption arc. and the groveling??? WOOOOO BABY SO GOOD. our girl made him work for it and i’m obsessed.
the plot was so good and that ending? refer to the soul ripping comment bc mine was surely gone & put back. the vibes were dark, enchanting, and everything i needed it to be plus more. the spice was DELICIOUS and im already begging for book 3, just like sin would want me to be.
i was gifted this arc in exchange for an honest review, thank you erin for the arc! 🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Just know, my sweet Blackheart, when I’m done chasing you, I will devour you. Bones and blood and soul.”
OHHHHH SHIT, this book was SO good! erin effectively said, “oh hey let me rip out the souls of my readers and then shove them back in their bodies. for funsies.” bc this book had me SCREAMING the entire time. i didn’t think i was gonna survive it.
i loved singards slow & steady redemption arc. and the groveling??? WOOOOO BABY SO GOOD. our girl made him work for it and i’m obsessed.
the plot was so good and that ending? refer to the soul ripping comment bc mine was surely gone & put back. the vibes were dark, enchanting, and everything i needed it to be plus more. the spice was DELICIOUS and im already begging for book 3, just like sin would want me to be.
i was gifted this arc in exchange for an honest review, thank you erin for the arc! 🖤
July 16, 2024
DNF at 55% is too messy with everything, but I hate two main things
- the rapist guy that is still roaming around all of his victims (Wren too) and continuing verbally assault them 🤢 WHY??? it’s disgusting and very disturbing beyond saying ‘It’s just in the book’ even keep him to make jealousy trope going on between Wren and Sin is still a no🤮
- Singard. His character can’t convince me that he’s sorry for what he did and he’s in his redemption arc mode😐 a manipulator is still a manipulator *sigh*
Also, dual pov. would be really helpful in this storyline
- the rapist guy that is still roaming around all of his victims (Wren too) and continuing verbally assault them 🤢 WHY??? it’s disgusting and very disturbing beyond saying ‘It’s just in the book’ even keep him to make jealousy trope going on between Wren and Sin is still a no🤮
- Singard. His character can’t convince me that he’s sorry for what he did and he’s in his redemption arc mode😐 a manipulator is still a manipulator *sigh*
Also, dual pov. would be really helpful in this storyline
March 7, 2024
I missed Wren and Sin so much! This book was absolutely beautiful and of course kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Erin’s voice is so engaging and Wren is so close to my heart. Watching this series progress has been a pleasure and I just know book 3 is going to be a treat!
March 22, 2024
For 2024 this one reads a bit old, lots and lots of long paragraphs about nothing, long boring exposition, lots of empty drama and buckets of tears. Second book syndrome is strong here
February 28, 2025
Oh! Singard the man you are ❤️❤️👀 sooo, a lot happened, new species, new allies and new enemies too! I like that the books are on the shorter side, but i would love for a dual POV in the next one! And i wish it to be the last! This should be a trilogy!
So, Wren left with the elves in the last book, promising to kill Sin for his betrayal! I still like her! She is vicious, extremely loyal to her family and yet compassionate! I like the bickering between her and Singard, also her relationship with Eldridge, it really is wholesome! Her powers are getting stronger and I can't wait for more!
Sin is my man! He is cruel, terrible, but would do anything for her! I like the way he saved her life, risking his secret! I also enjoyed seeing him lose control and claiming her as his in front of everyone else! His sacrifices for her were amazing! And the spice scene between them? The possessiveness and jealousy he suffers from got me to my knees!
The first 10% or so was kind of boring but then the book picked up and it got better from there! I still prefer the first one though!
Favourite scene is when they were in the woods and admitted their feelings to each other 🫣❤️❤️😍 i lost it!
Can't wait for the next book and for what the new threat has to offer!
So, Wren left with the elves in the last book, promising to kill Sin for his betrayal! I still like her! She is vicious, extremely loyal to her family and yet compassionate! I like the bickering between her and Singard, also her relationship with Eldridge, it really is wholesome! Her powers are getting stronger and I can't wait for more!
Sin is my man! He is cruel, terrible, but would do anything for her! I like the way he saved her life, risking his secret! I also enjoyed seeing him lose control and claiming her as his in front of everyone else! His sacrifices for her were amazing! And the spice scene between them? The possessiveness and jealousy he suffers from got me to my knees!
The first 10% or so was kind of boring but then the book picked up and it got better from there! I still prefer the first one though!
Favourite scene is when they were in the woods and admitted their feelings to each other 🫣❤️❤️😍 i lost it!
Can't wait for the next book and for what the new threat has to offer!
March 3, 2025
This second installment in Erin Mainord's Bound by Blood series does not disappoint. It picks up shortly following the events of book one. And let me tell you -- none of our characters are doing too well at the beginning of this book.
Erin truly kept me guessing on who I believed I could trust in this book. While I knew that Sin and Wren would figure their s*** out at some point, all the people around them truly have their own motives. It left me wondering who would betray the pair throughout the book.
Wren and Sin continue to work through a lot of the issues that they have in the wake of book one. Wren in dealing with her inability to trust (and for good reason). And Sin with his need to figure out how to live with the choices he made. We also see the appearance of other characters who added to the story and create some delicious tension between this pair (definitely hear for it).
The explosive ending of this book and the entrance of some new political changes had me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to see where Erin takes the story in book 3.
4.5/5
--
Audiobook:
The Prior/Cavanaugh duo continues to impress! I love this pairing. They are giving all the smoky sexy vibes and I truly here for it! I really appreciate the range these two have in giving each of the character's their own voices and inflections. It adds a wonderful and powerful layer to Mainord's storytelling. These two truly do a fantastic job of bringing this story to life for listeners.
5/5
Erin truly kept me guessing on who I believed I could trust in this book. While I knew that Sin and Wren would figure their s*** out at some point, all the people around them truly have their own motives. It left me wondering who would betray the pair throughout the book.
Wren and Sin continue to work through a lot of the issues that they have in the wake of book one. Wren in dealing with her inability to trust (and for good reason). And Sin with his need to figure out how to live with the choices he made. We also see the appearance of other characters who added to the story and create some delicious tension between this pair (definitely hear for it).
The explosive ending of this book and the entrance of some new political changes had me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait to see where Erin takes the story in book 3.
4.5/5
--
Audiobook:
The Prior/Cavanaugh duo continues to impress! I love this pairing. They are giving all the smoky sexy vibes and I truly here for it! I really appreciate the range these two have in giving each of the character's their own voices and inflections. It adds a wonderful and powerful layer to Mainord's storytelling. These two truly do a fantastic job of bringing this story to life for listeners.
5/5
July 12, 2025
This was a really enjoyable second book to the series!
While I don't feel like we got much further in the plot, I feel like there is a lot of very important stuff set up and the ending adds a HUGE amount to what I can't wait to find out in the next book!
This book definitely focuses on character development. Relationships, regrets, sins of the past...everything is dragged out in the open here and dissected as the characters all try to come to terms with what is happening and has happened.
I loved Wren and Sin's characters and definitely look forward to seeing what happens in the final installment with everyone! This is a dark fantasy romance and while it is not a dark romance, some of the spice scenes are a bit darker, angrier, rougher than other books. I've got a pretty low threshold to what I can handle though and even I ate these scenes up!
-Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Hate that I love you
-Dark fantasy
-Shifters, Witches, & Humans
Thank you MTMC Tours and the Author for a digital copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.
While I don't feel like we got much further in the plot, I feel like there is a lot of very important stuff set up and the ending adds a HUGE amount to what I can't wait to find out in the next book!
This book definitely focuses on character development. Relationships, regrets, sins of the past...everything is dragged out in the open here and dissected as the characters all try to come to terms with what is happening and has happened.
I loved Wren and Sin's characters and definitely look forward to seeing what happens in the final installment with everyone! This is a dark fantasy romance and while it is not a dark romance, some of the spice scenes are a bit darker, angrier, rougher than other books. I've got a pretty low threshold to what I can handle though and even I ate these scenes up!
-Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Hate that I love you
-Dark fantasy
-Shifters, Witches, & Humans
Thank you MTMC Tours and the Author for a digital copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.
February 23, 2025
✨𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧: The Bonds That Break Us (The Bound By Blood Series Book 2)
🎙️: Jacci Prior, James Cavenaugh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“…𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”
In this heart-pounding sequel, Wren and Sin must confront the betrayals and heartache that divides them. As Sin’s darkest secrets surface and with the fate of the kingdoms in peril, the stakes have never been higher. And the key to sweeping changes may rest with them...
Tropes:
⚠️Enemies to lovers to enemies…
🩸Blood witch FMC
⚔️Broody MMC
🫂Forced proximity
🚫Touch her & 💀
🗣️Banter
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🌶️:open door
I loved this audiobook adaptation! Jacci channels Wren’s wrath and ferocity perfectly and
James embodies Sin’s possessiveness, authority, and guilt. Both narrators brilliantly portray the warring emotions and the highs and lows for both MCs.
Unlikely alliances are formed. As they look to the future, can they right the wrongs of the past?
This powerful story is meant to be seen and heard. Prepare for an emotional, tumultuous, and steamy journey! I cannot wait for the final installment, The Beasts That Bleed Us, coming April 1, 2025!
Beyond grateful for this review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review
🎧: The Bonds That Break Us (The Bound By Blood Series Book 2)
🎙️: Jacci Prior, James Cavenaugh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“…𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”
In this heart-pounding sequel, Wren and Sin must confront the betrayals and heartache that divides them. As Sin’s darkest secrets surface and with the fate of the kingdoms in peril, the stakes have never been higher. And the key to sweeping changes may rest with them...
Tropes:
⚠️Enemies to lovers to enemies…
🩸Blood witch FMC
⚔️Broody MMC
🫂Forced proximity
🚫Touch her & 💀
🗣️Banter
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🌶️:open door
I loved this audiobook adaptation! Jacci channels Wren’s wrath and ferocity perfectly and
James embodies Sin’s possessiveness, authority, and guilt. Both narrators brilliantly portray the warring emotions and the highs and lows for both MCs.
Unlikely alliances are formed. As they look to the future, can they right the wrongs of the past?
This powerful story is meant to be seen and heard. Prepare for an emotional, tumultuous, and steamy journey! I cannot wait for the final installment, The Beasts That Bleed Us, coming April 1, 2025!
Beyond grateful for this review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review
August 16, 2024
Actually I feel pretty weird about this book. I felt like something was lacking. Alistair or whoever was a little bitch and I hated him he was annoying and nosy. And durind the whole I just waited for Wren and Sin to finally reconcile, I didn't really wanted them but it was granted so... But I still think it was cute how he saved her from his father. And I really wanted them to bond finally it would have been good if we ACTUALLY get the scene when they do it. And, Eldrige might be ginger but he is not evil, I might even like him a little but just a little in the beginning a legit thought that he will turn on Wren or pull some shit, so yeah he suprised me. I don't know maybe I just wasn't in the mood but for me the spice was a too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
This book and series needs all the stars, I devoured it in one sitting! And let me tell you it was an emotional roller coaster! The very definition of enemies to lovers! I would definitely say this is more of a dark fantasy.
After being betrayed by Sin in the first book, Wren only wants one thing…revenge. But has the bond they formed between them broken enough for her to take Sin down.
After being betrayed by Sin in the first book, Wren only wants one thing…revenge. But has the bond they formed between them broken enough for her to take Sin down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
where did the plot go? i kept getting bored because wtf even happened , even if a little bit of plot happened it was told in one page with minimal detail about the magic etc
July 7, 2024
Again, overall enjoyed this sequel. Good plot, good spice.
May 2, 2024
This was sooooo good! I loved the first book and this one did not disappoint.
This ticks all the boxes for what I love in a book in this genre. Morally grey characters who are completely and messy, incredible chemistry with a good dose of angst that doesn't feel too manufactured and an over-arching plot that ties it all together.
The relationship of Sin and Wren is perfection. With Sin's actions at the end of the mast book, it was hard to imagine how he could ever begin to redeem himself in Wren's eyes, and the eyes of the reader, but this was done so well.
If you like morally grey, blood thirsty characters, with a deliciously angsty love/hate relationship with a massive dolop of genuine devotion, then give this series a try!
This ticks all the boxes for what I love in a book in this genre. Morally grey characters who are completely and messy, incredible chemistry with a good dose of angst that doesn't feel too manufactured and an over-arching plot that ties it all together.
The relationship of Sin and Wren is perfection. With Sin's actions at the end of the mast book, it was hard to imagine how he could ever begin to redeem himself in Wren's eyes, and the eyes of the reader, but this was done so well.
If you like morally grey, blood thirsty characters, with a deliciously angsty love/hate relationship with a massive dolop of genuine devotion, then give this series a try!
April 1, 2024
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH
Everything about it is perfect. The world building, the pacing, the character development. Everything.
If you like dark fantasy romance, you need to move this to the top of your tbr.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review!
Everything about it is perfect. The world building, the pacing, the character development. Everything.
If you like dark fantasy romance, you need to move this to the top of your tbr.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review!
February 23, 2025
4.5
Holy shit there was a lot to unpack in this second book. My questions from the first book were answered but this book left me with more.
We start the book with Wren going over what happened in her head. Then, we are introduced to a new land in this magical world (well, it was mentioned briefly in the first book). I don't want to say what it is, because it's kind of a spoiler but you learn right away in the first chapter. Here I am glad that we are kind of info dumped at the beginning because without that info, we'd be completely lost the rest of the book.
In the last book, Wren struggled with her powers because she didn't want to lose her humanity. In this book, we see a little more of that struggle but it's more power management since she's come to accept her bloodlust and that part of her. She fights to act on her impulses and learns how to wield blood.
I love how Wren was basically all talk about wanting to kill Sin and drink his blood but when he's actually in danger, she saves his life. It shows more of her feelings towards him, the ones that she can't voice. Both Sin and Wren show their love through their actions in this book. Oh how I wish we had Sin's perspective for some of these scenes. His inner thoughts during certain scenes when he's showing his love to her would be SO intense.
With new characters introduced, there's more danger to be considered. The political world was mapped out well again. It's hard to tell who is actually an allie, and who you can fully trust. Each side has their own motivations, and it made me super curious about how things were going to go.
The side characters are great, and there are a couple I would love to punch in the face. :)
Wren grapples with her feelings a lot in this book. She's got a lot going on personally, so we get a lot of her thoughts.
Also, Alistair caused like 40% of the problems in this book. I said what I said. He's one of the ones I want to punch. I don't trust that man!!!
The only part I really got lost at was a magic heavy scene, because my brain cannot comprehend fantasy elements sometimes lmao so I didn't really understand how it worked but I was like ope okay thumbs up and went with it.
Wren can hold a grudge longer than me because I would've forgiven Sin so fast. Like, he had rational reasons girl. We finally get confessions of love from these two after a lot of back and forth. In a world where you can't tell who is on your side, Sin's only true allegiance is to Wren.
Once again, I am left with A LOT of questions after reading that ending. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up so I'm very curious to see how everything plays out in book three. Hopefully Mainord is able to wrap up the story neatly without plot holes, because there are a lot of things to consider after this book.
Very excited to see what's next!
Holy shit there was a lot to unpack in this second book. My questions from the first book were answered but this book left me with more.
We start the book with Wren going over what happened in her head. Then, we are introduced to a new land in this magical world (well, it was mentioned briefly in the first book). I don't want to say what it is, because it's kind of a spoiler but you learn right away in the first chapter. Here I am glad that we are kind of info dumped at the beginning because without that info, we'd be completely lost the rest of the book.
In the last book, Wren struggled with her powers because she didn't want to lose her humanity. In this book, we see a little more of that struggle but it's more power management since she's come to accept her bloodlust and that part of her. She fights to act on her impulses and learns how to wield blood.
I love how Wren was basically all talk about wanting to kill Sin and drink his blood but when he's actually in danger, she saves his life. It shows more of her feelings towards him, the ones that she can't voice. Both Sin and Wren show their love through their actions in this book. Oh how I wish we had Sin's perspective for some of these scenes. His inner thoughts during certain scenes when he's showing his love to her would be SO intense.
With new characters introduced, there's more danger to be considered. The political world was mapped out well again. It's hard to tell who is actually an allie, and who you can fully trust. Each side has their own motivations, and it made me super curious about how things were going to go.
The side characters are great, and there are a couple I would love to punch in the face. :)
Wren grapples with her feelings a lot in this book. She's got a lot going on personally, so we get a lot of her thoughts.
Also, Alistair caused like 40% of the problems in this book. I said what I said. He's one of the ones I want to punch. I don't trust that man!!!
The only part I really got lost at was a magic heavy scene, because my brain cannot comprehend fantasy elements sometimes lmao so I didn't really understand how it worked but I was like ope okay thumbs up and went with it.
Wren can hold a grudge longer than me because I would've forgiven Sin so fast. Like, he had rational reasons girl. We finally get confessions of love from these two after a lot of back and forth. In a world where you can't tell who is on your side, Sin's only true allegiance is to Wren.
Once again, I am left with A LOT of questions after reading that ending. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up so I'm very curious to see how everything plays out in book three. Hopefully Mainord is able to wrap up the story neatly without plot holes, because there are a lot of things to consider after this book.
Very excited to see what's next!
May 26, 2025
Yeah ok this second installment has cemented the fact that this series is the equivalent of eating your favorite snack: it’s addictive, you can’t just eat one, and before you know it you’ve eaten the whole thing.
I’m not gonna call this series my guilty pleasure because I feel zero guilt consuming it the way I did. Just like with book one, I started the audio (which was just as fantastic as the previous one), and I found myself not wanting to stop.
The Bonds That Break Us is full of feminine rage, resentment, distrust, drama, a bit of groveling, make up sex, characters becoming more comfortable with their powers/who they are, found family, repairing broken trust and past betrayals, and so much more. I said in my review of book one that I think the plot would get bigger, thicker, and more prominent in future books. And while I think it did, I just think this is a romantasy that will always focus more on the characters and all the different relationships and you know what? I’m absolutely ok with that. I left even more under the spell of Wren & Sin and I can’t wait for book three to come out in audio!
4.5-5⭐️
3.5🔥
What to expect:
Book 2 in a series
Betrayals & dealing with the aftermath of them
War
Dark romantasy
Enemies to lovers
Elves, witches, shifters
Knife to the throat
He’s still jealous & possessive
Touch her & die
Banter
She’s stabby
Morally grey
Feminine rage
He gets on his knees and apologizes
He likes marking her
TW/CW: discussion/mention of genocide against a group of magical creatures/people (shifters aka transcendents), war, blood, wounds, violence, mention of side character losing an arm
I’m not gonna call this series my guilty pleasure because I feel zero guilt consuming it the way I did. Just like with book one, I started the audio (which was just as fantastic as the previous one), and I found myself not wanting to stop.
The Bonds That Break Us is full of feminine rage, resentment, distrust, drama, a bit of groveling, make up sex, characters becoming more comfortable with their powers/who they are, found family, repairing broken trust and past betrayals, and so much more. I said in my review of book one that I think the plot would get bigger, thicker, and more prominent in future books. And while I think it did, I just think this is a romantasy that will always focus more on the characters and all the different relationships and you know what? I’m absolutely ok with that. I left even more under the spell of Wren & Sin and I can’t wait for book three to come out in audio!
4.5-5⭐️
3.5🔥
What to expect:
Book 2 in a series
Betrayals & dealing with the aftermath of them
War
Dark romantasy
Enemies to lovers
Elves, witches, shifters
Knife to the throat
He’s still jealous & possessive
Touch her & die
Banter
She’s stabby
Morally grey
Feminine rage
He gets on his knees and apologizes
He likes marking her
TW/CW: discussion/mention of genocide against a group of magical creatures/people (shifters aka transcendents), war, blood, wounds, violence, mention of side character losing an arm
February 17, 2024
Where do I even begin? Erin has somehow elevated her writing even more than in The Blood That Binds Us. This book was insanely good. The prose, world-building, plot, all of it was just impeccable. Erin perfected the ability to have equal parts angst, slow-burn, plot, spice, and tenderness. I physically cannot wrap my head around how great this book was. Much like in book one, I didn’t see a SINGLE Plot twist coming and was left gobsmacked LOL.
If you’ll need me, I’ll be screeching about this book until I die.
P.S. I actually highlighted about 59 lines so I don’t know if I’ll share all of em LOL. It’s just stunning work.
If you’ll need me, I’ll be screeching about this book until I die.
P.S. I actually highlighted about 59 lines so I don’t know if I’ll share all of em LOL. It’s just stunning work.
February 25, 2024
Good golly!
I love Erin so much as a writer and the way she tells her stories is 👩🍳💋
Following the first installment of The Blood That Binds Us, wonderfully. Giving us everything we asked for and more! Sin and Wren take us on their journey of finding themselves in such a beautiful way. All the exciting things are there as well.
Betrayal
Redemption
Secrets
Lust
Jealousy
Touch her and die
Slow burn
All of the above and more!!!
Do not miss the second installment in this series by Erin Mainord!! You won’t regret it!!!!
I love Erin so much as a writer and the way she tells her stories is 👩🍳💋
Following the first installment of The Blood That Binds Us, wonderfully. Giving us everything we asked for and more! Sin and Wren take us on their journey of finding themselves in such a beautiful way. All the exciting things are there as well.
Betrayal
Redemption
Secrets
Lust
Jealousy
Touch her and die
Slow burn
All of the above and more!!!
Do not miss the second installment in this series by Erin Mainord!! You won’t regret it!!!!
March 11, 2024
I love enemies to lovers, and when they circle back around to enemies again? YES. The Ending of The Blood That Binds Us was one crazy place to end, but The Bonds That Break Us picks up after it in a wonderful way.
Wren is hurting in more ways than one and watching her grapple with grief and guilt and feeling alone despite being reunited with her family once more is rough, in a good way. She is going through it, and Erin describes it all so well. Speaking of descriptions, Erin's world is lush, and expanding out from what we saw in the first book. There were moments when I wished I could crawl into the pages just to exist in those spaces for a brief amount of time.
When Sin reenters the picture, oooo! That man is a mess and down bad and Wren doesn't care. He's reckless and jealous and trying so hard to fix what he messed up, at the risk of throwing his own life away when Wren's life is in danger. Wren and Sin dance around each other in this book perfectly, he takes what she gives, and sometimes that's a knife to the throat. We love a stabby woman!
Genuinely loved this second book and all of the drama and spice and the pieces that have been set up for the next book. There are stealth missions, new characters to love, to hate, to love to hate, and hate to love, battles, tender moments, family moments, more battles!
If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, and looking for something with good pacing and fun world and magic building, this is what you're looking for.
Wren is hurting in more ways than one and watching her grapple with grief and guilt and feeling alone despite being reunited with her family once more is rough, in a good way. She is going through it, and Erin describes it all so well. Speaking of descriptions, Erin's world is lush, and expanding out from what we saw in the first book. There were moments when I wished I could crawl into the pages just to exist in those spaces for a brief amount of time.
When Sin reenters the picture, oooo! That man is a mess and down bad and Wren doesn't care. He's reckless and jealous and trying so hard to fix what he messed up, at the risk of throwing his own life away when Wren's life is in danger. Wren and Sin dance around each other in this book perfectly, he takes what she gives, and sometimes that's a knife to the throat. We love a stabby woman!
Genuinely loved this second book and all of the drama and spice and the pieces that have been set up for the next book. There are stealth missions, new characters to love, to hate, to love to hate, and hate to love, battles, tender moments, family moments, more battles!
If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, and looking for something with good pacing and fun world and magic building, this is what you're looking for.
April 6, 2024
OMG! A BANGER of a sequel!!! I enjoyed being able to read about sin and wren again! I freaking loved these characters in the first book & now even more in the sequel. Let me tell you … the ending will leave you dying for the next book! The banter between sin & wren had me cracking up! Also, the closeness of wrens family had my heart melting. There was adventure, danger at every corner, lots of 🌶️, deception and a cliffhanger that will leave you spiraling!! Trust me … bc I am 🤣
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