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Bond and Song
She feels everything. He only feels her.
Their love saves her—before it shatters him.
A lost Queen. A world unravelling. A choice that could break them both—yet save the world.
If you love fated mates, lush magic, and heart-crushing romance with a mythical twist, this blazing, transcendent debut will take your breath away.
Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Josephine Angelini, and witchy, courtly fantasy romance full of yearning, intense emotion and high stakes.
“Heartbreakingly beautiful… I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this. It touched my soul.”
A mesmerising sensual romance told in dual POV.
* * *
Would you save your world if it means sacrificing your love–and shattering your sanity?
My reality isn’t reliable. My world isn’t my own. The sensations zinging through my body and visions flashing through my mind—they are everyone’s emotions everywhere. Even everywhen. And I’m drowning in the onslaught.
In my mosaic of madness, I cling to snatches of green eyes wrapped in a velvet voice and soothing masculine scent. Until a desperate, far-fetched bid to salvage my sanity leads me into the Courts of the sensual, nature-connected Sung—and staring into those same smaragdine eyes.
The Sung keep Earth in balance by dancing in the Dark Song, the fabric of life. Here, among the energy-weaving witches and their fiercely devoted protectors, in the Heart Courts of the Queens, I have a destined place. I find hope. And I come home to a love long lost and half-remembered.
But the world is drowning, too; unravelling under the pressure of a humanity that has lost its way. And when the scales tip into disaster, I find myself on the edge of a cliff. If I leap, I may be able to save us. But when I leap, I will feel everything, until everything is all there is—and there is nothing of me left.
Will I be able to remember our love if I can’t even remember myself? For the Song is life...but can our love survive its depths?
HER DANCE IS HIS LIFE. THE DARK IS HER DESTINY. THE DEEP DEMANDS A CHOICE.
* * *
“..oh-so fiercely romantic and deliciously sensuous…”
“The love story is epic… and will stay with me.”
“A fantasy so real, it speaks deep truth.”
“...has become one of my all-time favourites!”
“...don’t sit on this. It’s worth the read.”
Start reading now to discover this fresh and unique take on witches and feminine power – and fall into a story as wild, tender, and transformative as love itself.
Be warned…you may not be ready for how deep this love goes.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2023
5 people are currently reading
2306 people want to read
About the author
Mera Akiana
1 book6 followersMera Akiana weaves words as a way of singing the song of her soul, and braiding bridges to remembrance and reverence for the glory of life. She might have been Florence + the Machine if she could actually sing.
She read Psychology & Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK, after growing up in Germany acting on the professional stage, sailing in the youth elite, and training at ballet boarding school. Later she whirled about Hollywood and danced in the realms of somatic empowerment and sacred sexuality.
Her entire life she found solace, shelter, and her sanity in the stories of books. Today she writes transcendent fantasy romance full of epic emotion and deep devotion…and just maybe, her stories will sing your soul home, too.
She read Psychology & Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK, after growing up in Germany acting on the professional stage, sailing in the youth elite, and training at ballet boarding school. Later she whirled about Hollywood and danced in the realms of somatic empowerment and sacred sexuality.
Her entire life she found solace, shelter, and her sanity in the stories of books. Today she writes transcendent fantasy romance full of epic emotion and deep devotion…and just maybe, her stories will sing your soul home, too.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 7, 2024
Very verbose Fl
From the first chapter you’re flung into this world, with no understanding of what is going on. I wish the story had more world building, as I found it difficult to immerse myself in the book as I was trying to figure out where we were and what was happening. The writing is very wordy, flowy and descriptive. The writing was pretty but I feel the focus on the fancy words took away from the actual plot building. Additionally, I found the pov switches confusing as I often was having trouble figuring out whose pov I was in as it would switch mid chapter with no indication of whose pov it is. I felt the time did not flow well sometimes it would be days, months and then back to the days. Truthfully I felt I wasn’t able to fully enjoy this story as it was too confusing and focused too much on eloquent writing and not enough plot and world building. Overall, I liked the premise and it was an original idea I just feel like it wasn’t executed in a way I was able to follow easily.
From the first chapter you’re flung into this world, with no understanding of what is going on. I wish the story had more world building, as I found it difficult to immerse myself in the book as I was trying to figure out where we were and what was happening. The writing is very wordy, flowy and descriptive. The writing was pretty but I feel the focus on the fancy words took away from the actual plot building. Additionally, I found the pov switches confusing as I often was having trouble figuring out whose pov I was in as it would switch mid chapter with no indication of whose pov it is. I felt the time did not flow well sometimes it would be days, months and then back to the days. Truthfully I felt I wasn’t able to fully enjoy this story as it was too confusing and focused too much on eloquent writing and not enough plot and world building. Overall, I liked the premise and it was an original idea I just feel like it wasn’t executed in a way I was able to follow easily.
July 31, 2023
This book has touched some of the most intimate and delicate chords at the depths of my heart and soul. And it shook me to my core. I resonate very deeply with so much of what Mera Akiana has written in this beautiful experience of a book. It has become one of my all-time favourites! I am truly grateful "Bond and Song" has come to me and I can only wish more people would be touched by it the way I have!
The main heroine, her struggles, doubts and weaknesses, her power and glory feel so close to me; I understand her, feel for her and relate to her in a way I have with very few characters in literature and film. She has a beautiful character arch of a woman coming into her full power - majestic and scary, tender and beautiful.
The love story is oh-so fiercely romantic and deliciously sensuous and rooted in so much authenticity and truth. Through it Mera Akiana expresses her view of the magnificent Dance of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine. It is the kind of Love this new Era is calling for, an eternal Love between two ancient, powerful souls, a Love that anchors the Divine here on Earth and bursts like a supernova of Love and Light changing the world forever.
Mera Akiana weaves into the story a lot of deep spiritual truths about the nature of reality and the essence of the feminine. All the "fantasy" elements in the book are in truth tangible spiritual experiences within the reach of all of us (which makes it all the more exciting to read). The world she has created in the sacred dimension of "The Song" is like her image of a perfect, healthy, happy society. And it does feel so much like the paradise on Earth I know is possible for us to create. So much of what she's describing are things I have deeply longed to experience and for our world to be.
The dimension of our world is called (fittingly) "The Loud" and with it the author is posing important questions about the failing structures and values of our society and the environmental and spiritual crisis we're facing if we don't wake up, change our ways and start listening to the Song - the Song of Life that connects us to our heart and essence and to the heart and essence of every living being, of the Earth itself and of the Cosmos. Only by living in tune with the Song can we be truly happy and thriving as individuals and as a society.
To me, this book is filled with so much meaning and it is also written in a very beautiful, indulgent, unique style. Mera Akiana weaves the words in a way that is as magical, lavish, delicious and sensual as the world she has created. This book is not just a read, it’s an experience that speaks to the core of your being, delights your senses and nourishes your soul, takes you to the essence of who you are and reminds you of what joy there is to be had from being alive. I definitely wish more people would experience the fulfilling beauty that is “Bond and Song”!
The main heroine, her struggles, doubts and weaknesses, her power and glory feel so close to me; I understand her, feel for her and relate to her in a way I have with very few characters in literature and film. She has a beautiful character arch of a woman coming into her full power - majestic and scary, tender and beautiful.
The love story is oh-so fiercely romantic and deliciously sensuous and rooted in so much authenticity and truth. Through it Mera Akiana expresses her view of the magnificent Dance of the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine. It is the kind of Love this new Era is calling for, an eternal Love between two ancient, powerful souls, a Love that anchors the Divine here on Earth and bursts like a supernova of Love and Light changing the world forever.
Mera Akiana weaves into the story a lot of deep spiritual truths about the nature of reality and the essence of the feminine. All the "fantasy" elements in the book are in truth tangible spiritual experiences within the reach of all of us (which makes it all the more exciting to read). The world she has created in the sacred dimension of "The Song" is like her image of a perfect, healthy, happy society. And it does feel so much like the paradise on Earth I know is possible for us to create. So much of what she's describing are things I have deeply longed to experience and for our world to be.
The dimension of our world is called (fittingly) "The Loud" and with it the author is posing important questions about the failing structures and values of our society and the environmental and spiritual crisis we're facing if we don't wake up, change our ways and start listening to the Song - the Song of Life that connects us to our heart and essence and to the heart and essence of every living being, of the Earth itself and of the Cosmos. Only by living in tune with the Song can we be truly happy and thriving as individuals and as a society.
To me, this book is filled with so much meaning and it is also written in a very beautiful, indulgent, unique style. Mera Akiana weaves the words in a way that is as magical, lavish, delicious and sensual as the world she has created. This book is not just a read, it’s an experience that speaks to the core of your being, delights your senses and nourishes your soul, takes you to the essence of who you are and reminds you of what joy there is to be had from being alive. I definitely wish more people would experience the fulfilling beauty that is “Bond and Song”!
August 17, 2023
This is a spiritual experience. It’s so incredibly moving and beautiful.
When I first started reading I felt like describing it as an interpretive dance. You don’t really understand fully what is happening. You can feel the importance though so you pay extra attention to every detail. And the author gives you all the details! There is so much detail that you feel like you’re living inside the pages of this book. The writing is so surreal and unique.
There is a place called The Loud and it represents our world. How we have forgotten to be quiet and listen to the world around us. How we have lost our way and the environment is paying the cost… and we still aren’t listening or doing anything about it. The other places in this book is the fantasy part and I feel like it’s kind of the author’s idea of Utopia in a sense.
The love story is epic. It’s a love that knows no bounds. A love that transcends time and place. It’s the truest love. It is everything. 💚
Honestly, it’s hard to put into words what this book made me feel. It is truly an experience I don’t imagine I’ll ever forget. I hope people come across this book and truly open their hearts and minds to fully take it all in. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. I read a lot of books and I don’t feel like I’ve ever read anything quite like this. It touched my soul and will stay with me.
When I first started reading I felt like describing it as an interpretive dance. You don’t really understand fully what is happening. You can feel the importance though so you pay extra attention to every detail. And the author gives you all the details! There is so much detail that you feel like you’re living inside the pages of this book. The writing is so surreal and unique.
There is a place called The Loud and it represents our world. How we have forgotten to be quiet and listen to the world around us. How we have lost our way and the environment is paying the cost… and we still aren’t listening or doing anything about it. The other places in this book is the fantasy part and I feel like it’s kind of the author’s idea of Utopia in a sense.
The love story is epic. It’s a love that knows no bounds. A love that transcends time and place. It’s the truest love. It is everything. 💚
Honestly, it’s hard to put into words what this book made me feel. It is truly an experience I don’t imagine I’ll ever forget. I hope people come across this book and truly open their hearts and minds to fully take it all in. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. I read a lot of books and I don’t feel like I’ve ever read anything quite like this. It touched my soul and will stay with me.
December 12, 2023
In "Bond and Song," Mera Akiana's debut novel, I found myself transported to a mesmerizing realm, a world where the echoes of ceremony, community, and sisterhood resonated deeply within my being. Akiana's unique narrative style is a departure from the conventional, immersing readers in a tapestry of deep poetry and a breathtaking landscape painted with words. Reading her work felt like discovering an ancient text authored by a goddess herself, offering profound insights that seemed tailor-made for my own life. The imagery and storytelling in "Bond and Song" are nothing short of spellbinding, leaving an indelible impression that will linger in my thoughts and emotions for a long time.
Mera Akiana's ability to weave a narrative that taps into the essence of human connection and spirituality is truly remarkable. Her novel is not just a story; it's an immersive experience that invites readers to explore the depths of their own souls. "Bond and Song" is a testament to Akiana's literary prowess, and her words have a timeless quality that transcends the boundaries of the modern novel. This debut work is a poetic masterpiece that not only captivates the imagination but also leaves a lasting imprint on the reader's spirit, making it a must-read for those seeking a literary journey into the profound and the beautiful.
Mera Akiana's ability to weave a narrative that taps into the essence of human connection and spirituality is truly remarkable. Her novel is not just a story; it's an immersive experience that invites readers to explore the depths of their own souls. "Bond and Song" is a testament to Akiana's literary prowess, and her words have a timeless quality that transcends the boundaries of the modern novel. This debut work is a poetic masterpiece that not only captivates the imagination but also leaves a lasting imprint on the reader's spirit, making it a must-read for those seeking a literary journey into the profound and the beautiful.
August 19, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has so much potential to be a 5 star book.
Zaja is a woman who lives with hearing voices and song. She doesn’t realize where she belongs is not where she lives. Her mother imparts some long lost prophecy to zaja on her birthday: to follow the song.
Zaja embarks on an adventure of a lifetime where she finally meets Sin (the green eyed man from her “visions”)
I can’t give more details because it will give the story away.
This book has overly eloquent writing or “purple prose” throughout its entirety. It makes the narrative confusing and hard to follow. There were so many original concepts in this book that I was excited for something unique. But the pacing was slow then fast then we were in the past then the present then the past but in the same chapter it was two weeks later? I became lost between the writing style and the non explanations or attempted explanations at what was happening regarding the sung, the weaving, dancing and definitely lost me with the courts and the hearts. I hope one day I can read a re write of this book.
This book has so much potential to be a 5 star book.
Zaja is a woman who lives with hearing voices and song. She doesn’t realize where she belongs is not where she lives. Her mother imparts some long lost prophecy to zaja on her birthday: to follow the song.
Zaja embarks on an adventure of a lifetime where she finally meets Sin (the green eyed man from her “visions”)
I can’t give more details because it will give the story away.
This book has overly eloquent writing or “purple prose” throughout its entirety. It makes the narrative confusing and hard to follow. There were so many original concepts in this book that I was excited for something unique. But the pacing was slow then fast then we were in the past then the present then the past but in the same chapter it was two weeks later? I became lost between the writing style and the non explanations or attempted explanations at what was happening regarding the sung, the weaving, dancing and definitely lost me with the courts and the hearts. I hope one day I can read a re write of this book.
August 29, 2023
To be honest when I started this book I had a hard time clicking with it I just could not get the flow but I also do not like to quit without a good trial. I am so glad I continued and I’m having a very hard time with it being a stand alone and not the start of a series.
There was so much feminine power and strength in their connections. The connections the men had with each other then the connections with the women and the strength they shared without trying to subjugate or overpower the women. Each group had their own strengths that they freely shared with very little jealousy or one up manship. The women were open to each other and the men but most of all to all that was around. We have damaged the beautiful world given to us and there are too few who care enough to even try to fix anything. When they felt the whales die I could feel the sorrow of the world around us at all the losses that have already happened and I know there will be more. I felt so much with this book there needs to be more to the story.
ARC copy with voluntary review
There was so much feminine power and strength in their connections. The connections the men had with each other then the connections with the women and the strength they shared without trying to subjugate or overpower the women. Each group had their own strengths that they freely shared with very little jealousy or one up manship. The women were open to each other and the men but most of all to all that was around. We have damaged the beautiful world given to us and there are too few who care enough to even try to fix anything. When they felt the whales die I could feel the sorrow of the world around us at all the losses that have already happened and I know there will be more. I felt so much with this book there needs to be more to the story.
ARC copy with voluntary review
November 3, 2023
This is a book that has left my heart and soul jubilating with joy and sobbing rivers of tears. The world Mera Akiana has created - so very close to the world we know and yet so very far away - is overflowingly beautiful, as is her style of writing. Lost in the pages, I was carried far away from the here and now into a world and culture so much kinder, more loving, balanced, peaceful and vibrant. A world to long for and carry in your heart. If humanity as we know it started to be and live even just a little more like the Sung in Bond and Song, how different for the better - in every aspect imaginable - the world would be. It is giving me hope for change, with every person reading this book and being as deeply touched by it as I am, for the planet and its inhabitants to start healing again. Mera Akiana’s incredibly poetic and melodious writing pulls you in, her words paint so much detail into the pictures arising on your journey through the pages. Without a doubt Bond and Song has made it into my selection of favourites.
October 10, 2023
This book was a lot more than I expected. The summary absolutely drew me in but once I actually started reading the book, I was kind of blown away. It was a whole emotional and spiritual journey reading through this. One that I in no way expected. I am a huge lover of music and the fact that this book is centered around song had me immediately in love.
Putting everything together with the characters, who they are, and the struggles they are facing along with their journeys was truly beautiful. When it came to the relationship between the two main characters, that was an inspiring adventure itself. I feel like there are a lot of underlying meanings throughout this book. I strongly recommend it if you are looking to go on an emotional journey that grips you and plays on all of your heartstrings.
Putting everything together with the characters, who they are, and the struggles they are facing along with their journeys was truly beautiful. When it came to the relationship between the two main characters, that was an inspiring adventure itself. I feel like there are a lot of underlying meanings throughout this book. I strongly recommend it if you are looking to go on an emotional journey that grips you and plays on all of your heartstrings.
August 31, 2023
I received an advance review copy of Bond & Song by Mera Akiana for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thank you to the author for my copy!
I was so excited to read this book, the concept is unique and was fun to read! I really liked the strong female characters portrayed in this story and the main romance had a lot of chemistry. However, I would've loved some more worldbuilding especially as at some points I was left kind of confused and wanting more but I did love the author's prose! It felt very romantic and really highlighted the bond between the characters!
I was so excited to read this book, the concept is unique and was fun to read! I really liked the strong female characters portrayed in this story and the main romance had a lot of chemistry. However, I would've loved some more worldbuilding especially as at some points I was left kind of confused and wanting more but I did love the author's prose! It felt very romantic and really highlighted the bond between the characters!
October 15, 2023
Ohhhhh!!!! I just finished Bond and Song. My heart is full, my body is tingling with witchy energy, my mind is soaring on the wave of wonderful words I've been savoring this weekend. What a truly magical gift Mera Akiana's offered the world!! It's brilliant, beautiful, and profound. A fantasy so real that it speaks deep truth. I'm in awe.
August 20, 2025
Simply put, this book was well written and in such a way that I really felt everything. Everything was described with such emotion, right down to the tiniest detail and I found that quite unique. I certainly wouldn’t call this book light hearted, I felt truly sucked into a deep emotional whirlpool but enjoyed it thoroughly. Sin was my favourite character hands down, and I think without spoiling anything it’s because he leaves himself so wide open and vulnerable and I adored how devoted he was, he really took it to the highest level. I don’t believe I’ll ever read another book like this, it was truly unique and I mean it in the best way. If you’re on the fence about this book, please don’t sit on this it’s worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews