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The Binding Stone
A thousand years of servitude has left Leela more than a little jaded. Betrayal by the man she loved was just the beginning of her lessons on the wickedness of humanity. Her hope for freedom for herself and her fellow Djinn from the stones that bind them has dimmed to a barely-there glimmer over all these years, but it hasn’t yet extinguished.
When the handsome, and idealistic Jered, inadvertently becomes her new master, Leela finds herself wondering if his tenderness and concern may actually be real. And despite her years of suffering and lessons, her heart opens to new possibilities.
As she inches closer to trusting Jered, the past and the enemies that come with it, resurface, threatening the small spark of happiness in Leela’s long life.
After a millennium of suffering what and who is Leela willing to sacrifice for freedom?
When the handsome, and idealistic Jered, inadvertently becomes her new master, Leela finds herself wondering if his tenderness and concern may actually be real. And despite her years of suffering and lessons, her heart opens to new possibilities.
As she inches closer to trusting Jered, the past and the enemies that come with it, resurface, threatening the small spark of happiness in Leela’s long life.
After a millennium of suffering what and who is Leela willing to sacrifice for freedom?
274 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2021
6 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Lizzy Gayle
16 books100 followersLizzy Gayle loves paranormal so much, she lives it. She is both an author and a psychic. Between mothering her three kids, attempting to understand her rocket scientist husband, and consistently attempting to declutter her home (that she is convinced is a secret portal to a clutter-creating dimension), she does her best to use her creative gifts and share them with you. Lizzy is a people person so if you contact her, it will make her very happy and she will likely answer while possibly including pictures of her bunnies and/or bird. She has also been known to write Young Adult under the name Lisa Gail Green. Anything else you’d like to know about her you may find out by asking because it never hurts to ask.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 17, 2021
Ok anyone who has ever read my reviews probably knows that I'm always on the lookout for books about Djinn so obviously was keen to read this when I spotted it. Leela is the Djinn in question and she has had the most traumatic life since she became enslaved to a Magician thousands of years ago. Now she's woken up to find the ring that links to her has been bought in a yard sale by a young man who clearly has absolutely no idea what to do with her ! Jered just wants to finish college and honestly he's just a nice guy whose first wish is world peace which sadly is a tad out of Leelas reach. Still Jered doesn't want to use or abuse Leela although I have to point out that he really needs to think before he speaks sometimes. It's just too bad that Leelas past is a lot closer than she realises and it's about to come back with a vengeance with calamitous results !
There is a lot that I liked here although I should point out that there is a lot of suffering here and truly vile characters in this story. I've already stated that Jered is what I guess you could describe as a thoroughly good egg although perhaps a wee bit naive. From the first page it's obvious that Leela does want to do good deeds although as she's been controlled by those much more greedy and selfish Leela has had to partake in horrible actions. There is quite a nifty twist here to do with Jered that added a lot of background and angst to the story.
However there's a couple of things that I didn't really enjoy and the first is the odd romance between Jered and Leela that didn't really work for me and the second thing is that towards the end I almost got whiplash as it felt as if we were going round and round in circles ! Sometimes less is more but it certainly didn't prevent me wanting to finish this story. We do get a couple of supporting characters that whilst integral to how everything played out didn't in my opinion get enough page time although without them I don't see how we could have got a happy ending. This is the first book in this series and we do meet the Djinn who I believe will take the lead in the next book and I look forward to discovering what direction the next instalment will go.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
There is a lot that I liked here although I should point out that there is a lot of suffering here and truly vile characters in this story. I've already stated that Jered is what I guess you could describe as a thoroughly good egg although perhaps a wee bit naive. From the first page it's obvious that Leela does want to do good deeds although as she's been controlled by those much more greedy and selfish Leela has had to partake in horrible actions. There is quite a nifty twist here to do with Jered that added a lot of background and angst to the story.
However there's a couple of things that I didn't really enjoy and the first is the odd romance between Jered and Leela that didn't really work for me and the second thing is that towards the end I almost got whiplash as it felt as if we were going round and round in circles ! Sometimes less is more but it certainly didn't prevent me wanting to finish this story. We do get a couple of supporting characters that whilst integral to how everything played out didn't in my opinion get enough page time although without them I don't see how we could have got a happy ending. This is the first book in this series and we do meet the Djinn who I believe will take the lead in the next book and I look forward to discovering what direction the next instalment will go.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
December 14, 2021
Filled with magic and mayhem, "The Binding Stone" delivers a tale of twisted desires, lust for power, and a love strong enough to break the chains of betrayal.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 1, 2021
A promising paranormal romance debut with intricate backstory, a fun cast of characters, and a trio of Djinn who’ll have you rooting for their freedom to pursue true happily ever afters. A magical gem that will have readers wishing for the next in the series.
October 5, 2021
What a fun adventure!
You think it's going to be like a modern I Dream of Jeanie, and it definitely has some of those vibes, but it's totally different! I love how Jered genuinely was a good guy and wanted to use Leela's powers for good and to make the world a better place instead of for his own gain.
What I loved even more was the back and forth between the past and the present. I've always loved books that do that, and it was awesome to see Leela's history and how all the pieces of her past come together and how it affected the present.
The plot twists sent me reeling and I had to find out what happened next! Then the epilogue... ooooo I can't wait for book 2!
***I was given a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
You think it's going to be like a modern I Dream of Jeanie, and it definitely has some of those vibes, but it's totally different! I love how Jered genuinely was a good guy and wanted to use Leela's powers for good and to make the world a better place instead of for his own gain.
What I loved even more was the back and forth between the past and the present. I've always loved books that do that, and it was awesome to see Leela's history and how all the pieces of her past come together and how it affected the present.
The plot twists sent me reeling and I had to find out what happened next! Then the epilogue... ooooo I can't wait for book 2!
***I was given a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
November 13, 2021
Action-packed, steamy, and compulsively readable, The Binding Stone is a superb debut. The magic system of the story hooked me instantly, as I love to get lost in a descriptive and lush world of where anything is possible. Add in romance, action, and unforgettable characters, and the author transports us to a place that is sure to enthrall any lover of fantasy.
October 13, 2021
Lizzy Gayle’s, The Binding Stone, hooks you into her fascinating and complex world of the Djinn. The dual past and present narratives of Djinni Leela’s life paint a heartbreaking portrait of how all-consuming love can be both a wonder and a curse. This story celebrates deep friendships and loyalty while igniting passion enough to set a tent aflame. The Binding Stone is an imaginative, action-filled tale of magic, wishes, and dreams.
June 13, 2022
I am a sucker for a good Djinn story, however i felt this lacked something espesially around the fact that everything went extremely quickly; Jered & Leela`s relationship for one and Achan revealing himself. But i did like the story and the characters: Leela was sassy & Jered kind. I look forward to the next book.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
June 4, 2022
In The Binding Stone Leela is a thousand-year-old Djinn, accidentally reawakened after centuries by a new master who seems much kinder than she's used to. It doesn't take long for them to be faced with greedy Magicians who Leela knows all too well and who will stop at nothing to steal her power for themselves.
Leela's new master Jered is such a cinnamon roll and must be protected at all costs. He's twenty years old, suddenly finds himself with (almost) unlimited power and a hot genie girl at his fingertips and all he wants to do is help people. And he genuinely seems to care about Leela and her feelings. His pure heart equal parts frustrates and appeals to Leela, reminding her of the idealism she first had before she was betrayed and enslaved, a witness to the worst humanity has to offer.
Jered's idealism does cause some bumps in the road, such as when he orders Leela not to hurt anyone (leaving her kind of defenseless) or when wants to believe the best in people (even after being warned about them) - but that's part of his charm.
This book is the kind you can sink into, becoming so immersed in the story that you keep turning pages without even thinking about it. The combination of excellent storytelling, intriguing plot, interesting characters, and short chapters keep readers promising themselves "just one more chapter" and the next thing you know you've devoured the whole thing. It's over 300 pages that doesn't feel like over 300 pages.
I actually read the second book in the series first, and although it stood on its own, I liked it so much I had to go back and get my hands on the first book (see my review of The Djinn Book 2 The Bleeding Heart). And I'm glad I did. While I still don't think you need to read the first book to understand and enjoy the second, it does really help to flesh out the backstory more. I'm now rereading the second book again in preparation for the last book of the Djinn series. The Blissful End, and I'm just as drawn in as the first time I read it.
Leela's new master Jered is such a cinnamon roll and must be protected at all costs. He's twenty years old, suddenly finds himself with (almost) unlimited power and a hot genie girl at his fingertips and all he wants to do is help people. And he genuinely seems to care about Leela and her feelings. His pure heart equal parts frustrates and appeals to Leela, reminding her of the idealism she first had before she was betrayed and enslaved, a witness to the worst humanity has to offer.
Jered's idealism does cause some bumps in the road, such as when he orders Leela not to hurt anyone (leaving her kind of defenseless) or when wants to believe the best in people (even after being warned about them) - but that's part of his charm.
This book is the kind you can sink into, becoming so immersed in the story that you keep turning pages without even thinking about it. The combination of excellent storytelling, intriguing plot, interesting characters, and short chapters keep readers promising themselves "just one more chapter" and the next thing you know you've devoured the whole thing. It's over 300 pages that doesn't feel like over 300 pages.
I actually read the second book in the series first, and although it stood on its own, I liked it so much I had to go back and get my hands on the first book (see my review of The Djinn Book 2 The Bleeding Heart). And I'm glad I did. While I still don't think you need to read the first book to understand and enjoy the second, it does really help to flesh out the backstory more. I'm now rereading the second book again in preparation for the last book of the Djinn series. The Blissful End, and I'm just as drawn in as the first time I read it.
July 17, 2023
Blurb: A thousand years of servitude left Leela more than a little jaded. The betrayal of the man she loved was only the beginning of the nightmare.
After centuries of abuse by greedy masters, her hope for freedom for herself and her fellow Djinn from the magical stones that bind them has dimmed to a barely-there glimmer.
But it hasn't yet been extinguished.
When the young, handsome, and idealistic Jered inadvertently becomes her new master, Leela wonders if his tenderness and concern may be real. He doesn’t even realize that he’s a magician and wields magic of his own. Despite her years of suffering, her heart begins to open to him. And the chance of romance.
As she inches closer to trusting Jered, the original masters she assumed long dead resurface. They've found a way to survive, using young magicians' bodies to hold their essence. And when they discover her whereabouts, they come for her—and Jered. If the evil ones succeed, then she’ll once again be in the service of the man who betrayed her, this time forever.
In the past, her choices led to unimaginable suffering. Now, when freedom or an eternity of torture both loom as real possibilities, can she dare risk everything for love?
Oh my god Lizzy! This book had me sucked in from page one and by the end of the book it left me thirty and hungry for more. This book is well written and full of a lot of action and adventure. Something I highly enjoy, can’t wait to read more from you!
After centuries of abuse by greedy masters, her hope for freedom for herself and her fellow Djinn from the magical stones that bind them has dimmed to a barely-there glimmer.
But it hasn't yet been extinguished.
When the young, handsome, and idealistic Jered inadvertently becomes her new master, Leela wonders if his tenderness and concern may be real. He doesn’t even realize that he’s a magician and wields magic of his own. Despite her years of suffering, her heart begins to open to him. And the chance of romance.
As she inches closer to trusting Jered, the original masters she assumed long dead resurface. They've found a way to survive, using young magicians' bodies to hold their essence. And when they discover her whereabouts, they come for her—and Jered. If the evil ones succeed, then she’ll once again be in the service of the man who betrayed her, this time forever.
In the past, her choices led to unimaginable suffering. Now, when freedom or an eternity of torture both loom as real possibilities, can she dare risk everything for love?
Oh my god Lizzy! This book had me sucked in from page one and by the end of the book it left me thirty and hungry for more. This book is well written and full of a lot of action and adventure. Something I highly enjoy, can’t wait to read more from you!
August 16, 2022
https://novelwitch.com/blog/f/the-bin...
This is an enjoyable book for those who like a story focusing on plot. That said, the story felt rushed in character development at first. The author kept the story moving and the continued character development paid off. The main character is almost annoyingly morally good, but it's part of who he is, and why he is the good guy who has the heart of gold. There were plenty of climaxes (in a PG way) that kept me invested in the story. There was underlying romance throughout and one spicy scene towards the end.
3.5/5 I enjoyed reading The Binding Stone a lot. As I mentioned, it was heavy on plot and less descriptive in the romance. This being the first book in a series, the character development felt a little rushed at first, but the author did a nice job of keeping the story moving and kept me invested in the plot. The spicy scene towards the end was very well written and made me appreciate it more because of the absence of spicy writing throughout. I am excited to read the next books in the series and learn more about Lela and Jered as well as the rest of the Djinn.
This is an enjoyable book for those who like a story focusing on plot. That said, the story felt rushed in character development at first. The author kept the story moving and the continued character development paid off. The main character is almost annoyingly morally good, but it's part of who he is, and why he is the good guy who has the heart of gold. There were plenty of climaxes (in a PG way) that kept me invested in the story. There was underlying romance throughout and one spicy scene towards the end.
3.5/5 I enjoyed reading The Binding Stone a lot. As I mentioned, it was heavy on plot and less descriptive in the romance. This being the first book in a series, the character development felt a little rushed at first, but the author did a nice job of keeping the story moving and kept me invested in the plot. The spicy scene towards the end was very well written and made me appreciate it more because of the absence of spicy writing throughout. I am excited to read the next books in the series and learn more about Lela and Jered as well as the rest of the Djinn.
August 13, 2023
I didn’t realize when I sat down to read this book this morning that I was about to put my entire life on hold to finish it. The story captivated me from the start, and I needed to know how they could possibly free the djinni, get justice, and save everyone at risk. And on that note, keep the tissues handy, because you may discover that you need them. I adored Jered right from the start. He has such a big heart and even with this sudden world-altering power at his fingertips, all he wants to use it for is the good of all. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Leela, though. I think that was mostly because my brain just doesn’t always go looking for the loophole the way hers had needed to. And it hurt me to watch her trying so hard to work around Jered. I really appreciated that this book also gave us glimpses into the history of how all this came to be. I could understand Leela’s reactions better by knowing what drove them. Now that I know her whole story, I need to know all about the rest of the djinni.
February 26, 2022
Thank you to the author Lizzy Gayle for sending me the eARC of The Binding Stone (#1)
I've not really read any books revolving around Djinn and the only experience I had with 'genies' was Aladdin. And well, disney this is not!
What a roller-coaster of a ride! Leela is a Djinn with a very traumatic past, she ends up in the possession of a magician boy - well without spoilers this is where the fun or turn of events really begins.
There's so much going on in this adventure packed story, the pacing is so fast that I was falling through the pages. The turn of events were surprising to me and Gabe - poor Gabe!
I loved the characters and I really love Lizzy Gayle's writing style.
After reading A Love At 20,000 Leagues I was hooked and although The Binding Stone is a completely different read I still enjoyed my adventure into the world of Djinn.
I've not really read any books revolving around Djinn and the only experience I had with 'genies' was Aladdin. And well, disney this is not!
What a roller-coaster of a ride! Leela is a Djinn with a very traumatic past, she ends up in the possession of a magician boy - well without spoilers this is where the fun or turn of events really begins.
There's so much going on in this adventure packed story, the pacing is so fast that I was falling through the pages. The turn of events were surprising to me and Gabe - poor Gabe!
I loved the characters and I really love Lizzy Gayle's writing style.
After reading A Love At 20,000 Leagues I was hooked and although The Binding Stone is a completely different read I still enjoyed my adventure into the world of Djinn.
September 26, 2023
I read this several years ago and apparently forgot to leave a review. Shame on me, because this story was excellent!
This contemporary fantasy weaves expertly between past and present, dark and light, humor and wisdom. The author's take on djinn is inventive, and the POV character, Leela, was immediately endearing, even at her snarkiest. Though her tragic backstory touched on sensitive matters, the author wrote her experiences in a way that was always encouraging and never crass. Even the darkest moments stretched toward the light. There is a hefty dose of romance in this one, and it unfolds so naturally that you can't help rooting for the jaded djinn and her cinnamon-roll love interest.
This contemporary fantasy weaves expertly between past and present, dark and light, humor and wisdom. The author's take on djinn is inventive, and the POV character, Leela, was immediately endearing, even at her snarkiest. Though her tragic backstory touched on sensitive matters, the author wrote her experiences in a way that was always encouraging and never crass. Even the darkest moments stretched toward the light. There is a hefty dose of romance in this one, and it unfolds so naturally that you can't help rooting for the jaded djinn and her cinnamon-roll love interest.
October 3, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I only read this book because I love Djinn stories, but this isn't the typical genie in a bottle story. It does not follow the typical make-a-wish tale and does not feature anything similar to Arabian culture, contrary to the cover picture. The plot development takes many twists and turns, and I found myself unable to put the story down. There are triggers of abuse, sexual abuse, and torture, so reader beware. The theme of power versus being able to do good is a nice discussion topic. There is too much explicit romance throughout, so I'm not able to recommend it to our school library.
November 2, 2021
Time can wear away at many things, including hope, but all it takes is a spark to rekindle a flame
This is something of a fantasy story with a strong romantic element and a djinn as our lead. The story is well written and easy to read with an Arabian nights style of setting that is great fun to explore. The characters are also well done and do a great job of drawing you into the story. Add in a bit of action and a plot featuring plenty of twists and turns and you have a recipe for success. Overall, I found this one to be highly engaging and I look forward to more from this author.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
This is something of a fantasy story with a strong romantic element and a djinn as our lead. The story is well written and easy to read with an Arabian nights style of setting that is great fun to explore. The characters are also well done and do a great job of drawing you into the story. Add in a bit of action and a plot featuring plenty of twists and turns and you have a recipe for success. Overall, I found this one to be highly engaging and I look forward to more from this author.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
June 24, 2022
What a tale. This was my first Djinn focused book and it was a whole lot to unpack. I really liked how the author wove the backstory throughout the present tale. It was very well done, though at times I did have to go back and re-read a chapter to make sure I understood everything.
Leela and the other Djinn had a very troubling past under the control of their masters. Watching how their past and present unfolded was emotional. Secrets, betrayals, love and faith are woven into this tale. I loved several characters in the book. Despised others. Great story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Leela and the other Djinn had a very troubling past under the control of their masters. Watching how their past and present unfolded was emotional. Secrets, betrayals, love and faith are woven into this tale. I loved several characters in the book. Despised others. Great story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2023
Absolutely fascinating take on the genie mythos. Leela was easy to sympathize with as she struggled against the fall out from abuse and the resulting cynicism. While I enjoyed the book and the creative worldbuilding, I struggled with Jared's trusting/naive relationship with a father he'd never met, and Leela's baffling choices of things to hide from him. Even with those somewhat contrived conflicts, it was a good adventure, with wildly creative magic and a cast of lovable characters. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a fresh take on the genie mythos. CW for abuse, slavery and violence.
October 4, 2021
This was a different sort of romance story for me. There was suffering and not good people Then Jered comes into the story who has Leela but is not sure what to do with Her. And Leela wondering if she can trust Jered. At times I felt a little confused it seemed stuff was added that didn’t need to be. This is book 1 in The Djinn Series which this book leads you into the second to learn more.
This story has a few Triggers abuse and sexual abuse.
Thank You NetGalley for letting me read this for my honest review
This story has a few Triggers abuse and sexual abuse.
Thank You NetGalley for letting me read this for my honest review
November 18, 2021
ARC from NetGalley
This was not good. It wasn't abysmally awful, but it was not good. The writing is really quite juvenile and hollow. It's hard to care about the characters, and the plot is contrived and stilted. It really feels almost middle-grade until literally the last few pages where there is a really crappy sex scene. A lot of the positive reviews for this are other authors from the same publisher which is not entirely surprising.
This was not good. It wasn't abysmally awful, but it was not good. The writing is really quite juvenile and hollow. It's hard to care about the characters, and the plot is contrived and stilted. It really feels almost middle-grade until literally the last few pages where there is a really crappy sex scene. A lot of the positive reviews for this are other authors from the same publisher which is not entirely surprising.
August 10, 2023
Wow, where do I start? I love Lizzy Gale's writing, and this book did not let me down. As a fan of anything fantasy and paranormal, I found this book extremely satisfying. The PLOT was amazing, it kept me wondering 'How are they going to get out of this?' There were many things I didn't see coming. The romance was lovely, the character development was great and I loved learning about Leela's history. Recommend!
August 2, 2025
This book was about how genies got enslaved. It was a really interesting look into the back story of how magicians screw over the genies out of jealously. The book was very well written and the action was fasted paced. My heart ached for poor Leela!!
This for me would be considered a young adult book. It was a great read.
I did receive this book as an ARC and have left my own review willingly.
I'm glad that I am a part of her arc team, her books are wonderful!
This for me would be considered a young adult book. It was a great read.
I did receive this book as an ARC and have left my own review willingly.
I'm glad that I am a part of her arc team, her books are wonderful!
October 22, 2021
Lizzy does a great job of grabbing your attention from the beginning and holding it throughout this story! While this story is not completely unique( there are many similar stories) I found myself hooked and wanting to know what would happen next! I’d like to read more by Lizzy Gayle in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2023
This was so good I was able to read and read this story was so hard to stop I loved all the twists and storyline a nice para Ormandy story I would read from this arthor all the time if I could she puts her work into great stories for anyone to read can’t wait to see where this arthor will go in the future as I’m so in love with her writing
October 7, 2021
this was a unique premise with an interesting main character, I enjoyed going on this journey with her. It had what I was looking for with magically elements and thought it was a great start to a series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2021
loved it !!! a great start for a new series !!! love Leela and Jered... this is their story... a fast paced action packed drama full of betrayal, secrets and hope...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2021
Leela has lived as a slave for a thousand years with a dimming chance to attain freedom until she finally meets Jered. Could this finally be the one. Only time could tell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2021
Loved this book! Lizzy Gayle is a great storyteller! Lots of action, twists and turns, it's definitely one that you have to read to the end to see what happens. Heartfelt prose and vivid imagery makes this one not to miss!
May 21, 2022
Love this story
Truly amazing showing how her past was up until she met jerad and realized he is nothing like the past he treated her like a real person and not a slave with the stone or magic
Truly amazing showing how her past was up until she met jerad and realized he is nothing like the past he treated her like a real person and not a slave with the stone or magic
June 7, 2022
A story about love and hate. It's always a fine line, what would you do if you had thousands of years to live with things you did. This book has it all drama and intrigue. So worth the time to read. If you haven't already got it you should it worth it
October 9, 2021
A fairly unique story comes alive with romance, plot, suspense and wonderfully developed characters. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews