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Covalence
Seventeen-year-old Mineral Vyotto always planned on running away from the City and its annual Covalence Ceremony—a tradition forcing her to Bond with another of her Kind. In a hidden cavern outside the City gates, she starts collecting parts and building a plane so she can bolt before the Ceremony takes place.
But when Covalence is moved up and she's almost caught by the Officials, Mineral finds herself and her fate at the hands of Amory Thames—an arrogant, opinionated Orderly with powerful parents who could ruin her chance at freedom. With only four weeks to escape the City before the Ceremony, Mineral and Amory must work together to find a way out—even if it means keeping Society’s biggest secret to themselves and putting the lives of everyone they love at risk.
But when Covalence is moved up and she's almost caught by the Officials, Mineral finds herself and her fate at the hands of Amory Thames—an arrogant, opinionated Orderly with powerful parents who could ruin her chance at freedom. With only four weeks to escape the City before the Ceremony, Mineral and Amory must work together to find a way out—even if it means keeping Society’s biggest secret to themselves and putting the lives of everyone they love at risk.
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Published October 15, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2025
Boy oh boy I don't even know where to start with this...I have too many thoughts.
I really enjoyed the plot. The idea is solid, it reads a bit like Divergent with the government that's trying to control everyone and the different Kinds not being able to mix and such, but was its own unique twist on the dystopian genre. I enjoyed the science-y undertones from Covalence to the engineering side with Mineral building her plane.
I adored the characters...but I couldn't connect with Mineral and I'm not sure why. I found myself not wanting anything to happen to Piper, Amory, or Gretta, but couldn't convince myself to care about Mineral and I'm still piecing together why that is. Maybe book 2 and 3 will change my mind on this?
I also personally massively disliked almost every dispute between Mineral and Amory because they felt kind of baseless. One person miscommunicating and assuming something about the other and then when said issue was going to be discussed, someone cuts the other person off and it never gets resolved! It's one of my least favorite kinds of conflict in books.
That being said, I really enjoyed this overall. (Minus ONE PART. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID ANDIE!!!) This was my first Andie Smith book and I can definitely say I'll be picking up the next two in this trilogy purely to find out what happens to my babies and if they ever get to live happily ever after. I'm also very interested to learn about .
P.S. Alexsander is ICKY, I hope he gets his comeuppance, and he probably doesn't have one, but to make myself laugh and not want to jump off the nearest bridge during his scenes I gave him a lisp in my head like the snake that he is
I really enjoyed the plot. The idea is solid, it reads a bit like Divergent with the government that's trying to control everyone and the different Kinds not being able to mix and such, but was its own unique twist on the dystopian genre. I enjoyed the science-y undertones from Covalence to the engineering side with Mineral building her plane.
I adored the characters...but I couldn't connect with Mineral and I'm not sure why. I found myself not wanting anything to happen to Piper, Amory, or Gretta, but couldn't convince myself to care about Mineral and I'm still piecing together why that is. Maybe book 2 and 3 will change my mind on this?
I also personally massively disliked almost every dispute between Mineral and Amory because they felt kind of baseless. One person miscommunicating and assuming something about the other and then when said issue was going to be discussed, someone cuts the other person off and it never gets resolved! It's one of my least favorite kinds of conflict in books.
That being said, I really enjoyed this overall. (Minus ONE PART. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID ANDIE!!!) This was my first Andie Smith book and I can definitely say I'll be picking up the next two in this trilogy purely to find out what happens to my babies and if they ever get to live happily ever after. I'm also very interested to learn about .
P.S. Alexsander is ICKY, I hope he gets his comeuppance, and he probably doesn't have one, but to make myself laugh and not want to jump off the nearest bridge during his scenes I gave him a lisp in my head like the snake that he is
April 22, 2025
Okay, this one scratched that YA dystopian itch in the best way. If you're into independent rebel girls, mysterious Orderlies, and secret escape plots, Covalence delivers.
Mineral Vyotto is a fierce, orphaned FMC who refuses to be another cog in her Society. With the Covalence Ceremony creeping closer—a tradition that forces people to Bond with another of their Kind—she’s got a plan: build a plane and get out of dodge! I loved how capable and determined she was. She definitely knew what she wanted, and she was not waiting around for permission.
BUT THEN—she’s caught sneaking around and ends up in the hands of Amory Thames, an Orderly with privilege, power... and a surprising rebellious streak of his own. Cue the enemies-to-lovers tension! Their dynamic is everything—full of banter, mistrust, and chemistry right from the start. I was rooting for them while also yelling at them to communicate better.(Classic YA slow burn but addicting!)
The pacing had a few slower moments, but honestly? It just gave me more time to fall into the world. The stakes are high, the society setup is super interesting and a bit terrifying. The side characters were solid. They didn’t feel like throwaways—they had purpose, personality, and added to the story in meaningful ways.
Overall, this was a strong start to what I hope will be a twisty, emotional, high-stakes series. I’m very much looking forward to book two.
Mineral Vyotto is a fierce, orphaned FMC who refuses to be another cog in her Society. With the Covalence Ceremony creeping closer—a tradition that forces people to Bond with another of their Kind—she’s got a plan: build a plane and get out of dodge! I loved how capable and determined she was. She definitely knew what she wanted, and she was not waiting around for permission.
BUT THEN—she’s caught sneaking around and ends up in the hands of Amory Thames, an Orderly with privilege, power... and a surprising rebellious streak of his own. Cue the enemies-to-lovers tension! Their dynamic is everything—full of banter, mistrust, and chemistry right from the start. I was rooting for them while also yelling at them to communicate better.(Classic YA slow burn but addicting!)
The pacing had a few slower moments, but honestly? It just gave me more time to fall into the world. The stakes are high, the society setup is super interesting and a bit terrifying. The side characters were solid. They didn’t feel like throwaways—they had purpose, personality, and added to the story in meaningful ways.
Overall, this was a strong start to what I hope will be a twisty, emotional, high-stakes series. I’m very much looking forward to book two.
April 25, 2025
A dystopian YA novel with love at its core, we follow the journey of Mineral, a defiant seventeen-year-old with the hope to escape the stifling clench of her City. Time is short as Covalence—a ceremony where two citizens are to be bound together against their will forever—is nearing. Determined to crush on her own every obstacle thrown her way, she ultimately must swallow her pride and accept the help of a sworn enemy.
I was totally immersed in the world of Covalence from the very start, and following Mineral's adventures was a thrill. She is a bad-ass protagonist for sure, but what I loved most about her is her heart of gold. She would truly do anything for her friends, and that struck a chord with me. The ending was a total shock and it hit very close to home for me. I won't say any more, but be warned that you will love Covalence!! I cannot wait to know more about Mineral and her journey to freedom, but I will have to wait for the sequel!!
I was totally immersed in the world of Covalence from the very start, and following Mineral's adventures was a thrill. She is a bad-ass protagonist for sure, but what I loved most about her is her heart of gold. She would truly do anything for her friends, and that struck a chord with me. The ending was a total shock and it hit very close to home for me. I won't say any more, but be warned that you will love Covalence!! I cannot wait to know more about Mineral and her journey to freedom, but I will have to wait for the sequel!!
April 24, 2025
3.5/5 stars
There’s just something about YA dystopian that scratches a nostalgic itch—and Covalence delivers the vibes perfectly. Think secret hideouts, government control, forbidden bonds, and two teens doing everything in their power to claw out a bit of autonomy. It’s familiar territory, but in the best way.
Mineral is determined but vulnerable, and smart enough to question the rigid rules she’s grown up with. She’s got baggage, which makes her compelling. Her relationship with Amory is classic “opposites forced to work together” with some well-executed tension and genuine emotional beats. Their slow evolution from distrust to genuine connection was super satisfying. Yeah, there's some contrived conflict here and there, but it's also very teenagers under pressure in an unyielding, corrupt dystopia, so it works.
The world-building feels fresh, even with its familiar bones. The Covalence Ceremony, the concept of Bonding, the rigid caste-like system—it’s eerie, intense, and full of potential for bigger conversations. I especially liked how Mineral’s questioning of the system becomes contagious; it’s not just about her escaping, but about opening other people’s eyes, too. That said, the character loss at the end? Oof. Didn’t feel earned, and honestly, it felt like a cheap gut punch rather than a meaningful sacrifice.
Still, this is classic YA dystopian done right—great pacing, likable side characters, and a central romance that doesn't overpower the larger story. Mineral and her crew are easy to root for, and I’m hoping future books dig even deeper into this world’s twisted structures. If you’ve been missing the dystopian era but want something with a slightly updated edge, this one’s worth a read.
Thanks so so much to the author, R&R Booktours and Orange Blossom Publishing for the complimentary copy and PR box. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
There’s just something about YA dystopian that scratches a nostalgic itch—and Covalence delivers the vibes perfectly. Think secret hideouts, government control, forbidden bonds, and two teens doing everything in their power to claw out a bit of autonomy. It’s familiar territory, but in the best way.
Mineral is determined but vulnerable, and smart enough to question the rigid rules she’s grown up with. She’s got baggage, which makes her compelling. Her relationship with Amory is classic “opposites forced to work together” with some well-executed tension and genuine emotional beats. Their slow evolution from distrust to genuine connection was super satisfying. Yeah, there's some contrived conflict here and there, but it's also very teenagers under pressure in an unyielding, corrupt dystopia, so it works.
The world-building feels fresh, even with its familiar bones. The Covalence Ceremony, the concept of Bonding, the rigid caste-like system—it’s eerie, intense, and full of potential for bigger conversations. I especially liked how Mineral’s questioning of the system becomes contagious; it’s not just about her escaping, but about opening other people’s eyes, too. That said, the character loss at the end? Oof. Didn’t feel earned, and honestly, it felt like a cheap gut punch rather than a meaningful sacrifice.
Still, this is classic YA dystopian done right—great pacing, likable side characters, and a central romance that doesn't overpower the larger story. Mineral and her crew are easy to root for, and I’m hoping future books dig even deeper into this world’s twisted structures. If you’ve been missing the dystopian era but want something with a slightly updated edge, this one’s worth a read.
Thanks so so much to the author, R&R Booktours and Orange Blossom Publishing for the complimentary copy and PR box. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
November 16, 2024
In COVALENCE, a person’s destiny is determined at birth, according to an oppressive social hierarchy. A person’s occupation is determined by the class, or Kind, and upon reaching a certain age, they are Bonded for life to a member of their own Kind. No exceptions.
That isn’t good enough for 17-year-old Mineral Vyotto, a member of the Builder class. She creates a plan to escape her oppressive society before the annual Covalence Ceremony, in which she is to be Bonded. Mineral risks death if she’s caught, but for a chance at freedom, it’s a risk she’s willing to take.
However, Mineral’s plan—and her life in general—gets significantly more complicated when she encounters Amory Thames. The young man is a member of the Orderly Kind, or ruling class, and is a member of one of its most prominent families. They butt heads from the start, but Amory reveals some shocking news: Not only does he know of Mineral’s escape plan, he wants to join her in fleeing the City!
Can she trust Amory, when she seemingly has every reason not to? Can she afford not to trust him, since he knows her secret? And even if he truly is on her side, can they actually make their plan work and escape the City before Covalence?
In my reviews, I’m generally loath to compare novels. Each story is unique and each novel stands on its own. But COVALENCE gave me the same “I gotta see what happens next!” vibes that THE HUNGER GAMES provided. Both have a likable, capable protagonist, high stakes adventure, twists you don’t see coming, and a splash of romance, too. I understand that is a lofty comparison, but a fully justified one for me.
So if YA dystopian fiction is your thing, COVALENCE should be high on your To Be Read list!
That isn’t good enough for 17-year-old Mineral Vyotto, a member of the Builder class. She creates a plan to escape her oppressive society before the annual Covalence Ceremony, in which she is to be Bonded. Mineral risks death if she’s caught, but for a chance at freedom, it’s a risk she’s willing to take.
However, Mineral’s plan—and her life in general—gets significantly more complicated when she encounters Amory Thames. The young man is a member of the Orderly Kind, or ruling class, and is a member of one of its most prominent families. They butt heads from the start, but Amory reveals some shocking news: Not only does he know of Mineral’s escape plan, he wants to join her in fleeing the City!
Can she trust Amory, when she seemingly has every reason not to? Can she afford not to trust him, since he knows her secret? And even if he truly is on her side, can they actually make their plan work and escape the City before Covalence?
In my reviews, I’m generally loath to compare novels. Each story is unique and each novel stands on its own. But COVALENCE gave me the same “I gotta see what happens next!” vibes that THE HUNGER GAMES provided. Both have a likable, capable protagonist, high stakes adventure, twists you don’t see coming, and a splash of romance, too. I understand that is a lofty comparison, but a fully justified one for me.
So if YA dystopian fiction is your thing, COVALENCE should be high on your To Be Read list!
April 28, 2025
Covalence by Andie L. Smith is the first book in a new YA book series, entitled The Bonded Series by the author. I don't know about y'all but I LOVE a new series in YA so I wanted to read and give y'all my thoughts on Convalence. I love the author's new world she created where humans live in a dystopian city in certain quadrants. That was a really interesting idea and I love she included a map in the beginning of the book, it gives the readers a frame of reference or ability to see it in your head as you are reading the book!
The story revolves around a dystopian world where our FMC, named Mineral or Min for short. Min is a Builder, one of the groups from the city where there are many different groups for all the young people. Min doesn't want to participate in the Convalence Ceremony, which is where Min will be told to be married to one of her kind, aka the Builders. Min does not want to be told what to do by anyone, so she decides she is going to build a flying machine and get away from the city and the Ceremony.
This story is hugely engaging for fans of YA reads and specifically dystopian YA reads. I loved the relationship between Amory and Min, there are serious forbidden love vibes as they both reside in different areas of the city, Amory is a Brainiac and Min is a Builder. This debut to a brand new series is well written and definitely one of my fav's of the year so far! I loved that cliffhanger ending and now am left wondering what happens to Amory and Min and definitely want to read the next book in this series!
The story revolves around a dystopian world where our FMC, named Mineral or Min for short. Min is a Builder, one of the groups from the city where there are many different groups for all the young people. Min doesn't want to participate in the Convalence Ceremony, which is where Min will be told to be married to one of her kind, aka the Builders. Min does not want to be told what to do by anyone, so she decides she is going to build a flying machine and get away from the city and the Ceremony.
This story is hugely engaging for fans of YA reads and specifically dystopian YA reads. I loved the relationship between Amory and Min, there are serious forbidden love vibes as they both reside in different areas of the city, Amory is a Brainiac and Min is a Builder. This debut to a brand new series is well written and definitely one of my fav's of the year so far! I loved that cliffhanger ending and now am left wondering what happens to Amory and Min and definitely want to read the next book in this series!
October 14, 2024
This YA dystopian novel delivers an engaging blend of adventure and romance, with the forbidden love between the two main characters as the emotional core of the story. The pacing is spot on, keeping the tension high with plenty of heart-stopping moments. It’s a perfect fit for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and similar series.
At the center is seventeen-year-old Mineral Vyotto, who’s determined to escape the City and the Covalence Ceremony, forcing her to bond with someone of her Kind. As she builds a plane to flee, she crosses paths with Amory Thames, an Orderly with the power to disrupt everything. Will the arrogant Orderly destroy Mineral's shot at freedom, or could their unlikely alliance be the key to escaping the City?
Mineral and her crew of friends are endearing and easy to root for, adding depth to the story. The emotional stakes are just as intense as the physical ones, with characters risking everything for a chance at freedom.
Overall, this book is well-paced, emotionally charged, and filled with twists that keep you invested. If you're looking for a dystopian adventure with a strong romantic thread, this one won’t disappoint.
At the center is seventeen-year-old Mineral Vyotto, who’s determined to escape the City and the Covalence Ceremony, forcing her to bond with someone of her Kind. As she builds a plane to flee, she crosses paths with Amory Thames, an Orderly with the power to disrupt everything. Will the arrogant Orderly destroy Mineral's shot at freedom, or could their unlikely alliance be the key to escaping the City?
Mineral and her crew of friends are endearing and easy to root for, adding depth to the story. The emotional stakes are just as intense as the physical ones, with characters risking everything for a chance at freedom.
Overall, this book is well-paced, emotionally charged, and filled with twists that keep you invested. If you're looking for a dystopian adventure with a strong romantic thread, this one won’t disappoint.
April 26, 2025
"I’m going to get out of the City before Covalence. I have to.”
In a City where diversity is a sin punishable by death, and a person’s life is determined at birth, what’s a girl to do when she doesn’t want the life that she’s destined for? She plans her escape, of course.
“...Divided by Kinds, Forever One Society.”
If you’re a fan of the YA dystopian feels via the Divergent and Hunger Games era, this may be right up your alley. The Rise rules the City, the classes, known as Kinds, are kept separate to “keep order,” and a bonding ceremony called Covalence helps to maintain order and keep the people separate; this story has a little of everything to keep readers intrigued and immersed.
Smith’s writing is fantastic! The world-building is realistic and easy to imagine. The characters are spot on for the ages, they’re a mix of confidence, uncertainty, grit, presumptuousness, conformity, and curiosity. They all played well together and made the story more engaging and immersive. It's got some great twists, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes in the next book.
In a City where diversity is a sin punishable by death, and a person’s life is determined at birth, what’s a girl to do when she doesn’t want the life that she’s destined for? She plans her escape, of course.
“...Divided by Kinds, Forever One Society.”
If you’re a fan of the YA dystopian feels via the Divergent and Hunger Games era, this may be right up your alley. The Rise rules the City, the classes, known as Kinds, are kept separate to “keep order,” and a bonding ceremony called Covalence helps to maintain order and keep the people separate; this story has a little of everything to keep readers intrigued and immersed.
Smith’s writing is fantastic! The world-building is realistic and easy to imagine. The characters are spot on for the ages, they’re a mix of confidence, uncertainty, grit, presumptuousness, conformity, and curiosity. They all played well together and made the story more engaging and immersive. It's got some great twists, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes in the next book.
April 21, 2025
This story is classic YA dystopian at its finest. Ir has a sweet young romance that blooms naturally within the story, not too fast and not too slow. The stakes of the plot feel as high as the clouds, and the danger lurks around every corner. Mineral, the FMC, questions everything about her society while actually doing everything she can to help fix the problems she sees. Amory is a great character with depth and emotional maturity which was so nice, because I was a little worried about the YA aspect. My favorite character, though, was Piper! I loved his and Mineral's relationship and I also loved that Mineral (in narration) made a point to explain that she was respecting his choice to follow through with the Bond, because it's literally all about the freedom to HAVE a choice.
The mystery aspect and uncovering secrets and lies was exciting. This story made me stressed out with their plans and guessing at what would go wrong while rooting for them to be successful. If you're in your YA dystopian era with the rest of us, read this one!!!
The mystery aspect and uncovering secrets and lies was exciting. This story made me stressed out with their plans and guessing at what would go wrong while rooting for them to be successful. If you're in your YA dystopian era with the rest of us, read this one!!!
April 24, 2025
This is hands down a must-read for YA dystopian lovers. While this falls squarely in the genre, Smith has added her own twists on old tropes. The characters are complex, and while they might not trust each other at first, it was interesting to watch their relationships evolve as they worked together. Mineral is a great FMC, and I love her ingenuity and determination. The story itself has good pacing, and will take you on a wild, emotional roller coaster as it unfolds. There are just enough twists to keep you on your toes, and while I wasn’t sure how Smith would pull off a teen secretly building a plane, it was done in quite a believable way, and I have to applaud her for that. Cannot wait to see what lies in store in future installments!
October 26, 2024
I adore everything about this book. This is everything I’ve craved since 12-year-old me discovered dystopian and fell in love with reading. This book is both fresh and intriguing and brings back that familiar nostalgia of the greatest era of reading (in my humble opinion). Andie crafts characters you grow to love and care for and allows you to watch them transform into stronger individuals, make mistakes, learn from them, and fully arc. I laughed, I cried, I screamed. This book is amazing, you guys, and I can’t believe I was lucky enough to read it from draft one. Andie is so talented and her writing voice was MEANT for dystopian. What a read!
April 24, 2025
This is the first book in a new dystopian series. Mineral is orphan and fast approaching Covalence a ceremony were she is bonded with another of her Kind. This had strong Divergent vibes and i’m hoping it ends better than that series. The book grabbed me and i had to finish it in one sitting. I really like Mineral and how she starts to come into her own by the end of the book. it had vivid world, i imagine it taking place in middle America somewhere. It ends on a cliff hangar and i can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 28, 2024
I will write a full review once the book is officially out and I read the final version.
As someone who read Covalence in its baby form in one day, it is safe to say I fell in love with this book and these characters. Reading it a second time and seeing the edits made continued to solidify my love for this book. The character development is beautifully done. The world building is realistic and understandable. I cannot wait to see this book thrive and shine the way it is suppose to.
As someone who read Covalence in its baby form in one day, it is safe to say I fell in love with this book and these characters. Reading it a second time and seeing the edits made continued to solidify my love for this book. The character development is beautifully done. The world building is realistic and understandable. I cannot wait to see this book thrive and shine the way it is suppose to.
March 8, 2025
This book follow Mineral. A girl from the area who lost her parents, and a Orderly boy Amory.
I loved this book! The story was amazing and I loved how it progressed, some parts did feel a little slowed than others but the ending of the book was just amazing something that I couldn’t exactly guess. I can’t wait till the next book.
I loved this book! The story was amazing and I loved how it progressed, some parts did feel a little slowed than others but the ending of the book was just amazing something that I couldn’t exactly guess. I can’t wait till the next book.
May 12, 2025
Okay so goooooddd. For once I actually LOVED the main girl character in a dystopian story. I normally have a hard time with the main girl but this author NAILED it. I loved that the story felt so original but also comfortable for an easy read. At times when I thought I knew what was coming next, I was thrown for a loop. Fantastic read and can’t wait for the next book in this series!
July 2, 2025
I really enjoyed the world building of COVALENCE as it had the feel of MATCHED, the city-divisions like DIVERGENT, and the resilient protagonist of HUNGER GAMES. If you enjoyed those books I would recommend Andie L Smith's Bonded Series as I'm eagerly awaiting Book 2! I was turning pages curious to see what would happen next in this first installment!
August 13, 2024
Dystopia readers will devour this bold new voice in the genre that not only offers a twisty plot and swoon-worthy romance, but also examines a question that's all too relevant for our times: the price of freedom, and the true cost of taking it away.
April 21, 2025
What a story!
From disputes to assumptions it’s just gonna have to be entertaining
The dystopian feel is amazing and the sciencey aspect really pulls it together
I can’t wait to get to know the characters more and see where this goes
From disputes to assumptions it’s just gonna have to be entertaining
The dystopian feel is amazing and the sciencey aspect really pulls it together
I can’t wait to get to know the characters more and see where this goes
August 16, 2024
Absolutely amazing book!
May 12, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It was my first time reading anything by this author, and I’m definitely going to be checking out more of their work in the future.
I couldn’t put this book down! I was completely captivated by the world and the characters. Mineral was my favorite character - she was so strong and determined, and she never backed down from anything.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to RRbooktours and the author for allowing me to read this amazing book!
I couldn’t put this book down! I was completely captivated by the world and the characters. Mineral was my favorite character - she was so strong and determined, and she never backed down from anything.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to RRbooktours and the author for allowing me to read this amazing book!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews