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Earthbound
Every oath holds power.
In a land where the Earth spawns terrible beasts capable of moving through all but stone, the Sky bestows power to those bound by Oaths.
As earthbound creatures invade, bringing with them chaos and whispers of a coming war, protector and Overseer Tehran fights to keep his people safe. After losing his best friend to the beasts and with the stability of the region deteriorating, Tehran heads to the Capital to plead for support from the Order of the Sky.
When his friend’s widow stows aboard the transport, determined to hold the Order accountable for the death of her husband, Tehran’s plans are derailed. Torn between upholding his responsibility as an Overseer or honouring his friend’s memory, Tehran must either choose the Oaths that have forged him or trust new bonds to guard the fate of the Mercurial.
In a land where the Earth spawns terrible beasts capable of moving through all but stone, the Sky bestows power to those bound by Oaths.
As earthbound creatures invade, bringing with them chaos and whispers of a coming war, protector and Overseer Tehran fights to keep his people safe. After losing his best friend to the beasts and with the stability of the region deteriorating, Tehran heads to the Capital to plead for support from the Order of the Sky.
When his friend’s widow stows aboard the transport, determined to hold the Order accountable for the death of her husband, Tehran’s plans are derailed. Torn between upholding his responsibility as an Overseer or honouring his friend’s memory, Tehran must either choose the Oaths that have forged him or trust new bonds to guard the fate of the Mercurial.
446 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2024
24 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Katee Stein
3 books57 followersSome of Katee Stein’s earliest memories were of losing herself within the pages of a book. Through reading she first explored the world, and her favourite stories are still those that hold fragments of reality and urge her to be brave.
Her love of fiction continued as Katee grew, travelled, met the love of her life, had two amazing children, and started working in special education. Her debut novel, Glass Helix, was published by Stag Beetle Books in 2023. Her first indie offering, Earthbound, was released in 2024 with its sequel, Skysworn, following in 2025. With more projects in the works, Katee hopes to continue sharing stories long into the future.
Of course if you were to meet her, you’d find she’s of an ordinary sort who loves coffee and slow mornings, chickens and sunrises, and most of all, her people.
Her love of fiction continued as Katee grew, travelled, met the love of her life, had two amazing children, and started working in special education. Her debut novel, Glass Helix, was published by Stag Beetle Books in 2023. Her first indie offering, Earthbound, was released in 2024 with its sequel, Skysworn, following in 2025. With more projects in the works, Katee hopes to continue sharing stories long into the future.
Of course if you were to meet her, you’d find she’s of an ordinary sort who loves coffee and slow mornings, chickens and sunrises, and most of all, her people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 13, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
In Earthbound, Katee Stein blends all the best elements of The Stormlight Archive and Dune to create an utterly unique sci-fantasy tale where magic and science clash as the mystical and mythical collide. It’s epic yet intimate, heart wrenching yet hopeful, and it’s as complex in its politics as it is in its emotions; this truly is an earth-shattering story in every sense of the word.
Through the eyes of Overseer Tehran and expecting parents Knox and Emilia, who have all been best friends since childhood, we are transported into a technologically advanced epic fantasy world where terrifying creatures live beneath the Earth and powerful oaths bind men to the Sky. When terrible tragedy strikes their home, they are all pulled into a whirlwind of deadly conspiracies, conflicting loyalties, and dangerous promises; torn between duty and desire, they will stop at nothing to honour their loved ones and protect their homeland, even if that means putting their own heart, soul and life at risk.
Don’t you just love it when you open a book and it completely hooks you from the very first page? See, I’ve always said that I don’t like it when the first chapter just throws you straight into the action, but Stein absolutely made it work for me in Earthbound. The horrifying invasion of the earthbound creatures combined with the unexpected introduction of clashing magic and technology not only immediately set the stakes sky-high, but also sparked a sense of awe, intrigue, wonder and terror that kept me glued to the page the entire way through.
Moreover, these characters very quickly pulled me in on an emotional level, and I loved how Stein balanced and interwove their gut wrenching inner conflicts with the ominous external conflicts. Through Tehran and Knox, we get such a deep and disturbing look into the tense political landscape and the religious and magical aspects of this world, while Emilia provides some fascinating insights into the technology and science elements, which created such a deeply immersive reading experience as a whole.
Not to mention, Earthbound absolutely shines in its depiction of realistically complex interpersonal relationships, and I loved getting sucked into all the intense emotional turmoil. See, when you have a magic system that subtly manipulates emotions, things can get very messy very quickly, and I was so here for it all. Stein is not afraid to explore some very heavy, sensitive and even contentious subjects, all without ever devolving into a dramatic trauma fest, and I loved how some actions and relationships made me feel so conflicted that I started to question my own sense of morality at times.
All that said, I do have to admit that there were a few moments in Earthbound where some very disturbing and life-altering personal tragedies were brushed over slightly too quickly to be believable for me, which lessened some of the emotional impact for me. Still, I think Stein is up there with Robin Hobb and Krystle Matar in terms of how she captures raw human emotion on the page, doing a terrifyingly brilliant job of exploring themes of loss, grief, corruption, culture clashing, hope, friendship, sacrifice, and love in all its devastating beauty. Oh and don’t get me started on the unexpected found family vibes in Knox’s POV, my heart was not ready for that!
On the surface, Earthbound might seem like just another political fantasy with some mystery and romantic tension thrown in, but when you dig a little deeper, it’s a tragically beautiful story about the power of words and promises, and the consequences of breaking them. The stakes are extremely high on both a world scale and a personal level, and I loved how seemingly small actions were shown to have serious rippling effects across lands and throughout everyone’s lives, for better or for worse.
With the devastatingly brutal and dreadfully ominous way we leave our characters at the end of this first instalment in the Of Earth & Sky duology, I am equally nervous and excited for the heartache and emotional turmoil that is sure to come in the finale. This story truly surprised me in all the best ways, and if you are looking for a fantastically wondrous and intriguingly mysterious sci-fantasy tale that is rooted in raw human emotion, then I can’t recommend Earthbound highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
*************************************
First read 2024: 4 stars
Second read 2025: 4.25 stars
You know it's a good book when it doesn't simply hold up on a re-read, but somehow even gets better the second time around. Especially happy I decided to re-experience this story via audiobook, because Magnus Carlssen captured the personality and emotionality of this diverse cast of characters SO well and just brought this entire story to life on a whole new level. Don't mind me flying straight into book 2 now, I need to know how this emotional rollercoaster is going to end!
In Earthbound, Katee Stein blends all the best elements of The Stormlight Archive and Dune to create an utterly unique sci-fantasy tale where magic and science clash as the mystical and mythical collide. It’s epic yet intimate, heart wrenching yet hopeful, and it’s as complex in its politics as it is in its emotions; this truly is an earth-shattering story in every sense of the word.
Through the eyes of Overseer Tehran and expecting parents Knox and Emilia, who have all been best friends since childhood, we are transported into a technologically advanced epic fantasy world where terrifying creatures live beneath the Earth and powerful oaths bind men to the Sky. When terrible tragedy strikes their home, they are all pulled into a whirlwind of deadly conspiracies, conflicting loyalties, and dangerous promises; torn between duty and desire, they will stop at nothing to honour their loved ones and protect their homeland, even if that means putting their own heart, soul and life at risk.
Don’t you just love it when you open a book and it completely hooks you from the very first page? See, I’ve always said that I don’t like it when the first chapter just throws you straight into the action, but Stein absolutely made it work for me in Earthbound. The horrifying invasion of the earthbound creatures combined with the unexpected introduction of clashing magic and technology not only immediately set the stakes sky-high, but also sparked a sense of awe, intrigue, wonder and terror that kept me glued to the page the entire way through.
Moreover, these characters very quickly pulled me in on an emotional level, and I loved how Stein balanced and interwove their gut wrenching inner conflicts with the ominous external conflicts. Through Tehran and Knox, we get such a deep and disturbing look into the tense political landscape and the religious and magical aspects of this world, while Emilia provides some fascinating insights into the technology and science elements, which created such a deeply immersive reading experience as a whole.
Not to mention, Earthbound absolutely shines in its depiction of realistically complex interpersonal relationships, and I loved getting sucked into all the intense emotional turmoil. See, when you have a magic system that subtly manipulates emotions, things can get very messy very quickly, and I was so here for it all. Stein is not afraid to explore some very heavy, sensitive and even contentious subjects, all without ever devolving into a dramatic trauma fest, and I loved how some actions and relationships made me feel so conflicted that I started to question my own sense of morality at times.
All that said, I do have to admit that there were a few moments in Earthbound where some very disturbing and life-altering personal tragedies were brushed over slightly too quickly to be believable for me, which lessened some of the emotional impact for me. Still, I think Stein is up there with Robin Hobb and Krystle Matar in terms of how she captures raw human emotion on the page, doing a terrifyingly brilliant job of exploring themes of loss, grief, corruption, culture clashing, hope, friendship, sacrifice, and love in all its devastating beauty. Oh and don’t get me started on the unexpected found family vibes in Knox’s POV, my heart was not ready for that!
On the surface, Earthbound might seem like just another political fantasy with some mystery and romantic tension thrown in, but when you dig a little deeper, it’s a tragically beautiful story about the power of words and promises, and the consequences of breaking them. The stakes are extremely high on both a world scale and a personal level, and I loved how seemingly small actions were shown to have serious rippling effects across lands and throughout everyone’s lives, for better or for worse.
With the devastatingly brutal and dreadfully ominous way we leave our characters at the end of this first instalment in the Of Earth & Sky duology, I am equally nervous and excited for the heartache and emotional turmoil that is sure to come in the finale. This story truly surprised me in all the best ways, and if you are looking for a fantastically wondrous and intriguingly mysterious sci-fantasy tale that is rooted in raw human emotion, then I can’t recommend Earthbound highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
*************************************
First read 2024: 4 stars
Second read 2025: 4.25 stars
You know it's a good book when it doesn't simply hold up on a re-read, but somehow even gets better the second time around. Especially happy I decided to re-experience this story via audiobook, because Magnus Carlssen captured the personality and emotionality of this diverse cast of characters SO well and just brought this entire story to life on a whole new level. Don't mind me flying straight into book 2 now, I need to know how this emotional rollercoaster is going to end!
March 12, 2025
I've been incredibly pulled to try more and more indie authors this year, especially in the epic fantasy genre! I had heard wonderful things about Katee's new book Earthbound and had to see what it was about.
First off this author can write! Her world pulls you in and is incredibly fast paced and unique. It's a great mix of science fiction and fantasy that feels both comfortable and new at the same time. We have these mysterious deities of both the earth and sky sending power to mortal occupants and see contention on the rise with war on the horizon. With large monsters that can liquify the earth and corruption in what should be steadfast entities -- it's hard to know who to trust!
Earthbound focuses around three main characters who have been raised together and have formed these found family like bounds. The two men are Oathbound...and have restricted themselves from simple daily conveniences in other to maintain their oaths and power to their gods. A fun author insight is that Katee was inspired by the biblical story of Samson so it was fun to see her little easter eggs scattered through the book, and I so do love brotherhood bonds.
The characters are more adult in age and circumstance. They have deeper responsibilities and issue binding them together. The romance in this story is MESSY and I mean messy...it might ruffle some feathers, but after discussing it with the author that was her intention. She wanted to see how messy characters could be while still feeling like relatable heroes. And while I didn't always agree with the choices some of them made, I'm willing to give a little grace due to the trauma and their circumstances. I have a feeling book two is going to be GREAT for my favorite character.
There were some really fun unpredictable aspects to this story that kept it feeling fresh, I loved the little plot twists, and the fun action scenes. I definitely think book 2 will bring it all together in a way that will be highly satisfying!
If you don't mind a little mess, flawed characters, unique worlds, and good men doing their best to fight for the people they love, then this just might be your next read.
First off this author can write! Her world pulls you in and is incredibly fast paced and unique. It's a great mix of science fiction and fantasy that feels both comfortable and new at the same time. We have these mysterious deities of both the earth and sky sending power to mortal occupants and see contention on the rise with war on the horizon. With large monsters that can liquify the earth and corruption in what should be steadfast entities -- it's hard to know who to trust!
Earthbound focuses around three main characters who have been raised together and have formed these found family like bounds. The two men are Oathbound...and have restricted themselves from simple daily conveniences in other to maintain their oaths and power to their gods. A fun author insight is that Katee was inspired by the biblical story of Samson so it was fun to see her little easter eggs scattered through the book, and I so do love brotherhood bonds.
The characters are more adult in age and circumstance. They have deeper responsibilities and issue binding them together. The romance in this story is MESSY and I mean messy...it might ruffle some feathers, but after discussing it with the author that was her intention. She wanted to see how messy characters could be while still feeling like relatable heroes. And while I didn't always agree with the choices some of them made, I'm willing to give a little grace due to the trauma and their circumstances. I have a feeling book two is going to be GREAT for my favorite character.
There were some really fun unpredictable aspects to this story that kept it feeling fresh, I loved the little plot twists, and the fun action scenes. I definitely think book 2 will bring it all together in a way that will be highly satisfying!
If you don't mind a little mess, flawed characters, unique worlds, and good men doing their best to fight for the people they love, then this just might be your next read.
March 2, 2025
Without the good writing, this would be 2 stars.
The writing style pulled me in immediately and I found myself liking Terrin and Knox right away. I really liked their friendship and history. The pacing is well done, and the world is unique. It felt vivid and I could clearly see and visualize the atmosphere and the characters.
Knox was my favorite. He’s the good man we all want. He’s loyal, kind, selfless, brave and good. I really enjoyed how a lot of the side characters had clear voices, and they had good depth.
The action scenes were exciting, fluid and had good description and tension. The pace was smart with equal amounts of soft scenes and intense action.
The politics were pretty standard. (A corrupt government with secrets) I’ve read the same type of thing before, but it was done well.
THOUGHTS:
Let’s start with the ending. This was simply a copout so that the three MC’s didn’t have to have the hard conversations. We needed a collision of emotions and discussions to help this complicated dynamic have a good resolution. Many things needed to be said. No proper apology was given, and the forgiveness was too easy.
The romance was a mess. If it was a sub plot romance, I could let it slide under the rug, but the author’s choices made the romance an integral part of the plot. As such, I’ll be rating it that way.
VAGUE CRITIQUE: I don’t have a problem with the love story. I really like the idea of it. I think it can be gripping and full of heartbreaking nuance. However, this particular love story hinges on timing. Because of the unfortunate rushed timing the author chose for this romance, it was disrespectful, unrealistic, disgusting and tactless. (for me)
**My spoiler thoughts on the romance and ending are below. Skip to the end if you’d rather not read them**
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**SPOILER THOUGHTS. SKIP THIS SECTION TO AVOID SPOILERS**
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Knox is Married to Emilia who is pregnant. Terrin is the best friend. Knox dies in a fight and Emilia loses the baby in her grief. What Emilia and Terrin don’t know is that Knox is alive but on a different part of the planet. Only a couple DAYS after losing her husband and baby, Emilia wants him to be honored as a hero and is determined to talk to the politicians. She needs someone to take her, so she pressures Terrin (best friend) to make an oath with her (married in their world) so he can take her and only a few days after that, she throws herself at him and sleeps with him and continues to be intimate with him throughout the book.
Vows are part of the magic in this world and are blamed for Emilia and Torrin being so attracted to each other, but this is a ridiculous excuse. If she loved Knox, she would have had some self-control. Emilia discarded her “love” for Knox faster than a starving alligator thrown a piece of meat. Did she even love him at all?
The loss of the baby was poorly handled. I know these people are in space, but shouldn’t her body need at least 6-10 weeks (minimum) before she’s sexually active again? She sleeps with best friend maybe 2 weeks after she lost the baby.
Her reasons weren’t good enough and saying “everyone processes grief differently” is just a way to hide and rationalize her actions. If the author would have given it the proper time and space for emotions to settle, heal and move forward, this could have been amazing. She doesn’t address the loss of her baby or husband in a realistic or respectful way.
**THE ENDING CRITIQUE SPOILERS**
Knox has been tortured and is dying. Emilia and Terrin find him. This is the first interaction they’ve had since he “died” and he tells both he loves them, he forgives them and gives his blessing for their relationship. He also breaks his bond with Emilia and free’s her from being tied to him in any way.
This “resolution” was too easy and was not earned. Knox gave everything for those he loved and got nothing back in return. To say this ending was unsatisfying is a damn understatement.
Having him die but not die a second time felt redundant and silly to repeat. In the Epilogue we find out he’s not dead…. Again.
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.
.
.
.
.
**END OF SPOILERS**
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.
.
OVERALL: If you like Sci Fi fantasy, immensely complicated romantic relationships, great world building, interesting characters and good writing, then this for you. I have to give credit to the author for doing something I’ve only seen once before. Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me.
CONTENT: Violence
ROMANCE: Vague open door
The writing style pulled me in immediately and I found myself liking Terrin and Knox right away. I really liked their friendship and history. The pacing is well done, and the world is unique. It felt vivid and I could clearly see and visualize the atmosphere and the characters.
Knox was my favorite. He’s the good man we all want. He’s loyal, kind, selfless, brave and good. I really enjoyed how a lot of the side characters had clear voices, and they had good depth.
The action scenes were exciting, fluid and had good description and tension. The pace was smart with equal amounts of soft scenes and intense action.
The politics were pretty standard. (A corrupt government with secrets) I’ve read the same type of thing before, but it was done well.
THOUGHTS:
Let’s start with the ending. This was simply a copout so that the three MC’s didn’t have to have the hard conversations. We needed a collision of emotions and discussions to help this complicated dynamic have a good resolution. Many things needed to be said. No proper apology was given, and the forgiveness was too easy.
The romance was a mess. If it was a sub plot romance, I could let it slide under the rug, but the author’s choices made the romance an integral part of the plot. As such, I’ll be rating it that way.
VAGUE CRITIQUE: I don’t have a problem with the love story. I really like the idea of it. I think it can be gripping and full of heartbreaking nuance. However, this particular love story hinges on timing. Because of the unfortunate rushed timing the author chose for this romance, it was disrespectful, unrealistic, disgusting and tactless. (for me)
**My spoiler thoughts on the romance and ending are below. Skip to the end if you’d rather not read them**
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
**SPOILER THOUGHTS. SKIP THIS SECTION TO AVOID SPOILERS**
.
.
.
Knox is Married to Emilia who is pregnant. Terrin is the best friend. Knox dies in a fight and Emilia loses the baby in her grief. What Emilia and Terrin don’t know is that Knox is alive but on a different part of the planet. Only a couple DAYS after losing her husband and baby, Emilia wants him to be honored as a hero and is determined to talk to the politicians. She needs someone to take her, so she pressures Terrin (best friend) to make an oath with her (married in their world) so he can take her and only a few days after that, she throws herself at him and sleeps with him and continues to be intimate with him throughout the book.
Vows are part of the magic in this world and are blamed for Emilia and Torrin being so attracted to each other, but this is a ridiculous excuse. If she loved Knox, she would have had some self-control. Emilia discarded her “love” for Knox faster than a starving alligator thrown a piece of meat. Did she even love him at all?
The loss of the baby was poorly handled. I know these people are in space, but shouldn’t her body need at least 6-10 weeks (minimum) before she’s sexually active again? She sleeps with best friend maybe 2 weeks after she lost the baby.
Her reasons weren’t good enough and saying “everyone processes grief differently” is just a way to hide and rationalize her actions. If the author would have given it the proper time and space for emotions to settle, heal and move forward, this could have been amazing. She doesn’t address the loss of her baby or husband in a realistic or respectful way.
**THE ENDING CRITIQUE SPOILERS**
Knox has been tortured and is dying. Emilia and Terrin find him. This is the first interaction they’ve had since he “died” and he tells both he loves them, he forgives them and gives his blessing for their relationship. He also breaks his bond with Emilia and free’s her from being tied to him in any way.
This “resolution” was too easy and was not earned. Knox gave everything for those he loved and got nothing back in return. To say this ending was unsatisfying is a damn understatement.
Having him die but not die a second time felt redundant and silly to repeat. In the Epilogue we find out he’s not dead…. Again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
**END OF SPOILERS**
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
OVERALL: If you like Sci Fi fantasy, immensely complicated romantic relationships, great world building, interesting characters and good writing, then this for you. I have to give credit to the author for doing something I’ve only seen once before. Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me.
CONTENT: Violence
ROMANCE: Vague open door
January 13, 2025
Probably more like a 4.5 but I’ll round it up, because why not?? I enjoyed the heck out of this book. It’s like the author knew exactly what this book was supposed to be, and executed that masterfully. Awesome pacing, clean writing, great characters, and a really cool story where the stakes felt high (despite the compact size), and I was fully invested. Can’t wait for the next, and final book! Oh, and shoutouts to duologies. Love that.
April 14, 2025
Ok I like sci-fi... but I don't think I like this HEAVY of sci-fi. Still trying to find my limits.
Somewhere between Alien smut and full-on Star Wars level world-building, I think?
This is entirely a ME thing. I think it's actually very well written and if you like the premise you'll probs like this .
Somewhere between Alien smut and full-on Star Wars level world-building, I think?
This is entirely a ME thing. I think it's actually very well written and if you like the premise you'll probs like this .
January 8, 2025
Earthbound is a multiPOV epic fantasy following Emilia, Tehran, and Knox as their cluster comes under attack by earthbound, creatures of the earth able to move through earth like a fish through water disrupting the land. With an attack from an earthbound of unprecedented size to their cluster, a more sinister threat begins to reveal itself to their land, people, and way of life. This is an epic fantasy with a messy love triangle, religious and political undertones, and action that will keep you interested and invested for the entire story.
I found this to be a refreshing take on an epic fantasy that has a romance consistently in view but not the sole spotlight. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the 3 characters as well as the overarching story progressed. The author creates a detail world complete with an interesting social and political structure that deals heavily with religion and plays a major role in the unique magic system. I loved how the story progressed and all the twists that came along with it. I would recommend this book and am definitely looking forward to the sequel!
I found this to be a refreshing take on an epic fantasy that has a romance consistently in view but not the sole spotlight. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the 3 characters as well as the overarching story progressed. The author creates a detail world complete with an interesting social and political structure that deals heavily with religion and plays a major role in the unique magic system. I loved how the story progressed and all the twists that came along with it. I would recommend this book and am definitely looking forward to the sequel!
February 20, 2025
OH. MY. GOSH! This book ya'll!
It was seriously sooo good.
I am NOT a sci-fi reader. I can count how many sci-fi books I have read on 1 hand.
When a friend on Instagram hosted a buddy read and after seeing stellar reviews from other friends I trust, I thought I would give this one a shot and purchased the ebook/audio combo.
And let me tell you, this one did not disappoint!
Tehran-brave protector
Amelia-fierce, graceful, beautiful
Knox-Strong defender
I loved these 3 characters. Their growth, their journey, and everything they go through is heart wrenching, but made for a compelling, heart-stopping, could-not-put-it-down story.
I will say, that at first the beginning was a tad slow, but the rest of the book made up for it. So don't give up if you struggle at first to get through some of the world building.
This book was fast-paced, interesting, so incredibly well-written, and the narrator did an amazing job!
Highly recommend the audio.
READ.THIS.BOOK! This one will definitely be in my top favorites for the year!
Content:
Language: Mild infrequent swearing-d*mn and h3ll used a few times
Romance Content: Closed door-mild fade-to-black, passionate kissing lasting for a few sentences with moans, feelings of attraction
Violence/gore: moderate-brief descriptions of blood and gore, people beheaded, multiple fights with killings, intense peril and danger
Substance use: none that I remember
Prejudices: none that I remember
Religious Content: Characters worship a fictional god, and make binding oaths to an order or group.
Other:
It was seriously sooo good.
I am NOT a sci-fi reader. I can count how many sci-fi books I have read on 1 hand.
When a friend on Instagram hosted a buddy read and after seeing stellar reviews from other friends I trust, I thought I would give this one a shot and purchased the ebook/audio combo.
And let me tell you, this one did not disappoint!
Tehran-brave protector
Amelia-fierce, graceful, beautiful
Knox-Strong defender
I loved these 3 characters. Their growth, their journey, and everything they go through is heart wrenching, but made for a compelling, heart-stopping, could-not-put-it-down story.
I will say, that at first the beginning was a tad slow, but the rest of the book made up for it. So don't give up if you struggle at first to get through some of the world building.
This book was fast-paced, interesting, so incredibly well-written, and the narrator did an amazing job!
Highly recommend the audio.
READ.THIS.BOOK! This one will definitely be in my top favorites for the year!
Content:
Language: Mild infrequent swearing-d*mn and h3ll used a few times
Romance Content: Closed door-mild fade-to-black, passionate kissing lasting for a few sentences with moans, feelings of attraction
Violence/gore: moderate-brief descriptions of blood and gore, people beheaded, multiple fights with killings, intense peril and danger
Substance use: none that I remember
Prejudices: none that I remember
Religious Content: Characters worship a fictional god, and make binding oaths to an order or group.
Other:
November 16, 2024
A genius blend of sci-fi and fantasy with beautiful relationships, loveable and real characters, with gut-wrenching suspense. If you want Dune with the vows required by the Jedi order, this must be read.
June 1, 2024
How do you write a review for those stories you know are going to stay with you long after you set the book down?
I feel like my words can’t do Stein’s world justice. From fun monsters to complex religious constraints to a unique magic system and addictive character conflicts, this book has my whole heart. Knox is now one of my favorite heroes of all time. No, I will not be taking questions about what shade of morally gray we leave him in this book.
If you’re looking for a story about flawed characters trying to find their ways through impossible situations (which anyone who knows me is aware that’s what I love to both read and write), Earthbound is for you. You’ll leave the book feeling a stronger bond to those you love…and checking the ground beneath your feet periodically for liquefactions.
Ugh. It’s so good. Please read it.
I feel like my words can’t do Stein’s world justice. From fun monsters to complex religious constraints to a unique magic system and addictive character conflicts, this book has my whole heart. Knox is now one of my favorite heroes of all time. No, I will not be taking questions about what shade of morally gray we leave him in this book.
If you’re looking for a story about flawed characters trying to find their ways through impossible situations (which anyone who knows me is aware that’s what I love to both read and write), Earthbound is for you. You’ll leave the book feeling a stronger bond to those you love…and checking the ground beneath your feet periodically for liquefactions.
Ugh. It’s so good. Please read it.
April 18, 2025
Earthbound has been on my radar for a while now. With threads of The Stormlight Archive in its words of power, Dune with its gargantuan subterranean monsters, and even Empire of the Vampire in terms of certain relationship dynamics and quasi-religious political machinations, this sounded like an incredibly promising science fantasy that would harken back to powerful stories I’ve loved in the past while still being a tale wholly its own. And that’s exactly what Stein delivered in this first installment in the Of Earth and Sky duology. What I didn’t anticipate was just how tense and heart wrenching a story it would be. Earthbound is nothing if not intensely unique and totally unforgettable.
This story is told from three perspectives. We follow Knox, the disavowed Overseer who laid down his oaths and his power for love; Tehran, Knox’s partner Overseer and brother in all but blood, who now shoulders the weight of protecting their cluster on his own; and Emilia, Knox’s wife. All three of these characters are compelling on their own, but it’s the relationship interplay that grabbed me the hardest. I loved the found family element, and I especially loved the brotherhood vibes between two of our perspective characters. I’m a sucker for these types of tight relationship dynamics, and they were so well done here.
I love the tone Stein sets from the very first chapter. The fact we have such a strong action scene so early in the book instantly gains and maintains interest and intensity. And the prose worked for me immediately. It feels very mature and incredibly solid. There were no writing quirks that threw me out of the story. I love the decision to go with 3rd person narration, as I find it so much more immersive. And the blend of science fiction and fantasy in terms of genre was absolutely perfect, and worked so well for the story being told. Impeccably balanced.
The highlights for me were definitely the characters. I fell for them and felt for them immediately. While I enjoyed all three perspective characters and many of the secondary characters, Knox has a special place in my heart. I was also really impressed with the pacing. There was never a dull moment in this book. Even scenes that were less action-packed were still laced with tension and intensity.
Which brings me to an element of the story that I generally hate, but was very impressed with in Earthbound. Something I’ve voiced a multitude of times in the past is my disdain for love triangles. They’re one of my least favorite tropes, and I’ve been known to abandon books that lean too heavily into one. But the love triangle in this book is incredible. It’s one of the very few I’ve come across that made sense to me. I was sympathetic to all parties involved, and I never had any idea how it would resolve. It was interesting for me to experience a trope that I dislike so strongly in a way that had me so invested. There were moments when some of the relationship tensions or dynamics got to be so much that I had to step away, because reading it was causing my heart physical pain. I was so incredibly stressed out while reading this book, and those relationship tensions were largely to blame.
The worldbuilding Stein crafted here fascinates me. The idea of oaths carrying such tangible weight is a concept I found intriguing in The Stormlight Archive, but I feel like it’s explored in a completely different way in Earthbound. There is so much food for thought woven into the mythos of this world, and I hope that it’s explored more and expounded upon in more depth in the sequel. I’m anxiously counting down the days until the publication of Skysworn, the second half of this duology. I can’t remember the last time I was so desperate for a next installment.
This story is told from three perspectives. We follow Knox, the disavowed Overseer who laid down his oaths and his power for love; Tehran, Knox’s partner Overseer and brother in all but blood, who now shoulders the weight of protecting their cluster on his own; and Emilia, Knox’s wife. All three of these characters are compelling on their own, but it’s the relationship interplay that grabbed me the hardest. I loved the found family element, and I especially loved the brotherhood vibes between two of our perspective characters. I’m a sucker for these types of tight relationship dynamics, and they were so well done here.
I love the tone Stein sets from the very first chapter. The fact we have such a strong action scene so early in the book instantly gains and maintains interest and intensity. And the prose worked for me immediately. It feels very mature and incredibly solid. There were no writing quirks that threw me out of the story. I love the decision to go with 3rd person narration, as I find it so much more immersive. And the blend of science fiction and fantasy in terms of genre was absolutely perfect, and worked so well for the story being told. Impeccably balanced.
The highlights for me were definitely the characters. I fell for them and felt for them immediately. While I enjoyed all three perspective characters and many of the secondary characters, Knox has a special place in my heart. I was also really impressed with the pacing. There was never a dull moment in this book. Even scenes that were less action-packed were still laced with tension and intensity.
Which brings me to an element of the story that I generally hate, but was very impressed with in Earthbound. Something I’ve voiced a multitude of times in the past is my disdain for love triangles. They’re one of my least favorite tropes, and I’ve been known to abandon books that lean too heavily into one. But the love triangle in this book is incredible. It’s one of the very few I’ve come across that made sense to me. I was sympathetic to all parties involved, and I never had any idea how it would resolve. It was interesting for me to experience a trope that I dislike so strongly in a way that had me so invested. There were moments when some of the relationship tensions or dynamics got to be so much that I had to step away, because reading it was causing my heart physical pain. I was so incredibly stressed out while reading this book, and those relationship tensions were largely to blame.
The worldbuilding Stein crafted here fascinates me. The idea of oaths carrying such tangible weight is a concept I found intriguing in The Stormlight Archive, but I feel like it’s explored in a completely different way in Earthbound. There is so much food for thought woven into the mythos of this world, and I hope that it’s explored more and expounded upon in more depth in the sequel. I’m anxiously counting down the days until the publication of Skysworn, the second half of this duology. I can’t remember the last time I was so desperate for a next installment.
September 27, 2024
Earthbound is a fantastic new fantasy from author Katee Stein! I’ve been seeing this book all over, and right when I finally purchased a physical copy, I was gifted with the audiobook. I’m so glad I listened to this first, before reading it in my own voice. Magnus Carlssen brought it to life!
With THREE points-of-view, we are not lacking for perspectives, even with a slightly unreliable one. Knox is headstrong but always in a bit of a bind. His bonded, Amelia, is on a challenging path, and while I do empathize with her situation (she’s only doing what she can with the information she has) her actions still made me want to throw my proverbial book across the room. Then there’s Tehran — the backstabbing, no-good, TAKER OF ADVANTAGES——-
I digress.
If you can’t tell, these characters are easy to become invested in.
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
The setting is unique and again, the mix of fantasy and sci fi are blended to create a world with beasts made from legend and tech of a farther future. The namesake of this book, the Earthbound, are fascinating and scary, Knox having a few run ins that are less than desirable. They immediately sucked me into the story thanks to Carlssen’s bard-like narration.
Atmosphere/Mood: 13/14
Writing Style: 17/18
Intrigue and Excitement are an understatement. Had I read this in physical form I would have been flipping pages furiously! Instead I savored it (so glad I did) on audio, and have not stopped talking about it since! There isn’t a person I haven’t mentioned this book to.
Intrigue: 14/14
Excitement: 10/10
Ok. Now we get to the hard parts of this review which takes up the L in CAWPILE — Logic. The story makes sense of course. The way it ended leaves me wanting more. However! If you’ve heard me yap about this, then you know that I’m about to contradict myself, because while he’s in a surface level I do empathize with Amelia but that doesn’t make her actions LOGICAL. Is she under the spell of an oath. Quite possible. The whole book is about the power of oaths and the power behind our words. And, like myself, Amelia sometimes doesn’t think before she speaks, and doesn’t always listen to the voice inside her head ringing alarm bells. I don’t fault the author for weaving this into the story because it adds to the intrigue but if I was Amelia’s friend I would be having some sage words for her. Too bad all she has is Tehran…
Logic: 13/14
Overall if you are slumping from after Sanderson, this reminiscing-feel fantasy is just for you! And I highly recommend the audiobook for those who are into that sort of thing.
CAWPILE SCORE: 87/90 (my highest yet…)
DP2 SCORE (for audiobooks): 12/12
STAR RATING: 5
With THREE points-of-view, we are not lacking for perspectives, even with a slightly unreliable one. Knox is headstrong but always in a bit of a bind. His bonded, Amelia, is on a challenging path, and while I do empathize with her situation (she’s only doing what she can with the information she has) her actions still made me want to throw my proverbial book across the room. Then there’s Tehran — the backstabbing, no-good, TAKER OF ADVANTAGES——-
I digress.
If you can’t tell, these characters are easy to become invested in.
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
The setting is unique and again, the mix of fantasy and sci fi are blended to create a world with beasts made from legend and tech of a farther future. The namesake of this book, the Earthbound, are fascinating and scary, Knox having a few run ins that are less than desirable. They immediately sucked me into the story thanks to Carlssen’s bard-like narration.
Atmosphere/Mood: 13/14
Writing Style: 17/18
Intrigue and Excitement are an understatement. Had I read this in physical form I would have been flipping pages furiously! Instead I savored it (so glad I did) on audio, and have not stopped talking about it since! There isn’t a person I haven’t mentioned this book to.
Intrigue: 14/14
Excitement: 10/10
Ok. Now we get to the hard parts of this review which takes up the L in CAWPILE — Logic. The story makes sense of course. The way it ended leaves me wanting more. However! If you’ve heard me yap about this, then you know that I’m about to contradict myself, because while he’s in a surface level I do empathize with Amelia but that doesn’t make her actions LOGICAL. Is she under the spell of an oath. Quite possible. The whole book is about the power of oaths and the power behind our words. And, like myself, Amelia sometimes doesn’t think before she speaks, and doesn’t always listen to the voice inside her head ringing alarm bells. I don’t fault the author for weaving this into the story because it adds to the intrigue but if I was Amelia’s friend I would be having some sage words for her. Too bad all she has is Tehran…
Logic: 13/14
Overall if you are slumping from after Sanderson, this reminiscing-feel fantasy is just for you! And I highly recommend the audiobook for those who are into that sort of thing.
CAWPILE SCORE: 87/90 (my highest yet…)
DP2 SCORE (for audiobooks): 12/12
STAR RATING: 5
September 19, 2024
ENTER MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR.
This book unironically caused me to:
☁️ forget to eat
☁️ sob uncontrollably
☁️ avoid my responsibilities
☁️ forget I was reading
I requested an eARC at the recommendation of a friend and did not expect to so hooked from the first chapter alone.
Earthbound has been pitched as The Way of Kings meets Dune meets The Mandalorian, which I think fits well, but it’s so much more than that. This science fantasy masterpiece combines an immersive world, political and religious intrigue, split loyalties, amazing characters with a lot of depth, and heart-wrenching twists.
Plot/pacing: I truly couldn’t wait to find out what happened next after every chapter and I enjoyed all three POVs equally and they all felt distinct.
Characters: I love characters that are messy, imperfect, and don’t always make the right choice. I loved Knox, Tehran and Emilia and felt deeply invested in their journeys.
World building: I felt like I was given just the right balance of background info without feeling bogged down by details. Everything from the unique magic system, the Dune-like monsters and the corrupt religious leaders made for an extremely compelling story.
Writing: writing plays a big part in my reading experience and I really enjoyed Stein’s simple yet emotional and atmospheric prose.
If you’re a fan of epic stories with morally grey heroes, impossible choices and amazing twists, you need to give Earthbound a try. It’s the first book in a duology, and I am DYING to read the sequel, Skysworn (coming out next year, I believe).
⚠️ death, loss of loved ones, miscarriage, violence, blood
🌶️ vague fade to black scene, brief mentions of desire/longing, passionate kisses
This book unironically caused me to:
☁️ forget to eat
☁️ sob uncontrollably
☁️ avoid my responsibilities
☁️ forget I was reading
I requested an eARC at the recommendation of a friend and did not expect to so hooked from the first chapter alone.
Earthbound has been pitched as The Way of Kings meets Dune meets The Mandalorian, which I think fits well, but it’s so much more than that. This science fantasy masterpiece combines an immersive world, political and religious intrigue, split loyalties, amazing characters with a lot of depth, and heart-wrenching twists.
Plot/pacing: I truly couldn’t wait to find out what happened next after every chapter and I enjoyed all three POVs equally and they all felt distinct.
Characters: I love characters that are messy, imperfect, and don’t always make the right choice. I loved Knox, Tehran and Emilia and felt deeply invested in their journeys.
World building: I felt like I was given just the right balance of background info without feeling bogged down by details. Everything from the unique magic system, the Dune-like monsters and the corrupt religious leaders made for an extremely compelling story.
Writing: writing plays a big part in my reading experience and I really enjoyed Stein’s simple yet emotional and atmospheric prose.
If you’re a fan of epic stories with morally grey heroes, impossible choices and amazing twists, you need to give Earthbound a try. It’s the first book in a duology, and I am DYING to read the sequel, Skysworn (coming out next year, I believe).
⚠️ death, loss of loved ones, miscarriage, violence, blood
🌶️ vague fade to black scene, brief mentions of desire/longing, passionate kisses
Read
June 4, 2025I have not written a DNF review before, but I wanted to do so because this review is positive!
I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters, the worldbuilding. It's difficult to pinpoint why I struggled to finish this book. It could be that I've just been reading more romantasy and manga lately, so this season in life I'm not reading a lot in this genre. But I wanted to love it! I hope I'll pick it up again and finish it. But for now, giving it a little review and tucking it into my DNF shelf for another day 🖤
I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters, the worldbuilding. It's difficult to pinpoint why I struggled to finish this book. It could be that I've just been reading more romantasy and manga lately, so this season in life I'm not reading a lot in this genre. But I wanted to love it! I hope I'll pick it up again and finish it. But for now, giving it a little review and tucking it into my DNF shelf for another day 🖤
May 12, 2025
RTC! Awesome book, very excited for the sequel!
November 21, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version of this thanks to author Katee Stein. And what a great experience this was. First off, props to the narrator Magnus. The narration of this flowed so well and the different characters were easily identifiable and unique thanks to his interpretation and delivery.
Onto the story, wow. I had a great time with this one. Such an interesting blend of fantasy and sci-fi in this world. The characters, all 3 POVs, were super engaging. They might be flawed individuals but I felt myself rooting for them, mostly haha. They all have their struggles and tough obstacles to barrel through.
The magic in this was great and super interesting and unique. The creatures/monsters gave me Dune/Tremors vibes and they sound horrendous! The world-building was a great balanced blend of background and details without pummeling you in the face about everything. The action scenes were my absolute favorite parts. You can easily immerse yourself in those parts and be a part of the action. And that ending!?!? Whew...
Definitely had a ton of fun and look forward to the next book!
Onto the story, wow. I had a great time with this one. Such an interesting blend of fantasy and sci-fi in this world. The characters, all 3 POVs, were super engaging. They might be flawed individuals but I felt myself rooting for them, mostly haha. They all have their struggles and tough obstacles to barrel through.
The magic in this was great and super interesting and unique. The creatures/monsters gave me Dune/Tremors vibes and they sound horrendous! The world-building was a great balanced blend of background and details without pummeling you in the face about everything. The action scenes were my absolute favorite parts. You can easily immerse yourself in those parts and be a part of the action. And that ending!?!? Whew...
Definitely had a ton of fun and look forward to the next book!
May 20, 2025
What a very cool concept for a story. A religious sect that binds themselves by oaths to protect the inhabiting people. Monsters that live beneath the earth. A priesthood that is immovable in its devotion.
I'm very impressed with this story. The prose was not overly flowery while still lovely. The plot was intriguing. The pacing was perfect. The romance was so stressful!
I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.
I loved the combination of science fiction and fantasy. I would easily recommend this for fans of The Name of the Wind, Dune, Firefly, and the Cosmere.
The audio narrator is fantastic! He does a variety of voices and accents for quite the variety of characters.
Thank you to the author who sent me a complimentary copy of this audio. The opinions are my own.
I'm very impressed with this story. The prose was not overly flowery while still lovely. The plot was intriguing. The pacing was perfect. The romance was so stressful!
I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.
I loved the combination of science fiction and fantasy. I would easily recommend this for fans of The Name of the Wind, Dune, Firefly, and the Cosmere.
The audio narrator is fantastic! He does a variety of voices and accents for quite the variety of characters.
Thank you to the author who sent me a complimentary copy of this audio. The opinions are my own.
August 9, 2025
3.75 stars!
This was quite the journey! The writing style and strong opening pulled me in right away. The action sequence at the beginning gave a great first glimpse into the story and overall vibe.
Within the first few chapters, Stein managed to set up interesting characters and an intriguing world - a world that is technologically advanced but still has a fantasy feel to it. Early on, I thought I had an idea of how things were going to play out, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The story went into a few unexpected directions, which I liked for the most part, and it kept things exciting.
There was, however, one plotline that dampened my enjoyment quite a bit and almost made me put the book down. I'm not a fan of love triangles, since they are rarely done well (imo), so when I saw characters go down that road, I felt annoyance rise. Still, after liking everything up to that point, I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. And, to some extent, it wasn't as frustrating as expected. I actually liked how a specific aspect of that relationship was used to get a clearer picture of how things worked and helped recognize certain blind spots.
But, ultimately, the romance didn't quite work for me. There was no build-up, no history of that kind of feelings, and some important and traumatic events didn't hit with the gravity they should have, because the characters seemed to move on quickly. I wish there had been more depth and emotion, more time spent on the aftermaths.
Knox was the standout character for me in this book. He was fierce, loyal, and protective, and I loved the found family vibes in his storyline. I don't know how I feel about a certain twist occurring twice, but in the end, I'm not mad about it, as I'm hoping to see a lot more from him.
Overall, there was a lot I enjoyed about Earthbound. Stein has crafted a fascinating world with a compelling plot, and characters that keep you engaged. I especially liked the concept of oaths and bonds, the importance of intent behind them, and the effects oaths can have on an emotional level. This has me very intrigued and I can't wait to (hopefully) learn more about it in the next installment.
This was quite the journey! The writing style and strong opening pulled me in right away. The action sequence at the beginning gave a great first glimpse into the story and overall vibe.
Within the first few chapters, Stein managed to set up interesting characters and an intriguing world - a world that is technologically advanced but still has a fantasy feel to it. Early on, I thought I had an idea of how things were going to play out, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The story went into a few unexpected directions, which I liked for the most part, and it kept things exciting.
There was, however, one plotline that dampened my enjoyment quite a bit and almost made me put the book down. I'm not a fan of love triangles, since they are rarely done well (imo), so when I saw characters go down that road, I felt annoyance rise. Still, after liking everything up to that point, I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. And, to some extent, it wasn't as frustrating as expected. I actually liked how a specific aspect of that relationship was used to get a clearer picture of how things worked and helped recognize certain blind spots.
But, ultimately, the romance didn't quite work for me. There was no build-up, no history of that kind of feelings, and some important and traumatic events didn't hit with the gravity they should have, because the characters seemed to move on quickly. I wish there had been more depth and emotion, more time spent on the aftermaths.
Knox was the standout character for me in this book. He was fierce, loyal, and protective, and I loved the found family vibes in his storyline. I don't know how I feel about a certain twist occurring twice, but in the end, I'm not mad about it, as I'm hoping to see a lot more from him.
Overall, there was a lot I enjoyed about Earthbound. Stein has crafted a fascinating world with a compelling plot, and characters that keep you engaged. I especially liked the concept of oaths and bonds, the importance of intent behind them, and the effects oaths can have on an emotional level. This has me very intrigued and I can't wait to (hopefully) learn more about it in the next installment.
September 14, 2024
Author Katee Stein has crafted an intriguing world and brilliant plot in Earthbound, the first in the Of Earth and Sky series.
From the first chapter you can tell this is dynamic, danger-filled world you're being dropped into. Even the very ground you walk upon is home to terrifying creatures. The story is told from three POVs, Tehran, Knox and Emilia, all of which have been close friends since childhood. Their world is thrown into chaos, pulling them each into different webs of secrets, conspiracy and half-truths.
I loved the strong connection we felt between each of POV characters. Sometimes there's nothing stronger than the bonds of love and friendship, and Stein showed that masterfully through excellent dialogue and what each of them was willing to do for the others.
On the subject of characters, by mid-way through the book, I was so invested in each of them. Each bump in the road they faced, I felt in my heart. Their emotional turmoil was my emotional turmoil. I even teared up towards the end, which I RARELY do in a book. I thought Stein did so well at conveying emotions on the page in a way that resonated in my own emotions. Almost like I had an bonded oath with them. ;)
Speaking of oaths, I was very drawn in by the oaths system. I truly believe words and promises have power and should be taken seriously, and this was expertly demonstrated by Stein through the oathbound system. And I thought she did well at staying consistent with the rules of the oath system, though just a couple times I had a hard time following it. The oaths and the effect their words had on them physically and emotionally added a deeper level of tragic beauty to the story.
One of the things that stood out to me the most was how well Stein handled tension in this book. Trust me, there's a lot of it, but it was well-placed and well-spaced. It was enough to make me uncomfortable and a little itchy under my skin, but not cringy or over-dramatic. The slow-rise in tension gave the story a forward momentum, making me fell like I was falling forward to find out what would happen next.
It took a few chapters for me to get completely invested in the story, and there were a few times I felt major traumatic events were moved on from quickly, but overall, this book grabbed me, then I grabbed it and held on because I couldn't wait to see what happened. Earthbound truly is an epic science fantasy full of action and emotional depth.
Fans of the Stormlight Archive and Robin Hobb will love this book.
The author graciously sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts an opinions expressed are my own.
From the first chapter you can tell this is dynamic, danger-filled world you're being dropped into. Even the very ground you walk upon is home to terrifying creatures. The story is told from three POVs, Tehran, Knox and Emilia, all of which have been close friends since childhood. Their world is thrown into chaos, pulling them each into different webs of secrets, conspiracy and half-truths.
I loved the strong connection we felt between each of POV characters. Sometimes there's nothing stronger than the bonds of love and friendship, and Stein showed that masterfully through excellent dialogue and what each of them was willing to do for the others.
On the subject of characters, by mid-way through the book, I was so invested in each of them. Each bump in the road they faced, I felt in my heart. Their emotional turmoil was my emotional turmoil. I even teared up towards the end, which I RARELY do in a book. I thought Stein did so well at conveying emotions on the page in a way that resonated in my own emotions. Almost like I had an bonded oath with them. ;)
Speaking of oaths, I was very drawn in by the oaths system. I truly believe words and promises have power and should be taken seriously, and this was expertly demonstrated by Stein through the oathbound system. And I thought she did well at staying consistent with the rules of the oath system, though just a couple times I had a hard time following it. The oaths and the effect their words had on them physically and emotionally added a deeper level of tragic beauty to the story.
One of the things that stood out to me the most was how well Stein handled tension in this book. Trust me, there's a lot of it, but it was well-placed and well-spaced. It was enough to make me uncomfortable and a little itchy under my skin, but not cringy or over-dramatic. The slow-rise in tension gave the story a forward momentum, making me fell like I was falling forward to find out what would happen next.
It took a few chapters for me to get completely invested in the story, and there were a few times I felt major traumatic events were moved on from quickly, but overall, this book grabbed me, then I grabbed it and held on because I couldn't wait to see what happened. Earthbound truly is an epic science fantasy full of action and emotional depth.
Fans of the Stormlight Archive and Robin Hobb will love this book.
The author graciously sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts an opinions expressed are my own.
July 31, 2025
If The Stormlight Archive and Dune had a love child, it would be this book. Weird magic, heavy oaths, political tension, and a world that feels like it’s been broken and patched up too many times. And somehow, it works.
Earthbound follows three POVs: Knox, a disavowed Overseer who gave up his oaths for love; Tehran, an overseer connected and loyal to Knox ; and Emilia, Knox’s wife who… let’s just say she’s complicated. None of them for me are easy to root for all the time, but they’re fascinating to follow. The relationships here are messy in a way that feels real, not dramatic for the sake of it.
The magic system is eerie and layered, they are words and vows, and thr prose is easy to follow without being too dense. I still have questions, especially about the ending, but I’ll leave those to book two. The world is clearly big enough to hold them.
Also, the audiobook narration was fantastic. Magnus Carlssen brought a lot of depth to the story, and there’s something so satisfying about hearing it all unfold with that kind of atmosphere. He also reminds me of Michael Kramer, who narrated Mistborn and half of The Stormlight Archive.
If you’re into character-driven fantasy with strange magic, slow reveals, and emotional tension, this is one to check out.
Earthbound follows three POVs: Knox, a disavowed Overseer who gave up his oaths for love; Tehran, an overseer connected and loyal to Knox ; and Emilia, Knox’s wife who… let’s just say she’s complicated. None of them for me are easy to root for all the time, but they’re fascinating to follow. The relationships here are messy in a way that feels real, not dramatic for the sake of it.
The magic system is eerie and layered, they are words and vows, and thr prose is easy to follow without being too dense. I still have questions, especially about the ending, but I’ll leave those to book two. The world is clearly big enough to hold them.
Also, the audiobook narration was fantastic. Magnus Carlssen brought a lot of depth to the story, and there’s something so satisfying about hearing it all unfold with that kind of atmosphere. He also reminds me of Michael Kramer, who narrated Mistborn and half of The Stormlight Archive.
If you’re into character-driven fantasy with strange magic, slow reveals, and emotional tension, this is one to check out.
July 18, 2024
I'm still reeling from finishing this, so finding the words to express my feelings is something along the lines of Mission: Impossible. Just WOW.
I cannot say how many times I gasped out loud, said "oh no", or frantically started reading faster with one hand over my mouth in utter horror. This book had its claws in me to the max. I can't remember the last time I felt so tormented and captivated by a story--and I've read plenty of fantastic books in my day!
The world was compelling, the emotions were WILD, the plot kept me flipping my kindle pages as fast as possible (and late into the night). There are quite a few characters, but they all seemed unique and developed enough that I could keep them straight in my head (which is impressive, because I am NOT good at that), and the relationships between all the different characters are PACKED with all the feels. I'm still processing.
All in all, this book absolutely shook me to my core and has left me with my jaw on the floor. I'm definitely going to preorder a physical copy for my shelf so I can fiercely wave it in my friends' faces and demand they read it at once.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a positive review.
I cannot say how many times I gasped out loud, said "oh no", or frantically started reading faster with one hand over my mouth in utter horror. This book had its claws in me to the max. I can't remember the last time I felt so tormented and captivated by a story--and I've read plenty of fantastic books in my day!
The world was compelling, the emotions were WILD, the plot kept me flipping my kindle pages as fast as possible (and late into the night). There are quite a few characters, but they all seemed unique and developed enough that I could keep them straight in my head (which is impressive, because I am NOT good at that), and the relationships between all the different characters are PACKED with all the feels. I'm still processing.
All in all, this book absolutely shook me to my core and has left me with my jaw on the floor. I'm definitely going to preorder a physical copy for my shelf so I can fiercely wave it in my friends' faces and demand they read it at once.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a positive review.
July 7, 2025
Earthbound is a superb mix of magic and sci-fi, action and intrigue, romance and brotherhood. The writing is flawless and immersive, the world-building meticulous and fascinating. But the book’s primary hook is its characters. They drew me in early on, and I couldn’t stop reading! There’s plenty of gripping action, but the plot is mainly character-driven, with moral and relational choices center-stage. I could say so much more, but I don’t want to give anything away.
I’d recommend this book for older teens and adults. There are some minor curse words, closed door romance, and the characters grapple with moral questions. It’s overall a very clean read, with themes of community, devotion (to your word and to other people), and self-sacrificial love. I can’t wait to read Skysworn, its sequel, which debuts in September and completes the duology. I have a feeling it will delve even deeper into these themes and how they relate to spiritual and relational realities in our own world.
I’d recommend this book for older teens and adults. There are some minor curse words, closed door romance, and the characters grapple with moral questions. It’s overall a very clean read, with themes of community, devotion (to your word and to other people), and self-sacrificial love. I can’t wait to read Skysworn, its sequel, which debuts in September and completes the duology. I have a feeling it will delve even deeper into these themes and how they relate to spiritual and relational realities in our own world.
January 8, 2025
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
I have to be honest, don’t tell my TBR, but I read this book twice. I couldn’t help myself. I absolutely loved reading the ARC, so when the audiobook came out it was an automatic relisten for me. These characters live with me, in the back of my mind, as I walk through my daily life. The questions Katee poses as we walk with these characters through unfathomable situations brings out a fire in me that has me looking in the mirror at what I truly believe. All set against the stunning backdrop of an intensely volatile and beautiful world. This is an epic adventure you dive into head first, and need never come up for air.
Earthbound by Katee Stein
As the story opens, we meet Knox and Tehran in an outlying community in the Mercurial, struggling to keep communication open with the Order of the Sky. There, we’re met with an unprecedented event, a large Earthbound has made its way to their outcrop. As the earth pools into a liquid state our heroes, one with powers and one who’s lost them, are faced with the harrowing task of saving their people. Without spilling the beans, this plot was unreal. On the surface it seems like a really cool, politically complex story, but I was blown away with its deeper themes and raw emotions. The choices facing these characters at every turn were so difficult, while the plot maintained a nice fluidity and logic to it. And the romantic subplot was thick, but done so well. My heart is so tied to this subplot, I really won’t get over it until I know what happens in Skysworn. This book couldn’t have been more binge worthy, yet you never want it to end. Stein has me hook, line, and sinker. It may be an affront to humanity that we need to wait for book two. It’s really that good.
“Careful Loghin. Words hold more power than you know.”
In no small part that’s thanks to its epic worldbuilding foundation with a high fantasy feel. The world has girth, and comes so seamlessly to the reader. It feels multisensory and immersive as you see and experience all that’s going on around you. The Earthbound creatures are a really cool element. These gargantuan beasts swim through the earth via a process of liquefaction no Mercurial fully understands. The magic system of the world functions on oaths spoken in words, which bring power to their oathbound, though some oaths are a bit unpredictable in their outcomes. The politics in this book were fascinating, and danced quite closely with their religious and devotional practices. The dynamics between the seemingly altruistic leadership and its all-trusting people played really well into the story as we start to peel back the layers of its deceptions. The magic of the oaths brings a power balance that deepens these political struggles as well as carries heavy cultural implications. When outside threats oppose these constructs, adapting challenges our characters' own belief structures and what their power actually means.
“He shouldn't need a weapon here–this was his home.”
The relationships between the characters are also challenged by these constructs. Knox, a disavowed Overseer and Overseer Tehran have had a lifelong brotherhood, which for the better part of their lives included Emilia, Knox’s bonded wife. These trio make up the 3 POV’s from which we see the story. I absolutely love these characters, and the connections they share brought an intimacy to the story that felt real, both hopeful and shattering. The strong steadfast men made for characters you could hope for, even in their sometimes great failures. I loved that Emilia was such a brain and fought for every inch of what she believed while embodying a gentle femininity beneath her armor. I didn’t always agree with the choices these characters made, as my heart was as wrenched and beaten as theirs throughout the story, but I could see their intentionality and determination to do what they thought right, even with their inner struggles and oathbound pulls. The cast of side characters brought so much color into full view. Kip and Loghin were highlights for me. There were so many well fleshed characters rounding out and supporting the main cast. Everyone felt unique and important.
And that’s what I love about Stein’s writing style. It all reads so easy while still feeling rich and descriptive, deep and provoking. All your senses are going as you wrestle with the happenings on page, made even more poignant by Magnus’s voice over. The pacing is perfect in my opinion for the heavier laid romance and political elements. When I read her first novel, Glass Helix, I knew Katee would forever be an autobuy for me. But I didn’t expect this caliber of fantasy in her second book after a near future sci-fi. She’s grown in her writing, if it’s possible, and delivered something we don’t just want, but something we need, showcasing the silver lining in even the darkest of clouds.
“The function of pain is empathy. Accept it; remember it.”
This epic fantasy with strong romantic subplot and some crossover sci-fi world elements is a can't miss. My heart is forever marked with these amazing characters and their gut wrenching tale. With themes of Love, Honor, Loss, Grief, Divine Nature, Bonds and what makes Family, this book will fully entertain while challenging you with profound questions and testing the bounds of your own moral compass.
I have to be honest, don’t tell my TBR, but I read this book twice. I couldn’t help myself. I absolutely loved reading the ARC, so when the audiobook came out it was an automatic relisten for me. These characters live with me, in the back of my mind, as I walk through my daily life. The questions Katee poses as we walk with these characters through unfathomable situations brings out a fire in me that has me looking in the mirror at what I truly believe. All set against the stunning backdrop of an intensely volatile and beautiful world. This is an epic adventure you dive into head first, and need never come up for air.
Earthbound by Katee Stein
As the story opens, we meet Knox and Tehran in an outlying community in the Mercurial, struggling to keep communication open with the Order of the Sky. There, we’re met with an unprecedented event, a large Earthbound has made its way to their outcrop. As the earth pools into a liquid state our heroes, one with powers and one who’s lost them, are faced with the harrowing task of saving their people. Without spilling the beans, this plot was unreal. On the surface it seems like a really cool, politically complex story, but I was blown away with its deeper themes and raw emotions. The choices facing these characters at every turn were so difficult, while the plot maintained a nice fluidity and logic to it. And the romantic subplot was thick, but done so well. My heart is so tied to this subplot, I really won’t get over it until I know what happens in Skysworn. This book couldn’t have been more binge worthy, yet you never want it to end. Stein has me hook, line, and sinker. It may be an affront to humanity that we need to wait for book two. It’s really that good.
“Careful Loghin. Words hold more power than you know.”
In no small part that’s thanks to its epic worldbuilding foundation with a high fantasy feel. The world has girth, and comes so seamlessly to the reader. It feels multisensory and immersive as you see and experience all that’s going on around you. The Earthbound creatures are a really cool element. These gargantuan beasts swim through the earth via a process of liquefaction no Mercurial fully understands. The magic system of the world functions on oaths spoken in words, which bring power to their oathbound, though some oaths are a bit unpredictable in their outcomes. The politics in this book were fascinating, and danced quite closely with their religious and devotional practices. The dynamics between the seemingly altruistic leadership and its all-trusting people played really well into the story as we start to peel back the layers of its deceptions. The magic of the oaths brings a power balance that deepens these political struggles as well as carries heavy cultural implications. When outside threats oppose these constructs, adapting challenges our characters' own belief structures and what their power actually means.
“He shouldn't need a weapon here–this was his home.”
The relationships between the characters are also challenged by these constructs. Knox, a disavowed Overseer and Overseer Tehran have had a lifelong brotherhood, which for the better part of their lives included Emilia, Knox’s bonded wife. These trio make up the 3 POV’s from which we see the story. I absolutely love these characters, and the connections they share brought an intimacy to the story that felt real, both hopeful and shattering. The strong steadfast men made for characters you could hope for, even in their sometimes great failures. I loved that Emilia was such a brain and fought for every inch of what she believed while embodying a gentle femininity beneath her armor. I didn’t always agree with the choices these characters made, as my heart was as wrenched and beaten as theirs throughout the story, but I could see their intentionality and determination to do what they thought right, even with their inner struggles and oathbound pulls. The cast of side characters brought so much color into full view. Kip and Loghin were highlights for me. There were so many well fleshed characters rounding out and supporting the main cast. Everyone felt unique and important.
And that’s what I love about Stein’s writing style. It all reads so easy while still feeling rich and descriptive, deep and provoking. All your senses are going as you wrestle with the happenings on page, made even more poignant by Magnus’s voice over. The pacing is perfect in my opinion for the heavier laid romance and political elements. When I read her first novel, Glass Helix, I knew Katee would forever be an autobuy for me. But I didn’t expect this caliber of fantasy in her second book after a near future sci-fi. She’s grown in her writing, if it’s possible, and delivered something we don’t just want, but something we need, showcasing the silver lining in even the darkest of clouds.
“The function of pain is empathy. Accept it; remember it.”
This epic fantasy with strong romantic subplot and some crossover sci-fi world elements is a can't miss. My heart is forever marked with these amazing characters and their gut wrenching tale. With themes of Love, Honor, Loss, Grief, Divine Nature, Bonds and what makes Family, this book will fully entertain while challenging you with profound questions and testing the bounds of your own moral compass.
August 3, 2024
You know how sometimes you pick up a book and know exactly how it's going to end? This is NOT one of those books. The characters are believable, the plot fresh, the world intriguing. So many twists and turns... I had no idea how Katee was going to fix the mess that these characters got themselves into... and then, masterfully... she did. A satisfying ending but not so satisfying that you are content to wait awhile for book 2.
Skysworn...
I. Can. Hardly. Wait.
Skysworn...
I. Can. Hardly. Wait.
August 23, 2024
Dune x Oathbringer x The Mandalorian
A gripping, action-packed tale with a generous dose of romance, Earthbound certainly kept me at the edge of my seat!
In Earthbound, where monsters live within the earth and oaths bound men to the Sky, Stein masterfully ties together a complex story of promises, the consequences of breaking them, and the impact on the people around them.
I have to admit, I’m not always keen on reading a plot heavy on political intrigue, but Earthbound held my interest all the way through! What I appreciated most were Stein’s top-notch battle scenes and vivid world-building, but it was the raw, real, and heartbreaking emotions between the characters that truly took my breath away. The superpowered overseers and their power granted from the Sky was definitely a fun concept to read about and contributed to my overall love of the book. This story left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for book two.
I was provided with an ARC copy of Earthbound and was asked by the author to give an honest review. I am honestly saying, I loved it!
A gripping, action-packed tale with a generous dose of romance, Earthbound certainly kept me at the edge of my seat!
In Earthbound, where monsters live within the earth and oaths bound men to the Sky, Stein masterfully ties together a complex story of promises, the consequences of breaking them, and the impact on the people around them.
I have to admit, I’m not always keen on reading a plot heavy on political intrigue, but Earthbound held my interest all the way through! What I appreciated most were Stein’s top-notch battle scenes and vivid world-building, but it was the raw, real, and heartbreaking emotions between the characters that truly took my breath away. The superpowered overseers and their power granted from the Sky was definitely a fun concept to read about and contributed to my overall love of the book. This story left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for book two.
I was provided with an ARC copy of Earthbound and was asked by the author to give an honest review. I am honestly saying, I loved it!
April 8, 2025
Such a good mix of sci-fi and fantasy. The pacing and politics of this book kept my attention the whole time. It starts off really strong with some pretty quick action and does not let up. I had several "what is happening" moments, and honestly I love that for me!
It follows 3 long time friends, Tehran, Knox, and Emilia. They live in a world where they are dependent on hightech technology and powerful oaths that bind themselves to each other and to the sky. These oaths are not to be taken lately. And we find that they should not conflict with each or they tend to make difficult situations even more intense for those bound.
They have these fast moving earthbound creatures that live in the ground and can change their state of matter. When they come around they are very disruptive to the communities/clusters. As our main character's cluster is thrown into an unexpected battle with an earthbound, they do everything in their power to come together and test their oaths to right the wrongs of a potentially corrupt system. Along the way they will have to decide where their loyalties lie, put a lot of faith in their friendships, hope, and fight their way to truth.
We meet a lot of really interesting characters along the way, some that I truly adore! And there is romance, one that is important, but it is not the main focus of the entire book.There were many twists that keep the story intriguing. Overall I had such a fun time and suffered some heartache too. But I am really excited for book 2!
It follows 3 long time friends, Tehran, Knox, and Emilia. They live in a world where they are dependent on hightech technology and powerful oaths that bind themselves to each other and to the sky. These oaths are not to be taken lately. And we find that they should not conflict with each or they tend to make difficult situations even more intense for those bound.
They have these fast moving earthbound creatures that live in the ground and can change their state of matter. When they come around they are very disruptive to the communities/clusters. As our main character's cluster is thrown into an unexpected battle with an earthbound, they do everything in their power to come together and test their oaths to right the wrongs of a potentially corrupt system. Along the way they will have to decide where their loyalties lie, put a lot of faith in their friendships, hope, and fight their way to truth.
We meet a lot of really interesting characters along the way, some that I truly adore! And there is romance, one that is important, but it is not the main focus of the entire book.There were many twists that keep the story intriguing. Overall I had such a fun time and suffered some heartache too. But I am really excited for book 2!
November 28, 2024
Boy let me tell you, there is absolutely nothing worse in the reading space than feeling disappointed about a book and in this case, being one of the first to not leave a four or five star review.
"On paper" I should have loved this, a sci-fantasy blend with a romantic subplot is right up my alley. Reviewers calling this a mix of Star Wars and Dune was also fitting based on my experience. However, I can't say I found myself as invested in this story in comparison to those franchises.
The biggest cause for that was the romance, which I hated with a passion. If I had to compare it to something, think of the romance in Pearl Harbor with Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale. Except frankly, this relationship made no sense to me. There was no history of romantic feelings, and I'm sorry but the Oaths were a cop out.
I saw another reviewer mentioned how some important tragic events were glossed over and I absolutely agree. It actually bothered me how quickly we bypassed certain events, especially when in one instance it was a rinse and repeat situation with something in the beginning and in the end.
I did like one of the POV's and found family vibes within it, but the POV of one other character soured me so much that it hugely impacted my enjoyment of this book.
This is definitely not a bad book by any means, but I do feel like I was catfished a bit 🥲
"On paper" I should have loved this, a sci-fantasy blend with a romantic subplot is right up my alley. Reviewers calling this a mix of Star Wars and Dune was also fitting based on my experience. However, I can't say I found myself as invested in this story in comparison to those franchises.
The biggest cause for that was the romance, which I hated with a passion. If I had to compare it to something, think of the romance in Pearl Harbor with Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale. Except frankly, this relationship made no sense to me. There was no history of romantic feelings, and I'm sorry but the Oaths were a cop out.
I saw another reviewer mentioned how some important tragic events were glossed over and I absolutely agree. It actually bothered me how quickly we bypassed certain events, especially when in one instance it was a rinse and repeat situation with something in the beginning and in the end.
I did like one of the POV's and found family vibes within it, but the POV of one other character soured me so much that it hugely impacted my enjoyment of this book.
This is definitely not a bad book by any means, but I do feel like I was catfished a bit 🥲
September 17, 2025
My God! This is a true hidden treasure. I had so much fun, I was sad, I was angry, I was screaming, I was laughing. The world feels very real, and I just loved the characters from the first few sentences. 99% of the time I was just completely sucked in. I genuinely can't think of a bad thing to say. Maybe, at times, it was a bit hard to follow, but I would just go back a page and re-read it from there, felt more like a me problem than a problem with the book. Absolutely recommend to anyone.
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.
May 29, 2025
Katee Stein nailed it with this one. I was hooked early and couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing how the characters interacted with each other and felt connected to their stories. Katee writes in a way that puts you in the story and you feel what the characters feel through trials and triumph. I’m so glad I picked this one up.
October 19, 2024
A terrific novel that perfectly blends science fiction and fantasy. At the surface level it feels like Dune meshed with the Stormlight Archive with a Twilight like romance (I don’t know romance at all lol but that’s the only thing I could think of sorry not sorry)
There’s some epic action sequences, intense monsters, wild technology/ magic, intriguing politics, exploration of grief and bonds, it’s pretty much got it all. The only thing I wasn’t as invested in was the romance aspect, but that’s honestly just a personal preference and whilst it plays a dominant role in the story it never really overstayed its welcome. Also, the way it was handled was really well done and was more a result of a specific (and quite interesting) plot device rather than just a simple love story.
I listened to the audio version which was brought to life in a fantastic way by the narrator, Magnus. I think this is a great book regardless if you enjoy science-fiction, fantasy, romantasy or anything else. I really look forward to the conclusion of the duology, I have a feeling it’s going to be quite epic!
There’s some epic action sequences, intense monsters, wild technology/ magic, intriguing politics, exploration of grief and bonds, it’s pretty much got it all. The only thing I wasn’t as invested in was the romance aspect, but that’s honestly just a personal preference and whilst it plays a dominant role in the story it never really overstayed its welcome. Also, the way it was handled was really well done and was more a result of a specific (and quite interesting) plot device rather than just a simple love story.
I listened to the audio version which was brought to life in a fantastic way by the narrator, Magnus. I think this is a great book regardless if you enjoy science-fiction, fantasy, romantasy or anything else. I really look forward to the conclusion of the duology, I have a feeling it’s going to be quite epic!
February 27, 2025
I received a free copy of this book for review.
This book was a really intriguing blend of science fiction and fantasy! It is set in a land where earth creatures move through everything but stone, certain people are granted powers connected to oaths, and political instability is on the rise.
I don’t want to spoil anything because one of my favorite aspects was not knowing how things were going to play out. So I’ll be very vague on the plot and characters, but I recommend this to people who enjoy unique world building, multiple POVs, political complexity, moral dilemmas, longterm friendships, and romance that falls under the “it’s complicated” descriptor 😅.
The closest comparable title I can think of in terms of vibes and some other aspects is The Droseran Saga by Ronie Kendig. So if you loved that series definitely check this out as well.
This is book 1 of a duology with the second book planned to release later this year.
Trigger/content notes: Grief. . Some violence/death but not very intense. Spice level is closed door/fade to black.
This book was a really intriguing blend of science fiction and fantasy! It is set in a land where earth creatures move through everything but stone, certain people are granted powers connected to oaths, and political instability is on the rise.
I don’t want to spoil anything because one of my favorite aspects was not knowing how things were going to play out. So I’ll be very vague on the plot and characters, but I recommend this to people who enjoy unique world building, multiple POVs, political complexity, moral dilemmas, longterm friendships, and romance that falls under the “it’s complicated” descriptor 😅.
The closest comparable title I can think of in terms of vibes and some other aspects is The Droseran Saga by Ronie Kendig. So if you loved that series definitely check this out as well.
This is book 1 of a duology with the second book planned to release later this year.
Trigger/content notes: Grief. . Some violence/death but not very intense. Spice level is closed door/fade to black.
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