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Bound by Ravens #1
Bound by Ravens
Two rival thieves
One fated heist gone wrong
And a curse that threatens to steal more than their freedom
It was a simple job.
All I had to do was steal a ring from a mainland witch for the Thieves’ Guild that owned me. Easy enough, right? The reward would bring me closer to earning my freedom. And stars above, I wanted off this floating luxury island.
But then he showed up, a cocky thief from a rival guild, and ruined all my plans.
Every. Single. One.
I lost the ring and my chance at freedom. But on the bright side, if we fail to retrieve three magical artifacts for the witch, I’ll be forever cursed to exist no more than fifteen feet from that unnaturally beautiful, arrogant elf. As an additional treat, we’ll be hunted down by our own guilds when this curse prevents us from returning. I honestly didn’t believe things could get worse. Until he offered a solution to our not-so-little problem—a bargain to save our lives.
I would laugh, except I didn’t realize there was anything left in my life to steal.
✨ BOUND BY RAVENS ✨is a humorous short novel and perfect for fans of:
- new adult romantasy
- rival thieves to lovers
- cozy-ish with high stakes
- witty banter
- Irish mythology and faerie tales
- heist adventure
- forced proximity
- who did this to you
- he falls first
- fated mates
- romcom fantasy vibes
- otters
PLEASE NOTE:
BOUND BY RAVENS was originally part of The Starry Kingdoms of the Fae multi-author novella collection and now a standalone in the A Bound by Ravens Novel series, along with THE NIGHT MARKET.
This story is not a novella but a 55,000 word short novel
One fated heist gone wrong
And a curse that threatens to steal more than their freedom
It was a simple job.
All I had to do was steal a ring from a mainland witch for the Thieves’ Guild that owned me. Easy enough, right? The reward would bring me closer to earning my freedom. And stars above, I wanted off this floating luxury island.
But then he showed up, a cocky thief from a rival guild, and ruined all my plans.
Every. Single. One.
I lost the ring and my chance at freedom. But on the bright side, if we fail to retrieve three magical artifacts for the witch, I’ll be forever cursed to exist no more than fifteen feet from that unnaturally beautiful, arrogant elf. As an additional treat, we’ll be hunted down by our own guilds when this curse prevents us from returning. I honestly didn’t believe things could get worse. Until he offered a solution to our not-so-little problem—a bargain to save our lives.
I would laugh, except I didn’t realize there was anything left in my life to steal.
✨ BOUND BY RAVENS ✨is a humorous short novel and perfect for fans of:
- new adult romantasy
- rival thieves to lovers
- cozy-ish with high stakes
- witty banter
- Irish mythology and faerie tales
- heist adventure
- forced proximity
- who did this to you
- he falls first
- fated mates
- romcom fantasy vibes
- otters
PLEASE NOTE:
BOUND BY RAVENS was originally part of The Starry Kingdoms of the Fae multi-author novella collection and now a standalone in the A Bound by Ravens Novel series, along with THE NIGHT MARKET.
This story is not a novella but a 55,000 word short novel
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2023
702 people are currently reading
10604 people want to read
About the author
Jesikah Sundin
21 books608 followersJESIKAH SUNDIN is a multi-award winning Fae Romantasy, Dystopian Punk Lit, and Historical Fantasy writer, a mom of three nerdlets, a faeriecore and elfpunk geek, tree hugger, nature photographer, and a helpless romantic who married her insta-love high school sweetheart. In addition to her family, she shares her home in Seattle, Washington with a rambunctious husky-chi and a collection of Doc Martens boots. She is addicted to coffee, GIFs, memes, potatoes, cheese, kilts, mossy forests, eyeliner on men, and artsy indie alt rock.
AUTHOR NAMES:
Jesikah Sundin: fae fantasy romance, dystopian
J. Sundin: reverse harem fantasy romance
Jae Dawson: contemporary new adult romance
AUTHOR NAMES:
Jesikah Sundin: fae fantasy romance, dystopian
J. Sundin: reverse harem fantasy romance
Jae Dawson: contemporary new adult romance
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 738 reviews
October 21, 2024
Let me tell you a story.
There once was a mood, where I returned all my Libby books and had no clue what to read.
And so my dear sister told me to utilize the random search, using romance, fantasy & humor.
Then we saw this book, with this very enticing list:
- NA
- Rivels to Lovers
- Banter & Romcom vibes
- He falls first
- Otters
and more.
How could I say no?
Happy to share this was truly so much fun!
And I'm not even mad at my sister for saying 'told me so'.
There once was a mood, where I returned all my Libby books and had no clue what to read.
And so my dear sister told me to utilize the random search, using romance, fantasy & humor.
Then we saw this book, with this very enticing list:
- NA
- Rivels to Lovers
- Banter & Romcom vibes
- He falls first
- Otters
and more.
How could I say no?
Happy to share this was truly so much fun!
And I'm not even mad at my sister for saying 'told me so'.
September 5, 2024
This was a lovely, fun, cozy, fast read.
Really could have done without the last chapter or at least had closed door spice.
That attempted spice was so cringe I got secondhand embarrassment.
Really could have done without the last chapter or at least had closed door spice.
That attempted spice was so cringe I got secondhand embarrassment.
May 19, 2023
Oml this book.
If you’ve followed me for a while it should come as no surprise that I loved another one of Jesikah Sundin’s books. I’ve read just about everything she’s written and they’re all incredibly delightful in their own unique way.
And that absolutely stands true for Bound by Ravens.
In a world rich with magic, deception, riddles, and skunks, you’d be hard pressed to believe anyone could find their truest love. And yet . . . 😏
Finn and Taryn are incredible. I was rooting for each of them from the word go. Their banter had me genuinely laughing out loud. And the tension—the glorious romantic tension of rivals to lovers excellence. I’m for it. I’m about it. I absolutely inhaled it.
And man, I never thought I’d be so annoyed with a Raven interruption in my life. IYKYK. 😉
Go read this, as soon as you’re able. You won’t regret it.
If you’ve followed me for a while it should come as no surprise that I loved another one of Jesikah Sundin’s books. I’ve read just about everything she’s written and they’re all incredibly delightful in their own unique way.
And that absolutely stands true for Bound by Ravens.
In a world rich with magic, deception, riddles, and skunks, you’d be hard pressed to believe anyone could find their truest love. And yet . . . 😏
Finn and Taryn are incredible. I was rooting for each of them from the word go. Their banter had me genuinely laughing out loud. And the tension—the glorious romantic tension of rivals to lovers excellence. I’m for it. I’m about it. I absolutely inhaled it.
And man, I never thought I’d be so annoyed with a Raven interruption in my life. IYKYK. 😉
Go read this, as soon as you’re able. You won’t regret it.
March 5, 2024
The book has a very fanfic-y feeling to it, and what I mean by that is that it often feels like the story skips over information and explanations about what’s going on or how things work. In a fanfic, a lot of that stuff is already known by the reader. Maybe it has to do with this being technically a standalone but set in some kind of shared universe? I haven’t read any of the other books.
What is the thing with the magic on the ferry, why does FMC start acting weird, and why does MMC conclude that what she said is her fantasy? What exactly is the deal with the raven-bargain-indentured debt thing, and why does getting married mean you get less credit for the stuff you steal? Why is there a rule against sleeping together at all?
The biggest plot hole:
The characters’ feelings towards each other change abruptly and dramatically from chapter to chapter. Their banter is weird, oftentimes consisting mainly of MMC calling FMC random things like “unicorn sunshine” and “bargaining potato” for the lulz. It’s not Fae riddling. It’s just nonsense. Sometimes felt like the author was trying to do Alice In Wonderland style nonsense but without the skill to pull it off.
As a result of the poor writing and dialogue, I felt no connection to the characters and wasn’t really rooting for them.
What is the thing with the magic on the ferry, why does FMC start acting weird, and why does MMC conclude that what she said is her fantasy? What exactly is the deal with the raven-bargain-indentured debt thing, and why does getting married mean you get less credit for the stuff you steal? Why is there a rule against sleeping together at all?
The biggest plot hole:
The characters’ feelings towards each other change abruptly and dramatically from chapter to chapter. Their banter is weird, oftentimes consisting mainly of MMC calling FMC random things like “unicorn sunshine” and “bargaining potato” for the lulz. It’s not Fae riddling. It’s just nonsense. Sometimes felt like the author was trying to do Alice In Wonderland style nonsense but without the skill to pull it off.
As a result of the poor writing and dialogue, I felt no connection to the characters and wasn’t really rooting for them.
February 14, 2024
I absolutely adored this novella in The Starry Kingdoms of the Fae series!
Our main characters are thieves in rivals guilds all trying to one up the other while trying to pay off their debts. When an opportunity to buy her freedom presents itself to our FMC, she takes it.
While she is staking out an old cottage that holds her first mark, our FMC sees something she never expected to see. Her rival and biggest heartthrob of the city. Only he’s one step ahead of her going after the very same mark.
In an unforeseen turn of events, their mark ends up catching them instead and places a spell on them to be no farther than 15ft apart and sending them on a quest. Should they wish to be free of this spell they need to fight an angry oversized otter with teeth, and grab a few other trinkets along the way.
Rivals to reluctant work partners to inevitable lovers.
The banter in this book was awesome and I loved all the jokes! Super cute and fun read!
Our main characters are thieves in rivals guilds all trying to one up the other while trying to pay off their debts. When an opportunity to buy her freedom presents itself to our FMC, she takes it.
While she is staking out an old cottage that holds her first mark, our FMC sees something she never expected to see. Her rival and biggest heartthrob of the city. Only he’s one step ahead of her going after the very same mark.
In an unforeseen turn of events, their mark ends up catching them instead and places a spell on them to be no farther than 15ft apart and sending them on a quest. Should they wish to be free of this spell they need to fight an angry oversized otter with teeth, and grab a few other trinkets along the way.
Rivals to reluctant work partners to inevitable lovers.
The banter in this book was awesome and I loved all the jokes! Super cute and fun read!
January 22, 2025
“Ready to pull off the greatest heist in Seren history, my wee murderous thieving potato?”
3.75★
this was a super cute, lighthearted fantasy romance read. my potato chip read, if you will, when i just need to lightly decompress from the shit storm that is reality.
i thought the couple was super cute, i just would've liked a little more establishment of their rivalry in the beginning. but i absolutely eat it up when the mmc teasingly adores the black cat/grumpy fmc.
since this was a "short novel", i think it could've done with a chapter or two in the beginning that leaned in more into this. bc it didn't, it did feel a tad instalove-y but tbh i didn't really care too much.
i wanted a feel good fantasy romance and this delivered, plus i liked the use of irish mythology and faerie tales.
“Protecting you, caring for you,” he confessed into my ear, “is the purest magic I know, Taryn.”
3.75★
this was a super cute, lighthearted fantasy romance read. my potato chip read, if you will, when i just need to lightly decompress from the shit storm that is reality.
i thought the couple was super cute, i just would've liked a little more establishment of their rivalry in the beginning. but i absolutely eat it up when the mmc teasingly adores the black cat/grumpy fmc.
since this was a "short novel", i think it could've done with a chapter or two in the beginning that leaned in more into this. bc it didn't, it did feel a tad instalove-y but tbh i didn't really care too much.
i wanted a feel good fantasy romance and this delivered, plus i liked the use of irish mythology and faerie tales.
“Protecting you, caring for you,” he confessed into my ear, “is the purest magic I know, Taryn.”
September 22, 2023
this was so cute and so much fun!! it's pretty short and not the most complex plotline, but it was still so entertaining, and the main couple were absolute sweethearts. they had the cutest banter and i always eat up the good old soulmate trope, plus dual-pov and the man was a total simp? i love. also marriage of convenience... too good.
February 8, 2025
he calls her his “wee feisty potato”
I THINK I DIED. DEAD.
omfg it’s a wee murderous thieving potato now
fml 😇💥🔫😈
~~~~~~
i think this might have the dagger and the flame vibes 🤭🤭
I THINK I DIED. DEAD.
omfg it’s a wee murderous thieving potato now
fml 😇💥🔫😈
~~~~~~
i think this might have the dagger and the flame vibes 🤭🤭
July 11, 2023
Arc reader: Possible spoilers, maybe, who knows
I shit you not, this is the funniest fucking book I've read in a awhile.
Rating is probably closer to a 4.5, I'm not a big fan or fated pairs in a more animalistic sense and calling each other male and female, but that's just my personal preference.
I knew from the first chapter that I was going to absolutely love this book, very six of crows, if it focused more of romance (and had elves).
The shit that these two call each other has me fucking rolling, murderous thieving potato, wee beam of unicorn sunshine, etc etc. Fucking skunklet. Don't even get me started on the Taryn, my sweet whiskered alley rat part.
I honestly could read this as a full series spread out through 2 or 3 books. I love the raven folk and how everything comes together at the end.
I also received art sent from the author and my god, I am so incredibly thankful. Thank you for sending me the arc and sending me art for your book. I sincerely appreciate and love your book, thank you.
I shit you not, this is the funniest fucking book I've read in a awhile.
Rating is probably closer to a 4.5, I'm not a big fan or fated pairs in a more animalistic sense and calling each other male and female, but that's just my personal preference.
I knew from the first chapter that I was going to absolutely love this book, very six of crows, if it focused more of romance (and had elves).
The shit that these two call each other has me fucking rolling, murderous thieving potato, wee beam of unicorn sunshine, etc etc. Fucking skunklet. Don't even get me started on the Taryn, my sweet whiskered alley rat part.
I honestly could read this as a full series spread out through 2 or 3 books. I love the raven folk and how everything comes together at the end.
I also received art sent from the author and my god, I am so incredibly thankful. Thank you for sending me the arc and sending me art for your book. I sincerely appreciate and love your book, thank you.
August 15, 2024
2.5 stars
Characters- Dual POV. I liked the 2 main characters. They were smart, motivated, genuine… and they had a great reason to be thieves (ie, it wasn’t because they were selfish, greedy, or immoral).
I loved how the MMC desperately wanted to settled down and experience having a family. He was a sweetheart but also super tough, capable, and cocky.
The FMC had a bit of bite to her character which isn’t my fave, but whatevs. The MMC liked her sharp quips... (Don’t know why authors glorify stabby personalities, but it’s a thing. 🤷♀️ Luckily this FMC wasn’t too OTT- she wasn’t even that stabby, tbh.)
World building I enjoyed this aspect! Interesting fantasy world with various fae peoples that interact with the humans.
Romance- Enemies to lovers. He fell first and they both fell quickly. Chemistry was just okay.
Plot- Premise was cool. Plot was alright. Had some unexplained parts.
Writing- Good! Although I didn’t feel like things were explained well enough and their banter was just okay. The MMC used odd pet names for the FMC that were supposed to be funny but… meh.
The big thing I wondered about was how they lit a casino on fire as they walked up the levels but were never running for their own lives. They took their sweet time getting to the attic while constantly starting more fires as they moved from room to room. There was some smoke but no mention of heat. Knowing how quickly a building can be engulfed in flames, this seemed odd to me.🤷♀️
Content-
Language- idk what the printed book is like, but the audiobook had strong Scottish accents and they said “feck” a lot and “arse” occasionally, which didn’t bother me at all. I really appreciated not having to be subjected to the f-word constantly.
Substance abuse- none
Spice- 1.5 sex scenes. Not crude, but still descriptive.
Cliffhanger- no. Standalone.
Cover- I like it
Format- audiobook via Everand
Narrators- great!
Characters- Dual POV. I liked the 2 main characters. They were smart, motivated, genuine… and they had a great reason to be thieves (ie, it wasn’t because they were selfish, greedy, or immoral).
I loved how the MMC desperately wanted to settled down and experience having a family. He was a sweetheart but also super tough, capable, and cocky.
The FMC had a bit of bite to her character which isn’t my fave, but whatevs. The MMC liked her sharp quips... (Don’t know why authors glorify stabby personalities, but it’s a thing. 🤷♀️ Luckily this FMC wasn’t too OTT- she wasn’t even that stabby, tbh.)
World building I enjoyed this aspect! Interesting fantasy world with various fae peoples that interact with the humans.
Romance- Enemies to lovers. He fell first and they both fell quickly. Chemistry was just okay.
Plot- Premise was cool. Plot was alright. Had some unexplained parts.
Writing- Good! Although I didn’t feel like things were explained well enough and their banter was just okay. The MMC used odd pet names for the FMC that were supposed to be funny but… meh.
The big thing I wondered about was how they lit a casino on fire as they walked up the levels but were never running for their own lives. They took their sweet time getting to the attic while constantly starting more fires as they moved from room to room. There was some smoke but no mention of heat. Knowing how quickly a building can be engulfed in flames, this seemed odd to me.🤷♀️
Content-
Language- idk what the printed book is like, but the audiobook had strong Scottish accents and they said “feck” a lot and “arse” occasionally, which didn’t bother me at all. I really appreciated not having to be subjected to the f-word constantly.
Substance abuse- none
Spice- 1.5 sex scenes. Not crude, but still descriptive.
Cliffhanger- no. Standalone.
Cover- I like it
Format- audiobook via Everand
Narrators- great!
August 28, 2025
I loved how it was inspired by Irish Mythology. There was a bit of an insta-love aspect, but they way they did the mate bond was cute. I enjoyed the banter as well.
August 18, 2024
(~4.5 ⭐, rounding up for the amazing audiobook.) Fantasy romances tend to be epic length, but my attention span is short. So I'm always excited to find shorter standalone FRs, like this one, which clocks in at ~236 Kindle pages.
➕ Two skilled rival pickpockets
➕ A heist gone wrong
➕ A witch who "curses" them with a reverse restraining order: They must be within 15 feet of each other at all times. (literal forced proximity is my kryptonite ok)
➕ 'Black cat' FMC
➕ Flirty/teasing/playful/charming MMC. And his biggest wish is to mate and raise a family 🥹. (Do you know how freaking rare that is in Romancelandia?!?)
🟰 Enough cute banter that I smiled nearly the whole time!
Book is free on KU but I highly recommend the audiobook: it's duet narrated, it's free on Hoopla, and the narrators (Stewart Crank & Kirsty Geddes) are amazing. Their Irish accents also add heaps of charm. In particular, Kirsty brings a playful vibe to the FMC's prickliness—something I probably would've missed just reading it.
𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙨
➖ Some of the Fae laws & plot twists were a little confusing, but that might just be my Dory-ish 🐟 attention span.
➖ The ending was happy but veered into which is just not my fave.
𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮 🐝
🧂 The MMC kisses two other women on-page. The second snogfest is only to which just killed the vibe for me.
Final notes: It felt adventurous and lowish angst (mainly "does he really like me or is it the magic bond" stuff). Characters are in their early 20's but the tone leans YA, and steam is medium-low: (More info in my tags, as always.)
➕ Two skilled rival pickpockets
➕ A heist gone wrong
➕ A witch who "curses" them with a reverse restraining order: They must be within 15 feet of each other at all times. (literal forced proximity is my kryptonite ok)
➕ 'Black cat' FMC
➕ Flirty/teasing/playful/charming MMC. And his biggest wish is to mate and raise a family 🥹. (Do you know how freaking rare that is in Romancelandia?!?)
🟰 Enough cute banter that I smiled nearly the whole time!
Book is free on KU but I highly recommend the audiobook: it's duet narrated, it's free on Hoopla, and the narrators (Stewart Crank & Kirsty Geddes) are amazing. Their Irish accents also add heaps of charm. In particular, Kirsty brings a playful vibe to the FMC's prickliness—something I probably would've missed just reading it.
𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙨
➖ Some of the Fae laws & plot twists were a little confusing, but that might just be my Dory-ish 🐟 attention span.
➖ The ending was happy but veered into which is just not my fave.
𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮 🐝
🧂 The MMC kisses two other women on-page. The second snogfest is only to which just killed the vibe for me.
Final notes: It felt adventurous and lowish angst (mainly "does he really like me or is it the magic bond" stuff). Characters are in their early 20's but the tone leans YA, and steam is medium-low: (More info in my tags, as always.)
June 26, 2024
”The way you seduce me.”
This book had me in the first 15% with the world building (thieves guild with competing thieves? sign me up!). I really wanted to enjoy it!!
But…I nearly ended up DNF’ing this for a couple reasons:
- Marriage of convenience (This trope is often hit or miss, and this was a miss for me. The logic behind it really made little sense). IMO the marriage of convenience trope only works with lots and lots of slow tension build and confused feelings for one another. It DOESN’T work when they so easily and quickly fall for each other, and profess their undying love and affection after like 3 days.
- Witty banter?? What other people must have found to be witty, I found to be very cringe. Interspersed with what was clearly meant to be ‘swoony’ dialogue were pet names like ‘wee potato’, ‘wee unicorn sunshine beam’, and ‘fluffy bunny’. Ick
This book had me in the first 15% with the world building (thieves guild with competing thieves? sign me up!). I really wanted to enjoy it!!
But…I nearly ended up DNF’ing this for a couple reasons:
- Marriage of convenience (This trope is often hit or miss, and this was a miss for me. The logic behind it really made little sense). IMO the marriage of convenience trope only works with lots and lots of slow tension build and confused feelings for one another. It DOESN’T work when they so easily and quickly fall for each other, and profess their undying love and affection after like 3 days.
- Witty banter?? What other people must have found to be witty, I found to be very cringe. Interspersed with what was clearly meant to be ‘swoony’ dialogue were pet names like ‘wee potato’, ‘wee unicorn sunshine beam’, and ‘fluffy bunny’. Ick
June 26, 2024
not for me. skipped to last page
The writing was overdone for me. Lines like the below quote were just…too much. And they happened like every other line. Plus the curse was overly complicated and relied on intricate machinations to make it even a little believable.
“Then he kissed me. A sweet, chaste kiss so gentle, I could taste his heartbreak slow dance beside the moonlight spilling into my pulse.”
The writing was overdone for me. Lines like the below quote were just…too much. And they happened like every other line. Plus the curse was overly complicated and relied on intricate machinations to make it even a little believable.
“Then he kissed me. A sweet, chaste kiss so gentle, I could taste his heartbreak slow dance beside the moonlight spilling into my pulse.”
May 31, 2023
LOVED THIS SO MUCH!
This is my favorite in the Starry Kingdoms of the Fae series.
The banter is perfectly swoonworthy.
Honestly, everything in this story was just fantastic and I have no cons.
So if you take one of my recommendations for fantasy books, let it be this one!
This is my favorite in the Starry Kingdoms of the Fae series.
The banter is perfectly swoonworthy.
Honestly, everything in this story was just fantastic and I have no cons.
So if you take one of my recommendations for fantasy books, let it be this one!
March 31, 2025
thank you so much to book of matches media and the author for the review copy! all opinions are my own!
i don't know how to start this review but i can start by saying that it surprised me so much 😱 both the MCs have their struggles and i loved reading about how the circunstances brought them together and had to work together just to survive. their backstories were gruesome, i liked that the author had no problem in making them suffer (i did suffer for them, tho). the romance tho... that had me swoooning so bad, i lost count on how mnay times i gasped out loud 😍😍😍 i think my only issue were the fae laws because i was like Taryn, not understanding a word of what they were saying regarding that. but overall, it was very enjoyable and fast paced, everything happening fast but also giving time to the characters to grow as they should 💜💜
can't wait to read the rest of the series!!
i don't know how to start this review but i can start by saying that it surprised me so much 😱 both the MCs have their struggles and i loved reading about how the circunstances brought them together and had to work together just to survive. their backstories were gruesome, i liked that the author had no problem in making them suffer (i did suffer for them, tho). the romance tho... that had me swoooning so bad, i lost count on how mnay times i gasped out loud 😍😍😍 i think my only issue were the fae laws because i was like Taryn, not understanding a word of what they were saying regarding that. but overall, it was very enjoyable and fast paced, everything happening fast but also giving time to the characters to grow as they should 💜💜
can't wait to read the rest of the series!!
January 15, 2025
Such a delightful, fast read. Good for the in-betweens when you don't want to overwork your brain. The audio is just fun vibes.
January 27, 2024
This is my favourite Starry Kingdoms novella so far. Jesikah’s books are really becoming comfort books for me, all filled with the most amazing and unique characters set in a marvellous world with intricate plots, … Don’t forget the banter, the humour and the love. I could easily disappear into these stories for a couple hours. 4,5/5 ⭐
Bound by Ravens is no exception. If you’re looking for a fantasy novella about rivalling thieves, bound by a curse, on a quest together, look no further. You’ll be laughing out loud and holding your breath as if you were walking right next to Finn and Taryn. He is a flirtatious and witty fae, very handsome, a real badass with a cinnamon roll heart who will do anything to protect those he loves. She is a strong willed, feisty human, fighting for her freedom and determined not to swoon like all other girls when they lay their eyes on Finn. It’s set in a new world (there is a map included at the front of the book), with more books to come (I’m really curious about the works in progress about this world: what it will have in store for us readers, who we will encounter again and which new characters we’ll be introduced to). This results in getting a lot of information about the world and the magic and the fae, which make it a little complex to follow sometimes. But if you’re paying attention you’ll easily get used to it. The pacing and plot twists are nicely done, I love how all details are interwoven. The little drawings of the animals you’ll encounter in this book are just so adorable (#moocrew).
So whether you’re new to Jesikah’s books or you’ve read various ones already: take a seat, grab your favourite reading beverage and be prepared to be immersed in a brand-new story that will be hard to put aside.
(PS definitely check out the audiobook as well, it's dual narration and it's sooooo good!)
Bound by Ravens is no exception. If you’re looking for a fantasy novella about rivalling thieves, bound by a curse, on a quest together, look no further. You’ll be laughing out loud and holding your breath as if you were walking right next to Finn and Taryn. He is a flirtatious and witty fae, very handsome, a real badass with a cinnamon roll heart who will do anything to protect those he loves. She is a strong willed, feisty human, fighting for her freedom and determined not to swoon like all other girls when they lay their eyes on Finn. It’s set in a new world (there is a map included at the front of the book), with more books to come (I’m really curious about the works in progress about this world: what it will have in store for us readers, who we will encounter again and which new characters we’ll be introduced to). This results in getting a lot of information about the world and the magic and the fae, which make it a little complex to follow sometimes. But if you’re paying attention you’ll easily get used to it. The pacing and plot twists are nicely done, I love how all details are interwoven. The little drawings of the animals you’ll encounter in this book are just so adorable (#moocrew).
So whether you’re new to Jesikah’s books or you’ve read various ones already: take a seat, grab your favourite reading beverage and be prepared to be immersed in a brand-new story that will be hard to put aside.
(PS definitely check out the audiobook as well, it's dual narration and it's sooooo good!)
May 22, 2024
Didn’t finish after page 43. The writing was good. It seemed like it would be an intelligent story. But the “romance” aspect was so clumsy. Even by page 43 the author is trying a little too hard to make sure we know that these two are going to be love interests. There were too many comments about “traitorous hearts” responding to the other and other things like that. Which is kind of annoying so soon into the story in my opinion. I don’t like the whole “oh I hate you, but secretly want you” trope.
Also, I don’t like the little sexual assault on Taryn by the mc Finn. I’ve actually seen this in a few romance novels where the guy just forces himself onto the girl out of nowhere and I don’t get why the author would do this. Why would they have their first kiss be one that isn’t consensual and is meant to manipulate? That just feels gross to me. Especially in this book as Finn has already kissed a different girl to manipulate her too by this point so it seems like that’s just the kind of person he is. I don’t know that I like him. Someone who knows he’s so good looking that any girl should be happy to get a kiss from him no matter the circumstances. It just seems so outdated and unprogressive for this day and age.
Also, the story telling of the predicament they got themselves into didn’t feel very immersive or natural. It felt a bit abrupt and too straight forward rather than an intricate tale being woven.
But if you don’t care about the romance part this book might be for you. I just love a good romance so I want it to be done really well.
Also, I don’t like the little sexual assault on Taryn by the mc Finn. I’ve actually seen this in a few romance novels where the guy just forces himself onto the girl out of nowhere and I don’t get why the author would do this. Why would they have their first kiss be one that isn’t consensual and is meant to manipulate? That just feels gross to me. Especially in this book as Finn has already kissed a different girl to manipulate her too by this point so it seems like that’s just the kind of person he is. I don’t know that I like him. Someone who knows he’s so good looking that any girl should be happy to get a kiss from him no matter the circumstances. It just seems so outdated and unprogressive for this day and age.
Also, the story telling of the predicament they got themselves into didn’t feel very immersive or natural. It felt a bit abrupt and too straight forward rather than an intricate tale being woven.
But if you don’t care about the romance part this book might be for you. I just love a good romance so I want it to be done really well.
March 14, 2024
genuinely feels like there was a random word generator that would throw something in every few sentences. i am confusion
July 4, 2024
This was a really fun read, and I definitely enjoyed it. This book was also a pretty quick read, I would consider the length somewhere between a longer novella or a shorter novel, which worked out great for me since I wasn't really sure what I was in the mood for and I wasn't looking for anything too long to commit to. It had so many fun aspects to the book: it had a rivals to lovers romance in it, there was a forced proximity plotline, which led to a marriage of convenience plotline and I'm a sucker for any of these sort of plots. The world the author created had almost a whimsical, fairytale vibe that I really liked and I feel like I would categorize this book more as a cozy fantasy book, which when I have no clue what to read it seems like cozy fantasies are my good to sub-genre. I liked that it was a standalone that had a fully completed story at the end but the author does have another full length novel set in the same world (which I already started) so the book kind of serves as a introduction into the world the author created. There are some things in the book here and there that I wasn't the biggest fan of, but all in all, I thought it was a pretty fun (and pretty quick) read
August 4, 2024
4.5 stars
Bound by Ravens is about rival thieves owned by separate guilds who end up on the same job that goes wrong and binds them together, forcing them on a grand adventure. This book is under 300 pages but it still managed to steal my heart. This was a fun, magical, and enchanting story that was so fast-paced I forgot I was reading and just let it consume me in one sitting. I have read a lot of fantasy books with faeries but this one managed to be something entirely new. It had the same cozy, magical feeling I get from reading Tessonja Odette’s writing, with a unique setting and Irish mythology. The romance was great and I love a man who is down bad for their grumpy (secret)mate. I can’t wait to read more from this author and this series!
Bound by Ravens is about rival thieves owned by separate guilds who end up on the same job that goes wrong and binds them together, forcing them on a grand adventure. This book is under 300 pages but it still managed to steal my heart. This was a fun, magical, and enchanting story that was so fast-paced I forgot I was reading and just let it consume me in one sitting. I have read a lot of fantasy books with faeries but this one managed to be something entirely new. It had the same cozy, magical feeling I get from reading Tessonja Odette’s writing, with a unique setting and Irish mythology. The romance was great and I love a man who is down bad for their grumpy (secret)mate. I can’t wait to read more from this author and this series!
January 18, 2025
Was this book perfect? For me, yes!
July 22, 2023
I enjoyed it. It was fun. I love the witty batter between the main characters but overall a good read
August 23, 2025
100% recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrators are fantastic.
I adored the bantering, the flirting, and listening to these rivals fall in love. There are cozy vibes here and pretty high stakes. Yet, I totally teared up off and on for the last 10% of the book because the writing and the narrators brought out the emotions the characters were feeling-- the anguish, the desire for the other to survive, and the depth of their love. And Finn calling her his wife and his mate? Absolute dynamite to my heart.
So precious, I look forward to listening to the next book ^_^
I adored the bantering, the flirting, and listening to these rivals fall in love. There are cozy vibes here and pretty high stakes. Yet, I totally teared up off and on for the last 10% of the book because the writing and the narrators brought out the emotions the characters were feeling-- the anguish, the desire for the other to survive, and the depth of their love. And Finn calling her his wife and his mate? Absolute dynamite to my heart.
So precious, I look forward to listening to the next book ^_^
May 26, 2024
LOVED FINNY AND RYNNIE was completely caught off guard over how funny, witty, and charming this book would be and will be reading more from the author!
July 7, 2023
Quotes:
___________
If I spent any longer in this room, I would either kiss him to seal his bargain- blaming it entirely on the riddles that were, obviously, driving me to insanity. Or, I would beat him with the remaining cooked potatoes.
I pet her face. "Calm, my swearing sweet potato."
Taryn pointed at her face. "I always have murder eyes when I look at you, Finn Brannon." "Oh love . .."
A sensual smile flirted across my lips.
"The way you seduce me with your pining looks." "Stars," she groaned under her breath.
I didn't know a touch could be so poetic. Or confess a thousand longings in just one caress.
Cursed stars, how I angry pined for him.
_____________
I never swooned so much. I didn’t want this story to end. All the witty banter, the tension, the magic, the heists.. the nicknames! It was perfect.
Wee feisty potato.. *swoon*
___________
If I spent any longer in this room, I would either kiss him to seal his bargain- blaming it entirely on the riddles that were, obviously, driving me to insanity. Or, I would beat him with the remaining cooked potatoes.
I pet her face. "Calm, my swearing sweet potato."
Taryn pointed at her face. "I always have murder eyes when I look at you, Finn Brannon." "Oh love . .."
A sensual smile flirted across my lips.
"The way you seduce me with your pining looks." "Stars," she groaned under her breath.
I didn't know a touch could be so poetic. Or confess a thousand longings in just one caress.
Cursed stars, how I angry pined for him.
_____________
I never swooned so much. I didn’t want this story to end. All the witty banter, the tension, the magic, the heists.. the nicknames! It was perfect.
Wee feisty potato.. *swoon*
April 26, 2025
Just realized I never officially rated this! I'm sorry, but it read like badly written fanfiction to me. Not sure which fandom it would be for, but I found the dialogue SO cringey (I was literally wincing all the time), the couple wasn't cute, the world felt very underdeveloped, and I just...didn't care. I think that last one is the crux of it, honestly. No hate to anyone who does like this author or this type of story, it just wasn't for me!
September 5, 2025
Bound by Ravens (Kuzgunlarla Bağlı) 🙂↔️ 🐦⬛
Farklı loncalara bağlı iki rakip hırsız, aynı göreve gönderilir ve olaylar gelişir 💁 Tarryn (22) evden atılmış, sokaklarda hırsızlık yaparak borcunu ödemeye kasıyor, Finn (23?) ise daha bebeyken loncaya satılmış o da borcunun sonuna gelmiş artık illallah gelmiş.. Bu ikisini de kendi patronları bir hırsızlığa yolluyorlar, işler ters gidiyor ve kendilerini evlenmek zorunda buluyorlar.
Kuzgunlar aracılığıyla gözetim sistemi, İrlanda tarzı ortamlar.. Shakespeare’ e selam çakan lanetleyen üç cadı konsepti hoşuma gitti. ❤️🔥 Kuzgun =Lovecraft zaten ay her şey var.
Aşırı tatlı kısacık bir hikayeydi. Yazardan okuduğum ilk kitap, seri devamı farklı çiftlerle devam ediyor ve kesinlikle onları da okuyacağım. 2. kitap Reddit’ te aşırı övülüyor. Ben tek siz hepiniz çiftleri seviyorum. 💗 Sadece bazı yerler açıklanmadan kaldı, kitap uzun novella desem değil, kısa novel desem o da değil garip bi yerde kalmış bi 40-50 sayfası daha olsa tadından yenmezdi. Başlarında aşırı Kargalar Meclisi tadı aldım ama tabii ki o nerde bu nerde. Kaz gibisini daha yazana rastlamadım. Dokunmama trope ‘ u mu vardı hey gidi..
Kısaca bu ara aşırı saçma sapan fantastiklerden sonra iyi geldi. Tiktok pişmanlıktır.
Farklı loncalara bağlı iki rakip hırsız, aynı göreve gönderilir ve olaylar gelişir 💁 Tarryn (22) evden atılmış, sokaklarda hırsızlık yaparak borcunu ödemeye kasıyor, Finn (23?) ise daha bebeyken loncaya satılmış o da borcunun sonuna gelmiş artık illallah gelmiş.. Bu ikisini de kendi patronları bir hırsızlığa yolluyorlar, işler ters gidiyor ve kendilerini evlenmek zorunda buluyorlar.
Kuzgunlar aracılığıyla gözetim sistemi, İrlanda tarzı ortamlar.. Shakespeare’ e selam çakan lanetleyen üç cadı konsepti hoşuma gitti. ❤️🔥 Kuzgun =Lovecraft zaten ay her şey var.
Aşırı tatlı kısacık bir hikayeydi. Yazardan okuduğum ilk kitap, seri devamı farklı çiftlerle devam ediyor ve kesinlikle onları da okuyacağım. 2. kitap Reddit’ te aşırı övülüyor. Ben tek siz hepiniz çiftleri seviyorum. 💗 Sadece bazı yerler açıklanmadan kaldı, kitap uzun novella desem değil, kısa novel desem o da değil garip bi yerde kalmış bi 40-50 sayfası daha olsa tadından yenmezdi. Başlarında aşırı Kargalar Meclisi tadı aldım ama tabii ki o nerde bu nerde. Kaz gibisini daha yazana rastlamadım. Dokunmama trope ‘ u mu vardı hey gidi..
Kısaca bu ara aşırı saçma sapan fantastiklerden sonra iyi geldi. Tiktok pişmanlıktır.
January 3, 2025
This was such a fun, fast paced read! I was introduced to Jesikah’s writing in The Night Market and immediately became obsessed. I loveeeee the banter in this one so much, and while it’s along the lines of insta-love, it’s a short story so it’s hard to have much of a slow burn. I’m starting to realize that I while I really love enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers is a close second! Also, mate bond of convenience is a new one for me and was really fun. I’m a sucker for fae bargains so that made this super enjoyable too because there were so many! Overall really enjoyed it and I’m excited to read more by Jesikah!
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