Bound by Fury

by Noelle Monét

Legendborn meets The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in this captivating contemporary fantasy debut about a teen whose newly awakened magical abilities send her searching for answers at an elite boarding school that has a mysterious connection to her family’s history.

Harper grew up loving her grandma Gigi’s stories about pretty brown girls with magic from the stars, but they were just that—stories…until Gigi’s sudden death awakens a dangerous power building beneath Harper’s skin. Desperate for answers, Harper finds herself drawn to an elite boarding school in the Appalachian Mountains.

A school that Gigi herself attended, and one rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of witches past.

Harper arrives at Black Mountain Academy determined to learn about her burgeoning power, even if that means dealing with Kai, her grumpy ex-best friend now hellbent on getting her to leave campus, and his cousin, Lucas, who won’t let her forget the almost-kiss from last summer. But Black Mountain Academy was built on secrets, and the deeper Harper digs, the more
sinister rot she finds lurking beneath.

When Harper unearths a chilling local legend about the gruesome death of twelve witches on campus, she feels an uncanny connection to the women. But someone doesn’t want her exposing the school’s dark past, and when it becomes clear they’ll kill to stop her, Harper has to decide whether to leave her history behind or risk everything for the truth of her own identity.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Dark Academia, Paranormal, Magic, LGBT

496 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2026

About the author

Noelle Monét’s angst was cultivated in central North Carolina where the air is as thick as the gravy. A 2025 Lambda Literary Fellow, registered nurse, author, and business owner, she can often be found covered in the residue left behind by sticky toddler fingers, buried beneath her ever-growing physical TBR pile, or standing at the edge of the sea, overwhelmed by the vastness of the world.

She lives on the coast with her partner, three kids, and two cats, Eloise and Greg.

Noelle’s debut novel BOUND BY FURY comes out August 18th, 2026 with McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster.

Reviews

[Hannah Loraine]

I knew from the very first draft this was gonna take the YA fantasy space by storm. You do not want to miss this one.

[snazzy pen ✰]

Current rating: ~4.25 stars!

Stayed up pretty late last night to finish this, so hopefully my thoughts will be coherent here!

I was already hooked after reading the first chapter; the Appalachian Mountains setting, intriguing characters, and mysterious magic all piqued my interest. The writing was engaging, and I loved following Harper as she navigated Black Mountain Academy, met new friends, and dealt with impending danger and her new powers. The worldbuilding was fascinating, and as more and more got revealed, I got even more excited for this series. I think there's a lot of potential here, and any bumps will be improved on in the future.
There was a bit of info-dumping through monologues, which some may not like, but ultimately, I think that might have been the best way to deliver the information and build on what the readers have learned in the flashback/past chapters.

I only had a few other issues with this book, like some of the pop culture references feeling shoved in, and the over-description of things like outfits, which could sometimes feel out of place. I think it did work at times, with the Halloween scene coming to mind. The romance wasn't as compelling as I would have liked (I spent most of the book being annoyed/suspicious of the love interests). Although I could already tell who was meant to be endgame from the start, the author did a good job still making me question it by throwing in confusion, betrayals, and a relatively balanced amount of scenes with both boys.

Overall, I had a great time with this book! While reading, the scenes were vividly playing out in my head, and the last chapters felt very TV show season finale coded, if that makes sense. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

[Callie Rowland]

Dark academia set in Appalachia, paranormal activity, a love triangle between three childhood best friends, and a SPLENDIDLY original magic system… Need I say more?

[Lexi]

Im not going to rate this because I don't feel like it was written for me, but I did DNF it. Thanks Goodreads for the giveaway prize.

I think YA is shifting back thanks to romantasy being a boom, and being a little less "for everyone" and truly being for teens. This is a book I would have gobbled up as a teen, but it did very little for me. The characters act like teens, feel like teens- the gen z language and behavior is so apparent. The characters were not relatable to me at all because I haven't been a teen in a long time, which is refreshing because for a long time, YA book characters all felt like adults in teenagers skin.

Bound by Fury was HEAVILY inspired by Legendborn (a Black teen goes to a school, discovers her witchy magic powers, is caught between two boys, and her Black family legacy is attached to those powers) but it feels a little more flowery and poetic- if you liked legendborn and really want some great prose, I think this one will do it for you.

The romance/romantic drama in the book was also quite good and rich and complex and felt like the author was really putting a lot of thought into a morally complex relationship.

So why DNF? Again, for me, I could not get into the story. I didn't care much. The characters were well written little gen z kids but I couldn't really relate to them. I think thats a GOOD thing though, because a lot of teens will, and thats who should be picking this book up.

Bound by Fury is going to be an awesome read if you are a teen or have a teen who loves to read, wants that magical HP vibe or magical dark academia vibe that is also LGBT friendly. If your teen is passionate about social issues and wants to read a book that addresses them while also being a cool witch romp, this will be a great choice for them. If you are mom or auntie and want to get your teens a series that is likely to be their next big obsession, look no further! Long live books about teens that someone actually wrote FOR teens!

[Marcella]

Review TK because spoilers but SO GOOD

[Angelbelle Reads]

4.5 rounded up

🌺Dark Academia
🌑Boarding school in the Appalachian Mountains
🌺Love triangle
🌑Hidden magic
🌺Betrayal
🌑Secrets


Following the death of her grandmother, Harper decides to attend an elite boarding school where she hopes to get some answers to her rising questions. There, not only does she uncover a mystery but she has even more questions about her magic and ancestry all the while dealing with her childhood friends turned enemies

Whew that ending had me in a chokehold yall! You know ish gets real when you have to sit up straight to read lol couldn’t even lie down

The setting, the characters, the angst, the suspense yea Noelle Monét did that 👏🏾

I hate to say it but Harper is better than me. I fear I would have left after the first threat😭 oh you said leave? Bet 😂😅

So when is book 2 coming out exactly 👀

For all the summerween bookies go on and add this one

[jo ❣︎]

huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts below are my own.


this was such a fun ya paranormal applachia debut. truly the vibes were off the charts and the writing itself was so strong! loved this one.

[Karis]

~~Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!~~

4.5/5 stars rounded up!

Never thought I'd love a book with a love triangle between a girl and a pair of brothers (Kinda. They're technically cousins, but circumstances make them more like brothers). But the way it gets so messy between them on top of the worldbuilding made me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this.

Cannot wait for the next one. That ending - I need to know more!

[Kennedy Cole]

With beautiful prose, complex character dynamics, and a mystery infused plot that kept me flipping the page, Bound By Fury is an excellent debut by a deeply talented writer. I can’t wait to read what comes next!

[Mella aka Maron]

I won this arc in a giveaway from the author.

I was absolutely so excited for this book based on the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comp, but it unfortunately did not work for me.

DNF at 40pg

The reason this didn’t work for me is the writing style. It is overly descriptive and atmospheric. It spends so much time “setting up” the surroundings that I lose track of what the words are actually saying. At some point, my eyes glaze over and I can’t focus on what’s actually happening due to the overabundance of similes and metaphors about the sky or the trees or the heat. It’s a personal preference that I just can’t get over here. It’s too wordy for me, so much that I am distracted from the actual story.

I am sure this is a lovely book and I hope that other readers will find it and love it. It just wasn’t a book for me.

[Prof. Christina]

Bound by Fury by Noelle Monét is a captivating debut that immerses readers in a richly detailed contemporary fantasy world, blending themes of grief, friendship, identity, and dangerous secrets. As a reader, I found myself drawn into Harper’s tumultuous journey—though at times exasperated by her stubbornness, ultimately admiring her resilience and unyielding spirit.

Harper is, without a doubt, one of the most intriguing main characters I’ve encountered. She’s simultaneously clueless and incredibly powerful—a paradox that makes her both frustrating and fascinating. Her relentless refusal to accept answers readily offered to her is both infuriating and oddly endearing. She’s the kind of character who, at every turn, seems hell-bent on making things harder for herself, echoing the motto “the worse off, the better.” Her constant chatter, whining, and stubbornness can test patience, yet beneath it all is a girl fighting to find her place amid chaos. Despite her flaws, Harper’s never one to give up; she keeps pushing forward, even when she’s losing her grip on her family or her mind. That perseverance is what truly carried me through the story.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the build-up throughout the novel. Monét crafts a landscape of vivid details—some obvious, others more subtle—that create an immersive atmosphere. The setting of Black Mountain Academy feels alive, veiled in mystery and history, with its own secrets waiting to be uncovered. I did wish for a bit more world-building outside of the school and Harper’s immediate circle—particularly concerning Maureen’s character, whose background felt somewhat underexplored after the story concluded. However, I understand the narrative choices made in the context of Harper’s journey.

What stood out to me most was the diversity and openness among Harper’s friends and allies. The diverse representation—from transgender characters to bisexuality and disability—felt natural and refreshing, reflecting a contemporary, inclusive world. I loved seeing how Harper was able to build her unit of friends, all of whom accepted and understood each other deeply. This sense of community added emotional depth, especially as the story delved into themes of friendship, trust, and healing.

The novel also explores profound themes of grief and loss—particularly through Harper’s relationship with her grandmother Gigi. The psychological impact of losing a loved one is depicted with sensitivity, illustrating how grief can manifest in anger, denial, and even dangerous powers. Harper’s emotional journey felt authentic and nuanced, reminding readers of the complex process of mourning and the importance of confronting one’s past to forge a future.

Plot-wise, Bound by Fury is filled with twists and turns that kept me engaged until the very end. The local legend of the witches’ grisly deaths and Harper’s uncanny connection to those women added a layer of supernatural intrigue that balanced well with the personal stakes. As Harper uncovers more of the school’s dark history, the stakes escalate, and the danger becomes palpable. The question of whether she should leave her past behind or risk everything for truth adds a compelling moral dilemma.

In conclusion, Bound by Fury is a strong debut that combines vivid world-building, complex characters, and a gripping mystery. While Harper’s stubbornness was occasionally exhausting, her unwavering determination ultimately made her an inspiring protagonist. Monét’s storytelling weaves together themes of grief, friendship, and identity with a deft hand, leaving me eager to see where her writing will go next. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary fantasy looking for a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is adventurous.

[Sophia Lorraine]

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the early e-arc! I squealed when I got it!!

There aren't many books that make me feel seen but this one most certainly did! From the cover, to the premise, to the main character. The blurb got me right away because we have a Black, plus-size female main character at the front of a paranormal dark academia story. I can seriously count on one hand how many published books include this same thing... 👀 Needless to say, give us more publishers!!

This story opens up with our girl Harper drowning in her grief. I think the Legendborn comp was spot on for this book. I found myself drawing a few parallels, but the author still managed to make it her own.

All her life, Harper has been told that Black Mountain Academy is bad news. But after her grandma passes, she's left with no choice but to attend if she wants to get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds it, her weird dreams, and her burgeoning magical powers. Throw in a very complicated love triangle and Harper is officially off on her journey!

There were many things to admire about this book. I appreciated Harper's layered development as a character searching for answers. She was very much herself, unapologetically. She didn't let Kai off the hook for his distant and cold behavior, but she still wrestled with her feelings for him. It felt relatable and realistic.

On that note, the tension and pull between Kai and Harper was lovely. So many pretty lines and heat between them. Especially as a bigger girl myself, I kicked my feet at how he handled her. Sometimes with care and sometimes with force 🤭 Her scenes with Lucas were less so, and I think that was intentional on the author's part. It was always Harper and Kai (sorry Luc).

This author was also really good at planting moments of suspense and tension. There were quite a few scenes that creeped me out (keep in mind I do have a low-horror tolerance) but it was a nice blend of tension and release.

The side characters, Sam and Daisy were both heart-achingly adorable and funny. They helped to keep the in between scenes light and fluffy. That scene where they all break into the office had me CACKLING. I could picture it as if it were a Netflix series (fingers crossed!)

The final 80% of the book had me in a choke hold. Things got TENSE. And just kept on going 😭 On one hand, I knew the ending was going to get crazy like that. Monet does a good job of developing the story, so you can feel it all coming to a culmination. But I'm just glad she didn't rush the ending. She really let it breathe and gave us the time to adjust to each new twist. I'm on edge until Book 2 is released!!

This book did have several breaks in which we were thrown back into time to help us understand the mystery (oddly enough we readers know what's going on before Harper does). There were also short written letters/entries interspersed throughout. I understood why the author included them, and while it did help deepen the storyline, I'll admit, I sped-read these pages to get back to present time. I think if they had been included as part of the present plot, like Harper stumbling upon these letters or dreaming about it all in real time in short bursts, it might've felt more cohesive.

Overall, I'm looking forward to purchasing my copy of this hardcover. It was a fantastic read that showcases important topics. Topics little me would've loved to see on the page when I was a young girl, especially from the pov of a Black girl. I think teens and adults alike will eat this paranormal story up!

[Rynn]

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC.

2.5 stars

Everything about the summary gave me hope that Bound by Fury would be some sort of dark academia vibe with a lingering secret under the surface. To me, the setting of the Appalachian Mountains was intriguing, as--stated in the novel--this location is one of the oldest places on Earth and could be full of untapped power.

The start was promising enough, full of luscious prose that beautifully captured the warring emotions within a grieving person. Harper just turned 16, and had the unfortunate happenstance of finding her Grandmother Gigi unresponsive as well as the trauma inflicted on her as she performed CPR and awaited the news of her grandmother's death. Trying to distract herself, Harp goes to a gas station to find some movie treats while being stalked by the gas station worker as she is failing at working through her emotions. Noelle Monet did an amazing job at setting up the premise, as well as introducing the mystery that the events of the novel would center around in this starting sequence.

During the funeral it is established that Harper does not have much of a connection to anyone within the community of Earnest, as she had a huge falling out with her two friends Malachi (Kai) and Lucas due to teenage hormones and emotions. Regardless of this, Harper is adamant that she stays to accept the scholarship to the Beaumont Academy to follow in her grandmother's footsteps. As soon as she sets foot in this new territory, this is where the plot starts to get messy. Gossip is that the school is covering up/refusing to look into the disappearance of Fiona, a student at said school--and one student in particular is refusing to accept that Fiona is dead and gone. Harper has the misfortune of pissing this person off immediately when she overhears their plans to use a t-shirt cannon to shower the community with missing posters for Fiona.

All of this set up was well done in my opinion-- Harper became singled out from the rest of the community due to her race and fell in with other outcasts and seemingly found her place within the school. And then we never really hear about the other students or the classwork ever again. Sure, she attends her classes but it is rarely mentioned after the teenage hormones have entered the chat. Anytime Harper is in the vicinity of Kai or Lucas, her brain is immediately thrown out the window with her sexual angst dialing up to 11 and these toxic men feeding off of it.

After the first three instances of sexual energy taking over the plot, the pacing and cohesiveness of the plot went to the wolves. I could no longer follow along -- each chapter turned into a vignette with little to no connection to events preceding it. With the first third so polished, it really threw me off how much the rest of the book seemed to be a stream of consciousness. With each passing second, I only grew more confused. Granted I felt Monet really wanted to establish the confusion of the moment, but as a reader I needed more connecting plot points than what I got. By the last 15% of the book, I was no longer invested in the events that would happen. Even seeing that my predictions were true did not keep me interested in what would happen. Honestly, the teenage hormones ruined what was a very promising world... it had me questioning if this was the norm for teenagers these days. What is plot when hot men exist?

Bound by Fury needs some more editing work to connect the plot points, and to tone down the hormones for future readers. As it stands, this was so not worth the journey.

[Witcherie]

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for an eARC of this book.

2.5 stars, rounded down to 2.

This was a difficult rating as BOUND BY FURY is a book I had a particularly strong interest in. The persistent marketing, the unexplored Appalachian setting, and the Legendborn comp should’ve made for a powerful read. Unfortunately, I’m left with a disjointed narrative and an uninspired magic system, both bogged down by superfluous prose.

THE GOOD

Harper is, initially, an unabashed MC that I enjoyed reading. With a penchant for art that translated into gorgeous descriptions of her surroundings, there was a certain irreplicable quality in her narrative that lent itself towards an engaging read. In the midst of her grandmother Gigi’s funeral, there’s more in these pages than just grief. There’s untended longing and unanswered regret, the bones of what-almost-was supporting strong fears of what-never-will-be.

Alongside this, Black Mountain Academy (further abbreviated BMA) is a deliciously horrible setting and Monet manages to capture the ever-present dread of The South™ at night. Whistling wind that sounds too much like whispers, dried blood on trees from broken hands, and the heavy weight of Christian eyes. This is the full extent of the inspiration in the story, which leads me to…

THE BAD

Starting wide and getting narrower with each paragraph, I’ll start with how distracting the prose turns during key moments in this book. There’s a plethora of moments where tension and action are disrupted by how long-winded the writing is, serving as a distraction instead of an emphasis. If a horror scene isn’t dragged down by the weight of metaphor, an action scene is dragged down by meticulously spelling out every movement. Sometimes we just have to get to the point.

And as an offshoot to this specific point, there’s unacceptably long periods of exposition and, near the end, monologuing to fill in blanks that were left by previous mysteries. The most egregious example comes from the primary antagonist where he relays his cult's plans in great detail. Information that no well-written villain should even be telling the main character, added only so that we, the reader, can have a clue what's going on. Had the prose been trimmed earlier in the book, I’m sure all of this information could’ve been properly placed instead of practically dropped all at once.

As seems to be a recurring disappointment in YA fantasy involving witches, I was not enthralled by the magic system. What makes a witch, one must ask. Is it the specific magic? Is it culture and tradition? Is it setting and environment? In this story, witchcraft manifests as a semblance of magic involving zodiac signs where, based on your date of birth, they inherit one of twelve different abilities such as being a medium or mind-control. Besides the fact that we only see one ability in action (Harper is a psychic-medium, and barely utilized at that), I do not consider this inspired witchcraft, which is a shame because a side character, Daisy, actively engages in inspired witchcraft such as tarot readings and using an Ouija board. If asked for a book with witches doing witchcraft, I would not recommend this one in that regard.

To expand on this in one line, Harper’s most actively utilized “witchcraft” is her controlling water as if she were Katara from ATLA. If you’re avoiding elemental magic systems, this isn’t the book for you.

Moving even narrower, I had no real interest in any of the characters 50% through the book. Though I understand this book deals with the unstifled rage of Black girls (especially filtered through a teenage lens!), Harper becomes a truly insufferable character at a certain point. So much so that reading how she views and interacts through situations became unfun. Kai and Lucas didn’t have too much characterization, especially as most of the book deals with Harper avoiding them due to previous bad history (and then them speaking in vague sentences to keep that history a mystery). Sam was truly a nothing character. Daisy and Missy, however, were the highlights of the side cast, both having the most interesting arcs and strong throughlines to the end of the story.

Lastly, I’m admittedly exhausted of “Black” books being a Black FMC in a white setting thirsting after two white boys. The only other Black characters in this story are Harper’s relatives (sparse) or Fiona (missing student).

This is my (mostly) spoiler-free review. If I find the energy, I might come back and detail more of my grievances, but right now I’ll park BOUND BY FURY at a 2-star rating. Strong opener and well-done horror atmosphere that fizzles at the end.

7/21/2026 edit: According to a clarifying post by the author (who I assume has read this review), I'm supposed to read Lucas as non-white despite his description being "sun-darkened skin" and "icy-blue eyes." Allegedly the "drop of blood in the snow" metaphor is supposed to support this, despite me reading that as him being different by virtue of adoption (and thus othered). Author claims this is supposed to be a critique of the ambiguous brown love interest that white writers perpetuate, but considering how vastly unclear this is in the narrative, this also just becomes perpetuation, especially when Kai is clearly the favored one. And no, I won't be accepting "wait for the next book!" as an answer. Each book stands on their own merit, especially when the sequel quite literally doesn't exist yet.

But hey, if you want your only Black boy rep to be:
• Constantly living in the shadow of his white brother who everyone seems to prefer.
• Betrays a Black girl in favor of whiteness/white goals.
• Murders a Black woman in favor of whiteness/white goals.

Then be my guest.

[fatedhearts_lorilee]

This was such a strong YA fantasy novel, and I cannot wait to see where Monét takes it next. There were so many aspects that caught my attention and made me fall in love with the characters and the story.

Harper is dealing with the grief of her grandmother Gigi’s passing, and ultimately decides to attend Black Mountain Academy, despite the fact that neither her mother nor Gigi wanted her to attend the school. Gigi did attend the school when she was young, and Harper also has two of her previously close friends at the school. I really appreciated the exploration of grief with regards to Gigi, but also with respect to Harper’s father. There is some uncertainty of why exactly he left — it seems like he may be connected to some of what happens to Harper at the school, or at least that’s my assumption. I’m sure we’ll find out more about him!

I also loved Harper’s new friends. They’re fun and open and accepting; they are supportive but not doormats either. I had so much fun as they got up to various antics and tried to get to the bottom of what happened to Fiona, a girl who had previously gone missing from the school.

This ties into the female rage that is present throughout the novel. Harper reflects on the racism that she encounters throughout the book — she has to balance not being “too much” or “too little”, and having her emotions viewed as aggression just because she’s a black girl. As we get into the magical aspects of the book, we learn about the witches who were sacrificed in the past. Harper is starting to realize that she has some connection to this, and while she doesn’t have all the answers (people were definitely keeping secrets from her) she is doing her best to figure out what’s going on.

Also, the witches’ power is tied to their Zodiac signs, which I thought was so cool! I love learning about the signs and seeing how they align with my own and other people’s personalities.

There’s so much that happens, but I really don’t want to go into too many specifics. So I’ll just say that I loved this book and there were so many times that I was questioning my predictions, and wondering what was going to happen, which is something that makes me so happy! Again, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I bounced between reading this physically and as an audiobook, and both were fantastic. Tamika Katon-Donegal did an incredible job of voicing not only Harper, but the whole cast of characters. I felt like it was easy to tell who was who. I also loved the emotion that she brought to Harper’s character as she was going through so many difficult circumstances.

Thank you to Colored Pages book tours and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books for the gifted finished copy and e-arc, and to Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC.

4.5🌟

[Kalla Harris]

Legendborn and Blood Moon fans, I’ve found your new favorite book! Releasing this year, BOUND BY FURY has one of the most intricately detailed and unique magic systems (and world building!) I have read in fiction in a long time, and what I think is so special about this novel, beyond the multitudes of which I’m about to share, is how rooted the world-building is in Appalachian folklore AND how consumable the magic is for a wide range of audiences, whether you’re a teen or adult, new to the fantasy genre or a seasoned reader.

BBF follows Harper, who attends the infamous Black Mountain Academy in search of a connection to her newfound magic and family history. There, she uncovers chilling secrets about twelve witches who are rumored to haunt the boarding school’s halls—and whether or not they could be linked to her powers.

Gosh, I adore Harper and related so much to her. She’s grieving the loss of Gigi, her beloved grandmother, while also navigating very powerful abilities and struggling to recognize just WHO she is in the face of devastation and confusion and anger, which I think a lot of teens (and adults to be honest) can also find relatable. I loved watching Harper’s character arc progress as the book continued and the plot thickened, and can I just say she’s a badass?

Enter Kai and Lucas, who attend the boarding school. We have a central love triangle that is FLESHED OUT, people. So. Good. Monét did a wonderful job of balancing Harper’s connections with Kai and Lucas without being biased to a particular character one way or the other, which I love! And some of these moments… lawd, HELP. I was giggling and kicking my feet, and I’m in my 30s.

I love how genre-bent BBF is. Do you like dark academia? CHECK. Want more paranormal? CHECK. Little dashes of horror? CHECK CHECK CHECK. And that ending! THAT ENDING! Let’s just say I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.

From a developmental standpoint, Bound By Fury is perfectly paced and features a multi-layered, complex, interesting, and diverse cast of characters (Missy, I love you!), a well-executed celestial magic system, and WHEW BOY some of best prose out there. Monét was spitting out poetry numerous times. I highlighted so many sections. I also loved the themes of religion vs. power and ancestral rage.

My rating? ♾️ but unfortunately Goodreads won’t let me do that so I’ll begrudgingly go with 5 stars

[Kari]

Book rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Genre: fantasy
Themes: grief, racism, dark academia, astrology, black girls are magic
📖 Read if you like: Legendborne, Blood Like Magic

This is a story about empowerment and righting a legacy of abuse and enslavement. It incorporated a supernatural world full of creatures, wielders and shadows all tied to the stars as a source of magic. There was a fury building within the narrative justified by a history of mistreatment that continues to this day if the colour of your skin is brown. The commentary on social injustice, legacy, embedded racism masking itself as apathy and greed were all well integrated to create a character and a storyline I was really invested in.

On one side of the battle are witches who gain their powers from the stars and follow the zodiac, and on the other hunters who coin themselves as guardians. Without powers of their own, these hunters steal what they think should rightly belong to them (basically modern day colonialism). In order to safeguard the well of magic from greedy hands, the zodiac witches made a sacrifice to keep the power at bay and restore some semblance of peace. Yet it is prophesied that within a century, four will rise with the power to restore balance or loose magic forever.

The plot was action packed and fuelled by an undercurrent of dread and anger. At the heart of this emotional story is a girl and two boys who once called each other best friends. With waves of losses and changed circumstances, they can barely look at each other anymore. At opposite sides to a looming wars, fates will be revealed and true connections will be made clear.

This was a marvel of YA fantasy. The story was engrossing and it had a lot of depth rooted in the real world and history of lynching those with coloured skin. The magical system was intriguing with astrobiology on the forefront of witchcraft along with several other creatures that can siphon magic or wield shadows. The school had an eerie element draining its students of vitality and the friends were the ones who want by your side for doomsday. It wasn’t always pretty and often harsh words were said, but that just made these friendships feel all the more real.

I liked the liked that there was a lot of representation from adoption to disability to non-binary identities. Having two main characters connect over how different they were in a sea of gentrified whiteness was another layer that gave these characters emotional depth. The relationships were full of teenage angst, but also the sweetness of childhood friendship. They worked themselves into the characters arcs and fed into the plot well.

Overall this was a really strong start to the series with a lot of open doors to explore in future books. I am looking forward to an expansion of the magical system as Harper learns more about her abilities and those of the hunters. I only dropped half a star because of Harper’s ignorance of obvious clues. Still it made for an action-packed start with moody characters and a lot for anger and dread throughout.

Thank you to @coloredpagesbt @simonteen and @author_noellemonet for a gifted copy of this beautiful edition as part of this book tour.

[Sophie]

4.5 rounded down

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

Bound by Fury is a breathtaking YA contemporary fantasy that is destined to become a new YA favorite. It's a blend of dark academia, celestial magic systems, witches, and dangerous secrets. Harper, who I absolutely adored from the very first page, has new powers and a lot of questions. Her curiosity and complex past sends her to Black Mountain Academy, where both secrets and answers lie in shadowy corners. There are so many gorgeously crafted layers in this story. If someone told me this was the first book in a thirteen book series, I would tell them that I'll be desperately anticipating every single one. I feel like I could stay in this world with these characters forever. The history in this book is so rich and well written. The past, present, and future in this story all have so much to explore, and Noelle Monét approaches that depth perfectly.

This book has my favorite kind of writing. It's descriptive in all the right ways, the atmosphere is addictively lush, the characters feel real, and all the pieces of the puzzle fit together beautifully. Monét has a clear talent that feels impossible to put into words. Every emotion in this story feels so raw and honest. From joy to grief to pure rage, every feeling shines through the pages and keeps the reader invested. Once you start this book, you'll feel like you're there with the characters. Once you feel like you're there, you'll never want to leave. I was desperate to know what happened at the end, but I was devastated to reach the last page. I never want to leave these characters behind.

There is also so much representation in this book. Harper is a Black, plus-size, bisexual girl who has multiple queer friends. It's always wonderful to see inclusivity in a book, and it felt so natural in this story.

If you love a bewitching YA book with realistic teenage characters, Black and queer characters, unique magic systems, and a stormy love story, Bound by Fury should be the next book you pick up. This book will take over your mind until the sequel releases, and you'll love every second of it. This is the extraordinary book that YA readers deserve.

[Candace Sewell]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read the blurb and knew I wanted to read this one. I want to read basically anything set in the southern Appalachians, and when the author is Black, that makes me want to read it more.

This book has some very dark themes!!


The plot is simple enough: Harper is a young girl who’s had her life completely turned upside down. Between her best friends estranging themselves from her and her grandmother dying, she has no one. Weird things keep coming to her in her dreams, and she doesn’t understand what is happening to her. What follows is a reckoning.

The characters in this book are widely diverse and interabled, which I love. This author obviously poured her heart into these characters and it does show. I am not Black, so I cannot say my experience was even remotely the same growing up, but Harper harbors SO MUCH anger that it distracts me from the story. She has every right to be angry; her reasoning is sound, it just took me out of the book a lot. Plus she really is hardheaded and blind sometimes. This did have a good bit of teenage angst (and I’m 34, so I can’t really relate to that for the most part). Each character had their role to play, and the betrayals in these pages didn’t surprise me. Kai is complicated, but in the best way and I’m curious to see how this author continues their story.

The writing is broody and descriptive, pretty perfect for an upper level teenage reader. This is a chunky book, which would intimidate some people, but I think it will interest the audience she wrote this for. The tone is appropriately reverent and scathing when it needs to be.

I will also say this book had me jumping at every little noise and fearing looking in the mirror at night; the ambiance and creep factor is extremely well done. For a YA book, the author does not pull her punches when it comes to the horror elements of this book.

All in all, I don’t regret reading this, but I think it would’ve hit me better when I was younger and could relate more. It was enlightening reading about Harper’s experiences though, and I learned a little while reading. It was enjoyable, but also slightly terrifying. 😅

[Kristin Sheppard]

One of the strongest debut novels I have ever read. Dark academia meets Southern Gothic, laced with ancestral rage and tinged with star-crossed love. A powerful beginning to a must read YA series!

When her grandmother's sudden death leaves Harper absolutely reeling, she finds herself desperately reaching for anything that can ease the grief that pulls in her chest. Drawn to Black Mountain Academy, an elite boarding school that her Gigi once attended, Harper will learn that small towns can hold dark secrets and that not everything is as it seems. Racing to discover who - or what - she really is and get to the bottom of the school's haunted past, Harper will be forced to question everything and everyone she's ever known. But the truth doesn't come cheap, and the forces at work are determined to make sure that she'll pay for the truth with her life.

Giving this book five stars feels like telling Gordon Ramsay he makes an "ok" beef wellington. It's just not enough to describe how truly captivating I found this story! From the very beginning Monét pulls you in with descriptive prose that truly makes you FEEL alongside the characters. Told through multiple POVs with an epistolary flair, Monét balances the past and present, building the world of Earnest, NC from the ground up. The celestial magic system, built around the zodiac, is intriguing and I look forward to learning more about it as Harper does in future installments. Bound by Fury does not shy away from difficult topics either, from the racism of both the past and the present, to grief, to feelings of being an outsider, Monét explores all of these topics in depth. In particular, the grief Harper feels at the loss of her Gigi and the way she navigates it stuck with me. I saw a little bit of myself in her in those moments.

Bound by Fury kept me captivated and desperate to know more. There are so many tangled threads that unravel throughout the course of this story and so many more to discover in the future. If I don't get a sequel to this I will absolutely lose my mind. This isn't a want to read folks, this is a must read. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up today.

Thank you so much to Simon Teen and Colored Pages Book Tours for the advance copy.

[Brady]

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. What an exciting magical adventure! Harper has spent her life just wanting to live in Earnest with her grandmother, the summers spent there with her two best friends Lucas and Malachi. That is until last summer when their friendships shattered and the two haven’t spoken to her since. Now on her sixteen birthday when she should be happy her grandmother has passed away. She’s angry and with her anger comes a power she doesn’t understand. Her grandmother was always talking about magic, the stars, and witches. But they were just stories weren’t they? When she’s invited, on a full scholarship, to attend Black Mountain Academy, she wants nothing more than to go. Her grandmother went there and maybe there are answers for her at the school. But with each passing day her powers seem to grow and as she has visions of the past she knows there is more to her story than she was led to believe. How will she find answers? Being at Black Mountain also means being around Kai and Lucas again but they’ve changed so much. Kai seems to hate her and she finds herself more drawn to Lucas, but even he seems to be hiding things. She does make new friends and learns more about the schools horrible history. She learns of prophecy and power. But who can she trust? And can she figure out her power before the danger finds her? I loved everything about this book! I loved the magic system and the world building! I love a strong, determined, powerful black female lead and I loved Harper and her friends! I honestly couldn’t decide whether I liked or disliked Kai and Lucas but I absolutely think that is the point! Complex characters with complex stories that feel all kinds of shades of grey! It’s queer, magical, paranormal, with a diverse cast and romance mixed in! And the ending left me wanting so much more! Perfect for those that like magic, especially if you’re into the zodiac!

[Dina]

Noelle Monet’s Bound By Fury is an emotionally rich young adult fantasy. Early in the story, Harper loses her grandma Gigi who has this complex history that comes to lend so much depth to Harper’s own journey at a boarding school.

Monet’s strength lies in the way she develops the relationship between Harper, Kai and Lucas. As an audience, we are dropped in the middle of a relationship that has fallen apart right before the story begins.

I loved the passionate dialogue and withholding of language between Harper, Kai, and Lucas. It showed that there was A LOT going on before the story. Monet beautifully lets us gather cues, fill in gaps, but also gives us enough to do so as the story progresses. I enjoyed the will they/won’t they, the push and pull between those three characters. And even when I thought I figured out where everyone stands, Monet pulls in a punch I did not see coming.

Aside from the main trio, I was surprised by how much of Gigi comes through this story. She’s not a full character but she lends so much depth to Harper’s character too. The more I read, the more I understood Gigi and why Harper connected with her so much.

Beyond that, the more we see of Gigi, the more we see of what happened before her. That sense of history adds a refreshing dimension to Harper’s story. It’s not just about her. It’s about generations before her. It adds weight to her story because she’s not just fighting for herself but for people who have gone through the same thing as she does.

The romance isn’t rushed either. I enjoyed that quite a lot because Harper is still figuring things out when the romance presents itself but there’s enough build up that it doesn’t feel like a surprise.

Lastly, the side characters were so delightful. I am still afraid of Missy but she’s definitely one of my favorites. I am more of a Sam myself. Just like, “This is so stressful!!!”

A big thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this lovely book!

[Mystie]

The first thing you need to know about Bound by Fury is how eloquently it is written. Each sentence, every word falls into a perfect poetic and lively place, painting a vivid picture chapter after chapter.

Noelle Monét can write her a$$ off. Of that there is no doubt. She hits the right tone, captures your imagination, all the while pulling you with strong teenage emotion. The pacing was aight. A little slower than I prefer in some places, but the book spends about the first 50-60% building to some very dramatic conclusions that make your heart race. The balance is just about right for book 1 in a series.

What was this book about? Well! It centers on Harper. We meet her as she is dealing with the death of a close loved one. It is devastating and also highlighted by some strange things happening to her. You feel her confusion and also her determination to figure out the mysteries that surround her personally and physically. Hers is the main POV in the book, giving us a deep dive into all she is experiencing. It can get a little heavy with the teen drama and angst, but this is a YA book, so it is to be expected.

Harper strides headfirst into a world that includes old friends and new ones. She fights to solve mysteries that stretch centuries and has a difficult time finding her way until things upend completely.

This is a book for YA lovers, witchy mystery lovers, and those who love a historical twist to lore. It explores some dark themes but delivers in terms of satisfying answers to the big questions unearthed in the story.

For me, it was an interesting book with compelling writing. A pleasing balance between mystery and the paranormal. Truly a very strong start for a debut author and a very strong 4 stars for me.

[MOmo]

I have tasted the beauty of Noelle Monët’s writing and as the gracious person that I am 😌, I have to invite you to pick up this book and read it because you will be taken on a journey of brilliant storytelling and well-written fiction that will leave you feeling sated and with a lot to reflect on.

This book is a cocktail of dark academia, magic, southern gothic, ancestral magic, the dreamscape and the ever looming presence of a past that refuses to be silent.

From the very first page, you are introduced to the world of the novel through a beautiful map that is so well designed and helps you visualize the worlds that Harper (the main character) inhabits in the novel.

And even when certain parts of the story feel like they’re more like contextual information, you know some way some how, each flashback, dream and “coincidence” are all signs leading Harper towards a goal.

The story itself moves in a linear way with flashbacks to the past and some references to a history and legacy that Harper will have to rewrite through powers bestowed on her. Her entry into Black Mountain Academy is quite significant because she she needs to go to that school to right the wrongs and she’s the key to unraveling a puzzle that only her guts and ancestral guidance will lead her to.

I really liked reading about the main character but also the portrayal of older women figures central to Harper’s life. The book shows the importance of sisterhood, family and a community that transcends age and time.

This book was such a treat because I love dark academia like crazy and I’m grateful that I got to experience this book! I can’t wait to read more from the author!

And also, I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I hope one is on the way!

[KRose]

What better way to get into Augtober than a gothic, atmospheric, magical trip to a boarding school in the mountains of North Carolina?

My reading of Bound by Fury by Noelle Monet was definitely a perfect fit for the Augtober vibes! I needed a dark academia read that would pull me into the “back to school” vibes while also giving the moody feel of spooky season. And boy did this book deliver!

It took me a second to get into this one, but once I did, I had to buckle up because it got wild! The beginning was so gothic and trippy that I was questioning myself if what was happening in the story was even real… which adds such a beautiful layer of intrigue to this gothic tale. After the death of her grandmother, Harper is in search of answers about the tales of magic that she was left with. With no one left to turn to, Harper talks her mother into letting her attend Black Mountain Academy, the school where her grandmother went and which is in the town where Harper spent her summers growing up.

Then mix in a love triangle intrigue with some childhood friends, a trail of missing students, a quirky friend group, and promises of witchcraft, and you’ve got a recipe for suspense! I felt the characters were believable, and the way that Noelle Monet wrote Harper’s rage and grief was so realistic. Definitely read the Author’s Note once you finish for an even deeper understanding of the emotional significance of Harper’s journey.

Not all of my questions were answered, but the story definitely sets up for a sequel (or possibly more than a sequel), so I don’t know how I will wait to get back to Black Mountain Academy to find out all of these answers!

Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour for having me on this book tour and to Simon Teen for the gifted copy!

[MO (Maria)]

**SPOILERS**

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (3/5) | Spice: (0/5)

Bound by Fury had a really interesting magical premise, and the mythology ended up being my favorite part of the story. The history of the twelve witches, the Daughter and the Origin, Hunters, binding marks, stolen magic, and Harper's connection to everything gave the world much more depth than I initially expected.

I also really liked Malachi's storyline. Discovering that he was a Hunter magically compelled to kill Harper - but was fighting against that compulsion because he genuinely didn't want to hurt her - was probably one of the strongest parts of the book. I honestly wish the story had leaned more into that forbidden witch/Hunter connection.

Unfortunately, Harper frustrated me throughout much of the book. I understood that she was grieving and suddenly dealing with an entire magical world she didn't know existed, but some of her decisions were difficult for me to understand. I also never became invested in the Harper/Malachi/Lucas back-and-forth. It felt more messy than compelling.

There were some genuinely good reveals toward the end, but SO MUCH happened at once that the climax eventually started feeling overwhelming instead of exciting.

This also confirmed something I've been realizing about my reading taste: YA fantasy probably isn't for me unless there's a stronger romance element pulling me through the story. The magical world was interesting, but I never became emotionally invested enough to want to continue into the next book - especially after that cliffhanger. 😭

A solid concept with some really cool mythology, but ultimately not quite the fantasy for me.

[Via Luino]

Girls made of magic and starlight. An elite school shrouded in sinister mysteries. One boy who makes her heart quiet, and another who makes it race. Harper grew up on her Gigi's stories of witchcraft and lore, but she's left with more questions than answers when her strange powers begin to manifest the day that Gigi dies. Harper attends Black Mountain Academy hoping to find answers, but the more she digs into the school's dark history, the more questions she unearths. And time is running out, because someone is willing to commit any crime to keep the past hidden—including murder.

If this book doesn't become an instant bestseller when it hits the market, then I'm a 400-foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings! I was hooked from page one, and I absolutely ate up the twists and turns. From that one scene that had me screaming out loud, "Girl, nooooo! Don't go in the cabin!" (IYKYK) to the sweet, found family moments, I loved every part of this story. I was captivated by the zodiac magic system, and I'm excited to learn more about it in book two (because there had better be a book two!). The tension strung taut between all of the characters—especially Harper and her boys—was so well done, and I loved the southern vibes woven throughout. The dialogue was perfection, and I could just hear those twangs. The intersectionality between queerness, blackness, feminism, and body positivity was extremely well done, with some aspects more subtly highlighted than others, and each one an important piece of who Harper is. And the female rage? Supporting women's wrongs? Girl, I am so here for it! I absolutely cannot wait for book two!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

[Ellie]

Digital Arc provided by NetGalley and Simon Teen.

Bound by Fury by Noelle Monét is everything its blurb offers it to be. This riveting tale follows Harper as she learns that her grandmother’s (Gigi) magic filled stories are more truth than fiction. She receives a mysterious invite to a mysterious and elite boarding school in the Appalachians.
Cue insane tension between two boys, discovering new, lifelong friends and strange disappearances, this book was quite an adventure.
I think that it was paced well, and I did enjoy the flashbacks as they were a necessary part of the storyline and helped to fill in gaps. There were some aspects of the book where I thought that it got a little cyclical. The high tension scenes were certainly described with such vivid detail that I wondered if we were still in the YA category. Harper was such an independent, refreshing character who had no choice but to adapt to what was happening around her and the many unanswered questions that she faced. At times, her decisions did affect her relatability. I’m intrigued to see how the author further develops her character.
I did enjoy the diversity of the characters and thought that they were well written. The author wrote the story in a way that it could be easily followed, and I look forward to the continuation of it.

[Tee]

Overall, I found this to be a great read!

There is so much to love about this book—from the Appalachian Mountains setting, to the intriguing yet mysterious characters, to the mysterious magic. The worldbuilding was fascinating to read about, especially as more and more was revealed.

One thing I really liked about this book was the use of flashbacks—they were a pivotal part of the storyline, as they helped fill in the gaps, so I’m glad that the author included them. I will say that some of the monologues had some info-dumping, though I understand why the author did so.

I loved the diversity present in this book, and I thought all the characters were well written.

I liked Harper a lot as our main character! She definitely felt like a YA protagonist who adapts to what is happening around her despite there being so many unanswered questions.

I think the romance could have been a bit stronger, as it was clear right off the bat which of the boys would be end game for Harper. I liked how the author threw in some twists and turns to make me question it though.

Although this first book isn’t even out yet, I look forward to reading the sequel in the future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing (Margaret K. McElderry Books) for allowing me to read the eARC!

[Jenn]

Wow. I have been blown over by Bound by Fury and may be giving this a re-read very soon!

BBF pulled on so many nostalgic feelings for me, I too, like Harper, spent my summers in the Blue Ridge Mountains growing up, at one point I lived right by the Biltmore Estate and passed it daily to/from Asheville High. Honestly the only part missing was someone shopping at Ingles!

Again like Harper, I lost my paternal grandmother at a young age. It’s been nearly 30yrs and I still feel the depth of that grief, words that never got spoken, love that wrapped me in everything I needed but then was just … gone.

Harper is 16, and even through her grief she is discovering her true self. Making decisions, oftentimes poorly as a 16yo does, but seeking out her legacy, building friendships, and trying to fix a childhood friendship triangle. All while being submerged into myth, dangerous mystery, folklore, and a prophecy that’s been 100 years in the making.

The last 20% was so action packed I had to slow my own heart rate, slow my reading speed, and fully immerse in the terror, anger and heartache. A riveting, grab you by the wrists and hold you to your seat debut. Again I say, wow.

Thank you Noelle Monet, Netgalley, and Simon & Schuster children’s publishing imprint Margaret K McElderry books for this advanced reader copy!