House of the Unbound

by Kimber Knight

Twenty years ago, the Great Nova slashed across the sky, bleeding a trail of enchanted ashes over the Isle of Solitaire. Those touched by the ashes acquired unique magical abilities, leaving them Unbound to the laws of nature but bound to an unfortunate fate. Threatened by these abilities, the Solitarian royals ordered the execution of all Unbound.

One of the few Unbound who escaped the slaughter is Indie, a young seamstress forced to conceal her identity. Indie’s world is flipped upside down when she uncovers a shocking truth. Solitaire believed the Unbound were nearly eradicated, but they were wrong. And just as before, the royals are planning a brutal slaughter.

The lives of the remaining Unbound have now fallen into Indie’s hands and she’s ready to sacrifice her life for the cause. But amid her deadly encounters and unforeseen adventures, she discovers that the ultimate risk is love—in opening her heart to someone who has the power to destroy her.

Can Indie save the Unbound before it’s too late? Will she find true love amid the chaos? Or will she become yet another victim of Solitaire’s thirst for Unbound blood?

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance

528 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2024

Reviews

[Smut S Sisters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to start this off by saying this book has zero spice (except some kisses) and I didn’t even notice that until someone asked me for the spice rating, the tension and plot were that good. The story gets you hooked immediately. The magic system was unique and I loved the constant plot twists. There’s plenty of character development which makes you fall hard for these characters. Some of my favorite tropes were present too (one horse, caretaker, balls -like parties you sickos- to name a few). I felt every emotion while reading this book and am left begging for book 2. Five stars!!!

“Because I am your shadow, … Foolishly and completely. And I swear to you and the gods that I will always stand by your side.”

“Sometimes I feel as though time is even crueler than death…But death gets all the hatred while time continues on as the true thief, stealing from us until there’s nothing left to take.”


Read this for:

-enemies to lovers
-protective mmc
-multiple romantic interests
-forbidden romance
-one horse
-he takes care of her
-betrayal
-high tension/no spice romance

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need book 2 please

[Mercedes Eichelberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so entertaining. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like it, and I came to love the characters and their personalities. It contains so many unique plot lines, and I found myself fully entranced with it.

My only negative was I didn’t quite like how hot and cold Indie and Blaine’s relationship was. They gave me whiplash a few times with their arguments and make ups😂 but other than that, I liked to see the progression of their trust and care for each other.

[T.S. Cap · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this isn’t on your TBR what are you doing? This was SO GOOD.

Indie is so fierce and feminine. I adore an FMC who can kick ass and look good doing it in her stunning dresses.

Blaine is easily my new book boyfriend. He breathes and I swoon.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

If you are looking for an enemies to lovers with a slowww burn then this is the book for you.

Tropes in this book- enemies to lovers, slow burn, forbidden love, forced proximity, love triangle, found family

This book follows our FMC Indie she is such a badass- something terrible happens and she wants to get back at the very people who took everything from her but not everything and everyone is as it seems.

Two MMCs- 1 being a gold boy and the other the mysterious spade with great banter!

I loved the uniqueness of the house systems and the powers and fantasy aspect in this book.

What a great book to start the year with! pretty much took me like 2 1/2 days to finish this.

[madison. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I have followed the author on social media for a decent amount of time and really anticipated the release! I was glued to the pages from the first day I opened it. The plot is very unique and intriguing. The magic system is incredibly and every character is so different than the next. You either love them or hate them and in the best ways. I will absolutely be recommending this to my bookish friends and I look forward to the release of book #2.

[Kloe Thaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ ummm??? This was so good and it was constantly going in directions i didn’t expect (which is a slay). I’m not a fantasy girl but this had me hooked, invested, and gagged !!!

Docked .5 solely bc of the lowkey toxic hot and cold with the love interests and the fact that anytime the MMC was introduced (which was 5,000x) it was by his eyes. We get it, they’re green, what else? 🟢🫦🟢

no but loved it fr

[auds · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of the Unbound was an amazing fantasy/dystopian realm to dive into with a very intriguing magic system. I had so much fun getting to know Indie and follow her journey, she is such a lovable fmc. The slow burn/forbidden romance is just what the girlies need. This book was such a page turner and had me on my toes the whole time. I was NOT expecting all the twists at the end and to be absolutely devastated!! Need the second book like yesterday, can’t wait for it to be released and see what happens next!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Emmy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okayyyy this had me hooked for the whole thing! I loved everything about it and I need #2!

[Gini Dunwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s actually 4.5 stars but I can’t half star on here! I loved every minute. It’s a great character driven book and I’m so attached to all the characters. The last 20% was WILD.

[Bekah Baggett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing book with twists I didn’t see coming! Love the unique world-building with the suits of a deck of cards and the relationships that form between the characters. CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK #2!

[Layla England · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read this book - what are you even doing?? This MUST be at the top of the list for lovers of romance-fantasy, love triangles, enemies to lovers, protective love interest, and flirty banter! Literally all of the best things in romantasy in a perfect and beautiful book! I am a #1 Kimber Knight fan and can't wait for the rest of this series! Support this sweet author and have the most wonderful experience with this read! I laughed, I cried, I loved it. Knew it would be a 5 🌟 read from the start!

🩷 Perfect for fans of Powerless by Lauren Roberts and Heartless by Marissa Meyer

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was sent this book by my Sister in law and devoured it within a week I loved it and now am wanting book two, I have recommended this to all my book friends. Definetly worth the read.

[Davina Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing read!!!! I am so in love with the story of Indie & Blaine!
This book had my emotions reeling!
Great plot twists happening in the end!
Can’t wait for book two!!

[readwithmegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Amazing. Brilliant. Remarkable.
5 star plus read!
Seriously this book was SO good! The emotions, the twists, the action, the romance, the secrets!
What are you doing if you haven’t picked this up yet??

I was already intrigued when finding out that this world is broken up in the 4 suits of a card deck (diamonds, spades, clubs and hearts) and that everyone has their suit tattooed on their wrist and they can only where the color of the their suit. Then you throw in a select group of people that are called Unbound and have some sort of power which are having to hide in secret since the council has declared them all to be executed.

Our FMC Indie is an unbound and when everything has been taken from her, she decides to go to the castle ball and execute all the council members and then herself. Though things don’t go to plan when she learns there is a secrets rebellion of Unbound in hiding and the council is planning on tracking them down to execute them. Her new plan becomes to get as much info as she can and try to help the rebellion by moving into the castle as a seamstress to the Queen of Hearts, Endara (who is one of my favorite characters 😭)

From there we are taken on the most AMAZING journey as Indie navigates helping the rebellion as well as a possible romance with the prince of diamonds and a spade commander. I will say that the author did SUCH a good job with this love triangle and how it ended.

Indie and Blaine are the absolute BEST enemies to lovers and I was so happy with their story!

I have never gasped so much while reading and reached over to grab my husbands arm during a particular science towards the end that just had twist after twist being thrown at us! Also several tears were shed 😭😭😭

This does end of a cliffhanger and I am DYING for the next book!! Seriously one of the best books of the year so far!

If you love:
🔹Enemies to lovers
🔹Hidden Identity
🔹Protective MMC
🔹Forbidden Romance
🔹Hidden Rebellion
🔹1st person POV
🔹No Spice Romance

[Libbie Gaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never actually written a book review before since I’m not necessarily talented with words, but this book and this author deserve the extra effort and love. I went into this book with mid-range expectations. I was prepared to find some faults and moments requiring patience in an author’s first novel that’s also self-published. Kimber Knight blew me away with House of the Unbound! I was captivated from the first chapter - before actually, with the simple list of laws given before the story even starts. The characters were deep and multifaceted (even the morally gray MMC), and they had realistic reactions to the different things they experienced. No one was perfectly good or completely evil, and I found myself understanding different choices while equally hating them. I might still be on a post-book high, considering I’m writing this immediately after finishing reading it, but I’d recommend this to anyone. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

[Micaela Flanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House of the Unbound feels like a fairytale with a mix of enchanting and action packed elements.

A girl who is different in a way that could get her hunted and killed, starts off with a plan, but has to think quickly on her feet as her plans rarely work out. Kimber Knight is creative in the way of organizing her world and the community’s social structure. It’s similar to divergent in that way. The romance elements are sweet with choice, forcing the reader to decide which team they’re on in the classic ‘charming prince’ vs ‘rugged warrior’ dilemma.

An additional note, this is one of the only books that I thought was thoroughly well done by an independent author. I’m hoping Kimber Knight will go far in her author journey. Her skill and creativity deserve that much.

[ChaFay Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an unique and amazing book! It started off with a slap to the face but that only made me want to keep reading more. I fell in love with the characters, the world and everything that was going on. I was invested with everything that was going on and needed to know more. Once again, I went through so many emotions reading this book because the author just really pulls it out of you. Indie is such a good character and I loved watching her grow and get through all her obstacles and Blaine? 😌 That’s my man right there. I can’t wait for more.

[Monica Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimber Knight created a character, and a whole world, that left me wanting more. I'm so excited that she is planning this as a trilogy. Even though Indie's character arc is satisfying, there is so much more of her story to tell, and I'm invested in so many of the other amazing characters as well. House of the Unbound has everything a romantasy reader craves: enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, love triangle, a magical world and a hold-your-breath climax that totally pays off!

[BB · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 15% of the book was not the greatest, the writing annoyed me—the story and set up was good, though. But I kept reading because I loved the sound of the premise and was enjoying where the story was going, and I’m glad I did keep reading.

The ending was a bit cruel when I thought a certain character died—was I sad? no. I was angry! And I was starting to get teary eyed.

I’m looking forward to book 2.

[Jericha Preisinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I fell in love with the characters right away and I read it in a day. I could not put it down. I read it and felt the way I thought I’d feel when I read ACOTAR. It’s not that I didn’t like ACOTAR cause it was okay and I had heard how great the series was but for some reason I just couldn’t get into it that much. Everyone has different tastes. But this book was completely different. As soon as I started reading it I was hooked and invested in these characters, I felt like I was there watching it. My goal this year was to read more books and I’m so glad I found this one. I’m going to try to find other books like this but I have a feeling I won’t find anything that I love as much as House of the unbound. Now I desperately need the second book. Please please hurry.

[Chloe Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so captivating! It will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions starting in chapter 1 all the way through! I have laughed and shed so many tears because of these beautiful characters. I will always recommend this book to others.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong start

This book started strong. However I felt that it was building up to something that it just couldn't reach. The plot dissolves, the characters become boring and the ending was terrible. Such a shame

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 20%. This has so much potential to be such a cool story, but I wasn’t feeling anything for the characters. I found them to be pretty two-dimensional, and most of the scenes had more telling than showing. Will try this author again in the future though!

[Everlie Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely speechless. This book is everything in the absolute essence of the word. The minute I picked it up, I struggled to put it down. As an author myself, I often times struggle to read, with my mind so fixated on creating my own worlds, but that was not the case with this book at all.

I craved it. I needed it.

From start to finish it was exquisite. From the descriptiveness, to the plot, to the character growth, to the characters themselves, I am just amazed. Kimber is incredibly talented and deserves to have her work read by millions.

This book is easily a 10/5 for me. I’m obsessed with Indie and Blaine, and I cannot wait for more.