What do you think?
Rate this book
The Soulsworn Chronicles #1
Death Bound
The dead whisper her name.
The living will learn to fear it.
Elara was nothing—just a servant lost in the frozen crypts of Icespire, cursed by royalty and abandoned by her kingdom. But when fire rained from the sky, turning her icy prison into a graveyard, she emerged from the ashes—scarred, stolen magic humming beneath her skin, and hungry for vengeance.
Now, hidden behind the mask of the princess she once served, Elara is trapped in the gilded cage of Emberfall’s court as the king’s seventh wife. Here, smiles are sharper than blades, secrets bleed like wounds, and every heartbeat risks exposure. Her stolen ice magic is her only weapon—and her greatest curse.
But nothing is more dangerous than him.
The Dragon King.
A villain carved from flame and fury, whose molten gaze sees through her lies and whose obsession threatens to consume her whole. His interest isn’t just dangerous—it’s lethal. Because he’s not just her enemy.
He’s the temptation that could ruin her.
And while Rhydian, her loyal guard, shields her from daggers in the dark, it’s his forbidden devotion that slices deepest. His loyalty is a fragile line Elara can’t afford to cross—especially when her heart keeps daring to betray her.
In a world where love is a liability, trust is treason, and power demands sacrifice, Elara didn’t claw her way back from death to bow.
She rose to set kingdoms on fire.
Perfect for fans of villain romance, forbidden love, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Death Bound is a darkly addictive romantasy of survival, betrayal, and the deadly masks we wear to claim what’s ours.
The living will learn to fear it.
Elara was nothing—just a servant lost in the frozen crypts of Icespire, cursed by royalty and abandoned by her kingdom. But when fire rained from the sky, turning her icy prison into a graveyard, she emerged from the ashes—scarred, stolen magic humming beneath her skin, and hungry for vengeance.
Now, hidden behind the mask of the princess she once served, Elara is trapped in the gilded cage of Emberfall’s court as the king’s seventh wife. Here, smiles are sharper than blades, secrets bleed like wounds, and every heartbeat risks exposure. Her stolen ice magic is her only weapon—and her greatest curse.
But nothing is more dangerous than him.
The Dragon King.
A villain carved from flame and fury, whose molten gaze sees through her lies and whose obsession threatens to consume her whole. His interest isn’t just dangerous—it’s lethal. Because he’s not just her enemy.
He’s the temptation that could ruin her.
And while Rhydian, her loyal guard, shields her from daggers in the dark, it’s his forbidden devotion that slices deepest. His loyalty is a fragile line Elara can’t afford to cross—especially when her heart keeps daring to betray her.
In a world where love is a liability, trust is treason, and power demands sacrifice, Elara didn’t claw her way back from death to bow.
She rose to set kingdoms on fire.
Perfect for fans of villain romance, forbidden love, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Death Bound is a darkly addictive romantasy of survival, betrayal, and the deadly masks we wear to claim what’s ours.
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2025
275 people are currently reading
1934 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
March 10, 2025
2.5⭐
The writing in this book feels painfully juvenile and reads like a YA when all the characters are very much adults.
The world building was solid ngl, i also liked the magic system too and the plot was intresting enough to keep me from dnf'ing.
But the main issue for me was in the writing :
Like the constant use of certain expressions became unbearable—there’s some variation of the same sentences every two pages, and it completely pulled me out of the story and had me rolling my eyes, what made it worse was that it felt like the book was constanltly explaining things that were pretty obvious, like we get it you don't need to spell out every flicker of emotion that passed through someone's eyes.. It definitely makes you feel like the writer thought her readers were idiots who couldn't interpret anything on their own.
I honestly was not rooting for any of the love interests, which btw were just a copy-paste of each other, you could swap their dialogues and nothing would change, just broody and intense and mysterious (the dragon king was a little bit more interesting but ofc he wasn't present in 80% of the book- i guess that's changing in book 2 considering that ending, but anyway).
They were all interested in the very bland and average female lead who was frustrating, weak, indecisive with zero character development and no personality, and somehow all the men were finding her intriguing and interesting?! I kept waiting for her to grow a spine, to do something but I was left disappointed.
The writing in this book feels painfully juvenile and reads like a YA when all the characters are very much adults.
The world building was solid ngl, i also liked the magic system too and the plot was intresting enough to keep me from dnf'ing.
But the main issue for me was in the writing :
Like the constant use of certain expressions became unbearable—there’s some variation of the same sentences every two pages, and it completely pulled me out of the story and had me rolling my eyes, what made it worse was that it felt like the book was constanltly explaining things that were pretty obvious, like we get it you don't need to spell out every flicker of emotion that passed through someone's eyes.. It definitely makes you feel like the writer thought her readers were idiots who couldn't interpret anything on their own.
I honestly was not rooting for any of the love interests, which btw were just a copy-paste of each other, you could swap their dialogues and nothing would change, just broody and intense and mysterious (the dragon king was a little bit more interesting but ofc he wasn't present in 80% of the book- i guess that's changing in book 2 considering that ending, but anyway).
They were all interested in the very bland and average female lead who was frustrating, weak, indecisive with zero character development and no personality, and somehow all the men were finding her intriguing and interesting?! I kept waiting for her to grow a spine, to do something but I was left disappointed.
February 27, 2025
My biggest complaint about this book is more of a complaint about tropes in general. I went into this book thinking that it would be like an Ella Fields book since it was marketed as a "villains to lovers" "extremely slow burn" story, but what I got instead was a love... square(?) with very few scenes with the supposed "villain" of the story and a slow burn romance with a character I found extremely annoying and repetitive.
The world-building was fun, and I liked the magic system, but I wanted more plot and less romance from 3 extremely lukewarm men. Plus, I wanted Elara to be less naive, more manipulative, and cunning in order to figure out her own way instead of relying on her love interests.
The world-building was fun, and I liked the magic system, but I wanted more plot and less romance from 3 extremely lukewarm men. Plus, I wanted Elara to be less naive, more manipulative, and cunning in order to figure out her own way instead of relying on her love interests.
February 24, 2025
Wow just wow. I love a good slow burn❤️🔥
Death Bound is full of fantastic writing & fantastic story telling.
Not only does this book have a witty fmc (which is always fun), but it also has swoony men who have me questioning who I’m rooting for. I’m soooo looking forward to book 2!!
Death Bound is full of fantastic writing & fantastic story telling.
Not only does this book have a witty fmc (which is always fun), but it also has swoony men who have me questioning who I’m rooting for. I’m soooo looking forward to book 2!!
April 10, 2025
The word "tension" is used 125 times in this book. If you have to use the word tension to describe the tension, you missed the point.
April 16, 2025
Need the next boom NOW!
March 23, 2025
Yeah, I’m going to need more of Elara.
July 24, 2025
WHERE IS BOOK 2?? I NEED IT. NEED. IT.
idek how to write a review for this without spoiling everything, but my advice is to go in blind - like fully. don't even read the blurb 😂
idek how to write a review for this without spoiling everything, but my advice is to go in blind - like fully. don't even read the blurb 😂
February 9, 2025
This book has a fantastic storyline - mystery, war, battles, magic, hidden identities, and a battle of the heart.
I really enjoyed reading this, however I felt I knew what was meant to happen the entire book based on the prologue opening. Then reading on, it just solidified my thoughts. I did enjoy reading the FMC thought process on everything she has endured and seeing her potential “interests” work with her. Normally I have a favorite MMC but right now it’s hard to pick - but I am leading more towards one!
This book does end on a cliff hanger - but it sets the tone nicely for book two, which I will most definitely be reading!
I really enjoyed reading this, however I felt I knew what was meant to happen the entire book based on the prologue opening. Then reading on, it just solidified my thoughts. I did enjoy reading the FMC thought process on everything she has endured and seeing her potential “interests” work with her. Normally I have a favorite MMC but right now it’s hard to pick - but I am leading more towards one!
This book does end on a cliff hanger - but it sets the tone nicely for book two, which I will most definitely be reading!
February 8, 2025
Omg this book is absolutely bloody amazing,
I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil any of it but damn, I was knocked on my arse repeatedly through this book, it was and still is consuming my every thought. It kept me constantly guessing with my nerves on a knife edge.
I can say easily that this is my top read of 2025, it's going to take a lot to knock it off, can't wait for more.
I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil any of it but damn, I was knocked on my arse repeatedly through this book, it was and still is consuming my every thought. It kept me constantly guessing with my nerves on a knife edge.
I can say easily that this is my top read of 2025, it's going to take a lot to knock it off, can't wait for more.
October 21, 2025
⟡ ݁𐙚 ˖.𖥔.*:* ♡
i’m not gonna lie to y’all… i ate this one right on up. i absolutely love me a love triangle but make it a love SQUARE? oh, i’m in. i’m so in. i don’t even know which love interest i’m rooting for at this point but i do have a favorite… i could be swayed, though. and quite easily, might i add 😝
obviously, the romance was delectable. i’m sitting here cheesing as i write this. not only that, but i did really enjoy the plot of this one. it really leaves you guessing and turning pages, desperate to know just exactly what the hell is going on. i still don’t know what is going on and i’m going insane!!!
the only thing i will say is that i would have preferred just a smidge more action but the stakes were high nonetheless and i had a FANTASTIC time. looking forward to the next book but actually gutted that i have to wait. very sad about that :(
i’m not gonna lie to y’all… i ate this one right on up. i absolutely love me a love triangle but make it a love SQUARE? oh, i’m in. i’m so in. i don’t even know which love interest i’m rooting for at this point but i do have a favorite… i could be swayed, though. and quite easily, might i add 😝
obviously, the romance was delectable. i’m sitting here cheesing as i write this. not only that, but i did really enjoy the plot of this one. it really leaves you guessing and turning pages, desperate to know just exactly what the hell is going on. i still don’t know what is going on and i’m going insane!!!
the only thing i will say is that i would have preferred just a smidge more action but the stakes were high nonetheless and i had a FANTASTIC time. looking forward to the next book but actually gutted that i have to wait. very sad about that :(
March 3, 2025
Totalmente engañada por las tropes y las quotes de instagram, que me han vendido un libro que aspira a algo que no es, ni tiene pinta de llegar a serlo. Las ideas están ahí y tiene potencial para ser una historia chula, pero entre los personajes unidimensionales, las tramas inconexas y toda la retahila de problemillas típicos de un debut autopublicado, simplemente no creo que continúe con la historia, la segunda mitad del libro he ido saltándome páginas enteras. Me alegro de haberlo comprado en cualquier caso, y espero que la autora evolucione y siga publicando. Quién sabe que depara el futuro.
March 11, 2025
Book 2 needs to come out….yesterday? It’s slated for release sometime in 2025 but I need it now already. Hooked!
April 27, 2025
This was a fantastic read! The tension in it between characters was like a roller coaster. I really can't wait for the next book in this series! 5⭐️
September 26, 2025
Please TELL ME YOU ARE WRITING THE SECOND BOOK!!! I LOVE DEATH BOUND!!!! AHHHH!!!!
February 16, 2025
HO THIS WAS FIRE
all these men piss me off tho
all these men piss me off tho
February 8, 2025
Death Bound is the first book in a new series. It is a spectacular slow-burn, enemies to lovers, Romantasy with plenty of action, intrigue, mystery, and suspense. It also contains prophecies, dragons, magic, a morally gray villain, danger, emotion provoking moments, and so much more!
Upon finishing this book I was speechless and in desperate need of more. It is absolutely brilliant. The writing and storytelling are phenomenal. The storyline is spellbinding, and the characters are entertaining and captivating. I honestly could not get enough and never wanted it to end. I loved every single second of it.
Elara is an orphan who has been ignored and used her entire life. She has only ever known love from one person. She suffers a loss and an unexpected gain in the same instance and must now contend with the Dragon King, her burly and untrustworthy bodyguard, plus her betrothed.
The romance may be slow-burn, but the building chemistry between the main characters is electric. Each of the men have qualities that make me want to root for them to end up with Elara. Alas, only one will get the girl and I'm not quite yet sure which one I'd like to see her get her HEA with.
This is an outstanding book with spectacular writing, flow, pace, plot, characters, character development, relationship development, storytelling, and storyline. It also has stunning and picturesque world building. I would highly recommend this book and absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next.
Upon finishing this book I was speechless and in desperate need of more. It is absolutely brilliant. The writing and storytelling are phenomenal. The storyline is spellbinding, and the characters are entertaining and captivating. I honestly could not get enough and never wanted it to end. I loved every single second of it.
Elara is an orphan who has been ignored and used her entire life. She has only ever known love from one person. She suffers a loss and an unexpected gain in the same instance and must now contend with the Dragon King, her burly and untrustworthy bodyguard, plus her betrothed.
The romance may be slow-burn, but the building chemistry between the main characters is electric. Each of the men have qualities that make me want to root for them to end up with Elara. Alas, only one will get the girl and I'm not quite yet sure which one I'd like to see her get her HEA with.
This is an outstanding book with spectacular writing, flow, pace, plot, characters, character development, relationship development, storytelling, and storyline. It also has stunning and picturesque world building. I would highly recommend this book and absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next.
June 4, 2025
3.75/5 stars
i read this hoping for a highly political book with interesting characters and an intriguing plot, but this didn’t really deliver on any account. the premise is really fascinating with the world building and that was definitely my favorite part. the gothic death-based magic system is really well developed too.
but these characters are just not compelling enough to move the plot forward. the fmc has literally no agency in the story, which makes sense because of the context of her situation, but it gets a little annoying when she literally does not do anything herself the whole book. the theme of trust and her inability to confide in anyone definitely added depth. but on top of that there’s kind of an odd love square (huh??) except all of mmcs are templates of each other and need to get over themselves. which is honestly a bit of a shame because the plot is pretty good— the politics with the queen and king cieran’s court were fresh and gripping. but the second the romance starts taking over in the second half of the book is the second any complexity gets yeeted out the window. the prose is alright too, but sometimes gets into overexplaining and reusing of phrases. overall, the premise of the novel is good, but the execution is lacking.
“You��re missing the best part. Don’t you want to see what the world looks like when you’re not stuck in a cage?”
“I owe you. You don’t need trust when negotiating debts.”
“Steal? From whom? You? How fascinating that you think knowledge is something that can be stolen. But then, you’ve always viewed the world in absolutes, haven’t you? Take. Keep. Control.”
i read this hoping for a highly political book with interesting characters and an intriguing plot, but this didn’t really deliver on any account. the premise is really fascinating with the world building and that was definitely my favorite part. the gothic death-based magic system is really well developed too.
but these characters are just not compelling enough to move the plot forward. the fmc has literally no agency in the story, which makes sense because of the context of her situation, but it gets a little annoying when she literally does not do anything herself the whole book. the theme of trust and her inability to confide in anyone definitely added depth. but on top of that there’s kind of an odd love square (huh??) except all of mmcs are templates of each other and need to get over themselves. which is honestly a bit of a shame because the plot is pretty good— the politics with the queen and king cieran’s court were fresh and gripping. but the second the romance starts taking over in the second half of the book is the second any complexity gets yeeted out the window. the prose is alright too, but sometimes gets into overexplaining and reusing of phrases. overall, the premise of the novel is good, but the execution is lacking.
“You��re missing the best part. Don’t you want to see what the world looks like when you’re not stuck in a cage?”
“I owe you. You don’t need trust when negotiating debts.”
“Steal? From whom? You? How fascinating that you think knowledge is something that can be stolen. But then, you’ve always viewed the world in absolutes, haven’t you? Take. Keep. Control.”
July 14, 2025
This book was silly and ridiculous. This poor fmc trying to live in a crypt is suddenly pulled out by a bad guy, but then she’s shipped off escapes and is taken to, you got it, another bad guy, who has a bad guy son, and then she escapes them, only to run into, another bad guy. Who is gone and she is taken to a new place with, gasp! Another bad guy. And each one of these bad guys are like “you’re useless and you’re nothing” and she’s like “you’re right” but also you’re special and important. Nothing was answered, no character development. I am desperate for book two to be better because the premise behind the story is amazing. I’m reading book two under coercion and duress.
November 17, 2025
2.5 stars - the premise of the story is very interesting. I just think there were definitely some issues within the story. Firstly, the author describes the tension in the air pretty much at least twice in every chapter. Someone is always smirking. Someone always says or does something with an air of possessiveness, and Rhydian is always clutching his hands into fists at his sides to prevent himself from reaching out for the FMC evidently. During the training session Elara says she’s so excited to be wearing pants and then a few pages later the king’s touch is searing through her dress. While she is still in training. When we get Rhydian’s POV at the end he describes Elara as “everything” twice in the span of about 3 or 4 paragraphs…
These are just my issues with the writing style. I feel like maybe another editing session would’ve fleshed out these repetitive phrases and inconsistencies.
Onto the characters. I really don’t know why the author appears to be setting this up as a love square. I’m not sure if the plan is for this to become a why choose story (which I hate reading so I’d definitely be dnf’ing if that is what happens) or if the author was trying to raise the stakes of the story. I’m not sure if Ciaran and Rhydian were just a plot devise to keep us entertained while we waited for Elara to be captured by Valen. I honestly hope so because I’m not really a fan of either the king or the guard.
I have a feeling that the person Valen took from Ciaran is whomever he’s in love with. It would make the most sense because he doesn’t sleep with any of his wives and he wants vengeance against Valen. And I honestly hate how Elara is with Rhydian. She catches him writing to the Queen of Icespire right after she has a heart to heart with him and literally is talking to him again on the next page. Like, okay? We’re just going to move on from that so quickly? Then she tells him they’re falling for each other and a few pages later Lyra makes her upset because she tells Elara the kiss her and Ciaran shared meant nothing to him 🥴 this is just messy writing. There is too much flip flopping between the love interests too fast.
I also just rolled my eyes when Elara was upset right after she kissed Rhydian and then said he would report back to the queen and she couldn’t trust him 🙄 he literally gave you no reason to trust him or do anything to earn your trust again after he wrote to the queen about what happened in the crypts why didn’t you think of that before you kissed him??
I am actually interested in giving the second book a chance when it comes out. I really think the premise of the series is interesting and I was interested in Valen’s character most of all. I am praying that we get just Elara and Valen for the majority, if not the entire, second book.
These are just my issues with the writing style. I feel like maybe another editing session would’ve fleshed out these repetitive phrases and inconsistencies.
Onto the characters. I really don’t know why the author appears to be setting this up as a love square. I’m not sure if the plan is for this to become a why choose story (which I hate reading so I’d definitely be dnf’ing if that is what happens) or if the author was trying to raise the stakes of the story. I’m not sure if Ciaran and Rhydian were just a plot devise to keep us entertained while we waited for Elara to be captured by Valen. I honestly hope so because I’m not really a fan of either the king or the guard.
I have a feeling that the person Valen took from Ciaran is whomever he’s in love with. It would make the most sense because he doesn’t sleep with any of his wives and he wants vengeance against Valen. And I honestly hate how Elara is with Rhydian. She catches him writing to the Queen of Icespire right after she has a heart to heart with him and literally is talking to him again on the next page. Like, okay? We’re just going to move on from that so quickly? Then she tells him they’re falling for each other and a few pages later Lyra makes her upset because she tells Elara the kiss her and Ciaran shared meant nothing to him 🥴 this is just messy writing. There is too much flip flopping between the love interests too fast.
I also just rolled my eyes when Elara was upset right after she kissed Rhydian and then said he would report back to the queen and she couldn’t trust him 🙄 he literally gave you no reason to trust him or do anything to earn your trust again after he wrote to the queen about what happened in the crypts why didn’t you think of that before you kissed him??
I am actually interested in giving the second book a chance when it comes out. I really think the premise of the series is interesting and I was interested in Valen’s character most of all. I am praying that we get just Elara and Valen for the majority, if not the entire, second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2025
🌟Romantasy
🌟Unique Magic Systems
🌟Will They Won’t They
🌟Secret Identities
🌟Peril
🌟Dragons
🌟Forced Arranged Marriage
🌟Cliffhanger
🌟🌶️
Death Bound had me utterly captivated from start to finish! Packed with peril, mystery, and an electrifying “will they, won’t they” tension, this book had my heart racing and my mind spinning with theories.
Elara is going through it. She’s endured unimaginable loss, had her world turned upside down, and now finds herself trapped as a pawn in a deadly game—used by her own kingdom and others for their own gain. My heart ached for her as she navigated treacherous alliances, deception, and the constant threat of betrayal.
And then there are the men—each one bringing a different kind of danger. Rhydian, her steadfast guard, shares an undeniable connection with her, yet their relationship is a constant battle of push and pull. The enigmatic Dragon King is an enemy cloaked in danger and allure, leaving Elara walking a razor’s edge between attraction and fear. And then there’s King Ciaran, a man shrouded in secrecy, his true emotions hidden beneath carefully constructed masks, leaving Elara constantly questioning where she truly stands with him.
As if things weren’t complicated enough, Elara is thrust into a forced, arranged marriage as King Ciaran’s seventh wife, plunging her into a world of drama. With threats lurking around every corner, she must decide who she can truly trust—if anyone at all.
The world-building and magic system were immersive, and the tension between Elara and the three men in her life kept me hooked. The simmer, the angst, the longing—it was all done so well. And that cliffhanger? Come On! I need the next book immediately.
If you love adventure, danger, secrets, and slizzing chemistry with high stakes, Death Bound is a must-read!
Special thanks to Chaotic Creatives for the gifted copy 🖤
🌟Unique Magic Systems
🌟Will They Won’t They
🌟Secret Identities
🌟Peril
🌟Dragons
🌟Forced Arranged Marriage
🌟Cliffhanger
🌟🌶️
Death Bound had me utterly captivated from start to finish! Packed with peril, mystery, and an electrifying “will they, won’t they” tension, this book had my heart racing and my mind spinning with theories.
Elara is going through it. She’s endured unimaginable loss, had her world turned upside down, and now finds herself trapped as a pawn in a deadly game—used by her own kingdom and others for their own gain. My heart ached for her as she navigated treacherous alliances, deception, and the constant threat of betrayal.
And then there are the men—each one bringing a different kind of danger. Rhydian, her steadfast guard, shares an undeniable connection with her, yet their relationship is a constant battle of push and pull. The enigmatic Dragon King is an enemy cloaked in danger and allure, leaving Elara walking a razor’s edge between attraction and fear. And then there’s King Ciaran, a man shrouded in secrecy, his true emotions hidden beneath carefully constructed masks, leaving Elara constantly questioning where she truly stands with him.
As if things weren’t complicated enough, Elara is thrust into a forced, arranged marriage as King Ciaran’s seventh wife, plunging her into a world of drama. With threats lurking around every corner, she must decide who she can truly trust—if anyone at all.
The world-building and magic system were immersive, and the tension between Elara and the three men in her life kept me hooked. The simmer, the angst, the longing—it was all done so well. And that cliffhanger? Come On! I need the next book immediately.
If you love adventure, danger, secrets, and slizzing chemistry with high stakes, Death Bound is a must-read!
Special thanks to Chaotic Creatives for the gifted copy 🖤
February 9, 2025
Death Bound is a book that filled my senses. Elara's adventures took me from the cold, icy kingdom where she faced unknown dangers and into never before seen worlds that indulged my romantasy soul and tickled my "will they or won't they" chemistry brewing side perfectly. Death Bound is filled with constant action, a twisty plot where you are unsure of whom to trust, a gorgeous, rich, and fully developed world that is wonderfully written and characters so multi-layered and flushed out that this book was one that I didn't want to put down!
Let me just tease a few of the fantastic items that Elara gets to experience in this epic book; ice kingdoms, dragon riding, ship wrecks, a sun-god worshiping society, and that just skims the surface of where Elara goes and what danger she encounters.
Elara is just a handmaiden from a cold world filled with frost and snow. A dark, frozen world where all nobles have magic, but not all of them use it for the better of their people. Elara serves the princess Aeliana, the ice princess of Icespire. They live among the dead, practically forgotten, that is until they are attacked and Elara's world is shattered and changed forever. Not only does Elara lose her best friend, her princess, but she is asked to do the impossible...she needs to fake her own life...she is to become Aeliana.
With adventure, action, mystery, chemistry, and the constantly changing-constantly wondering who will help or who will hinder Elara's destiny she never knows who to trust; The Dragon King, King Ciaran, and her ever present guard, Rhydian, to name just a few, Death Bound is just the beginning of an epic reading adventure!
Let me just tease a few of the fantastic items that Elara gets to experience in this epic book; ice kingdoms, dragon riding, ship wrecks, a sun-god worshiping society, and that just skims the surface of where Elara goes and what danger she encounters.
Elara is just a handmaiden from a cold world filled with frost and snow. A dark, frozen world where all nobles have magic, but not all of them use it for the better of their people. Elara serves the princess Aeliana, the ice princess of Icespire. They live among the dead, practically forgotten, that is until they are attacked and Elara's world is shattered and changed forever. Not only does Elara lose her best friend, her princess, but she is asked to do the impossible...she needs to fake her own life...she is to become Aeliana.
With adventure, action, mystery, chemistry, and the constantly changing-constantly wondering who will help or who will hinder Elara's destiny she never knows who to trust; The Dragon King, King Ciaran, and her ever present guard, Rhydian, to name just a few, Death Bound is just the beginning of an epic reading adventure!
February 15, 2025
The dead whisper her name. The living will learn to fear it. And I will never recover from this book.
Death Bound, book 1 of The Soulsworn Chronicles, is Meg Halcyon’s debut novel, but don’t be fooled—this is a new pen name for one of my absolute favorite people, and she did NOT come to play. The world-building? Insane. The magic? Haunting. The court intrigue? Deadly. I was hooked from page one.
And Elara? My heart bleeds for her. She’s been cursed, abandoned, and shoved into a deadly game where one wrong move could mean her head—but she’s playing to win. “Strength isn’t in tearing down armies or fighting with fire and steel. It’s in getting up when you’ve been broken. In finding the courage to keep going. And in knowing when to lean on someone else.” She is everything.
Now, let’s talk about the men. The Dragon King is all fire, fury, and a walking, talking danger zone. He’s obsessed with Elara, and I don’t know whether I want to run from him or toward him. And then there’s Rhydian, a Warden Lord, who is always there—protecting her, watching her back, being a whole problem for my heart, but where does his loyalty truly lie? And the worst part? I have no idea who the main male character even is. I’m over here infatuated with both of them while trying (and failing) to trust a single soul in this court.
And that cliffhanger??? RUDE. Soul-crushing. I’m spiraling. I need book two NOW.
If you love villain romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a plot that owns you, Death Bound is your next obsession. 12/10, I will never recover.
Death Bound, book 1 of The Soulsworn Chronicles, is Meg Halcyon’s debut novel, but don’t be fooled—this is a new pen name for one of my absolute favorite people, and she did NOT come to play. The world-building? Insane. The magic? Haunting. The court intrigue? Deadly. I was hooked from page one.
And Elara? My heart bleeds for her. She’s been cursed, abandoned, and shoved into a deadly game where one wrong move could mean her head—but she’s playing to win. “Strength isn’t in tearing down armies or fighting with fire and steel. It’s in getting up when you’ve been broken. In finding the courage to keep going. And in knowing when to lean on someone else.” She is everything.
Now, let’s talk about the men. The Dragon King is all fire, fury, and a walking, talking danger zone. He’s obsessed with Elara, and I don’t know whether I want to run from him or toward him. And then there’s Rhydian, a Warden Lord, who is always there—protecting her, watching her back, being a whole problem for my heart, but where does his loyalty truly lie? And the worst part? I have no idea who the main male character even is. I’m over here infatuated with both of them while trying (and failing) to trust a single soul in this court.
And that cliffhanger??? RUDE. Soul-crushing. I’m spiraling. I need book two NOW.
If you love villain romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a plot that owns you, Death Bound is your next obsession. 12/10, I will never recover.
March 4, 2025
What a transfixing and addictive debut for romantasy author Meg Halcyon, a new penname of an all time favorite author. Death Bound is an magical journey that consumes you. It's character-forward, adrenaline filled, and creatively inspired. The world building, the characters, the chemistry! Mark my words, Meg Halcyon is an author to watch. You won't be able to get enough of the Soulsworn Chronicles- I'm desperate for more!
A handmaiden's world destroyed - and she finds herself now pretending to be her dear friend and mistress, a princess...it's a jaw dropping beginning. Heroine Elara’s journey is nothing short of epic, and Meg Halcyon builds a fantasy world with the deft finesse of some of the most seasoned fantasy writers. The creativity, the boldness, the VISUALS- it's truly immersive, transporting you to a world of ice kingdoms and dragons, gods and royals, and all kinds of magic. Dubious allies, fake identities, secrets, twists, and action and adventure.
The characters are all so entertaining - and the romance is definitely going to be a slower burn, but that push and pull is just addictive....with multiple potential interests. WHO EVEN IS OUR LEADING MAN? This has all kinds of angst abrewing. The deliciously dark and obsessed Dragon King....the loyal and looming guard...who else?. Elara can't truly trust anyone or anything, and I don't even know where I want her heart to land (okay maybe I do a little...). Either way, I'm along for the ride! And I can't wait for more!
A handmaiden's world destroyed - and she finds herself now pretending to be her dear friend and mistress, a princess...it's a jaw dropping beginning. Heroine Elara’s journey is nothing short of epic, and Meg Halcyon builds a fantasy world with the deft finesse of some of the most seasoned fantasy writers. The creativity, the boldness, the VISUALS- it's truly immersive, transporting you to a world of ice kingdoms and dragons, gods and royals, and all kinds of magic. Dubious allies, fake identities, secrets, twists, and action and adventure.
The characters are all so entertaining - and the romance is definitely going to be a slower burn, but that push and pull is just addictive....with multiple potential interests. WHO EVEN IS OUR LEADING MAN? This has all kinds of angst abrewing. The deliciously dark and obsessed Dragon King....the loyal and looming guard...who else?. Elara can't truly trust anyone or anything, and I don't even know where I want her heart to land (okay maybe I do a little...). Either way, I'm along for the ride! And I can't wait for more!
April 8, 2025
“𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍, 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝.”
Gosh, I consumed this book! Do you like enemies-to-lovers? Like a true enemies-to-lovers? Well, this is the book for you cause insta-love? Never heard of her. I don't even know where to start this review because this book has been living in my head rent-free since it came out. I think about it every waking moment 🫠. It is one of the best, if not the best, fantasy book I have read this year (100% my top 5).
Elara, handmaiden to the Icespire princess, has been in the Crypt of Silence for 13 years. Growing up like sisters in the death-filled crypt, they've spent every waking moment together. Until the next provision delivery was followed by Ashenveil soldiers and the tyrant Dragon King, which caused her to lose everything she's ever known and loved. Suddenly, Elara is thrust into Aelianna's role, and now she has to survive to exact revenge. Surrounded by enemies, whom can she trust? The Icespire Queen's loyal Warden Lord? Her politically arranged husband-to-be? Or her sworn enemy- the Dragon King himself?
I know who I choose out of the three, even though Meg/ Coralee made this a veryyyy hard decision! I honestly can't wait for the next book cause I need more crumbs of . My notes for this book included a lot of kicking my feet and screaming
Gosh, I consumed this book! Do you like enemies-to-lovers? Like a true enemies-to-lovers? Well, this is the book for you cause insta-love? Never heard of her. I don't even know where to start this review because this book has been living in my head rent-free since it came out. I think about it every waking moment 🫠. It is one of the best, if not the best, fantasy book I have read this year (100% my top 5).
Elara, handmaiden to the Icespire princess, has been in the Crypt of Silence for 13 years. Growing up like sisters in the death-filled crypt, they've spent every waking moment together. Until the next provision delivery was followed by Ashenveil soldiers and the tyrant Dragon King, which caused her to lose everything she's ever known and loved. Suddenly, Elara is thrust into Aelianna's role, and now she has to survive to exact revenge. Surrounded by enemies, whom can she trust? The Icespire Queen's loyal Warden Lord? Her politically arranged husband-to-be? Or her sworn enemy- the Dragon King himself?
I know who I choose out of the three, even though Meg/ Coralee made this a veryyyy hard decision! I honestly can't wait for the next book cause I need more crumbs of . My notes for this book included a lot of kicking my feet and screaming
February 18, 2025
I'm at a loss for words for how spectacular this story is! It was an intricately woven tale that captivated me from the very beginning. It was a truly magical experience! The characters were enthralling and endearing and I quickly became invested in their lives.
I was mesmerized by the world building in the story. The lands were depicted wonderfully. It was truly spellbinding and fascinating to read. I was hooked right away and never wanted it to end.
I love Elara. She is so strong and resilient. She is thrust into an unforgiving and unknown game that she has to figure out as she goes. All things considered she handled it well and I loved that she didn't give up on who she actually is. She stayed true to herself while also honoring Aeliana.
I loved the lyrical feel to the writing. It was so smooth and effortless that it played like a beautiful movie in my mind. I could almost feel the chill of Icespire and the heat of the sun in Emberfall. It felt like I was right there going along with Elara. I also love this delightful slow burn we have going on between the guys. I know who I'm rooting for but I'm interested to see how this plays out. I'm extremely excited for the next book because I need to know what happens next!!! This is one not to be missed and I would very highly recommend it!
I was mesmerized by the world building in the story. The lands were depicted wonderfully. It was truly spellbinding and fascinating to read. I was hooked right away and never wanted it to end.
I love Elara. She is so strong and resilient. She is thrust into an unforgiving and unknown game that she has to figure out as she goes. All things considered she handled it well and I loved that she didn't give up on who she actually is. She stayed true to herself while also honoring Aeliana.
I loved the lyrical feel to the writing. It was so smooth and effortless that it played like a beautiful movie in my mind. I could almost feel the chill of Icespire and the heat of the sun in Emberfall. It felt like I was right there going along with Elara. I also love this delightful slow burn we have going on between the guys. I know who I'm rooting for but I'm interested to see how this plays out. I'm extremely excited for the next book because I need to know what happens next!!! This is one not to be missed and I would very highly recommend it!
February 22, 2025
Few books manage to entwine dark magic, vengeance, and forbidden love with the kind of eerie, poetic grace that Death Bound does. Meg Halcyon weaves a tale of power, betrayal, and survival set against the backdrop of Icespire’s crypts and the treacherous courts of Emberfall. A story that grips you from the first whisper of its haunted prologue and does not release you until its final, bone-chilling page.
Additionally, Elara is not your typical fantasy heroine. She is brutal, unrelenting, and simmering with a quiet rage that burns cold. Her journey is one of survival, but also transformation. Halcyon doesn’t shy away from the jagged edges of her protagonist—Elara is raw, broken, and terrifyingly powerful.
No dark fantasy is complete without a heart-stopping romance and Elara stands at the eye of the tempest, caught between ruin and redemption.
Halcyon’s storytelling is incredible. The pacing is relentless—one moment, you are drowning in the tension of whispered secrets and deadly alliances; the next, you are gasping through heart-pounding action.
Death Bound is a breathtaking, soul-wrenching masterpiece that grips you by the throat and refuses to let go. For fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, gothic fantasy, and heroines who refuse to kneel, Death Bound is an absolute must-read. It will haunt you, break you, and leave you aching for more.
Additionally, Elara is not your typical fantasy heroine. She is brutal, unrelenting, and simmering with a quiet rage that burns cold. Her journey is one of survival, but also transformation. Halcyon doesn’t shy away from the jagged edges of her protagonist—Elara is raw, broken, and terrifyingly powerful.
No dark fantasy is complete without a heart-stopping romance and Elara stands at the eye of the tempest, caught between ruin and redemption.
Halcyon’s storytelling is incredible. The pacing is relentless—one moment, you are drowning in the tension of whispered secrets and deadly alliances; the next, you are gasping through heart-pounding action.
Death Bound is a breathtaking, soul-wrenching masterpiece that grips you by the throat and refuses to let go. For fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, gothic fantasy, and heroines who refuse to kneel, Death Bound is an absolute must-read. It will haunt you, break you, and leave you aching for more.
March 6, 2025
“Pain. Not the kind that lives in flesh, but something deeper, something jagged that pierced my very soul. It bloomed through me like a thousand shards of glass exploding outward, tearing through bone and marrow until all that remained was raw, screaming agony.”
WOW! I’m currently in my villain era and I absolutely loved this book. The writing and storytelling immediately drew me in from the prologue to the final page. This story is filled with heartache and pain. I literally could not set it down; I was on the edge of my seat with every page turn. The world-building and character development are executed flawlessly. Elara is a fierce protagonist, and all the characters have morally gray qualities. Everything is balanced perfectly, and I can’t wait to see where this story will lead next!
𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
☠️ Dark Gothic Fantasy
☠️ Slow Burn
☠️ Forbidden Romance
☠️ Enemies to Lovers
☠️ Lies & Betrayal
☠️ Hidden Identities
☠️ Feminine Rage
☠️ Morally Gray MCs
☠️ Secret Identities
☠️ All The Villains
☠️ Political Intrigue
☠️ Love Triangle… Square?
“I wanted to scream, to tear apart the walls that had been closing in around me. But more than anything, I wanted justice. I wanted revenge.”
“Revenge is a powerful thing, (....) But it’s also dangerous. It consumes you. It burns away everything else until it’s all that’s left.”
WOW! I’m currently in my villain era and I absolutely loved this book. The writing and storytelling immediately drew me in from the prologue to the final page. This story is filled with heartache and pain. I literally could not set it down; I was on the edge of my seat with every page turn. The world-building and character development are executed flawlessly. Elara is a fierce protagonist, and all the characters have morally gray qualities. Everything is balanced perfectly, and I can’t wait to see where this story will lead next!
𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
☠️ Dark Gothic Fantasy
☠️ Slow Burn
☠️ Forbidden Romance
☠️ Enemies to Lovers
☠️ Lies & Betrayal
☠️ Hidden Identities
☠️ Feminine Rage
☠️ Morally Gray MCs
☠️ Secret Identities
☠️ All The Villains
☠️ Political Intrigue
☠️ Love Triangle… Square?
“I wanted to scream, to tear apart the walls that had been closing in around me. But more than anything, I wanted justice. I wanted revenge.”
“Revenge is a powerful thing, (....) But it’s also dangerous. It consumes you. It burns away everything else until it’s all that’s left.”
March 10, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
If you don't already know this book was written by CoraLee June writing as Meg Halcyon. If you have never read a book she has written then you have been missing out. This book is no different. It is absolutely amazing. Buckle up and dive on into this book and go on an adventure you will be thinking about for a while once you finish this book. Elara lives in a cold and icy place and has really been though so much. She is always facing some unknown danger. Then you get to enter worlds that you could only ever create in your imagination and they were fascinating. I don't know that I can get into the plot of this book and not give something away. I could honestly probably sit here and tell you the entire story and go on and on about how good it is. But I won't. This book is a thrill ride from the first moment you pick up the book to the very end. It has twists and turns you won't see coming. There are characters you will love and some you will hate and some will just make you down right angry. I loved how whitty and funny at times that Elara was. She has some smoking hot chemistry with some characters. She also has to figure out who she can trust and I for one was right there with her and I'm still not sure. This book is amazing!! You do not want to miss it.
If you don't already know this book was written by CoraLee June writing as Meg Halcyon. If you have never read a book she has written then you have been missing out. This book is no different. It is absolutely amazing. Buckle up and dive on into this book and go on an adventure you will be thinking about for a while once you finish this book. Elara lives in a cold and icy place and has really been though so much. She is always facing some unknown danger. Then you get to enter worlds that you could only ever create in your imagination and they were fascinating. I don't know that I can get into the plot of this book and not give something away. I could honestly probably sit here and tell you the entire story and go on and on about how good it is. But I won't. This book is a thrill ride from the first moment you pick up the book to the very end. It has twists and turns you won't see coming. There are characters you will love and some you will hate and some will just make you down right angry. I loved how whitty and funny at times that Elara was. She has some smoking hot chemistry with some characters. She also has to figure out who she can trust and I for one was right there with her and I'm still not sure. This book is amazing!! You do not want to miss it.
March 21, 2025
This was an unusual book in that there was no clear MMC.
Elara was nothing—just a servant lost in the frozen crypts of Icespire, cursed by royalty and abandoned by her kingdom. But when fire rained from the sky, turning her icy prison into a graveyard, she emerged from the ashes—scarred, stolen magic humming beneath her skin, and hungry for vengeance.
Now, hidden behind the mask of Princess Aeliana, Elara is trapped in the gilded cage of Emberfall’s court as the king’s seventh wife, facing down the malevolence of the other six wives. Her stolen ice magic is her only weapon—and her greatest curse.
Rhydian, her guard, is her only companion but he also works for the evil Queen of Icespire. Their sexual tension is good at the beginning but their mistrust of each other is repeated endlessly. Then she is mildly attracted to her husband King Ceirion who is only using her as bait to capture the Dragon King.
Talking of the Dragon King, is he the hero or the villain in this? I must admit he was the only one who seemed to have any charisma in this story. There was no chemistry between Elara and Rhydian at all to me. Don't know when the next book is out but I want to know what happens next.
Elara was nothing—just a servant lost in the frozen crypts of Icespire, cursed by royalty and abandoned by her kingdom. But when fire rained from the sky, turning her icy prison into a graveyard, she emerged from the ashes—scarred, stolen magic humming beneath her skin, and hungry for vengeance.
Now, hidden behind the mask of Princess Aeliana, Elara is trapped in the gilded cage of Emberfall’s court as the king’s seventh wife, facing down the malevolence of the other six wives. Her stolen ice magic is her only weapon—and her greatest curse.
Rhydian, her guard, is her only companion but he also works for the evil Queen of Icespire. Their sexual tension is good at the beginning but their mistrust of each other is repeated endlessly. Then she is mildly attracted to her husband King Ceirion who is only using her as bait to capture the Dragon King.
Talking of the Dragon King, is he the hero or the villain in this? I must admit he was the only one who seemed to have any charisma in this story. There was no chemistry between Elara and Rhydian at all to me. Don't know when the next book is out but I want to know what happens next.
March 23, 2025
I really enjoyed the world building in this and the magic system was unusual. There are a lot of my favourite tropes in this but this doesn't feel like anything I have read before and it definitely wasn't predictable! Forced proximity, plenty of enemies to lovers tension and a mysterious prophecy which I can't wait to unfold. Like Therynne I want to know everything!
Elara is an engaging heroine and I hope to see more of that stubborn streak as she fights to become more than the role of pawn she has been manipulated into. Rhydian, The Dragon King and King Ciaran each have their own agendas involving Elara and I'm not sure if this will end up being M/F or a why choose but there are plenty of directions it could go! Ciaran and the Dragon King are playing it close to their chests at the moment but I am intrigued to see the other sides of these characters beyond their public personas. Rhydian has his own conflict going on but I don't think it will be long until he has a choice to make!
Its a real page turner which had me totally hooked and I'm looking forward to seeing what direction book two goes next after that cliffhanger ending!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
Elara is an engaging heroine and I hope to see more of that stubborn streak as she fights to become more than the role of pawn she has been manipulated into. Rhydian, The Dragon King and King Ciaran each have their own agendas involving Elara and I'm not sure if this will end up being M/F or a why choose but there are plenty of directions it could go! Ciaran and the Dragon King are playing it close to their chests at the moment but I am intrigued to see the other sides of these characters beyond their public personas. Rhydian has his own conflict going on but I don't think it will be long until he has a choice to make!
Its a real page turner which had me totally hooked and I'm looking forward to seeing what direction book two goes next after that cliffhanger ending!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews