Of Blood and Bonds

Children of Fate #3

by Ellysa Marin

The Battle of Vespera is over.
The Last Truthsayer is dead.
The Second Sundering is just beginning.

For centuries, prophecy predicted the destruction of Elyria at the hands of the gods. But the sacrifice of one circumvented that ending, allowing the Children of Fate to write a new one—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Separated once again, the Children of Fate must make their final preparations for humanity’s final stand against the gods. Perils and heartache are thrust upon them at every turn, forcing Elyria’s last defenders to make impossible choices, often to their own detriment. Each decision, each move, each declaration of love pushes them in directions unknown as they unwittingly march either toward a brighter future or Elyria’s ultimate demise.

Bonds will be broken and others forged in blood when the fate of Elyria is finally decided.

*This is the final book in a trilogy! Please read book one and two before attempting OBAB.

OBAB is classified as an adult, dark fantasy romance and is not recommended for those under 18. Please see the introduction or author's website for content warnings.

672 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Guys, this was fucking phenomenal. Five stars. Twelve stars. I cried through basically every page of the last 10%, and I am legitimately grieving right now. 🥺 I love this world, this story, these characters so damn much, and it is just BRUTAL saying goodbye to them.

This was the most heart-wrenching, epic, emotional, high stakes, beautiful conclusion to The Children of Fate Trilogy, and I genuinely don’t know what to say except ya’ girl is in mourning. Deeply moving, gripping, and all-consuming, Ellysa takes you on one final, relentless journey through Elyria that demands everything from its characters and from you, the reader. Because let me tell ya’, my heart was going THROUGH it reading OBAB. I felt like I was riding to war to fight for Elyria alongside them, immersed in the violent, graphic battles, not knowing who would survive or make it to see another day. And then right alongside my favorite couples, watching them finallyyy relent and realize how perfectly they fit together, and have the ending they deserved.

Then you add in the reveals. The plot twists. The breadcrumbs scattered throughout. Every thread woven so intentionally, and yes, I’m absolutely clinging to those little hints of where we might go next because I ✨just know✨ we haven’t seen the last of Elyria yet (& I’m not ready to leave.)

I am so sad it’s over, so grateful I got to experience its magic, and I cannot wait to see where we go next. Thank you, Ellysa, for creating a story that will stay with me forever. ✨🥺🫶🏼

If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, this is 100% your l̶o̶o̶k̶ sign, Connie baby. Because once you enter Elyria, you won’t be the same. I promise y’all!!! 😭🫶🏼

Tropes to expect:
✨ dark romantic fantasy / romantasy
✨ slow (!!) burn w/ scorching spice
✨ intricate, layered worldbuilding
✨ jaw dropping plot twists
✨ emotional AF - had me bawling in every book
✨ found family
✨ gods vs humans w/ elemental magic
✨ morally gray / black characters
✨ multi pov + multiple romances
✨ epic (!!) high fantasy plot

[Savannah (chapters_of_mayhem) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am both sad that this book is over and happy that it completed the trilogy so well.

I absolutely loved this series. I will be recommending it to everyone looking for a dark fantasy that involves politics, world building, character growth, emotional attachment and allllllll the carnage your soul is looking for.

One of the biggest things that i appreciated about this book is that the war and battle scenes were in depth. They were fleshed out. They were graphic. They were depicted as battle should be. Chaos. Pain. Jumping POVs. Conflicting stories. There was no true right or wrong until the very end. And even then the actions that were taken weren’t always the right choice.

The characters. I love all of them. I can’t even go into all of them or we would be here for hours. I will say, Sasori had one of the best character arcs throughout the entire series. I loved to hate her. Her backstory was tragic and you could empathise with the manipulation she had gone through.

While there were minor parts of this book that I wish were different, including specific deaths for full emotional damage 👀, the way I feel about this story is an immediate 5 star rating. I love it so much.

I’m excited to know that there will be more unfolding in this universe and I cannot wait to come back when the time is right.

Thank you Ellysa for the arc of this book. This is my honest opinion.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have finally reached the end, and i’m not even remotely surprised by how deeply emotional it turned out to be. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, Ellysa is a mastermind in the way she weaves together multiple POVs, layering all them so seamlessly until every piece of the story clicks into place. She takes you on the wildest rollercoaster dealing a blast of emotional impact that sticks with you long after you are done.

Faylinn & Rohak, forever my favorites. The ending?! Literally all the feels, and the tears.
Like it still feels like a fever dream, it’s really over? 😩

I’m so excited that there are still other stories waiting to be told in this world, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. You can tell when someone’s heart and soul is poured into pages, and this series is definitely an example of that! 👏🏼

[Kaylareadsallthetime · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC. Thank you Ellysa Marin for letting me read this early!
WOW what a ln ending to this phenomenal trilogy!
Where do I even begin.... Since book 1, Of Secrets And Solace I've been hooked on Ellysa's writing. This trilogy is now complete and I am a ball of feels. I can't believe all these characters I have grown to love, even some to hate, are over and their stories are told. It is truly a unique feeling after so many words of them. This book went above and beyond for me in my expectations for how I waned this trilogy to end. How I wanted these characters lives to shape. There were times I was swooning and times I wanted to throw my Scribe across the room. Seriously how can you not be so damn invested!? It's ADDICTIVE!!! These characters bring light to me and I just wish they were real. Rohak and Faylinn got the WOW factor for me in this one. I have loved them since book 1 but wow Ellysa did them so danggggg good! And what a slow burn of all slow burns for these two lol. So many times throughout the series I would say "just for it already" lol. I am so glad Ellysa made us wait and did this couple how she did. Loved the quad in this book OMG, not necessarily what I had originally seen for Lex but whoa I was for it. Some moments I was like I don't want things happening without one of the four, but somehow yet again Ellysa made it work for me. gosh golly they had some spicey spicey times. Absolutely loved Itanya!! Seriously pure gold! And what all comes to be... OMGGGGGG! All I can say without giving much away... This book had my emotions all over the place when it came to all the characters.
This series is dark. You get everything and the kitchen sink with it too. Like I was shook when I saw how many chapters where in this one. But then I dove head first in since it was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 (SO thankful for the arc! Beyond thankful! I squealed when it came.) and I flew through this one. The chapters are short and just flow so well. Even though as in the other 2 books you get many POVs. How Ellysa foes it, it reads sooooo well. You don't skip a beat or get confused. throughout this series you get recovering from a battle, to an even bugger battle, the second sundering. You get romance galore. Gods. Fate. Magic up the ying-yang. Gawd the magic in this series is so cool. Training. Dark bloody parts. Swoony moments. Characters over 30 ahhhhhhh FINALLY!!! Bonds. Blood shed. Runes. Family. Found family. Marriages. Children. Just SO MANY things, all the things and then some!
All in all go check out the Children Of Fate series!!!! They must be read in order. 1; Of Secrets Of Solace. 2; Of Kings And Kaos. 3; Of Blood And Bonds. You will fall in love with this trilogy I guarantee it!!!!

[Foxy Lost in Fairy tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly worthy conclusion to the trilogy. I’m sad that it’s over, but at the same time I’m so happy it received such an epic ending. It was a real emotional rollercoaster, more than once I found myself reading with a lump in my throat.

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think about how much the characters have changed and grown since the first book. While Ellowyn wasn’t among my favorite characters at the beginning, she’s grown so much by now that it was a joy to read her chapters. And I definitely didn’t expect the reverse harem quartet to become my favorite, especially Lex, the walking green flag. I absolutely loved their chapters. As for Faylin and Rohak… I’d been waiting forever for everything to finally come to light, and the payoff was so satisfying, I couldn’t have asked for more.

The slowest slow burn you’ll ever read. Truly.

The entire story is incredibly detailed, the battle scenes, the worldbuilding, everything, and it was so satisfying to see all the threads slowly come together here. There are twists you absolutely won’t see coming. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and thanks to the short chapters, the book was impossible to put down. I kept telling myself, “Okay, just one more chapter,” because they were all so short.

The ending is bittersweet, but perfect.

If you’re looking for dark fantasy, it’s time to finally pick up this series, it deserves all the attention it gets. Honestly, even before this, but now especially, I’d read anything Ellysa writes. Even her grocery list.

Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader. I can’t wait for your next books!

[Erin | the.gremlin.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

OF BLOOD AND BONDS is the final installment of indie author Ellysa Marin’s epic dark fantasy romance trilogy: The Children of Fate. I’m not too proud to admit that the ending made me cry as if I just watched The Notebook for the first time. It was utter perfection.

Solace, the ever deceptive and power hungry goddess, is a blend of evil Galadriel from LOTR and Regina George from Mean Girls. Her inner thoughts & musings held an almost comical manic edge and blatant disdain for those around her. Rohak & Faylinn? I’m not ready to talk about it. I love them so much. Ellysa offers satisfying conclusions & heartfelt goodbyes for all of our beloved characters but there are breadcrumbs to suggest Fate may have more for us to see in this world (fingers crossed).

Of Blood and Bonds comes out January 16th, 2026. This trilogy is not for the feint of heart. It’s dark, raw, spicy and explicit. It’s perfect for fans of dark fantasy romance, unique magic systems, multiple POVs, morally gray characters, political intrigue, meddling gods, conflicting ideologies and intricate world building!

I can’t recommend this series highly enough and I’m so excited to see what Ellysa comes up with next!

Brava, Ellysa! So well done!

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic and breathtaking conclusion to this series.

It is so hard to review such a fantastic book without writing pages and pages. The characters are all utterly fascinating and have stunningly complex personalities that kept me glued to the pages of this book. While I can’t say that I loved any one of these characters over the others, I did develop a soft spot for Faylinn. This story is told from multiple POVs and the author did a masterful job moving from one to another in such a way that the narrative flowed seamlessly. There is a lot of steam, violence, and death throughout this book. The absolutely fascinating system of magic this author created is intriguing and makes it impossible to put this book down. Political intrigue, betrayal, bloody battles fought with magic and swords, love loss, family found and lost. There are so many twists and turns in the plot that I was left reeling and I think this is a must read for any reader who enjoys this genre, although I must add that it is absolutely necessary to read the first two books in this fabulous series before diving into Of Blood & Bonds.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much and it makes me have all the feelings that this is the final book in the trilogy, but it is an amazing worthwhile conclusion. This is what a realistic heart wrenching fantasy series looks like. The world building is so immersive you feel like Elyria is the world you live in and you are experiencing it first-hand. The characters you have come to know become a part of you. There are multiple POVs so you get the maximum experience of emotionally deep feelings and soul-stirring emotions adding more depth to the story. There are so many layers, and everything starts to come together and reveal itself. There are plot twists you don’t expect, and you just go along for the ride. This is dark and raw and real. I highly recommend this series (but check your TWs with these). Ellysa has gained a superfan and will be an instant buy/read for me.

Thank you so incredibly much to the author for an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own.

[Eleyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝.”

Experiencing the final book in The Children of Fate trilogy was cathartic. The relationships, the conflicts, and the battles all reach their peak. I LOVED how deeply the character relationships were explored in this book; it made the stakes so much higher and had me even more emotionally invested, which I didn’t think was possible.

THE SLOWEST OF SLOW BURNS, and the most epic “fuck it” moment of all time. I LIVE for a good slow burn, especially when it’s drawn out for multiple books, and this. series. delivers. Period.

The end of the story, while very emotional, is very beautifully done. If you love in depth world building, power hungry gods, prophecies and fate, and some of the most compelling and nuanced characters you’ll ever read, this series is for you.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Blood and Bonds

I don’t even know what to say… I finished this book through a sheer curtain of tears. My heart was broken yet mended all at the same time. I looked at my husband, tears in my eyes and said “it’s over, it’s all over”. What I wouldn’t give to read this series all over again! Faylinn and Rohak are still my favorite, with Lex coming in close second. This book tore my heart out, ripped it apart, then with a swirl of magic was made whole again. I can’t wait to see what Ellysa comes up with next. I’ll read whatever she writes! For those that love magic, fate, and political intrigue, you’ll adore this one! 🖤

[Lærke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really loved this series, so it’s been a bittersweet experience finishing it. Honestly, I don’t really know what to say.
The series has so much of what I want in a fantasy book, with great worldbuilding, magic system, and characters, so it wasn’t surprising that I ate them up. Though this one took me way longer than I realized because I didn’t want it to end.
I’m so excited to see what Marin writes in the future, because this was such a fantastic debut series.

5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gabbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing conclusion to this trilogy!! This series impressed me in so many ways and left me on the edge of my seat! I’m sad this series is over but I cannot wait to what Ellysa comes up with next! Her writing is next level, and her story telling is perfection. I loved all these characters so much, they went through some shit but they came out strong!

I highly encourage you to read this series! 10/10 recommend!!

[Kailee Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Blood and Bonds
Quotes:
“I want every part of you—the scars and the sunshine.”
“ I love you,” I raggedly and rawly admitted. “Deeply, ardently, with every fiber of my being.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll be together. Wherever you go, I will go. You are my home, your soul is mine, and mine is yours.”

What an ending!! The way Ellysa Marin wrote this story with multiple POV’s so intricately was absolutely perfect. I love this series so so much, I can’t believe its over. I already want to read it again! Its got all the best tropes; enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, slowwww burn, the best found family, friends to lovers. Getting to explore the complex relationships between the characters, dealing with trauma and grief, this book was seriously a work of art.

I read this series at a time in my life where I was experiencing grief and processing some of my own internal struggles. This book/series really helped me process and explore my own path.

[booksandcoffeewithjordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finish to the Children of Fate series and my all time favorite series of all time.

You cannot convince me otherwise that there is a better series than this one and that is a hill I will die on. I found this series at a time in my life where I truly needed a book to escape from reality and it did just that.

OBAB was a wild ride and the YEARNING and F*CK IT MOMENT. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? I’m sat. I waited over 1000 pages for that moment and the delivery was phenomenal. OMG and our QUAD!? The sweetest unity ever and they all did so perfectly together.

Ellysa’s writing is just so unique and she brings so much depth to all of the characters. There are no superficial characters in her books. They all have a past that has formed them into who they are and getting to break down each of their walls is truly a part of what makes Ellysa such a talented writer.

This story had me feeling every emotion possible as did the first two books. There were so many laughs, tears, gasps, screams everything. Truly a series that will pull raw unfiltered emotion out of you every time.