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The Blood of the Called
[Previously published as The Blood of the Called by E.R. Craw]Everyone has a Soulmate, but for Eliza and Laurel, their Bond goes beyond the power of any other. Their pasts filled with darkness, they must fight against the ever-growing shadow to discover their true power and come together as one.
The Hunters have ravaged all lands in the kingdom of Iona. For ages they have sought the power that comes from the strongest of Soulbonds’ blood, but above all else, they seek the blood that holds the most powerful magic of all, the blood that connects two souls fated to keep balance among all Soulbonds, and the blood that is the only thing with the power to defeat the blood of The Called.
Eliza has been on the run since she was a child, after the Hunters took her kingdom and tore her family out from under her feet. She has never known why they want her blood, why her Soulbond is the one they hunt more than any, but the day her Soulmate arrives is the day everything changes.
Eliza’s Soulmate, Laurel, the mysterious archer from the north, hides a dark and twisted past beneath her determination to find her own freedom. While trying to protect herself and Eliza, secrets from her past emerge from the dirt and entwine themselves around every move they make.
In an adventure of friendship, love, magic, and hope, Eliza and Laurel must do everything in their power to protect themselves and their loved ones, all the while falling deeper in love with one another, and growing more afraid to lose what they have.
The Hunters have ravaged all lands in the kingdom of Iona. For ages they have sought the power that comes from the strongest of Soulbonds’ blood, but above all else, they seek the blood that holds the most powerful magic of all, the blood that connects two souls fated to keep balance among all Soulbonds, and the blood that is the only thing with the power to defeat the blood of The Called.
Eliza has been on the run since she was a child, after the Hunters took her kingdom and tore her family out from under her feet. She has never known why they want her blood, why her Soulbond is the one they hunt more than any, but the day her Soulmate arrives is the day everything changes.
Eliza’s Soulmate, Laurel, the mysterious archer from the north, hides a dark and twisted past beneath her determination to find her own freedom. While trying to protect herself and Eliza, secrets from her past emerge from the dirt and entwine themselves around every move they make.
In an adventure of friendship, love, magic, and hope, Eliza and Laurel must do everything in their power to protect themselves and their loved ones, all the while falling deeper in love with one another, and growing more afraid to lose what they have.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2025
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 28, 2025
This was an exciting first instalment of a series, and I'm very excited to read the sequel!
The concept of soulmates and soulbonds is such an interesting premise, and one I think that it's difficult to pull off in original fiction rather than fanfiction. It's a big trope in fanfic, usually because the reader is already invested in the bonded couple, so we don't question the idea of being destined to love one specific person. It's rarer in original fiction, I think because you have to spend a lot of time laying groundwork for the couple, or examining why their bond works, and this can easily detract from a wider plot.
Not this book! I think E.R. Craw does a really good job of deepening the connection between Laurel and Eliza while not ignoring the wider plot, which is quite a large one! I wasn't super convinced early on, but my mind was pleasantly changed. I do admit that in the first section I preferred the chemistry between Eliza and Angie, and glad to see that I didn't imagine that! But I was convinced in the end by Laurel and Eliza's bond, specifically because the bond was built up independent to their soulbond.
My favourite thing about this book was the worldbuilding - it can be a difficult thing to make it work when you're focusing on such a large area, encompassing multiple kingdoms, factions and families, but Craw does it really well. It was believable and well-thought out, and I liked the nuance when it came to the Hunters and the soldiers that fight under the Gennorins; it's so much more interesting and realistic to have defectors than to have a singular evil collective.
I'm conflicted on the Chief Hunter - I would have liked to see more of him, and maybe explore how and why he is waging the campaign he is, and how he became chief - was he voted in, did he start this campaign single-handedly, etc - but at the same time maybe I would have liked to see him less, in more of a mysterious, shadowy role. I'm not sure, but it felt to me like he was lacking a little fear factor - but then again maybe that was the point! Evil men are just men, at the end of the day. Perhaps we'll see him some more in the sequel!
Many thanks to E.R. Craw for the epub copy of this book and an advanced copy of the sequel in exchange for an honest review.
The concept of soulmates and soulbonds is such an interesting premise, and one I think that it's difficult to pull off in original fiction rather than fanfiction. It's a big trope in fanfic, usually because the reader is already invested in the bonded couple, so we don't question the idea of being destined to love one specific person. It's rarer in original fiction, I think because you have to spend a lot of time laying groundwork for the couple, or examining why their bond works, and this can easily detract from a wider plot.
Not this book! I think E.R. Craw does a really good job of deepening the connection between Laurel and Eliza while not ignoring the wider plot, which is quite a large one! I wasn't super convinced early on, but my mind was pleasantly changed. I do admit that in the first section I preferred the chemistry between Eliza and Angie, and glad to see that I didn't imagine that! But I was convinced in the end by Laurel and Eliza's bond, specifically because the bond was built up independent to their soulbond.
My favourite thing about this book was the worldbuilding - it can be a difficult thing to make it work when you're focusing on such a large area, encompassing multiple kingdoms, factions and families, but Craw does it really well. It was believable and well-thought out, and I liked the nuance when it came to the Hunters and the soldiers that fight under the Gennorins; it's so much more interesting and realistic to have defectors than to have a singular evil collective.
I'm conflicted on the Chief Hunter - I would have liked to see more of him, and maybe explore how and why he is waging the campaign he is, and how he became chief - was he voted in, did he start this campaign single-handedly, etc - but at the same time maybe I would have liked to see him less, in more of a mysterious, shadowy role. I'm not sure, but it felt to me like he was lacking a little fear factor - but then again maybe that was the point! Evil men are just men, at the end of the day. Perhaps we'll see him some more in the sequel!
Many thanks to E.R. Craw for the epub copy of this book and an advanced copy of the sequel in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2025
🌟2.5🌟 I truly don’t have words for what I’ve just read, but trust I have a lot of opinions.
Thank you to E.R. Craw for this book and ARC for its sequel in exchange for an honest review!
I seem to have been on a roll recently with being so excited for a book and unfortunately it just not hitting the mark for me, and again this is one of those times.
I fully went into this expecting to LOVE the characters and the narrative and the sapphic-ness of it all, but I’ve walked away from this feeling disappointed for one major reason (plus some other minor points): everything felt entirely too rushed!
In the first chapter we learn about the Soulmate and SoulBond system and how everyone seemingly has a soulmate that they hope to cross paths with at some point in their lives…and somehow in chapter two we very quickly meet Eliza’s (FMC) soulmate, Laurel (FMC)..truly how tf did we get here so fast? But okay, fine we’ve met the love interest already - it would have been nice for this meeting to have taken some time so the payoff of them meeting was more satisfying, but whatever. After chapter 2, I was really hoping these two would truly get to know each other and fall in love genuinely…but it doesn’t really feel like that happens. Instead, it feels like because they already love each other (mind you they don’t know each other) solely because they’re soulmates…but in my opinion, just because you’re destined to be with this person doesn’t mean you automatically know them. You should still take the time to get to know them to be able to truly love them. Just because you have a Soulmate Mark and can feel their emotions DOES NOT MEAN that you know them - and in an argument Eliza has with Laurel barely a couple hours into first meeting, Eliza notes that they do not know each other, and yet this knowledge flies out the window the very second it flies out of Eliza’s mouth and the story moves on like these two have been in a committed relationship for years now. Not only that, but the narrative that actually plays out is these two just trauma dumping at certain points when they’re “opening up” to one another, not any meaningful connection being built between them which was so disappointing to see. This book spends a great deal of time trying to convince me that these two are in love instead of showing me that there’s anything tangible between them. Majority of their connection is Eliza harping on about how strong their connection is and how much she likes Laurel (saying she wants to “kiss every wound ever inflicted upon Laurel’s soul and take the pain upon herself” MIND YOU they’d met barely a few days ago…), meanwhile could Eliza even name Laurel’s favourite colour? Or maybe favourite food? I think tf not. (obvs these aren’t the most pertinent things in a relationship, but just goes to show how little they actually know about each other - they don’t know much basic info on each other but could properly write two whole novels on the trauma they’ve both endured)
This ties together with how fast the plot moves because there’s always some (big) event/action happening literally one after another, leaving virtually no time for the two FMCs to have meaningful (non trauma-filled) conversations with each other. These two barely get a break in between being captured and locked up in a dungeon, to having to venture out to save family and being locked up again, to being placed in the most horrifically abusive situation, to killing family and then taking back the kingdom is a hugely bloody fight - I actually feel so bad for them, like how the hell did they just keep going and going and going. Because so much happens in such a short space of time, all the events feel super rushed and nothing is given the space to breathe so that we can properly come down from the immense happenings of an event to move on to what happens next. I think this book could have been made longer (never thought I’d have this opinion on a book) so we can truly flesh out everything and give each piece of action the time it truly deserves to play out and have the characters properly reflect on what has happened.
Some other minor points I wanted to include are:
✧ The story could have really done with a prologue or even a flashback in the midst of the day that the Kingdom was stolen from Eliza’s family, because she does a whole lot of talking about how awful she feels and guilty she feels for leaving her people behind, and while I could sympathise that that’s obviously a horrible thing to go through, I truly just didn’t feel connected to her and it felt a lot more like telling me she’s traumatised than showing me that she’s traumatised (aside from her not really wanting to talk about it…but kinda quickly giving in to talking about it). The same could be said for Laurel and her terribly abusive home life (I’m not saying this because I necessarily want to read about abuse, but we never really get told much about what the hell happened in her youth and are just left to imagine the worst kind of events possible 🤷🏾♀️), even more so because we barely get any chapters from her perspective so not only does Eliza not know much about her, but as a reader I don’t know anything about her either aside from being told that she’s immensely traumatised.
✧ The plot read as incredibly convenient to me at points which was annoying - why did Eliza and Laurel only come across ONE guard when they broke into the castle the first time and why’d they only get caught once they had sufficient information to move the plot forward? And then when they return to the castle later, there’s somehow Hunters and their guards EVERYWHERE?? where the hell were they beforeee?? This amongst a few other convenient moments became jarring to read about.
✧ How tf did these two learn to hone their magical abilities in a matter of hours? Surely that should take some days, no?
That being said, I think the soulmate idea was such an interesting concept, but I don’t think its execution lived up to what I’m sure was a beautiful narrative in the author’s head.
None of my review is supposed to come across as harsh or heavily critical, I just wanted to address things I’d seen no one talk about in their reviews that left me baffled. I truly did expect to walk into this loving this and being so excited to read the second instalment as an ARC, but unfortunately I don’t and can’t see myself enjoying the second book given what I have just read.
TW: Violence, Blood, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, (Minor Mentions of:) Death of Parent
Thank you to E.R. Craw for this book and ARC for its sequel in exchange for an honest review!
I seem to have been on a roll recently with being so excited for a book and unfortunately it just not hitting the mark for me, and again this is one of those times.
I fully went into this expecting to LOVE the characters and the narrative and the sapphic-ness of it all, but I’ve walked away from this feeling disappointed for one major reason (plus some other minor points): everything felt entirely too rushed!
In the first chapter we learn about the Soulmate and SoulBond system and how everyone seemingly has a soulmate that they hope to cross paths with at some point in their lives…and somehow in chapter two we very quickly meet Eliza’s (FMC) soulmate, Laurel (FMC)..truly how tf did we get here so fast? But okay, fine we’ve met the love interest already - it would have been nice for this meeting to have taken some time so the payoff of them meeting was more satisfying, but whatever. After chapter 2, I was really hoping these two would truly get to know each other and fall in love genuinely…but it doesn’t really feel like that happens. Instead, it feels like because they already love each other (mind you they don’t know each other) solely because they’re soulmates…but in my opinion, just because you’re destined to be with this person doesn’t mean you automatically know them. You should still take the time to get to know them to be able to truly love them. Just because you have a Soulmate Mark and can feel their emotions DOES NOT MEAN that you know them - and in an argument Eliza has with Laurel barely a couple hours into first meeting, Eliza notes that they do not know each other, and yet this knowledge flies out the window the very second it flies out of Eliza’s mouth and the story moves on like these two have been in a committed relationship for years now. Not only that, but the narrative that actually plays out is these two just trauma dumping at certain points when they’re “opening up” to one another, not any meaningful connection being built between them which was so disappointing to see. This book spends a great deal of time trying to convince me that these two are in love instead of showing me that there’s anything tangible between them. Majority of their connection is Eliza harping on about how strong their connection is and how much she likes Laurel (saying she wants to “kiss every wound ever inflicted upon Laurel’s soul and take the pain upon herself” MIND YOU they’d met barely a few days ago…), meanwhile could Eliza even name Laurel’s favourite colour? Or maybe favourite food? I think tf not. (obvs these aren’t the most pertinent things in a relationship, but just goes to show how little they actually know about each other - they don’t know much basic info on each other but could properly write two whole novels on the trauma they’ve both endured)
This ties together with how fast the plot moves because there’s always some (big) event/action happening literally one after another, leaving virtually no time for the two FMCs to have meaningful (non trauma-filled) conversations with each other. These two barely get a break in between being captured and locked up in a dungeon, to having to venture out to save family and being locked up again, to being placed in the most horrifically abusive situation, to killing family and then taking back the kingdom is a hugely bloody fight - I actually feel so bad for them, like how the hell did they just keep going and going and going. Because so much happens in such a short space of time, all the events feel super rushed and nothing is given the space to breathe so that we can properly come down from the immense happenings of an event to move on to what happens next. I think this book could have been made longer (never thought I’d have this opinion on a book) so we can truly flesh out everything and give each piece of action the time it truly deserves to play out and have the characters properly reflect on what has happened.
Some other minor points I wanted to include are:
✧ The story could have really done with a prologue or even a flashback in the midst of the day that the Kingdom was stolen from Eliza’s family, because she does a whole lot of talking about how awful she feels and guilty she feels for leaving her people behind, and while I could sympathise that that’s obviously a horrible thing to go through, I truly just didn’t feel connected to her and it felt a lot more like telling me she’s traumatised than showing me that she’s traumatised (aside from her not really wanting to talk about it…but kinda quickly giving in to talking about it). The same could be said for Laurel and her terribly abusive home life (I’m not saying this because I necessarily want to read about abuse, but we never really get told much about what the hell happened in her youth and are just left to imagine the worst kind of events possible 🤷🏾♀️), even more so because we barely get any chapters from her perspective so not only does Eliza not know much about her, but as a reader I don’t know anything about her either aside from being told that she’s immensely traumatised.
✧ The plot read as incredibly convenient to me at points which was annoying - why did Eliza and Laurel only come across ONE guard when they broke into the castle the first time and why’d they only get caught once they had sufficient information to move the plot forward? And then when they return to the castle later, there’s somehow Hunters and their guards EVERYWHERE?? where the hell were they beforeee?? This amongst a few other convenient moments became jarring to read about.
✧ How tf did these two learn to hone their magical abilities in a matter of hours? Surely that should take some days, no?
That being said, I think the soulmate idea was such an interesting concept, but I don’t think its execution lived up to what I’m sure was a beautiful narrative in the author’s head.
None of my review is supposed to come across as harsh or heavily critical, I just wanted to address things I’d seen no one talk about in their reviews that left me baffled. I truly did expect to walk into this loving this and being so excited to read the second instalment as an ARC, but unfortunately I don’t and can’t see myself enjoying the second book given what I have just read.
TW: Violence, Blood, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, (Minor Mentions of:) Death of Parent
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
Quite frankly EPIC!
I enjoy a good an epic, romance, fantasy and this was really good.
The story had a lot of depth and character development. I thought the story flowed nicely, nothing felt forced for the sake of moving the story along.
It wasn’t the traditional Soulmates story, this was new twist well thought out and brilliantly told. The emotional depth I felt when reading parts made me feel like I was right there with Eliza and Laurel.
Chapter 14 was the reason I started this with the encompassing word: epic; there is no other word I could use to describe that particular chapter, bravo!
I am really looking forward to reading the next instalment of the story and seeing what happens to all the characters we have been introduced to. My prediction is that the Duchess is alive and it going to be a mistake to have left the Chief alive but time will tell. I’m also wondering which of the sisters ends up with Angie 😏
Thank you E.R. Craw for the epub copy of this book and an advanced copy of the sequel, a summary of this book would never have done it justice; thank you.
I enjoy a good an epic, romance, fantasy and this was really good.
The story had a lot of depth and character development. I thought the story flowed nicely, nothing felt forced for the sake of moving the story along.
It wasn’t the traditional Soulmates story, this was new twist well thought out and brilliantly told. The emotional depth I felt when reading parts made me feel like I was right there with Eliza and Laurel.
Chapter 14 was the reason I started this with the encompassing word: epic; there is no other word I could use to describe that particular chapter, bravo!
I am really looking forward to reading the next instalment of the story and seeing what happens to all the characters we have been introduced to. My prediction is that the Duchess is alive and it going to be a mistake to have left the Chief alive but time will tell. I’m also wondering which of the sisters ends up with Angie 😏
Thank you E.R. Craw for the epub copy of this book and an advanced copy of the sequel, a summary of this book would never have done it justice; thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
Blood of the Called by E.R. Craw is a dark and immersive fantasy that thoroughly captivates from the opening chapters. Craw’s storytelling is rich and atmospheric, crafting a world filled with intrigue, secrets, and powerful magic that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.The characters are compelling and multi-dimensional, with motivations that feel personal and real. The plot blends action and emotional stakes, keeping the tension high while allowing for satisfying moments of character growth. Each twist adds to the sense of mystery, making for a thoroughly engaging read.Fans of morally complex fantasy will find Blood of the Called rewarding and memorable—a strong four-star read that stands out for its worldbuilding and depth. I received an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
October 17, 2025
This was a very refreshing book to read.
**NO SPOILERS**
The world building and character descriptions were amazing and I loved that the vast majority of the characters were female.
You’ve got betrayal, tension, pirates & hunters.
The way the connection plays out between the two FMC’s without any spice (YA book) is absolutely delicious, and whilst I adore Laurel and Eliza I am praying for more Angie!
E.R Craw was kind enough to send me a no-strings-attached copy of the sequel - The Curse of the Called - and when I tell you I cannot wait to read it!!!
**NO SPOILERS**
The world building and character descriptions were amazing and I loved that the vast majority of the characters were female.
You’ve got betrayal, tension, pirates & hunters.
The way the connection plays out between the two FMC’s without any spice (YA book) is absolutely delicious, and whilst I adore Laurel and Eliza I am praying for more Angie!
E.R Craw was kind enough to send me a no-strings-attached copy of the sequel - The Curse of the Called - and when I tell you I cannot wait to read it!!!
October 29, 2025
Thank you to E R Craw for sending me this book in order to read my ARC of book two! I did enjoy the storyline of book one but I had such a hard time reading third person present tense. I find present tense annoying enough but in third person it was hard going.
I do wish we’d had a little more backstory to the head Hunter - why was he like this? I felt like this aspect of the story could’ve been fleshed out a wee bit. I’d have also liked a little more build up to Eliza & Laurel’s meeting. About to dive into book two!
I do wish we’d had a little more backstory to the head Hunter - why was he like this? I felt like this aspect of the story could’ve been fleshed out a wee bit. I’d have also liked a little more build up to Eliza & Laurel’s meeting. About to dive into book two!
June 1, 2025
I read this on a work trip last year (I’m new to Goodreads so I’m adding all of my books on here) and I’m not kidding when I say I still think about it. I’m really excited to see what book 2 has in store.
This book was actually what made me become a kindle reader and made me branch out into romantasy.
This book was actually what made me become a kindle reader and made me branch out into romantasy.
October 11, 2025
Really enjoyed this, I like the soul bond concept and combined magic, can't wait to read the next installment!
October 24, 2025
3.75
I had a fun time reading this and enjoyed the storyline with a few twists, also liked the girl power in this book!
I had a fun time reading this and enjoyed the storyline with a few twists, also liked the girl power in this book!
November 20, 2025
TIME TO READ THE ARC BEFORE IT COMES OUT NEXT WEEKKK
December 10, 2025
Thank you E R Craw for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book, and I think if you’re looking for a shorter book that’s got a few twists and turns and has good pacing. Then this is the book for you. I’m going to give this book a 4.5, but I’ll round down to 4 as sometimes the writing seemed a bit over explained or under explained. However, this is just my opinion and I could be completely wrong on this!
I really loved the world building and the characters (though I do wish we’d met the love interest a little later on in the book), and how soulmates are explained. Everyone has one, but how and when they meet them is completely unknown. And I particularly liked how when Eliza finds her soulmate, not everything about their character is revealed straight away. Like Eliza, this just makes you want to know more about her soulmate and how their story will unfold.
Overall, this series has potential to be fantastic and I’m glad that I was able to provide a review for a small author! Thank you once again :)
I really enjoyed this book, and I think if you’re looking for a shorter book that’s got a few twists and turns and has good pacing. Then this is the book for you. I’m going to give this book a 4.5, but I’ll round down to 4 as sometimes the writing seemed a bit over explained or under explained. However, this is just my opinion and I could be completely wrong on this!
I really loved the world building and the characters (though I do wish we’d met the love interest a little later on in the book), and how soulmates are explained. Everyone has one, but how and when they meet them is completely unknown. And I particularly liked how when Eliza finds her soulmate, not everything about their character is revealed straight away. Like Eliza, this just makes you want to know more about her soulmate and how their story will unfold.
Overall, this series has potential to be fantastic and I’m glad that I was able to provide a review for a small author! Thank you once again :)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews