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Bloodbound: Cycle One
“Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.”
--Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)
“I await each release by this author eagerly and have never been disappointed!”
--Book Reviewer (Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CYCLE ONE is the first book in an enthralling new romantasy series by USA Today bestseller Morgan Rice, whose books have over 10,000 five-star ratings.
In the kingdom of Lumenhearth, the color and intensity of a magic-user’s blood indicates not only their power, but their social standing. Mixed-bloods are not only highly volatile—they’re illegal.
18-year-old Violet Lumaris has learned to hide her purple luminescent veins. But her sheltered life shatters when her guardian dies, and her unique blood manifests powers for the first time.
While fleeing Lumenhearth's guards, she reluctantly allies with Ash Rustwood, a royal blood hunter with red magic whose mission is to capture her—but who becomes intrigued by her mysterious abilities. As they journey together, their initial animosity slowly transforms into trust, even as Violet struggles to control her unpredictable magic.
In this enchanting romantasy series, a world of magic and fantasy blends with passionate romance, in a mix that will leave you spellbound…
Future books in the series are available!
“Loved it. Kept me on my toes like the whole time. It made me want to keep reading even when I was supposed to be sleeping.”
--Book Reviewer (Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.”
--San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)
“Has all the ingredients for an instant plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer’s Ring)
--Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)
“I await each release by this author eagerly and have never been disappointed!”
--Book Reviewer (Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CYCLE ONE is the first book in an enthralling new romantasy series by USA Today bestseller Morgan Rice, whose books have over 10,000 five-star ratings.
In the kingdom of Lumenhearth, the color and intensity of a magic-user’s blood indicates not only their power, but their social standing. Mixed-bloods are not only highly volatile—they’re illegal.
18-year-old Violet Lumaris has learned to hide her purple luminescent veins. But her sheltered life shatters when her guardian dies, and her unique blood manifests powers for the first time.
While fleeing Lumenhearth's guards, she reluctantly allies with Ash Rustwood, a royal blood hunter with red magic whose mission is to capture her—but who becomes intrigued by her mysterious abilities. As they journey together, their initial animosity slowly transforms into trust, even as Violet struggles to control her unpredictable magic.
In this enchanting romantasy series, a world of magic and fantasy blends with passionate romance, in a mix that will leave you spellbound…
Future books in the series are available!
“Loved it. Kept me on my toes like the whole time. It made me want to keep reading even when I was supposed to be sleeping.”
--Book Reviewer (Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.”
--San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)
“Has all the ingredients for an instant plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer’s Ring)
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2025
127 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Rice
619 books3,398 followersMorgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER’S RING, comprising seventeen books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising twelve books; of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising three books; of the epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising six books; of the epic fantasy series OF CROWNS AND GLORY, comprising 8 books; of the new epic fantasy series A THRONE FOR SISTERS, comprising eight books (and counting); and of the new science fiction series THE INVASION CHRONICLES. Morgan’s books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.
TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer’s Ring) and RISE OF THE DRAGONS (Kings and Sorcerers—Book #1) are each available as free downloads!
Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!
TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer’s Ring) and RISE OF THE DRAGONS (Kings and Sorcerers—Book #1) are each available as free downloads!
Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 22, 2025
2,5
I only picked it up because it was free - it was fine. Quick and easy, cool concept about a world where blood is magical and its colour determines ones powers. Pretty mid otherwise - kinda feels like a book churned out for a cheque but it is what it is, Morgan Rice gotta eat too.
The plot is so simple, everything coincidentally happens right on cue, enemies to lovers within 2 sightings of each other. So I mean, it's fine. I wasn't expecting a work of art and it delivered a bare minimum of a story.
I enjoyed the concept, kept me interested enough throughout all the convenient plot-points and stupid romance based on nothing at all (what more do you expect from a romantasy though). The small descriptions we got about the Veil Marshes were fire though and a pretty interesting and unique setting, which was a pleasant treat to encounter.
I only picked it up because it was free - it was fine. Quick and easy, cool concept about a world where blood is magical and its colour determines ones powers. Pretty mid otherwise - kinda feels like a book churned out for a cheque but it is what it is, Morgan Rice gotta eat too.
The plot is so simple, everything coincidentally happens right on cue, enemies to lovers within 2 sightings of each other. So I mean, it's fine. I wasn't expecting a work of art and it delivered a bare minimum of a story.
I enjoyed the concept, kept me interested enough throughout all the convenient plot-points and stupid romance based on nothing at all (what more do you expect from a romantasy though). The small descriptions we got about the Veil Marshes were fire though and a pretty interesting and unique setting, which was a pleasant treat to encounter.
October 8, 2025
I was given an ARC of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's book one of a new series where the colour of your blood determines your status. Mixed bloods are not allowed, those condemned to experimentation and death.
Not knowing her lineage and hidden, Violet discovers her lavender blood is not an illness...she becomes hunted. Ash is the hunter.
Violet is likeable character and the fear and tension is palpable as she tries to escape.
Well-written and fast-paced, this was an engaging adventure filled with magic and action. I loved the concept of magical blood and its variants.
Recommended.
It's book one of a new series where the colour of your blood determines your status. Mixed bloods are not allowed, those condemned to experimentation and death.
Not knowing her lineage and hidden, Violet discovers her lavender blood is not an illness...she becomes hunted. Ash is the hunter.
Violet is likeable character and the fear and tension is palpable as she tries to escape.
Well-written and fast-paced, this was an engaging adventure filled with magic and action. I loved the concept of magical blood and its variants.
Recommended.
January 20, 2026
DNF: It started off pretty uninspired and the amount of repetition within the first 4 chapters I got through was unacceptable. I do not need to be reminded every chapter or by paragraph what the previous chapters or paragraphs were about with a summary. That's padding at the least and makes me feel like the author thinks I am unintelligent and/or incapable of remembering what I have just read within moments of reading that thing at worst. It felt too clunky and for that reason I am out. Also this feels very YA which I was unaware of when I started reading. I don't know the actual age of the FMC, but it is stated that the grandmother in the beginning of the story only adopted her 12-13 (I can't remember which one) years before with her having no memory of her parents before. Could there be an explanation that makes this girl an adult later? Sure. Am I willing to trudge through this slop to find out? No. No I am not. I am not the target audience if this isn't an adult story. I am not docking points for this, merely pointing out that I have no interest in reading about teenage girls anymore at this point in my adult life unless the story is really compelling and it is low to non-existent on the romance and heavy in other areas. Since (fantasy) romance was why I was reading in the first place, it doesn't make sense for me to go on.
January 14, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Violet from the start to the end makes an incredible transformation. I love all the people she meets along her journey and the bond she forms with... well, I don't want to ruin it now do I? Violet is a young teenager who has just reach the age of being an adult when she's faced with not only being on her own for the 1st time in her life with no where to go, but she is also being hunted now for something she has no knowledge of- her blood. She was told one thing, but it seems now there may be more to it. What is it her grandmother didn't tell?
Running theme in book & in life:
People in positions of authority spout untruth and others blindly follow. When this is questioned, even if for valid reasons, most are too stubborn to look at a different way with an open mind and will still insist their emperors clothes are beautiful when in fact he is naked.
Recommended 👍
📚📚📚📚📚
Violet from the start to the end makes an incredible transformation. I love all the people she meets along her journey and the bond she forms with... well, I don't want to ruin it now do I? Violet is a young teenager who has just reach the age of being an adult when she's faced with not only being on her own for the 1st time in her life with no where to go, but she is also being hunted now for something she has no knowledge of- her blood. She was told one thing, but it seems now there may be more to it. What is it her grandmother didn't tell?
Running theme in book & in life:
People in positions of authority spout untruth and others blindly follow. When this is questioned, even if for valid reasons, most are too stubborn to look at a different way with an open mind and will still insist their emperors clothes are beautiful when in fact he is naked.
Recommended 👍
📚📚📚📚📚
January 27, 2026
OMG I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!!
It’s so unique, everything about this was soooo good.
I fell in love with Morgan’s writing since the survival trilogy. Her writing has improved so much.😌
My only thing was since there will be so many books I kinda wished she had waited a little bit more on the romance, like, the kiss, I wish she would’ve waited a lil longer and filled it with a bit more tension and yearning.
I was hooked from beginning to end. I love Ash and Violet, I need more, I’m obsessed with them🤩
There are so many books coming and I can’t wait to dive into each one! So excited to see how the story will play out!
It’s so unique, everything about this was soooo good.
I fell in love with Morgan’s writing since the survival trilogy. Her writing has improved so much.😌
My only thing was since there will be so many books I kinda wished she had waited a little bit more on the romance, like, the kiss, I wish she would’ve waited a lil longer and filled it with a bit more tension and yearning.
I was hooked from beginning to end. I love Ash and Violet, I need more, I’m obsessed with them🤩
There are so many books coming and I can’t wait to dive into each one! So excited to see how the story will play out!
December 6, 2025
Intriguing and interesting. Morgan Rice knows how to get his reader's attention and keep it throughout the book and into the next one in the series.
December 25, 2025
Interesting magic sistem ,but it felt a bit rushed for my taste. Good book, easy read
February 25, 2026
it Is a really good book and I usually do love Morgan rices work and while I still like this one I don't think it lives up to the other tittles
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews