Grayson Smith will be her salvation—or her undoing.
Aboria is far from safe.
Sylus will stop at nothing to ensure the prophecy never comes to pass. Darius refuses to let Eva slip through his grasp, not while he still draws breath. As Grayson fights to earn back her trust, he uncovers a truth that shatters everything he thought he knew about himself. Arkon won’t let Eva forget that the man she loves is the Slayer of Souls. And while Leonidas struggles to balance his duty as prince with his independence, one thing remains clear—he won’t stand idly by while Eva faces the storm alone.
With war looming, assassins closing in, and an overprotective dragon at her side, Eva must navigate the chaos left in the wake of her victory. But when hope crumbles and the weight of destiny threatens to break her, will she rise once more—or be swallowed by the darkness?
Holly Hobson is the author of Soul Bound, the first installment of the Dragon Knights of Aboria series, and Dragon Tamer from the Adventure of Wala series. Both books are captivating blends of action, adventure, and romance set in richly imagined worlds. With a passion for sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal storytelling, Holly takes readers on unforgettable journeys filled with heart and adventure.
Born and raised on the west coast of British Columbia, Holly grew up with the forest as her backyard and the ocean as her sandbox. She is currently pursuing a degree in environmental science. For inspiration, she often hikes mountain trails with her fiancé. At home, they share their space with two snuggly cats, Ninja and Baron. When not writing, Holly enjoys going to metal concerts or watching anime.
To learn more, follow Holly on Instagram at @h_hobbs42.
Holly Hobson’s writing is getting better and her characters are becoming more complex, understandable and relatable. In simple terms, if you read *Soul Bound,* the first book in the *Dragon Knights of Aboria* series then you have to read Blood Bound as it continues the saga of the characters that you loved. But if you want more details, if you really want to know why, read on.
Holly’s writing style is a combination of both high fantasy and urban fantasy. The scope is grand, the fight has an epic good vs. evil theme and world is completely new so the worldbuilding has to be first-rate. At the same time, she weaves into that tapestry the elements that make urban fantasy so popular: introspection, the collision between an ordinary girl and her extraordinary gifts, and more contemporary prose and dialogue. She weaves a delicate balance between the two and brings the reader into the story and makes them part of the adventure.
Many books, when part of a longer series, start off with scenes immediately following the previous book. And while this works if you’re reading the books back-to-back, if there is any pause between books, that sudden immersion into the world can seem jarring and cause an impediment to immediate enjoyment of the story. Holly handles this by starting off *Blood Bound* with a flashback, three years prior to the events of Soul Bound. This gives her an opportunity to set the stage and for us to get back into the world that is Aboria. While the delay for me was only a week between books, I found the gentle reminder of the world to be an excellent way of bringing me back into the world and the lives of everyone involved, particularly since it highlighted something mentioned in *Soul Bound* but not described.
Is the story unique? From a high level this is just a variation of *The Hero’s Journey.* Our Hero is someone who has suffered a catastophic event and is rising to overcome. But isn’t that what attracts us to stories like this? Overcoming obstacles? We see how someone else overcomes problems larger than ours and we realize that our problems aren’t as big as we thought and that we, too, can overcome them. That sense of comfort, of knowing that we can overcome our own problems, is demonstrated by Eva and her friends, the Dragon Knights, as they overcome the problems in their lives.
A good story, relatable characters and overcoming obstacles, everything that makes a book a good read. YMMV.
Disclaimer: I was given an ARC and asked for an honest review. This is that review.
This book completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The chemistry between the main characters is intense, layered, and emotionally charged without ever feeling rushed. Holly does a fantastic job of balancing passion with genuine character development, so the connection feels deep rather than surface-level.
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere. The tone is dark and seductive, but it’s also emotionally grounded. The tension—both romantic and situational—kept me turning pages long past when I meant to stop. Every interaction feels meaningful, and the stakes feel real.
The writing flows beautifully, with just enough detail to immerse you without slowing down the pacing. If you love stories with powerful emotional bonds, strong character dynamics, and a simmering intensity that builds in all the right ways, this one absolutely delivers.
For me, it was the perfect mix of heart, heat, and high-stakes connection. Definitely a must-read.
every character has this complex depth to them and when you’re put in their pov (this book has multiple pov’s which gives you such a more in depth reading experience).
the raw emotions of this story captivates you. (especially after book one). there’s healing, love, and fight. the book keeps you hooked from the emotional standpoint - character development and relationships - but also the situation at hand. so much happens and goes on that it’s almost like watching an action movie.
this book was the perfect blend of everything you want in a romantasy, plus some. i cannot recommend this series enough. please please start if you haven’t!
Blood Bound is an absolute masterpiece. From the very first page, the story completely captivated me and never let go. The plot is thrilling and beautifully written, weaving together action, love, danger, and heartbreak in a way that keeps you turning the pages.
Eva is such a powerful and devoted character. Throughout the book she endures so much, and watching her strength and resilience unfold made her incredibly compelling to follow.
The ending was a complete whirlwind, filled with shocking developments that left me reeling. I’m already counting down the days until the next book is released.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.