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Our Immortal Bind

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To enter the afterlife, one must first pass through a door unlocked by the angel of death, but when the keys to those doors are stolen, the entire human race is rendered immortal.

With the world heading into global crisis and the very fabric of the universe at risk, Death tasks her son, the half-angel/half-human Orpheus, with the retrieval of the keys.

Orpheus soon encounters Evan, a warlock who lives in fear thanks to laws punishing the use of magic.

The Witchfinders are already pointing the blame for the immortality at the witches and warlocks of the world, so Evan agrees to help Orpheus in the hopes of fixing things before anti-magic rhetoric reaches an all-time high.

In a quest that pushes them both to their limits, what neither boy expects is to find there may be more to life, each other, and themselves than they ever thought possible.

278 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2026

3 people are currently reading
208 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Hartland

2 books28 followers
Based in West Yorkshire, England, Christopher Hartland is a queer, autistic writer with a particular love for sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. Despite going on to complete a physics degree, "author" was always his answer to the childhood question of "what do you want to be when you grow up?" When not writing, you can find him nerding out over musical theatre, playing Dungeons and Dragons, or endlessly rewatching Doctor Who.

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5 stars
8 (32%)
4 stars
16 (64%)
3 stars
1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Starr ❇✌❇.
1,819 reviews166 followers
Want to Read
October 9, 2025
"a queer romantasy in which the half-angel/half-human son of Death must team up with a reluctant human warlock to avert a global crisis when the kets to the afterlife are stolen, preventing the human race from crossing over"
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,402 reviews89 followers
March 31, 2026
Our Immortal Bind is a queer contemporary YA romantasy about two teenage boys—a half-angel and a warlock. When someone steals the keys to Death’s door, humanity effectively becomes immortal. Orpheus, the half-angel/half-human son of Death, is sent to the mortal world to retrieve them. Disoriented in an unfamiliar realm, he meets Evan, a warlock hiding his magic from his Witchfinder father. As witchfinders place blame on witches and stoke anti-magic sentiment, Orpheus and Evan must work together to uncover the truth while a quiet romance begins to bloom, even as the fabric of the universe starts to fray.

I thought this was a solid read, with a straightforward story elevated by an incredible ending. The narrative can feel somewhat linear, with the mystery progressing from clue to clue, some of which rely a bit too heavily on coincidence. As a YA novel, it occasionally skews young, particularly in its messaging. The magic functions as a clear allegory for queerness, even though queerness itself is not treated as a source of conflict within the story.

That said, the ending is where the book truly shines. The author makes bold choices, resisting the urge to wrap everything up in a neat, happy bow. It definitely got me a little teary-eyed, which is always a plus.

I really liked both Orpheus and Evan. Their romance is sweet and tender, even if its intensity develops quickly. One thing I’d like to highlight is a particularly powerful moment of vulnerability about three-quarters of the way through that underscores Evan’s youth, that he’s not just a hero, but a teenager in over his head. I appreciated that grounding as YA fantasies don’t always remember to let their characters feel their age.

Our Immortal Bind is a heartfelt YA romantasy with a daring and emotionally resonant conclusion.

*Thank you Tiny Ghost Press for the eARC!
Profile Image for Stephanie (NovelBound1813).
264 reviews11 followers
March 31, 2026
I received an eARC from Tiny Ghost Press. These are my honest thoughts.

This was a really fun and unique YA fantasy. Imagine one day if people were no longer able to die. Something has gone wrong in the transition between the mortal world and the afterlife and humans are no longer able to die. Orpheus is the son of Death and is sent into the mortal world to find out what has happened and fix it. He works with a Warlock, Evan, to find the keys that were stolen and return them to their rightful place.

I thought this premise was unique and interesting. There are some dark sides of people not being able to die but still being able to get injured or sick and I appreciate that those were addressed well in the book.

I like that the magic system is based on crocheting invisible threads that exist in and around everything and that Evan's wand is basically a crochet hook. I thought that was a cool system.

This book feels like a light read, but it does touch on some heavy topics such as grief, parental alienation, conversion therapy, abuse, and discrimination. These were handled with care and intention.
Profile Image for Nicole Veldman.
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 25, 2026
A book about the son of Death? Count me in! 🤭 Thank you @Tinyghostpress for this arc ✨️

This was legit one of my favorite reads of at least the last couple of months! 🥹 The characters were so well written and I felt like I truly got to know them. Especially how Orpheus and Evan met each other and started solving this mystery together, it was so good! Their bond became so strong and it felt realistic.

The whole conversion and hating on warlocks and witches also made me angry while reading. It felt so unfair and the worst part was that it has some hints to our real life so this is beyond fiction. It shines a light on how our world works and how messed up it can be...

This book made me feel things and the ending was so intense I couldn't stop reading. Without spoiling too much, tears will be shed throughout this book 🥲
1 review
March 7, 2026

advanced copy reader

I was sent this book as an advanced reader. I must say it was my first and I really did enjoy it. It definitely reads younger than I usually go for being that. the characters are 16 but as someone who reads queer YA/ MM fantasy/fiction books to heal their inner child. This really did help me on my journey. I think as frustrating as the ending was for me. It’s a really important lesson for queer young adults to learn and see. It’s a very original story a really cool magic system that I hadn’t seen before and I hope that we get another one to enjoy and delve back into. All in all a very easy going entertaining read for
Me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for J.
182 reviews5 followers
March 6, 2026
I didn't know how much I needed crochet based magic until now

Pros:
- crochet magic. Yeah. That's the whole bullet point
- I think the whole witch/witchfinder set up is really cool and interesting; I don't know if the author intended it as such, but I was kind of reading it as an allegory for queerness? Especially because it was legal to practice witchcraft "in one's own home" but certain types of magic were "too much" and if that doesn't sound like how queer folks are asked to not be too queer in public idk what does
- Bronte sisters mention
- I think we deserve some irl witch influencers, as a treat (I know they exist but SHOW THEM TO ME ALGORITHM)
- the wall the River Styx has become the Hall of Styx and the descriptions of it... yeah I'm happy with that
- casual queerness! This is very much a queernorm novel
- it's fairly rare I feel like that we get lower YA queer books where the queerness isn't the focus and I'm pleased that we're starting to see that market expand

Cons:
- the writing is very simple because this IS younger YA. I wouldn't say this is necessarily a con, it just caught me a little off guard because of the other books I've read from this publisher so if prose is something you really look for in your books this may not be for you
- again this is lower YA so I'm not going to ding it as much for the plot being a little convenient, but it's not so much a build as more of a quest style where things Continue to Happen
- since this is almost certainly an allegory for queerness I do want to mention that there is a form of magical conversion therapy (that is explicitly called that) as a warning to queer folks sensitive to the topic.

Overall:
This is a short and sweet book that explores prejudice and bigotry in a nuance manner via the lens of witchcraft with a nice bit of light romance as well.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

3.5/5
Profile Image for K.
586 reviews31 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 3, 2026
Thank you so much to Tiny Ghost Press for this ARC - and maybe thanks to the author too if I get over being mad about the ending!

I don't know which bit to talk about first. The worldbuilding for the Halls of Styx is amazing - I love stuff about the afterlife. The magic system for the human realm is so creative: it sort of works through ethereal crochet, and I've never seen anything like it before. The physicality of spellcasting is so beautifully captured in this novel. The queer rep - from elder gays to total normalisation - is perfect. I will never get tired of books with nonbinary characters whose assigned genders at birth are not revealed! It's a simple thing but it means such a lot to me for enby characters to be nonbinary in their own right. And bi rep where the character is happily, unproblematically, openly bi? It felt like my lucky day reading this. Last but not at all least, the autistic rep was kind, realistic, and not the secret weapon that saved the day; it was just the way the character was.

The story itself was gorgeous - really well-written and incredibly compelling. I love urban fantasy, and I really enjoyed the blend of established mythology with the author's novel ideas. The characters were charming; perfect for the cosy vibes of the book, and they didn't get irrationally mad at each other, which is such a plus!

My frustration comes from the fact that I was crying at 94%, sobbing at 95%, and not stopping by the end. Dear Christopher Hartland, how could you do this to my heart?!
Profile Image for Jodie.
106 reviews11 followers
April 10, 2026
This was a really unique YA fantasy with such an intriguing premise and endearing cast of characters.

I loved that Orpheus is the half human/half angel son of Death, and getting a glimpse into the Halls of Styx and his relationship with his mother, was so interesting. It was fun seeing the human world from his eyes, as he found wonder in every little mundane detail.

I really enjoyed the magic system in this story - Evan uses a wand that resembles a crochet hook which he uses to cast spells by interacting with the invisible threads that exist around everything in the world.

The way witches and warlocks are treated in this world is an allegory for how queer people can sadly be treated in our world. There are witchfinders who are basically bigoted people who make it their mission to persecute witches and warlocks, and often force those with magic to endure a conversion, where they are stripped of their magic - and essentially everything that makes them them.

At one point, Orpheus wonders why humankind hates and fears people who are different from them, whereas diversity of cultures and experiences should be something to be celebrated. It makes this book feel like a very timely read, with everything going on in the world right now.

The importance of community and finding people you can truly be yourself with is also a key part of this story. Evan has to hide his true identity from his parents, as his Dad forced his Gran to endure a magical conversion. We see how Evan struggles with keeping his secret from everyone around him and how freeing it is in the moments where he can be his true self.

💫 What to expect 💫

🔮 YA magical realism
🏳️‍🌈 Achillean romance
🪽 Half-angel/half-human son of Death x human warlock
🧡 Found family
😱 High stakes

💖 Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───

💌 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @jodierosereads
Profile Image for This1strash.
21 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 4, 2026
i love that i found someone who the look on funerals as a transition between a world with the deceased go one without them.

oh it would've been so fun if orpheus had been caught in the greenhouse eating tomatoes

okay 59 pages in and i think this might be good, i love me an oblivious character

hey! i eat tomatoes bare (is that a good way to put it) and it's very nice

you would be right evan, now is not the time to think about kissing the half-angel you met less than 24 hours ago

ahhh the people who think immortality means no injury, i knew that would happen

obviously if you stop and think about it the romance is rushed as it happens in a matter of days but it didn't feel rushed as i was reading which is great. it's a similar case as with cemetery boys, where even if the timeline is short the pacing makes it work

i cried, but what did y'all expect from me

i would give this book 5 stars but that ending does knock it down to 4
Profile Image for Heidi H..
267 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 12, 2026
Our Immortal Bind by Christopher Hartland is a fascinating take on magic, life and death, and even love. This is a fast moving story that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. While this was a mystery and a romance, it also spoke to the treatment of the witches and how humanity can turn on those who are different. I found it so relevant and important right now. Because the story also gives readers hope for a better future. The relationship between Orpheus and Evan is quick but soul deep. I love their growth together as well as the found family that surrounds them. This story is full of beautiful representation and I can't wait to read more from the author!
Profile Image for Chris.
115 reviews5 followers
March 10, 2026
Okay, so I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I liked the author’s first book with TGP much more. This one just falls a little flat for me. The crochet style magic system is cool and unique. They story was really fun too. However, I felt the author spent too much time potentially setting up a sequel and made the characters less 3D. I don’t need a HEA, but this one probably could have used it over a potential sequel.

Thank you Tiny Ghost Press and Christopher Hartland for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Our Immortal Bind by Christopher Hartland releases March 31, 2026!
Profile Image for José Orlando.
157 reviews72 followers
April 12, 2026
I had such a lovely time reading “Our Immortal Bind”. This queer YA romantasy follows a world thrown into chaos when the keys to the afterlife are stolen, making humanity suddenly immortal. With reality starting to unravel, Death sends her half-angel son Orpheus to retrieve the keys, and along the way he teams up with Evan, a warlock forced to live in hiding due to anti-magic laws. Together, they’re racing against time to fix a broken system before fear and blame spiral out of control. It’s such a fun and intriguing setup, and the story is full of mystery, high stakes, and a magic system that feels both cool and easy to grasp.

What really made this book shine for me was how sweet and heartfelt it is at its core. Orpheus is such a gentle, lovable character, and I really appreciated the neurodivergent rep in his perspective. Evan is more guarded and complex, but the way they balance each other is just so soft and endearing. Their dynamic is low angst but still emotionally satisfying, and I loved watching their bond grow. The afterlife lore was fascinating, and the political commentary around how magic users are treated felt very real and relevant without ever being heavy-handed. Overall, this is the kind of story that feels perfect for teen readers but still so enjoyable as an adult, with just the right mix of adventure, heart, and hope.
Profile Image for meevreads.
372 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 15, 2026
Our Immortal Bind was an enchanting story with a unique world building and magic system that I found myself unable to put down as soon as I started.

The way witches were treated in this story could easily be paralleled to any minority in today's world and it added a layer of familiarity that was both relatable and chilling.

I've enjoyed our two main characters a lot. I loved Orpheus' innocence and Evan's strength, and how each of them helped the other grow in what little time they had together.

Christopher Hartland has woven a beautiful story encompassing magic, love, strength, and the importance of death and endings.

Did I cry way too hard at how the story ended? Absolutely. Was I surprised at the unconventional ending to this sweet YA romance? Yes. Will I still recommend it to anyone who loves witches, angels. a little Greek mythology and queer love? Without a doubt!

Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press for the eARC!
Profile Image for Annie Ishmakovich.
69 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 7, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC

Half human/Half Angel Orpheus has spent most of his life guiding the dead to the afterlife with his mother, the Angel of death.

Havoc erupts when the keys to the afterlife are stolen; without the keys, the dead are unable to move on. If the dead are unable to move on they, well, stop dying. And what happens when humans stop dying overnight? A global crisis, a destabilized afterlife and the unraveling of the fibres of the universe itself.

Orpheus must enter the mortal realm and find the keys before permanent damage sets in. Shortly after arriving, Orpheus meets Evan, a teenage warlock; In a world where practicing magic is illegal, Evan must be careful but agrees to help..

Our Immortal Bind is a beautiful story; the main characters are queer and the story has a well rounded representation of Autism.

There is a metaphor for conversion therapy in this which could be upsetting for some readers, however it will overall leave you feeling tender and hopeful.
Profile Image for Niki.reads.rainbow.
340 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 29, 2026
In a world where witches have to be careful with using magic, or they will lose it, the keys to entering the afterlife are stolen.

Orpheus, who’s a son of Death, has to find them back to save the world. He’s supposed work with a witchfinder on this task, instead he first meets his son Evan, who’s keeping a secret from his parents - he’s a witch.

Together they have to figure out, where the keys are, and navigate through many obstacles on their quest.

This is a quick story that was enjoyable to read. I’ve read the author’s previous book Against the Stars, which was in my opinion better and had more depth. Our Immortal Bind spans across a very short time, so I had a hard time rooting for the romantic plotline between Orpheus and Evan.

Overall it was an enjoyable read, just not a memorable one for me, especially since the plot formula felt a bit similar to Against the Stars.

Rep: bi MC, autistic characters, non-binary minor character
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews