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Code Bound: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure Romance
Enter the Harrow. Survive the game. Lose your soul.
Humanity’s last refuge is a lie. They call it The Cradle, massive planetary rings built to preserve the remains of humanity, but salvation has a price. At the very bottom lies the smallest, most overcrowded ring, rotting from neglect. Air tastes like smoke and ash, walls crumble around you, and life is a slow, grinding misery.
Vesper is done rotting there.
Once a month, the Harrow Gates open and the desperate pour in. Survive the Harrow, level up, and you might reach Luxe, the shining ring where Tier Fives live like gods while Dross starves.
But the Harrow isn’t about life or death. It’s about what you’re willing to lose.
Every fight is watched. Every death serves a purpose. The Ascendants of Luxe monitor from above, keeping the Harrow in balance as players claw, bleed, and fracture themselves for survival. Nothing here is random, and nothing is wasted.
To climb the tiers, Vesper must choose her Glitch, grind for strength, and sacrifice pieces of herself along the way. Because in the Harrow, power doesn’t just change you. It corrupts you. The higher you climb, the sharper the teeth watching you.
In a world where loyalty is weakness and power devours everything, Vesper will have to decide what she’s willing to become to win.
Because the only way out of the Harrow. . .
Is through everyone else.
Code Bound is a dark WhyChoose LitRPG that's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl and Ready Player One. If you're a book baddie gamer or just someone who loves adventures with some spice thrown in, then you're gonna love this new gamelit dystopian world from Kendra Moreno.
Humanity’s last refuge is a lie. They call it The Cradle, massive planetary rings built to preserve the remains of humanity, but salvation has a price. At the very bottom lies the smallest, most overcrowded ring, rotting from neglect. Air tastes like smoke and ash, walls crumble around you, and life is a slow, grinding misery.
Vesper is done rotting there.
Once a month, the Harrow Gates open and the desperate pour in. Survive the Harrow, level up, and you might reach Luxe, the shining ring where Tier Fives live like gods while Dross starves.
But the Harrow isn’t about life or death. It’s about what you’re willing to lose.
Every fight is watched. Every death serves a purpose. The Ascendants of Luxe monitor from above, keeping the Harrow in balance as players claw, bleed, and fracture themselves for survival. Nothing here is random, and nothing is wasted.
To climb the tiers, Vesper must choose her Glitch, grind for strength, and sacrifice pieces of herself along the way. Because in the Harrow, power doesn’t just change you. It corrupts you. The higher you climb, the sharper the teeth watching you.
In a world where loyalty is weakness and power devours everything, Vesper will have to decide what she’s willing to become to win.
Because the only way out of the Harrow. . .
Is through everyone else.
Code Bound is a dark WhyChoose LitRPG that's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl and Ready Player One. If you're a book baddie gamer or just someone who loves adventures with some spice thrown in, then you're gonna love this new gamelit dystopian world from Kendra Moreno.
682 pages, Hardcover
Published July 31, 2026
About the author
Kendra Moreno
79 books853 followersKendra Moreno is secretly a spy but when she’s not dealing in secrets and espionage, you can find her writing her latest adventure. She lives in Texas where the summer days will make you melt, and southern charm comes free with every meal. She’s a recovering Road Rager (kind of) and slowly overcoming her Star Wars addiction (nope!), and she definitely didn’t pass on her addiction to her son (she did). She has one hellhound named Mayhem who got tired of guarding the Gates of Hell and now guards her home against monsters. She’s a geek, a mother, a scuba diver, a tyrannosaurus rex, and a wordsmith who sometimes switches out her pen for a sword.
If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo
To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.
If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo
To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 7, 2026
Prepare to be sick of me with how much I’m about to be talking about this book for the foreseeable future. I’m going to be like Oprah handing out this book as a recommendation! I am fully aware we’re only halfway through the year but I’m standing 10 toes down that this will still be my top read of 2026 by the end of the year..because what do you mean this is a LitRPG, and as someone who’s video game credentials consist of super Mario and animal crossing, this book has me in an absolute chokehold!
There wasn’t a single dull moment in this dark dystopian, why choose, LitRPG, the banter, Vespers guild of men that she collects along the way that includes a sometimes bone headed, but sensitive Locke (a formerly enslaved man servant), Cipher who’s currently lacking body, but he does give her XP just for breathing so he’s useful, Havoc the broody warden legend, Stryker the one who’s currently hunting her (verdict still unclear whether he just wants her life force or to take her to pound town..probably both), and then Steve, yeah considering he’s just an orbit a rings with hundreds of eyes with a great sense of fashion despite the lack of body, I’d consider him more the team mascot. Then we have the queen Svetlana destroyer of worlds, slicer of heads, aka her sassy, make men grovel at her feet, feminine empowerment praying mantis familiar. So in other words every single character was interesting and unique.
In Dross life is hard, breathers choose to die on the streets, food is basically non-existent, and it’s pretty much uninhabitable, while the wealthy and powerful live in the Luxe, giving them scraps, but at least Vesper has her bestie Vox. That is until they deceive the wrong gang leader and have no choice but to enter the Harrow. The Luxe’s form of entertainment and promise to a better life. In order to get into the Luxe you must survive the deadly Harrow and level up. Only when the gate opens for them to escape into the Harrow they are torn apart and Vesper gets pulled through alone, not only does she lose her self proclaimed sister, but the price to enter the Harrow is her soul.
I truly cannot do this book justice with any review I write so I will just tell you again that this was my top read of the year, and it also pulled me out of a horrible reading slump. For my millennial book besties I can guarantee you’ll appreciate the funny Titanic, Wolf of Wallstreet, as well as many other nostalgic and absurdly funny references. The absolute feminine rage, and an FMC who is not only a true badass, but doesn’t make poor/dumb decisions. Fun quests, challenges, and minor boss battles that will have you feeling like you’re living within this unique, and creative world. Kendra had me laughing over mosquitoes..literal evil incarnate bugs. I can guarantee you’ll be glued to every single page of this book!
Thank you so much to Kendra Moreno for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review. Now how much XP do I need for book 2?!
There wasn’t a single dull moment in this dark dystopian, why choose, LitRPG, the banter, Vespers guild of men that she collects along the way that includes a sometimes bone headed, but sensitive Locke (a formerly enslaved man servant), Cipher who’s currently lacking body, but he does give her XP just for breathing so he’s useful, Havoc the broody warden legend, Stryker the one who’s currently hunting her (verdict still unclear whether he just wants her life force or to take her to pound town..probably both), and then Steve, yeah considering he’s just an orbit a rings with hundreds of eyes with a great sense of fashion despite the lack of body, I’d consider him more the team mascot. Then we have the queen Svetlana destroyer of worlds, slicer of heads, aka her sassy, make men grovel at her feet, feminine empowerment praying mantis familiar. So in other words every single character was interesting and unique.
In Dross life is hard, breathers choose to die on the streets, food is basically non-existent, and it’s pretty much uninhabitable, while the wealthy and powerful live in the Luxe, giving them scraps, but at least Vesper has her bestie Vox. That is until they deceive the wrong gang leader and have no choice but to enter the Harrow. The Luxe’s form of entertainment and promise to a better life. In order to get into the Luxe you must survive the deadly Harrow and level up. Only when the gate opens for them to escape into the Harrow they are torn apart and Vesper gets pulled through alone, not only does she lose her self proclaimed sister, but the price to enter the Harrow is her soul.
I truly cannot do this book justice with any review I write so I will just tell you again that this was my top read of the year, and it also pulled me out of a horrible reading slump. For my millennial book besties I can guarantee you’ll appreciate the funny Titanic, Wolf of Wallstreet, as well as many other nostalgic and absurdly funny references. The absolute feminine rage, and an FMC who is not only a true badass, but doesn’t make poor/dumb decisions. Fun quests, challenges, and minor boss battles that will have you feeling like you’re living within this unique, and creative world. Kendra had me laughing over mosquitoes..literal evil incarnate bugs. I can guarantee you’ll be glued to every single page of this book!
Thank you so much to Kendra Moreno for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review. Now how much XP do I need for book 2?!
June 12, 2026
This book was EVERYTHING I love! Why choose, dark fantasy, dystopian and LitRPG progression!!! I won’t lie I was nervous when I heard it had all that in it just bc it’s a lot to put in one book but it was done SO WELL! Loved the characters and the world and it was fun but also dark and unhinged! Svetlana the praying mantis is EVERYTHING (reminds me of Princess Donut in DCC) definitely recommend checking this out when it’s out!
July 22, 2026
Six MOTHAFUGGIN stars. I don’t even know if I have the words to review this because it’s left my jaw on the floor over that ending!!
I’ve heard a few mutuals rave about this book and I can see why!!, I was lucky enough to receive it as an ARC and omfg this was everything I could have ever wanted in a Lit RPG Dystopian, Fantasy Romance Why Choose. When you think about it you wonder how it could work, but it works so well. Some of it sneaks up on you slowly.
The nostalgia this gave me, imagine mixing the hunger games with the entire Super Mario World video game, and mix in some fantasy elements with banter. At one point I was fan-casting this entire book because it was literally playing like a movie in my head.
Listen I just finished this and I’m literally telling you this is a book I will WILLINGLY come back and reread as a comfort read because it was that good.
Our main character Vesper is struggling in the “slums” in this dystopian world and there’s a chance to live a better life if she enters the “harrow”. Which comes with its own rules and trials, but no one really knows when this gate opens. There’s villians, there’s life or death situations that come into play, and the main plot which I won’t give away because you NEED to read this and experience it on your own. There’s NPC’s, Familiars, really awesome “powers”, found family, a really slow burn subplot.
I’m just obsessed, this releases July 31st!!! The next one releases this year as well so happy reading 🙂♥️
I’ve heard a few mutuals rave about this book and I can see why!!, I was lucky enough to receive it as an ARC and omfg this was everything I could have ever wanted in a Lit RPG Dystopian, Fantasy Romance Why Choose. When you think about it you wonder how it could work, but it works so well. Some of it sneaks up on you slowly.
The nostalgia this gave me, imagine mixing the hunger games with the entire Super Mario World video game, and mix in some fantasy elements with banter. At one point I was fan-casting this entire book because it was literally playing like a movie in my head.
Listen I just finished this and I’m literally telling you this is a book I will WILLINGLY come back and reread as a comfort read because it was that good.
Our main character Vesper is struggling in the “slums” in this dystopian world and there’s a chance to live a better life if she enters the “harrow”. Which comes with its own rules and trials, but no one really knows when this gate opens. There’s villians, there’s life or death situations that come into play, and the main plot which I won’t give away because you NEED to read this and experience it on your own. There’s NPC’s, Familiars, really awesome “powers”, found family, a really slow burn subplot.
I’m just obsessed, this releases July 31st!!! The next one releases this year as well so happy reading 🙂♥️
August 18, 2026
Oh my, this was Infinite Stars I absolutely inhaled this it was like a breath of fresh air and so incredibly unique. It's a LitRPG GameLit romance with a whychoose theme. I think what I liked most about this is how plot-central it all felt this isn’t a romantic-led story and the romantic aspects did feel more of a side plot. Yes, it has a why-choose set up but it’s all incredibly slow burn and subtle and at least for this first book the steam was low and you know what I’m not mad about that. I found it refreshing that it didn’t rely on spice to carry the story forward.
I found the world fascinating and so imaginative it all had a very science fiction element. Basically in this world you have Dross which is the bottom ring overpopulated and pretty miserable here the Wastrels attempt to survive in some pretty abysmal circumstances. Then there's Luxe which is the top ring which is the exact opposite of Dross in every way. Here the privileged chosen few prosper up high far removed from all that is Dross. Somewhere in the middle we have the Harrow and every so often the Harrow gates open between these two worlds and the residents of Dross can enter it in an attempt to better their situation and earn entry into the upper elite tier.
When a situation arises that demands her escape from Dross Vesper finds herself along with her friend Dox attempting to enter the Harrow gate only for them to become separated and her friend left behind. Joining forces with Locke another player from Dross whom Vespar became acquainted with whilst in the line to enter the gate, the two attempt together to level up and also watch each other's backs. Death is still the most probable outcome here so an ally is attractive. This strange new environment is dangerous and unpredictable so Locke's presence is almost a comfort that she is not in this alone.
We have an opinionated and snarky AI computer called Cypher for assistance who at times appears so much more than just a machine and seems to have taken a shine to our girl, Locke not so much. We also have a bunch of allies that Vespar manages to collect along the way. Then we have quests, battles, XP, safe houses and levelling up. This never stopped there was always something occurring that propelled this forward. I also appreciated all of the snarky banter and humour alongside all of the more serious stuff the balance between this all was spot-on. This for me really was the gift that kept on giving. I was never once bored and this was a lengthy read. That ending also left me wanting the next book like immediately.
Everyone needs to run and add this one to their TBR right this minute. I can't express how fresh and fun whilst also being serious this one was. It’s not often I find something so distinctly different and this stands out in a sea of sameness. I think it may be my new hyperfixation and definitely one of my standout reads of this year. I’d go as far as saying my favourite and this is actually a six-star read for me. I am so excited to see where the next book goes and I will be picking it up as soon as it releases.
I found the world fascinating and so imaginative it all had a very science fiction element. Basically in this world you have Dross which is the bottom ring overpopulated and pretty miserable here the Wastrels attempt to survive in some pretty abysmal circumstances. Then there's Luxe which is the top ring which is the exact opposite of Dross in every way. Here the privileged chosen few prosper up high far removed from all that is Dross. Somewhere in the middle we have the Harrow and every so often the Harrow gates open between these two worlds and the residents of Dross can enter it in an attempt to better their situation and earn entry into the upper elite tier.
When a situation arises that demands her escape from Dross Vesper finds herself along with her friend Dox attempting to enter the Harrow gate only for them to become separated and her friend left behind. Joining forces with Locke another player from Dross whom Vespar became acquainted with whilst in the line to enter the gate, the two attempt together to level up and also watch each other's backs. Death is still the most probable outcome here so an ally is attractive. This strange new environment is dangerous and unpredictable so Locke's presence is almost a comfort that she is not in this alone.
We have an opinionated and snarky AI computer called Cypher for assistance who at times appears so much more than just a machine and seems to have taken a shine to our girl, Locke not so much. We also have a bunch of allies that Vespar manages to collect along the way. Then we have quests, battles, XP, safe houses and levelling up. This never stopped there was always something occurring that propelled this forward. I also appreciated all of the snarky banter and humour alongside all of the more serious stuff the balance between this all was spot-on. This for me really was the gift that kept on giving. I was never once bored and this was a lengthy read. That ending also left me wanting the next book like immediately.
Everyone needs to run and add this one to their TBR right this minute. I can't express how fresh and fun whilst also being serious this one was. It’s not often I find something so distinctly different and this stands out in a sea of sameness. I think it may be my new hyperfixation and definitely one of my standout reads of this year. I’d go as far as saying my favourite and this is actually a six-star read for me. I am so excited to see where the next book goes and I will be picking it up as soon as it releases.
August 22, 2026
This book desperately needs a good editor (and a proofreading), some parts look like a draft that the author didn't reread, some - like literally copy-past (thankfully, from the same book). But, fuck, it's good. I bet it's nothing like you've ever read before. LitRPG is a new thing for RH, but it's not so much an exotic subgenre as an immaculate worldbuilding and a great bunch of characters (Svetlana and Stevie are my favourite) that make this novel so outstanding.
September 24, 2026
2.5 ☆
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September 30, 2026
Book described in emojis:
🎮💀⚔️👁️🔥🖤🎯✨
Random thoughts:
Earlier this year, I genuinely did NOT think LitRPG was going to be my thing. 😂🎮 I didnt even know what it was. I've read a couple now and found them to be really fun, so I was starting to think…okay, I can understand the hype. But this author?!
My love for LitRPG has officially been taken to an entirely new level. I am OBSESSED, and I need book two immediately.
Quick Summary:
Vesper lives in Dross, where survival is brutal while the wealthy live above in Luxe. 💀 Her only way out is the Harrow, a deadly game where she must survive, level up, and sacrifice pieces of herself for a chance at a better life. 🎮⚔️
Worldbuilding, Characters, Plot & Pacing:
This is the book that finally made me understand why people get obsessed with LitRPG. 🎮 There is constantly something happening, quests, challenges, XP, leveling up, fights, creatures, and somehow I never felt overwhelmed by the game mechanics. I felt like I was IN the game with them. And the characters?! Vesper is capable, funny, resourceful, and THANK GOD, actually makes intelligent decisions. And the characters just get more unhinged the deeper you get into the Harrow…every single one of them brought something completely different to the story. But the real queen? Destroyer of Worlds. Slicer of Heads. Sassy praying mantis familiar. The banter had me laughing, the millennial references got me every time, and I LOVED that even though this is why choose, the romance doesn't take over the actual story. Give me the tension and men slowly becoming obsessed with her while my girl finishes her quests.
Tropes / What to Expect:
🎮 LitRPG / leveling system
💀 Dark dystopian world
🖤 Why choose
🔥 SLOW burn
⚔️ Quests + battles
🎯 XP + leveling up
👑 Badass FMC
😈 Morally questionable men
😂 Unhinged banter
🚨 Cliffhanger
Final Thoughts:
Apparently my journey to becoming a LitRPG girlie is progressing much faster than anticipated. I went from “I don't think this genre is for me” -> “okay wait, these are actually fun” -> whatever level of obsession this is. 🎮💀 Code Bound was dark, hilarious, creative, completely unhinged, and most importantly, FUN. I finished it and immediately wanted book two, which is probably the highest compliment I can give.
🎮💀⚔️👁️🔥🖤🎯✨
Random thoughts:
Earlier this year, I genuinely did NOT think LitRPG was going to be my thing. 😂🎮 I didnt even know what it was. I've read a couple now and found them to be really fun, so I was starting to think…okay, I can understand the hype. But this author?!
My love for LitRPG has officially been taken to an entirely new level. I am OBSESSED, and I need book two immediately.
Quick Summary:
Vesper lives in Dross, where survival is brutal while the wealthy live above in Luxe. 💀 Her only way out is the Harrow, a deadly game where she must survive, level up, and sacrifice pieces of herself for a chance at a better life. 🎮⚔️
Worldbuilding, Characters, Plot & Pacing:
This is the book that finally made me understand why people get obsessed with LitRPG. 🎮 There is constantly something happening, quests, challenges, XP, leveling up, fights, creatures, and somehow I never felt overwhelmed by the game mechanics. I felt like I was IN the game with them. And the characters?! Vesper is capable, funny, resourceful, and THANK GOD, actually makes intelligent decisions. And the characters just get more unhinged the deeper you get into the Harrow…every single one of them brought something completely different to the story. But the real queen? Destroyer of Worlds. Slicer of Heads. Sassy praying mantis familiar. The banter had me laughing, the millennial references got me every time, and I LOVED that even though this is why choose, the romance doesn't take over the actual story. Give me the tension and men slowly becoming obsessed with her while my girl finishes her quests.
Tropes / What to Expect:
🎮 LitRPG / leveling system
💀 Dark dystopian world
🖤 Why choose
🔥 SLOW burn
⚔️ Quests + battles
🎯 XP + leveling up
👑 Badass FMC
😈 Morally questionable men
😂 Unhinged banter
🚨 Cliffhanger
Final Thoughts:
Apparently my journey to becoming a LitRPG girlie is progressing much faster than anticipated. I went from “I don't think this genre is for me” -> “okay wait, these are actually fun” -> whatever level of obsession this is. 🎮💀 Code Bound was dark, hilarious, creative, completely unhinged, and most importantly, FUN. I finished it and immediately wanted book two, which is probably the highest compliment I can give.
September 25, 2026
“𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭.”
what a HIT of a first book in a series. i honestly think that if more people found this book and read it they would also love it.
i’m not a gamer, but i do love to watch people play games, so reading this book honestly was such a good time for me bc i didn’t need to make any decisions on how someone should play the game, aka, the Harrow and i’m just along for the ride.
i love our fmc, Vesper. she’s badass and strong and just trying to survive with her best friend. but the Harrow tests the humanity of everyone in in.
“𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧. 𝐀 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.”
you’re introduced to 3 mmcs, Locke, Havoc, and Stryker. as well as Cypher, the system that runs the entire Harrow. most of this book is Vesper and Locke teamed up together to survive the Harrow and i loved seeing their relationship change and grow. also wasn’t planning to feel so emotional about Locke 😭 this book also had me laughing at parts, esp bc of Cypher.
“𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞?” 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬. “𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞,” 𝐂𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧. “𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.”
ugh but the cliffhanger at the end 😭 i cannot wait for the next book. normally i don’t like series longer than 3 books, but the pace of this first book and everything that Vesper and her guys will have to go through in the Harrow, a 4 book series makes sense so far.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
why choose, 1st person multi-POV, 31 fmc
slow burn, forced proximity, preying mantis familiar, cliffhanger, 1st book in 4 book series
what a HIT of a first book in a series. i honestly think that if more people found this book and read it they would also love it.
i’m not a gamer, but i do love to watch people play games, so reading this book honestly was such a good time for me bc i didn’t need to make any decisions on how someone should play the game, aka, the Harrow and i’m just along for the ride.
i love our fmc, Vesper. she’s badass and strong and just trying to survive with her best friend. but the Harrow tests the humanity of everyone in in.
“𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧. 𝐀 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.”
you’re introduced to 3 mmcs, Locke, Havoc, and Stryker. as well as Cypher, the system that runs the entire Harrow. most of this book is Vesper and Locke teamed up together to survive the Harrow and i loved seeing their relationship change and grow. also wasn’t planning to feel so emotional about Locke 😭 this book also had me laughing at parts, esp bc of Cypher.
“𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞?” 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬. “𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞,” 𝐂𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧. “𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.”
ugh but the cliffhanger at the end 😭 i cannot wait for the next book. normally i don’t like series longer than 3 books, but the pace of this first book and everything that Vesper and her guys will have to go through in the Harrow, a 4 book series makes sense so far.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
why choose, 1st person multi-POV, 31 fmc
slow burn, forced proximity, preying mantis familiar, cliffhanger, 1st book in 4 book series
August 19, 2026
This deserves all the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Definitely a 5⭐️ for me, this dark dystopian, LitRPG and Why Choose romance book is everything i hoped it was! It was so much fun, every situation was exciting, surprising, hilarious as f… and none if the situations the group found themselves in were predictable or obvious, they were however very strange, extremely funny, thrilling or just plain weird. I haven’t had a good time like this in a while, and already can’t wait for the next book! (which luckily comes out in November, that’s not that long of a wait thank goodness) The ending was a real cliffhanger, but a good one.
There are deadly trials, exciting games, there’s a very well build-up dystopian world, a bunch of men all pining for the FMC, the craziest animals and other creatures, a lot of banter and also some clear criticism on “the system” and earth/humans, and this just was one hell of a ride, from beginning ‘til end. It's a slow burn, but the action and bonding is top tier, we get some hotness in the end but the storyline itself doesn't even need it. It's a little bonus, without it, it would be as good…
All of the main characters were equally awesome, a lot of the NPC’s too by the way! Vesper is a bas-ass woman, resourceful, funny, very smart and very loyal. Locke is such a great guy, he’s the best. Can’t wait to see more of grumpy but loveable Havoc. Stevie was just super funny, i’m rooting for Cipher all the way and Stryker is so, so hilariously slimey and fun. The best character of them all is Svetlana ofcourse, a praying mantis, Destroyer of Worlds and Slicer of heads 🤭. This bunch of interesting creatures made this book so very good, i’ve laughed so much during this book, wondered what the actual f… was going on and how does one come up with some of these very enjoyable but sometimes insane ideas?! 5⭐️ it is!
There are deadly trials, exciting games, there’s a very well build-up dystopian world, a bunch of men all pining for the FMC, the craziest animals and other creatures, a lot of banter and also some clear criticism on “the system” and earth/humans, and this just was one hell of a ride, from beginning ‘til end. It's a slow burn, but the action and bonding is top tier, we get some hotness in the end but the storyline itself doesn't even need it. It's a little bonus, without it, it would be as good…
All of the main characters were equally awesome, a lot of the NPC’s too by the way! Vesper is a bas-ass woman, resourceful, funny, very smart and very loyal. Locke is such a great guy, he’s the best. Can’t wait to see more of grumpy but loveable Havoc. Stevie was just super funny, i’m rooting for Cipher all the way and Stryker is so, so hilariously slimey and fun. The best character of them all is Svetlana ofcourse, a praying mantis, Destroyer of Worlds and Slicer of heads 🤭. This bunch of interesting creatures made this book so very good, i’ve laughed so much during this book, wondered what the actual f… was going on and how does one come up with some of these very enjoyable but sometimes insane ideas?! 5⭐️ it is!
July 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I have a confession to make… I never thought I’d be a LitRPG girlie. Like, ever. The idea of game mechanics being woven into a story was something I was very unsure about. But here we are, and I am happily eating my words because Code Bound was SO much fun.
This book took everything I love about reading and mixed it with something completely new for me. The world building was wild, immersive, and incredibly creative. I loved getting lost in the details and exploring the different worlds, game bosses and creatures in the story.
The banter in this book was hilarious and even though I loved Vesper, Locke, Cipher and the whole crew... The one who's taking home my "favorite character award" is definitely Svetlana, aka the Slicers of Heads, prey mantis side character. She absolutely stole the show.
Then you add in a steamy why choose romance, game play visuals, and the kind of chaotic, whimsical atmosphere that gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes at times... IT ABSOLUTELY WORKED. It was strange, unique, and completely different from what I usually pick up, but that’s exactly what made it such a fun experience.
I went into this book thinking, “This probably isn’t going to be my thing,” and I left thinking, “Okay… I need more LitRPG in my life.” Kendra Moreno created something imaginative, entertaining, and surprisingly addictive, and I’m officially converted.
I have a confession to make… I never thought I’d be a LitRPG girlie. Like, ever. The idea of game mechanics being woven into a story was something I was very unsure about. But here we are, and I am happily eating my words because Code Bound was SO much fun.
This book took everything I love about reading and mixed it with something completely new for me. The world building was wild, immersive, and incredibly creative. I loved getting lost in the details and exploring the different worlds, game bosses and creatures in the story.
The banter in this book was hilarious and even though I loved Vesper, Locke, Cipher and the whole crew... The one who's taking home my "favorite character award" is definitely Svetlana, aka the Slicers of Heads, prey mantis side character. She absolutely stole the show.
Then you add in a steamy why choose romance, game play visuals, and the kind of chaotic, whimsical atmosphere that gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes at times... IT ABSOLUTELY WORKED. It was strange, unique, and completely different from what I usually pick up, but that’s exactly what made it such a fun experience.
I went into this book thinking, “This probably isn’t going to be my thing,” and I left thinking, “Okay… I need more LitRPG in my life.” Kendra Moreno created something imaginative, entertaining, and surprisingly addictive, and I’m officially converted.
October 10, 2026
This book is so unhinged, and I loved it. The plot was wild, fast paced, and packed with action. There was always something happening, and I needed to know what came next.
It was darker than I normally like to read, which is saying something as a dark romance girlie. 😂 But I was hooked.
The LitRPG world was awesome, and I literally loved all the little gaming nods. She made it so much fun to get wrapped up in this world. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was constantly thinking about it and wanting to get back to it.
I definitely think Kendra Moreno and Matt Dinniman would be friends. They both have a special type of crazy in their books, and I am here for it. If you’re a fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl, I’d definitely give this one a try.
I need Loot Drop ASAP.
It was darker than I normally like to read, which is saying something as a dark romance girlie. 😂 But I was hooked.
The LitRPG world was awesome, and I literally loved all the little gaming nods. She made it so much fun to get wrapped up in this world. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was constantly thinking about it and wanting to get back to it.
I definitely think Kendra Moreno and Matt Dinniman would be friends. They both have a special type of crazy in their books, and I am here for it. If you’re a fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl, I’d definitely give this one a try.
I need Loot Drop ASAP.
Did Not Finish
October 18, 2026DNF - I love rh. I love litrpg. A story with both?! Yep, I’m in. Sadly it didn’t work for me.
First off, I didn’t like the writing style. I can potentially ignore writing but neither plot nor character captured me. I can’t point to exactly why.
I DNFd at the point she crosses through the portal where the story, assumably, is really going to start, going to heat up. And yet I didn’t care to continue at a point when the story should have had page turning pressure.
Maybe it gets really good after that but I felt no faith or interest. Maybe I need to give it another try at a later date because I really want a rh litrpg
First off, I didn’t like the writing style. I can potentially ignore writing but neither plot nor character captured me. I can’t point to exactly why.
I DNFd at the point she crosses through the portal where the story, assumably, is really going to start, going to heat up. And yet I didn’t care to continue at a point when the story should have had page turning pressure.
Maybe it gets really good after that but I felt no faith or interest. Maybe I need to give it another try at a later date because I really want a rh litrpg
September 25, 2026
SVETLANA. SLICER OF HEADS. My praying mantis queen and the best part of this book.
Hunger Games meets Super Mario World with some Alice in Wonderland weirdness thrown in. A televised death game with bosses, trials and strange creatures? Chaotic in the best way.
It's so unhinged and SO funny. Dirty jokes right alongside the gore, and the banter never lets up.
And the guild... Locke, Cipher, Havoc, Stryker. I can't pick. Also Steve, a ring of eyes with a strong sense of fashion, deserves his own fan club.
The worldbuilding is super cool, and I loved how it takes shots at the class system. The LitRPG side is light, so if you're a romance reader who's never tried the genre, this is a great place to start.
Heads up that the plot comes first here. The why choose romance is a slow burn with low spice in this one, and I honestly liked that.
That cliffhanger though. Loot Drop cannot get here fast enough.
If you love Princess Donut or chaotic death game stories, go read this one.
Hunger Games meets Super Mario World with some Alice in Wonderland weirdness thrown in. A televised death game with bosses, trials and strange creatures? Chaotic in the best way.
It's so unhinged and SO funny. Dirty jokes right alongside the gore, and the banter never lets up.
And the guild... Locke, Cipher, Havoc, Stryker. I can't pick. Also Steve, a ring of eyes with a strong sense of fashion, deserves his own fan club.
The worldbuilding is super cool, and I loved how it takes shots at the class system. The LitRPG side is light, so if you're a romance reader who's never tried the genre, this is a great place to start.
Heads up that the plot comes first here. The why choose romance is a slow burn with low spice in this one, and I honestly liked that.
That cliffhanger though. Loot Drop cannot get here fast enough.
If you love Princess Donut or chaotic death game stories, go read this one.
September 12, 2026
My gods did I enjoy myself while reading this! Dox and Vespera live in the remnants of a human society where even the bare necessities to sustain life are sparse. While they struggle to live day to day there is always the choice to enter the Harrow and enter a life or death game to make it into "high" society. What could possibly go wrong?
I couldn't put this book down. I am definitely attached to these characters and the game they are playing. Vespera and Svetlana especially hold a peice of my heart. I think Loot Drop (book 2) will be my most anticipated read until it's release!
The world itself is so wild and I loved every minute of it. And while this one is a slow burn, the spice was definitely tasty!
Check this book out if you enjoy Litrpg, videogames, characters who feel real enough to be your friend, and a world that mirrors our own societal cracks and pitfalls. I will be ordering a matching paperback of book 2 as soon as Kendra Moreno puts them up for sale on her website.
I couldn't put this book down. I am definitely attached to these characters and the game they are playing. Vespera and Svetlana especially hold a peice of my heart. I think Loot Drop (book 2) will be my most anticipated read until it's release!
The world itself is so wild and I loved every minute of it. And while this one is a slow burn, the spice was definitely tasty!
Check this book out if you enjoy Litrpg, videogames, characters who feel real enough to be your friend, and a world that mirrors our own societal cracks and pitfalls. I will be ordering a matching paperback of book 2 as soon as Kendra Moreno puts them up for sale on her website.
October 11, 2026
AMAZING!!!
My first LitRPG combined with romance and it did not disappint! I loved it!
The romance development between the caracters felt so natural. And I cant't wait to see what happens in the next book!
No pressure but I'm begging for it! Can't wait until november.
My first LitRPG combined with romance and it did not disappint! I loved it!
The romance development between the caracters felt so natural. And I cant't wait to see what happens in the next book!
No pressure but I'm begging for it! Can't wait until november.
October 1, 2026
I don’t think I could love a book more than I did with Code Bound. This Dystopian LitPRG was beautifully written. The world so vivid in my brain as I read… picturing myself in all the wild “levels” with our baddie FMC Vesper and MMCs Locke, Striker, and Havoc. I’m also a huge fan of Stevie and Svetlana… they kept the giggles coming with their amazingly infections personalities.. Svetlana for her obsession with slicing off heads and Stevie with all his glitz & glamour. And who could forget Cipher..
Favorite location: Coney Island - because we got all the players!
Favorite MMC: definitely can’t pick. I love them all for different reasons, yes even Striker!
Least Favorite location: Dross, I think… or creepy Christmas safe house… iykyk
Now, I need Loot Drop to drop so I can dive back into this vivid and cunning world!
Favorite location: Coney Island - because we got all the players!
Favorite MMC: definitely can’t pick. I love them all for different reasons, yes even Striker!
Least Favorite location: Dross, I think… or creepy Christmas safe house… iykyk
Now, I need Loot Drop to drop so I can dive back into this vivid and cunning world!
October 25, 2026
I dont usually leave reviews because I feel weird about it but this book deserves it. 5 stars, first of all, this book would get more if I could.
There are so many things that are great I will try my best to express why the rating in hopes other people will give it a chance because, specially for the reverse harem readers, I asure you there is no other book like this one out there. There are some books I consider diamonds in this genere, so unique I have yet to find something close to them, and this one has become one of them.
The idea itself is amazing, and as a gamer myself, I was both excited and apprehensive to get into the book because the concept is extremely hard to pull off unless you are doing it with visual aid. Movies, series, managa and anime pull off the "game world" fantasy very well because they depend on visuals, so for a book to pull it off without them its an extremely hard thing to do. This book not only pulls it off magnificently, it also does so in a way that is so clever it deserves to be praised and explained. How it does it is incredible, honestly. The worldbuilding, the systems, the classes, weapons, map etc get slowly introduced to you because we are following the story from the point of view of the players, and the information gets fed in a way that is not overwhelming yet manages to create a general idea that grows the longer the book goes on. You don't need to question things because things make sense, and that not only speaks to the ability to write not only a world but a game system, but also about the knowledge the author has of gaming itself. It's an absolute delight how good it is, it feels real, like a true game.
One thing in particular I really liked, and this may surprise some people, is the earth references. Now, a lot of readers, me included, hate when there are real world/life references because they take you out of the immersion of the story, yet in this case they don't. Why? And this is what made me give it 5 stars: because WE are spectators. Not only are we reading a book, but we are WATCHING, we are on the other side, we are the world's version of Luxe above a Luxe. The references are not there for the players or the characters, they are there as a way for the story to interact with us, because just like the people watching the game, so are we. We are actively part of the story. We are, like many others, spectating, watching, supporting the characters, and its so cleverly done I love it. It doesnt take you away from the imersion of the story, it pulls you IN the story.
Now for the characters. I love them, there is not a single thing I can say I hate about them and while we dont have a lot of interactions or growth from two of the MMCs thanks to their late introductions, they still feel unique and compelling enough you want more of them (cant wait for book two to expand on them). Locke is one of the best written cases of how to make a guy unique, flawed and have him grow with the story. Not only is his character deep, it feels real, and you cannot feel anything but pride as the book continues and you see him go from a somewhat blurry idea to a man you feel pride for. Cipher is, by far, one of the most unique and interesting MMCs I have ever read about, and his progression from "just" a machine to something that feels human is so good I need more authors to read stuff like this.
Vesper, our incredible FMC, is a character so well written I could kiss the ever loving hell out of Kendra for. She is, first of all, a mature woman in her early 30s, and than god for that, because not only does it make the story feel mature, but her life experiences can be really felt through the story. She feels rounded, sure in her convictions, her abilities and limitations, without feeling like a caricature of a woman. She IS a woman, one that has survived horrors and hardships and has learned from them, and while she is not perfect and has moments of moral doubt, they feel natural and not out of character. She holds strong to her convictions without falling for the "girl boss" fallacy, she is strong but not because "she is the chosen one", and it is an absolute delight to read how her mind works, how her loyalty shapes her, and how she refuses to become a monster while understanding she needs to become stronger. She is believable, and that, once again, in a book that already had to work with the difficulty of making a game system, a new world introduction, character introductions and developments feel real and compelling is one of the major reasons this book deserves to be read.
It is honestly an awesome experience, and I hope more people give it a chance, because as much as I give 5 stars to a lot of books I enjoyed, this is one of the few ones I can say honestly deserves it.
There are so many things that are great I will try my best to express why the rating in hopes other people will give it a chance because, specially for the reverse harem readers, I asure you there is no other book like this one out there. There are some books I consider diamonds in this genere, so unique I have yet to find something close to them, and this one has become one of them.
The idea itself is amazing, and as a gamer myself, I was both excited and apprehensive to get into the book because the concept is extremely hard to pull off unless you are doing it with visual aid. Movies, series, managa and anime pull off the "game world" fantasy very well because they depend on visuals, so for a book to pull it off without them its an extremely hard thing to do. This book not only pulls it off magnificently, it also does so in a way that is so clever it deserves to be praised and explained. How it does it is incredible, honestly. The worldbuilding, the systems, the classes, weapons, map etc get slowly introduced to you because we are following the story from the point of view of the players, and the information gets fed in a way that is not overwhelming yet manages to create a general idea that grows the longer the book goes on. You don't need to question things because things make sense, and that not only speaks to the ability to write not only a world but a game system, but also about the knowledge the author has of gaming itself. It's an absolute delight how good it is, it feels real, like a true game.
One thing in particular I really liked, and this may surprise some people, is the earth references. Now, a lot of readers, me included, hate when there are real world/life references because they take you out of the immersion of the story, yet in this case they don't. Why? And this is what made me give it 5 stars: because WE are spectators. Not only are we reading a book, but we are WATCHING, we are on the other side, we are the world's version of Luxe above a Luxe. The references are not there for the players or the characters, they are there as a way for the story to interact with us, because just like the people watching the game, so are we. We are actively part of the story. We are, like many others, spectating, watching, supporting the characters, and its so cleverly done I love it. It doesnt take you away from the imersion of the story, it pulls you IN the story.
Now for the characters. I love them, there is not a single thing I can say I hate about them and while we dont have a lot of interactions or growth from two of the MMCs thanks to their late introductions, they still feel unique and compelling enough you want more of them (cant wait for book two to expand on them). Locke is one of the best written cases of how to make a guy unique, flawed and have him grow with the story. Not only is his character deep, it feels real, and you cannot feel anything but pride as the book continues and you see him go from a somewhat blurry idea to a man you feel pride for. Cipher is, by far, one of the most unique and interesting MMCs I have ever read about, and his progression from "just" a machine to something that feels human is so good I need more authors to read stuff like this.
Vesper, our incredible FMC, is a character so well written I could kiss the ever loving hell out of Kendra for. She is, first of all, a mature woman in her early 30s, and than god for that, because not only does it make the story feel mature, but her life experiences can be really felt through the story. She feels rounded, sure in her convictions, her abilities and limitations, without feeling like a caricature of a woman. She IS a woman, one that has survived horrors and hardships and has learned from them, and while she is not perfect and has moments of moral doubt, they feel natural and not out of character. She holds strong to her convictions without falling for the "girl boss" fallacy, she is strong but not because "she is the chosen one", and it is an absolute delight to read how her mind works, how her loyalty shapes her, and how she refuses to become a monster while understanding she needs to become stronger. She is believable, and that, once again, in a book that already had to work with the difficulty of making a game system, a new world introduction, character introductions and developments feel real and compelling is one of the major reasons this book deserves to be read.
It is honestly an awesome experience, and I hope more people give it a chance, because as much as I give 5 stars to a lot of books I enjoyed, this is one of the few ones I can say honestly deserves it.
August 12, 2026
Overall, it wound up being pretty fun. It definitely got better as it went. The cliffhanger is pretty bad, but I don’t think the wait is long for the next book.
It isn’t DCC, so don’t expect it to be and you’ll be fine.
I like that the guys are all so different and have storylines of their own. I was a little disappointed that we’re doing some sort of lost princess thing, but it grew on me.
I won’t lie, I skimmed a lot of the fight stuff, and some of the wandering stuff. I had a little trouble for the first half. Things became more interesting and meaningful after that though.
It’s full of dirty jokes and gore, which is fine with me.
It’s mostly safe. Locke gets into some situations that I don’t like, through no fault of his own. I think they were unnecessary and really didn’t like a MC being treated that way frivolously. Hopefully there will be less of that in the future.
I do dislike that the FMC is being pushed into idiot prop territory with the leech. She’s been good. I like her, she’s smart, she’s kind. Don’t make her stupid over a guy. Please don’t make the FMC act like an idiot just to make a plot work.
As far as the litrpg goes, the system was a little over simplified. The characters really didn’t get to make any choices after the first one, and there were few opportunities to change stats otherwise. Litrpg readers aren’t the target audience though, so I was fine with simple. Alexa reads me books out loud, so it was nice not to have the stats listed too frequently. Those tables can be tedious. I always enjoy animal bonds in books, so I liked the choices made by the FMC.
————-
Notes
I have to write notes as I go because my memory doesn’t show up for work most days.
I’m at about 20% now and I’m once again facing the Dungeon Crawler Carl curse.
I enjoyed the litrpg genre for several years. It came after my grimdark phase and preceded my romantasy phase. Somewhere around 2020, I stumbled onto DCC. Of course I was thrilled. I rolled around in the bliss of that miracle and ran around like a rabid evangelical, spreading the good news.
Then I tried to read another book.
It was the worst book-hangover I’ve ever had the misfortune of falling into. It was more like a book plague. I believe I DNFed more than 100 books in my efforts to escape.
I could wax poetic about the series and it’s unbelievable narrator, but that’s not the point here. The point is that it ruined the whole damn genre. It’s now the comparison standard, and that really isn’t fair to anyone. It is what it is though. If you’re writing a dystopian litrpg, it will be compared to DCC. There’s no helping it.
I was so excited by the idea of this one that I actually bought it, and not on sale. That doesn’t happen. I read way too much to be buying books. So I’m rooting for its success.
I’m struggling a bit at the moment though. There isn’t a lot of subtlety and the characters are a bit one dimensional at the moment. I initially had the idea that this FMC was morally grey, but she suddenly turned into a goody two shoes, which felt weird.
It’s hard to read about a snarky AI and not compare it to DCC. Or the fact that it’s a televised death game.
For example, I’m being told repeatedly how terrible the Luxe people are. What I’m being shown is how terrible people are in general. In DCC, we are shown constantly, in big and small ways, how little the aliens respect the humans of earth. Sure, there were terrible people too, but the focus remained on building the Us vs Them mentality with the reader. With this book, I just dislike everyone but don’t have any real feelings about any of it. The stories are told briefly, the scenes we see are short and generalized (the lady who made it in with the baby, for example), so I don’t feel a connection to any of it.
Instead of building resentment and rage in the reader, the dark things just feel like someone is trying too hard. Like, a dead baby? Really? Who am I even supposed to be mad at? No one in that brief scenario had a name or a personality or a backstory. Those are the three ingredients required to build a meaningful interaction. A name. A personality. A backstory.
So many authors want to save the backstory for a big reveal later on, so they blur the backstory for the reader. Writing a personality takes time and talent, and is often skipped and replaced with adjectives.
That’s sort of what has happened in the beginning of this book. It has plenty of room to grow though, and I paid for the thing, so I’m giving it a chance.
—-
My final complaint will be that no one with any amount of common sense would’ve gotten drunk on unknown anything. These people have been in survival mode their whole lives. None of them are this stupid.
It isn’t DCC, so don’t expect it to be and you’ll be fine.
I like that the guys are all so different and have storylines of their own. I was a little disappointed that we’re doing some sort of lost princess thing, but it grew on me.
I won’t lie, I skimmed a lot of the fight stuff, and some of the wandering stuff. I had a little trouble for the first half. Things became more interesting and meaningful after that though.
It’s full of dirty jokes and gore, which is fine with me.
It’s mostly safe. Locke gets into some situations that I don’t like, through no fault of his own. I think they were unnecessary and really didn’t like a MC being treated that way frivolously. Hopefully there will be less of that in the future.
I do dislike that the FMC is being pushed into idiot prop territory with the leech. She’s been good. I like her, she’s smart, she’s kind. Don’t make her stupid over a guy. Please don’t make the FMC act like an idiot just to make a plot work.
As far as the litrpg goes, the system was a little over simplified. The characters really didn’t get to make any choices after the first one, and there were few opportunities to change stats otherwise. Litrpg readers aren’t the target audience though, so I was fine with simple. Alexa reads me books out loud, so it was nice not to have the stats listed too frequently. Those tables can be tedious. I always enjoy animal bonds in books, so I liked the choices made by the FMC.
————-
Notes
I have to write notes as I go because my memory doesn’t show up for work most days.
I’m at about 20% now and I’m once again facing the Dungeon Crawler Carl curse.
I enjoyed the litrpg genre for several years. It came after my grimdark phase and preceded my romantasy phase. Somewhere around 2020, I stumbled onto DCC. Of course I was thrilled. I rolled around in the bliss of that miracle and ran around like a rabid evangelical, spreading the good news.
Then I tried to read another book.
It was the worst book-hangover I’ve ever had the misfortune of falling into. It was more like a book plague. I believe I DNFed more than 100 books in my efforts to escape.
I could wax poetic about the series and it’s unbelievable narrator, but that’s not the point here. The point is that it ruined the whole damn genre. It’s now the comparison standard, and that really isn’t fair to anyone. It is what it is though. If you’re writing a dystopian litrpg, it will be compared to DCC. There’s no helping it.
I was so excited by the idea of this one that I actually bought it, and not on sale. That doesn’t happen. I read way too much to be buying books. So I’m rooting for its success.
I’m struggling a bit at the moment though. There isn’t a lot of subtlety and the characters are a bit one dimensional at the moment. I initially had the idea that this FMC was morally grey, but she suddenly turned into a goody two shoes, which felt weird.
It’s hard to read about a snarky AI and not compare it to DCC. Or the fact that it’s a televised death game.
For example, I’m being told repeatedly how terrible the Luxe people are. What I’m being shown is how terrible people are in general. In DCC, we are shown constantly, in big and small ways, how little the aliens respect the humans of earth. Sure, there were terrible people too, but the focus remained on building the Us vs Them mentality with the reader. With this book, I just dislike everyone but don’t have any real feelings about any of it. The stories are told briefly, the scenes we see are short and generalized (the lady who made it in with the baby, for example), so I don’t feel a connection to any of it.
Instead of building resentment and rage in the reader, the dark things just feel like someone is trying too hard. Like, a dead baby? Really? Who am I even supposed to be mad at? No one in that brief scenario had a name or a personality or a backstory. Those are the three ingredients required to build a meaningful interaction. A name. A personality. A backstory.
So many authors want to save the backstory for a big reveal later on, so they blur the backstory for the reader. Writing a personality takes time and talent, and is often skipped and replaced with adjectives.
That’s sort of what has happened in the beginning of this book. It has plenty of room to grow though, and I paid for the thing, so I’m giving it a chance.
—-
My final complaint will be that no one with any amount of common sense would’ve gotten drunk on unknown anything. These people have been in survival mode their whole lives. None of them are this stupid.
September 10, 2026
At the moment, this is a temporary rating and review as I’m still not finished with ungodly thick book. I’m not opposed to lengthy narratives but Code Bound is a rather drawn out and meandering tale as our characters bumble around with no real goal besides beating the Harrow, ascending, and finding Vesper’s bff Paradox. Three overarching goals for the end of the series but nothing to drag you through the first book. The only thing on these character’s minds is “survival” but it’s incredibly vague and a drag as Kendra drags the narration through the mud. I get it’s a LitRPG but does every author need to penny pinch their words to make a massive word count?
The story suffers from a good idea but poor execution. I think Kendra created a rather compelling world but the characters are rather flat and uses tropes as crutches to get to the ending. If I had to compare this book to any other series, it’s Ready Play One. It’s a LitRPG but it’s all nostalgia bait and lacking any fundamental concepts to video games. Lots of remember berries. Honestly reads like a “what is up my fellow kids!” It kind of insults my intelligence and my gamer sensibilities. Kendra writes like a middle aged mom who remembers Mario and only know pieces of what her kids play. Realistically, she at most played some Nintendo games and a limited play of Baldur’s Gate 3 based on the design for the LitRPG mechanics.
For a LitRPG, the mechanics are pitiful and pathetic. Very DnD-based but missing all the parts that makes DnD fun. Why are a bunch of level zero players running around the world expected to level up to get their class- oops I mean “glitch” (so cringe). And they’re doing so in a world where it’s not only challenging to level up but EXP is arbitrarily given out by an incredibly biased system? What the point of stats if it gets barely leveled up or even make a difference since we have level zero plays defeating mini bosses with shit stats? At that point it’s just hunger games with extra steps. Blah blah blah it’s dystopian but it doesn’t mean your worldbuilding has to be shit. Kendra shows she fundamentally doesn’t understand game design or what makes game fun. Again dystopian world but we have to remember these games have to be entertaining to audiences and I can’t imagine audiences finding this shit fun. It’s mindnumbing to watch people toss themselves into a blender and I don’t believe people actually survive into ascending with these rules without the billions of deus ex machina Vesper and gang are given.
Actually let’s talk about are precious Mary Sue: Vesper. Yes, she is 100% a Mary Sue and I don’t say it lightly. She is hyped up as this morally grey badass and quickly turned into a goody two shoes despite what we’ve been shown for the first several chapters. Men are practically throwing themselves at her feet and begging for attention. She has a system who is practically obsessed with her. And for what reason? She isn’t particularly impressive or strong. She has an UwU special backstory and her smarts is… barely above average compared to the dumbasses that surround her. I don’t believe Cipher when he claims that Vesper has a high odds of survival because she would have died within the first hour if Cipher isn’t spoon feeding her knowledge about the world and advice on how to defeat enemies. Like genuinely, the monkeys would have killed her if Cipher never warned her and if Locke wasn’t there as a meat shield. Like I get it’s the world where people don’t know anything about earth but Vesper literally knows nothing about anything she encounters. She’s literally a newborn baby being taken care of by Cipher as his precious little player. Personally I think the appeal of LitRPGs are protagonists that learn about how the systems work and learn to take advantage of it. But Vesper knows nothing and it’s not like she was clever in picking what glitch to go with when all the other glitches are shit and Kendra literally made a special class for her UwU protagonist.
I’m not impressed by the characters nor the LitRPG aspects which is the two things the book advertised. I would read Dungeon Crawler Carl if only it was less misogynistic.
The story suffers from a good idea but poor execution. I think Kendra created a rather compelling world but the characters are rather flat and uses tropes as crutches to get to the ending. If I had to compare this book to any other series, it’s Ready Play One. It’s a LitRPG but it’s all nostalgia bait and lacking any fundamental concepts to video games. Lots of remember berries. Honestly reads like a “what is up my fellow kids!” It kind of insults my intelligence and my gamer sensibilities. Kendra writes like a middle aged mom who remembers Mario and only know pieces of what her kids play. Realistically, she at most played some Nintendo games and a limited play of Baldur’s Gate 3 based on the design for the LitRPG mechanics.
For a LitRPG, the mechanics are pitiful and pathetic. Very DnD-based but missing all the parts that makes DnD fun. Why are a bunch of level zero players running around the world expected to level up to get their class- oops I mean “glitch” (so cringe). And they’re doing so in a world where it’s not only challenging to level up but EXP is arbitrarily given out by an incredibly biased system? What the point of stats if it gets barely leveled up or even make a difference since we have level zero plays defeating mini bosses with shit stats? At that point it’s just hunger games with extra steps. Blah blah blah it’s dystopian but it doesn’t mean your worldbuilding has to be shit. Kendra shows she fundamentally doesn’t understand game design or what makes game fun. Again dystopian world but we have to remember these games have to be entertaining to audiences and I can’t imagine audiences finding this shit fun. It’s mindnumbing to watch people toss themselves into a blender and I don’t believe people actually survive into ascending with these rules without the billions of deus ex machina Vesper and gang are given.
Actually let’s talk about are precious Mary Sue: Vesper. Yes, she is 100% a Mary Sue and I don’t say it lightly. She is hyped up as this morally grey badass and quickly turned into a goody two shoes despite what we’ve been shown for the first several chapters. Men are practically throwing themselves at her feet and begging for attention. She has a system who is practically obsessed with her. And for what reason? She isn’t particularly impressive or strong. She has an UwU special backstory and her smarts is… barely above average compared to the dumbasses that surround her. I don’t believe Cipher when he claims that Vesper has a high odds of survival because she would have died within the first hour if Cipher isn’t spoon feeding her knowledge about the world and advice on how to defeat enemies. Like genuinely, the monkeys would have killed her if Cipher never warned her and if Locke wasn’t there as a meat shield. Like I get it’s the world where people don’t know anything about earth but Vesper literally knows nothing about anything she encounters. She’s literally a newborn baby being taken care of by Cipher as his precious little player. Personally I think the appeal of LitRPGs are protagonists that learn about how the systems work and learn to take advantage of it. But Vesper knows nothing and it’s not like she was clever in picking what glitch to go with when all the other glitches are shit and Kendra literally made a special class for her UwU protagonist.
I’m not impressed by the characters nor the LitRPG aspects which is the two things the book advertised. I would read Dungeon Crawler Carl if only it was less misogynistic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have never read a LitRPG before, but the premise sounded interesting. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this book! I didn’t want to put it down. I just needed more of Vesper, Locke, and the others that they pick up as they make their way through the game.
The video game aspect put a really different spin on the dystopian world, which I thought was really cool. We get to learn about the harsh world of Dross at the beginning, but then get transported to an Earth-inspired setting for the majority of the book. But even though they’re in the Harrow, we still learn about the world. There’s Dross, where the majority of the population are forced to live without enough to eat, and where disease runs rampant. Most people are out for themselves out of necessity, and most people end up dying young due to the cruelty of the world in one form or another. Then there’s Luxe, which we never visit, but it’s where the privileged live, completely separate from those seen as lesser. I very much appreciated how Moreno approached her critique of social hierarchies through the characters’ various encounters in the “real world” and in the game. There are many examples from in the game, but I won’t go into that as I don’t want to give the situations away.
Vesper is our FMC: she is smart and knows how to survive, but hasn’t given up her humanity. Then we have Locke, who Vesper ends up teaming up with despite being warned against it. But Locke. Oh, Locke. I love him so much. He has been traumatized and is vulnerable — not that he wants to show it — but Vesper does see through his facade, and they develop a strong camaraderie and they have each other’s backs through every battle.
We also get a nice amount of feminine rage, which I love. More feminine rage would make the world a better place in my opinion.
As Vesper and Locke continue on, trying to grind and level up, Vesper gets a familiar, who happens to be a praying mantis named Svetlana. Svetlana has a whole lot of attitude but she bonds with Vesper and even Locke starts to warm up to her eventually. There’s also Stevie, who is very over the top but is a lot of fun.
Then, this is where we start to get into the why choose territory. Now, this is quite a slow burn, but the groundwork is definitely being laid for multiple relationships. And might the boyfriends even become boyfriends?? I’m not sure yet, but I most definitely hope so. Anyway, the first addition is Havoc who is a guardian and is there to help protect them, Vesper in particular. Then we have the Leech Stryker, who is definitely dangerous but is also quite intriguing. Stryker is very much a psycho blonde, and you know what, I really do love that type of man. And last but not least, is Cipher, the system who is essentially running the game and guiding Vesper and the others. He is currently a disembodied entity, but he certainly has some mysterious plan to change that. I can’t wait to see how these relationships develop in book two.
And now, a couple of my favourite quotes with no context:
”𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘴𝘯𝘪𝘱. “𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦.”
𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴. “𝘖𝘩, 𝘝𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.”
“𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴… 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘯𝘰?”
We end with a cliffhanger, and I have many questions. One of the main unanswered questions is what’s so bad about a Bone Breaker (Locke’s chosen glitch). Everyone seems very serious about their warnings to Vesper, but no one has given her or Locke the full information that they seem to need.
This was such a fantastic read. I was fully into it the entire time, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!
The video game aspect put a really different spin on the dystopian world, which I thought was really cool. We get to learn about the harsh world of Dross at the beginning, but then get transported to an Earth-inspired setting for the majority of the book. But even though they’re in the Harrow, we still learn about the world. There’s Dross, where the majority of the population are forced to live without enough to eat, and where disease runs rampant. Most people are out for themselves out of necessity, and most people end up dying young due to the cruelty of the world in one form or another. Then there’s Luxe, which we never visit, but it’s where the privileged live, completely separate from those seen as lesser. I very much appreciated how Moreno approached her critique of social hierarchies through the characters’ various encounters in the “real world” and in the game. There are many examples from in the game, but I won’t go into that as I don’t want to give the situations away.
Vesper is our FMC: she is smart and knows how to survive, but hasn’t given up her humanity. Then we have Locke, who Vesper ends up teaming up with despite being warned against it. But Locke. Oh, Locke. I love him so much. He has been traumatized and is vulnerable — not that he wants to show it — but Vesper does see through his facade, and they develop a strong camaraderie and they have each other’s backs through every battle.
We also get a nice amount of feminine rage, which I love. More feminine rage would make the world a better place in my opinion.
As Vesper and Locke continue on, trying to grind and level up, Vesper gets a familiar, who happens to be a praying mantis named Svetlana. Svetlana has a whole lot of attitude but she bonds with Vesper and even Locke starts to warm up to her eventually. There’s also Stevie, who is very over the top but is a lot of fun.
Then, this is where we start to get into the why choose territory. Now, this is quite a slow burn, but the groundwork is definitely being laid for multiple relationships. And might the boyfriends even become boyfriends?? I’m not sure yet, but I most definitely hope so. Anyway, the first addition is Havoc who is a guardian and is there to help protect them, Vesper in particular. Then we have the Leech Stryker, who is definitely dangerous but is also quite intriguing. Stryker is very much a psycho blonde, and you know what, I really do love that type of man. And last but not least, is Cipher, the system who is essentially running the game and guiding Vesper and the others. He is currently a disembodied entity, but he certainly has some mysterious plan to change that. I can’t wait to see how these relationships develop in book two.
And now, a couple of my favourite quotes with no context:
”𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘴𝘯𝘪𝘱. “𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦.”
𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴. “𝘖𝘩, 𝘝𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.”
“𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴… 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘯𝘰?”
We end with a cliffhanger, and I have many questions. One of the main unanswered questions is what’s so bad about a Bone Breaker (Locke’s chosen glitch). Everyone seems very serious about their warnings to Vesper, but no one has given her or Locke the full information that they seem to need.
This was such a fantastic read. I was fully into it the entire time, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Code Bound absolutely blew me away! I went into this one expecting to love it because Kendra Moreno has never let me down, but she somehow surpassed every expectation I had. Set in a dystopian future where humanity survives within massive rings known as the Cradle, the story follows Vesper as she enters the Harrow, a brutal, game-like system in which the only way to climb the ranks and escape a life of poverty is to fight, level up, and survive. I was completely hooked from the start and spent the next three days glued to my Kindle, despite having a million other things I was supposed to be doing. Every time I told myself I'd read just one more chapter, I somehow ended up reading five. The most shocking thing might be that this book is over 700 pages, and yet it absolutely flew by!
One of my favorite things was how perfectly it captured the feeling of playing an RPG video game while delivering an immersive dystopian story. As someone who grew up spending countless hours playing RPGs, there was something incredibly nostalgic about watching Vesper level up, gain abilities, and navigate the Harrow. The game mechanics were easy to follow, the progression system was fun and engaging, and I loved discovering new skills, stats, and surprises alongside the characters. Even readers who don't typically pick up LitRPGs could easily enjoy this one, especially if they already love fantasy, dystopian, or sci-fi stories.
The worldbuilding was stellar! The Cradle felt fully realized, and Moreno does an incredible job of making the setting feel both immersive and unsettling. I loved learning about the different tiers of society and seeing just how brutal life could be for those trapped at the bottom. At the same time, there are still so many mysteries surrounding how this world came to be, which left me desperate to uncover more in the future.
I also loved exploring the Harrow alongside Vesper. Each new area felt distinct, with its own challenges, dangers, and surprises that kept the story feeling fresh and exciting. No matter where the characters went, there was always something new to discover or survive. On top of that, Moreno sprinkled in plenty of pop culture references from the '90s and early 2000s. While most of them flew right over the characters' heads, they had me grinning from ear to ear thanks to the nostalgia factor.
Vesper was hands down one of my favorite FMCs in a long time. She's an absolute badass, tough, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, but she never loses the compassion that makes her so easy to love. In a world that constantly demands she put herself first, she still wants to help people, believes there is good in others, and tries to do what she feels is right, even when there are no easy answers. She doesn't always make the perfect choice, but that's what makes her feel so real. Even when she stumbles, her heart is always in the right place, and that had me fully invested in her journey the whole way through.
The side characters completely stole the show. Cipher brought so much humor to the story, and the banter between him, Vesper, and Locke were easily some of my favorite parts of the book. Svetlana, her animal familiar, was absolute chaos in the best possible way and had me laughing out loud multiple times. Stevie, the Ophanim, was another standout, and honestly, I would happily read an entire book focused on him. As for the men, Locke definitely owns my heart at the moment. Havoc feels like a character who is going to grow on me more as he emerges from his grumpy shell, and while I'm still undecided about Stryker, I have a feeling Moreno is going to make me love him whether I want to or not.
What I appreciated most about the romance is that even though this is a why choose series, the relationships aren't the main focus right now. The story takes its time developing those connections, giving us a true slow burn while prioritizing the larger plot, worldbuilding, and character development. Nothing felt rushed or forced, and I'm excited to see where all of these relationships go next.
And then there was that ending! Moreno absolutely ripped my heart out and left me desperate for the next book. The wait for the sequel is going to be pure torture.
If you love RPG video games, dystopian worlds, LitRPGs, found family, slow-burn why choose romance, unforgettable side characters, and stories that completely consume your life while you're reading them, Code Bound needs to be on your TBR immediately.
One of my favorite things was how perfectly it captured the feeling of playing an RPG video game while delivering an immersive dystopian story. As someone who grew up spending countless hours playing RPGs, there was something incredibly nostalgic about watching Vesper level up, gain abilities, and navigate the Harrow. The game mechanics were easy to follow, the progression system was fun and engaging, and I loved discovering new skills, stats, and surprises alongside the characters. Even readers who don't typically pick up LitRPGs could easily enjoy this one, especially if they already love fantasy, dystopian, or sci-fi stories.
The worldbuilding was stellar! The Cradle felt fully realized, and Moreno does an incredible job of making the setting feel both immersive and unsettling. I loved learning about the different tiers of society and seeing just how brutal life could be for those trapped at the bottom. At the same time, there are still so many mysteries surrounding how this world came to be, which left me desperate to uncover more in the future.
I also loved exploring the Harrow alongside Vesper. Each new area felt distinct, with its own challenges, dangers, and surprises that kept the story feeling fresh and exciting. No matter where the characters went, there was always something new to discover or survive. On top of that, Moreno sprinkled in plenty of pop culture references from the '90s and early 2000s. While most of them flew right over the characters' heads, they had me grinning from ear to ear thanks to the nostalgia factor.
Vesper was hands down one of my favorite FMCs in a long time. She's an absolute badass, tough, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, but she never loses the compassion that makes her so easy to love. In a world that constantly demands she put herself first, she still wants to help people, believes there is good in others, and tries to do what she feels is right, even when there are no easy answers. She doesn't always make the perfect choice, but that's what makes her feel so real. Even when she stumbles, her heart is always in the right place, and that had me fully invested in her journey the whole way through.
The side characters completely stole the show. Cipher brought so much humor to the story, and the banter between him, Vesper, and Locke were easily some of my favorite parts of the book. Svetlana, her animal familiar, was absolute chaos in the best possible way and had me laughing out loud multiple times. Stevie, the Ophanim, was another standout, and honestly, I would happily read an entire book focused on him. As for the men, Locke definitely owns my heart at the moment. Havoc feels like a character who is going to grow on me more as he emerges from his grumpy shell, and while I'm still undecided about Stryker, I have a feeling Moreno is going to make me love him whether I want to or not.
What I appreciated most about the romance is that even though this is a why choose series, the relationships aren't the main focus right now. The story takes its time developing those connections, giving us a true slow burn while prioritizing the larger plot, worldbuilding, and character development. Nothing felt rushed or forced, and I'm excited to see where all of these relationships go next.
And then there was that ending! Moreno absolutely ripped my heart out and left me desperate for the next book. The wait for the sequel is going to be pure torture.
If you love RPG video games, dystopian worlds, LitRPGs, found family, slow-burn why choose romance, unforgettable side characters, and stories that completely consume your life while you're reading them, Code Bound needs to be on your TBR immediately.
September 18, 2026
I fear this book is going to be my personality for the next year because, holy-f*cking-sh*t! What a wild ride this was reading this book. Think of the most UNHINGED things - Santa, Penguin boss levels, Titanic, a biblically accurate ophanim (who LOVES gossiping about fashion, hair, and all things juicy), Santa Claus (IN THE MOST UNHINGED WAY), and a praying mantis who's idea of romance is chopping off the head of lovers once you have your fun. Because, tradition, duh!!
This book was the MOST FUN I have EVER had reading a book. It's my new obsession, my new hyper-fixation, and I'm so upset that I have put off reading it for so long (In my defense, I'm chronically ill and struggle with doing basic things, but once I felt well enough, I dived into this book). This book was not only amazingly fun, it also made me forget my worries and health issues for the 3 glorious days I read. I made sure to spread the book over multiple days - even though I can read a book in a day - because it made me so unbelievably happy, made me laugh and kick my feet in the air like a girl, that I didn't want it to end. I didn't just love this book, I needed it. It has reminded me what it feels like to be happy. It took my troubles away while I read. And I'm gearing to read it again so I can see the little things I didn't spot the first go around.
I have read over 30 titles by this author - she's my FAVORITE author - and I honestly didn't think this book would top my favorite 3 novels from the author (if you're curious, my favorites are: Mad as a Hatter, Prey Island, and Gears of Ragnarök), but Code Bound has been the best thing she has ever wrote. And I'm utterly obsessed to see what she comes up with for book 2. She is an auto-buy author at this point because I can always trust her to give me a high quality book that you can feel she loved writing. She puts her whole heart into her books and as a reader, I can pick up on that and it makes me connect with the characters more.
Seriously, if you been a bit unsure of this book because it's a LitRPG romance and you never read one before, or you're intimidated by the genre, don't be. There's so many references you'll understand and it'll be in a genre that you might not know, but will soon want to read everything in this genre by the time you're done with the book. The author does incredibly well with not overloading you with information you don't understand, and walks you step-by-step into this genre without it feeling like it's dragging or holding your hand. I didn't have any issues understanding the rules, or what was happening. And that was reassuring. I guarantee you'll have the most fun reading this novel. I think there's a little something for everyone.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! MY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS!!!! 100000/10 stars!
Ps. Cipher is mine. I don't know why so many fans are claiming a man that belongs to me!
This book was the MOST FUN I have EVER had reading a book. It's my new obsession, my new hyper-fixation, and I'm so upset that I have put off reading it for so long (In my defense, I'm chronically ill and struggle with doing basic things, but once I felt well enough, I dived into this book). This book was not only amazingly fun, it also made me forget my worries and health issues for the 3 glorious days I read. I made sure to spread the book over multiple days - even though I can read a book in a day - because it made me so unbelievably happy, made me laugh and kick my feet in the air like a girl, that I didn't want it to end. I didn't just love this book, I needed it. It has reminded me what it feels like to be happy. It took my troubles away while I read. And I'm gearing to read it again so I can see the little things I didn't spot the first go around.
I have read over 30 titles by this author - she's my FAVORITE author - and I honestly didn't think this book would top my favorite 3 novels from the author (if you're curious, my favorites are: Mad as a Hatter, Prey Island, and Gears of Ragnarök), but Code Bound has been the best thing she has ever wrote. And I'm utterly obsessed to see what she comes up with for book 2. She is an auto-buy author at this point because I can always trust her to give me a high quality book that you can feel she loved writing. She puts her whole heart into her books and as a reader, I can pick up on that and it makes me connect with the characters more.
Seriously, if you been a bit unsure of this book because it's a LitRPG romance and you never read one before, or you're intimidated by the genre, don't be. There's so many references you'll understand and it'll be in a genre that you might not know, but will soon want to read everything in this genre by the time you're done with the book. The author does incredibly well with not overloading you with information you don't understand, and walks you step-by-step into this genre without it feeling like it's dragging or holding your hand. I didn't have any issues understanding the rules, or what was happening. And that was reassuring. I guarantee you'll have the most fun reading this novel. I think there's a little something for everyone.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! MY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS!!!! 100000/10 stars!
Ps. Cipher is mine. I don't know why so many fans are claiming a man that belongs to me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was absolutely incredible and has become one of my favorite books I’ve read in 2026! Code bound is unlike anything I have ever read before! To me, the storyline and adventure were incredibly unique and thrilling to read. The mixture of dystopian, LitRPG, why choose, and feminine rage kept me glued to every word. I will be recommending this to anyone that will listen to me!
I must start this review with the world and the adventure. This story starts with our MCs living on a planet of ruin, where everyone is fighting to survive. To escape the world of sorrow, people have an opportunity to step into the Harrow. While the Harrow may give them a chance at a better life, there have to survive deadly battles, the wrath of other players, and endure brutal elements of nature. I was enthralled with how the scenery in the Harrow continued to change, giving our MCs new challenges at every step. We didn’t even get the whole map in this book, so I can only imagine what else is to come. In the next books, I’m expecting even harder boss battles, our MCs becoming closer, tension snapping, friendships forming, and so much more! I do not want to say more to avoid spoilers, just know the world building and plot in this book are superb.
When it comes to our characters, I love them all! Vesper is a force to be reckoned with; I am so excited to see her rage burn the world. She has a fighters spirit and mentality, but she remains tender and kind as well. I can see her changing everything when it comes to Harrow and Dross, Cipher knows it too. Which leads me to mention that I did not expect to love a system/computer so much! He is one of my favorite characters and he doesn’t even have a body! Now Locke, another of our MCs, does have a body and he puts it to good use when protecting Vesper. He knows she does not NEED the protection, but he WANTS to protect her. For a man so badly used and tossed out, he makes sure to let Vesper know how much he cares for her, both in his words and his actions. There are two other MCs we meet that I am intrigued to get to know more. From what we see in this book alone, I already know they’re gonna become fan favorites fast. I also love Svetlana so much! But I dare not say more about the new MCs or her to avoid spoilers, so read Code Bound to see all I have left out ;)
I truly could go on and on about this book, but I do not wish to spoil anything. If I am already this captivated by book one, I just know the rest of this series will have me up all night to find out what’s next. This will be a book I recommend forever!
🌶️
Pepper percentage:
.06% of the pages contain spicy content
4.6% of the chapters contain spicy content
I must start this review with the world and the adventure. This story starts with our MCs living on a planet of ruin, where everyone is fighting to survive. To escape the world of sorrow, people have an opportunity to step into the Harrow. While the Harrow may give them a chance at a better life, there have to survive deadly battles, the wrath of other players, and endure brutal elements of nature. I was enthralled with how the scenery in the Harrow continued to change, giving our MCs new challenges at every step. We didn’t even get the whole map in this book, so I can only imagine what else is to come. In the next books, I’m expecting even harder boss battles, our MCs becoming closer, tension snapping, friendships forming, and so much more! I do not want to say more to avoid spoilers, just know the world building and plot in this book are superb.
When it comes to our characters, I love them all! Vesper is a force to be reckoned with; I am so excited to see her rage burn the world. She has a fighters spirit and mentality, but she remains tender and kind as well. I can see her changing everything when it comes to Harrow and Dross, Cipher knows it too. Which leads me to mention that I did not expect to love a system/computer so much! He is one of my favorite characters and he doesn’t even have a body! Now Locke, another of our MCs, does have a body and he puts it to good use when protecting Vesper. He knows she does not NEED the protection, but he WANTS to protect her. For a man so badly used and tossed out, he makes sure to let Vesper know how much he cares for her, both in his words and his actions. There are two other MCs we meet that I am intrigued to get to know more. From what we see in this book alone, I already know they’re gonna become fan favorites fast. I also love Svetlana so much! But I dare not say more about the new MCs or her to avoid spoilers, so read Code Bound to see all I have left out ;)
I truly could go on and on about this book, but I do not wish to spoil anything. If I am already this captivated by book one, I just know the rest of this series will have me up all night to find out what’s next. This will be a book I recommend forever!
🌶️
Pepper percentage:
.06% of the pages contain spicy content
4.6% of the chapters contain spicy content
Review of advance copy
'He takes a step back finally and tips up his chin. “There are no heroes here, player,” he replies. “Only survivors.”' (Ch 41)
Dark Dystopian Romantasy | High-Stakes Games | Why Choose LitRPG | Enemies-to-Lovers | Forced Proximity | Slow-Burn | Morally Grey | Found Family
"Everyone deserves the chance to survive. No matter what your statistics say.' (Ch 9)
Ok, I might have to look more into LitRPG books. This one was fun! Like Jumanji x Tron x Ready Player One x Free Guy or any of the movies and dramas where a human is sucked into a game-based world. And love the humor! I found myself LOLing or snorting a couple of times! The system was so onery, too, and I got a kick out of the players' surprised or appalled reponses. Also, I had a good time trying to guess the creatures. Some of which are just plain awesome, like "Slicer of Heads", 😅 and I want one (though I'll take it and leave the excruciating pain)! *snicker* 🤭
“We will be an unstoppable force of female rage. Men will quiver when they see us, in fear and arousal! We will chop off their heads together, like a perfect, synchronized swim team.” (Ch 25)
This story is easily addicting, which is not a great thing — only since it's almost 700 pages and working full time, I couldn't read it in one or two or even three sittings when I really want to just absorb the entire thing in one go.
Have you ever read a book and be like "Oh.my.God why is it not over yet... what?! another trial, is that really necessary?" And it's so drawn out. Yeah, this book is not like that! This one was like, "Ooo, I wonder what they'll unlock next!" Though I did wish there were more achievements unlocked and special finds or bonus quests. But it's fine as it is, I'm just being extra. 🤣 The adventures, creatures, dangers, and the slow-burn were invigorating.
'His eyes linger. Every time his eyes meet mine, my skin flushes as I think about what it is we’re dancing around. Desire. Hunger. Something else entirely.' (Ch 57)
Vesper is like a magnet for the bizarre and unhinged. They're like a band of misfits. Not to mention badass! Not sure there is a character that I didn't like or that didn't grow on me.
"Cipher’s overly sensual voice echoes in my head, making me shift my weight on my feet. What the fuck is that? And why does he sound so . . . sexy?' (Ch 9)
I did not want it to end, and of course it ended on a wicked cliffhanger!
This has to be one of my favorite books so far this year. I'm going to need a hardcopy!
eARC courtesy of Literally Yours PR / BookSprout
Dark Dystopian Romantasy | High-Stakes Games | Why Choose LitRPG | Enemies-to-Lovers | Forced Proximity | Slow-Burn | Morally Grey | Found Family
"Everyone deserves the chance to survive. No matter what your statistics say.' (Ch 9)
Ok, I might have to look more into LitRPG books. This one was fun! Like Jumanji x Tron x Ready Player One x Free Guy or any of the movies and dramas where a human is sucked into a game-based world. And love the humor! I found myself LOLing or snorting a couple of times! The system was so onery, too, and I got a kick out of the players' surprised or appalled reponses. Also, I had a good time trying to guess the creatures. Some of which are just plain awesome, like "Slicer of Heads", 😅 and I want one (though I'll take it and leave the excruciating pain)! *snicker* 🤭
“We will be an unstoppable force of female rage. Men will quiver when they see us, in fear and arousal! We will chop off their heads together, like a perfect, synchronized swim team.” (Ch 25)
This story is easily addicting, which is not a great thing — only since it's almost 700 pages and working full time, I couldn't read it in one or two or even three sittings when I really want to just absorb the entire thing in one go.
Have you ever read a book and be like "Oh.my.God why is it not over yet... what?! another trial, is that really necessary?" And it's so drawn out. Yeah, this book is not like that! This one was like, "Ooo, I wonder what they'll unlock next!" Though I did wish there were more achievements unlocked and special finds or bonus quests. But it's fine as it is, I'm just being extra. 🤣 The adventures, creatures, dangers, and the slow-burn were invigorating.
'His eyes linger. Every time his eyes meet mine, my skin flushes as I think about what it is we’re dancing around. Desire. Hunger. Something else entirely.' (Ch 57)
Vesper is like a magnet for the bizarre and unhinged. They're like a band of misfits. Not to mention badass! Not sure there is a character that I didn't like or that didn't grow on me.
"Cipher’s overly sensual voice echoes in my head, making me shift my weight on my feet. What the fuck is that? And why does he sound so . . . sexy?' (Ch 9)
I did not want it to end, and of course it ended on a wicked cliffhanger!
This has to be one of my favorite books so far this year. I'm going to need a hardcopy!
eARC courtesy of Literally Yours PR / BookSprout
July 31, 2026
5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ 1
First of all, thank you so much to Kendra Moreno for another opportunity to read one of your books before release! 🖤 I knew I was going to love this one... I just didn't expect it to completely consume me. ❤️🔥
👾+🏹Imagine Dungeon Crawler Carl meets The Hunger Games, wrapped in a brutal dystopian world with a LitRPG system that constantly forces both the characters and the reader to question where morality ends and survival begins.
"ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ. ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ᴠᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀ.”
I've always loved dystopian stories, but what truly stood out to me was the social commentary woven so naturally into the worldbuilding. Animals that no longer exist. Things we take for granted today have become myths in Vespera's world. Corruption has consumed everything, leaving people with only one chance at a better life: surviving the Harrow. And sometimes survival comes at the cost of your own moral compass.🌑
You can genuinely feel how much work went into building this world. 👏
The RPG mechanics never felt overwhelming, the quests, boss fights, and progression were incredibly fun, and every challenge felt like I was leveling up alongside Vesper. As someone who spends far too much time playing RPGs, this absolutely scratched an itch I didn't even realize I had. 🎮✨
🦸♀️🦸 And then there are the characters.
One of my favorite things about this book is that it never felt like the world was filled with random NPCs. Every character had a purpose, a personality, and somehow managed to leave an impression. From Locke and Havoc to Svetlana, the sassiest praying mantis familiar I've ever had the pleasure of reading about 🦗👑, I found myself getting attached to every single one of them.😩
“𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴… 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘯𝘰?”
The banter is hilarious, the pacing never slows down, and there honestly wasn't a single moment where I felt bored. ❤️🔥
“ᴛʜᴀᴛ’ꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇ,” ᴏʀɪᴏɴ ꜱᴀʏꜱ. “ᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʜᴇʟʟʜᴏʟᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ.”
It's been a long time since a book completely pulled me into its world like this one did. Every quest, every level, every challenge had me thinking, "just one more chapter"... which, of course, always turned into five. 🫣
If you're a gamer, a dystopian lover, or simply someone who enjoys getting completely lost in an incredibly creative world... this book deserves a spot on your TBR. 🖤
I'd happily grind XP in this world for another 500 pages. Now... where do I sign up for book two? ❤️🔥🎮
First of all, thank you so much to Kendra Moreno for another opportunity to read one of your books before release! 🖤 I knew I was going to love this one... I just didn't expect it to completely consume me. ❤️🔥
👾+🏹Imagine Dungeon Crawler Carl meets The Hunger Games, wrapped in a brutal dystopian world with a LitRPG system that constantly forces both the characters and the reader to question where morality ends and survival begins.
"ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ. ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ᴠᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀ.”
I've always loved dystopian stories, but what truly stood out to me was the social commentary woven so naturally into the worldbuilding. Animals that no longer exist. Things we take for granted today have become myths in Vespera's world. Corruption has consumed everything, leaving people with only one chance at a better life: surviving the Harrow. And sometimes survival comes at the cost of your own moral compass.🌑
You can genuinely feel how much work went into building this world. 👏
The RPG mechanics never felt overwhelming, the quests, boss fights, and progression were incredibly fun, and every challenge felt like I was leveling up alongside Vesper. As someone who spends far too much time playing RPGs, this absolutely scratched an itch I didn't even realize I had. 🎮✨
🦸♀️🦸 And then there are the characters.
One of my favorite things about this book is that it never felt like the world was filled with random NPCs. Every character had a purpose, a personality, and somehow managed to leave an impression. From Locke and Havoc to Svetlana, the sassiest praying mantis familiar I've ever had the pleasure of reading about 🦗👑, I found myself getting attached to every single one of them.😩
“𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴… 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘯𝘰?”
The banter is hilarious, the pacing never slows down, and there honestly wasn't a single moment where I felt bored. ❤️🔥
“ᴛʜᴀᴛ’ꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇ,” ᴏʀɪᴏɴ ꜱᴀʏꜱ. “ᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʜᴇʟʟʜᴏʟᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ.”
It's been a long time since a book completely pulled me into its world like this one did. Every quest, every level, every challenge had me thinking, "just one more chapter"... which, of course, always turned into five. 🫣
If you're a gamer, a dystopian lover, or simply someone who enjoys getting completely lost in an incredibly creative world... this book deserves a spot on your TBR. 🖤
I'd happily grind XP in this world for another 500 pages. Now... where do I sign up for book two? ❤️🔥🎮
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my god, this is easily one of my favorite books I've ever read. I could not put this down once I started!
This is like if you mixed ready player one, hunger games and dungeon crawler carl added in some spice, why choose, witty banter, and so much emotion and action. I am so obsessed!
When I tell you I was so immersed in this book, it literally felt like I was in the game with them too. The writing in this is next level! (pun intended) The way Kendra literally takes all of these different aspects of a LitRPG game and is able to explain it in such a way that anyone could easily understand and grasp. Those games are not easy to play, let alone describe due to how vast and detailed they can get, but Kendra managed to really make you grasp everything that is going on with the players, the world, the mechanics of it all and on top of that really highlight how big the stakes are and how vast this world really can be! I love how this vast this world is and how it really allows for the story to go in any which way. It made me so excited to read because it was hard to predict what would happen next! This book will keep you on your toes and the action and adventure of it had me staying up soo late just to see what was going to happen next!
Then there's the characters - All of them are so uniquely different but have such amazing stories and motivations behind what they do and the why behind it. Most of the players in the Harrow have come from Dross where life is very hard due to the horrible conditions people live in and how great of a divide there is between the lower class and upperclass. It really helped to paint this picture as to how dire the situation is there and why people would even risk their lives for the hope they could survive the Harrow and get a chance at power and luxury.
If you enjoy:
- Why Choose
- Dark Dystopian Fantasy
- LitRPG
- Ready Player One x Hunger Games vibes
- Action & Adventure
- Morally Gray Characters
- Deadly Games
- Found Family
- Touch Her and Die
- Spiceee
This is a story you need to check out!
I know this is going to be a story I think about for a veryy long time. Plus that ending?! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
This is like if you mixed ready player one, hunger games and dungeon crawler carl added in some spice, why choose, witty banter, and so much emotion and action. I am so obsessed!
When I tell you I was so immersed in this book, it literally felt like I was in the game with them too. The writing in this is next level! (pun intended) The way Kendra literally takes all of these different aspects of a LitRPG game and is able to explain it in such a way that anyone could easily understand and grasp. Those games are not easy to play, let alone describe due to how vast and detailed they can get, but Kendra managed to really make you grasp everything that is going on with the players, the world, the mechanics of it all and on top of that really highlight how big the stakes are and how vast this world really can be! I love how this vast this world is and how it really allows for the story to go in any which way. It made me so excited to read because it was hard to predict what would happen next! This book will keep you on your toes and the action and adventure of it had me staying up soo late just to see what was going to happen next!
Then there's the characters - All of them are so uniquely different but have such amazing stories and motivations behind what they do and the why behind it. Most of the players in the Harrow have come from Dross where life is very hard due to the horrible conditions people live in and how great of a divide there is between the lower class and upperclass. It really helped to paint this picture as to how dire the situation is there and why people would even risk their lives for the hope they could survive the Harrow and get a chance at power and luxury.
If you enjoy:
- Why Choose
- Dark Dystopian Fantasy
- LitRPG
- Ready Player One x Hunger Games vibes
- Action & Adventure
- Morally Gray Characters
- Deadly Games
- Found Family
- Touch Her and Die
- Spiceee
This is a story you need to check out!
I know this is going to be a story I think about for a veryy long time. Plus that ending?! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 8, 2026
So I’m going to be brutally honest, I FEEL victimized by the end of this book. It is EXTREMELY rude to leave us on this cliffhanger, however, I will forgive you if you deliver book 2, please and thank you? JUST KIDDING! In all seriousness, this is an excellent read, and you’d be remiss not to pick it up and devour it. Vesper is a total BA. She is thoughtful, she considers the options and choices and is intelligent about ranking up in the ‘game’ they are playing. She’s also so loyal, waiting for her best friend to Vox to enter the Harrow, and she knows her choices will effect her bestie as well. Giving up her soul to enter and escape their hard lives in Dross, she becomes partners with Locke, who has a past I found so intriguing, but in the present he is more crush and destroy of the oversized muscle-bound variety. Cipher, the omniscient computer overseer is handing out XP, jokes, and *sometimes* advice to his favorites; while Stryker is all but a stalker, having caught the scent of Vesper, he cannot let her escape his clutches. A late edition to the guild of men is Havoc, who I personally found a bit broody but still swoony. He’s distrustful, but I feel like he’s finally found the right group to attach himself to. Then there’s Steve! Have you watched ADC? He’s kind of like Bubble, I guess? He’s fun, and he’s the cheerleader of the group, but I feel like he offers insight that shouldn't be overlooked as well. Last, but certainly not least is Svetlana, the familiar for Vesper. She radiates confidence (just don't get her cold), and the stories she tells about the things she has seen will make you consider reincarnation if you're not a believer. If these competitors survive the Harrow, entertaining those living in Luxe, they may get their opportunity to live in Luxe as well. The intimate look at morality, life choices, and the surface appearance/deception of things in the Harrow interested me so much, and it was so cleverly done. I’m so excited for book 2, and in case I didn't stress it enough… That cliffhanger… I need to know what happens with my favorites stat!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my god this book was absolutely insane in the BEST way possible and I need the second one immediately because that ending has me in a complete chokehold.
This book instantly throws you straight into a brutal dystopian world where survival comes at the cost of your humanity, and I was completely hooked. The atmosphere was so vivid and gritty that I could practically feel the suffocating heaviness of Dross through the pages. Everything about this world feels sharp, dangerous, and hopeless.
The Harrow itself was one of the coolest and most horrifying concepts I’ve read in a long time. It’s not just about surviving monsters or fights, it’s about what the system slowly turns people into. Every choice, every level gained, every sacrifice feels heavy, and the psychological side of the story was honestly just as intense as the action.
And Vesper? OMG I absolutely love her. She’s angry, determined, flawed, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and she is so strong. It has been a while since I have read a book with a strong FMC in a while and Vesper is exactly what I needed!
The pacing was unreal. Every chapter ended with me saying “just one more” until suddenly I’d read most of the book in one sitting, and I would have finished it had I not needed sleep haha. The twists kept coming, the stakes kept rising, and the deeper you get into the tiers and the truth behind the Ascendants, the more addictive the story becomes. There’s this constant feeling that something much darker is happening beneath the surface, and I NEED answers.
Also, that ending??? Absolutely criminal. I finished the last page and just sat there staring into space because there is no way it can end like THAT. I need book two right now.
If you love dystopian with deadly games, brutal survival, addictive world-building, and high stakes, Code Bound is 100% worth the read.
Oh my god this book was absolutely insane in the BEST way possible and I need the second one immediately because that ending has me in a complete chokehold.
This book instantly throws you straight into a brutal dystopian world where survival comes at the cost of your humanity, and I was completely hooked. The atmosphere was so vivid and gritty that I could practically feel the suffocating heaviness of Dross through the pages. Everything about this world feels sharp, dangerous, and hopeless.
The Harrow itself was one of the coolest and most horrifying concepts I’ve read in a long time. It’s not just about surviving monsters or fights, it’s about what the system slowly turns people into. Every choice, every level gained, every sacrifice feels heavy, and the psychological side of the story was honestly just as intense as the action.
And Vesper? OMG I absolutely love her. She’s angry, determined, flawed, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and she is so strong. It has been a while since I have read a book with a strong FMC in a while and Vesper is exactly what I needed!
The pacing was unreal. Every chapter ended with me saying “just one more” until suddenly I’d read most of the book in one sitting, and I would have finished it had I not needed sleep haha. The twists kept coming, the stakes kept rising, and the deeper you get into the tiers and the truth behind the Ascendants, the more addictive the story becomes. There’s this constant feeling that something much darker is happening beneath the surface, and I NEED answers.
Also, that ending??? Absolutely criminal. I finished the last page and just sat there staring into space because there is no way it can end like THAT. I need book two right now.
If you love dystopian with deadly games, brutal survival, addictive world-building, and high stakes, Code Bound is 100% worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
OH MY GOODNESS! WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?!?!
Kendra Moreno, you did your big one with this one. I fell in love with every one of Kendra’s books but Code Bound is just different. This story is hands down my favorite book I’ve read this year. This book takes you on a journey and it’s fast-paced the whole way through. This book needs to be adapted into a movie or TV show! I wish I could read it over and over again for the first time. It was so good!!!!
The plot of this story was so entertaining and so refreshing because I’ve never read anything like this. When this book was announced, I honestly had no idea what to expect but now all I can say is I am obsessed. The missions, the bosses, and honestly everything that was going on had me in a chokehold. Some of this stories aspects really related to today’s society and I truly felt that.
Vesper is our FMC and let’s be so real, she’s a baddie. Her character is so strong and so fierce. She will do anything and everything to survive. She is so sick of the cruel world and the ones in power so the Harrow is the only way up. I think Vesper is my new favorite character! Also, I am obsessed with her familiar Svetlana. She had me dying.
Our MMC’s definitely had me feeling mixed emotions. Locke is my baby. I knew from the very moment we met him that I was going to love his character. He has been through it before the Harrow. I loved the connection between him and Vesper. Cipher has me so intrigued and I really can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for him. He honestly had me cackling multiple times. Havoc and Stryker both have me interested but also wary. I can’t wait to see what Kendra has in store for them all.
The cliffhanger didn’t surprise me but it does make me so anxious for the next one! I need more and I can’t wait for book two to come out! Code Bound is truly my favorite read of the year! I need you all to check it out because I highly recommend it!
Kendra Moreno, you did your big one with this one. I fell in love with every one of Kendra’s books but Code Bound is just different. This story is hands down my favorite book I’ve read this year. This book takes you on a journey and it’s fast-paced the whole way through. This book needs to be adapted into a movie or TV show! I wish I could read it over and over again for the first time. It was so good!!!!
The plot of this story was so entertaining and so refreshing because I’ve never read anything like this. When this book was announced, I honestly had no idea what to expect but now all I can say is I am obsessed. The missions, the bosses, and honestly everything that was going on had me in a chokehold. Some of this stories aspects really related to today’s society and I truly felt that.
Vesper is our FMC and let’s be so real, she’s a baddie. Her character is so strong and so fierce. She will do anything and everything to survive. She is so sick of the cruel world and the ones in power so the Harrow is the only way up. I think Vesper is my new favorite character! Also, I am obsessed with her familiar Svetlana. She had me dying.
Our MMC’s definitely had me feeling mixed emotions. Locke is my baby. I knew from the very moment we met him that I was going to love his character. He has been through it before the Harrow. I loved the connection between him and Vesper. Cipher has me so intrigued and I really can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for him. He honestly had me cackling multiple times. Havoc and Stryker both have me interested but also wary. I can’t wait to see what Kendra has in store for them all.
The cliffhanger didn’t surprise me but it does make me so anxious for the next one! I need more and I can’t wait for book two to come out! Code Bound is truly my favorite read of the year! I need you all to check it out because I highly recommend it!
August 7, 2026
This is definitely going down as one of my favorite books! I was a little iffy at first because I have never read a book like it before, but I have read this authors books previously and have enjoyed her writing, so I gave it a chance. And boy, am I glad I did!! If you loved Peeta & Katniss in Hunger Games, Ready Player one, as well as Maze Runner, this book is for you because it is a mix of all of that, to put a rough description on it. This book might have been a painfully slow burn, but it was fast paced and suspenseful that you didn't even notice!
Humanity has abandoned Earth after its destruction settle on another habitable planet, where the rich are seperated from the poor. Dross and Luxe. Coming from Dross, an absolute sh*thole, where you have to do things you aren't proud of just to survive, the FMC, Vesper, was desperate to escape the horrible world she was living in and running for her life, decides to enter the Harrow with her best friend, Dox. Only the portal closes before Dox can enter. Then you meet Locke, the man that was standing in line with them. Together they fight for survival in a dangerous game that is determined to see you unalived. Then there's Havoc, the man that has lived in the game for 10 years, becoming a legend and having his face plastered on all the posters for the Harrow. Then there's Stryker, the powerful terrifying man who stalks her through the game, completely obsessed. And Cypher, the AI who controls the game and decided he liked her.
The Harrow is the only way for someone to enter Luxe, the elite, the rich, the ones who get to watch safe and sound what happens in the Harrow.
This book had everything you could possibly imagine in a book like this, and some you really didn't ask for, but somehow absolutely fits. If you like slow burn, dystopian, why choose romances, or any of this review sparked your interest, I absolutely recommend this! I can't wait for book 2!
Humanity has abandoned Earth after its destruction settle on another habitable planet, where the rich are seperated from the poor. Dross and Luxe. Coming from Dross, an absolute sh*thole, where you have to do things you aren't proud of just to survive, the FMC, Vesper, was desperate to escape the horrible world she was living in and running for her life, decides to enter the Harrow with her best friend, Dox. Only the portal closes before Dox can enter. Then you meet Locke, the man that was standing in line with them. Together they fight for survival in a dangerous game that is determined to see you unalived. Then there's Havoc, the man that has lived in the game for 10 years, becoming a legend and having his face plastered on all the posters for the Harrow. Then there's Stryker, the powerful terrifying man who stalks her through the game, completely obsessed. And Cypher, the AI who controls the game and decided he liked her.
The Harrow is the only way for someone to enter Luxe, the elite, the rich, the ones who get to watch safe and sound what happens in the Harrow.
This book had everything you could possibly imagine in a book like this, and some you really didn't ask for, but somehow absolutely fits. If you like slow burn, dystopian, why choose romances, or any of this review sparked your interest, I absolutely recommend this! I can't wait for book 2!
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