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Soulbound: An Epic Dark Fantasy Romance
"I absolutely devoured this book! The yearning is top tier, like could not get any better."
- Goodreads Reviewer
One starving immortal is bound to the mate he refuses to touch.
Another would burn the realm down for the one who despises him.
In a war where every death feeds the enemy, the Darkborn are running out of time.
Sylas swore he’d protect Evangeline from war. From Barron. Most of all, from himself.
He has been starving since the day he died, and the princess of Soothlund is the only thing that can end it. But accepting their bond would tether her mortal soul to a destiny she may not survive, and Sylas refuses to bury another woman he loves.
But a Darkborn cannot deny his bonded forever. Evangeline is done being protected.
Across the tundra, Thorne the Defender and Imara, Shield Commander of Ironrest, fortify the Frost Moors for the battle ahead. As the Red Army advances, Imara finds herself trapped between her deep-seated resentment for the Defender and a terrifying connection she can no longer deny. Thorne faces a far more dangerous there is nothing he won’t do to keep Imara safe.
As the rot continues to spread and darkness consumes Nordlund, Lucian races to perfect their only defense against alchemy fire before the enemy burns the land to ash. And as Warden of the North, Arless struggles to hold their fracturing forces together as a traitor works against them from within.
The four warriors who bargained with a goddess to save their realm are about to learn exactly what that bargain costs.
And eternity is a long time to bleed.
Soulbound is the high-stakes continuation of The Darkborn series, perfect for readers who love slow-burn sexual tension, unique vampire lore, shifters, meddling gods, and a found family of protective, feral warriors.
This is not a standalone. Read Runemarked and Bloodborn first.
You can find Trigger Warnings and Scarmarked, a free origin story, on the author's website.
One starving immortal is bound to the mate he refuses to touch.
Another would burn the realm down for the one who despises him.
In a war where every death feeds the enemy, the Darkborn are running out of time.
Sylas swore he’d protect Evangeline from war. From Barron. Most of all, from himself.
He has been starving since the day he died, and the princess of Soothlund is the only thing that can end it. But accepting their bond would tether her mortal soul to a destiny she may not survive, and Sylas refuses to bury another woman he loves.
But a Darkborn cannot deny his bonded forever. Evangeline is done being protected.
Across the tundra, Thorne the Defender and Imara, Shield Commander of Ironrest, fortify the Frost Moors for the battle ahead. As the Red Army advances, Imara finds herself trapped between her deep-seated resentment for the Defender and a terrifying connection she can no longer deny. Thorne faces a far more dangerous there is nothing he won’t do to keep Imara safe.
As the rot continues to spread and darkness consumes Nordlund, Lucian races to perfect their only defense against alchemy fire before the enemy burns the land to ash. And as Warden of the North, Arless struggles to hold their fracturing forces together as a traitor works against them from within.
The four warriors who bargained with a goddess to save their realm are about to learn exactly what that bargain costs.
And eternity is a long time to bleed.
Soulbound is the high-stakes continuation of The Darkborn series, perfect for readers who love slow-burn sexual tension, unique vampire lore, shifters, meddling gods, and a found family of protective, feral warriors.
This is not a standalone. Read Runemarked and Bloodborn first.
You can find Trigger Warnings and Scarmarked, a free origin story, on the author's website.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2026
About the author
Harley Blackwell
3 books62 followersBy day, Harley writes survival romance under a different name. By night, she steps into darker worlds where desire is dangerous and everything comes with a cost. Her stories are beautiful, brutal, and always leave a mark.
When she’s not writing, Harley can be found wandering the marshes with her own brooding hero, or dreaming up her next tortured soul and plotting how far she can push him before he breaks.
When she’s not writing, Harley can be found wandering the marshes with her own brooding hero, or dreaming up her next tortured soul and plotting how far she can push him before he breaks.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
Soulbound is the 2nd book in The Darkborn series and it should not be read as a standalone. Make sure you read the previous book and I also highly recommend the prequel. This series has truly captivated me and I find myself connection to each of our characters. There is so much angst and longing between some of the couples, especially as the Darkborn learn about the soulbond.
The first book did a great job on setting up the four main Darkborn characters, Sylas, Thorne, Lucian, and Arless. It had rich world building and this one built off that even more. It picks up right where the last one left off with Sylas returning home to find the princess he has a soulbond to and running from for 10 years. He is trying to control his hunger and passion for her, but she is now a grown woman and not willing to be pushed away. The bond between them is too strong to deny and it will only hurt them to keep fighting it. The angst was strong between them and I loved every moment of it.
We also have the soulbond between Thorne and the shieldmaiden who hates him. Thorne has been drawn to her for years and suffering those unrequited feelings. Now he is staying with her group to prepare for the coming war and she is befinning to feel drawn to him. I was shocked with what happened between them when the invaders have arrived. Stakes are high and things are coming to a head for the coming war.
Lucian is my favorite character and there wasn't anything getting resolved between him and Arless. I am dying for them to get together, but I am sure Harley is waiting for the final book to give them an HEA they deserve.
I am so intrigued to see where Harley is going to take this story.
Thank you to Harley Blackwell for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️.5
Soulbound is the 2nd book in The Darkborn series and it should not be read as a standalone. Make sure you read the previous book and I also highly recommend the prequel. This series has truly captivated me and I find myself connection to each of our characters. There is so much angst and longing between some of the couples, especially as the Darkborn learn about the soulbond.
The first book did a great job on setting up the four main Darkborn characters, Sylas, Thorne, Lucian, and Arless. It had rich world building and this one built off that even more. It picks up right where the last one left off with Sylas returning home to find the princess he has a soulbond to and running from for 10 years. He is trying to control his hunger and passion for her, but she is now a grown woman and not willing to be pushed away. The bond between them is too strong to deny and it will only hurt them to keep fighting it. The angst was strong between them and I loved every moment of it.
We also have the soulbond between Thorne and the shieldmaiden who hates him. Thorne has been drawn to her for years and suffering those unrequited feelings. Now he is staying with her group to prepare for the coming war and she is befinning to feel drawn to him. I was shocked with what happened between them when the invaders have arrived. Stakes are high and things are coming to a head for the coming war.
Lucian is my favorite character and there wasn't anything getting resolved between him and Arless. I am dying for them to get together, but I am sure Harley is waiting for the final book to give them an HEA they deserve.
I am so intrigued to see where Harley is going to take this story.
Thank you to Harley Blackwell for providing the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Soulbound by Harley Blackwell is a dark, addictive fantasy romance that hooked me from page one. I already love this author’s work under her other name, and this book proves again how strong her character work and world-building really are. Harley’s writing style is immersive, emotional, and full of tension — even in a brutal, Norse‑inspired world, her characters feel deeply human.
Her unique blend of Norse lore and vampirism stands out, and the Red Capes’ attack on Ironrest was unforgettable. Imara racing in on Cindra, the brutal fight, and Thorne finding her afterward… that whole sequence hit hard and showed exactly why Harley’s stories linger.
If you love dark fantastical romance with rich world-building and a little spice, this one is absolutely worth reading. Harley Blackwell continues to prove she’s a phenomenal storyteller.
Her unique blend of Norse lore and vampirism stands out, and the Red Capes’ attack on Ironrest was unforgettable. Imara racing in on Cindra, the brutal fight, and Thorne finding her afterward… that whole sequence hit hard and showed exactly why Harley’s stories linger.
If you love dark fantastical romance with rich world-building and a little spice, this one is absolutely worth reading. Harley Blackwell continues to prove she’s a phenomenal storyteller.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The first book in the series gives you all the background information about how the four main characters became bloodborn (immortal viking vampires) and their sense of purpose but also their great loss of family and community.
This second book builds on that but also adds soul bonds. Sylas and Thorne both try to resist their soul bonds but realize in the end it's not really a choice and the bonds are what ultimately make them whole and this new life worth living. It also makes them realize fighting for the north isn't just something they have to do but want to do to ensure they have a future with their soulmates. And they'll do anything for their soulmates.
I'm excited to see where the series goes and the continued action and twists.
This second book builds on that but also adds soul bonds. Sylas and Thorne both try to resist their soul bonds but realize in the end it's not really a choice and the bonds are what ultimately make them whole and this new life worth living. It also makes them realize fighting for the north isn't just something they have to do but want to do to ensure they have a future with their soulmates. And they'll do anything for their soulmates.
I'm excited to see where the series goes and the continued action and twists.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an improvement on the last. I think the pacing was much better.
I am enjoying this world so much, the characters are so broken and raw.
I like the addition of a soul bond, it adds a really intriguing layer to the Darkborn existence. I'm excited to see where the story goes.
I am enjoying this world so much, the characters are so broken and raw.
I like the addition of a soul bond, it adds a really intriguing layer to the Darkborn existence. I'm excited to see where the story goes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this book! The yearning is top tier, like could not get any better. I have fallen in love with these characters and want so badly for them all to find happiness. I can not wait for the next book to see where the dark born are going to take us!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imagine- you’re entire world has been turned upside down. You’ve become something you don’t want to be and you are attached to someone you don’t want to be, but the pull is undeniable. If you have read any of the Darkborn Saga, get ready because Soulbound, book 2, will be released in a few short days and it’s all about to change.
October 20, 2026
A brilliant read! A spicy fantasy romance, with intriguing characters & storyline. An incredibly well developed world, that quickly has you completely absorbed in the plot. I do strongly recommend for all that love dark epic fantasy, you will not be disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews