What do you think?
Rate this book
The Immortal Bind
The adventure of a lifetime... or two, or threeWhen Sara is gifted a beautiful antique chair as a wedding present, she is completely unaware that it is one of a unique pair. On the other side of the world, the chair's twin is presented to a reclusive artist, Jon, as a birthday gift.The two new owners are thrust into a mind-expanding adventure through the ages - medieval East Anglia, Scotland, France and India. In each instance they experience significant junctions in their lives past, to remember and redress ripples of karma they set in motion, and thwart an evil entity that still threatens their present day lives.Their journey exposes a cursed love affair spanning one thousand years and ten thousand miles. Only the full realisation of their own short comings will prevent the tragic reoccurring outcome of their immortal bind.
- GenresFantasyParanormal
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
6 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 5, 2020
This novel was quite an addictive read. It was light and fast paced, with a very cute romance. The characters were endearing and I found myself really gunning for John and Simon. It was a mystical fantasy with hints of historical fiction, so a few of my favourite things. There was a nice plot twist towards the end and it definitely wasn't sappy or cliche (so important in a romance). I read this novel in three days. If you haven't picked it up yet, I would recommend it for light reading.
March 2, 2017
I was lucky enough to receive this review copy from Harper Collins Australia. I haven't read a Traci Harding book in years and this was so intriguing, I felt like I had to devour it slowly.
I was captured from the first page, I loved diving back into a Harding read, and what more to love then past lives, soul mates and reincarnations? That was one of the reasons why I loved The Ancient Future so much, and I was so glad to be reading about this again. Harding delivered a gripping story of Sara and Jon, reincarnating over the ages but never to have a happy ending. With each lifetime they spent together, I was becoming more and more invested in their life together. It was interesting to read each lifetime as the places and times were so different from one another. It was mysterious and tragic the way each 'dream' ended and at first, I just wanted to get back to reading more about Sara and Jon's current life. I loved the concept of these ancient chairs with the Eyes of Karma, taking them through past life regressions and the pull they had towards each other. As the story goes on, we seem to find out more and more clues to their past lives and a way to break the ancient curse keeping them apart.
I loved the characters in the book, and it was interesting to see how each came into play as they were revealed in the past lives too. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it felt like reading many short stories. It made me interested in the different times Sara and Jon each lived in and by halfway, I couldn't put the book down. Even though parts of the book seemed cliche, I loved every moment, because who doesn't love a cliche story? Maybe not most people, but it has become so uncommon these days, but still done in a gripping way. The Immortal Bind takes you on a journey through the ages and creates such a spell binding tale of love, star crossed lovers and hope for a future between soul mates.
I was captured from the first page, I loved diving back into a Harding read, and what more to love then past lives, soul mates and reincarnations? That was one of the reasons why I loved The Ancient Future so much, and I was so glad to be reading about this again. Harding delivered a gripping story of Sara and Jon, reincarnating over the ages but never to have a happy ending. With each lifetime they spent together, I was becoming more and more invested in their life together. It was interesting to read each lifetime as the places and times were so different from one another. It was mysterious and tragic the way each 'dream' ended and at first, I just wanted to get back to reading more about Sara and Jon's current life. I loved the concept of these ancient chairs with the Eyes of Karma, taking them through past life regressions and the pull they had towards each other. As the story goes on, we seem to find out more and more clues to their past lives and a way to break the ancient curse keeping them apart.
I loved the characters in the book, and it was interesting to see how each came into play as they were revealed in the past lives too. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it felt like reading many short stories. It made me interested in the different times Sara and Jon each lived in and by halfway, I couldn't put the book down. Even though parts of the book seemed cliche, I loved every moment, because who doesn't love a cliche story? Maybe not most people, but it has become so uncommon these days, but still done in a gripping way. The Immortal Bind takes you on a journey through the ages and creates such a spell binding tale of love, star crossed lovers and hope for a future between soul mates.
June 30, 2019
I enjoyed this story a lot. The book was easy to read and (very!) hard to put down. Lived on more coffee & candy than usual for a few days as reading took priority over sleeping!
The 'modern era' characters were likeable and believable with enough time spent in/on the different time periods to make them and their inhabitants feel solid and real, but not enough time to stall the overall story or take away from the modern day feel.
Traci tells stories I love, enjoy and come back to (over and over and over) - stories that inspire me to dream, to think big and to believe anything is possible. Maybe this is too personal or just me dealing with life, but I'm going to write it anyway: You know how you're happy and confident after doing something new and fun, or spending time with friends - You're smiling more and are just that bit more courageous, whimsical or outgoing... Well, that is what reading this book did for me! The characters felt like friends and I'm already looking forward to visiting them again in the future!
The 'modern era' characters were likeable and believable with enough time spent in/on the different time periods to make them and their inhabitants feel solid and real, but not enough time to stall the overall story or take away from the modern day feel.
Traci tells stories I love, enjoy and come back to (over and over and over) - stories that inspire me to dream, to think big and to believe anything is possible. Maybe this is too personal or just me dealing with life, but I'm going to write it anyway: You know how you're happy and confident after doing something new and fun, or spending time with friends - You're smiling more and are just that bit more courageous, whimsical or outgoing... Well, that is what reading this book did for me! The characters felt like friends and I'm already looking forward to visiting them again in the future!
February 26, 2021
Captivating read indeed!
I loved the flashbacks of different time periods of the main characters trying to piece together a 2,000-year-old curse that has haunted them forever, peace being eluded - until now. And being hunted by a demon doesn't help either.
Traci Harding kept you on your toes beginning to end, this isn't my first Traci Harding book and she doesn't disappoint! Definitely recommend this!
I loved the flashbacks of different time periods of the main characters trying to piece together a 2,000-year-old curse that has haunted them forever, peace being eluded - until now. And being hunted by a demon doesn't help either.
Traci Harding kept you on your toes beginning to end, this isn't my first Traci Harding book and she doesn't disappoint! Definitely recommend this!
March 4, 2017
A beautiful story throughout ages and cultures of finding your honest and meaningful path. And maybe, if you are truthful to this life, of finding true love as well.
July 22, 2020
I am certain that Ms Harding is a magical being who is blessed by the fae as everything she writes is perfection
March 9, 2017
I have been following Traci Harding for nigh on 20 years; I can’t believe it! I still felt like I’ve only just read her first book, The Ancient Future just the other week. I have always felt drawn to her books because the inner-romantic me loved that idea of love across time; of soulmates finding each other again and again over their karmic cycles. 20 years on, I’m still enamoured by this idea and still loved the stories weaved around this theme by Traci Harding.
Unlike her previous works, this book is stand-alone and was apparently a revised work of her earlier movie transcript. Her usual theme of karma and love across times, however, did not change. In The Immortal Bind, Sara and Jon currently living on opposite sides of the world from each other, found themselves enchanted by a pair of antique bejewelled chairs. Through these mediums, they relived their past lives and the curse that followed them through time. To break the curse and be free to be with each other this lifetime, amends must be made.
As Jon & Sara relive their past lives; for the readers, it’s like reading tragic love stories over and over again. On the one hand, it’s lovely to read of young love a number of times but on the other hand, a little frustrating. However, as their lives crossed many times periods in a variety of settings, The Immortal Bind definitely kept the readers interested as we come across different cultures. The only downside is that we do not really get in-depth pictures of each culture/time setting.
This book actually reminds me a little of Barbara Erskine’s epic books. I mean that literally her books are twice the size of The Immortal Bind. If this is your first read of Traci Harding’s, aside from her other books, I’d also recommend Erskine’s. If you are a fan of Barbara Erskine, please do give Harding a chance! The Immortal Bind is a story of love reaching across time but more than that, it is a story of self and lesson in selflessness… for how can you love when you are selfish?
Thank you Harper Collins Publishers Australia for providing paperback copy in exchange of honest review
Unlike her previous works, this book is stand-alone and was apparently a revised work of her earlier movie transcript. Her usual theme of karma and love across times, however, did not change. In The Immortal Bind, Sara and Jon currently living on opposite sides of the world from each other, found themselves enchanted by a pair of antique bejewelled chairs. Through these mediums, they relived their past lives and the curse that followed them through time. To break the curse and be free to be with each other this lifetime, amends must be made.
As Jon & Sara relive their past lives; for the readers, it’s like reading tragic love stories over and over again. On the one hand, it’s lovely to read of young love a number of times but on the other hand, a little frustrating. However, as their lives crossed many times periods in a variety of settings, The Immortal Bind definitely kept the readers interested as we come across different cultures. The only downside is that we do not really get in-depth pictures of each culture/time setting.
This book actually reminds me a little of Barbara Erskine’s epic books. I mean that literally her books are twice the size of The Immortal Bind. If this is your first read of Traci Harding’s, aside from her other books, I’d also recommend Erskine’s. If you are a fan of Barbara Erskine, please do give Harding a chance! The Immortal Bind is a story of love reaching across time but more than that, it is a story of self and lesson in selflessness… for how can you love when you are selfish?
Thank you Harper Collins Publishers Australia for providing paperback copy in exchange of honest review
May 9, 2017
Tracy Harding's Immortal Bind enchanted me.
It's a tale of a man and woman, starting 2000 years ago, meeting and being torn from each other by a malevolent being. We watch their lives cross each other each time, always pursued by the jealous third party.
Meanwhile, present day events transpire to bring them together. But the demon still pursues them and will stop at nothing.
The novel kept me reading and, as always, Traci Harding told a ripper yarn that drew me in. She even added a number of twists, teasing me at the end.
And, what happens? Well, nothing happens the way we expect.
It's worth the read.
It's a tale of a man and woman, starting 2000 years ago, meeting and being torn from each other by a malevolent being. We watch their lives cross each other each time, always pursued by the jealous third party.
Meanwhile, present day events transpire to bring them together. But the demon still pursues them and will stop at nothing.
The novel kept me reading and, as always, Traci Harding told a ripper yarn that drew me in. She even added a number of twists, teasing me at the end.
And, what happens? Well, nothing happens the way we expect.
It's worth the read.
February 21, 2020
This is the first Traci Harding book I read. I came across it by accident, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I'm up to book 9 of the Ancient Futures series and realise, it wasn't an accident. It was the universe providing me these books!
June 7, 2020
Traci takes you on fabulous foray into times and places where your imagination is provoked and stroked with the imagery, and the characters. You cannot help but gain real life insight into how your own karmic cycles, and other incarnations, work to contribute to who you really are now, and why your life twists and turns as it does.
This book takes you through the karma, and curse, bound lives of the main characters, and protagonists, as their current day incarnations are prodded and guided though a journey of discovery, to help lift a 1000 year old curse.
Through 4 separate lifetimes, and separated by half a world, our 'heroes - if you like - and their friends, are brought together by 2 chairs, some cursed relics, a ghost of their mutual past and a curse created demon. A demon determined to bring them suffering throughout their many incarnations, and prevent love and happiness from being realised.
(The audio version is read by the incomparable Edwina Wren).
I, very highly, recommend this book.
This book takes you through the karma, and curse, bound lives of the main characters, and protagonists, as their current day incarnations are prodded and guided though a journey of discovery, to help lift a 1000 year old curse.
Through 4 separate lifetimes, and separated by half a world, our 'heroes - if you like - and their friends, are brought together by 2 chairs, some cursed relics, a ghost of their mutual past and a curse created demon. A demon determined to bring them suffering throughout their many incarnations, and prevent love and happiness from being realised.
(The audio version is read by the incomparable Edwina Wren).
I, very highly, recommend this book.
January 22, 2023
Based on the story itself, I would have rated this book 3 stars. But it was published in 2017, and it was full of outdated racial and sexuality stereotypes. For example: when plot progression required a main character to learn about Indian spirituality, the author made the choice to put the character IN A TAXI, so he could have a chance encounter with an Indian taxi driver.
Also, they used the ‘N’ word. It was to show that the character speaking was evil, but he was a demon. We knew he was evil.
Full disclosure, I listened to the audiobook. The narrator voiced each character with her best attempt at their accent. The casual racism might not have smacked so hard if I had just read it on paper.
Also, they used the ‘N’ word. It was to show that the character speaking was evil, but he was a demon. We knew he was evil.
Full disclosure, I listened to the audiobook. The narrator voiced each character with her best attempt at their accent. The casual racism might not have smacked so hard if I had just read it on paper.
October 13, 2017
My first thought after reading is that it was underwhelming. I was expecting fantasy, which it is, but it felt more like a romance novel and that's not a genre I enjoy.
The characters emotions didn't feel real to me. It felt like there was no build up. For example "She burst into tears" was a common way to describe the protagonist as sad or upset by her experiences.
There were a lot of 'info 'dumps' and in those parts I nearly bailed altogether.
The original idea was meant to be realised as a movie and I think that may be why this book doesn't ever feel like it connects with the reader or at least it didn't for me.
The characters emotions didn't feel real to me. It felt like there was no build up. For example "She burst into tears" was a common way to describe the protagonist as sad or upset by her experiences.
There were a lot of 'info 'dumps' and in those parts I nearly bailed altogether.
The original idea was meant to be realised as a movie and I think that may be why this book doesn't ever feel like it connects with the reader or at least it didn't for me.
July 26, 2017
Just finished this book by our very own Australian author, Traci Harding. I first found her book 'The Ancient Future' in our high school library. I fell in love with her stories then, and now, about 16 years later, I am still reading her. This book has all my favourite things - spirituality, esotericism, fantasy, wisdom, and loads of high jinks and fun. Traci has a gift for writing stories that you can just drink up - so easy to keep turning pages. And this one is one of her best.
January 3, 2018
As in all her books, the plot is a real page turner and there are some delightful moments of universal wisdom throughout the book. It's a rollicking read that's very hard to put down, despite the rather clunky prose.
September 4, 2020
An enchanted story form Traci Harding.
It always amazes me how she is able to interweave the lives and past lives of her characters. Following the lives of Jon and Sara we watch as their past lives unfold in front of them. Also unfolding is the origin of the curse that has followed them for 2,000 years.
A tale of acceptance and letting go in true Traci Harding style.
It always amazes me how she is able to interweave the lives and past lives of her characters. Following the lives of Jon and Sara we watch as their past lives unfold in front of them. Also unfolding is the origin of the curse that has followed them for 2,000 years.
A tale of acceptance and letting go in true Traci Harding style.
May 10, 2019
a fanasty chic lit novel .Not my type of book
July 5, 2019
Great book
Want to read
June 23, 20232P
June 1, 2024
Really enjoyed the travel through history. Well written and linked all the parts beautifully.
May 17, 2025
Romantic fantasy. OK as an audio book for background to cooking and driving
February 19, 2021
I found the writing annoying and somewhat immature. While I enjoyed the book I believe Traci has written much better than this. Obviously her first book.
February 13, 2017
They say you should never judge a book by its cover. But I think most, if not all readers are guilty of it in some way. I know I certainly am and I as soon as I pulled this book out of the packaging, I wanted to read it. Before I’d even glanced at the blurb. The colours are ‘my thing’ – those beautiful greens and blues. It looked mysterious.
In the present day, clothing designer Sara and artist Jon are both gifted antique chairs by the people closest to them. Sara lives in Australia, Jon in England. Both love their new gifts….but are stunned to see that the chairs appear to possess magical powers, causing each to sleep and dream vividly when both are sitting in them. The dreams take place in very different time periods and places but the general story is always the same – star crossed lovers kept apart by an evil character who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. In each dream, Sara and Jon play the roles of the young lovers and they are surprised to recognise people they know playing various bit parts.
Both Sara and Jon soon realise that these are no dreams…..and that they are the current manifestations of an ancient curse. The only way to escape the vicious cycle that repeats every few hundred years is to end the curse. First they will have to discover how to do that…..when they haven’t even met in this life and are separated by thousands of kilometers and pursued by a creature who is determined to finally possess what has eluded him for over thousands of years.
This book definitely lived up to my expectations from its pretty cover! I was hooked from the first page and I found every single part of the story so well constructed and they were all expertly woven together. I know very little about a lot of the background of some of the timeframes but it really didn’t matter. I found that each time Jon and Sara experienced another “dream” I kind of cared little about where and when it was taking place and more about the people within it. Each one is really heartbreaking and frustrating as well. After the first one or two you know that any more ‘dreams’ they experience can really only end one way and that unless they figure out the messages in the dreams and discover a way to break an ancient curse, then their current incarnation will end the same way as all of the previous ones.
There’s something so incredibly romantic about the idea of having a soul mate that you are destined to come across in reincarnation. I am not sure if it doesn’t happen in every lifetime or if there is a gap between everything aligning for the recincarnations…..there are remarks made that there’s a wait of another couple hundred years before it will happen again and in the current life, Jon and Sara couldn’t be more far apart. They aren’t in a relationship, they haven’t even crossed paths. Everything seems stacked against them in this time period, even more so than in all the rest. Of course less romantic is the part of the story that sees someone who will stop at nothing in order to prevent you from being with your soul mate but that adds the suspense element.
With each story showcasing a previous life, I found that I became more and more invested in Jon and Sara finally getting to live a life together, even though these two people hadn’t actually met yet! Both of them had already suffered so much in other lives and when they dream about them whilst sleeping in the chairs, they experience it as if living it all over again. I also really enjoyed the role that their best friends played – both in this life and in the previous manifestations. In each, the role was a little different and it seemed to grow and evolve as well. I appreciated the trust and belief that the friends had in Jon and Sara too, some without even seeing proof of the “weirdness” of the chairs!
This is the first book by Traci Harding that I’ve read and I loved it! It has such atmosphere and so many elements….romance, history, mystery, fantasy, friendship, a bit of suspense. I’m definitely going to have to look for more of her books – she has quite an extensive backlist, some 20 or so books! It’s always good to find an author that you’ve enjoyed and discover that they have so many more books! There are a few series’ too and I love a series so I’m pretty excited. As a reader it’s good to step out of your comfort zone every now and then, try things that you might not normally gravitate towards.
In the present day, clothing designer Sara and artist Jon are both gifted antique chairs by the people closest to them. Sara lives in Australia, Jon in England. Both love their new gifts….but are stunned to see that the chairs appear to possess magical powers, causing each to sleep and dream vividly when both are sitting in them. The dreams take place in very different time periods and places but the general story is always the same – star crossed lovers kept apart by an evil character who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. In each dream, Sara and Jon play the roles of the young lovers and they are surprised to recognise people they know playing various bit parts.
Both Sara and Jon soon realise that these are no dreams…..and that they are the current manifestations of an ancient curse. The only way to escape the vicious cycle that repeats every few hundred years is to end the curse. First they will have to discover how to do that…..when they haven’t even met in this life and are separated by thousands of kilometers and pursued by a creature who is determined to finally possess what has eluded him for over thousands of years.
This book definitely lived up to my expectations from its pretty cover! I was hooked from the first page and I found every single part of the story so well constructed and they were all expertly woven together. I know very little about a lot of the background of some of the timeframes but it really didn’t matter. I found that each time Jon and Sara experienced another “dream” I kind of cared little about where and when it was taking place and more about the people within it. Each one is really heartbreaking and frustrating as well. After the first one or two you know that any more ‘dreams’ they experience can really only end one way and that unless they figure out the messages in the dreams and discover a way to break an ancient curse, then their current incarnation will end the same way as all of the previous ones.
There’s something so incredibly romantic about the idea of having a soul mate that you are destined to come across in reincarnation. I am not sure if it doesn’t happen in every lifetime or if there is a gap between everything aligning for the recincarnations…..there are remarks made that there’s a wait of another couple hundred years before it will happen again and in the current life, Jon and Sara couldn’t be more far apart. They aren’t in a relationship, they haven’t even crossed paths. Everything seems stacked against them in this time period, even more so than in all the rest. Of course less romantic is the part of the story that sees someone who will stop at nothing in order to prevent you from being with your soul mate but that adds the suspense element.
With each story showcasing a previous life, I found that I became more and more invested in Jon and Sara finally getting to live a life together, even though these two people hadn’t actually met yet! Both of them had already suffered so much in other lives and when they dream about them whilst sleeping in the chairs, they experience it as if living it all over again. I also really enjoyed the role that their best friends played – both in this life and in the previous manifestations. In each, the role was a little different and it seemed to grow and evolve as well. I appreciated the trust and belief that the friends had in Jon and Sara too, some without even seeing proof of the “weirdness” of the chairs!
This is the first book by Traci Harding that I’ve read and I loved it! It has such atmosphere and so many elements….romance, history, mystery, fantasy, friendship, a bit of suspense. I’m definitely going to have to look for more of her books – she has quite an extensive backlist, some 20 or so books! It’s always good to find an author that you’ve enjoyed and discover that they have so many more books! There are a few series’ too and I love a series so I’m pretty excited. As a reader it’s good to step out of your comfort zone every now and then, try things that you might not normally gravitate towards.
March 5, 2017
Enjoyable light romantic fantasy.
February 15, 2017
I actually enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. However, there were several problems overall. The history behind the past lives for one thing, very jumbled in places and clear in others, far more consistency was needed here.
November 6, 2022
Pure satisfaction.
September 4, 2022
A romance across continents and centuries, thwarted along the way by a curse and a demon. It was a good read, a romp across time and place and I enjoyed it very much.
April 14, 2017
Sara is a fashion designer who is engaged. Jon is a painter who is a social recluse. At first glance it would appear that their creativity is all they have to bring them together, but there is a lot more going on than meets the eyes. When Sara’s best friend Liz and Jon’s best friend and manager Simon purchase antique chairs from the same shop on the same day things become interesting. The chairs take our duo on journeys into their past lives where they discover they have been star-crossed lovers for several lifetimes, but one man, and the demon he is possessed by, is determined to ensure they never live happily ever after. Well at least not until the curse has been lifted.
The immortal bind is a beautiful love story that explains the power of karma and how it is played out across lifetimes. Whilst it is a love story, it is not formulaic and mushy. It is more a combination of short fantasy thrillers that have been beautifully meshed to tell a larger story. Personally, I think it is some of Traci’s best work and it is a book that would appeal to a very diverse audience. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was I thought the ending was a little to easy and predictable but this is a trifle. I recommend the book to everyone even if you are not into love fantasies. I can’t wait to see what Traci will write next.
The immortal bind is a beautiful love story that explains the power of karma and how it is played out across lifetimes. Whilst it is a love story, it is not formulaic and mushy. It is more a combination of short fantasy thrillers that have been beautifully meshed to tell a larger story. Personally, I think it is some of Traci’s best work and it is a book that would appeal to a very diverse audience. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was I thought the ending was a little to easy and predictable but this is a trifle. I recommend the book to everyone even if you are not into love fantasies. I can’t wait to see what Traci will write next.
April 28, 2017
3.5 stars I'm really enjoying reading books with magic in the real world. I enjoyed this book a lot but found the characters a little emotionally distant.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews