Blood Bonds

Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #21

by Yasmine Galenorn

They’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae agents of the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. Camille is the Queen of Dusk and Twilight. Delilah is a two-faced werecat and the Autumn Lord’s only living Death Maiden. And Menolly is a vampire princess and married to a gorgeous werepuma Amazon. It’s been four long years since they first found out about Shadow Wing…and now, they’re facing the end of the line. It’s time for the D’Artigo sisters to extinguish Shadow Wing’s evil forever, before he goes mad and tries to unravel the world…

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, Magic, Audiobook, Paranormal

235 pages, ebook

First published April 15, 2019

About the author

NOTE: I SELDOM visit Goodreads and do very little here. Please see my website for more information on my work: https://galenorn.com

New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.

She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/

NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: April 2019
Rating: 5/5 stars

Blood Bonds was a good ending to the series with Galenorn giving us resolutions to several long running characters and storylines.
I enjoyed the structure of the novel, with each sister getting the chance to narrate throughout the story, which felt fitting for the final book.
The final battle with Shadow Wing was long overdue and it was good to see him defeated after all this time.
I'm going to miss getting new stories in this series, one that I've been invested in for over a decade, but I'm glad it ended in a satisfying way and that Galenorn decided to finish the series independently to give us loyal readers the chance to see this through.

[Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed. Seemed like she didn't even want to write this book. We got one chapter for the final battle. One chapter! The rest of the book was spent on "oh my goodness times are changing how ever will we go on" stupidness. So much wasted time. I really liked this series but she was slowly letting me down with the last few books and this finale just ruined the whole series. I'm done reading Galenorn.

[Michelle Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful ending

My heart is full and breaking at the same time. These books have brought me through tough times, I have fallen into the world she created. I have sat and read the final book in this wonderful series in 4 hours. I love the ending. I love that there was an ending that didnt just drop off and leave you with questions. I laughed, I cried, but in the end I just sighed. So, so wonderful and fulfilling for those of us who have been part of these characters from day 1. Now I will give myself some time to breathe and absorb the ending and then I will start with Witchling all over again.

[Robin Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

*contented sigh* Such a lovely finish to the series. Reading this was bittersweet; this series has seen me through some of the happiest times and some of the saddest times of my life. The sisters and their friends and lovers have always felt like friends.And now, reading Blood Bonds, all that comes to an end. (Well, sort of...there is, after all, the marvelous art of rereading.)


Ms. Galenorn mentioned in her blog that the format for Blood Bonds would be different. It's still told in the first-person, but this time the point of view shifts between the sisters. This worked even better than I could have imagined.
The story moves smoothly forward even as the point of view changes. I never felt as if there were holes, or that we were going over the same ground multiple times.

I won't say much more about this book. Devotees of Otherworld will just have to read it for themselves, and, if you're not familiar with the sisters, I suggest putting the brakes on reading Blood Bonds and going back to the very beginning of the series.

Oh, and again for fans of the sisters, there's a lovely surprise in the wrap-up to this book. So fun!

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many emotions now that this series has been laid to rest. I’m sad to say goodbye, but Ms. Galenorn has crafted a fitting conclusion to this phenomenal story.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sad thing when a great and beloved series comes to an end. But this author gave these series a beautiful and happy ending. Thank you Yasmine for creating such a wonderful piece of work that I have enjoyed so much. I will miss the sisters and all the fun we have shared, the laughs and the cries and everything in between. What a great series!

[Alice4170 🌙 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️
Finally this series is done!
I feel it’s been dragging for 5 or 6 books now.
I’ve been reading this series for a few years but I’m glad it ended. Tbh this book seemed a bit lazy to me.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brings an end to this series. I'm a bit sad as I've been reading them for a long time. It is interesting how much the sisters have changed.

As the book went on we had the big battle at the end, the one with Shadow Wing, the one that has been building since book one. It was ok, not as epic as I had hoped. I actually found what I liked more about this book was all the goodbyes that were said along the way. It seemed like each sister talked to people influential in their lives these last few years and were able to let them know they were important to them, why and to say good bye, to let them go on to the next trail in their lives. At times it seemed like the sisters were even doing it to each other.

The best part of the book was the epilogue, I liked seeing the sisters a year later, happy and living their lives, but the letter/report from Maggie set 300 years in the future was AWESOME. The words she shared were so great and everyone should take them to heart.

[Carley Starsong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, as much as it pains me to write this; I was extremely disappointed... I have followed this series from its inception, and I did really expect more. I completely understand that Yasmine was ready to put this series to bed. However I feel like this book and the last 3 were rushed, or it was wrapping up too quickly. The depth of this book is minimal at best. Yes there is closure, but I feel as if the details weren’t really in this one. I also am disappointed that most of the books in this series were 250 plus pages. This was 175.... It was clear Yasmine was done and over this series and that does sadden me. I understand there are a million other books and I also am excited for all of Yasmine’s other books because she is totally AMAZING! I guess I just wish that this series finished the way it started. It’s still a wonderful storyline, I love how it ends, I just wish there had been more substance to it.

[Cyndra Kent · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm glad I saw this through to the end, but I will never read another if Yasmine Galenorn's books.
Yes she wrapped everything up with a bow. However, the last 3 books have been a real let down. I have been on this ride since 2005 and I can't believe she threw this together and put it up for sale to complete what was an incredible series.
When I saw the minute size of the book, I knew there would be a problem. This book is so anemic even a transfusion wouldn't bring it to life.
Ms. Galenorn didn't even pay enough attention to her story to correct a major plot line when it got messed up.

I am so done with Yasmine Galenorn.

[Bianca · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARE YOU PEOPLE MAD?!!! Such a shitty ending to an amazing series. The book was rushed. She spent more time in recaps in previous books than she did on this entire novel. If you can even call it that. It’s more like a novella.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

You don't kill off one of the best characters just to tidy up loose end. Not if you want me to read more of your books. Done with Galenorn.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milde Spoiler vorhanden.

Mit diesem Band ist die Reihe nun definitiv abgeschlossen (die gefühlten hundert Kurz- und Zusatzgeschichten lass ich jetzt mal weg). Es ist ein rundes Ende, Galenorn schliesst die meisten offenen Fäden ab und erzählt uns, was aus den einzelnen Charakteren geworden ist.

Jedoch fühlte sich für mich das Ganze an, als hätte es die Autorin enorm eilig gehabt. Der Schlusskampf wird auf wenigen Seiten abgehakt, während zuvor lang und breit über Privates palavert wird. Dafür, dass Galenorn 20 Bände lang auf diesen Kampf hingeschrieben hat, hinterlässt das bei mir einen eher faden Nachgeschmack.

Dennoch bin ich froh, es durchgezogen zu haben. Nun kann ich die Reihe für mich ad acta legen und mich an die guten alten Zeiten erinnern, als ich noch Freude an den Büchern hatte. Auch bin ich froh, dass die Serie so zu Ende ging, und ich nicht abbrechen musste. Schön, dass wir uns alle auf diese Weise voneinander verabschieden konnten.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like the end of an era - I am so glad that Galenorn did finish the series as I know there was some nervousness when the transition to independent publishing - I would have felt very robbed if there was no completion, so thankful for that.

I was also a little nervous to read it, because I knew somebody (or bodies) was going to die - there was just no way they could take down Shadow Wing without people paying the price. So I definitely read that section with one eye closed. As for the final showdown, I have to admit, it felt a little anticlimactic after 21 books, it happened a little too easily/quickly, but I understand it took 21 books to get to that point and I also don't know how it could have been done better.

I appreciate that she wrapped up the world and gave each of the sisters their ending. It felt like a nice conclusion to the city.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe that the story is done. After all these years and stories, you feel as though you know the sisters and their friends personally... To see it finally end is hard but at the same time, it is time for them to move on.

This book has to be read, you will not be sorry.

I cannot wait to read the next amazing book written by this amazing author.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't believe it's over! I felt like it was so short but I'm sure I just wasn't ready for it to be over. I've been reading these books for 12 years and I liked the ending for the most part but I would've taken 20 more epilogues lol. I am going to miss these characters so much! I might have to go back and read the entire series again right away. Not easy to let go!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this is the end of the series. I was so involved with it, not sure what I’ll do next. It was awesome following the sisters all this time. I highly recommend this author and even more so this series.

[Alex Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 43 complete.

The series finally comes to an end. I'll miss reading about these sisters.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, it was a great end to her story, and to the series, and I finally read it! Yeah!

[Theodora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

What a great end to this series! Bring the tissues, you might need them! I loved that we see how all of the major characters help the sisters, and we learn how everyone’s lives are after the final battle. If you haven’t read this series, it’s a must! This book was soo good!

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad we got a clear ending to the series, but honestly, I was disappointed. It's been 20 books prior to this building up the battle and a wrap up for these characters, yet we got less than 200 pages. Although there were casualties the battle wasn't that great. Shadow Wing wasn't super easy to take out or anything, but the amount of time it took to go down was quick. It should've been a war, instead, we got a fight. Also, the casualties should've been higher. Most of the deaths were random nameless/faceless characters. The known losses kind of fell flat for me, because the characters lost were kind of in limbo and weren't headed towards a HEA anyway. All that time the sisters spent saying possible goodbyes to their lovers should've left at least one of them with heartbreak or even the loss of a sister.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars


For the final book of a 20+ book series, this was kind of disappointing.
I started reading the series 10 years ago and I love the world building and characters. There were books with plots that were further and further away from the original story line and I had the feeling that Galenorn wanted to do so much with these characters that she lost track of everything that was going on. Gladly, in the last few books the war with Shadow Wing came into focus again, but for me the books lost a bit of their charme. Maybe it is because the series is so long and so much has happened, and I, too, have changed over the years. Either way, I was happy that the series finally came to an end.

The war with Shadow Wing got build up since book one, and I expected an epic battle and even the death of some of the main characters. The book itself barely has any plot, mostly it's just the sisters saying their goodbyes and Galenorn trying to wrap things up. I wish this book had more depth. Everything felt a little rushed. I am also a little bit sad that this book is not only Menollys perspective (even though it makes sense that we can read from the perspective of every sister, since this is the final book, Menolly was my favorite of them and it feels a little bit like she got "less").
The "war" with Shadow Wing is rather a 22 pages long fight and that alone is a big disappointment. It was way too easy, and the casualties weren't high enough. I had the impression that Galenorn already moved on to other sesries, and wanted to be done with this one quickly. It felt like not enough effort was put into this last book, and I'm also not very satisfied with the ending. We know as much about their future as we were told about their "destinies" in previous books.

Overall this was an okay read. I just expected more from the final book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Bonds left me feeling a bit cheated.
There will likely be spoilers in this review so if you want to avoid them, come back and read this later.

How do I feel cheated?
I feel cheated by the speed with which this 21 book series long build-up came crashing down
I feel cheated by the build-up and growth of a character, only to have his death off-screen, following a shitty reveal by a lesser character.
I feel cheated by the cliched use of the time skip in the end.

I followed this series right from the start. I loved the rich world-building, the fantastic complexity and variety of the characters, and the mythical fantasy storylines. I loved each side story that fed into the larger arc. I loved the development of each character throughout the series. It was a long series, yes. But it was strong and each book held it's own. Until they didn't.
I began noticing typing errors. Missing words, incorrect words used. The development of the story in the later books was rushed and not as poignant. Characters changed too much of their essential, well, character, too easily so that they could fit the direction of the story rather than the story shaping them.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed the books. I'm very glad they were finished so that we as long-time readers could witness the ending and have a sense of closure. I just feel things were rushed and forced. And for that, the story and the writing suffered.

Here be spoilers!
And, I'm pissed Chase died. I'm pissed Sharah did the deed with her advisor so she could conceive an heir to the throne. While I understand the reasons, I'm disappointed with the way it was handled. And I'm pissed that Chase, once someone I would have considered a main character, became an afterthought. Even if he did sacrifice himself, it was done in such a dismissive way.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Bonds, by Yasmine Galenorn, is Book 21, the last book in the Otherworld Series. The end of an era, for those of us whom started back in 2005 with Witchling.
Although differently written than the last 20, it was done this way because it had to be . There are no loose ends, or wondering.
I had a very emotional time reading about the Menolly, Delilah, and Camille's final battle for peace against Shadow Wing.
There are so many incredible characters that have come to be family to the Sisters since the beginning, and they are all included in this book, as well. No spoilers , though !
This is the kind of book that you can't wait to start reading and are afraid to finish... I found it next to impossible to put down, yet made myself do just that.
There are some Bonds that can never be broken by anything, even death.
Thank you, Ms. Galenorn, for an outstanding series that has its own shelf in my library, and will be read often. Thank you for pouring your soul into creating this amazing world ~ not many authors can write 21 books, not counting the spinoffs and novellas. You are extraordinary at your craft.
This book made me laugh, cry, and reminisce , which is exactly what an excellent series should do. If you haven't already, buy this book, and enjoy the ties that bind all the characters together.

[Kymnesha Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, it has been a long and sometimes rough road for the D'artigo sisters and their families and friends, and what a good ending it was it was a bit anticlimactic, and losing Chase what was that about, but Chase and Sarah's story was faithed to end tragically with Sarah being the queen of elqaneve after queen Asteria was killed and having to leave her half-elf half-human child (Asrid) behind and the man she loves, and have a full blood elf heir with someone else and with queen Asteria right-hand man of all people, but he was the right choice as he said he wouldn't ask anything of her, and now Sarah has triplets daughters and does still see Asrtid that Delilah and Shade are rising Beaues the Elvin people will never accept her, and Sarah is becoming more like queen Asteria every day which is probably for the best, and Chase is still around watching after his little girl, but I loved where all the characters ended up in their separate lives and roles, and I am glad Roman finally found someone to love him like Menolly loves Nerissa, and the end report by Maggie set 500 years in the future was just awsome!!!!!

[Lynn Geiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing end of an amazing era.

When I picked up the 1st book in this series, I never thought that
A: I would get sucked in the way that only a good book can do, or
B: For years I would eagerly await each new book, or
C: I would now have finished the final words to this amazing story.
If you love the paranormal mixed with romance and humor, then this series is for you. Not once have I ever been sorry I spent the money and time reading a single book in this series and I think it will be the same for all who read them. My ONLY regret is that it had to finally come to an end. The way Yasmine Galenorn writes, the characters become almost like family, so while this last book made me cry, it was more like when your family goes home after a visit that always seems too short. I'm sad it had to end, but I know my "family" are in my Kindle, waiting for me, whenever I need to "visit".

[Jennifer Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Bonds is the final book to the Otherworld Series. It's finally down to the last battle with Shadow Wing. Can Camille, Menolly, and Delilah and their husbands, family and friends put an end to what is going to be a very nasty battle? Or will Shadow Wing be the Victor?

I really like how each chapter was about a particular sister and what was happening to them and the issues that they were facing. Even though the women were taking separate paths one thing remains the same, and that is family and friends. I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to see what will come next from this incredible author.

[Jill DeBellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending!

I loved this book! I cried a bunch reading this book but it was worth the tears. From the beginning of this series and until this last book, I have been following the sisters through all of the ups and downs, from them finding the lives of their lives and the losses that they had from their friends and family, it has been an emotional roller coaster of a ride. This last book puts everything into the win column and still makes you realize that life moves on. Nothing stays the same. This is not only true for this series but for live in general. Thank you Yasmine Galenorn for a terrific series.

[Siry · Rating 3 out of 5]

no sabia que este era el ultimo libro de esta serie y por eso no lo había leído XD, además Menolly no es mi personaje favorito y como sale en la portada pensé que seria mas una historia enfocada en ella.
No se si por el tiempo que paso no me gusto tanto, si.. los personajes tuvieron sus finales, cerraron cabos sueltos, y cada uno siguió con su final feliz.
Pero.. la pelea final me dejo insatisfecha, me parece que fue demasiado sencillo y corta, y si todos los libros eran el camino a esta pelea.. pues no valió la pena.
de los personajes, me imagine el destino de Chase desde que Delilah habla con Trenyth, no esperaba la parte de Maggie, Roz y el destino de Astrid.

[Emma Fearon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing end of Otherworld, so bittersweet

This book arrived on my kindle three hours ago and I had to read it. Immediately. It is the book I've both wanted and not wanted. And it is so much more than I hoped.

Camille, Delilah and Menolly have been in my life for years and I've grown to love them. But Shadow Wing needed to be stopped and there had to be the battle. I will say nothing more than this book is the story that was needed. Especially the final pages.

I'm not ashamed to say that I cried.