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A captivating YA tale, perfect for adults or teens.

When Aveline's abusive father sells her hand in marriage to an arrogant lord, she flees into the surrounding forest. During her escape, she befriends a young dragon, and together they travel to the capital city. There, they find allies in unexpected places and trigger events which will change their lives forever.

Turn the page, the saga has begun.

This book is written in British English.

ebook

Published October 1, 2017

9 people are currently reading
120 people want to read

About the author

Michelle Connor

14 books131 followers
Michelle Connor hails from Grimsby, England. She had her first poems published when she was fifteen. She now writes fantasy fiction with heart.

Her works include Hers to Save, a coming of age, fantasy series, and Where Ravens Soar, the first book in the Nine World Protection Agency series.

She likes history, old castles, and loves to read about legends and old religions. This love comes across in the tales and magic she weaves with her words.

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5 stars
32 (61%)
4 stars
12 (23%)
3 stars
4 (7%)
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4 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Stein.
Author 55 books518 followers
March 30, 2017
To begin, this isn't my usual type of book. It's about a girl who was raised in a poor household with her brother and father. Her mother had died leaving her emotionally scarred. When she was told of her engagement, Adeline fled from the village. She sought solace, thinking she conjured up a dragon to deal with the exhaustion. Upon reading, she's actually bound to a dragon that wasn't imagined. There's a backstory about the last dragon and how they became to be. Aeolius surprises many by its appearance. The story ends with Herveus preparing Aeolius and Aveline for a future battle. My heart ached because I wanted to know more about Herveus. I'm actually looking forward to reading book two in the series just because it intrigued me, and I need to know what will happen with Aeolius.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Winters.
Author 1 book6 followers
April 17, 2017
Beautifully Written

The writer managed to capative her readers from the very beginning. Every chapter lead to a page turning moment. It little bit reminded me of game of thrones. So if anybody likes GOT then you must read this one. It's well written, polished and not to mention will take you to whole new level of fantasy.

The character's role was well sorted, especially Aelious and Herveus. With unexpected turn of events you will crave for more as you reach the ending. I must say I really like Herveus
'#I ❤herveus.' Or #teamherveus.

I'm eagerly waiting for book 2 as the book one left me at cliff hanger and I WANNA read the next part already.
Profile Image for Harris Danielle.
878 reviews
March 10, 2017
Michelle really kept my attention on this book. This is a huge shock considering this is definitely not my genre. I have tried some of the romance fantasy, but I couldn't keep up with it, due to the fact it was hard to follow. Not this book. It's easy to follow and flows so smoothly.

Aveline has it pretty rough with her abusive dad. Aveline thinks she has an imaginary dragon friend named Aeolius. Is Aeolius real or just the product of her fathers abuse?

This book will capture you by the heart, tug, and squeeze you in this breathtaking novella.
Profile Image for Jasmine Pritchard.
1 review2 followers
March 28, 2017
I absolutely loved this! As an ARC reader, I found the beautiful style and talent that the book is written with to be amazing. I was entranced by the story line and the way that the characters become believable. Michelle leaves you on the hook with the ending of part one, and I m currently waiting (very impatiently) for the continuation as I cant wait to find out more about Aveline and the journey she is taking!! I would definitely recommend this on to other readers!!
2 reviews
April 10, 2017
Fantastic debut from this author.. I found myself sucked into the story very quickly and the characters are very easy to become enamoured with. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to the second installment, in fact my only fault with this book is that the 2nd one isn't available to read immediately. (i'm not a patient woman!)
Profile Image for David Boiani.
Author 6 books36 followers
April 18, 2017
Wonderful first installment of a new series. if you are an Eragon or Game of Thrones fan, this book is definitely for you. If not, it is still an entertaining read with interesting characters and an intriguing story line. The ending leaves you hanging but makes you yearn to read book 2...
Profile Image for Tracy Westerman.
2 reviews
April 5, 2017
Great read

Love the characters and got lost in a whole new world.
Continue with your great work Michelle and hurry up with the next book please xx
Profile Image for Julie Beveridge.
3 reviews
March 9, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this book and although not my usual type of book i found myself wanting more and needing more, this was a brilliant read which really made you feel as if you were right there in the story, waiting to see what was going to happen next to Aveline and Aeolius and where the story was going to go, it kept me turning the pages and did not want to put the book down, i highly recommend everyone to read this book.
Profile Image for Silver Moonbeams.
Author 5 books3 followers
March 6, 2017
it made me laugh and cry, it had me on the edge of my seat . beautifully written . i highly recommend
Profile Image for Megan.
75 reviews9 followers
March 19, 2017
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review.**

"Excusing himself, he left them to discuss the important matters of war while he went to teach a small waif how to become a warrior."

I am such a sucker for fantasy novels that include dragons. I will just start with that. So when Michelle contacted me about reading and reviewing her novella, I was extremely excited. Then I started reading it and remembered it was only a novella and I became extremely sad. I wanted more. So much more. It ends with a "to be continued.." and I wanted to scream! It was absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait for more.

This story begins with a young girl living in a small, sort of run town village in medieval type setting. Her mother passed away giving birth to her younger brother, leaving her to basically raise him. Their father is a real piece of work. Demanding everything from young Aveline and not appreciating anything she does. Some abuse is implied, both verbal and physical. And her brother seems to be taking after their father. Not a good home life for her, that's for sure.

She comes home one day to find her father very happy about something and surrounded by fresh meats and cheeses. He tells her that he has found a way to solve their money problem: selling her to the king! Father of the year right there...

Obviously she's not too enthusiastic about this arrangement, so she runs away. She eventually comes across a dragon! I was so excited when that happened and the dragon can communicate to Aveline in her head. They are then captured and escape the cell with two men, one of whom ends up being the Prince.

This novella is obviously setting up for a much more detailed story and I for one am anxious to see where it all goes. It ended on such a cliff-hanger and I'm so angry it was so short! That was really my only criticism was that I just wanted more.

So please, please Michelle. I need to know how this ends!

For more reviews: https://soulmeetsbooks.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Jappa Satya.
1 review
March 21, 2017
Aveline is much more than a damsel running away from distress.
Aeolius isn't the epic sidekick aiding the sweet heroine.
Herveus is definitely not your swashbuckling hero.

Although these names would sound gibberish to you if you haven't touched The Bound, Connor makes sure that predictability isn't either of the character's characteristics. So if you're looking for a set of honestly intriguing characters in a real quest, with shadows of threats lurking around, a heart clenching background for each character - you've reached the right place.

Even though fantasy hasn't been a genre a bookworm like me would be immersed in, The Bound captures your attention from the prologue and keeps on throwing bones of hints to its last page. At the end you're seeking for answers you'd hope you got right.

Connor does a great job with the vocabulary and tone, giving you a feel of the older times. She does an even better job of making her characters real. Nobody turns into a hero overnight. Even though this starts as Aveline's story - you later realise that Aveline is just an important branch to the main plot. I'll bar myself from commenting more for the sake of its intense plot - but you'll love it, especially if you're a lover of curiosity.

With compelling descriptions and an unpredictable plot, Connor hooks you into the first book to the second.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
694 reviews41 followers
July 9, 2019
I received a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. This is simply my opinion on the book and is not influenced by any external factor.

A really great start for Aveline in this fantasy novella. We are given an understanding of Aveline’s situation and her reasons for leaving home without taking away from the main story. The author dives right in to the important parts of the story.

The characters were all likeable and I liked getting that insight into Herveus’s past at the end of this story. I do wish that we had a chance to learn more about Dayton or Aeolius in this one, however, as a novella, there is not much time for specific and detailed character development. And, as well as being a very well-written story, that ending makes you want to read the next one.

Overall, 4/5, great start!
Profile Image for Anna.
838 reviews
March 20, 2017
I think it's a good beginning to the story. Just enough to wrap you up and make you want to hang on for more. We meet the main characters, get some back story to dragons and their bound and see the beginning of a war of sorts. Doesn't really get into any romantic relationship at this point but I can see where one could develop in the future.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews55 followers
July 26, 2019
The Bound: Novella by Michelle Connor is a namazing story that I loved reading. This is book number one and a brand new start to this amazing brand new series that I fell in love with. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about historical fiction and fantasy in their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melanie Harrell.
15 reviews
March 19, 2017
I received this copy free in exchange for a honest review.

This is the first book of this author that I have read and I am glad I did. I love the story line. It grasped my attention right from the start and held it all the way to the end. I can't wait to get my hands on the second part.

I would highly recommend this book.
Author 4 books1 follower
March 22, 2017
The Bound Novella is a lead into what promises to be an epic series of a battle between good and evil. A young finds herself 'bound' to a young dragon and enters into a world that seems to be in the grip of a spreading malevolence.
A great start to the series.
Profile Image for evieo17 .
5,055 reviews51 followers
March 21, 2017
A great start to the series. Now I need to know what happens next.
Profile Image for K.V. Wilson.
Author 8 books76 followers
June 18, 2018
The Bound is a lively tale set in medieval times with knights and dragons. The main character is realistically vulnerable yet brave. She develops a strong bond with a charismatic dragon. I love the way the author switches points of view to ensure that the main characters each get their share of action and backstory. This was a delightful novella and I'm glad there are more to come as Aveline's adventures continue.
Profile Image for Megan Jacob.
441 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2017
Aveline find with a dragon after she runs from a horrible father.later she meets up with the Prince and his friend.this was a vivid and entertaining story. starting the beginning of a fight against bad things. this is my honest review of a copy I received
244 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2017
although not my normal read this was still a good book, it kept me want to read more to find out what happens next. would recommend this book
Profile Image for Romaine Heart.
2,337 reviews30 followers
March 19, 2017
After an abusive and isolated life,  Aveline flees leaving her father and brother, Ethan,  to start a new journey in her life.
Aeolius dragon
Herveous, Spy Master, and protector of Prince Dayton. Together they set out on an adventure to rid evil in the world.
The author has an in-depth of the characters and keeps you intrigued with this well written storyline.
There is a cliffhanger.  Enjoy reading these types of books. Can't wait for next book. I'm volunteering an honest review for an advance reader's copy.
2,617 reviews25 followers
March 23, 2017
this was a first book of yours i read. not my ususal type of book i read. its about a young woman who is abused by her father. she escapes only to run into a dragon. its a different kind of story!
1 review
March 9, 2017
I was given an ARC of this novella for an honest review. At the beginning, I felt as if I was entering into the world of Brothers Grimm. The ancient primeval dark forest stretched out before me. Aelious arrived on stage and the story took off into a rip-roaring dark ages fantasy and yes I did want to turn the next page and the next, right to the end. I found the characters well rounded and believable and fell in love with the dragon. The anti-hero character Herveus painted a memorable picture for me and I delighted in lines like 'eight men waiting for Herveus, warriors all', which played echoes of the language from Beowulf, deep within my head. Do I want to read the sequel; in the words of Penny from Big Bang Theory 'Damn right I do'.
Profile Image for Cameron Lond.
1 review
March 14, 2017
I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this, it had my attention the whole way through and I didn't want to stop reading. You can tell that Michelle put a lot of thought into the characters and the story was great. I found myself attached to the characters rather quickly and the story was very engaging, would recommend to anyone.
Profile Image for Rosemarie.
Author 7 books13 followers
March 9, 2017
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I don't read much YA fiction, there is often too much emphasis on romance for my taste. Fortunately for me the only developing relationships in the novella are those of friendship and trust.

The main characters are Aveline and her dragon Aeolius, who meet when Aveline runs away from her abusive home. They meet a prince and his spy master and go on a journey, to rescue the kingdom from the grip of evil.

The characters develop slowly over the course of the novella, in particular spy/assassin Herveus, whose backstory is intriguing. The writing style is fairly colloquial with the characters speaking in a way which often reflects their individual social status. The landscape is described evocatively and I'm looking forward to the next part, especially after reading the final twist.
2,416 reviews
July 12, 2019
I found this book to be a good read. The characters and story are well written. I will be reading the next book. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
705 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2019
The Bound: Novella is a perfect story for teens or adults. A captivating plot with wonderful characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Pauline Duffield.
1 review
March 6, 2017
A brilliant read well written keeping you mesmerised in the story from begining to end a very well done Michelle Connor will look forward to more ....
Profile Image for Kimberly Newman.
167 reviews9 followers
May 17, 2017
I enjoyed this young adult fantasy story in many ways. I especially appreciated the fact I could recommend this book to anyone over 12 who enjoys fantasy and is not extra sensitive to violence/death. A refreshing, light read with no vile language or erotica to assault you. I never put the book down, but read it from cover to cover in one go. It went by quickly, ending on a cliffhanger. I won't give anything away, but I just couldn't believe a certain person--one of my favorite characters--was struck down, leaving me to wonder if they were alive or dead or would be healed. Well, I guess I will have to wait for the next installment.

The author's strengths (to me) are her ability to write beautiful descriptions, the way she fleshes out her characters (and makes one care for them), her pacing, and the feeling that much more could have gone wrong but didn't. I love the cover!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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