Soulbound

The Republic #4

by Archer Kay Leah

In a relationship that violates rules and expectations, Mayr and Tash have found their perfect match in each other. Despite their fears and difficult pasts, they hope for a shared future with security and a family. When Mayr's secret first love, Arieve, proposes they create that family with her, it seems dreams could become reality.

But life is complicated, and so is the delicate balance between duty and love. While Mayr protects the Dahe family at all costs, Tash is determined to succeed as a priest. Both positions require sacrifice, forcing their relationship into painful choices. To make matters worse, criminals lurk in the shadows, seeking revenge on them and those they guard.

The life they want risks losing everything—including Arieve and each other. Even if they can have it all, keeping it may take more than they can give.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, M M Romance

596 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2018

About the author

Archer Kay Leah is an LGBTQA+ romance author that you'll often find getting lost in strange, fantastical worlds with characters who can't help but find trouble and shake things up. Fantasy and sci-fi romances are Archer's specialty, especially when they're complex and emotionally charged. But at the heart of Archer's stories are friendship, family, and there's always a happy ending–it might just take a whole lot of complications to get there!

When not reading and writing for work or play, Archer is a nerd of much geekery, loves music to depths that will never be contained, and is fascinated by behaviour, psychology, and ecology. Born and raised in Canada, Archer lives in London, Ontario with a non-binary partner who loves all things out there in the vast space of the universe.

To keep up with what Archer's up to, there's a Newsletter you can subscribe to @ https://eepurl.com/gNOSGH! Or, come visit Archer on social media, especially Twitter. And for anyone interested in reading works-in-progress as they're written in a monthly serial form, as well as hearing more about the books overall (with sneak peeks and early access to new materials, covers, and more), check out Archer's Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/archerkayleah.

Reviews

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up.

The first thing that struck me as I started reading this story is the detail in the world building. I got a real sense of another world rich in history, and character back story. The politics and religious beliefs added to the feeling of this being a world that exists far beyond the pages of this story. The descriptions are very visual, and I could ‘see’ the settings easily. Although I am reading the series out of order—as this is book four—I had no trouble figuring out what was going on. I think the author does a great job in filling in new readers without it feeling like info dumping.

I love Mayr and Tash, not just because of what they have together, but also of them as individuals. I loved the gorgeous description of bird of Tash’s back—it’s very visual. I also enjoyed—although I probably shouldn’t use that word, considering—the struggle Tash has between what he wants, and his guilt over what he’s done. It felt very real as did Mayr’s fear of rejection, given his past. I thought Arieve complemented their relationship, and I liked the way the author handled her role in it, and the friendship and love between the three. I appreciated that bringing her into it came with a lot of forethought on all their parts, and they addressed the risks involved. I liked that the concept of what it meant to soul bound was explored, and the possibility of it being between two or more was discussed, as part of the mythos of their world.

I also enjoyed the poetry in the author’s writing. One line that stood out for me was the description of the soul bond as “Souls recognised each other as crucial parts of themselves, drawing them into a dance with hope.” I’m always happy when music in some shape or form is used to describe something.

As I continued reading I was torn between giving this story a 4 or 5 star rating, especially as the tension racked up in the last few chapters, and set up for the conflict to come.

I’d recommend Soulbound to readers who enjoy high fantasy stories with complex world building and characters, and action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat

[Archer Kay Leah]

Welcome to book #4 in the Republic series! For those who have read the series up to this point: yes, Mayr & Tash are back, and things in the series are still rolling along... though to what end, that remains to be seen. It's going to be a rough ride, folks, so you might want to strap in... maybe keep tissues close to hand. Their HEA isn't going to be easy.

And for anyone who wished they could've seen Tash's POV in Four: here you go. About half the book is from his perspective, which brings its own particular benefits and challenges. The angst is epic with this one. But to better understand him and his choices, you need to know where he's been and what he really thinks.

For those of you not familiar with this particular couple or the series as a whole: This story is *primarily* an M/M romance set in a high fantasy world, which is carrying on from the previous books. Both Mayr & Tash are bisexual. Though in this installment, there's also an MMF poly romance that runs within (around?) that main relationship, during which readers will meet Arieve, who's also bisexual.

Though please be warned: there are definitely trigger warnings and content notes for this story. Soulbound contains some explicit content, references to self-harm, suicide, and mentions of suicide-related behavior and intent. The story also contains instances of graphic violence, references to rape and domestic abuse, and depictions and mentions of depression.

Can this book be read on its own? Maybe. It depends on the reader, I think. For the best possible experience, readers may prefer to read A Question of Counsel (book #1), Four (book #2), and Blood Borne (book #3) first -- or, at the very least, books 2 and 3. Soulbound ties back to all of them in different ways, though it's part of a trilogy that started with Four and was pushed further by Blood Borne.

If you're interested in purchasing a copy, the eBook and paperback are available directly from the publisher (Less Than Three Press), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, and other major online retailers.

If you have questions, feel free to ask! And to everyone who takes time to read this book -- and any of my books -- whether you've been with me since the beginning or you're a newcomer: thank you, so very, very much. It's so greatly appreciated, you have no idea. <3 <3 <3

[Archer Kay Leah]

New edition!

This 2nd edition is very similar to the first — there aren’t any new scenes, the plots haven’t changed, and the characters remain the same. For the most part, the changes are simply numerous minor changes in sentences and the odd extended or reworked paragraph!

Note: This story is *primarily* an M/M romance set in a high fantasy world, which is carrying on from the previous books. Both Mayr & Tash are bisexual. Though in this installment, there's also an MMF poly romance that runs within (around?) that main relationship, during which readers will meet Arieve, who's also bisexual.

* Please note this book comes with major trigger warnings. To view them and other content notes and disclaimers, here you go: Soulbound contains some explicit content, all of which is meant for adult readers. While the main relationship is MM, there is an MMF relationship that overlaps with it.

This story touches on several matters related to mental health and depictions of emotional and physical situations that could bother some readers. This includes references to and depictions of self-harm, suicide, and mentions of suicide-related behavior and intent. There are also depictions of depression, PTSS/PTSD and complex PTSS/PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome/disorder), survivor’s guilt, and complications with pregnancy.

The story also contains instances of graphic violence, references to rape and domestic abuse, mentions of human trafficking, references to torture in a character’s past, and an attack using explosive devices, as well as descriptions of the aftermath.

Finally, this story includes brief references to transphobia in a character’s past.

Please note the story uses the gender-neutral pronouns ce and cir for one of the characters. These are not mistakes: they are the chosen pronouns of that character.

The eBook and paperback are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple Books, and other major online retailers!