Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie

Harley Merlin #16

by Bella Forrest

Welcome to Finch Merlin and the BLOOD TIE.

Pre-order now.

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts.*

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Paranormal, Magic, Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2020

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

###

Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Carol Janet Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, I have to admit to liking Finch's books a tad more than Harleys

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite in the series ! Nash's POV was great.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are pretty good young adult (kisses, insinuation, no graphic sex) fantasy novels. Of course, you'll need to suspend a lot of reality because there is magic involved - that's the whole idea. But the characters are complex and the action is well-written, and the twisty plot is good. 3.5 stars.

[Katie Santa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!!! I I Love finch and Ryan!!!! finally!!!!! I don’t wanna give out too many spoilers so I’m just gonna day you will love this Finch book! I couldn’t put it down! can’t wait for the next one!

[Nicholas Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

This was such a good book, would recommend to anyone that likes magic stuff to read this! Such a good story line.

[Christiana Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good

This was still a great book, but it wasn't quite as good as some of the others in this series.

[Donna M. Downes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another riveting story that is full of unexpected situations!

You've done it again Bella Forrest! Your talented spinning of on the edge story lines has drawn me in yet again! Love how attached to the characters I am., The unexpected twists made it so difficult to put this book down. Now I am looking forward to what you have planned to reveal next!

[Tracey Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Atlantis is not a fairy tale. I love this series exciting and thrilling from beginning to end. I urge you to grab book one and begin the journey you will be amazed

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's another Harley/Finch Merlin book. I'm really running out of things to say about this series. I've said this in my previous Finch Merlin reviews, but the Atlantis books probably could have been condensed a bit. This book covers at most, two days in the characters' lives, and maybe could have been mixed with the previous books. The ending definitely feels like part of a penultimate novel though, so hopefully this is the last time I say this. Also, if the stay in Atlantis was only one book instead of three or four (it feels so much longer, why does it feel like so much longer?), maybe it would be easier to tell the suitors apart.

So, for the first (and much slower) half of the novel, Finch and Kaya are under the effects of a love potion. Props to Bella Forrest for trying to show how creepy love potions are (the fact that love potions are sold in joke shops in Harry Potter is one of the most unfortunate implications), although I had a stronger desire to vomit from the sheer mushiness of love potion!Finch, instead of the horror of the main character being forcibly drugged. Also, this is just the surface of how bad love potions are in this book.

Anyways, the heroes have reached another low point. Fortunately, Lux and Erebus have been scolded by Chaos himself because the Merlin siblings are important to the balance of Chaos because they are descended from Merlin himself and getting one of them drugged by the Queen of Atlantis is bad for that. I found this kind of cheesy. It feels like Forrest wrote herself into a corner with the love potion, and needed to bring in cosmic beings to save Finch and crew ("save" of course meaning getting them out of one fire and into a different fire).

And that fire. Forrest pulled off a masterful series of plot twists (or I'm not as smart as I think I am) that made the latter half very hard to put down. I haven't felt this stoked reading Forrest since book 7 (maybe it's a good thing I have to take a break to focus on my book club). I feel like some modern writers try to really shock the reader without doing the groundwork, which Forrest did in spades. Unfortunately, Forrest doesn't quite stick the landing with this ending, because she slaps on a sudden cliff hanger that was totally unnecessary with the impending doom she had built up over the course of the last two books.

Actually, there is something I've been meaning to say about the series as a whole that I haven't said yet. Forrest is not good at descriptions. She tends to describe most things once and assume the audience remembers how it looks from one brief description. There's a scene towards the end that frequently references how Atlantean clothes look, and it dawned on me that I really don't remember how they look outside of an undefined difference between surface clothes. She does the same thing when introducing the Atlantis Beastiary in a previous book. At least with Finch as a major POV character, there is a little flourish of his snark to keep most of the brief descriptions from also being boring.

[James Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Surface-Dwellers Finch and his new Muppet Babies Team, have arrived,, triggering an Atlantean Prophecy

A Stranger would come from above and Atlantis would rise again from the depths of the ocean to conquer and ruler both the magical and non-magical surface dwellers! The bestiality of Atlantis is failing causing power failures and lose of sections of the city. Princess Kara thinks that all the signs she has been seeing are pointing to Finch as the city's Savior prophesied and forces Finch to down a love potion and marry her. The old King is not looking forward to joining his wife in death just so his daughter may ascend to throne as the new Queen of Atlantis, and tries bargaining with his daughter to keep his life and simply remain as advisor to her.

The new Muppet Babies Team .searches for a way to release Finch from artificial state of Bliss the love potion has locked him into and return his mind to normal so they may escape from Atlantis and warn the surface of the threat Atlantis poses to the Globe.

Lux. remains in Ryann's body,, and the marital spat with Erebus continues while Melody playing marriage counselor for the two dangerous children of chaos!

In the meantime, unknown to Finch's Muppet Babies Team, Devan sits plotting his evil plans and spinning his ties making bargains with the rich and powerful while being held in Atlantis's jail for his attempt on Princess Kara's life.

[Kat Starwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlantis in Turmoil


The action is REALLY hetting up in Harley Merlin/Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie, Book 16.

Is Finch going to break the love spell, ‘undo’ what was essentially unbreakable and supposed to last forever and make his way back to Ryann? Does she even want him after everything that’s happened?

There is SO MUCH going on in Book 16, that it’s challenging to keep track of it all. But somehow I managed.

In this episode there are those who are brought back from the dead, several others who usurp the rulership of Atlantis, and others who have that same rulership wrenched away from them and watch helplessly as they and their friends are wounded or killed.

Is it possible for Finch to get word back to his sister, Harley, as he planned so she can rouse the troops and somehow help extricate Finch, et al from the sinister grasp of the latest and potently evil ruler?

And what about the Children of Chaos, Lux and Erebus? They were supposed to be taking care of them, helping them, but so far that hasn’t happened. Will it yet?
And will the latest ruler succeed in collecting a vital substance from all Atlanteans that will be utilized in a spell that will allow Atlantis and her People to break free from their underwater chains?

Finch and the Gang are doing their collective level best to make their way off Atlantis, but there are so many obstacles and betrayals. Will they make it?

Read this book. That’s the best way to find out.

[Emily Skermer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book especially after the last 2 moved kinda slow and probably could have been combined.

Finch was put under the love spell which I thought would be kinda annoying but I am glad that he did have doubts because otherwise his parts would have been so hard to get through.

I really enjoyed the bit with Erebus and Lux working together and I'm actually really liking Erebus and hope he's in the next book a lot more especially after the saved Finch and everyone from drowning he's really starting to be a great character.

I also enjoyed Nashs Pov and Im glad he's got rid of his Sanguine curse. I liked his talk with Hector although I'm not sure where he disappeared off to but I hope he comes back.

Noo Davin is back with a vengeance my god I hate him so much I wish he would just hurry up and die and not come back this time especially now he is basically king of Atlantis.

All the backstabbing at the end was shocking a lot happened really quickly and I was also terrified Ryann was going to die.

Anyway next book is the last in the Finch series so I'm guessing there is going to be war especially with that cliffhanger.

[Winkinblinkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella's best, so far!

I've read every single book Bella Forrest has written. This, however, is her best, yet (in my opinion). I was, as usual, completely immersed in all the excitement. Finch Merlin has been my favorite character, since his introduction, of ALL her books, but I have grown more and more attached to the supporting characters in this series. There were so many emotionally jarring moments in this book, that I went from laughing, to crying, to rage, to sheer terror, hate and love, and all human emotions possible... I'm so completely wrung out, after finishing this installment, that I (unlike my normally impatient for the next one), I'm almost relieved to catch my breath and get my bearings before its release. Whew! She outdid herself with this one, which I thought was impossible, given the volume of books she churns out, so quickly. Every bit was vivid and all the characters were beyond well developed. Looking forward to the next one, but surprisingly relieved to recover from the emotional rollercoaster it induced!

[Melissa Dinwiddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Finch Roller Coaster!

After a lackluster book 15 (thank GOD we don’t have to read Kaya’s POV in this book!), book 16 has Finch and his pals on a roller coaster again. This time we get to see the inner perspectives of two additional characters: Nash and Ryann (with her Child of Chaos freeloader, Lux).

All looks hopeless at the start, with Finch bound under a love spell and married to Kaya, the Atlantean Queen. But nothing is ever really hopeless, of course, and our friends manage to go from frying pan to fire, and back again several times over the course of this novel.

It’s a fun ride, and getting a peek into Nash’s backstory and psychology is an added bonus.

The ending irked me a bit. Not that much in these books is believable, but I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief, knowing what I know about pressure and lack of light at ocean depths. A blanket statement about a magical bubble or some such would have gone a long way to prevent eye-rolling.

[Sean Rassleagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bit of a flat patch around book 14 the series is back on its game. It's a competent pot boiler, don't expect great literature, the writing is not great, dialog is a bit flat and it consistently pulls punches on the romance and violence angle to keep it all PG-15, to the point of really stretching credibility.

What you get is a reasonably pacy story, reasonably interesting characters, some good world building and most importantly a plot with some nice twists and crucially it is free on Kindle Unlimited and the next installment in a month. The plot twists in this installment are particularly good.

It's enough to keep me coming back for the next one even though she's already stretched it to 16 books.

[Gemma Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so glad my boy Finch is finally getting a little justice! Of course, with any Forrest novel, there's going to be MANY twists and turns... Let's get ready for book 17!

It's exciting to see Finch re-unite with the original Muppet Babies. I feel like there's so much we have yet to see with Harley and Finch working together without the threat of Katherine, each of them having come into their own and forged their own identities.

I'd like to know how many books this is likely to be though. A continuous series is all well in good, but I'd like some kind of guarantee that my investment in the series isn't going to extend into my old age.

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in the series is full of twists and turns and is really unpredictable. Though aimed at young adults, anyone with a love of fantasy novels will enjoy this creation. There is also a lot of beautiful relationships and romance which is central to the plot and executed really well.

The plot is at points a little confusing but this actually adds to the narrative as the characters try and work out who is on their side... as the story unfolds allegiances change.

One word of warning it does contain one of the most disgusting death scenes I have ever read... I don't know why as I'm quite hardy but this one turned my stomach.

[Linda Fine · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a completed book than the last few...

My complaint about the last few books has been that they seemed very incomplete...comparable to lengthy complicated chapters of a story rather than stand-alone books that were part of a series. This book had a beginning and an end while clearly alluding to preceding events and events yet to come so it may my idea of what a book that was part of a series should look like. It did seem to be a bit predictable, though, which is what led to the 4* rating rather than a 5* rating...would likely have given it 5*s if the past couple hadn't been disappointing. It gives me hope for the rest of the series.

[Steve Koets · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked reading the Harry Potter Series, then you'll enjoy reading this series. It's a grown up version of the world of wizardry and magic existing alongside but hidden from the everyday world of non magical humans. I would recommend reading it in the order published, as the characters continue to develop in each book of the series with ongoing threads in each one. It's fun escapist fantasy, and the books grab a hold of you and pull you into the world of magic. If you like stories about magic and adventures filled with fast paced action, you'll enjoy the Harley Merlin series.

[Debra Chiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double WOW!!!

What a great series this has been! Just when I think our group of heroes will never make it back from Atlantis, the whole place begins to rise and they are jettisoned towards the surface by the Queen who just gets her kingdom back. But she doesn't do a very good job of sending them ashore and they almost drown. Can't wait to see what comes next for our group of heroes and if Atlantis actually rises all the way with the spell.

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in the series.

I have come to like Finch Merlin more, as he matures. However, this story didn’t make me want to continue reading the future books. There are too many villains and too many characters who shift sides too rapidly. The best part of this book, for me, was. The last chapter until it’s ending which laid the ground for the next book. I suspect I will defer reading that for a long while.

[Sherri Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable great reading this series

Wow! I really love this series. I can't wait to see what will happen next for Finch and the gang. I am glad that chaos intervened with that love potion on Finch so he could be normal again since he was having side effects. Bella Forrest knows how to keep you interested I love this series and the ASOV series are my favorites that get more intense.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling read

Finch and new Muppets are still in Atlantis. Finch is married to Kaya and the love spell is working to change his memories. But his heart is fighting the change. Lux is told off by her father Chaos, and she persuaded Erebus that they have to help Finch. Whilst at the same time Nash Luke Melody and Huntress try to do the same. This book has twist and turns but shows true love wins. If course it ends in another cliff hanger hence four stars

[Lisa Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so much action in this book. And yet another big cliff hanger. Davin is such a pain in the butt. Hate him more than Katherine. Such a sleeze ball. Poor kaya she was a nightmare but doesn't deserve all this. SDC back in action. Glad everyone is back together. Cannot wait for the next book. Oh and Nash god bless him. Love this man.

[Debbie Rendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Lots of ground covered and lots of twists. Who knew Erebus would grow a bit of a conscious? My heart goes out to Nash and Hunter as a dog lover myself I would love that gift. (That’s if we had or could pick gifts) lol and it’s finally nice to see Mr Chaos himself has reigned Lux and Erebus in and wants to give Finch and Ryann a break. A must read xx

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a book! What a ride!!
There's so many betrayals I got whiplash trying to keep up.

Lux and Erebus actually are helpful for once and just because someone's had their deatb day doesn't mean they're necessarily dead.

With a cliff hanger ending like no other I give the a fabulous 5 stars.

[diana romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley Merlin 16 Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie

This is another winner. I love this series and this author writes wonderful storylines and the characters are great and you want to keep reading to see what they are doing. I highly recommend all her books and different series to everyone who loves witches , and paranormal characters in your books. Diana Romano

[Tina Oeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This series just keeps getting better and better. What a turn of events, some good and some not. I am glad they are finally on the surface again and they all survived. I am also happy to see that the original muppet babies and crew are back in the picture. Can’t wait to see what Bella has in store for us next.

[Debbie Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh that Finch!

I'd liked to say a very good ending to the Atlantis story, but is it? Finch is becoming a wonderful young man. He's become caring, sensitive to the need, feelings of others which of course gets him into some fairly predicaments. Now it's just beginning his love for Ryan and the new blood his body has absorbed from Nash. Thank you for good clean fun reading .

[Amanda Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much

Too many cliff hangers. The plot is soooo drawn out ( once again). I know this review will l probably never post but I have too say, there is truly no Bella...obviously a pen name a group of writers are using. Not nice to try and fool fans or insult writers.. I'm done with all publcations