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Soul Bound #1
Dusk Gate
As a holy maiden of the Phoenix Queen, Jasmine was a prize of immense value to the demons. To their shock, she and her nearly defeated rescuers are rescued by the beautiful but scathing Xandra, an enslaved elven sorceress who’d been damned for over a millennium. Once they escape, Xandra and the others soon go their separate ways, thinking that their brief meeting would be their last, for they had little in common.
Little did Jasmine know that the fickle hand of fate would reunite her with Xandra when darkness shrouded her homeland and all the other holy maidens were captured. Nor did she know that acerbic, destructive sorceress would provide her only source of hope for the future.
Little did Jasmine know that the fickle hand of fate would reunite her with Xandra when darkness shrouded her homeland and all the other holy maidens were captured. Nor did she know that acerbic, destructive sorceress would provide her only source of hope for the future.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2020
89 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Medrano
47 books309 followersI was born in October, 1985. Not much of my history would likely be of interest, but I grew up primarily in Utah, a land of ultra-conservative people, and yet oddly open to Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 14, 2022
This fantasy adventure has pretty interesting main characters. Xandra has spent the last millennium as slave to a sadistic succubus and is freed by some adventurers that she incidentally helped rescue one of their own. She's acerbic and a little mean, but it doesn't take long to realize that she hasn't let her captivity turn her actually evil. Which is confusing for her companions once they make it to non-demonic lands—I'd classify Xandra as actually good, but without feeling any need to be kind or even pleasant.
The rest of the story is one adventure following another and includes a fey invasion and lots of foes of various types as they try to find a way to deal with the overwhelming force taking over the country. There's a little hand-waving around Xandra's motivation, but I didn't mind that because the story was good.
Medrano has his usual lack of PoV discipline with lots of head-hopping, including villains. He keeps it interesting enough that I'm not actually complaining, but it deserves calling out.
This is barely four stars and largely on the strength of the adventure plot and stellar pacing. Not that the characters don't shine but it could easily have bogged down into one-note set pieces without the action taking center stage.
A note about Chaste: Xandra is prickly and not at all interested in relationships. There are some attempts by Jasmine to create more, but that's just not happening. At least for now. So this is pretty chaste, though a hot-springs scene includes non-detailed nudity, so you could disagree.
The rest of the story is one adventure following another and includes a fey invasion and lots of foes of various types as they try to find a way to deal with the overwhelming force taking over the country. There's a little hand-waving around Xandra's motivation, but I didn't mind that because the story was good.
Medrano has his usual lack of PoV discipline with lots of head-hopping, including villains. He keeps it interesting enough that I'm not actually complaining, but it deserves calling out.
This is barely four stars and largely on the strength of the adventure plot and stellar pacing. Not that the characters don't shine but it could easily have bogged down into one-note set pieces without the action taking center stage.
A note about Chaste: Xandra is prickly and not at all interested in relationships. There are some attempts by Jasmine to create more, but that's just not happening. At least for now. So this is pretty chaste, though a hot-springs scene includes non-detailed nudity, so you could disagree.
October 7, 2022
DNF
I got to about 32% and just wasn’t feeling it.
I got to about 32% and just wasn’t feeling it.
December 21, 2024
Classic Benjamin Medrano, but not as cutesy
Benjamin Medrano writes fantasy stories with all female cast. They are usually sweet and romantic, they tug at the heartstrings and always treat the characters with respect. This one is classic Medrano, but it's more interesting than romantic. Well, I found it interesting.
The main Character Xandra believes she was a bad person. Why else would she have ended up as a slave in hell? She helps a group of adventurers rescue a kidnapped priestess and gets to escape hell in the process.
Now Xandra is back in the world a thousand years after her time, with only few memories of her life and a lot of trauma to work through.
This is what I find interesting, It's a character study of a damaged person who blames themselves. Xandra doesn't blame anyone but herself for her past suffering, but also doesn't seem to think she deserves anything better. She has power and ability and independence, but is emotionally prickly and does not want to form any attachments.
So this is like most Madrando books but a little more psychological, and a little less cutesy romantic. If you are a fan of his other series, especially Mantles of Power or Through the Fire, than you should like this just fine.
Benjamin Medrano writes fantasy stories with all female cast. They are usually sweet and romantic, they tug at the heartstrings and always treat the characters with respect. This one is classic Medrano, but it's more interesting than romantic. Well, I found it interesting.
The main Character Xandra believes she was a bad person. Why else would she have ended up as a slave in hell? She helps a group of adventurers rescue a kidnapped priestess and gets to escape hell in the process.
Now Xandra is back in the world a thousand years after her time, with only few memories of her life and a lot of trauma to work through.
This is what I find interesting, It's a character study of a damaged person who blames themselves. Xandra doesn't blame anyone but herself for her past suffering, but also doesn't seem to think she deserves anything better. She has power and ability and independence, but is emotionally prickly and does not want to form any attachments.
So this is like most Madrando books but a little more psychological, and a little less cutesy romantic. If you are a fan of his other series, especially Mantles of Power or Through the Fire, than you should like this just fine.
October 29, 2020
Benjamin Medrano’s books are very easy to read, there is a flow to the story and they are full of strong women. However, although I really enjoyed this book when he starts writing skirmishes/battles he does have a tendencies to keep throwing more and more into the mix until it gets a bit silly, sometimes ‘less is more’.
I am definitely going to read the next book in the series.
I am definitely going to read the next book in the series.
October 30, 2020
Interesting
A good start to a new series.Emerson's stories always come with fantastic world building. As he said the characters got away from him, but in a negative way. The potential for their development is enormous and I am sure Medrano;fantastic story teller that he is, will bring it.
A good start to a new series.Emerson's stories always come with fantastic world building. As he said the characters got away from him, but in a negative way. The potential for their development is enormous and I am sure Medrano;fantastic story teller that he is, will bring it.
October 7, 2025
4.25 stars. This was a fun little fantasy. I absolutely loved Xandra from the start. All the discoveries you make about her and why she acts the way she acts were so well written. She is blunt, irritable about people wasting her time and a total bad ass. She has no time for your nonsense. I did like the beginnings of the romance between Xandra and Jasmine the priestess was sweet. I am not sure whenI will get to the rest of the books but I am invested now and want Xandra to have a happy ending.
Definitely recommend this book
Definitely recommend this book
November 21, 2020
Dusk Gate (Soul Bound Book 1)
Good story with great characters . Xandra elf mange who escapes with a priestess and her rescuers from Hell with Xandra help as she has been kept there for centuries.
This was an interesting story and flowed throughout to the end.
Benjamin Medrano did an excellent job writing this
Recommend---- Yes
Good story with great characters . Xandra elf mange who escapes with a priestess and her rescuers from Hell with Xandra help as she has been kept there for centuries.
This was an interesting story and flowed throughout to the end.
Benjamin Medrano did an excellent job writing this
Recommend---- Yes
October 27, 2020
Brilliant
Benjamin is one of the few people I know who writes intelligent villains. I am so tired of villains that make stupid mistakes. Anyway Xandra is a fascinating MC. I want more!
Benjamin is one of the few people I know who writes intelligent villains. I am so tired of villains that make stupid mistakes. Anyway Xandra is a fascinating MC. I want more!
October 27, 2020
I enjoyed dusk gate very much
I did notice that this was the same world as ruethwyn and do hope that they meet in the future, l also hope we don't have to wait long for the next instalment
I did notice that this was the same world as ruethwyn and do hope that they meet in the future, l also hope we don't have to wait long for the next instalment
May 24, 2021
Okay
I guess, mostly the story comes off half baked and not really ready or finished, even after considering it’s supposed to be a first book in a series. If food, it’s be fast food that left ya regretting.
I guess, mostly the story comes off half baked and not really ready or finished, even after considering it’s supposed to be a first book in a series. If food, it’s be fast food that left ya regretting.
January 14, 2022
That's one hard story told in a way that makes us emphasize with the character without being too much (at least for me). Love the magic system and the explanation. It's funny and also touch points about trauma. Watching the healing process for these new relationships makes me cheer for it.
March 16, 2022
I like the prickly Xandra and how we are slowly learning more about her and I liked the other characters in addition to the story. The story itself isn’t complex but the character interactions are fun to watch. Curious to see where things go.
July 19, 2023
Interesting & intriguing
Interesting and intriguing book one of this new series that engaged & enticed us in the characters, storyline & plot narratives complex, compelling & creative journey. Very excited to see what the next book brings & where this story ends up going.
Interesting and intriguing book one of this new series that engaged & enticed us in the characters, storyline & plot narratives complex, compelling & creative journey. Very excited to see what the next book brings & where this story ends up going.
October 28, 2020
Loved Xandra
I loved xandra and can’t wait to see more of her story. Jasmine needs a little boost, but towards the end she does come into her own.
Looking forward to the next one
I loved xandra and can’t wait to see more of her story. Jasmine needs a little boost, but towards the end she does come into her own.
Looking forward to the next one
November 9, 2020
good, but there's a
January 8, 2021
I loved it, of course.
December 29, 2024
DNF 60%.
Not a fan of the MC act tough, pretend to be tough attitude. Magic system isn't well explained or thought out. World building is non-existent.
Not a fan of the MC act tough, pretend to be tough attitude. Magic system isn't well explained or thought out. World building is non-existent.
May 8, 2022
Love the series & Jasmine & xandra are my favourite I like how Jasmine wants to help xandra while xandra try to push Jasmine away hope there going be book 3 coming out
July 3, 2023
A slightly unusual novel for Mr. Medrano.
In a fantasy world a holy maiden is captured and brought to hell to be corrupted. There Xandra a sorceress who has been a prissinor (Slave) for over a thousand years, helps them and herself escape, but none of them leave unscathed. When the holy maiden is in danger again some times later it is Xandra who helps her out.
This book is both very much like and unlike a fair number of other Medrano books. There are the beautiful (elven) women, magic, LGBT hints and the pairing of a gruff but kindhearted powerhouse with a naive, sweet love-interest who needs rescuing. Thing is that I didn't really feel the love between them. Both literally and metaphorically. Both characters had full potential for a story. It however almost felt like that indeed should have been two different stories rather than one bigger narrative.
On the whole the writing was good, but I didn't really feel the connection between the main characters. In the end this novel hits a solid 3.5 stars. OK, but not one I'm likely to remember as one of my favorites by this author.
In a fantasy world a holy maiden is captured and brought to hell to be corrupted. There Xandra a sorceress who has been a prissinor (Slave) for over a thousand years, helps them and herself escape, but none of them leave unscathed. When the holy maiden is in danger again some times later it is Xandra who helps her out.
This book is both very much like and unlike a fair number of other Medrano books. There are the beautiful (elven) women, magic, LGBT hints and the pairing of a gruff but kindhearted powerhouse with a naive, sweet love-interest who needs rescuing. Thing is that I didn't really feel the love between them. Both literally and metaphorically. Both characters had full potential for a story. It however almost felt like that indeed should have been two different stories rather than one bigger narrative.
On the whole the writing was good, but I didn't really feel the connection between the main characters. In the end this novel hits a solid 3.5 stars. OK, but not one I'm likely to remember as one of my favorites by this author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews