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First of the Blade #1
Unbonded
Taught to fear magic. Trained from a young age to destroy those who wield it. The First of the Blade Series begins.
Trained to destroy sorcery from a young age, Imogen Inaratha left that life behind, having come to see magic differently. When her brother asks for help, she embarks on a dangerous journey—and must face a part of her past she wanted to forget.
An encounter with one of the mythical Porapeth changes the course of the journey.
Protecting him forces her to face dark magical creatures and a powerful sorcerer determined to destroy the Porapeth in his quest for even more power.
To succeed, she must learn the truth of the blade she’d long thought she’d mastered.
She must truly become the First of the Blade.
Trained to destroy sorcery from a young age, Imogen Inaratha left that life behind, having come to see magic differently. When her brother asks for help, she embarks on a dangerous journey—and must face a part of her past she wanted to forget.
An encounter with one of the mythical Porapeth changes the course of the journey.
Protecting him forces her to face dark magical creatures and a powerful sorcerer determined to destroy the Porapeth in his quest for even more power.
To succeed, she must learn the truth of the blade she’d long thought she’d mastered.
She must truly become the First of the Blade.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2021
700 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 17, 2024
What is sacred?
A very good first book as much as I enjoyed this book is a little bit slow in places, but as soon as I finished a chapter, I wanted to read the next one straight away.
Imogen's people are known or legendary for their professency with the blade. Even among her people, Imogen is a prodigy. The youngest to challenge to become the First of the Blade. However, it is the next stage where she first tastes failure. Now, year later, Imogen has travelled more of the world and has a different perspective from the rigidity of her people. Has living apart from them changed her for the better or worse? When someone from her past tries to pull her into their quest, Imagen will have to face her past to survive the future.
This book does have a decent amount of action but is based more on the spiritual/magical side of martial arts. I did not like the sudden jump of years, but I do understand why it was done. The story jumps back from time to time to give glimpses into Imagen's past. I can't wait to see what is next on Imogen's journey. As well as side series to explore.
A very good first book as much as I enjoyed this book is a little bit slow in places, but as soon as I finished a chapter, I wanted to read the next one straight away.
Imogen's people are known or legendary for their professency with the blade. Even among her people, Imogen is a prodigy. The youngest to challenge to become the First of the Blade. However, it is the next stage where she first tastes failure. Now, year later, Imogen has travelled more of the world and has a different perspective from the rigidity of her people. Has living apart from them changed her for the better or worse? When someone from her past tries to pull her into their quest, Imagen will have to face her past to survive the future.
This book does have a decent amount of action but is based more on the spiritual/magical side of martial arts. I did not like the sudden jump of years, but I do understand why it was done. The story jumps back from time to time to give glimpses into Imagen's past. I can't wait to see what is next on Imogen's journey. As well as side series to explore.
October 24, 2025
3.5 If you've read Holmberg's books before, you know what you'll be getting.
If not, it's definitely something you wanna read.
It's fun, fast-paced, great writing and good world-building.
It's the type of fantasy series that you read to relax and enjoy, perfect for lazy days or when you're in a book funk. It doesn't require a lot of brain power but it's fast-paced and interesting enough not to get boring.
Worth a read.
If not, it's definitely something you wanna read.
It's fun, fast-paced, great writing and good world-building.
It's the type of fantasy series that you read to relax and enjoy, perfect for lazy days or when you're in a book funk. It doesn't require a lot of brain power but it's fast-paced and interesting enough not to get boring.
Worth a read.
January 23, 2022
Falls Short
The idea that swords could be a conduit for magic sounded interesting, and I liked the idea of a female sword wielder. Unfortunately, the premise didn’t play out on the pages.
The author tried to be too cryptic about Timo and his mission and didn’t have Imogen act wisely in gathering information. It made no sense that she dropped everything for a brother she hadn’t seen in years who had “an aura of darkness” around him that she didn’t bother to question.
Although Imogen learned some things about using her sword, the how and why of that were left to the imagination. This made the conflict inauthentic to me and the ending fall flat.
I’m always looking for a new fantasy author and another great series to read. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it here.
The idea that swords could be a conduit for magic sounded interesting, and I liked the idea of a female sword wielder. Unfortunately, the premise didn’t play out on the pages.
The author tried to be too cryptic about Timo and his mission and didn’t have Imogen act wisely in gathering information. It made no sense that she dropped everything for a brother she hadn’t seen in years who had “an aura of darkness” around him that she didn’t bother to question.
Although Imogen learned some things about using her sword, the how and why of that were left to the imagination. This made the conflict inauthentic to me and the ending fall flat.
I’m always looking for a new fantasy author and another great series to read. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it here.
March 11, 2022
It was a chore
I just cannot handle this writing style.. If there was a contest for repeating the same thing different ways... Dk would easily own it. Fought my way through for the story line.. But this is as far as I can go and stay sane.
I just cannot handle this writing style.. If there was a contest for repeating the same thing different ways... Dk would easily own it. Fought my way through for the story line.. But this is as far as I can go and stay sane.
November 13, 2022
boring repetitive
Hard read, no depth, constant repeating, not continuing series. Should have put it out of its misery much earlier. Blah
Hard read, no depth, constant repeating, not continuing series. Should have put it out of its misery much earlier. Blah
August 8, 2022
Trained from birth to be a master blade bent on wiping out magic, Imogen falls short of excellence and doesn't know why. But when her little brother Timo sets out on a quest to kill a sorcerer, she goes along for the ride, meeting a strange, mystical character on the way, one who will change the way she sees the world and even how she views magic...
I had mixed feelings about this novel. On the plus side, D.K. Holmberg is absolutely crushing it as an indie fantasy scribe, publishing at least one book per month and making a name for himself. Kudos to him for his success! Secondly, "Unbonded" has great potential. There's an Asian martial arts vibe that's very cool, some intriguing characters and world-building, and finally some beautiful, exotic settings as well as scary and haunting locales.
On the other hand, Imogen and her people remain a mystery. Why do they hate and fear magic so much? Why devote their lives to mastering swordplay? When she embarks on her quest to "look after" Timo, it's not clear what the victory conditions are. On the road, they meet the Porapeth, a magical creature of legend. Despite mild misgivings, they trust and follow him almost immediately. Why? I thought they hated and feared magic. There are only three primary characters in the novel: Imogen, Timo and the Porapeth. This leads to a serious second-act slump. Entire chapters consist of Imogen and the Porapeth talking in circles. This novel cries out for a subplot or two as well as more in-depth backstory into Imogen, her clan and why we should care.
That said, "Unbonded" still has a ton of potential and I suspect the series will improve over time. In the end, though, I wish I had embarked on one of Holmberg's other sagas.
I had mixed feelings about this novel. On the plus side, D.K. Holmberg is absolutely crushing it as an indie fantasy scribe, publishing at least one book per month and making a name for himself. Kudos to him for his success! Secondly, "Unbonded" has great potential. There's an Asian martial arts vibe that's very cool, some intriguing characters and world-building, and finally some beautiful, exotic settings as well as scary and haunting locales.
On the other hand, Imogen and her people remain a mystery. Why do they hate and fear magic so much? Why devote their lives to mastering swordplay? When she embarks on her quest to "look after" Timo, it's not clear what the victory conditions are. On the road, they meet the Porapeth, a magical creature of legend. Despite mild misgivings, they trust and follow him almost immediately. Why? I thought they hated and feared magic. There are only three primary characters in the novel: Imogen, Timo and the Porapeth. This leads to a serious second-act slump. Entire chapters consist of Imogen and the Porapeth talking in circles. This novel cries out for a subplot or two as well as more in-depth backstory into Imogen, her clan and why we should care.
That said, "Unbonded" still has a ton of potential and I suspect the series will improve over time. In the end, though, I wish I had embarked on one of Holmberg's other sagas.
April 18, 2023
I had taken a break from kindle reading, as my wife and I had gone on a physical book bender. Lots of trips to used book stores and barnes and noble; however, I finally came back to this and finished it.
This takes a character from DK Holmberg's Chainbreaker series, and gives us a glimpse into her past and helps us to see her development into something more than she was when she was a teammate of Gavin Loren.
Imogen leaves the city of Yoran and her team of Gaspar, Gavin, and Wrenlow to travel with her brother. Throughout this novel we discover more about Imogen's past, her people, their culture, and get confirmation of things that have been hinted at before.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into how Imogen came to be the character we have seen and met previously. While we don't really get much in terms of further exposition of who Imogen is, we do get glimpses and the rest of this series will hopefully provide us with this information.
The writing was good, and I am hopeful that this series will give us more insight into Imogen and her people.
This takes a character from DK Holmberg's Chainbreaker series, and gives us a glimpse into her past and helps us to see her development into something more than she was when she was a teammate of Gavin Loren.
Imogen leaves the city of Yoran and her team of Gaspar, Gavin, and Wrenlow to travel with her brother. Throughout this novel we discover more about Imogen's past, her people, their culture, and get confirmation of things that have been hinted at before.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into how Imogen came to be the character we have seen and met previously. While we don't really get much in terms of further exposition of who Imogen is, we do get glimpses and the rest of this series will hopefully provide us with this information.
The writing was good, and I am hopeful that this series will give us more insight into Imogen and her people.
November 19, 2021
I though this was a little disappointing actually. I mean, the concept seemed quite sound, and I'm often _fairly_ forgiving of the first book of a series.
But by the end, I felt like I knew nothing about the protagonist, nor the supporting cast (another 2 characters) aside from a sort of card-board cut out 'sword mystic'. I can't really visualise what the characters look like (if there was any description at all, I missed it), and I can't really tell why I should care about them and the setting.
So yeah. It wasn't awful, but I feel it could have been so much more. Maybe the next books will deliver? But I'm not sure I can be bothered to get book 2.
But by the end, I felt like I knew nothing about the protagonist, nor the supporting cast (another 2 characters) aside from a sort of card-board cut out 'sword mystic'. I can't really visualise what the characters look like (if there was any description at all, I missed it), and I can't really tell why I should care about them and the setting.
So yeah. It wasn't awful, but I feel it could have been so much more. Maybe the next books will deliver? But I'm not sure I can be bothered to get book 2.
November 28, 2023
I have read other books by this author that I really liked. I struggled to settle into this story. Partly because its a side series to another series of books which I didn't read, so I felt lost in the world in general.
I know a lot of people like an Asian edge to their fantasy, and I do sometimes too, but it felt too Asian light for me. The characters felt flat to me and I had a hard time staying engaged with them.
Maybe just not my thing, give it a go you might like it. The writing as a whole is good, I just wasn't feeling it.
I know a lot of people like an Asian edge to their fantasy, and I do sometimes too, but it felt too Asian light for me. The characters felt flat to me and I had a hard time staying engaged with them.
Maybe just not my thing, give it a go you might like it. The writing as a whole is good, I just wasn't feeling it.
March 23, 2022
Patterns
A very intriguing read. I never knew where I was going, but in a strange way I did. Like our heroine, who didn't know what she knew until she stopped fighting with herself. I love a great fight scene., but these were different in a way that is hard to explain, but held my attention nonetheless. I want to continue along on her journey of adventure and finding herself. The style of writing and storylines makes you not want to put the book down.
A very intriguing read. I never knew where I was going, but in a strange way I did. Like our heroine, who didn't know what she knew until she stopped fighting with herself. I love a great fight scene., but these were different in a way that is hard to explain, but held my attention nonetheless. I want to continue along on her journey of adventure and finding herself. The style of writing and storylines makes you not want to put the book down.
December 12, 2021
Yes to the first
Well, it did take me some time to get into the story as I had not read chain breaker perhaps I shall. But with that being said. This is a good solid story of magic, quest and the eternal battle of good and evil. The need of power as power corrupts. This author never fails and again it did not disappoint.
Well, it did take me some time to get into the story as I had not read chain breaker perhaps I shall. But with that being said. This is a good solid story of magic, quest and the eternal battle of good and evil. The need of power as power corrupts. This author never fails and again it did not disappoint.
April 12, 2022
An Excellent Read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is not often that a female lead proves to be so promising. What a world that Imogen comes from. A society that respects its women, where a talented female can be allowed to not only make her own way but to master it. I look forward to continuing this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is not often that a female lead proves to be so promising. What a world that Imogen comes from. A society that respects its women, where a talented female can be allowed to not only make her own way but to master it. I look forward to continuing this series.
July 1, 2022
This was a slowly evolving story as the author had the characters rehash many details of what got them to this point. The underlying point is that magic is everywhere. How you use it and when to use it as the driver to the story. The understanding of what it can be and how it relates to everyone else and everything else is the building plot.
November 21, 2021
Interesting dive into Imogen from the Chain Breaker Series
Another very short read with a few grammar and sentence structure issues. It amazes me 300 pages qualified as a book in this genre. It is a fun twist learning more about the Leier.
Another very short read with a few grammar and sentence structure issues. It amazes me 300 pages qualified as a book in this genre. It is a fun twist learning more about the Leier.
January 8, 2022
interesting read
interesting read. 1st book I am reading from this author. Good pacing and intriguing characters. Confusing at times with terms and concepts not explained in the beginning.
interesting read. 1st book I am reading from this author. Good pacing and intriguing characters. Confusing at times with terms and concepts not explained in the beginning.
March 22, 2022
Fast paced excellent read
Liked the build up of the characters. The action was good although the thought processes got a little repetitive during her fights. Overall good read and hard to put down once started.
Liked the build up of the characters. The action was good although the thought processes got a little repetitive during her fights. Overall good read and hard to put down once started.
June 7, 2022
My first read from the author. Unbonded (First of the Blade Book 1) has a strong female protagonist. The writing was smooth. The story line was strong and characters well fleshed out. An excellent novel serving as the beginning of a series.
March 14, 2023
Awesome!! Must read
This book captures you from the very beginning and keeps you hooked until the very end. Great characters and story. Lovers of fantasy should read this book. I can't wait to start the next one.
This book captures you from the very beginning and keeps you hooked until the very end. Great characters and story. Lovers of fantasy should read this book. I can't wait to start the next one.
July 12, 2023
First off the Blade
A great book well worth reading. The story is full of excitement and interest. The main character is believable particularly when sharing her doubts. Very enjoyable.
A great book well worth reading. The story is full of excitement and interest. The main character is believable particularly when sharing her doubts. Very enjoyable.
January 9, 2025
Imogen returns home to find that her brother has a bond to kill a sorcerer. She agrees to go along with her brother. On the road, they meet up with Benji the elder. What is he, and why does her brother want him dead? What do torals have to do with it? Why do the sacred patterns seem go draw magic?
October 19, 2021
A decent beginning
As a stand alone book, not so good. But as the beginning of a series it's a good start. I liked Imogen's character in the Chain Breaker books.
As a stand alone book, not so good. But as the beginning of a series it's a good start. I liked Imogen's character in the Chain Breaker books.
October 19, 2021
Great read
I enjoyed the flow of this book. I got introduced to Imogen while reading chain breaker. I am looking forward to book 2 in this series.
I enjoyed the flow of this book. I got introduced to Imogen while reading chain breaker. I am looking forward to book 2 in this series.
December 30, 2021
Did not like this at all, was not a story for me. Boring, long winded just to start.
February 5, 2022
Action, magic and adventure!
Full of deep insight into relationships makes this action, magic filled story believable and engrossing. This will prove to be an series to follow.
Full of deep insight into relationships makes this action, magic filled story believable and engrossing. This will prove to be an series to follow.
May 2, 2022
Great read
Another great book by an rising artist. What is magic but life itself. The more you learn the more there is to learn.
Another great book by an rising artist. What is magic but life itself. The more you learn the more there is to learn.
July 23, 2022
A good book to read.
You are taken a journey that will leave you wondering what will happen and will they survive. The author did a good job with the book.
You are taken a journey that will leave you wondering what will happen and will they survive. The author did a good job with the book.
July 28, 2022
Imogen joins with her brother to help with his quest. Entertaining read. Great characters.
October 29, 2022
Couldn't get into it
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews