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Fae Isles #1
Court of Blood and Bindings
They call him the Silent Death, because he kills without sound and leaves none capable of speaking in his wake…
When the empire’s deadliest fae murderer catches her wielding forbidden magic, twenty-year-old Emelin believes her hour has come. Instead, her inhumanly beautiful captor spares her life, but carries her off on his velvet wings – into the one place from which no human ever returns.
The heart of the Fae Isles. The treacherous Crimson Court, where the Mother of faekind has ruled unchallenged over fae and humans for decades.
The Silent Death is supposed to be the Mother’s loyal servant, her invincible warrior, her ruthless, soulless killer. But in the shadows he is playing a game of his own, and he needs Emelin’s magic to win it.
If she agrees to work with him, she could free all of humanity. But can she trust a fae male with so much blood on his hands? Worse, when his smouldering dark eyes and dangerous secrets reveal glimpses of the heart behind his murderer’s mask… can she trust herself?
Court of Blood and Bindings is the first book of the Fae Isles series, an enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring a strong-willed heroine and a broody, morally grey hero. This adult fae romance is perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy.
Note: Court of Blood and Bindings contains a generous dose of smouldering glances, angry yearning, and midnight meetings of the illicit type, as well as other mature themes.
When the empire’s deadliest fae murderer catches her wielding forbidden magic, twenty-year-old Emelin believes her hour has come. Instead, her inhumanly beautiful captor spares her life, but carries her off on his velvet wings – into the one place from which no human ever returns.
The heart of the Fae Isles. The treacherous Crimson Court, where the Mother of faekind has ruled unchallenged over fae and humans for decades.
The Silent Death is supposed to be the Mother’s loyal servant, her invincible warrior, her ruthless, soulless killer. But in the shadows he is playing a game of his own, and he needs Emelin’s magic to win it.
If she agrees to work with him, she could free all of humanity. But can she trust a fae male with so much blood on his hands? Worse, when his smouldering dark eyes and dangerous secrets reveal glimpses of the heart behind his murderer’s mask… can she trust herself?
Court of Blood and Bindings is the first book of the Fae Isles series, an enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring a strong-willed heroine and a broody, morally grey hero. This adult fae romance is perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy.
Note: Court of Blood and Bindings contains a generous dose of smouldering glances, angry yearning, and midnight meetings of the illicit type, as well as other mature themes.
382 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2022
5355 people are currently reading
60966 people want to read
About the author
Lisette Marshall
27 books1,579 followersLisette Marshall is a fantasy romance author, language nerd and cartography enthusiast. Having grown up on a steady diet of epic fantasy, regency romance and cosy mysteries, she now writes steamy, swoony stories with a generous sprinkle of murder.
Lisette lives in the Netherlands (yes, below sea level) with her boyfriend and the few house plants that miraculously survive her highly irregular watering regime. When she’s not reading or writing, she can usually be found drawing fantasy maps, baking and eating too many chocolate cookies, or geeking out over Ancient Greek.
To get in touch, visit www.lisettemarshall.com, or follow @authorlisettemarshall on Instagram, where she spends way too much time looking at pretty book pictures.
Lisette lives in the Netherlands (yes, below sea level) with her boyfriend and the few house plants that miraculously survive her highly irregular watering regime. When she’s not reading or writing, she can usually be found drawing fantasy maps, baking and eating too many chocolate cookies, or geeking out over Ancient Greek.
To get in touch, visit www.lisettemarshall.com, or follow @authorlisettemarshall on Instagram, where she spends way too much time looking at pretty book pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,239 reviews
June 21, 2024
this was very really good. I was very pleasantly surprised given the title and weird "steamy fae fantasy romance" tagline (on kindle), thought that this would be a bad fun time/same old same old acotar wannabe. but it was so good! I dare say I loved it 🖤 such an interesting magic system, good plot, good character development and visible growth. also relationship building I thought was well done. Some spice but not a big focus. The tropes used were fun - nothing ground breaking but not annoyingly copied like a lot in the genre recently.
i actually couldn't put this down past 50%, which is saying something for me since I am a very slow physical book reader.
my only critique is I wish this had a different title. a court of _&_ feels like it cheapens it at first impressions when the story inside is so much more!!!!
worth checking out imo
i actually couldn't put this down past 50%, which is saying something for me since I am a very slow physical book reader.
my only critique is I wish this had a different title. a court of _&_ feels like it cheapens it at first impressions when the story inside is so much more!!!!
worth checking out imo
March 10, 2023
DNF!
It had a promising premise, but the tedious writing and poor execution made it impossible for me to become engaged in the story or care about the characters despite my best efforts. I stopped reading at 68%.
It had a promising premise, but the tedious writing and poor execution made it impossible for me to become engaged in the story or care about the characters despite my best efforts. I stopped reading at 68%.
March 1, 2023
It gives A Court of Mist and Fury vibes but I was here for it.
ALSO, IT'S FAKE DATING IN A FANTASY WORLD?!!! SIGN. ME. UP.
I randomly picked this up after seeing it on KU and I have no regrets. There isn't much I don't love about this book. Although I found it a tad long, the plot never really dragged and I immediately picked up the second book in the series.
I read ACOMAF way back in 2018 but seeing as it's one of my favourite books I remember almost every part. I didn't hate the similarities between the two - I just don't know I feel about it... The consistent witty banter was so fun, but more of the similar scenes felt like deja vu. For example bargaining and the "innocent" exploration of the male wings.
Overall I really loved it <33
ALSO, IT'S FAKE DATING IN A FANTASY WORLD?!!! SIGN. ME. UP.
I randomly picked this up after seeing it on KU and I have no regrets. There isn't much I don't love about this book. Although I found it a tad long, the plot never really dragged and I immediately picked up the second book in the series.
I read ACOMAF way back in 2018 but seeing as it's one of my favourite books I remember almost every part. I didn't hate the similarities between the two - I just don't know I feel about it... The consistent witty banter was so fun, but more of the similar scenes felt like deja vu. For example bargaining and the "innocent" exploration of the male wings.
Overall I really loved it <33
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Lisette Marshall but this book was a miss for me unfortunately. While it has the makings of a good fantasy story, with a unique magic system and an interesting world, these elements could have been much stronger. I absolutely love that the magic works through colour and I thought the Labyrinth was a delight, but they weren’t explored enough.
This was a very slow read and I didn't particularly like the main character. Emelin spent too much time in her own head (and was much too whiny) for my liking. She seemed to spend the first half of the book deep in thought. In contrast, Creon is a delight. Beautifully complex and very much morally grey - if only his character was given more time to open up. The one part of the story I really liked is when Emelin and Creon decide to test each other's self-restraint, but if I’m being honest, I expected more of these "midnight encounters".
I don't want to discourage anyone from trying anything by this author as I have loved the majority of her books, but unfortunately A Court of Blood and Bindings was a disappointment for me.
This was a very slow read and I didn't particularly like the main character. Emelin spent too much time in her own head (and was much too whiny) for my liking. She seemed to spend the first half of the book deep in thought. In contrast, Creon is a delight. Beautifully complex and very much morally grey - if only his character was given more time to open up. The one part of the story I really liked is when Emelin and Creon decide to test each other's self-restraint, but if I’m being honest, I expected more of these "midnight encounters".
I don't want to discourage anyone from trying anything by this author as I have loved the majority of her books, but unfortunately A Court of Blood and Bindings was a disappointment for me.
August 22, 2023
This was an absolute amazing read to start the year with.
When you look further than the stupid title and the way this is about fae courts you’ve probably read about 300 times before, it’s filled with lots of unique aspects.
First of all, the magic system is really cool and original. Not only is it based on colours, but every species has a specific magic power.
Secondly, and one of my favourite parts of this book, Creon, the MMC is mute. He cannot talk, and eventually learns to communicate with “the hand language the baker in my town taught me”. Absolutely took me by surprise but it for sure didn’t disappoint.
TLDR;
Go read this if you like:
✨forced proximity
✨mute and sign language representation, without any judgement from the characters
✨cool magic
✨lots of plot left to discover
✨a very sweet romance
✨🌶️
✨the one bed trope
✨a cool sentient labyrinth?
When you look further than the stupid title and the way this is about fae courts you’ve probably read about 300 times before, it’s filled with lots of unique aspects.
First of all, the magic system is really cool and original. Not only is it based on colours, but every species has a specific magic power.
Secondly, and one of my favourite parts of this book, Creon, the MMC is mute. He cannot talk, and eventually learns to communicate with “the hand language the baker in my town taught me”. Absolutely took me by surprise but it for sure didn’t disappoint.
TLDR;
Go read this if you like:
✨forced proximity
✨mute and sign language representation, without any judgement from the characters
✨cool magic
✨lots of plot left to discover
✨a very sweet romance
✨🌶️
✨the one bed trope
✨a cool sentient labyrinth?
June 14, 2022
5 stars!
Wow, what a read! Lisette Marshall has delivered a powerful start to the Fae Isles series, a wonderfully intense fantasy story with magic, intrigue, politics, all sorts of supernatural beings, and an absolutely kickass lead couple (brave and feisty heroine, a broody, almost-anti-hero with secrets), enemies-to-lovers, fake-romance, and so much chemistry and sexual tension, I almost couldn’t stand it. This book has so much, and I loved it all!
Note - There is a prequel novel to this series (Heart of Silk and Shadows). At this stage, you don’t have to read it first, this book is a very strong series starter, with more extensive world-building than the prequel. But I would imagine that in later books I’m going to be happy to have the background information that the prequel provides.
Emelin is a 20-year-old human living in fae-controlled land, born with powers she shouldn’t have, and living a secluded life to hide the fact. When the brutal fae assassin known as the Silent Death sees her using her magic, he doesn’t kill her on the spot as she expects, instead, he whisks her away from her remote island home to the centre of the fae empire, the Crimson Court. He moves her into his home, pretending that she is his human lover, which gives her some protection from those who would hurt her, while he works with her to hone her powers. Because the Silent Death is not who he seems, and he has a plan to take our the ruling fae Mother and free those under her control, and he needs Emelin’s help to do it.
OMG, this book is all intensity right from the very beginning, and I was instantly sucked into the story. The whole book is written from Emelin’s POV, so we get to experience everything with her – learning about the world and figuring out her place in it. She is a wonderful heroine – strong, brave and intelligent. She very quickly understands the reality of her new situation and plays her part well, but with her irritatingly stunning captor, she is her true self, and this is where she shines.
After centuries of being the fae Mother’s most trusted assassin, Creon’s reputation is well-deserved. He is brutal and cold, and very little surprises him… until Emelin comes into his life. It doesn’t take long for us to see a different side of him, firstly in sparing Emelin, and then when he sets her up in his home and she starts to snark at him, and he snarks right back.
It’s a great dynamic from the very beginning, full of aggressive banter and threats of violence, but there’s this underlying attraction that creates delicious chemistry. Neither of them act on it as Creon teaches Emelin about his world and they begin her training, but it’s always there. And when he begins to reveal his secrets and they truly start to learn about each other, their connection only deepens when Emelin promises to work with him to bring down the Mother.
The book’s timeline is actually pretty fast moving, but the romance feels like a slow burn, and I was revelling in every little moment between these two. The banter is epic, the glances and touches are so meaningful, and I absolutely love the way they handle the way they are feeling. They don’t hide from each other, they tease and they flirt, and every moment between them feels like it’s dripping with anticipation. The chemistry is electric and the sexual tension is off freaking charts, and the feelings are right there alongside of the mad lust, which makes the whole thing even more intense.
The emotion is beautifully written, and I loved these two together so much. And when all of that tension becomes too much, the sexy time is hot, passionate and so profound as they come together, completely undone for each other, and I loved the intensity of their undeniable connection.
As amazing as Emelin is, God, I love Creon! He’s the most powerful of his kind, and though he has that broody, cocky arrogance that I love so much in my romantic heroes, he’s also wonderfully witty and he has this quiet vulnerability about him that is absolutely irresistible. We see it as he beings to open up to Emelin – there is so much of him to uncover, and Marshall does it piece by piece, at just the right pace for maximum impact. And I loved watching him fall for Emelin, feeling things for the very first time, and bravely embracing it. I feel like there is so much more of us to discover about him, and I am here for it.
Alongside the love story, Creon and Emelin are in a dangerous situation, facing many enemies, and if anyone uncovers their plan it will mean instant death for both of them. There are more secrets to be uncovered, and Emelin understandably wrestles with whether she can trust the man she’s falling so hard for. Her struggle is real and understandable, and brings some great drama to the story as it builds to its unpredictable and heart-poundingly exciting climax that had me madly flipping pages, desperate to see how it was going to finish.
Yes, there is a cliffhanger. It’s not a really bad one, but it still leaves us on a critical point, and I’m so invested in these characters and their story, I’m absolutely desperate to get my hands on the next book of the series.
I freaking love this book. It's beautifully written, the fantasy world is well developed and fascinating, and the concept of color-magic is so clever. It’s such an amazing read – especially when you consider that Marshall is still a newly-published author. I rate this book up among fantasy reads by Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout (which is high praise from me indeed), and I can’t wait for more.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a read! Lisette Marshall has delivered a powerful start to the Fae Isles series, a wonderfully intense fantasy story with magic, intrigue, politics, all sorts of supernatural beings, and an absolutely kickass lead couple (brave and feisty heroine, a broody, almost-anti-hero with secrets), enemies-to-lovers, fake-romance, and so much chemistry and sexual tension, I almost couldn’t stand it. This book has so much, and I loved it all!
Note - There is a prequel novel to this series (Heart of Silk and Shadows). At this stage, you don’t have to read it first, this book is a very strong series starter, with more extensive world-building than the prequel. But I would imagine that in later books I’m going to be happy to have the background information that the prequel provides.
Emelin is a 20-year-old human living in fae-controlled land, born with powers she shouldn’t have, and living a secluded life to hide the fact. When the brutal fae assassin known as the Silent Death sees her using her magic, he doesn’t kill her on the spot as she expects, instead, he whisks her away from her remote island home to the centre of the fae empire, the Crimson Court. He moves her into his home, pretending that she is his human lover, which gives her some protection from those who would hurt her, while he works with her to hone her powers. Because the Silent Death is not who he seems, and he has a plan to take our the ruling fae Mother and free those under her control, and he needs Emelin’s help to do it.
OMG, this book is all intensity right from the very beginning, and I was instantly sucked into the story. The whole book is written from Emelin’s POV, so we get to experience everything with her – learning about the world and figuring out her place in it. She is a wonderful heroine – strong, brave and intelligent. She very quickly understands the reality of her new situation and plays her part well, but with her irritatingly stunning captor, she is her true self, and this is where she shines.
After centuries of being the fae Mother’s most trusted assassin, Creon’s reputation is well-deserved. He is brutal and cold, and very little surprises him… until Emelin comes into his life. It doesn’t take long for us to see a different side of him, firstly in sparing Emelin, and then when he sets her up in his home and she starts to snark at him, and he snarks right back.
“You’ll keep your hands off me in that bed, too.”
“As I was planning to.” He looked up from his writing, eyes mocking me. “Unless you change your mind of course”.
“I’d rather fuck a cactus,” I informed him.
“Interesting. Let me know how you like it.”
It’s a great dynamic from the very beginning, full of aggressive banter and threats of violence, but there’s this underlying attraction that creates delicious chemistry. Neither of them act on it as Creon teaches Emelin about his world and they begin her training, but it’s always there. And when he begins to reveal his secrets and they truly start to learn about each other, their connection only deepens when Emelin promises to work with him to bring down the Mother.
“I’d rather be your equal in danger than your toy in safety.”
The book’s timeline is actually pretty fast moving, but the romance feels like a slow burn, and I was revelling in every little moment between these two. The banter is epic, the glances and touches are so meaningful, and I absolutely love the way they handle the way they are feeling. They don’t hide from each other, they tease and they flirt, and every moment between them feels like it’s dripping with anticipation. The chemistry is electric and the sexual tension is off freaking charts, and the feelings are right there alongside of the mad lust, which makes the whole thing even more intense.
“Does it make me a monster?” I managed, the fears falling over my lips at last. “Wanting you?”
His smile…it wasn’t a smile. It was an open wound. It was a wistful darkness that spread over his face and transformed into something hurt and haunted and utterly heart-breaking.
“Does it make me innocent, wanting you?”
The emotion is beautifully written, and I loved these two together so much. And when all of that tension becomes too much, the sexy time is hot, passionate and so profound as they come together, completely undone for each other, and I loved the intensity of their undeniable connection.
Uncaged, undone, he was power and beautiful and death, and he was mine.
I leaned into that fall. I let myself plummet, into the unfathomable, bottomless depths of my heart, and trusted his arms to catch me.
As amazing as Emelin is, God, I love Creon! He’s the most powerful of his kind, and though he has that broody, cocky arrogance that I love so much in my romantic heroes, he’s also wonderfully witty and he has this quiet vulnerability about him that is absolutely irresistible. We see it as he beings to open up to Emelin – there is so much of him to uncover, and Marshall does it piece by piece, at just the right pace for maximum impact. And I loved watching him fall for Emelin, feeling things for the very first time, and bravely embracing it. I feel like there is so much more of us to discover about him, and I am here for it.
“I’m not fully sure what you are to me. I’m not sure if I dare to figure it out. But I know you’re a first.”
Alongside the love story, Creon and Emelin are in a dangerous situation, facing many enemies, and if anyone uncovers their plan it will mean instant death for both of them. There are more secrets to be uncovered, and Emelin understandably wrestles with whether she can trust the man she’s falling so hard for. Her struggle is real and understandable, and brings some great drama to the story as it builds to its unpredictable and heart-poundingly exciting climax that had me madly flipping pages, desperate to see how it was going to finish.
Yes, there is a cliffhanger. It’s not a really bad one, but it still leaves us on a critical point, and I’m so invested in these characters and their story, I’m absolutely desperate to get my hands on the next book of the series.
I freaking love this book. It's beautifully written, the fantasy world is well developed and fascinating, and the concept of color-magic is so clever. It’s such an amazing read – especially when you consider that Marshall is still a newly-published author. I rate this book up among fantasy reads by Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout (which is high praise from me indeed), and I can’t wait for more.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2022
I gave it a valiant effort even through the first 10%, where I felt bored. I just couldn't get into this one. DNF-ing at 30%.
August 27, 2023
August 2023 -
Ok, so it's clear from my initial review that I was going through quite a bit. I'm going to disagree with my past self when I said this book slowed down. I did not see that this second time around. I enjoyed the book much more as well. The hero continues to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to see where this story is going with the next book! Still a 5 star read ♡
_______________
April 2023 -
While reading this book, I was going through/still am going through a lot in life. It was one of the few things that kept me sane. For that reason alone it deserves 5 stars.
I loved the morally grey hero. He was fantastic. I loved how he warmed up to the heroine... eventually. I liked that he learned the equivalent of ASL in the universe the author created to communicate with her.
The heroine and sassy, hardheaded, and awesome to read about. However, her inner monologues could have been cut down a bit.
The universe the author created was different from past books I've read. I liked the color magic system. The world was explained well enough to where I didn't feel lost and it didn't feel unbelievable.
My only critique of this book was how slow it was towards the middle to end. There were quite a few times during my read that I was almost DNFing because nothing was happening. The last hour or so did wonders for the story. I wish more of the story felt like that last hour. I hope that next book will be available as an audiobook because I'm invested in this story very much.
Ok, so it's clear from my initial review that I was going through quite a bit. I'm going to disagree with my past self when I said this book slowed down. I did not see that this second time around. I enjoyed the book much more as well. The hero continues to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to see where this story is going with the next book! Still a 5 star read ♡
_______________
April 2023 -
While reading this book, I was going through/still am going through a lot in life. It was one of the few things that kept me sane. For that reason alone it deserves 5 stars.
I loved the morally grey hero. He was fantastic. I loved how he warmed up to the heroine... eventually. I liked that he learned the equivalent of ASL in the universe the author created to communicate with her.
The heroine and sassy, hardheaded, and awesome to read about. However, her inner monologues could have been cut down a bit.
The universe the author created was different from past books I've read. I liked the color magic system. The world was explained well enough to where I didn't feel lost and it didn't feel unbelievable.
My only critique of this book was how slow it was towards the middle to end. There were quite a few times during my read that I was almost DNFing because nothing was happening. The last hour or so did wonders for the story. I wish more of the story felt like that last hour. I hope that next book will be available as an audiobook because I'm invested in this story very much.
March 21, 2023
Love it when men are mute😍😍
November 17, 2022
DNF
I couldn’t get past the first few chapters of this book. The main character is absolutely one of the most annoying characters ever put into a book. I get the author was trying to make her that typical feisty don’t give a shit character but she did an absolutely terrible job at portraying it. The girl just came out annoying. So annoying I had to stop reading despite the interesting use of magic.
I couldn’t get past the first few chapters of this book. The main character is absolutely one of the most annoying characters ever put into a book. I get the author was trying to make her that typical feisty don’t give a shit character but she did an absolutely terrible job at portraying it. The girl just came out annoying. So annoying I had to stop reading despite the interesting use of magic.
October 27, 2022
DNF @ 17%
This girl. Omg. So annoying. Also her personality is inconsistent.
I maybe would have continued if not for this bish. Like she is super timid about her parents behaviour of her and lo-key sounds like she resents them and then gets all blubbery when they abandon her to an assassin and inferno. Like why are you all of a sudden acting like you were ripped away from a loving family? They were horrible and so was everyone else in her town. It didn’t make sense. And then all of a sudden this quiet girl who bit her tongue around her parents starts mouthing off to a old af assassin known as the silent death? How does anything about that make sense. It also made her really annoying. She was essentially a chihuahua barking at a lion. Then you are being led into believing she’s some key to freeing the world from a tyrant.
HA! Yeah right.
I’m not going to fully dive into why the title and loose premise is such an uninspired callback to ACoTR. Or that the blurb on kindle calls out to Sarah J Mass fans. This isn’t even the first book that’s followed a similar format, it’s just one of the few I’ve overlooked in favour of curiosity.
The most interesting thing about this was our mute assassin. Was curious about that. Unfortunately I felt the way it was written his character was overshadowed by Miss Special Pants. When a character can’t speak you need your narrator to include more observations or content to balance things out. Otherwise, you have what happened here where everything is about her and our assassin is like a fly buzzing by every now and again. Probably why she was so annoying was because the MMC wasn’t fully balancing her out and drawing attention away from her neurosis and budding hero complex.
Others found the colour thing interesting, and I would have agreed if it was like a specific power line and not an all encompassing magic system. And her ending up with a painter seems really corny and convenient honestly.
I could get pickier but I hadn’t even made it halfway before I grew bored and annoyed with our lead. These are just broad strokes about why this didn’t workout for me. Many others enjoyed it so maybe this is a me thing, I just felt like this wasn’t clicking and the direction of the story was bland and overdone.
2.0 stars, 58%, C
This girl. Omg. So annoying. Also her personality is inconsistent.
I maybe would have continued if not for this bish. Like she is super timid about her parents behaviour of her and lo-key sounds like she resents them and then gets all blubbery when they abandon her to an assassin and inferno. Like why are you all of a sudden acting like you were ripped away from a loving family? They were horrible and so was everyone else in her town. It didn’t make sense. And then all of a sudden this quiet girl who bit her tongue around her parents starts mouthing off to a old af assassin known as the silent death? How does anything about that make sense. It also made her really annoying. She was essentially a chihuahua barking at a lion. Then you are being led into believing she’s some key to freeing the world from a tyrant.
HA! Yeah right.
I’m not going to fully dive into why the title and loose premise is such an uninspired callback to ACoTR. Or that the blurb on kindle calls out to Sarah J Mass fans. This isn’t even the first book that’s followed a similar format, it’s just one of the few I’ve overlooked in favour of curiosity.
The most interesting thing about this was our mute assassin. Was curious about that. Unfortunately I felt the way it was written his character was overshadowed by Miss Special Pants. When a character can’t speak you need your narrator to include more observations or content to balance things out. Otherwise, you have what happened here where everything is about her and our assassin is like a fly buzzing by every now and again. Probably why she was so annoying was because the MMC wasn’t fully balancing her out and drawing attention away from her neurosis and budding hero complex.
Others found the colour thing interesting, and I would have agreed if it was like a specific power line and not an all encompassing magic system. And her ending up with a painter seems really corny and convenient honestly.
I could get pickier but I hadn’t even made it halfway before I grew bored and annoyed with our lead. These are just broad strokes about why this didn’t workout for me. Many others enjoyed it so maybe this is a me thing, I just felt like this wasn’t clicking and the direction of the story was bland and overdone.
2.0 stars, 58%, C
June 22, 2022
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Creon smiled, and it was a smile that promised murder and ruin indeed.
Thank you to the author, Lisette Marshall, for sending me an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
Court of Blood and Bindings is the first installment in the Fae Isles series and is a fantasy romance story perfect for ACOTAR fans.
— Enemies-to-Lovers
— Morally grey love interest
— Forced Proximity
— One-bed
— Slowburn
— Spice
— Fae Court
— Communicating via notes (MMC is mute)
— Communication barrier
— Magic
This fantasy romance includes most of my favorite tropes however the story felt slow to me which made me lose my focus a few times and I didn't connect with the heroine much.
The romance was the highlight of the book for me. I always enjoy when there is a communication barrier between the couple and they had to speak to each other through written notes for most of the book. That did not take away from the chemistry between them I adored their banter.
The magic was interesting but I still strugglrd to understand much of the world-building.
I think readers in the mood for Fae romances might enjoy this.
Creon smiled, and it was a smile that promised murder and ruin indeed.
Thank you to the author, Lisette Marshall, for sending me an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
Court of Blood and Bindings is the first installment in the Fae Isles series and is a fantasy romance story perfect for ACOTAR fans.
— Enemies-to-Lovers
— Morally grey love interest
— Forced Proximity
— One-bed
— Slowburn
— Spice
— Fae Court
— Communicating via notes (MMC is mute)
— Communication barrier
— Magic
This fantasy romance includes most of my favorite tropes however the story felt slow to me which made me lose my focus a few times and I didn't connect with the heroine much.
The romance was the highlight of the book for me. I always enjoy when there is a communication barrier between the couple and they had to speak to each other through written notes for most of the book. That did not take away from the chemistry between them I adored their banter.
The magic was interesting but I still strugglrd to understand much of the world-building.
I think readers in the mood for Fae romances might enjoy this.
March 20, 2023
4.5⭐
2.5🌶
Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Narration, Single - 4⭐
Unfinished Series
▪︎
Quick synop.
Emlin has magical abilities, but are kept secret from her human people. One night, she awakens to her island on fire and everyone missing. All except a fae male with wings, who's voice was taken away from him 100 years ago. He takes her away to his island, filled with dangerous fae. She is forced to live with him to stay safe from the evil queen. But why did he want her so badly?? 😏
▪︎
I did not expect to like this as much as I did! For 1.....I legit thought this was a vampire book 🤣 my mistake.
I really loved the forced proximity, the one bed trope and the fact our MMc must communique via sign language or writing on paper really brought a dynamic that I really enjoyed between our MCs.
▪︎
This is definitely a slow burn book. There are parts where it feels mundane, but it all really comes together near the end and I ate up every single minute!!
▪︎
Discovering the truths behind our MMC was probably my favourite part. He is a fantastic character and I can't wait to see where his story arc goes. Emelin is very smart and determined and I love that she talks back, evil though he could kill her with his pinky.
▪︎
I absolutely recommend this book!
2.5🌶
Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Narration, Single - 4⭐
Unfinished Series
▪︎
Quick synop.
Emlin has magical abilities, but are kept secret from her human people. One night, she awakens to her island on fire and everyone missing. All except a fae male with wings, who's voice was taken away from him 100 years ago. He takes her away to his island, filled with dangerous fae. She is forced to live with him to stay safe from the evil queen. But why did he want her so badly?? 😏
▪︎
I did not expect to like this as much as I did! For 1.....I legit thought this was a vampire book 🤣 my mistake.
I really loved the forced proximity, the one bed trope and the fact our MMc must communique via sign language or writing on paper really brought a dynamic that I really enjoyed between our MCs.
▪︎
This is definitely a slow burn book. There are parts where it feels mundane, but it all really comes together near the end and I ate up every single minute!!
▪︎
Discovering the truths behind our MMC was probably my favourite part. He is a fantastic character and I can't wait to see where his story arc goes. Emelin is very smart and determined and I love that she talks back, evil though he could kill her with his pinky.
▪︎
I absolutely recommend this book!
Read
December 11, 2022Having a hard time with this one, so I’m going to set it aside.
Our fmc needs to be stabbed. In the opening of the book, she is a total doormat. She is 20 years old, lives with her parents still, and lets them treat her like total crap, even though she has magic and they do not.
Once she gets kidnapped by “the deadliest killer of our time”, she turns into an arrogant asshole that does nothing but mouth off and demand things. She saw that he is working against the Queen, and got her people to safety, and yet she continues to judge and demean him, when he’s done absolutely nothing to her (well, other than the kidnapping, but he gave her his jacket and did everything to make sure she was comfortable - plus, why would she even want to go with her family - WHO LEFT HER TO BURN TO DEATH!)
Our fmc needs to be stabbed. In the opening of the book, she is a total doormat. She is 20 years old, lives with her parents still, and lets them treat her like total crap, even though she has magic and they do not.
Once she gets kidnapped by “the deadliest killer of our time”, she turns into an arrogant asshole that does nothing but mouth off and demand things. She saw that he is working against the Queen, and got her people to safety, and yet she continues to judge and demean him, when he’s done absolutely nothing to her (well, other than the kidnapping, but he gave her his jacket and did everything to make sure she was comfortable - plus, why would she even want to go with her family - WHO LEFT HER TO BURN TO DEATH!)
April 21, 2025
Qué sorpresa más agradable. Me esperaba un romantasy típico y con trama fácilmente desmontable pero eso me pasa por prejuzgar por la sinopsis. Esta historia, aunque empieza bastante sosa y común, tiene elementos maravillosos que hacen que destaque entre otros libros del género. Sin duda una sorpres.
February 17, 2025
5 Stars
I am absolutely appalled that this book is not more popular.
✅ Magic
✅ Fanstasy
✅ Great Plot
✅ Great Plot
✅ Good Banter
✅ Chemisty
✅ Emotions
✅ Spice
✅ Angst
Can’t recommend this book enough.
I am absolutely appalled that this book is not more popular.
✅ Magic
✅ Fanstasy
✅ Great Plot
✅ Great Plot
✅ Good Banter
✅ Chemisty
✅ Emotions
✅ Spice
✅ Angst
Can’t recommend this book enough.
November 14, 2022
This is first book I read of Lisette Marshall's and I loved her writing! Definitely interested in seeing this series to its end as well as reading her other books. This^ is book one and I recommend reading the prequel to this *after* reading book one.
I loved the MMC so much!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My feelings for the FMC were mixed. She's definitely worth reading about - she's strong throughout the book and her background made me empathetic towards her and angry for her but there were some places where she was a bit unkind towards the MMC.. and that made me sad.
This is fantasy fiction that has plot that matters, as well as a slow burn romance. Open door scenes between MCs and some spice.
I recommend 🐥
I loved the MMC so much!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My feelings for the FMC were mixed. She's definitely worth reading about - she's strong throughout the book and her background made me empathetic towards her and angry for her but there were some places where she was a bit unkind towards the MMC.. and that made me sad.
This is fantasy fiction that has plot that matters, as well as a slow burn romance. Open door scenes between MCs and some spice.
I recommend 🐥
May 2, 2025
⭐4,5 de 5⭐
Me lo he leído en dos días.
Hacía tiempo que un romantasy de Fae no me sorprendía de manera tan alucinante.
A primeras, puedes esperarte la típica historia pero, ¿el worldbuilding? ¿El sistema de magia? ¿Una característica del prota masculino que me ha dejado tiesa? ¿La PROTAGONISTA?
En fin, no diré mucho más pero que gozada de libro. Y hay 3 más.
TBR date prisa y tradúcemelos por favor te lo pido gracias
Me lo he leído en dos días.
Hacía tiempo que un romantasy de Fae no me sorprendía de manera tan alucinante.
A primeras, puedes esperarte la típica historia pero, ¿el worldbuilding? ¿El sistema de magia? ¿Una característica del prota masculino que me ha dejado tiesa? ¿La PROTAGONISTA?
En fin, no diré mucho más pero que gozada de libro. Y hay 3 más.
TBR date prisa y tradúcemelos por favor te lo pido gracias
April 13, 2023
CREON!!! Omg this fantasy romance has taken over my life. I was in tears so many times during this book. I loved the fantasy world and magic system. It was unique in a way. I cant wait to pick up the next book.
June 30, 2024
I really liked the magic system in this! And the intial set up. But it lost me about halfway through. I just found the romance a little to sweet for me. Very friends to lovers vibes imo (even tho it's set up for them to be enemies)
September 29, 2022
*4 FAE STARS*
“I’d rather be your equal in danger than your toy in safety.”
We all know I have a soft spot for fantasy romance by now, especially if it involves fae, so I might be biased.. But oh boy, did I enjoy this one! I'm quite glad I stumbled upon this by chance.
There were a lot of refreshing aspects, like Creon having to communicate through written notes (even though you can imagine the communication problems that brings) and him being incredibly morally grey, and Emelin having forbidden magic. I also loved the Labyrinth, though I wish it had a bigger role in the story.
I loved both Emelin and Creon and their romance. Emelin is so clever and strong, and Creon is such a misunderstood sweetheart, I can't! b>That ending though. Can't wait to continue this series!
“I’d rather be your equal in danger than your toy in safety.”
We all know I have a soft spot for fantasy romance by now, especially if it involves fae, so I might be biased.. But oh boy, did I enjoy this one! I'm quite glad I stumbled upon this by chance.
There were a lot of refreshing aspects, like Creon having to communicate through written notes (even though you can imagine the communication problems that brings) and him being incredibly morally grey, and Emelin having forbidden magic. I also loved the Labyrinth, though I wish it had a bigger role in the story.
I loved both Emelin and Creon and their romance. Emelin is so clever and strong, and Creon is such a misunderstood sweetheart, I can't! b>That ending though. Can't wait to continue this series!
April 27, 2024
5 ⭐️.
So… 5 ⭐️ reviews for me are few and far tbh. I usually leave it at 3-4 stars if I’m impressed, but this… this was a romantasy masterpiece. The absolute coolest and most unique magic system I’ve ever read about. Flawlessly executed enemies to lovers trope in a first book in a series. Banter between the main characters? Hilarious. Just… if romantasy is your thing, you HAVE to read this.
- Enemies to lovers.
- Morally Gray MMC.
- Strong FMC.
- Banter.
- 🌶️🌶️.
- Kindle Unlimited (whole series is completed and on KU).
So… 5 ⭐️ reviews for me are few and far tbh. I usually leave it at 3-4 stars if I’m impressed, but this… this was a romantasy masterpiece. The absolute coolest and most unique magic system I’ve ever read about. Flawlessly executed enemies to lovers trope in a first book in a series. Banter between the main characters? Hilarious. Just… if romantasy is your thing, you HAVE to read this.
- Enemies to lovers.
- Morally Gray MMC.
- Strong FMC.
- Banter.
- 🌶️🌶️.
- Kindle Unlimited (whole series is completed and on KU).
April 12, 2023
I have officially ended my streak of reading five ⭐️ books
May 17, 2023
Really strong start to a series. I feel like a learned a lot but still have many questions. Very much excited to continue.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
April 2, 2025
Look, I've told you all before that there's a certain subsection of the romantasy genre that uses the same collection of 8 words in different patterns as book titles and you can guarantee I will consume the series and love every moment. For me books like these are like taking off my bra after a long day or getting into a hot bath, they provide me with such a bone deep comfort. Buuuuuttt this book didn't quite hit me like that.
At the start of this book we meet Emelin. She is a 20-year-old human living in fae-controlled land, born with powers she shouldn’t have, so her seemingly shitty parents force her to spend most of her life secluded to hide away her magic. Emelin is kind of hopeless if I'm honest, and nothing proves that fact more than the start of book 1 when she's using her magic...outside...unknowingly in front a fae assassin known as the Silent Death, who watches the entire thing. When she spots him she's pretty certain that she is about to be killed, so imagine her surprise when he takes her away to a remote island of the fae empire, the Crimson Court (now I don't want to nit pick but I've read another book called the Crimson Court so I'm asking who copied who?) The plot gets pretty interesting from here because it would seem that the Silent Death (must I really keep calling him this? he's called Creon okay.) isn't quite who he seems...
I enjoyed the world building in this book and I thought the magic system was unique and interesting but you kind of lost me with the characters. Creon is fine, however I don't feel especially connected to him. This man is a mute (should I have mentioned this sooner?) so really we aren't given much from him, I think it would have been far more effective to make this book dual POV so we could have got some insight into his mind. Emelin is my main issue here, this girl is fucking infuriating. Her emotions gave me serious whiplash throughout this book, she would so rapidly go from caring about Creon and trusting him, to being incredibly angry and screaming in his face? I mean, please you knew who this man was from page 1 along with his reputation. All he did since page 1 was make himself more endearing, so why are you being so mean to him? This man is a mute, he isn't talking, he's treating you very kindly, like what are you expecting from him? And don't get me started on how often she keeeeppss demanding to go to her parents, sweetie your parents hate you. She would also KEEP being like why isn't he defending himself to me? Why isn't he fighting back? IS SHE FOR REAL? This man hasn't communicated in 130 years, he started learning sign language 2 days ago and you're screaming at him a mile a minute what do you expect?
Yikes and sigh.
I will move onto book 2 because I'm intrigued to see how this story plays out but I neeeeeddd Emelin👏 to 👏get 👏it👏 together 👏 or she risks being one of the most insufferable MFCs I have read in a fantasy book for a long long time
At the start of this book we meet Emelin. She is a 20-year-old human living in fae-controlled land, born with powers she shouldn’t have, so her seemingly shitty parents force her to spend most of her life secluded to hide away her magic. Emelin is kind of hopeless if I'm honest, and nothing proves that fact more than the start of book 1 when she's using her magic...outside...unknowingly in front a fae assassin known as the Silent Death, who watches the entire thing. When she spots him she's pretty certain that she is about to be killed, so imagine her surprise when he takes her away to a remote island of the fae empire, the Crimson Court (now I don't want to nit pick but I've read another book called the Crimson Court so I'm asking who copied who?) The plot gets pretty interesting from here because it would seem that the Silent Death (must I really keep calling him this? he's called Creon okay.) isn't quite who he seems...
I enjoyed the world building in this book and I thought the magic system was unique and interesting but you kind of lost me with the characters. Creon is fine, however I don't feel especially connected to him. This man is a mute (should I have mentioned this sooner?) so really we aren't given much from him, I think it would have been far more effective to make this book dual POV so we could have got some insight into his mind. Emelin is my main issue here, this girl is fucking infuriating. Her emotions gave me serious whiplash throughout this book, she would so rapidly go from caring about Creon and trusting him, to being incredibly angry and screaming in his face? I mean, please you knew who this man was from page 1 along with his reputation. All he did since page 1 was make himself more endearing, so why are you being so mean to him? This man is a mute, he isn't talking, he's treating you very kindly, like what are you expecting from him? And don't get me started on how often she keeeeppss demanding to go to her parents, sweetie your parents hate you. She would also KEEP being like why isn't he defending himself to me? Why isn't he fighting back? IS SHE FOR REAL? This man hasn't communicated in 130 years, he started learning sign language 2 days ago and you're screaming at him a mile a minute what do you expect?
Yikes and sigh.
I will move onto book 2 because I'm intrigued to see how this story plays out but I neeeeeddd Emelin👏 to 👏get 👏it👏 together 👏 or she risks being one of the most insufferable MFCs I have read in a fantasy book for a long long time
September 17, 2025
Madre mía, ha sido la mar de emocionante y adictivo, y dentro de lo que cabe bastante original. Muy chulo, en serio, y me muero por seguir con la saga.
December 11, 2022
3.5/5
surprisingly enjoyed this
surprisingly enjoyed this
March 27, 2024
AHHHH I had such a fun time with this one. It has a unique magic system and really good banter between the two MCs. I think I preferred the physical book this one, but had a ton of fun.
For my full review: https://youtu.be/qCU4uyirm-I
For my full review: https://youtu.be/qCU4uyirm-I
September 24, 2025
Kan ve Düğüm Sarayı ❤️🔥🧐 aka Peri Adaları Serisi.. 4 kitap 1 çift ve ikili bakış açısı 🤲🏽
Evet rezil kepaze bir ismi var ama içeriği çok iyi. Bu işte A Court of __ and ___ tarzı isimleri tamamen baskıdan koyuyorlar diye düşünmek istiyorum. Bu yazardan okuduğum ilk kitap ama devam edeceğimmm.. Gelelim sebeplerine 🧚🏼♀️
Ardarda lanet gelsin fantastiklerden sonra bu yeni yıkanmış battaniyeyle uyumak gibi geldi😍 Anlarsınız...
Emmeline (20); az nüfuslu adalarında onu it gibi kullanan anası babasıyla survival mode on yaşamaktadır, bir insan olarak arada büyü yapabiliyor olmasını da büyük büyük teyzesinden uzak bir akrabalık olarak açıklayan ailesine Emmeline inanmıştır, garibim napsın... Perilere haraç olarak her sene hasat falan veriyolar ama akıllı bıdıklar demirden adanın etrafına hat çekip perileri kovduklarını sanıyorlar 😑
Ay bir de Sessiz Ölüm aka Creon (368) var; perilerin cellatı, efsanevi savaşçı işte herşeyin en güçlüsü en darkı en en en herşeyde en iyi olan şahıs... Kurgu olduğu için yargılamıyoruz.
Adanın etrafındaki hattın tamamlandığı gün büyü yaparken Creon kızı görür ve olaylar gelişir. 🌟
Bütün kitaptaki olayların 10 günde olması dışında sorunum yok, Emmeline normal, mantıklı, sorgulama yapabilen, olaylara makul tepkiler veren bir karakter olarak artı 1 koydu kenara...
Creon ise klasik huysuz shadow daddy ama perdelerini kaldırdığında kedi gibi minnoş bir kişilik... Sessiz Ölüm Creon dilsiz bir de.. Fantastikte dilsiz adam okumadık demeyelim 😶
Yani utanmasam Dikenler ve Güller Sarayı şunun fanfic i olabilir mi diyeceğim o derece çünkü çoğu şey aynı.. Neyse bana herşey benzer geliyor bi yerden sonra 🏰 Ama serinin gittiği yer harika, çiftin hep birbirini seçtiği hikayelere bayılıyorum 💖
Creon beybisi seni unutmayacağız.
Evet rezil kepaze bir ismi var ama içeriği çok iyi. Bu işte A Court of __ and ___ tarzı isimleri tamamen baskıdan koyuyorlar diye düşünmek istiyorum. Bu yazardan okuduğum ilk kitap ama devam edeceğimmm.. Gelelim sebeplerine 🧚🏼♀️
Ardarda lanet gelsin fantastiklerden sonra bu yeni yıkanmış battaniyeyle uyumak gibi geldi😍 Anlarsınız...
Emmeline (20); az nüfuslu adalarında onu it gibi kullanan anası babasıyla survival mode on yaşamaktadır, bir insan olarak arada büyü yapabiliyor olmasını da büyük büyük teyzesinden uzak bir akrabalık olarak açıklayan ailesine Emmeline inanmıştır, garibim napsın... Perilere haraç olarak her sene hasat falan veriyolar ama akıllı bıdıklar demirden adanın etrafına hat çekip perileri kovduklarını sanıyorlar 😑
Ay bir de Sessiz Ölüm aka Creon (368) var; perilerin cellatı, efsanevi savaşçı işte herşeyin en güçlüsü en darkı en en en herşeyde en iyi olan şahıs... Kurgu olduğu için yargılamıyoruz.
Adanın etrafındaki hattın tamamlandığı gün büyü yaparken Creon kızı görür ve olaylar gelişir. 🌟
Bütün kitaptaki olayların 10 günde olması dışında sorunum yok, Emmeline normal, mantıklı, sorgulama yapabilen, olaylara makul tepkiler veren bir karakter olarak artı 1 koydu kenara...
Creon ise klasik huysuz shadow daddy ama perdelerini kaldırdığında kedi gibi minnoş bir kişilik... Sessiz Ölüm Creon dilsiz bir de.. Fantastikte dilsiz adam okumadık demeyelim 😶
Yani utanmasam Dikenler ve Güller Sarayı şunun fanfic i olabilir mi diyeceğim o derece çünkü çoğu şey aynı.. Neyse bana herşey benzer geliyor bi yerden sonra 🏰 Ama serinin gittiği yer harika, çiftin hep birbirini seçtiği hikayelere bayılıyorum 💖
Creon beybisi seni unutmayacağız.
September 27, 2024
"Might have to kill a few people for looking at you the wrong way tonight"
Emelin works for her parents in their art shop but all she wants is to be able to escape and leave this life behind her. She has a secret though, she has powers that she cannot control and is forced to to hide them. One day, as she uses her powers thinking no one’s around, she catches the attention of a fae male and not just any fae but the Silent Death himself…
This was such a fun read! I loved Emelin and Creon’s story, his protectiveness of her despite his reputation and the way they teach each other languages. It was so cute and steamy at the same time!
The world building was great and we have different kinds of beings: Faes, Alves, phoenixes,vampires and humans and some of the characters were really interesting. I’m thinking about Lyn and Tared in particular and would like to know more about them in the next books.
Emelin works for her parents in their art shop but all she wants is to be able to escape and leave this life behind her. She has a secret though, she has powers that she cannot control and is forced to to hide them. One day, as she uses her powers thinking no one’s around, she catches the attention of a fae male and not just any fae but the Silent Death himself…
This was such a fun read! I loved Emelin and Creon’s story, his protectiveness of her despite his reputation and the way they teach each other languages. It was so cute and steamy at the same time!
The world building was great and we have different kinds of beings: Faes, Alves, phoenixes,vampires and humans and some of the characters were really interesting. I’m thinking about Lyn and Tared in particular and would like to know more about them in the next books.
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