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Bitten and Bound #1
Given
The day I rode to the Rift with my brother the king, I never expected him to deliver me into the hands of our enemies. Desperate to stop the Deepnight from covering his kingdom in shadow, he’s pledged me as a blood slave to King Laurent, ruler of the vampire kingdom of Nor Doru.
Survival means giving Laurent my vein and my body. And when his cruel and arrogant general, Varick, demands the same, I must obey.
But all is not as it seems in the vampire court. King Laurent has secrets, not the least of which is how much he enjoys his general’s company. Almost from the moment I enter the twilight world of the Deepnight, I learn my journey across the Rift was so much more than a barter. And it’s not just Laurent and Varick I need to be wary of. There are rumors of darkness stirring—of long-forgotten danger rising in the old elven lands.
Something is stirring in me, too. As I unravel the secrets of the vampire court and discover my own hidden abilities, I must choose between love and survival. Trapped between two powerful men, will I become a pawn in the battle for power, or will I take control of my own fate?
Author's note: The Bitten and Bound Series must be read in order. Mind the cliff.
Survival means giving Laurent my vein and my body. And when his cruel and arrogant general, Varick, demands the same, I must obey.
But all is not as it seems in the vampire court. King Laurent has secrets, not the least of which is how much he enjoys his general’s company. Almost from the moment I enter the twilight world of the Deepnight, I learn my journey across the Rift was so much more than a barter. And it’s not just Laurent and Varick I need to be wary of. There are rumors of darkness stirring—of long-forgotten danger rising in the old elven lands.
Something is stirring in me, too. As I unravel the secrets of the vampire court and discover my own hidden abilities, I must choose between love and survival. Trapped between two powerful men, will I become a pawn in the battle for power, or will I take control of my own fate?
Author's note: The Bitten and Bound Series must be read in order. Mind the cliff.
398 pages, ebook
Published March 20, 2023
1290 people are currently reading
9480 people want to read
About the author
Amy Pennza
60 books817 followersAmy Pennza is a USA Today Bestselling Author of steamy fantasy romance. After becoming a lawyer because everyone insisted writing wasn’t a “real job,” she stubbornly wrote anyway—and is delighted to have proved them wrong. She’s grateful to spend her days crafting dirty, swoony books about magic, swords, and unforgettable characters. She lives in the Great Lakes region with her husband and five children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 538 reviews
July 5, 2023
3.5 stars
This is oddly compelling for being mostly smut haha. I did skim read the next two books just to see how things turned out but I didn't feel the need to read the entire series because the world building/plot was a bit boring to me.
This is oddly compelling for being mostly smut haha. I did skim read the next two books just to see how things turned out but I didn't feel the need to read the entire series because the world building/plot was a bit boring to me.
April 26, 2023
This book is severely underrated. I did not put it down at all. It's been a while since a read a fantasy book of this high calibre. Highly recommend you check this book out.
July 19, 2023
Okay I'm liking this storyline.
I love it when secrets abound and there is plenty of backstabbing to go around.
Poor Given, as a half vampire half human, she doesn't fit in to either society. But we come to find out so much more is happening under the surface. Sold out and forced to be the filling in a vampire meat sandwich. Not to mention, with one of the vamps clearly not wanting Given there and spewing ugliness and lashing out every chance he gets. It a tough emotional rollercoaster in book one.
There is a lot of world building, and laying the foundational groundwork for relationships that will progress through the books. With that being said this book was mostly MM. I don't know what it is lately but all these MMF books I keep reading are like 95% MM and 5% MF or MMF. (If the author wants to write MM then go write MM. Countless times as I was reading it seemed like, "oh yeah, I got a girl I gotta throw in here too." I understand that Given comes in as the third wheel of Laurent and Varick but I wish there could have been better integration. I felt in so many of the interactions Given was an afterthought. I really hope it gets better because it was really pissing me off by the end.
I love it when secrets abound and there is plenty of backstabbing to go around.
Poor Given, as a half vampire half human, she doesn't fit in to either society. But we come to find out so much more is happening under the surface. Sold out and forced to be the filling in a vampire meat sandwich. Not to mention, with one of the vamps clearly not wanting Given there and spewing ugliness and lashing out every chance he gets. It a tough emotional rollercoaster in book one.
There is a lot of world building, and laying the foundational groundwork for relationships that will progress through the books. With that being said this book was mostly MM. I don't know what it is lately but all these MMF books I keep reading are like 95% MM and 5% MF or MMF. (If the author wants to write MM then go write MM. Countless times as I was reading it seemed like, "oh yeah, I got a girl I gotta throw in here too." I understand that Given comes in as the third wheel of Laurent and Varick but I wish there could have been better integration. I felt in so many of the interactions Given was an afterthought. I really hope it gets better because it was really pissing me off by the end.
April 20, 2024
I mean, it's okay. I think I was caught up on her name being Given... the whole time. And I kept imagining Laurent from the Twlight movies as Laurent in this book 😂 I wasn't sure how I was feeling about that.
Love the cover though
Love the cover though
April 2, 2023
relationship building felt stale
As another reviewer stated on their con list, I didn’t feel like the relationship between the FMC and the MMCs was great. I felt no devotion, like, or even regard towards Given from the MMCs. They are selfish and all interactions with Given are about them, their plans, and their gains. She wasn’t seen as an equal or a partner, only a tool. She was bond to serve and obey and they expect it wholeheartedly and that wasn’t a fun read in that regard. I don’t want them together and the author has to pull something out of their hat in the next 2 books because these guys aren’t partner material. I hope they actually learn, improve, and show respect because if not and we get a weak FMC who falls for ambivalent men at best, this series is not going to go well for me. Good world building but the relationship building (the lack of true partnership) overshadowed it all.
As another reviewer stated on their con list, I didn’t feel like the relationship between the FMC and the MMCs was great. I felt no devotion, like, or even regard towards Given from the MMCs. They are selfish and all interactions with Given are about them, their plans, and their gains. She wasn’t seen as an equal or a partner, only a tool. She was bond to serve and obey and they expect it wholeheartedly and that wasn’t a fun read in that regard. I don’t want them together and the author has to pull something out of their hat in the next 2 books because these guys aren’t partner material. I hope they actually learn, improve, and show respect because if not and we get a weak FMC who falls for ambivalent men at best, this series is not going to go well for me. Good world building but the relationship building (the lack of true partnership) overshadowed it all.
May 31, 2025
2 ⭐️
3 🌶️
This is one of those instances where I really need someone to re-write a similar story but change all the issues this books had. Long story short: liars, repeated offenses of lying and miscommunication and stupid shit, TSTL FMC, and 1 irredeemable love interest.
Short story long:
How Varick continued with Laurent despite how many lies he told and secrets he kept (some necessary but some very unnecessary and life changingly awful)!! Laurent was literally the villain in this story. He actively worked against the other two characters while pretending to care for them.
And then the dumbass TSTL FMC!! You were denied any info about your mother and her fam growing up and you are now in her kingdom and you don’t…I dunno….do some fucking research!? Get thee to a library, you dunce. She doesn’t question, push back, or resist on anything important! Freaking doormat.
Laurent’s reaction at the end of the supposed betrayal, considering how much of a freaking liar he is, 🙄 my eyes are rolling so hard.
Anyway my rant is over there are some cool elements to this book and the sex scenes were 🌶️ (although way more focused on the MM rather than the MFM aspect) but not enough to make me want to read the rest of the series. If any of the main characters offed themselves I wouldn’t shed a tear, therefore….imma stop here.
3 🌶️
This is one of those instances where I really need someone to re-write a similar story but change all the issues this books had. Long story short: liars, repeated offenses of lying and miscommunication and stupid shit, TSTL FMC, and 1 irredeemable love interest.
Short story long:
How Varick continued with Laurent despite how many lies he told and secrets he kept (some necessary but some very unnecessary and life changingly awful)!! Laurent was literally the villain in this story. He actively worked against the other two characters while pretending to care for them.
And then the dumbass TSTL FMC!! You were denied any info about your mother and her fam growing up and you are now in her kingdom and you don’t…I dunno….do some fucking research!? Get thee to a library, you dunce. She doesn’t question, push back, or resist on anything important! Freaking doormat.
Laurent’s reaction at the end of the supposed betrayal, considering how much of a freaking liar he is, 🙄 my eyes are rolling so hard.
Anyway my rant is over there are some cool elements to this book and the sex scenes were 🌶️ (although way more focused on the MM rather than the MFM aspect) but not enough to make me want to read the rest of the series. If any of the main characters offed themselves I wouldn’t shed a tear, therefore….imma stop here.
June 2, 2023
mixed feelings
While reading this book I couldn’t connect with Given. I believe she was more of an intruder in Varricks and Laurent’s relationship, I didn’t see any romance buildup between her and V. Actually I think the author spend to much time showcasing the intimacy between V & L, which took away from anything that could have been ignited between all three of them. I don’t like Givens character and just felt there was no depths to her at all and this book definitely left me with really mixed feelings. I will give the next book a try just to see how the story unfolds but will probably skip most of the parts pertaining to G.
While reading this book I couldn’t connect with Given. I believe she was more of an intruder in Varricks and Laurent’s relationship, I didn’t see any romance buildup between her and V. Actually I think the author spend to much time showcasing the intimacy between V & L, which took away from anything that could have been ignited between all three of them. I don’t like Givens character and just felt there was no depths to her at all and this book definitely left me with really mixed feelings. I will give the next book a try just to see how the story unfolds but will probably skip most of the parts pertaining to G.
September 29, 2023
Call me a basic bitch but I won’t be continuing this series. It seems like the sexy vamps are barely in the next book…. And also; those guys love each other way more than they’ll ever care about Given dude.
I feel like she deserves better…. Like she should have her fun with them and then go find someone who will give her their 100% attention and love because this throuple is not it.
I feel like she deserves better…. Like she should have her fun with them and then go find someone who will give her their 100% attention and love because this throuple is not it.
March 14, 2024
3/5 ⭐ but 5/5 🌶️. I did like the writing and characters, and the premise seemed really compelling at the start, though the story seemed underdeveloped in favour of the spice in this first one.
April 4, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: MMF, pnr
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Given is the first book in the Bitten and Bound series by Amy Pennza and ended on a cliffhanger that I was not expecting. And not expecting as in I started this book assuming it was going to be like her Dragon Laird books which were interconnected, but all about different couples. Given is a half human vampire who is being forced to marry the Vampire King, Laurent. Laurent is already in a longterm relationship with one of his generals, Varick. Laurent envisions a relationship in which all three of them are together, but Varick is not so excited by the addition. There's political powers at play and a bit of a mystery while the three of them try to work their relationship drama.
As always, Amy Pennza provides a well written story with fantastic world building. Fast paced and super hot with spicy scenes that nearly light your kindle on fire. The biggest difference for me was that at times I felt like Given was extraneous to the relationship story going on. Laurent and Varick have had a long term relationship that seems to be the primary focus and with Varick really disliking Given (especially at first) and not wanting her in their relationship made the storyline wasn't as enjoyable to me as the Dragon Laird books were. I'm hoping this will all change in the second book as their relationship progresses, but it did put a little bit of a damper on my enjoyment. Overall, I'm going to say that I'd recommend it and I am looking forward to seeing how their relationship all plays out.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
Trope: MMF, pnr
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Given is the first book in the Bitten and Bound series by Amy Pennza and ended on a cliffhanger that I was not expecting. And not expecting as in I started this book assuming it was going to be like her Dragon Laird books which were interconnected, but all about different couples. Given is a half human vampire who is being forced to marry the Vampire King, Laurent. Laurent is already in a longterm relationship with one of his generals, Varick. Laurent envisions a relationship in which all three of them are together, but Varick is not so excited by the addition. There's political powers at play and a bit of a mystery while the three of them try to work their relationship drama.
As always, Amy Pennza provides a well written story with fantastic world building. Fast paced and super hot with spicy scenes that nearly light your kindle on fire. The biggest difference for me was that at times I felt like Given was extraneous to the relationship story going on. Laurent and Varick have had a long term relationship that seems to be the primary focus and with Varick really disliking Given (especially at first) and not wanting her in their relationship made the storyline wasn't as enjoyable to me as the Dragon Laird books were. I'm hoping this will all change in the second book as their relationship progresses, but it did put a little bit of a damper on my enjoyment. Overall, I'm going to say that I'd recommend it and I am looking forward to seeing how their relationship all plays out.
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
March 20, 2023
I’m a bit conflicted on my rating because I think I would have immediately jumped into the next book if it were available now. But that may just be due to the many unanswered questions and the cliffhanger.
I was confused at the start of this book. While I understood the words individually, I was confused what they meant together, which I think was a byproduct of world building. Once I knew more about this world, I was able to follow along well enough.
I don’t fully get why this world had to be so misogynistic, though. And this particular trait of the story led to pretty much all of my issues with this book.
I didn’t think Laurent or Varick were good partners for Given, and maybe even each other. Laurent was dismissive and manipulative towards Given (and Varick but especially Given). Varick took his past trauma out on Given and was not a good brother to Evelina. Given was a pretty weak character and basically let people walk all over her (no matter how fiery Varick and Laurent claimed she was).
I’d only really want to read the next book to find out how they jumped to the conclusions they did about the prophecy.
I was confused at the start of this book. While I understood the words individually, I was confused what they meant together, which I think was a byproduct of world building. Once I knew more about this world, I was able to follow along well enough.
I don’t fully get why this world had to be so misogynistic, though. And this particular trait of the story led to pretty much all of my issues with this book.
I didn’t think Laurent or Varick were good partners for Given, and maybe even each other. Laurent was dismissive and manipulative towards Given (and Varick but especially Given). Varick took his past trauma out on Given and was not a good brother to Evelina. Given was a pretty weak character and basically let people walk all over her (no matter how fiery Varick and Laurent claimed she was).
I’d only really want to read the next book to find out how they jumped to the conclusions they did about the prophecy.
April 22, 2025
The books description eludes to more of a M/F/M harem sort of situation. But it is essentially a M/M focussed relationship and most of the scenes derive around that relationship. Extremely explicitly so. While I’m appreciative of the inclusivity, it’s not what I was expecting. Not to mention the scenes were so unnecessarily pornographic and poorly written. The slang and modern language didn’t fit the world of the story. Extremely derogatory writing. And there was zero relationship/connection, just sexual assault/manipulation once again trying to disguise itself as dark romance/lust.
The writing outside of the smut wasn’t actually too bad. The crumbs of a plot is what kept me going. When the characters weren’t SA’ing the FMC the idea of the story was actually intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen. But in all honesty the last third of the book just kinda went up in flames plot wise and I’m not going to continue this series.
The writing outside of the smut wasn’t actually too bad. The crumbs of a plot is what kept me going. When the characters weren’t SA’ing the FMC the idea of the story was actually intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen. But in all honesty the last third of the book just kinda went up in flames plot wise and I’m not going to continue this series.
November 9, 2024
Completely trash, the fmc is a submissive dumb bitch, they literally manipulate her 100% of the time. If this was a book between varick and Given only it would be FAR better because they don't work as a throuple at all and i HATE laurent with a burning passion (he acts like a rapist and i'm not even exaggerating). The author has NO idea how to write poly couples and should go for MM only
November 6, 2025
ok stand corrected this is also straight porn as well - when i got tired of the porn scenes i couldn’t even skip because main plot points were scattered throughout
August 29, 2023
The cover makes you think this is a throuple situation but don’t get it confused. This is a story between two men, with one of them devising a way to use a woman in all ways. There is no relationship between the 3 of them. She is very much a 3rd wheel. Not sure I’ll even read the others because according to other reviews it doesn’t seem to get better.
November 23, 2023
A naughty little smut fest with a pretty involved fantasy plot - good stuff!
January 2, 2024
High spice and ⚔️. Lots of political intrigue and scheming too! I read in one sitting and looking forward to book 2!
October 27, 2025
3.75 for word choice alone - plot’s interesting enough for me to move to the second book though
March 28, 2023
I want to preface this by saying that I absolutely LOVED the Dragon Laird series by this author. They were so wonderful in so many ways. And utterly unique. The world building was fabulous and the relationships portrayed were well built and great spice. I was hoping for something similar here. I hesitate to do a full side by side comparison because obviously all books are different. So here are my feelings on the first book in the series:
Pros:
GREAT world building again.
Good spice levels. Good amounts of MF and MM (with a sprinkle of MFM).
Good story line. I was engaged the whole way through. And that cliffhanger! Phew!
Cons:
I didn’t sense any devotion to the FMC from the MMCs. There wasn’t even a good hint of general like for her from them. It started to show somewhat at the very end, slightly unexpectedly and (no spoilers) it was a good hint at hopefully what is to come. But the two MMCs are just very selfish and it guides all of their actions towards Given. There was almost no tenderness and positive feeling towards her, she was simply a means to and end with them. Even in the spicy scenes. This was disappointing to me because it wasn’t even bully theme with a potential redemption arc.
I’m hopeful that because this is a series it will continue to grow and develop and there will be more cherishing of FMC.
Otherwise I did like it, and I enjoy this writer’s storytelling. Looking forward to the next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pros:
GREAT world building again.
Good spice levels. Good amounts of MF and MM (with a sprinkle of MFM).
Good story line. I was engaged the whole way through. And that cliffhanger! Phew!
Cons:
I didn’t sense any devotion to the FMC from the MMCs. There wasn’t even a good hint of general like for her from them. It started to show somewhat at the very end, slightly unexpectedly and (no spoilers) it was a good hint at hopefully what is to come. But the two MMCs are just very selfish and it guides all of their actions towards Given. There was almost no tenderness and positive feeling towards her, she was simply a means to and end with them. Even in the spicy scenes. This was disappointing to me because it wasn’t even bully theme with a potential redemption arc.
I’m hopeful that because this is a series it will continue to grow and develop and there will be more cherishing of FMC.
Otherwise I did like it, and I enjoy this writer’s storytelling. Looking forward to the next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 16, 2025
I’m not sure if I just didn’t vibe with the book but have a pre-set MM relationship and bringing in the FMC to basically be a incubator is a bit odd to me.
They just don’t seem to respect her at all and I’m not a fan tbh
They just don’t seem to respect her at all and I’m not a fan tbh
October 3, 2023
DNFing at 55%
November 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐rounded up
This was heavy on the spice moreso than almost anything I've read, but the plot was plotting! I'm glad I stayed for the story because beneath all that heat was a web of deceit, twists, and betrayal that kept me hooked!
The lore surrounding the rift and the forest are intriguing and I want to learn more about them, especially with that ending! The magic tied to the vampires starts out as familiar, but soon deepens into something dangerous and fascinating.
Overall, if you enjoy heavy spice layered with political vampire court intrigue, dark magic, and betrayals, then this may be worth reading!
This was heavy on the spice moreso than almost anything I've read, but the plot was plotting! I'm glad I stayed for the story because beneath all that heat was a web of deceit, twists, and betrayal that kept me hooked!
The lore surrounding the rift and the forest are intriguing and I want to learn more about them, especially with that ending! The magic tied to the vampires starts out as familiar, but soon deepens into something dangerous and fascinating.
Overall, if you enjoy heavy spice layered with political vampire court intrigue, dark magic, and betrayals, then this may be worth reading!
October 31, 2025
This was okay. Very spice-heavy with not a ton of romance to back it up, and what little romance there was, I didn’t like. But the world building and the broader plot were really interesting, which can’t always be said for this kind of spice-forward book.
This was technically MMF romance, but the book primarily revolved around the MM romance. But it felt kinda toxic and like I was witnessing someone’s marriage falling apart or something lmao it wasn’t very romantic. One of the MMCs in particular was manipulative, and everything kind of just revolved around him and his plans, which he kept secret from the other two. I really didn’t like how he went about things, and I especially didn’t like that he was kind of just using the FMC to further his own goals. I just didn’t feel like either of the MMCs cared much about her as a person, and it didn’t help that her character was very flat and underdeveloped.
So that was a huge part of the book, but I kept reading for the larger mystery. The world was described vividly, with a well-thought-out history and religion, as well as a (purposefully) enigmatic magic system. There was quite the cliffhanger at the end, and I am interested in knowing how it turns out. I’m not sure if it’s worth wading through two more books’ worth of romance to get to it though. TBD!
This was technically MMF romance, but the book primarily revolved around the MM romance. But it felt kinda toxic and like I was witnessing someone’s marriage falling apart or something lmao it wasn’t very romantic. One of the MMCs in particular was manipulative, and everything kind of just revolved around him and his plans, which he kept secret from the other two. I really didn’t like how he went about things, and I especially didn’t like that he was kind of just using the FMC to further his own goals. I just didn’t feel like either of the MMCs cared much about her as a person, and it didn’t help that her character was very flat and underdeveloped.
So that was a huge part of the book, but I kept reading for the larger mystery. The world was described vividly, with a well-thought-out history and religion, as well as a (purposefully) enigmatic magic system. There was quite the cliffhanger at the end, and I am interested in knowing how it turns out. I’m not sure if it’s worth wading through two more books’ worth of romance to get to it though. TBD!
December 1, 2025
This had so much promise and was a complete let down. This was not a M/F/M read but M/M focused while throwing in a FMC to just be there and be used. If that’s what it is, be honest about it. That’s why there are a lot of poor reviews. It actually if anything, shows how this type of relationship may not work due to jealousy aka Varrish. But that’s not why we are all reading it.
The author could have just made it a M/M read and it would have been fine. Overall, DNFing the series.
The author could have just made it a M/M read and it would have been fine. Overall, DNFing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
I enjoyed this! A dark and smutty fantasy romance with vampires, humans, fae and mages. The smut sometimes felt a little out of place tho, since it happened with too little build up for my liking a couple of times. Also, the ending was so chaotic I didn't even quite realize what was happening. I'm definitely continuing with the series tho!
December 21, 2025
Read this in two sittings. Very heavy on the smut but hot vampire boyfriends what more could I want?
April 9, 2023
So twistingly good!!
Given (FMC) is used as a political pawn for the majority of this book especially by her brother. Her heritage and background is a form of contention for Given throughout this book as it progressed we find out more about that. Things become more complicated for her when finds herself in the hands of King Laurent and his General - Varick. Everyone seems to have their agenda except for Given. The biggest one comes towards the end of this book and it completely threw me. It left me with one hell of a brilliant cliffhanger ending. I cant tell you how much im dying to get my hands on the next book.
Given (FMC) is used as a political pawn for the majority of this book especially by her brother. Her heritage and background is a form of contention for Given throughout this book as it progressed we find out more about that. Things become more complicated for her when finds herself in the hands of King Laurent and his General - Varick. Everyone seems to have their agenda except for Given. The biggest one comes towards the end of this book and it completely threw me. It left me with one hell of a brilliant cliffhanger ending. I cant tell you how much im dying to get my hands on the next book.
September 5, 2025
Da lo que promete.
November 14, 2025
Great example of: I want two boy friends and I want them to be boyfriends
October 16, 2025
uhhh even for me this was a lot of smut, but the ending has me interested in the story so will read the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 538 reviews