The Bloodbound

Last Updated on January 1, 2023 by ThoughtsStained

Sometimes, the best books you don’t discover. Instead, they find you.

Like The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey, for instance. I had no idea this book existed. It had never slipped onto my radar and I had no idea the author existed. I might have never discovered it, if I hadn’t happened to be introduced to Lisa at WorldCon last year. And the topic of my book review blog hadn’t been brought up.

A few months later, a box of Jabberwocky goodies arrived at my door, courtesy of Lisa. Amongst them was The Bloodbound. It took me a while to actually get to reading this book. (Considering Lisa’s kindness, I really should have read this sooner.)

But perhaps I was meant to read this book at this moment. Because wow, did I need to read this book right now.

I am so thankful for it.

Copy of The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey given by Literary Agent Lisa Rodgers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Table of Contents

[hide]

Book Info

Publication Info

Content Warnings

Of all those in the King of Alden’s retinue, the bloodbinders are the most prized. The magic they wield can forge invaluable weapons, ones that make soldiers like Lady Alix Black unerringly lethal. However, the bloodbinders’ powers can do so much more—and so much worse…

A cunning and impetuous scout, Alix only wishes to serve quietly on the edges of the action. But when the king is betrayed by his own brother and left to die at the hands of attacking Oridian forces, she winds up single-handedly saving her sovereign.

Suddenly, she is head of the king’s personal guard, an honor made all the more dubious by the king’s exile from his own court. Surrounded by enemies, Alix must help him reclaim his crown, all the while attempting to repel the relentless tide of invaders led by the Priest, most feared of Oridia’s lords.

But while Alix’s king commands her duty, both he and a fellow scout lay claim to her heart. And when the time comes, she may need to choose between the two men who need her most…

On the Page

Referenced

Minor

Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.

Book Depository

Review

Likes

When I started reading The Bloodbound, it immediately felt like coming home. I’m not exactly sure how this is, considering this book was literally dropped in my lap as a surprise. Perhaps it was because I haven’t read something with a historical feel in quite some time. Even though stories about knights were my bread and butter growing up. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been a sucker for writers who give attention to the details and aren’t afraid of the gruesome ones. The Bloodbound was filled with both. Perhaps it was because there was a complicated love triangle. Sometimes I traditionally don’t enjoy. But it mirrored ever so slightly to what I am dealing with currently in my life. So, I was desperate for any sort of guidance of what I should do. Or solace that love would win out in the end.
Or perhaps it was simply because of Alix Black. Our heroine, a lady and scout who moves up the ranks in surprising ways, I immediately latched onto Alix’s strength. Mostly because I wasn’t shown only her prowess in battle. Her resistance against gender limitations. Or her fierce tongue or how she carried on and made tough choices despite what she struggled with personally. I also saw her vulnerability. Her nervousness, her doubting her own skills and decisions, her mistakes, risking her heart and being confused. In her, I saw pieces of myself and admired pieces that I’m lacking, yet Alix exemplifies. To the point where it emboldens me to want to emulate her a little bit more. Be a little braver, take a few more risks, have confidence in my voice and trust my heart. Alix was so much more than just a simple character in a story that you read and enjoy, then promptly forget about. To me, Alix was real. And she’s bloody inspiring.

Dislikes

Rating

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and devoured it. Especially once I reached the end. It was beautifully written. The characters are fantastically complex and realistically three-dimensional. And the warfare and political schemes were a delight to get lost in.

I’m pretty sure that Lisa, the kind aforementioned literary agent who sent me a copy of book, knew that I would fall so hard for Alix. As she also sent me copies of books two and three in the trilogy.

*bows down in gratitude*

She might not have known how much I needed this book when I finally found time to read it. But I am seriously thankful for it. Especially the courage–and hope–I found reading it.

A custom artowrk signature that reads, "Onward to Adventure, Nicole" with a feathered quill and inkpot bordering it.