A Unique Concept That Doesn't Quite Fully Connect

Corinne Duyvis's Otherbound promised a truly unique fantasy premise: a boy who involuntarily slips into the mind of a mute girl in another world, experiencing her life as she lives it. As a reader who appreciates innovative storytelling and complex magical systems, I was immediately drawn to this intriguing concept and the potential for a deeply immersive experience. The book certainly delivers on its originality.

The strengths of Otherbound lie firmly in its incredibly creative and well-executed central premise. Duyvis masterfully crafts two distinct worlds and the intricate connection between them, making the "otherbound" experience feel both fascinating and disorienting. The concept of the protagonist, Amara, living out her life with the constant presence of another's consciousness is compelling, and the exploration of her muteness and the challenges she faces in her own world is handled with sensitivity. The world-building in Amara's realm is rich and detailed, with its own unique culture, magic, and political dynamics. The book also tackles themes of disability, identity, and the complexities of consent in a thoughtful manner.

However, despite its brilliant concept and strong world-building, I found that Otherbound didn't quite fully engage me throughout. The dual narrative, while innovative, sometimes felt a little disjointed, making it challenging to fully connect with both protagonists equally. The pacing, while deliberate, occasionally felt a bit slow, particularly in the earlier chapters as the intricate rules of the "otherbound" connection and Amara's world are established. While the characters are interesting, I wished for a bit more emotional depth in their development, particularly for the boy, Nolan, whose experiences felt somewhat less impactful than Amara's. Some of the plot developments, while necessary, felt a little predictable, and I occasionally wished for more unexpected twists to truly elevate the narrative.

Overall, Otherbound is a highly original and thought-provoking fantasy novel that offers a truly unique reading experience. It's a solid choice for readers who appreciate innovative concepts, intricate world-building, and a focus on character and identity. While it didn't completely captivate me from start to finish, it's a well-crafted story that showcases a distinct creative vision and tackles important themes.

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis is a compelling, mind-bending story with a fresh fantasy twist. It follows Nolan, who, every time he blinks, is pulled into the world of Amara, a girl bound to serve a princess in a magic-filled realm. The dual perspectives give a unique depth to both characters, and the plot dives into themes of identity, disability, and loyalty. With high-stakes action and emotional intensity, it’s a page-turner that challenges the boundaries between worlds. Perfect for fans of complex, diverse fantasy that tackles big questions.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. I am sorry I did not get to read it before the archive date.

This is a review I should have written right after reading this book. I really enjoyed it and can't remember all the details, but the emotions are coming back to me. This book has a lot of wonderful representation. The relationships are complex. This book deals with the idea of reliance on someone else to live. The idea of only being kept alive because you are helping someone "better" than you live.

Sign language is featured in this book. It was very interesting to read about. Sexuality is also shown in a different way. Nolan is a virgin, but has experienced/seen Amara having sex.

I liked how the concept of different worlds and travelers between those worlds was seen as spirits.

Families are portrayed well in this book. Handicaps effect the whole family. Sibling bonds are shown.

The ending is also great!

I give this book a 5/5! It's a fantasy book with representation. There need to be more books like this in the world!