I adored this entire series—Court of Blood and Binding is an electrifying start to an utterly addictive world. This book delivers a toe-curling fantasy experience packed with magic, court intrigue, supernatural beings, and breathtaking stakes. At its core is a phenomenal lead couple whose enemies-to-lovers and fake-romance dynamic crackles with an irresistible mix of tension, chemistry, and raw emotion.
The world-building is immersive, pulling you in with vivid details and an intricate magic system that feels fresh and fascinating. Written from Emelin’s point of view, the story unfolds as she navigates a brutal yet mesmerizing world, discovering her place in it. She’s a force of nature—strong, brave, fiercely intelligent, and delightfully snarky.

And Creon? He owns my heart. His reputation paints him as cold and ruthless, nearly unshakable—but the moment he meets Emelin, we start seeing the cracks in that carefully controlled exterior. Their banter is pure gold, sharp and relentless, laced with biting wit and underlying attraction. From their first interaction, the dynamic is fiery—an intoxicating mix of aggressive repartee, simmering desire, and the kind of tension that keeps you breathless. Every glance, every touch carries weight, each teasing exchange charged with anticipation. The chemistry between them is electric, the sexual tension absolutely scorching, and their emotions run just as deep, amplifying the intensity of every stolen moment. When the inevitable explosion of passion finally happens, it’s hot, desperate, and utterly consuming—the kind of connection that leaves you wrecked in the best way.

Creon’s inability to speak and his reliance on written communication adds another layer of depth to his character, making his every expression, every word on the page feel deliberate and powerful. The color magic is a fascinating element, bringing a fresh dimension to the world’s mysticism. The side characters are richly developed, each with their own compelling backstory and personal stakes, making them integral to the journey rather than mere background figures. And the villains? Absolutely loathsome—so well crafted that you find yourself thirsting for their downfall in the most brutal ways.

This book left me completely obsessed, and I can already tell the rest of the series is going to be an unforgettable ride. I cannot wait to devour every last page.

I have just one question… How the 𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 is this book not wildly famous already?!

We’re talking about a completely original magic system, a heroine who’s sharp-tongued, street-smart, and endlessly entertaining, and a broody love interest who not only trains her to fight but also makes her pancakes. I mean, come on—husband material, much?

The pacing is absolutely addictive. You'll look up from the page, realize it’s 2 a.m., and still whisper “just one more chapter”.

I was genuinely moved by how Creon’s vulnerability is explored—how he learns to communicate again without even needing a voice. It’s tender, it’s real, and it hits 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥.

Oh, and the banter? 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴. Witty, fast-paced, and full of chemistry. These two have the kind of dynamic that makes you giggle, swoon, and scream into your pillow—all at once.

This book deserves hype, fan art, edits, and a fanbase that won’t shut up about it. I’m officially 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥.

Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall is an immersive fantasy romance that easily balances sharp wit, rich worldbuilding, and slow burning tension.

At the heart of the novel is a clever, resilient heroine navigating the dangerous games of a magical court. She's strategic, someone who thinks before she leaps, and her internal strength is matched only by her ability to throw subtle shade with elegance. Opposite her is a darkly enigmatic love interest, layered with secrets and the kind of brooding charm that makes you both equally suspicious and intrigued.

Their dynamic is the highlight of the book; full of banter, tension, and the kind of emotional push and pull that keeps you turning the pages. The author paces their relationship really well, letting it build slowly, never rushed, never forced.

Beyond the romance, the political intrigue is satisfyingly twisty, and the magic system adds depth without overwhelming the plot. The writing style clean, evocative, and modern, with a tone that feels accessible while still carrying the elegance of high fantasy.

I've had a hard time getting into fantasy stories lately and this one broke my slump. I really enjoyed these characters and the journey the author took us on!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. In love with the characters. So much emotion and trauma and complicated family relationships. The relationship between Emelin and Creon fully makes my heart squeeze. Slow burn but steamy. Definitely recommend for any fantasy romance readers.

This was a very enjoyable set up for a new series! Absolutely loved the magic!

They use a color magic system, so Red is for destruction and you can basically pull it out of anything that could contain the color red (clothes, hair, etc). Blue and Yellow are for other things and then you can combine colors to make other stuff happen. I don't want to give too many details, but I really enjoyed it. Emelin is really learning to use her magic in this book, so I'm hoping we get to see her powers expand in the next ones!

I liked the slow burn and angst between her and Creon. The super cute merging where she taught him a form of sign language and he starts teaching her the fae language. The teasing and banter between the two of them had me giggling and breathless a few times.

There is a lot of political intrigue too as they work to begin taking down the Mother. The ending erupted with a bang and I will definitely be reading the next book!

Read if you love:
-Fae
-Unique magic
-Forced proximity
-Angst
-Mute MMC
-Political intrigue

Thank you to Netgalley for the after published copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book definitely fills the romantasy craving and will break your reading slump!

Court of Blood and Bindings follows a lot of the same beats as ACOTAR while also creating it's own unique magic system that keeps it fresh and interesting. The MMC is non-verbal and learns sign language which I loved. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

This is one of those books that I went into with pretty moderate expectations. I expected something that follows the tropes and vibes of other similar styled romantasy books.

I was completely wrong.

I loved this book completely! I really enjoyed the relationship between the Emelin and Creon. Especially having her teach him sign language. I liked that they actually built up a friendship and bond instead of it being insta-love.

I've read further into this series and it continues to be just as excellent. Definitely one of my top tier fantasy romance series!

This one definitely shot up to the top of my tbr, skipping all of the other books that have been patiently waiting for me to pick them up! The characters and relationships were built so wonderfully.

Great romance fantasy. Interesting works s as bd great characters to boot. I loved the atmosphere and the rich story development. This was a surprise for the year. I really enjoyed it!

When Emelin is caught by a known fae murderer doing forbidden magic, she thinks it's the end. However, the Silent Death carries her to the Crimson Court. On the outside, the Silent Death is loyal to the Mother, but he has his own agenda, and that agenda now includes using Emelin to free humanity. But Creon is more than his deadly facade, and Emelin has to decide if she can trust him.

The tropes in this one are some of my favorite, and I was excited to receive a copy. Unfortunately, this book is not available through Baker and Taylor, which is where my library acquires our materials.

A fae romance with a morally grey leading man this story is not for the faint of heart but those who take the plunge will be rewarded with a rich story that is sure to keep you glued to your seat.

Lisette Marshall’s *Court of Blood and Bindings* is a breathtaking tale of dark intrigue, forbidden magic, and heart-pounding romance. From the very first page, Marshall immerses readers in a richly detailed world brimming with danger, political machinations, and characters who feel wonderfully complex and real.

The story follows a heroine caught between duty and desire, navigating a treacherous court where secrets are as lethal as swords. Marshall’s masterful world-building paints a vivid picture of a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos, with every twist and turn pulling the reader deeper into its web of lies and betrayals. The stakes are high, and the tension never wavers, making it impossible to put the book down.

The romance is as intense as the plot, with sizzling chemistry and emotional depth that will leave readers swooning. Marshall’s ability to balance moments of tenderness with high-stakes drama is truly impressive, crafting a relationship that feels both authentic and electrifying.

With its lush prose, gripping storyline, and unforgettable characters, *Court of Blood and Bindings* is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. Lisette Marshall delivers a powerful tale that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves intrigue, magic, and passion!

A Slow-Burn Fae Romance with Intriguing Secrets

Court of Blood and Bindings is a seductive blend of enemies-to-lovers tension and morally grey characters, set in a lush but enigmatic fae world. If you’re a fan of broody fae males, forbidden magic, and lingering midnight encounters, this one might be right up your alley.

The story introduces Emelin, a strong-willed heroine whose forbidden magic lands her in the clutches of the Silent Death—a deadly fae assassin whose reputation precedes him. From the moment he spares her life and carries her off to the Crimson Court, the tension between them is palpable. Their connection unfolds slowly, simmering beneath layers of mistrust, secrets, and those smoldering glances that Sullivan does so well.

The romance was hands-down the highlight for me. I loved how the communication barrier forced Emelin and her captor to rely on written notes, adding a layer of vulnerability and charm to their growing bond. Their banter was sharp and witty, with sparks flying even as danger loomed.

While the magic system was intriguing, I found the world-building a bit dense and hard to grasp at times. The Crimson Court, with its political intrigue and treacherous fae, had so much potential, but I wanted more clarity and depth to fully immerse myself in this world. The pacing also felt slow, with some moments dragging and making it harder to stay focused on the plot.

Despite these issues, the romance carried the story for me. The chemistry between Emelin and the Silent Death made up for some of the slower moments, and I enjoyed watching their dynamic evolve.

If you’re in the mood for a fae romance with a morally grey hero, sizzling tension, and a touch of danger, Court of Blood and Bindings is worth a try. Just be prepared for a slower pace and a world that requires some patience to navigate. It left me intrigued enough to consider diving into the next installment.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This new adult romantic fantasy had a unique magic system and an intriguing plot line that pulled me into the story and hooked me from the start. Im interested in seeing where this series goes!

Tropes:
Wound tending
Snarky banter
Witty characters
Fake relationships
Enemies to lovers
Romantic tension
Colorful magic
Sign language

Thank you to NetGalley and author, Lisette Marshall, for allowing me to read this book. When scrolling through NetGalley, I was drawn to the title, and then after reading the description…I knew I wanted to read it!

I was immediately drawn into the unique magic world that is based on colors…yes, you read that right. Lisette’s masterful storytelling centers around a colorful magic, unlike any books I have read to date.

The story centers around Emelin and the Silent Death (aka Creon), their unlikely partnership, serious romantic tension, and the need to save the world by destroying an untouchable queen. To top it off, Creon is mute, his voice taken over a century ago by the vicious Queen…leaving his only way to communicate by writing or by allowing himself to learn to sign with his hands (something he has refused to do before Emelin).

The book ends on a cliffhanger…and thankfully the next few books are available on KU, with the author currently working on book 5!

Rating: 5 🌟

Favorite character: Creon (of course)

Favorite side character: The Mountain ⛰️

Intriguing storyline: 5 🌎

Spice level 3/5 🌶️

Language level 1/5 👄

Quotes:

I hadn’t been forgotten at all. Quite the opposite–I had been remembered.

I'd rather be your equal in danger than your toy in safety.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book really surprised me, it had a super unique magic system and interesting world, but the best part was our MMC is mute! They learn to talk to each other in sign language and he was my favorite part of the book, so complex and mysterious. Creon and Emelin connected right from the beginning, there was aggressive banter, threats of violence, and of course all the sexual tension!

Court of Blood and Bindings is a strong start to the Fae Isles series. The unique magic system, where characters derive power from colors, immediately caught my attention and added an intriguing layer to the story.

The book is told from Emelin’s POV, which gives a clear view of her journey and her dynamic with Creon. Emelin is a strong, determined FMC, and Creon is the broody, misunderstood fae male. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I appreciated their growth as individuals and as a pair. Their use of sign language as a primary form of communication was a unique and thoughtful touch.

The pacing was mostly well-done, with a few slower parts that didn’t take away from the overall experience. Every detail and plot point felt purposeful, and the story ends with a major cliffhanger that sets up the next book perfectly. This was an enjoyable fantasy romance, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this one I can’t lie. It’s an easy romantasy read (you know my style by now 🤣). The deadly fae prince spares the life of a mere mortal girl, or so she thinks she’s mortal, she hates him, he is brooding. They discover a mutual hatred of the fae queen. They plot and scheme and would you believe it they do the do 🌶️🤣.
I actually ended up enjoying it quite a lot to be fair.
I want to know what happens next for Emelin and Creon, so I will be reading the next instalment in the Fae Isles!
I’m an easily pleased romantasy book lover, I don’t read literary masterpieces and I’m not ashamed to admit it!