I had such a hard time to get into this. It's badly written imo, there was way too much desciption in EVERY sentence in the beginning. That just threw me off sooo much. Also 5 perspectives is TOO MUCH. I was so confused in the beginning. Also it was super slow in the beginning. It felt like ages until the story actually picked up and SOMETHING happened. The insta-attraction of Keagan and Ava was so weird too. Why is his first thought that she has a nice ass? Also him CONSTANTLY smelling her arousal was so weird. I get it, but I felt the execution was just not it. There was a lot in this book that wasn't it.

All in all, I felt the story had such good promise and just failed to deliver. It put me in a slump, because I just couln't deal with the writing.

3’5/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “Unbound”. I really enjoyed the plot of this book (mainly the fact that there’s dragon shifters and blood witches) and the different POV’s from the 5 main characters. The “main quest” was also pretty interesting too. I’m interested to see how the story develops so i’ll read the next book!

The beginning I was hooked, loved the storyline and felt it was unique and interesting! Although at about 70-80% I felt the story and the pacing switch. All the sudden it felt like I was no longer on the journey with them, and events were being told to me and flown over quickly. Sometimes even felt like what I thought was going to be a twist or least an adventure to get resolved all the sudden it was over and felt anticlimactic. The book ended to where I know without a doubt there will be a second book but with how quickly it felt like I was rushed to the end of the book and left disappointed I’m not sure I will pick up the next one.

I absolutely enjoyed every chapter of this book. The story is engaging, between fighting scenes, endless yearning and a relentless theif who can't shut up...you won't want to put this book down!
The multiple POVs were done good. We get to see each of the main characters, and you can help but fall in love with them. Even when they don't seem to treat their friends the best ( not naming anyone in particular... T).
I feel like I was expecting more action towards the end. But just when I was feeling a bit let down, the author goes and twists a blade into my heart with those last few chapters 💔 I need book two right now!

Thank you to Netgalley, Brittany Gossin and the publisher for this amazing ARC!❤️

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review:
Unbound is a fast-paced romantasy filled with intriguing characters and a layered world that kept me curious throughout. I especially enjoyed the mix of humans, dragon shifters, and blood witches—it added a fun dynamic, especially once secrets started to unravel. The betrayal twist toward the end definitely pulled me in.

Keagan’s storyline stood out the most—he’s a dragon shifter, and we get a deeper look into his family dynamics and the emotional toll the blight has taken on their community. His arc felt the most fleshed out, and I genuinely felt for the dragons suffering from the illness.

That said, I found myself wishing there was more exploration of the magic systems. We got glimpses of blood magic and dragon shifting, but I wanted more time spent exploring those powers and how they impacted the characters beyond the surface.

Still, this was a quick, enjoyable read and one I’d recommend to readers who enjoy character-driven romantasy with solid pacing, a magical undercurrent, and political intrigue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dragon Shifters, Witches and a heist - a perfect combination!

I really did enjoy this book, as it was a quick and fun read. The characters are funny and each have their own personality, while still having great chemistry. Especially Rowena, Malcom and Zedock reminded me a bit of the Six of Crows Crew, which I did enjoy a lot.
The story itself is quite fast-paced but easy to follow. It enjoyed the inclusion of the dragon language, as it provided a bit more substance to the dragon shifters as a group.

The only thing I have to critizise is, that there was a bit too much lust for my own personal liking. From the beginning the characters were voicing their physical attraction towards each other and it was just a bit too much for me. But again, this is a personal preferance and I would not say, that it took away too much from the story itself.

Thank you to Brittany Gossin and Victory Editing for providing this ARC for me in exchange for an honest review. This review has been posted to Amazon, Storygraph, TikTok as well as Fable. (I will add the link to the Amazon review as soon as the review has been approved by Amazon)

Looking for a book with dragon shifters, a runaway princess, and crime syndicates? Look no further—this one’s for you.

I found this book to be a super fun and engaging read. The characters were well-rounded and full of personality. It was a blast getting to know them, and the found family trope was one of my favorite parts. There's a great balance of action, magic, and heart that kept me turning the pages.

The magic system was unique and well-explained, and the world-building was clear without being overwhelming. Overall, it was easy to follow and a joy to read.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book so much! The pacing was there, the fantasy/romantasy aspect is phenomenal, and the two-story lines converging was done flawlessly! If you are looking for a really good romantasy that involves blood witches, dragons, and a good love triangle - this story is perfect for you! My favorite thing from this book is how the focus is not just on one group of people - however the objective is the same for everyone! It is like watching a race in the eyes of every contestant! There is also a good twist towards the end providing the "chef's kiss" of the book!
The reason why I did not rate this book 5 stars is because the ending seemed rushed. There was so much happening- too fast- and all at once. Some of the storyline could have been a second book- and I would have preordered it on the spot.

An enchanting, multi-layered fantasy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Unbound by Brittany Gossin is everything I want in a fantasy novel. rich in atmosphere, brimming with imagination, and anchored by characters you can't help but care about. From the very first page, Gossin unveils a world that feels as vivid and intricate as it is magical. Her world-building is nothing short of masterful. It’s the kind of setting you can get lost in, alive with history, culture, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

What really made this story shine for me, though, was how beautifully the multiple POVs were handled. Each character feels fully formed, with distinct voices and emotional arcs that add real weight to the narrative. The perspective shifts don’t just work, they enhance the story. Every time the focus changed, I found myself just as eager to dive into the next point of view as I was to linger in the previous one. It’s a rare balance, and Gossin nails it.

The fantasy elements are fresh and exciting, full of unexpected magic, mythical creatures, and clever twists that keep the plot moving at just the right pace. There’s a real sense of discovery woven into the story, where every chapter feels like a step deeper into something wild and wonderful. It’s inventive without ever feeling overcomplicated, and the sense of wonder is never far from the surface.

If you’re a fan of immersive worlds, emotionally resonant characters, and fantasy that dares to do something a little different, Unbound is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, long after the final page.

Unbound by Brittany Gossin is a fast-paced, magic-filled fantasy adventure with a blend of dragons, witches, heists, and royalty—but while I found plenty to enjoy, it didn’t quite live up to its full potential for me.

The premise is solid: several groups with different motives—thieves, a blood witch, a princess, and a dragon shifter—are all racing to find the Crimson Shard. It’s the kind of setup I usually love, and I was especially drawn to the dual storyline that follows both the royal duo, Avalon and Keagan, and a crew of thieves. The multiple POV structure gave the story a nice variety, though I definitely found myself more invested in Avalon and Keagan’s journey. Their mission felt more emotionally grounded, particularly as they faced the devastation of a plague affecting the dragon shifters.

On the other hand, the thief storyline didn’t grip me quite as much. While the characters had potential, I struggled to fully connect with their motives or dynamics. It felt like there was more tell than show when it came to understanding their relationships and goals, which made their parts of the story feel less impactful.

That said, there’s a lot here to like. The pacing is quick, the action is fun, and there are plenty of twists along the way. The magical elements were exciting and creative, and I enjoyed the found-family moments scattered throughout. I also appreciated the themes of loyalty, power, and learning to trust—even among those who’ve been taught to fear or betray each other.

There were some moments that surprised me and kept me turning the pages, especially toward the end. The final twist really caught me off guard—in a good way—and has me curious about where the series will go next.

Unbound was still an enjoyable fantasy read, especially if you’re looking for something fast-paced with shifting alliances, magical intrigue, and a big ensemble cast. It’s not perfect, but it has heart—and a lot of promise. I’d recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy books with multiple perspectives, morally grey characters, and a dash of romance and rebellion.

This was such a great read. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The world is rich and detailed without feeling overwhelming, and the main character really stood out strong, stubborn, but also vulnerable in a way that felt authentic. I loved watching her grow and push through the challenges thrown at her.

The dragon bond was one of the highlights for me it wasn’t just magical, it was emotional. Their relationship felt earned and added so much depth to the story. The romance was a slow burn (which I love), full of tension and chemistry without taking over the main plot.

There were some side characters I wanted to know more about but overall, it delivered everything I hoped for. Adventure, emotion, magic, and a story that sticks with you after the last page. A strong 4.5 stars and definitely a series I’ll be continuing.

I thought the magic system was quite good.
The hesit plot was similar to me as six of crows but this had dragons and was a bit older than six of crows which I liked.
The multiple povs also were great.
I thought the pacing was good and at times made it unputdownable.

One thing that I enjoyed about this book is the alternating POV chapters. With that being said, I really only cared about Avalon and Keegan's POVS. Malcolm, Rowena, and Zedoc just didn't hold my attention as much as the other two characters.

I also enjoyed how much of a role Avalon ended up playing with the plot. I thought those parts were well written and I wasn't expecting the secrets about her life. I thought Rowena and Avalon interacting with one another once the parties were together was nice.

One of my favorite scenes was the pirate ride with Captain Scarlett. I felt like this was a pivotal point where Avalon and Keegan finally grew closer to one another and quit ignoring their feelings for one another. I felt like Captain Scarlett and his wife really had an impact on both Keegan and Avalon by sharing their life experiences and stories. I enjoyed Keegan being able to fly with the Captain and kind of let go of his troubles and worries for a brief bit in the sky.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Brittany Gossin for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

I really liked the premise of Unbound and felt there was a lot of potential in the story. The Dungeons & Dragons–style quest—complete with secrets, betrayals, and magical challenges—gave the book a strong sense of adventure that was genuinely fun.

However, the writing style just wasn’t for me. The book is told through five different POVs, and the frequent perspective shifts made it difficult to follow the storyline and stay fully engaged. While multiple POVs can add depth, in this case for me, it felt a bit overwhelming.

That said, if you enjoy ensemble casts, high-stakes fantasy, and an epic journey filled with twists, Unbound might still be worth a read.

I really wanted to like this book, and I still think the premise and world hold a lot of promise. The execution simply did not get me there. The 5 points of view felt scattered to me and every time I started to feel immersed in the story, it shift to someone else and I got thrown out of the world. I understand why the author went with the 5 povs, they just proved too distracting for me. I honestly would have preferred separate books in the same timeline bringing them all together in a final installment.

I enjoyed the pursuit of the Crimson Shard and the unifying mission that brought all the characters and the book together. It felt very Lord of the Rings. Malcolm took some work to like but the other characters i felt I connected to easily and was rooting for them. Avalon and Keegan’s romance especially felt super quick, but I was a fan of their relationship. Can I just say the ending felt very abrupt when it came to them!

I would have also liked to see more in depth world building. It was hard for me to be truly immersed with the lack of details, and I had a lot of questions throughout that went unanswered. I would give a second installment a try if only to find out what happens to Avalon and Keegan!

4.25 ⭐️ Loved the book! There was so much tension in this book and I loved that! Waiting for the truth to be revealed too was what kept me reading constantly. I hope there is more to the story as I’d love to see more of Rowena and zedock as well as seeing what the future holds for Ava and Kaegan and Malcolm is just a cocky legend and I can’t wait to see what happens with him. There was so much emotion in this book and the action at the end was gripping! Highly recommend! There is spice 🌶️🌶️ but I loved the story and plot.

I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the multiple POVs and how they really helped highlight how different each character is and their own perspective and I’m a sucker for found family trope so this was a hit for me. The world building is rich and atmospheric, it made me feel like I was a part of the story.

The pacing felt a bit rushed sometimes and I wish I had more time to sit with certain scenes/plot points but even so I appreciate how it juggles multiple characters, heists and everything else going on. It did remind me of Six of Crows but in its own original way and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.

Thank you Net Galley the publisher for this ARC.

I had no idea this had already been published!

This isn’t a standout book for me, however I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing seeing where it goes.

The story has multi povs and characters:
Avalon, a princess desperate for her freedom
Keegan, a dragon protecting his family
Malcolm a thief with golden retriever energy
Rowena, a witch who has her own trauma Zedoc who loyal friend to the crew.

They all have the same goal, but different reasons for that goal.

If you likes six of crows I can see this being a firm favourite

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for this ARC!

Heist, magic, and dragons makes for a fun combo and something I had high hopes for. This one missed the mark for me. The writing style leaned heavier into YA territory than I expected.

There are 5 POVs in this book and it jumps between all of them often.

Three of them form a group reminiscent of Six of Crows - to the point I kept getting distracted. I don't mind pinning - gotta love a slow burn, but some of it came off a bit cringy/repetitive.

I wanted more focus on the storyline and world building.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I didn’t realize this book had already been published, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment one bit. It starts off strong and keeps a fast pace throughout—there was never a dull moment! While the world-building isn’t super deep, it still delivers on all the fantasy essentials: witches, dragon shifters, forbidden romance, and a dash of spice. What more could a fantasy-loving reader ask for? I also loved the multiple POVs and the sense of adventure woven through the story. A fun, fast-paced fantasy escape!