I knew from a few pages in that I was going to love this book. It was exactly what I was looking for, captivating from the start. This is a high stakes fantasy with a side of delicious slow burn romance that kept me guessing and intrigued throughout.

I loved both Astrid & Skylar and thought having their dual POV as both FMC’s was a welcome change. Also HELLO can we please talk about Zryan!! Yessssss what a hottie! Oh and animal familiars!! And dragons!! Witches & Dragon Heirs, this book had so many great elements along with strong world building and history, most of which we learn through preparation for the dual. You duel or you die!

The female friendship in this is what stands out, I loved that that was more of the focus than the romance, although that was amazing too, that slow burn pays off!!! There was so much that I just didn’t coming, the twists & turns and that last 10% 🤯🤯🤯

I’m very excited to see where this goes next! Thank you to Ellis Hunter & Harper for the eARC

5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blood bound is pure entertainment, it has been a long time since a book has had me in such a chokehold, I could not stop reading.

There are definitely some issues with the dialogue and I could help but notice some strong similarities to Fourth Wing ( a book I also binge read) but the world was interesting and the plot was so addictive that none of this bothered me at all. It says a lot that I enjoyed this book so much I’m not even deducting a star for a character saying “hold on to your butts” at a critical moment.

I loved the bonds in this book. My favourite part of this whole book was Astrid’s banter with her soul bonded. There is a sarcastic flying panther, an adorable baby dragon and a very brave fox.

This is also a book for those who love a twist, I did not see it coming at all. I also really enjoyed the ending, it gives me an idea of how the authors intend to move the story forward in a completely new direction and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book.

I would recommend this one to fans of Fourth Wing and Direbound, this gave me the same reading experience as those, not always perfect execution but a great fun story with loveable characters and a tonne of potential on where it could go next.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read this ARC, I loved it.

This isn't just a 5* book, this is at least a 6 star book, if not infinity.
This is 100% by book of the year already and I will take no slander on this book at all ever.

The magic system, the yearning, the found friendship, the twists and the turns, goodness me I don't think I will ever recover from this book and I know with the amount of copies of the book I am about to buy I certainly won't financially recover from this, but you know what, it is so worth it!

Astrid and Skylar are two of the most relatable characters ever and then add in everything I love with dragons, dragon riders, witches and familiars, I was obsessed with all of the animals in this book.
The plot of this book just kept giving, I just couldn't put this book down, I didn't want to and am already planning a reread to find all of those easter eggs that are sprinkled throughout the book.

There were tears, pure shock, giggles, swooning, full on giddiness, basically it just had everything I could ever want. My heart was broken but it was stitched back up with the magic that Katie and Becky have fed into this book.

I saw so much of myself in both of these characters, I desperately need book 2 and book 1 isn't even out in the world yet!

As one of my most anticipated reads of the year, Blood Bound DEFINITELY lives up to the hype. If, like me, you like your FMCs sarcastic and cutting, fierce and with jagged edges hiding a softer vulnerability, headstrong and formidable, but goddamn tired of the world moving them across the board like a chess piece, then allow me to introduce you to Astrid - witch princess, destined to die, not terribly enthused about it - and Skylar - street performer, all round tough gal with a heart of gold, also destined to die, and absolutely NOT enthused about it. Your Honour, I love them. Both are written with equal depth and nuance, and bags and bags and bags of dry, sharp sass which will have you cackling out loud every other page, even in their misery. Throw in a couple of grumpy guys - Prince Zryan the hot dragon prince with his big biceps and bigger heart, and Axel, surly bodyguard and exhausted bestie with a soft spot for trouble - and I am in HEAVEN. I couldn’t put Blood Bound down; there’s not an inch of fat on this story which moves with a near breathtaking pace and which had me hooting, hollering and deploying my finest meme collection into their DMs. That ending? Diabolical. My trauma? Unending. My clown makeup? Out in full force.

Did I mention there’s familiars? A big bear? A mean fox? A witty cat? Dragons? I rest my case.

This book is the reason we need more than just 5 stars, because 5 isn’t nearly enough to convey how much I loved it!

The pacing was perfect, the world-building immersive and I absolutely devoured it. The second half especially had so many twists and turns that I genuinely didn’t see coming.

At first, I thought this might lean into the familiar romantasy setup, with a broody dragon rider and an FMC fawning over him, but while there are parallels to popular series like Fourth Wing, this story is so much more than just the latest dragon book.

The authors say it best in the acknowledgements: ‘This novel is about friendship, particularly female friendship.’ And that's what shines. Those relationships were the ones in the foreground, and the ones that I was really routing for. Yes, Zryan is a top-tier book boyfriend and far more than just a simple nemesis, but it was Astrid and Skylar's budding friendship that made this a page-turner for me. I loved watching their bond grow, loved Astrid's kindness and loved seeing Skylar slowly begin to open up and heal.

And I have to give a well-deserved shout-out to the animal cast. The familiars and dragons have such distinct personalities and often deliver a bit of comedic relief with their well-timed quips. Once you meet Bastet, you’ll see what I mean. I think I fell a little bit in love with him.

I also want to mention the incredible community I seem to have stumbled into by reading this book. When I posted that I’d started reading Blood Bound. I received so many messages; people eager for my reactions to certain plot points, people sharing theories, people just excited to talk about it. I’ve definitely made new friendships.

This is going to become your new fantasy obsession. I know it’s become mine

I am obsessed! The romance, the world building, the magic systems, the dragons! I was immediately hooked on this world and could not read the pages fast enough.

Astrid and Skylar both offered distinctive and interesting POVs in this world, and I loved how their friendship developed throughout as they prepared for the duel. There were some excellent twists thrown in that I did not see coming, and that cliffhanger ending has left me desperate for book two!

What the smokes!!! What a debut to start a trilogy with. Wow just wow.

I literally have no notes - this book is simply divine. It takes our usual romantasy plot and tropes and re hashes it all. The twists that keep twisting, the relationships, the magic!!

The book is written in the view points of two FMCs - Astrid and Skylar. The writing style and the switching of POV each chapter takes a little getting used to but it’s so well done that it really adds depth to the book.

I loved the relationship that develops between these two females - showing how fierce, loving and strong female friendships can be.

Also, this book got me in the feels - a few times. Wow did I cry at a certain point - but then I spent the next part with my eyes wide going gasping as to how everything was playing out.

Then we had that ending. That just took all my theories I had been building, wrapped them up and threw them away. I’m trying to piece my brain back together thank you very much.

Finally our male characters. What can I say!?? I’m definitely signing up for the Bastet, Mjolnir and Zryan fan clubs!! All for different reasons which you will need to read the book to understand why. I also want to note that I’m slightly gutted for Axel - he deserved more!

Loved it loved it loved it!

This book has me on edge from the very start.

I am a sucker for a book with multiple POVs and when those POVs are of two strong independent women? Sign me up!! I am absolutely obsessed with Astrid and Skylar. Both of them suffered with their own issues and dealt with them in different ways but they were both still so kind and fought for what they believed in and the people they loved. I think a lot of the side characters stood out, especially for me Jessa and Zyran.

The writing is immaculate and is fast paced and keeps you hooked. I thought the world building was so amazing and so unique but I think my favourite thing from the whole book is the plot twists. Just as you start thinking one thing, there is a twist you never expect and everything is turned upside down.

This book had me laughing, crying, and everything in between.

If you are looking for a fantasy that includes dragons, witches, some romance and plot twists for days then definitely give this one a try.

I am so excited for book two and cannot wait to see what Astrid and Skylar are put up against next.