Review: The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey

November 18, 2014 4 stars, Book Review 22 ★★★★

Review: The Bloodbound by Erin LindseyThe Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey
Published by Ace on September 30, 2014
Genres: Adult SFF, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Goodreads

*This book was provided by the Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.

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…

four-stars

Fantasy romance with war, romance and a female in a lead military role –  you can’t beat that!

Immediately when I saw the cover of The Bloodbound I knew I was going to be in for a treat. A woman holding a sword isn’t something that you find often in fantasy that is set a medieval “warring” time period. Usually women are relegated to the roles of healers, nurses, wenches, thieves, the arts, sometimes you’ll see them in other roles as well but rarely as equals in the military. So I was loving this one immediately because of the fact that Allie is a scout in the military and she holds a position such as any man would and eventually gets promoted to Captain because of her role in saving the King. But don’t get me wrong this book is by no means one of those “issues” books where women are given gender equality just for the sake of making an ‘issue’ of it. It’s just a great part of the world that stood out to me. That women can join the military and occupy the same jobs and trades as men – so point there in it’s favor.

Allie is the main character, she is of noble birth from one of the key Banner houses and is serving time in the King’s army under the service of General Green. She has made fabulous friends while in the scouts, especially her good looking partner Liam. Her noble birth has never gotten in the way of their friendship but it just might get in the way of their budding feelings for each other.

A kick ass woman covered in blood is what I needed!

Since she single handedly rescued the King from certain death he’s decided to make her his personal bodyguard and Captain of his guards. She’s young and has her work cut out for her because the King’s brother and goodness knows who else wants him dead and the country is still at war with an invading force of Oridians. It seems like she can’t help but get into constant scrapes and fights and she’s good at what she does. This really tickled me pink that she wasn’t one of those “rescue me” damsels. She doesn’t do everything alone of course but there is no doubting that she packs a whole lot of punch.

The supposed evil monster of romance – the love triangle – not so evil after all

I think most of the readers I know have a problem with romances that involve a love triangle. But with this one as with most I totally saw it coming but wasn’t bothered by it at all. It’s obvious right from the first few starting pages that she has feelings for her scout partner Liam and when King Erik starts making eyes at her I knew something was going to develop. It was realistic and not overly dramatized and even though I felt like I knew certain things were going to happen the way things developed still surprised me in many parts. The love triangle was big part of the plotline and her personal struggles but it didn’t overwhelm the story and annoy the piss out of me like some I’ve read in the past. Also have no doubt that this is most definitely a “fantasy romance” there is a major plotline that runs it’s course through The Bloodbound but the romance is a major part of the book, if not the major then I’d say it was on equal footing to the plot of the war that is going on in the country and the perspectives we read from. A chapter doesn’t go by that doesn’t touch on the romance. Keep that in mind if you aren’t someone that likes a healthy dose of romance. I wouldn’t consider this strictly a romance though.

The Bloodbound was a satisfying read and one you can quickly devour. There were parts that lulled a bit in the first third of the book but it didn’t keep me from plowing thru the pages. I highly recommend fantasy lovers giving it a try.

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Oh I also couldn’t resist doing a doodle version of the cover!

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Tabitha (Pabkins)

When I'm in the zone I can flip book pages faster than the eye can see - screaming "More Input!" I'm a book, yarn, & art supply hoarding goblin who loves to draw, make toys and craft all sorts of creepy cute things. My current habit is to listen to audio books while I'm arting it up!
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22 Responses to “Review: The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey”

  5. Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    Yeah, this book made me realize I don’t hate love triangles as much as I thought. I think there’s this knee jerk reaction that whenever readers hear about a love triangle we all do this little collection groan inside. But in the end, it really all depends on how it’s written. I don’t think she used too many of the tired Love Triangle tropes in here, so I was surprisingly okay with it.
    Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…#RRSciFiMonth: Radiant by Karina Sumner-SmithMy Profile

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      Well I don’t hate love triangles – I think they do happen more frequently in real life then folks tend to believe. Heck I was in my own version of one when I decided to get back together with my then ex boyfriend, now husband while I was dating someone else he was trying to win me back and i was torn between the two LOL. Men always deciding they want you when you think you’ve moved on. Silly guys.

      Anyhow I love how well this one was done. And her failings were so realistic too.
      Tabitha (Pabkins) recently posted…Review: The Bloodbound by Erin LindseyMy Profile

  6. Mary @ BookSwarm

    For some reason, I hesitated on this one. Why? I really don’t know (actually, it *might* have been the cover…which really didn’t do it for me). I’m going to have to pick this up because, as you know, I adore those kick-ass chicks in fantasy romance!!
    Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted…Top Off Tuesday: No nips on this dudeMy Profile

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      AHHHHHHHHH I LOVE LOVE the covers for the Jay Kristoff books – heck I’d hang those things as art on my walls if I had the originals if there were say paintings because I’m a nutso like that.

      Yes you need some blood war and romance. This one was enjoyable – much heavier on the romance side but not quite a strictly romance book since there is still plot other then the relationship stuff to it.
      Tabitha (Pabkins) recently posted…Review: The Bloodbound by Erin LindseyMy Profile

  9. Danya @ Fine Print

    Hahaha, I love your doodle version of the cover! I would pick that up in a bookstore, for sure. 🙂 I’m a total sucker for fantasy romance! What’s not to love, right? This one sound vaguely Tamora Pierce-ish and you know I’m all about that!! Maybe I’ll read it over the winter break.
    Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: Vol. 22My Profile

  10. Lotus

    Enjoyed your review! I also like woman warrior book, so I think this book is a good fit for me. Cute doodle too!