Book Review: The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey
Title: The Bloodbound
Series: The Bloodbound Book One
Author: Erin Lindsey
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Age Group: ADULT
Genre Type: Fantasy Romance
Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Source: Bought
Publisher: Ace
SUMMARY:
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…
The Bloodbound is a terrific fantasy romance featuring a sword wielding heroine that puts some delightful kick-as time in. Mixed with brutal warfare and political intrigue, Erin Lindsey writes threads of romance that run equally throughout the story, keeping the romance lover in me as happy as the fantasy fan.
I immediately knew that Lady Alix Black, our sword carrying heroine, was going to fulfill my need for a tough, courageous heroine. What makes Alix a unique heroine is the fact that she comes from one of the royal banner houses and is of noble birth, yet she chooses to hold the position of a scout in the Kings army. Through her bravery, she unexpectedly saves King Erik when he is betrayed on the battlefield by his brother and left to the cruel mercy of the enemies forces, the attacking Oridians. Suddenly Alix is promoted to captain of King Erik's knights, as well as his personal bodyguard.
With shifting alliances and a deadly enemies at her sovereigns back, Alix shadows the kings every move. I love a strong, believable heroine, and Alix is as cunning as she is impetuous. There's plenty of threats against the kings life as well as the planning of warfare strategies that she proves time and again that she is smart, observant, and deadly with her sword.
The Bloodbound thrusts the reader into a war not only between an enemy that hints of a dark magic, but a brother who betrays his King. Threaded throughout is a growing romance and deepening friendship Alix experience with a fellow scout and the king himself. It becomes clear as the story unfolds where Alix's heart lies, yet the building up of the friendship is as important to the story as romance. Both romantic interest had my heart in different ways, and the author used a clever way to make the love interest not a triangle while keeping the reader on their toes wondering which path Alix would choose.
I'm not sure what I enjoyed more the romantic thread or the battle scenes that involve Alix, her fellow scout and King Erik. There's just something about a heroine who is covered in blood and gore from battle, yet has the undeniable admiration and attraction of her fellow warriors, and both a certain scout and king.
The Bloodbound is a great choice for readers looking for a well-done fantasy romance with a strong warrior heroine, plenty of action, plotting, battles and simmering romance.
My Rating: Four Stars. I really liked it!
