Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Binding

I enjoyed the structure of this book, with the three distinct parts/acts. The concept of binding memories into books is an interesting one, and the world building around that was explored well, especially around the ethics of binding. I will say towards the end I was nearly driven to distraction with annoyance of the narrator’s inability to put two and two together, it was so obvious I was raging! But it is a good love story in an interesting world.

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rxbynelena's review

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dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The structure of this book really threw me off - our characters only really came to life half way through in Part 2.

Personally, I think part 1 and part 2 could have been structured differently, or perhaps swapped.

Such a good concept, and fantastic characterisation. People really stayed true to themselves.

Huuuuge trigger warning for sexual violence. Some really grim content in here.

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ronjaorsomething's review

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I will say, it's not really about what it seems like in the first part. It's devastating and frustrating at times but, like, in a good way. I feel like the book description gives away too much because you only learn some of it pretty late and it's a great plot twist if you don't know.

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kmbbb's review

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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mayas's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, rating TBC

Fuck, I don’t know what to think. I really loved this book, particularly at certain parts. I loved Emmett’s narrative voice. I loved how he noticed the little things like the way light passed through a window or the stitches on a quilt. I loved his character as a whole too.

I loved the slow, gentleness of the first part, of his time apprenticing Seredith. The first ~30 pages felt like a Ghibli film, which was lovely.

I loved Seredith too and was very sad (and shocked!!) to see Emmett’s time with her end.

I enjoyed the second part too, I read most of it in one sitting and really struggled to put it down. I kept just wanting to read what happened next, when something specific would happen, etc.

And, at the end of it, my heart ached for Emmett and Lucian.

I enjoyed the third part too. But I didn’t love/connect with Lucian’s voice/pov. He did need to be the narrator of the third part. It made so much sense to the story. But idk,,, I missed Emmett’s voice and his thought processes. I wonder how much of me not connecting is the traumatised part of my brain trying to distance myself from Lucian’s experience though.

And then the ending.

The lack of concrete ending felt like an unhappy one in some ways. I don’t think I really like uncertain endings in stories, I guess I never have. I remember, as a child, feeling upset and confused and unsatisfied when a film ended and I had to decide what it meant or happened next. But I want to remind myself that, at face value, it really was a happy ending. Right? (Please don’t answer this if you think otherwise.) I just hope everything works out for Emmett and Lucian; that they get away safely and have a fresh start. God, why was there a cliffhanger at the end!!!! :((((

It was interesting exploring how binding was used to exploit different people (especially women and the working class).

But I wish Lucian’s father was stopped and punished. He wasn’t. I guess it wasn’t that sort of story. And that’s okay. I’m just sad to see someone like that still be able to inflict such pain and exploit people like that. Horrible fucking man.

I also did feel a bit bored here and there but this was minimal.

I also thought Emmett really did bring on the rain but it seems it really was a coincidence.

Overall, this was a beautiful book. I loved it. My favourite parts were the slow gentleness in the first part, the language/writing, the romance (esp in Part 2), Emmett, and the concept of binding. I’m very happy I finally read this!!

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zoebooksit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

3.0

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melliedm's review

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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sternfrl613's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

2.75

This was a tough read that opened a couple of wounds I didn't need opening. I only read it till the end because I needed a happy end, and thankfully received one that I can make peace with.
LGBTQIA*, SA survivors and children of abusive families: check the content warnings before reading to make sure you're up to what you're getting here.

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