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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I have nobody but myself to blame for going in with such high expectations. Everyone said this would be a 5 star read…to me this book was a solid 3.
Before I start ranting, let me get the positive point to the forefront. This was really fun. I loved the direwolves and anything with trials in an “academic” setting is going to hit like crack because of the drama it comes with.
However, the only way I can describe this book is to call it “stiff”. Nothing flowed smoothly, the character relationships felt forced, the depth felt surface level.
The “hate” between the enemies to lovers didn’t feel real, it was like being told they hate each other but not being shown enough to make me believe it. E.g. he calls her “princess” early on, and he just stares at her with an angry expression for nearly 60% of the book.
Don’t even get me started on the similarities with Fourth Wing. Maybe if I hadn’t read that, this book could’ve rated higher but I couldn’t stop comparing because the similarities were BLINDING. It would be impossible not to notice them.
Also the spice? It was completely redundant to the point where I skimmed it, because without saying much, it’s not the spice you care about reading based on who it’s happening with. I never thought I’d say it, but fade to black would’ve been fine for this book so that we’d have been ready for the spice that matters in the next book.
This needed a heavy edit, so I guess the fact it’s been picked up traditionally will mean the second book has potential to fix a lot of issues.
The plot was entertaining enough for me to read the next one to find out what happens but I wont be on the edge of my seat for it.
Before I start ranting, let me get the positive point to the forefront. This was really fun. I loved the direwolves and anything with trials in an “academic” setting is going to hit like crack because of the drama it comes with.
However, the only way I can describe this book is to call it “stiff”. Nothing flowed smoothly, the character relationships felt forced, the depth felt surface level.
The “hate” between the enemies to lovers didn’t feel real, it was like being told they hate each other but not being shown enough to make me believe it. E.g. he calls her “princess” early on, and he just stares at her with an angry expression for nearly 60% of the book.
Don’t even get me started on the similarities with Fourth Wing. Maybe if I hadn’t read that, this book could’ve rated higher but I couldn’t stop comparing because the similarities were BLINDING. It would be impossible not to notice them.
Also the spice? It was completely redundant to the point where I skimmed it, because without saying much, it’s not the spice you care about reading based on who it’s happening with. I never thought I’d say it, but fade to black would’ve been fine for this book so that we’d have been ready for the spice that matters in the next book.
This needed a heavy edit, so I guess the fact it’s been picked up traditionally will mean the second book has potential to fix a lot of issues.
The plot was entertaining enough for me to read the next one to find out what happens but I wont be on the edge of my seat for it.
This one was just… meh. Nothing special. 3 stars because:
- It was way longer than it had to be and it dragged ooooon forever at times
- The trials were boring
- Meryn was of course the extra special chosen protagonist who bonds with the coolest baddest wolf and who’s secretly the rightful queen etc etc
- I saw the Killian twist coming from a mile away
- It was way longer than it had to be and it dragged ooooon forever at times
- The trials were boring
- Meryn was of course the extra special chosen protagonist who bonds with the coolest baddest wolf and who’s secretly the rightful queen etc etc
- I saw the Killian twist coming from a mile away
I’m not going to lie, this book highly resembles Fourth Wing in a lot of its plot devices, and I have no clue what makes books like these so addicting. Maybe it is it’s easy to follow prose and world building? Or maybe it is its familiar plot devices leave the reader with some predictable comfort? Whatever it is, it’s working because I’m incredibly eager to read these upcoming books.
One thing I didn’t particularly like about the book, though, is its insistence on being enemies to lovers. The book is a love triangle. However, one of the interests is constantly labeled by the MC as her enemy or with hatred, which he had done nothing to merit. Like, thats not your enemy, that’s just a man you don’t know yet…. I was also endlessly frustrated by the MC’s impulsive actions and her reliance on “slamming the iron wall down”, but I think it’s somewhat expected to be a bit aggravated with the MC’s decisions in these type of books.
Nevertheless, I really did enjoy this book. I think Stark has the potential to become one of those addicting “book boyfriends” the internet loves to love like Xaden or Rowan. I’m excited to see more from him in the sequel!
One thing I didn’t particularly like about the book, though, is its insistence on being enemies to lovers. The book is a love triangle. However, one of the interests is constantly labeled by the MC as her enemy or with hatred, which he had done nothing to merit. Like, thats not your enemy, that’s just a man you don’t know yet…. I was also endlessly frustrated by the MC’s impulsive actions and her reliance on “slamming the iron wall down”, but I think it’s somewhat expected to be a bit aggravated with the MC’s decisions in these type of books.
Nevertheless, I really did enjoy this book. I think Stark has the potential to become one of those addicting “book boyfriends” the internet loves to love like Xaden or Rowan. I’m excited to see more from him in the sequel!
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Direbound is a romantasy book that will keep you on the edge of your seat with fated mates, challenges, amazing character development, and lots and lots of suspense! I am so honored to have been an Arc reader and can’t wait to continue the series! I absolutely fell in love with Meryn from the start and feel like I was able to connect with her character so deeply because I felt I am a lot like her!
Direbound is a romantasy book that will keep you on the edge of your seat with fated mates, challenges, amazing character development, and lots and lots of suspense! I am so honored to have been an Arc reader and can’t wait to continue the series! I absolutely fell in love with Meryn from the start and feel like I was able to connect with her character so deeply because I felt I am a lot like her!
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s been a while since I was this into a story! It definitely lives up to the hype- did I see the twist coming a mile off- absolutely- did I care? Nope! This was so well done- loved it. Really would like book 2 now!
fast-paced
adventurous
Thank you Hachette Audio for providing me an early copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness! I was obsessed with this one from the first chapter on, which is saying something, because it is a LONG one. But I’m telling you, it definitely doesn’t *feel* that long, because there are NO slow parts, just constant happenings, and I loved it the whole way through! 😍
There are Dire Wolves, there is a training “academy” environment, deadly trials, factions/packs, a love triangle (which I usually hate, but actually kind of enjoyed in this one?? 👀), secrets and lies, and bonds, and maybe that seems like a lot of things, but it never felt that way!
As an older reader who’s “read it all” at this point, did I see some of the twists coming? Kinda, maybe, but also, not completely, and I loved when things would happen and I’d have a “waaaaait…🤔” moment, and that final scene? I gasped! 😱
I really loved the characters, and getting to know them from Meryn’s POV, and I don’t want to say anything else for fear of *spoilers*, but there are some really fun interactions.
And the spice? It was spicing. 🙂↕️
I absolutely loved this read, and I am so excited to continue on with this series, and please, tell me, when does the next one come out, because I NEED it. 🙏
Audiobook notes: Done in Duet!! The story is told in single POV (except for a bonus epilogue that is NOT in the KU version! 👀), but I loved having that male narrator there to take on all the male voices. Both narrators were fantastic! Special shoutout to Avery Caris, who did amazing with all the emotional and intense action scenes.
What this book is giving:
✅ Romantasy
✅ Hunger Games + Fourth Wing
✅ Dire Wolves
✅ Training
✅ Bonds
✅ Love triangle? 👀
✅ That ending 😱
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5
Oh my goodness! I was obsessed with this one from the first chapter on, which is saying something, because it is a LONG one. But I’m telling you, it definitely doesn’t *feel* that long, because there are NO slow parts, just constant happenings, and I loved it the whole way through! 😍
There are Dire Wolves, there is a training “academy” environment, deadly trials, factions/packs, a love triangle (which I usually hate, but actually kind of enjoyed in this one?? 👀), secrets and lies, and bonds, and maybe that seems like a lot of things, but it never felt that way!
As an older reader who’s “read it all” at this point, did I see some of the twists coming? Kinda, maybe, but also, not completely, and I loved when things would happen and I’d have a “waaaaait…🤔” moment, and that final scene? I gasped! 😱
I really loved the characters, and getting to know them from Meryn’s POV, and I don’t want to say anything else for fear of *spoilers*, but there are some really fun interactions.
And the spice? It was spicing. 🙂↕️
I absolutely loved this read, and I am so excited to continue on with this series, and please, tell me, when does the next one come out, because I NEED it. 🙏
Audiobook notes: Done in Duet!! The story is told in single POV (except for a bonus epilogue that is NOT in the KU version! 👀), but I loved having that male narrator there to take on all the male voices. Both narrators were fantastic! Special shoutout to Avery Caris, who did amazing with all the emotional and intense action scenes.
What this book is giving:
✅ Romantasy
✅ Hunger Games + Fourth Wing
✅ Dire Wolves
✅ Training
✅ Bonds
✅ Love triangle? 👀
✅ That ending 😱
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5
I went into this ARC read not having much interest in romantasy books and my first ARC read ever, I’m so glad I did! I wasn’t sure about it at first but I was quickly drawn in and I couldn’t put it down! The plot twists, THE betrayal, the spice! All of my favorite tropes in one book! Great read, I’m so excited to see this story line play out in book 2!