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xtinashad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was very enjoyable, simple world building, with a strong FMC who is trying to gain her freedom from her guardians in a female oppressed kingdom. I see this as a friend to lovers with some angst and spice in there as well. A few good plot twists and still a lot of unknowns that keep you wanting more that should be revealed in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Rape
dean_reviews's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Bound and Barbed was a fated mates story that had me hooked and wanting to know more! I found myself unable to stop listening, which was a struggle because I had no choice but to take more than one session to listen to it!!!
Very minor spoilers ahead.
Content warnings for this book:
Sexual Content, Sexual Violence, Blood, Gore, Murder, Death of a Parent, Death, Misogynism, Panic Attacks/Disorder, Alcohol, Memory Loss
Evaline Manor is a young woman who is struggling to exist within a world that is not set up to encourage the growth and goals that she has for her life. In a world where it is illegal for a woman to carry a weapon, Evaline finds herself squirreling away money in order to get a weapon and run away. A feat that we can safely assume is not easy.
Turns out, one big barrier is her aunt and uncle.... who rule over the kingdom of Kembertus. Working hard to marry her off, they are not keen on the idea that Evaline wants to have more rights and knowledge than they would prefer for women to have.
This brings us to Maddox Vicor, a man who is not quite a man, looking for a mate and finding himself put in the path of Evaline. Traveling with his childhood friend Wyott while the two of them are sent on a task by his father. Hiding in plain sight among humans who are unaware of the existence of Kova we are shown more of how this world works through his experience.
I gotta say, I truly did enjoy this book. I often am not one for a slow-burn so I was happy when this book started that way but then shifted. And while I was not prepared for how detailed the scenes would be, I am not someone who struggles with explicit content.
The story gave me enough intrigue and curiosity, feeding me information in a way that felt natural and not forced. While highlighting the faults of the world and our characters.
I liked that the characters were not all carbon copies of each other, sure, we get a big guy who is going to be mated to the small woman... the man who loves romance and cares about her consent and existence as a human to make choices for herself. Something that I think far too many people write off simply because they want the big guy who pushes his way into her life for her benefit. I sooooo preferred that he wanted to be there but wanted to do it on her terms. He won't push himself on her or into her life.
I appreciated soooo much that there is a realistic portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks in the story. That we can know everything we need to survive a situation or to fight back, but our brains can work against us. We never know when our traumas and fears will override everything else that we have fought so hard to learn to protect us in hard moments.
The only thing I didn't like is the miscommunication trope being used. I *hate* when people just won't say what they are thinking or what they mean. Moments when tension and strife could be solved by one person simply saying something rather than hoping the other will understand or ask the right questions. It always feels like playing with someone's emotions for the sake of it to me.
The audio was good, I liked that they switched up narrators for the different perspectives and both narrators managed to get the same kind of wit and personality in the common characters of the perspectives.
I can't recall any intense moments of breathing or hitching that caused me to be drawn out of the story.
I loved the moments we got that highlighted racial features. "Her hair was hanging in protective braids." If I was better at bookmarks on audio, I would have descriptions about Maddox as well, but it made it clear fairly easily and fast that he was not a white character.
Overall, I really like this book and was upset when I realized that it was ending and I didn't have the next one. I will def be talking to friends about it and seeing what they think if they read it.
***I was provided a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts about what I read.***
Very minor spoilers ahead.
Content warnings for this book:
Evaline Manor is a young woman who is struggling to exist within a world that is not set up to encourage the growth and goals that she has for her life. In a world where it is illegal for a woman to carry a weapon, Evaline finds herself squirreling away money in order to get a weapon and run away. A feat that we can safely assume is not easy.
Turns out, one big barrier is her aunt and uncle.... who rule over the kingdom of Kembertus. Working hard to marry her off, they are not keen on the idea that Evaline wants to have more rights and knowledge than they would prefer for women to have.
This brings us to Maddox Vicor, a man who is not quite a man, looking for a mate and finding himself put in the path of Evaline. Traveling with his childhood friend Wyott while the two of them are sent on a task by his father. Hiding in plain sight among humans who are unaware of the existence of Kova we are shown more of how this world works through his experience.
I gotta say, I truly did enjoy this book. I often am not one for a slow-burn so I was happy when this book started that way but then shifted. And while I was not prepared for how detailed the scenes would be, I am not someone who struggles with explicit content.
The story gave me enough intrigue and curiosity, feeding me information in a way that felt natural and not forced. While highlighting the faults of the world and our characters.
I liked that the characters were not all carbon copies of each other, sure, we get a big guy who is going to be mated to the small woman... the man who loves romance and cares about her consent and existence as a human to make choices for herself. Something that I think far too many people write off simply because they want the big guy who pushes his way into her life for her benefit. I sooooo preferred that he wanted to be there but wanted to do it on her terms. He won't push himself on her or into her life.
I appreciated soooo much that there is a realistic portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks in the story. That we can know everything we need to survive a situation or to fight back, but our brains can work against us. We never know when our traumas and fears will override everything else that we have fought so hard to learn to protect us in hard moments.
The only thing I didn't like is the miscommunication trope being used. I *hate* when people just won't say what they are thinking or what they mean. Moments when tension and strife could be solved by one person simply saying something rather than hoping the other will understand or ask the right questions. It always feels like playing with someone's emotions for the sake of it to me.
The audio was good, I liked that they switched up narrators for the different perspectives and both narrators managed to get the same kind of wit and personality in the common characters of the perspectives.
I can't recall any intense moments of breathing or hitching that caused me to be drawn out of the story.
I loved the moments we got that highlighted racial features. "Her hair was hanging in protective braids." If I was better at bookmarks on audio, I would have descriptions about Maddox as well, but it made it clear fairly easily and fast that he was not a white character.
Overall, I really like this book and was upset when I realized that it was ending and I didn't have the next one. I will def be talking to friends about it and seeing what they think if they read it.
***I was provided a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts about what I read.***
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Sexual content, Murder, Death of parent, Rape, Blood, Sexual assault, Death, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Classism
amobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
I had mixed feelings about this one but ultimately decided I enjoyed it more than I cringed at it. I think I just hate the fated mates trope, so if that's your thing you'll love it! For me, it just leaned too hard into it. I'm still happy I read it though because I liked Evaline and Maddox's relationship a lot, and the ending of this book set up for a continuation that I'm interested in reading. I'm sure in future books we'll learn more about Kova and Vasi, which I look forward to. Definitely check this one out if you like romantasies with badass FMCs, vampires (or vampire-like characters), and the "who did this to you" trope. Check for content warnings though!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Sexual content
greeneggsandsam's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Bound and Barbed is a dual-POV fantasy romance following Evaline, a woman determined to escape the misogynistic kingdom she has lived in since witnessing her father's brutal death. The aunt and uncle raising her plan to marry her off, an act Evaline detests even more after learning who they plan to marry her to. Maddox, a Kova (benevolent vampires), finds his fated mate in Evaline, and he swears to protect her and free her from the kingdom of Kembertus.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook, though I found myself rolling my eyes at several aspects of the story. Both narrators were really good, and I do plan to continue the series as they will probably be made available on KU like the first.
What I enjoyed the most: Evaline's past is full of a trauma, and though she has hardened herself and trains to be the warrior she needs to be to survive, her trauma still resurfaces and affects her. The representation of nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety were really well done.
What I liked: Maddox is a sweetheart, and I loved his pining for Evaline and his desire to finally settle down with his mate (though it did get a bit repetitive sometimes). There is also some mystery into who/what Evaline is exactly, and why her bond with Maddox is different than normal Kova mates, which is what has me mostly interested to pick up the sequel. The smutty parts were enjoyable. I did feel an emotional impact from Evaline's storyline, and liked who she was as a person.
What I didn't enjoy: As mentioned above, this book did often get repetitive. I feel the book could have been much shorter if edited down better, and it would have been more enjoyable for it. The vast majority of the middle of the book was focused on the romance, with about zero plot. There are characters planning things, but not actually doing anything. The pacing made for a boring middle section. There was also SO much miscommunication in here, and it mostly infuriated me. One instance of it would have sufficed, but it was pretty constant and it wasn't much fun. One minute Maddox would say he knows she is lying because her heart rate increases, but then she continues to lie to him throughout the entire thing? Seems a bit meh to me. I know Eva had her reasons for trying to hide things, partially because <i>trauma,</i> but it was excessive to say the least.
Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook, though I found myself rolling my eyes at several aspects of the story. Both narrators were really good, and I do plan to continue the series as they will probably be made available on KU like the first.
What I enjoyed the most: Evaline's past is full of a trauma, and though she has hardened herself and trains to be the warrior she needs to be to survive, her trauma still resurfaces and affects her. The representation of nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety were really well done.
What I liked: Maddox is a sweetheart, and I loved his pining for Evaline and his desire to finally settle down with his mate (though it did get a bit repetitive sometimes). There is also some mystery into who/what Evaline is exactly, and why her bond with Maddox is different than normal Kova mates, which is what has me mostly interested to pick up the sequel. The smutty parts were enjoyable. I did feel an emotional impact from Evaline's storyline, and liked who she was as a person.
What I didn't enjoy: As mentioned above, this book did often get repetitive. I feel the book could have been much shorter if edited down better, and it would have been more enjoyable for it. The vast majority of the middle of the book was focused on the romance, with about zero plot. There are characters planning things, but not actually doing anything. The pacing made for a boring middle section. There was also SO much miscommunication in here, and it mostly infuriated me. One instance of it would have sufficed, but it was pretty constant and it wasn't much fun. One minute Maddox would say he knows she is lying because her heart rate increases, but then she continues to lie to him throughout the entire thing? Seems a bit meh to me. I know Eva had her reasons for trying to hide things, partially because <i>trauma,</i> but it was excessive to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
crinkledmochi's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
FBAA dupe 💀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
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