Reviews - Bound by Firelight

148 reviews for:

Honestly, this series is such a comfort read. And I can totally see it getting someone out of a reading slump. What will you find in this series? Loveable characters, the best witty banter, so much action, sweet moments with friends and family. Really. You'll read this and just want to hug it because you hope that the feeling it leaves you with lasts forever. If this sounds like something you want in a book, go read book 1: Cast in Firelight!

Now, for my review of Bound by Firelight...

This book starts off with a bunch of action and then it somehow gets even more intense!

I loved Adraa and Jatin just as much as I did in Cast in Firelight. I love their relationship, their banter, and their teamwork. I also really enjoyed seeing more of Prisha, Riya, and Kalyan; and I loved the new characters who were introduced! Especially Harini. Adraa's and Prisha's relationship is beautiful. I especially loved a certain scene between the two.

Another thing I really liked was how certain things were mentioned at the start that I kind of ended up forgetting about as I read, and then those things came back at the end and everything came full circle.

Finally the cover! I just love it! I love how on the first book, the red and white magic is kept more or less separate. But on this one, the two mix together a bit more. To me that just shows how Jatin's and Adraa's relationship evolved.

So if you're craving a book with lots of action and great character development, this is the one for you!

littlefootreader's review against another edition

4.0

Duologies can be hit or miss for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well everything wrapped up.

I loved the couple in this book. Jatin and Adraa had a relationship that I loved. They meshed so well together and separately, the character writing and arc were delightful to watch!

The action and intrigue in this second novel proved to be just as interesting and immersive as the first, if not more so. The writing and overall direction of the story were a bit darker than the first, so please check the trigger warnings. Some themes include violence and drug abuse (although done in a fantasy setting). The plot was not rushed and the pacing was consistent and honestly, left me looking for a third book!

Overall, if you enjoy a well-done magic system and want to fall in love with the characters and relationships, I'd highly recommend it. Add in the well-developed plot with action and intrigue, it is a recipe for a well-rounded, enjoyable read!

chelseamadam's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging hopeful slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

onebookmore's review against another edition

5.0

Bound by Firelight, the second book in the Wickery series, picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first book. Adraa has been falsely accused of masterminding the events from the first book, and she is imprisoned in the Dome. After a debacle of a trial, almost no one believes in Adraa’s innocence, but Adraa is certain magic is at play. Ever devoted to the woman he loves and wants to marry (if he can ever get enough courage to ask her), Jatin is determined to prove Adraa’s innocence and break her free from the Dome. With help from friends and a few unexpected allies, can Jatin rescue Adraa before it’s too late? Also, is it a coincidence that she was sent to this unscrupulous place, or are there even more nefarious happening than Adraa ever expected? The stakes are high, and lives are at risk as Adraa and Jatin fight their way back to each other.

After reading and loving Cast in Firelight, the first book in the Wickery series, I jumped at the chance to read Bound by Firelight. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, and I loved it! There’s so much action, suspense, and intrigue, and the characters are amazing! Plus, it has a really unique magic system, which is expanded on in this book, and the romance is wonderful.

The story is told from both Adraa and Jatin’s perspectives, which is great considering they spend a lot of the book separated and trying to find their way back to each other. Their journeys are so different, yet each is compelling, and they complement each other well. I found myself attached to both Jatin and Adraa’s arcs and couldn’t wait to see if they ever reconnected and how they would fix all of the issues that plagued them and their world.

Both Jatin and Adraa have grown so much throughout the duology, and I like how their respective journeys and their journey as a couple progressed. Jatin becomes a stronger and more confident leader, and Adraa never stops fighting. Both Adraa and Jatin go through so many trials and tribulations, and the stories are intense! Adraa’s time in the Dome is frightening and unpredictable and violent, (and really fascinating. The magic in this part of the story is so cool!) and her life is in constant danger.

Even before entering the Dome, Adraa’s life and the lives of those around her were at risk. It seems as if danger follows her and Jatin, as they are constantly faced with seemingly impossible obstacles. However, both characters prove strong, determined, and resilient. Jatin and Adraa do not give up no matter the odds. They are survivors and leaders, and they fight against the powers that threaten to destroy them and the people and places they love, which makes for a super suspenseful, fast-paced, and action-packed read.

I absolutely adore the romance between Adraa and Jatin! Though they spend much of the book apart, their feelings for each other shine. The way he feels about Adraa is *chef’s kiss* perfection. From his bumbling attempts to propose to his fierce determination to free her from prison, Jatin’s feelings for Adraa are unwavering and lovely. They have some wonderful, tender moments that highlight just how much they care for each other, and they were positively swoon-worthy! Adraa and Jatin have both grown individually and as a couple, and though it’s the end of the series, it feels like their story is just beginning.

Another relationship that I found intriguing is between Adraa and her sister Prisha. Prisha has a substantial role in this book, and you really get to understand her more and see the layers of their relationship. This sibling relationship, like many sibling relationships, is complicated and messy, but the love between the sisters is strong. Other characters and relationships, new and old, are compelling and poignant too, and I like how much they added to the story. Much like its predecessor, this book has great messages about the bonds of family, the strength of friendship, and the immense power of love.

I loved Bound on Firelight and thought it was a brilliant sequel to the Wickery series. This isn’t a standalone, but I would definitely recommend the books to readers of YA fantasy. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dana Swift, and Delacorte Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.