≡ Read The Bloodbound Erin Lindsey 9780425272688 Books

The Bloodbound Erin Lindsey 9780425272688 Books

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The Bloodbound Erin Lindsey 9780425272688 Books

Ahoy me mateys. I am sad I actually spent me money on this book. This book betrayed my enjoyment so it must walk the plank . . . Arrrrgh!

It has been on me list forever and I wanted so badly to read the first novel. However, local libraries in port didn’t have the first novel (just the second! Grrrr!). It seemed to have all the elements of fantasy that I love: Awesome cover, magic swords, fantastic heroine, a bit of romance, epic battles, etc. So after hemming and hawing, I gave in and got me a copy.

To be fair, I loved the author’s characters. The main character was a noble lady named Alix. She is funny and resourceful and clever. The scout, Liam was funny and sweet. The king, Erik, commanding and charming. Even the side characters like General Green and Kerta were likeable and fun to read about. I loved how the various banner houses were set up. I loved how women were respected and held high positions in the kingdom. I even appreciated how one of the bad dudes was conflicted and yet a little more complicated than I expected. I didn’t abandon this book because I enjoyed the characters a lot individually.

The problem was in the plot. A spy that shows up and is just trusted for no reason. Alix making dumb choices that went against her seeming intelligence. Other bad dudes who have no real reason for being evil. Complicated situations that are just fixed with almost no effort. Magic that almost seems pointless. And the love triangle from hell.

I liked Alix. I liked Erik. I liked Liam. How this triangle was set up was fine. It being in the book didn’t even bother me at first. But as the triangle continued to drag on, the plot surrounding it grew more and more ridiculous. The resolution was just plain horrible. Personally, Alix could have ended up with either of them. That was unusual for me and was due to the author’s characterizations. The conflict of Alix’s choice seemed realistic enough at times. However, the major “reveal” in the middle of the novel to how Alix makes her choice is what ruined the book for me. That and the love story taking center stage.

I wanted more complex politics and battles, a story that didn’t get bogged down because the king broke his leg and was castle bound forever, for the magic to be better explained and used, and for problems not to be solved with a wave of the hand. I will not be reading the rest of the series but would be willing to give the author’s next one a try if the love stuff could be toned way down and her plots tightened.

Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean that it won’t float yer boat. Give it a try if ye dare!


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The Bloodbound Erin Lindsey 9780425272688 Books Reviews

Bloodbound is a different kind of fantasy. and that is a very good thing. although i love Tolkien, as was purportedly said by another Don at a reading of the latest chapter of the Ring "Please!! no more f$%#ing elves!" as a fantasy writer myself (under the penname Ajax Minor), i like 'different'.
in a very good sense, it is a 'quiet' fantasy. while there is plenty of action in Bloodbound, the most satisfying reading involves being drawn into the emotional lives of the characters. some have objected to 'love triangles', but this one involves not just the heart, but adherence to duty and tradition. it is engaging to participate in Alix Black's emotional evolution.
and the theme of duty is reflected as well in the difficult calculus of adherence to one's word, by treaty, and commitment to country aver allegiance to a sovereign. it is difficult to parse the ethical conflict inherent in the rift between Prince Tomald and his brother King Erik. the author's long experinece in the nuances of international relations and the ethical questions of 'good and evil' that are not simply determined served her well n this story.
one final note. another aspect of this fantasy that is noteworthy is the simplicity of the 'magic' in the story. often fantasy writers endow their characters with magical powers, rings or wands or staffs, that conjure up all sorts of solutions to the jams into which their characters find themselves. Lindsey uses one Blood, for both antagonist and protagonist. it is refreshing. perhaps that is because it is the kind of 'magic' i prefer to have my characters employ.
in short, Kudos!! read the book
The Bloodbound starts on a battlefield as King Erik of Alden is betrayed by his brother, and left to die at the hands of the Oridian enemy. Alix Black, a scout in the King’s army, leaves her post to give aid and ends up saving the King’s life. For her efforts, Alix is made head of the King’s personal guard, but there’s no time to become complacent. Trying to root out usurpers and spies among those who call themselves loyal to the crown, Alix struggles with becoming the King’s confidant as her feelings for him are headed in a direction that feels more like a betrayal, as her heart already belongs to another.

When information comes to light that the enemy may be employing a previously unknown magic on their troops enabling them to fight without compunction, Alix will have to put aside her uncertain feelings and work with both men in order to ensure the survival of their kingdom.

If you’re someone who likes their fantasy but wishes it were heavier on the romance The Bloodbound is the book/series for you. Politics, while still a huge story thread, take a backseat to Alix’s romantic entanglements.

Unfortunately, if you couldn’t tell from the description above, this also means the use of the dreaded love triangle. I’ve never really been a fan of the triangle, but Erin Lindsey spins things in a way that, while I’m not a love triangle convert now by any means, I find myself very interested in how this one will play out in the remainder of the series. Said triangle consists of Alix, her best friend Liam, and of course King Erik. I liked that Erin Lindsey decided to not just make things from Alix’s point of view. We get King Erik’s viewpoint as well, and with that spin—understanding his feelings for Alix—the kind of queasy feeling I oftentimes get with love triangles was considerably muted. It wasn’t an angst-fest and it wasn’t ‘who can be more manly and win the fair maiden’s hand’ either, which made me like both suitors equally for Alix.

Romance aside, the rest of the story flowed really nicely. As I said, we start in battle and pretty much end in battle, but the pathway leading from one to another, as we learn of treacheries and strategies, was really smooth. There’s a lot of terminology thrown at readers with not much in the way of explanation, but in not trying too hard to decipher what every phrase or sect means, things fall into place naturally and, for me, with little to no confusion. I think this also lends itself well to those in which fantasy is not their go-to genre.

One of the standouts of the story is, of course, Alix. I loved that in this world there are no reservations about women being on the battlefield alongside the men. Alix is pretty much a badass. She knows how to handle herself, and let’s just say she does good work in her job as personal guard to the King as she saves his life multiple times over the course of the story. For all that she has conflicted feelings for her friend and the King, she doesn’t let them get in the way of doing her job and doing it well.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Bloodbound and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Ahoy me mateys. I am sad I actually spent me money on this book. This book betrayed my enjoyment so it must walk the plank . . . Arrrrgh!

It has been on me list forever and I wanted so badly to read the first novel. However, local libraries in port didn’t have the first novel (just the second! Grrrr!). It seemed to have all the elements of fantasy that I love Awesome cover, magic swords, fantastic heroine, a bit of romance, epic battles, etc. So after hemming and hawing, I gave in and got me a copy.

To be fair, I loved the author’s characters. The main character was a noble lady named Alix. She is funny and resourceful and clever. The scout, Liam was funny and sweet. The king, Erik, commanding and charming. Even the side characters like General Green and Kerta were likeable and fun to read about. I loved how the various banner houses were set up. I loved how women were respected and held high positions in the kingdom. I even appreciated how one of the bad dudes was conflicted and yet a little more complicated than I expected. I didn’t abandon this book because I enjoyed the characters a lot individually.

The problem was in the plot. A spy that shows up and is just trusted for no reason. Alix making dumb choices that went against her seeming intelligence. Other bad dudes who have no real reason for being evil. Complicated situations that are just fixed with almost no effort. Magic that almost seems pointless. And the love triangle from hell.

I liked Alix. I liked Erik. I liked Liam. How this triangle was set up was fine. It being in the book didn’t even bother me at first. But as the triangle continued to drag on, the plot surrounding it grew more and more ridiculous. The resolution was just plain horrible. Personally, Alix could have ended up with either of them. That was unusual for me and was due to the author’s characterizations. The conflict of Alix’s choice seemed realistic enough at times. However, the major “reveal” in the middle of the novel to how Alix makes her choice is what ruined the book for me. That and the love story taking center stage.

I wanted more complex politics and battles, a story that didn’t get bogged down because the king broke his leg and was castle bound forever, for the magic to be better explained and used, and for problems not to be solved with a wave of the hand. I will not be reading the rest of the series but would be willing to give the author’s next one a try if the love stuff could be toned way down and her plots tightened.

Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean that it won’t float yer boat. Give it a try if ye dare!