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dirtyhallowz's review against another edition
4.0
“In a way, he was only returning what he had taken from her.”
Rowland’s addition to the smutty vamp book genre broke ground for me. I’ve covertly avoided VPNR for some time now, unwilling to dedicate read time to yet another tired, overdone set of vampire tropes. But I jumped on the ARC team for this as a gap filler between beta reads. Rowland came in hot right off the bat! She beautifully manages to build a world with new abilities I’ve not seen in VPNR books before, depicts a strong, relatable FMC (that frankly needs to stop drinking anything offered by other men) and Kjan: yes your standard broody vamp with the emotional intelligence of a bug but, and here’s the hook for me: he owns it. Like truly owns it. He’s damaged as all hell, but is so poetically good at being good, like he’s pretending to be bad (well some of the time anyway!) And his car…
Rowland’s addition to the smutty vamp book genre broke ground for me. I’ve covertly avoided VPNR for some time now, unwilling to dedicate read time to yet another tired, overdone set of vampire tropes. But I jumped on the ARC team for this as a gap filler between beta reads. Rowland came in hot right off the bat! She beautifully manages to build a world with new abilities I’ve not seen in VPNR books before, depicts a strong, relatable FMC (that frankly needs to stop drinking anything offered by other men) and Kjan: yes your standard broody vamp with the emotional intelligence of a bug but, and here’s the hook for me: he owns it. Like truly owns it. He’s damaged as all hell, but is so poetically good at being good, like he’s pretending to be bad (well some of the time anyway!) And his car…
fromjoeysreadingchair's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was my first “vampire” book since Twilight and the only thing it has in common with it is that they're both set in and round Seattle. I wasn't sure what to expect but it did not disappoint. I loved Rowland's writing style, descriptive and emotive you truly get to know the characters. A contemporary dark romance with the MMC and MFC bounded by blood. This is purely my preference, but Rowland had me as soon as I found out Eve drove a beetle bug (my favorite car). Most importantly the chemistry between Kijan and Eve was electric, tense and swoon worthy. The supporting characters contextualize Kijan and Eve's dark history, and why they are so closed off. Looking to escape and start anew, the two soon find solace in one another. I am so excited for the next book!
cicismama1019's review against another edition
5.0
The book is described as a dark-themed retelling of vampire origin based on Norse Gods in a modern, post-Ragnarǫk setting.
I loveddd the slow burn romance that developed between our two vamps, and it was so cool to have the flashbacks (because he is legit 900+ years old) and to get that Norse mythology aspect. Khan turns Eve into a vampire and serves as her mentor. We get to see their electric chemistry while they realize the depth of their feelings throughout. Since she was turned, Eve has his very powerful blood within him which puts her into the crosshairs of others who are now hunting her. It’s a grumpy/sunshine situation as well as age gap, which, who doesn’t love both of those tropes?
I loved this book and will absolutely be reading Books 2 and 3
I loveddd the slow burn romance that developed between our two vamps, and it was so cool to have the flashbacks (because he is legit 900+ years old) and to get that Norse mythology aspect. Khan turns Eve into a vampire and serves as her mentor. We get to see their electric chemistry while they realize the depth of their feelings throughout. Since she was turned, Eve has his very powerful blood within him which puts her into the crosshairs of others who are now hunting her. It’s a grumpy/sunshine situation as well as age gap, which, who doesn’t love both of those tropes?
I loved this book and will absolutely be reading Books 2 and 3
teastarsandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
First and foremost, thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for my gifted physical copy of Blood Bound! This book is absolutely gorgeous (also has amaaazing flop. Lemme tell you the serotonin I got from just holding this thicc beauty 🧑🏼🍳💋).
OVERALL: 3.5 🌟
STORY: 3🌟
WRITING: 5🌟
CHARACTERS: 5🌟
SPICE: 3🌶️
ENJOYMENT: 3🌟
Blood Bound is a Dark Vampire Romance with mystery abound. Rowland’s writing is delicious and decadent, perfect for telling the story of a tortured Vampiric soul and his freshly turned Eve. Her prose flows naturally and weaves a narrative that is descriptive and mysterious.
Rowland leads us on a slow journey, observing Kjrn and Eve’s days, post-Eve’s turning. Their dynamic is tense, full of push and pull as Eve struggles to get past Kjrn's walls and Kjrn struggles with his darkness. We follow them, day by day, through Eve's training, through their every fight, through every miscommunication. For me personally, this was dull and dragged on too much. Where was the plot outside of them bickering? Rowland would occasionally drop hints of some kind of overarching plot that pieced together only at the end, but it did make the story feel too long for me.
But outside of that, the characters themselves are incredibly well-written. There's not a moment that felt out of character or off. Eve is strong willed and a fantastic advocate for herself. Kjrn is a classically tortured soul with one hell of a mysterious background. Both characters have excellent push and pull between them, but Kjrn himself has a whole 'nother level of push and pull that I greatly enjoyed.
I absolutely enjoyed the bits of Norse mythology that was sprinkled thought this vampire tale. I definitely wish there was more, especially in regards to Kjrn's connection to the Nordic gods but I understand that will come later in the trilogy.
Overall this was an average read for me. The slice-of-life chapters would often get too much for me and I would end up skimming the pages till <i>something</i> started to happen again. But I enjoy Rowland's writer's voice and her characters, so I'll absolutely be picking up the next book. I'm incredibly intrigued to know more about Kjrn. Correction: I <i> need </i> to know more about him!
If you enjoy spicy slice-of-life romances with a mysterious vampiric twist, then you absolutely need to pick up this book!
OVERALL: 3.5 🌟
STORY: 3🌟
WRITING: 5🌟
CHARACTERS: 5🌟
SPICE: 3🌶️
ENJOYMENT: 3🌟
Blood Bound is a Dark Vampire Romance with mystery abound. Rowland’s writing is delicious and decadent, perfect for telling the story of a tortured Vampiric soul and his freshly turned Eve. Her prose flows naturally and weaves a narrative that is descriptive and mysterious.
Rowland leads us on a slow journey, observing Kjrn and Eve’s days, post-Eve’s turning. Their dynamic is tense, full of push and pull as Eve struggles to get past Kjrn's walls and Kjrn struggles with his darkness. We follow them, day by day, through Eve's training, through their every fight, through every miscommunication. For me personally, this was dull and dragged on too much. Where was the plot outside of them bickering? Rowland would occasionally drop hints of some kind of overarching plot that pieced together only at the end, but it did make the story feel too long for me.
But outside of that, the characters themselves are incredibly well-written. There's not a moment that felt out of character or off. Eve is strong willed and a fantastic advocate for herself. Kjrn is a classically tortured soul with one hell of a mysterious background. Both characters have excellent push and pull between them, but Kjrn himself has a whole 'nother level of push and pull that I greatly enjoyed.
I absolutely enjoyed the bits of Norse mythology that was sprinkled thought this vampire tale. I definitely wish there was more, especially in regards to Kjrn's connection to the Nordic gods but I understand that will come later in the trilogy.
Overall this was an average read for me. The slice-of-life chapters would often get too much for me and I would end up skimming the pages till <i>something</i> started to happen again. But I enjoy Rowland's writer's voice and her characters, so I'll absolutely be picking up the next book. I'm incredibly intrigued to know more about Kjrn. Correction: I <i> need </i> to know more about him!
If you enjoy spicy slice-of-life romances with a mysterious vampiric twist, then you absolutely need to pick up this book!
veeder's review against another edition
4.0
*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book in any way.*
Synopsis: He killed her. And then he saved her, or so he thought… Kjan has taken charge of Eve after he saved her life, and ultimately turns her into a target. Eve finds herself in the hands of a man that she cannot trust, yet feels a deep connection to. Will the two be each other’s saviors or each other’s death sentence?
What I liked: I really enjoyed the plot to this story, and the Norse mythology included with it. I am so glad to read about an FMC that is totally relatable and REALISTIC. I also love having dual POVs! *Chef’s kiss*
What I disliked: The beginning of the story felt a bit slow. However, after about 20% the story line really picked up!
I give this book ⅘ stars. I really enjoyed that the spice was not too heavy, it felt like a great palette cleanser to me! For a debut novel, Rowland has a great writing style, and this story has a plot that will have you wondering “What’s next??” I cannot wait to read the next two installments of this trilogy! Publish date: October 1, 2023.
As always, please read the trigger warnings the author has listed at the beginning of the book!
Synopsis: He killed her. And then he saved her, or so he thought… Kjan has taken charge of Eve after he saved her life, and ultimately turns her into a target. Eve finds herself in the hands of a man that she cannot trust, yet feels a deep connection to. Will the two be each other’s saviors or each other’s death sentence?
What I liked: I really enjoyed the plot to this story, and the Norse mythology included with it. I am so glad to read about an FMC that is totally relatable and REALISTIC. I also love having dual POVs! *Chef’s kiss*
What I disliked: The beginning of the story felt a bit slow. However, after about 20% the story line really picked up!
I give this book ⅘ stars. I really enjoyed that the spice was not too heavy, it felt like a great palette cleanser to me! For a debut novel, Rowland has a great writing style, and this story has a plot that will have you wondering “What’s next??” I cannot wait to read the next two installments of this trilogy! Publish date: October 1, 2023.
As always, please read the trigger warnings the author has listed at the beginning of the book!
ettaviereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
mnimismemory's review against another edition
4.0
Blood Bound by Renate Rowland is book one in A Web of Wyrd Trilogy. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but after finishing reading it, I must say I’m a fan. I enjoyed the worldbuilding that was done in this book. I really enjoyed the author’s take on vampires and everything that went into it. I really enjoyed the characters of Kjan and Eve; I thought they both were thought out and described well. I was able to connect with both them and with the story emotionally. I felt like everything was deceived well and I was able to picture what I was reading. This book also contained some of my favorite tropes such as age gap, forced proximity and grumpy sunshine. (To name a few) I enjoyed the suspense and the slow burn of the romance, at times I was on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Final review:
4 out of 5 stars