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nbwalks's review against another edition
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5
Rachel Vincent did it again! I have read her other series and this one does not disappoint! I always love how she creates stories out of paranormal creatures that nobody else tries. It is so refreshing!
Pros:
1. All of the characters were well-developed and had their own personalities. They were easy to connect to even if you have never been in their situation before. The emotions that they portrayed felt as if they were tangible.
2. Exciting new creatures capture your attention as you want to learn what they are capable of doing.
3. The actual Skills that they can do is captivating and makes you wish you could do them too (some of them anyway).
Semi-Con:
1. The ending scene went rather fast. I wish there would have been more action(but at least there wasn't too much to the point where I would've gotten lost or confused.)
Rachel Vincent did it again! I have read her other series and this one does not disappoint! I always love how she creates stories out of paranormal creatures that nobody else tries. It is so refreshing!
Pros:
1. All of the characters were well-developed and had their own personalities. They were easy to connect to even if you have never been in their situation before. The emotions that they portrayed felt as if they were tangible.
2. Exciting new creatures capture your attention as you want to learn what they are capable of doing.
3. The actual Skills that they can do is captivating and makes you wish you could do them too (some of them anyway).
Semi-Con:
1. The ending scene went rather fast. I wish there would have been more action(but at least there wasn't too much to the point where I would've gotten lost or confused.)
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting new series (to me) from Rachel Vincent. I’m a huge fan of her shifter series so this was something new to wrap my mind around. Enter a world that isn’t post-apocalyptic but sometimes the despair found throughout the inhabitants made me feel like it could be. Not everyone is gifted but the ones that are tend to align themselves with almost magical mafias. Liv has tried hard to stay neutral but she keeps getting dragged back in. When her sexy ex shows up looking for help, Liv can’t say no. Literally. Cam and Liv embark on fast paced mission with lies and betrayal behind every corner but if they can learn to trust each other they may not only survive but find their way back to love. A really good read. It did take me a little bit to engage myself but after I did I was hooked. I almost felt like the book ended on a cliff hanger so I’m excited to see what comes next!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
This is the start to a new series from Rachel Vincent and after having her Shifter series I knew I wanted this book, and what more can I say then I am sure glad I got it.
The paranormal elements in this series are that some skilled individuals have the power to find someone by a name, by blood, some have binding powers and make contracts you can't break, and some can move from shadow to shadow. There are also more and everyone knows about them, but no countries have done anything about this and pretend they are not there. Then there are those who profit from these skills others have and that bring us to the novel. There are two crime bosses in the city and you do not want to cross them. They hold on to their empires and skills are a trade to them.
Liv has the skill of tracking and these days she tries to stay on one side of the town since she works now and again for one of the crime bosses, Cavazo. She is strong, kickass (we all know I love that), and she has this love for freedom because in this world it's not easy being free. I did like her at once.
Cam is her exlover who shows up asking her to take a case. I can't go into details why they broke up but just say he wants her back and she is running. One thing he did I did not like, but again there were reasons back then. But damn this man loves her and wants her back. He would go to the end of the world for her and that is enough for me to melt into that little puddle. What else can I say then I promise you some romance and passion on the side.
It's not easy trying to move through this mafia world but they try their best. And I do love the world she created, it might just be this tiny obsession I used to have for mafia related things. There is action, danger and a whole lot of questions. Which is also a great part because there is always something there, just over that hill and I am reading like crazy to find the answers to everything that is happening. You just can't put it down, you will want more, you need to know more.
And that brings is to Cavazo, the awesome baddie. He is so evil, and not in that delicious way where you want to have your way with him. But no in the evil evil way. He will not think twice of putting a bullet in your brain, he rules with an iron fist, he is cruel, he hits women, but I like him. Yes I do have problems it seems. The thing is that even though he is totally bad, there is still this glimmer of something decent buried way way way back inside of him and he does have one redeeming quality, which the other boss Tower does not seem to have. What can I say, I love a good baddie, and fine I pictured him as hot. But would not go anywhere near him. He is crazy after all.
Conclusion:
This was a great start to this series and it made me want the next book. Sadly I have to wait almost a year for that one. It also did not end in a cliffhanger, ok sort of not ended. There was an end, there was a maybe, but I could live with it. To wrap this up, great book.
Rating:
Recommended
The paranormal elements in this series are that some skilled individuals have the power to find someone by a name, by blood, some have binding powers and make contracts you can't break, and some can move from shadow to shadow. There are also more and everyone knows about them, but no countries have done anything about this and pretend they are not there. Then there are those who profit from these skills others have and that bring us to the novel. There are two crime bosses in the city and you do not want to cross them. They hold on to their empires and skills are a trade to them.
Liv has the skill of tracking and these days she tries to stay on one side of the town since she works now and again for one of the crime bosses, Cavazo. She is strong, kickass (we all know I love that), and she has this love for freedom because in this world it's not easy being free. I did like her at once.
Cam is her exlover who shows up asking her to take a case. I can't go into details why they broke up but just say he wants her back and she is running. One thing he did I did not like, but again there were reasons back then. But damn this man loves her and wants her back. He would go to the end of the world for her and that is enough for me to melt into that little puddle. What else can I say then I promise you some romance and passion on the side.
It's not easy trying to move through this mafia world but they try their best. And I do love the world she created, it might just be this tiny obsession I used to have for mafia related things. There is action, danger and a whole lot of questions. Which is also a great part because there is always something there, just over that hill and I am reading like crazy to find the answers to everything that is happening. You just can't put it down, you will want more, you need to know more.
And that brings is to Cavazo, the awesome baddie. He is so evil, and not in that delicious way where you want to have your way with him. But no in the evil evil way. He will not think twice of putting a bullet in your brain, he rules with an iron fist, he is cruel, he hits women, but I like him. Yes I do have problems it seems. The thing is that even though he is totally bad, there is still this glimmer of something decent buried way way way back inside of him and he does have one redeeming quality, which the other boss Tower does not seem to have. What can I say, I love a good baddie, and fine I pictured him as hot. But would not go anywhere near him. He is crazy after all.
Conclusion:
This was a great start to this series and it made me want the next book. Sadly I have to wait almost a year for that one. It also did not end in a cliffhanger, ok sort of not ended. There was an end, there was a maybe, but I could live with it. To wrap this up, great book.
Rating:
Recommended
xvicesx's review
5.0
All board for the emotional roller-coaster! Please be prepared for mentally screaming "WHAT THE--?!", "How on earth?!", "Bastard!", "That bitch..." and, of course, the unmistakable "Shiiiit...". I've had this book on my to-read list but I was somewhat reluctant until recently when randomness pushed me towards it and I have to say it was a good book indeed.
Blood Bound paints a whole different kind of world. It's a world in blood, where your name or a single drop of your blood could be the very end of life as you know it. Free will has gained monetary value while fear and horror reign. A scary world indeed, if you asked me about it...
Perhaps one of the most shocking views on power that I have read to this point, with a peculiar accent on the helplessness of the common individual in front of that certain power as well as the attempt to be unyielding ("Cedo nulli") is carefully woven into what, I must admit, is a brilliant plot. There's enough surprise there to get the better part of readers.
The dual point of view is somewhat confusing at times but the characters are lovable (except for Anne, who I found to be a bitch from beginning to end) and so is the roller-coaster plot.
Overall: the gorgeous story of a messed up situation in a messed up world, where you can't really be the master of your own will.
Blood Bound paints a whole different kind of world. It's a world in blood, where your name or a single drop of your blood could be the very end of life as you know it. Free will has gained monetary value while fear and horror reign. A scary world indeed, if you asked me about it...
Perhaps one of the most shocking views on power that I have read to this point, with a peculiar accent on the helplessness of the common individual in front of that certain power as well as the attempt to be unyielding ("Cedo nulli") is carefully woven into what, I must admit, is a brilliant plot. There's enough surprise there to get the better part of readers.
The dual point of view is somewhat confusing at times but the characters are lovable (except for Anne, who I found to be a bitch from beginning to end) and so is the roller-coaster plot.
Overall: the gorgeous story of a messed up situation in a messed up world, where you can't really be the master of your own will.
thatashgirl83's review
3.0
I liked the concept and the characters but OMG talk about ending it in the middle of nowhere!!!!
traecrochet's review
4.0
It would have been 5 stars but it has a pretty serious cliffhanger and I'm not the biggest fan of them.
However, I love the world this takes place in. I love how unique the different types of skills are and I love how Cam and Liv have a realistic romance.
On to the next one!
However, I love the world this takes place in. I love how unique the different types of skills are and I love how Cam and Liv have a realistic romance.
On to the next one!
malus23's review
3.0
Sometimes felt a little too reliant on a few too many coincidences. Fun concept though, and a fun read when I could tune out my own skepticism. Read this series before, a year or two ago, but clearly forgot to mark them at the time.
sophilozophy's review against another edition
2.0
Another unique story by Rachel Vincent with plenty of action and plot twists. The ending leaves you begging for the sequel.
lynseyisreading's review
4.0
This was an absolutely fascinating read. I love it when an author comes up with something new and exciting. Something we haven't already seen a million times before. Another one I really enjoyed discovering this year for this exact reason was Diana Pharaoh Francis' Horngate witches series.
So, the basic set up here is to do with magical bindings, oaths and promises. Being forced to comply against your will, and having the strength to push against such ties to do what you think is right. The magical element was somewhat small in this book, nobody had any really flashy powers as such, and there were no vamps or werewolves (shocking I know), but there are magical or "Skilled" people, and they are, for the most part, either trackers, binders or travellers.
There are two main types of trackers. Our protagonist, Olivia ''Liv'' Warren, is a Blood Tracker. One with an exceptional range which makes her a popular girl. She needs only a small sample of someone's blood to track them down. Another type that we meet is a Name Tracker. With the use of your real names (the more names they have the better) they can trace people within their range.
There were also Flesh Binders who bind with blood tattoos or a contract sealed with blood, and Travellers who can move through shadows. It really was interesting to learn about these abilities and how they came into use. Essentially, the city is split into three sections, two of which are run by opposing Mafia-like factions, and the third is a relatively safe or "neutral" zone. The heads of the two factions are Jake Tower and Ruben Cavazos. Liv works for Ruben.
It's safe to say there is no love lost between Liv and Ruben and she doesn't work for him for the pleasure of his company alone. There is a lot more to this part of the story and I found theirs to be a very weird and slightly twisted working relationship that was nonetheless intriguing to read.
A former lover of Liv's comes back to town, a name tracker called Cam Caballero. It's been six years since they broke up and a lot has happened in that time. We find out exactly what as the story progresses, and interestingly, the story is actually told from a first person perspective equally split between Liv and Cam. I had to do a bit of a double-take when the first switch happened because with it starting out in first person I wasn't expecting it to change, so this aspect was usual, but it really worked.
Overall, this is a gritty, dark world and a story that sucker punches you in the guts a few times before it's finished with you. I was surprised at how quickly I got engrossed in the story and the characters and it managed to shock me once or twice along the way.
I think the main reason it didn't make 5 stars for me was simply the fact that, at one point, a mystery is about to be revealed and they are discussing it for quite some time, but I'd already worked it out about 3 chapters back, so I found myself giving the book the wind it up sign because I already knew what they were getting to. I don't know how obvious this will be to others, or if I'm just some kind of evil genius, but it was a slow section because of that.
The next book is about a different character all together. One of the secondary characters in this story, so it will be interesting to see how different that book feels. Vincent's certainly taking the road less travelled here, and it's great fun to read.
So, the basic set up here is to do with magical bindings, oaths and promises. Being forced to comply against your will, and having the strength to push against such ties to do what you think is right. The magical element was somewhat small in this book, nobody had any really flashy powers as such, and there were no vamps or werewolves (shocking I know), but there are magical or "Skilled" people, and they are, for the most part, either trackers, binders or travellers.
There are two main types of trackers. Our protagonist, Olivia ''Liv'' Warren, is a Blood Tracker. One with an exceptional range which makes her a popular girl. She needs only a small sample of someone's blood to track them down. Another type that we meet is a Name Tracker. With the use of your real names (the more names they have the better) they can trace people within their range.
There were also Flesh Binders who bind with blood tattoos or a contract sealed with blood, and Travellers who can move through shadows. It really was interesting to learn about these abilities and how they came into use. Essentially, the city is split into three sections, two of which are run by opposing Mafia-like factions, and the third is a relatively safe or "neutral" zone. The heads of the two factions are Jake Tower and Ruben Cavazos. Liv works for Ruben.
It's safe to say there is no love lost between Liv and Ruben and she doesn't work for him for the pleasure of his company alone. There is a lot more to this part of the story and I found theirs to be a very weird and slightly twisted working relationship that was nonetheless intriguing to read.
A former lover of Liv's comes back to town, a name tracker called Cam Caballero. It's been six years since they broke up and a lot has happened in that time. We find out exactly what as the story progresses, and interestingly, the story is actually told from a first person perspective equally split between Liv and Cam. I had to do a bit of a double-take when the first switch happened because with it starting out in first person I wasn't expecting it to change, so this aspect was usual, but it really worked.
Overall, this is a gritty, dark world and a story that sucker punches you in the guts a few times before it's finished with you. I was surprised at how quickly I got engrossed in the story and the characters and it managed to shock me once or twice along the way.
I think the main reason it didn't make 5 stars for me was simply the fact that, at one point, a mystery is about to be revealed and they are discussing it for quite some time, but I'd already worked it out about 3 chapters back, so I found myself giving the book the wind it up sign because I already knew what they were getting to. I don't know how obvious this will be to others, or if I'm just some kind of evil genius, but it was a slow section because of that.
The next book is about a different character all together. One of the secondary characters in this story, so it will be interesting to see how different that book feels. Vincent's certainly taking the road less travelled here, and it's great fun to read.
chelseavbc's review
4.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
I read the back-cover of Blood Bound and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into, but it was a Rachel Vincent novel and that means must-read for me. I’m so glad I did — and I understand why there was so few brief explanations of the plot. It doesn’t fall in any category easily. Yes, it’s a paranormal romance, and there’s a supernatural element, but Vincent has created something new. And it’s brilliant.
Liv lives in a world where some people have enhanced supernatural abilities — of those covered in the book, all are mentally-focused. Liv is a tracker. With a sample of someone’s blood, she can find them. She worked for the police for a time, but the courts don’t yet admit evidence from trackers. Other trackers can find someone just by having his or her full name. In addition, we learn of others, most notably those with the ability to bind oaths. If you make a promise with a binder present, there’s no way out. Should you try to revert on your word, intense pain and eventual death follow.
Blood Bound explores just what would happen if you had to follow through — with no inhibitions, to the point of death — to keep your word. We tackle the theme from multiple sides, including the loyalty of friends, the potentiality of a bond of love and those oaths one will forever regret. Liv is called upon (without any choice) to track down and kill the murderer of a friend’s husband. And she’s tasked to do so with her ex-boyfriend Cam. And he would really like to know why Liv ran off on him six years ago. The answer may put them both in danger, but once reunited it’s hard to fight the deep feelings that bubble up again.
Cam and Liv’s relationship is intense and complicated. There’s nothing easy. He just wants her, wants her to admit she still loves him. Liv would prefer to pretend she’s not melting inside just by sitting the same car with him. And she’s done things she never wants him to know about. She wants to remain that ideal, and that is relatable. Liv wants to be good enough for Cam and wants to protect him, and — as is often the way these things go — it just makes things worse.
Blood Bound promises love with complications, breaking-and-entering, mystery and some kickass action sequences. Vincent contemplates the truth of promises and how one might exploit those oaths. Fans of Jeaniene Frost and Carolyn Crane novels should pick up Blood Bound.
Sexual content: Sex, references to prostitution
I read the back-cover of Blood Bound and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into, but it was a Rachel Vincent novel and that means must-read for me. I’m so glad I did — and I understand why there was so few brief explanations of the plot. It doesn’t fall in any category easily. Yes, it’s a paranormal romance, and there’s a supernatural element, but Vincent has created something new. And it’s brilliant.
Liv lives in a world where some people have enhanced supernatural abilities — of those covered in the book, all are mentally-focused. Liv is a tracker. With a sample of someone’s blood, she can find them. She worked for the police for a time, but the courts don’t yet admit evidence from trackers. Other trackers can find someone just by having his or her full name. In addition, we learn of others, most notably those with the ability to bind oaths. If you make a promise with a binder present, there’s no way out. Should you try to revert on your word, intense pain and eventual death follow.
Blood Bound explores just what would happen if you had to follow through — with no inhibitions, to the point of death — to keep your word. We tackle the theme from multiple sides, including the loyalty of friends, the potentiality of a bond of love and those oaths one will forever regret. Liv is called upon (without any choice) to track down and kill the murderer of a friend’s husband. And she’s tasked to do so with her ex-boyfriend Cam. And he would really like to know why Liv ran off on him six years ago. The answer may put them both in danger, but once reunited it’s hard to fight the deep feelings that bubble up again.
Cam and Liv’s relationship is intense and complicated. There’s nothing easy. He just wants her, wants her to admit she still loves him. Liv would prefer to pretend she’s not melting inside just by sitting the same car with him. And she’s done things she never wants him to know about. She wants to remain that ideal, and that is relatable. Liv wants to be good enough for Cam and wants to protect him, and — as is often the way these things go — it just makes things worse.
Blood Bound promises love with complications, breaking-and-entering, mystery and some kickass action sequences. Vincent contemplates the truth of promises and how one might exploit those oaths. Fans of Jeaniene Frost and Carolyn Crane novels should pick up Blood Bound.
Sexual content: Sex, references to prostitution