Reviews with content warning for Death - Threads That Bind

“Threads that Bind” was a mythology-based mystery that delivered on the “Percy Jackson for an Older Audience” vibes that “Lore” was supposed to.

This is Kika Hatzopoulou’s debut novel and I am really blown away. Typically, debut novels are a little clunky—whether in the dialogue, the plot, world building, or some combination—and I try to overlook it because, hey, it’s a debut novel. It’s the author’s first time publishing something and they’re still honing their skills or maybe had a lackluster team. That was not the case with “Threads that Bind.” It was immaculate and executed so well.

Dialogue was sharp and realistic, the magic system was unique and compelling, the world building was sensational, I can keep going but I’ll stop there.

Content Warnings

kell_xavi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

Exciting, original, fantastic debut novel set in a coastal fantasy city where human descendants of Greek deities—otherborn—can wield unique powers, but are marginalized in their society. The setting is a complex web of gang-ruled territory, a police initiative to use otherborn as soldiers, and suspicious deaths by women who are nor quite alive.

Io is a winning character who half-willingly pairs up with Edei to investigate, and ends up in a good deal of trouble with a lot of buried things rising up to haunt her, her family, and the city of Elante.

A few places closer to the beginning come across as contrived and confused,where Io doesn’t investigate things it seems she would want to, or where her anxiety didn’t move naturally, or in how she thinks and speaks. And it ends on a blasted cliffhanger! But otherwise, this is a wonderful book, and I look forward to the sequel.

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mattiedancer's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Writing: 4.25⭐️/5

The writing shone in certain sections. I particularly loved the way Hatzopoulou described and wrote about the threads. I also thought she commanded good control of her language while describing action and combat, leaving the actions clear. A few sections of the novel fell victim to a bit of a rushed feeling, but most of it was paced well with good control.

Characters: 4.25⭐️/5

I really loved Io. She maintained her strength without paying to the conventions of the “strong badass female protagonist.” I liked that she fought against her sister’s description and prescriptions of her and paved her own path. And, I really loved her reaction to her fate string. I loved how she kept her secret to herself and how both characters eventually gave into the determination of the string. Honestly, the characters were just deeply written and still fun to read about.

Plot: 4.25⭐️/5

Ah, a world in which fates are reborn and the threads that bind us remain visible to some. I loved it deeply, especially as it wove into a mystery novel, with Io and Edei investigating together in a world where magic and myths come to life. I think the end was a bit rushed, and the cliffhanger did feel a bit sudden, a bit forced, but overall, it was lots of fun to read.

Who Should Read This Book?

Fans of young adult fantasy
Readers looking for a fantasy read with mystery vibes
Readers looking for a solid book in a fantasy world
Fans of Greek mythology reimaginings

Content Warnings?

Death, murder, genocide, war, blood, gore, grief, gaslighting, emotional abuse, animal cruelty, violence, injury, injury detail, death of parent, confinement, transphobia,

Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5

Would read the next one.

Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5

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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The first thing I have to say is that I might have enjoyed this more if I had taken notes. Because the world-building was some of the most creative and clever I have seen in a very long while - the idea of the other-born, the city-states, and the film-noir aesthetic were all really convincing, and just really cool overall. At the same time, though, I felt like author Kika Hatzopolou overcomplicated things (and when it was overcomplicated, it was underexplained).

The plotting was overall very good, but I think it did get bogged down in too many twists towards the end, making it confusing. I didn't really grow to care for the characters, which is a problem because I then subsequently couldn't really care what happened to them.

Overall, the good plotting and creative worldbuilding couldn't cover all the problems I felt this novel had. Which is a shame, because there was a good story in here.

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bookboxbabe's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

um WOW. finally picked this up after getting it in two book boxes and i’m so glad i did.

the magic system is one of the most unique systems i’ve ever read in a fantasy book, and the characters all stole my heart.

i’m rooting for io and edei and can not WAIT until the sequel comes out

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paracosim's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This might be the best book I’ve read this year. I was obsessed from start to finish, completely drawn in by the amazing worldbuilding and setting, then by the characters and their relationships with each other. And what relationships there are. There is little to no romance in this book—though I’m expecting it in book two—and it gave all the other relationships time to shine in its absence. The history between the three sisters was especially intriguing. And the diversity of the cast! There are nonbinary characters, Jewish characters, a trans woman who plays a major part in the plot, lesbians and bisexuals, and much more. So much more. And none of it felt shoehorned in or awkwardly placed, the way it does sometimes—like the author was just trying to check down a list. It felt so natural and normal. This is a book I’ve been recommending to anyone who will listen, and one that will haunt me for a long time.

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fronk10's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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

4.0

A good murder mystery with excellent world building and a fun mythos. I did find some of the twists a little repetitive, but overall a really enjoyable read. Despite the ‘fated lovers’ trope the two leads really felt like they had chemistry and would get along regardless. Intrigued as the where the next one will go, but I do worry the scope will get too big.

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eni_iilorak's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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