Reviews

The Binding Season by Claudia Cain

emilyrainsford's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense

5.0

 The Binding Season by Claudia Cain is the third book in the Fallow Creek series and the author describes it as a “fantasy thriller with horror leanings”, which I think is pretty accurate. It’s like rural urban witches meets House of Hollow, plus throw some fae in for good measure.

The first book in the series is Lovely, Dark and Deep which was a ✨5 star read✨ for me (which is rare for me, 5 stars are special!) and I think it is criminally underrated. If urban fantasy with mild horror and creepy forest vibes make you go “gimme!”, I REQUIRE you to pick this series up. They do need to be read in order.

I didn’t love the second book in the series quittteeeee as much but The Binding Season had everything I loved about the first one and more 😍 It’s one of those books that somehow manages to turn plants and flowers into the creepy-crawliest, most horrifying things and honestly I don’t know if I’ll ever look at nature quite the same way and I’m here for it. It’s pretty dark with some body horror so be warned - but there’s also a fae sweetheart called Merich that you WILL fall in love with.

The seeds have been firmly planted (heyyyyyy 🌿) for this series to continue and I couldn’t be happier to read as many of these books as the author can write! 
(this review is taken straight from my free newsletter, find it at coffeebooksmagic.substack.com )

horror_haus_books's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I AM SCREAMING. AGAIN. 

This series. It’s literally EVERYTHING. 

I felt like I was holding my breath during this entire book. 

The Binding Season is the third book in the Fallow Creek series by Claudia Cain and it’s hands down the best series I’ve read this year. 

The tension keeps rolling throughout the entire series so you never get bored and you never want to put the book down. I don’t want this series to ever end. As I got towards the end of this one I can see some clear hints that the story obviously isn’t over and that we should hopefully be expecting a 4th book? Fingers crossed. I need more.

carolibrary's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

4.5

goodeyreads's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

NEW SERIES FAVORITE.

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Y’ALL. THIS BOOK.

This is definitely my new favorite of the series and ohhhh my gosh I loved it so much. My favorite (of course) was how much romantic development I finally got! This slow burn was going to end me and YAYYYYYYYY. Basically my giddy little self this entire book. Merich must be protected at all costs.

I loved this edition and how we got to see a little more of the world and characters in the woods. While focusing on one issue I loved seeing the hints toward the final showdown coming in book four. The complex sibling dynamics are wonderful as always. I love how they protect each other and fight and love and all the things a tight knit family unit does.

This is as gruesome as always (and I’m not even a horror reader, THESE are my exception). The Binding Season is an hidden gem that I need more readers to get their hands on.

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal / Horror + Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mild body horror, near death experiences, blood/gore depiction