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charms1976's review against another edition
5.0
I am speechless for my review of Blood Bound. I did not know what to expect since the only books I have read by this author are her young adult Soul Screamer series. I knew it would be excellent writing, but I didn't realize how well she could execute an adult themed genre book until now.
I will be honest though in the fact that if you aren't prepared for some puzzle solving, you can easily get lost in the first couple chapters. I was scratching my head several times trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Even though I was confused and starting to get frustrated, I kept reading and I am so happy I did. Once I got through the initial scene set-up chapters, the book took off. I found myself sucked into the Skilled world and was secretly wishing I had some of those Skills without the contracts! Imagine having the powers to track someone with either a name or sample of blood. Imagine stepping from one place into another by just walking though a shadow. Imagine seeing into the future and knowing all sorts of possibilities with different decisions. Just sit and imagine what it would be like.
The romance between Cam and Olivia is written perfectly. It isn't over done with a lot of sex scenes, but you can still feel the chemistry pull between the two and you find yourself looking for the loopholes for them to be together. I even found myself cheering and hoping that one particular bad guy would turn out not to be so bad. While I still can't stand his wife, the bad guy does have some redeeming qualities if you look close enough.
Now don't even get me started on that ending! I was so frustrated on the last page. I looked at my book closely to see if it was missing pages and then my frustration only grew when I finally accepted that the author left the ending this way for a reason. I could have screamed and thrown my book against a wall, but I realized it just makes me more anxious for the next book in the series to arrive. I now NEED the next book in the series just as much as I need my next breath! When an author can leave you hanging at the end, but leave you satisfied enough to want to continue the series, you know the author has done a beautiful job in a novel. Author Rachel Vincent has now been bumped to my always list for adult themed books and I can't wait to get my hands on her other series!
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
This book completely surprised me. I'm not really talking about the plot (although there are a few surprises there too, but we'll get to that later). I'm talking about this book in general. I started reading Vincent's Shifter series earlier this year and I was about halfway through when I learned that she had a new series planned and coming out. I read the synopsis fo what the series was about, but I was a little hesitant. If you read the back of the book blurb it doesn't really explain a whole lot about the book. All I knew was that I was enjoying the Shifter series and I would give this new one a try too. Honestly, about five pages in (however long it took for Cam to show up) I was hooked.
This book takes place in an alernate-type modern-day America (I don't think they ever mentioned a specific state that this takes place in) where some people have "Skills". There are trackers, people who can walk through shadows, seers, readers, binders, blinders, etc. People who have abilities, but nothing like I've read before in a book. Vincent created a very new world with the Unbound series and she did a great job of it.
Our main characters Liv and Cam are both trackers. Liv can track people through samples of their blood, and Cam can track people by their names. I thought the whole naming thing that Vincent gets into is very interesting and you will start to notice that everyone has a nickname. Liv is tasked with finding the killer of her friend's husband. Cam is along for the ride as extra muscle. Of course there's history between the two it wouldn't be a Rachel Vincent novel if there wasn't some history. The task seems simple enough until they actuately find the killer. Then things start to get a little complicated with surprises and twists at every turn. I appreciated the different twists that Rachel Vincent put in this book. I would be going down one train of thought and then BAM! she would take a turn and go another direction. I will admit that I figured a lot of it out before it happened but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. I can see how some people would say that there were too many coincidences or things worked out a bit too perfectly, but I was willing to go along with it and when I put myself in the mind set I think I appreciated more seeing the characters come to the conclusions and figuring out the mystery and how it all fit together.
It's really a complicated little world that Vincent built. Very raw and gritty with crime syndicates and differing loyalties. The whole "house divided" notion. I liked that really there was not one completely good person in the story (adult person I will clarify). Every single person would do what they were told to do because they had to do it no matter the consequences or their personal feelings. It's very shades of gray. How can you judge a person's actions when you would do the same thing? When you ultimately chose the path you've taken? Brings up a lot of "what-ifs". I look forward to Vincent expanding on his notion in the next books.
The novel is very fast paced, I believe it takes place over just a couple of days, and so much happens. It is for this reason that the relationship that develops between Cam and Liv for me seemed a little rushed at times. True, they really known each other for years and Liv ran away from him with no explaination and he's mainly back to get her long overdue reason for leaving him. Part of me wishes that their finding and reconnecting with one another again (after six years) would have spanned a couple books. They've both changed a lot in the time apart and it would have been nice to see them rediscovering who the other is. That is not how things go, however, and I can appreciate the fact that since Vincent chose to bring them together in this book she did so early on in the book so we still got to see them finding out about their new lives throughout the remainder.
There are a few reviews that talk about the ending and the "cliffhanger". I put the word in quotes because I don't find it a cliffhanger at all. If we go back and read through the novel and read what we learn about Liv's character the ending is obvious. The next step is easy to see.
I've read that for this particular series Vincent has two new narrators each time. This time it was Cam and Liv. I liked going back and forth between the two. I think it was just as important to get Cam's POV as it was to have Olivia's. I think this goes back to the trust issue. With everyone's loyalties up in the air in question it would have been more difficult to trust Cam if we didn't know things from his point of view and vice versa with Liv.
The next book is entitled [b:Shadow Bound|11000229|Shadow Bound (Unbound, #2)|Rachel Vincent|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314728171s/11000229.jpg|15918993]. I think we can deduce that this book will take place from Kori's POV and an as yet unnamed male. It's logical because there were a lot of questions about Kori left to answer at the end and this will give us answers. We will most assuredly see more Liv and Cam because that's the nature of these books. There's a central focus but the most important characters (the four friends and their significant others) are in the background. If this book will truly be a trilogy (as stated on the cover) then we can probably guess that the thrid book will have Anne as it's focus. I guess we'll see. This series has gone on to my auto-buy list. Can't wait until July. Until Then!
This book takes place in an alernate-type modern-day America (I don't think they ever mentioned a specific state that this takes place in) where some people have "Skills". There are trackers, people who can walk through shadows, seers, readers, binders, blinders, etc. People who have abilities, but nothing like I've read before in a book. Vincent created a very new world with the Unbound series and she did a great job of it.
Our main characters Liv and Cam are both trackers. Liv can track people through samples of their blood, and Cam can track people by their names. I thought the whole naming thing that Vincent gets into is very interesting and you will start to notice that everyone has a nickname. Liv is tasked with finding the killer of her friend's husband. Cam is along for the ride as extra muscle. Of course there's history between the two it wouldn't be a Rachel Vincent novel if there wasn't some history. The task seems simple enough until they actuately find the killer. Then things start to get a little complicated with surprises and twists at every turn. I appreciated the different twists that Rachel Vincent put in this book. I would be going down one train of thought and then BAM! she would take a turn and go another direction. I will admit that I figured a lot of it out before it happened but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. I can see how some people would say that there were too many coincidences or things worked out a bit too perfectly, but I was willing to go along with it and when I put myself in the mind set I think I appreciated more seeing the characters come to the conclusions and figuring out the mystery and how it all fit together.
It's really a complicated little world that Vincent built. Very raw and gritty with crime syndicates and differing loyalties. The whole "house divided" notion. I liked that really there was not one completely good person in the story (adult person I will clarify). Every single person would do what they were told to do because they had to do it no matter the consequences or their personal feelings. It's very shades of gray. How can you judge a person's actions when you would do the same thing? When you ultimately chose the path you've taken? Brings up a lot of "what-ifs". I look forward to Vincent expanding on his notion in the next books.
The novel is very fast paced, I believe it takes place over just a couple of days, and so much happens. It is for this reason that the relationship that develops between Cam and Liv for me seemed a little rushed at times. True, they really known each other for years and Liv ran away from him with no explaination and he's mainly back to get her long overdue reason for leaving him. Part of me wishes that their finding and reconnecting with one another again (after six years) would have spanned a couple books. They've both changed a lot in the time apart and it would have been nice to see them rediscovering who the other is. That is not how things go, however, and I can appreciate the fact that since Vincent chose to bring them together in this book she did so early on in the book so we still got to see them finding out about their new lives throughout the remainder.
There are a few reviews that talk about the ending and the "cliffhanger". I put the word in quotes because I don't find it a cliffhanger at all. If we go back and read through the novel and read what we learn about Liv's character the ending is obvious. The next step is easy to see.
Spoiler
I just hope that she can negotiate her contract a little to exclude certain things because being completely subservient to Cavazos would be bad for both of themI've read that for this particular series Vincent has two new narrators each time. This time it was Cam and Liv. I liked going back and forth between the two. I think it was just as important to get Cam's POV as it was to have Olivia's. I think this goes back to the trust issue. With everyone's loyalties up in the air in question it would have been more difficult to trust Cam if we didn't know things from his point of view and vice versa with Liv.
The next book is entitled [b:Shadow Bound|11000229|Shadow Bound (Unbound, #2)|Rachel Vincent|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314728171s/11000229.jpg|15918993]. I think we can deduce that this book will take place from Kori's POV and an as yet unnamed male. It's logical because there were a lot of questions about Kori left to answer at the end
Spoiler
such as why she was left to live after the events of the booktalya_'s review against another edition
Eh. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't entertained. Plus the POV switching was weird because there were no names to differentiate between them. There was a POV switch in the middle of some action scene in the chapter and I was just like what the hell is going on. DNF.
jkperd03's review against another edition
4.0
This bok started out slow and wasnt easy to get into.It did pick up interest and towards the end became one of those books you didnt want to put down. The end of this book leaves you happy,pissed,and wanting to already have Shadow Bound in your hands.
If I wouldnt have stuck through this book and read it all the way and heard about it later from someone I would have been disappointed I didnt finish it
If I wouldnt have stuck through this book and read it all the way and heard about it later from someone I would have been disappointed I didnt finish it
booksandbedtime's review against another edition
5.0
Drop whatever you are reading, and pick up this book now! It'll be worth it!
sylwniw's review against another edition
2.0
The story idea was interesting but wih skipping to each character POV didn't give u a chance to know them which was disappointing. Also I couldnt sense any chemistry between the two main characters, not a blip. Won't b reading the next one.
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 against another edition
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.