A review by bexbringsbooks
Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Despite starting this technically like 3 weeks ago, and last year, at least 85% was read over the course of the last two days. So I will say we’ve started the year off on a strong note. I know what I like to read and what is satisfying to me. However, just because a book might tick off certain boxes, it is not a guarantee that it will do so in a way that I enjoy. But Court of Blood and Bindings was so much fun. Are there some surface level comparisons to ACoTaR? Yes. But they are just that; surface level. This book had one of the most unique magic systems I have seen in a while and it was fascinating to get into the mechanics of it. Also puts a really interesting spin on certain magical beings that I’ve never seen before. The tropes that I live for were all present and accounted for but made interesting in the circumstances that brought them about. Appropriate foreshadowing was used, and I never felt like there was a deus ex machina introduced just to disappoint me. Given how it ended, some would likely say cliffhanger, but I don’t agree, I expect our world will expand in the second book, and I am terribly curious to see what else there is to discover. But aside from all of the new takes and unique ideas the book introduced, I honestly have to say that the best part about it was the banter between the leads. At turns laugh out loud funny, tense, adorable, steamy, and occasionally heartbreaking, it was their back and forth that really made the story. Will definitely be continuing the series, but want to let this installment sit with me for a little while before diving back in.
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