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A review by nikitanavalkar
Blood Bonds by J. Bree
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Saying it now, there might be some spoilers here because I am feeling slightly untethered after my world was just tilted on its axis after that absolute what-the-fuck ending. Okay not mine, but my favorite Bond group’s so it’s one and the same. I refuse to accept what just happened without a good explanation. I shouldn’t even be that stressed about this coz the series is complete and I can just go read the next book soonish but I literally can’t read these fast enough you guys. I want to set aside everything and swallow them whole.
Okay Imma stop being a drama queen (lol no) and get on with it. If I thought there was action before, I was clearly wilding, because EVERYTHING happened in this book; recovery from the last book’s trauma, fun times, sexy times, swoony times, more trauma, and I now can’t breathe from all this stress. Speaking of the fun sexy times, the chili in this book was rather delightfully unexpected and HOT. Even if it’s still a very small part of the book. Especially what happens in first half, to keep it deliberately vague. There was also a 🌶️ part I could not care less about but that was for plot so it’s fine. People are going to guess at this point what makes me salty 😂
Post book 3 character updates:
Atlas: firmly still bottom of my list even though he’s mildly interesting now that he has more darkness and a story. He says some swoony things but I still don’t give two 💩 about him. It’s too late for us
Gabe: poor baby so obedient and patient but did not have much going on this time around so at this point I also don’t care much about him. He feels like the baby of the group though so I’m glad their relationship is taking time to develop.
Sorry y’all, Gabe and Atlas just seem incidental to this group, but I don’t care coz I can’t love ‘em all. Our girl Oli’s got this though.
Nox: we are both in a holding pattern when it comes to this bond, as well as getting a few more crumbs about his damage and triggers. Boy but it’s going to be devastating when we finally find out the fucked up past that fucked him up, and I’m both ready and not at all. But hey at least his bond and his creatures are trying and that somehow makes his relationship with Oli the purest? 🥹 For now I just enjoy him razzing on the other bond for being simps while his bond simps away in secret.
Gryphon: I put Gryph above Nox but they’re equal at this point and my guy is playing to win with his brain bending powers and filthy mouth and the random swoony shit he does, like being cheeky and supportive. And some serious coach daddy vibes. Well played, Shore.
North: Who was right about some grumpy uptight councilman being the daddiest, most jealous and protective and caretaking bond? This girl. From secretly ~pining~ to openly mother henning we’ve come a long way baby. Daddy is a SIMP y’all. I’m glad the others are around so she can breathe, but dark daddy sure came through with the shadows. And we all know shadow tentacles are the quickest way to my heart, and my parts. Wow I’m a hussy today, just like Oli’s bond.
Speaking of, my girl is still my favorite. And now that we’ve been so thoroughly introduced to her bond, I love it as much as I love her. More sentient and stronger than ever, it’s a haughty cocky demanding horny bitch, but no one can deny the God complex is valid. I love that it’s basically a less evil version of dementors. Really she’s the coolest. The bond. And Oli. Oli’s willingness to get shit done is one of my favorite things about her, and it’s more in play than ever. If not her, her bond’s got it. Want a morally grey anti heroine who will do what it takes to protect her own and get the urge to burn it all every once in a while? She’s your girl. She might be surrounded by testosterone-y alphas, but she’s the real top dog in this group and don’t you forget about it. You go my chaotic trauma baby! Every time we see more of her powers and what she does with them, it’s more exhilarating and super hot, and I would support all her wrongs tbh.
The bonds still bicker, their issues not all resolved, but they’ve learned to coexist so they can fight for the greater good, and well, keep Oli safe and happy. Their little non bond family is also growing and adorable, Kieran being the most impressive this time. These friendships make my heart full, climactic events of this book notwithstanding. And I would like to speak to the manager about that ending, because it’s left me questioning everything.
Okay Imma stop being a drama queen (lol no) and get on with it. If I thought there was action before, I was clearly wilding, because EVERYTHING happened in this book; recovery from the last book’s trauma, fun times, sexy times, swoony times, more trauma, and I now can’t breathe from all this stress. Speaking of the fun sexy times, the chili in this book was rather delightfully unexpected and HOT. Even if it’s still a very small part of the book. Especially what happens in first half, to keep it deliberately vague. There was also a 🌶️ part I could not care less about but that was for plot so it’s fine. People are going to guess at this point what makes me salty 😂
Post book 3 character updates:
Atlas: firmly still bottom of my list even though he’s mildly interesting now that he has more darkness and a story. He says some swoony things but I still don’t give two 💩 about him. It’s too late for us
Gabe: poor baby so obedient and patient but did not have much going on this time around so at this point I also don’t care much about him. He feels like the baby of the group though so I’m glad their relationship is taking time to develop.
Sorry y’all, Gabe and Atlas just seem incidental to this group, but I don’t care coz I can’t love ‘em all. Our girl Oli’s got this though.
Nox: we are both in a holding pattern when it comes to this bond, as well as getting a few more crumbs about his damage and triggers. Boy but it’s going to be devastating when we finally find out the fucked up past that fucked him up, and I’m both ready and not at all. But hey at least his bond and his creatures are trying and that somehow makes his relationship with Oli the purest? 🥹 For now I just enjoy him razzing on the other bond for being simps while his bond simps away in secret.
Gryphon: I put Gryph above Nox but they’re equal at this point and my guy is playing to win with his brain bending powers and filthy mouth and the random swoony shit he does, like being cheeky and supportive. And some serious coach daddy vibes. Well played, Shore.
North: Who was right about some grumpy uptight councilman being the daddiest, most jealous and protective and caretaking bond? This girl. From secretly ~pining~ to openly mother henning we’ve come a long way baby. Daddy is a SIMP y’all. I’m glad the others are around so she can breathe, but dark daddy sure came through with the shadows. And we all know shadow tentacles are the quickest way to my heart, and my parts. Wow I’m a hussy today, just like Oli’s bond.
Speaking of, my girl is still my favorite. And now that we’ve been so thoroughly introduced to her bond, I love it as much as I love her. More sentient and stronger than ever, it’s a haughty cocky demanding horny bitch, but no one can deny the God complex is valid. I love that it’s basically a less evil version of dementors. Really she’s the coolest. The bond. And Oli. Oli’s willingness to get shit done is one of my favorite things about her, and it’s more in play than ever. If not her, her bond’s got it. Want a morally grey anti heroine who will do what it takes to protect her own and get the urge to burn it all every once in a while? She’s your girl. She might be surrounded by testosterone-y alphas, but she’s the real top dog in this group and don’t you forget about it. You go my chaotic trauma baby! Every time we see more of her powers and what she does with them, it’s more exhilarating and super hot, and I would support all her wrongs tbh.
The bonds still bicker, their issues not all resolved, but they’ve learned to coexist so they can fight for the greater good, and well, keep Oli safe and happy. Their little non bond family is also growing and adorable, Kieran being the most impressive this time. These friendships make my heart full, climactic events of this book notwithstanding. And I would like to speak to the manager about that ending, because it’s left me questioning everything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder