Title: Blood Bound
Series: Unbound #1
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Mira
Published: August 23rd, 2011
My Copy: bought
By blood, by word, by magic…
Most can’t touch the power. But Liv Warren is special – a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.
Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.
But when her friend’s daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can’t rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.
Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.
And more blood will be spilled before it’s over..
Blood Bound blew incinerated my socks! The world that Rachel Vincent has begun to create in this first installment of her new Unbound series is phenomenal! It’s original, detailed and the links between the plot lines connect together seamlessly. This book’s a little on the long side but never once did I struggle with the number of pages. Actually, I could have kept going! I started reading it on a Sunday and called in sick the following day. True, it wasn’t solely to blame for my actions but my desire to finish it ASAP was definitely a contributing factor! So be warned! DO NOT start this book unless you have the time to read it straight through or suffer the consequences! I’ve been anxiously awaiting Vincent’s next forage into the Urban Fantasy genre. Her Shifters series is an absolute must-read in my opinion and this one’s no different.
The Blood Bound universe is so finely tuned that it’ll have you rethinking every pinkie swear and every empty promise that you’ve ever made. Rachel’s story is fresh off the drawing board and the first of its kind (at least to my knowledge). I loved every second that I spent immersed in her imagined environment. I forgot to eat, I ignored the crick in my neck and the fact that my eyes were burning from staring at her words for so long. Liv’s world is so tangible and believable but also so completely off the wall! I delighted in unraveling the various abilities of the “skilled” population. Proficient liars beware of “Readers”; oath breakers look-out for “Binders”; escape artists watch out for “Trackers”; sleep with your lights on to avoid “Travelers” and as for “Seers” well, I’m afraid there’s no fooling them. If you happen to be one of the lucky gifted ones life sounds like fun doesn’t it? Yeah, no so much. Blood Bound is home to the biggest gang turf wars in existence. Ooh, and the mob bosses greatest assets are how many Skilled peeps they have binded to them obliged to do their every bidding. Don’t sign a contract with one you say? If only it were that easy.
Liv and Cam are soulmates. The pull and chemistry that exists between them is undeniable. Unfortunately for them, fate has other plans. Olivia is a real tom boy. She doesn’t wear dresses, has better toys (guns) than her male counterparts and has the walk to back up the talk. I liked how Vincent kept me on my toes about each character until well beyond the final pages. Things seem pretty straight forward at first glance but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Love brought Liv and Cam together originally but over the years they’ve become so closely intertwined by various deals and oaths that their relationship is far from simple. Caballero rubbed me the wrong way at first. He’s an eternal optimist, possessive to a fault and comes off as selfish in his desires to rekindle the flame with his ex. However, as I quickly discovered while reading Blood Bound, nothing is as it seems. Something new and unexpected gets thrown at you in every chapter. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it but what a rush!
Rachel Vincent is one of my top 5 authors of all-time and after finishing Blood Bound she’s been bumped up to the top three. The Unbound universe will keep you thinking long after you’ve put the book down and the masterful story telling will leave you breathless and craving more. This is the first book of a brand new series so you have no excuse not to read this novel. You won’t regret it. Trust me.
  My Review |
  My Review |
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Well, shoot! You have me wanting this book NOW and I haven’t even read any of her other books. I have a whole stack of them but haven’t had a chance to read them yet. But one that held your attention THAT good? Well, I WANT!
I have this on my Nook. I just need to find the time to read it. I’ll be glad when this semester is over. I’m going to be a reading fiend. I loved Vincent’s Werecat series and I can’t wait to try this one out.
Great review! I loved this one too! Rachel is definitely one of my all time faves!
I really liked this book as well! I love how Rachel Vincent writes about things that no one else is writing about! I felt that way with her Soul Screamer series as well – something totally different than anyone had been writing about! Great review! 🙂
Liza @ Book Crook Liza
@Candace – You don’t need to read her other books before this one. Definitely bump it to the top of your list!
@Jennifer@The Book Nympho – Wouldn’t it be great if we could just read and blog for a living? *sigh*
@Jessica@a GREAT read – Agreed!
@Book Crook Liza – I never thought about it that way but I guess you’re right!
i haven’t read anything by this author before but you make me want to try