Cyrene Strohm is a Queen’s Affiliate, a high-ranking official of the court of Byern, with power and privilege to spare. But she’s also a keeper of dangerous secrets: like the fact that she holds the heart of the King, and that she possesses magic in a world where magic no longer exists.Determined to discover what this means and how to use her newfound abilities, Cyrene sets off for the distant … distant land of Eleysia. An island nation where Affiliates are strictly forbidden from entering.
But the journey is perilous, and the destination may mean utter ruin, as Cyrene comes to learn that everything she’s been told her whole life – about her court, her homeland, and even herself—are bound in a beautiful lie.
Find out in the second book in this epic fantasy tale that Susan Dennard called “perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.”
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So… This second book in the Ascension series, The Bound, takes place where The Affiliate left off. K.A. Linde continues to astound me with the incredibly descriptive world building. In this second installment, we found these characters on their journey that Cyrene is determined to uncover the mystery about magic and herself. Yup! Cyrene is accompanied by her friends whom are committed in helping her complete her quest of discovery. We also are introduced to new characters that they encounter along the way. Then there’s this build of a romance, which I found was not too overwhelming, which still kept me guessing on whom Cyrene’s heart would fall for.
Anyways, while Cyrene and her friends continue on this quest, like any form of government, corruption and deception persists in their absence. Well, no big surprise there… Right?!? But, whoa!!! Anyways, I will leave it at that… Don’t want to reveal too much.
Otherwise, this fast-paced, riveting, action-packed fantasy had me “gasping for air” with it’s twists and turns. Regardless of the somewhat slow start, The Bound did pick up to continue the whirlwind of a magical journey that was started in The Affiliate. Now, it is time to get to the next installment in this series and continue Cyrene’s journey.
(4.25 stars)
I’m having such a hard time putting my thoughts to paper. When I think of K.A. Linde I think of angst, love triangles and amazing writing. After I stopped trying to compare the feelings I had for her Commitment series to the Ascension series I had a much more open mind. I realized I was getting all the things I’ve come to love from her writing but in a different way. I loved The Bound and the fact that it is truly focusing on Cyrene’s journey not only of finding herself and her place in the world but of who she wants to be as a person. Another thing that blows me away is how an author can come up with all these character names and countries, etc. that don’t exist. Once again I was left with my jaw hanging after reading the final words and cannot wait to see what’s going to happen in The Consort. #TeamEdric
The Bound is an extraordinary second book in the Ascension series. It has even more magic, more suspense and more emotion, and leaves you wanting more.
The story continues with Cyrene’s life while she’s trying to figure out what her powers are, how to use them, who to trust and how to survive on her journey for answers.
The Bound is even more thrilling and exciting than The Affiliate. It has so much more – friends, family, love, drama, intrigues and it has more magic. I loved how K.A. Linde made this world so much more mysterious. With all the characters, the new places, the magic – OHMYGOD THE MAGIC!!!! – and the adventures, I just fell in love with this story immediately.
Usually I tend to read fantasy books slower than other books because they are more complex and different to read then what I normally read. But they are so much more exciting and I love to treasure the experience of this new and magical world with its unique characters and places. That’s also why I’m totally in love with this series. It’s nothing like I’ve read before. It’s heartfelt and thrilling; everything happening in this book is unpredictable and keeps you on edge wanting to know more.
Sometimes I’ve had some difficulties connecting with some of the new characters because I wasn’t sure what to think of them. Are they good, bad? Were they just pretending because of Cyrene’s powers? So I was always suspicious of all the characters. But I’ve learned how to love and/or hate them. All characters were unique and intriguing, and I loved Cyrene. She’s sweet, innocent and unsure of herself, but she’s also strong and feisty; I just adored her.
I also loved the “flashbacks” in this book, as they give you more information about everything in this world – magic, history, the kingdom, love interests,… Just everything about this magical world has me intrigued and I’m really excited to read the next book in the series.
If you’ve read The Affiliate and The Bound the next book in the series will be an instant one-click.
The Bound is definitely another magnificent book by K.A. Linde.
I love this series by KA Linde and I was so excited that I got to go back the The Affiliate and re-read it to freshen up on Cyrene’s story, before diving into The Bound. This is a very intricate tale, in a genre of novels I don’t typically ever gravitate toward. It being a KA Linde novel however, I of course had to try it and was not disappointed at all. I have been so blown away by these two books and the story Kyla has laid out for us. It’s hard to review this book without giving major plot points away. I was pulled in to this one from the Prologue, which by the way is just shocking!
In The Bound, we continue on Cyrene’s adventure as she flees Byern and searches for help with her magical powers. She must learn more about who she is and how to control her magic, and can only do so by locating two individuals outside of Byern. With her friends at her side she has a very daring journey getting there. This 2nd installment is full of suspense and lots of magical happenings that just add to the mystery of Cyrene’s powers.
King Edric and others at the castle are still being misled in her disappearance and no one in this story is who they seem. Prince Kael and others throughout the kingdom are all searching for Cyrene; although some individuals motives might be different than the King’s.
There were several new characters introduced and we learn so much more about characters we thought we knew but didn’t actually know at all. I absolutely LOVED a few of the new characters brought into the mix. Kyla has really added even more drama and confusion to the mind of Cyrene with a few of the new characters, and I love it. I love the angst she brings to all her novels and love that Cyrene is now faced with even more confusion than in the first of her story.
On more than one occasion however, I found myself having to take a breather from the events that happen in this part of the story. From the Prologue on, I could really tell this one was going to be a nail biter. Betrayal is a major plot characteristic throughout and I just didn’t see coming the way Kyla has given us! It has been so amazing to love these characters and hate some of them too! Just when I thought I knew certain people in The Affiliate and had it all figured out where the story was going to go in The Bound. I have never been more wrong in my life!
This whole book was so beautifully written and I couldn’t be happier to have found a new genre I love, than via KA Linde’s writing! I can’t wait for the final installment and to find out what the end holds for Cyrene and all our characters. This book has been like reading a magnificent version of Game of Thrones for me. I just don’t have enough words for how this book has made me feel and how excited I am for what is next!