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A review by write_of_passages
The Scars That Bind Us by Michele Notaro
4.0
Delightfully surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The main character’s voice is instantly engaging and dynamic, the premise of the world is fascinating, packed with wonderful moments for epic fights and emotions that the author did not shy away from, and the found family trope permeating this book is utterly glorious. And the denouement!!!! Be still my heart! Nothing was cut short or glossed over after the climactic events and I am -fire Elmo emoji- just remembering it!
This book reads like a fun cross between The Soulbound Series by Hailey Turner and The Tarot Sequence Series by K.D. Edwards (both of which I highly recommend) and I’m so here for it!
Would I go back in time and still read this book, knowing what I know now?
Hell yes! I’m so stoked that there are more in the series too!
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: I love Mads and Jude. Mads especially leaps off the page from the very beginning, hooking me instantly. Not only that, but his insecurities make sense given the world he lives in and his history. It’s one of the few times I can remember reading a book with these insecurities in a relationship and not being bothered by them. He’s snarky, strong, and wonderfully vulnerable in other ways. His relationship with Jude is pure gold, both the supernatural and emotional aspects of it. And I love the hearts of gold that he and Jude both have that the author gives us throughout the story. I’ll admit, I don’t actually have a clue what Mads looks like, but that’s a tiny detail. He’s so vibrant on the page that it was fun to give him my own look in my head.
PLOT: The plot is wonderfully intense from the beginning. Part of it is how engaging the protagonist’s voice is, but a large part comes from how solidly the author set up stakes and how truly truly deep those stakes were between Mads and Jude. Everything flowed with a perfect pacing, finishing with a climactic event that I was semi able to predict would happen, but then was delightfully thrilled at the execution, which rarely happens for me!
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5/high. Unexpectedly. But given how the supernatural works in this world and the nature of the found family within, I’m not surprised that the intensity was instantly felt and palpable!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
100%. Yea. I know. But it was managed. The author didn’t shy away from any of the aftermath and showing it. We actually had a denouement that still makes my heart flutter. I’m so thrilled. This is a rare score, but I’m happy to give it!
This book reads like a fun cross between The Soulbound Series by Hailey Turner and The Tarot Sequence Series by K.D. Edwards (both of which I highly recommend) and I’m so here for it!
Would I go back in time and still read this book, knowing what I know now?
Hell yes! I’m so stoked that there are more in the series too!
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: I love Mads and Jude. Mads especially leaps off the page from the very beginning, hooking me instantly. Not only that, but his insecurities make sense given the world he lives in and his history. It’s one of the few times I can remember reading a book with these insecurities in a relationship and not being bothered by them. He’s snarky, strong, and wonderfully vulnerable in other ways. His relationship with Jude is pure gold, both the supernatural and emotional aspects of it. And I love the hearts of gold that he and Jude both have that the author gives us throughout the story. I’ll admit, I don’t actually have a clue what Mads looks like, but that’s a tiny detail. He’s so vibrant on the page that it was fun to give him my own look in my head.
PLOT: The plot is wonderfully intense from the beginning. Part of it is how engaging the protagonist’s voice is, but a large part comes from how solidly the author set up stakes and how truly truly deep those stakes were between Mads and Jude. Everything flowed with a perfect pacing, finishing with a climactic event that I was semi able to predict would happen, but then was delightfully thrilled at the execution, which rarely happens for me!
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5/high. Unexpectedly. But given how the supernatural works in this world and the nature of the found family within, I’m not surprised that the intensity was instantly felt and palpable!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
100%. Yea. I know. But it was managed. The author didn’t shy away from any of the aftermath and showing it. We actually had a denouement that still makes my heart flutter. I’m so thrilled. This is a rare score, but I’m happy to give it!