Book: Bound In Inked Flame by Ava Larksen
Reviewed by Your_bookish_fantasy
Rating: 5/5
Wow! This book really just blew me away with how much I enjoyed it and how good it was. I loved it.
I was fully engaged right from the start. There was a lot to take in, in terms of world building knowledge and character information but it was all woven together so well and beautifully written. I felt it was really well paced - I enjoyed the slower build up at the start and the way the Nelle and Graysen were introduced before all the action and intrigue kicked in. The secrets the MCs have are hinted at but then revealed gradually as the story progresses - there isn’t a stage where it’s one big information reveal which I liked. I enjoyed the way this unique world mixed old lore/magic/gods and modern/contemporary elements alongside each other. It flowed well and didn’t feel disjointed in any way. I honestly went through a multitude of emotions reading this book. It’s a long book but it really didn’t feel it as I was reading it as I just didn’t want to put it down. And that ending…what a fantastic but emotional cliffhanger!
So many things to love within this book:
✨dark romantasy
✨enemies to lovers
✨forced proximity
✨slow burn and spice
✨arranged marriage
✨forbidden magic
✨magical contract and magic bond
✨heartache and betrayal
I loved Nelle as the FMC - I liked her straight away and that made me feel invested in her as a character all the way through the book. She’s smart, independent, loyal and sassy but then you have the more vulnerable side where she has been caged all her life and has never experienced the outside world herself. Graysen had me feeling a whole mix of feelings, as I’m sure he was meant to. A fantastic morally grey character. I loved the character development of both these characters throughout the book and enjoyed the dual pov. I enjoyed their banter
The characters and storylines were so well written and woven together it was difficult at times to work out who was trustworthy - it changed a few times for me - just when I thought I’d got it all worked out! There were so many twists and turns that kept me hooked and trying to guess what was going to happen. I was on tenterhooks at so many points that I’m sure I was holding my breath at times.
I highly recommend this book. It is honestly up there as one of top reads for the year already. I will definitely be buying a physical copy as soon as I can. I can honestly say it was a privilege to be chosen to read an advanced copy - thank you to Ava and Bookfunnel.
Ava Larksen is one of the most talented authors out there, and her debut novel is nothing short of phenomenal.
The world-building is rich and immersive, the storytelling is layered and thoughtful, and Gray and Nelle? Absolutely unforgettable. Add in Sage, Nelle’s loyal sidekick, and you’ve got a cast that sticks with you long after the final page.
This isn’t a fast read—it’s a puzzle wrapped in powerful prose and emotion. Ava’s writing pulls you in and makes you feel everything. If you love fantasy that challenges you and leaves you breathless, this one’s for you. 🔥
Detailed review-
Holy mother of all things fcukáble! DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! EVER!
🗡Explicit Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶
(All open door, from warm up to act - no back door, toys/tools or bdsm)
🗡ENEMIES to lovers and my do they throw some hate about!
🗡Secrets & BETRAYALS
🗡Magic
🗡 A whole menu of trigger Warnings (see below)
🗡Magic Creature's
🗡Secret Organisation
🗡Arranged Marriage
🗡Forced Proximity
🗡Virgin Fmc
🗡Gods
I don't even know how to review this book, I have never in my life felt like this over a book!
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK because it will destroy your heart - multiple times! It will tear out your soul, stomp all over your logic, drown your emotions, and outright rip all of your feelings to shreds! You will never read another book the same way again! Even fourth wing wasn't this good for me, and that one rocked my world and has sat firmly at the top of my ivory tower pedastool towering miles above other 5 star reads.
This is a 6* read and higher still, every single page was thrilling and addictive, I was up till 5.30 am to DEVOUR this in 2 days! Yes, over 700 pages! I couldn't put it down to go the loo, eat, kiss my kids goodnight... seriously, just... ruined all other books for me!
I was waring with every chapter - I even had to stalk the author to message her and tell her how much of a cruel, evil, maniacal b1tch she is- and that I damn well love her for it!
I was so utterly invested from the first pages that I loved, hated, loathed, dredded, feared, and fantasised about main and side characters alike from the very first time we met them NO BIG INFO DUMP everything was paced out perfectly! We got a masterclass in world building, characters came alive and jumped from the page and the spice... omg, real enemies to lovers write well, but in Ava's fingers, they can last across MULTIPLE chapters! This, but I actually caught my own hips rocking while reading as if I was the fmc in that tormenting moment! I laughed my head off as I was unaware of how addicted I had become to the story!
The author Ava gave us an incredible amount of detail but spoon fed it to us so there was no skimming needed to just 'get on with it', from the gods and creatures to the Mortals and main characters we knew all about them like they've been here all our life.
The litteral only flaw I have with this book is that someone the mmc knows seems to be craving and wanting someone, which puts them in a similar situation/position to someone else and yet they never get a conversation in about advice, help, a heart to heart or anything... there are moments where you think its coming as he seems to understand the war going on and the way it's written they seem trust worthy and it genuinely surprised me that the relationship between the friends was never pushed in that direction- leading to a possible array of choices and new paths to take where the future is concerned. It just seems now- looking back, that this particular storyline was added for no reason? I'll reserve judgement until book 2 as it may be a setup for a continuation then. ( I'm totally hoping it is as I like that situation and am hoping the friends turn to each other in understanding and support!)
OK, so the twists in this book had me throwing my Kindle to pick up my phone and rant at the author - her response:
"I'm going to just sit here with a bowl of popcorn to see how the next part of the book goes for you. 😆🍿" see- cruel right !! 😈🤯
You will not predict these things. The history of the main characters is so well written that you feel it in your bones, you NEED answers, and you will yell at fictional characters!
I don't know what else I can say other than if you ever want to enjoy another fantasy book again - don't read this one, because once you turn that first page- you're fcụked.
Menu- (otherwise know as;)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
how to do this without spoiling the
Plot...
sacriphice
violencė
*deleting on purpose
*deleting of a parent
*gore and blud
*explicit SPICE
*Forced... erm.. just lots of forcing...
*unwanted attention *mentions of suspected attempted sa
*segsual asdault (SA)
*domestic bruises
*injury to a mythical animal
suicide
*car accident
*control of another person
*mentions of crime, drink, and meds
*mention of the past where (now grown up) chil being injured on purpose/ abuse
*Strong language
*Infidelity
*baby goat napping
*fire
*confinement
*guns and blades
*classism
*there is a pregnant person but baby and pregnancy are fine