This book had such great promise but it really hit the mark for me. I struggled to get through to the end. That's not to say I quite enjoyed the magic system and the different type of post-apocalyptic world. I'm not sure if this series is for me but I will definitely check out what else this author releases.

I enjoyed this novel. It was slower paced than I expected but had a great plot that kept me interested.

A very interesting LGBTQ+ series starter. While some elements of the world-building were a little confusing, for the most part I really enjoyed this novel. The plot was intense and get me on the edge of my seat, and - this sounds weird - I appreciated the level of violence too. You don't really get that in a YA novel, even a fantasy.

Tenn was a compelling protagonist - he has a lot of inner struggle, which was a little difficult to read at times, but I found him to be quite relatable. I just adored the romance, and the queer rep was fantastic.

A little irked at the reliance of the chosen one trope, but it's fantasy, I get it. The writing, while occasionally awkward, is easy to get used to, but it is a debut. I really look forward to the next book in the series.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Cover Art:
Well, I don't love it. As I have said many times before, I don't like covers with people on them and that is still the case with this one. But it's not horrible, at least the character is how he is described in the book! Well as much as we can see of him anyway.

Writing:
The writing took some getting used to. I prefer 1st person POV is most cases but this book was 3rd person POV and it was a little hard to follow at times. Also, there wasn't a huge amount of explanation in this book which annoyed me and I will talk about that a bit more in the plot section of the review. 

Plot:
Okay, so it wasn't the best. It felt very tropey (I'm making that a word, okay?!) and it also felt similar to other books I have read! At the time I was also listening to the audiobook of Half Lost by Sally Green and I felt like they were similar. I don't know if it was that they are both following the Chosen One trope to some degree, magic and both had GLBT main characters. I don't know exactly, but it was a weird similarity. 

Also, on the topic of the Choose One Trope, it was never explained as to why exactly he was chosen. Maybe this will be explained further is book 2 but after finishing this one I am none the wiser which is annoying! I would have liked even a little bit of explanation or a theory as to why like is done in most Chosen One books! 

I also found the book a bit predictable! As soon as a certain thing happened I thought 'I bet ....... will happen' and then a hundred pages or so later it did and I guess you could call it one of the big plot twists. There were also a fair few other things I guessed too! It doesn't make for an extremely exciting book if I'm guessing most things that happen. 

Characters:
So this will be the smallest characters section I have ever written! Because of the 3rd person POV I feel like I still don't know the characters and I definitely didn't connect with any of them!

So this is the small opinion of I have of each of the major characters
Tenn was okay, a little annoying at times
Jarrett was okay but felt like the kinda typical charming, attractive love interest
Tomàs was just creepy and they way he spoke was infuriating
Dreya was pretty cool, she was a bit of a badass I guess
Devon was also the typical badass but shy/quiet character
Leanna was simply the typical bad guy character

Yes, I am using the word typical a lot.

Overall:
Overall, there wasn't too much that impressed me about this book. I didn't hate anything but it was just a little 'meh' for me. The writing wasn't my favourite. The plot was predictable and felt like the same thing I have already read 10 times. The characters were unimpressive and there was only one charactre that I actually really liked which was Dreya.

This book is very different. It has a dark storyline to it. Full of monsters and evil but also love and strength from those trying to fight back. But the biggest difference it has is in having it's hero be a young gay boy.

I absolutely loved this book. It's different from anything that I have read in the past. It is well written and easy to follow. You just get caught up in the story and can picture everything that happens. There are some twists to the story. And a cliff hanger ending that will leave you wanting to know just what happens next. Fingers crossed Tenn and Jarrett can get their happy ending.

If you can't handle reading a book that has gay references then this book isn't for you but if you can i would definitely reccomend this book to read.

First things first, Runebinder is one of my favourite books of the year.

In the world of Runebinder magic has made it’s reappearance after being lost from memory from most of the population. Those that can wield the magic of the Sphere’s head to school to learn how to access and control magic. But as with any power, there are some who use it for darker designs and the first Howls were created, plunging the world into chaos. Runebinder opens three years after this in a bleak world where Hunters try to keep the hoards of Howls and Necromancers at bay.

Tenn is one such Hunter, wielding the Spheres of Water and Earth. But Water seems to have a mind of it’s own, wresting control from Tenn. And when Jarrett, Dreya and Devon come for Tenn it becomes apparent that there are those on all sides wanting to possess him.

I really love the magic system Kahler has created in the world of Runebinder. The spheres are energy centres in the body that, once a person is attuned to one, can be used to manipulate the element in the physical world. The primary Sphere’s are Air, Water, Fire & Earth, with the Maya Sphere being the rarest Sphere for someone to wield. But the power isn’t unlimited and if a Necromancer taps a Sphere Howls are born.

Tenn is struggling under the weight of the memories Water keeps dredging up and can’t possibly believe he could turn the tide of the war. He struggles with depression and self-doubt and can’t see a future worth fighting for.

Tenn has captured the attention of Tomás, one of the strongest Howls in existence. I probably shouldn’t like Tomás as much as I did, but I do. He is sexy, charismatic and somewhat of an enigma but definitely has plans of his own in motion. One the other hand, we have Jarrett, a figure from Tenn’s past, who could be classed as the ‘good guy’ however, there is something that has me sceptical of Jarrett so that I couldn’t fully trust the guy even though Tenn starts to fall in love with him and finally begins to see a future worth fighting for.

Queer protags! Tenn is gay but it’s not announced or made to be some big reveal. I really love books like this, that has queer people without making it a Thing. That’s not to say that books that do deal with sexuality aren’t important (they are incredibly important) but its also nice to get the books where we can be the protagonists in a fantasy, dystopian world without our queerness being our defining trait. Give me all the queer love triangles *grabby hands*.

I just loved Runebinder so much, the characters, the magic, the setting. It’s epic and thrilling and compelling. I NEED book two stat!!! As soon as my physical copy is in my hands I will be rereading it.