Twisty, breathless, and intricately wrought, this is one hell of a powerhouse debut. The worldbuilding was *top notch* and I cannot WAIT to return to the Sunken City (or literally wherever else Kika Hatzopoulou chooses to write about next.) I will be present.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Threads That Bind! First off the concept is so cool and I loved learning about everyone’s abilities. I loved our main characters Io and Edei. From beginning to end the author was info dumping galore, it was really hard to keep up with all the information that was constantly coming at you. Personally for my self this book was dragged out for way too long and was way longer than need be just for the end to have an unsatisfying ending. Another thing that did bother me was the fact that the entire book takes place in 5 days? When you’re reading it feels like it’s been weeks!

This is probably one of the best books I've read in ages and I love this book soo much.

The characters are all so loveable and don't appear one-dimensional, particularly Io whose internal struggle with the fate-thread was understandable as well as the struggle with the responsibility her power brings.
Io's, Ava's, and Thais' dynamic as sisters was also well written. None of them are perfect, even Io who is the protagonist.
Io's friendships with others were also fun to read, and the humour was never 'too much', but always the right amount.

The book moved at the best pace possible for the story, so it never got boring, but the book also never felt rushed. Even in moments were the pace slowed a bit, it just emphasised the mood of said moments, and didn't hinder the story.

I really love the world the story is set in. It's quite unique and the imagery is amazing. I love the idea of the different moons and the descriptions of their light, and also the powers some people possess. The worldbuilding was woven well into the story when new things came up, and it never felt like there was just a massive block to explain the world, but instead short, casual mentions were used which didn't interrupt the flow of the story. The ways in which the descendants' powers were expressed was also fun to read about and well thought-out like Io's Quilt. The mystery was also great with the wraiths. Clues were dropped, but they didn't reveal the entire mystery, but they also weren't too ominous to be unimportant.

After having read Threads That Bind, I'll really read anything Kika Hatzopoulou writes.

Reader’s Notes:

– this is the first in a series (ends in a cliffhanger) & needs to be read in order

– this is told from Io’s point of view

– there are about 41 curse words

– there is a girl who dates girls & a character who goes by they/them

– there are multiple instances of death, violence (gun, knives, knuckles, stranglings), & injuries (towards the end of this book is a depiction of a massacre – multiple dead bodies; blood; killing; etc)

– there are gangs & animal fights (made-up animals/creatures)

Review:

This was a really interesting read that had me at the edge of my seat! So much so, that when I got to the cliffhanger ending I was thinking both ‘yes! there’s more with these characters’ & ‘noooo! finish this please!’. It was really interesting to see that the other-born were people who had powers from the gods in mythology (it sounded like various mythologies – where they lived denoted which they were called by/from; Io being in the Greek mythology area & I believe Edei was originally from the Egyptian one?) and how exactly that worked. I liked that Io was an other-born and that we got to see how she sees things with her powers activated and what she could do with them. I also really liked the mystery that Io and Edei are tasked to solve. It was interesting and thrilling to watch them go step by step through clues to find the culprit. I didn’t see the ending coming and was a little shocked when the culprit was revealed but now I want to know more about why they did it!

Summary:

Io and her sisters are descendants of the Fates and have their powers. Io uses her moira-born abilities to sustain herself as a private investigator and to occasionally cut undesired addictions/bad habits that people have connected to them. But her latest investigation is completely out of her normal zone. She is hired to investigate the odd wraith-like women that have shown up. These once women have a severed fate thread, they should be dead but instead are reeking havoc by killing people in Alante’s underbelly. Her employer – the mob queen – tasks her with finding out who is making and controlling them and why they are killing. And the mob queen wants her to carry out this investigation with her number two, Edei, right there with her. Which is a bit of a problem for Io. Because she shares a rare fate thread with Edei…and she doesn’t know what to do about it…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will be adding it to my classroom library and adding a review of it to my classroom review board.

This was an interesting telling of mythology and "demi-god" abilities. The whole book was good but I ended up reading the last third in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.

My only complaint, if you could call it that, is the end of the story left some loose ends and alludes to a sequel. While I enjoy series, I prefer stories that offer storyline resolution in one book rather than carrying issues on through a series.

I had a love/not like very much relationship with this novel. The stunning cover immediately caught my eye, and I’ve always enjoyed Greek mythology. The concept of three sisters and their abilities to manipulate the threads connecting people to the things they love intrigued me. Io can cut anyone’s life thread at any time. She doesn’t abuse her power but still, you want to keep her on your good side. The mystery of who’s creating the wraiths and releasing them to kill certain citizens is compelling and kept me guessing. I changed my mind about the culprit so many times I lost count.

Io wasn’t my favorite character – that title goes to Edei because of his loyalty, intelligence, and calm demeanor. I wasn’t crazy about some of Io’s choices, but I understood her reasoning – mostly. As soul mates, she and Edei share a fate thread, but I wasn’t feeling their chemistry for much of the book, although it improved toward the end. Debatable ideas about fate and free choice are mentioned. The relationship between the three sisters is kind of bizarre. After losing their parents, they’re all that’s left of the family and are understandably close – or are they? Thais abandons Io and Ava for two years, then suddenly pops back into town on the arm of a powerful political figure who may not be trustworthy. The sisters’ longstanding rule is that you drop everything when a sister calls and always choose each other above all else. Considering some of the events of the story, I’d have trouble sticking to that rule.

I’d recommend this if you enjoy political intrigue, family betrayal, a compelling mystery, and Greek mythology. The cliffhanger ending (it’s a good one) sets up the story for book two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to the folks over at Net Galley for a digital copy of this book.
For fans of Alexandra Bracken's Lore or Marie Lu's Legend, this fits right snug between the two.

"Fear your fear and keep going, by Edei Rhuna"

It took my a while to put into to words how this book has completely decimated me. Not only was the story so beautifully crafted, but it felt so *natural,* one event flowing perfectly into the next. The character's relationships began with the magic that exists in this world, further changed by each others' actions, and everything was so fricken unique: the magic, the world, the characters, and how the text frames their struggles... I mean more than the progtags; everyone was important, and everyone had a piece of the puzzle.

"She was a creature of curiosity, and he an accelerating new mystery to solve." (pp. 55)
Io, certified deliver of bad news.
Edei "Let's never joke again" Rhuna.
Accompanied by a complete cast of diverse, flawed, and distinctly human characters; puppeteered by the gods themselves.

Something inherent about mystery novels is the smell of a red herring-- this book had so many of them, it kept me spinning, at the story's advantage. I felt lead exactly where I needed to be, standing beside a character who was in exactly the same boat, experiencing a world unforgiving, dynamic, and so damned colorful. And damn, those one punch, heart throb lines:
"[She] sang of what the sun would taste like if she wasn't afraid to burn her tongue" (pp. 38).

I simply cannot wait for the sequel to resolve all these loose ends, because I'm about to make this my entire personality.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. I was really excited to read this book, because the premise sounded so intriguing. And I think there was so much potential. Still, it just didn't meet my expectations, but it doesn't mean it was a bad book. It just wasn't what I wanted.
I struggled through a good chunk of the book, because it wasn't really captivating to me. And if I'm 100% honest, I feel like it wasn't the most memorable. There was no big moment that made me still excited for the book. I read it, it was nice, but I don't feel like I remember much of the book itself. I remember the main story pine, but not much more.
Would I read the next book? Maybe if the opportunity presents itself, yes. But it's not a book I will be pinning for.
Overall, it was an okay book for me. It just didn't have the wow factor I was hoping for. Still I thought the premise was interesting, and I wouldn't say no to reading more from that series.

This book I had high hopes for just from the description and cover and it exceeded my expectations!
This book is perfect if you are wanting a dystopian, mystery , romance and Greek mythology all together in one book!
The characters were all fleshed out and fun to find out about but weren’t too boring or predictable, I also liked how the main character Io is morally grey in her views, but not in a way that’s too intense but a way that makes sense.
Overall I highly recommend this book as it was the perfect fantasy that is needed!

I love mythology. Reading a story that involves the Greek mythology with the 3 Fates set in a modern fantasy world just makes it all better.

This book has a world set in an apocalyptic city atmosphere with an unusual magic system is inspired by Greek goddesses and muses (the "Other" born). If this didn't peak your interest, there is a murder mystery with a lot of action, underground gangs, political manipulation, a complicated family history, and a "fated" love story with soulmates Io and Edei.

Threads that Bind touched on themes of inequality and oppression, corruption, and has representation of LGBTQIA+ and mental health.

Threads that Bind is a complex read but it is worth it with it's combination of mythology, murder, mystery, humor, romance, fate - and of course, magic.

As I've seen others say, I loved my introduction to Kika Harzopoulou's absolutely brilliant writing.

The Threads that Bind is a must read for any one who loves YA, mythology, or stories about family.

I absolutely adored this book! I couldn't seem to put it down and am still finding myself wanting more!

I love mythology so when I read the synopsis for this book I was beyond thrilled! Descendants of the Greek fates?? Count me in!
This book revolves around the Ora sisters.
“One to weave, one to draw and one to cut”. We meet Io who represents the cutter and her sisters Thais the weaver, and Io the one who draws. Each character has a completely different personality but in a way they all compliment each other, and also traits that they need to work on. Throughout the story we learn ‘ other-born’ descendents of gods from various mythologies/cultures which is perfect because some books just represent a singular one and having one that has a bunch is amazing! This really contributed to the world building of the story. Its absolutely fantastic!
There is romance in this book, which starts with Io finding out she has a fated thread and it connects to Edei. Although it's not right away and takes a while to form once it happens its instalove and I loved it!
Also the ending???? Please I need the second book ASAP!!
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Ever since the Percy Jackson series, I have been a sucker for all things mythology. So when Threads That Bind was given to me courtesy of Penguin Teen, I was stoked, to say the least.

Io and her sisters are the descendants of the Fates¬––one that weaves the threads, one that draws them, and one that cuts the threads between people and the things they love––or life itself. Io uses her powers as a small private investigator in the city of Alante but is soon dragged into a much larger investigation that involves some of the most influential figures in Alante and wraiths out for justice. Io must team up with the Mob Queen’s right-hand man, Edei Rhuna, who is also her soul mate, before they’ve even met to solve the investigation.

Threads That Bind is a stunning example of expansive world-building and attention to detail in a post-apocalyptic world. In a world where the descendants of the gods–from Greek to Slavic, Egyptian to Roman–inherit their powers, the setting itself could have been set in contemporary times or in the future. Yet, Hatzopoulou chose a post-apocalyptic world where it’s believed the modern world descended into a climate catastrophe after humans angered the gods–– definitely the more exciting choice than many YA fantasy novels. Additionally, the politics, gangs, and civil war details of Alante added even more layers to the already multilayered story. The magic system alone is fascinating, and I won’t spoil it too much because it’s a well-placed treat in the novel.

All the characters are written with deeply nuanced and emotional backing, that this novel could not be YA. Like layers of an onion, their motivations and backstories are peeled back right on time and with enough emotional gravitas to make you audibly gasp at the revelations and secrets. Hatzopoulou weaves themes of self-esteem, guilt, saviors, and acceptance into an equal parts coming-of-age story and mystery thriller.

Occasionally, the pacing was slow, and the lore of Threads That Bind got confusing, but those issues can be excused compared to the rest of the novel. All in all, Hatzopoulou’s first novel in the series hits it out of the park.

Thrilling around every corner, Threads That Bind is the next big YA mythology series; I can guarantee you that. Completely one-of-a-kind and intricately written, Hatzopoulou has earned herself a fan. I can’t wait for the next installment of the Threads That Bind series.

This ARC was provided by Penguin Young Readers and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I thought this was a really interesting and unique YA fantasy novel! I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This book was incredible! The writing was amazing, the characters were in your face and flawed and so real I felt I was in the room with them. The magic system was so interesting and the history of the world was so rich.

Io, our main character, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of YA heroes. She is one of the best and I cannot wait for more of her.

When I saw the cover for @kikahatzopoulou’s I knew I had stumbled into something amazing. This book will snatch the breath from you as it paints an amazing apocalyptic world full of the Descendants of Gods. Wrapped in the mythologies from Greece, Kika builds a world of magic, threads of fate, and gruesome murder. This heart-racing, pulse pounding thriller will leave you asking yourself: How long until the next book?

Wow! I really loved every bit of this book. Where do I begin? Let's start with the incredibly atmospheric and UNIQUE world. I read a lot of YA fantasy, but I've never read one quite like this. I ate every bit of detail up. And the magic system was so interesting and well-thought out. I feel like it's so hard to pull off Greek mythology but make it fresh, but this book does it with ease. My one and only complaint is that it is a bit confusing getting into the magic/world at first; however, this can be an upside for those who hate info-dumpy magic systems.

Onto the characters and the plot. The main character has my whole heart. In general, all of the characters are not only good, but convincing. They are well-developed and have good but complicated relationships. And the plot? Full of twists and turns, the right amount of action and adventure, plus a hint of romance. The mystery was good, and I devoured this book. For sure one of my top reads of the year!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc of this book!

Threads that Bind was written for those Percy Jackson fans who have been withering away, waiting for the next Greek YA series with a complex crew and an energizing plot. Io spies on people for a living: as a descendant of a Fate, her specific magic lends itself to that type of career. But when Io witnesses a murder and a potential coverup, she is forced to work with a dangerous group of people. Unfortunately, the closer she gets to the truth, the more certain she is that her estranged sister, Thais, has something to do with it. Torn between her family and what's right, Io has to save her city from an unknown force of evil before it's too late.

Wow, the system of what type and number of children are born to certain gods is confusing, even for a certified Greek geek. They are different categories for each of the gods' descendants. We have Moira-born, Horae-born, and Phobos-born, just to name a few. The Muses are completely different, reincarnated into sisters that aren't related, which was super confusing. Also, depending on which god you were born to, you would have a set number of siblings, or be a specific gender. While it was quite intriguing, and I could tell the author put a lot of hard work into setting up this system, it felt too complex. It got in the way of me truly enjoying the other aspect of the novel. Since mine was a review copy, maybe the printed edition will have a codex or glossary, which in this case, I think is needed.

While I liked our main character, Io, the book focused too much on what was going on in her head. Io is incredibly smart and has great intuition, but she doubts herself and hesitates to take control of the situation. This has a lot to do with growing up with her older sister, Thais, who would boss Io around, and shame her if she didn't. The complex dynamic between her and Thais really damaged her self-confidence. We get to see her grow in this area, with the support of old and new friends, but it really took away from the plot of the story. We are in her own head and most of what she thinks about herself gets incredibly repetitive and boring at times. She is also head over heels in love with her coworker, which takes up a majority of her brain space. It distracted me from the mystery and action in the book.

Even with my minor complaints mentioned above, I still enjoyed this book. The mystery aspect was well-written and thought out. Because of the many pieces of the puzzle, I was engaged and eager to catch the villain. All of the characters operated differently and weren't of one-world view, which played a fun role in the overarching plot. I love when Young Adult mysteries have complexity and depth to them. I think the next one will be even better, considering Io is now in the headspace to fully dedicate herself to saving the world!

I'd recommend giving this one a go if you love Greek mythology, and main character arcs that have an emphasis on anxiety and mental health.

Big thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

Threads That Bind is a curious read for me because while I deeply enjoyed it, I also felt it wasn't what I wanted or expected. yet I will still pleasantly surprised.

That isn't to say it's a bad novel. Clearly I loved it! Hatzopoulou has written some amazing character and relationships into the story, but I ultimately felt the concept of threads and fate didn't land with me. I think this may be casue there's so much that happens in the story - I feel in many cases it could have been cut back to create a more consistent throughline.

That being said, Threads That Bind reminds of of why I still love YA Fantasy and there is a unique element to this story that scratches that itch to discover something new.

Threads That Bind was wonderful! It fills the void of all the popular dystopian stories we loved years ago (divergent coming to mind the most), The world building is unmatched and the society they live in is so interesting - I definitely didn't see the twist coming and I wasn't ready for this story to end! I am in love with this world.