I enjoyed this book and I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the characters and the writing was really well done. It made you want to keep reading.

The story was cute and added to the rest of the series well enough. For some reason I never felt fully engaged by the story, and I'm unsure why, I just couldn't fully get into it. I do think the authors writing style is great, - I just wish this grabbed my attention more.

Book Review of Bound by Sword and Spirit (Loresmith #3) by Andrea Robertson

Cover Story: Knives (and Swords and Axes) Out
BFF Charms: Yay x2
Talky Talk: Wrap-Up
Bonus Factor: Gods and Goddesses
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
Relationship Status: Like You Forever

Red alert! Bound by Sword and Spirit is the third book in the Loresmith series. If you have not read the first two books in the series (Forged in Fire and Stars and Cast in Secrets and Shadows), man your battle stations turn away now, as there might be spoilers in this review. If you’re caught up, however, feel free to continue below.

Cover Story: Knives (and Swords and Axes) Out
This cover very much fits with the others in the series with its somewhat strange combination of detailed weaponry and strange silhouettes at the bottom. The foliage is a nice touch, and the fox is a nod to the god with which this all started. But really, those figures do not need to be there.

The Deal:
Ara has two trials left in her quest for the gods to find new Loreknights and forge for them mythical weapons. Teth’s been captured and taken to the capital to face the wrath of Arch-Wizard Zenan. Will the two be able to fulfill their parts of the quest to drive the Vokkans out of Saetlund without losing their lives? Only the gods know for sure.

BFF Charm: Yay x2
Ara’s headstrong and stubborn, but those traits only made me like her more. She has a clear understanding of what’s right and wrong, and follows the gods’ wishes, even when she wants to do anything but or they’re being cryptic on purpose. I envy that kind of dedication to a cause.

Teth, too, is equally stubborn, but his questioning of the gods and/or his role in the fight for the freedoms of Saetlund is refreshing. He wants to believe, but he isn’t 100% sure that he does—yet. I also appreciate that he knows who he is (a thief) and doesn’t have any qualms about being morally grey. Would I maybe have a little unrequited crush on him? A Magic 8 Ball would tell me “chances are good.”

Swoonworthy Scale: 4
There’s very little time for Ara and Teth to act on their feelings for each other in this book, especially since they’re separated for much of it. But when they do think about each other, it’s very sweet.

Talky Talk: Wrap-Up
Robertson’s writing remained strong in Bound by Sword and Shadow, but the book as a whole felt like a too-quick wrap-up of the action of the rest of the series. There was an urgency about the book that was true to the plot but at the same time made for a rushed reading experience. I wanted to spend a bit more time in this world, with these characters, before the end; it’s like I took the people mover at an airport rather than just walking to my gate.

Bonus Factor: Gods and Goddesses
The more I read about Saetlund’s gods, the more I loved them (even their less-than-favorable qualities). Would I want to live in a world where gods walked among humanity? I’m not so sure. But I certainly enjoy reading about places that they do.

(Vokk, of course, is terrifying and evil, but I don’t consider him one of the Saetlund gods, regardless of where he came from.)

Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
I mentioned the probable child abuse in my review of Cast in Secrets and Shadows, and it came to fruition in this book. [REDACTED] deserved the horrible death he got a thousand times over.

Relationship Status: Like You Forever
We had a good time together, Book. Although we sort of meandered a bit there in the middle, and I got annoyed with you not being more direct, I’ve come out of our time together with a strong appreciation of who you are.

This wraps up the YA fantasy trilogy. Out of the three, I liked this one and book 2 the best.

Synopsis:
In this book, Ara continues to add more Loreknights to her crew to stop the Vokkans. Meanwhile, Teth has been captured and jailed with Prince Eamon, who betrayed them all at the end of Book 1. Eamon has a change of heart and tries to help his sister all while the the battle to save the kingdom is approaching. Can Ara save everyone?

This book pulled everything together and had a satisfying conclusion to the series. I liked the romance between Teth ad Ara as a subplot. There was a lot of build up to the final battle and I ended up liking Eamon in this book.

If you enjoy a battle driven quest like An Ember in the Ashes or Shadow and Bone, this kind of has the same vibe.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC! 🗡️

I didn't realize until 20% into this book that it was a finale in a trilogy, and I haven't read either previous book. UMMM LOVE THAT FOR ME. Thus, I am DNF-ing for now because I do not have all the pieces to properly review this title.

I'm giving this a three star rating for now as a neutral rating, but I'm hoping to come back to this review some day to update it with my feels.

Thank you Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC! I apologize for not realizing this is the third book.

I adored the story, the world building was amazing. I love meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it. The writing was also really nice. I couldn't put the book down and I can't wait for others to read and enjoy this story as well.

This ending was everything that I could hope for and more. You pick up right where book 2 ends and it is fast paced from start to finish. There were a few surprised throughout which I loved and everything came full circle. The last battle was fantastic. Definitely recommend this trilogy.