If you’re a fan of high-stakes fantasy romance with a fiery enemies-to-lovers twist, Court of Blood and Bindings is a must-read. The story introduces Emelin, a determined and resilient heroine, who is thrown into the dangerous world of the Fae Isles after being captured by Creon, a mysterious and morally ambiguous fae known as the Silent Death. Their partnership—reluctant yet charged with tension—unfolds against a backdrop of forbidden magic, political intrigue, and personal redemption.

Lisette Marshall masterfully balances action, romance, and emotional depth. The chemistry between Emelin and Creon is electrifying, evolving from wary mistrust to undeniable attraction. While the romance is tantalizingly slow-burn, it’s layered with poignant moments that make the characters feel authentic. Creon’s dark past adds complexity, while Emelin’s growth as she confronts both external and internal struggles is empowering.

The worldbuilding is lush and intricate, vividly painting the Crimson Court’s treacherous allure and the dangers of its magical realm. The use of color-based magic and political dynamics within the fae hierarchy creates an immersive setting. Packed with twists and a cliffhanger ending, the story will keep you hooked and eager for the next installment.

This book was definitely a slow burn, but once it got going it was pretty entertaining.

The magic system in this book is really cool and unique. Using colors as the base of magic (red for destroy, yellow for change, and blue for healing).

The lack of communication between Creon and Emelin for the first half of this book was pretty infuriating, and I had to take a break for a bit because they were driving me insane. Random outbursts, constant avoidance, and built up tension was hard to push through for a while.

However, when they finally started communicating with each other it was quite enjoyable, they even had me chuckling a few times (the sarcastic humor in this book is great). Also the spicy scenes were well worth the wait

The minor characters in this book are also pretty interesting and I’d be interested in seeing them develop more. And the world building seems pretty interesting (even though I’ve only touched upon a fraction of it).

The plot twists at the end really took me by surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed the end of this book. Throughout the first half I wasn’t sure I cared to finish this series, but with the way it ended I might have to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.

I absolutely LOVED this! Better late to the party than never with this series but it’s amazing.

It has forced proximity, enemies to lovers , touch her and die trope with magic, fae and a bit of smut to go with it. All my boxes were checked.

Wow! I absolutely loved this read! I was drawn in almost immediately. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book….

I enjoyed this book, it wasnt outstanding, but it was an easy read with a really cool magic system based on colours which I had not seen before. I also enjoyed the fact that the MMC, Creon, is mute. I found I was still able to connect with him just from his facial expressions and the words he would quickly scribble down for Emelin (before learning how to sign). He is wonderfully complex and very morally grey and I would have adored a Creon POV chapter. He also gives off serious "bat boy" vibes.

The banter between Creon and Emelin was also pretty good but I sometimes got lost during some of their conversations, not understanding if it was supposed to be serious sometimes or if it was just humour that fell flat. However, the more they get to know each other the better their banter became. It was a bit hard to decipher at first.

There is also a lot of "Touch her and di3" vibes, which I am always here for.

Overall I liked it, the plot was gripping enough to keep me wanting more so I'll most likely continue with the series.

I'd recommend this book if you like:
-Unique colour magic system
-Forced Proximity
-Interesting plot which unravels slowly
-Slow-burn romance
-One bed trope

The premise was great but the storyline drags after a while. The start had plenty of action with interesting characters but then it's slow and the dialogue is lacking

I expected to like this, but I ended up really loving it! The magic system is pretty unique, albeit not super complex. I loved the romance and how it developed (the spice was a nice addition, too.) By the end I was rooting hard for them, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

The premise of this is really interesting and was what piqued my interest and has one of my favorite tropes - including hidden identity/hidden magic.

Emelin lives in a village with her parents and is forced to hide her magic. One day when she wakes up, she’s sees that her entire village is aflame and everyone is gone. Silent Death is this mysterious fae male who comes and rescues her away and from here at about 15% I DNF.

My issue was mostly with the pacing and style so these are personal preferences that might work for others.

I don’t generally like POVs where the MC self-asks internal questions and Emelin does a lot of that. It’s a style that I find that makes it too easy for the reader to grasp the MC’s feelings, instead of an approach that conjures the reader to feel what the MC feels. Also bc I’m surrounded by young children I get asked enough questions as it is throughout the day 🫠

I also found it a little irksome that Emelin would very quickly switch her feelings in just one scene - esp the early bringing scene where she faces Silent Death. In one moment she’s scared and in another she’s raging against him and then back to asking a million internal questions. All of these combined up to this point unfortunately couldn’t hold my attention, but this may work well for others who might enjoy what looks to be an easiest fantasy read who haven’t delved into this genre much.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I personally had quite a hard time connecting with the characters for the majority of the book, but towards the end, I was really into it and now I can't wait to read the next volumes as well (and I am so happy to see that they are actually already out). It reminded me at times of Daughter of no worlds, a great series, but also one I had trouble connecting to the characters at first.

However, the book still has very interesting ideas, from the magic system (quite unique) to the world building, I found this book to be really well written and I will recommend it to many people, despite the slow start I had. I like how the MMC is mute, but this is not keeping him from being feared and respected.

There are many things happening in this book, and I don't want to spoil anything, so just go read it already!

"𝕀'𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖. 𝕀'𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕗 𝕀 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕘𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕥. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕀 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕒 𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕤𝕥, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕒𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕞𝕖"

This is probably the most underrated series I’ve ever had the pleasure of accidentally finding on KU 2 years ago. This series has EVERYTHING that would make an romantasy girlie happy. I’m talking complex magic, HOT morally grey hero, murderous tendencies, a feisty FMC, side characters that just are *chef’s kiss* and lots and lots of banter. There’s also spice because a good enemies to lovers romance needs an awesome slow burn and fake dating/forced proximity opportunities 😏

Creon Hytherion is my #2 book boyfriend and genuinely I will not be taking any critique on Creon or Emelin because I’m just so in love with both of these characters. They’re perfectly imperfect. Period.

Book 4 came out in 2024 and the cover for book 5 was just released! The cliffhanger at the end of this book was crazy and the one in book 3 is even crazier!!! If I persuade you to read any book, it’s this one! ❤️❤️❤️

Court of Blood and Bindings was a really fun book, with a good premise, good characters, and a world that I want to see more of. I felt like I was flying through the book and was pleasantly surprised around every turn. There was sign language/ Mute MMC representation that felt very wholesome and sweet, The forced proximity relationship had miscommunication but it was understandable as you went into the book farther.
My least favorite part of the book is the title. While I do think it works I think the Court of - & - title is outdated and far too much of a saturated market now and it gets lost.
I love the premise of the magic being used by color and my artistic mind loved how color theory was a basis for how to control the magic and it felt like a very interesting idea I want to see more of

"Uncaged, undone, he was power and beautiful and death, and he was mine."

A Court of Blood and Bindings captivated me from the get-go. It initially peaked my interest because it felt a bit like if Amarantha won in A Court of Thorns and Roses and created her own realm. However, as the plot and characters developed, I ended up loving ( and craving more of!) the story for itself.

As someone with a background in art and art history, the magic system was particularly interesting to me. Drawing different types of magic from colors is ingenious and so unique. Its unlike anything I've read before. The world is well fleshed out, yet it's not overwhelming to read, like many fantasy novels out there.

Emelin and Creon have become two of my favorite characters. Their banter. Their fight. Their tension. Their passion. Swoon! Its so good!

Creon is everything you want in a romantasy MMC: broody, lethal, tortured but with a heart of gold who would burn the world for the woman he loves. This time, theres an added level of interest/strain because he is literally silent. His voice was lost (stolen?!), so he and Em have to figure out their own way of communicating.

Em's story ripped my heart out. She wants so badly to belong and be loved and yet is rejected by the people who are supposed to love her above all else. Finding acceptance with the man everyone considers a monster and then learning to love and accept herself brought me to tears. Yet, she remains devoted, feisty, brave and loving despite all of the rejection she's been through during her short life.

Together, their story takes you on a journey that you don't want to stop!

This just fell flat for me. I thought the magic system was unique and interesting, and I really liked the labyrinth. I would've liked a little more world building outside of this, but this is a series, so maybe that comes in a bit more down the line.

The FMC was so annoying in the first half, and far more tolerable in the second half. I liked the MMC, but I really struggled to get past his name. For a book with colour magic, the name Creon is way too close to crayon and my brain just wouldn't accept it as anything else 🤣

There were some really repetitive aspects as well, which is part of what made the FMC so annoying. Sometimes it felt like you were just dealing with her having the same thought over and over.

The second half of the book was better than the first, but I'm undecided if I'll continue the series.

I really enjoyed this fantasy romance novel. The story has great pacing, a unique magic system, and a perfectly gray male lead, along with a TRULY evil villain you'll love to hate.

The plot follows Emelin, a young woman with unusual magical abilities, who's stuck in a loveless home doing mundane tasks. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her town is set ablaze, and she's kidnapped by the notorious fae, The Silent Death. Taken to the Crimson Court, Emelin struggles to understand why she was spared and whether she truly wants to be.

I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope (it's truly a favorite of mine), expertly crafted with palpable tension and angst. The story balances danger, humor, romance, and emotional depth well. The Silent Death is a captivating, complex character, making this series incredibly promising.

One issue was the repetitive language and excessive inner monologue from Emelin. Her youthful demeanor may also irritate some readers (she did grate on me multiple times). Additionally, there are minor editing issues, including overused words.

Be aware that this book is rated R for adult language, mild spice scenes, and minimal violence.

While the first half of the book may test your patience (since I found it really hard to get in to). The second half of the book is worth it, especially for fans of complex characters and fantasy romance. Despite initial reservations, I'm eager to continue the series.

Court of Blood and Bindings
Where to even begin? First of all, I am absolutely obsessed with this series. It's such a different take on fae and magical people in the author's own way.
The world this is set in is filled with both humans and magical people. There's hardships, oppressed and controlled people by the empire and a long history that isn't easily forgotten by some. One person is at the centre of all the problems. The Mother. In this world where gods are now myth and a land that is more magical than the people itself we meet a human girl who changes everything.
Emelin and Creon both get thrown for a loop when their paths meet. Even though this situation is forced on them in different ways, hatred becomes friendship and friendship... something more that neither of them understands.
What is friendship to someone who has never stopped watching their back and only had themselves to depend on?
When both characters decide to take on the world together, neither of them expects their company to grow. And grow it does. How much, is something you don't find out until the second book —> Lord of Gold and Glory

Book: Court of Blood and Bindings
Author: Lisette Marshall
Series: Fae Isles
Length: 436 Pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating 5 Saltire Flags

This book’s beginning kind of reminded me of Cinderella where the daughter Emelin with the magic can’t go to the festival. Due to a previous mishap that had happened years earlier. This is where Emelin had nearly burned down a shop where she had been a seamstress' apprentice. They claimed that this gift was inherited on her mothers side but soon Emelin will discover that was a fabrication too. Her parents convinced her to stay home, as the people of Cathra were celebrating at a festival. They thought they finally found a way to keep the cruel fae out of Cathra, but were very mistaken and wrong.

Even the Mother’s who was the cruel heartless ruler of everything fae and the human, even on the fae isles, crimson court was made from human bones she had slaughtered for centuries! Unfortunately the humans of Cathra trick did not work as the mother of fae found out what these humans were up to and wanted a deathly gruesome revenge! Mother sent her most lethal weapon he was called the silent death to burn down the city and every living human. As the fae could still enter Cathra as the humans celebrating had been very wrong in their assumption.

This is where the soundless murderer whose name is Creon Hytherion. He saw twenty year old Emelin using her magic which he caught and realized she could be the very thing he had wanted for centuries. He then abducted and realized she could help be a weapon for him and finally kill the Mother! As she is the magic person whose magic is not controlled by the Mother! Of course Emelin is furious but she also hates herself for being very attracted to this murderer who is absolutely gorgeous with his velvet wings, muscular body and silky dark hair. Except for one minor problem he can’t speak! Will Emelin fall for this murderer or will he kill her? She feels like there is a two sided sword as he is always kind and makes a fae promise to always protect her. Will the mother even allow Emelin to survive? On top of that Emelin starts to fall in love with this silent killer and feels guilty that she can block out all the death and destruction he has done. Read and discover Creon and Emelin’s fate!

All I can say is wow this book is an absolute masterpiece. In the beginning I thought maybe it was another acotar but I was mistaken. This book’s magical world is amazing, the spice level made my heart race. Plus the MMC I couldn’t help but love plus he can’t talk! How brilliant is that! As for the FMC you can’t help but root for her especially after her own family treats her like dirt. Creon is the first person to ever care and respect Emelin. It is really a beautiful read. Definitely one of my favorite books I have read in fantasy. Lisette Marshall is a wonderful writer and I plan on reading the other books in this series. As this book is definitely addictive and I can’t recommend it enough! I loved this book so much!

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and Lisette Marshall for this advance readers copy. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Finding a good fantasy read while reading mostly non-fantasy dark romances is hard but this one grabbed my attention instantly. The magic use is nothing I’ve read of before which is one of the reasons it grabbed my attention so easily!

Do I still get my broody powerful MMC? Yes I do but he’s not as powerful as he should be and that’s where Emelin comes in. She has that secret past that she didn’t know about and she is the own he’s been looking for the last century.

Court of Blood and Bindings is book one in the Fae Isles series by Lisette Marshall.
Marshall had created an amazing fantasy story with magic, intrigue, politics, and an absolutely killer couple!
The world building is so well done and thought out.
I found this part of the magic system to be so interesting.
Honestly, this is the best book I've read in a while. Exactly what I needed right now.
I can’t wait to read book two.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I really enjoyed this Arc of Court of blood and bindings from Net Galley. I rated it 4 stars.

It was an easy read with what felt like a fast paced plot, full of a different kind of magic system to anything I’ve read before!

Creon might be silent death but I thought he was a really fun and interesting character. The book had tonnes of quirky and likeable characters

I’m excited to read the next book in the series.

I'm shocked by how much I liked this book! It's perfect for those who love a morally grey male, sassy heroine, fae court politics, a quest against evil, and magical training.

Blurb: "When the empire’s deadliest fae murderer catches her wielding forbidden magic, twenty-year-old Emelin believes her hour has come. Instead, her captor spares her life and takes her to the Crimson Court, where the Mother of faekind has ruled unchallenged over fae and humans for decades. The Silent Death is supposed to be the Mother’s loyal servant, her invincible warrior, her ruthless, soulless killer. But in the shadows he is playing a game of his own, and he needs Emelin’s magic to win it."

First of all, the magic system is based on colors. I thought that was unique and I am excited to learn more about the magic in the next books. One of the hardest things for me in a fantasy is when the story doesn't grip me from the very start. This book did that so well! It was easy to get into and understand. There wasn't a time when I was bored.

Although the male main character was magically mute, somehow there was still fun banter. The romance was a slow burn that felt earned. Fake situationship, reluctant allies and magic lessons - I'm all in!!

Check it out if you like:
Magical creatures
Completed series
Mute MMC, sign language
Enemies to lovers
Spice (2 open door scenes)
Reluctant allies
Single POV
Slow burn

Available on Kindle Unlimited. A perfect start to the series - onto book 2!