Dire Bound is the definition of a guilty pleasure read for me, I could see the plot twists coming from a mile away, but the book was still extremely addicting; which was similar to how I felt about On Wings of Blood and Shield of Sparrows. This fantasy romance delivers a fast paced plot, a will-they-won’t-they romance, and a compelling dynamic surrounding the connection between a rider and their bonded wolf companion, though it struggles a bit when trying to balance plot complexity with needed worldbuilding.Â
Dire Bound stands out with its characters and relationship dynamics. Friendships and romantic relationships slowly build over time and the growth between the FMC, Meryn, and her wolf is fantastic. The wolves and pack mentality in general are rendered with impressive specificity and personality, each one feels like a meaningful character rather than accessories to the plot.Â
There are some twists surrounding the romance so I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a deliciously slow-burn, tension-filled romance that grows through patient, deliberate development. This, however, comes with a bit of a caveat: by the end of the book when major plot points are revealed, the MMC begins treating the FMC in a different way that almost undermines all the realistic and earned development that made their romance work so well in first place. (Minor spoiler: it’s giving…simp).Â
The pacing maintains momentum through most of the book, and the violence doesn’t pull any punches. The unflinching depiction of war and the brutality of the wolves fit well considering the plot. Consequences matter, and it makes the stakes feel real in a way many fantasy romances don’t.
The major weakness here is how predictable the plot twists are. If you’ve read anything in this genre or can honestly just put a few plot points together, you’ll likely guess at almost every revelation before it happens. This wasn’t a huge negative for me personally, the addictive pacing carries you through even when you know what’s coming.
I also have to mention that towards the end, everything is suddenly thrown at you in a haphazard rush. The main character responds to major reveals with an odd lack of shock, disbelief, or hesitation, which only added to my overall confusion. Her having to deal with these revelations would have helped the reader with understanding the reveals as well.
Final ThoughtsÂ
Dire Bound is a fun, addictive read that knows exactly how to keep you turning the pages. The character relationships and wolf dynamics are well-written, and it’s entertaining enough to recommend to fans of romantasy who want a different take on the genre but also don’t mind predictable plot twists.