Thank you for Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Im a sucker for a fantasy, paranormal book and this one sounded right up my alley! And it was! It was fun, had good world-building and had a romance I was able to really buy and enjoy, without the sometimes problematic other tropes that not all of us love. No insta-love or overly dramatic angst was a big plus for me. The only negative was that the story did drag out a little sometimes and have unnecessary details that without them, wouldn't negatively affect the plot or story. I think becoming a bit more concise would be a good thing, but this is a small critique

With a compelling fusion of supernatural world‑building and a strong, sarcastic heroine who doesn’t pull her punches. Myla Lewis—a half‑human, half‑demon arena fighter in Purgatory’s gladiator pits—is a charismatic force of nature, driven by both fury and a fierce moral compass. Christina Bauer builds a cast of demons, ghouls, angels, and Thrax demon‑hunters, weaving political intrigue and supernatural justice in a way that kept me engaged even through slower setup sections.

Yet the novel stumbles in places—especially in the high‑school drama and romance areas. The antagonistic flirtation between Myla and Lincoln shifts rapidly into “tingly tummy” mush without enough emotional groundwork, undercutting what could have been a more believable chemistry. Some early chapters drag under repeated social tension, gossip, and teenage angst that feel disconnected from the central action.

Still, those who push through are rewarded. The latter half delivers an adrenaline‑charged resolution layered with mythic stakes, revelations about Myla’s heritage, and brisk, brutal action. Supporting characters—from witty sidekicks like Cissy and Walker to the enigmatic oracle Verus—add both humor and mystery, while the world’s multi‑species politics unfold with increasing depth. It’s especially satisfying to watch Myla evolve from arena gladiator to key player in a cosmic struggle. For fans of YA paranormal action/romance who don't mind a slow burn and occasional cringe in the romance, Angelbound is a bold, imaginative start to a series that only grows from there.

This book was a total roller coaster from the build-up of the first chapter until you started down the hill with Myla's first battle and the ride didn't let up once. Can't wait to read the second book in the series, Scala.

This book plot felt like it would have fit in well with the YA releases of the 2010s. It will probably work for a younger audience but wasn't what I was looking for.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be! I loved it. I will make sure to check out other books by this author. When I requested this I was just intrigued by the concept of it and I loved how it turned out. This story had a great plot and if you have read this and enjoyed it, This was so much. It was such a great story. I would say give this one a try. I will continue to follow this author. Way to go to this author for not letting me down.

I highly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. Kept me listening.

This one unfortunately wasn’t for me. I found it was hard to relate to the characters and I struggled to keep focused on what I was reading. I appreciate a the opportunity to give this one a go and I do recommend it to those who enjoy this type of book.

I have always liked reading paranormal novels but have not read one in a while. This audiobook makes me want to dive right in! This book was very well done. The author narrated the book herself, and what a fantastic job she did.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Monster House Audio for an audio copy of this book for an honest review.

Angels, demons, bad ass MC. What is not to love?
The world building can be a bit heavy in places but it truly doesn't take away from the enjoyment at all! I received this as an ARC when no reviews were available, so had no one to tell me how it was. Well, I discovered a little gem! It made it all the more special.
The side characters have depth and are.so loveable, and I just want to be friends with all of them.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and I thought the narrator did a great job!! I could see myself reading more books by this author.

The writing felt more like a fanfic novel. The style and language were YA rather than for adults. The cover was not attractive. But the character was what every girl wants to be when she grows up. Strong, smart, and tough. I was torn. Really.

Alright, let's talk about "Angelbound" by Christina Bauer as an audiobook – it's a total blast! First up, the story itself is super cool. We've got Myla, this quasi-demon chick, living in Purgatory, and she's all kinds of awesome. She's got this fiery attitude that just leaps out of the speakers.

The world Christina Bauer creates here is like nothing I've heard before. It's this crazy mix of fantasy and kick-butt action, and it totally works. There's never a dull moment; you're either exploring some wild part of Purgatory or diving into some intense showdown. And let me tell you, the action scenes? They're epic. You can practically feel every punch and fireball.

Now, the real MVP here is the narrator. They totally nail it. Every character has their own vibe, and the emotions are just right – you can hear the smirk in a character's voice or the worry in their sigh. It's like listening to a movie. Plus, the narrator's take on Myla is spot-on; she’s got this energy and sass that's just infectious.

What I really dig about this audiobook is how it's more than just a story being read to you. It's like being dropped right into the middle of Purgatory with these wild characters. There's a bunch of heart and humor, too, which keeps things from getting too heavy.

So, if you're into fantasy with a side of sass and a whole lot of action, "Angelbound" should definitely be on your playlist. It's like jumping into a super cool, other-worldly adventure that you don't want to end.

I've had this in my too read pile for ages, I did start to listen a while back but couldn't really get on board with the narration.

Anyway, as I was laid up with Covid unable to read because my eyes were so sore thought I would give audio books another go.

I found the narration too much which is a shame as I thought the story was ok.

Not one for me but thanks to Netgalley and Monster House Audio for the ARC

this was very different than what I expected. I wanted more romance, however the action was there. I wouldn't recommend this one but I was able to finish it.

This is the first book in this series and also the first from this author that I've read. What took me so long?! I am always seeking books with female badassery. I can never get enough snark in my life. Loved this so much that I already have the second book on my nightstand and geared up.

A great start to the series. The story building took place while telling the story which kept the book moving at a good pace. Looking forward to reading Scala, book #2 in the series.

Christina Bauer did a great job narrating her novel. I always love it when an author reads their own work because you are guaranteed to hear the correct pronunciation of anything and everything the author has created.

Submitting feedback for Angelbound is hard - the writing seemed enjoyable enough, but the narration lacked a lot depth. I knew early on that this would most likely end in the DNF pile.

With audiobooks there's an added layer of character portal through the voices, and I just didn't feel like the portrayal was very convincing. The different character's were either flat or unconvincing. I did call it quits quite early on in the book because I just wasn't enjoying the narration. I've added this book to my goodreads though, and in the future I may revisit the ebook edition.

------------♡ Angelbound ♡------------ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ★★★✰✰
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

♥︎ So here goes my review for Angelbound ! First I'd like to say that this was a really fun read, like I actually laughed out loud. It was a perfect example of what fantasy was like in the 2010 and it gave me such a nostalgic feeling !

♡𝅼 We follow a moody teen/adult, she's 18, who's just a badass but kind of immature aswell which makes for sure a fun mix! It was filled with sassy remarks and I was living for it !! It of course had some cliché but I mean that's kind of a trademark for any book published 10 years ago and sometimes it just adds to the charm!

✦ Half demon, half human, a simple enough idea but again I didnt expect much more and yet the author managed to make it interesting by the way Myla, our FMC, uses her abilities. The whole world building was also really fun and simple enough to not have to re-read a passage like in some other book of this kind. Hell was interesting, the whole justice system was unique but fun, like just kick ass all day ? Sign me up lmao !

★ She eventually goes on a journey to discover what her mother was so secretive about and why she never had any contact with her father and this quest will be continuing in a second tome which I will be reading and you should too !


Thanks for reading! - Your Friendly Goblin✧⁠◝⁠(⁠⁰⁠▿⁠⁰⁠)⁠◜⁠✧

I finished listening to this book almost overnight I could not stop listening. It was attention grabbing and got me me to the point I did not want want to go to bed I wanted to finished. It is going to be a book I listen to again.

In my opinion giving 5 stars is the least it deserves.

I couldn't stop listening to this one. Can't believe this is the 10 year anniversary edition. Very happy to have found it now. It was very great and so was the narration. Will definitely get for our library.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This was my first book by Christina Bauer, and I was pleasantly surprised by their work. This book fits a few tropes. Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy... It features angels and demons, which is always a fun subject matter for me.

The world-building was so good! The details the author put into the world-building was amazing.
The character development was even better. You'll find yourself drawn to and relating to several characters in this book.

I'm definitely going to check out others in this series!