This was an intriguing book. I loved the concept of fate threads and how Kika Hatzopoulou incorporated mythology into the thread of the book. Well done!

Picking up exactly where book one left off, you're immediately thrown into an action-packed adventure. And I loved every second of it! The mystery in this book is absolutely amazing and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There were several points where I felt like I knew where this was going, but then you get thrown a curveball that changes everything you thought you knew. And I loved that about this book.

The world building in this duology is nothing short of amazing. If you are looking for a fabulous new fantasy duology I highly recommend checking this one out.

for fans of:
✨ mythology-inspired fantasy
✨ fate vs. free will
✨ complex sibling relationships

the sequel to threads that bind picks up a few weeks later, with io and bianca following the golden thread across the wastelands in search of answers. their investigation yields new clues, including a series of sibling disappearances, all leading to the golden city of nanzy. meanwhile, io’s fate thread with edei is fraying, and she is forced to reckon with her shifting relationships with her sisters as she and bianca discover a centuries-old plot that will decide the future of their world.

hearts that cut missed the mark for me personally. it suffers from second book syndrome and i was disappointed by the chosen one trope after the first book’s focus on found family. the pacing is off throughout—it drags until io and bianca reunited with the others, then speeds to the conclusion. while i was still intrigued by the mystery and the clever, unique world-building, the relationships really suffer in this book (particularly io’s relationships with her sisters). i think many YA trilogies could be condensed into duologies, but this is one case where the opposite might be true—hearts that cut’s biggest flaw is that it tries to accomplish too much.

I had a hard time getting into Hearts that Cut. I suspect it might have helped to have read the first of the duology (Threads that Bind) before digging into this one. I simply never felt settled or oriented until about one-third of the way through.

Hatzopoulou tries to blend magic with Greek mythology but is far less successful in creating such than Rick Riordan in his multiple Greek/Roman gods series.

That said, there were a few things I liked: the idea that descendants of the original Greek Fates Clotho (the Spinner), Lachesis (the Measurer/Apportioner), and Atropos (who cuts the threads and ends peoples’ lives perform similar tasks, but their names have been replaced by their jobs: weaver, drawer, cutter. I particularly liked that they could see these threads and that there was a cost to their performance of the duties; for example, when a cutter cuts someone’s thread, she also loses one of her own.

This is one of those rare reads that sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. This book is an absolute gem and easily one of the best reads of the year for me. From start to finish, it had me hooked, and I can't shake off the spell it cast on me.

First off, can we talk about that ending? My mind was blown, shattered into a million pieces, then meticulously reassembled by the sheer brilliance of the plot twist. Unpredictable doesn't even begin to describe it. It was a masterstroke that left me reeling, yet strangely satisfied as all the pieces fell into place, weaving a quilt of sheer genius (see what I did there?).

Let's talk worldbuilding, because oh boy, did Hatzopoulou knock it out of the park. The world she crafted is so vivid, so alive, that it felt like I was watching a blockbuster movie unfold before my eyes. The magic system, the mythology—everything was seamlessly integrated, adding layers of depth and intrigue that kept me utterly enthralled. And Nanzy? I could practically smell the city's streets, so vivid were the descriptions.

Character development? Check. Each character leapt off the page with their own quirks, personalities, and moments to shine. And the romance? Oh, it was there, simmering in the background, adding just the right amount of sweetness without overshadowing the main plot. Io and Edei's love story was a delight to behold, filled with yearning and tenderness that felt achingly real.

And that ending, again. Seriously, the tension, the stakes, the relentless reveals—it was a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. I was genuinely scared for the characters. It was the perfect conclusion to this duology, even if I’m secretly hoping for an epilogue. I’m just not ready to say goodbye yet.

Kika Hatzopoulou has crafted a world and a story that will stay with me for a long time to come. Do yourself a favor and dive into this enchanting duology—you won't regret it. And personally, I can't wait to get my hands on a hardcopy to treasure forever.

When i got the ARC for this i was so thrilled to know what happens sooner. Be aware small spoilers and hints.

I couldn't decide if this was 2 or 3 stars for me. Book 1 captivated me. Sucked me in and I was so so excited to read more. Considering I had no expectations since I grabbed the first book because I liked the cover, I only wanted to know where Io would end up. Would she find Thais and make up? Would they band together with Ava and fight to save the world? Would she actually be the end of it all? Are wraith really what bring back the fury born?

I got answers to these questions in a very long long drawn out story. It was sort of boring. ok Io had to do the whole hide stay undercover the entire universe is out looking for you. Oh and be careful because you're with Bianca a fury born wraith now who also wanted to kill you. I have little more to say than what a disappointment. I thought halfway through something would change. Something would loop me in and hold me there.

The gods. That was the only good part and what a let down they were. This ending? Did the author feel pressure to release this on time because it sure felt like it. The ending was so rushed and all the build up for nothing. Lets not firget this love affair of fate threads between Edie and Io. Ummmm no. How pointless and uninteresting they became. I have no clue if this was supposed to be a duology but I'd rather not have read book 1 to begin with saved myself from reading this.

Another book where I had expectations for analyzing Book 2 only to get a mediocre at best "ending".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I’ll admit, I was nervous to read this sequel after loving the first so much! I do think it lives up to its predecessor, but I had to sit with it for a little to fully parse through my thoughts on it.

I am very grateful that I went back and reread the first book, as the world building and magic system is so interesting but can be easy to get lost in. This sequel puts us right back in the action without much recap, which I actually really liked! It was slower going at first, and I did worry at 50% through about this pacing. The ending felt abrupt but not rushed, which I think had less to do with pacing and more to do with where we left all of our characters. I felt like there were threads not yet tied up and more I wanted from those plot lines!

That being said, I think this was a very strong follow up to an incredible book one! The conflict between characters never felt stale, despite some grievances being rehashed, and the new setting outside of the established city of book one allowed for some great exploration of characters who relied heavily on their place within that setting!

Thank you to Penguin, Kika Hatzopoulou, and NetGalley for Giving me an eARC of Hearts That Cut in exchange for my honest review.

The Hearts That Cut picks up five weeks after Threads that Bind. Io has left Alante to follow the golden thread that will lead her to the gods, On top of her difficult journey, her fate-thread with Edei, begins to fray, leaving her mind elsewhere. To make matters worse, when she reaches the other end of the golden thread, it is not a god she finds. This thrusts Io in to the heard of a new mystery, starting off with, just where is the god she is looking for?

The Hearts That Cut is a masterpiece and a wonderful example of storytelling. Io undergoes a journey of self-discovery throughout the book, while trying to determine just where her loyalties lie and whom she truly cares for. Io is independent and headstrong, and throughout the book, you can see how she is learning to trust others, even those who she considers to have betrayed her. This book did not disappoint and I would recommend it for all of those readers who loved Threads that Bind. While I do wish the action had come a bit sooner, I am not sure I would have loved the story as much (especially the character development), if it did. Either way, this book was truly enjoyable and it is something that should be given a chance.

This was such a perfect ending and I’m so sad that it’s over! There was just the right amount of twists and turns, adventure, romance, I loved everything about it!

Thank you forever to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this brilliant book!

I am still shaking and overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to read this incredible book.

The characters evolved so much and the story line was incredible.

I can not say enough good or praise this book enough. It is just a must, must read!

Highly, highly recommend!

I loved this. Wonderful sequel. Kept me reading it til the end. There were lots of twists and unexpected turns but it all made sense at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/ Razorbill for this earc

Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first one. First part had a lot of “moving” but wasn’t really interesting.

The story was mostly moved by plot which usually I don’t mind but because of that we didn’t get as such interaction between the characters as we needed to feel connected to them.
Even in part two, when all the players were on the board again, we didn’t get the conversations we needed. Not between the sisters barely any between Edei and Io.
We kept being told about correction between Nico and Urania but they maybe have a half a page given to their story.

It felt like the whole book something was missing.

Part three was simply too short so the story felt were rushed. All of a sudden we had the reason, the lie and the solution.

Overall, this book needed more writing time and more character development. The ending needed more time too.

I would give Hearts That Cut 3.5 stars out of 5.

Hearts That Cut picks up where we left off in the first book, Threads That Bind, with Io and Bianca traveling together through the Wastelands and while following the golden God thread. There’s no synopsis at the beginning of the book to remind you of what happened in book one, but there are plenty of recaps along the way.

I will say, Threads That Bind kept my attention better than Hearts That Cut. The first couple of chapters that follow Io and Bianca’s adventure almost feel drawn out and forced. The slow burn romance that was built up between Io and Edei in the first book is sadly not a main focus of this book and almost takes a step backwards. I wanted more from them! I want to feel that their relationship is growing and that they’re not just buddies hanging out. I would have also enjoyed more development in Io’s relationships with her sisters.

The ending was pretty good. I was not expecting it to end that way. It leaves room for another book down the line or a spin off story, but gives the feeling that this story is concluded.

One suggestion I have that would make this book better: a map. The characters travel through several areas and cities in the book, but I couldn’t envision how it would be laid out.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this duology and I feel so honored to have the opportunity to review the second book.
My favorite part is the visual of seeing the strings. I’ve loved the fates in greek mythology forever, and getting to read a book (two books!) that use that imagery is amazing.
I don’t want to give anything away, but if you’re looking for a beautifully written series to read, go for this one. You’ll love it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review)

3.75 stars rounded up. Book 2 of the Threads that Bind series was as good as the first. This is a really creative and intricate magic system. There is some romance thrown in although there is much more adventure than romance. It had me quite fascinated. I thought this was a duology but it left things open for another book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced release copy in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 ★

The scream I scrumpt when I found out I got approved for the e-ARC…
I fell in love with “Threads that Bind” – the world, characters, plot, basically everything.
It’s always a fear of mine that sequels of books I adored will fall victim to second book syndrome, something that I’ve noticed occurs in a lot of YA books unfortunately. While the issues I had with “Hearts that Cut” were on the bigger side, I still think it served its purpose as a sequel.

It starts right after the ending of the first book, with Io and Bianca traveling the Wastelands. I actually thought that the pacing in the beginning was smoother and even, while the last 30-35% felt incredibly rushed. I was getting slightly concerned when I realized there were only 40 or so pages left and I had no idea how Hatzopoulou was going to wrap it up, and I can’t say that I was quite satisfied with the ending. Sometimes stories don’t need an epilogue, but “Hearts That Cut” definitely did :(

My other gripe was the relationships between Io and her sisters, and Io and Edei. For the amount of times Io mentioned the pain her sisters caused her in the first half, I figured there would be more of a development. Not that there had to be forgiveness, but I wish we got some sort of conclusion. I also felt like there could’ve been more significant moments between Io and Edei, considering the literal thread of fate they share.

Okay I promise I’m not a complete hater, there were things that I liked. For one thing, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this world. I would give Hatzopoulou all my money just to have a spin off based in the same world. The fact that she managed to include so many different gods and cultures is so interesting and unique to me. I also love, love, love Io. All she wants is to be loved (she’s basically me).

Overall, I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t live up to the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“But perhaps, these hearts were supposed to be broken. Perhaps this faith was undeserved. Perhaps what came after heartbreak was just as important: when you rose on one knee, then the other, and stood. When you realized that you could piece yourself back together, little by little, slowly and painfully. You might not be whole ever again, but you would survive, and that was-that was salvation, in its true form.”
Hearts That Cut

Ok this book slayed! I binged it from the moment I started to when I looked up & realised I’d been ignoring the world for the entirety of it. This was such a great twist on Greek mythology inspired books. Full of intrigue, mysteries, a quest, fates, magic & characters that will have your heart flip flopping. The Worldbuilding was fantastic, the characters well developed, the found family on point, and just an all round fantastic tale. I’m a bit sad that this is only a duology. Also it was so hard to choose just one quote because frankly it’s one of the most quotable books I’ve read in a long time, which is saying something, so here’s two more for you. Thank you so much to netgalley for granting my request for the digital arc, I’m so thankful I didn’t have to wait until August to read it lol!
🏺
“She had cursed the coming of change, blamed it for her myriad of hurts. But she had been wrong. Change was uncomfortable, sometimes filled with growing pains, but without it, there was no way forward. No way to keep going, to shed the scabs of your past and heal yourself in the present.”
🏺
“Io didn't have the indulgence of
forgiveness, the luxury of safety. Io knew, with absolute clarity, that tolerating violence was a violence in itself.”

This was a well done continuation and conclusion to the Threads That Bind duology. The revelations that were dropped over the course of the last half of the book were not only surprising, but it also helped spurred on the plot and made me race to the end. 😦

The story picks up a few weeks after the events of the first book, with Io and Bianca tracking down the god thread. I found the bond between Io and the newly made fury-born to be a begrudging respect and that neither of them could shake the forms of friendship despite Bianca not being able to hold any new threads. The ending between these two was explosive and I honestly was worried that their friendship was beyond mending, but I’m glad to see that they might have something in which to continue bonding over in the future. 🤯

I do wish we could have gotten a bit more time for Io and Edei to be together. Their bond, much to my happiness, was able to withstand their situation and even that crazy ending, but I did find myself missing their earlier banter from the first book. But as Io and Edei agree: bonds change over time, and that’s okay as long as they’re willing to work on it. 🧡

The moment of reunion for the three sisters was heated, but in a way that I can only guess that loving sisters can reconcile. I was kind of hoping for a bit more drama between Thais and Io, but honestly, I liked the way the book ended with these two. 🧵

The ending . . . Man, the last 20% of the book was just nonstop reveals and punches that I honestly didn’t realize I had finished the book in less than 24 hours. I won’t go into any details in case of spoiling the whole thing but hot damn, I was so scared for all the characters. 😰

All in all, I thought the book nicely tied up the story, but I do wish we could have gotten a chapter or scene a few years in the future to see how the characters are fairing in their new circumstances. I think it would have just tied it up a bit nicer for me as the reader. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Big thank you goes to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to the author for making me fall in love with dystopian YA books again. ❤️

Publication date: June 18!

Overall: I’m back and forth between a 4.25 and a 4.5/5 ⭐️
Overall series: 4.75/5 ⭐️

Kika's writing style is truly captivating. I really enjoy her prose, and her ability to make such an intriguing world. However, I do struggle to connect with these characters and their relationships. I will DEFINITELY read other books by this author, but I don't think this particular series is for me. Io isn't a female lead that I connect with, or her relationship with Edei.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.