I really enjoyed the first half of this book so much! The pacing was there, the fantasy/romantasy aspect is phenomenal, and the two-story lines converging was done flawlessly! If you are looking for a really good romantasy that involves blood witches, dragons, and a good love triangle - this story is perfect for you! My favorite thing from this book is how the focus is not just on one group of people - however the objective is the same for everyone! It is like watching a race in the eyes of every contestant! There is also a good twist towards the end providing the "chef's kiss" of the book!
The reason why I did not rate this book 5 stars is because the ending seemed rushed. There was so much happening- too fast- and all at once. Some of the storyline could have been a second book- and I would have preordered it on the spot.

An enchanting, multi-layered fantasy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Unbound by Brittany Gossin is everything I want in a fantasy novel. rich in atmosphere, brimming with imagination, and anchored by characters you can't help but care about. From the very first page, Gossin unveils a world that feels as vivid and intricate as it is magical. Her world-building is nothing short of masterful. It’s the kind of setting you can get lost in, alive with history, culture, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

What really made this story shine for me, though, was how beautifully the multiple POVs were handled. Each character feels fully formed, with distinct voices and emotional arcs that add real weight to the narrative. The perspective shifts don’t just work, they enhance the story. Every time the focus changed, I found myself just as eager to dive into the next point of view as I was to linger in the previous one. It’s a rare balance, and Gossin nails it.

The fantasy elements are fresh and exciting, full of unexpected magic, mythical creatures, and clever twists that keep the plot moving at just the right pace. There’s a real sense of discovery woven into the story, where every chapter feels like a step deeper into something wild and wonderful. It’s inventive without ever feeling overcomplicated, and the sense of wonder is never far from the surface.

If you’re a fan of immersive worlds, emotionally resonant characters, and fantasy that dares to do something a little different, Unbound is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, long after the final page.

Unbound by Brittany Gossin is a fast-paced, magic-filled fantasy adventure with a blend of dragons, witches, heists, and royalty—but while I found plenty to enjoy, it didn’t quite live up to its full potential for me.

The premise is solid: several groups with different motives—thieves, a blood witch, a princess, and a dragon shifter—are all racing to find the Crimson Shard. It’s the kind of setup I usually love, and I was especially drawn to the dual storyline that follows both the royal duo, Avalon and Keagan, and a crew of thieves. The multiple POV structure gave the story a nice variety, though I definitely found myself more invested in Avalon and Keagan’s journey. Their mission felt more emotionally grounded, particularly as they faced the devastation of a plague affecting the dragon shifters.

On the other hand, the thief storyline didn’t grip me quite as much. While the characters had potential, I struggled to fully connect with their motives or dynamics. It felt like there was more tell than show when it came to understanding their relationships and goals, which made their parts of the story feel less impactful.

That said, there’s a lot here to like. The pacing is quick, the action is fun, and there are plenty of twists along the way. The magical elements were exciting and creative, and I enjoyed the found-family moments scattered throughout. I also appreciated the themes of loyalty, power, and learning to trust—even among those who’ve been taught to fear or betray each other.

There were some moments that surprised me and kept me turning the pages, especially toward the end. The final twist really caught me off guard—in a good way—and has me curious about where the series will go next.

Unbound was still an enjoyable fantasy read, especially if you’re looking for something fast-paced with shifting alliances, magical intrigue, and a big ensemble cast. It’s not perfect, but it has heart—and a lot of promise. I’d recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy books with multiple perspectives, morally grey characters, and a dash of romance and rebellion.

This was such a great read. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The world is rich and detailed without feeling overwhelming, and the main character really stood out strong, stubborn, but also vulnerable in a way that felt authentic. I loved watching her grow and push through the challenges thrown at her.

The dragon bond was one of the highlights for me it wasn’t just magical, it was emotional. Their relationship felt earned and added so much depth to the story. The romance was a slow burn (which I love), full of tension and chemistry without taking over the main plot.

There were some side characters I wanted to know more about but overall, it delivered everything I hoped for. Adventure, emotion, magic, and a story that sticks with you after the last page. A strong 4.5 stars and definitely a series I’ll be continuing.

I thought the magic system was quite good.
The hesit plot was similar to me as six of crows but this had dragons and was a bit older than six of crows which I liked.
The multiple povs also were great.
I thought the pacing was good and at times made it unputdownable.

One thing that I enjoyed about this book is the alternating POV chapters. With that being said, I really only cared about Avalon and Keegan's POVS. Malcolm, Rowena, and Zedoc just didn't hold my attention as much as the other two characters.

I also enjoyed how much of a role Avalon ended up playing with the plot. I thought those parts were well written and I wasn't expecting the secrets about her life. I thought Rowena and Avalon interacting with one another once the parties were together was nice.

One of my favorite scenes was the pirate ride with Captain Scarlett. I felt like this was a pivotal point where Avalon and Keegan finally grew closer to one another and quit ignoring their feelings for one another. I felt like Captain Scarlett and his wife really had an impact on both Keegan and Avalon by sharing their life experiences and stories. I enjoyed Keegan being able to fly with the Captain and kind of let go of his troubles and worries for a brief bit in the sky.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Brittany Gossin for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

I really liked the premise of Unbound and felt there was a lot of potential in the story. The Dungeons & Dragons–style quest—complete with secrets, betrayals, and magical challenges—gave the book a strong sense of adventure that was genuinely fun.

However, the writing style just wasn’t for me. The book is told through five different POVs, and the frequent perspective shifts made it difficult to follow the storyline and stay fully engaged. While multiple POVs can add depth, in this case for me, it felt a bit overwhelming.

That said, if you enjoy ensemble casts, high-stakes fantasy, and an epic journey filled with twists, Unbound might still be worth a read.

I really wanted to like this book, and I still think the premise and world hold a lot of promise. The execution simply did not get me there. The 5 points of view felt scattered to me and every time I started to feel immersed in the story, it shift to someone else and I got thrown out of the world. I understand why the author went with the 5 povs, they just proved too distracting for me. I honestly would have preferred separate books in the same timeline bringing them all together in a final installment.

I enjoyed the pursuit of the Crimson Shard and the unifying mission that brought all the characters and the book together. It felt very Lord of the Rings. Malcolm took some work to like but the other characters i felt I connected to easily and was rooting for them. Avalon and Keegan’s romance especially felt super quick, but I was a fan of their relationship. Can I just say the ending felt very abrupt when it came to them!

I would have also liked to see more in depth world building. It was hard for me to be truly immersed with the lack of details, and I had a lot of questions throughout that went unanswered. I would give a second installment a try if only to find out what happens to Avalon and Keegan!

4.25 ⭐️ Loved the book! There was so much tension in this book and I loved that! Waiting for the truth to be revealed too was what kept me reading constantly. I hope there is more to the story as I’d love to see more of Rowena and zedock as well as seeing what the future holds for Ava and Kaegan and Malcolm is just a cocky legend and I can’t wait to see what happens with him. There was so much emotion in this book and the action at the end was gripping! Highly recommend! There is spice 🌶️🌶️ but I loved the story and plot.

I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the multiple POVs and how they really helped highlight how different each character is and their own perspective and I’m a sucker for found family trope so this was a hit for me. The world building is rich and atmospheric, it made me feel like I was a part of the story.

The pacing felt a bit rushed sometimes and I wish I had more time to sit with certain scenes/plot points but even so I appreciate how it juggles multiple characters, heists and everything else going on. It did remind me of Six of Crows but in its own original way and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.

Thank you Net Galley the publisher for this ARC.

I had no idea this had already been published!

This isn’t a standout book for me, however I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing seeing where it goes.

The story has multi povs and characters:
Avalon, a princess desperate for her freedom
Keegan, a dragon protecting his family
Malcolm a thief with golden retriever energy
Rowena, a witch who has her own trauma Zedoc who loyal friend to the crew.

They all have the same goal, but different reasons for that goal.

If you likes six of crows I can see this being a firm favourite

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for this ARC!

Heist, magic, and dragons makes for a fun combo and something I had high hopes for. This one missed the mark for me. The writing style leaned heavier into YA territory than I expected.

There are 5 POVs in this book and it jumps between all of them often.

Three of them form a group reminiscent of Six of Crows - to the point I kept getting distracted. I don't mind pinning - gotta love a slow burn, but some of it came off a bit cringy/repetitive.

I wanted more focus on the storyline and world building.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I didn’t realize this book had already been published, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment one bit. It starts off strong and keeps a fast pace throughout—there was never a dull moment! While the world-building isn’t super deep, it still delivers on all the fantasy essentials: witches, dragon shifters, forbidden romance, and a dash of spice. What more could a fantasy-loving reader ask for? I also loved the multiple POVs and the sense of adventure woven through the story. A fun, fast-paced fantasy escape!

Just finished Unbound by Brittany Gossin and here are my thoughts!! My real score is more a 3.5 than a 3.

This one had everything I love in a fantasy—magic, danger, a high-stakes quest, and a cast of characters with clashing motives that made the whole thing feel so intense and layered.

Keagan is on a mission to find the Crimson Shard to save his family, while Princess Avalon is fighting for her kingdom’s future. They team up (reluctantly, of course), but they’re not the only ones chasing the shard… enter the Syndicate, a shady crime group who’s just as desperate to get their hands on it. Everyone wants the same prize, but for totally different reasons—and that tension? Chef’s kiss.

The story plays out like a grand adventure, full of secrets, betrayals, and magical challenges that test the characters constantly. I really enjoyed the different POVs—it gave me insight into each character’s motivations and made the story feel even more immersive.

The romance was a bit insta-love for me personally, but honestly? It still worked and gave the story some softer moments I appreciated.

My one personal struggle was the third-person narrative—it’s just not my favorite style and sometimes made it harder for me to fully connect emotionally. BUT if you enjoy third-person fantasy, I think you’ll absolutely love how this is written.

Overall, this is a solid, exciting read with a rich world and high-stakes action. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s into magical quests, morally grey enemies, and fantasy that keeps you on your toes!

✨Magic
✨Morally grey vibes
✨Different paths, one prize
✨Fast-paced fantasy with heart

Unbound had some promise. I loved everything to do with the dragons, the blight was an interesting issue to overcome. But the overall pacing of the book felt too fast. And it was also very “insta love” between the main characters, Keagan and Avalon aka River. And then their falling action was so… abrupt. It felt very forced. Like the author forced their break up.

The trio felt unnecessary. I liked the aspect of the blood witches, but again, Rowena’s transition from hating everything to do with the blood witches to becoming their leader happened SO FAST. Like one second she’s clinging to life and the next second she’s suddenly stabbed someone in the back and is now their leader. I don’t know. I just felt like this just wasn’t my read. I enjoyed some aspects of it but to summarize, it all felt rushed. I know it’s the first in a series so hopefully the pacing is better with the next book.

Great world building and good character development (and differentiation!). Loved all the mix of magic, shifters and politics. Some good twists at the end, you sort of saw them coming, but leaves you with questions for book 2 on what's going to happen next. Spice is medium, but since it was a bit of a slow burn, hoping for more in the next book! Only thing that held it back for me was that the trio of thieves felt too close to Six of Crows - the dynamic and personalities was just a bit too familiar - especially for the first half of the book. There is a bit of development as you get to know them and they hold their own - but it just didn't feel as original as the rest of the book to start.

I really liked the premise, but the writing style really isn't for me.

Since this book is now released, I hope that it is heavily edited compared to the ARC-copy. For example, sometimes things happened twice. There is a fighting scene in which there is some description of the scene, then “the witches attacked” then some more description and then again, “the witches attacked”, but there wasn’t any sign that they’d paused or stopped their attacked between these two.
This kind of thing happened several times. I backtracked myself a lot to make sure I hadn't missed anything, that this really did happen twice or we went from here to there without travelling. Another example was when two characters where having a conversation outside their house, and suddenly they were are at the wall, but it was never indicated that they were travelling there.

It's also so clearly inspired by six of crows, which is one of my favorite books, but it's just not hitting the same. The characters, the plot and the world are all underdeveloped. Keagan was the only one who I cared a little about, but the rest I felt absolutely nothing towards. For the plot, it was so sped up, like they end up in high stakes situations and then instantly they’re out if it. In like 10 scentences they manage to get themselves locked in trap powered by magic, disable it and make their way out again. And this happens too many times, they’re just always fine. Over and over again it’s building up to a climax where you’re clearly supposed to wonder how the hell they’re gonna get out of that, but you don’t even have time to finish the thought before they’re out of it.

I genuinely went into this book with high expectations, I really wanted to like it.
Because I read an ARC-copy I will keep this at two stars for the hopes of a lot of editing happened before publishing, but had this been a book I'd bought I'd have rated it 1 or more likely not even finished it.

Unbound is a fun and engaging read. The plot is interesting, and holds your attention.
I felt the world-building to be a bit lacking, however.

The characters were fun, and definitely have protentional. Keagan was by far the most developed character and the only one I really felt a connection too. The magic system was a typical blood magic. I did not find the heist trope to be a main focus point, it was more focused on the journey, and not so much a heist really.

Overall, it fell a bit short for me to be enamored with it, but i did enjoy it all the same. I think the YA writing style held it back. It seemed a bit....basic, maybe. I would have loved some more depth to most of the characters, and the world itself.

I am interested to see how the story and characters progress with the story in the next book.

Three to three and a half stars.
The beginning was very confusing due to an information overload in the first few chapters, but as it progressed the storyline picked up nicely.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.