Author: Olivia K. Motto
Series: Her Forsaken Mates
First Published: 02 May 2024
“Hold on, Little Thief. Almost there.”
I will start by saying that I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Olivia for sending a copy my way!
Everyone deserves a second chance …
Committing a crime will land you a one-way ticket into the Redemption Program, where you will need to earn your freedom by completing Acts of Kindness. Fail this, and the punishment is death.
Ethan has just committed a serious crime. He prefers to speak with actions, not words, and his temper is what landed him in the Program.
Isaac is the personification of the sun; warm, positive, and willing to do anything to help others.
When Isaac is assigned to be Ethan’s Redeemer, a person entrusted with helping others to complete the Program, Ethan is less than impressed. It doesn’t take long for Isaac’s constant cheer and positivity to grate on Ethan’s nerves. But the more they get to know each other, the more Ethan slowly begins to lower his walls, and feels his defences come crashing down.
But what they don’t realise is that someone desperately doesn’t want Ethan to succeed in his Program, and they will stop at nothing to see him fail.
If you know me, you know I love a why choose plot-driven fantasy paranormal romance. I was quite frankly devastated and in a big book funk after I finished the final book in the Her Vicious Beast series by E.P. Bali and the fact that the Mate Games universe by K. Lorraine and Meg Ann is wrapping up, so I had no idea what series I was going to devour and obsess over next and then my dreams were answered. Enter Bonds of the Forsaken by Olivia K. Motto. This is oh my god just perfection.
We are following Kaiya, who works for the Capital, collecting relics, which are dangerous mage artefacts. Her last hunt almost killed her and she lost her childhood sweetheart. Kaiya’s job is important and part of the government’s Science Department. By collecting these relics, she protects people from being corrupted by magic. She’s thrown herself into healing and training because she’s desperate to go on her next mission. Her benefactor and boss, Lady Arryn, finally decided to let her go on her next mission. Kaiya is beyond excited. She is less excited, however, that she’s been roped into attending this mission with the Fae Prince Jaeil, who’s an outcast of the Fae Court and a suave playboy. She wants nothing to do with him. Also, after the disaster that was her last mission, she’s determined to work alone as she doesn’t want to risk losing anyone. But the call of the job is too tempting to ignore, as they must go to the Forgotten Isles, the land of the mages, to collect this powerful relic. Cue the chaos.
The world gives me similar vibes to Lyra’s Oxford in His Dark Materials. It has a steampunk vibe, which I love. We are thrown into the world as we follow Kiya on her latest mission. I love the history and politics we discover, like the Mages were a powerful race with multiple abilities. Over time, their magic corrupts and turns them into wraiths. Now the Capital is anti-mage, with mage hunters who go out to capture mages and put them in iron collars meant to dampen their magic, in hopes of protecting them. There is this sinister undertone to this that not all is what it seems.
Kaiya is headstrong and closed off, which makes sense after her last mission. She also has a secret that, if uncovered, could end her life. Her biggest worry is being seen as a monster or being the reason that people get hurt. I did want to shake her at times because she will need to trust people to survive. Away from the Capital, Kaiya is slowly uncovering that all she’s been taught might be a lie.
The romance is a slow-burn build of a why choose. I loved the introduction to all our guys, Jaeil, Tye, Liam, Rien, and Lynk. There are some complicated histories and feelings, so I’m interested to see how their dynamic plays out.
I will say, Miss Olivia, what was the ending of the first book? I did sit there crying on my couch while listening to the last handful of chapters. And then you just ended the book mid-sentence in the middle of the dire situation. So, to no one’s surprise, I did pick up book two right away!
I am absolutely captivated by Bonds of the Forsaken. This is 100% my type of bonkers why-choose romance. We have all my favourites: a lush, unique magic system, complex politics, all wrapped up in a why choose romance. I highly recommend!
