Blood Bound Read Along | Week Two
Welcome back to Week Two of our Blood Bound Read Along for Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter.
This week brings us even more answers, more action, and several new questions that have me spinning theories already.
Skylar’s Hidden Power
Let’s start with the assassination attempts. There are two of them—one targeting Astrid and one targeting Skylar.
The assassin never reveals who ordered the attacks. It’s hinted that magic is literally keeping his tongue tied, but more importantly, the punishment introduces us to a new power.
A power that’s been hunted to almost extinction.
A power that Skylar possesses.
She can kill with her touch, drawing the life from anyone she chooses. She buried that ability so deeply that she convinced herself she was powerless.
Then we get the heartbreaking glimpse into her past—her mother stealing the life from a flower, being hunted, and ten-year-old Skylar killing the man who came to murder her.
No wonder she buried that power.
We also learn just how casually the king admits he ordered Skylar’s death—and the death of the person who claimed she’d already been eliminated—simply because he didn’t believe it.
Man…
I hate the king.
I usually do in books like this.
Zryan Keeps Winning Me Over
That brings me back to the prince.
We see torture in the king’s presence and mercy in his absence. The fact that Astrid witnesses both sides makes it even better because we’re slowly being shown exactly who Zryan really is.
I had an inkling from the beginning.
But the softness he continues to show Astrid…I’m into it.
He wants to know her.
He seems to care more about the people than protecting his father’s legacy.
I see the same thing in Axel—the desire to fight for those suffering under the king instead of simply accepting the way things are.
My Biggest Theory So Far
All of this has me wondering…
Between the blight consuming Astrid’s kingdom and the wasteland spreading through Zryan’s, is the Heart actually failing both kingdoms?
Is separating the kingdoms—and forcing the heirs into this deadly tradition—instead of working together the very thing destroying the Heart?
And what if…
“Two become one.”
Does that mean uniting the kingdoms?
Sharing the Heart?
Joining their families?
Maybe even…hint hint…a romance?
I’m still convinced there’s a loophole coming, and this theory only feels stronger after Week Two.
Other Moments I Loved
The trip to Dragon Island was fantastic.
Watching Skylar run free and begin rediscovering her abilities was one of my favorite parts of this section.
I also really enjoyed the growing connection between Skylar and Axel.
I’m not sure whether Skylar is interested in men, but if she is…I’m definitely shipping them. The way Axel shares something personal with her felt incredibly genuine, and I love a slow build to intimacy, whether it becomes romance or simply a deep friendship.
Astrid’s mother leaving to fight the blight also has me nervous.
What’s going to happen while she’s gone?
Will Astrid be forced to grow into her powers sooner than expected just to survive?
I’m hoping so.
Overall, Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter continues to build the world beautifully while raising the stakes with every chapter. I have a feeling everything we’ve learned so far is about to collide in Part Three.
If you’re loving fantasy romance filled with dragons, magic, and slow-burn romance, don’t miss our July Bite Me Box featuring Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray. It’s your last chance to grab this summer’s featured box before it’s disappears beneath the waves!
Alrighty, I’ll see you next week as we read through Chapter 44.
Until then, happy reading!
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