Blood Bound: A Review

How Two Best Friends From Publishing Wrote A Fantasy Novel Together

A few years ago, two best friends who met in the publishing industry decided to write a book together. What feels like a dream for many readers, soon became reality for Katie Ellis-Brown and Becky Hunter, as their fantasy debut Blood Bound was born.

I've always wondered how co-authors navigated their unique dynamic, but whatever happens behind the scenes seems to be working. Collaborative works such as Zodiac Academy, Direbound, and Blood and Betrayals have taken the world by storm, and Blood Bound is sure to follow.

What is Blood Bound About?

I was lucky enough to get a coveted early copy in September 2025, and haven't stopped talking about it. The story follows two women, Astrid and Skylar, who come from completely different walks of life but have one thing in common: a distrust for the king of Vatra.

Astrid has trained her whole life to battle the heir of Vatra for control over the source of magic. However, as the duel draws closer she becomes suspicious of the secretive royal family. Uniting with Skylar, who is on her own mission to uncover the truth; the women develop a powerful friendship which they will draw strength from, as shocking twists push them to their limits.

Tropes, Subversions, and Female Friendship at the Heart of the Story

The headline feature of Blood Bound, for me, is the way tropes are flipped on their heads, and repurposed for the modern reader. Everything you think you know about foreshadowing is called into question, as your theories and ideas fall apart with each new revelation. I really appreciated female friendship being at the heart of this story, as Ellis Hunter explores platonic love in addition to the romantic.

"Everything you think you know about foreshadowing is called

       into question, as your theories and ideas fall apart with each

new revelation."

That brings us to Zryan and his massive dragon. I personally am a huge fan of his green-flag behaviour and I suspect the authors chose him to look like a typical male love interest, but switched it up to create a character who prioritises open and honest communication, amongst other positive traits (is that too much to ask??). The dragons and other animal familiars steal the show, with their comedic timing and flawless banter elevating the reading experience.

I found myself highlighting so many one-liners, and creating

a stash of Salem the Cat memes on my phone. You will be

spoilt for choice deciding which creature is your favourite.

Is Blood Bound Worth the Hype?

I am always cautious about giving away spoilers, so I can't expand too much more on why this is heralded as "the fantasy debut of the year", but what I can tell you is that this book surprised me in the most fabulous and exciting ways. If there's one thing I love whilst I'm reading a new story, it's being shocked. My mouth was hanging open at the end of Blood Bound, and I truly cannot wait for more people to discover why this is definitely worth the hype.

Want to hear more from the authors?

We were so lucky to sit down for a Q&A with Ellis Hunter to talk all things Blood Bound. You can catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel, keep an eye on our social media for the link.

Written by: Heather, Bonus Chapter Host

Heather joined Chapter 25 in 2024 when she discovered a club in her small town. After meeting many like-minded readers, she was invited to host the Bonus Chapter clubs for her favourite genres: fantasy and romance. Using her knowledge of book trends and keen eye for spotting the next big thing, she hopes to share books that will excite and thrill Chapter 25 members.