Tiera McMillian's Reviews > Fated Bonds

My Advice to Other Readers: Do not pick this up unless you have read the previous series.

2.5-3 Stars for me. This blurb clearly states that you do not need to have read the previous series in order to enjoy this one. That is NOT THE CASE. I am so bummed that I listened to the blurb instead of just finding the root series. The author immediately starts this series off with random bits from the last series that aren't explained in any way shape or fashion. The random bits include events from the previous series as well as characters that are never really "met" but are constantly mentioned throughout the first 53%(Chapters 1-12) During that time period I highlighted over 20 places when random tidbits/characters are mentioned but never expounded upon. This constantly throws a reader, new to this series, off. I would totally understand a couple of spots that would vaguely clue the reader in that a series before this occurred but it was constant in the first 1/2 of the book. Absolutely no world building or character building occurred in this book due to the fact that it obviously (and is made mention of) happened in the last series.

You cannot say a reader new to this world will be able to get in here without reading the first series, if that is not the case. There is too much backstory that happened in the last series to even begin to understand whats going on here. That all being said the 2nd half of the book barely mentions the previous series and we finally start to build on the characters, however little, and we also start delving into what this series is going to be about. I did in fact enjoy the 2nd half of the book for the most part. I still have way too many unanswered questions but there is definitely hope for this series.

I am really disappointed in this, only because I could have just as easily started with the beginning of the last series instead of listening to the advice the blurb gives. Now I'm salty, and though I may eventually find my way to the beginning seeing all these wonderful reviews, I'm going to abstain for a while.