Bound: THE CRYSTOR Series

My Summary:

Kira's mom thinks she's a mouse and underfoot. Her only friend is Lydia but there's something up with her eyes that Kira can't quite pin down. Then there's this feeling of being watched. But the truth is so far from anything Kira ever imaged. As a trip to the mountains to take pictures turns to a fight for survival, Kira must make a choice. Will she risk her life to safe her friend or run away like the frightened mouse her mom believes her to be? What about the mysterious brother that Kira didn't know she had? Why does he seem to know her? What are the feeling Kira sees in his eyes and in her own heart? As the danger increases, will any of them survive or will Kira find the strength to overcome the odds?

My Thoughts:

3 stars - a good read

What is different and unique about Bound is the mythology that C.K. weaves through its pages. It's not a fey world but there is magic. It's not a werewolf world but there is shape-shifting. It's not a vampire world but there is blood lust. Tying all of these things together with "out of this world" lure, C.K. creates a very original world.

The characters are complex and entertaining. Kira is quiet and reserved but has a feisty side that is quickly brought out by Octavion. His temper and rough edges motivate a stronger side of Kira. They complement each other well but of course they can't make it that easy for each other. Lydia is very interesting. The mystery of her kindred spirit is another very original aspect of this book. I really want to know what happens with that aspect of the book in Broken.

While this book really starts as an urban fantasy, but it's more of an epic fantasy. If that's your thing, than this is a good one to pick up.

Bound, C.K. Bryant's thrilling debut novel, is original and action packed. This is not a book for the faint of heart. Hold onto your seat, because you never know what is coming on the next page. It is easy to fall in love with the characters you are supposed to love and easy to hate those you are supposed to hate. I want to travel to this new world and explore it. I can't wait for the sequel to do just that. This book will take you away from the everyday to the unique.

WOW so this wasn't my absolute favorite book ever (but I have just too many to choose from), but a definite must read again. I think Christine did really great in this book and my daughter and I have both been patiently awaiting the next book "Broken" to come out. I really couldn't put it down and I hope other readers out there will be able to find this book and read it. Its worth it I promise you that. Thanks for sharing you imagination and talent with us Christine.

I read "Bound" in a matter of days, and enjoyed Christine's fresh take on YA fantasy. The book was a swashbuckling adventure, full of creativity with characters demonstrating a fierce loyalty and unconquerable spirit. This is the first book of a trilogy, and she has set up an exciting tale that will carry onto her next books.

The first thing that struck me about this book is the depth it has. The characters themselves are very deep... they have layers. I would just start to feel like I knew the characters when SURPRISE they would do something I didn't expected. Take Kira for example; she loves her best friend Lydia like a sister, has and awful home life, and suddenly learns a secret that will change her life forever. No pressure. The way her character handles everything is, to me, remarkable. She will do anything to help her friend but she doesn't just blindly jump into things. She thinks about the best move to make, and doesn't let a pesky warrior bully her into submission. One thing that stood out for me about Kira is she doesn't have a perfect home life as many main characters do. She actually has to deal with many emotional things that make you want to step in and hug her.

This book is full of page turning anticipation that coupled with the amazing plotline gives you a story you should not miss. This book is full of action, love, self-discovery, the tests of friendship, and having faith in those closest to you. A must read for all paranormal romance lovers!

The cover of this book is exquisite. The girl on the cover perfectly matches my image of Kira, the intensity in her gaze matches up perfectly with her attitude. This book would be a great gift, especially if the receiver appreciates a well-written story that has a beautiful cover to match.
I give this book 4.5 stars; Very Highly Recommended
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Bound By Christine Bryant is a young adult parnaormal romance and the first in The Crystor Trilogy. I have actually had the privelege of reading Bound more than once and can honestly say that I grew to love the characters even more the second time I read it.
Bound starts off with Kira, an average girl who struggles with fitting in, lacks the physical strength to climb that blasted rope in gym and is counting down the days to graduation. She has issues with her mom and her step dad, and finds peace only when she is with her best friend Lydia.
Lydia convinces Kira to go on a photo shoot with her in the mountains and that is when Kira's normal everyday life gets shot to pieces and nothing is the same again. It is when Kira discovers there is more, much more to her best friend of two years. The kinds of things that take Kira by surprise and test the strength of her friendship with Lydia.
Then there is the discovery of Lydia's older brother, Octavian. He is incredibly handsome, super protective and brooding. He confuses Kira with his upredicatable attitude and she doesn't know whatquite to make of him. Then he asks her to make a choice that will forever alter her life and lead her on the path of discovering life beyond the world she knows. To discover mythical creatures, beautiful worlds, evil villians, new found abilities and adventures she never dreamed existed. These things come at a price though. She must leave all she has ever known behind, and never look back, because more than just Kira's life depends on it.
Can Kira make the choice necessary and is she willing to give up what she knows for the hope and promise of something more? As things heat up between her and Octavian, and she finds how deep the bonds of friendship can really go, she learns she is being hunted and she must turn to the two people who would show her what love, family and freindship are all about . All leading up to a climatic ending you won't expect that will leave you begging for more.
But in order for you to find out all the juicy details you have to read Bound! It isn't your regular paranormal romance, there are great surprises waiting inside to be revealed. Christine's imagination is phenomenal and her descriptions are so clear you feel at times you can reach out and feel the cold water rush by, or see the brilliant sky and hear the wind rustle gently in your ear. Not to mention the way she describes her characters. They take on a three dementional life of their own.
I love how Kira learns she is not someone to be easily manipulated or pushed around as she once believed. I think the strength and courage she displays allows one to look into themselves to see where they can make weak things strong within themselves.
I love the bonds of friendship that Lydia and Kira hold strong. That they are willing to move beyond what is expected to create something extraordianary. I love Lydia's loyalty and selflessness to Kira. She always looks for ways to help Kira be who she really is but could never see for herself.
And Octavian is wonderful to read. He is strong and powerful and sometimes callous until he starts to realize his behavior has consequenses. Octavian then fights the warrior inside himself to find the compassion he once possessed. He learns that he can open himself up and not be guarded all the time. I love the changes in him as he remembers who he once was as he strives to bring parts of himself back to balance in with the protective warrior he was forced to become.
I felt the plot has surprising twists and turns that leave you wondering what is going to happen next. I thought it was well played out and that subplots that ran through it supported the over all direction of the story line. I felt that the characters were well developed and grew as they learned and recongnized things about themselves to help them be stronger. I felt that the world of Kira, Lydia and Octavian was beautifully written .

The beginning of the book is so great that it leaves you kind of wanting more once you hit the middle part... It was sort of confusing to me but as I got into the characters I fell in love. Also, in the beginning I was SO confused about Octavion -- it made him seem like he was a ghost or something.... And I didn't understand why Lydia needed to go to school... Or if she did why didn't Ovtavion go to college? Overall the book was intriguing and I had to get the 2nd; I'm glad I did because I fell in love with the series!!!

What makes the story are the characters. They're complex with a lot of issues. i got a little bored with the setting but Octavian kept me coming back for more. i just wanted to peel back all his layers and figure out why he was so angry, protective, and still loving brother. He is a bit of a control freak but so is Edward Cullen (from twilight) and everyone still loves him. Octavian's sister has a ton going on with her multiple personality/kindred spirit disorder. The world building was creative, the author came up with new and unheard of stuff which takes some real guts. She didn't rely on already established magical creatures like hobbits and elves. I'm excited to see where she goes with the next book.

I knew when I got my hands on this book I was going to love it. Can't wait for what comes next!

I have read both books and really enjoyed them and I am still waiting for the third edition hope it come out this year.