The Binding: A Novel

Get comfortable because this book is impossible to put down! E I hung on every word on every page and it is my belief that you will too. Sit back, relax, and become enthralled in the lives of Emmet and Lucian. Love, I love this book and wholeheartedly wish for another....

A very enjoyable read. The way it was written was beautifully done, providing elegant details without drawing out too long. And an unexpected love story entangled in the magic of it all. My one remark would be, the beginning of the story is misleading, you feel as if you're about to uncover this magical world of binding and it takes a sharp turn into a love story which fills the entirety of the book. I was so excited to learn more about binding but the love story takes over. Don't get me wrong it's beautiful and magical in and of itself, just not what reels you in at the start of the book. But, hooks you in nonetheless and you don't want to put it down.

On the one hand, this book is very well-written. It does seem more like a young adult novel, so I'm not sure what the big hullabaloo is about the adult vs YA label. I've seen YA books in recent years that are far more explicit than this one (which isn't very). The premise and the universe are fascinating, and they deserved more exploration. On the other hand, I felt rather deceived by this book. Nothing in the promotional material when I bought this book suggested that it was a homosexual romance (or, indeed, any sort of romance). I always have grave doubts about gay male relationships written by women--they seem more likely to be voyeuristic imaginings than potentially realistic. Additionally, I was both confused and disappointed by the negative reaction to the relationship: there seems to be no particular religion in this universe and only a vague set of moral values, and therefore no reason why Emmett's parents would react as they did. Ultimately, the fascinating aspects of the universe seem to be just background for a romance story that I wouldn't have been particularly interested in reading. It feels like a bait-and-switch. Then there's the fact that, based on what little we know about the universe, it seems as if it will be very difficult for the characters to find a happily-ever-after by running away together. Not a satisfying way to end.