The streets are a battleground for humans, vampires, and demons alike—where survival is a skill, love is a weapon, and the most dangerous act is to care for another . . .
Keir is an assassin devoted to Lady Arianne, the last of her royal bloodline. He is sworn to protect her, and that means eliminating any threat to her life. But while on a mission, he is set upon by a pack of demons, barely escaping with his life.
Cleopatra lives by a set of rules so rigid she no longer knows her true self. But her kind and loving nature resurfaces when she finds a man, bloodied and dying. Moved to help him, she risks her future and her life to save a stranger far below her aristocratic station.
Their attraction to each other is as powerful as it is forbidden. But even as their love grows, Keir keeps his true identity a secret—and this lie is not the only threat to their love . . . or their lives.
Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years. Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires. She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, and four rescued cats.
There was a lot her for someone that has not read the first book of this series. I was still drawn in by the secrecy, deceit, backhanded ways, the court life, the life of an assassins, the demons, intrigue, kidnapping, assaults, drama, plots. There was just so much and I just had a hard time putting it down. The danger. The slowing building romance. The everything. I found more than just Keir and Cleo. The world itself was a central figure throughout the story. I anticipate reading more and going back to read book one.
Keur is a vampire who can be invisible which is good for a spy and assassin. Which Keir was for Lady Arianne whom he owed a life debt as Keir is a condemned killer who must stay in the shadows so he won’t be found and killed. Lady Arianne is the last of her bloodline and has many enemies who want to see her dead and has had an assassination attempt on her life. Arianne is the Lord of Galbraith- one of the Cities Below. Lady Adrianne is well protected between Keir and her Captain of the Guard Wolfe Rye. They together try to find out who was behind the assassination attempt. Cleopatra /Cleo is from a rich family and Keir has watched her from afar and cares for her but knows he is very below her and nothing could ever become of ehr and Kier. Then Lady Arianne sends Keir as her Emissary to another City Below- Balinese - to offer aid if needed as there have been reports of Demon attacks. Kier is then severely injured on his way back from a demon attack and falls from the air and lands at Cleo’s feet. Cleo takes care of Keir and he lives, Cleo has never really fit into her station in life as all those around her just want more money and power but all Cleo wants is peace. Cleo’s only friend is Lady Arianne. Cleo is very drawn to Keir and doesn’t even know his name. Cleo hears Keir has died and shuts down. But then she sees Keir again and goes after him. Cleo feels Keir is her other half and Keir finds peace and happiness when he is with Cleo but he can’t have a relationship with her as he owes Lady Arianne a life debt. I liked this story a lot a little of a different twist on a paranormal story. I wish I had read the first book as I was a bit confused at times. But this book has so much to it: Secrecy, deceit, back stabbing ways, vampires, assassins, demons, intrigue, court life, kidnapping, assault, drama, danger, romance, loyalty, life debt, forbidden love and so much more. I wish this story had been a little longer. I loved Cleo and Keir together. This had a good plot and also kept my attention all the way through to the end of the book. I liked the two cousins of Lady Arianne that show up at the end also. I liked the hidden societies. I loved the build up to romance. I liked the characters a lot and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.
This is book 2 in Jen Colly's Cities Below series. She is a new to me author, and I'm glad I decided to read this. I do need to go back and read book 1. I'm always amazed at the different varieties of vampire stories out there, and I never tire of them. This is a very good series, which I will definitely continue. At the heart of this vampire story is loyalty and love. Keir is a vampire who can take Spirit form (invisibility), which makes him a very good spy and assassin for Lady Arianne,who is the last of her bloodline and royal ruler of Galbraith -- one of the Cities Below. Lady Arianne has many enemies who want her assassinated, but she is well-protected by Keir and by Captain of her Guadians, Wolfe Rye. Together, they try to find out who is behind the assassination attempt. Keir is also a condemned killer and must stay always to the shadows so that he won't be discovered and sentenced to death even though he is indebted to Lady Arianne. Cleopatra Bellamont (aka Cleo) is the daughter of an aristrocratic family whom Keir has been infatuated with from afar, but he is way below her class so a relationship of any kind can never be. However, when Lady Arianne sends Keir as her Emissary to another City Below, Balinese, to offer aid if needed due to reports of Demon attacks, Keir is injured by those very same Demons they've heard about when he takes a side trip on his way home. Although Keir makes it back to Galbraith, he is so badly injured that he is not aware of being fed and saved by the very person he has admired from afar, Cleo. As the story goes, they eventually meet again and are both infatuated to the point that love grows, but there are many obstacles for them and many enemies to contend with. I recommend this series to anyone who loves to read vampire novels and likes discovering new authors.
The second book of Colly’s The Cities Below was definitely a different flavor from the first!
Set in an entirely different underground city with a new couple as the center focus — Bound follows Keir and Cleo. Two vampires with completely opposite social standings (think Lady and the Tramp-esque).
As the second book in the series, it was very interesting to see more backstory revealed to us. Our view of the world grows a bit bigger now that city of Galbraith has been added to it. We also get a bit more understanding of vampiric society and nobility and how these societal expectations affect our leading couple (though it never stops them of course).
We also get more of the Colly vampires and their powers. Our leading man Keir is an expert in Spirit — a feat vampires (and demons) can do to make themselves invisible to the naked eye. Though Soren of book one described Spirit, Keir is a bit unique in how well he can use it. I found this to be interesting and am excited for how Colly will expand on this later in the series.
I have to say though, the biggest difference between book one and book two was the spice level. There was just something more heated between book two’s couple that had me fanning myself at times. Perhaps it was the pining, perhaps it was the whole forbidden aspect —whatever it was, the chemistry was amazing and the author outdid herself with the intimate scenes. This was a book I binged in like 3 hours.
Bound picks up where In the Dark left off and much like that first book in the series, the romance side of this tale is more side story to the political intrigue and battles with demons going on in these vampire cities. Most of the story takes place in Galbraith, but we do get some peeks at Balinese and the aftermath of their battle with demons. The romance between Keir and Cleopatra is a slow build with the added bonus of being forbidden. We also have quite the cliffhanger to ponder for the next addition to this series.
I have definitely been looking forward to this book since finishing the first one, and it did not disappoint. It has been years since the first one came out though, and so I reread it before picking this one up. I actually thought it wouldn't matter much what with this one taking place in a different city, but I was wrong. While the story does start out in Galbraith and focuses on there, Balinese gets worked into the story and becomes just as important if not more so by the end. And I was super happy about that. I was hoping to get more of the people from Balinese here, but wasn't actually expecting it. So I'm really looking forward to where this story is going.
The world building continues to be great and I really like the idea of these hidden cities and how beautiful they can still be. The new characters introduced here were just as well developed and interesting as the previous ones, and some of them I would love to get more of.
Arianne is the lord of the hidden city of Galbraith. I really liked her as a character. Last of her royal lineage there are many who would like to see her gone. But she has an unknown protector. Keir should be dead but was spared by Arianne in exchange for him keeping her safe. No one can know he still lives, and no one can know that he kills for his Lady. Being able to remain in spirit form for and incredible amount of time, he is a great asset...and even better assassin. But when word from Balinese reaches them about the demons, Arianne doesn't trust anyone else to send word back to them except for Keir. He's not happy about it, but he goes. That was a fun trip. Keir leaves Balinese suspicious but doesn't give it too much thought until he too gets attacked by demons. He barely makes it back to his city alive with the sun quickly rising. So he does the only thing he can think of, he goes into spirit and falls into the city. Landing right in front of Cleo.
Cleopatra is a well bred aristocrat but she has never fit into that life. While all those around her scheme for more money and power, she just wants a life of peace. Her only friend is Lady Arianne, but she can hardly spend much time with her. She finds herself and her life changing at a rapid pace when an attractive, yet terrifying, man appears in front of her. She helps to save Keir's life without knowing a thing about him as she is strangely drawn to him. Despite the brief encounter, when Cleo hears that he has died, that she was unable to save him, she pretty much shuts down. Until, by chance, she sees him again and chases him.
Keir has loved Cleo for a very long time but always knew they could never be together. Their stations are just to far apart, and how could someone as innocent as her accept what kind of man he was. So he doesn't know what to do when Cleo keeps wanting to see him and be with him. Cleo feels that he is her other half so she doesn't even care that she doesn't know his name. Keir fights himself with every minute they spend together. He finds so much peace and happiness with her, but he has a life debt to Arianne that cannot be ignored.
Everything blows up with another attempt on Arianne's life where Keir has been seen while protecting her. Forced to flee the city so as not to be linked back to Arianne, Keir makes his way to Balinese. Navarre is still in his healing sleep, showing no changes. Leaving Savard as acting Lord and Soren as acting Captain. But old habits die hard and Savard ends up with his hands in everything. When Keir shows back up in his city he's quick to take him on as his own bodyguard. Keir is surprised with the lack of concern his new Lord shows over his past, but this city looks to be a great place for him to start again. And with Cleo on her way, he can't wait.
When Cleo's father kidnaps her from Balinese, he has great ambitions. But his coup fails when his actions bring about the possibility of war with another city, giving Arianne the reason she needs to take him down. With Arianne's life not in as much danger, Keir is free to return to Balinese. Definitely a good thing because the demons are not as dead as they all thought and the city is still in danger.
I loved Arianne's two cousins that showed up near the end. I really hope we get more of them in the future. I also can't wait to find out what Cat really is. Though I have an idea or two of what she could be. And I have very little doubt that she's going to end up as Navarre's mate...
The streets are a battleground for humans, vampires, and demons alike—where survival is a skill, love is a weapon, and the most dangerous act is to care for another . . .
Keir is an assassin devoted to Lady Arianne, the last of her royal bloodline. He is sworn to protect her, and that means eliminating any threat to her life. But while on a mission, he is set upon by a pack of demons, barely escaping with his life.
Cleopatra lives by a set of rules so rigid she no longer knows her true self. But her kind and loving nature resurfaces when she finds a man, bloodied and dying. Moved to help him, she risks her future and her life to save a stranger far below her aristocratic station.
Their attraction to each other is as powerful as it is forbidden. But even as their love grows, Keir keeps his true identity a secret—and this lie is not the only threat to their love . . . or their lives.
Review:
So, this is an instance that I should have been paying attention and read the first book in the series before reading the second. For me I was a little confused at first. I think reading the first book would have mad me understand this world a little more. I am still not sure on some things, so I will go back and read the first book and hopefully it will make sense then.
That being said, I did like the story. It is an interesting take on the vampire, demon mythology. There is a lot of intrigue going on in this story that made it tense and exciting at points. When you think of court life with the agendas and backstabbing they are exactly what you have in this book. I liked the hidden societies and how they work underground compared to the humans above ground. I really liked the build-up in the romance between Keir and Cleo. Even though Keir has been watching her for years, he still tries to keep distance between them but Cleo is having none of that. One of the many reasons I liked Cleo. Thought the Author is a great writer and made a very engaging, exciting romance. I will be waiting to see what happens next, that is after I go back and read book one...
4Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*
While this book started off a bit confusing, since I hadn't read the first book in the series, I really got into it very quickly! The love between the two main characters grabbed me and held on tight. It pulled my heartstrings and made me wish the book was much longer.
Keir Falderra is an assassin, bound to his mistress through an unbreakable life debt to the Lady of Galbraith. When an assignment leads to him being gravely injured, he goes to the only person he trusts besides his Lady: Cleopatra Bellamont. Cleo is an aristocrat, sheltered in a suffocating world of endless balls and false smiles. On her way home one evening, a man suddenly appears at her feet, bleeding and looking at her with eyes full of love and adoration. She saves his life, and with one act of great courage, sets in motion events which will lead to great love and great sorrow.
Keir and Cleo were one of my favorite couples ever written in a book! The instant chemistry between them was pure magic, and while it could have come off as insta-love and unrealistic, their relationship took on a life of its own. It leapt off the page and straight into my soul. Keir is a servant, low on the totem pole compared to Cleo, but he has watched her from afar for years. Cleo has never found love, and when she meets Keir for the first time, she realizes he is who she has been waiting for. She doesn't care that the rest of society would think him beneath her. Love trumps society's expectations in her eyes, and she wastes no time making sure Keir was aware of her love for him. She was wonderful and so was he.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I am most anxious to read more about the Lady of Galbraith, but reading about Cat will be amazing. She is a strong, unique character who is sure to be entertaining.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
3.5 This book was a bit hard for me to rate. To me, it was much less a romance as it is marketed and more of a political urban fantasy. The main two the story is said to be about seemed like side characters to much bigger things going on in the plot. At the beginning there were a lot of names and it overwhelmed me a bit. There wasn't much romance in my opinion and the love interest leading lady cried. Oy, the crying. Okay, that's why it got knocked down a couple stars, now....
Sword fighting, hell yes. Cool vampires with wicked powers, all for it. Political intrigue and mystery. I'm there. Redhead in an executioner's arena taking out demons with a giant panther by her side...SO worth reading. If you read it as an entire world in a series, there is so much building and I cannot wait to read what's next. Can we all talk about Cat, now? SHE is a woman after my heart. I know, Keir was cool. Yeah yeah. But.....CAT!!!
So glad the next book comes out in a couple months. Cat's book!
'Bound" by Jen Colly is book Two in" The Cities Below" series. This is the story of Keir and Cleo. I haven't read the previous book and did feel with this one I should have. It started off somewhat confusing at first because of that but it quickly took off for me. Keri is what we would call a servant and Cleo would be the upper class type person. Keri has watched Cleo from afar with the knowledge he is out of her league. Until one day he is hurt and needs someone he can trust which would be Cleo at the time. Cleo has never been in love and knew she was waiting for someone special...and that person appears to be Keri. "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
Was a good read first i have read in the series will be checking out the rest of them and cant wait to try some of her other books.I enjoyed this it quickly sucked me in and did not want to put it down.Would recommend