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Binding Words #2
Life Bonds
Sean discovered that words do indeed have power, and Agreements are binding in this world, where the Queens of the Fey rule.Fleeing the burning village of Oakwood, with Feline Moonbound pursuing them, Sean, Fiona Mithrilsoul, and Myna Mooncaller will have to find a way to coexist as they cross the wilds to distance themselves from the atrocities behind them.The uncertainty of what will come constantly gnaws at Sean. Fiona is with him, now Bonded for ten years, but Myna has been Life Bonded to him. Trying to sort out his mixed-up feelings, Sean worries what might happen with the woman he loves and the friend he pulled back from death’s door.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2019
923 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schinhofen
66 books1,311 followersDaniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 1, 2019
This book is slice of life like a lot of this authors other books and by no means is a bad thing. However by the end of this novel I felt like nothing really happened. Since im a really nice guy i'll sum up the whole thing for you below in a few sentences to save you the time so you can move on to another book. Hopefully book 3 has more substance than this one.
March 5, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
I liked the first book better. There wasn't a whole lot that happened in this book. Sean didn't really learn any new skills or magic, he just practiced the stuff he knew a lot. He now has a life bond with Myna which is a little tough because he is in love with Fiona. The fact that Myna and Sean share the same soul with their life bond means that they will end up loving each other so that causes some friction between Sean, Myna and Fiona.
There was a lot of repetitiveness in this story. Sean kept getting upset at the way people would treat Fiona and Myna and they would calm him down and say that is the way the world works. Myna would hit on Sean and he would say he is not ready and doesn't want to cheat on Fiona. Sean kept talking about his one friend back home and how well he would be handling things in this world instead of him. (I have to wonder if that friend from earth is going to pop in in one of the later books as a villain or something, because he is brought up way to much for someone that hasn't physically been present in the story yet. Maybe his friend had something to do with him being killed by Thor in the First book? He was the one that picked the bar and didn't show up.)
Despite all that I still really like the characters, while I did think is took Sean way to long to accept the practicality of his situation, the author didn't quite draw it out long enough to make it a problem. I am still more of a "The journey is more important than the destination" kind of guy and this story is exactly that.
I liked the first book better. There wasn't a whole lot that happened in this book. Sean didn't really learn any new skills or magic, he just practiced the stuff he knew a lot. He now has a life bond with Myna which is a little tough because he is in love with Fiona. The fact that Myna and Sean share the same soul with their life bond means that they will end up loving each other so that causes some friction between Sean, Myna and Fiona.
There was a lot of repetitiveness in this story. Sean kept getting upset at the way people would treat Fiona and Myna and they would calm him down and say that is the way the world works. Myna would hit on Sean and he would say he is not ready and doesn't want to cheat on Fiona. Sean kept talking about his one friend back home and how well he would be handling things in this world instead of him. (I have to wonder if that friend from earth is going to pop in in one of the later books as a villain or something, because he is brought up way to much for someone that hasn't physically been present in the story yet. Maybe his friend had something to do with him being killed by Thor in the First book? He was the one that picked the bar and didn't show up.)
Despite all that I still really like the characters, while I did think is took Sean way to long to accept the practicality of his situation, the author didn't quite draw it out long enough to make it a problem. I am still more of a "The journey is more important than the destination" kind of guy and this story is exactly that.
February 6, 2019
First off, Daniel is a very good writer but there are aspects of his work which don't appeal to me and the rating I've assigned reflects that.
I've said before that I find his books often bog down in an emotional morasse, and this did that too often. The previous book in this series was better balanced in that regard, but I in vol. 2 found myself flipping past many pages of the characters talking about their feelings in a self-reinforcing loop.
This is a shame, because I like the premise of the story and the potential of this world. The MC is mildly annoying with his tsundere-ish issues with the female characters, but is otherwise not too much of a dipstick. Some ruthless editing is in order to balance the story more, and I estimate that close to 50 pages could be omitted without losing anything essential to the story.
This may seem like a rant, but these are things that may not bother others and I don't want to put you off if you're one of them. I won't malign the author, as he is doing what is obviously important to him . At least it must be, as it crops up a LOT in his books. As always, YMMV.
I've said before that I find his books often bog down in an emotional morasse, and this did that too often. The previous book in this series was better balanced in that regard, but I in vol. 2 found myself flipping past many pages of the characters talking about their feelings in a self-reinforcing loop.
This is a shame, because I like the premise of the story and the potential of this world. The MC is mildly annoying with his tsundere-ish issues with the female characters, but is otherwise not too much of a dipstick. Some ruthless editing is in order to balance the story more, and I estimate that close to 50 pages could be omitted without losing anything essential to the story.
This may seem like a rant, but these are things that may not bother others and I don't want to put you off if you're one of them. I won't malign the author, as he is doing what is obviously important to him . At least it must be, as it crops up a LOT in his books. As always, YMMV.
February 4, 2019
The book feels mostly like a slice of life story with occasional short-lived bouts of extreme violence. There are hints at an overarching plot and important things to come but there's not much here.
At the end of the book, it felt as if, nothing really happened. If I had to sum up the book it's; "A story of people who drink a lot of tea, eat a bunch of stuff and visit a bunch of inns where they spend most of their time talking about their feelings.
It's not bad per se, it just feels like it lacks focus, progress, and plot. Much of the journey could've been distilled down into 50% or even 25% of what we got. Because it's effectively a chain of the same scene repeating several times. MC and bonded reach a village, sell some stuff, visit the Inn, drink a lot of tea, eat stuff and possibly get into a bar fight. Rinse and repeat. That's pretty much the entire book.
At the end of the book, it felt as if, nothing really happened. If I had to sum up the book it's; "A story of people who drink a lot of tea, eat a bunch of stuff and visit a bunch of inns where they spend most of their time talking about their feelings.
It's not bad per se, it just feels like it lacks focus, progress, and plot. Much of the journey could've been distilled down into 50% or even 25% of what we got. Because it's effectively a chain of the same scene repeating several times. MC and bonded reach a village, sell some stuff, visit the Inn, drink a lot of tea, eat stuff and possibly get into a bar fight. Rinse and repeat. That's pretty much the entire book.
February 24, 2020
A whole lot of nothing
This is quite the frustrating installment as it does not advance at all the overall plot
We are subject to a road trip episode where every single meal is described in excruciating details including if it is tasty and how the beverage complements it or not. Even the snacks are described or the type of tea taken. And the minutia of the trip like making camp, breaking camp is detailed. I think the intent of the author was to make us see through the eyes of Sean the way of living in this world. However it is drowned in boring elements with some jolt of actions from time to time.
It was so boring that I felt ripped of. The first volume was already borderline but this one is right smack in the middle of it. I do not think I will buy the next installment as I am not confident that there would be a story worth of a book.
This is quite the frustrating installment as it does not advance at all the overall plot
We are subject to a road trip episode where every single meal is described in excruciating details including if it is tasty and how the beverage complements it or not. Even the snacks are described or the type of tea taken. And the minutia of the trip like making camp, breaking camp is detailed. I think the intent of the author was to make us see through the eyes of Sean the way of living in this world. However it is drowned in boring elements with some jolt of actions from time to time.
It was so boring that I felt ripped of. The first volume was already borderline but this one is right smack in the middle of it. I do not think I will buy the next installment as I am not confident that there would be a story worth of a book.
August 17, 2021
UPDATE: Started reading this book without looking at the categories it was placed in. Just realized it's a harem/erotica series. lol. Made it to book 7 and I had to come back and edit this review. It's a pretty good series.
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When is this guy gonna get to saving the world instead of building a harem? And what's up with all the Master this, and Master that. Geez. It's like the author is living a fetish through this book. I have zero hopes of this series getting any better. Enough of the slave/master orgy smut roleplaying. Get to the heroism and chivalry already.
--
When is this guy gonna get to saving the world instead of building a harem? And what's up with all the Master this, and Master that. Geez. It's like the author is living a fetish through this book. I have zero hopes of this series getting any better. Enough of the slave/master orgy smut roleplaying. Get to the heroism and chivalry already.
January 5, 2020
Jarringly inconsistent from book 1
This sequel is like it's from a different series. Is there a term for when the author changes the rules of a world without mentioning it? Wile I loved Morrigan's Bidding, I found this book to be aggravating, infuriating, and redundant. Yes it has a nice ending and I liked the last quarter of the book, I did not enjoy reading it over all. Enslavement, rape, and sneering bigotry are not things I enjoy reading about one little bit. not fun at all. The flaws in this book were so annoying that that made me notice the flaws in book 1 I was having too much fun to notice.
Huge gripe #1 is all the female characters have horror stories (that go on way too long and get way too personal) about the system that humiliated them. they all suffer from traumas great and small. and then they tell Sean that he must take up his place as a master within this system, and to basically "not rock the boat" and to "just get used to it". I found myself muttering swear words in disgust. Some very dubious mixed messages about domination and misogyny that further diminished what little enjoyment I could wring out of this book."
Huge gripe #2 is that Daniel Schinhofen seems to have significantly changed the magic system of how this world works. I was intrigued by the world building and then he seems to just pull the rug out from under the previously established conventions.
Things do pick up later in the book, and I have some hope for book 3 but Damn. what a let down from one book to the next. This book is still better than that god awful cover.
This sequel is like it's from a different series. Is there a term for when the author changes the rules of a world without mentioning it? Wile I loved Morrigan's Bidding, I found this book to be aggravating, infuriating, and redundant. Yes it has a nice ending and I liked the last quarter of the book, I did not enjoy reading it over all. Enslavement, rape, and sneering bigotry are not things I enjoy reading about one little bit. not fun at all. The flaws in this book were so annoying that that made me notice the flaws in book 1 I was having too much fun to notice.
Huge gripe #1 is all the female characters have horror stories (that go on way too long and get way too personal) about the system that humiliated them. they all suffer from traumas great and small. and then they tell Sean that he must take up his place as a master within this system, and to basically "not rock the boat" and to "just get used to it". I found myself muttering swear words in disgust. Some very dubious mixed messages about domination and misogyny that further diminished what little enjoyment I could wring out of this book."
Huge gripe #2 is that Daniel Schinhofen seems to have significantly changed the magic system of how this world works. I was intrigued by the world building and then he seems to just pull the rug out from under the previously established conventions.
Things do pick up later in the book, and I have some hope for book 3 but Damn. what a let down from one book to the next. This book is still better than that god awful cover.
February 7, 2019
Excellent
Cant wait for book 3. This was well crafted and a good story sequel. Slightly slow but big on character development. It felt like it was a good pace with just enough twist and action mixed in. Well done sir.
Cant wait for book 3. This was well crafted and a good story sequel. Slightly slow but big on character development. It felt like it was a good pace with just enough twist and action mixed in. Well done sir.
February 10, 2019
Great read for beta male
If you're a wimpy putz, you'll identify with MC and love this story.
I want the hour of my life back reading about this loser and his dilemmas.
If you're a wimpy putz, you'll identify with MC and love this story.
I want the hour of my life back reading about this loser and his dilemmas.
July 1, 2019
Good second novel, but somewhat repetitive. 3.5 stars
Sean continues his life in a world of Fea, magic and binding words. Now with his two female companions Sean sets of to escape those who seek his death and to find a place to start anew. This novel covers his journey and the adventures he had in the meantime.
In broad strokes this second novel feels much like the first novel of this series. The story is slow-build and mainly focuses on the character interactions between Sean, his ladies and the world around him. Some new powers are introduced and expanded, but at the end of the novel I got the feeling not all that much had happend. Looking back a fair portion of the plot was a bit repetitive, nothing really bad, but noticeable nonetheless. Perhaps this was to set the tone or setup for the next novel, but on its own it detracted form the overall story.
In the end this was a slightly above average book, with clean quick writing, but a plot that dropped half a star from the rating.
Sean continues his life in a world of Fea, magic and binding words. Now with his two female companions Sean sets of to escape those who seek his death and to find a place to start anew. This novel covers his journey and the adventures he had in the meantime.
In broad strokes this second novel feels much like the first novel of this series. The story is slow-build and mainly focuses on the character interactions between Sean, his ladies and the world around him. Some new powers are introduced and expanded, but at the end of the novel I got the feeling not all that much had happend. Looking back a fair portion of the plot was a bit repetitive, nothing really bad, but noticeable nonetheless. Perhaps this was to set the tone or setup for the next novel, but on its own it detracted form the overall story.
In the end this was a slightly above average book, with clean quick writing, but a plot that dropped half a star from the rating.
February 16, 2019
Boring bad writing
The writing is so bad. The characters are terrible. There is no plot, just Sean traveling with his bonded girls that take care of him and beg him to love them and be intimate with him as he slowly caves to their pressuring him and agrees to become their lover - at which he’s so good because the girls all tell him that he’s so big. Yeah. I’m never reading anything this author writes ever again. I don’t know what happened to this author his first couple of books for alpha world were descent and now he just writes about bathing fantasies and has apparently become obsessed with teas.
The writing is so bad. The characters are terrible. There is no plot, just Sean traveling with his bonded girls that take care of him and beg him to love them and be intimate with him as he slowly caves to their pressuring him and agrees to become their lover - at which he’s so good because the girls all tell him that he’s so big. Yeah. I’m never reading anything this author writes ever again. I don’t know what happened to this author his first couple of books for alpha world were descent and now he just writes about bathing fantasies and has apparently become obsessed with teas.
August 19, 2019
Good Read.
The story continues from the previous book. Book two does gain harem elements. The story has the cast is traveling to a destination of their choice. Enjoyed the story and will pick up the series. Note: The story does have adult situations in it.
The story continues from the previous book. Book two does gain harem elements. The story has the cast is traveling to a destination of their choice. Enjoyed the story and will pick up the series. Note: The story does have adult situations in it.
July 8, 2025
Book Review: "Life Bonds" (Binding Words #2) by Daniel Schinhofen
by Kiba, 38-year-old ice Alpha wolf, king of the snowdrift, breaker of chains and champion of chaos floof. 🐺❄️
---
Introduction
Welcome to the wild winter tundra, cubs—strap in, ‘cause I’m about to gnaw through "Life Bonds" like a starved direwolf in rut. The second entry in Daniel Schinhofen’s Binding Words series drops us back into the heart of Fey-ruled lands, where magic ain’t just flashy—it's the glue binding fates, love, and trauma together. Dropped January 27, 2019 (Kindle/Audible), this fantasy-harem-romance-adult-GameLit-erotica struts on with 328 pages of slice-of-life wanderings, soul-gnawing drama, and a truckload of steamy feelings. Reader, this book will either wrap you up in its pack... or leave you out in the frost.
---
Plot Summary
Life Bonds picks up in the smoldering aftermath of Oakwood’s destruction. Our protagonist, Sean (summoned soul-wolf, perma-conflicted beta hero), is on the run with his soul-bound fey companion Fiona and Myna—the girl he literally drags back from death’s icy jaws and accidentally "Life Bonds" to himself. The journey is less about saving the world, more about running from past scars, camping in too many damn inns, drinking gallons of tea, and navel-gazing like nobody’s business. Along the way, Sean stacks up more companions (hello, Ryaan), faces bandits, and learns how agreements and words hold lethal weight in this new realm.
Don’t expect big battles or fire-breathing dragon chaos here. This one’s all about slow-burn feels, tangled relationships, and the kind of repetitive daily grind that will have you craving action like a wolf in mating season. The "world-building"? Imagine if Tolkien wrote a travelogue about hobbits eating second breakfast on an endless road trip—but everyone’s into soul-bonding, and occasionally things get freaky.
---
The Author
Daniel Schinhofen is the self-publishing juggernaut of harem fantasy and LitRPG. From his breakout "Last Horizon: Beta" to the crowd-pleasing "Alpha World," the guy’s penned over 60 books, crushing the Amazon best-seller lists with loyal, genre-thirsty followers. His writing style: clean, efficient, maybe a touch too obsessed with logistics, tea varieties, and emotionally broken women. Awards? Nah, but he’s a litRPG legend and pioneer in bringing erotica, magic, and spreadsheets into the same book—no easy feat. His novels often read like a personal fantasy, but the dude knows how to build a community and get readers invested in characters, if not always the plot.
---
Characters
Sean—our transplanted, anxiety-ridden MC—is the beating (if often dithering) heart of this book. Raised on monogamy, dumped into a poly world, he spends half the book debating whether it’s "cheating" if his soul is literally bound to another woman. (Bro, you’re in a harem novel. Stop whining and howl at the moon already!)
Fiona—Sean’s first love, now Bonded for a decade. She’s the "good wolf’s mate": nurturing, tough, and more adaptable than Sean gives her credit for. She wants the pack to work, even if she’s gotta strong-arm Sean into embracing the full harem experience.
Myna—Life Bonded, emotionally raw, always thirsting for validation and a taste of Sean’s "man meat" (Schinhofen’s words, not mine). Her trauma runs deep, but her loyalty is absolute—even if the narrative milked her suffering a bit much for my taste.
Ryaan—new girl with a sharpshooter talent and chest of "narrative convenience." Adds spice, but mostly feels like sequel bait.
What works? The interplay, the messiness, the honesty of three people figuring out what the hell to do with their entangled hearts. What flops? The emotional wheel-spinning, the self-reinforcing loops, the same damn argument played out in five flavors.
---
Structure & Pacing
This book is more meandering than a wolf chasing its own tail. The "plot" is a road trip: village to village, snack to snack, emotional crisis to emotional crisis. Schinhofen leans hard into "slice of life"—with each chapter a new tea, a new campfire, a new round of "are we ready for a threesome yet?" If you’re looking for sharp arcs or tight pacing, turn back now.
But there’s a weird, meditative comfort to the monotony. It’s like snuggling in a snowbank—sure, your tail’s numb, but it’s cozy, and sometimes, that’s enough.
---
Themes & Analysis
At its core, "Life Bonds" gnaws on consent, trauma, loyalty, and found family. The central theme: How do you build trust and love when fate has forced your paws into a pack you never picked? Schinhofen spends more time exploring boundaries—physical, emotional, and magical—than he does on plot twists. The idea of "words as binding law" is ripe with narrative potential, though honestly, it gets buried under all the relationship drama and endless cups of tea.
On the downside, there are questionable messages about power dynamics, "master" titles, and the normalization of trauma through sex and bonding—handled with varying levels of sensitivity. The women’s pasts are a parade of pain, and Sean is their would-be white knight. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s just... yikes.
---
Scenes: Erotica & Romance
Let’s get furry with it—yeah, there’s sex, but it’s mostly awkward, emotionally fraught, and far from graphic. The book spends more time *talking* about sex than doing it. The harem is the slowest of slow burns; Sean agonizes for chapters over whether he’s "cheating" if his bonded soulmate asks for a threesome. By the time they finally get down to business, it’s less porn and more relationship therapy with bonus body heat. Romance is the meat, but the erotica is lean—expect more blushes and boundary negotiations than anything X-rated.
---
World-Building
The Fey-ruled world is solid, if underexplored. Magic is tied to verbal contracts—break an oath, pay in blood. That’s a killer premise, but Schinhofen gets so bogged down in feelings and tea breaks, he rarely digs into the gnarly consequences. Cultures, monsters, and politics are there, but always in the background, like distant howling on a cold night. Still, there’s enough flavor to keep the setting from feeling generic, especially compared to other harem series where the world is just a soft-focus porn set.
---
Praise & Critique
Howl at the Moon:
- Schinhofen’s character work is top notch—real, messy, raw.
- Dialogues feel lived-in; even when repetitive, there’s truth in every awkward pause and anxious spiral.
- Found family and loyalty are given the space to matter, which is rare in erotic fantasy.
Rip and Tear:
- Too damn much tea. The level of domestic detail is almost a kink by itself.
- Repetitive emotional beats—Sean agonizing, women reassuring, rinse, repeat. A dozen scenes do the work of three.
- Plot goes nowhere. It’s a "bridge" book, pure and simple. If you need high stakes or epic quests, you’ll feel like you’re gnawing on bone.
- Questionable gender/consent dynamics. The master/slave elements are treated too flippantly at times, and the parade of traumatized women can be a lot.
---
Comparison
Compared to Morrigan’s Bidding (Book 1): less adventure, more introspection. It’s a "filler episode" stretched over 300+ pages. Against Schinhofen’s Alpha World? Much the same: slow builds, lots of feels, harem drama, trauma, and logistics.
In the wider harem-fantasy kennel: less smut than Good Intentions (Elliott Kay), more emotional hand-wringing than World Seed (Justin Miller), more realism than wish-fulfillment-fests like Arifureta. If you vibe with slow, character-driven stories and don’t mind a loooong leash, it stands out. If you crave action and resolution, it’ll test your patience.
---
Personal Evaluation
Kiba’s Frostbitten Take: Look, I went into this expecting fur, fangs, and fireworks—instead, I got a winter of the soul, snuggled in a tent with three complicated weirdos, waiting for the plot to come back from hunting. Did it confuse me? Hell yes. The POV hops like a rabbit on crack, and sometimes I felt like I missed a whole chapter. But there’s a comfort to the pack: the found family, the messy love, the endless attempts to do right in a world built to bind you.
Would I howl about this book to my pack? Maybe. If you love found family, harem feels, and the slow churn of healing trauma, give it a go. If you want clear direction, tight plotting, or explosive battles, you’ll freeze before you finish.
---
Conclusion & Rating
Life Bonds is the kind of story that rewards patience and punishes restlessness. It’s not for the adrenaline junkies or the thirstiest of readers, but if you want to roll in the snow with some deeply broken, achingly real characters—well, you could do a lot worse. I’d call it 3.5/5 frostbitten fangs: messy, repetitive, sometimes confusing, but ultimately a soulful look at love, loyalty, and living with your mistakes.
Would I recommend? To the right pack, absolutely. But bring snacks. You’re gonna need ‘em.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a moon to howl at, a pack to run, and a soul-bonded mess to unravel. Stay frosty, pups.
by Kiba, 38-year-old ice Alpha wolf, king of the snowdrift, breaker of chains and champion of chaos floof. 🐺❄️
---
Introduction
Welcome to the wild winter tundra, cubs—strap in, ‘cause I’m about to gnaw through "Life Bonds" like a starved direwolf in rut. The second entry in Daniel Schinhofen’s Binding Words series drops us back into the heart of Fey-ruled lands, where magic ain’t just flashy—it's the glue binding fates, love, and trauma together. Dropped January 27, 2019 (Kindle/Audible), this fantasy-harem-romance-adult-GameLit-erotica struts on with 328 pages of slice-of-life wanderings, soul-gnawing drama, and a truckload of steamy feelings. Reader, this book will either wrap you up in its pack... or leave you out in the frost.
---
Plot Summary
Life Bonds picks up in the smoldering aftermath of Oakwood’s destruction. Our protagonist, Sean (summoned soul-wolf, perma-conflicted beta hero), is on the run with his soul-bound fey companion Fiona and Myna—the girl he literally drags back from death’s icy jaws and accidentally "Life Bonds" to himself. The journey is less about saving the world, more about running from past scars, camping in too many damn inns, drinking gallons of tea, and navel-gazing like nobody’s business. Along the way, Sean stacks up more companions (hello, Ryaan), faces bandits, and learns how agreements and words hold lethal weight in this new realm.
Don’t expect big battles or fire-breathing dragon chaos here. This one’s all about slow-burn feels, tangled relationships, and the kind of repetitive daily grind that will have you craving action like a wolf in mating season. The "world-building"? Imagine if Tolkien wrote a travelogue about hobbits eating second breakfast on an endless road trip—but everyone’s into soul-bonding, and occasionally things get freaky.
---
The Author
Daniel Schinhofen is the self-publishing juggernaut of harem fantasy and LitRPG. From his breakout "Last Horizon: Beta" to the crowd-pleasing "Alpha World," the guy’s penned over 60 books, crushing the Amazon best-seller lists with loyal, genre-thirsty followers. His writing style: clean, efficient, maybe a touch too obsessed with logistics, tea varieties, and emotionally broken women. Awards? Nah, but he’s a litRPG legend and pioneer in bringing erotica, magic, and spreadsheets into the same book—no easy feat. His novels often read like a personal fantasy, but the dude knows how to build a community and get readers invested in characters, if not always the plot.
---
Characters
Sean—our transplanted, anxiety-ridden MC—is the beating (if often dithering) heart of this book. Raised on monogamy, dumped into a poly world, he spends half the book debating whether it’s "cheating" if his soul is literally bound to another woman. (Bro, you’re in a harem novel. Stop whining and howl at the moon already!)
Fiona—Sean’s first love, now Bonded for a decade. She’s the "good wolf’s mate": nurturing, tough, and more adaptable than Sean gives her credit for. She wants the pack to work, even if she’s gotta strong-arm Sean into embracing the full harem experience.
Myna—Life Bonded, emotionally raw, always thirsting for validation and a taste of Sean’s "man meat" (Schinhofen’s words, not mine). Her trauma runs deep, but her loyalty is absolute—even if the narrative milked her suffering a bit much for my taste.
Ryaan—new girl with a sharpshooter talent and chest of "narrative convenience." Adds spice, but mostly feels like sequel bait.
What works? The interplay, the messiness, the honesty of three people figuring out what the hell to do with their entangled hearts. What flops? The emotional wheel-spinning, the self-reinforcing loops, the same damn argument played out in five flavors.
---
Structure & Pacing
This book is more meandering than a wolf chasing its own tail. The "plot" is a road trip: village to village, snack to snack, emotional crisis to emotional crisis. Schinhofen leans hard into "slice of life"—with each chapter a new tea, a new campfire, a new round of "are we ready for a threesome yet?" If you’re looking for sharp arcs or tight pacing, turn back now.
But there’s a weird, meditative comfort to the monotony. It’s like snuggling in a snowbank—sure, your tail’s numb, but it’s cozy, and sometimes, that’s enough.
---
Themes & Analysis
At its core, "Life Bonds" gnaws on consent, trauma, loyalty, and found family. The central theme: How do you build trust and love when fate has forced your paws into a pack you never picked? Schinhofen spends more time exploring boundaries—physical, emotional, and magical—than he does on plot twists. The idea of "words as binding law" is ripe with narrative potential, though honestly, it gets buried under all the relationship drama and endless cups of tea.
On the downside, there are questionable messages about power dynamics, "master" titles, and the normalization of trauma through sex and bonding—handled with varying levels of sensitivity. The women’s pasts are a parade of pain, and Sean is their would-be white knight. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s just... yikes.
---
Scenes: Erotica & Romance
Let’s get furry with it—yeah, there’s sex, but it’s mostly awkward, emotionally fraught, and far from graphic. The book spends more time *talking* about sex than doing it. The harem is the slowest of slow burns; Sean agonizes for chapters over whether he’s "cheating" if his bonded soulmate asks for a threesome. By the time they finally get down to business, it’s less porn and more relationship therapy with bonus body heat. Romance is the meat, but the erotica is lean—expect more blushes and boundary negotiations than anything X-rated.
---
World-Building
The Fey-ruled world is solid, if underexplored. Magic is tied to verbal contracts—break an oath, pay in blood. That’s a killer premise, but Schinhofen gets so bogged down in feelings and tea breaks, he rarely digs into the gnarly consequences. Cultures, monsters, and politics are there, but always in the background, like distant howling on a cold night. Still, there’s enough flavor to keep the setting from feeling generic, especially compared to other harem series where the world is just a soft-focus porn set.
---
Praise & Critique
Howl at the Moon:
- Schinhofen’s character work is top notch—real, messy, raw.
- Dialogues feel lived-in; even when repetitive, there’s truth in every awkward pause and anxious spiral.
- Found family and loyalty are given the space to matter, which is rare in erotic fantasy.
Rip and Tear:
- Too damn much tea. The level of domestic detail is almost a kink by itself.
- Repetitive emotional beats—Sean agonizing, women reassuring, rinse, repeat. A dozen scenes do the work of three.
- Plot goes nowhere. It’s a "bridge" book, pure and simple. If you need high stakes or epic quests, you’ll feel like you’re gnawing on bone.
- Questionable gender/consent dynamics. The master/slave elements are treated too flippantly at times, and the parade of traumatized women can be a lot.
---
Comparison
Compared to Morrigan’s Bidding (Book 1): less adventure, more introspection. It’s a "filler episode" stretched over 300+ pages. Against Schinhofen’s Alpha World? Much the same: slow builds, lots of feels, harem drama, trauma, and logistics.
In the wider harem-fantasy kennel: less smut than Good Intentions (Elliott Kay), more emotional hand-wringing than World Seed (Justin Miller), more realism than wish-fulfillment-fests like Arifureta. If you vibe with slow, character-driven stories and don’t mind a loooong leash, it stands out. If you crave action and resolution, it’ll test your patience.
---
Personal Evaluation
Kiba’s Frostbitten Take: Look, I went into this expecting fur, fangs, and fireworks—instead, I got a winter of the soul, snuggled in a tent with three complicated weirdos, waiting for the plot to come back from hunting. Did it confuse me? Hell yes. The POV hops like a rabbit on crack, and sometimes I felt like I missed a whole chapter. But there’s a comfort to the pack: the found family, the messy love, the endless attempts to do right in a world built to bind you.
Would I howl about this book to my pack? Maybe. If you love found family, harem feels, and the slow churn of healing trauma, give it a go. If you want clear direction, tight plotting, or explosive battles, you’ll freeze before you finish.
---
Conclusion & Rating
Life Bonds is the kind of story that rewards patience and punishes restlessness. It’s not for the adrenaline junkies or the thirstiest of readers, but if you want to roll in the snow with some deeply broken, achingly real characters—well, you could do a lot worse. I’d call it 3.5/5 frostbitten fangs: messy, repetitive, sometimes confusing, but ultimately a soulful look at love, loyalty, and living with your mistakes.
Would I recommend? To the right pack, absolutely. But bring snacks. You’re gonna need ‘em.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a moon to howl at, a pack to run, and a soul-bonded mess to unravel. Stay frosty, pups.
June 8, 2019
James this, James that, what would James do? James, James, James.
Okay.
Another thing I noticed. The author spent time developing the story and actually making it interesting in book one. Now he is focusing on romance and relationships. It doesn't help that
This is looking like a harem by the minute. I mean the author isn't as obvious as some, who have ten plus girls by the first book, but he still is going there. Maybe not ten, but a harem of willing women nonetheless.
20 chapters in and the plot hasn't advanced one bit. He hasn't tried new abilities, he hasn't learned more about himself. 20 chapters are spent on him moving through the forest and setting up his harem. If this doesn't stop soon I'm done with this series (and the author) when this book is finished.
This was the same crap the author pulled in alpha world. I wouldn't be surprised if the protagonist's one true love (James) shows up, and they put on a Shakespeare play.
This author has a thing for "damaged" girls (some mind altering event in the past) joining his "harem". He also loves to white knight the women.
At least I'm not feeling like the protagonist is wearing a giant fedora like the last book (Alpha World).
Why is he protesting so much to them calling him master?
This is an over the top reaction to such a simple thing, when he knows it is for him to fit in with the populous.
I don't understand this. The author has a great story, yet he wastes literally half this book to furthering romance, and ignoring getting better. Training the powers you have don't mean anything when the romance out shadows the training.
This entire book was a whole heap of nothing. Nothing of importance happened except he (the protagonist) got a new companion and that was after half the book was finished.
Despite knowing I will be burnt, and the next book will be more of the same, I'm willing to give this series one last chance. If the next book doesn't get on with the story, and instead wastes more pages on harem set up. I'm dropping the author for good, and no persuasive words from colleagues will make me read anything else from him again.
2/5 Stars
Okay.
Another thing I noticed. The author spent time developing the story and actually making it interesting in book one. Now he is focusing on romance and relationships. It doesn't help that
This is looking like a harem by the minute. I mean the author isn't as obvious as some, who have ten plus girls by the first book, but he still is going there. Maybe not ten, but a harem of willing women nonetheless.
20 chapters in and the plot hasn't advanced one bit. He hasn't tried new abilities, he hasn't learned more about himself. 20 chapters are spent on him moving through the forest and setting up his harem. If this doesn't stop soon I'm done with this series (and the author) when this book is finished.
This was the same crap the author pulled in alpha world. I wouldn't be surprised if the protagonist's one true love (James) shows up, and they put on a Shakespeare play.
This author has a thing for "damaged" girls (some mind altering event in the past) joining his "harem". He also loves to white knight the women.
At least I'm not feeling like the protagonist is wearing a giant fedora like the last book (Alpha World).
Why is he protesting so much to them calling him master?
This is an over the top reaction to such a simple thing, when he knows it is for him to fit in with the populous.
I don't understand this. The author has a great story, yet he wastes literally half this book to furthering romance, and ignoring getting better. Training the powers you have don't mean anything when the romance out shadows the training.
This entire book was a whole heap of nothing. Nothing of importance happened except he (the protagonist) got a new companion and that was after half the book was finished.
Despite knowing I will be burnt, and the next book will be more of the same, I'm willing to give this series one last chance. If the next book doesn't get on with the story, and instead wastes more pages on harem set up. I'm dropping the author for good, and no persuasive words from colleagues will make me read anything else from him again.
2/5 Stars
September 5, 2025
Audio book review
A great continuation of the first book. Not really seeing what most people are complaining about in this book other than those who dislike the slow burn of it. Which honestly if you don't like slow burn slice of life take your pick of any other harem book out there as most rush to the climax. I very much enjoy the pace of this series so far though I will admit at the time of writing this I believe the series is completed so I can and have already pushed onto the next book which can make a big difference. If I had to wait for the next book to be out I'd probably be more salty about it but I don't so I'm not salty. If you didn't like the slow burn of the first book I'm surprised you bothered to stick around for the second book at this point and if I see similar reviews on the third book just wow.
If nothing else this book almost reads like a Harem D&D campaign trip with a decent DM who doesn't just fast travel you from plot point to plot point.
Anyway I really enjoyed the book but also enjoy complaining about things I enjoy so there are my two largest complaints for this book.
1. Not EVERYONE in the group has to have a completely horrid and traumatizing background. This also feel like a D&D campaign where everyone rolled up the standard "my parents all died horrible" or "I've been an orphan all my life" other than the MC.... but don't worry he's next...
2. -Sigh- Anime protagonist MC; "I'm not going to be like an anime protagonist", Proceeds to spend the book being an anime protagonist. I get that the MC has monogamy hang-ups from his previous world but it just comes off as a lazy way to keep the MC from being a misogynistic pos. I ain't no award winning author but I feel there is are way less overt ways to do this if that is the aim of it. If not and it's supposed to be a joke it fails badly since the whole reason for "not becoming one" is because that trope is annoying. If you have women throwing themselves at you either accept if or reject them, stringing them along in limbo just makes you a pos.
A great continuation of the first book. Not really seeing what most people are complaining about in this book other than those who dislike the slow burn of it. Which honestly if you don't like slow burn slice of life take your pick of any other harem book out there as most rush to the climax. I very much enjoy the pace of this series so far though I will admit at the time of writing this I believe the series is completed so I can and have already pushed onto the next book which can make a big difference. If I had to wait for the next book to be out I'd probably be more salty about it but I don't so I'm not salty. If you didn't like the slow burn of the first book I'm surprised you bothered to stick around for the second book at this point and if I see similar reviews on the third book just wow.
If nothing else this book almost reads like a Harem D&D campaign trip with a decent DM who doesn't just fast travel you from plot point to plot point.
Anyway I really enjoyed the book but also enjoy complaining about things I enjoy so there are my two largest complaints for this book.
1. Not EVERYONE in the group has to have a completely horrid and traumatizing background. This also feel like a D&D campaign where everyone rolled up the standard "my parents all died horrible" or "I've been an orphan all my life" other than the MC.... but don't worry he's next...
2. -Sigh- Anime protagonist MC; "I'm not going to be like an anime protagonist", Proceeds to spend the book being an anime protagonist. I get that the MC has monogamy hang-ups from his previous world but it just comes off as a lazy way to keep the MC from being a misogynistic pos. I ain't no award winning author but I feel there is are way less overt ways to do this if that is the aim of it. If not and it's supposed to be a joke it fails badly since the whole reason for "not becoming one" is because that trope is annoying. If you have women throwing themselves at you either accept if or reject them, stringing them along in limbo just makes you a pos.
May 28, 2019
Okay so 3 stars but just. So let me start out by staying that I loved the first book in this series. I found the characters very likable and relatable. I did give this book 3 stars but it was not for the plot or the story, it is for the character and how much I like them. Nothing really happens in this book, it is just small fight after small fight in each town then say in. The main story does not progress in this book at all. This is a character travel book so the characters can get from one place to another on their way to the main story but don't get there in this book. If the 3rd book was close at hand then you may forgive this book and go right into the next book were I am sure you will find more meat of the real story. I will for sure keep reading this series but this book if just a filler and will just be a link from book one to book three. This is a character development and not a plot development book. With all of that said I do like this series, the topic, the writing style, the characters, and the type of book.
August 20, 2025
This is the second book in the 11-book series, and this one sets up the world and our characters as they travel to the town where they want to set down roots, at least for some time. Slice of life tale where the team meets goons, bandits, and adds another member to their group temporarily for now. It was another nice read, and I have already started the third book in the series. So let's go and Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres, but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read, so I can't stay and spend more time on this review. Remember, I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres, but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read, so I can't stay and spend more time on this review. Remember, I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and then just Keep on Reading.
June 18, 2020
Not a bad read but feels like a bridge book, just to move the plot from Book 1 to whatever it will happen in Book 3, there is not much development in the story so far, yes we get to know a few things and they train their skill, but a major improvement from Sean or his bonded doesn't happen. One peeve I am getting about some of the harems novels I am reading is the supposedly discomfort of MC with harem tends to disappear rather quickly once the element enters the story, and the author keeps on throwing him females after it, like is the normal occurrence. But not all is lost in here, we do get a little more exposition about the world we get to know that it seems like Sean is not the only one from our world to end up there, neither that the only one that can send to that world are the Celtics deity’s. The major flaw in this book is the lack of excitement.
February 28, 2024
Not good. Tired tropes with no character development.
This book was so slow and boring it was painful to get through. There was no character development, weak personalities in the relationships became painful to read the dialogue. Constant pandering, validating, affirming each other's feelings... Instead of creating powerful characters, they're insecurities took away all their agency and became ridiculous and unbelievably cringe to constantly hear the whining or pandering dialogue. There's no standout main character because they share all their powers with The supporting cast. The relationships are unbelievable cringe and pasted from every other fantasy erotic novel. No originality, and almost no plot movement as the characters went from town to town, learning about each other in sharing their feelings. Just awful.
This book was so slow and boring it was painful to get through. There was no character development, weak personalities in the relationships became painful to read the dialogue. Constant pandering, validating, affirming each other's feelings... Instead of creating powerful characters, they're insecurities took away all their agency and became ridiculous and unbelievably cringe to constantly hear the whining or pandering dialogue. There's no standout main character because they share all their powers with The supporting cast. The relationships are unbelievable cringe and pasted from every other fantasy erotic novel. No originality, and almost no plot movement as the characters went from town to town, learning about each other in sharing their feelings. Just awful.
October 26, 2022
Sean and his two life bonded companions seem to find trouble following them wherever they go .
Sean is deposited on a different world an given a second chance at a new life . Having followed in love with a young woman an then saving another from death he accidentally forms a life bond with the one he saved then the one he fell in love with ask for a life bond with him as well So now traveling as a merchant heading North away from trouble as fast as he can he comes across a band of bandits an has to defend themselves an freed an young woman in the process an she bonds her self to him for one year serve as a bodyguard .Now having two life bonded and one bonded they still seem to find trouble yet again an the adventure continues .recommend reading excellent series .
Sean is deposited on a different world an given a second chance at a new life . Having followed in love with a young woman an then saving another from death he accidentally forms a life bond with the one he saved then the one he fell in love with ask for a life bond with him as well So now traveling as a merchant heading North away from trouble as fast as he can he comes across a band of bandits an has to defend themselves an freed an young woman in the process an she bonds her self to him for one year serve as a bodyguard .Now having two life bonded and one bonded they still seem to find trouble yet again an the adventure continues .recommend reading excellent series .
January 12, 2026
A Deliberate Detour or A Plotless Pause? The Divisive Sequel [3.5/5 Stars]
Listen, if you enjoyed the cozy, methodical world-building and wish-fulfillment vibe of Morrigan’s Bidding, you’ll probably settle right into Life Bonds. This sequel picks up right after Sean, Fiona, and Myna flee the burning village of Oakwood, turning the trio into fugitives on a journey across the wilds. But here’s the hard truth: this book is a major pivot point for the series, and it's going to test your patience. It's a character-driven road trip where the primary conflict isn't a villain, but Sean’s own feelings about his burgeoning harem. I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5—it's a comfort read for series fans, but it's also where many readers hit a wall.
Key Themes: Found Family, Trauma, and Moral Dissonance
The "Slice of Life" Journey: If you crave epic plotting, be warned. This book embraces a slice-of-life narrative. The journey is the point. We see the daily grind of travel—making camp, hunting, and the endless minutiae of meals and tea. The author uses this to deepen the bonds between Sean, Fiona, and Myna, exploring how they learn to coexist and rely on each other beyond the initial crisis.
Navigating a Brutal Society's Ethics: The book forces Sean (and the reader) to confront the harsh realities of the world Morrigan dropped him into. Multiple female characters share traumatic histories of enslavement and humiliation. The challenging theme here is their insistence that Sean must accept his role as a "master" within this corrupt system to survive, advising him not to "rock the boat". This creates a jarring moral dissonance as Sean's modern ethics clash with the world's grim conventions.
The Burden of Bonding: The central emotional driver is the complication of the "Life Bond" between Sean and Myna. It’s a magical connection that ensures they will grow to love each other, which throws a wrench into his relationship with Fiona, the woman he consciously loves. The theme explores forced intimacy, loyalty, and the messy reality of building a polyamorous relationship under magical duress.
Character Analysis: Stuck in a Loop
Sean: Our overpowered MC's development is frustratingly slow here. Readers noted his character is stuck in a repetitive loop: he gets angry at the world's injustice, is calmed by Fiona or Myna, rejects Myna's advances out of loyalty to Fiona, and laments about his old friend from Earth. He feels less like a proactive hero and more like a passive participant being dragged toward a harem he's nervously negotiating.
Fiona & Myna: These two get the most development as they navigate their new dynamic. Fiona, now formally Bonded to Sean for ten years, must grapple with the intrusion of the Life Bond. Myna, pulled back from death, is fiercely loyal and biologically compelled toward Sean, making her advances a constant source of tension. Their interactions are the heart of the book, even if the plot around them stalls.
Writing Style & Pacing: The "Slow Burn" That Barely Smolders
This is the book's biggest critique. Daniel Schinhofen's prose remains straightforward and focused on dialogue and internal monologue. However, the pacing is glacial and highly repetitive. One common review summary? "A whole lot of nothing". The structure follows a predictable cycle: travel to a new place, sell goods, stay at an inn, have lengthy emotional conversations about feelings and trauma, maybe get into a scuffle, repeat. Multiple readers felt the journey could have been distilled into a fraction of the page count without losing essential plot. It’s a classic case of telling over showing, with characters frequently rehashing the same emotional dilemmas.
What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:
Character Depth: When the focus stays on Fiona, Myna, and their traumas, the story is compelling. Their backstories add necessary darkness to the world.
World-Building Expansion: Seeing the wider world beyond Oakwood, including different villages and their prejudices, lays groundwork for future books.
Harem Progression: If you're here for the slow-build romantic entanglement, the book delivers on that promise. The relationships do move forward, albeit incrementally.
Disliked:
Pacing and Plot: It's hard to ignore the lack of forward momentum. By the end, it feels like very little of consequence to the overarching story has happened.
Repetitive Dialogue: Sean's constant hand-wringing over the same issues and the cyclical "this is the way the world works" conversations become tiresome.
Magic System Whiplash: Some sharp-eyed readers pointed out inconsistencies or unexplained changes in how the world's binding magic works compared to the first book, which can be jarring.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Life Bonds is the book that defines whether you'll commit to the 11-book Binding Words journey. It’s a character-centric interstitial novel that prioritizes relationship dynamics and travelogue over plot.
You’ll enjoy this if: You loved the first book's vibe and want more time with these characters. If you're a fan of slice-of-life fantasy and don't mind a story where interpersonal drama supersedes a driving plot, this is a cozy, if slow, continuation.
You should DNF the series here if: You need strong narrative momentum, dislike repetitive internal conflict, or are turned off by the harem elements becoming a central, debated focus within the story. This book doubles down on the series' tropes.
Think of it as a long camping trip with occasional bandit attacks. I'm invested enough in the characters to continue to Hearthglen, but I completely understand readers who felt this was a frustrating detour. Manage your expectations: this is a bridge, not a destination.
Listen, if you enjoyed the cozy, methodical world-building and wish-fulfillment vibe of Morrigan’s Bidding, you’ll probably settle right into Life Bonds. This sequel picks up right after Sean, Fiona, and Myna flee the burning village of Oakwood, turning the trio into fugitives on a journey across the wilds. But here’s the hard truth: this book is a major pivot point for the series, and it's going to test your patience. It's a character-driven road trip where the primary conflict isn't a villain, but Sean’s own feelings about his burgeoning harem. I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5—it's a comfort read for series fans, but it's also where many readers hit a wall.
Key Themes: Found Family, Trauma, and Moral Dissonance
The "Slice of Life" Journey: If you crave epic plotting, be warned. This book embraces a slice-of-life narrative. The journey is the point. We see the daily grind of travel—making camp, hunting, and the endless minutiae of meals and tea. The author uses this to deepen the bonds between Sean, Fiona, and Myna, exploring how they learn to coexist and rely on each other beyond the initial crisis.
Navigating a Brutal Society's Ethics: The book forces Sean (and the reader) to confront the harsh realities of the world Morrigan dropped him into. Multiple female characters share traumatic histories of enslavement and humiliation. The challenging theme here is their insistence that Sean must accept his role as a "master" within this corrupt system to survive, advising him not to "rock the boat". This creates a jarring moral dissonance as Sean's modern ethics clash with the world's grim conventions.
The Burden of Bonding: The central emotional driver is the complication of the "Life Bond" between Sean and Myna. It’s a magical connection that ensures they will grow to love each other, which throws a wrench into his relationship with Fiona, the woman he consciously loves. The theme explores forced intimacy, loyalty, and the messy reality of building a polyamorous relationship under magical duress.
Character Analysis: Stuck in a Loop
Sean: Our overpowered MC's development is frustratingly slow here. Readers noted his character is stuck in a repetitive loop: he gets angry at the world's injustice, is calmed by Fiona or Myna, rejects Myna's advances out of loyalty to Fiona, and laments about his old friend from Earth. He feels less like a proactive hero and more like a passive participant being dragged toward a harem he's nervously negotiating.
Fiona & Myna: These two get the most development as they navigate their new dynamic. Fiona, now formally Bonded to Sean for ten years, must grapple with the intrusion of the Life Bond. Myna, pulled back from death, is fiercely loyal and biologically compelled toward Sean, making her advances a constant source of tension. Their interactions are the heart of the book, even if the plot around them stalls.
Writing Style & Pacing: The "Slow Burn" That Barely Smolders
This is the book's biggest critique. Daniel Schinhofen's prose remains straightforward and focused on dialogue and internal monologue. However, the pacing is glacial and highly repetitive. One common review summary? "A whole lot of nothing". The structure follows a predictable cycle: travel to a new place, sell goods, stay at an inn, have lengthy emotional conversations about feelings and trauma, maybe get into a scuffle, repeat. Multiple readers felt the journey could have been distilled into a fraction of the page count without losing essential plot. It’s a classic case of telling over showing, with characters frequently rehashing the same emotional dilemmas.
What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:
Character Depth: When the focus stays on Fiona, Myna, and their traumas, the story is compelling. Their backstories add necessary darkness to the world.
World-Building Expansion: Seeing the wider world beyond Oakwood, including different villages and their prejudices, lays groundwork for future books.
Harem Progression: If you're here for the slow-build romantic entanglement, the book delivers on that promise. The relationships do move forward, albeit incrementally.
Disliked:
Pacing and Plot: It's hard to ignore the lack of forward momentum. By the end, it feels like very little of consequence to the overarching story has happened.
Repetitive Dialogue: Sean's constant hand-wringing over the same issues and the cyclical "this is the way the world works" conversations become tiresome.
Magic System Whiplash: Some sharp-eyed readers pointed out inconsistencies or unexplained changes in how the world's binding magic works compared to the first book, which can be jarring.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Life Bonds is the book that defines whether you'll commit to the 11-book Binding Words journey. It’s a character-centric interstitial novel that prioritizes relationship dynamics and travelogue over plot.
You’ll enjoy this if: You loved the first book's vibe and want more time with these characters. If you're a fan of slice-of-life fantasy and don't mind a story where interpersonal drama supersedes a driving plot, this is a cozy, if slow, continuation.
You should DNF the series here if: You need strong narrative momentum, dislike repetitive internal conflict, or are turned off by the harem elements becoming a central, debated focus within the story. This book doubles down on the series' tropes.
Think of it as a long camping trip with occasional bandit attacks. I'm invested enough in the characters to continue to Hearthglen, but I completely understand readers who felt this was a frustrating detour. Manage your expectations: this is a bridge, not a destination.
August 5, 2024
Dropping the series after this one.
As I wrote already in my review to the first book (Morrigan's Bidding) the protagonist is the definition of a beta-male. At least half the book is spent convincing him that it's okay to sleep with both women, especially the one he's "life bound" to (which is more permanent than marriage).
Sex scenes are barley graphical, but at the same time too much time is wasted on day to day activities, like which tea were served.
The book is written like a mediocre anime.
The first book was at least somehow interesting since it started the whole introduction into the world, but the second one is like an episode of a long running TV show, whole episode passed, no progress achieved.
As I wrote already in my review to the first book (Morrigan's Bidding) the protagonist is the definition of a beta-male. At least half the book is spent convincing him that it's okay to sleep with both women, especially the one he's "life bound" to (which is more permanent than marriage).
Sex scenes are barley graphical, but at the same time too much time is wasted on day to day activities, like which tea were served.
The book is written like a mediocre anime.
The first book was at least somehow interesting since it started the whole introduction into the world, but the second one is like an episode of a long running TV show, whole episode passed, no progress achieved.
January 30, 2019
One of my favorite authors
Daniel is one of my favorite authors. His books never disappoint, and always leave me wanting to have just one more chapter.
With Life Bonds, he continues a more slow paced and sliceo of life novel in my opinion, which is a fantastic change of pace. Still plenty of action and development, and hints of a larger overarching story developing. Unlike some stories he's taking the time to develop the world and characters before plunging into a big thrill ride a minute story I think. Overall, I loved the book and honestly hope he takes his time developing the world.
Daniel is one of my favorite authors. His books never disappoint, and always leave me wanting to have just one more chapter.
With Life Bonds, he continues a more slow paced and sliceo of life novel in my opinion, which is a fantastic change of pace. Still plenty of action and development, and hints of a larger overarching story developing. Unlike some stories he's taking the time to develop the world and characters before plunging into a big thrill ride a minute story I think. Overall, I loved the book and honestly hope he takes his time developing the world.
February 3, 2019
I Loved this book.
This was a great second part of this story, and I enjoyed the MCs character development the most in this book. He has come a far in such a short time in adapting to the differences in this worlds society. There is still much more than he needs to get past, but his current mind state seems realistic.
The girls were featured thoroughly in this book. They also have adapted to the changes in their relationship with the MC well. The combing of powers is probably my favorite feature of this book. I am excited to see how their group continues to develop especially with the addition of Ryaan.
This was a great second part of this story, and I enjoyed the MCs character development the most in this book. He has come a far in such a short time in adapting to the differences in this worlds society. There is still much more than he needs to get past, but his current mind state seems realistic.
The girls were featured thoroughly in this book. They also have adapted to the changes in their relationship with the MC well. The combing of powers is probably my favorite feature of this book. I am excited to see how their group continues to develop especially with the addition of Ryaan.
February 22, 2019
Waited For And Happily Read
The first book was a very fun read so this was leapt you n as soon as I saw it. Yet another fun read, though you should read book one again just prior to reading this, as there’s no time delay between the two, and it was sometimes hard to remember certain facts or motivations.
The author is getting even better at mixing action and magic with the mundane, so you get some humor and normalcy (well...) shuttered between bouts of action and supernatural (or just “super”) action. This is a great second book, and I look forward to the next book in the series. Recommended.
The first book was a very fun read so this was leapt you n as soon as I saw it. Yet another fun read, though you should read book one again just prior to reading this, as there’s no time delay between the two, and it was sometimes hard to remember certain facts or motivations.
The author is getting even better at mixing action and magic with the mundane, so you get some humor and normalcy (well...) shuttered between bouts of action and supernatural (or just “super”) action. This is a great second book, and I look forward to the next book in the series. Recommended.
May 19, 2019
Whole i liked book1, this book was a disappiontment to me. It gets 3 stars because the writing is technically good. Content-wise i would give it a 1.5. 95% of what happens in the book is irrelevant. It is daily minutiae that add nothing to the story, the main character does not develop and is wasting time doing inane piddly things.
Even reading about those things gets boring. The book is basically a 4 times repetition of the same formula (traveling to town, same thoughts, same experiences , same type of fights and activities).
At this rate I am not sure the author will last long enough with this series to finish the story, he'd need 10 books to get anywhere.
Even reading about those things gets boring. The book is basically a 4 times repetition of the same formula (traveling to town, same thoughts, same experiences , same type of fights and activities).
At this rate I am not sure the author will last long enough with this series to finish the story, he'd need 10 books to get anywhere.
July 18, 2020
The writer has talent. I find what is written about the main character's relationships not to be to my liking. There are strong parallels between this books relationship idiosyncrasies and that of the protagonists of the Alpha World series. The descriptions of 'acts' done by and between those in these stories to be overly descriptive and unpleasant. There are infrequent curse words that just seem unnecessary.
For me, I would enjoy a more cursory emphasis in the sexual relationships and more time describing and interacting with the worlds the author builds. This is, in my opinion, the authors greatest strength.
For me, I would enjoy a more cursory emphasis in the sexual relationships and more time describing and interacting with the worlds the author builds. This is, in my opinion, the authors greatest strength.
March 28, 2019
Slow but better
I enjoyed this book. I think I enjoyed it more that the last by the end. I was tired of our hero being an overly emotional whip with his bonded. He finally got a grip. Hope we ate one with that sappy stuff for good.I much prefer the protector and anti bully hero for sure . The book is slowly progressing our hero's skills and talents and I hope for much more in the future. Bonding will of course be the key to more abilities and those will be needed to deal the nobles plus topple queens. Looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed this book. I think I enjoyed it more that the last by the end. I was tired of our hero being an overly emotional whip with his bonded. He finally got a grip. Hope we ate one with that sappy stuff for good.I much prefer the protector and anti bully hero for sure . The book is slowly progressing our hero's skills and talents and I hope for much more in the future. Bonding will of course be the key to more abilities and those will be needed to deal the nobles plus topple queens. Looking forward to the next book.
July 3, 2020
Smooth relaxing read but uneventful plot
I like Sean and hate him- not from envy. He let his past qualms drive him too much. If the story had James as Mc, I would have liked it just as much. If not more, this story has a good nature scene or two but it teases or dangles juicy stuff too much so far. I keep needing more only to be left wanting and unsatisfied. It’s a good relaxing read with a really nice journey. But for all the author set up he could be a better hero instead of a humble blubbering guy that should have more big D energy.
I like Sean and hate him- not from envy. He let his past qualms drive him too much. If the story had James as Mc, I would have liked it just as much. If not more, this story has a good nature scene or two but it teases or dangles juicy stuff too much so far. I keep needing more only to be left wanting and unsatisfied. It’s a good relaxing read with a really nice journey. But for all the author set up he could be a better hero instead of a humble blubbering guy that should have more big D energy.
August 2, 2020
Early Stumbles
A simple travel story, focused on the characters and relationships, with moments of action, intrigue, and world building. The protagonist spends half the book dithering over his love triangle, despite repeatedly telling himself not to do that. Combined with a few other moments of stupid, it really hurt my enjoyment of the first half.
Slow paced, and sometimes whiny, the potential pulled me through to the end. Mostly filler, this book develops relationships and introduces another character.
A simple travel story, focused on the characters and relationships, with moments of action, intrigue, and world building. The protagonist spends half the book dithering over his love triangle, despite repeatedly telling himself not to do that. Combined with a few other moments of stupid, it really hurt my enjoyment of the first half.
Slow paced, and sometimes whiny, the potential pulled me through to the end. Mostly filler, this book develops relationships and introduces another character.
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