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Eberron
Bound By Iron
When the body of a much decorated soldier, thought to have died some two decades earlier, washes up on the shores of Karmath, the victim of murder, a vengeful, battle-hardened soldier teams up with a master storyteller in search of a story to unravel the victim's past, a mystery that could hold the key to the future of Khorvaire. Original.
310 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 24, 2017
It breaks my heart to have to rate an Eberron book so low, but given that this was another one written by Edward Bolme, I guess I shouldn't be too shocked. I've often maintained that you get one of two extremes with 90% of Eberron titles: either you have absolutely shoddy editing with an interesting story and well-written characters and dynamics... or you end up with a very nicely edited and polished book but the story is weak and the characters tend to be one-dimensional.
This book definitely wound up among the latter.
I think the concept was rather basic to start with, the characters felt very bland, and the pacing... dear God, the pacing. It took roughly over 60% of the book for the pace of the plot to actually get somewhere, and by that point it was like Bolme decided to rush and hastily throw all of the important plot development into the remainder of what he wrote. As was the case with his other Eberron book, The Orb of Xoriat, [which I plan to re-read and review in the future,] he seems given to the idea that if he throws a lot of excessively drawn-out fight scenes in the climax of the story it will make up for how slow the plot moves for the first half of the book.
Let me just tell you, it doesn't. He also leaves a lot of loose threads dangling and questions unanswered, the ending is absolute and utter crap, and the most irritating thing (at least for me) happens to be the fact this book is part of the series The Inquisitives, and yet there is no Inquisitive in the entire story. I suppose if you really want to stretch the definition of the role of Inquisitives in the world of Eberron, then the main character of Cimozjen could be considered one. [For those unfamiliar with the setting of Eberron, the order of Inquisitives are sort of like private investigators/detectives of a sort, and they often specialize in cases involving missing persons or tracking down people who don't want to be found for some shady reason or other.] However, none of the characters are actually an Inquisitive or ever take on the role of one, and as such, this book feels very out-of-place in this particular sequence of titles set in Eberron.
Truth be told, it was something of a chore to get through this book, and I am always disappointed whenever I have to say this about any Eberron novel. The story felt deeply lacking, the characters were left to be characterized by one trait each, and the mystery just wasn't compelling. I suppose if I can give this book something, I think it could be potentially a gateway Eberron novel for new readers as it doesn't go deep into world-specific concepts and not explain them with the expectation for the reader to just already know (unlike a few other Eberron titles I could name,) but I would still not recommend it even for that. The Heirs of Ash trilogy or The Dragon Below trilogy would be far better to use as a gateway.
All-in-all, I don't really regret reading this book and I can't really regret the money spent on it, as I bought it dirt-cheap. It just wounds my heart to see yet another shoddy novel set in one of my favorite worlds, and written by someone who already penned one shoddy novel for the same world. I'd hoped that Bolme could have cranked out something that was better, more compelling, and didn't utilize the exact same lazy techniques as The Orb of Xoriat but I suppose I'll just have to live with my disappointment.
This book definitely wound up among the latter.
I think the concept was rather basic to start with, the characters felt very bland, and the pacing... dear God, the pacing. It took roughly over 60% of the book for the pace of the plot to actually get somewhere, and by that point it was like Bolme decided to rush and hastily throw all of the important plot development into the remainder of what he wrote. As was the case with his other Eberron book, The Orb of Xoriat, [which I plan to re-read and review in the future,] he seems given to the idea that if he throws a lot of excessively drawn-out fight scenes in the climax of the story it will make up for how slow the plot moves for the first half of the book.
Let me just tell you, it doesn't. He also leaves a lot of loose threads dangling and questions unanswered, the ending is absolute and utter crap, and the most irritating thing (at least for me) happens to be the fact this book is part of the series The Inquisitives, and yet there is no Inquisitive in the entire story. I suppose if you really want to stretch the definition of the role of Inquisitives in the world of Eberron, then the main character of Cimozjen could be considered one. [For those unfamiliar with the setting of Eberron, the order of Inquisitives are sort of like private investigators/detectives of a sort, and they often specialize in cases involving missing persons or tracking down people who don't want to be found for some shady reason or other.] However, none of the characters are actually an Inquisitive or ever take on the role of one, and as such, this book feels very out-of-place in this particular sequence of titles set in Eberron.
Truth be told, it was something of a chore to get through this book, and I am always disappointed whenever I have to say this about any Eberron novel. The story felt deeply lacking, the characters were left to be characterized by one trait each, and the mystery just wasn't compelling. I suppose if I can give this book something, I think it could be potentially a gateway Eberron novel for new readers as it doesn't go deep into world-specific concepts and not explain them with the expectation for the reader to just already know (unlike a few other Eberron titles I could name,) but I would still not recommend it even for that. The Heirs of Ash trilogy or The Dragon Below trilogy would be far better to use as a gateway.
All-in-all, I don't really regret reading this book and I can't really regret the money spent on it, as I bought it dirt-cheap. It just wounds my heart to see yet another shoddy novel set in one of my favorite worlds, and written by someone who already penned one shoddy novel for the same world. I'd hoped that Bolme could have cranked out something that was better, more compelling, and didn't utilize the exact same lazy techniques as The Orb of Xoriat but I suppose I'll just have to live with my disappointment.
June 9, 2017
This book was horrible.
And for one, simple reason:
Gnomes. Or more specifically, the Trust.
And the fact that it exists in the world.
I cannot believe that any member of a House would be so outstandingly stupid to put in jeopardy their name (when literally their reputation as a neutral and just force is the reason for their existence and employment) just for a few bucks. Done while betraying every oath they took and in the most evil, sickening way they could find. It literally one step from kicking puppies and making pies with hobby meat.
There is no way that in a world full of spying agencies like the phyalarn, the queen's eyes, the black lanterns, the Trust and supernatural conspiracies embroiled in a cold war for information and backstabbing, could the heads of the house allow such level of corruption, such level of IDIOCY and slopiness that a single soldier, a warforged and one of the worst female characters I had read in years (disloyal, promiscuous, thief, incompetent and downright a miserable waste of feme fatale) managed to unravel in less than a month.
Do you have any idea the sheer level of blackmail this could entail? It could easily bring down one of the greatest mercantile forces as a literal slave to either one of the Kingdoms or another house. It boggles the mind what were they thinking to even consider this enterprise and the sheer smugness of the big bad of the setting about how powerful they were... it's just so stupid. So, so, so stupid. The fact that it ended with his dead in the most pointless way possible literally proves my point
You just don't do that. It doesn't make sense either as a business deal nor as an evil plot.
With that as the foundation for the adventure, the book is tremendously stupid. Yes, Cimozjen and 4 are great characters but the plot is shallow, full of plotholes that enrage you after reading the novel, it breaks many basic premises of the setting just for plot twists and... is honestly a waste of time.
Worse of all, since all the Inquisitives are interlocked along with the Sharl Axe, it means that each story is fundamentally broken and horrible. Mind you, all these novels are somewhat bad (Wren in a very tong-in-cheek, awesome way, at least the first book) and... it just mutilates the original setting, themselves and tries to create this Noir ambience without allowing it to grow from the setting itself, with shallow characters and bland endings.
And for one, simple reason:
Gnomes. Or more specifically, the Trust.
And the fact that it exists in the world.
I cannot believe that any member of a House would be so outstandingly stupid to put in jeopardy their name (when literally their reputation as a neutral and just force is the reason for their existence and employment) just for a few bucks. Done while betraying every oath they took and in the most evil, sickening way they could find. It literally one step from kicking puppies and making pies with hobby meat.
There is no way that in a world full of spying agencies like the phyalarn, the queen's eyes, the black lanterns, the Trust and supernatural conspiracies embroiled in a cold war for information and backstabbing, could the heads of the house allow such level of corruption, such level of IDIOCY and slopiness that a single soldier, a warforged and one of the worst female characters I had read in years (disloyal, promiscuous, thief, incompetent and downright a miserable waste of feme fatale) managed to unravel in less than a month.
Do you have any idea the sheer level of blackmail this could entail? It could easily bring down one of the greatest mercantile forces as a literal slave to either one of the Kingdoms or another house. It boggles the mind what were they thinking to even consider this enterprise and the sheer smugness of the big bad of the setting about how powerful they were... it's just so stupid. So, so, so stupid. The fact that it ended with his dead in the most pointless way possible literally proves my point
You just don't do that. It doesn't make sense either as a business deal nor as an evil plot.
With that as the foundation for the adventure, the book is tremendously stupid. Yes, Cimozjen and 4 are great characters but the plot is shallow, full of plotholes that enrage you after reading the novel, it breaks many basic premises of the setting just for plot twists and... is honestly a waste of time.
Worse of all, since all the Inquisitives are interlocked along with the Sharl Axe, it means that each story is fundamentally broken and horrible. Mind you, all these novels are somewhat bad (Wren in a very tong-in-cheek, awesome way, at least the first book) and... it just mutilates the original setting, themselves and tries to create this Noir ambience without allowing it to grow from the setting itself, with shallow characters and bland endings.
November 28, 2025
A ver, con este tipo de novelas tengo el listón bajo. Me las tomo como aventurillas de toque rolero, lectura rápida que no tiene mas objetivo que entretenerme un rato. Asi que no suelo ser muy exigente. Con que se deje leer y este entretenida, y me ayude a formarme una idea mas completa sobre la ambientación, ya voy bien.
En este caso, la historia comenzaba interesante. Un pequeño misterio, un paladin en sus horas bajas y una elfa periodista detrás de una historia que vender. Pero la verdad es que, aún con el listón bajo, el desarrollo de la historia, de los personajes, y de la narración deja que desear.
Lo mas enervante seguramente sea precisamente el personaje de la elfa. Es un personaje escrito por un adolescente con las hormonas a tope. Comienza pareciendo un personaje misterioso, y parece que vayan a usarla de contrapunto a la moralidad recta del paladin. Pero es que esa intención tras el personaje la acaba convirtiendo en una niña tonta, cobarde y que se pasa la novela insinuándose al aguerrido aventurero sin ningún tipo de trasfondo. Cuando la historia lo requiere, se muestra como inteligente y aporta deducciones que hacen avanzar la trama. Para inmediatamente después actuar de la manera más estúpida posible. Es incongruente, y esta escrita de manera tan chabacana que acaba hastiando. Incluso su acción final, mas o menos fiel a lo que planteaba el personaje inicialmente, y en linea con ese contraste moral con el protagonista, parece precipitado e incongruente con el supuesto desarrollo del personaje en la recta final.
Luego hay cosas de la trama en si, del misterio, que no terminan de engancharme del todo. A grandes rasgos da para una idea interesante, pero el ritmo y el estilo no termina de funcionar. Si el personaje de la elfa, y lo que aporta, se hubiera hecho bien, podría haber resultado algo muy interesante y resultón. Pero la suma de todo te deja bastante frio al llegar al final del libro...
Mira que la premisa de una saga de libros sobre Inquisitivos en Eberron mola, y se que cada novela es independiente. Pero es que este pone difícil mantener el interés para leer alguno mas de esta saga....
En este caso, la historia comenzaba interesante. Un pequeño misterio, un paladin en sus horas bajas y una elfa periodista detrás de una historia que vender. Pero la verdad es que, aún con el listón bajo, el desarrollo de la historia, de los personajes, y de la narración deja que desear.
Lo mas enervante seguramente sea precisamente el personaje de la elfa. Es un personaje escrito por un adolescente con las hormonas a tope. Comienza pareciendo un personaje misterioso, y parece que vayan a usarla de contrapunto a la moralidad recta del paladin. Pero es que esa intención tras el personaje la acaba convirtiendo en una niña tonta, cobarde y que se pasa la novela insinuándose al aguerrido aventurero sin ningún tipo de trasfondo. Cuando la historia lo requiere, se muestra como inteligente y aporta deducciones que hacen avanzar la trama. Para inmediatamente después actuar de la manera más estúpida posible. Es incongruente, y esta escrita de manera tan chabacana que acaba hastiando. Incluso su acción final, mas o menos fiel a lo que planteaba el personaje inicialmente, y en linea con ese contraste moral con el protagonista, parece precipitado e incongruente con el supuesto desarrollo del personaje en la recta final.
Luego hay cosas de la trama en si, del misterio, que no terminan de engancharme del todo. A grandes rasgos da para una idea interesante, pero el ritmo y el estilo no termina de funcionar. Si el personaje de la elfa, y lo que aporta, se hubiera hecho bien, podría haber resultado algo muy interesante y resultón. Pero la suma de todo te deja bastante frio al llegar al final del libro...
Mira que la premisa de una saga de libros sobre Inquisitivos en Eberron mola, y se que cada novela es independiente. Pero es que este pone difícil mantener el interés para leer alguno mas de esta saga....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2021
My first foray into a "fantasy" setting and it's a "mystery," of sorts. I wondered how the author would pull it off?
At first, the characters did a lot of "telling," not "showing," but then, doesn't a mystery have a foundation of common understanding of reality, between writer and readers? Traders new to Oberron might not get lightning rails and dragonmark houses.
The novel started slow. The deductions of Minrah seemed a stretch for me. Also seemed to me the plot bogged down a bit about a third in. Then, surprisingly, it picked up in pace. Characterization happened. Decent differences and discussion, even! Character growth? Actually, yes.
Still. With all the magic available to the world, how does one keep secrets? Not sure about that.
Won't say the ending but it supposed me. Quite a decent book.
At first, the characters did a lot of "telling," not "showing," but then, doesn't a mystery have a foundation of common understanding of reality, between writer and readers? Traders new to Oberron might not get lightning rails and dragonmark houses.
The novel started slow. The deductions of Minrah seemed a stretch for me. Also seemed to me the plot bogged down a bit about a third in. Then, surprisingly, it picked up in pace. Characterization happened. Decent differences and discussion, even! Character growth? Actually, yes.
Still. With all the magic available to the world, how does one keep secrets? Not sure about that.
Won't say the ending but it supposed me. Quite a decent book.
November 27, 2022
While it is by no means a 5/5 fantasy book in a vacuum (that is borderline impossible to achieve when you are writing fiction as a commission for an established universe on behalf of a company), it is definitely 5/5 comparatively for these types of books, I can confidently claim this to be the best book in the Inquisitives series, which suffered from either lackluster story, characterization, or writing; this had none of those and had done remarkably well with the little space it had to grow as "popcorn literature". The only bad thing about it is that there wasn't more, and I'd have loved Edward Bolme to have written more about Eberron as I explore it, because he is truly terrific.
June 23, 2021
A fantastic and thrilling fantasy romp. Bound By Iron is a great entry into the Eberron universe. The characters are flawed, but likeable in their own ways. The dialogue is well-written; a bit of pulpy bite mixed with the more flowery language of fantasy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will probably read it again at some point.
December 4, 2019
This was going to be a be a one star review until almost the end. But the last chapter won me over. Even the (terrible) romantic subplot between the two main characters become interesting in retrospect after this.
I would still not endorse the full book. But I highly recommend reading at least the last chapter (and assuming that the rest of it is just a boring and tropey mystery /adventure story).
I would still not endorse the full book. But I highly recommend reading at least the last chapter (and assuming that the rest of it is just a boring and tropey mystery /adventure story).
March 29, 2021
I started reading to get some background on Eberron, but I enjoyed the mystery as well as the history of this fantasy realm.
If you like Dungeons and Dragons and you like a good story, this book might be what you’re looking for.
If you like Dungeons and Dragons and you like a good story, this book might be what you’re looking for.
May 11, 2025
surprisingly terrible. it was nice being back in eberron, but this book felt very amateurish (which it might be idk i picked it up for a dollar). The female lead was horribly written and the ending is downright awful. it gets one star for at least handling the setting well
October 12, 2025
Edging towards 3.5-4 stars. Only complaint I would have is the one female main character felt a little cliched. Still I enjoyed the story and unlike a lot of novels inspired by game settings, I didn't feel like this one spent too much time on exposition to explain the world.
March 28, 2020
Overly simplystic
April 30, 2020
Probably the most Fun Eberron book I've read.
September 5, 2020
Passable fare in the world of Eberron as a war-veteran holy man seeks out the killers of an old comrade. Kind of sloppily put together--too much convenience and happenstance--but entertaining enough.
June 20, 2021
Not my style of book - murder mystery track-down with awfully odd/shallow character relationships.
June 15, 2022
This is my favorite of the Eberron books I've read so far. It's a detective mystery with a side of comedy and plenty of gruesome action. Loved it!
October 4, 2025
Cracking start to the book with great characters but utterly rubbish ending.
August 21, 2013
This was quite good. Characters (whether central to the story or not) were varied and well-developed, and the plot moved briskly with interesting (albeit unsurprising) twists and turns. Nothing that will blow you away, but enjoyable through and through. It also fleshes out the reality of the fictional world by handling unglamorous issues writers typically overlook, such as how destitution and veterans' issues.
You'll note that this takes place in the Eberron setting (Dungeons and Dragons), but you don't need to know anything about the setting to enjoy the book. I will note though, that it doesn't explain the warforged, which may prove confusing. Here's a quick primer: http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki... What you'd need to know that's specific to Eberron is that the warforged were magically created by House Cannith to serve in the Last War. At the war's ended, they were deemed actual people, and were emancipated from slavery. Given this new freedom, most warforged have absolutely no clue what to do with themselves.
You'll note that this takes place in the Eberron setting (Dungeons and Dragons), but you don't need to know anything about the setting to enjoy the book. I will note though, that it doesn't explain the warforged, which may prove confusing. Here's a quick primer: http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki... What you'd need to know that's specific to Eberron is that the warforged were magically created by House Cannith to serve in the Last War. At the war's ended, they were deemed actual people, and were emancipated from slavery. Given this new freedom, most warforged have absolutely no clue what to do with themselves.
April 26, 2011
Bound by Iron is an exciting mix between fantasy and mystery. The book is fast paced and action packed. The characters are solid and well written. The hero is not your cookie-cutter invincible type. Instead, Cimozjen is an interesting mixture of paladin and soldier. What I liked is that in several scenes it is shown that he is not invincible and not infallible. He makes mistakes, he gets injured. This character feels real. I also liked the interaction between the characters.
The plot of the story is also interesting and although predictible in a few spots it was very well written. I thought the ending was very well done. I highly recommend this book.
The plot of the story is also interesting and although predictible in a few spots it was very well written. I thought the ending was very well done. I highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2013
Really enjoyed reading about Cimozjen. Pretty much a paladin in the world of Eberron. Story started with him finding the corpse of a fellow soldier from their fighting group called Iron Band. Takes place over the adventure of him trying to find out how he died. He runs into an elven writer that would like to tell his story. Along the way they pick up a warforged that begins to hang around them. The author did a great job telling the story, and let the warforged have a couple of great lines :)
July 17, 2021
This was so damn good that I'm a little apprehensive about reading more Eberron novels. I'm afraid that they're going to be as bad, as painful to read, as The City of Towers and that I'm just setting myself up for disappointment.
In any case, Bound by Iron is funny, clever, engaging, full of interesting characters with nuanced worldviews and differences, and the prose flows so well that it just fades away and then you're there. If nothing else, read this story to get an idea of how to create paladins.
In any case, Bound by Iron is funny, clever, engaging, full of interesting characters with nuanced worldviews and differences, and the prose flows so well that it just fades away and then you're there. If nothing else, read this story to get an idea of how to create paladins.
December 22, 2014
Eberron just works for me. I find the setting better than Forgotten Realms because of bits like the discussions between the 2 major characters about the nature of the gods and faith. This particular book also briefly points out the importance of the number 13 (Baker's dozen) in the setting. And it gave me an interesting idea for a bard build. Unlike most RPG based books, I might reread this one.
September 7, 2011
A fun read though the character turns while not unexpected left me wanting more. Alas I don't think the same characters appear in the later books in this specific series. Fun mix of detective and D&D fantasy action with a lot more exploration of warfare and veterans issues than typically found in such novels.
April 24, 2007
Great book, well written. It had enough action to keep me interested and a great story. The mystery added to the enjoyment. The book kept the reader engaged by allow the reader to do some of the detective work. The characters were memorable and I can not wait for the second book to come out.
October 14, 2012
Love the character interaction and the philosophical conundrums. At times you forget that it is a fantasy and just get lost in the mystery. Great quips and one-liners, FANTASTIC endibg. I want to read more about Cimozjen's adventures!
August 6, 2011
It was okay not the best...
September 12, 2011
This was good. I'm normally not a fan of noir style stories, but setting them in one of my favorite fantasy settings and having some decently written characters makes this a decent read.
April 23, 2013
A not-terrible gaming book that also never truly shines.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews