Direbound (The Wolves of Ruin)

Direbound from debut author Sable Sorenson has been haunting my dreams in the best possible way. I’ve been reading romantasy for a little less than two years, yes Fourth Wing introduced me to the genre. This story has bonding trials like Fourth Wing and direwolves like Game of Thrones. I’m sure there are other movie and book similarities to be found. For the last five hundred years, the country of Nocturna, protected by its infantry and Bonded riders/direwolves has been at war with the country of Astreona, governed by their king Lucian Brightbane, with Siphons also known as vampires as their army. During all of this time, no one has ever truly had an advantage. However, Nocturna has turned into a poor, poverty-stricken county. Most of the lavishes and riches are heaped upon the Bonded families, leaving most commoners barely scraping by. At the age of twelve, Meryn Cooper lost her father to the war. Shortly after, her mother started experiencing mental health issues, which resulted in Meryn dropping out of school, taking care of her infant sister, and taking over her mother’s job to have income. Now twenty-three, Meryn still works at the laundromat and supplements her mother’s medication and her sister’s schooling by fighting in warehouses against men twice her size. For as long as she can remember, kids have been kidnapped from the capital city of Sturmfrost in the middle of the night, while they’ve slept in their own beds. The thought is that Nabbers who are Siphons or working for the Siphons are responsible, and take the children across the border. When Meryn’s ten-year-old sister Saela is taken right from under her nose, Meryn knows she needs to get her back. “If anyone’s fool enough to take the fight to the Nabbers, and strong enough to stop them and bring home our kids, well, it’s you.” In order to get Saela back, Meryn needs to get to the frontlines of the war fast. Her solution is to join the King’s Royal Forces. To her surprise, this season’s recruitment also includes the bonding trials, where every recruit must compete and scale Mount Wolfsbane to see if they will be selected by a direwolf and become Bonded. Those who do not bond with a wolf will immediately be sent to the frontlines to complete their training. But those who do bond will spend the next four months doing intense pack training. The trials immediately begin with the Ascent, where some will not make it. Luckily for Meryn, with the help of her new friends Venna and Izabel, she’s able to make it up. Venna and Izabel immediately bond. Meryn has no desire to bond and is ready to be transferred to the frontlines. But Anassa a powerful-looking direwolf has other plans for her. The two immediately clash in a battle of wills, with neither trusting the other. This doesn’t bode well, as trust between direwolf and rider is paramount for survival. Not only does Meryn have to deal with an irritable (to say the least) direwolf, and other Rawbonds (newly bonded) trying to eliminate her, but she also has to deal with Stark Therion, one of the training instructors. Stark isn’t just an instructor. His normal position is that of Alpha of the Daemos pack, the warriors, which usually finds him on the frontlines racking up Siphon eliminations. He oozes disdain for Meryn and seems to take joy in trying to break her. But Meryn would endure anything and everything if it meant freeing her sister and returning to her mother and the love of her life Lee, her boyfriend of a year and a palace messenger. Direbound was more than I expected and almost nothing I expected at the same time. I loved Meryn who is outspoken, courageous, and brave. Stark is a complicated man who keeps everything close to his vest. His allegiance is to the crown and he makes it no secret. With his direwolf Cratos, they are a force to be reckoned with and inspire fear and submission. Lee is handsome and charming and knows exactly what to say and what Meryn needs. He is just way too good. Their attraction is palatable and their relationship is passionate and spicy. Direbound was captivating from the first to the last page. Every part of this story is important to the overall picture. I so LOVED all the twists and turns. Make no mistake, Direbound is a brutal, gruesomely graphic story. But there’s also beauty in friendship, found family, and coming into your own. This is a story about longing, betrayal, and secrets. So many secrets. I love the “touch her and die” trope. Direbound (shaking my head) has very good t.h.a.d. moments. There are other tropes, but I don’t want to list them and spoil anything. Just know that Direbound is going to be with me for a long long time. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Furybound. ~ Favorite Quotes ~ “The strongest bonds are selective.” “I’ve never let difficult things break me and I’m not going to start now.” “You are more precious to me than you could ever imagine.” “Friendship can be a strength.” “I give respect where respect is due.” “Leadership requires both knowledge and strength.” “There are different kinds of strength. Different kinds of weaknesses.” “I will never lie to you.” “Family is a blind spot for all of us.” “Trust goes two ways.” **Received a copy of the book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a paperback copy.**

A high stakes romantasy that captures your attention from the start. I loved the concept with the dire wolves, the bonding, and the trials! The story was full of action and twists along the way. I enjoyed the latter half and especially the last 10% of the book I was glued to the pages. Meryn’s character slowly grew on me and I look forward to seeing her really mature and grow into herself. Need more reasons to read… military academy, high stakes, dire wolves, bonding, fated mates, love trianglish, inner strength, forced proximity, dark fantasy, survival, growing into oneself, inner strength, steamy, twists, and more.

ARC Read I was so excited to be selected to be an ARC reader for this wonderful book. I have always loved wolf stories, and this one did NOT disappoint! The world building was absolutely captivating. It's rare to find a story that has you excited to learn about each new custom and setting along with the character, but Direbound did this impeccably. I was found myself immediately hooked and enthralled with the characters and the storyline. Meryn is tough and determined, but we also get to see her growth and how she comes into her own. She has been handed an awful hand of cards in her life, but she makes it through because she there is no other choice. She is a great FMC that makes you want to root for her success. There is also a wonderful through-line of familial bonds both with her sister, Igor, and her complicated relationship with her mother - these bonds help Meryn to never seem flat or one-dimensional. We also get to see her bond grow with her wolf, and we get to learn about Direwolf culture alongside of her which keeps you hungry for more, just like Meryn. Anassa is a beautiful character, and single handedly drew me even further into the book. There is romance strung throughout the book, but once you meet the wolves, your intrigue is fueled by the pack and the quests at hand, leaving the romance as a good aside to the plot. The found family within this novel is beautifully written with it's ups and downs, but watching Meryn and everyone else overcome those rough patches only to come out stronger is incredibly heartwarming. From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down! Direbound held my attention for over 600 pages from the very beginning. Immediately I was pulled into this world and invested in the characters and plot. When the characters overcame something, it felt like I'd overcome it. When they lost something, I felt the loss as my own. It is incredibly difficult to illicit that feeling from a reader in the first few pages but Sable Sorensen has done it beautifully. There is enough detail that you can fall into the story and look around as if you're there, but not too much that you feel bogged down in a setting description. Also, as someone who has read a lot of wolf based stories in her life, I can tell you that this is one of the best I've read. The descriptions of the packs and the connections were well described and thought out. It felt cohesive, and I could tell that wolves and pack structures were something that Sable Sorensen really cared about and thought out. Throughout the read, I was kept on my toes. I am a reader that likes to figure things out before they happen, but I was constantly changing my theories as new information was revealed. There are twists and turns in this book that keep you deeply engaged in the plot, and the ending left my jaw open with me already looking up the release of the second book! After I finished the read, I had such an urge to go back and reread it to figure out all of the foreshadowing that was released previously that I had missed, but kept thinking back to with all of the new information. I almost never find myself itching to reread a novel directly after finishing it, but after this read, it was impossible to just set the book down and walk away from the world until this summer! (Potential Spoiler (if you want to go in with almost no knowledge) Ahead) Finally, I have always loved Throne of Glass and Rowan Whitethorn. I never thought that I'd find another fantasy man that matches his energy, but Stark might just prove me wrong. Overall, if you're a fan of wolves, Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass, all of the above, read Direbound! You won't regret diving into this world for even a second!

Amazing, just simply amazing! The book is week written with plenty of details. Takes you on a magical journey through a dystopian time that feels old as word. With magic, war, and romance. The strong independent female character is evident with every page. The betrayal she feels will make your blood boil. The bound she will forge with her fire is something we all loathe for! The twists and turns, especially the heart wrenching ones. This novel sucks you in and does not let go. You will burn pages faster than you realize. All coming down to a huge cliffhanger that makes you grasp for more! 6 out of 5 and it’s not even close.

If you enjoy fantasy novels with a bit of. spice, you’re probably going to love it. The characters are captivating and I can’t wait for the next one.

Un de mes coups de coeur de ce début d'année. Oui, beaucoup d'éléments d'intrigue sont attendus parce qu'on les voit arriver de loin mais le personnage principal est chouette, le côté dire wolf aussi et on veut absolument savoir la suite!

Der jungen und tapferen Meryn Cooper hat sich das Leben bis anhin nicht von seiner schönen Seite gezeigt - sie lebt mit ihrer massiv jüngeren Schwester Saela und ihrer psychisch kranken Mutter in einem Armutsviertel des Reiches Nocturna und hält sich und ihre Familienmitglieder mit den Gewinnen aus Ringkämpfen knapp nur sehr knapp über Wasser. Hass ist ihr trotz allen widrigen Umständen fremd, nur wenn es um die "Gebundenen" geht kennt sie nichts. Die leben in Reichtum (isoliert) und aufgrund ihres Bandes mit den Schattenwölfen wird denen auch noch eine ungeheure Macht zu Teil. Als sie Zeugin einer Hinrichtung durch den gefürchteten Stark Tharion wird, der zusammen mit seinem blutrünstigen Wolf einen Verbrecher vor ihren Augen in aller Öffentlichkeit erbarmungslos tötet, wird ihre Abneigung nur noch mehr zementiert. Doch dann wird Meryns Schwester von Blutsaugern aus dem verfeindeten Reich gekidnappt und ihr bleibt nichts anderes übrig, als sich der Armee anzuschliessen, um irgendwie an die Grenze versetzt zu werden. Ihr Plan scheint durchdacht, aber während eines brutalen Auswahlverfahrens gerät sie plötzlich ins Visier der mächtigen Schattenwölfin Anassa - und zu ihrem Entsetzen wird sie von ihr gewählt und (unwiderruflich) gebunden. Damit rücken Meryns kühne Rettungspläne erstmals in den Hintergrund und für sie beginnt eine knallharte Ausbildung und ein Kampf ums Überleben. Die Leser werden in die durchtriebene Welt Nocturnas geworfen - das Worldbuilding ist nicht sonderlich komplex, aber trotzdem genügend ausgearbeitet. Da in dieser Geschichte die Handlung stark vorangetrieben wird, ist dies nicht weiter störend. Die Umgebung, Räume etc. wirken dank des wunderbar flüssigen Schreibstils der Autorin lebendig und man kann sich alles sehr gut vorstellen. Auch der Spannungsbogen flacht nie ab - wirklich nie und trotzem hat die Story keine gehetzte Wirkung. Ja, Sable Sorensen versteht die Schreibkunst. Das Setting ist düster, geheimnisvoll und deckt sich mit der Brutalität der Geschichte - hier kommt natürlich auch der Trope deadly trials voll zum Tragen. Grundsätzlich werden wir hier nicht Zeuginnen von neuartigen Elementen, die Autorin hat eine Story mit den beliebten Tropes Slow Burn, Fated (Soul)Mates, Touch Her And Die (kicking feet...) und wie schon erwähnt den Trials erschaffen. Aber im Gegensatz zum marktüblichen Einheitsbrei ist es Sable Sorensen gelungen, das Wolfsthema raffiniert in die packende Story einfliessen zu lassen. Sie serviert uns tierische Gefährten in Form von Wölfen, die nach bestimmten Regeln und Strukturen leben. Und dieses Element bestimmt die Handlung im Buch massgeblich. Wer Angst hat, dieses System nicht zu begreifen, muss nichts befürchten, denn es gibt einen Glossar und auch eine Art Erklärung zu diesen verschiedenen "Rudeln". Eine zentrale Rolle nimmt hier logischerweise unsere sympathische, willensstarke, wagemutige, clevere Protagonistin ein. Sie ist auf ihre eigene Weise einzigartig und zeichnet sich nicht nur durch ihren Mut aus, sondern vielmehr durch ihr Mitgefühl. Ihre Rolle wird einer steten Entwicklung unterzogen, die natürlich auch mit dem Band zur Wölfin Anassa zu tun hat. Und da wären wir beim zweiten super wichtigen Charakter - der Schattenwölfin und der Alpha des einen Rudels. Anassa hat wie unsere gute Meryn ebenfalls ein ziemlich stures Köpfchen und das wiederrum führt zwischen den beiden doch zu einigen Beziehungsproblemen. Der Leserschaft werden hier doch einige super witzige Situationen aufs Auge gedrückt. Ich bin regelmässig einfach nur dagesessen und habe vor mich hin gegrinst (sehr zum Amüsement der Tischnachbarn). Ganz viel Liebe an dieser Stelle für Anassa... Zur Lovestory werde ich mich aus einem bestimmten Grund nicht äussern - es wäre ein zu grosser Spoiler. Nur soviel: es ist Slow Burn und es gibt eine Überraschung, die ich soooo nicht habe kommen sehen. Ja, der Überraschungseffekt war entsprechend gross und hat der Geschichte gleich noch etwas mehr Raffinesse und ihr eine neue Wendung verliehen. Es gibt trotz "Slow Burn" eine ordentliche Portion Spice - da wirds richtig heiss. Andere Elemente und Storylines sind kontinuierlich in die Geschichte eingeflochten worden und mir war ab dem ersten Erscheinen einer bestimmten Figur klar, was hier Sache ist - der armen Protagonistin nicht und das zu beobachten war einfach sauwitzig. Sie hat es einfach nicht gerafft (wobei man ihr keinen Vorwurf machen kann - echt nicht). Nebst den beiden wirken jedoch noch andere Charaktere ziemlich aktiv mit und deren Ziele beeinflussen die Geschichte massgeblich. Da wäre unter anderem der brutale Alpha Stark Tharion, der Meryn das Leben schwer macht und sich daran ergötzt. Die Ärmste fürchtet sich permanent, von seinem bösartigen Wolf gefressen zu werden. Es gibt aber auch sekundäre Charaktere, von denen sie ganz viel Support erfährt und nach langem endlich erlernt, was Freundschaft bedeutet. Ich habe die Zwillinge sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Von mir gibt es 6 Sterne für DAS Romantasy-Highlight 2025 und eine fette Leseempfehlung. Ich bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen und konnte das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Eignen tut sich diese Serie sicherlich für alle diejenigen, die in einer Story Raffinesse (mein Lieblingswort...) suchen, den üblichen Tropes etwas abgewinnen können, nicht vor Brutalität in der Geschichte zurückschrecken und gerne ab und zu lachen.

Finally a book that broke my romantasy slump! Fourth Wing x Hunger Games and I’m 100% here for it! I didn’t mind any similarities, it gave vibes of books that I love - why wouldn’t I want to read similar? The plot was well written and addictive, although if you’ve read much fantasy previously then parts of the plot are definitely predictable - although some twists were still unexpected and had me shocked. Character wise - Meryn is loyal, fierce and a typical fantasy main character. Stark is brooding, but well written and I wanted to learn more about him always. Lee - that twist was one of the more obvious, but I liked seeing how it was written nonetheless. I also loved that the ‘side characters’ grew throughout the story and became people I was fully invested in. I fully appreciated how the world building developed throughout the book - it didn’t have a massive world building dump but instead grew and fitted into the plot - this in itself was great, it was rich, immersive and not overwhelming. There’s fierce friendships, slow burn, found family, magical bonds and deadly trials. I didn’t want to put it down. One of my personal favourite books of the year and I cannot wait to read the next when it’s released!

Incredible story! I’ve read it in 4 days!! (Which is really quick for me) I haven’t had this feeling about a book since Fourth Wing! It has a nice pace and addictive story. You keep guessing until the very end and then you will be screaming for the second book! Can’t wait!!