Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/15/2019 Each new moon, Ferriers guide souls to their destiny; however, to earn this position the Leurress (Ferrier aspirants) must first entice and then kill their soul mate to affirm their dedication to the gods they serve. During Ailesse’s rite of passage, she is kidnapped by her amouré, whose own father was killed at a Leurress’ hands as he watched. Bastien’s revenge would be sweet, but darker forces are in motion, and both Ailesse and Bastien are at their mercy. Purdie based her fantasy on medieval French dames blanches (women dressed in white) who lured passersby into a dance, mixing this myth with ill-fated lovers who are each other’s death warrant. The story is a dance itself, an ebb and flow of hunt versus hunted, loyalty versus treachery, but animal enthusiasts may wince at the fact that the Ferriers’ strength comes from sacrificing creatures. Shifting first-person narrative immerses readers in the danger and romance of the premise, and, despite a lagging pace, fans will revel in the cliff-hanger ending that sets up this duology's next volume. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.