The Magic That Binds: Haelan, Book 1

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 2,057 ratings

Price: 29.66

Last update: 09-10-2024


About this item

All Dag Gates wants is a place to call home. (And to practice magic freely.)

All Stefan Bjorne wants is peace in his adoptive country. (And less paperwork.)

All Mikkel Vinters wants is both of them. (No, really, he could do wedding bells.)

So why, pray tell, is half the magical community set on denying them all their wishes?


Top reviews from the United States

Many Hat Momma
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic!
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2023
The plot is fantastic- it draws you in, has a great pace, keeps you reading far past bedtime! The fantasy world is superbly detailed with its own political system and laws customized for magic users. The characters are solidly crafted, unique from each other, utterly lovable and fit together so well! Themes of political intrigue, healing and wielding magic even when it’s against the law, being brave enough to do what is right even at great personal cost, and polyamory fill the pages of this book. I love a great story, one that mimics real life, but is just enough of a fantasy twist to give me that ‘hammock in the sun’ vacation feel. This super slow burn yet not overly angsty fantasy romance is full of magic, men, and love. And eventually, a hard won happily ever after!
tgtuc
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
Like most of her books in this genre there's a very sweet romance along with an excellent plot and well developed characters. The three men fit together nicely and tackle the problems facing them with intelligence and cunning.
T. Blanchard
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, somewhat irritating audio
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
The good: I love the world building, the characters, the story. I've read or purchased many other books by the same author, I'm definitely a fan. Since I'd previously read the book using kindle unlimited, I bought the audio without listening to a sample first. Leading me to--

The not so good? I hesitate to say bad. I'm still listening. One of the narrators is reading in a really irritating manner and I'm not sure if it was a conscious choice or an inherent quality; every now and then they read a sentence or speak as a different character and it seems to flow better, but when voicing their primary character it's very choppy. Think the William Shatner school of acting, where random.periods.get.added.to.sentences. I can't relax and just lose myself in the story with this narrator the way I have with other audiobooks from the same author.

So, lesson learned, ALWAYS listen to a sample.
Jessica S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable and re-readable
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023
As always I love this book by AJ Sherwood. At first I had some trouble with the new terminology for this new world, but by the second chapter it made sense. Like all the books and series I've read by the author the characters have endeared themselves to me and made me wish I could be their friends. This will go in to my re-read list, along with all her other books. I like the characters. I like the story. I like the humor used to deal with difficult situations.
Kindle-Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2023
Wow, what an amazing start of a new series. On one side there's Dag, a healer who can't stop healing but is not allowed to heal. Stefan a powerful mage and Mikkel a screwed businessman. On the other side, are some jealous mages with power and political clout to do as they please. It will take the three of them to find their HEA. I've had so much fun reading this story. As usual, great world building, very likeable and strong characters and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
XRoel
5.0 out of 5 stars A new favorite! ❤️
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2023
I don't have enough words to express how much I loved this book. As a huge fan of AJ Sherwood I usually loved every book she writes so I knew I was going to like this new series, but I was not prepared for such a wonderful story. Dag's view of life and duty is inspiring and beautiful, Stefan's integrity and protectiveness is sweet and cute and Mikkel's playfulness and banter is the thread that unite and complement them. A captivating plot, a new magical world where hope and love is possible and the start of a new series that promises so much adventure. Another favorite for me. Loved it so much!
Lena
4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Good, but Could Have Been Better Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
I love reading A.J. Sherwoods books, out of her numerous works, I have read them all minus 2 series. So suffice to say I was eagerly awaiting the publication of this book (I'm still counting down the days until A Mage's Guide to Wicky). However, while I enjoyed this book, I think it really lacked the elements that have made me love Sherwood's book as much as I do. I don't want to call the book boring or flat because it wasn't, but in comparison to some of her other works, it felt a little lack luster. There was definitely humor and sass, but not as much as I would hope. The romance was slow burn and the plot wasn't very intense, although set in a magical world we didn't get to learn or experience much of it. It was very focused on the characters, and yet I feel like we never got below their surface layers? I'm unsure quite how to phrase it, lots of things were hinted at but never really elaborated on and I just wasn't sucked into the book like I usually am. After the long wait I was a bit disappointed, but I'm still excited at the idea of a new series and I think it has the potential to be as great her other works that I, again, truly love
Evelyn Rye
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2024
World building with believable social problems and a slow burn poly romance. Just perfect! Read it and help me beg for the next book.

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