Tethered (The Binding Chronicles Book 1)

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 6,508 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 12-20-2024


About this item

Now a complete series!
What could be worse than an arranged marriage to a vampire prince?

When Luna is sold into marriage to the Prince of Darkness on her twenty-first birthday, she thinks she knows what to expect. Arranged marriages happen all the time, right? Wrong. No one could have prepared her for the reality of being married to the vampire prince.

Ever since the day he was Made, Sebastian has been living according to Queen Marguerite’s rules. After all, he’s only alive because of her. When she orders him to marry and Bind himself to Luna, a human hailing from a neighboring kingdom, he has no choice. He agrees to the marriage but never expects to feel anything for her.

When their Binding Ceremony goes awry, and they are magically Tethered, everything is thrown into upheaval. Unable to leave each other’s presence, they must learn to live with each other. Or die.

Tethered is an arranged marriage high fantasy romance and it is filled with forced proximity, magical bindings, vampires, and world-building.

Tethered, Tormented, and Treasured should be read in order. There is a complete arc and a happy ending at the end of Treasured. Troubled takes place after Treasured and follows another couple.

Tethered takes place in the same world as Of Earth and Flame and A Game of Love and Betrayal. It can be enjoyed on its own or alongside The Ithenmyr Chronicles and The Choosing Chronicles.

NOTE: This series is upper YA. There are some instances of violence, language, and mature situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.


From the Publisher

When the arranged marriage to the vampire prince of darkness
Isn't the worst part of your week.
Tethered, Tormented, and Treasured

Top reviews from the United States

Msheals
5.0 out of 5 stars well written vampire book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
This is like my first vampire book that isn’t twilight or Dracula and I really love it! Great plot, romance, it has it all. I love the backgrounds she gives the characters and the purpose she gives them. Can’t wait to read the next book!
MommieJ
4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars Rated PG-13
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, but it was lacking real depth. It was a great surface story. Great plot, characters, and mystery, but it all skimmed the surface. The main characters' feelings just changed, but there was no episode or reason why. If the binding was the reason, that is fine, but we needed to be shown that. The FMC is brilliant, but let's her husband starve for over a month? Where was the reason? Scared, disgusted, angry? She is so inquisitive, but not with this? She can't bleed into a cup or let him drink from her wrist?
I feel that with some good editing, this book could be fabulous!
*This book is rated PG-13. There are a half dozen mild cuss words. There is a lot of blood and several scenes of vague torture and vicious violence. There is no actual spice, but there is desire in the core, passionate kissing, and thoughts of being together naked.
Brittany Fischer
3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet but slow
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
Tethered is a book bout a human princess Luna who is forced to be married and bound to a dark vampire prince and live under the cruel and suppressing rule of his mother queen Marguerite. Things take a turn when the binding ceremony forced upon them goes wrong and now they must stay within 30 ft of each other. The castle Luna now lives is full of danger an as she must rely on the prince to keep her safe.

Overall the book was okay. It started off promising but became quite slow and bland as well as repetitive. There was almost no progression of the characters relationship until 75% of the way through and most of the story takes place in two rooms. The characters had the potential to be interesting but ended up being very 1 dimensional.

The book is pretty standard for a vampire/arranged marriage scenario, but there wasn't too much else to the story and the characters often seemed to lack purpose or direction. If you like a simple sweet romance with some mystery and no spice then this is a fine book for you.
Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
Reading "Tethered" by Elayna R. Gallea was an immersive journey into a meticulously crafted world where the lines between duty, magic, and love blur. What initially seemed to be a tale of an archetypical arranged marriage quickly unfolded into a rich narrative, filled with unexpected twists and deeply rooted in emotional truths and magical realism.

From the outset, the premise intrigued me—what could indeed be worse than being sold into marriage with a vampire prince? Yet, Gallea masterfully turns this seemingly clichéd scenario on its head, introducing us to Luna and Sebastian, characters who are as complex as they are compelling. Luna, despite her dire circumstances, exhibits a resilience and depth that defy her initial victimhood. Sebastian, on the other hand, is far from the brooding, unapproachable figure one might expect. His struggle with his own identity and the obligations imposed by Queen Marguerite adds layers to his character that are both fascinating and relatable.

The concept of the Binding Ceremony gone wrong and the subsequent magical Tethering between Luna and Sebastian serves as a brilliant narrative device. It not only propels the plot forward but also forces both characters into a proximity that ensures growth, conflict, and, ultimately, a deep understanding and respect for one another. This forced proximity, while not unique in romantic fantasies, is handled with a fresh perspective and depth in "Tethered," making the relationship between Luna and Sebastian both believable and heart-wrenching.

The world-building in "Tethered" deserves special mention. Gallea has crafted a universe that is both vast and intricate, with the cultures, politics, and magic systems of Ithenmyr and its neighboring kingdoms painted in vivid detail. The lore of the vampires, the significance of the Binding Ceremony, and the magical elements are woven into the narrative seamlessly, enhancing the story without overwhelming it.

However, the slow-burn romance between Luna and Sebastian is where "Tethered" truly shines. Gallea takes her time developing their relationship, allowing for a genuine connection to form between the characters—and between the characters and the reader. The evolution of their feelings, set against the backdrop of political intrigue and magical turmoil, is paced perfectly, making their eventual emotional intimacy earned and satisfying.

If there's any critique to be had, it's that at times, the pacing of the narrative can feel uneven, particularly in the middle sections where the detailed world-building occasionally slows down the momentum of the plot. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a beautifully written and deeply engaging story.

In conclusion, "Tethered" is a standout addition to the romantic fantasy genre. Elayna R. Gallea has crafted a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting, with characters that linger long after the final page. It's a novel that anyone who appreciates a story of love, magic, and the complexities of human (and vampire) nature will love.
Customer image
Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
Reading "Tethered" by Elayna R. Gallea was an immersive journey into a meticulously crafted world where the lines between duty, magic, and love blur. What initially seemed to be a tale of an archetypical arranged marriage quickly unfolded into a rich narrative, filled with unexpected twists and deeply rooted in emotional truths and magical realism.

From the outset, the premise intrigued me—what could indeed be worse than being sold into marriage with a vampire prince? Yet, Gallea masterfully turns this seemingly clichéd scenario on its head, introducing us to Luna and Sebastian, characters who are as complex as they are compelling. Luna, despite her dire circumstances, exhibits a resilience and depth that defy her initial victimhood. Sebastian, on the other hand, is far from the brooding, unapproachable figure one might expect. His struggle with his own identity and the obligations imposed by Queen Marguerite adds layers to his character that are both fascinating and relatable.

The concept of the Binding Ceremony gone wrong and the subsequent magical Tethering between Luna and Sebastian serves as a brilliant narrative device. It not only propels the plot forward but also forces both characters into a proximity that ensures growth, conflict, and, ultimately, a deep understanding and respect for one another. This forced proximity, while not unique in romantic fantasies, is handled with a fresh perspective and depth in "Tethered," making the relationship between Luna and Sebastian both believable and heart-wrenching.

The world-building in "Tethered" deserves special mention. Gallea has crafted a universe that is both vast and intricate, with the cultures, politics, and magic systems of Ithenmyr and its neighboring kingdoms painted in vivid detail. The lore of the vampires, the significance of the Binding Ceremony, and the magical elements are woven into the narrative seamlessly, enhancing the story without overwhelming it.

However, the slow-burn romance between Luna and Sebastian is where "Tethered" truly shines. Gallea takes her time developing their relationship, allowing for a genuine connection to form between the characters—and between the characters and the reader. The evolution of their feelings, set against the backdrop of political intrigue and magical turmoil, is paced perfectly, making their eventual emotional intimacy earned and satisfying.

If there's any critique to be had, it's that at times, the pacing of the narrative can feel uneven, particularly in the middle sections where the detailed world-building occasionally slows down the momentum of the plot. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a beautifully written and deeply engaging story.

In conclusion, "Tethered" is a standout addition to the romantic fantasy genre. Elayna R. Gallea has crafted a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting, with characters that linger long after the final page. It's a novel that anyone who appreciates a story of love, magic, and the complexities of human (and vampire) nature will love.
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