NOVL Nation Pink Ribbon Winner: Dire Bound
The NOVL Nation has spoken! Fans are loving Dire Bound for its page-turning plot, romantic tension, epic fantasy, and badass main character filled with feminine rage! Once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it down, and its perfect for fans of Fourth Wing. And the sequel Fury Bound is just as good – if not better! But don’t just listen to us, hear it from readers themselves!
On Dire Bound
“I finished reading this on a plane and I am looking around like a crazy person bc NO ONE HERE UNDERSTANDS THE ENORMITY OF WHAT I JUST READ. This was such such SUCH a good book…This book had one plot twist after another, imma need a damn NECKBRACE.”
–Ashlyn, @ashlynreadss
“This was so good! Add this to your tbr immediately. Honestly, probably now one of my all time favorite fantasy reads. The story and the characters were written so well. It’s action packed, dangerous, tension filled, and full of tons of secrets and betrayal… One of the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. A MUST read romantasy! ”
–Alexandra, @fictionfeedsalex
“I now need EVERY version of this one. I absolutely devoured this book, and I can’t wait to see where Meryn’s story goes next. The ending was so insane… Sable Sorensen you have joined my autobuy list ❤️🔥 This was a masterpiece.”
–Ashlyn, @tickledbyabook
“I need Fury Bound STAT! I bought this book not knowing anything about it other than my friend saying she LOVED it… I think I’m officially a fantasy/romantasy girlie! Did I catch the twists? No. Did I freak out every time something crazy happened? Yes… I devoured the book and I can’t wait for book 2!”
–Michelle, @michellereadsandspins
“Ok, don’t laugh. But when I finished my Goodreads review is “One word…EPIC!””
–Nancy, @nancyreadsalotofbooks
“I inhaled this book. I’m talking “one more chapter” until it’s 2 am 🤦♀️ This story has elite found family energy, a scrappy heroine fueled by pure feminine rage, broody instructors with secrets and direwolves with attitude.”
–Jennifer, @williams_readalong
“This was such a great read! It was fun, constantly had something happening, and had some of my favorite tropes- found family, trials, forced proximity, who did that to you… loved the love triangle, the tension was craaaazy!”
–Nicole, @nicole_reads68
“I am so mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book. It was Game of Thrones meets Fourth Wing… It’s one of my favorite romantasies of the year, I literally could not stop reading it, and I need the next book like I need air.”
–Shani, @shanisshelves
“I really enjoyed this high stakes romantasy. I immediately liked Meryn and the way her character was written. She’s a strong FMC who is willing to do anything to help her mom and sister… This is perfect for lovers of hidden power, secrets and betrayal.”
–Laura, @laura_cover_stories
“Dire Bound was my favorite read of March and I’m honestly mad I didn’t read it sooner… I stayed up wayyy too late to finish this one (the ending was WILD and I loved every bit of it)!”
–Kate, @kate.checks.out.books
“This book was thick and yet it was NOT enough. I couldn’t put it down and did a tandem audio book and physical book read. Now I have 3 copies 🥴🤣 It is so good… The magic system, the plot, the everything 🥹 I am bonded to this story.”
–Kate, @kate.checks.out.books
“I 100% recommend everyone READ THIS BOOK. IMMEDIATELY. You will enjoy every second of this book. I read it within 24 hours. Could not put it down. Stayed up until 2AM reading it. It is like Fourth Wing but with wolves… The story is so well laid out, the pacing is fantastic, the world building is easy and seamless.”
–Kaycee, @readbykaycee
“OBSESSED. This book could have been 500 more pages and I would have still would not have been able to put it down or feel like I got enough. This was recommended to me and I’m so glad I picked it up. Every part from the beginning to end was full of beautiful nuggets of foreshadowing.”
–Aleisha, @shelvesofaleisha
On Fury Bound
“If you thought Dire Bound was good just wait until you read Fury Bound… Prepare for a slow burn, jaw dropping moments, blood to be shed, and Meryn to be tested like never before. This sequel is equal parts dark and delicious. I ate up every moment from start to finish.”
–Alexandra, @fictionfeedsalex
“Fury Bound is a gripping romantasy continuation that trades academy trials for political intrigue, artifact quests, and the looming threat of war, all while delivering a slow burn romance, rich worldbuilding, bonded dire wolves, and a found family dynamic that makes everything feel even more impactful.”
–Beth, @booklover_beth
“Just wow! Dire Bound was my top read of last year so I knew I would love this one as well and this one somehow even surpassed it!”
–Liz, @loyalsspicybooknook
“SUCH A GOOD TIME!! First of all, LOVED getting Stark’s POV in this book… The ending was a complete surprise and a cliffhanger that I didn’t even remotely see coming! I’m going to be on the edge of my seat for book 3 now!!”
–Monica, @monicaday52
“All the fans in this pack, I think collectively held our breaths waiting for this sequel. She is beautiful, she is fierce and everything that I was waiting for.”
– Evelyn,@evelynreadseverything
A New York Times Bestseller!
Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in this spicy, page-turning romantasy where humans and direwolves forge unbreakable bonds and fight for survival at all costs.
Only the worthy survive the Bonding Trials. She’ll risk her life—and her heart—to be one of them.
Meryn Cooper has always hated the Bonded, elite warriors who form mental links with the massive, vicious direwolves they ride. While they live in luxury, Meryn struggles to keep her family out of poverty. When her little sister, Saela, is kidnapped—stolen across the border by the immortal monsters her country has spent centuries fighting—Meryn’s world falls apart.
Desperate to cross the front and save her sister, Meryn enlists in the army and is thrown into the deadly Bonding Trials, where any mistake will cost her life.
Now Meryn must survive four months of training at the castle. She is bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate. The other trainees would love to spill her common blood. And her cold and beautiful instructor, Stark Therion, is eager to punish any weakness.
Everything is a competition, and everyone is out to get her—everyone except the dangerously handsome crown prince, whose attention adds another target to her back. In the castle, every smile hides a knife…and the halls hide dark secrets.
It’s bond or bleed. Duel or die. Failure is ruin.
Dire Bound contains mature content including depictions of graphic violence, and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and TWs, please visit the author’s website.
Readers are already falling in love with Direbound:
“ONE OF THE BEST READS OF THE YEAR! This book was insanely good.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Stop it right now… I’m actually quite feral for the next book…” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The plot was THICK, the tension and banter? Flawless. And the world with the wolf bond, and trials??? NEED MORE NOW.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just finished and still trying to mentally and emotionally recover to what just happened to me. You need to read it IMMEDIATELY.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you’re into dark romantasy with high stakes, fierce characters, and just the right amount of emotional wreckage, Direbound is your next obsession.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What an incredible read!! … I am blown away. … The romance, the anguish, the BANTER! I love a book with good banter and this was FULL OF IT!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I. Am. OBSESSED. … Left me spiraling in the best way possible. The morally grey anti-hero? Perfection. The slow-burn tension? Electric. … I was completely immersed.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect for fans of:
- Slow burn romance
- Found family
- Morally grey characters
- One bed
- Touch her and die
- Who did this to you
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Vampires vs. wolves!
An instant New York Times, USA Today and Indie Bestseller!
Revenge demands sacrifice. Don’t miss this action-packed, jaw-dropping, dark and romantic sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dire Bound.
CROWNED BY DESTINY. CONSUMED BY VENGEANCE.
Against all odds, Meryn Cooper has inherited the crown—and a deadly war. As the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under the weight of generations of lies, it is up to Meryn, her bonded direwolf Anassa, and their allies to bring the country back from the brink.
But the commoners, the Bonded, and the nobles are distrustful of their new queen and Meryn is caught in a deadly game of politics. Meanwhile, Meryn’s beloved younger sister, Saela, is more at risk than ever.
Confusingly, the one person Meryn can trust is Stark Therion—the dark, dangerous Alpha she thought hated her as much as she loathed him. Yet, his loyalty is unshakeable. His presence is intoxicating. And with his guidance, Meryn can seize an unthinkable level of power.
With enemies closing in and shadows stirring in her dreams, Meryn stands to lose her kingdom—and her heart.
Blood will spill. Bonds will break. Fate will be tested.
Perfect for fans of:
- Slow burn romance
- Forbidden romance
- Found family
- Morally grey characters
- Touch her and die
- Who did this to you
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Vampires vs. wolves!