I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Soulbound by Heather Brewer
Series: Legacy of Tril #1
Published by Dial on June 19th 2012
Pages: 304
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Format: ARC
Source: the Publisher
Amazon
Goodreads

Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

This had several elements that have been done time and time again: sarcastic rule-breaking heroine, heroine is shipped off to boarding school without a choice, saved by cute boy (who just happens to be a total jerk… but… he’s cute. So it’s cool), meets another cute boy and the dreaded love triangle is born… need I go own? I must say though, it wasn’t JUST that badass looking cover that sold me originally, I actually did read the summary on this one before immediately adding it to my read pile so I was really truly interested in reading this story. Despite the immediate evidence that this was like every other book I’ve read, for some reason I was hooked and I attribute that to a part of me kept hoping that something un-normal would happen or at the very least something badass that lived up to that awesome cover. (Seriously, that’s one seriously kickass cover).

Regardless and despite all my seemingly negative comments down below, there was just something about this story that I really enjoyed. I was completely hooked on the story line and I really liked Kala even though she had some total dumb moments where I’d slap her upside the head if I could.

I had particular issue with the actual world of Tril. Love me some world-building, and once I hit around page 250 and realized I still had no clue where the hell this world was, whether it was an area on Earth, some floating planet like Atlantis, or a completely separate planet… no clue. There was one brief description where it was describing ‘the Outer Rim’ which is supposedly the most dangerous area in all of Tril ‘running through all three-continents – that is, Kokora, Haruko, and Kaito-in an oval shape.’ I would have appreciated some additional detail of what appears to be a fascinating world, and maybe a little earlier on because that brief description didn’t even come until page 271 (in my arc – may not be actual page in official edition).

I found the writing to be appropriate considering the main character is a 17 year old. The only issue I had was her form of cuss words… ‘fak’, ‘terked off’, (what’s so wrong with ticked off?) she would refer to people who were being jerks as ‘deks’ (which I personally found funny because fak is a substitute for ‘fuck’ but dek? A substitute for ‘dick’? lol Maybe not what it was truly meant to be a substitute for but that’s what it made me think.) Bottom line, I get the reason for not cussing but I would’ve just preferred it be left out entirely instead of this silly fake cussing business. But bonus points for inventing new words.

The explanation behind the Soulbounds was pretty awesome, how the two were born at the exact same moment and were thus paired together. The couples that were just ‘Bound’ were a little less interesting. I understand the significance between two that are Soulbound but being Bound doesn’t appear to be anything special, that just meant to me was even if you were unfortunate to lose your Soulbound he/she is replaceable. Obviously they couldn’t stay alone for the rest of their lives and sure the couples that are Bound don’t have as strong a relationship and maybe I’m just complaining because I’m a big sappy romantic and the concept of being Soulbound had me ‘awwing’ but despite that I did like the whole concept behind Soulbounds.

As far as the actual relationship between Kaya and Trayton… it was way too insta-love for me. And Trayton? Could not have been more perfect. It was kind of disgusting. The first place they go together is his ‘favorite place’ which just so happens to be this absolutely gorgeous library (there was even a chandelier). I mean come on. That shit doesn’t happen. (And if so, where the hell is my super fantastic dream guy who takes me to beautiful libraries on our first date?!) It was a total scene copy from Beauty and the Beast, except I’m going to assume Trayton was less fuzzy.

Bottom Line
I did enjoy this but not as much as I had anticipated. This had a lot of elements that reminded me of The Vampire Academy series and I think fans of that will enjoy this also. By the end there were almost too many questions that were left unanswered which left the book feeling a tad incomplete to me. (Not to mention the cliffhanger that was easily foreseeable) I understand that this is the first installment in a series but some resolution would have been nice. I am interested in seeing how this series progresses so I will definitely be picking up the next installment.