Suena un poco raro reseñar dos libros en una sola entrega, pero la verdad es que cuando terminé The Collabound sentí que no había leído una novela completa, si no una introducción muy larga de otro libro. Para comprobarlo, me leí enseguida The Hawkling, que es la continuación y mi perspectiva cambió. No voy a decir que se hayan planteado ambos libros como una sola novela que se haya partido por la mitad porque no tengo la certeza, pero es algo que no me extrañaría nada.


Rebecca Zahabi da voz a dos personajes que están en las fronteras de su mundo secundario, no físicamente si no mentalmente. Por un lado tenemos a Isha, una refugiada marcada con un tatuaje Kher que la señala como mestiza, como alguien extraño a quien evitar. Por otro lado tenemos a Tatters, esclavo con su collar de oro mágico a las órdenes de un superior que puede obligarlo a realizar cualquier tarea. Ambos personajes se encontrarán y forjarán una extraña alianza que podría cambiar sus vidas para siempre.

La acción se sitúa principalmente en el Nest, una fortaleza de gigantescas dimensiones que sirve como hogar a los magos y sus aprendices. Y aquí es dónde empiezan a verse las costuras de los libros. Zahabi dota de especial importancia a los combates telepáticos, pero todos los enfrentamientos de los que somos testigos son tremendamente similares. Por supuesto, los variopintos orígenes de Isha y Tatters les dotan de ciertas características que les facilitaran mucho salir victoriosos de estas escaramuzas sin problema. Cansa un poco ya la cantinela de “el elegido”.


Quizá sea más interesante el trasfondo de rebelión que va in crescendo a lo largo de las páginas, con diversas razas oprimidas por los magos con sus poderes, en un trasunto poco sutil de la sociedad actual, cambiando el poder económico por el mágico. Cierto es que en The Hawkling se descubrirán hitos interesantes del pasado que explicarán algunas de las situaciones del presente, pero la intriga no consigue engancharme como lectora y sientes todo el rato que te están escamoteando información por arte de birlibirloque. En una decisión un tanto extraña, Zahabi reduce enormemente la presencia de Tatters a lo largo de la segunda entrega (o segunda parte si damos crédito a mi teoría), dejando una pesada carga en los hombres de Isha, que no sé si es capaz de mantener el tipo durante todo el desarrollo. Y eso que son libros cortos para lo que se estila normalmente en fantasía.

No sé si continuaré con el siguiente volumen de la trilogía porque la autora no ha conseguido interesarme en su porvenir. Es una pena, porque parecía que tenía buenos mimbres y se agradece que los libros no sean tan largos, pero no han conseguido convencerme.

Unfortunately, I'm not longer interested in this one but I'm leaving a review for my ratio.

I just don't think it's what I'm looking for in a story

genuinely surprised how engrossing i found this world. with a lot of new high fantasy writers it's a bit hit or miss when developing the world, but i loved the flow of information in this one. it's not one of those voracious kinds of books where i crave the sequel but it's a strong novel

"The Collarbound" by Rebecca Zahabi is a slow-burn character-driven story that delves deep into the world of magic and the struggle for power. The novel takes a refreshing approach by focusing more on uncovering secrets rather than high-stakes battle sequences, resulting in a compelling and intriguing read. Zahabi expertly reveals information about the characters and their world as the narrative progresses, creating a puzzle that gradually comes together piece by piece.

The story follows Isha's journey to become a powerful mage at the Nest under the guidance of the questionable Sir Daegon, while Tatters tries to hide from the rebel Renegades he once belonged to. Zahabi skillfully weaves in themes of corruption and brutality, showing that neither side is wholly good or evil. The magic system is one of the book's standout features, with mind-magic that allows mages to enter another's mind for various purposes such as telepathy and memory manipulation. Zahabi's writing is excellent in capturing the complexity of the magic system and the limitations put in place to prevent illegal use.

Overall, "The Collarbound" is a fascinating and engrossing read that combines a slow-burn character-driven story with an intricate magic system. Zahabi's ability to build a richly imagined world with layered cultures and traditions adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy and magic.

Unfortuneately this one really just wasnt for me and I did end up DNFing so I can't speak for the full book. The part I did read felt very odd in terms of pacing. Somethings dragged by and some flew by to the point I wished there was more explanation.

This is the first instalment in The Collarbound series.

The Nest is a clifftop fortress offering magical training and a home for all mages. There they hone their abilities to infiltrate the minds of others, to fight or to garner information, and to close off their own, to distance themselves from becoming a weapon or informant.

Isha is a new recruit there, but it is the tattoo that covers half of her face that marks her as different and not her lack of magical discipline. Tatters can be found in a nearby tavern instead of the renowned training halls, but his skill can rival all those who dwell above him and his knowledge will be necessary for what is fast approaching them all.

These characters were as fascinating as the magic system was. The initial scenes introduced all key players and I was eager to learn more about each and every one of them. The parts they played, in the unfolding narrative, ensured there was no favoured perspective and that I enjoyed each emerging storyline equally.

Learning about the layout of the land, the formation of the magic system, the political upheaval occurring, and the differing species and beings that dwelled across the kingdom was the primary focus for much of the novel. This did feel like the genesis for a long series (hopefully!), for how slow-moving the plot yet how intricate the actual bones of it was. I can foresee much action to occur in later instalments and whilst this first one might not have been the most action-packed or fast-paced, it did set the foundation for future brilliance. I can only applaud the mind that conceived it all!

The Collarbound is an interesting book that opens up a whole new fantasy world.

PLOT: The Collarbound follows two character Tatters and Isha, Tatters is Collorbound and in hiding. Where Isha wants to become a powerful mage but can’t hide with a tattoo cover half her face. As Isha is new to the Nest we learn a lot about the world, politics, the rebels and the world that looks down on you if your not a mage. Both have interesting back story that i can see will impact the next books. One of the aspects that I really enjoyed is learning the different culture and races in the world especially that of the Khers. To me this book is the welcome to the world showing what tips the iceberg and changes their world as they no it.


Characters: I like Tatters he is charming cheeky chap who uses his charm to get away with a lot of things other wouldn’t. There is a lot hidden in his past that we only scratch the surface, the addition of Lai in his life and his ability to mindbrawl makes him an interesting character.

There is more mystery to Isha as she is missing a lot of her memories, I like Isha strength and her willingness to do hardwork to become a better mage. I like when Isha and Tatter are together as they have a great connection.


WRITING STYLE: Zahabi writing style is very details and descriptive, she does really well of building the world and making it interesting without overwhelming the reader with to much information.

THEME: Magic, Politics, Racism, slavery, mystery, flights, Fantasy, corporal punishment

Overall The Collarbound is an interesting book with an amazing world and lots of potential.

My Rating for The Collarbound is 3.8 out of 5.


3.8 out of 5
Thank you to Netgalley and Gollancz for gifting me a copy of The Collarbound for review.

This was a really engaging and enjoyable read with an interesting and unique magic system. I thought the interactions between Tatters and Isha were well done and gave depth to both. I also really enjoyed the depictions of the Kher, both in the way they were treated by the mages and also within their own society. The mind-brawling aspect of the magic system is very fun and makes for some great scenes and there are lots of staple fantasy elements here that are used wisely. I would have liked the world to be a bit more fleshed out, but I am hoping that this will come in the sequel, which I will definitely pick up. Overall, a great start to a series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really expected to love this book but ended up dnf'ing around 30% in. I think that this was marketed as something that it wasn't.

I really didn't get on with the writing style and found that it read really young, especially as it was marketed as being an adult book.

This series definitely has potential and if I wasn't fully won over, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and see where the story is going!

Wearing the golden collar of a slave, Tatters aims to stay in the background, that is until Isha, a refugee arrives in his tavern tattooed with a mark that is familiar.
This is the first book in the series and is imaginative and engaging. There is some excellent world building and the story is very character driven. All in all a captivating read.

This was a compelling opening to a fantasy series, but it didn't tell a story that was completely satisfying on its own - it set up a lot of pieces but I didn't feel fully satisfied by the ending. I would definitely read more of this to see what happens next.

The world building was solid and the characters were a real strength. I liked Tatters a lot and the race dynamics were well established for a fantasy world.

I can't give this more than 3.5 stars (rounded up) while it's only this one book. I feel like it just didn't pay off enough of the things that were set up.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a fast and decent read, but as the word decent and my rating suggests, I had some issues with it. I was very intrigued and excited to read the Collarbound because the synopsis sounded amazing and it was marketed for fans of the Poppy War and City of Brass, two series I love so much. The first 50-80 pages were quite intriguing and I was looking forward to learning more and seeing what would happen next, but somehow the story never got any "better" throughout the book. It stayed at the same level of tension the whole time, at least that is how it felt to me. I felt like the book was building up to something that never even happened and I was waiting there hoping that moment would eventually come. It would have been better if worldbuilding wise we had learned a little more to make up for the lack of showdown (e.g. learning more about the Renegades and what is happening there or what happened there), but that also did not happen. I was fed little information, which was intriguing, but not enough for me. Since I am not sure how long this series will be, I cannot tell if this was intentional and if we will get much more information and action in the following books, so I am trying to not be too harsh about it. I have to say I flew through the pages, despite the issues I had with pacing and execution. The characters were also quite likable but not too memorable so far. The ending was also quite good, because of where the characters stand politically, which made me think that this will be very interesting to read about in book two. I mainly believe that the issues I had with the Collarbound could have been resolved by adding 100 pages more, but I understand that some authors do not wish to drag their books out if they told what they wanted to tell. The book showed some aspects that reminded me of the first half of the poppy war, but I was not really able to find much of a similarity to City of Brass (maybe the political conflict happening, though I did not learn enough about it to judge this properly). Nonetheless, it was a quick and enjoyable read and as I have already mentioned, the ending has me intrigued for book 2 so I will definitely continue and hope for more action, more world-building, and a few more pages. :)

This book had a slow start, but wow did it draw me in!

4/5 stars!

Following magic in a vast and expansive world, we are introduced to some amazing, well-fleshed out characters. The idea of mind-dueling is so unique that I really want to commend the author for describing it in such an intriguing way. The world is complicated, and some things I still did not understand but Zahabi has created such a cool world with an amazing cast of characters and magic system that just makes you want more!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an e-arc!

The Collarbound is a fiercely gripping fantasy tale that’s full to the brim with magic and mystery. Set in a world that has been torn apart by rebellion, we follow Isha as she arrives at The Nest as a refugee. Isha does what she can to fit in, but she has no idea what happened in her past or where her tattoo came from. Meanwhile, Tatters is one of the collarbound and knows the danger of rebellion. Whilst he’s determined to stay away from things, he can’t help but be drawn to Isha and the mystery that surrounds her. Together the two form an unlikely friendship as they seek to survive the rebellion and the secrets of their past.

The Collarbound is the kind of book that draws you in right from the very beginning. This is quite a slow burn story, one that slowly builds tension as we learn more and more. I found I was thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading it and it kept me intrigued and wanting more. I often felt on the edge of my seat, dying to know what was going on. Zahabi does a brilliant job of keeping the reader guessing, making for a really engaging read.

Zahabi has created a really fascinating world in The Collarbound and it felt like such a compelling setting. The worldbuilding felt well crafted and I loved learning about the mages and the khers. I sort of feel like I’ve only scratched the surface and can’t wait to see more of the world in the sequel. I thought the concept of mindbrawling was so fascinating and something I haven’t seen before. Similarly, Zahabi has a knack for creating really interesting, dynamic characters. Both Tatters and Isha were really compelling characters and I enjoyed seeing their friendship develop. I also really liked Arushi and her family.

The Collarbound is a brilliant, engaging story, unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’re looking for a slow burn fantasy story that will have you reading long into the night, this should definitely be on your to read list.

The Collarbound had lovely prose, solid worldbuilding, and some fascinating concepts. Unfortunately, none of that could help me get past the fact that I found the storyline disappointingly dull and meandering. The mystery lacked tension and intrigue, mostly because the author chose to keep the reader so in the dark about who the two main characters are that the stakes felt like they barely registered above zero.

The story did finish in an interesting place for the next instalment, but the resolution of the mystery was anticlimactic. The main characters just kind of realise who they are/who the other one is with very little prompting, explanation, or emotional investment.

I don’t think I’ll continue with this series, but I wouldn’t rule out reading future works from the author as Zahabi is certainly a talented wordsmith.

The Collarbound by Rebecca Zahabi is a fantasy novel following two main characters; Isha and Tatters. Isha has come to the Nest to be trained as a mage and Tatters is a collarbound living there. There is lots of mystery around Isha, the tattoo which covers half of her face and where she came from. The World is facing an uprising of those who wish for a different life whereby one class or species does not rule over the other.

I found the mindlink magic an interesting and fresh take on a magic system and not one I have read before. The character work in the story is excellent and though the focus of the story is on Tatters and Isha there are lots of characters who are integral and described incredibly well. The kher are a fascinating species who have horns which inevitably will kill them by curving back around and penetrating their own skull as they age. They are also immune to magic and with a simple touch can stop mindlink magic working.

There were parts of the story which were heart-breaking and lots that gave me chills. I felt completely immersed in this story and I look forward to continuing this series.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A debut from a promising new writer, The Collarbound explores magic, identity, and belonging.

I really enjoyed The Collarbound! It's a book that is a little slow to start - I went in expecting something a little different - yet I couldn't put it down. I loved the world Zahabi created, from the windswept Nest that houses and educates mages to the incredibly cool mind-link magic and mindbrawls, to the Kher - the humanoid race that is treated as second class citizens. In fact, the exploration of the Kher community and ways of life were the best bits of The Collarbound. My favourite chapters were when our characters were in the Kher quarter of the city and saw first hand how they are treated by humans - these chapters and their revelations were incredibly powerful.

Zahabi takes a lot of care with building her characters and it is those characters that really shine in this book. Our POV characters are Tatters, a collarbound mage who has escaped his master, and Isha, the human novice mage with a Kher tattoo. Both of these characters were great and well-written (especially Isha, who truly embodies the sense of not-belonging that is pervasive through the book), but I have a real soft spot for Arushi, the Kher guard that befriends Tatters, and her family.

I expected The Collarbound to be an action-packed adventure and was pleasantly surprised to find it was not. It is a quiet, character-driven, slow burn of a book. Zahabi creates a world that feels fresh and unique and I couldn't help but fall in love with it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

CW: racism, slavery

I think there's a lot of potential in this story and I liked the characters and the storytelling.
I missed the world building. It was like reading the story of some characters but I felt a bit confused by the general picture and it took a bit before I started to make sense of what was happening.
It's a gripping story and I wanted to know the secrets of the characters but I felt like I missed something.
I enjoyed it but I was expecting something more.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This story was very compelling. I found the mind based magic fascinating.

With rebellion in the air, Isha finds herself at the Nest. The Nest is a school for mages and a safe haven for refugees. In a tavern near the Nest, Isha meets a Collarbound named Tatters. He lets students practice their mind magic on him for a bit of coin. Isha is one of the strongest he's come across and she's only just starting her formal training. There's also something familiar about her. She has a tattoo on her face and he feels like he's seen it before.

As Isha and Tatters form a friendship and practice with each other, tensions are rising in the Nest.
With the country on the brink of war, Isha has to figure out what side she's on. The trouble is that she has strong ties to people on both sides. Either way, she will lose.

I really liked this one. The characters are great. Some I loved, others I hated. Hopefully they get what they deserve in the next book!