Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Amazon.

Fun take on Greek mythology with a fun twist

I love Greek mythology retellings so I jumped at the chance to read this modern interpretation of a descendant of the Fates. I definitely think it helped that I knew a fair bit about the mythology before going into this, because the plot itself got quite convoluted. I loved how it was connected to this idea of 'threads of fate' though and the idea that Io, our main character, can see the threads that bind people to their life and relationships etc. And then a murder happens and Io takes it upon herself to help solve if using her gifts.

I just think this was missing something in terms of character development and depth. Io is interesting at first, mainly due to her abilities, but I found she didn't really have much of a personality beyond this. Her romance also felt a bit superfluous to the plot beyond the idea that they were 'fated'. There wasn't much chemistry there for me.

Some really interesting, fresh ideas but I found the characters fell a little flat for me.

I actually DNF’d this book, I loved the concept with the thread cutters etc. but when I was reading it I found it a little more political in a sense and it just turned me off. I’ve been trying for a few days across a couple of weeks to get into it and it’s such a shame as I actually had a physical edition too, but it just wasn’t my bag.

I won’t be adding a rating to Goodreads.

The story revolves around - and is told from the perspective of - Io Ora, the youngest of three sisters. Like many other people living in the city of Alante (similar to the mythical sunken city, Atlantis), Io and her sisters are descendants of Greek gods.

These people, known as other-born, have also inherited the powers of their gods. Io and her siblings are descendants of the Fates (think the ghoulish crones in Disney’s Hercules) who can manipulate the threads that link people to things, places and people they love as well as life itself.

Other-born are seen as dangerous and often struggle to find employment. For the last two years Io has been working as a private investigator, exposing cheating spouses or cutting people’s emotional connections. But things start getting dangerous when the impossible happens - Io is attacked by a woman whose life cord had been cut. And then, suspicious when her sister, who seemingly abandoned them out of the blue, turns up engaged to the scheming new police commissioner. When another victim pops up the infamous mob queen of the Silts, Bianca coerces Io into investigating these murders alongside a man she’s been avoiding for years - Edei Rhuna - who happens to be her fate-thread / soulmate.

The Threads That Bind is not your average young adult fantasy-romance novel. It grabbed my attention not only because it incorporated some murder mystery and dystopian/ sci-fi elements, but it also took inspiration from Greek mythology, weaving the lore into the fantastical tale.

Unfortunately, I found the amount of world building a bit overwhelming at times. The names of some of the types of descendants were just too similar, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself. On the plus side, Kika Harzopoulou has a quick paced and easy writing style.

The story also combines the forbidden and fated love tropes which was a bit bromidic and predictable. I also felt the chemistry between Io and Edei was a bit lacking. They were sweet, but nothing truly swoon worthy. And, while the characters are not some of my favourites, I found them flawed, yet endearing.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger, setting up the next installment in the series.

Thank you NetGalley for approving me to read this. A very good read that had me hooked, once started I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend

This. Book. Is. Brilliant.

It's original, yet blends classic myths from around the world; it's dark yet hopeful; and it's addictive, yet made me read slower so it wouldn't be over as quickly. Just, chef's kiss perfection.

I was clutching at my own heart threads as I read it. I cannot recommend it enough.

Threads That Bind was a fantasy rich in world building, with a cast of characters that are complex yet appealing, and a plot that draws you in. The end hints at a very interesting second part…and I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review both books.
The descendants of the gods are, in the right circumstances, given some of their powers. Born in threes, each has their own talent and the relationship between the Ora sisters was fundamental to the success of the book.
Io, the youngest of the sisters, is a cutter. This means she can see the threads that bind people, but is able to sever a thread if necessary. She teams up with the young man who she is tied to, but is adamant that she will not exploit her knowledge and impact their friendship. Their strengthening bond is a key part in their investigation.
When Io is hired she does not know what to expect. Someone is abducting women, damaging their life-threads and setting them loose to kill. Certain figures seem to be a target, and it is up to Io to establish who is behind this. As we follow her through the investigation we learn of the history of Alante and the story of the characters living there. This was a book that got better as it went on, and I’m excited to see what comes next for Io.

3.25 ⭐️

Holy plot twist, I did not expect that ending.

I love the magic system in this book, especially the fact that in order to cut a thread, she has to cut her own too. The whole vibe of the book is very dark, and you're never quite sure who to trust. The author does a great job at maintaining this throughout.

The plot is intense and steeped in death. You feel yourself getting frustrated at going round in circles as you realise they've followed the wrong lead once again. This is exactly what I'd expect from a book with mystery elements like this.

I really like Io, she's someone who has suffered through a lot but keeps going and I'm sure a lot of people will relate to that. I enjoyed reading about her relationships with her sister Ava and her friend Rosa.

I also like our male lead, Edei. Loyal to a fault and a great character for Io to bounce off. Sadly, I found the romance aspect slightly lacking. This is partially influenced by having to avoid a cheating storyline so we don't get many interactions that show how he feels. But I do think it's all been set up for book 2 to have a lot more in there.

The main reason for the 3.25 star rating is that it does feel a little info dumpy because of all the gods and the need to explain powers and the history of the silts, etc. Again, this is something I imagine won't affect book 2. I did think that the power explanations were backed up by displays of the powers in use, so it's not too much telling over showing.

I'm going straight into book 2 now, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Kika Hatzopoulou, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

A big thank you to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

I absolutely loved this. I can’t wait for the sequel to come out and this book is just stunning. This is centred around the fates and the threads at their control. I loved Io and Edie so much, tbh I loved all of the characters in this world. A definite must read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (a copy gratefully received from NetGalley). The combination of abilities linked to the old gods, the futuristic setting and the relationships amongst the main characters had me hooked throughout. There was plenty of action to keep the plot moving and I’ll definitely be getting the next book in the series.

Absolutely brilliant - this book is an excellent future dystopia addition to the classical reception tradition. The book uses the stories and legends passed down, mainly from Greek Myth though I hope the series will branch out further in the next book, to weave a complex story of family, divine descendants and the painful survival of civilisation in a ruined world.

This is the first book in some time that I just couldn't put down - it is so, so well written and the characters feel so real. The journey Io goes on as she investigates murders, wraiths and the violent past of her home came with so many horrors and revelations I was just fully happy to be along for the ride.

I also loved the way being other-born was written throughout this book. It pays homace to the mythical Canon without feeling the need to not build on it and play with it in complex, eye opening ways. The author uses and abuses Myth as fundamentally as the ancients did and she uses it to hold up a mirror, as intended.

Excellent.

Threads that Bind is a new, inventive take on a well known genre – the Ancient Greeks – but this time it’s the Fates because our protagonist, Io, and her sisters, are their descendants, each have a different gift relating to the life threads but Io’s is that she can see and cut them. When working one night as a private detective, Io witnesses a murder, one that should have been impossible because the murderer had no life thread but was alive enough to kill. Working reluctantly with Edei of the Mob Queen Bianca, Io must discover what this new threat is to her city and how was this wraith even possible?

I really enjoyed the world building in this story, the fresh retelling of the Fates, the city itself and the magic system, it definitely feels like a new take on Greek goddesses and muses in an apocalyptic city full of murder, corruption, betrayal and deceit.(which is VERY Ancient Greek!). There is an element of romance in that it turns out Edei is who Io shares a fate-thread with and she resists it way too much thinking it’s not real, but they do have sweet chemistry together and I’m looking forward to seeing that progress. But to survive and uncover the right answers, Io must accept some truths and reveal some lies, at whatever cost to herself and the city.
Like I said, the world building was the main draw on this book for me, Hatzopoulou has a rich and colourful imagination and really brought it to life on the page. Io is definitely frustrating at times but grows as the story progresses and is supported by some brilliant writing. I’m looking forward to seeing where this story goes, especially after that ending!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

A myth inspired fantasy with a hint of romance that keeps you guessing and wondering right to the very end. I started off a little non-committal and ended up reading it at every opportunity as I got hooked.

A girl with power, fraught with fear, racked with guilt but trying her hardest to do the right thing – what IS the right thing anyway?

Io is the youngest of three sisters descended from ‘Fates’ with special skills. The sisters see other people’s connections to other people and objects they are attached to as threads, with each sister having a particular skill. Io uses her skills in her private investigator business. One job has her as a witness to a murder, but this is no ordinary murder. The perpetrator’s life thread is cut; they should be dead themselves.
People are being murdered in the Silts, a fairly lawless place anyway but these murders are different and as Io looks into it, she realises that someone or something in the background is manipulating the murderers.

Io is thrown together with Edei, key member of the violent Bianca Rossi gang who run the Silts to find out who is behind this. If being part of the gang is not enough of a challenge, Io realised that Edei is at the other end of her fate thread, Ie - he is her destiny. Flung into a sea of emotional uncertainty, should Io tell this boy who doesn’t want to be controlled by ‘destiny’ of their connection or simply cut the thread?
I was struck by how intelligent, capable and fierce Io is. As the youngest sister, the expectation was that she would be less independent, but as the story unwinds Io becomes more and more sure of herself, despite the internal turmoil and insecurities she still fights.
Her relationship with Edrei who is her ‘fate thread’ is painful (in a helpless reader kind of way) to witness as one understands her reticence but at the same time we readers want to shout to her to ‘just go for it’.

There is a dystopian edge to this in that the natural world has somewhat collapsed; a warning about climate change and the dangers of rising temperatures and the calamities this brings. Or is it simply a punishment from the Gods?
There is a definite ‘dig’ at how marginalised people are treated. E.g. lower wages, housing denied for no reason, the first to be suspected of any crimes. All this, despite the fact that these ‘other borns’ with special skills patched the world together again with their skill sets.

I appreciate that even though there is a second book continuing the overall story, we did get mysteries solved, culprits exposed and some closure from this first book. One is enthusiastic to read the second instalment, but not left on a cliff hanger with the first.
This is a marvellous first novel. Well done Kika Hatzopoulou and thanks for seeing this long project through. Looking forward now to Hearts That Cut that publishes in June 2024.

I’m a bit late to the game but I absolutely loved that! It’s a brilliant little take on Greek Mythology

this was such a brilliant book! i have been getting really interested in books that have an element of mythology in it and the mystery kept me hooked all the way through.

i loved io and i cannot wait to see where she goes next in book two (i literally cannot wait for it, i am so excited!!). this was such a captivating story and i don’t think i have read anything like this before. the magic system was so unique and it derives from gods which i LOVE. the worldbuilding was perfect too and i was just so impressed with everything in this novel. you can tell that the author put their absolute heart and soul into writing this.

the fact that this is a debut is just incredible to me. i honestly could not tell that it was until i looked more into the author’s work! the writing seemed so mature for a debut author and i was very impressed!

i will be looking out for book two!

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

I desperately wanted to enjoy this; Greek mythology usually always works for me and I thought this was a sure fire winner based on the premise. The issue mostly lies in the execution of the premise, in that the 63 pages I read were heaped full of new characters who all blended together, and information that was just dumped in. There was so much telling rather than showing, and oftentimes it was disruptive to the narrative - a conversation would take place, and a random word would be said, and suddenly the author felt the need to explain the word and the lore behind it, and we lose track of the conversation that was happening.

I wish I could persevere as so many people have loved this book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea and my tbr is way too long to stick with books that don’t take my fancy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This is honestly one of the most interesting interpretations of Greek mythology I've ever seen. I was interested from when I first heard about it because the author herself is Greek and I'm pleased to say it didn't disappoint! The world she created was so fascinating and so fun to read.

I was especially interested in the fact that this was showing a different side to Greek mythology. I've not seen much fantasy that has been written about the children of the Fates before. I loved the creativity that went into how Io and her sisters viewed the threads. With that and the other powers that people had, it was just a really interesting world to explore.

I liked the characters and the plot was really tense. It was one of those books that has a lot of cliff hangers on the ends of chapters though, so be warned! You won't want to stop reading!

Threads That Bind introduces Io, one of the Ora Sisters, each bestowed with a distinct gift as descendants of the Fates— one for weaving, one for drawing, and one for cutting threads that connect individuals to their loved ones and life itself. As a private investigator in Alante, Io stumbles upon a disturbing revelation in her latest case: women are being abducted, and their life threads are manipulated, turning them into wraiths wreaking havoc in the city.

Hired by the city's notorious mob queen to collaborate with her right-hand woman, Edei Rhuna, Io discovers a shared fate thread with Edei, marking them as soulmates. The plot takes a personal turn when Io's main suspect turns out to be her older sister's new fiancé. To prevent further chaos, Io must uncover the dark secrets of the city.

The book stands out with its original and unique concept, weaving together magic and world-building to create an engaging narrative. The plot, filled with twists and subplots that contribute to character development and world-building, is well-crafted and keeps readers gripped throughout.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, the world building was wonderful but I didn't like the characters. They felt really immature for their age. My interest was lost around a third of the way into the book and I put it down, I didn't feel the urge to return to it for 2 months.
The ending felt very predictable and I was left feeling a bit disappointed as the setting and concept was so interesting
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review