Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall is an immersive fantasy romance that easily balances sharp wit, rich worldbuilding, and slow burning tension.

At the heart of the novel is a clever, resilient heroine navigating the dangerous games of a magical court. She's strategic, someone who thinks before she leaps, and her internal strength is matched only by her ability to throw subtle shade with elegance. Opposite her is a darkly enigmatic love interest, layered with secrets and the kind of brooding charm that makes you both equally suspicious and intrigued.

Their dynamic is the highlight of the book; full of banter, tension, and the kind of emotional push and pull that keeps you turning the pages. The author paces their relationship really well, letting it build slowly, never rushed, never forced.

Beyond the romance, the political intrigue is satisfyingly twisty, and the magic system adds depth without overwhelming the plot. The writing style clean, evocative, and modern, with a tone that feels accessible while still carrying the elegance of high fantasy.

I've had a hard time getting into fantasy stories lately and this one broke my slump. I really enjoyed these characters and the journey the author took us on!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. In love with the characters. So much emotion and trauma and complicated family relationships. The relationship between Emelin and Creon fully makes my heart squeeze. Slow burn but steamy. Definitely recommend for any fantasy romance readers.

This was a very enjoyable set up for a new series! Absolutely loved the magic!

They use a color magic system, so Red is for destruction and you can basically pull it out of anything that could contain the color red (clothes, hair, etc). Blue and Yellow are for other things and then you can combine colors to make other stuff happen. I don't want to give too many details, but I really enjoyed it. Emelin is really learning to use her magic in this book, so I'm hoping we get to see her powers expand in the next ones!

I liked the slow burn and angst between her and Creon. The super cute merging where she taught him a form of sign language and he starts teaching her the fae language. The teasing and banter between the two of them had me giggling and breathless a few times.

There is a lot of political intrigue too as they work to begin taking down the Mother. The ending erupted with a bang and I will definitely be reading the next book!

Read if you love:
-Fae
-Unique magic
-Forced proximity
-Angst
-Mute MMC
-Political intrigue

Thank you to Netgalley for the after published copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book definitely fills the romantasy craving and will break your reading slump!

Court of Blood and Bindings follows a lot of the same beats as ACOTAR while also creating it's own unique magic system that keeps it fresh and interesting. The MMC is non-verbal and learns sign language which I loved. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

This is one of those books that I went into with pretty moderate expectations. I expected something that follows the tropes and vibes of other similar styled romantasy books.

I was completely wrong.

I loved this book completely! I really enjoyed the relationship between the Emelin and Creon. Especially having her teach him sign language. I liked that they actually built up a friendship and bond instead of it being insta-love.

I've read further into this series and it continues to be just as excellent. Definitely one of my top tier fantasy romance series!

This one definitely shot up to the top of my tbr, skipping all of the other books that have been patiently waiting for me to pick them up! The characters and relationships were built so wonderfully.

Great romance fantasy. Interesting works s as bd great characters to boot. I loved the atmosphere and the rich story development. This was a surprise for the year. I really enjoyed it!

When Emelin is caught by a known fae murderer doing forbidden magic, she thinks it's the end. However, the Silent Death carries her to the Crimson Court. On the outside, the Silent Death is loyal to the Mother, but he has his own agenda, and that agenda now includes using Emelin to free humanity. But Creon is more than his deadly facade, and Emelin has to decide if she can trust him.

The tropes in this one are some of my favorite, and I was excited to receive a copy. Unfortunately, this book is not available through Baker and Taylor, which is where my library acquires our materials.

A fae romance with a morally grey leading man this story is not for the faint of heart but those who take the plunge will be rewarded with a rich story that is sure to keep you glued to your seat.

Lisette Marshall’s *Court of Blood and Bindings* is a breathtaking tale of dark intrigue, forbidden magic, and heart-pounding romance. From the very first page, Marshall immerses readers in a richly detailed world brimming with danger, political machinations, and characters who feel wonderfully complex and real.

The story follows a heroine caught between duty and desire, navigating a treacherous court where secrets are as lethal as swords. Marshall’s masterful world-building paints a vivid picture of a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos, with every twist and turn pulling the reader deeper into its web of lies and betrayals. The stakes are high, and the tension never wavers, making it impossible to put the book down.

The romance is as intense as the plot, with sizzling chemistry and emotional depth that will leave readers swooning. Marshall’s ability to balance moments of tenderness with high-stakes drama is truly impressive, crafting a relationship that feels both authentic and electrifying.

With its lush prose, gripping storyline, and unforgettable characters, *Court of Blood and Bindings* is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. Lisette Marshall delivers a powerful tale that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves intrigue, magic, and passion!

A Slow-Burn Fae Romance with Intriguing Secrets

Court of Blood and Bindings is a seductive blend of enemies-to-lovers tension and morally grey characters, set in a lush but enigmatic fae world. If you’re a fan of broody fae males, forbidden magic, and lingering midnight encounters, this one might be right up your alley.

The story introduces Emelin, a strong-willed heroine whose forbidden magic lands her in the clutches of the Silent Death—a deadly fae assassin whose reputation precedes him. From the moment he spares her life and carries her off to the Crimson Court, the tension between them is palpable. Their connection unfolds slowly, simmering beneath layers of mistrust, secrets, and those smoldering glances that Sullivan does so well.

The romance was hands-down the highlight for me. I loved how the communication barrier forced Emelin and her captor to rely on written notes, adding a layer of vulnerability and charm to their growing bond. Their banter was sharp and witty, with sparks flying even as danger loomed.

While the magic system was intriguing, I found the world-building a bit dense and hard to grasp at times. The Crimson Court, with its political intrigue and treacherous fae, had so much potential, but I wanted more clarity and depth to fully immerse myself in this world. The pacing also felt slow, with some moments dragging and making it harder to stay focused on the plot.

Despite these issues, the romance carried the story for me. The chemistry between Emelin and the Silent Death made up for some of the slower moments, and I enjoyed watching their dynamic evolve.

If you’re in the mood for a fae romance with a morally grey hero, sizzling tension, and a touch of danger, Court of Blood and Bindings is worth a try. Just be prepared for a slower pace and a world that requires some patience to navigate. It left me intrigued enough to consider diving into the next installment.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This new adult romantic fantasy had a unique magic system and an intriguing plot line that pulled me into the story and hooked me from the start. Im interested in seeing where this series goes!

Tropes:
Wound tending
Snarky banter
Witty characters
Fake relationships
Enemies to lovers
Romantic tension
Colorful magic
Sign language

Thank you to NetGalley and author, Lisette Marshall, for allowing me to read this book. When scrolling through NetGalley, I was drawn to the title, and then after reading the description…I knew I wanted to read it!

I was immediately drawn into the unique magic world that is based on colors…yes, you read that right. Lisette’s masterful storytelling centers around a colorful magic, unlike any books I have read to date.

The story centers around Emelin and the Silent Death (aka Creon), their unlikely partnership, serious romantic tension, and the need to save the world by destroying an untouchable queen. To top it off, Creon is mute, his voice taken over a century ago by the vicious Queen…leaving his only way to communicate by writing or by allowing himself to learn to sign with his hands (something he has refused to do before Emelin).

The book ends on a cliffhanger…and thankfully the next few books are available on KU, with the author currently working on book 5!

Rating: 5 🌟

Favorite character: Creon (of course)

Favorite side character: The Mountain ⛰️

Intriguing storyline: 5 🌎

Spice level 3/5 🌶️

Language level 1/5 👄

Quotes:

I hadn’t been forgotten at all. Quite the opposite–I had been remembered.

I'd rather be your equal in danger than your toy in safety.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book really surprised me, it had a super unique magic system and interesting world, but the best part was our MMC is mute! They learn to talk to each other in sign language and he was my favorite part of the book, so complex and mysterious. Creon and Emelin connected right from the beginning, there was aggressive banter, threats of violence, and of course all the sexual tension!

Court of Blood and Bindings is a strong start to the Fae Isles series. The unique magic system, where characters derive power from colors, immediately caught my attention and added an intriguing layer to the story.

The book is told from Emelin’s POV, which gives a clear view of her journey and her dynamic with Creon. Emelin is a strong, determined FMC, and Creon is the broody, misunderstood fae male. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I appreciated their growth as individuals and as a pair. Their use of sign language as a primary form of communication was a unique and thoughtful touch.

The pacing was mostly well-done, with a few slower parts that didn’t take away from the overall experience. Every detail and plot point felt purposeful, and the story ends with a major cliffhanger that sets up the next book perfectly. This was an enjoyable fantasy romance, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this one I can’t lie. It’s an easy romantasy read (you know my style by now 🤣). The deadly fae prince spares the life of a mere mortal girl, or so she thinks she’s mortal, she hates him, he is brooding. They discover a mutual hatred of the fae queen. They plot and scheme and would you believe it they do the do 🌶️🤣.
I actually ended up enjoying it quite a lot to be fair.
I want to know what happens next for Emelin and Creon, so I will be reading the next instalment in the Fae Isles!
I’m an easily pleased romantasy book lover, I don’t read literary masterpieces and I’m not ashamed to admit it!

If you’re a fan of high-stakes fantasy romance with a fiery enemies-to-lovers twist, Court of Blood and Bindings is a must-read. The story introduces Emelin, a determined and resilient heroine, who is thrown into the dangerous world of the Fae Isles after being captured by Creon, a mysterious and morally ambiguous fae known as the Silent Death. Their partnership—reluctant yet charged with tension—unfolds against a backdrop of forbidden magic, political intrigue, and personal redemption.

Lisette Marshall masterfully balances action, romance, and emotional depth. The chemistry between Emelin and Creon is electrifying, evolving from wary mistrust to undeniable attraction. While the romance is tantalizingly slow-burn, it’s layered with poignant moments that make the characters feel authentic. Creon’s dark past adds complexity, while Emelin’s growth as she confronts both external and internal struggles is empowering.

The worldbuilding is lush and intricate, vividly painting the Crimson Court’s treacherous allure and the dangers of its magical realm. The use of color-based magic and political dynamics within the fae hierarchy creates an immersive setting. Packed with twists and a cliffhanger ending, the story will keep you hooked and eager for the next installment.

This book was definitely a slow burn, but once it got going it was pretty entertaining.

The magic system in this book is really cool and unique. Using colors as the base of magic (red for destroy, yellow for change, and blue for healing).

The lack of communication between Creon and Emelin for the first half of this book was pretty infuriating, and I had to take a break for a bit because they were driving me insane. Random outbursts, constant avoidance, and built up tension was hard to push through for a while.

However, when they finally started communicating with each other it was quite enjoyable, they even had me chuckling a few times (the sarcastic humor in this book is great). Also the spicy scenes were well worth the wait

The minor characters in this book are also pretty interesting and I’d be interested in seeing them develop more. And the world building seems pretty interesting (even though I’ve only touched upon a fraction of it).

The plot twists at the end really took me by surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed the end of this book. Throughout the first half I wasn’t sure I cared to finish this series, but with the way it ended I might have to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.