Title: Direbound
Author: Sable Sorenson (a pen name for co-author besties in their debut fantasy/paranormal series)
Direbound is being pitched as Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games—and for once, the tagline is right on target. This action-packed romantasy throws us into a brutal world where humans bond with enormous direwolves to fight off the terrifying threat of Siphons (vampires). It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year: fast-paced, immersive, and impossible to put down.
The Story
Meryn, a street fighter from the slums, only wants one thing: to save her kidnapped little sister. To do so, she enlists in the army—only to discover this is the year of the bonding trials. Suddenly, she’s thrown into deadly competitions, and though no one has ever been forced into a bond with a direwolf, Meryn becomes the exception. Her bond with the feral Anassa is rocky at best, and secrets surrounding the city’s harsh hierarchy put a target on her back. Commoners aren’t meant to survive in this world where the Bonded rule as privileged elites, but Meryn refuses to give up.
The direwolves themselves are a highlight. They’re not just savage beasts, but intelligent, mysterious companions with wills of their own. Anassa in particular adds another voice to the story (literally and figuratively), forcing Meryn to grow in ways she never expected.
The tension never lets up, and while I guessed some twists early, I still loved seeing how they unfolded. And that cliffhanger? Brutal—in the best way.
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Fated mates
- Hidden identities
- Secrets & betrayals
- One bed
SPOILERS AHEAD - read at your own risk.
The Characters:
Meryn - our FMC
She’s prickly, stubborn, and sometimes frustrating—but her rough past makes that believable. She's struggling to fit into a world she really didn't want to be a part of. I wanted to shake her when she ignored red flags (looking at you, Killian) and when she struggled to trust Anassa. Still, revealing the truth behind her mysterious “voices” and bloodline was stellar, and I can’t wait to see her growth in book two.
Killian/Lee - the first MMC
The charming liar, I mean lover, turned villain. I didn’t clock right away that Lee was Prince Killian, but once the reveal hit, all the pieces fell into place and I felt just as betrayed as Meryn. His manipulations, the bracelet, the Siphon possession twist—devastating, brutal and executed so well.
Stark - the real MMC
The moment Stark stepped on the page, I said to myself "oh, this tattooed guy with a scowl is totally going to be the love interest." SWOON. And then we find out the meaning behind his tattoos! And the way he licks Meryn's tattoo to heal the skin... Phew! Stark's loyalty to Meryn added depth to his grumpy-tough exterior. Once his direwolf’s fated mate connection was revealed, everything clicked. The sparks between between Stark and Meryn make me desperate for the sequel.
Final Thoughts
Direbound is gritty, emotional, and packed with tropes romantasy readers love, but it also builds a unique world with direwolves that are every bit as mysterious and commanding as you’d hope. The layered worldbuilding, the sentient depth of the direwolves, and the explosive ending all promise this series is just getting started. If you’re a fan of high-stakes trials, dangerous secrets, and slow-burn romance, this debut is a must-read—and I can already tell book two will raise the stakes even higher.