Bound (Torn) [Paperback]

I don't usually leave Amazon reviews, but this book was so compelling, so strong--I just had to. Days after turning the final page, and I'm still thinking about this story. Still shaking my head at how deftly O'Rourke wrapped up her trilogy.

I don't want to give anything away, but I will say I was thoroughly, THOROUGHLY satisfied with the romance, the magical finale, and the final mobster blowout. The only thing I didn't like was that this is the end--no more Mo, no more Arcs, no more Luc or Colin. But you can bet I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for future books from O'Rourke.

I highly recommend this book--though make sure you start with the first two books in the series (TORN and TANGLED).

Erica O'Rourke wraps up the Torn Trilogy with a tidy, red magical bow. With Bound come ultimate tests, for beloved heroine, Mo Fitzgerald. From working for the Outfit to carefully stepping her way through personal relationships, this quasi-magical girl has a full plate of magical and non-magical drama.

A world where magic doesn't interfere in the lives of Flats would be paradise for Mo. But, there's more to the magic than any of the Arcs know and Mo's Flat life is quickly bleeding from normal to toxically dangerous. Attacks from the Seraphim leader, Anton, are bolder and more vicious. Luc is still gunning for Mo's heart and Colin's edging further away. While Mo has to navigate life with her father back from prison, the Arcs are counting on Mo to keep the magic safe. The secrets between family and friends are darker and harder to keep under wraps, not to mention juicier! With all the commotion inside of Bound it seems like a shame for it to be the last chapter in Mo's story.

The trials Mo faces are unlike any she's had to face in Torn or Tangled. It's come to the point of unfair for there to be more reasons to cry, to laugh, or to scream in fear at the end of the trilogy when readers are just getting know the depth of this outstanding young woman's character. Mo's stubborn personality has been consistent through the series, but in Bound she's more skilled in having her voice heard. Courageous and determined are Mo's middle names and she wears them proudly. Her enemies still underestimate her and it's all she needs bring them down.

Action-packed and greatly alluring, the finale, Bound, keeps readers on the edge of their seats and praying for a happy ending. The successful completion of Erica O'Rourke's first teen series makes her even more of an author to watch!

Candace Hawkins
Wovenmyst.com

First Impressions: I was so excited when Bound showed up on my doorstep! I read the first two books in this trilogy earlier this year and I absolutely fell in love with the story, the characters, and the author's style of writing. Bound is the third and final book and I couldn't wait to find out how everything was going to turn out for Mo, Colin, and Luc. This is one of those series that kept getting better and better as the plot progressed. I also really like the cover art on each book since they all seem to fit nicely together.

First 50 Pages: One of my favorite aspects of this trilogy is that it does a great job blending together two totally different genres. It is one part Urban Fantasy and one part Contemporary Fiction. The main character Mo lives a bit in each world and is pulled in both directions. In the end, we know she will have to choose which path is the right one for her (as well as which guy she really wants to be with), and since Bound is the last book, the time to choose is now. Bound also wraps up all of the little side-plots without it feeling too busy, but it does have more than enough action to keep any reader satisfied. This particular book moves at a much faster pace than the previous books, but I never thought it was confusing.

Characters & Plot: Bound picks up not too long after all of the events that occurred in Tangled. We are again greeted with Mo who has chosen Colin over Luc in Chicago. I was never crazy about Colin and I always preferred Luc as the guy for Mo, but Colin is okay too. Mo is trying her best to keep her "normal" life separate from her duties in the supernatural world, but again, we know that this isn't going to last for very long and Mo is going to have to choose one side or the other. Each side has something that Mo desires (Colin and Luc) and each side has something that is trying to defeat Mo, plus she has to deal with keeping so many different secrets that it is making her head spin. We all know that something big is going to happen in Bound since it is the last book. Mo is going to have to realize that even though she has a duty to protect everyone, she will not be able to save everyone. The weight of the pressure that is resting on Mo's shoulders has reached its maximum level and I honestly don't know how Mo handled everything that she did throughout this book. When Mo's two worlds collide, all hell breaks loose.

Mo has always been one of my favorite characters (probably ever). She is extremely determined, hard-headed, stubborn, and she can handle her own business like there is not tomorrow. Mo is the epitome of a strong female protagonist and I love her for that. I don't always agree with everything that she does, but all of her decisions are hers and hers alone. She doesn't need anyone or anything to tell her how to live her life and I totally respect her for that. Mo totally kicks some major booty!

I normally cannot stand to see love triangles in any book, but I really like how the author handled the romance between Mo, Colin, and Luc. Everything you thought was going to happen between these three characters completely changes in this final volume. I thought that everything was settled in Tangled, but it became quite apparent that things were far from settled. I'm not entirely sure I am 100% percent satisfied with the way the romance played out in Bound. It seemed like Mo made her decision kind of in haste and it surprised me entirely. On the other hand, I'm happy that she decided what she decided (sorry, you're not going to get any spoilers from me!) and I can see why she picked who she ended up going with.

Final Thoughts: This was an epic, action packed, heartbreaking and stunning conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. In a nutshell, it was totally satisfying but it was very sad too. The climax and the consequences that followed leave characters dead and dying, which I didn't expect even though I should have. I'm going to miss visiting Mo's world and I'm bummed that this series is finished. However, I'll definitely be on the lookout for the author's next books because I enjoyed this series so much. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long!