Bound in Blood

Written by P.C. Hodgell

Narrated by Jennifer O'Donnell

When Jame returned to Knorth hall to help her brother Torisen name all the fallen fighters’ death banners stored
there, she made the disturbing discovery that those banners splattered with their owners’ blood also have trapped their
owners’ souls. She also found a contract proving her cousin Kindrie to be legitimate, proving that there are three fullblooded Knorth. Three full-blooded Knorth means that the Three-Faced God can be manifested—something that
none of the three are likely to want to do, if they have any choice in the matter.

Returning with this unwelcome knowledge to school at Tentir, Jame continued to dodge the attentions of an
unwanted admirer, strengthen her link to her feline hunting ounce, work with the rathorn colt Death’s-head to insure
that it doesn’t resume its attempts to kill her, and, of course, kept causing plenty of unintended havoc. She also had to
help fight off attacks from hillmen, repel a stampede of yarkcarn (think warthogs the size of mammoths), fight in the
Winter War (a mock conflict—or, at least, that’s how it was supposed to be), and solve the mystery behind the death
of her evil uncle, who somehow is still spectrally manifesting himself in nasty ways. No doubt about it—Jame is back,
and with a vengeance, as the popular and critically-praised fantasy adventure series continues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980050308

Reviews for Bound in Blood

[smbass-223073 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Clearly a middle book. Story line didn't advance much. It was hard enough to remember all that went before to make sense of what happened here

[humouress · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

{Fifth of 9+5 Chronicles of the Kencyrath series; fantasy, high fantasy}Continuing on with the Chronicles of the Kencyrath; I do think you have to read these in order and you shouldn't leave it too long between books or you start to lose track of events and names. Though Hodgell does repeat key phrases from previous books - and even earlier in this book - so it jogs your memory if you have left it too long (although it can get repetitive if you haven't). I like the way she takes something and twists it just enough for me to smile at it - and then wonder whether it actually happens in our world, for example the ironwood trees that burn from inside to provide heat for years. This leads to some Rathillien-specific double entendre-type puns, like the wandering willow (which, unfortunately, has taken root in Gorbel's foot).Gorbel's foot was tightly laced about with fine, white, willow rootlets. As they sensed the water's warmth, they began to untwine and spread into a fibrous mass that filled most of the tub. Longer fringe roots reached out to tap the ceramic walls of their prison, probing for any crack or flaw.This book covers more of Jame's year and duties as the Earth Wife's Favourite and fills in some of the more recent history of the Knorth (pronounced K-north) while giving us details of Jame's life and classes as a first year cadet at the randon college at Tentir as well as her discovery of some of the duties of the Kencyr, the highborn and their house high lords. 'Tori has to remember the names of everyone bound to his - that is, to our - house and so far he's forgotten at least one of them. I've memorised all I've been able to learn. Frankly, though, I don't know what's going to happen to me in the hills. We need a third list-keeper. You.''Trinity. First Index's shed and now this. Haven't you written them down?'Jame was taken aback. 'That never occurred to me. They say that memory is safest.''Not if some overenthusiastic hillman is waiting to flatten your skull. As far as I can make out, people have been lining up to do that for years. No, we'll have a paper and quill, if you please.'While it doesn't advance the overall story arc hugely, it is still lots of fun following Jame's adventures, and it may be/ may have been meant as a look at life and cultures on Rathillien since Hodgell lapses into the present tense occasionally, such as when describing the preparations for a hunt.Although the Kencyrath arrived on Rathillien over three millennia ago in their retreat down the Chain of Creation to protect it against Perimal Darkling, the houses have forgotten their higher purpose and have devolved into petty squabbling between each other, especially in a quest for power during the hiatus when it looked like the Knorths were extinct. Having not grown up in the Riverlands among the Kencyr, Jame continues to build bridges and friendships across political divisions although the ghosts of the past come back (literally) to foster those divisions. I like the way she can analyse people who are hostile towards her and still find their best qualities (not that she's volunteering to be their friend, though).Of course, the rathorn colt plays a large part in this book - as does Jorin, her blind royal ounce and I liked the way that the cadets in the Falconer's class, who are similarly bound to different types of animals, have an understanding between themselves even though they may come from 'enemy' houses.We also discover that there are more Shanir (Kencyr with powers) than the highborn are willing to admit and so Jame is not as alone in that as she had assumed, given Ganth's (her father) and Torisen's (her brother) prejudices against them.Fun and intense although (thankfully) not as dark and nail-bitingly suspenseful as previous books.4.5-5 stars

[cindywho-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's always been an odd series. Dark and with lots of details that can be hard to remember along with strange flashes of humor. Jame continues her time as a cadet, dealing with ghosts, other cadets and pets. The library didn't have it, so it was my first ebook purchase ever.

[quondame · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This set of episodes of Jame progress through military training at Tentir and as she meets her obligations as Earth Wife's Favorite for the native Merikit, finds out more secrets of her own family. We get brief views of Torisen as he deals with a soul bound tapestry, famine in his hold, and partial revelations about Jame. Maybe after this volume Torisen will be less tiresome. Nothing painful, but the feel is of a bunch of episodes and some conflicts thrown in to bulk it up, so it is less involving than To Ride a Rathorn

[sunnysd_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jame's time at Tentir continues to be fraught with danger and mad dashes to the hill country, and her relationship with her brother continues to be strained. She's truly learning to ride the rathorn - not just literally either, as intrigue and political maneuverings for power behind the scenes force confrontations and reveal secrets long held. This is a bridge book long in coming - hopefully the next installment will appear in a timely fashion!

[xenchu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

P. C. Hodgell is a slow writer but a very good one. The latest in her seres follows the excellence of the others. Jame is at the Randan College learning the warrior's trade. The usual crisis and contretemps occur destroying anything like a quiet life, all surrounding Jame.The books are well-written and flow well. I recommend the book.

[ronincats · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this series. It takes Hodgell too long to write books, not helped by the fact that two publishers went out of business with her books (no, not DUE to them). So this series started in 1982 with the incomparable God Stalk, Dark of the Moon in 1985, Seeker's Mask in 1994, To Ride a Rathorn in 2006, and now Bound in Blood. Baen, her new publisher, has been reissuing the early books in omnibus editions, and has an e-book collection with all of them but the last under the title Godstalker Chronicles. But the books are good stories. There are so many threads interwoven, so many things still hidden from the protagonists, but such great characters.Bound in Blood continues Jame's saga. She and her brother Tori continue to try to find their place in the Riverland, Jame back at Tentir to continue her Randon training, Tori at Gothregor to try to come to terms with what it means to be High Lord of the Kencyrath. Don't read this series without starting at the beginning! However, for those who have followed Jame thus far, here is another well-written, action-packed (with Jame, how could it be otherwise!), and thought-provoking addition to the story. Pat, you'd better be writing at full speed RIGHT NOW!