Feel Your Fear and Keep Going Anyway

I recently finished reading Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou. This is Owlcrate's YA June 2023 book. *POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT* Rating: 4/5 stars

"In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante.

But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met.

But the investigation turns personal when Io's estranged oldest sister turns up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players—before destruction comes to her own doorstep."

One to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads. Io and her sister are other-born, decedents of the fates, and being other-born is rarely a good thing. Living in a city where other-born are looked down upon has its own challenges, being born on the wrong side is another set of challenges.

Threads That Bind weaves together a captivating story of fated love, family betrayal, and political intrigue. The novel introduces the protagonist, Io, and her sisters, who are descendants of the fates.

Hatzopoulou's novel is notable for its originality, featuring an innovative magic system that derives from the Gods themselves. Io finds herself racing against time as she attempts to unravel the mystery behind a series of murders in the city. The plot thickens when Io's investigation leads her to the one boy she has always tried to avoid: her fated love interest. Forced to work together to save their city, the duo's complex dynamic is just one element of the intricate relationships that unravel throughout the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

For lovers of mythology retellings and fast-paced YA fantasies, Threads That Bind is a must-read. Hatzopoulou expertly blends the genres to create a unique and compelling narrative that will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end. With its intriguing plot, vividly depicted world, and well-developed characters, Threads That Bind is a book that should not be missed.

Check out Threads That Bind, and feel your fear and keep going anyway. Happy Reading :)