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Bound by Blood and Shadow (The Tree of Offerings Trilogy)
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They were trapped with no way back. Stumbling into an unknown world is terrifying for any human, but for anxiety-riddled Lenora, it's worse. There's only one consolation: She arrived on horseback, with her beloved black gelding.
Starpathia holds a realm of enchanting creatures both wondrous and lethal. Protected under the watchful eyes of Elders, the people wield impossible gifts, unbelievable to an outsider. That is, until Lenora's own hidden powers surface, turning the eyes of The Fallen upon her.
Shadow magic hurls Lenora into an age-old conflict begun long before her arrival. Whispers of one who can enter your mind place her in far more danger than most, for the caged beings she brought from home still reside deep inside. Now they are getting louder, screaming to be heard.
Can Lenora master her new powers against such ancient darkness?
Or will she fall prey to the darkness inside, dooming this realm and all others?
Content Warning: on-page violence & torture, off-page implied sexual abuse.
- Print length280 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBethany Bryant
- Publication dateFebruary 25, 2023
- Dimensions6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
- ISBN-13979-8987422212
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Bryant introduces a cast of compelling characters and explores some all-too-relatable dark places of the human psyche, and also provides a wonderful dose of adventure and worldbuilding. From a system of magic that doesn't feel quite like anything I've read before to an ever-shifting collection of fantastic biomes and gnarly creatures, you can tell Bryant put in the work to build and artfully share a well fleshed-out reality."
"L. R. Bryant made this style of read so accessible by weaving in emotional depth, engaging character development, and relatability. Bound by Blood and Shadow is a story I didn't want to stop reading and kept me on my toes through the end! As a therapist, I enjoy the realistic look into the effects of trauma happening in a totally whimsical and engaging other-world."
"As a fantasy fan, it's hard to find fresh plots that aren't been-there-done-that. I was delighted to discover that this novel not only kept me in enthralled, it kept me guessing until the very end. It checks all the boxes...beautiful storytelling, a relatable protagonist with dark and gritty baggage, battles and adventures and tastefully understated romance, mental health struggles, trauma (on page as well as insinuated). Super fun side note that horses are heavily entwined within the story. It's Narnia for grownups. This is the best new novel I've read in a long time, and I cannot wait for book two."
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B0BTN138J9
- Publisher : Bethany Bryant
- Publication date : February 25, 2023
- Language : English
- Print length : 280 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8987422212
- Item Weight : 1.2 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
- Book 1 of 2 : The Tree of Offerings Trilogy
- Best Sellers Rank: #5,737,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #38,534 in Epic Fantasy (Books)
- #76,292 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
- #1,695,224 in Literature & Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Born in South Florida but growing up on the Florida/Georgia line, L.R Bryant was raised in the woods before she began writing. Red clay, tall pines, horses & bringing home every stray was the usual rhythm of life for this wild farm child. From a young age she dreamed of far-off places, multiple realms, incredible creatures & magic that could fiercely protect or destroy. As she grew so did her world, expanding well beyond what most people could see or feel.
Known for writing any paper the night before, over complicating book reports & sharing colorful versions of recent events, Bryant has always been a natural storyteller. After high school she took only one college course at a community college, a creative writing class where an eccentric red-haired professor took an interest. Yet, the real world would keep her from realizing the extent of such writing talents for another decade.
Those years were filled with many lives lived & endless lessons to file away. Marriage, divorce, motherhood, dead end jobs, incredible opportunities, wealth & poverty would be just a few paths this life would bring. But through all the ups & downs, one thing never left...the ability to spin magical realms, alternate realities & wonder like no other from the back of her horse.
Then one day, grief pushed this weaver of tales to write again.
It was now time to pour those worlds out, the stories that needed to be told, characters voices who needed to be heard. With the best support & publishing team around, echoing the same encouraging words from a stranger so long ago, Bryant took a chance. One story would change her future, transforming into a debut novel. With it her title morphed from 'good with words' to 'published fantasy author' & she intends to stay that way for many years to come.
Customer reviews
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Amazing intricate book!
Top reviews from the United States
- 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing intricate book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023Great book for all readers. I am normally a mystery, love story kind of reader but this book did not disappoint. It has touched base on so many hard aspects of everyday life. Never would I have imagined a magic of trapping someone in their own mind and what they will find but WOW the creativity!! As you read more and more pieces fit together perfectly to form the perfect story. Also, so many characters have their own voice and distinct personality, can’t say enough great things. Looking forward to the rest of the books!

Great book for all readers. I am normally a mystery, love story kind of reader but this book did not disappoint. It has touched base on so many hard aspects of everyday life. Never would I have imagined a magic of trapping someone in their own mind and what they will find but WOW the creativity!! As you read more and more pieces fit together perfectly to form the perfect story. Also, so many characters have their own voice and distinct personality, can’t say enough great things. Looking forward to the rest of the books!
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
A powerful, dark fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2023I started reading this book about three weeks ago and binged the second half in about 2 days. I absolutely loved the character development, the vivid themes, and the depth to her story. It is definitely not a cookie cutter plot, and the morally complex characters make her debut novel a powerful, dark fantasy. I'm definitely look forward to the sequel!
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 4 out of 5 stars
Good read
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2023The beginning was a slow read took me a few days to read 50 pages but after that I couldn’t put the book down! Definitely a good read and excited for the next book!
One person found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing story
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023Compelling drama, easy to get drawn into, and wonderful characters. I will definitely be buying the next book in the series.
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
A heck of a debut dark portal fantasy novel from L.R. Bryant!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023Bound by Blood and Shadow is a really good read! It can sometimes be hard to find new ideas in a genre as beloved and oft-traveled as fantasy, and I think L. R. Bryant does an excellent job bringing some fresh material to the table in a story that does a lot of things really well.
Bryant introduces a cast of compelling characters and explores some all-too-relatable dark places of the human psyche, and also provides a wonderful dose of adventure and worldbuilding. From a system of magic that doesn't feel quite like anything I've read before to an ever-shifting collection of fantastic biomes and gnarly creatures, you can tell Bryant put in the work to build and artfully share a well fleshed-out reality.
There are elements of a portal fantasy any Narnia fan will appreciate, but the darker, adult tone clearly sets Bound and Blood and Shadow apart as its own type of beast. The stakes are high, the issues are real, and I think Bound by Blood and Shadow is a heck of a debut novel from a talented indie author. I'm very excited to see where Bryant takes us with the rest of this trilogy and beyond!
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Immensely Satisfying Fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023I received this book as an ARC reader and I fell in love with it. I love Narnia, and have been hard pressed to find a book that immerses me in a fantastical world like it did, but Bound By Blood and Shadow did it! As an adult fantasy, it hits all the dangerous situations, the inner demons, and the hints at love I adore in fantasy. This book also has a gorgeous world with creatures that dazzle and awe too. Lenora, the MC, finds herself riding into another world with her trusty horse Shadow. Together they try to find the best way to survive until a few friendlies take them under their wing. With anxiety and panic, Lenora has to fight her inner demons while she comes to terms with living in this new world, with new powers, and an evil that threatens to destroy her and all living things. Follow Lenora as she figures out what to do!
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 4 out of 5 stars
Awesome Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2023Loved the writing style of this book. Everything flowed smoothly with the story. Characters were believable and well thought out. If your a fantasy lover you will love this book.
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Immerse yourself into this grown-up Narnia ASAP!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023As a fantasy fan, it’s hard to find fresh plots that aren’t been-there-done-that. I was delighted to discover that this novel not only kept me in enthralled, it kept me guessing until the very end. It checks all the boxes…beautiful storytelling, a relatable protagonist with dark and gritty baggage, battles and adventures and tastefully understated romance, mental health struggles, trauma (on page as well as insinuated). Super fun side note that horses are heavily entwined within the story. It’s Narnia for grownups. This is the best new novel I’ve read in a long time, and I cannot wait for book two.
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