The first book in the debut series The Bonds That Bind Us by S.A. Gonsalves is The Blood Princess, a fantasy adventure that tells the story of a princess who must save herself and Vartugaul from the wrath of its rulers. Princess Sulwyn was left for dead as a baby by her parents who are King and Queen. In the same way they cared nothing for Sulwyn, they also do not care for those living in the Empire. They only care about power and protect it with a savage iron fist. Sulwyn is a social justice warrior who goes by the name Kintana but it all comes crashing down when a betrayal occurs. Back in the Empire, it is Sulwyn who requires saving from her own parents, who ensnare the princess they had previously discarded for their own enhancement of power. The necessity of Sulwyn to pledge her devotion to the King and Queen is paramount or she and many others will continue to perish at their hands and under the spell of those ruling the Empire.

The Blood Princess by S.A. Gonsalves is an enjoyable first entry into a new fantasy series and ticks the most important boxes a reader would want. There are good and bad uses for magic and there are those who can use it and others who don't. Princess Sulwyn is learning to work with her magic but by her own admission, she “sucks” at it. There's an adventure shaped as a traditional quest where Sulwyn's obedience is tested alongside two protectors/companions; the shifty and hard to pin if he's secretly good or truly bad Galahad and the feral enforcer Daijiro. Daijiro is a suitor to Sulwyn's hand in marriage as well. Gonsalves' world-building takes us beyond the Empire into villages and towns, at least the ones we can see. It is what Daijiro, Galahad, and Sulwyn cannot see that cloaks rebels branded by the Empire as treasonous and the quest is to arrest those who dare speak ill of the ruling class and make them pay. Or so we are told. Like the layers of an onion, Gonsalves peels back only what the author wants us to see, then produces a final layer that can evoke tears in the softer readers and squeal of delight from fantasy fans. I look forward to reading book two. Highly recommended.

Pandora and Artaxiad overthrew the king, brought down the High City, bathed it in blood, and usurped the throne. The couple ruled with an iron fist. Pandora and her husband also left their infant daughter, Sulwyn, to die in a burning house. Raghnall, the steel warrior, saved and took care of her. She grew up in the wild as the lethal Kintana and never knew her parents. Sulwyn eventually learned about them and vowed vengeance for her people. One day, twenty-three years later, Sulwyn woke up and found herself in the empire and at her parents' mercy. Someone had betrayed her. Skilled in combat and premonition, Sulwyn would navigate the evil empire. However, following her vow, how long before she unleashes Kintana? Find out in The Blood Princess by S.A. Gonsalves.

Wow! The Blood Princess by S.A. Gonsalves is a lengthy and captivating read. It would appeal to lovers of epic, medieval, and dark stories. This book showcased the dirty and dark things that happened behind the throne. The desperate quest for power, manipulation, treachery, magic, abuse, deception, and more ruled the empire. Gonsalves brought Game of Thrones to mind with this riveting novel. Everyone had agendas, there was a fierce struggle for survival, and every moment was unpredictable. I loved the brilliant plot and beautiful characters. I had many favorites like Arsinone, Eztli, Nori, and Kione. Galahad and Daijiro were the stars because they could play the game. They had many faces. Sulwyn was indeed reckless to the point of exasperation, but she was formidable. This story is beautiful, and it deserves a sequel.