The Binding: A Novel by Bridget Collins
First U.S. Edition; Published by Collins Chapterhouse Ltd.; 435 pages
ISBN: 9780062838094
The Binding, published by the Collins Chapterhouse, is certainly not what someone picking it up would expect. It certainly was not something that I expected. In The Binding world that is created, books are treasured (one of the reasons that I picked up the book to begin with), but they are also regarded as dark magic. Books are not crafted as we know them to be, but rather they are the actual memories of people taken from their minds so that the person can forget. To be a binder is a lonely business; people hate and fear you unless you work for them, taking memories of anyone they want again and again.
The main character is the golden hero. Completely relatable, as a reader you understand the intense need to protect the family and the hurt when they send you away. I also related to the fact that the main character did not want to lose his memories as it was all that was left for him to have.
Throughout the story, I was continuously baffled at the twists that Collins made. Her work of foreshadowing was brilliant as the reader can tell something big is going to be revealed but is completely unsure what the reveal is going to be. She and her editor did an amazing job making sure that all of the holes brought about in the beginning were filled at least partially in the end and that the wording was precise and understandable.
This book is a huge step for the LGBQ+ community with how it depicts members and the hardships that they face. While the ending is a little vague and perhaps might lead to a sequel, it is able to stand alone with the idea of hope instilled into it.
This is Bridget Collin’s first novel written under this name. She has also written young adult fiction under the name B.R. Collins.
Editor: 5/5
Plot: 10/10
Relatability: 4/5
Recommend: 19/20
Score: 95%
Rosey Reviews 