Gwynhafahr val Dieth was always destined to be a Hero, that much she knows. And yet, life at the Academy is not exactly how she envisioned it: she struggles to fit in with the other Heroes-in-training, her rankings are consistently low, and above all she is desperately homesick. To make matters worse, her best friend from back home never replied to any of her letters, with no explanation whatsoever.

So Gwyn is incredibly surprised when a delegation from her home comes to visit the Academy with Izzy accompanying them. Could this be their chance to mend their relationship, or will a dark secret tear everything apart?

Set in the same world as Carter's previous book, Spellbound, Honorbound is the perfect follow-up, even though it works truly well also as a standalone. The Academy is a fascinating setting without being so overly complicated that readers risk getting lost in it, making this a great book for readers approaching fantasy novels. The characters are charming and well-developed, especially the main character Gwyn. Her efforts to fit in delicately convey a meaningful reflection on belonging, and her struggles with insecurity, loneliness, friendship and love are very relatable, especially for a younger audience.

The book is described as a dark cozy academia fantasy and, while that may sound somewhat confusing at first, it is an accurate description. The stakes are moderately high, yet there is a pervasive coziness throughout the narrative and it is impossible not to become invested in the characters' struggles. For fans of the previous book, there are some very welcome returns but having read it is not a prerequisite in order to enjoy Honorbound.

Despite some small issues with pacing, with the last third or so of the book feeling slightly too rushed, this is a truly pleasant reading experience. Readers looking for an adventure that does not require excessive commitment on a cold winter evening (but that is nonetheless highly rewarding) will certainly find it here.

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.

I received an e-arc of this book for free via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.