A Deadly Bargain: Court of Blood and Bindings Review
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What happens when the deadliest weapon you’ve ever feared becomes the one person you have to trust? That’s the twisted reality Emelin faces in Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall—the first book of the Fae Isles series. The Silent Death—the empire’s most notorious fae assassin—has been the stuff of nightmares in her town. He’s a walking terror, ruthless, soulless, and a killer without sound. So when he spares her life after catching her wielding forbidden magic, Emelin knows she’s in more danger than ever.
But this isn’t your average run-for-your-life scenario. No, she’s taken to the heart of the Fae Isles, to the treacherous Crimson Court, where humans don’t return. The Silent Death, who she once considered an unstoppable monster, now holds her fate in his hands. Trusting him isn’t on the table—yet. What is on the table? It’s a slow burn romance with dangerous secrets and games that could destroy them both. Get ready for a dark, steamy fae, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that’ll make you question who the real monster is.
Title: Court of Blood and Bindings
Author: Lisette Marshall
Publisher: Independently Published
Genre: Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Romantasy
Release Date: June 2, 2022
Pages: 436
Star Rating: 3.5 stars
Spice Rating: 1 chili pepper
A Steamy Fae Fantasy Worth the Read?
When a twenty-year-old Emelin, with forbidden magic, is caught by the empire’s deadliest fae murderer, the Silent Death, she expects to meet a swift end—shocked when he spares her life and drags her into the treacherous Crimson Court, the centre of the fae empire, where a human never returns. The Silent Death, known for being the mother’s loyal servant and soulless killer, needs Emelin’s unique magic to play a deadly game and free humanity. As their dangerous alliance deepens, trust becomes a fragile thing, especially when dark secrets and smoldering glances from the morally grey fae male complicate everything. In the end, Emelin must decide if she can trust a murderer with so much blood on his hands—or if their bond will destroy them both.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the Court of Blood and Bindings world. From the get-go, Emelin’s parents set the tone for the kind of twisted family dynamics that haunt her. They’re downright awful. The story opens with them locked in a furious argument, accusing her of burning things around them, but here’s the catch—Emelin hasn’t “burned” anything in two years. Why, suddenly, the outrage? Why the concern when everything has been peaceful? It’s maddening. You’re ready to scream at the pages, “Get over it already!”
“This beautiful creature of night and blood.”
They’ve had two full years of peace, and suddenly, they’re more worried about what the neighbors will think than about their daughter’s well-being. The hypocrisy is off the charts, and it quickly becomes apparent that Emelin is just a pawn for their own convenience—nothing more. Her parents use her, holding her hard-earned pay as a bargaining chip, shunning her when she doesn’t answer their questions in the “right” way, and constantly putting their own needs above hers.
This set-up is confusing at first; honestly, you don’t know whether to be annoyed by her parents or just bewildered by their actions. On top of that, Emelin’s relationship with her magic is introduced in an even more puzzling way. Color triggers her—but what color? Is it hues, emotions, or something more fantastical? You’re left scrambling to understand what’s happening, especially since the magic system hasn’t yet been fully revealed. The pieces are scattered, and you’re unsure how it all fits together. But trust me—this confusion only serves to ramp up the intrigue. Everything eventually clicks, and you realize that this slow-burning chaos is the foundation for a much bigger, much darker story.
Eventually, the fog surrounding Emelin’s magic starts to clear, and we’re introduced to a system that is as unique as it is dangerous. Emelin possesses color magic—yes, you read that right, color magic. It’s a system so distinct and mesmerizing that it practically pulses off the page. Each color holds a different, specific power: red for destruction, blue for healing, yellow for change, and black… well, black is something else entirely.
“Into the night. Into the nightmare.”
Black drains the other colors of their essence for what you are trying to accomplish, leaching their power away until they’re completely wiped out and left stark white, unable to be used again. It’s a beautiful and terrifying balance. If you take too much, the color can’t be healed, but take just the right amount, and the color returns as if it had never been gone at all. In this world, magic is forbidden—loathed even—yet Emelin doesn’t let that stop her. She embraces it.
Her rebellious use of this dangerous power only adds another layer of complexity to her character. While the entire village sees magic as a curse, Emelin sees it as a lifeline and wields it with a fierce sense of self-determination. It’s a power she can’t ignore, even if it could destroy her if she isn’t careful. The intricacy of this color magic system gives the story an even richer, darker edge, tying perfectly into the overall atmosphere of Court of Blood and Bindings. Each color, each spell, has its consequences—and in this world, nothing is ever truly as simple as it seems.
Court of Blood and Bindings pulls you in like a swirling vortex—you’re hooked from the very first page. The intensity of the story, the secrets, the tension, it all draws you in. But Emelin? She’s frustrating. And I mean frustrating. There were moments when I wanted to shake her and scream, “Wake up!” She constantly doubts Creon, even though he shows her time and time again who he really is—showing glimpses of the heart of him. He’s not the monster she thinks he is, but she’s still caught up in the ridiculous rumors. Why? She should know better, yet she lets these beliefs control her. It’s exasperating.
“It’s not colour magic. ‘There’s…other magic?’ Gods, he wrote.”
And then there are her parents. Oh, her parents. These people are vile. They’ve shown her, time and time again, how little she means to them, yet all she can think about is “my parents, my parents, my parents.” It’s hard to relate to her when she’s stuck in this toxic mindset. Yes, they raised her, but parents are supposed to be so much more than that.
They’re a dangerous distraction. And, when people show you who they are, you have to believe them. Emelin doesn’t. She clings to the lie, wanting to be coddled by them, even though she knows they’ve turned against her. She bounces between understanding and avoiding the truth, desperately holding onto the fantasy. And it makes her unrelatable. Pick a lane, Emelin. Stop floundering. You can’t keep pretending everything is being done to you instead of for a more significant reason. It’s disappointing to watch her struggle against her own fate, with little growth.
She has so much potential; I want her to be a strong-willed heroine. However, she lacks emotional depth, and her constant indecision sometimes makes it hard to root for her.
Emelin’s world is drenched in tension from the very start—much like the fiery chaos that surrounds her life. Her magic is both a blessing and a curse, an intoxicating power that she can’t ignore, even though her society loathes it. But as much as the world burns, Emelin struggles to rise above the flames. It’s not just her parents, either. It’s her constant battle with herself. The slow, stifling progression of her journey, where she swings between anger, denial, and confusion, could leave anyone gnashing their teeth.
“The Crimson Court”, I said, counting on my fingertips, “and the Golden Court, and what’s the third one?” “Cobalt”
As mentioned, the plot starts slow, but it doesn’t take long before the pace picks up to an exciting, high-stakes crescendo. The drama unfolds at every corner, keeping you hooked, especially when it comes to the absolutely kickass lead couple. Their connection grows through raw vulnerability and trust that’s painfully slow to build. Emelin’s confusion about Creon is annoying, yet it’s her dangerous circumstances that force her to confront the truth and move forward. This book is a whirlwind—political intrigue, deadly fae assassins, and a sense of impending doom lurking over everything. With every turn, you’re never quite sure what’s coming next, but you know it’ll matter.
The heart of this story lies in the chemistry between Emelin and Creon. Both are powerful and relentless warriors in their own right, but their connection is more profound than physical. Their relationship crackles with passion, each moment laced with midnight meetings that leave you breathless, contrasted by painful truths that drive a wedge between them. Yes, they clash, but it’s that messy, complicated tension that makes you root for them even when they’re both too stubborn for their own good. There’s so much raw, emotional depth to their interactions—it’s not just about who they are but what they can become together.
“Uncaged, undone, he was power and beauty and death, and he was mine.”
Through Emelin’s eyes, we get a close look at her emotional journey. Her vulnerabilities are on full display—her fear of rejection, her reluctance to trust, and the constant threat her magic presents. But as she grapples with these fears, you can’t help but watch her grow and evolve. It’s that development that keeps you invested in her story, rooting for her to find her true self despite the chaos around her.
So, will I continue with Court of Blood and Bindings? I am not sure at this point. I wanted more from the story. Especially from Emelin (maybe I will get it in book two). Nevertheless, while the beginning takes time to build, it creates the foundation for a layered, intense, and unforgettable story. Emelin’s journey pushes her to make choices that will change everything she thought she knew about herself and the world she inhabits. The chemistry between her and Creon only intensifies as their relationship unravels and grows into something undeniable. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you won’t want to get off. If you’re craving mature themes, a unique magic system, and an kickass couple, this is one to add to your TBR.
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