A review by dramagirl2003
A Bond of Briars by Erin Phillips

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i love it. the plot, the language, the magic system, the underlying biblical threads. everything came together beautifully! i especially appreciate this book as a young scottish red-headed lassie. ruth is one of my top favourite bible stories, and i really enjoyed the gaelic twist 

thoughts while reading

p17: sounds like caitrin is in a spot of trouble
p60: no cause tell me why this is pretty much the first meeting i had planned for one of my books
p99: slay callen 💪🏻🤭
p118: what a brave queen
p232: finally protective mum comes to the surface
p243: oh. what have we here? is this a deviation from the bible?
is athair actually the devil or are the cairlinen being lied to by their spirits?
i’d vote the latter option is more likely
p244: see there we go
p257: OF COURSE!! LADY ARDALA IS RAHAB!!!!
p277: NOT what i was expecting at all
p282: prediction:
callen does end up being the judge and he convicts her but takes on her punishment himself!
p285: oh God, i was not expecting this twist
p287: yeah i don’t think he’s gonna fall for it. even on the odd chance that he thinks it’s a dream, i bet he’s the type of dude that would never indulge his fantasies even in a dream
p313: i knew muireall would never go for it
p317: it’s about damn time! i’ve been waiting to find out what happened for 48 chapters!
p330: a kinsman redeemer
p340: it would have to be
her own freaking mother wouldn’t it

quotes

“I think the stars are shining brighter to try and compete with you.”

“All I want, Cait…”
“You want me to give up my magic? You want me to be useless?”
“I want to love you.”
“Then love me. Love me like this.”
“I do. That’s why I don’t want to see you hurt. I want to see you healed.”
“If I’m broken, then it’s beyond repair, Callen.”

“I don’t pity you. Caitrin, I love you. I love you, every inch of you. There is nothing so ruined that it can’t be restored, and no one so wretched that they can’t be redeemed. Nothing will stop me from loving you.”

“Beloved, you are worth more than all the stars in the sky and all the blood in my veins. Every drop. And it is only my love and my life that can free you.”

“Raeburn women do not waste time on dafty woppers.”

For those still searching to be fully loved
there is nothing you need to do
except receive the free gift—
Love has a name;
His name is Jesus.
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