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Cover of Unbound

Unbound

by Penelope Bloom

🌶️🌶️mild·Confluence Academy #1·Ongoing Series
5.0 on MoodReads (2 ratings)4.2 on Goodreads (9,165)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

A propulsive romantasy with sharp banter, a fully realized elemental magic system, and enemies-to-lovers chemistry that crackles. The academy setting keeps the tension at a boil while the slow burn between Nessa and Raith pays off with explicit heat. That final line will haunt you.

Synopsis

Elemental magic, a military academy, deadly trials, forbidden romance, and the most sarcastic ancient water dragon companion - discover this stunning new edition of the overnight TikTok romantasy sensation . . . 'If you like Fourth Wing , Harry Potter , Hunger Games , and The Last Airbender , then this book is right up your alley!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'For all the girlies that loved The Hunger Games and Divergent growing up . . . surprisingly funny and perfectly spicy ' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ' Elemental powers, deadly trials, found family, political tension and the most chaotic ancient water dragon . . . I'm obsessed' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Welcome to Confluence Academy... Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for the Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts, from wolves to ancient dragons. Students are branded by water, air, earth, or fire. But Nessa's mark is different. A silver spiral - the mark of an unbound. It's a power so dangerous her kind were hunted to extinction centuries ago - or so the Empire claims. To survive, she must hide what she is in a castle where alliances are forged in blood and students kill each other freely for advantage. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer, Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity with a scorching gaze that follows her every move and secrets that could topple kingdoms. Forbidden desires become impossible to ignore, enemies approach from beyond the castle walls, and something evil has found its way inside - stalking the midnight corridors, hiding in plain sight. Nessa must embrace her terrible potential, or watch everything she's fought for burn. Because at Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons... or they don't leave at all. 🔥 A delicious slow burn romance as dangerous as the magic? Check. 🔥 A final line readers are saying will haunt you for weeks? Double check. 🔥 An ending that will leave you desperate for book 2? Absolutely. The story continues in Unveiled (Confluence Academy Book 2) - available to pre-order now! * NEW PAPERBACK EDITION INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE, NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE BONUS CHAPTER FROM RAITH'S POV! * --- Readers are obsessed with Nessa, Raith & 'Imagine if Fourth Wing and Harry Potter had a book baby in THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE! The amount of action of banter, action, and smut between Nessa and Raith was perfect' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The world building, found family, magical animal companions and slow-burn love angst is sooo good! I cannot recommend this book enough!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This book had me in a chokehold. Loved it all the way' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I haven't been this hooked on a book since Fourth Wing . . .

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Confluence Academy is a meat grinder disguised as a school, and Nessa Thorne walks in hiding the one power that could get her killed on sight. Raith Hollow is fire incarnate—brooding, dangerous, and absolutely wrecked by a girl he should be trying to destroy. The elemental magic system is inventive, the banter between Nessa and Raith crackles like a live wire, and when the slow burn finally ignites, it burns hot. That cliffhanger ending will leave you feral for book two.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.24 ★ (9.2k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

576 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2025

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Dual POV

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Dual Narration (M+F)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Rachel Leblang and Anthony Palmini

Narrator Count

Dual

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
enemies to loversslow burnforbidden loveforced proximityhidden identityhe falls firstrivals to loverscompetition romance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darkintenseadventurousromanticdangerousepictense

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

wittyengagingbanter-heavypunchyimmersive

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

forbidden desirepage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

survivorwarrior/fightersnarky/sarcasticdeceptively deadly

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

brooding princeprotective love interestsecretly softmorally gray MMC

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loversslow burnpush and pullprotective love interestreluctant allies to loversbanter

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

slow seductionpassionate / intenseemotional / vulnerable intimacy

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

possessive/protectivetensionanticipationeye contact intensity

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

possessiveclaiming
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (6)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencegraphic violencedeathgriefwarblood
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

academy / school

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

academy / campusmilitary camp

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

dragonselementals

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

tension finally satisfiedaddictive readferal brain activatedbook hangover

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

vacationrainy weekendbedtime

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.576
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2025
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.24 ★ (9.2k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Confluence Academy #1
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