Unbound

Confluence Academy, Book 1

De: Penelope Bloom

Narrado por: Rachel Leblang, Anthony Palmini

Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts—from wolves to ancient dragons—forging themselves into the Empire's most lethal weapons.

Students are branded by affinity: 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 that reeks of blood, where students kill each other for advantage, and failing to tether an elemental means death.

Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer—Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms.

Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in. Death once seemed like a release from her tragic past. Now it's not an option. She'll embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she's fought for burn.

At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons... or they don't leave at all.

A delicious slow-burning romance as dangerous as the magic? Check. A final line that will haunt you for weeks? Double check. An ending that will leave you desperate for book two? Absolutely.

©2025 Penelope Bloom (P)2025 Podium Audio

I don't think there are that many commas...

Performer's reading was very choppy when reading main character. It sounded like she was trying to empathize each word instead of a smooth flow.

Great Start!

Loved this story. Great narration, interesting characters, slow-burn romance. Can’t wait for the next book.

review

it was very similar to four wing but with less character development but overall very good

Good read

This has a mix of fourth wing and zodiac academy. I can’t wait for the second book.

Unbound

A great story I love the world building that was in it and the magic system can't wait for book two!

Interesting to say the least

Enjoyed how the characters developed. The story developed interestingly with mystery. The romantic interest burned with truth.

great story

this gives fourth wing vibes. the world building in here is amazing, and the story is captivating almost no dull moments. I can't wait for the second book

Great story can't wait for book two

the book kept my interest from start to finish its interesting and will entertain you.

Annoying narration

Waay too close to Fourth Wing. The narrator sounded like she's always upset. Like she's gritting her teeth the whole time that I don't understand some word she was saying I had to go to the kindle edition to find out. The inflection at the end of every sentence made everyone sound sarcastic all the time (even the way she says "Chapter". The way she does the male voice made them sound older and ill-tempered. I was so annoyed listening to her that I'd rather read the kindle version.

Unbound

Loved the story and can not wait for the next book! It was the first book I have read by this author.