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

story plot lines

I'm going to be completely honest here. this is like all of my favorite books in one and if I can I would like to list them as serpent and the wings of night, fourth wing, zodiac academy, and from blood and ash. this book was fun to listen to and it's layout also reminded me a lot those stories with all the aspects mixed together which was an amazing read. waiting for next book with amazing hopes

great action and beginning of romance

love it. can't wait until next book. the main characters vibe great. good cliffhanger too.

Cross Between Fourth Wing and Potter

The story is a nice buffer as I wait for the next Fourth Wing. Entertaining and has some great moments. I almost shut it off many times because the narrator is excruciating. She sounds irritated all of the time and computerized. I don’t know if I can listen or read the next one of the narrators voice is still in my head.

Unbound

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

Fourth Wing Vibes

I liked the story well enough, but the narrator's staggered narration drove me insane. I've never increased the reading speed before until this book.