Trinity Cunningham

"Unbound: The Guardians of the Weldafire Stone" by Trinity Cunningham is a captivating fantasy novel that sweeps readers into a world brimming with magic and adventure. The story follows Mick Dairner, a young chef who receives a mysterious stone from his uncle, compelling him to return to his homeland of Kartha. As Mick navigates the treacherous political landscape and uncovers his own magical abilities, he must confront dangerous foes and forge unexpected alliances. Cunningham's vivid show more world-building and dynamic characters kept me hooked from start to finish.

While the plot is rich with twists and turns, some readers might find the pacing a bit uneven in places. However, the strong character development and the thrilling climax more than make up for these minor flaws. Mick's journey from a reluctant hero to a courageous fighter is both inspiring and heartwarming. Overall, "Unbound: The Guardians of the Weldafire Stone" is a solid 4 out of 5 stars and a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy a blend of magic, mystery, and action. Although I received this book for free as an early reviewer, I will now buy the first book in the series to see what I missed. show less

I was reluctant to read and review this book until I had acquired and read the first book in the series 'Blood Bound'. Since I have not done this I decided to do a 'quick' read of 'Unbound' (the horror) and offer my review.
The story has my attention for certain, it is well written and has me wanting the first book and any further books that appear in this wonderful series. Trinity Cunningham is a terrific author.

Synopsis: Mick is an over-sheltered, immature smart mouth. Having a good heart doesn't protect him from the consequences of failing to think through a situation. He's also not particularly brave, finding that consequences can be life threatening. Working as a cook for an immoral politician, Mick discovers that knowing too much about the governor's side business is no guarantee that he and his family are safe. This fear, along with his yearning to return to the land of his birth lead him to show more make a deal with the governor to go back to his homeland to help establish connections to illegal activities. This decision, along with several other ill-conceived choices puts friends, family, and an entire nation in danger.

Review: The story is interesting and the premise is believable. I would have liked more character development for Mick. I found it difficult to actually picture him, thinking at first he was a middle-aged person because he had worked as a cook for 20+ years. Some sections of the story are difficult to follow, quite possibly because this is the second book in the series and I haven't read the first. There are several nasty characters who are dealt with, but two more seem to disappear from the story with no explanation. I'm not crazy about loose ends. show less

With not having read the first book, I find that this book leaves more to the imagination than most books I have read so far this year. looking forward to reading book one and then rereading this book.