Unbound

Confluence Academy, Book 1

By: Penelope Bloom

Narrated by: 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

Great story can't wait for book two

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

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.

Good read

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

great book for fans of romantasy!

I enjoyed the story and would highly recommend for fans of Fourth Wing and Sarah J Maas.