June 1, 2023sarahylockwood

Bonds of Chaos by Zack Argyle

Rate: 3.5/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers): 

Bonds of Chaos is the final, action-filled installment of the Threadlight trilogy. Argyle packs in disaster after disaster for our core heroes as they navigate rebounding from one dangerous situation to the next, barely escaping with their lives, let alone being able to catch their breath. While this pacing is quintessential Argyle, I found myself growing emotionally numb by  the perpetual cycle of looming death and last minute solution in Bonds of Chaos. I loved the pacing in the first two Threadlight novels with the only key difference I can identify in Bonds of Chaos being that the main POVs have all merged into one traveling group. So instead of vollying between locations and individuals, cliffhangers are mitigated as the subsequent perspective is just seeing the situation from an equally precarious view. This means there’s no break or change in the action to break up the mounting suspense, instead giving the reader constantly increasing doses that breeds exhaustion and emotional tolerance. The battle sequences alone, with their twists and turns will keep the reader constantly , especially with Argyle having choreographed several scenes that keep the tears flowing.

Argyle’s characters are vibrant and detailed as always with Laurel and Asher being easy favorites. Their arcs and growth throughout the series is complex and heart wrenching, drawing them ever closer to the reader. Alvarax’s story, as a whole, is another one that grew significantly throughout this trilogy and he also became one of my favorite characters, especially considering the revelations that redefined his past and potential. 

Chrys Valerin, former High General of Alchea, has always had his anger bubbling just under the surface, but his control is loosely tethered at best in Bonds of Chaos. How quickly Chrys gives into his short-sighted anger rule him grows tiresome by the end of this fast paced novel. I did love that Argyle addresses the fact that Chrys’ wife, Iriel, who is a total badass I might add, has been relegated to just taking care of the baby and she is finally allowed to shine, letting her strengths take center stage. 

Overall, the breakneck pacing of Bonds of Chaos will leave the reader sprinting toward an ambitious ending with no character being safe along the way. 

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound): 

  • I love that we find out what happened to Luther! 
  • The time traveling was an interesting addition. How easily the past harms could have been changed had anger and revenge not ruled the day. 
  • Will Willow and Roshaw stay a couple?
  • Jelium was such a great bad guy, but his quick death seemed like such a waste. Sure, a shocking waste, but not worth the effort to recruit him anyway. 
  • The mass sacrifice of the Wastelanders still hurts my heart. 
  • The herald felt like villains from a horror movie. No matter how fast you ran they would leisurely show up right behind you. 

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