Otherbound

by Corinne Duyvis

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/09/otherbound-by-corinne-duyvis.html
3½ Stars.
Otherbound is a mixture of contemporary and fantasy, with incredible world building and diversity. Nolan is a Hispanic amputee who suffers from seizures each time he blinks. But behind his eyes he holds the secret of another world, a world diagnosed by doctors as merely hallucinations. From the tender age of only five years old, Nolan was drawn into Amara's world through his dreams, which now occurs whenever he closes his eyes. Amara is a servant who was torn away from her home to protect a cursed princess. She can heal her own injuries, making her valuable as long as she is able to serve her purpose. Even without Nolan, her life has always belonged to someone else. Amara communicates with the use of sign language, her tongue cut out by her owner has left her virtually mute. Two very distinct worlds, where one body is shared.

Corinne Duyvis painted a vivid world in which readers will immerse themselves in. I loved the Dunelands and being thrown into Amara's world. The only light in Amara's life is fellow servant Maart, with the two seeking solace in one another. She was a prisoner, only kept due to the curse and keeping the princess safe. She was incredibly strong, physically and emotionally and knew that if she attempted escape it would be the princess who suffered, so she chose to retain her fate. Although Nolan has endured his own tragedy, his life pails in comparison. He doesn't live wondering if each day will be his last, or what happens if he is captured and taken back to the palace where Amara first served. He could see what Amara endured each day, and still took his life for granted. I couldn't connect to his character at all. Nolan frustrated me, not only was he a voyeur in Amara's life, after discovering he could control her by increasing his medication dosage, he didn't hesitate. And all the while knowing that in her world, she had always belonged to someone else.

Princess Cilla was also taken under duress, and although treated like royalty by Jorn their captor, she forges a tentative friendship with Amara. But not once did she speak up for the servant, supposedly friends, she allowed her to be used and abused. If Cilla put herself in danger, the responsibility and punishment fell on Amara. But as incredible as Amara's world was, it posed more questions than answers. I felt lost at times, as though I had begun reading a book that may have been missing the first few chapters and left me rereading over passages to ensure I hadn't missed an important aspect of the storyline. But the explanation simply wasn't here.

The overall premise was brilliant, two worlds colliding through two teens who are not only diverse, but also worlds apart. But it was too busy. Too many original ideas packed into what was ultimately two separate storylines. I found Amara's world so much more engaging of the two, and desperately wanted to learn more about her life and the Dunelands through her own words, not that of Nolan. The revelations towards the end made for a stunning conclusion. Fantasy fans will enjoy this one, it's still well worth the read to experience the diversity of the characters and incredible world building. I just wish I could have connected with Otherbound more.