Review: Ties of Dust

The Tethered Hearts series recently had a promotion to celebrate its one-year anniversary, and I could not wait to dive back into it. I was particularly excited to read Ties of Dust because I am a huge fan of Deborah Grace White's books. Somehow, this story exceeded my already high expectations. I fell in love with the characters from the very first page, and the plot and pacing kept me eager to keep reading up to the very last page. I don't know how she did it, but somehow Deborah Grace White has managed to blend romance, magic, and suspense into the perfect book. This story also serves as the introduction to her latest trilogy, Magic of Dust and Movement.

Every book in the Tethered Heart series features a couple whose relationship starts with a magical bond that ties them together, and this one is no exception. It starts with a marriage alliance between Princess Miriam and Prince Cassius. When Miriam's bodyguard prevents an assassination attempt in front of her future fiancé, a nobleman from the prince's kingdom is so impressed by the bodyguard's skills that he casts a spell, forcing her to protect the prince by always keeping her within 20 feet of him. Both the bodyguard and Prince Cassius are horrified by this magical captivity, and the problems only increase when the prince learns that the bodyguard is a woman. Flora is understandably upset about her situation, but she does not blame Cassius and chooses to accept the role after the kindness he shows her in response to the spell.

I haven't read the Magic of Dust and Movement series yet, but this book does an excellent job of introducing the setting. It masterfully incorporates a unique, original world with its own robust magic system. Small cultural details like how some kingdoms refer to magic as "dust," while others are unfamiliar with the lingo, make it feel like a real place. Flora's ability to manipulate magic through small motions like flipping her hair creates a sense of realism and structure in a believable fantasy setting. There are many kingdoms mentioned throughout the book with their own government, culture, and trade.

As much as I appreciated the worldbuilding, I was completely enthralled by the romance! Both Flora and Cassius are such likable protagonists that I couldn't wait for them to realize their feelings. They treat each other with an intense amount of respect and dignity despite their awkward situation, and it makes them feel like a real couple. From the very beginning, Cassius is sympathetic to Flora and does everything in his power to ensure her comfort and happiness. Flora is an obedient bodyguard, but her unusual mannerisms hide a tantalizing secret that gets revealed towards the end of the book, which I won't spoil.

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read Ties of Dust in honor of the series anniversary. It's definitely my favorite of the ones I've read so far. Deborah Grace White has blown me away with her strong worldbuilding, relatable characters, and yearning. This book is a real page-turner with fast-paced action balanced by heartwarming romance. If you're not sure which Tethered Hearts book to read first, you can't go wrong with this one.