
Unbound (Confluence Academy Book 1)
The Hunger Games meets Avatar: The Last Airbender in this TikTok romantasy sensation!
Penelope Bloom(Author)
Mountain Leopard Press
Will be published approx. on 6. November 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
592 pages
978-1-0354-4151-8 (ISBN)
Description
Elemental magic, a military academy, deadly trials, forbidden romance, and the most sarcastic ancient water dragon companion - discover this stunning new edition of the overnight TikTok romantasy sensation . . . 'If you like Fourth Wing, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, then this book is right up your alley!' ? ? ? ? ?
'For all the girlies that loved The Hunger Games and Divergent growing up . . . surprisingly funny and perfectly spicy' ? ? ? ? ?
'Elemental powers, deadly trials, found family, political tension and the most chaotic ancient water dragon . . . I'm obsessed' ? ? ? ? ?
Welcome to Confluence Academy... Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for the Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts, from wolves to ancient dragons.
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 where alliances are forged in blood and students kill each other freely for advantage. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer, Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity with a scorching gaze that follows her every move and secrets that could topple kingdoms.
Forbidden desires become impossible to ignore, enemies approach from beyond the castle walls, and something evil has found its way inside - stalking the midnight corridors, hiding in plain sight.
Nessa must choose: embrace her terrible potential, or watch everything she's fought for burn.
Because at Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons... or they don't leave at all.
?? A delicious slow burn romance as dangerous as the magic? Check.
?? A final line readers are saying will haunt you for weeks? Double check.
?? An ending that will leave you desperate for book 2? Absolutely.
The story continues in Unveiled (Confluence Academy Book 2) - available to pre-order now!
* NEW PAPERBACK EDITION INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE, NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE BONUS CHAPTER FROM RAITH'S POV! * ---
Readers are obsessed with Nessa, Raith & Typhon:
'Imagine if Fourth Wing and Harry Potter had a book baby in THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE! The amount of action of banter, action, and smut between Nessa and Raith was perfect' ? ? ? ? ?
'The world building, found family, magical animal companions and slow-burn love angst is sooo good! I cannot recommend this book enough!' ? ? ? ? ?
'This book had me in a chokehold. Loved it all the way' ? ? ? ? ?
'I haven't been this hooked on a book since Fourth Wing . . . and that freaking twist? Oh my gosh' ? ? ? ? ?
'Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy vibes! I absolutely ATE this up in two days! This was one of my top reads so far of 2025' ? ? ? ? ?
'Full of tension, longing, and those irresistible "touch her and die" vibes' ? ? ? ? ?
'This is going to be in my new top five romantasy novels' ? ? ? ? ?
'For all the girlies that loved The Hunger Games and Divergent growing up . . . surprisingly funny and perfectly spicy' ? ? ? ? ?
'Elemental powers, deadly trials, found family, political tension and the most chaotic ancient water dragon . . . I'm obsessed' ? ? ? ? ?
Welcome to Confluence Academy... Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for the Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts, from wolves to ancient dragons.
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 where alliances are forged in blood and students kill each other freely for advantage. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer, Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity with a scorching gaze that follows her every move and secrets that could topple kingdoms.
Forbidden desires become impossible to ignore, enemies approach from beyond the castle walls, and something evil has found its way inside - stalking the midnight corridors, hiding in plain sight.
Nessa must choose: embrace her terrible potential, or watch everything she's fought for burn.
Because at Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons... or they don't leave at all.
?? A delicious slow burn romance as dangerous as the magic? Check.
?? A final line readers are saying will haunt you for weeks? Double check.
?? An ending that will leave you desperate for book 2? Absolutely.
The story continues in Unveiled (Confluence Academy Book 2) - available to pre-order now!
* NEW PAPERBACK EDITION INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE, NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE BONUS CHAPTER FROM RAITH'S POV! * ---
Readers are obsessed with Nessa, Raith & Typhon:
'Imagine if Fourth Wing and Harry Potter had a book baby in THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE! The amount of action of banter, action, and smut between Nessa and Raith was perfect' ? ? ? ? ?
'The world building, found family, magical animal companions and slow-burn love angst is sooo good! I cannot recommend this book enough!' ? ? ? ? ?
'This book had me in a chokehold. Loved it all the way' ? ? ? ? ?
'I haven't been this hooked on a book since Fourth Wing . . . and that freaking twist? Oh my gosh' ? ? ? ? ?
'Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy vibes! I absolutely ATE this up in two days! This was one of my top reads so far of 2025' ? ? ? ? ?
'Full of tension, longing, and those irresistible "touch her and die" vibes' ? ? ? ? ?
'This is going to be in my new top five romantasy novels' ? ? ? ? ?
Reviews / Votes
Like Divergent, Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy and Maze Runner rolled into one. I literally cannot wait for the second book -- ????? reader review Elemental powers, a grumpy yet loving dragon, angsty romance, an ever-growing powerful FMC, a mysterious and badass MMC, amazing found family. This just really had it all. I cannot recommend this book enough. Now I patiently wait for book 2! -- ????? reader review Think Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games mixed with just the right amount of spice sprinkled in! -- ????? reader review If Hunger Games and Fourth Wing had a baby this book would be it -- ????? reader review Six stars if I could. The depth of this world and characters is something I've missed in books. I cannot wait for book two!! -- ????? reader reviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
410 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0354-4151-8 (9781035441518)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Penelope Bloom
Unbound (Confluence Academy Book 1)
The Hunger Games meets Avatar: The Last Airbender in this TikTok romantasy sensation!
E-Book
09/2025
Mountain Leopard Press
€2.99
Available for download
Person
Penelope Bloom is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. After years of contemporary romance, they're trading meet-cutes for magical academies and coffee shops for castles that reek of blood. They promise the banter is just as sharp, but now it comes with deadly consequences.
When not crafting happily-ever-afters or dodging deadline dragons, you'll find them hiking mountain trails, conquering walls at the local climbing gym, or hunting down the perfect pizza slice. They live in Colorado with their two daughters and three furry co-authors (who offer questionable writing advice but excellent moral support).
When not crafting happily-ever-afters or dodging deadline dragons, you'll find them hiking mountain trails, conquering walls at the local climbing gym, or hunting down the perfect pizza slice. They live in Colorado with their two daughters and three furry co-authors (who offer questionable writing advice but excellent moral support).