The Unwilling by Kelly Braffet follows Judah, a foundling raised in Lord Elban’s household with his eldest son. As the two children grow older, it is discovered that they share a psychic link such that what one feels, so too does the other. Not just emotional, but physical as well. If one is cut, the other bleeds too. The secondary recipient healed faster, and scars less, but the pain is just as intense. When this is discovered, Judah is subjected to all manner of injury to teach both her and Gavin to keep silent if the other gets hurt. The bond is kept a secret from all save Elban, his Seneschal, the House Magus, and Gavin’s younger brother Theron, and betrothed Elly who were both raised with the pair. Judah is barely tolerated by Elban and his courtiers, and the staff fear her. As they become adults, Elban is determined to break the bond, but at what cost? And why does it exist in the first place?

This book was an interesting read, though not what I expected at first. The magic is subtle, and not overly prevalent. It is used by the Slonimi, most often through blood working. The Slonimi have been charged, through the generations, with untying ‘Mad Martin’s knot’, working to release a bound source of Power. You meet them in the beginning, then not for quite some time. Most of the story is focused on the trials and struggles Judah suffers. She lives in a harsh environment, surrounded by people happy to be cruel to her. Harsh in other ways too, as Gavin finds out when he is instructed to kill someone dear to him. Rules governing what staff can and cannot do are strict. Many things can lead to death if they aren’t careful. At the very least, those who go inside the House Wall to serve may never leave again, never see their family again. There’s quite a deal of intrigue too, in the games courtiers play. 

I liked the main four pretty well, but my favourite characters by far were Nathaniel Magus, and Firo Cerrington. Nathaniel replaces the previous House Magus, Arkady, who was quite the piece of work… Nathaniel seemed so sweet, and shy. And for some reason I kept picturing him as Joseph Hooker from the movie Creation. I got nothing on that really. Firo was just hilarious, and seemed amused by everything. He’s as mercenary as any of the courtiers, yet does seem to have a soft spot for Judah, and quite a deal of patience. He immediately brought to mind Jarlaxle, from RA Salvatore’s Legends of Drizzt series because their personalities seem so similar. I did feel sorry for Theron. I really liked him in the beginning, but after his accident, his personality changed. Elban I just wanted to pitch off the roof. He was so unnecessarily vicious. I think I don’t blame the Slonimi their hatred of him. Oh, and Bindy! I adored Bindy, the young girl who serves as Nathaniel Magus’ courier.

Overall, things seemed to move a little slow, compared to what I was expecting. Everything was pretty much contained within the confined of the House. At least, til the final third, when the action kicked in and stakes were raised even higher. I think tweaking the synopsis might better reflect the story inside.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Harlequin for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.