Cover of Unbound: Confluence Academy, Book 1

Unbound: Confluence Academy, Book 1

by Rachel Leblang Penelope Bloom

4.5

Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects a quick death when she volunteers for the Empire’s brutal selection. Instead, she finds herself thrust into the halls of Confluence Academy, a lethal training ground where students bond with elemental beasts—ranging from wolves to ancient dragons—to become the Empire's ultimate weapons. While her peers are branded by fire, water, earth, or air, Nessa bears a mysterious silver spiral: the mark of an "unbound," a forbidden power rumored to have been hunted to extinction. To survive, Nessa must conceal her true nature in a castle where students are encouraged to kill for an advantage and failure to tether an elemental beast results in certain death. Complicating her perilous existence is Raith Hollow, a formidable fire-affinity student whose scorching gaze and hidden secrets threaten both her safety and her heart. As an enemies-to-lovers dynamic simmers between them, Nessa realizes that the academy is a web of blood-forged alliances and deadly deception. With her dark potential growing and enemies closing in from every side, Nessa must master her forbidden magic before her past catches up to her. In this high-stakes fantasy, she learns that at Confluence Academy, you either evolve into a weapon or you don't leave at all.

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5 4.5 out of 5 stars](javascript:void(0))(8,387) Book 1 of 2: Confluence Academy Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. Try again. See all formats and editions Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for Empire's selection. Instead, she's thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts—from wolves to ancient dragons—forging themselves into the Empire's most lethal weapons. 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 that reeks of blood, where students kill each other for advantage, and failing to tether an elemental means death. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer—Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms. Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in. Death once seemed like a release from her tragic past. Now it's not an option. She'll embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she's fought for burn. At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons... or they don't leave at all. A delicious slow-burning romance as dangerous as the magic? Check. A final line that will haunt you for weeks? Double check. An ending that will leave you desperate for book two? Absolutely. ) ©2025 Penelope Bloom (P)2025 Podium Audio Previous slide of product details 1. Book 1 of 2 Confluence Academy 2. Listening Length 22 hours and 3 minutes 3. Author Penelope Bloom 4. Narrator Rachel Leblang, see all) 5. Publication date November 4, 2025 6. Language English 7. Publisher Podium Audio 8. ASIN B0FHKD2JNB 9. Version Unabridged 10. Program Type Audiobook Next slide of product details See all details Report an issue with this product or seller](https://www.amazon.com/Unbound-Confluence-Academy-Book-1/dp/B0FHKD2JNB/ref=sr1314?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nZt59ZXH9qY70BrB4mXy4Txjj7dZ9qoTpicLZUmIAe29gP7LQy7V1J4QWrx06dhkvVV3nT5usqbop8syPsyXGVozK20TnjBKbnF1xGouhmNycB-YVTufeu5izndIUizgRU2tn-jQ4M-sDXMiOMIELvQW3kFwBVLXM2zLoICuPdKR-mr-j3ht5dnuw4NQxctgzkc2uaRTy24T1GLF-99YYE-blO8ADRBezCGad4o.Q04KxZkPGehPijfqBXMnzKL3x2IpSwVHglCpgNEeEpA&dibtag=se&qid=1780245868&s=books&xpid=BtZXy3REumMg) !Image 38: A 38x35 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Read & Listen Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to Audible audiobook. Add the audiobookfor a reduced price of $5.92 after you get the Kindle book as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription. ](https://www.amazon.com/hz/audible/mlp?actionCode=AMZOR3890414266326&ref=adblpdpbhve26eft) People who viewed this also viewed 1 of 45 Previous page 1. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G15W6HC7/ref=adblp13nvvxx0im?encoding=UTF8&plink=l50zNlHsxCc898v7&pdrdw=aW88a&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdp=6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdr=Y3N1YSB371K22N5MF79W&pdrdwg=NbXwh&pdrdr=bfa2674d-2ae0-49cd-b360-d93ddf85080f) Hollow Hollow Caroline Peckham 12,625 Audible Audiobook $0.00 Free with Audible trial$25.72 2. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ65PSV9/ref=adblp13nvvxx1im?encoding=UTF8&plink=l50zNlHsxCc898v7&pdrdw=aW88a&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdp=6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdr=Y3N1YSB371K22N5MF79W&pdrdwg=NbXwh&pdrdr=bfa2674d-2ae0-49cd-b360-d93ddf85080f) Grim Grim Joe Arden 2,424 Audible Audiobook $0.00 Free with Audible trial$21.62 3. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1PPDBPF/ref=adblp13nvvxx2im?encoding=UTF8&plink=l50zNlHsxCc898v7&pdrdw=aW88a&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdp=6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdr=Y3N1YSB371K22N5MF79W&pdrdwg=NbXwh&pdrdr=bfa2674d-2ae0-49cd-b360-d93ddf85080f) 'Til I Say When'Til I Say When Natisha Raynor 2,902 Audible Audiobook $0.00 Free with Audible trial$16.77 4. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FV971KJ1/ref=adblp13nvvxx3im?encoding=UTF8&plink=l50zNlHsxCc898v7&pdrdw=aW88a&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdp=6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdr=Y3N1YSB371K22N5MF79W&pdrdwg=NbXwh&pdrdr=bfa2674d-2ae0-49cd-b360-d93ddf85080f) Wish: The Onyx Mist Series, Book 1 Wish: The Onyx Mist Series, Book 1 Sara Flanagan 2,253 Audible Audiobook $0.00 Free with Audible trial$26.38 5. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJSKJ8HQ/ref=adblp13nvvxx4im?encoding=UTF8&plink=l50zNlHsxCc898v7&pdrdw=aW88a&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdp=6bfb9196-cd42-4b32-982b-b592e2848f41&pfrdr=Y3N1YSB371K22N5MF79W&pdrdwg=NbXwh&pdrdr=bfa2674d-2ae0-49cd-b360-d93ddf85080f) Matabar: A Progression Fantasy Epic Matabar: A Progression Fantasy Epic Kirill Klevanski 829 Audible Audio

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s 4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 out of 5 8,387 global ratings 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 67%24%8%1%0%67% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 67%24%8%1%0%24% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 67%24%8%1%0%8% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 67%24%8%1%0%1% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 67%24%8%1%0%0% How customer reviews and ratings work) Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon Click to learn more about this sponsored product!Image 68: Click to learn more about this sponsored product !Image 69!Image 70!Image 71 Sponsored Customers say Customers find this fantasy romance book captivating with great twists and turns, featuring a strong female protagonist with wonderful surprises in every new character. The story is a suspenseful page-turner with hilarious banter and engaging slow-burn romance, while the writing is exceptionally well done. Customers describe the book as full of emotion with lots of angst. AI Generated from the text of customer reviews!Image 72: A 60x62 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Generated from the text of customer reviews Select to learn more !Image 73: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Content(121) !Image 74: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Plot(90) !Image 75: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Character(62) !Image 76: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Engaging(41) !Image 77: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Romance(33) !Image 78: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Humor(26) !Image 79: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Writing quality(21) !Image 80: A 18x20 small image, likely a logo, icon or avatar Emotional(17) 121 customers mention content, 116 positive, 5 negative 121 customers mention "Content"116 positive 5 negative !Image 81: A thick black 'X' symbol Customers find the book enjoyable, with many noting that every page was worth reading and describing it as a fun read. "Great read. A cross between Fourth Wing and Hunger Games. Love the banter of Typhon and Nessa. Good character development and twists and turns...." "Great book but the kindle version at least needs work...." "Good read get it you will not be disappointed other than that the next one isn't out yet which kinda bites lol but still get this book" "This book, wow. Loved it! I have never read Penelope Bloom but she nailed this! 👌 the character development was perfection...." 90 customers mention plot, 85 positive, 5 negative 90 customers mention "Plot"85 positive 5 negative !Image 82: A thick black 'X' symbol Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as captivating with great fantasy twists and full of twists and turns that don't rush through the narrative. "Definitely a great story and the character development is awesome! I’m looking forward to the next book! You won’t be disappointed! Enjoy the read!" "...I would recommend it to everyone. There were twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I can't wait for the next book." "...The plot twists, the angst, the love, and the hilarious banter. I laughed out loud so many times, especially with Typhons commentary. Epic...." "Absolutely outstanding. Great characters and plot. So glad I came across this book! I’m going to tell everyone I know who loves fantasy to read this." 62 customers mention character, 61 positive, 1 negative 62 customers mention "Character"61 positive 1 negative !Image 83: A thick black 'X' symbol Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, particularly noting the strong female protagonist and wonderful surprises in every new character. "Love it. Great story, characters, angst, tension, humor, and romance. Cliffhanger ending argh. I really enjoyed the story and the world created." "Absolutely outstanding. Great characters and plot. So glad I came across this book! I’m going to tell everyone I know who loves fantasy to read this." "...slow romance buildup, talkative elementals, realm building, good character development, good story building, whole year till next book, I did like..." "The book was fast-paced and provided continuous action. The characters are interesting and I suspect several will receive more development as the..." 41 customers mention engaging, 38 positive, 3 negative 41 customers mention "Engaging"38 positive 3 negative !Image 84: A thick black 'X' symbol Customers find the book engaging and intense, describing

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