Unbound (Confluence Academy Book 1)
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Unbound (Confluence Academy Book 1)
Unbound (Confluence Academy Book 1)
Elemental magic, a military academy, deadly trials, forbidden romance, and a sarcastic shape-shifting ancient water dragon - this new edition of overnight romantasy sensation Unbound, book one of the Confluence Academy series, includes never-before-seen bonus material.
Elemental powers, deadly trials, found family, political tension, and the most chaotic ancient water dragon... I'm obsessed ?????
'Like Divergent, Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy, and Maze Runner rolled into one. I literally cannot wait for the second book' ?????
'This book deserves to go as viral as Fourth Wing! I loved it. The characters, the plot... the yearning!!!' ?????
???? 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.
Discover the overnight romantasy sensation. Welcome to Confluence Academy...
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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.
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! *
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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 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!' ?????
Series: Confluence Academy
View allBook Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781035441518
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 November 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Mountain Leopard Press
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 592
About the Author
USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Penelope Bloom is taking her first flight into romantasy - and yes, there are dragons. After years of contemporary romance, she's temporarily trading meet-cutes for magical academies and coffee shops for castles that reek of blood. She promises the banter is just as sharp, but now it comes with deadly consequences.
?Fun fact: 'Penelope Bloom' started as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the family dog, Penelope -never meant to be anything serious. But then the books took off, and the name stuck. Behind the scenes, Penelope Bloom is actually a husband-and-wife team. He handles the writing; she edits, helps with brainstorming, and runs the reader-facing side of things (like social media and messages). So if you've chatted with 'Penelope' online, you've likely been talking to her - with the author chiming in whenever needed. Together, they've built the voice readers know and love.?Today, they're living the dream 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.More from Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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