Vicious Bonds

The Tether Series, Book 1

By: Shanora Williams

Narrated by: Shane East, Aure Nash

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Shanora Williams comes a dark romantic fantasy series of violence, chaos, angst, and a powerful love that can't be denied....

Willow

I was never meant to live an ordinary life, and when I’m dropped from the sky into a haunting forest, facing the barrel of an unknown man’s gun, I believe it to be true.

Ruler of Blackwater, Caz Harlow, is the man behind the gun. He’s broody, calculating, commanding and, surprisingly, I can hear every thought that runs through his mind. Because I can, he wants me out of his world and sent back to where I came from, so he makes it his mission to find a way.

It seems like a simple task, until I realize his world is unlike mine—that his is filled with violence, chaos, destruction, and gifted people who can kill you with one look. In his universe, it’s hard for a regular human like me to survive, but with Caz at my side, the possibility is higher. And the more time we spend together, the harder it is for me to ignore the connection that makes me feel alive.

He says we’re not meant to be, so why does everything about him set my soul on fire?

Caz

I have too many enemies to count, and when this Willow woman drops into my forest, that’s exactly what I think she is: an enemy.

But then she makes a remark without even opening her mouth, and I realize I can hear her thoughts, and she can hear mine.

As Monarch of Blackwater, I can’t allow her to stay. By doing so, I risk losing everything I’ve worked so hard to build, so I make it my mission to find her a way back home.

But as this mission rolls on, I realize my bond with Willow goes much deeper than I ever could have imagined. And the more I reject her, the more pain I feel entering my body. However, when I lower my guard, the pain disappears and I crave her touch.

This relentless, undeniable bond is becoming impossible to ignore, but I can’t give into it. For if she stays, death will come for us, and it’s up to me to choose our fate.

Do I risk staying with her and putting her life at constant risk, or do I sacrifice the one thing that brings me happiness and let her go?

Vicious Bonds is book one of the ongoing Tether Series. It’s a romantic fantasy with violent acts, possibly triggering events, and ends with a cliffhanger. Please listen at your own discretion.

©2023 Shanora Williams (P)2023 Shanora Williams

We need a movie!

This book was amazing! Don’t make us wait, we need book 2! The story felt so real and the narrators need Oscars!

Narrators 10/10

I enjoyed this book very much. I will read the next one, too. The narrators were incredible!

Shanora can write anything!!!

Holy smokes this world was captivating. I loved this story and the world created by Williams. And to boot, the narrators' beautiful job!!

Great story and amazing narrators

Great book can’t wait for the next one.The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing the book to life!

AWESOME!!!

Shanora Williams….YOU DID THAT!! I am about to get book 2 and I can hardly wait to hear what’s next!

Loved every moment!

This book was everything! And the narration...superb!! Can't wait till the next installment! Great job!

Loved it! This narration is top tier

This book was a great switch up from my usual dark romance books. I really like the build up of the story. It hooked me in from the beginning. Minimal spice scenes but oo so detailed lol. I’m already off to read the second one.

Narration

This may not exactly be my cup of tea but man the female narrator is awesome!! Not sure yet if I’ll buy the next books right away but I enjoyed the book overall.

Absolutely Blown away!!

Well hot DA*N!! Shanora really did it this time. She put her whole foot into it! She raised her own bar proving once again that she will not be boxed into what people expect her to write about. Add fantasy romance genre to her list please and thank you.

This story was PHENOMENAL. The plot fresh and original.
Tethered mates! Are you kidding me😫. I want what Caz & Willow have. It is very much you move, I move. And the telepathic s*x..that was a first!! I am so wrapped up and in love with these two. The fantasy element— what a rush!! This story had everything that I needed and can we talk about the audio? Hello, Shane East & Aure Nash, my new fave power duo. These two had amazing chemistry together and really complemented each other. I am beyond amazed with this whole experience. I need so much more. When is book 2 coming out?!

Willow Woman & Caspie❤️

“I’m a f*cked-up man with f*cked-up urges, and she’s this delicate thing who would have no idea what to do with me.

Since this is the audio review I’ll start by saying I enjoyed the narration very much. Both actors did a fantastic job keeping the story engaging and really bringing the characters and their world to life. They also did a great job doing more than one voice during their chapters. I truly felt like there were multiple people in the room voicing the characters.

Oh Caz. I enjoyed Vicious Bonds overall. It’s fantasy lite, so there is quite a bit of world building going on, but it was easy enough to follow as someone who does not read fantasy often. Like I said this is fantasy lite, so don’t let the fantasy part of the romantasy label scare you. Willow is your average woman, so we think, dealing with every day life stuff. You know, like a questionable ex, a job she loves with a boss who takes credit for her work, some stress nightmares, a voice in her head that she can’t stop hearing, and a side of abandonment issues from her family. So when she uses a little bit of *herb* to escape the hard parts of her life, she doesn’t expect to be dropped into another world. Another world where the voice in her head is a living breathing, broody, man. Caz is.. sigh. I can’t explain what he is really. He’s one you have to get to know as you read, and his world is interesting to say the least. I enjoyed following Willow as she learned the lay of the land and spent time getting to know the man behind the voice inside her head. This one is a bit of a slow burn, but once they get at it.. it’s on. There’s also quite a bit of violence and some darker themes in this one.

To end, this was an enjoyable read and I think a good one for people looking to try romantic fantasy without diving into the super deep end. It is a slowburn and it does end with a “to be continued…” there are your warnings, now I’m going to go bug the author for book two.