Jane Yellowrock must dig deep and find strength within herself if she is to survive in the latest novel in this New York Times bestselling series.Jane Yellowrock is vampire-killer-for-hire, but her last battle with an ancient arcane enemy has brought her low. She seeks retreat in the Appalachian Mountains to grieve the loss of her friends, and to heal—or to die—from the disease brought on by her … disease brought on by her magic.
But malevolent elements in the paranormal community still seek to destroy Jane, and a terrifying foe stalks her, even into the safety of the hills. With nowhere to run and her body failing, the rogue-vampire hunter and her inner Beast must discover a way to defeat this new threat, and find a form that gives her a chance to fight another day.
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Shattered Bonds is a gut-wrenching, blood curdling, high speed adventure that will leave you gasping. Jane is fighting bad guys, time and her own body. She doesn’t have time for everything she needs to do. This is an emotional roller-coaster ride from the first page to the last, I LOVED IT!
Another fun read in the Jane Yellowrock series -couldnt put it down. When it ended I really wished for.one more chapter though….
Wow…. Just Wow…..
This is Jane Yellowrock book #13
This Book was AMAZING!!!!
The ending of course was the best.
Jane Yellowrock has seen it all but somehow always seems to find something new to work through….
Of course this time she’s dying of cancer, and she has to face the baddest of bad Vamps… AGAIN!!!
Will she be able to keep the ever growing Yellowrock Clan safe, kill the nasty Vamp, and cure her cancer????
Well you better go out and get the book to find out…..
Somehow I missed this when it came out despite being a newsletter follower of the author. Started True Dead and went, “What???”. So, put down True Dead and got Shattered. I think readers of the entire series could probably read True Dead without reading this one though. If you’re new to the series, you’d be lost starting almost any book but the first. There are a ton of complicated characters, even though there’s a core of about 10.
This book is all about the bonds Jane has with everyone in the series. Some bonds are more ceremonial (yet strong and important) but this book focuses more on the bonds between Jane and the family she has made and some immediate allies. This books still has lots of action, but adds richness to the series’ world.
On to True Dead.
In the 13th book of the Jane Yellowrock series, the overriding theme is pain – pain from the disease that is killing Jane, pain from the friends that have been lost, kidnapped or attacked, and pain from the malignant younger Son of Darkness that is after everything Jane holds dear and won’t stop until he’s either taken what he wants or destroys everything in his way. Jane is not only facing a deadly enemy, but a failing body, and as she finds ways to work around her weakness, she won’t stop until she figures out a way to save everyone she loves. She’ll have to save herself and Beast as well, so she can go on protecting the family she’s collected around herself, Clan Yellowrock. I usually have no doubts that Jane will win, but this time she sure had a lot of obstacles to overcome. In the end I was happy to see Jane come through on the other side and I’m ready to see what fresh hell awaits her in the next book.
another great continuation of the series, excellent action, mentally adventurous and entertaining…
I have read the whole series love it
Jane Yellowrock novels are always filled with action, and this one was no exception. The action was pretty much nonstop throughout the entire book. By book 13, the plot has become extensive and complicated. There are a lot of details to remember with unlimited twists and turns along the way. The book as a whole is pretty dark and foreboding because of Jane’s cancer; especially when there’s no hope at the end of the tunnel. I thoroughly enjoyed how most of my favorite characters are on-scene embracing the danger and standing together to face adversity as a true clan. Of her recent books, this is my favorite in quite a few of the last books. After the last book and the pinnacle of war with the European vamps, I didn’t think Hunter could match that level of intensity, but she absolutely did throughout the entire book as Jane struggles in the ultimate battle for her life.
My one critique is that in Hunter’s writing style, the final battle is typically withheld until the end, and this one felt like it built up to the point where I didn’t know if anything would even be resolved by the end. I wish for once she would spread it out and take some more time in the final battle and recap be a bit more extensive. That said, it does wrap up nicely; yet leave no doubt that the story will continue. I really can’t wait for the next installment!
Faith Hunter never disappoints! I love the characters in this series and dread the idea that it may one day end. I appreciate the years of entertainment and the books keep getting better and better!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
5 Long-Anticipated Stars
Spoiler-Free Review to my best abilities.
After how Dark Queen left readers up in the air as to what happened to a beloved character and as to how Jane was handling her new situation, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Shattered Bonds. Seriously, I was pestery and stalking a release date, so eager to see what happens next.
It goes without saying, Shattered Bonds cannot be read as a standalone or out of series order. A few of the books in the middle of the pack could be read or missed without confusion, but this novel reads more like a continuation.
Jane is in hiding, mourning heavy losses, while suffering from a magical form of cancer growing in her center. Escaping her duty in New Orleans because the grief is heavy, she’s created a new base of operation just outside of Asheville in the mountains, where she purchased an inn to accommodate her people. A few months have passed since the conclusion of Dark Queen, and it’s all about to hit the fan.
The Dark Queen hasn’t picked up her mantle, effectively destroying her power base, while she mourns and suffers. Several of her people go missing, her primo is being tortured, all because the SOD has a baby brother that she never knew existed, and he’s out for blood, looking for his brother/the return of whatever is left of the SOD, after Brut tore it bit from bit.
The majority of the novel is Jane suffering from cancer, terrified over what that means in the long-run. Able to not deteriorate when shaped as Beast or when in half-form. Jane as Jane is dying by the second. Rallying the troops, Jane puts on her crown and gets down to business, attempting to protect her people from the new baddie invading their territory.
What is so different this time around, Jane isn’t necessarily in charge. In the past, even when she wasn’t in charge, she fought to take control. During Shattered Bonds, Jane learns to delegate, to trust and respect her people to do what needs to be done, so she can take care of herself and save what little strength she has left. It’s a new side of Jane – a vulnerable side.
I planned on reading this novel slowly, simply because it was such a long wait from the previous installment. I wanted to savor it. However, no matter how much I love the characters, maybe because of that actually, I had a hard time reading. I struggled with the content, watching Jane suffer, finding only small moments of ironic humor from beast and the deep connection Jane has with her family. There were often so many characters within a scene, it got chaotic and confusing for me to read and enjoy. The major issue was the stress I was feeling while reading a character suffer.
Dark. Much darker than the previous books.
Here is where I refuse to provide spoilers, because it’s yet another stellar ending, taking the series in a new direction, one I cannot wait to experience.
Highly recommend for series fans and fans of the author. For those looking for a solid urban fantasy series where you can trust the author to stay true to the story and characters she’s written, go back to the beginning and start with Skinwalker (I’ve reread it 4 times, just as entertaining each time as the last).
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I suppose I should start by saying I’m a long time fan of Faith Hunter and Jane Yellowrock, so this will be full of fangirling. I will not apologize for that. She completely deserves it.
One thing Faith Hunter does that is so very difficult for authors to get right, is she engages you immediately in her books. I don’t think I’ve had a problem getting involved in one of her books since Skinwalker, which, being the first is often the case so I don’t worry too much about it when it’s at that point. And I’m so glad I didn’t! This series is so full of emotions and action, well fleshed out characters and perfect world building! There’s virtually nothing bad to say about this series.
Now for Shattered Bonds. Jane is in trouble. We knew this from Dark Queen. Everyone is feeling the fear of her dying. But no one more than her and Beast. They feel this fear, not out of selfish personal need to live forever, but out of love for their family, of which she considers her entire clan, and the fear that they will be harmed if she dies. She is such a wonderful character. She has it all. She’s snarky, funny, loving, strong, fearless yet full of fears for others, giving, and brutal when needed. She’s everything any woman would want to be, if they wanted to be a heroic character. But she also doesn’t trust easily. This causes her to believe she is the only one that can save them whenever a situation arises. Because of this failing, and it is a failing, she gets herself and her clan into more trouble than they possibly would otherwise.
That being the case once again, they have trouble galore in Shattered Bonds. The SoD 2 is truly a bad guy. One that is going to prove to be her most challenging yet. Possibly even her final one. And we feel that. Throughout this book we feel that weighing on everyone; the looks from Eli, the pain emanating from Bruiser, even Beast is concerned. All of these feelings are so well delineated that we have no choice but to experience them along with everyone. I know I didn’t have a choice. I spent a great deal of time crying through this book. My heart still hurts from all it was put through reading this incredible edition to an amazing series.
I don’t give away spoilers, so that’s pretty much all I can tell you about the book without giving things away. But I will say that this is a series I will be rereading over and over throughout whatever years I have left to me. It is one of those epic series that just hold your heart and never let go, that pull you back over and over so you can relive the joys, the pains, the loves involved in every volume written. Simply put, My God This Woman Can WRITE!!!!
I know the time is coming when this wonderful series will end. It’s going to break my heart when it does, and I know I’m not alone in that. But most excellent series do end. And they end before they have a chance to become boring or repetitive or worst of all, before the author has a chance to lose interest in their own characters. We’re going to get to go out loving this series to the very end, and that’s a remarkable thing to accomplish. Faith Hunter is undeniably a master of her craft, and I feel so lucky to have picked up that first book and continued on, being allowed to be a part of this amazing world she created by being a devout reader. I am already deep into her next epic series, Soulwood, so I know there’s still much more to come from this incredible author.
Ok, fangirling almost done. Epically done, Faith Hunter! Such Excellent work, as is always the case when I see your name on the cover. Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
I’ve binged the entire Jane Yellowrock series in audiobook form this year, and I am hooked! This book is by far the best in the series in terms of edge-of-your-seat suspense, world-building, character development all around, especially Jane, and the stakes have never been higher. With the SOD’s less nice brother gunning for Jane and her clan, the U.S. and European Mithrin power structure in chaos, and Jane in mortal danger from the magical malignancy that’s slowly killing her, Jane and her team will have to fight harder than they ever have, especially when little Evan, Jane’s godchild, is taken by the the SOD’s bro, the Flayer of Mithrins – and all other living species.
Can’t wait for more!
I have fallen in love with the Jane Yellowrock world, I highly recommend reading this series. These books do need to be read in order otherwise it won’t make sense. I’m not going to give anything away but the crazy does hit the fan as always in the JY world but it’s crazier than ever. Faith does an amazing job creating Jane and the JY world, you will not regret buying this book
She is always a wonderful writer
I love all Jane Yellowrock books. This one was another excellent part of the series. I hope Jane’s, Eli’s, and Alex’s stories never end.
Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter would have to be my most eagerly anticipated book this year and boy oh boy, Ms Hunter did not disappoint. Book 13 in the Jane Yellowrock series is awesome. Jane is one of my favourite MC’s ever written and the world she lives in is detailed, complex and intertwined with ancient vampires, mythical creatures and Jane’s own native heritage. Relationships are key in this series and it’s fabulous to realign yourself into their world again. I could happily claim Bruiser as my only book boyfriend for ever and a day. Loved it and certainly didn’t want it to end.
I still have hope for Leo…
…but for all the Leo fans out there I have to start by stating that Leo is not featured in this installment, but I will explain later on why I still cling to a last sliver of hope to see him again.
Shattered Bonds combines suspenseful, gritty, edge-of-the seat action fight sequences with more reflective moments about the choices Jane has made and is still about to make in her life. All the time-walking Jane did in the fight against the European Vamps has damaged her DNA and caused a magically induced tumor that is slowly killing her. So, Jane abandons her family and friends and vanishes to an old vineyard near Asheville in North Carolina. She never wanted to be the Dark Queen, so she delegates her responsibilities. In Edmund and Grégoire she has some dependable allies, but her absence creates a power vacuum, nonetheless. Soon different vampire factions from Europe start pouring in and Jane not only has to fight her cancer, but she also has to hold her alliance together and keep her family and friends safe. She comes to realize that being the ruler is more complicated than she imagined, and she comes to appreciate the schemes within schemes that Leo hatched, always considering all the possible outcomes and the consequences of each action taken. During the time working for Leo she has formed attachments and bonds to many people, so her absence is not only felt in the hierarchy of vampires, but also on a personal level.
As I indicated, Leo is not featured in this book, and moreover, we get conflicting accounts about him. Jane mentions that she was at his grave and there was no sign of regeneration, quite the opposite, Beast only smelled rot and decay. But on the other hand, the council of arcenials punishes Soul for interfering in the timeline that led to Leo’s head not being completely severed from his body but remaining attached by a few sinews. If Soul’s interference didn’t make any difference, then she wouldn’t have risked serious punishment to change the future by just this tiny fraction. And since Leo is a master vampire, I’m holding out hope that he will return by some miracle… if I remember Faith Hunter’s announcement correctly, there should be at least two more books in this series.
Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter is a thrilling addition to the Jane Yellowrock series. In this story, Jane Yellowrock is in the Appalachian Mountains where she is dealing with her magically induced cancer. After lying low she discovers that all is not as it should be in the paranormal community. Jane needs to dig deep and fight her enemy. This urban fantasy is suitable for adult readers.
Faith Hunter does a wonderful job with this story. Jane is a worthy heroine. I love her interaction with Beast. Jane has a lot of things she needs to deal with in this novel. She is smart. She is impressive at problem-solving and strategy. Shattered Bonds is skillfully written and thought-provoking. I suggest reading the other books in the series prior to reading this novel. I recommend this series to people who enjoy urban fantasies. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
Shattered Bonds as well as every book in the series is extremely well written and leaves me in awe!!
I also want more and honestly this series could never end and I would still want to buy them. I very much hope there is more to come from Jane and her beloved family.
This is one of my all-time favorite series and I was biting my nails after the epic and devastating battle in the last book, DARK QUEEN. Jane who was badly injured has retreated to the Appalachian Mountains to deal with her magical injuries and grief. She has a magically induced cancer that to date nothing has proven effective at healing and over time will eventually kill her. But there is no rest for the weary as trouble once again stalks Jane. As the other Son of Darkness brings a new and deadly fight right to Jane’s front door she must allow family and friends to fight as never before as she feeling weaker as less capable than ever.
Jane is fighting battles on several fronts causing doubt and worry for our warrior woman. But as usual she refuses to give up and finds ways to not only continue to fight but to appear strong in the face of her enemies.
This book opens with Jane having a full house on her new home meant to be a healing retreat it must now become a fortress against her enemies. This book, has again managed to ramp up the intensity which will leave readers breathless, emotionally drained and well flat put amazed.
Jane gets no break from the relentless onslaught of attacks and this book is a roller coaster ride from one battle to the next. I was absolutely glued to the pages and could not put this one down!! I just had to know what would happen next.
Many of these dangers seem to come from the fact that in her illness Jane set aside some of her responsibilities as Dark Queen and clan leader. Loose ends have come back to haunt her as her enemies exploit everything they can find.
The intensity within the pages of this book are incredible you will be in awe of Faith Hunters talent as a writer. I am so grateful for her creative mind and this wonderful world she has created. It is an enthralling adventure from book one all the way through and if you haven’t picked up this series I highly urge you to add this series to what is sure to be a must read list.
This book forces Jane due to her illness to leave more of the badassery to her team. She has to learn to have the faith that she has taught them well. I love as Jane accepts this she is proud and grateful to those she calls her family and loves them all the more for being there when she needs them most. I honestly can’t say enough about this book simply amazing!! Thank you again Faith Hunter!
4.75 stars
“Shattered Bonds” by Faith Hunter is part of the ‘Jane Yellowrock’ paranormal/urban fantasy series. Jane is still dealing with life-threatening complications, but her multiple roles require direct intervention, especially when her enemies strike close to home. She and Beast will have to discern whether some of her allies are friends or foes, and any mistakes may be deadly.
I enjoy books that feature kick-butt heroines, and this series definitely showcases its unique heroine who is not only a take-charge and opinionated female, but whose dual nature adds an entertaining perspective. I think it would be difficult for those who are not familiar with the series to appreciate all of the nuances, particularly given the number of different types of entities who have cameos or pivotal roles, but even if one doesn’t understand the alliances and maneuverings or the events that have led up to the situations Jane is dealing with, I suspect that newbies to the series will be impressed by the depth and vividness of the world-building and the intense connections between Jane and those around her.
There are wonderfully dramatic scenes, fascinating characters, gory fights, and beautiful demonstrations of the loving connections Jane has developed despite herself. Just when emotions seem in danger of overwhelming the reader, Beast provides a pithy comment or observation and lightens things a bit. I am in awe that many of the characters continue to evolve and deepen the reader’s connection to them and I admit to rereading the beautiful ending several times, sorry to see the story end.
The books in this series are enthralling and I always find myself racing through, desperate to discover how things turn out, and then I go back and revisit sections to better appreciate the nuances. This story was no exception, and I’ve read through multiple scenes over and over, especially those that contrast the savage side of this feisty heroine and her loving attachment to the youngsters she’s determined to keep safe, no matter what the cost. Above all, this book highlights faithfulness and faith, and I finished with a delighted, “aww,” even though I immediately wanted to have more of Jane’s adventures. Fans of the series will have fun with this addition; those new to the delights in store will undoubtedly want to start at the beginning (“Skinwalker”). Enjoy!
A copy of this title was provided to me for review