I think fans of Patricia Briggs or Anne Bishop will like this series, but perhaps they should start it at #1. I of course jumped in at #13 so did not understand all of the creatures or how the characters were connected but I plan to go back and try the first one lol!

This was an interesting view of Jane - retreating to the mountains with a severe illness. I will never complain about more of Beast, as I find her to be fascinating. Bit I think I will miss Leo.

I enjoyed seeing how the family is circling Jane, expanding the winery, and making another home. Of course Jane can never quite escape danger, and now must deal with yet another Son of Darkness. I find these guys to be creepy and ruthless. This installment had lots of emotional turmoil, so I can't wait to see what the next brings.

Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter just about shattered my heart. Jane and Bruiser’s relationship morphs beyond sexy into something deep and lasting. Eli, the ever present body guard/warrior/brother is constant and true. (I want to marry Eli when I grow up.) Molly is a soul sister, as we already knew, and Jane’s love for her god-children flashes brightly.

But it is Beast and Jane’s relationship that made me weep. I won’t say anything to spoil it, but I/We are Beast. Oh. My. Heart.

Oh, yeah, there’s a lot of action. Dead vamps. Not so dead vamps. Healing waters. Guns. The Glob. The crown. Naturaleza. The stupid Europeans. Arcenciels. Gee flies in and out. (Love him.) CBD oils comes up a couple of times. And Brute is one hell of a babysitter. Hayyel plays an important part and I was worried for a while because our beloved author likes to play games with us (cat’s paw?) but in the end I was able to breathe.

And did we mention that Jane has magical cancer and it’s pointy? Yeesh.

If you love Jane, as I do, you will LOVE this book. It’s fantastic. It brings things together that were left hanging. If you haven’t met Jane yet, don’t read this book. Go to book number 1 and call in sick to work.

After the last book’s end it was wonderful to know that the series would continue and we would not be left hanging on Jane’s ultimate fate. Jane has retreated to the Appalachian Mountains to try and heal both physically and emotionally. Yellowrock Clan has moved into a vineyard property and the guys, Eli, the Kid and Bruiser, are busy with remodeling the place to house them all - human, magic and vampire - safely. But ill or not, Jane cannot completely escape her responsibilities as the Dark Queen as vampire politics drag her back into the middle of the fray. European vampires slip into the US and several of Jane’s allies and family are threatened or kidnapped. Jane must fight both her physical weakness from her illness and powerful foes to save those she loves.
I love this series. The end of the last book was a downer but this book indicates we can expect several more Jane Yellowrock books which is wonderful. I am not ready to bid goodbye to Jane and the family she has made for herself. The whole series is highly recommended but be sure to start with book 1 so as to appreciate how Jane and her friends grow and mature, not to mention that while each book is a “self-contained” adventure for the most part there is a long, overriding story arc starting with book that only makes sense if you read them all and in order

I simply can't get enough of this series. I hate that it took me so long to get to this book, but when life kept throwing curveballs my way, I never had time to read. The first chance that I got, I immediately reached for Shattered Bonds. I missed my time with Jane and Bruiser so much that I think waiting made it even better because now I won't have to wait so long between releases.

Overly complicated. I fear Hunter has written herself into a tangle she cannot clearly see her way out of-- and cannot lead us, her faithful readers through.

I was worried. I was so worried about this book. Really scared that it would be disappointing and not up to the standard the last one left.

Weeeelll... it held. Quite spectacularly, if I'm allowed to say it.

Between the pain, the guilt trips, the do whatever you gut tells you it's right, it was TRUE Jane. The love that her gathered family has for each other, is a nice thing to read. The fierceness that they have, it's even better.

And Beast and Jane? The realization they have? The sharing of hopes and dreams and fears and wants? Totally worth the tears shed.

Oh, and did I mention the bad guys are really scary and mean and totally soulless? Lots of gore and blood too.

Jane Yellowrock is dying from a cancer caused by magic, timewalking, and other related issues. But she is also the Dark Queen and the last Son of Darkness is gunning for her and her clan. She has to find a way to come back, destroy the Slayer of Mithrans, find a cure for "Dudley", save her clan, and stop the arcenciels from destroying the vampires in the past. After stop running away, will Jane survive and will her family/clan be intact? It is an interesting ride finding out what happens!

Hunter's latest Jane Yellowrock adventure picks up where the last book ended and leaves nothing to the imagination as Jane must come to terms with her new role while attempting to stay alive. Shattered is an appropriate title as this dark and complex story will answer many questions while leaving readers to ponder the path Jane has started down. While some may lament the actions Faith has chose to take, she has proven time and time again that in order to survive, one must give sacrifice when necessary. Another winner in my opinion and I look forward to the next installment.

Jane Yellowrock has left New Orleans for the Great Smoky Mountains. She has established the Yellowrock Clan. Leo is dead and the European vampires are conspiring to take over the US. They have sent vampires and witches to combat the Yellowrock Clan. Jane is spending more and more time as Beast, but she needs to fight the war that is coming. When the interlopers attack Molly Everhart's family, Jane knows she must win to save everything and everyone she holds dear, including her second in command, Edmund. Some arcenciels are being held captive, but Jane discovers a rift between the worlds, deep in a cavern in the mountains; it is unknown and unrecorded. Will this rift help her win the war? I enjoy this series quite a lot. Jane has grown and matured over the series and, to me, that is the sign of a good writer.

Oh heartwrenching and endearing at the same time! Gone to lick her wounds and the drama pulls her back in. I hope this series keeps going. It has had me enthralled from the beginning.

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).

The Son of Darkness is coming for Jane. He wants something she has and he won't stop at anything until he gets it.

Dejavu?

Not so much. This is the younger Son of Darkness. There were always two. Yet, he seems to be even more powerful the other SOD.

Usually, this is when Jane gets herself ready to go into battle and helps prepare everyone for it. This time, she's the one that needs help. Jane is dying from magical cancer. A tumor is growing inside of her and nothing seems to be stopping it. She has moved away from the city of NOLA and into the mountains. Her brothers, Alex and Eli as well as Bruiser, her lover are with her and of course, Beast is never too far.

When Jane discovers that people she cared about are being taken, that a circle of witches might be being used for nefarious purposes and that her good friend and primo, Edmund is being tortured, she knows she can continue to hide any longer. She needs to assume her power as the Dark Queen for better or worse.

"The Dark Queen has been silent."


Of course, she will need all the help she can get from her new in-between shape, a new Elder of The People named Savannah Walkingstick of Long Hair Clan, her estranged brother (Ayatas), Soul, Lincoln Shaddock (the MOC of Asheville), the Everhart-Truebloods family, Eli, Alex, Bruiser and of course Beast.

I love Shattered Bonds. Jane and Beast were fantastic in this one. A true item. They have both accepted each other completely.

After the great ending Faith Hunter delivers, this series has so much new potential. I can't wait to see where this author decides to take the Yellowrock Clan next.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Ace Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was great. I don’t mean ”great” as a boring old adjective. I mean ”great” as a super high flying, marvelously fantastic, descriptor to an awesome book. Seriously.

To forewarn you, Jane Yellowrock #13 is the second to last book in the series. There is no sex described but there is violence and bloodshed. You know, typical Jane Yellowrock. There is no swearing because, well, Jane doesn’t roll that way. One last warning: if you or a loved one are going through cancer treatments, this may not be the best escape for you. Then again, maybe it would as Jane kicks it’s butt.

I love Jane Yellowrock and Bruiser. This story has them front and center along with the rest of the family. It is a fabulous tale of family supporting family through everything. I read this story in one sitting. To clarify, it was an all day sitting. The story, as all Jane Yellowrock stories, brought the world In which Jane lives into vivid pictures in my head. I cannot reccommend this series enough.

Jane is sick. Very, very sick. She can put off her sickness by remaining in Beast form, but it’s not ideal. Her family is trying every avenue they can in order to find her a cure. Sometimes though, you just have to do it yourself. There are wars brewing. The vacuum Leo and Titus left is huge. Jane was supposed to fill that void, but she didn’t. She chose to fight the tumor that was growing and taking her health and vitality. Until Edmund Hartley goes missing…and Jane finds out.

This book is different than the rest. It’s got it’s violence, sure, but not as I’m used to. Jane depended on her family a lot more. It was serious teamwork that made things work. Sure, there were a few nods to Leo and how Jane learned from him the art of deal making. When Jane came to NoLA, she thought she knew what she was about. These past 10 years have seen her grow, change and then grow some more. This story reflected a lot on who Jane is now and where she came from. How her past deeds, good or bad, has impacted her, Beast and their soul home. As always this was a joy to read and I’ll be anxiously awaiting the final installment. It makes me sad to say that, but all good things must come to an end. Oh, and I hesitate to say this, but I do miss Leo. Dang fangheads.

Shattered Bonds is the thirteenth book in the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. I strongly recommend reading this series in order. Newcomers to the series will not have a good frame of reference for what is happening. Even as a fan of the series, I have missed some of the novella between the novels and either missed or did not remember some of the events referred to in the story. Someone without the backstory is likely to be lost.

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 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.

Shattered Bonds is a challenging read. Everything is on the line- again- and a happy ever after seems near impossible to find. Jane, Eli, Alex, and George are all still growing and changing as characters in ways consistent with what readers know about them and their pasts. Her friends and not so friendly allies make their appearances and make their own growth and changes. I loved seeing Jane's continued growth and her devotion to those she considers hers, as well as the innocent. There is a great deal going on in this story, and many references to past struggles and relationships. I honestly did not get all of the references, but I know I have not read all of the short stories and in between novellas in the series- and it has been a few years since I read some of the books so I am not shocked that I missed some. As I got close to the end I admit to taking my time with the story- stalling before picking it back up. THis was not because it was bad, but because there was so much to unpack, and so many possibilities, that I was almost afraid to find out which way each fight, discovery, or realization would go. I really enjoyed seeing this many characters return or at least have a voice- and the introduction of a few more. I am terrified, hopeful, and way to eager to see where this series goes next.

Shattered Bonds is a solid addition to Jane's story. I am interested to see where the series goes from here- and if the danger will keep ramping up or if Jane ca find some sort of peace.

After acquiring a couple of new titles (and their accompanying responsibilities) in the previous story in the series, Dark Queen, Jane has retreated to the Appalachian mountains, abdicating her positions in the hope of not succumbing to the magical cancer that is killing her. Unfortunately for everyone close to Jane, the resulting power vacuum causes problems on two continents, and the trouble follows her straight to her sanctuary.

Opening with an initially humorous scene from Beast’s perspective, Shattered Bonds quickly shifts into the more familiar chaos of the other Jane Yellowrock stories. As usual, the break that Jane desperately needs is cut short by another battle on the horizon. This time, there are two different factions bent on her destruction, not to mention a tumor that no one has been able to cure, along with her own guilt—which has also accumulated throughout the series.

Jane has been trying to figure out her place in the “long game” for a while now, but in Shattered Bonds that scenario has expanded even further. A lot of this story involves Jane finding clarity about the past and redefining her own purpose, which is ultimately good for her, I think. But, even as Jane had her epiphanies, I still couldn’t quite see how everything fit together sometimes, and had to rely on the characters to jump in and connect the dots. That’s not uncommon for me with this series, but it was the first time it felt a little tiring to have to have things spelled out so much.

One of my favorite things about this series has always been the characters closest to Jane, and I was very happy that so many returned in Shattered Bonds. Much to her own amazement, Jane’s chosen family continues to grow, and I think her reactions to the fact are some of the strongest parts of the story. I was especially glad for the evolution of her relationship with Beast, which was occasionally downright hostile in the past. Their mutual acceptance and care for each other was undeniable here, and was a real pleasure to read.

As stated several times in earlier reviews, I strongly recommend reading the entire Jane Yellowrock series from the beginning. There are entirely too many characters and too much that’s happened for Shattered Bonds to make sense as an introduction. Whereas most of the previous stories ended with the impression of a lull before the next storm, the last chapter of Shattered Bonds seemed more like a new start. And although I felt a bit of a strain from this story, I still love the series as a whole, and will gladly stick around until its conclusion.

This was a great installment of the Jane Yellowrock series. Each story is interesting and unique and the character is evolving with each challenges. I'm happy to have it in my store and look forward to talking to my customers about it.

Another great installment of the Jane Yellowrock series. Strong characters, well written plot and a certain can't put it down flavor. We always buy for our library, our patrons love Faith Hunter.

Genre : UF, Paranormal, Violence

Nix GoodReads Shelves : Paranormal, romance, violence, magic, part of a series, First – POV, Dual-POV, series-arc, illness.

Content Warnings: Illness. Graphic Violence. Violence towards children. Torture. Mind violation.

Writing Style : First POV

Characters :

Jane and Beast are back in fine form but this book feels like an ending of sorts – I have no idea what is next or even if there is a next.

Jane and Beast work together more closely than they ever have, all the hurts and recriminations put towards one side whilst they come together to defeat the SOD and save everybody from becoming Vampire food. It is their book more than it is anything else and I loved it, even though it made me quite sad. Jane is weak and sick in this book but, I have to say, I was very surprised at how lightly everyone let her off around her actions during the previous book. Beast is not sick but Beast is tired. In this book, their entire history together is brought into the light and it made me so sad – the sacrifices imposed on Beast by Jane as a child, the sacrifices made by Jane for literally everyone else out of guilt for those same events .. I just wanted them both to get some happy.

Unfortunately, this big bad is the original big bad, more deadly and depraved than anything they have ever seen .. happy is on the back-burner!

The gang all feature in the book, with Molly (the worst best-friend in the world) and the kids taking a major role. The Younger’s, Bruiser, Soul .. all the major players that are in this world are actively involved in its resolution and I love them all. With the exception of Soul. Soul is the worst.

Plot :

I just can’t seem to review this book without giving away major spoilers so I will just say that a LOT happens in this book. All the little threads that have ran through the previous 11 books come together in this book, answering questions that you didn’t know you had and bringing everything together into one spectacular plot. It was not, by any stretch of the imagination, an easy book to read. There is so much going on, with so many references to previous books, that I had to take it slow or miss something. It was worth it.

I feel that the content warnings that I have above don’t fully tell the story of this book. This book is war and it a war waged to be won by any means possible. There is graphic depictions of violence, torture and brutality. Jane and Beast have to face down the most ancient of beings and not everyone is going to come out OK.

Favourite Moment :

Bruiser. All the Bruiser/Jane moments make me swoon.

Least Favourite Moment :

I really, really dislike Soul and struggled with all of her scenes … she is just so different to the Soul in the early books.

Re-readability :

High but not yet … I need to give myself some time before I do.

Jane Yellowrock, a shape-shifter, has retreated to the Appalachian Mountains not far from Asheville, NC. She’s sick and in serious pain from a magical cancer, but she can’t outrun danger. The younger Son of Darkness is after Jane because he wants some of the magical things she owns and a little revenge against the Queen of Darkness. He’s not above attacking and manipulating friends and acquaintances of Jane to get what he wants. Jane must find a suitable shape strong enough for her to fight him and his minions – one that has less of the magical cancer hopefully than her human form.

Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter is the 13th book in the Jane Yellowrock series. It was published October 29th, 2019 by Ace.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It’s an action-packed adventure for Jane and company. Circumstances in the story test Jane’s limits. The Son of Darkness is a particularly nasty vampire. It gets kind of intense in parts. I found occasionally I had to put it down for a few minutes before I could return to the story. On the other hand, I stayed up most of the night to finish reading the book.

It still has the same snark and interactions between characters that we’ve grown to love. A good portion of the action is Jane-centered. And it mentions events that take place in the Soulwood series also by Faith Hunter. Some of the characters overlap between the two series.

I would recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy. It’s a must-read if you’ve been following Jane Yellowrock. I would not read this as a stand-alone. The events were set in motion in previous books. The series is definitely worth a read though.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.