When a demon breaches the barrier between death and life, the salvation of the world depends on the passions of a beautiful banshee just coming into her power and the man willing to use her to avenge the destruction of his family.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Kellison's debut, a blend of suspense and paranormal romance, follows Adam Thorne as he attempts to unravel the mystery of the wraiths, possessed humans who feed on human souls. Desperate to free his brother from possession, Adam follows a flimsy lead to half-Fae Talia O'Brien, a young woman with a newly minted doctorate, a mysterious past, and magical abilities that stop wraiths in their tracks. As the wraiths pursue Talia, determined to destroy her in retribution for her father daring to love and impregnate a human woman, Adam tries to protect her and understand her powers, and finds himself falling in love. Fast-paced without being frenetic, interesting and entertaining if not particularly challenging, this tale deftly avoids romance clicheÌüs while delivering plenty of action.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“Powerful and fast paced. With compelling characters, chilling evil, and a fascinating premise. Erin Kellison has fashioned a riveting read.”—Nina Bangs, New York Times bestselling author
"SHADOW BOUND is unlike any other reading experience I've had to date. Its a fast paced, heart pounding, gut wrenching, nail biting, awe inspiring thrill ride that will leave you begging for more and more."~ Lovin' Me Some Romance
"A new voice takes her place with a story that chronicles a deadly threat to humanity. Kellison offers readers a fresh take on death, Fae and soul-sucking wraiths while introducing readers to her version of Twilight - or the realm between life and death. A highly promising debut!"
~ RT Book Reviews
"The search is over for your next book. If you're looking for a must read this summer, look no further than Shadow Bound. This book blew me away and I believe it will have readers talking and discussing for a long time to come."
~ Barnes & Noble Book Clubs - Heart to Heart: The BN Romance Blog
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More About the Author
Erin Kellison is the author of the Shadow Series, which includes Shadow Bound, Shadow Fall, and Shadowman, as well as the upcoming Shadow world spin-off series, beginning with Fire Kissed (July 2012). Stories have always been a central part of Erin's life. She attempted her first book in sixth grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and she still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction.
Customer Reviews
“ This story is fast-paced, easy to read, intelligent, exciting (very hard to put down!), with a great cast of characters and compelling world building. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
SHADOW BOUND is a shockingly good read. I mean, where did this book come from? I barely remember hearing about it before I saw it in my Shelf Awareness email. I actually thought it was a YA book based on the cover (it is definitely adult). Although the cover really does a poor job of capturing this often somber, yet darkly beautiful urban fantasy.
The prologue that sets up the mythology and history for the main character is nearly poetic. I reread it twice before continuing the story. I found my heartbeat actually racing and slowing along with the cadence of the prose. I was a little disappointed that the entire book was written the same way.
The actual story is told from the shifting POV of Talia O'Brien, a brilliant young doctor with a terrible secret, and Adam Thorne, a man consumed by guilt and rage driven to find the answers that will destroy his brother and save the world. I typically prefer female POV's but in SHADOW BOUND it was Adam's chapters that were strongest. Talia was so closed off in life, so cautious that at times I found her boring.
What was never boring was the world building. Made up of a combination of Greek mythology, Irish folklore, and traditional fey lore. The villains are the Wraiths, demon spawns who suck the soul from their victims via a Harry Potter-like Dementor's kiss. They cannot be stopped, they cannot be killed, and their numbers are growing.
Shadow Fall coverSHADOW BOUND is likely to appeal to UF/PNR lovers as well as fans of supernatural thrillers. The writing is evocative and lyrical, especially the prologue, and the mystery of the Wraiths and Talia is original and satisfying. The middle drags a bit, but that's when the romance really develops so not a bad trade. The next book in the Shadow series is called Shadow Fall and will be released next month on July 27, 2010 and I will definitely be reading it.
The prologue that sets up the mythology and history for the main character is nearly poetic. I reread it twice before continuing the story. I found my heartbeat actually racing and slowing along with the cadence of the prose. I was a little disappointed that the entire book was written the same way.
The actual story is told from the shifting POV of Talia O'Brien, a brilliant young doctor with a terrible secret, and Adam Thorne, a man consumed by guilt and rage driven to find the answers that will destroy his brother and save the world. I typically prefer female POV's but in SHADOW BOUND it was Adam's chapters that were strongest. Talia was so closed off in life, so cautious that at times I found her boring.
What was never boring was the world building. Made up of a combination of Greek mythology, Irish folklore, and traditional fey lore. The villains are the Wraiths, demon spawns who suck the soul from their victims via a Harry Potter-like Dementor's kiss. They cannot be stopped, they cannot be killed, and their numbers are growing.
Shadow Fall coverSHADOW BOUND is likely to appeal to UF/PNR lovers as well as fans of supernatural thrillers. The writing is evocative and lyrical, especially the prologue, and the mystery of the Wraiths and Talia is original and satisfying. The middle drags a bit, but that's when the romance really develops so not a bad trade. The next book in the Shadow series is called Shadow Fall and will be released next month on July 27, 2010 and I will definitely be reading it.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm not ordinarily a fantasy fan, but "Shadow Bound" does an amazing job of blending current reality with the shadow world - this makes the story believable and gripping. The concept behind the book is extremely interesting, which makes for a definite page-turner (I read the entire book in two days). The characters are complex and appealing, and quickly get you emotionally invested in the story. I rarely get as absorbed into a book as I did with this one. My only complaint is that I have to wait until the follow-up book is released in another month or so. :)
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm always happy to experience a new author's voice, it's exciting to read a debut, like trying a new wine or if you are not into that...a new dish with all your favorite ingredients. Sometimes these experiments leave you disappointed, running back to your old favorites...but other times they push aside the rest, soar to the top and leave you hungry for more. This, my friend, is what Shadow Bound did for me.
REVIEW: Talia O'Brien is the spawn of death himself. Half fae, whom are the guardian of the in betweens, and half human, Talia can wrap shadows around herself, more comfortable in the dark than she is in the light with the living.
On a day that changed her life forever, Talia came face to face with a monster and watched it suck the soul from her roommates body. The only thing that saved her was death - she has been running ever since. Now trapped in an alley with a wraith hunting her, on verge of heat stroke and dehydration, Talia must make a choice. Should she trust the man that has come for her? Should she put her life in his hands and her powers behind his cause? His natural charm and his casual good looks don't make it any easier for her and as more and more comes out into the open about both Adam and Talia it might not just be their lives on the line, but their hearts also.
This book had me saying "wow" as I scrolled through it. The author's tone drips with old world depth and verse that historical authors try but very rarely achieve, which was surprising for a modern urban fantasy. The tone was reminiscent of one of my favorite YA authors, Maggie Stiefvater. Like Steifvater you could almost drink in the words as if they were a humid evening instead of two dimensional words on a page. As the novel progresses the tone did evolve into a more modern narrative, but oddly I was not disturbed by the shift. It worked with the story. Much as the shifting POV did. The POV shifts seamlessly from Adam to Talia leaving the reader with a varied world view, yet it didn't lead to confusion like often happens in ambiguous POV changes. The storyline was also very original, I have read before of soul sucking, and kisses of death...but the author paired it together in an original way. I was highly impressed with Shadow Bound...and I can't wait to read the second installment Shadow Fall.
The one short-coming that I did find with the novel was more of a "taste" preference. The heroine was a little more malleable than I would have liked and the hero a bit too one-tracked, leaving the romance a bit on the fizzle side instead of the passionate. But, like I said this is a personal preference - reading too much PNR I like my girls with snark and my boys with bite. (Insert Kitty Rrrrr here)
RECOMMENDATIONS: Adult novel, for mature readers. This novel has a more fantasy feel than UF, even though it really is UF, so this might be a great transition book for fantasy lovers.
REVIEW: Talia O'Brien is the spawn of death himself. Half fae, whom are the guardian of the in betweens, and half human, Talia can wrap shadows around herself, more comfortable in the dark than she is in the light with the living.
On a day that changed her life forever, Talia came face to face with a monster and watched it suck the soul from her roommates body. The only thing that saved her was death - she has been running ever since. Now trapped in an alley with a wraith hunting her, on verge of heat stroke and dehydration, Talia must make a choice. Should she trust the man that has come for her? Should she put her life in his hands and her powers behind his cause? His natural charm and his casual good looks don't make it any easier for her and as more and more comes out into the open about both Adam and Talia it might not just be their lives on the line, but their hearts also.
This book had me saying "wow" as I scrolled through it. The author's tone drips with old world depth and verse that historical authors try but very rarely achieve, which was surprising for a modern urban fantasy. The tone was reminiscent of one of my favorite YA authors, Maggie Stiefvater. Like Steifvater you could almost drink in the words as if they were a humid evening instead of two dimensional words on a page. As the novel progresses the tone did evolve into a more modern narrative, but oddly I was not disturbed by the shift. It worked with the story. Much as the shifting POV did. The POV shifts seamlessly from Adam to Talia leaving the reader with a varied world view, yet it didn't lead to confusion like often happens in ambiguous POV changes. The storyline was also very original, I have read before of soul sucking, and kisses of death...but the author paired it together in an original way. I was highly impressed with Shadow Bound...and I can't wait to read the second installment Shadow Fall.
The one short-coming that I did find with the novel was more of a "taste" preference. The heroine was a little more malleable than I would have liked and the hero a bit too one-tracked, leaving the romance a bit on the fizzle side instead of the passionate. But, like I said this is a personal preference - reading too much PNR I like my girls with snark and my boys with bite. (Insert Kitty Rrrrr here)
RECOMMENDATIONS: Adult novel, for mature readers. This novel has a more fantasy feel than UF, even though it really is UF, so this might be a great transition book for fantasy lovers.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Paranormal Story! Impossible to put down.
Well done Erin Kellison on a great novel. This story was nicely fast-pace. The story keeps you constantly riveted, wanting more. Great characterization and story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Rivera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing action-filled love story
Great book. The characters are well developed and are driven by love, not sex. The paranormal is well explained, and easy to follow. This one goes on my permanent keeper shelf.
Published 1 month ago by Karen Ostrom
4.0 out of 5 stars
good trilogy
Easy read, moves fast and is enjoyable, The three books are good. I like her as a writer. Try her others.
Published 4 months ago by cori peacock
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
I love this book! I couldn't put it down. Both Adam and Talia's characters are exciting. I didn't want it to end. I want to read more about both of them.
Published 8 months ago by mothraa
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shadow Bound
I have gotten a little jaded by flood of paranormal romances on the market, so I was pleasantly surprised by Shadow Bound. I really enjoyed it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cathy Besemer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good, loved it!!
Shadow bound is a great story. Talia is a strong woman who has some special abilities, she also has a very awesome father. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ericka
5.0 out of 5 stars
The perfect mix of urban fantasy action and fairy tale drama
Life is finally going well for Talia O'Brien. She has a doctorate, the prospect of a good job, and a chance at a normal future. The appearance of two strangers changes everything. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jackie Uhrmacher
5.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
Ok Im the worst I have had this series on my Kindle for like ever and just never gave myself the time to sit and read it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by CharityC1007
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Story
I downloaded this book when it was offered free one day for kindle owners and all I can say is WOW! The prologue is beautifully written and sets the tone of desperation for... Read more
Published 14 months ago by cmaaron
4.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshingly well written
This is one of the more original stories I have read and I enjoyed it immensely. The story is refreshing, the writing is clean and easy to read and the characters are likable. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Michelle Parkins
