Title: Shadow Bound
Series: Unbound #2
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Mira
Format: Paperback, 448 pages
Published: May 22, 2012
ISBN #: 9780778313434 / 0778313433
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Copy: review copy
If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…
KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else.
The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.
Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.
Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty.
Rachel Vincent is an auto-buy author for me; so much so that I couldn’t resist pre-ordering Shadow Bound a month before its release. Then I got my hands on an ARC five days before the publication date which means that I thankfully didn’t have to wait for my mailman to show up. The Unbound world is exactly how I remembered it, pure awesomeness. Vincent has a real gift for storytelling and will have you eating out of the palm of her hand in no time. Even though Kori and Ian’s characters didn’t quite do it for me and some of their actions aren’t always exactly credible; there’s still more good than bad to be had in Shadow Bound.
This installment focuses on the darker skills, namely shadow-walking and blinding. Right off the bat I felt a connection between Kori and Ian because their gifts are similar in nature and work in tandem. Even though they do manage to resist each other in the beginning it was obvious that they’d become involved sooner rather than later. As a result, there is a certain degree of predictability to the plot that made the story not as enthralling to read as Blood Bound. Although, Rachel does explore the limitations of certain skills and explains how a syndicate contract actually works which I found intriguing and nicely explained.
It was impossible not to immediately feel something for poor Kori. When we first hook-up with her she’s being released from “the basement” after 6 impossibly long weeks of torture, rape and humiliation. Needless to say, she’s not too happy with her boss at the moment and the last thing that she expects to find is love. I enjoyed her spunk, fearlessness and snark. Kori is fiercely defensive of her sister and will never hesitate to protect her at all cost. Ian is smart, determined and loyal; his world gets knocked on its ass when he meets miss Daniels. Together their chemistry wasn’t exactly what it could have been but they still manage to have a couple of really great moments.
The story took a little too long to take off in my opinion. I found that the character development dragged and the main plot didn’t actually kick in until several chapters later. I hate to say it but there was an instance where I was actually a little bored. Vincent also introduces a bunch of new skills without really explaining them which I found disappointing considering she did such a stellar job in the detail department in Blood Bound.
Even though Rachel Vincent didn’t hit it out of the park with Shadow Bound you can’t help but be swept away by her exceptional writing and superior storytelling.
  My Review |
  My Review |
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I still need to read book 1. Sigh, so many books so little time.
@Jennifer TheBookNympho That’s a feeling that I know all too well!
I like the idea of shadow-walkers. It’s an interesting concept.
I’m a bit horrified to say that I haven’t read a Rachel Vincent book yet. Yikes!
This book sounds emotionally difficult with Kori and what she went through, but also sounds really intriguing.
@emmameade.com It is! That’s why I couldn’t find any books to compare this one to. It’s too unique.
@Lisa Oh. My. God! LOL Just kidding. 🙂
Hey Carmel! Long time no see! Was the first book the one I read before you and you were gushing jealous! Haha! I remember those days, but I haven’t read this one yet!!!! I SOOOOO NEED TO! Love this series! :))
@Mariya Ooh yes, I do remember those days. It feels good to be on the other side of the fence for a change! 😛
I have been wondering about this series. I like the idea of it and it sounds pretty good. So I think I will have to give it a try. Great review.
@Jennifer L. Bielman I hope you enjoy it!
I have to add this to my TBR, sounds like another great UF, I have to check the first book.
Thanks Carmel, awesome work as usual.
Thanks @Lupdilup ! Rachel Vincent’s books are usually a safe bet. She consistently delivers!