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mandisnyman 's review for:
Broken Bonds
by J. Bree
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✏️ Short Summary:
Reverse harem romantasy with a gritty X-Men vibe. A mouthy heroine on the run, dangerously powerful bonds, and a mystery gift she’s desperate to hide. Ends on a cliffhanger, and yes — it’s the start of a six-book journey.
Reverse harem romantasy with a gritty X-Men vibe. A mouthy heroine on the run, dangerously powerful bonds, and a mystery gift she’s desperate to hide. Ends on a cliffhanger, and yes — it’s the start of a six-book journey.
🧠 Full Review:
💻 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️½
💻 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️½
Oli (Oleander) and her five Bonds — North, Nox, Gryphon, Atlas, and Gabe. Yep, this is romantasy and reverse harem, so I’m already in. If it’s written well (and so far, it is), I eat these dynamics up. The banter, the tension, the power shifts — all of it.
This world feels like a mix of X-Men powers, Hunger Games-level danger, and a bit of the Divergent vibe — very gifted-elite training facility energy. Oli is hiding her true gift, making everyone think she’s ungifted, but let’s be honest — she’s 100% going to be OP later, and I’m ready for that reveal. She’s mouthy, strong-willed, and not afraid to speak her mind. A fun heroine with grit.
She’s training in TT (Tactical Training), which sounds brutal — clearly prepping her for something bigger. Meanwhile, the Resistance is kidnapping and brainwashing the gifted. I’m guessing Oli’s already tangled with them — she’s got trauma written all over her, and her bonds think she just ran off to avoid them. Spoiler: they’re pissed.
Turns out when bonds complete the bond (yes, that means sex), their powers are amplified — and Oli wants none of that happening, at least not yet.
The dynamic between her and the bonds is tense and complicated. You get slow hints of their powers:
Gabe is a shifter, Atlas seems indestructible, North and Nox both have creepy shadow-magic going on, and Gryphon might be a healer. As for Oli? Some shadowy, madness-inducing power that seems... unstable. Oh, and the cliffhanger is very real.
This is book one of six — and I’m nervous, because Zodiac Academy broke me. These books are long (500–600 pages each), and I’m not a fan of cliffhangers in every book, but... I’m invested now. Let’s see if J. Bree sticks the landing.
📚 Tags:
Romantasy, Reverse Harem, Found Family, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Supernatural Powers, Shadow Magic, College Setting, Strong Heroine, Hidden Identity
Romantasy, Reverse Harem, Found Family, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Supernatural Powers, Shadow Magic, College Setting, Strong Heroine, Hidden Identity
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Trauma, imprisonment (implied), threats of kidnapping/brainwashing, psychological manipulation, violence, cliffhanger ending.
Trauma, imprisonment (implied), threats of kidnapping/brainwashing, psychological manipulation, violence, cliffhanger ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping