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A review by jillsbooknook
Shattered Vow by Eva Chase
4.0
4- ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Zian mouthed the words that had become our mantra over the years as we'd prepared for this moment: We are blood.
Shattered Vow is the first novel in the NA Why Choose Paranormal series, Shadowblood Souls, which following Rivia and her five men, Griffen, Zian, Jacob, Dominic, and Andreas. Rivia and her guys have only ever known the inside of a research facility as they are tested and experimented on for their unique and ever growing abilities. Four years ago they attempted an escape that cost them dearly and separated Rivia from them men who she is inexplicably bound to. Finally Rivia is able to find her way back them them but everything has change and the bond she once had appears irrevocably change as a result of betrayal...yet the men aren't ready to let her go. As they begin the journey of vengeance, Rivia must find a way to navigate her new place and life while also face the true origins of her birth and what it means.
This was an incredibly easy book to fall into and I consumed it within an afternoon. Rivia was a fascinating character and her journey is not easy but her ability to connect with people regardless of what is happening made her POV smooth and defined. The treatment of her by her men (who aren't really her men yet - she has feelings for them but never spoke them aloud) was a good balance of bully and enemies to lovers. Griffin is such a bittersweet character and I hold a candle for him, Jacob is a major alphahole but there is a glimmer in him. He's aggressive and takes charge because he has to and the burden wears on him. Andreas has such a kindness to him as structures to reconcile what he believes to be true and what he remember of Rivia; Zian falls in the middle as cautious and hopeful; Dominic is carrying a great burden he doesn't want to face and his journey to self-acceptance is beautiful. I felt we only touched the surface of these characters and I look forward to learning more.
This book is a slow burn but there is a small amount of spice towards the end. This is definitely a book that will grow in steam but for now she only ends up truly connecting with one of the men. Will see if you can guess!
"Because I hurt people, and even after everything, I don't want to hurt you."
In terms of plot and structure this book has a lot building into it. There is character building as Rivia navigates a new world with them but the plot evolves quite quickly. I admittedly didn't feel the beginning was well defined but as the story went on we got more nuance and even lore, which I love. I hope as the book progress we continue to get more interaction with lore and world as well as more defined plot. I understood the focus on vengeance but wish there had been more time to develop how they made their plans (especially in the beginning). This book doesn't hold back with action and violence and there are a few good twists I didn't see coming. This book also ends in a cliffhanger that has me so curious.
Overall, this book is an excellent introduction to this paranormal world and I cannot wait to see this group truly find their place. There is great promise and I will definitely stay tuned for the next book this month!
Available on KU.
Zian mouthed the words that had become our mantra over the years as we'd prepared for this moment: We are blood.
Shattered Vow is the first novel in the NA Why Choose Paranormal series, Shadowblood Souls, which following Rivia and her five men, Griffen, Zian, Jacob, Dominic, and Andreas. Rivia and her guys have only ever known the inside of a research facility as they are tested and experimented on for their unique and ever growing abilities. Four years ago they attempted an escape that cost them dearly and separated Rivia from them men who she is inexplicably bound to. Finally Rivia is able to find her way back them them but everything has change and the bond she once had appears irrevocably change as a result of betrayal...yet the men aren't ready to let her go. As they begin the journey of vengeance, Rivia must find a way to navigate her new place and life while also face the true origins of her birth and what it means.
This was an incredibly easy book to fall into and I consumed it within an afternoon. Rivia was a fascinating character and her journey is not easy but her ability to connect with people regardless of what is happening made her POV smooth and defined. The treatment of her by her men (who aren't really her men yet - she has feelings for them but never spoke them aloud) was a good balance of bully and enemies to lovers. Griffin is such a bittersweet character and I hold a candle for him, Jacob is a major alphahole but there is a glimmer in him. He's aggressive and takes charge because he has to and the burden wears on him. Andreas has such a kindness to him as structures to reconcile what he believes to be true and what he remember of Rivia; Zian falls in the middle as cautious and hopeful; Dominic is carrying a great burden he doesn't want to face and his journey to self-acceptance is beautiful. I felt we only touched the surface of these characters and I look forward to learning more.
This book is a slow burn but there is a small amount of spice towards the end. This is definitely a book that will grow in steam but for now she only ends up truly connecting with one of the men. Will see if you can guess!
"Because I hurt people, and even after everything, I don't want to hurt you."
In terms of plot and structure this book has a lot building into it. There is character building as Rivia navigates a new world with them but the plot evolves quite quickly. I admittedly didn't feel the beginning was well defined but as the story went on we got more nuance and even lore, which I love. I hope as the book progress we continue to get more interaction with lore and world as well as more defined plot. I understood the focus on vengeance but wish there had been more time to develop how they made their plans (especially in the beginning). This book doesn't hold back with action and violence and there are a few good twists I didn't see coming. This book also ends in a cliffhanger that has me so curious.
Overall, this book is an excellent introduction to this paranormal world and I cannot wait to see this group truly find their place. There is great promise and I will definitely stay tuned for the next book this month!
Available on KU.