Book: Shadows Unbound by Lyra Mishon
Reviewed by Booksbystarlightandshadows
Rating: 3/5
I have enjoyed the series overall and although the ending was satisfying and with plenty of action along the way, I was hoping to see more pack moments but bar Zane who seems to crop up the most (and I love him for it as he definitely had the most personality) I don't think we even see them all interact with each other beyond bickering which after three books I was more than ready for. There are a couple of pretty cracking one liners largely coming from Zane and Kenji; I'm not a Kenji fan but I think his one sided rivalry with Fig may have been one of my favourite parts!
I have been an Alaric fan since day one and that cliffhanger from book three had me bereft as he and Raven were finally inching towards being on the same page. I genuinely believe everything he did in the later books was to keep Raven safe even if he went about it the completely wrong way. I found the way Raven acted towards his mum a bit strange too; I thought it was really obvious Alaric had been acting to protect her too but Raven is too worried about what Nula's relationship with Adam looks like which just felt a little immature when Nula had clearly been through it. I'd have loved more of Nula and Alaric's relationship too since she was such an important part of his motivation and actions in the series.
I was a little gutted after a four book build up that when Alaric and Raven finally combust it wasn't a sober decision. I was hoping for a do-over at some point but we ran out of book (see also Rasmus and Zane - I was waiting for that payoff). Poor Kai can't catch a break either; he was pretty central in the last book but this time he just faded into the background which was a shame.
We do meet several new characters which all have spin-off potential. I loved the reveal of Demon King and you just know Zane is going to be his favourite son in law. Glynda's got her own parallel story going on which looks like it will be next up; from the epilogue it looks like Raven and her guys may be along to lend a helping hand and I'm looking forward to seeing these characters from Glynda's POV!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read