Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: Jane Yellowrock #13
Published by Ace on October 29, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Jane Yellowrock is a shapeshifting skinwalker, and vampire killer-for-hire, but her last battle with an ancient arcane enemy has brought her low. She seeks retreat in the Appalachian Mountains to grieve the loss of her friends, and to heal--or to die--from the disease brought on by her magic.
But malevolent elements in the paranormal community still seek to destroy Jane, and the younger Son of Darkness stalks her, even into the safety of the hills. With nowhere to run and her body failing, the rogue-vampire hunter and her inner Beast must discover a way to defeat this new threat, and find a form that gives her a chance to fight another day.
Holy crap! The depth and richness of Shattered Bonds is amazing. I’ve long been a fan of the Jane Yellowrock series. I loved this and was totally engrossed even when exhausted. I highly recommend this book and the series, which does need to be read in order (like most urban fantasy). I had some feelings about not liking how out of control things felt and was as unhappy as Eli with Jane striking out on her own to handle some things. BUT with some thought, I know how realistic it is the way it all happened.
I may want everything to be planned and smart but that’s not life, not magic. Plus that story would be a little too routine and boring. Nothing here is boring – terrifying, horrifying and moving faster than a mind can grasp, but not boring. So the characters have to be their imperfect, beloved selves, doing things which are not smart but must be done to save lives. Jane spends some time hibernating, taking a sort of time out from the world. She takes herself out of the world to grieve and heal after the previous events.
But the world hasn’t stopped, and a new threat comes to hurt everyone and take everything dear to Jane. She is forced to pull herself together and fight for her people. Jane / Beast must take control, and worry about their future afterward. I was a little sad at how some of those who should be her allies didn’t trust her enough or help her. Jane, as always, risks everything to save those she loves, and even those who didn’t help her.
Excerpt:
Beast tightened crouch, pulling all body onto paws, shoulders high. Leaped. Shoved off with back legs. Stretched out front legs. Claws extending. Falling. Thick tail rotated for balance. Scent of buck rushed up. Heavy. Pungent.
Deer flinched. Hooves left ground. Buck leaped high. Away from other deer. Beast snarled. Not expecting jump. Whipped tail, swiveling body. Reaching.
Buck splashed into deep water. Beast missed.
Buck leaped again. Splashed hard. Hooves driving up far bank. White tail held high.
Beast fell.
Landed half in water.
Front paws missed rock just under surface.
Paws, legs, shoulders, head slapped into water. And under it. Nose flaps closed, but not before water went up nose.
Front feet hit bottom, back feet hit bank.
Wrenched body back. Rear paws and claws dug deep into half-frozen muddy bank. Body twisted. Out of water. Blew water out of nose in loud snort. Spat and shook. Loose coat slid around muscular body. Flinging water droplets into snow. Blowing.
Beast whirled, searching for two smaller deer. They had vanished. Beast snarled at world. Screamed. Big deer must have heard or smelled Beast.
I hunger! Screamed again, sound echoing in hills. Chuffed in anger. Pounced up and down, paws sinking into half frozen mud.
Deer did not come back. Prey was smart.
Giveaways:
My giveaway is my new, unread ARC of Shattered Bonds. It is a print copy and since I read the digital ARC and am collecting the series on audio, I am giving it away in a short number of days so you might still get it before the book releases.
There’s a tour-wide giveaway! Prizes include a necklace made by Faith Hunter, Amazon gift cards, and copies of SHATTERED BONDS! Open to US residents only.
- Sunday Post – 16 February 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - February 16, 2025
- 🎧 Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis @stephanieburgis @stephanieburgis.bsky.social #AmandaLeighCobb@torbooks @torbooks.bsky.social @BrambleRomance @MacmillanAudio @macmillanaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - February 15, 2025
- 🎧 Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett #HeatherFawcett @Pottell @DoddsAndEnds @DelReyBooks @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LOVEAudiobooks - February 13, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Releases
i haven’t read any of the series, but it sure sounds like one for me. love that cover, the blurb and the excerpt
It’s wonderful but I strongly encourage reading the whole series. It’s one of my favorite UF series and the spin off Soulwood series is just as good or better I am collecting them on audio.
I only did read book 1 but I have book 2 si I just need to get into it
It’s really a great series. For me, I had to read all the books and also the novellas to appreciate all the nuances. (I added another giveaway after you looked at the post.)
Def read book 2. That’s where the story really get’s going.
I’ve collected most of the audiobooks for years now and can’t seem to squeeze the series in. Fabulous review, Anne?
Thank you. Like all UF and for me all series, it should be read in order. I think all the novellas really add nuances and more information on the world / characters. All the books are 4-5 heart reads. I am collecting them on audio although I read them first in ebook or eARC.
I have read all of the Jane Yellowrock series and the spin-off Soulwood Series. The books just get better and better!
I really loved this and think all the books are of exceptional quality. Thank you for sharing and supporting Faith. (I added another giveaway after you looked at the post.)
Thanks! I’ll enter that, too!
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This is another series that I need to read. I have a couple of the books in my audible account so it is just a matter of finding the time. Someday it will happen. I am glad to see that you are loving it!
UF is my jam and a friend recommended this a few years back when there were about 8 books and I binged it right up. I met the author and she is lovely. It’s one of my favorite UF series.
I’ve read the series multiple times! It’s one of my absolute favorites.
Mine too! Enjoy this one; it’s really good and not because everyone does the right thing and it goes perfectly. More because even with things going wrong, Jane has compassion for others. Even though Jane makes some mistakes, she keeps on trying.
Ive been planning to read her books. I have several. Things got busy so I’m shooting for the new year to get started on them. That cover is amazing!
It’s a great series which I have enjoyed so much. It’s another candidate for a read-along but there are so many books now. They are easy to read, hard to put down. I like the sense of humor too.
Have you read the entire series? Yep. Read them all, own them all (in multiple formats) and I’m currently listening to Broken Soul in prep for release day.
Which book is your favorite so far? Of the early books, Blood Cross is my favorite. I’m hooked on the creation story of the mithrans. I can’t settle on a favorite from the later books. It’s probably Dark Queen — even though Things Happen in it that I don’t like.
My favorite books are Black Arts and Shattered Bonds. But they are all very, very good.
Fabulous review of book 13. I cant wait for Shatteres Bonds to come out. And super anxious because I didnt get my planned summer re-read. Thanks for helping get her word out there.
Thank you. It’s my pleasure
Love the JY series. Got my mom hooked too!
Good for you!
I think I’ve got several books in this series, but just haven’t gotten to it. Maybe I’ll try to do that before the end of the year.
I’ve really enjoyed this series. I was able to binge the first 8 or so and then have had to wait for publication of the rest. I hope you love them too!
Love this series, it is a series I have read a number of times.
It’s definitely one of my favorites. Thanks for visiting!
So glad you continue to enjoy this series!
Thank you! Shattered Bonds was especially great.
I love the Jane Yellowrock series in print and have just finished listening to them in audio – fabulous.
I read them initially in print from the library and then started purchasing them on audio for rereading
I have been a Janey fan since book 1! My youngest son who is 11 loves to listen to the audiobook versions and we talk about the characters as if they’re old friends. He can even quote some of Eli’s lines and will no longer say SUV right!
I’m glad you have enjoyed them so much I love the Soulwood series too but it’s themes are a bit more mature at times.
I love the whole series, I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite, since it’s the progression and character development that I like the most. The Jane from the first book is very different from the Jane in the most recent book. To me that progression makes the books more authentic and lifelike. People change and grow with their experiences. It’s nice to see Jane doing the same.
You are correct about what makes it authentic. It’s one of the things I enjoyed most about Shattered Bonds – the little flaws and sort of mistakes people made. I still have books in the series I enjoy more than others though I love the series as a whole. I love all the novellas and short stories and find they add background and character development as well.