To Shatter Bonds

by Cindy Gunderson

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They say guardians and vampires once lived together in harmony.

But history is written by the victors…

When Aurelia is taken by Alain, the most powerful vampire in the region, her life is bound to the whims of a master she cannot trust—and a prophecy she cannot unravel. The guardians, sworn to protect her kind, live in silence and servitude. No one will come to save her.

No one except Theo.

But Theo is no savior. He’s a vampire bound to Alain by chains more cruel than blood—his power held hostage in a vial he may never reclaim. Assigned to guard Aurelia, he is both prisoner and warden…and the only one who makes her feel safe.

As Aurelia fights to understand the truth buried in ancient scrolls and divine warnings, Theo is forced to choose between survival and rebellion, between protecting Aurelia and breaking the curse that has chained him for centuries.

They both want freedom, but Aurelia doesn’t know who he’s fighting for—her, the prophecy, or himself.

And the person Aurelia chooses to trust?

May be the one who breaks her.

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Book Details

Genre

Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance

Subgenre

Action/Adventure, Paranormal (General), Vampire

Audience

Upper YA

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑🫑

Profanity

2 Mild

Violence

3 Moderate

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

1 None

Publication Date

October 22, 2024

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Editorial Reviews

"This is what I needed. Exactly what I craved in a book 2 to this series. Magnificent. I wish we got a bit more of Theo and Aurelia tension, but I truly enjoyed every bit we were given." -Goodreads Review

Awesome

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.This is an amazing book. I have loved this series. An awesome vampire romance book. Must read!

WOW!

I loved this book. I enjoyed the writing. The plot had me from the first line. The characters were so intriguing.I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Far exceeded my expectations!

This is what I needed. Exactly what I craved in a book 2 to this series. Magnificent. I wish we got a bit more of Theo and Aurelia tension, but I truly enjoyed every bit we were given.The writing was lovely and well paced, and the plot and world building filled in so much that I had been looking for in book 1. It left me immediately looking for what the plans for book 3 in Le Sombre would be, and I can not wait to devour it once available!I received an arc of this book from book sirens and am so grateful to have had the chance to discover this series and author!

A New Twist on Vampires!

This was a unique, refreshing take on vampires. I've never read anything quite like it, which is definitely saying something haha. We have some interesting side characters, though I would have liked to know a little more about them. Aurelia has a good bit of character growth here, which I LOVE. There's some angst and yearning, plus a nice twist at the end. I do feel like the last 10% of the book kind of rushed by, but by the end I'm definitely wanting to find out what happens next!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Best fantasy fiction

To Shatter Bonds far exceeded my expectations, vampires and guardians, a prophecy, unrest, and a thirst for power are intertwined with the story of a bond not quite understood.Theo is a vampire unlike Alain who seeks power above all else. Theo is a captive who longs to be free, yet even in his circumstances he is drawn to Aurelia the guardian who is also a captive in the vampire stronghold, and has become her self appointed protector. You can’t help but fall for a man willing to risk himself for a woman he barely knows.Aurelia is written in a way that even when vulnerable she has subtle strength and an unbreakable will. She can stand up to Alain with disdain as well as subterfuge, yet has an unexplained weakness for Theo that she doesn’t quite understand. This makes her character more interesting as we search out the truth along with her.The imagery is outstanding, painting a clear picture of the environment in which the story is set. It evokes emotion, curiosity, and a bit of awe at the differences in how the vampires live in comparison to the guardians.This is a well plotted and well written novel that takes you on an unforgettable journey. The best of fantasy fiction, I recommend it.I received a copy courtesy of the author through BookSirens. This is my honest opinion of the book.