The Shackles that Hold Us (The Magi Accounts Book 2) by Michele Notaro #Audiobook #Paranormal #LGBT #Review

Erryn reviews The Shackles that Hold Us (The Magi Accounts Book 2) by Michele Notaro. The ebook was released June 7, 2022 and is 397 pages. The audiobook was narrated by CJ Storm.  It was released December 21, 2022 is 12hrs and 25min. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Why I read this book: I loved the first book

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As if crushin’ on a shifter wasn’t bad enough, I had to go and date one. A mage and a shifter walk into a bar. No, that’s the whole joke.

Magi and shifters don’t mix, and yet I find myself in a relationship with Cosmo, a lion shifter. And on top of that, Cosmo, and all his pride members, consider my brothers and I a part of their pride. Three magi in a shifter pride. Who would’ve ever thought?

Navigating our connection while trying to figure out what’s going on in the world isn’t easy. Trusting that Cosmo means forever when he says it? Even harder. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned since meeting the Ono-Nais, it’s that taking a risk with my heart will be worth it to be a part of their lives.

The Shackles That Hold Us is a 113K novel and the second audiobook in the MM urban fantasy series, The Magi Accounts. It’s recommended to listen to the series in order because it has an ongoing storyline, but there is no cliffhanger.

*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novel.*

Book Links: Audible |  Amazon  | Add to Goodreads

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My Review: 

I enjoyed the first book in the series, and so was happy to grab this second one.  Again, this story is mostly told through Mads the Magi’s point of view, but we did slip into Cosmo’s when needed.  I love the dynamic between the lion shifter and the Magi – and how Mads little crew is being absorbed into the Ono-Nai pride.  Sometimes found family is the most powerful thing in the world.

Quickly – the book comes with a trigger warning and that’s appropriate.  It contained several graphic and disturbing scenes – especially the scenes of torture.  I was uncomfortable, but I got through it.  These are violent books – basically, there’s a war going on.

The ending left me very happy and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes me.

Shout out to CJ Storm and his fantastic narration of these books.  Truly well done.

My Rating:

9.5/10 Pots of Gold (95% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars

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I’m married to an awesome husband that puts up with me and all the characters in my head—and there are many. We have two young boys who also put up with me and my craziness. We live in Maryland with our two dogs and a fish. And yes, I had to include the fish, otherwise my three boys—hubby included—might just disown me. They love that damn goldfish we won at a carnival. *sigh*
Born and raised in Baltimore, I grew up dancing and swimming. I taught dance—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop & modern—for ten years before I had my kids. Now I’m a stay-at-home mom who reads, writes and does PTA everything—as long as I have my coffee. Two other tattooed moms and I run the whole damn PTA, and if I may say so myself, we rock it… even if I want to rip my hair out more than half the time.