Shadowbound

Druadan Legacy #1

by Amelia Cole

The Druadan Legacy series is an adult romance where the main character will end up with multiple love interests. It is set on a distant earth, where centuries of rising seas have transformed the land masses into a scattering of islands.

In a world where the sea has claimed most of the land, the once-mighty Druadan faces extinction. Genetically engineered for ancient wars, these fiercely loyal horses are bonded to a single male rider. Centuries after the final battle, they now number less than a hundred, and the few remaining are housed in the island continent of Venovia in isolated farms.

While searching for her missing sister at one such station, called Meridian, a shadowy threat emerges, sparking fears that the terrifying creatures from their past have returned.

***********************************************************

One year ago, my sister vanished without a trace...

The police have their theories, but nothing adds up for me. Desperate for answers, I seize the opportunity to fill her shoes as public relations at the isolated Meridian Station, famous for its exclusive exhibitions of the rare and mystical genetically modified horses called Druadan.
Under a veil of secrecy, I know I must grow close to the three men who are the last to see her alive:

Heath: the proud manager
Carter: the charismatic rider
and
Logan: the brooding head of security.

But the deeper I venture into their world, the more I become entangled in a web of desires, deceptions, and looming danger. Meridian Station is a place where legends intertwine with reality, and myths become tangible.

Shadowbound is the first in an adult, dystopian sci-fi set on a future Earth. It is a 'why choose' romance, where the main character will end up with more than one love interest. It may have triggers for some, including violence, threat of death, blood, sexual themes, sexual acts, death, grief, and depression. It is intended for 18+ readers.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Why Choose, Romance, Romantasy, Harem, Adult

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Nadine Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind Blown, what a story!

5⭐ 1.5🌶️Amelia Cole, you are amazing!

Received a physical copy of the book from Early Ink Society, a book group focused on reading works from Indie Authors. Also listened to this book on Audible. I listened first for a bit then read since I realized I read at a faster pace than I audible. All I can say is this is absolutely fantastic! This was insane!

Brigid has obtained a position at the Meridian Druadan Station to hopefully find clues as to what happened to her sister, who disappeared out of nowhere. She immediately is in contact with 2 of the Master Riders, Heath and Carter, of Druadan horses, horses who have powers and massive teeth. Feelings are tense as they know who she is, even if she doesn't think they do. The 3rd, Logan is 100% against her being anywhere near the station. The horses and the riders are telepathically linked, and are all bonded to each other. They train with holograms of creatures that no longer exist. (atleast to their knowledge!) But that is not so true as the Mystrls make themselves present, all when an attack occurs at the station on a fundraising event.

There are quite a few spicy/tense scenes between Brigid and Carter and Heath. Potential for a really good spicy scene with Logan, with a cameo of Galaxian.

Absolutely fell in love with this book, and will be jumping into the next books soon!

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately intrigued by this book the moment I read the description. The vibes give off a mix of cowboy romance, why choose romance and dystopian fantasy romance, which are some of the things I ADORE reading. I was happy to read this with the Read Indie With Me team!

My favorite aspect about SHADOWBOUND was definitely the cowboy vibes. The bond between the druadan and their riders was so fascinating, and I loved how we got to see all the facets of such a bond through the three men. I do think we haven’t seen everything yet, that there might be something that the druadan riders themselves don’t know. I have a theory concerning the protagonist, Brigid, and the ending makes me wonder if I might be right.

The other element that was most fascinating about the book is the mystery surrounding the sister’s disappearance. I like how the author set up Brigid’s “secret” undercover investigation and how the guys were involved. This allowed for tension between Heath, Logan and Carter, who have a brother-like bond, and also showed different dynamics between Brigid and each one of the guys. This is a why choose romance, so I’m expecting Brigid to be with all three at some point, but for now dynamics that most interest me so far are the ones with Heath and Logan. They seem to have more obstacles for a potential relationship with Brigid—Heath because he’s trapped in an arranged engagement and Logan because he’s mistrusting of Brigid—which is what makes those dynamics so interesting.

I’m very excited to see how the series continues, especially after that ending which only feeds my theory about Brigid and gives me even more questions about her sister’s intentions.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a world where the remnants of humanity cling to existence on scattered islands in a sea-swallowed landscape where the bonded riders of genetically created predatory horse creatures are akin to celebrities. This adult romance novel blends elements of dystopia, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi to create a unique and intriguing story.

Brigid's sister has disappeared without a trace. Desperate for answers, she seeks employment at the enigmatic world of Meridian Station, a place known for its exhibitions of genetically modified horses called Druadan. And the last place her sister was seen. As she delves deeper into the secrets of the station, she forms connections - to varying degrees - with the three intriguing riders. Brigid navigates the complexities of her relationships with the three men and uncovers the mysteries surrounding her sister's disappearance. The dynamics between the characters are richly developed, and the chemistry sizzles on the page, adding depth and tension to the story. I did have to laugh a few times as Brigid tells herself not to get involved with the riders and then immediately can't help herself when she does just that. I think there is a reason, but it has not been said explicitly yet.

While the characters may initially seem like familiar romance archetypes, Cole imbues them with depth and complexity. I really like the slowburn of this because I think it's unique in the why-choose subgenre and we also learn enough about the characters' backstory to really get attached. The plot is filled with twists and turns that are unexpected.

One of the book's strengths lies in its world-building, with Cole painting a vivid and immersive picture of a world transformed by environmental catastrophe and populated by genetically engineered creatures. It's just so expansive and interesting; I found myself enraptured and excited to continue. The bond between Brigid and the Druadan horses adds an extra layer of intrigue. I adore the horses and I really cannot wait to find out more about them. Especially with that ending.

Overall, "Shadowbound" is a unique and immersive read that will appeal to numerous fans of romance, dystopia, and scifi alike. With its unique premise, compelling characters, and gripping storyline, it's a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and exciting take on the genre.

Thanks to BOMM and the lovely author - this review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

[Alyssa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super excited that I was chosen to ARC read this book in exchange for a review!

Why choose romances are my guilty pleasure! If you can even call it that since I’m pretty open about how much I love them🖤🖤🖤

The world building! The cover art!! The characters!!! *chefs kiss-*💋
Shadowbound is a unique read immersed in a world that would pique the interest of many readers of Romance, Dystopia, SciFi, and any combination in between them! 🖤

Intriguing storyline, romance with a slice of mystery- what more could you need in a book, throw in why choose and it’s a masterpiece!

Check out Shadowbound by Amelia Cole today, you will not be disappointed and will love it from page one all the way to the end!🖤

[Spice and Shelf Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the premise of the book and am interested in where it's going. It's set in a dystopian future and centers around Brigid who, in searching for her sister who has disappeared, takes a job at a station for druadans (basically sup-ed up horses that have higher body temperatures and some powers).

I'm a fan of why-choose romances, and I liked that the "bonds" in this book are between the rider and their druadans.

However, I do think this book needs a lotof editing. Besides the spelling errors, missing punctuation (lots of missing quotation marks), incorrect POV uses (first person refers to themselves in the third person in their chapter for example), there are larger editing issues at play:

- There are several instances where there's a mis-match of context. For example, at one point an interviewer asks about "a fire" and one of the characters responds "what break-in".... when the interviewer doesn't mention it's a break-in until the next sentence. This happens a few times in the book and seems like it's an issue of an idea change that never got edited?
- The dialogue can be very "tell not show" - characters just come out and reveal their secrets immediately. For a woman who is trying to hide why she's at the station, she just confesses like basically the first chance she gets. The dialogue just felt very expository.
- While not every love interest needs to be a slow-burn, there is basically nothing slow about any of these men and their feelings. Or Brigid actually. In fact when we're in her chapters she seems incapable of monologuing about them without mentioning how hot they are at least once. While Logan and Heath are both holding back, in their own chapters we learn that pretty much from the get-go they're thinking of her sexually.
- This all takes place within like a week, but there are moments where the depth of feeling we're supposed to believe is insane for that short amount of time. Carter is basically obsessed with her after one conversation. And Logan and Heath barely interact with her and then in their chapters are saying things like "[Carter] won't find anyone better than her" - but they BARELY KNOW HER. And the lack of time causes issues elsewhere --> like the gala Brigid says "took a lot of work" but like all of it happened in like 4 days? It's just unbelievable that we get to the end and the men have all decided to be on her side and trust her and so little time has passed.


All in all some in-depth editing could really bring this to the next level. Allow for more passing of time, give more foundation for their relationships to actually be based on something, seed some subtle details in the men's chapters rather than make their interest so obvious and so quick, and make some things a bit more subtle/nuanced like the dialogue so there can be some more emotional depth to these characters.

Again, even with all this, the book did hook me and I want to see where the story is going so I'll be checking out the next installment!

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Updated review after sitting with it for a while (perhaps a 1.5):

What I liked:

This was a fun switch up from what I've read before in scifi, dystopian, and fantasy stories, and I really liked the differences. I think it had a good, unique blend of dystopian and fantasy elements!

I was hooked by the story's mysteries. There's a constant state of tension from the various questions surrounding Meridian station, from Brigid's sister to some other nefarious 'crimes' going on. I could really feel the strain that Heath, especially, as the station's manager, felt while trying to keep the circumstances under wraps to save the station's future. I definitely found myself wanting to dive deeper into the weird 'happenings' and questions the plot presents. I liked that the story was always moving with a quick pace.

I haven't read many books focused on horses, especially in this genre, but I was utterly hooked by that aspect. I think my favorite part of the book was the world-building; I found myself caring for the druadans and always compelled when the story would give new details about how the druadan bonds worked. I think this is the story's strongest element - I felt most connected to the characters and their struggles, whether with themselves/their bonds or the desperation to keep the station going, when the meaningful bond between druadans and riders was emphasized. I ate those details up; from the way the riders are physiologically affected to the communication between them, I found it absolutely gripping. I also loved how Brigid came to play a role with the druadans!

Another really strong point of the story was the structure. The author's decision to do multiple perspectives was the right one, in my opinion; getting the perspective of our different main characters added a lot of depth to everything that happened. Peeking behind the curtain of each character's thoughts and feelings about the same events/conversations was a great way to add to the mysteries, keep me questioning, and jumping 'sides,' which I loved.

Why this didn't work for me

While I loved some aspects, there are things that made me feel a bit unsettled after sitting with the story for a while.

I found that there was a lot going on in the story, which meant that each aspect wasn't fully explored or developed, such as the various mysteries or character development. I struggled to feel connected to the characters because I found them contradicting themselves and wasn't able to 'buy in' to the romances. I think this was personal preference, as I'm just not a fan of the insta-lust trope, but others might enjoy that! I think a lot of the story's depth got overshadowed by each character's focus on sex, and I was unsettled by how it seemed use as a 'tool.'

Summary
Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and worldbuilding of the story, especially the druadan history and bonds! It just wasn't for me because I needed more depth/exploration, couldn't connect to the characters/romances, and struggled with the contradictions.

[elder_millennialnitemar_reads (Ashley) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world of legends and shadows, one truth could shatter everything.

💛💛💛💛💛
I love me some why choose romance! Sprinkle in some dystopian vibes and I’m sold. This has been such an enchanting book! I cannot wait for book 2!

[El · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars, rounded to 2. This dystopian, fantasy, why choose adventure/romance started out with a fascinating premise: a missing sister, magical horses, a future earth, and a couple easy-on-the-eyes master riders, each with their own distinct allure. While I loved the description, and a few of the basic elements really resonated, this book just fell short for me personally.

Let’s start with the good: I feel like the characters were each thought out; they had distinct personalities and mannerisms, and I could always tell them apart. The guys didn’t all bleed into one, which is a high compliment for a reverse harem! I also loved the perspective changes; multi-POV was absolutely the right choice for this book! Without a peek behind the curtain for each MC, I would’ve been really lost. It was great to get their motivations directly from the source (their own heads), and it gave a unique look at the Druadan bonds as well, which was cool. I like the idea of the bonds- kind of akin to the bonding that happens in the Avatar movie when the Na’Vi bond to their ikran to ride them, which is a super cool idea. The whole body temperature thing is fascinating, I like the mental speech connection; I like a fantasy animal companion, and these were fun.

Now, here’s what didn’t work for me: the pacing, plot continuity, and character development were hard to follow and inconsistent. Spoilers start below!

The timeline was not super clear, but when I did get glimpses of it, it didn’t track with the characters. Brigid had been there a few days and was already thinking of “giving up” the search for her missing sister - the search that she gave up her career, apartment, friends, and her entire life for. The boys share immense attraction to her and obsession with her in a matter of a week or two- so much so that it prevents them from serving the sex need of their bond (aka Carter turning down sex, uncharacteristically, many times after he meets Brigid). Brigid describes her PR position “no longer being a job, but a passion” just a matter of weeks into this job, after only meeting the horses a handful of times- from zero to 100 in two weeks just doesn’t track. It was too fast of a book pace for some of these decisions to make any logical sense.

Plot continuity was an issue as well. There was a LOT going on in this book/world, arguably too much to follow up on in one book. There were plotlines I just wasn’t given enough info to understand (why does Logan want love? Why isn’t Heath being honest with Jess? Is Sharice evil, or just brainwashed? Did they harness the power of the mystal creatures or was that a coincidence?? Why are there no female druadans or riders??). The plot itself seemed to wax and wane too much- first she wants to run away when she’s injured, then she fights to stay. She can’t get too attached, then she’s the one pursuing and going after Carter in the hot spring, and Heath at the interview and the gala. There’s also several tense issues (present vs past) and dialogue issues (switching up who’s speaking mid-line) that make some parts hard to track with. I’ll also mention here, that I didn’t think the magical bonding ceremony we witness really held up to its gossip; it wasn’t dramatic or beautiful or moving, it just seemed like another training exercise, except this time it was an excuse for everyone to be extra horny?

The characters, though each had unique personalities, didn’t keep continuity throughout. Their development/choices didn’t always make sense. Why would Carter give up sex to not have any with Brigid? He wouldn’t, in my opinion- the insta-lust/love makes him seem wishy washy and unrealistic. Why does Brigid like Logan? He’s nothing but mean to her and she doesn’t say “I like mean”, “I like him despite that”, “I can’t believe I like him even though he’s mean”, nothing. No explanation. One second Brigid is confused that her sister dyed her hair brown, then she references Sharice as brown-haired without batting an eye. In the shower scene with Carter, she “takes off her leggings”, even though 2 pages before she references specifically wearing a dress with little violets on it. In a Carter-POV chapter, there’s a line of dialogue, and then “…Carter says” which is grammatically incorrect for the chapter. Brigid references herself as not looking like her sister- then her sister also has freckles, which before she referenced as a difference between them. It’s hard to keep things straight when they change frequently.

I also am not a fan of insta-love/lust, which this book had in droves. I’m also not a fan of all the sex being just a means to an end- “feed the bond”, sure, but if I’m to believe that these boys care about Brigid, it should be more than that. In addition, these men truly not having a moment that they aren’t hard for her when she’s around is truly so unlikely. ALSO- even if a woman is very beautiful, just her walking around or talking shouldn’t be enough to trigger an immediate, instantaneous, full, painful erection- these are men in their 20s, not puberty hormone filled preteens. I’ll also mention the ending- I’m not a big fan of a cliff hanger, but if it makes sense, I understand using it as a tool. This one felt like writing a book and slicing it at a random place, just because; little to no easy let down, no expectation set for book 2, and no resolution for any of the conflicts in book 1 at all before it just abruptly ends.

Throw in some grammar issues, some recycled lines, and repetitive descriptions, and this story becomes hard enough to follow that it affects the rating.

I imagine this book was used to shake out the cobwebs, and that the subsequent books in the series went through more rigorous review, beta reading, and editing (which definitely would’ve helped with this one). Overall, a fun story and good bones, just not executed to the right extent to make it a top read for me.

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadowbound is the perfect book for readers who love magical creatures and a good romance arc.

It's a blend of multiple genres--romance, fantasy, dystopian and even a little mystery--and follows a protagonist looking into her sister's disappearance. Her search leads her to her sister's last workplace, and the three fantasy cowboys who run the company (you guessed it, it's a why choose romance!)

As a first book in the series, Shadowbound works as a setup to the rest of the story, easing the reader into the story, introducing the characters, and building up to some twists that have me very curious for the sequel! I was especially fascinated with the world-building, which will feel digestible to readers who are used to dystopian stories but that was also wholly unique with the druadan mythology. These are magical horses that hatch from eggs and bond with their riders, creating a link that also allows them to communicate telepathically. I loved them!

As for the romance, this will develop into a spicy why choose, but in the first book it's focusing a lot on the slow burn aspect for most of the dynamics. I am especially excited to see the relationships with Heath and Logan develop as they seem to be the ones with more obstacles and more hostility toward Brigid, which always makes for great tension!

[bookswithcorey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A shadowborn horse isn’t tamed—it partners with the one brave enough to understand it.”

🐎As someone who grew up on horseback from the time I was five, I’m always skeptical, but hopeful, when a fantasy promises “magical horses.”

Shadowbound not only delivered; it gave me the kind of equine worldbuilding I’ve been craving for years. The bond between riders and their shadowborn mounts feels lived-in and believable, and the horses aren’t just props; they have presence, personality, and power.

The dystopian setting adds a surprising grit to the magic, and watching the heroine navigate dangerous terrain (both emotionally and literally) kept me hooked.

Yes, there are three MMCs woven into her journey, but this first installment keeps things slow-burn and character-driven, letting the relationships simmer instead of overwhelming the story. 💜🖤💜

What really sold me was how the book blends survival, loyalty, and the raw beauty of horse-human connection into something that feels both epic and intimate. I’m already grabbing book two.

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good a why choose book and this did not disappoint! I thought the world building in this book was excellent and it was a such a unique story to me. The idea of genetically engineered horses was not something I have read before but it made for a really interesting story.

Brigid is desperately trying to figure out her sister’s mysterious disappearance and meets Heath (the secretive manager) Carter the rider) and Logan (the caretaker.) All three men are very different and I liked how they slow built relationships with Brigid.

I really liked the mystery aspect to this story and how we slowly get little nuggets of information. It does end on a cliffhanger and I am excited to see what happens in book 2!

[Kellie- SpicedTeaandChapters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wildly interesting dystopian, why-choose, adult sci-fi romance, and I was kind of here for it.

I really enjoyed the characters and how distinct each one felt. They all had such specific personalities, motivations, and quirks, and that individuality really shone through in their chapters. The multiple POVs were a big win for me (though I know that’s a preference thing), but it truly added depth and made the relationships and emotional connections land a bit harder.

I will say there were a few moments where I had to pause and mentally sort through what was happening. Some plot threads felt like they were dropped in without enough time to breathe or build naturally, and I would’ve loved just a little more explanation or expansion in certain places. It made me wish the story had slowed down to let those ideas settle.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will probably pick up the next one in the series.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book, didn't take long for me to be hooked. Can't wait for the next book

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. I was so sucked into the story the whole time. The fantasy and worldbuilding were complex enough to be fresh and unexpected but simple enough to follow that it didn't get all tangled in my head as I was reading. Amelia really put the work in to drop clues for the reader to follow and it was so satisfying to put the pieces together while I was reading and then be rewarded with my suspicions confirmed and the mystery expanding in an unexpected direction. I'm glad this is a "why choose" romance because I ship the main character with all three of the leads. Can't wait to read more from this series.

[Belinda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!

Brigid is on a mission. She is set on finding what happened to her missing sister. The cops gave up on the invest​igation but she will not. She takes a job at Meridian Station, where her sister was last seen and vows to get to the bottom of this mystery.

As she delves into the enigmatic station and its ways, she forms connections with three intriguing riders - each with unique personalities and traits. She doesn’t know who to trust and it gets more convoluted the more she investigates.

I enjoyed watching her interact with every character and the way she adapted to the lifestyle. I loved her determination going into this and how she never gave up even though everyone else did. I enjoyed watching her down connections with the three characters.

The world building was interesting, from the genetically engineered Druadans to the bonds formed with the riders shaping their futures. The twists and turns had me glued to the book till the end and the pace set was comfortable to follow the journey.

I did not expect the twist at the end and am very much looking forward to what the sequel will give us! Thank you so much to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to review!

[Doom Sunshine]

DNF 10%

Several typos, formatting issues and grammar mistakes within the first 10%. Also, the FMC was sexually harassed during a tour and she didn't push back. The two MMC's that we meet follow the typical RH personality traits: guy 1 is stoic and doesn't know how to have a social life and guy 2 is a flirt who loves to have sex with anything that walks.

During the FMC's tour, the thoughts that consumed the second guy were all about the FMC's body and how he planned on getting her in his bed.

The unique setting wasn't interesting enough to offset the cliched characters.

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

༻♡︎✨💫✨♡︎༺
📖ⒷⓄⓄⓀ•ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ📖
──────☆💫💜💫☆──────
📚💜💫✨𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦✨💫💜📚
🩷𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝙱𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙰𝙼𝙴𝙻𝙸𝙰 𝙲𝙾𝙻𝙴
💜𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟷 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝚁𝚄𝙰𝙳𝙰𝙽 𝙻𝙴𝙶𝙰𝙲𝚈 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
🩷𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙰𝙳𝚄𝙻𝚃 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴; 𝙳𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙾𝙿𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
💜𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙷 𝟸𝟼𝚃𝙷, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈❥𝙰���𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄✨
🩷𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟹𝟺𝟿 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
💜𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗦
🩷➡️𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗣𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗥𝗕
──────☆💫💜💫☆──────
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to Amelia Cole and Book of Matches Media for the Advanced Reader Copy of Shadowbound! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

I really enjoyed this book! I always love a good why choose romance, and this one delivered in every way and ticked all the boxes for me! The story itself was really unique and I was loving the Dystopian and post-apocalyptic vibes of the world. I’ve never read a book that has genetically engineered/magical horses (the Druadan) in it, so that in and of itself was extremely unique, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this concept!

I loved the FMC, Brigid, so much! Brigid is trying to solve the mystery behind her sister’s disappearance. She’s trying to get a job position that her sister had before she disappeared, which is a PR position at Meridian Station, where people learn to ride the Druadan. This is where she meets our MMCs, Heath, Logan, and Carter. These three MMCs! This is why I love a good why choose romance! I loved Brigid’s connection to each of them and I think each of them were perfect for her in different ways. Amelia really nailed the why choose aspect and I was living for the slow burn of it! There was a lot of tension and it was absolute perfection.

This story is full of twists and turns as Brigid starts to uncover truths around her sister’s disappearance. Things come to light and there’s definitely an air of mystery around this story, and I loved trying to put the pieces together. I was still shocked at some of the plot twists! Amelia did a really amazing job of weaving together mystery, romance, fantasy, and dystopian elements to create an unputdownable story! I cannot wait for Book 2!!

🌙💫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘...💫🌙
✨Found Family
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Why Choose Romance
✨Mystery
✨Slow Burn

──────☆💫💜💫☆──────

[Ve (ve_xo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read. Shadowbound is a standout read perfect for fans of Romance, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, and everything in between!

This was my first time reading a book with cowboys in a dystopian/scifi setting. I was completely hooked in the story from start to finish. The fantasy elements and worldbuilding were intricate enough to feel fresh and surprising but straightforward enough that they didn’t become confusing.

It was super satisfying to piece together the mystery as it took unexpected twists and turns. I was super intrigued by the investigation! Brigid our FMC is trying to figure out the mystery of her sister’s disappearance and decides to apply for a PR position her sister held at Meridian Station, where people learn to ride the Druadan. While she is trying to get this job she meets our MMCs—Heath, Logan, and Carter. I was totally invested in the slow burn—there was so much tension, I enjoyed it! As secrets are revealed, the story still kept me hooked. Some of the plot twists genuinely shocked me!

Looking forward to the next book! All opinions are my own.

[Kimberly J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost put this down immediately after the author had repeated paragraphs back-to-back in the first chapter due to lazy and poor editing. But I kept going out of curiosity of the horses. This book is lackluster at best. Although I think Brigid is a decent character, and Carter and Heath are ok (Logan is abusive), this book lacks imagination, direction and execution. A lot of it is fluff and filler. This is why outlining a book is important IMO, because it’s clear this author just wrote without direction every chapter as it came, and there’s pages of just Brigid goes from here to here and grabs this to put it there and eats this so she can walk there. No spice in this book. Literally the only reason it got 2 stars was because I finished it hoping the horses would be more involved and interesting, and to see if the relationship Brigid has with all three men evolve (it doesn’t). It ends on a nice cliff-hanger tho, I’ll give her that. Wouldn’t recommend this author or this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO done well for such an original concept. The post-apocalyptic world building was wildly interesting and made for a fantastic plot. It had sci-fi elements that were unexpected but I personally really enjoyed, not to mention the continuous mystery. I loved how unique the creatures were, taking elements from the real life and sprucing them up. The story was medium to fast paced and I was left having more questions than answers (in a good way- not “I want to rip my hair out” vibe) The spice was fantastic (4 out of 5) and it left me wanting more; again- in a good way!! I loved that it left off in a cliffhanger, the sequel is absolutely on my radar to grab it as soon as it comes out!!

[Lynn Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shadowbound has a brilliant premise: dystopian Earth, magical telepathic horses, a missing sister mystery and a why choose setup between our FMC and three very different druadan (horse) riders. The world building around the druadan horses is genuinely the highlight - the descriptions, the communication and emotional connection between horse and rider. Any time we dug into how riders and druadans worked together, I was hooked. The cowboy/dystopian blend is also really fun and refreshingly different from the usual fantasy romance setup.

I liked the multi-POV structure; it was absolutely the right choice for this story. Seeing inside each character’s head added tension, especially around the mystery of Brigid’s sister and the secrets simmering in Meridian Station. There is a solid sense of momentum, and the final chapters clearly aim to push you straight into book two.

But overall, the execution just didn’t land for me. The pacing, particularly the romance element - was too fast to feel at all real - and the characters often contradict themselves or shift motivations so abruptly that I struggled to stay connected. There are also a number of continuity issues (timelines, descriptions, small but very noticeable details) that pulled me out of the story, along with some grammatical and structural rough edges that made the narrative feel unpolished.

In the end, I loved the concept far more than the final product. The druadan lore, the tension around the sister’s disappearance and the potential in the world are all great foundations, but I needed more depth, more consistency, and a slower burn to truly care about the characters or their relationships. A fascinating idea - just not quite the book for me.

[Claressa Hallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadowbound | Amelia Cole

Book 1 of the Druadan Legacy Series

In a dystopian Earth, genetically modified horses bond with a single male rider to uphold the Druadan Legacy.  Brigid Corsair takes a job as the PR director of the Meridian Station with the hope of discovering clues into the mysterious disappearance of her sister, a previous employee at the Station.  As her bond grows with the riders, and her search leads her down a grim and dangerous path, what is she willing to risk for love and family?

I do not typically read books within the dystopian/sci-fi genre, so I was excited to give this book a read.  The world building was fun and the character development was well done.  I liked Carter and his emotional growth throughout the book.  I enjoyed seeing Logan break through his hard exterior and let his guard down.  His growing relationship with his Druadan was also a journey I enjoyed.  I appreciate the mental health representation with Heath's character - his depression, anxiety and panic attacks were thoughtfully portrayed.

Brigid is a character that I look forward to learning more about.  I liked seeing her relationships with the three MMCs grow, but would like to know more of her backstory.

The Druadans are a unique and creative creature.  I appreciate seeing new mythical creatures introduced into stories and it was refreshing to see something outside of the norm!  I look forward to learning more about them in subsequent books.  

Check out Shadowbound if you enjoy...
🩷 Why Choose
🩷 Slow Burn Romance
🐴 Horses
🌍 Dystopian World
💪Strong FMC
🫆 Mysterious Disappearence 

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 star review

"Shadowbound" is the first book in the "Druadan Legacy" series, a new reverse harem series with an interesting postapocalyptic setting and a fascinating storyline. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from a storyline that involves a genetically engineered horse race but the author managed to create a really intriguing storyline around them. I absolutely love a reverse harem series with a lot of plot development, and the author of this series really provided that for me. We start off with a few questions, and it seems like the questions just keep on piling up with every new thing that's being discovered. I was intrigued from the start, and kept on turning pages until I couldn't anymore.

Even though there's a lot of plot development, there's also attention for the relationships between our girl Brigid and Heath, Logan and Carter. For the moment, it's hard to say if there is going to be any MM involved. It feels like the men are just close friends, but there's also a bit of tension there I'm not entirely sure about. While the relationships build up slowly, everything feels set up for the spice to build in book two.

I have to admit, I doubted my rating a little bit, because there are some minor inconsistencies in the storyline that did bug me at times. But, since I still loved the book and I'm absolutely looking forward to book two, I decided to only take away half a star. Let's just say the cliffhanger was written masterfully, resulting in an immediate desire to find out when we might expect book two.

[Jessica Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling of picking up a book and not being about to put it down? Yeah, this was one of those books for me.

🐎 What’s it about?
Brigid is angling for a job in PR at Meridian Station: an outpost where novices train to ride and bond with magical horses called druadan. And she’s there because her sister held the position before her and disappeared without a trace.

There she meets three Master Riders: Heath, Logan, and Carter. Heath is the base leader, engaged in an arrangement with a high profile family. Logan is the cold protector, and Carter is the playboy.

But the more Brigid digs into her sister’s disappearance, the more sinister things emerge. Add to that the horse population is dwindling and only three eggs remain, and there is a lot of tension.

🔥 My thoughts:

I adored this book, full stop. I could not put it down. I loved the intrigue with the eggs, the missing sister, and the connection between horses and riders. Brigid is fierce and loyal. I loved her instincts to protect and fight.

And our men. Whew! They are all a little broken, but their bonds and brotherhood are beautiful.

And the druadan. I loved that they all have distinct looks and personalities. I can’t wait to read more about them and their particular gifts. I wanted to know so much more about their magic and bonds.

And when I tell you this slow burn is burning. 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

I need the second one of this duology asap Amelia!

[Kristen Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadowbound pulled me in with its intriguing premise of a dystopian world swallowed by the sea, telepathic war horses, and an FMC determined to uncover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance.

What worked the most for me was the mystery surrounding Brigid’s sister. The suddenness of her disappearance, and the fact that the three riders Heath, Carter, and Logan seem to be hiding something related to it. I needed to know what really happened. And the horses, the Druadan, were one of my favorite elements. Their telepathic bond to a single rider was such a cool concept, and I enjoyed the scenes involving them. Plus, I did not predict the ending at all, which is always a huge bonus for me. I love when a book keeps me guessing.

That said, I wanted more from the world. The setting had so much potential, but I found myself wishing for deeper world building to pull me into the dystopian landscape. And because the horses were a favorite part of the story, I kept wanting to learn more about their abilities and what made them so special.

Since this is a why-choose romance, I was also expecting a bit more spice. The dynamic with the three men was interesting, but the romantic and steamy moments felt much lighter than I anticipated. With this being a multi-book series, I’m assuming more of that will come later.

Overall, Shadowbound had an interesting premise and mystery element, but I was left wanting a bit more from both the world and relationships.

[Lena Book Graveyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

First and foremost, this is a series i probably never would have discovered if not for rrbooktours. And I can honestly say, I am SO HAPPY I did!!! This is on ongoing series, and the first two books were absolutely amazing.

This is a why choose sci-fi dystopian western and there is rebellion, war, betrayal, some serious tension, slow-burn and mystery woven all throughout.

Brigid is a lovely character, and the things she goes through are honestly wild. From being betrayed by her sister, finding out about family she didn't know she had, and historical twists. And the connection she has with the guys ✨️🤌🏻🖤

Then we have the guys. All bonded riders and their bond is deep and even deeper when Brigid enters the picture.

Heath - the quiet, reserved one who is very structured based, follows all the rules, and is a natural leader.
Carter - the womanizer. The one who is famous for being a womanizer. And boy, does he know how to pleasure a woman.
Logan - the bad boy. The one who finds himself in real deep. The one who is a ticking time bomb of anger.

If you loved Fourth Wing and love why choose, this is a must-read series. Instead of dragons, it's beautiful mythical stallions.

Tropes:
✨️Grumpy/Sunshine
💙Why Choose/Reverse Harem
✨️Dangerous Mythical Horses
💙Age Gap
✨️Sci-Fi Dystopian Western
💙Spice
✨️Slow burn

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am rating this a 4.5 but rounding up because holy moly this book is a ride. Totally a very unique book, and it has multiple povs to gauge everything going on in the story. Brigid is going to the 'scene' of the crime or where she assumes it happens a year later after her sister disappears. Then you add in the three mmcs, Heath, Carter and Logan, all who have way different personalities but a bond formed together because of Druadan. The funny thing is they are all trying to keep secrets from one another, and its pretty much the same secret. Brigid trying to hide the fact she is the younger sister, Logan already knowing from deep diving into her name, Heath knowing because of Logan. Then poor Carter who is the last to learn but we forgive him since he is the cinnamon roll. Also all three guys have different reactions to Brigid. Carter wants her right away, Logan is like nah she could leave like yesterday, Heath seemed to start understanding her more as they got to know one another. I mean it is why choose for a reason. I must say I had a hard time putting this book down because of how much happens in the book and then when I got to that ending I was like why..... I need book two. This was such a fun and different book and I am super happy I was able to read it!

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth Wing meets futuristic Cowboy romance meets Reverse Harem! 🤤yes please!

I never thought about this mashup of genres and now it consumes my daydreams. Brigid has been playing the long game. For the last year she has set herself up to be the perfect candidate for the company that her sister disappeared from. In fact, it used to be her sister’s position! Infiltrating the company wont be easy but she is determined to find out what exactly happened to her sister. The number one rule is to trust no one so she doesn’t get close to anyone and lose focus of why she is there. Too bad that starts going out the window pretty quickly.

The master riders have something magnetic about them. Descended from hero’s from a bygone era, they are still something to behold. Add in mythical horses that are supercharged with the ability to form bonds with their riders and they are hot. Too bad the Druadan are all male and only bond with men. However, if that is the case, why does Brigid keep feeling a pull to them?

This story drew me in with its originality and new mythological fairytales. Supernatural beasts, multiple hot men, and a mystery to boot. This book has it all. The fact that it ended on a cliffhanger that made me want to tear my hair out does not take away from the fact that I will be gobbling up book 2 as soon as it comes out.

[Akansha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadowbound is a why choose novel set in a dystopian world, where Brigid takes on the role of the PR head at the isolated Meridian Station, famous for its exclusive exhibitions of the rare and mystical genetically modified horses called Druadan.

Brigid is there to investigate and find out what happened an year ago when her sister vanished. She needs answers and that means getting closer to the three master riders of the station, Heath, Carter and Logan.

Shadowbound starts slow as expected from a new series where world building wouldn't naturally take time. The second half is engaging enough that I couldn't keep the book down. The book follows all four MCs so there is multiple POVs and it was three different relationships that Brigid forms. I loved how the author has made these characters entirely different from each other. Its commendable.

Coming to the individual characters each of them have their own stories and background but I have my favourite, aka Heath. He was going through so much and yet managed to carry the station to the best of his ability. He is my top favourite 🩷

Also I loved the bond between the men but I think there is still more to explore and I would love to know more about them in the later books

[K. Ramjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadowbound is book 1 inThe Druadan Legacy Series. Its a why choose romance set in a dystopian world and includes elements of fantasy and sci-fi.

The world building in this novel was excellent. The story is set in a dystopian world in the aftermath of environmental disaster and includes genetically engineered horses who can bond to their riders, which is something I haven't read about before.

The story follows Brigid quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's disappearance, in the last place she was seen, the Meridian Station.

There she meets Heath, Carter and Logan and the author did a great job of developing the characters and slowly builds up the relationship between them all.

The mystery element really has me intrigued as bit by bit, we are fed small clues as the story progressed.

As this is book 1 in the series, the romance is now getting started so its a bit of a slow burn and I liked that the characters were all so different, each with their own secrets and desires.

It all ends in a cliff-hanger that left me wanting more. I can't wait for book 2. This was a great start to the series and I would recommend it.