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Mythos Unbound

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Would you know a monster if you saw one?

Finn Bryant lectures in mythology by day and moonlights as a supernatural hunter, tracking the glamoured ‘Shadow Kin’ he alone sees walking among us. Ghouls, vampires and other monsters have come for him since before he can remember, and he’s spent his life learning how to take them down - before they can get to him or his beloved found family.

Evie Bryant doesn’t see the supernatural in her line of work, profiling serial killers for the FBI. Her brother’s fascination with folklore feels a world away from Evie’s reality of violent crime scenes and broken lives, even if it’s been noted more than once that her talent for reading people is a little… eerie.

When a series of brutal murders with a mythological overtone prompts Evie to consult with Finn on a case, the siblings find themselves hunting the same killer. Evie will do anything to distance her brother from her work, but Finn can’t walk away from this one. But whose monster is it? And what might it cost these siblings to find out?

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read

About the author

Shayla Morgansen

9 books79 followers
Hi! I'm Shayla, and making stories is the basis of everything I love and do. I write lengthy books about magical happenings in ordinary places, and the supernatural crossing paths with the everyday. My favourite themes to explore in these fantasy story worlds are interdependency, found families, us-against-the-world, and a good helping of angst.

​At home in Brisbane where I'm a happy little hermit, I'm married and a mum to our two adorable white cats. In my working life, I have been a schoolteacher, an editor, an assistant publisher and a lecturer. I'm too easily roped into study and am accidentally completing a PhD in Publishing Studies.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Ivy.
27 reviews
September 9, 2024
Oh My Word 😱 if you’re looking for your next Supernatural fix this is it! I love Evie and Finn’s dynamic like that of Dean and Sam. With both being overly protective of one another despite having a distant relationship over the years.

Also the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger. I need to know more. I need answers like right now haha although admittedly I love these style of books as perhaps I enjoy being tortured with the unknown 🥴

I will definitely be continuing with this series! This was my first ARC read and I’m impressed. Highly recommend.

5/5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for K.D. Marchesi.
Author 1 book90 followers
September 8, 2024
3.5 Rounded Up!

Mythos Unbound is a fast-paced, comforting urban fantasy full of genre tropes we know and love coupled with an incredible amount of heart.

Evie is the newest FBI profiler on the scene, and she is about to get a run for her money. When the first case that lands in her lap points to something more than human, she has no option but to reach out to her peculiar yet brilliant brother to enlist his help. Only, they are both convinced they are chasing their own kind of monster. With the protection of each other at the forefront of their minds, brother and sister fight to get to the centre of their own mysteries, hoping like hell they can save their sibling from a terrible fate.

With a complex family history and an unbreakable bond, both Evie and Finn will need to rely on each other to come out the other side unscathed. Full of fun titbits for future books and a beautiful sibling dynamic.

I did find some repetition between Evie and Finn's chapters in terms of writing style (but I think that was the point). There were also a couple of times where the characters break the forth wall catching me off guard and taking me a minute to get back into the story. I will say, although this isn't a genre I would normally gravitate towards, Mythos Unbound was a lot of fun.

For fans of urban fantasy media such as Supernatural, X-Files, and Grimm!

A huge thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tjalara Draper.
Author 14 books158 followers
September 4, 2024
A badass monster hunting sibling duo? Check! ✅
A gruesome crime scene and plot-twisty investigation of monstrous (😜) proportions? Check! ✅
An edge of your seat can't put the book down and must keep reading experience? CHECK! ✅
What more could we ask for from Shayla Morgansen's new book Mythos Unbound? Um, how about book 2, please!

It was a thrill to read the first book in Shayla's new series. I'm a massive fan of Grimm and Buffy, and it was definitely great to be immersed in a new world of monster hunters and a dynamic kick-ass duo. Evie and Finn are my two new favourite siblings, and I'm deadset keen to continue with this series.
Bring on book 2! 🤩✨
Profile Image for Meg.
17 reviews
February 4, 2025
Reads like “Supernatural” and “Grimm” had a bookish baby.

Morgansen has somehow managed to build a richly detailed world without drowning me in paragraphs of description (an achievement that has felt rare this year). The opening chapter brilliantly sets the tone, balancing action, character insight, and just enough mystery to make me suspicious of everything and everyone. The following chapters establish the sibling dynamic so well that I briefly considered whether my own family would survive in a mythological crisis (my brother would probably be fine, but I’m 100% getting eaten by a ghoul during the prologue).

One of the best things about this book is getting to see the story unfold through both Evie and Finn’s perspectives. Not only does it give us double the insight (and double the stress), but the way their chapters parallel each other is just chef’s kiss. You get these clever little echoes—shared themes, mirrored struggles, moments where they’re unknowingly dealing with the same thing in totally different ways—and it makes the whole story feel even more layered and feels almost cinematic.

The tension throughout the book was palpable. I caught myself holding my breath on multiple occasions. And Evie’s relationship with her father was devastating. I was fully invested in her well-being, to the point where I was practically shaking the book and yelling, EVIE, NO! whenever she made a questionable life choice (come on, girl! you’re too smart to be wondering off alone with no back up!).

This book has the perfect Supernatural/Grimm energy—dark academia meets mythological mystery, with just the right mix of intrigue, danger, and dry humor. Speaking of humor, the Grady comedic timing is excellent without overwhelming the scenes.

And then there’s the ending. No spoilers, but let’s just say it left me with too many questions and no immediate answers. The next book isn’t out yet, so now I have to sit here and aggressively refresh Shayla’s Instagram for updates. If you enjoy well-crafted worlds, witty banter, and mild emotional torment, give this book a go.
Profile Image for Annettesbookbanter.
471 reviews30 followers
January 19, 2025
A solid urban fantasy that gave me Grimm vibes.

3.5 Rounded up. I read as an ebook.
Tropes: Supernatural creatures, Murder mystery, found family, unknown heritage/powers, secret society.

This follows the story of adopted siblings (brother and sister) who faced terrible childhood traumas and a very unstable upbringing. One of which becomes an FBI profiler, who is a skeptic of anything supernatural and; the other a collage teacher, who hunts supernatural creatures.

The pacing of this book is quite good and I was drawn into the story quickly. The way in which the supernatural are hidden in the world as well as certain people being able to see past the glamour reminded me of the tv show Grimm. I enjoyed the duel POV. It helped me understand the choices of the MCs better and also enable you to learn certain parts of the story that wouldn't have been possible with single POV. The murder mystery/crime was done well and the way in which the truths unfolded kept me engaged and wanting to know more. The magic system is interesting although a lot of it hasn't been explained very thoroughly. I understand that this is a series and therefore further information will be provided in the other books but it would have been nice to be able to understand a little more about the magic/supernatural creatures by the end of this book. The family dynamics are also a little off. Given how the FMC was treated by her adoptive father some of her choices seem odd (for example the fight about not wanting to put him in a home). There were also a few other things that didn't make sense to me however there is no way to go into them without spoilers. I am hoping that they will be explained in the subsequent books.
Profile Image for Naiomi Cox.
402 reviews32 followers
January 31, 2025
Brother and Sister bought up differently but seem to have something else keeping them the same.

Tropes - crime scenes, urban fantasy, horror

Triggers - gore and body horror, supernatural violence, crime scenes and forensic details, deaths of children (off page, but found at crime scenes), torture, (non sexual), representations of Alzheimer's, implied child neglect and abandoment (past) mentions of parental alcholism
Profile Image for Savannah J. Goins.
Author 5 books47 followers
December 31, 2024
Morgansen expertly wields dual POV to weave together the different personalities and personal mysteries of her brother-and-sister crime-fighting duo in this urban fantasy police procedural reminiscent of Grimm and The Dresden Files. If you're on the hunt for a supernatural mystery splattered with gruesome clues, harrowing twists, and gritty reveals, you need to read Mythos Unbound!
2 reviews
October 28, 2025
Gives Grimm and Supernatural vibes!!

Personally a bit too slow at the start for me. Gets more interesting near the end. I will get the next book!!
Profile Image for Krystal R Reads.
57 reviews6 followers
January 27, 2025
4 ⭐ 0 🌶️

Evie and her brother Finn were adopted seperatly by their father and although they lived together growing up they both had entirely different experiences with their father Arty. Now as adults they persue entirely different careers that are actually a lot more similar than they both realise.
Evie is fresh out of her studies and straight into the FBI as a profiler, she's fantastic at what she does and can read almost anyone to perfection.
Finn is a university lecturer on mythological creatures and stories, specifically how they relate to modern times and in his free time he hunts the entirety real and monsters he studies.

This book was great, it felt like a crime scene investigation show mixed with Supernatural. Shayla manages to keep you on your toes the whole time wondering what's going to happen and who did it. I felt fully immersed in the Shadow Kin world she created, it almost feels like it could be real.
The end of the book answered just enough questions to leave me feeling satisfied enough that I was happy but also really longing for the next book to answer all the other questions that came up.

The individual chapters are very long but you still just want to keep reading into the next one so keep an eye on the time if your reading before bed 😅
⚠️There are quite a few graphic crime scenes and some other bits and pieces in this book so check out the triggers before reading.
Profile Image for Mel (literaturelylost).
105 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2024
I need 12 more of them. Right now.

Ahhh this is like my perfect combination of storylines (throw a bit of romance in there too and we have a new favourite series... I'm sure it's coming)

I absolutely loved the storyline between Finn and Evie... When we first meet them they're on rocky territory because of arguments they had when making the decision to put their adoptive father in a retirement home.

Evie is a FBI criminal profiler, while Finn is a lecturer at a University and works in mythology.

Finn witnessed his whole family massacred by monsters when he was young, and Evie survived a fire but not without scars.

They both have a back story and very different lives, but when they're bought together on a case... Amazing things happen!!

I can't wait to see what happens in this series. There are a Million unanswered theories and questions and I need to know all the answers right now. Way to go Shayla for leaving us hanging 🤣🤣

I'm already itching for the next book in the series. If you like Supernatural and Criminal minds crossover you will LOVE THIS!!
Profile Image for Book My Imagination.
278 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this read. It brought back memories of watching Supernatural (that whole family dynamic), as well as X Files.

There are monsters of multiple kinds, but these two see them very differently, and it makes for a very good read.
I did not pick up on the twist at the end, which is great, as it means that the author didn't give it away too early.
Evie's work partner is also a good character, and I hope he gets expanded on in the next book.

Thank you to @shaylawritesmagic for sending an e-arc of this to me.
It is available now, and there is also a special edition that she has on kickstarter.
So, if you like your reads with monsters, good characters, and a fab storyline written by a Kiwi born Brisbanite, then get onto this book!
3 reviews
January 6, 2025
I'm often somewhat disappointed by Kickstarter books but wow, this one was amazing ! I loved everything : the characters, the mysteries, the writing,... Once I started reading I could not stop ! I'll be waiting excitedly for book two !

(I'm still sad about the no werewolf rule though XD)
66 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2025
Received this book as an advanced reader copy.

The writing style and concept was refreshing, i really enjoyed this book.

It is more targeted to an adult audience, the way the story is told it seems like the narrator is older too.

It was really enjoyable, and struggled to put it down. I hope you enjoy it too.
Profile Image for Annalise Azevedo.
Author 2 books6 followers
April 11, 2025
As a sucker of the monster hunting stories, I found myself drawn to the story itself. The sibing dynamic reminded me of Supernatural (Sam and Dean) and the Vampire Diaries (Stefan and Damon). There's a bit of mystery that will leave you guessing what is causing the deaths, following certain fairy tales and mythology.

While there are some questions that I do have and feel that will be answered in future installments, the heart that Shayla has put into her work is clear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jess.
213 reviews7 followers
September 2, 2024
This is a super fun series-starter for anyone who likes Grimm, Supernatural, and The X-Files. Morgansen knows her genres and works them masterfully here in this fun spin on supernatural crime-solving. As the first book in a new series, she sets the foundations of the lore, with a solid monster-of-the-week vibe that will spin out well over a series. Looking forward to more adventures with Evie, Finn, and the world of the Shadow Kin!
Profile Image for Angie.
167 reviews19 followers
January 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Very original idea and the characters were well written. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
55 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2025
Great first in series. Well designed story telling.
Can't wait to see where it goes.
Profile Image for Evie Pavone.
271 reviews4 followers
March 30, 2025
Totally loved and enjoyed this book.
Two of my favourite things fbi crime and mythical fantasy creatures.
Great writing. Great story. Great characters.
Recommend.
Profile Image for beautiful A Reads.
393 reviews14 followers
February 13, 2025
Pretty good book I liked the sibling relationship and the plot line , like it’s filled with mystery creatures. Looking forward to the rest of the series
Profile Image for Sara Ray.
184 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2025
No time to take a breath with this book, you will hit the ground running. The writing is great. The characters are loveable and I can’t wait to see what they do next. I can even see this book series turned into a tv series
Profile Image for Aussieindiereads.
112 reviews11 followers
October 15, 2024
"I can hear her inhuman heart shuddering as she tries to get free. Her hormones explode, too, true fear intermingling with the rotten, leafy stink, and her glamour begins to slip."

Ever wonder what happens if Grimm and Criminal Minds were mashed together? Well, this book has you covered!

You have gore, murder, secrets, supernatural beings, FBI, and a mystery that you need solved, but you're left hanging....

I have so many questions, and I can't wait for book 2 to find out if they are answered.
Profile Image for Awesome_Ames.
141 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2025
I picked this book up at Forever Fables on the Sunshine Coast - totally enamoured with the sprayed edges and foiling on the cover. To say the blurb sold me on buying this book is no lie - X-Files meets Supernatural….I’m there!

This book is so well written. With myths and legends cleverly woven into a modern day story about found family and the hero’s quest. I loved that the love here is found family and not romance (as everything seems to be these days). The trauma that both MC’s have is handled delicately and sensitively so that the reader can experience what they go through to move the story along, without being traumatised.

The characters pull you in straight away (except for Arty - why so angry at Evie!?!?), with the plot twisting and turning leaving me with so many questions! What is Evie? Will Finn find his extended family? What about the tattoo?? (Nice touch with it on the spredge btw) I am left satisfied by the ending, but, BUT, I want the next book already. Please.

Highly recommend if you enjoy supernatural mystery.
Profile Image for Lekha Narayana.
32 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2025
supernatural meets criminal minds meets veronica mars, picked this book up as a "blind date with a book" and honestly so glad I did, the banter was top notch and I just loved the sibling dynamic and all the sarcasm and dry humor, can't wait till the next one comes out!!

"I exhale slowly and let the relief flood my veins like a sedative. Not dead. That's my ideal state for my favorite person."

"I appreciate most things about her, the anchor of rational normality a thte center of my chaotic life."

"...history lies more than anyone else you know...."

"People love to believe themselves fundamentally good, in an indulgent attempt to distance themselves from the otherness of those 'monsters' who'd commit unthinkable acts of rage and hate against other humans, but as I'm sure I've told you, we all have our tipping point, beyond which we're capable of all manner of atrocity. For most of us that tolerance level is thankfully very high but you're kidding yourself if you don't believe that nearly every perfectly stable and sane person has had thoughts about killing someone. Those thoughts are normal. Acting on them is not."
Profile Image for Mikeala Patterson.
3 reviews
May 13, 2025
I am adding to my previous review below as I have just finished reading Shaylas incredible book, Mythos Unbound.
Just a thrilling read! I am excited for the sequel. I hope their will be a Netflix Series or a Movie adaption! Well done Shayla, loved this book! Proud of you!

I am loving reading Mythos Bound. I love Shaylas writing style, the introduction/ beginning is very exciting. I just read the part where Evie had her interview for the job she had wanted and had worked hard to prepare for, sounds like her destiny with tales of the past and present already combining and adding to the intrigue and excitement. A hard book to put down for sure. A beautiful book visually, I love the paper chosen for the inside pages, a lovely feel. I am intrigued about the ‘Monsters’. The beginning already has me thinking. Highly recommend this book and author. I can see a movie ir series adaption of this book. It is so engaging. I have a Digital Copy as well which adds to the Marketing of this Brilliant Novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shelby Matheson.
Author 3 books7 followers
January 15, 2025
*This copy was sent to me as a free review copy*

I can without a doubt say that this is Shayla Morgansen's best book yet. It's dark, gritty and feels grounded in realism whilst at the same time flavoured by supernatural surprises. Her writing style is descriptive and immersive. The plot structure is logical, perfectly paced and easy to follow. It keeps you guessing the whole way through and does not disappoint at the end.

My favourite part were the characters, or rather how real they felt. Evie - my personal favourite - is stoic and hardened. She reveals nothing on the outside but there's so much going on in her head. She might be a badass but she's also a woman with a traumatic past, high ambitions and a lot of love for her found family. Her brother Finn is the more emotional of the two and just as protective. It's almost funny how hard they try to protect each other from the dangers of the world, having no idea just how deeply entrenched in it they both are. Even Arty, their adoptive-father, grew on me in time and I loved what he added to the narrative.

Lastly, the plot twists. This book just kept me guessing, second-guessing, and inevitably, gasping. The ending managed to perfectly match and subvert my expectations at the same time. I still have so many questions about Evie and Finn, about the monsters they're chasing and what comes next. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel and when the physical book releases on Feb 1, I can't wait to get a copy for my bookshelf.

Congratulations Shayla on writing such a compelling and suspenseful narrative. You have achieved something truly wonderful :)
Profile Image for bookishpadawan.
405 reviews11 followers
January 27, 2025
▸Urban fantasy
▸Sibling leads
▸Serial killers
▸Monster hunting
▸The x-files, supernatural, grimm, dexter, and hannibal vibes
▸Multiple mythologies
▸Skeptic/believer
▸Dual POV

I really enjoyed reading this book! it was suspenseful, good plot and character interactions, and the story was well written. the chapters alternate between the sibling POVs and it was so good to be able to see Finn or Evie's experience, how it differed and how they really brought something different, I just think the inner monologue is a bit much, but since the earliest chapters we've been presented with a crime scene and monster stalking it grows into a fast paced thriller that really draws you in. what a great paranormal mystery story, recommended!🔥

Finn Bryant lectures in mythology by day and as a supernatural hunter by night, Evie Bryant is a new serial killers' profiler for the FBI. when it's been almost a year they barely talk to each other, a series of brutal murders with a mythological overtone brings them into a collaboration and find themselves hunting the same killer. Evie will do anything to distance her brother from her work to keep him safe, but so will he. If you're a fan of Supernatural, the X-files, and Criminal Minds, this book is for you!✨

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. huge thanks to the author for giving me an advanced copy of this book! ♥️♥️
Author 1 book5 followers
September 10, 2024
A supernatural investigation that blends Penny Dreadful and The X-Files with untapped mythological monsters to top it off. Mythos Unbound gives readers a refreshing sibling duo who, despite being polar opposites, are a force to be reckoned with individually and together. The line between monster and man is blurred when it comes to the murders appearing in this urban fantasy as Evie and Finn each have their theories. Finn thinks he’s hunting a real claw and fang monster, while Evie knows the worst monsters in her life are all human-shaped. The fun part is discovering which one is right! Inspired, fresh, and full of intrigue, I can’t get enough of Shayla Morgansen’s Mythos Unbound.

I didn't realise how badly I needed to read this! Shayla's writing style and the unfolding of the plot reminded me so much of supernatural crime shows like Penny Dreadful and The X-Files with the same level of intrigue and maturity, but is still fresh and surprising. The brother-sister dynamic between Finn and Evie, and their father too, is so compelling and I'm fascinated to see how long they can keep their secrets from each other.
I'm very excited to see where Shayla takes this series and you can bet I'll be first in line to find out!
Profile Image for Nicole Bazley.
Author 4 books12 followers
June 29, 2025
If Supernatural and Criminal Minds had a love child. It would be this book.

I absolutely loved this read. Evie and Finn are adopted siblings, both growing up with extreme circumstances. The direction of Finns life has been steered by the fact that he witnessed his entire family being slaughtered by supernatural monsters as a child. Rescued by Arty he was adopted and taught to hunt the very monsters that killed his family. Even going so far as to study and lecture mythology as his day job.

Evie begrudgingly rescued from a fire as a child and adopted by Arty. Grew up to become a FBI agent in violet crimes. Hunting monsters of an entirely different calibre.

Evie calls Finn in to help on a case that has them stumped and it become clear to Finn that the monsters are more his kind that Evies.

This story had such great plot twists, excellent character Arc and great writing. I was absolutely hooked. It left snippets of an underlying plot that will cover over the three books and I am dying for answers.

This book is a fantastic read if you like supernatural stories, great writing and characters you fall in love with.
6 reviews
January 6, 2025
The first book in a new series and it is off to a great start.

I was reminded a lot of X-Files with the two main characters sharing a Mulder and Skully dynamic (one of them even is a criminal profiler with the FBI), except with both characters pushed a little further in their respective directions on the skeptic/believer spectrum.

Yet the dichotomy of their personalities is contrasted by the parallels of their points of view as the narrative switches back and forth between the two character's perspectives.

The story is a thrilling adventure as the sibling begrudgingly work together to unravel a mystery. Both with different ideas of what they think they are hunting and wanting to keep the other out of it.

But the more they investigate, the more mysteries pile up.

A fantastically entertaining read and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds throughout the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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