Unbound by Shadows: A Paranormal Fantasy Romance

by Avalon Griffin, Aileen Bishop (Narrator)

Transported to another world, tempted by a dangerous passion. Selene has never been one to make a fuss. She doesn’t mind it when the barista gets her order wrong, someone cuts her off in traffic, or she has to drop everything to mediate her family’s latest crisis. But when she goes through a portal to the matriarchal dimension of Aurelia, she discovers that being nice doesn’t always pay. Especially when she meets a demon whose smoldering gaze makes her wonder why she ever craved a life so ordinary.

Samael is a vengeance demon with a drive to punish wrongs. Kidnapped from the Underworld and brought to Aurelia as a boy, his demonic tendencies make him an outcast in a realm he can’t escape. When he becomes Selene’s guardian on a quest for a stone that could send her home, he plots to sacrifice her and steal it for himself. But as they travel together, their attraction grows. Until one day, they each must choose between finding escape and surrendering to temptation.

Unbound by Shadows can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, though it also serves as the first in a series that blends paranormal romance and fantasy in a setting rooted in urban mythology. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Ruby Dixon, and Kresley Cole.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy

Audiobook

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

Avalon Griffin is an indie author who writes fantasy romance with unique characters, far-away settings, and a healthy dose of heat. She is the author of the novel Unbound by Shadows, and the short story, The Vampire's Library, which was published in Once Upon a Book Club's 2024 Book-Club-Mas anthology. When not writing, she can be found traveling the globe in search of kitschy roadside attractions, off-beat museums, and cryptozoology legends. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and a crew of formerly feral cats.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really pay attention to the blurb for the book, so I really didn't know what to expect with this one. It ended up being a cute, low-stakes, cozy-ish romantasy.

The general jist is as follows: Selene, a chronic people-pleasing doormat, finds herself having her own "Alice in Wonderland" moment when she accidentally stumbles into a portal to another dimension, while on vacation in a tiny Tennessee town. She ends up in Aurelia--a place full of magic, vampires, demons, and half-animal looking creatures that turn out to be the inspiration for a lot of human legends about cryptids. Looking for a way back home, Selene meets Samael, a grumpy vengeance demon prince of the underworld with Tamlin-esque toxic traits (but who eventually gets his redemption arc) who was kidnapped and brought to Aurelia as a child, and they agree to join forces and go on a quest to retrieve a stone amulet that will enable both of them to return home to their respective realms. Adventure, love, personal growth, and a bunch of other stuff ensues.

Fans of the he-falls-first, slow-burn (but could've been better executed, imo), and fated mates tropes will probably like this. Also, if you like demons with horns lol. Fair warning that this book also has a decent amount of spice present, which was unexpected, considering how "cozy" this book is. It's no more than what you would come across in your average romantasy book, and is probably even a little tame in comparison, but I thought I would call attention to it, for those of you who are reading reviews to see which books to recommend to their kids, or their mom or grandma, since "cozy" books are usually the reliably squeaky clean ones.

I see on the author's Goodreads page that there will be another book in this series, but this story does not end on a cliffhanger or anything, so it can be read as a standalone, and would work well as a palate cleanser too.

[thatbeccagirl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story blends rich fantasy with a slow-burn romance that kept me fully invested. Selene starts off as someone who avoids conflict, always putting others first. But when she’s pulled into a magical, matriarchal dimension, she’s forced to face danger, power struggles, and her own inner strength.

Then there’s Samael, a vengeance demon with horns, shadows, and a complicated past. He’s intense, guarded, and surprisingly vulnerable. Their dynamic is full of tension and growth, and watching their bond develop felt genuinely rewarding.

The world-building is immersive, filled with mythological touches and unexpected creatures like harpies, a wampus cat, and even Bigfoot. It all felt fresh without being overwhelming.

Aileen Bishop’s narration was excellent. Each character had a distinct voice, and her emotional delivery pulled me deeper into the story. I would absolutely listen to her narrate again.

If you enjoy portal fantasy, strong character development, and romance, this is one to check out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook:

Once upon a time Selene Riley stumbled into a magical gate and went through to another dimension.

This book starts as an Alice in wonderland but soon it’s obvious that it’s one for adults. 😉

The other dimension is full of creatures, some more dangerous than the others.

Samael, a demon, is also trapped in the same dimension as Selene. When they first met, it’s obvious that there is a pull towards each other, something electric, something they can’t explain …

Together they are sent on a quest with the promise to bring them home. But the Queen and Sam also have a hidden agenda…

While the bond between Selene and Sam is growing, Sam is more and more conflicted by the truth he is hiding from her. How will she react when she figures out the truth?

While listening I could easily imagine myself looking through Selenes eyes, feel her fear, her conflicted mind and experience the adventure on a first row. The author has a great way of bringing a fantasy world alive through words!

I’ll look out for more books from Avalon Griffin!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zoey Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Sam and Selene were so perfect and I absolutely adored their story. Aurelia as I imagined it is such a beautiful place, and I could picture myself there the way the author describes it. I really enjoyed Selene’s character progression throughout the book. She was such a pushover in the beginning, and I really enjoyed seeing her progression throughout to become more like her true self! Sam was such an interesting character, and he had me laughing sometimes at how he didn’t understand certain human things😂 that was the type of miscommunication that I don’t mind simply because it was so silly at times. Sam and Selene’s journey through throughout this book had me at the edge of my seat because I truly needed to know what was going to happen to them!! All the different creatures and mythical beings really put me in the world and I loved every minute!

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I’m so excited for the next book to see where their journey goes from here!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5

I received a copy of the audio for my honest opinion.

I read this book back on Feb.13.23 and just loved the book so much. When I saw that Avalon Griffin was releasing an audio of the book and asking if any readers would love to review it, of course I jumped in line right away and OMG!!!! OMG, I loved it so much. It brought up all the memories of me reading this book for the first time, the narrator Aileen Bishop did such an amazing job bringing Selene and Samael to life in this book. If you don’t want to read it with your eyeballs just know that you can always listen to the audio now. Now for my full review of the book.

What would you do if you fell through a portal and ended up in a matriarchal dimension? This dimension has deadly creatures that want to attack you because of your human blood and others just to kill you, but don’t worry there are some really nice creatures there too. Plus come on a sexy demon male who you find out later might be your mate and on top of him being sexy as hell, he reads smut romances… definitely, sign me up for that portal please.

I love a good fantasy, and this is one of them. I didn’t want to put the book down at all, I loved world-building so much, Avalon Griffin knows how to write a fantasy book that will just draw you in with everything. I loved that even though Aurelia sounded scary due to the creatures there, but the place as a whole was so beautiful at the same time.

The characters in the book were well developed and their growth between the 2 main characters was done beautifully. Heck, at least 1 side character as well, had some growth as well. I loved the journey of Selene and Samael. I laughed, I shed a tear, I was so enthralled with their story that I even had a bursting with happiness when they finally stopped their slow-burn romance. WOW, their sexual tension with those characters was intense and had me saying a few times OMG, just get it on already lol. Sam and Selene are what real couples hope to have and to achieve in their relationships now.

I would go on a little more, but I really don’t want to miss up and give something away. All I can say is I will for sure be picking up the next book in this series. The next book is about different characters, but I cannot wait to dive back into that world.

If you love paranormal-romance Fantasy filled with action, suspense, some violence, passion, amazing characters, great plot and some spicy moments, you should pick this book up and read it.

I want to thank Avalon Griffin for the opportunity to review this book

[Meagen Barth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — “Utterly spellbinding from the first whispered word to the last resonant note.”

The Story
Unbound by Shadows sweeps you through a shimmering portal into Aurelia—a matriarchal realm where vengeance demons stalk the night and kindness can get you killed. Selene’s unassuming “people-pleaser” heart meets its perfect foil in Samael’s razor-edged hunger for justice, and the slow-burn tension that ignites between them is nothing short of electric. Their road-trip-quest for the fabled portal stone hits every one of my favorite tropes—forced proximity, fated mates, and the ever-delicious touch-her-and-die promise—while still feeling fresh, clever, and emotionally honest.

World-Building & Pacing
Avalon Griffin crafts Aurelia with cinematic clarity: moon-lit markets, forbidding forests, and gilded demon temples shimmer with just enough detail to feel real without bogging down the momentum. The plot clips along at a satisfying pace—action, banter, swoon, repeat—yet still finds room for tender, character-driven beats that make the romance feel earned rather than insta-fated.

Character Chemistry
Selene’s quiet resilience pairs beautifully with Samael’s broody protectiveness. Watching them challenge, tease, and ultimately trust each other turned me into a gleeful mess of sighs and squeals. Their dynamic also models genuinely healthy partnership: communication, accountability, and mutual respect lace every steamy scene (and yes, there are plenty).

Audio Performance
Narrator Aileen Bishop is, quite simply, a revelation. She glides from Selene’s gentle warmth to Samael’s gravel-rich growl with effortless precision, peppering in side-character voices that never once pulled me out of the story. Her pacing lets the humor sparkle, the tension smolder, and the high-stakes battles thunder. Production quality is crisp—no pops, hisses, or uneven levels—making it the sort of audiobook you’ll binge straight through and then reload for a second listen.

Final Verdict
If you love Sarah J. Maas’s epic stakes, Ruby Dixon’s other-world charm, and Kresley Cole’s scorching chemistry, Unbound by Shadows belongs at the very top of your TBR (and TBL!). Griffin delivers a richly imagined world, whip-smart dialogue, and a romance that leaves your heart racing long after the credits roll. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2—and replaying Bishop’s performance in the meantime.

Advanced Listening Copy kindly provided by the publisher; opinions are, as always, delightfully my own.

[Missgotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selene is transported into a strange new world by accident....or so she thinks.  She is the type of person to always put other people first, so when she is separated from her loved ones, all she can think about is how they 'won't' cope without her.  Before she has time to dwell on this, she is found wandering the lands and is taken directly to the Queen.  Selene feels relieved and so grateful when the Queen arranges for her to go on a mission to get her back home.  However it involved being transported by her demon guardian Samael.  Selene is initially fascinated by Samael because he acts as dangerous and daunting as he looks, all big horns, bulging muscles and brute force.  There's something about him that makes Selene want to get closure to him despite his tortured soul.  But little does she know Samael maybe leading her into a trap on false pretences.

Great world building with a mix of human, cryptids and other mythological creatures, but not written in a tongue in cheek way.  It has a loose fated mates theme which does not monopolise the entire story.  The author especially creates an unusual character in Samael in terms of his past s3xual history which you don't often find in books of this genre.  As for Selene, although she is a bit of a doormat who doesn't stand up for herself, she independently finds reason to grow in strength and confidence throughout her journey.  I was certainly routing for her to recognise her own worth.   Also there's some good steam going on in this book, but the author could have ramped it up a bit more.  

It was a good read, the narrator did a good job, I definitely recommend it and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I was given this book for free of my own choosing and I voluntarily left this review.

[Rachel Dangora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read a fantasy book in a while and this one was so lovely! At times I felt like it was fast moving, but the plot didn’t leave much room for world building. I LOVED that the folk lore characters from our world existed in another dimension. I also enjoyed that this took place in modern times so it felt more relatable.

My favorite part of this book was anytime they were traveling together, but especially their time spent in Snow Melt. There is some spice.

If you’re looking for a quick fantasy book to get you out of a reading slump or get you back into fantasy books after a long break, I highly recommend this book!

[Yadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is a perfect romantasy for whoever is new to this genre and want to give it a try. The book has a perfect combination of fantasy, plot and romance. Aside from romantasy this book can also be classified as somewhat a monster romance.

Even though the romance at first started more like lust I was happy of how it was developed. Sam is the cutest what I love the most was that he was a virgin. Seen this was so refreshing usually the girls in the stories are the virgin ones. I think Selena and him complemented each other perfectly he was just what she needed.

I love the part at the end when they got separated by different dimensions it made their yearning more potent. And of course I loved the very anticipated reunion.

The reason I don’t give this book five stars is because I would have like to know more about this world there is not much world development and there were many plot holes that were not addressed. But overall it was an enjoyable story.

The narrator did amazing job I love her voice characterizations she had good dynamic and made the story sound engaging and entertaining.

*Thanks to Blush Audiobooks for the gifted ALC.

[Raquel (Rocki) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing start to a series and a perfect slow burn. There were multiple times this had me laughing out loud with what was said. Selene gets thrown into other world and is expected to come to grips with it quickly and she does marvelous. I like how long it takes her to come around to Sam and his demonic looks. I did listen to this on audio and it was done really well. Highly recommend it. I am excited to continue to the second book. I am hoping we get to see more of another world and finally meet Sam's family. I am intrigued to see what other worlds they travel to and what sort of troubles they get themselves into.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Serpina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had almost forgotten about this gorgeous series, when I saw the chance to review this audiobook. I loved the books and hearing those stories narrated by Aileen Bishop was a new way to explore them.
I love the angle of a regular modern world woman being sucked into a fantasy realm. There, she is sent to a mission with a demon to be able to return to Tenessee and after a lot of chemistry and pining, they get their HEA.
No cliffhanger (thank you <3) and some teasing for the second book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nayeli Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound by shadows by Avalon Griffin


Ugh! I love fantasy romance stories and this one didn’t disappoint. It fed me with all the juicy world building and romance. I loved both main characters. We got some spicy flaming moments and character development. Especially, from the female character. I definitely recommend this story. Aileen Bishop did an amazing job narrating this story.

[Brittany Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound by Shadows by Avalon Griffin is an excellent paranormal fantasy romance. Aileen Bishop did an amazing job with the narration. The story is entertaining, interesting, enjoyable, romantic, funny, and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Creado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the audiobook. the story and the world are amazing! sam and celine are definitely a perfect match! I do wish there was a duo narrating. Aileen did great with the different voices but a male voice would have been better for the male characters. otherwise it would be a 5 star for me.

[Doris Scales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved everything about this audiobook most definitely a magical adventure, and all the magical creature and the travel. I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.