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Phantom Touched #2
Shackled to the World
YOU CAN ONLY CHEAT DEATH SO MANY TIMES BEFORE IT LAYS CLAIM TO YOUR SOUL. Annora thought the worst that could happen was behind her…until it’s discovered that her blood carries the cure to death. Now people will go to any extreme to get their hands on her. Instead of escaping her past, she ends up dragging her guys into hell with her. When one of her men is taken, her world comes crashing down. Her psychic connection to him is the only thing keeping him alive—barely. To get him back, she must turn herself over to the enemy, knowing she would be facing a lifetime of slavery. Determined not to go down without a fight, Annora and her men train for the coming war, taking risks that could cost them everything. She must embrace her phantom heritage if she is to have any hope of keeping her mates safe. The only problem…other phantoms would rather kill her than allow the secrets of their magic to become exposed. A Phantom Touched Book 2 Meet the Annora, Camden, Xander, Mason, Logan and Edgar.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2020
1065 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Brutger
50 books1,295 followersStacey Brutger lives in a small town in Minnesota with her husband and an assortment of animals.
When she's not reading (from the towering stack of books she can't resist buying), she enjoys creating stories about exotic worlds and grand adventures...then shoving in her characters to see how they'd survive. She enjoys writing anything paranormal from contemporary to historical.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~
Where the fanged, furry and spell slingers fight the darkness inside their soul for a chance to claim the one they love.
When she's not reading (from the towering stack of books she can't resist buying), she enjoys creating stories about exotic worlds and grand adventures...then shoving in her characters to see how they'd survive. She enjoys writing anything paranormal from contemporary to historical.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~
Where the fanged, furry and spell slingers fight the darkness inside their soul for a chance to claim the one they love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
April 23, 2020
I had really high hopes for the second book of A Phantom Touched series. The first book had left me so intrigued that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Shackled to the World.
Let me start with the things I liked about this book. Annora’s character development improved during this book. She had to face a lot of difficult decisions that allowed her to grow stronger. Her relationships with her men deepened and she allowed herself to admit they were hers, claiming them. I felt that the last third of the book was the best part. I’m happy I stuck around to see the resolution.
Now... what I didn’t like.
The pacing was entirely too slow in the first two thirds of the book. I didn’t understand why everything was dialogued and described as high stakes, urgent action required when just the opposite was happening. I didn’t feel as if Annora or any of the men were frantically searching or stressed on finding Logan or dealing with the phantom issues.
The second big issue I had with Shackled to the World was the repetitiveness of inner/spoken dialogue. Annora must have described Edgar at least three times in literally the exact same way. Word for word. It doesn’t happen with just phrasing though. Themes kept being repeated as well. Each time a POV from the men would come around, it was all basically the exact same. There was no individuality in the fact they wanted to protect her and never let her be hurt again, or die trying. Lots of resisting her innocent temptation and wanting to do things right in their relationship. Blegh. There wasn’t much originality in the men’s dialogue and felt it lacking. It made each of the characters seem very one dimensional.....side track....Why did all the men even bother trying to make things just right and perfect for their first time together when all it took was her biting Xander’s shoulder to undue all that restraint and have the entire intimate scene end in less than a paragraph after he lost control of himself and “slammed into her hard and fast”???? Like??? They all made such a huge deal about it??? And this is what happened??...end side track lol...
Lastly, I felt Annora sometimes is too overpowered. I mean, in the second to last and last chapter of the book, Annora just jumped to these assumptions and somehow guessed everything correctly? And don’t even get me started about the whole “shes still growing into her power but she’s already this strong? Wow I shall gaze at her with envy and greed because I want to take what I don’t have.” Another very very very common theme throughout that was very very very overdone.
Overall, I felt that this series had promise. There was some chemistry that I enjoyed but the overall flow of the story was underwhelming. It definitely got more interesting towards the end when Logan finally came back into the picture and she met her father for the first time. Other than that, I almost put this on the DNF shelf and called it a day.
I don’t think I’ll be revisiting this series for a while, if ever.
Let me start with the things I liked about this book. Annora’s character development improved during this book. She had to face a lot of difficult decisions that allowed her to grow stronger. Her relationships with her men deepened and she allowed herself to admit they were hers, claiming them. I felt that the last third of the book was the best part. I’m happy I stuck around to see the resolution.
Now... what I didn’t like.
The pacing was entirely too slow in the first two thirds of the book. I didn’t understand why everything was dialogued and described as high stakes, urgent action required when just the opposite was happening. I didn’t feel as if Annora or any of the men were frantically searching or stressed on finding Logan or dealing with the phantom issues.
The second big issue I had with Shackled to the World was the repetitiveness of inner/spoken dialogue. Annora must have described Edgar at least three times in literally the exact same way. Word for word. It doesn’t happen with just phrasing though. Themes kept being repeated as well. Each time a POV from the men would come around, it was all basically the exact same. There was no individuality in the fact they wanted to protect her and never let her be hurt again, or die trying. Lots of resisting her innocent temptation and wanting to do things right in their relationship. Blegh. There wasn’t much originality in the men’s dialogue and felt it lacking. It made each of the characters seem very one dimensional.....side track....Why did all the men even bother trying to make things just right and perfect for their first time together when all it took was her biting Xander’s shoulder to undue all that restraint and have the entire intimate scene end in less than a paragraph after he lost control of himself and “slammed into her hard and fast”???? Like??? They all made such a huge deal about it??? And this is what happened??...end side track lol...
Lastly, I felt Annora sometimes is too overpowered. I mean, in the second to last and last chapter of the book, Annora just jumped to these assumptions and somehow guessed everything correctly? And don’t even get me started about the whole “shes still growing into her power but she’s already this strong? Wow I shall gaze at her with envy and greed because I want to take what I don’t have.” Another very very very common theme throughout that was very very very overdone.
Overall, I felt that this series had promise. There was some chemistry that I enjoyed but the overall flow of the story was underwhelming. It definitely got more interesting towards the end when Logan finally came back into the picture and she met her father for the first time. Other than that, I almost put this on the DNF shelf and called it a day.
I don’t think I’ll be revisiting this series for a while, if ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
Pages: 300
My rating: 3
Read other books by this author in the future: don’t know
This was a buddy read with the #cakeeater group!
After I discovered I read Tethered to the world and reread it, I decided to read the second book too. The first book ended with some action/fast paced and I hoped that this will continue in the next book. Here I was disappointed, because we went back to a slow pace up to 65% of the second book. There were several things that annoyed me:
The story is full of baby steps. Feels like chewing gum. The romance left me with the question what‘s going on here? It’s laid on ice and everybody think the other pulls back? Talk to each other about this instead of hurting quietly!
Over all it’s a story I don’t hated, and only liked part of it - an okay story. And it feels like she could have made it all end with book two, but after eliminating one threat the next comes along and voila book 3. And another one is lined up. And I don’t know if it will end at three or there will be more. 🤔
November 14, 2022
Perhaps this is a me problem but I could not get into this book. This time round the writing style didn’t bother, me it was the flow of the story that was hard to follow. I struggled with staying focused on the story and at times the # of characters seemed vast & overwhelming. Much training takes place for the heroine and she adds to her harem. Turns out her closest furry friend over the past years was actually another phantom in disguise. Which is great because she truly needs a better understanding of what she is and what she can do. The school, once a safe haven for her seems to be a thing of the past as they’re basically in hiding. I feel like even in the first book the school was hardly a blip in the story. Felt like parts of the story also included the dreaded telling not showing aspect and it brought back the English major in me. I dunno why I struggled here especially as the audio is pretty decent but it felt like an eternity making it to the end. May have to return to this series cause I’m not sure I have it in me to finish.
April 8, 2020
Where do I begin?
At first I couldn't put my finger on what didn't work for me in these two books but I managed to figure it out.
First, there doesn't seem to be much pacing, at all. More so in the second book. Time is a vague construct that is sometimes noted and other times totally skipped over. The heroine doesn't actually attend classes. She does, however, train early every morning. But often when she returns to where she's living it's lunchtime or dinner time. What happened to her day? I'd say classes but...
Second, Ms. Brutger enjoys going into great detail about the world of magic and the place our heroine escaped to when her mean, abusive uncle would torture her, the "after world". Not only cliche but it curiously resembles the upside down place from Stranger Things. But then the author becomes vague about details that are supposed to to help anchor her in her new normal. If Annora isn't familiar with the supernatural world where does she learn the skills to hold her own when faced with conflict.
Third, Annora is too perfect. She is a loner, then she's thrust into a university where the first time we read about her in a class is in the second book. If she's a fish out of water why does she rarely make a mistake in this supernatural culture she was aware of but didn't know much about.
Fourth, the book is as somber as her after world. There are the good guys, Annora and her men. Then there's the bad guys, everyone else. The narrative doesn't seem balanced to me. She and her men are "broken". Then the bad guys become good guys because they got broken and Annora saves them. The only light comes from LouLou, rabbit shifter whose setting is fast hopping. She is such a contrast to every single other character, including her boyfriend, that she almost doesn't fit in. It's as if she was added in after the book was completed to add some levity.
Fifth, characters appear and disappear as they are needed in the conflict, but except for Annora and her men none of the rest flow through allowing us to form opinions and become a part of the story.
The books are simply a chronicle of a young woman's journey to finding...what? I don't know. I'm not saying that the author didn't create a universe for the story to be told. I'm saying there are no dramatic arcs to have me want to join in for the ride.
I thought they were going to wrap the story up in the second book but we are left with a cliffhanger we not only expect once we get 91% through, it doesn't compell me to want to read the next book. Sorry, I can't recommend this book series.
At first I couldn't put my finger on what didn't work for me in these two books but I managed to figure it out.
First, there doesn't seem to be much pacing, at all. More so in the second book. Time is a vague construct that is sometimes noted and other times totally skipped over. The heroine doesn't actually attend classes. She does, however, train early every morning. But often when she returns to where she's living it's lunchtime or dinner time. What happened to her day? I'd say classes but...
Second, Ms. Brutger enjoys going into great detail about the world of magic and the place our heroine escaped to when her mean, abusive uncle would torture her, the "after world". Not only cliche but it curiously resembles the upside down place from Stranger Things. But then the author becomes vague about details that are supposed to to help anchor her in her new normal. If Annora isn't familiar with the supernatural world where does she learn the skills to hold her own when faced with conflict.
Third, Annora is too perfect. She is a loner, then she's thrust into a university where the first time we read about her in a class is in the second book. If she's a fish out of water why does she rarely make a mistake in this supernatural culture she was aware of but didn't know much about.
Fourth, the book is as somber as her after world. There are the good guys, Annora and her men. Then there's the bad guys, everyone else. The narrative doesn't seem balanced to me. She and her men are "broken". Then the bad guys become good guys because they got broken and Annora saves them. The only light comes from LouLou, rabbit shifter whose setting is fast hopping. She is such a contrast to every single other character, including her boyfriend, that she almost doesn't fit in. It's as if she was added in after the book was completed to add some levity.
Fifth, characters appear and disappear as they are needed in the conflict, but except for Annora and her men none of the rest flow through allowing us to form opinions and become a part of the story.
The books are simply a chronicle of a young woman's journey to finding...what? I don't know. I'm not saying that the author didn't create a universe for the story to be told. I'm saying there are no dramatic arcs to have me want to join in for the ride.
I thought they were going to wrap the story up in the second book but we are left with a cliffhanger we not only expect once we get 91% through, it doesn't compell me to want to read the next book. Sorry, I can't recommend this book series.
Read
March 26, 2020DNF at 34%.... just lost interest. I will pick it up again later, when the mood strikes me.
March 29, 2020
40% of the way into the book and it feels like almost nothing has happened yet. I really liked book one, but this one is dragging. I find myself reading 3 pages, then picking up my phone and surfing the internet. I just can’t get through this. So, I’m throwing in the towel. DNF. Maybe I’ll come back to it some day.
July 4, 2023
Became a bit repetitive. Moreover, the second book has the same drawbacks as the first in terms of plot and character distinction.
The world offers so much if you think about political maneuvering, experiencing the various cultures of each race, untangling historical events and key players past and present. Add to that the university setting as a prime place of learning. It should be rich plot, yet the plot is becoming more of a string of disappointments where conflicts were relatively easily resolved. The FMC is more and more portrayed as super powerful who can solve conflicts in society by sheer force of will, which is utterly unbelievable.
Probably won't continue to read the next book.
The world offers so much if you think about political maneuvering, experiencing the various cultures of each race, untangling historical events and key players past and present. Add to that the university setting as a prime place of learning. It should be rich plot, yet the plot is becoming more of a string of disappointments where conflicts were relatively easily resolved. The FMC is more and more portrayed as super powerful who can solve conflicts in society by sheer force of will, which is utterly unbelievable.
Probably won't continue to read the next book.
May 15, 2020
Even better
Annora's fight is just beginning. Dealing with her uncle was step one in her fight to stay free. I love that they all will do whatever they have to in order to save each other. Logan's torture may not have lasted as long, but the trauma isn't likely to go away anytime soon. The closer they all get to each other the better the story gets.
Annora's fight is just beginning. Dealing with her uncle was step one in her fight to stay free. I love that they all will do whatever they have to in order to save each other. Logan's torture may not have lasted as long, but the trauma isn't likely to go away anytime soon. The closer they all get to each other the better the story gets.
May 25, 2020
Loved it
I cannot wait to find out what happens next to her and how she takes out a father and if she saves her people
I cannot wait to find out what happens next to her and how she takes out a father and if she saves her people
September 13, 2023
Dnf
I gave up on this book and series. The mfc is dumb and impulsive and everyone just enables her. Star a multi species war? Sure, because they haven't spent centuries trying to keep the peace. Gets mad at them for not saying something about their past and throws a tantrum at their 'lies' then she does the same and then sneaks around their back to things that they more about and would get her ded. She's been underground for 10 years and another 10 years on the run but somehow without training, she's now a great strategic planner. She does the thing that is not cool. She pushes away her mates for the sake of another. She's basically saying that one us more important than the rest? This was just a big nope.
I gave up on this book and series. The mfc is dumb and impulsive and everyone just enables her. Star a multi species war? Sure, because they haven't spent centuries trying to keep the peace. Gets mad at them for not saying something about their past and throws a tantrum at their 'lies' then she does the same and then sneaks around their back to things that they more about and would get her ded. She's been underground for 10 years and another 10 years on the run but somehow without training, she's now a great strategic planner. She does the thing that is not cool. She pushes away her mates for the sake of another. She's basically saying that one us more important than the rest? This was just a big nope.
April 3, 2020
Awesome!
Love Annora and her men! The story is fast paced and action packed. I love all the different powers and how they all come together.
Love Annora and her men! The story is fast paced and action packed. I love all the different powers and how they all come together.
November 24, 2021
My Thoughts
A lot goes on in this book and the overall tone is pretty sad due to Logan's status. We basically face every bad guy possible, piss some extra people off, and let's not forget all the emotional turmoil not even directly related to the confrontations.
About the Characters
Annora has a steel backbone and is bravely determined to protect her mates. Edgar is sweet and protective, but also very unsure of how to handle Annora outside of training or trying to protect her. Camden has led a sad, lonely life and it's endearing watching him care for Annora. Mason is an adorable giant and probably the sweetest of the bunch. Xander is a lot of things - sexy, stoic, teasing, protective - but he's also the one that can probably relate to Annora the most given his own childhood. Logan is so strong - he has to be to survive what he does - and he's not as broken as he thought himself.
Things I Liked
We meet (re-meet?) Prem who is a sweet gift from Edgar. He's handy and just plain adorable. Annora is a badass and other shifters have noticed. They show her support so she can make sure some people get what they deserve.
Thing I Didn't Like
I didn't love the witches situation and it honestly confuses me a bit. Other things were a tad confusing as well regarding how something works or the significance of one thing or another. Perhaps the thing that bothered me the most was that Annora wasn't a virgin. Don't get me wrong, I don't care, but if nothing else, the psychology doesn't ring true to me. She was a captive, then on the run, but she had the courage and took the time to go lose her V card? She did honestly sound like everything of an intimate nature was new to her so maybe I misinterpreted something, but again - confusing.
More Thoughts
We meet a couple new someones and get to know someone else a little better. While I love Annora's new bestie (and her new potential friend), I don't know how I feel about Sadie, the new phantom in Annora's life. I'm also not quite sure what to make of the ending, but there should certainly be some fireworks in the next book.
Does it stand alone?
No as it picks up where the last one left off.
Bottom Line
This was an exciting sequel that brings some much needed closure on one chapter of Annora's life, but also begins a new one with new dangers. I look forward to exploring new cultures and encountering the phantom population.
A lot goes on in this book and the overall tone is pretty sad due to Logan's status. We basically face every bad guy possible, piss some extra people off, and let's not forget all the emotional turmoil not even directly related to the confrontations.
About the Characters
Annora has a steel backbone and is bravely determined to protect her mates. Edgar is sweet and protective, but also very unsure of how to handle Annora outside of training or trying to protect her. Camden has led a sad, lonely life and it's endearing watching him care for Annora. Mason is an adorable giant and probably the sweetest of the bunch. Xander is a lot of things - sexy, stoic, teasing, protective - but he's also the one that can probably relate to Annora the most given his own childhood. Logan is so strong - he has to be to survive what he does - and he's not as broken as he thought himself.
Things I Liked
We meet (re-meet?) Prem who is a sweet gift from Edgar. He's handy and just plain adorable. Annora is a badass and other shifters have noticed. They show her support so she can make sure some people get what they deserve.
Thing I Didn't Like
I didn't love the witches situation and it honestly confuses me a bit. Other things were a tad confusing as well regarding how something works or the significance of one thing or another. Perhaps the thing that bothered me the most was that Annora wasn't a virgin. Don't get me wrong, I don't care, but if nothing else, the psychology doesn't ring true to me. She was a captive, then on the run, but she had the courage and took the time to go lose her V card? She did honestly sound like everything of an intimate nature was new to her so maybe I misinterpreted something, but again - confusing.
More Thoughts
We meet a couple new someones and get to know someone else a little better. While I love Annora's new bestie (and her new potential friend), I don't know how I feel about Sadie, the new phantom in Annora's life. I'm also not quite sure what to make of the ending, but there should certainly be some fireworks in the next book.
Does it stand alone?
No as it picks up where the last one left off.
Bottom Line
This was an exciting sequel that brings some much needed closure on one chapter of Annora's life, but also begins a new one with new dangers. I look forward to exploring new cultures and encountering the phantom population.
April 16, 2021
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Overall: 3.5-stars
Wow, I cannot believe I rated Shackled to the World 5-stars when I first read it last year. Upon re-reading the book, I found it had the same problems as the first book in the series: the plot was inconsistently paced and seemed to be pushed forward by the Heroine's mistakes. And, of course, her mistakes were actually part of a cLeVeR pLaN of hers... yet, from what I understand, all she's doing is making enemies that she'll have to deal with eventually (and in this book she coercively gets them to be her tentative allies which makes no sense).
I did like how the Heroine is finally growing into her powers. Although, I found it funny (more like frustrating) how in the first book all the Heroine's Heroes were like, you need to embrace your powers, it's the only way to control them. And, in this book, everyone wants to limit her use of and exposure to her powers. Like, what?
I think the reason I found Shackled to the World not as great a read is that there doesn't seem to be any purpose or goal driving the main characters forward. Things keep happening to them. Yet, in her efforts to fight these injustices, the Heroine keeps going on about how she doesn't want a position of leadership. I think it would've been so cool if the Heroine had decided to take up the mantle of Alpha, and actually worked towards building bridges with the other supernatural factions (wolves, other shapeshifters, and witches), especially given all the bad blood.
I'm excited to read the last book though! I cannot believe I didn't know it had released.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
[9 March 2020]
Overall: 5-stars
Overall: 3.5-stars
Wow, I cannot believe I rated Shackled to the World 5-stars when I first read it last year. Upon re-reading the book, I found it had the same problems as the first book in the series: the plot was inconsistently paced and seemed to be pushed forward by the Heroine's mistakes. And, of course, her mistakes were actually part of a cLeVeR pLaN of hers... yet, from what I understand, all she's doing is making enemies that she'll have to deal with eventually (and in this book she coercively gets them to be her tentative allies which makes no sense).
I did like how the Heroine is finally growing into her powers. Although, I found it funny (more like frustrating) how in the first book all the Heroine's Heroes were like, you need to embrace your powers, it's the only way to control them. And, in this book, everyone wants to limit her use of and exposure to her powers. Like, what?
I think the reason I found Shackled to the World not as great a read is that there doesn't seem to be any purpose or goal driving the main characters forward. Things keep happening to them. Yet, in her efforts to fight these injustices, the Heroine keeps going on about how she doesn't want a position of leadership. I think it would've been so cool if the Heroine had decided to take up the mantle of Alpha, and actually worked towards building bridges with the other supernatural factions (wolves, other shapeshifters, and witches), especially given all the bad blood.
I'm excited to read the last book though! I cannot believe I didn't know it had released.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
[9 March 2020]
Overall: 5-stars
April 11, 2020
So this book kind of irritated me. It dragged on and on. There was no sense of urgency despite the talks about how important it was to rescue Logan.
The book was repetitive when it came to the relationships. I would normally be all over that but I felt like the author had to dig herself out of the repetitive hole and put a sex scene in. She bites him on the shoulder and after all this time that's what causes him to lose his restraint. We get 3 sentences at best and it's over. Woooo... so disappointed.
The ferret. Why? I was tired of the ferret the last book and now we get to keep him. To add to some levity to the series? It was an eyeroll at best.
Edgar...I'm on the fence about him. I dont like how the mc flip flops and just almost uses him.
Sadie. Created to add some drama to the Edgar situation. It was kind of lame how she goes from wanting to kill the mc to wanting to fight and risk her life for her.
The MC herself didn't fit with how she was described. Especially in this book. She was initially written as the awkward loner who knew little but you never get that feeling in this book. In fact, she comes to conclusions and knows all the answers easily and suddenly at the end of this book. She is stupidly stupidly overpowered to where it's just boring. Everyone hates her because they are greedy and envious...gag. all this does is leave me not caring about fight scenes or anything in general because she will always overcome it.
And now the next bit. Characters are introduced and forgotten about until they serve a later purpose in the plot. Its irritating because I forget who they are supposed to be. The exception to this is Loulou and Lionel who I'm guessing are existing to be the mc's friends outside the guys. They exhibit all the traditional cliche qualities of said friend and her boyfriend.
All in all...I expected better. Much better. It was kind of a disappointment.
The book was repetitive when it came to the relationships. I would normally be all over that but I felt like the author had to dig herself out of the repetitive hole and put a sex scene in. She bites him on the shoulder and after all this time that's what causes him to lose his restraint. We get 3 sentences at best and it's over. Woooo... so disappointed.
The ferret. Why? I was tired of the ferret the last book and now we get to keep him. To add to some levity to the series? It was an eyeroll at best.
Edgar...I'm on the fence about him. I dont like how the mc flip flops and just almost uses him.
Sadie. Created to add some drama to the Edgar situation. It was kind of lame how she goes from wanting to kill the mc to wanting to fight and risk her life for her.
The MC herself didn't fit with how she was described. Especially in this book. She was initially written as the awkward loner who knew little but you never get that feeling in this book. In fact, she comes to conclusions and knows all the answers easily and suddenly at the end of this book. She is stupidly stupidly overpowered to where it's just boring. Everyone hates her because they are greedy and envious...gag. all this does is leave me not caring about fight scenes or anything in general because she will always overcome it.
And now the next bit. Characters are introduced and forgotten about until they serve a later purpose in the plot. Its irritating because I forget who they are supposed to be. The exception to this is Loulou and Lionel who I'm guessing are existing to be the mc's friends outside the guys. They exhibit all the traditional cliche qualities of said friend and her boyfriend.
All in all...I expected better. Much better. It was kind of a disappointment.
August 8, 2022
Well, hmmmm. Overall, I'm disappointed.
Shackled to the world wasn't quite the reverse of the couture gown to walmart t-shirt that was the last book. Maybe the range is from a cute sundress to walmart t-shirt--although it's possible I have less patience on the second book.
General plot: saving Logan and foreshadowing the next enemy .
I was pleased to spend more time with each of the guys in the book, so that was definitely a plus. However, Annora has only consummated one relationship . Oh, and she totally .
This book was majorly rushed. It has the potential to be really good, but almost everything happened at light speed. At least it was less confusing than the first book, since the reader is no longer having to sort between deliberate-author-mysteries and assumptions that you're following along.
Also, the editing quality decreased between the books. Somehow, the plot was rushed even though some sentences were wordy or repetitive (am I the only one with the pet-peeve of hating the same word repeated multiple times within one or two sentences? I can also just be considered a picky bitch).
Ultimately, I'm going to leave off here in the series. The hook for the next book didn't really grab me, and I'd rather spend my audible credit on something I'm going to love. However, I'll try another Brutger series sometime in the future.
Audiobook notes: Natalie Eaton got into the swing of the character and had more vocal variation. Unfortunately, her male voices did not improve. I'm not a huge fan, but her name on an audiobook isn't necessarily a turn off.
Trigger warnings: pain, torture, broken bones, blood, fighting, death
Shackled to the world wasn't quite the reverse of the couture gown to walmart t-shirt that was the last book. Maybe the range is from a cute sundress to walmart t-shirt--although it's possible I have less patience on the second book.
General plot: saving Logan and foreshadowing the next enemy .
I was pleased to spend more time with each of the guys in the book, so that was definitely a plus. However, Annora has only consummated one relationship . Oh, and she totally .
This book was majorly rushed. It has the potential to be really good, but almost everything happened at light speed. At least it was less confusing than the first book, since the reader is no longer having to sort between deliberate-author-mysteries and assumptions that you're following along.
Also, the editing quality decreased between the books. Somehow, the plot was rushed even though some sentences were wordy or repetitive (am I the only one with the pet-peeve of hating the same word repeated multiple times within one or two sentences? I can also just be considered a picky bitch).
Ultimately, I'm going to leave off here in the series. The hook for the next book didn't really grab me, and I'd rather spend my audible credit on something I'm going to love. However, I'll try another Brutger series sometime in the future.
Audiobook notes: Natalie Eaton got into the swing of the character and had more vocal variation. Unfortunately, her male voices did not improve. I'm not a huge fan, but her name on an audiobook isn't necessarily a turn off.
Trigger warnings: pain, torture, broken bones, blood, fighting, death
March 13, 2020
3,5 stars
i really enjoy this series so far
i really enjoy this series so far
May 9, 2024
DNF - 53%
(chapter 14/26)
Book #2 of 3
❌ Plot: confusing, no bases
❌ World building
❌ Inconsistent past-present
❌ Unfounded changes of behaviour
❌ Tell no show
❌ Overdramatic, cheesy, all powerful FMC
❌ FMC: Incoherent development
❌ No proper introduction to this world
❌ Academy setting: only a single class is seen in 1,5 books!
❌ FMC makes stupid mistakes
❌ Girl drama
❌ OW drama (no cheating though)
⬇️ Reverse harem: instant connection
🆗 Sweet, protective, obsessed with FMC alpha males
❌ Overuse of certain scenes/expressions
For example:
- "explain" and "Tell me" - repeatedly for the same topics
- "You planned the whole thing all along" - despite there being no indication of it, but it is an easy, poor way to get away with overdramatic plot twists with no build up from the author
- description of the guys or how she feels about them
- always rolling her eyes for the smallest things (so much!)
- "I will do anything to make sure they are safe even if it means sacrificing myself" - this constant inner talk where the FMC says she will do anything to protect the guys even sacrificing herself occurs every time there is any new information/change. It gets annoying.
- other woman drama: it is always the same thing - "you are not worthy of him", "he is mine", "he will realize he needs better than you" or something along those lines
❌ FMC's past is very traumatic but her present doesn't reflect it
And
❌ Inconsistent behaviour
It seems like when it benefits the story, the drama of her past makes an appearance otherwise it doesn't affect her everyday life.
For example:
- There are a couple of nightmares and she gets a bit anxious at times but it is nothing compared to how she normally acts.
- She trusts easily in spite of saying she doesn't.
She barely knows people for a few days and she is always telling them her secrets in spite of saying she is always suspicious of everyone since she was betrayed and tortured.
- Sometimes she has problems with basements and closed spaces (and she claims to fear them and refuses to go there) but during most of the story she doesn't show any problem in being in closed spaces.
- She is super confident in her powers and how she uses them even though her power failed to help her escape and kill her torturer for 10 years. So how confident can you be?
- she claims she is scared of being outside, that she is not used to being amongst people and is not used to being touched kindly.
But then she doesn't show it, except for those very few times where it is needed to present her issues.
She is always outside, she goes to plenty of parties with a lot of people and she is constantly kissing and touching the guys. No middle term for her, no training her senses to get use to all those things. In this story she only has issues when the drama will help, otherwise there is not even a clue to their existence.
- she is very knowledgeable of the most diverse things even the supernatural while she claims she was isolated and captive for 10 years with the exception of the bad people that paid her captor to use her powers.
Not to mention that out of the blue she says she sometimes could watch TV and later on she also said she had access to the internet, even though she was always going on about the poor conditions she had while captive, with no comforts and only torture.
Was all this just to easily explain how she could know stuff and make miraculous plans out of the blue??? Poor development.
- and sure let's continue going to class and mundane obligations while her mate is fighting for his life, constantly being tortured. It's not like he is going anywhere, she can take her time.
❌ FMC = Martyr + special one + super powerful + rare powers + defender of the weak + better than anyone
Too much, too cheesy, too overdramatic
- She is the last cookie.
- Everyone is out to get her.
- Instinct, confident leader (no idea where this comes from because she has nothing that would explain this development. It would be more believable the opposite, actually.)
- She feels the need to save everyone and she is always thinking she is going to save them all even if she needs to sacrifice herself.
- she constantly makes stupid mistakes but no problem
- miraculous plans come out of nowhere that have been in place for a while (even though there was no indication of it)
- super knowledgeable about everything: she was captive for 10 years, since she was a child but sure...
- she claims the guys are her family and to care for them and is always on their case to be included in the decision and their discussions. However, she is the first to never share her ideas and plans, keeping secrets from the guys and going behind their backs.
- the FMC can do no wrong in the MMCs eyes: she is a beautiful butterfly, a special snowflake and they are so incredibly lucky to be in her presence and to be her mates.
❌ Power: inconsistent & solves all
Sometimes she says she cannot do something but then she always could or the opposite.
(Like heal, or stop death)
(Even her being able to see the type of supernatural changes: she saw Rufus as a human but then he isn't.)
And, whenever they have a problem, her power is the answer to everything. There is nothing she can't do.
There was no proper training, she just instinctively knows how to do everything, better than anyone.
❌ Weak bad guys
The characters are so scared of the bad guys but...meh.
Bogeyman.
📌 Overall
All of the above are just a taste, a few of the issues I had with this series. Just to calm down my frustration.
My issues with the plot, the abrupt changes, the inconsistencies, the inexplicable behaviour changes, the miraculous plot twists, the incoherent way the FMC was developed...
I don't know if it is poor editing or if it simply is the easiest way the author could find to solve any issues without having to go to the trouble of explaining everything or creating the proper bases.
The only thing that made me read so much was how sweet and devoted the guys were and hoping it would get better.
But it got to a point I was more frustrated than enjoying the sweet moments.
***
As always my complete respect to the author and their work.
No hate nor hurt intended with this review.
(chapter 14/26)
Book #2 of 3
❌ Plot: confusing, no bases
❌ World building
❌ Inconsistent past-present
❌ Unfounded changes of behaviour
❌ Tell no show
❌ Overdramatic, cheesy, all powerful FMC
❌ FMC: Incoherent development
❌ No proper introduction to this world
❌ Academy setting: only a single class is seen in 1,5 books!
❌ FMC makes stupid mistakes
❌ Girl drama
❌ OW drama (no cheating though)
⬇️ Reverse harem: instant connection
🆗 Sweet, protective, obsessed with FMC alpha males
❌ Overuse of certain scenes/expressions
For example:
- "explain" and "Tell me" - repeatedly for the same topics
- "You planned the whole thing all along" - despite there being no indication of it, but it is an easy, poor way to get away with overdramatic plot twists with no build up from the author
- description of the guys or how she feels about them
- always rolling her eyes for the smallest things (so much!)
- "I will do anything to make sure they are safe even if it means sacrificing myself" - this constant inner talk where the FMC says she will do anything to protect the guys even sacrificing herself occurs every time there is any new information/change. It gets annoying.
- other woman drama: it is always the same thing - "you are not worthy of him", "he is mine", "he will realize he needs better than you" or something along those lines
❌ FMC's past is very traumatic but her present doesn't reflect it
And
❌ Inconsistent behaviour
It seems like when it benefits the story, the drama of her past makes an appearance otherwise it doesn't affect her everyday life.
For example:
- There are a couple of nightmares and she gets a bit anxious at times but it is nothing compared to how she normally acts.
- She trusts easily in spite of saying she doesn't.
She barely knows people for a few days and she is always telling them her secrets in spite of saying she is always suspicious of everyone since she was betrayed and tortured.
- Sometimes she has problems with basements and closed spaces (and she claims to fear them and refuses to go there) but during most of the story she doesn't show any problem in being in closed spaces.
- She is super confident in her powers and how she uses them even though her power failed to help her escape and kill her torturer for 10 years. So how confident can you be?
- she claims she is scared of being outside, that she is not used to being amongst people and is not used to being touched kindly.
But then she doesn't show it, except for those very few times where it is needed to present her issues.
She is always outside, she goes to plenty of parties with a lot of people and she is constantly kissing and touching the guys. No middle term for her, no training her senses to get use to all those things. In this story she only has issues when the drama will help, otherwise there is not even a clue to their existence.
- she is very knowledgeable of the most diverse things even the supernatural while she claims she was isolated and captive for 10 years with the exception of the bad people that paid her captor to use her powers.
Not to mention that out of the blue she says she sometimes could watch TV and later on she also said she had access to the internet, even though she was always going on about the poor conditions she had while captive, with no comforts and only torture.
Was all this just to easily explain how she could know stuff and make miraculous plans out of the blue??? Poor development.
- and sure let's continue going to class and mundane obligations while her mate is fighting for his life, constantly being tortured. It's not like he is going anywhere, she can take her time.
❌ FMC = Martyr + special one + super powerful + rare powers + defender of the weak + better than anyone
Too much, too cheesy, too overdramatic
- She is the last cookie.
- Everyone is out to get her.
- Instinct, confident leader (no idea where this comes from because she has nothing that would explain this development. It would be more believable the opposite, actually.)
- She feels the need to save everyone and she is always thinking she is going to save them all even if she needs to sacrifice herself.
- she constantly makes stupid mistakes but no problem
- miraculous plans come out of nowhere that have been in place for a while (even though there was no indication of it)
- super knowledgeable about everything: she was captive for 10 years, since she was a child but sure...
- she claims the guys are her family and to care for them and is always on their case to be included in the decision and their discussions. However, she is the first to never share her ideas and plans, keeping secrets from the guys and going behind their backs.
- the FMC can do no wrong in the MMCs eyes: she is a beautiful butterfly, a special snowflake and they are so incredibly lucky to be in her presence and to be her mates.
❌ Power: inconsistent & solves all
Sometimes she says she cannot do something but then she always could or the opposite.
(Like heal, or stop death)
(Even her being able to see the type of supernatural changes: she saw Rufus as a human but then he isn't.)
And, whenever they have a problem, her power is the answer to everything. There is nothing she can't do.
There was no proper training, she just instinctively knows how to do everything, better than anyone.
❌ Weak bad guys
The characters are so scared of the bad guys but...meh.
Bogeyman.
📌 Overall
All of the above are just a taste, a few of the issues I had with this series. Just to calm down my frustration.
My issues with the plot, the abrupt changes, the inconsistencies, the inexplicable behaviour changes, the miraculous plot twists, the incoherent way the FMC was developed...
I don't know if it is poor editing or if it simply is the easiest way the author could find to solve any issues without having to go to the trouble of explaining everything or creating the proper bases.
The only thing that made me read so much was how sweet and devoted the guys were and hoping it would get better.
But it got to a point I was more frustrated than enjoying the sweet moments.
***
As always my complete respect to the author and their work.
No hate nor hurt intended with this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
Fabulous read
Absolutely loved it. A great addition to the series. A unique storyline and fantastic characters. My only complaint is that the books are so far apart I had to go back and read parts of the first one.
Absolutely loved it. A great addition to the series. A unique storyline and fantastic characters. My only complaint is that the books are so far apart I had to go back and read parts of the first one.
March 16, 2020
PROS
-I really enjoyed the character development we saw with the guys this second book.
-Overall the plot was interesting and the fight sequences were well written.
CONS
-There were a couple of places where I felt like the author switched directions midstream and it left me with a little bit of whiplash trying to keep up.
-Some of the conclusions that the MC comes to in the second to last chapter lacked supporting evidence that I would have loved to discover with her throughout the book.
Conclusion! I am still interested to see how the story continues but I feel like another trip through editing and a little more detail given during conversations with Edgar, Sadie, and Valen would have improved the flow of the story and made Annora's conclusions about her father much more profound and resonant for me as a reader.
-I really enjoyed the character development we saw with the guys this second book.
-Overall the plot was interesting and the fight sequences were well written.
CONS
-There were a couple of places where I felt like the author switched directions midstream and it left me with a little bit of whiplash trying to keep up.
-Some of the conclusions that the MC comes to in the second to last chapter lacked supporting evidence that I would have loved to discover with her throughout the book.
Conclusion! I am still interested to see how the story continues but I feel like another trip through editing and a little more detail given during conversations with Edgar, Sadie, and Valen would have improved the flow of the story and made Annora's conclusions about her father much more profound and resonant for me as a reader.
March 6, 2020
OMG when did it get to 4am?
This book sucked me in, chewed me up and spat me back out. Annora's story is so well told, her mates so real that they seem to leap out of the pages. I think I would have died a little inside if there wasn't a HFN ending! I can't wait for book three, but at the same time I can't stand the thought of this wonderful world ending!
This book sucked me in, chewed me up and spat me back out. Annora's story is so well told, her mates so real that they seem to leap out of the pages. I think I would have died a little inside if there wasn't a HFN ending! I can't wait for book three, but at the same time I can't stand the thought of this wonderful world ending!
March 8, 2020
I really loved the first one. And I adored the second. I’m excited for the next book to see what’s her next adventure.
March 8, 2020
I really loved the first one. And I adored the second. I’m excited for the next book to see what’s her next adventure.
June 24, 2020
The first one had a lot of problems but I still enjoyed it. This one had a LOT more problems and it became significantly more annoying and more of a problem.
A lot of character continuity issues, a lot of plot holes because of plot convenience, a few times where the author forgot back stories or changed them but forgot to change them consistently.
I got through the book but I didn’t enjoy it like the last one.
A lot of character continuity issues, a lot of plot holes because of plot convenience, a few times where the author forgot back stories or changed them but forgot to change them consistently.
I got through the book but I didn’t enjoy it like the last one.
September 3, 2022
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Tethered to the World: ★★★★☆
#2 Shackled to the World (this book): ★★★★☆
#3 Ransomed to the World: ★★★☆☆
#1 Tethered to the World: ★★★★☆
#2 Shackled to the World (this book): ★★★★☆
#3 Ransomed to the World: ★★★☆☆
April 14, 2022
Awesome Book!
I loved every bit of this book. There was an equal balance of positive things happening to the fmc and her guys versus the negative. The climax of the book wasn’t at the end like one would expect, it was around 70% which gave us readers time to process what happened and opened up the third book opening. I loved how that worked out, I don’t feel that horrified, anxiety ridden, anger, all great definitions of a horrible cliffhanger. I feel like this book resolved the immediate threats of book 1 and 2. Moving onto a much bigger threat. Another family member wants to own her. The fmc fights her uncle in this book, her men by her side. Oh! Her ferrets reveal a new man in her circle… I’m not really sure how I feel about him running after his ex after she tried to kill the fmc. His new supposed love in his life.. because he didn’t want her to be alone in the afterworld as he was. This ex left him to his fate without joining him, until the fmc pulls him out single handed, and he would leave the fmc to join his ex in the after world because he didn’t want her to be alone? The fmc accepts his answer and her anxiety lessens but her guilt grew because she was suspicious he still loved his ex. This was the only point in the story that didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t flow like normal feelings would. I would be upset he wanted to leave his “mate” to follow his ex because he didn’t want her to be alone, but he would be leaving his mate. Whose more important here? I think she accepted it all to easily. He felt literally no guilt. I would be pissed, and no half a$$ sorry explanation like that would be suffice to me. Otherwise, I Loved Mason! I loved picturing his pink hair slowly waving around like the troll dolls back in the day. I loved how protective he was over the fmc. Xander, gosh I loved him too. The griffon, with his harsh training of the fmc but it was to strengthen her against all the bad guys. To make it through all the kidnappings, and come out stronger. She saved so many with her unique talents. Ppl are right to be wary of her, but once someone meets her, it’s usually difficult not to like her. Including her new friend Willa, the hedge witch. Camden, the dreamy closed off man in the group. Still not really certain what he is but he’s described as a dragon but not kind of lizard. He pushes the fmc away multiple times but the fmc was able to break his defences and forgives him. The men are all alphas of a rare species, all a bit broken with horrible pasta. She’s the piece that completes them. Their Pack Gra. She’s starting to finally open up to them and let them all in. It’s been amazing to see them fall for her in every chapter. Loved this book besides that one teeny part. Can’t wait to read the next!
I loved every bit of this book. There was an equal balance of positive things happening to the fmc and her guys versus the negative. The climax of the book wasn’t at the end like one would expect, it was around 70% which gave us readers time to process what happened and opened up the third book opening. I loved how that worked out, I don’t feel that horrified, anxiety ridden, anger, all great definitions of a horrible cliffhanger. I feel like this book resolved the immediate threats of book 1 and 2. Moving onto a much bigger threat. Another family member wants to own her. The fmc fights her uncle in this book, her men by her side. Oh! Her ferrets reveal a new man in her circle… I’m not really sure how I feel about him running after his ex after she tried to kill the fmc. His new supposed love in his life.. because he didn’t want her to be alone in the afterworld as he was. This ex left him to his fate without joining him, until the fmc pulls him out single handed, and he would leave the fmc to join his ex in the after world because he didn’t want her to be alone? The fmc accepts his answer and her anxiety lessens but her guilt grew because she was suspicious he still loved his ex. This was the only point in the story that didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t flow like normal feelings would. I would be upset he wanted to leave his “mate” to follow his ex because he didn’t want her to be alone, but he would be leaving his mate. Whose more important here? I think she accepted it all to easily. He felt literally no guilt. I would be pissed, and no half a$$ sorry explanation like that would be suffice to me. Otherwise, I Loved Mason! I loved picturing his pink hair slowly waving around like the troll dolls back in the day. I loved how protective he was over the fmc. Xander, gosh I loved him too. The griffon, with his harsh training of the fmc but it was to strengthen her against all the bad guys. To make it through all the kidnappings, and come out stronger. She saved so many with her unique talents. Ppl are right to be wary of her, but once someone meets her, it’s usually difficult not to like her. Including her new friend Willa, the hedge witch. Camden, the dreamy closed off man in the group. Still not really certain what he is but he’s described as a dragon but not kind of lizard. He pushes the fmc away multiple times but the fmc was able to break his defences and forgives him. The men are all alphas of a rare species, all a bit broken with horrible pasta. She’s the piece that completes them. Their Pack Gra. She’s starting to finally open up to them and let them all in. It’s been amazing to see them fall for her in every chapter. Loved this book besides that one teeny part. Can’t wait to read the next!
December 31, 2022
Darkness following
Annora was finally starting to get her feet when her uncle stole Logan. She already knows only uncle's death will stop his torture and machinations. But he's teamed up with a powerful alpha who controls a large pack. Even if she and the guys could fight their way in, there's one more obstacle she has to consider: her father. If she pulls on the afterworld it alerts him. She can't face down uncle, the alpha and her father. Not with witches and shifters nipping at her heels. Something has to give.
Spoilers ahead.
The series starts to find its path. The first book, while interesting, stumbled some. This one took off running and started ducking and weaving. Annora is finding her packs. She has her made family, the guys. She has a mate, Edgar. She's building friendships, ironically finding her strength in the weakest beings around her. Loulou and Willa are reviled by the other shifters and witches and yet without their overtures their groups would be largely ignored or facing Annora's anger without a buffer. I'm honestly waiting for Annora to be done with the whole system the shifters, witches and phantoms have and upend the whole thing. You can already see her plots in motion in some ways. She's a few steps ahead of the guys, building an army, making connections - even if it's not friendship, laying the groundwork for whichever way the situation lands.
Annora was finally starting to get her feet when her uncle stole Logan. She already knows only uncle's death will stop his torture and machinations. But he's teamed up with a powerful alpha who controls a large pack. Even if she and the guys could fight their way in, there's one more obstacle she has to consider: her father. If she pulls on the afterworld it alerts him. She can't face down uncle, the alpha and her father. Not with witches and shifters nipping at her heels. Something has to give.
Spoilers ahead.
The series starts to find its path. The first book, while interesting, stumbled some. This one took off running and started ducking and weaving. Annora is finding her packs. She has her made family, the guys. She has a mate, Edgar. She's building friendships, ironically finding her strength in the weakest beings around her. Loulou and Willa are reviled by the other shifters and witches and yet without their overtures their groups would be largely ignored or facing Annora's anger without a buffer. I'm honestly waiting for Annora to be done with the whole system the shifters, witches and phantoms have and upend the whole thing. You can already see her plots in motion in some ways. She's a few steps ahead of the guys, building an army, making connections - even if it's not friendship, laying the groundwork for whichever way the situation lands.
April 9, 2024
Repetitive language
The story was pretty decent, but I found myself not liking this authors way of writing. It feels like she had a cheat sheet for what all of the MMC’s looked like and would copy and paste the same sentences repeatedly throughout the first two books. And if I ever read the sentence “pure joy and possessiveness” one more time I think I’ll lose my mind. She probably used it to describe Edgar 10 times in this book, and I feel like it took me out the story each time. I’d prefer to have different adjectives for the way he looked at her.
Also another thing that bothered me was leading up to this book using her powers she was entirely self taught, and called everything by what she believed it to be called. Then lo and behold she finally meets another phantom and they call everything the same name, like that makes zero sense because she was just making stuff up as she went along but miraculously called everything the correct terminology, make that make sense. Overall the book was alright but felt rushed and poorly edited, in a way that could not be fixed by the storyline for me. I won’t be reading the third book.
The story was pretty decent, but I found myself not liking this authors way of writing. It feels like she had a cheat sheet for what all of the MMC’s looked like and would copy and paste the same sentences repeatedly throughout the first two books. And if I ever read the sentence “pure joy and possessiveness” one more time I think I’ll lose my mind. She probably used it to describe Edgar 10 times in this book, and I feel like it took me out the story each time. I’d prefer to have different adjectives for the way he looked at her.
Also another thing that bothered me was leading up to this book using her powers she was entirely self taught, and called everything by what she believed it to be called. Then lo and behold she finally meets another phantom and they call everything the same name, like that makes zero sense because she was just making stuff up as she went along but miraculously called everything the correct terminology, make that make sense. Overall the book was alright but felt rushed and poorly edited, in a way that could not be fixed by the storyline for me. I won’t be reading the third book.
August 28, 2025
I'm really conflicted with this book. The first one I enjoyed more and was hoping things would progress, but it felt like everything happened within a week. Except that week felt like months to me. It didn't feel like there was any kind of urgency to rescue Logan and once he was rescued it was like there were some mentions of having a hard time adjusting but not really.
The other thing that really bothered me was the relationship with Annora and the guys. For one, I don't feel like I have a good grasp on the guys' personalities. Like beyond Mason being protective that's all I got and it's the same with all of them. They also made a huge deal out of having relations with Annora needing to be perfect. When it did happen, it was over within a page then never addressed again.
You definitely got the message that everything was about power, and everyone wanted it or to control it. I don't think I'm going to finish the series at this point. The first book hooked me in, but after this one I'm not sure I want to finish. It felt like a slowwwwww start with all of the action happening in the last 30ish% and left me feeling more whiplash than anything else.
The other thing that really bothered me was the relationship with Annora and the guys. For one, I don't feel like I have a good grasp on the guys' personalities. Like beyond Mason being protective that's all I got and it's the same with all of them. They also made a huge deal out of having relations with Annora needing to be perfect. When it did happen, it was over within a page then never addressed again.
You definitely got the message that everything was about power, and everyone wanted it or to control it. I don't think I'm going to finish the series at this point. The first book hooked me in, but after this one I'm not sure I want to finish. It felt like a slowwwwww start with all of the action happening in the last 30ish% and left me feeling more whiplash than anything else.
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