Review for 'Bound' and 'Dauntless'

'Bound' and 'Dauntless' are the final two books in Shannon Mayer's 'Nevermore' trilogy.








The artistry for both books is grainy almost black and white with a swoop of brilliant red text. 'Bound' features a closeup of a man and woman holding hands through iron bars. 'Dauntless' takes a ground view of a woman and a man running across a pebbled beach.
In 'Bound' just as Mara is finally adjusting to life after the Nevermore she and Sebastian are cruelly snatched up by a band of army thugs. She quickly becomes a pawn in an epic game of chess between two equally crazed men.
In 'Dauntless' Mara and Sebastian escape their prison, but Sebastian is weak and no longer able to protect Mara from the pack. Everything comes to a head as they make a mad dash for the sea and safety.

What I liked:

• The Nevermores evolve.
• There's a happy ending.
• I really felt for Scout.
• Mara's place as the Alpha female makes sense.
• The author was able to explain the development of  Mara's allergies. 

What I disliked:

• The story takes to jumping awkwardly with no prior warning which immediately takes the reader out of  the Nevermore world and leaves the story feeling disjointed.
• The author tries to force some sort of love triangle into the midst. It doesn't work. It makes me dislike Mara. Since she's our heroine that's a very bad thing.
• There were quite a bit more proofreading errors in these two than the first book.
• Both books are incredibly short hence the reason I'm doing one review for both.
• Not really digging the Nevermore-human sex.
• The author introduces characters and events and then kills them off just as quickly. They seem to serve no purpose and their demise feels like batting an eyelash.
• Spoiler: While I was very sad and a little irked at Nero's sudden quick end in book two, his return in book three makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It's like the author realized that people don't like puppy death and then decided to miraculously let him be alive for the finale.

Somewhere inbetween 'Sundered' and the final two books this series lost it's magic. I loved the first one, but simply found the ones that followed lacking. I'm glad I purchased the omnibus version for $2.99 instead of forking over twice that much to finish off the series.

4 out of 5 crowns

Recommended if you enjoyed the first book in the series and if kinky monster sex doesn't freak you out.







Synopsis for 'Bound': "Mara faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles and adversities as she works feverishly tofree Sebastian from the holds which bind him. Her refusal to abandon him, and his refusal to let her slip away, keep them fighting to be reunited. Fears escalate and dangers destroy their beliefs, but they cling to their love and find strength in each other even when separated. Mara and Sebastian manage to face each act of violence, each tragedy, and terrifying sight with a strength which won't bend to any confrontation."

Synopsis for 'Dauntless':"Surrounded by the most obstinate of madness, Mara will use the strength within herself to free both she and Sebastian once and for all. As Sebastian slips further away from her, Mara will have to fight as she never has before--alone. The bonds of love and friendship will be stretched to their breaking point as the world around them spins out of control, and the dangers continue to mount. Can she carry them both through the obstacles ahead and find a way to heal Sebastian? Can she accomplish all of this in time?"