Title: Bonded Broken
Series: Thresl Chronicles #4
Author: Amber Kell
Genre: Sci-Fi / Shifters
ISBN: 978-1-78184-477-9
Length: Novella (101 pages)
Publisher: Totally Bound (October 4th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Book four in the Thresl Chronicles
Friln had always counted on his lover to be there when things go wrong. But when one brief moment of death breaks his bond with his Thresl mate, he loses the only thing in the world he needs to make him happy.
For the past ten years, Friln, the king’s Captain of the Guard, has lived with, and loved his Thresl mate, Nelrin. When an assassination attempt catches Friln in the crossfire, he is killed. In the brief moment before he’s revived, the bond to his lover is shattered.
At Friln’s death, Nelrin loses everything. Bereft of the only person he’s ever loved, Nelrin turns back into his cat form and runs away. Unfortunately, he falls into the hands of a pair of scientists who have different plans than redemption for the Thresl race.
Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/bonded-broken
Review: Oh damn, I think this is the best one of the series right after Soldier Mine. It was definitely better at plot solidity, better at action/romance balance, and how they unraveled. I remember the pace for the previous two was a bit hectic, not allowing much space to come to terms with the event and I was pleasantly surprised to see a complete lack of those flaws for this installment.
So, back to story; remember the King’s Captain of the Guard, Friln, and his mate Nelrin? Guess what, Friln dies in the line of duty. So here, we have immediately action, agony, and suspense, because there is already an established ten-year relationship between Friln and Rin, and when Friln dies the bond breaks. We are thrown at the maddening pain and agony of a mate left behind. Unfortunately, the unbearable intensity of emotions that should have reached us didn’t quite make it. And though we witnessed Rin transforming back to his Thresl form to survive the pain and madness, the gravity of this emotional state didn’t affect us as much leaving us a bit detached. And simply continue reading with perhaps a curiosity at what’s going to happen next.
The plot picks up at that point and crazy scientists introduce themselves with crazy/horrifying plans for Thresl genocide, Rin becomes an experiment lab rat, Friln recovers only to find out his missing a ten years bond, nearly goes crazy with pain, and goes after his mate. And we have a race of lovely events that keep you on your toes as a whole back-story unravels and preps you for the next installment while giving you a story well worth reading.
Now, I felt so sorry for Friln. I honestly believed at some point that Ms. Kell would be the sadistic author and have him killed a couple of times more. I mean, he gets shot, he gets captured by scientist (when he goes after Rin), he gets poisoned, and finally he gets bombed. Thank God, he got a nice ending because literally the entire Universe owned him that much after all, he went through.
And as I said I loved this book, it was well written, the plot well thought and engaging, the pace while fast allowed for coping and absorbing the facts, and the romance was lovely and quite passionate for a well-established relationship. I do believe the fans of the series will love this one as much as I did.
Two things I’d like to add. First, Ms. Kell is killing us with the little tidbits she’s giving us about Saint. Honestly, I can’t wait for his story and I feel like a parrot repeating it with every new installment I get to review. Bring him on already!!!
Second, there has been a question I’ve always wanted to ask but somehow always forgot. If Thresls bond with humans and they have their human form from then on, how do they breed? We’ve seen this species only on a male-male bond, but I just wonder, to the female bear a child in her in its feral form or as a human fetus? Is it human and changes to a cuddling kitty after it’s born or is it a kitty straight from the start? And does it shows how fascinated I am with this species or do I need to take this to the next level?