Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: The Scars That Bind Us

SERIES: The Magi Account 1

AUTHOR: Michele Notaro

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 115,000 words

RELEASE DATE:  February 22, 2022

BLURB:

Sometimes the worst scars are the ones you can’t see.

World War III broke out 130 years ago when humans found out that my people—magi—and shifters were real. They’ve been imprisoning and enslaving our two species since. But now humans need our help protecting the world from the strange monsters they let cross the veil between realms.

Eighteen years ago, my world changed. Suddenly I was allowed freedoms I’d never had before, but I was still at the Non-Human Specialties Operations’ beck and call. Which is how I found myself on a team with my best friend, five shifters, and a human.

Now, I have to figure out a way to work with others—with shifters. I’ve never been one to trust easily, and I don’t see that changing, but this shifter pride has a way of getting past my walls. Unfortunately, all that means is now I have even more people I need to protect against the evils of this world, and I really don’t know how I’m gonna do it.

All three species have been at odds for more than a century, but maybe Cosmo—a lion shifter—and I can put aside our differences to work together and keep everyone safe. And if I’m secretly crushing on the guy, well, I think I’ll keep that to myself.

REVIEW:

This is an interesting premis and a wonderful start to a new series.  In paranormal books we are always told that magic users, shifters etc. need to stay hidden from humans as they will experiment on them.  If, they do reveal themselves the books generally focus on that moment of reveal and the aftermath of it.  This series is looking at 100 years past the reveal and what humanity did and continues to do.   It is a study in bigotry, hatred and fear and you can draw many correlations with today and what is going on in the world.

The Magi have been enslaved since the reveal and whilst they have gained a small amount of freedom they are feared, reviled, and generally abused wherever they go.  The humans have fostered a culture of abuse to ensure that the magi can’t / won’t use their powers against them.  The Shifters were also confined but did not suffer the same culture of abuse, though many packs were killed.  They have a functioning Council that supports them, and they have more freedom, though still limited than the Magi.

Madeo is one half of a Magi Bonded Pair; Jude is his focus.  He is, not unexpectedly, prickly, jumpy, and always waiting for the other shoe to drop, which it frequently does.

Cosmo is the Alpha of the Pride, sure and caring who will do anything to ensure his Pride feels loved and supported.

They meet when Mads and Jude join the Team which comprises the Shifters, the Magi and a human Captain.  Their task is to kill the monsters that come through the tears in the veils.  The slow burn romance that is set amongst the action of dealing with the veil tears, it is wonderful how it is written, with them both fighting their obvious attraction.  The culture of distrust that has been fostered to keep the shifters and magi from connecting plays into their reluctance to move from teammates into something romantic.  The very real threat to Mads and Jude wellbeing if they are reported, or something goes wrong.  It is fascinating to see the friendship slowly move into something more and the sensitive writing around all the insecurities, obstacles in their path which holds Mads back but makes him want more.  Mad’s bravery when he moves forward into a relationship made me clap my hands with joy.

The world building is fantastic, it is beautifully imagined and described and the bleakness of the Magi’s lives jump off the page.

I generally I don’t like books with any kind of emotional or physical abuse but whilst those subjects are dealt with, it is done off page, it is thought about and alluded to but it is not graphic and me and my soft heart really enjoyed the book in its entirety, I shed a few tears and felt sadness and empathy for the characters but never felt overwhelmed and unable to continue on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to reading the next book.

RATING:

BUY LINK: 

Amazon