• The Shackles That Hold Us

  • The Magi Accounts, Book 2
  • By: Michele Notaro
  • Narrated by: CJ Storm
  • Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (68 ratings)

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The Shackles That Hold Us

By: Michele Notaro
Narrated by: CJ Storm
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Publisher's summary

As if crushin’ on a shifter wasn’t bad enough, I had to go and date one. A mage and a shifter walk into a bar. No, that’s the whole joke.

Magi and shifters don’t mix, and yet I find myself in a relationship with Cosmo, a lion shifter. And on top of that, Cosmo, and all his pride members, consider my brothers and I a part of their pride. Three magi in a shifter pride. Who would’ve ever thought?

Navigating our connection while trying to figure out what’s going on in the world isn’t easy. Trusting that Cosmo means forever when he says it? Even harder. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned since meeting the Ono-Nais, it’s that taking a risk with my heart will be worth it to be a part of their lives.

The Shackles That Hold Us is a 113K novel and the second audiobook in the MM urban fantasy series, The Magi Accounts. It’s recommended to listen to the series in order because it has an ongoing storyline, but there is no cliffhanger.

*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novel.*

©2022 Michele Notaro (P)2022 Michele Notaro

What listeners say about The Shackles That Hold Us

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CJ Storm gives another excellent performance

This is not a standalone. The Shackles That Holds Us picks up about a month after the events of A Kiss to Revive Me book 1.5. Cosmo and Mads are growing closer and closer and watching Mads continue to lower his guard is great. Cosmo has the patience of a saint and it was great to have a dual POV book. Especially at the difficult times. This book has a lot of light moments between our MCs but there is also a LOT of heavy. The story, while moving along nicely, is dark and there are several potentially triggering issues so be forewarned. We learn more about witch magic and we see more of the underground movement. This book (and the entire series) is incredible. I’m all in my feels but hard to say without giving away spoilers. As always with this series, please be mindful of the triggers. CJ Storm is able to deliver the action, the comedy and the steamy moments equally well. I have been very impressed with his performance throughout this series. I reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

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Love it

I absolutely love this series. So when it came out on Audio i had to jump on it. The story is fascinating and so engaging. You feel yourself being pulled into the story. The narrator did a good job with the story. I had some trouble with the voice for Cos it just sounded off and weird to me. Otherwise he did a great job with the story.

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This series is emotional and action packed

I love this series and if you haven't started it, you're really missing out. This does need to be listened to in order but Mads, Cos, Jude, and the others are amazing characters. Mads and Jude have an awfully rough time of it being mages but I love how resilient they are. Cos and the other shifters are just beautiful people who create a safe space and accept them into their family. The story is incredibly well done and the world building is one of the best I've ever come across. These characters are going to stay with me long after I'm finished!

CJ Storm really hits his stride with this one. I felt he did a decent job in the first but his narration seems pretty on point here. He does a great job with character voices in my opinion and they definitely grew on me. I kind of liked how Logan sounds similar to Mads considering how Mads and Jude adopted him as their younger brother.

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Enjoyable!

This series is entertaining, Michele Notaro does a great job with world building and making the audience feel all the emotions. Madeo and Cosmo in this installment continue to be cute together. The case or mystery their solving is fascinating. I continue to find the world the author builds to be engaging. I can’t wait for the next installment! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

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Loving this series

This was so good. It is not a stand-a-lone. Also, be warned, there is on page torture. Poor Mads & Jude are taken back to the compound and Anderson has a week to punish (insert torture here) them. It's horrible and I can't wait for Anderson to die a bloody death. So, we have Cos & Mads are slowly working on their relationship and Mads starting to believe that Cos really wants him. He is so scared that if something happens to their relationship, Cos will throw them all away. Cos also has been asking him to move in & he doesn't want to because again if they break up then they would be without a home. We find out what the witches are up to & they are just batshit crazy. It's heartbreaking the lengths they will go to, to get power. I can't wait for more.

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Fantastic!

This is the second book in the Magi Accounts series by Michele Notaro and it was just as good as the first! Wow, this series is truly one of a kind and keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat the entire way through! CJ Storm does a nice job narrating!

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Love This

I love this series but I had to break out the tissues for this one. There are so many heartbreaking events and revelations in this one. It's still worth reading and I can't wait to get to the next stories. Now add in the great narration in the audiobook by C. J. Storm and this is even better.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

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Audio is just as good as the story

If you are someone impacted by triggers, I would heed those before jumping in here. This book continues with the world building that is happening in the US. But this book gives more to the history these characters have been through. And some is more detailed than others. Man, this book has all the feels. It was both heart wrenching and heartwarming. I loved every minute of it. Looking forward to the next installment as well.

Updated: The audio book is just as good. CJ Storm does a great job on this story. I absolutely love his portrayal of Cosmo. The gruff sounding voice comes across as the big guy he is without making him sound unapproachable. Even though this is a heart wrenching story, I will likely listen to it again and again.

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Lions and mages and witches, Oh my!

I love Madeo and Cosmo. they are so sweet (with some spice) together. I love their connection. I also love the relationship between Madeo and Jude. and the friendships forming between shifters and magi. Can you tell I love relationships? I feel that is an important aspect of this series/book. Taragorians keep showing up. Shifters are dying. And peoples feelings are Magi hasn't changed much. There's a new enemy and they need to work together to take them down. There is plenty of action, some heat and a bit of angst. I'm hoping the rest of the series is released in audiobook. This was my first CJ Storm narration. He did a great job. I was never confused with who is talking. There are quite a few side characters and he did a great Job with all the voices. I'll look for more stuff by him.

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More Magi Greatness! Amazing Story & Listen🎧

Michele Notaro pens another amazing paranormal urban fantasy novel set in her “Magi Accounts” series, and I am loving everything about this series, from her wonderful writing style, the fabulous characters and storylines she created, as well as the world building and the perfectly cast narrator who brings it all to life from the pages to your ears. I highly recommend starting with the first book, “The Scars That Bind Us”, which lays down the foundation for the series and you meet the key characters and get to know the world they live in. I adore the lead characters, the Magi Mads, his connected dyad Jude and Cosmo the alpha lion shifter and pack leader, the members of his pack are all fabulous, as is Logan, another Magi. Cosmo and Mads’ are growing closer and Cosmo wants him to move in with the pack, and Jude and Logan are also welcome to live there. But Mads is reluctant to give up his apartment because it would be difficult to get another if things did not work out with Cosmo. Magi are at the bottom of the hierarchy and few are accepting of them, and they have limited rights in their world so most humans look down on them, despite that they are the ones who fight the monsters and weapon against them is their magic. Mads and Jude work on Cosmo’s team to fight the taragorian and preventing them from entering their world, they work well together but now they are facing more problems, black magic and witches who are trying to make a power play in the most evil way possible, feeding their life source off of others. The team is hard at work fighting that and staying away from the evil within their own department who has it out for Jude and Mads. Please tell me that evil man, Anderson, gets what he deserves soon. This action packed cleverly plotted story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and fabulous romance. Michele Notaro, thank you for another amazing story and the wild and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fantastic narration, CJ Storm is a versatile voice artist, and he continues his amazing portrayal of these characters and does so with a complete understanding of who these characters are, gives each a voice that fits each of their personas perfectly. He handles the witty dialogue with ease, changes character roles seamlessly, never missing a beat. His character voices have been consistent throughout the series and you could hear how much heart he puts into his performance as he captures all the characters’ emotions and projects them into his performance, making you feel every single one. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen.

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