Primal Bonds

A Shifters Unbound Novel, Book 2

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

When a female Shifter comes to town seeking refuge, Feline Shifter Sean Morrissey claims the new arrival and finds a beautiful woman who looks him straight in the eye without fear, stirring the mating frenzy within him.

To relocate to a new Shiftertown, half-Fae, half-Shifter Andrea Gray must accept a new mate. But Andrea's intense attraction to Sean is something shen ever expected - a perilous complication for a woman with a troubled past.

©2011 Jennifer Ashley (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Ashley's skill at blending plot intricacies with believable characters makes this a terrific mix of passion and power. Settle in and enjoy!" ( Romantic Times)

The...

The second book of the series is just as exciting as the first. It is full of surprises, suspense, and romance.

Irish, Scottish, Australian-what's the difference?

What did you like best about Primal Bonds? What did you like least?

The world building is good--it's not necessarily a unique take (the premise shares similarities with the Fea reservations in the Mercy Thompson series), but it's interesting and different within the shifter genre. I do wish it pushed a little harder on challenging gender roles, though. I enjoy an alpha male as much as the next reader, but it would be nice if alpha females weren't quite so "rare". All the women are depicted as being strong, so why do they still have to all be subordinate in the power structures?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Primal Bonds?

The final confrontation-- this is actually the second time I've listened to this book, and it's one of the more memorable in the series (trying not to give away spoilers). Also, the part with the underwear.

Would you be willing to try another one of Cris Dukehart’s performances?

I've heard her before and she's ok. This is not her strongest performance. Really, if you can't do a passable accent, you really ought not to try. The Morriseys sound like a garbled mixture of Irish, Scottish, and Australian. And Ronan inexplicably has a conglomeration of various English accents. The editing/pacing of some scenes is also pretty rough, with Dukehart pausing in the middle of a line as if she lost her place. It's not the worst narration ever (by a long shot) but I can see why some reviewers are so put off by it.

Do you think Primal Bonds needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Well, it's part of a series, so yes, of course there should be more books. But do Andrea and Sean specifically need a second book? Eh.

Horrible Narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, It was very frustrating listening to a book that I liked the story but the narrator was so bad it made listening unbearable.

Would you be willing to try another one of Cris Dukehart’s performances?

Absolutely not!

Irish or Australian?

Good story, wrong narrator!
Why oh why did they change narrator to this series??? The first one was perfect, and then this... Never again let ms Dukehart attempt an Irish accent -she cannot do it! She sounded like a slightly demented Aussie 😳

Just stop the PAIN!!!!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Cris Dukehart, Please, Please never try to use a Scottish accent for anything ever again. You do not do it well at all. As I said in one of my other reviews you sound like an Irish/Aussie from Brooklyn which is painful on the brain.

What did you like best about this story?

I love these books and have almost the whole collection. I just have to muddle through the parts I hate.

LOVED IT

absolutely loved this book can't wait to listen to more!! phenomenal!! narration works perfectly really brings this book alive

Great Book

Remarkable story that this author weaves throughout the pages. I absolutely loved listen to this story read by a fantastic narrator. The Irish brogue was wonderfully done. I highly recommend this series as well as this book!!

Not up to Ashley's Standards

I enjoyed Jennifer Ashley's McKenzie novels. Although those became more formulaic as the series went on, her characters usually had some unique quirk. I only read the first chapter of this book but it is so formulaic (and since the romance formula is sexist stereotype, so is the book) I am already bored.

Also, this narrator can't do accents and it seems all the males have accents. Silly.

Loved the story but...

I love this series and cannot wait for the rest. But the spoiler was the horrible attempt at an Irish accent, it sounded like a cross between weird Irish and Australian. The big Alpha shifters sounded high pitched and squeeky as if they were talking through a wedgie! Do the producers/directors Never listen to the end result?? Surely its better to leave out the accent all together? After listening to Ian Ruane narrate The Druid Stone using a beautiful Irish brogue this was pure torture. Its a shame how the narrators can ruin a perfectly great set of stories. I will get the rest of the series should audible do them as they are great. The narration was OK when the Morrisey's were not talking. I hope she drops the accents next time.

Fantastic!!!

This book was very enjoyable. The character development was phenomenal and I can’t wait to read more about this couple.