A review by nikkisreadingx
Bound by Vengeance by Shannon K. Butcher

4.0

I wish this was a full novel. Liam and Dakota could have expanded so much. I would have loved to learn more about the issues between her and her family, his response to those issues, and a further exploration into the issues that she has over her brother's death.

Spoiler

And I really wish we had the time to delve into the issues after they fail to kill the demon. There's so much potential in that topic alone for emotional connection. Butcher did a great job of touching on it within the restraints of a short story, but that's what makes me wish this was longer.

I really like Liam. I loved him when he was first introduced and I loved reading about him in this story. His though process of getting Dakota to bond with him is very similar to Zach's -- blunt and upfront. I love that. I like reading Sentinels who are transparent about saving their own lives and Liam is a good one to follow. He was definitely logic-driven and then as he falls in love with her, the emotional side of him starts to take over. It's a wonderful thing to read and I wish there was more of it.

Dakota is painfully realistic. Her actions and reactions are just so raw and human, she easily takes a form of her own. Can I point out again that this should have been a longer novel? Sometimes, short stories create smaller characters because of the length restraints, but Dakota isn't one of them. Her current issues and goals help make her solid and she's become a favorite, even when her reactions land her into a vat of self-pity.

Overall, definitely worth the purchase. It's not necessary for the series, but a wonderful addition.