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The Scars That Bind Us

The Magi Accounts, Book 1

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The Scars That Bind Us

By: Michele Notaro
Narrated by: CJ Storm
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About this listen

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

World War III broke out 130 years ago when humans found out that magi and shifters were real. Humans have been imprisoning and enslaving the two species since. But now humans need their help protecting the world from the strange monsters they let cross the veil between realms. All three species have been at odds for more than a century, but can Madeo—a mage—and Cosmo—a lion shifter—put aside their differences to work together, and maybe even find comfort in each other’s arms?

©2022 Michele Notaro (P)2022 Michele Notaro Fantasy Fiction Wizardry Magic Magic Users Paranormal Feel-Good Heartfelt Scary Shifter
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I enjoyed this story, especially the unique societal structure. In most paranormal, dystopian books I've read, the mages are on top and in control, with shifters next, and humans on the bottom. This author turns that around, putting humans on top and the magic users on the bottom. The snippets we get about Madeo and Jude's 'training' (more like torture) and abuse were horrific and I really felt for them. It made Madeo's abrasive attitude much more understandable. The story begins with them fighting creatures from another world that come through rifts, but ends with a shifter kidnapping ring. The human blood witches seemed a little incongruous with the basic plot theme. If magic users are despised, why would humans want to become like them? Aside from that, I really enjoyed watching the pride and the dyad team and how they worked together. I liked seeing Madeo overcome his past experiences to find friendship and (maybe) love. That part was a bit shaky. It may have been the narration, but I didn't really feel a deep connection between Madeo and Cosmo. Good friends, yes. Lovers, not so much.

Speaking of the narration, CJ Storm was new to me. He did a good job differentiating between the characters with different voices and he was spot-on with Madeo's snark, but I thought he could have put more emotion into his delivery to make the characters more relatable.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

A very unique and enjoyable story

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The book dragged on and I couldn't help but feel bored thought out.

I had the speed on 2.15 and literally groned when I looked to see I still had 3 hours left.

I really liked the concept and I liked the characters for the most part however they are supposed to be in their mid thirties however they acted soo much younger. I understand that they've gone through hell and missed out on having a normal childhood, especially Jude and Madeo.

However I do find that Madeo can be very hypothetical, again I understand why Madeo can't trust humans and shifters easily with what they've put him and Jude through but it's seriously frustrating as all the shifters on their team have proven themselves to be reliable, sweet, trustworthy and kind over and over again yet Mateo still paints them as none of the above. He is PISSED when someone says something bad about mages and paints all mages as liars and whatnot, but he is perfectly content to paint ALL shifters as brutes, liars and cruel.

Jude says multiple times that Madeo doesn't truly mean anything he says about shifters and Jude points outs again and again that he shoud'nt group all shifters in one category as they aren't all the same, same goes for humans.

After a 15 year old teenage shifter was shot they go to investigate his death where they meet the 12 year old boy who was there when his friend was murdered.
When they approach the young boy the sence that he is a mage that is unregistered and is believed to be an ordinary human and plan to smuggle this boy to somewhere safe for their kind so this boy could live a normal life.

They lied to Cosmo about it, and the entire pack, straight to his face because he is a shifters Even though he hasn’t showed you one hint that he is disloyal and cruel and has proven that he is caring and has nothing against magi and mages what so ever. They proceed to smuggle him in the middle of a forest where Cosmo appears behind a bush quietly and then walks away (he could have reported them right there and then).

I don't blame them at all for being cautious however as I mentioned the had to reason to believe that cosmo would call this in. If anything I'm positive that he would have helped.

The next day, Madeo is extremely mad that Cosmo dared to follow them and not tell them why he followed them.

“We didn’t know each other that well, that was true, but I’d thought… I’d thought he was starting to trust me, starting to see me, the person, not just my designation in this fucked-up world.” Trust is a two side street. Madeo expects that Cosmo trusts and follows him blindly while he does none of the above.

I also found the battle scene action was significantly slowed down by the too-detailed description of EVERY casting the mage participated in.

Honestly they were quite lack luster and I didn't feel the emotions that would run through you when reading about people fighting for their lives.

I also would have liked it the whole entire book wasn't all in Madeo's POV.

That said the story was fine. Logan is probably my favourite character.

I also like the dynamic between the group and you know they truly love and care for each other. They trio, Logan, Jude and Madeo definitely give off a brother vibe which is endearing.

Cosmo is definitely great for Madeo. Definitely since he's got the patientance of a saint and is so loving and caring constantly being considerate of Madeo emotions and never pushing emotions and bounties.

storydragged on and I couldn't help but feel bored

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I have always enjoyed books by Michele Notaro but this has to be her best yet! I love PNR books, but Magi stories for the most part just don’t grab my interest. I can’t say that about The Scars That Bind Us, I was drawn in from the start by Madao, a Magi and his dyad Jude. Then comes along Cosmo, a lion shifter and his pride and I was hooked!
There are very faint shades of Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS so if you liked that series you will probably enjoy this.
CJ Storms narration was top notch. Cosmo’s deep and sexy voice is like molasses in my ears! It’s the first time I have listened to any of his work and I look forward to listening to more ❤️

The Scars That Bind Us

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Listener received this title free

I enjoyed the world and characters the author has created here and I will definitely check out the next book in the series. I'm a fan of stories where groups that have been discriminated against fight for rights, respect and recognition and we have that here with the magi and shifters. Of course, as soon as the humans need help, who do they call on? The characters who find themselves working together here bond and give one hope that the prejudice and discrimination can be overcome as this found family group has done. There is great friendship as well as romance here. CJ Storm does an excellent job voicing all the characters. They are easily distinguishable and all the emotions are spot on.

Fighting for rights

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The Scars That Bind Us is the first book in the Magi Accords, a new urban paranormal series set in a world similar yet vastly different from our own. The setting is very interesting and Michele Notaro uses it to explore the injustices and how the human spirit can overcome those awful obstacles.

The world of the Magi Accords is not a fair or easy one. Shifters and magic users are less than second class citizens with heavy restrictions and limitations placed on them. Yet, despite this unfairness, shifters and magic users are expected to protect the world from dangerous, carnivorous, dragon-like creatures that come from a different dimension. The world building is extremely interesting with a very creative magic system that I absolutely love and find unique. I wish there was more depth to the politics of the world so I could have better context for why things are the way they are, but considering that the story’s point of view is from one main character, this lack of political depth makes sense. Madeo, the main character, chaffs at the restrictions he finds himself under, but he never loses his sass nor will to fight and compassion for others. This makes him a very likeable character that I was rooting for the entire book. I loved the romantic tension between him and the alpha shifter on his team.

The audiobook was narrated by CJ Storm. I thought CJ did a great job narrating a host of different characters and making them all interesting. I had no issues with his narration and found his performance to be engaging and enjoyable. The quality of the audiobook was also very good.

Great Start to a New Series

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