Shadow Bound

The Covenant, Book 1

By: Adam Gaffen

Narrated by: Daphne Rivers

She saw something she shouldn't. Now the monsters see her.

In the hidden world beneath modern Boston, power is currency—and blood is never just blood. Shadow Bound is a dark, slow-burn urban fantasy about dangerous alliances, buried truths, and the thin line between hunter and prey. With sharp dialogue, layered politics, and a supernatural mystery at its core, this is a story where no one is safe, nothing is as it seems, and survival means choosing who to trust before the shadows close in.

Madison Callahan doesn't believe in monsters. She manages a Boston tanning salon, juggles rent and bad memories, and tries not to think about the ex who left her hollow. Life is predictable, practical—until a strange customer vanishes mid-session and leaves behind nothing but ash. That night, Maddie's routine cracks open. Her only mistake? Asking questions. Now something ancient and dangerous has noticed her—and it won't look away.

Gideon Blackwell has seen centuries of war. As a vampire Elder, Gideon walks the tightrope of supernatural politics, managing factions, finances, and the rising threat of a rival who wants his seat of power. But when a low-level vampire vanishes under impossible circumstances, Gideon is forced to investigate the one thing that still terrifies his kind: the unknown. What he finds at a rundown Boston salon shouldn't be possible. And yet, it changes everything.

A human caught in the dark. A vampire chasing the truth. Maddie and Gideon were never supposed to meet. But when a single mystery ties their fates together, they'll uncover secrets buried deep in the bones of the city—and in themselves. Because in a world where shadows hide ancient enemies, survival depends on trust, and the line between human and monster is thinner than anyone dares to admit.

Warnings: Violence, Mental/emotional distress, Death, Kidnapping, Psychological abuse, Existential horror, Romantic & sexual tension, Strong language & sarcasm

©2025 Adam Gaffen (P)2025 Adam Gaffen

The narrator brought energy into the story and gave the characters unique voices.

The story was slow to begin but became more engaging and picked up the pace as it progressed.

A vampire walks into a tanning salon…

Overall a great read, especially if you’re looking for a palette cleanser between dark romance or epic fantasy.
I went into this one blind and loved that I did. The story had me giggling from the start! Tanning bed? Really?!?! LMAO

It’s a very light read with dry humor throughout that had me giggling nearly every chapter.
I also love that it’s a quick read and doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, tying up all the questions you have throughout the story.

The narration was spectacular and I loved that you could easily differentiate between the characters of the fool cast. The accents and multi-language narration were easy to follow and really added to the story and connecting with the characters.

Definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.


4.5 ⭐️ Overall
5 ⭐️ Narration
4.5 ⭐️ Story