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Fallen Kingdoms of Baruun: Broken Shackle

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In the world of wonders exists a land known as Baruun... In the years following a calamity known by many names, the land of the Felines known as Dásos, the realm of the Eternal Jungle, has become a target of the aspiring Prodavian Empire, who seek to use the land for their own purposes. Many have been taken into enslavement, working fields that now feed the ape-men of Prodavus, and ten years after the calamity they continue to toil for them. All but one defiant soul. A young panther woman will defy her oppressors, renew the spirits of her people and step forth into a world that is rapidly mutating beyond the recognition of its inhabitants. Rising from a simple huntress to a survivor of horrors that mold the future of the continent, the name of this brave youth will be burned into the minds of the Baruun people, as she forges her own path...This story contains a same sex relationship, anthropomorphic characters, and several dark tones and implications that may not be suitable for all audiences. This story is intended for adolescent and/or young adult audiences and should not be read by children. Follow the author on Twitter for further Also available in paperback

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2017

1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read

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N. Gage Cadotte

5 books3 followers

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5 stars
12 (38%)
4 stars
16 (51%)
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3 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Prashanth Bhat.
2,160 reviews139 followers
March 28, 2024
There is a land of ape men. Which is called baruun.. in this land slavery is there and lot of racial trigger warnings for readers.
And there rises a panther woman she is just like the comics cat woman but better. She fights and ultimately wins.

I am surprised that they also brought lgbtq here. It's a mixed bag.

The story telling is good.
Too many plots in few pages. reader has to stop at every page and absorb. Nice read.
Profile Image for Katie.
189 reviews3 followers
October 3, 2020
Hey hey! Been a while since we did a written review huh?! I was reached out to do a review of this book and I just had to cos I read the synopsis and was sold!

This is a story about slaves-so let me say now, trigger warning my dudes, slavery, violence and sexual assault and rape. It is about our main character who is a panther woman who escapes from captivity from these ape men. I know. I KNOW JUST STAY WITH ME!

I enjoyed the story, the plot was good and overall it was a good time. However, one thing I am not here for...is the fact that our main character is this ‘man hating feminist.’ Now I could go on about that, but in a nutshell: if you want to have equality it includes everyone. EVERYONE.

With that being said, I did appreciate her resilience and her determination to save her friends and to get her people to a place where they will be safe and be happy.

There are lots of other creatures here-reptiles, horse like people, which I thought was cool, because you got to see how it was not just our MC that faced persecution it ass everyone. Male and female alike.

I do want more of this world, I want to know more about the other races and how this new world they built themselves expands and what/why the ape men were doing what they were doing. I do hope we get more in the series because I do have some unanswered questions.

There is LGBTQ rep in here, our MC is in a female/female relationship which 👍👍 we love to see. However, I feel that her lover and the other sisters in the group were not seen enough, I do want to know them more. I have mixed feelings overall, due to my unanswered questions BUT I am willing to read more from this author and the world!
Profile Image for azu.
280 reviews21 followers
July 24, 2024
4/5

OMG, I am surprised at how much I liked this book. When I read the synopsis, I was a little skeptical, 'cause, you know, fantasy books can raise my expectations a lot and then let me in for a free fall. This was not the case, I liked the world-building, the complexity of the characters, and the history.

There are some important TW you need to check before trying this book, but it is definitely a recommendation.

The protagonist, Devaki, is such a fierce feline-woman. I was amazed at her strength and resilience. She manages to not only free herself from her oppressors, but she also frees hundreds of enslaved feline-people and other anthropomorphic-people, creates a sisterhood with other brave feline-women, and throughout the story we see her grow and learn from others. Also, the LGBT representation was well managed.

This is a story with a very interesting world, and I would definitely like to know more about it.
Profile Image for Swati.
175 reviews6 followers
December 20, 2023
Amazing....... Ending is evidence of my applause...
Looking for something mature or frictional....
Come and read this book.. It's really an amazing book..
The way writer have wrote this.... I love it... I don't know how to write my speechless mind... Never mind you should read this..
Profile Image for Daffola.
72 reviews9 followers
October 20, 2020
Such an outstanding story about a rebellious female panther whom was living in world of ape men ruling taking her kind and every creature other than them as slaves and sex toys and she takes on the burden of saving the innocent from the guilty honesty i could understand her hatred and rage towards ape men because one has to be in the same situation to understand.

she is a strong character and never gives up ! She kind of gave me mockingjay vibes for not bending knees to them apes , for that i developed a huge respect for her as a character. It had some disturbing sexual abusing parts which is the truth nothing to run from but it has a Feministic pov (not radical feminism so don't get on my nerves with it )-Same sex love and our main character is a female heroine what's there to not love ? I'm in .
Profile Image for Oluwafemi.
4 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2021
The beginning of this book, the middle and the ending, is an evidence of a master piece.
The author made the protagonist grow, learn, and go through so much that applied to real life situations.
I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it for any type of audience.
The topic targeting embolishment of slavery is a fickle topic usually abandoned but the writer found a way to touch this topic alongside encouraging unity regardless of race, appearance or tribe.
Kudos to the writer
Profile Image for Lois.
282 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2020
I enjoyed this debut fantasy novel by this young Canadian author. I'm hoping to see more in the series.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
191 reviews10 followers
December 6, 2020
Read the synopsis and was sold. Never read books on furries but this one was good. The author's descriptions are superb.
Profile Image for Millie Birir.
33 reviews3 followers
August 18, 2021
The Fallen Kingdoms of Baruun: Broken Shackle is a fantasy story.
It is a story of an animal kingdom told from the perspective of humans. It is a story of rebellion, courage, fortitude, survival, love, anger, jealousy, fear, mistrust, fighting, lose, strategy, triumph, envy, hate, slavery, diversity, friendship, unity, togetherness, power struggles, discovery, and greed.
It is filled with adventure and intrigue.

The story starts on a high note. Keeping the reader intrigued and captivated by the story from the get go.
It is full of adventure and tense moments.
The writer tells the story vividly and describes the scenes in detail that the reader can easily visualise, and see themselves within the places described in the story.
The actions taken by the characters are well told. The reader is also able to feel the emotions and the thoughts of the characters.
The conversations between the characters are so realistic and draws the reader in. The reader feels like a bystander, actually listening to a real everyday dialogue.
The plot easily pulls you in and keeps you involved physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Interesting to follow the characters in their different journeys. Real life journeys as well as personal journeys of self discovery and growth.

The writer's description of wars and fights was done so articulately. Detailed, action-packed, vivid, interesting, imaginative, involving for the reader, gripping, intense, and well told. Leaves the reader feeling like they took part in it or witnessed it physically.

I enjoyed the book and loved every moment of it. It can be aptly described as an experience. A good one.
Lovers of action, adventure, and fantasy will be right at home with this book. I give it a 5-star rating.
Profile Image for ibookingluvu.
5 reviews
July 5, 2024
This book was a good introduction into a new series. After being subjugated by the Prodavians or 10 years Devaki a young slave girl of the panther race begins a rebellion to free her people and in doing so becomes a symbol of hope for many.

First I’ll start with what i liked:-
I enjoyed the relationships and family the Felines developed. The relationships were written very well and showed how their trust and reliance on each other developed organically and was not rushed for the sake of moving the plot along.
The world building was okay and gave me a general sense of the their camps and different areas within the world that they traversed.
Devaki’s journey to accepting leadership responsibility for her group was also nicely developed. Going from slave girl who only wants to save herself and gf to a reluctant rebellion leader was a good progression.

What I didn’t like:-
So much time was spent building relationships and formulating plans that the story dragged a lot. The pace was slow, maybe that was deliberate to introduce the characters, However this caused the story to inch forward and it easy to lose interest because of that. I was also a bit confused about why some animals were personified and some weren’t. Why were there Salamander people but the frogs and crocs were just animals? Maybe that’s explained later in the series but that just left me with some questions.

This novels is not my usual genre but it was a nice departure from that to venture into something new. I did become invested in the Devaki and would like to know how the story unfolds for them. All in all the novel was good and I’ll check out the rest of the series.
Profile Image for OBADITAN.
2 reviews
May 4, 2024
If you are one of those who begin before the beginning- you will love this book. The prologue is like a full chapter itself. Lengthy, charged.
It is also an adrenaline addict’s classic with cliffhanging intensity. It begins solo escape, high speed chase through the jungle, killing of enemy soldiers, feeding pursuing soldiers into the mouth of carnivorous plants, defiance. You will struggle to hang on to the edge of your seats.
If feminism, a feministic tale of a female who is in charge of her fate is your thing, you will clap rapturously as the panther girl, evades the ape-men.
Wait does a strong female pantheress qualify as a feminist?
Well, it depends on how one looks at it.
Broken Shackle is almost cliché. It is a tale of good and evil, of a tribe captured, dominated and of their captors. It’s a tale of war in the animal kingdom.
I love this book for its dialogue, the scattering of wise words amidst the action. such as this one- From humble beginnings or rich origins, your fate is your own to choose which begun the book . Time is an ever-flowing river. There is more if wise words are your thing.
The felinoid, Devaki who is also the main character is one protagonist I love for her strong personality, her ability to forge on despite challenges.
Who can read it?
Young adults, Adults. Everyone, male, female or others who finds stories with animal characters appealing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mylife Style .
54 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2024
Fallen Kingdoms of Baruun: Broken Shackle” by N. Gage Cadotte is a captivating fantasy novel set in the mystical land of Baruun. The story follows a young panther woman who rises from being a simple huntress to a defiant leader against the oppressive Prodavian Empire. The narrative is rich with themes of resilience, freedom, and the fight against tyranny.

Cadotte’s world-building is impressive, creating a vivid and immersive setting that draws readers into the Eternal Jungle and its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, whose journey from captivity to leadership is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. The inclusion of anthropomorphic characters and a same-sex relationship adds depth and diversity to the story.

The plot is engaging, filled with action, suspense, and emotional moments that keep readers hooked. The dark tones and mature themes are handled with sensitivity, making it suitable for young adult audiences while still providing a thought-provoking read.

“Fallen Kingdoms of Baruun: Broken Shackle” is a compelling tale of courage and defiance, showcasing the strength of the human (and feline) spirit in the face of adversity.
💜💜💜💜💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Londeka Shabangu.
81 reviews7 followers
August 29, 2021
How can one not fall in love with our main character. A strong female panther living in a man's world rebelling against them and saving the innocent. Oh how I love to see this, I just enjoy it. Keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, this book tells of a woman panther escaping captivity and taking it to herself to save her people and see to it that she gets them to safety.

Women empowerment, the fight for freedom, slavery, violence, diversity, love, survival, growth and so much more. As well written as it is, one cannot simply read it and feel nothing. Some scenes angered me, I truly felt as though I witnessed them and I couldn't do anything about it. It was then I reserved praise to the author for such detailing and splendid writing.

Interesting characters, intriguing dialogue, action packed scenes, detailed descriptions and love, I enjoyed every page. Anyone with the capability to read would enjoy this book.
Thank you to BookTasters and the author, as I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly.
2,486 reviews118 followers
January 6, 2024
When I began reading this, I was unsure what to make of the protagonist, Devaki, and the scenario that I was presented with. It seemed to me that this character was running away from something, and I wanted to know more, but was unsure whether I would warm to this character or be interested in the story.

As I read on, I came to the realisation that Devaki and the other characters were not humans, but felines - big cats. Once I realised this, I began to appreciate the descriptions of both the characters and the setting. Once I realised this, it helped me warm to the characters, and to this world, this kingdom, created by the author. Big cats are some of my favourite animals, and I tried to picture the story taking place in my mind. This was something that helped bring the story to life for me, and I escaped into this world created by the author, and I felt the author brought it to life very cleverly.

In the end, this story didn't take long to finish, and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Aud Rey.
6 reviews
September 6, 2024
In a world where almost everything has fallen into ruins, Devaki relies on her strong-willed nature to effect a change and show that no matter what rot pervades the land, it dare not affect her. Her humility, wariness, readiness to listen and implement are the best leadership skills I’ve seen in any female lead in a while and these skills of Hera helped in easily gaining the trust and respect of the Sisterhood of the Broken Shackles.

The only thing about her that felt too rushed and quite harsh was her hatred for all men and it kinda felt like she was too absorbed in the hate that she didn’t see what else was there until our soft-spoken yet easily irritated healer showed her.

Plot and characterisation were quite on point, but if the author would give the other sisters a chance to be seen more than being in the background(Kashvi, especially) in the next book, it would be much appreciated.🤭
Profile Image for Caribbean Didi.
88 reviews7 followers
May 29, 2021
The main character here is one of the strongest creatures (Panther) I've read about.
the story is about the woman is getting over and overcoming all the bad things that happened to her, all the bad things in the world happened to her, she was taken and kidnaped and was captivated and mistreated she was raped and her life and identity were taken from her, yet she overcame all of this.

I felt hatred and anger during reading this book, I felt it and my heart was pumping and I was mad.
I like the strong story and the great plot, the author's way, and style are remarkable.

I admire how she draws the characters I admired the main character as she was always fighting for her freedom, fighting against this slavery, also there was an LGBT part.

Keep going, recommending this to everyone.
Profile Image for Revian.
68 reviews5 followers
September 2, 2021
The story follows Devaki, who comes out of her subjugation, and brings together a small group of women to free the country from the domination of the Prodavians.

I'm not usually big on YA fantasy. I’m more of a middle-grade type. But the writing style and the representation of the women characters in this story is truly delightful. Most of the characters are girls, and wlw romance too! (Nice surprise), and they’re described as tough in their own way.

I love Devaki's contrast whenever she’s with Kashvi. The couple's sweet moments right before a battle always put a smile on my face. And I have a soft spot on the girls’ friendship. It's like something precious and delicate.

I look forward to what happens next in the series. Easily 4.5 stars from me!
9 reviews
June 11, 2024
I'm delighted to share my thoughts on this wonderful book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found the characters to be vividly portrayed. While the descriptions could have been a bit more detailed to fully immerse the reader, I appreciated the author's ability to craft a compelling narrative. Although some events were briefly mentioned without much elaboration, I found this added an element of intrigue to the story, keeping me engaged and eager to uncover more. Despite these minor points, the book left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an immersive and captivating read.
Profile Image for Mitchelle Mbugua.
11 reviews
August 6, 2024
Fallen Kingdoms of Barrun" is an engaging fantasy novel that immerses readers in a richly detailed world teetering on the brink of collapse. I especially loved how the arthor storytelling’s excels in creating a vivid landscape filled with complex characters, intricate political intrigue, and a sense of impending doom. The evidence well-crafted conflicts, unexpected twists and evident character growth makes sure the plot is not lost. The author's ability to balance action with deeper themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption adds depth to the narative. This novel is a compelling read especially for epic-fantasy readers out there!!
Profile Image for Mt.
16 reviews
October 13, 2024
The book is captivating and has many important themes such as women empowerment, rebellion and freedom. It also doesn’t shy away from more serious topics so I recommend checking the trigger warnings. Devaki is an ambitious, determined and strong-willed character. Because of everything she went through plus her mindset throughout the book, I wanted to see where her story was going to go. Devaki is in a relationship with another female character and the fact that there’s a main wlw relationship made it more interesting to me.

I would like to see more of the sisters in future books, since they were not in the story enough in my opinion.
5 reviews
October 27, 2024
This
is a powerful tale that intertwines themes of liberation, strength, and love. The story follows the journey of animals fighting for freedom from captivity, symbolizing the broader quest for autonomy and respect. Amidst this struggle, two strong women (Devaki and Kashvi) emerge as the story's heart, showcasing their resilience and unwavering determination. Their romantic love is beautifully depicted, adding layers of tenderness and passion to the narrative. This book is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of women of different species (Lioness/Tigress/Panthers and more) and the transformative power of love. Highly recommended for those seeking a profound and heartwarming read.
3 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2021
This book is completely different from what i have ever read before. This female panther is living in a world of Ape men. This story (even tho it is far from human like) reminds me of the world that we live in today. The one thing i didnt really know how to feel about was the fact that the protagonist was such a man fighting extreme feminist. Although this definitely shows women empowerment it also kinda feels like diminishing men. There were alot of harsh, explicit and sensitive content in the book just a warning. Overall i do think its worth a read.
Profile Image for EdenB15.
401 reviews51 followers
March 12, 2025
Quite a different type of fantasy than what i am used to and have enjoyed in the past however from the beginning of the book i was hooked. The relationship's, storyline and character development was written so eloquently and i really loved the main female character Devaki whom shown strength and determination throughout and her character development forms lave girl trying to look out for herslef to a leader was well done. Thank you booktasters for the book and i am looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing what is next for Devaki
Profile Image for Dian girl.
11 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2021
I was recommended to read this book, Very enjoyable. Good Novel and the recommendation fits.
It s very amusing to start reading the book and not want to shut it before finishing it.
It has some good lessons to learn, courage and strategy, and feelings like love and fear.
Very smooth story and surprising as well, the description for scenes and characters were very well written.
You get to go and live the adventure and journies.
I really recommend this book for elders and children.
133 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2024
First I would like to thank BookTasters and the author for giving me a free copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is something quite new that I have read. It's not something that I usually read. It turned out to be an interesting story. However, the story was short. Would have liked if there was more background to the story. It was more about the relationships of the characters and less of the plot.

Profile Image for Walt Hitchcock.
2 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2024
An outstanding story and an amazing introduction to a new saga. I look forward to seeing more of Devaki and the Sisterhood of the Broken Shackle‘s ongoing struggle.
1 review1 follower
August 31, 2024
Okay I just went through the prologue and damn I am loving it. Started off with a bang, cool forest chase scene, ape men, death plants, i am definitely sold.
Profile Image for Pejuola Ransome.
8 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2024
A beautiful story tbh. Blew my expectations for a fantasy story, so real, mature and quite relatable especially with the main character, Devaki for being so strong-spirited and tough.
A really, really good one.
Profile Image for Nyx Reading.
168 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2024
This book was captivating from start to finish.
I had the honour to read this book for an honest review, and I have to say this book was something I never experienced before. It was well-paced. It is filled with adventure and did not disappoint. The way it starts it tackles straight to the point of slavery of the feline-like creatures. I had to reread a few things to do a double-take about what I read. I was surprised throughout the story. The strength the characters show is incredible.

The story broadly revolves around the fact that the feline kind is at the mercy of ape men. The entire story vividly and realistically takes the reader to experience something new. The characters are interesting, and their journey is impactful. The reader can get involved in the story easily.

This book can easily make my top 10 reads of the year.

The author has done an amazing job. But Im still sticking with four stars.
Profile Image for Shreya .
74 reviews18 followers
April 25, 2024
I enjoyed the book so much, it has everything I love. Fantasy, and feminism. I love how amazing the characters are, and how strong and badass they are.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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