This book was very well done!! I enjoyed every moment of it. It starts off with action and I appreciated that because I got immersed in the story immediately

Oh my!! This book was so much better than the first where the multitude of mysteries unfolding in the pages had me gasping with joy. The story pulled me from all angles. The chemistry between the lead characters had me wincing with the muted passion that was shown.

Sera was now living with Professor Barrington after being expelled from the Witchling School. Her training under the tutelage of the professor advanced in leaps and bounds. Anger no longer controlled her but guided her with perceptive amounts.

Second sight still blasted through and ghosts did show her their pain. The duo were soon asked to investigate the missing sister and the seventh born orphans, at the same time, continuing from book 1, enemies longed for revenge

Author Monica Sanz has done it again, written a book so captivating that I didn't know how the earth rotated. The sun rose and set, but my heart was still hitched to the book. Every word brought out its delicious anticipation. I think I barely blinked for fear of missing a word.

The writing with its descriptions of the tale set in those fantastical time had the magic to transport me from mine. The mysteries surrounding the two gave it the right aura of intrigue, fear, and a need for justice.

Some of the subplots continued from book 1 with Sera searching for her family and her memories still brain-locked. But this book had the dynamics of Barrington and his family shown where his courage was depicted. I think I am in love with Professor Nikolai Barrington.

Magic was flagrant and vivid, with its plumes enfolding the book, ghosts appeared with alarming alacrity. It was enthralling to read how each spell was crafted by the author with an aura that brought with it both fear and awe.

An author with an amazing storytelling talent, a world which was filled with mystery, two investigators with a hidden love, a dubious world with foes more than friends, and a magic which was spell-binding made this an absolutely perfect read.

I absolutely loved reading Mirror Bound by Monica Sanz. I gave this book a try even though I had not read the first book in the series and I can tell you I will definitely be giving that one a read too.

I really enjoyed the magically aspects of the book- that there were several different items that had magical abilities and that the author used some of tales that people may already be familiar with and blended with the story she weaved. I truly hope that there will be more to come with this series as I would love to hear more about Sera and Barrington’s adventures.

Layered with magic, mysteries and secrets, in this sequel to Seventh Born by Monica Sanz, we continue to follow Sera as she is on a mission to find her family and pass the School of Continuing Magic entrance exam. The relationship and professional work continue between Sera and Professor Barrington as they both must face inner demons.
I have to admit I was slightly disappointed with this sequel. Seventh Born was one of my favorite books I read last year and Mirror Bound just did not live up to my expectations. I found the story to drag on a lot and be very slow moving that I found hard to keep reading. The beginning also made it difficult for me to be drawn in and feel invested in the characters again. 

I do enjoy Sanz's writing and believes she does a fantastic job crafting a world that is full of magic and mystery! There were some awesome scenes that had me flying through those sections. There is just a sort of sluggishness through a large portion of the story. 

The development of both Sera and Barrington was well done. We got to learn a lot more about them, especially seeing more into Barrington's past and what makes him the way he is. He has dealt with a lot in his life and has faced some darkness that has him fighting inner demons. There were moments between the two of them that were filled with tension and had me screaming for them to kiss. 
Sera has developed her skills and closer than ever to do something no seventh borns have done. She is determined to pass her entrance exam, find her family and save other seventh borns. She is a fighter and puts herself in the face of danger many times to achieve her goals. The relationship that develops between her and the barghest is adorable!  

Overall, even though I was underwhelmed compared to the first book in the series, I liked the story. It is a slow evolving story that had many different components taking place, Sera and Barrington's relationship, Sera preparing for the entrance exam, solving the mystery of the orphanage and the mystery of what is happening with the ghosts and possessions happening to Sera. Although a little predictable at times it was filled with mystery, some twists, darkness and adventures, with an interesting ending.

All Seraphina wants is to be a inspector, but she has to be accepted to take the exam and people are working to keep that from happening. Thankfully she has allies that are on her side, but its still a journey.

It's been a little over a year since I read SEVENTH BORN, and I was scared that I wouldn't remember the story well enough to really enjoy MIRROR BOUND. Thankfully it all came back to me as I started reading.

Sera is a fighter. I love the way she has grown from the beginning of book one and I look forward to seeing what she will do in future books.

Sera and Barrington's relationship grows and evolves throughout MIRROR BOUND. It's very slow burn, but enjoyable and real in the way it happens. They were a great team without being in a romantic relationship, but their chemistry shined through in almost every scene and I am glad that they found their way to each other.

I enjoyed the plot of MIRROR BOUND. There was plenty of danger and mystery involved. The world is well built and I have enjoyed the addition of new characters. I especially love Sera's hellhound.

Hopefully we won't have to wait another year to read book three, but if so, I will gladly do it.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mirror Bound
By: Monica Sanz

*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟
Mirror Bound is a sequel, but I didn't realize this until after I started reading it. I do think reading the first book would have been helpful for background information. Sera is a seventh born witch with very few allies, and trouble seems to follow her. She wants to know about her past, but she also must pass important exams, all the while working magical cases with Professor Barrington. Sera has almost too much crammed into one book, and the story is somewhat predictable. I liked the Professor. I didn't love this story, but I didn't dislike it either. I'm somewhere in the middle here. It's a good read for the right reader, which I think I am not.

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

Mirror Bound starts right after Seventhborn ended and I loved going back to Sera and Barrignton.

This book might have been less angsty than the first one, but I loved seeing Sera and Barrington's relationship grow and evolve. I also loved learning more about them and get to know new characters.

After we were introduced to Sera and Barrigton on the first book and they started their dynamics I couldn't wait to read the sequel, because I was left wanting more. And Monica didn't disappoint. I love that Sera and Nikolai (Barrigton) are more comfortable together (but not that much, if you measure by the sexual tension between them). But you can feel their feelings are escalating and I kept hoping one of them would do the next move. So it was a great slow-burn romance and great building.

I also love that the story isn't completely focused on the romance aspect of their relationship, just the opposite. Those two work amazingly well together and I love seeing them working together to investigate new cases. And in additon to that we also have Sera preparing herself for her Aetherium entrance exams. So we have focus on the magic stugying too. Which I liked because it didn't take over the story, it added to it.

Also, we learn more about seventhborns and we discover more mysteries around Sera and her abilities. I feel there's even more coming and I'm curious about how it will all fit into the story.

Monica created a universe I really enjoyed and I cannot wait to go back to it once more, because I already miss these characters.

This is the first time in reading this author with her story intriguing me. It had me as soon as it said seventh born which has always intrigued me. This is also in a genre I do not find often anymore that can pick my interest unless they are a go to author.
This story turned out to be very refreshing with many aspects to it to keep a reader engaged. Seraphina story unravels so that right away we have to see where this goes. It has a favorite elements besides the elements a detective agency. Barrington is her professor in the community they live in. Things begin to pop though as she grows though that soon appear dangerous at times. This also has something that needs to solved that draws attention also. The relationship of these two is quite intriguing also. All in all this one was a delight to read leaving me wishing I had caught the first one.

Mirror Bound is a great sequel with magical moments and mesmerizing characters. It’s a sequel that is just as good as the first book, if not better. Sera’s growth in this book is fantastic; she doesn’t just grow as a person, but also grows in using and understanding her magic. It was really nice to see that growth in her character.

Sera is not only struggling with her growing feelings for Barrington and acing her School of Continuing Magic exam, but she’s fighting to maintain control over her mind and body. Ghosts start possessing her and showing her dark and dangerous visions that make it nearly impossible for her to escape from. These possessions cause a slight rift in her real world, where she struggles to determine what’s real and what’s part of a vision. But even through it all, there’s one constant: Barrington.

The chemistry between Sera and Nikolai Barrington jumps off the page. It’s magnetic and emotional; they share a bond that creates a wonderful slow-burn romance; it’s a bond that has developed over time and feels so real. It’s definitely a bond that is one of my favorite slow-burn romances; I was internally yelling at Sera to make a move or for them to just get together.

The overall plot of this book is fantastic. Sera has to face ghosts and souls trapped in mirrors and the mysterious disappearance of seventh born children. There’s so much going on in this book, but it all works together so well and flows well throughout the whole story that nothing is too overwhelming. It all fits well together, and the character interactions only intensify and bring these scenes to life. The world building, like in Seventh Born, is beautiful; I could easily picture the world Sera lives in.

All in all, Mirror Bound is a delightful sequel. Monica Sanz hits it out of the park with this book; her writing is poetic and deep. I’m hoping there’s more in store for Sera and Nikolai (especially with their relationship, as I love these two characters so much).

Mirror Bound is out now, and if you have not read Seventh Born, I highly recommend!

Having been expelled from the Academy at the end of the last book, Sera is now living at Barrington’s home, studying under his tutelage and continuing to work as his assistant. Sera is now almost ready for the examinations for entry to the Aetherium, and encounters continuing anti-seventh-born discrimination and antipathy as she tries to gather all the necessary references and documents required.
Meanwhile, grieving father, Delacourt, and best-friend, Whittaker, are convinced that Sera killed Timothy. They want their revenge, but also want to get hold of Mary (as a witness), who has disappeared.
She and Barrington are offered a new job by the dubious Armitage, to find his sister and the seventh-born orphans that she had been caring for – all of whom have vanished without a trace. Barrington loathes Armitage, and refuses. But, Sera cannot walk away from seventh-born children in trouble and decides to take on the job with, or without, Barrington’s aid, especially as Armitage promises her something she needs. What seems like a reasonably straightforward missing person enquiry – after all, seventh-borns go missing all the time – soon morphs into a very dangerous quest involving battling a myth and endangering the whole Academy, and Sera’s future. Sera finds out that her past has left more than just the physical scars.
This is another fast-paced, thrilling fantasy with great lead characters. Tiny bits of information about Barrington’s previous life are drip-fed into the story-line, when Sera most needs to know about them, while her own past remains firmly locked up in her subconscious. Barrington – who is always so confident and capable (except when it comes to Sera) – is forced to face his own demons, and to confront his fundamental beliefs.
Sera still has massive trust issues, originating from the appalling way she was treated before joining the Academy. However, she does see fit to believe Armitage – over Barrington’s objections. She is an extremely capable, intelligent and determined women – but at times I got so annoyed at Sera. Her mistrust incites reckless behaviour and quite unwarranted jealousy and rudeness, which threatens to alienate those trying the hardest to help her. How can she not see that Barrington is madly in love with her, and has eyes for no other woman – least of all Gummy? Will this be the book where she finally admits that she loves Barrington – and deserves to be loved by him. Can she ever stop her suspicions, and accept genuine help when it is offered?
The theme of the extreme damage caused by discrimination and bigotry continues.
I became very involved in the Sera-Barrington relationship – which is quite amazing for someone like me, who professes to abhor romances. I can recommend this book – and look forward to the next one.

A stunning sequel with a slow burn romance that left me begging for more—literally.

I need more Professor Barrington. Right. Now. Like yesterday.
Well, anywhoooo. Now that’s out of the way, lets get to the nitty gritty.
Sanz does an amazing job with explaining the mechanics of the magic in this world without being tedious which is so hard to do. I love being able to “believe” in the narrative and the magical elements in a world. That’s the ultimate goal in the fantasy genre, to convince your reader that it isn’t fantasy, and Monica nailed it.

I loved loved loved the sweet romance between Nik and Sera. I thought it was the perfect slow-burn romances. I fell head over hills for Professor Barrington chapter one.

Also, the hellhound is amazing. I’ve added “be saved by a hellhound” to my bucket list. I think I’ll have to do that next summer, though. Probably won’t have time in 2019 for that.
And that ending…

**On a serious note, this series is grounded in the very real and very relevant theme of discrimination. This is the type of story I am excited to see in the YA genre and cannot wait for young and old readers alike to pick it up and learn a little something from Seraphina Dovetail.**

Mirror Bound is out Sept. 10th.

This is a pretty good book, a little slow at times but overall good. I will say that it does not do a good job of answering questions. In the first novel we see her suffer through so much to get closer to answers about her family and now at the end of the second we have not learned anything new about them. If there is a third novel I hope to learn more about her family or I may not finish the series.

Mirror Bound was a truly magical read!

It was the perfect sequel, it kept me guessing and turning the pages until I was done!
I loved being back in this magical world and hope to return to it once again in the future.
I also really liked that it picks up almost right where the first book left off, it made it super easy to jump back in!

Monica Sanz is a magician with words, I love how she writes the world and the characters. It keeps the reader interested at every twist and turn which is wonderful!

After such a splendid read, I really hope to read more from this world and Monica Sanz in the future!

10 stars out of 5. Extraordinary sequel!

It has been absolutely lovely to be back in the magical world of Seraphina Dovetail and Professor Barrington, as well as the magical community in which they live. The story picks up some months after the events of the series opener. It is a pleasure to see the growth in Sera’s abilities, advancement of her training, and how well she and Barrington work together.

Author Monica Sanz is quite skilled at crafting words; driving the plot forward at a steady pace while our leads remain as engaging and relatable as they did in the first book, never feeling like they are being forced into situations merely for the sake of advancing the plot. Readers get to see more of Sera’s clever, on-the-spot thinking and witty remarks as she prepares for the School of Continuing Magic entrance exam while following leads on a new case. We are also treated to a closer look at Nikolai Barrington, as Sera learns more of his family’s history and his own connections. The dynamic between Sera and Barrington slowly shifts as they grow closer together, especially now that she is no longer a student at the Academy where he teaches.

I adore this charming, clean YA magical series and recommend it highly. Though no mention is made of this series continuing, I hope with all my heart that it does. I’d love to continue to see these characters interact and grow.

Sera is growing and maturing. She is a seventhborn, reviled and not trusted. She longs to discover her family and become an inspector. To become an inspector, she must first be allowed to take the entrance exams to the College of Continuing Magic. Professor Barrington takes her under his wing and she finally has a chance to achieve her dreams.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't read the first book in this series but I had no issue with the plot and the characters.
I found this story engrossing and entertaining, it kept me interested till the end.
I liked the well written characters, the interesting world building and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Loving this series. Sera and Barrington are both dealing with inner demons. Their work relationship and personal one are starting to merge together. While a lot of the focus was on Sera and her exams the mystery part of it was interesting. I wish there would be more about the background of the evil item/person. Action packed and story was well paced. Ended well with no real cliffhanger but open for the next book.

Sera and Barrington against a dangerous magic. Very similar to the first book except there is a progress in the relationship between the main characters and we see can see more of it in this book. Just as the first book, it was a bit predictable, but still a quite good read. 4 stars.

I remember reading the first book and really enjoying it, so I looked forward to the sequel. I'm glad I got to read it as it was even better than the first.

This novel was an enjoyable read and continues the story of Seraphina Dovetail, whom is trying to discover her family, become an inspector, and keeping ghosts away from her. As a seventhborn, she is treated unfairly and has very few allies, one being Professor Nikolai Barrington. Sera became his assistant and has been helping him with cases. They work together on this magical cases and try to stop the Brotherhood. However, Nik has a dark past, but cares for Sera deeply. Due to events of her past, Sera's reserves have been affected and she and Nik need to find a solution otherwise it could destroy her. Meanwhile, she needs to prepare for her exams to become an inspector. Nik and Sera's most recent case is a mystery that needs solving, for it involves missing children, mirrors, and a bedtime story that have more truth to it than they realized. Sera and Nik's relationship will test different boundaries, especially to those who have ulterior motives. One has to overcome their fears and accept themselves as they are, for the past is what shapes who one is.