Cover Image: Spell Bound

Spell Bound

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Member Reviews

Okay, I'll be frank and admit that until about one-third of the time I did not get very engaged in this narrative. I don't really believe there was too much to tell Sunshine about the vinatta and what it was supposed to have.
I did not enjoy the supporting characters especially, except for Josie, a young Seer with a tendency to appear in unforeseen locations. Garrett, who should be in a position, as a mage, to aid Sunshine, but who is not precisely coming, is puzzled by his acts and his motivations. There are some other very envious colleagues and we come to the Weres and the Vampires of course. Leif is the alpha Fenris, and I think he got a lot too.This story's a lot of page time. He didn't do anything really, except for Sunshines' passport, and giving her some eye sweetness that I truly hope won't indicate love interest since it isn't just no. The Vampires were cartoons, they moved at unfathomable speeds and controlled brains that honestly made no new or unique contribution. However, I really like it as the plot unfolded.
I want to know what happens, but I truly hope that the author does not try to redempt Leif. my final comments are Sunshine at the end shows something surprise about herself but I wish I had a Vampire talking nearly in rhyming couples Could have been revelation in plain old clean English to speak! I love to know more about the guy here, therefore I hope that he will return to the following book, yeah. So I didn't read it perfectly, but I felt enjoyed and willing to read more.
I have asked Netgalley for this volunteer perspective, and my opinions and observations are honest and I feel that they are fair.

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It started kind of slow for me but it was an enjoyable, fun and humorous read.

I really liked Sunshine.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is very detailed and even had a bit of humor in it. I read it in just one sitting. I really like Sunshine’s personality and her character was well-planned out. Normally I am not a big fan of dark magic, but this was an enjoyable ride. I recommend this book. I hope to read more of this author (Cara Cartwright) in the near future as her books seem really good.
I gave this four stars, (really my rating is 4.5 stars), because I feel like when describing the setting, it could have been a bit better. I still loved this book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for a honest review! All opinion are my own.

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I saw this cover and had visions of a Rapunzel retelling as I know fairy tales are frequently the inspiration for authors but was completely mistaken. No this book revolves around supernaturals who are descendants of Norse Gods so more mythology than folk tale inspired. Its actually a pretty cool idea with paranormals each belonging to one of six Houses although our protagonist Sunshine might not agree !
Of the original firsts it's Hoenir that is the despised underdog as its the one House that reportedly has no magic which makes Sunshine very much human or is she ? Recently marked by a Werewolf of House Fenris Sunshine is praying that she doesn't turn furry on the next full moon but that's the least of her worries. That honour goes to her cousin Davy who lies in a coma and Sunshine will do anything to help him even if that means striking a bargain or vinatta as they call it with the Vampire leader. Sunshine isn't a liar , she can really feel magic and no matter what her colleagues think she most certainly can break spells . However finding herself literally bonded to her obnoxious, teenage boss Garrett isn't exactly helping her fulfil her arrangement with the Vampires of House Hel or is it ?
Ok I will be blunt and say I didn't particularly get interested in this story until about a third of the way in. I think for me there was too much about the vinatta and not enough actually about Sunshine and just what was expected of her.
I didn't particularly like the supporting characters with the exception of Josie who is a young Seer with a knack for popping up in unexpected places. Garrett who as a Mage should be able to help Sunshine but he is not exactly forthcoming and leaves Sunshine perplexed by his actions and motives. There's a few others notably jealous co workers and then of course we come to the Weres and the Vampires. Leif is the Fenris Alpha and in my opinion he got far too much page time in this story. He didn't really add anything except to withhold Sunshines passport oh and to give her some eye candy which I'm sincerely hoping doesn't mean he will be a love interest because no just no. The Vampires were just caricatures, moving at immeasurable speeds and controlling minds which honestly didn't add anything new or original. Yet as the story unfolded I did find myself enjoying it very much.
My final thoughts are I do want to find out what happens next but sincerely hope the author doesn't try to redeem Leif . Sunshine reveals something about herself at the end that was surprising although having had a Vampire speak almost in rhyming couplets I wish the revelation could have been in good old straight talking English ! There's a character here who I would love to know more about so I'm hoping he yes he returns in the next book. So it wasn't my perfect read but it's left me feeling entertained and keen to read more.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

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