First of all, I love when world are queer normative and the world building was great. The magic system was really cool, and I liked that the different spellcasters had different "special" abilities.

Two rival sorcerer apprentices? Teaming up and falling in love? SIGN ME UP.
Loved this, hilarious, adorable, amazing. F.t. Lukens knows how to deliver and keep me coming back for more everytime.

Spell Bound by F.T Lukens tells a tale of 2 sorcerers and their apprentices navigating a world of magic and finding each other. If you are a sucker for the found family trope, THIS IS FOR YOU!
Lukens creates a world of wonder and inclusivity. Watching Rook & Sun's relationship develop was wonderful and incredibly wholesome. 4.5/5.
Huge thank you yo Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing & Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of content.

This is my first F.T Lukens book, and after reading I am highly anticipating reading their previous books.

Spell Bound is a fun almost-cozy urban fantasy. I loved the magic system and world-building in this book. The book is mostly character and relationship driven - and Rook and Sun are extremely compelling characters. I do wish the plot was just a little more fleshed out - the ending felt a bit rushed, and left more questions about the world-building beyond the few character we meet.

Overall though, I highly recommend Spell Bound!

Spell Bound by FT Lukens is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it came out last week. Suffice to say that I was not disappointed.
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Rook and Sun are magicians' apprentices. Rook has never been able to see and use magic, but he wants to be a part of the magical world regardless, as it ties him deeply to the grandmother he loved. He gets a job with Antonia Hex, an incredibly powerful, if rebellious, sorcerer.
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Sun, however, is the most magically inclined person in their magical family, and they work with Fable, who is a stickler for rules.
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As they start running into each other more, Rook and Sun progress from frenemies to something much more tender. The way that @ftlukens wrote this relationship feels so genuine and intentional and I cannot overstate how much the care that they took means.
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While this is a fun, silly story about magic and relationships, it deals with much deeper themes as well, such as building a community that feels like a family and the need to fight back against unjust institutions. I found some later scenes dealing with the latter theme in particular to be quite poignant.
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Beyond all that, the cover art by @sam.spectre is absolutely amazing on all of Lukens' books and I love nothing more than these covers.

This was an amazing fantasy romance novel, and another F.T. Lukens hit! The magic system was very well written and it felt inspired by The Owl House, which I am obsessed with. I also like the allegory to people with learning disabilities. Rook cannot see magic, and it isolates him from the community he grew up with. But with the use of technological innovation on his part, he can access the knowledge he is not afforded. I loved that aspect of the magic system and challenging who has access to magic. The romance between Rook and Sun was so cute! Love seeing them go from frenemies to lovers. The touch aversion being discussed in their relationship was also very masterfully done. I had never read consent so organically before when it came to someone not liking physical touch and Lukens does it effortlessly.

Edison Rooker grew up adjacent to the magical world, living with his grandmother who was a low-level sorcerer. However, once she died, the Magical Consortium would no longer let Rook live in her home and so he has spent a lonely year on his own. Now that he has finished high school, Rook is looking for job — and a way to connect with magic once again. Rook has invented a device he calls the Spell Binder that gives him the ability to see the ley lines, something only those with magic should be able to do. He hopes that with this device, magic may actually be possible for him. Rook goes to see Antonia Hex, one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, hoping for a job. At first, Antonia has no interest in hiring a human with no magical skills, not to mention officially she isn’t even allowed by the Consortium to bring on an apprentice. However, eventually Rook’s enthusiasm and his ability to repair all the electronics she keeps breaking (combined with Antonia’s desire for some minor rebellion against the Consortium), see her hiring Rook to help manage her office. Rook is disappointed that Antonia detects no magic in him, but still happy to be a part of the magical world again, even if just tangentially.

One day, Rook meets Sun, the apprentice of Fable, Antonia’s friend and sometimes rival. While Sun is grumpy and doesn’t seem to want much to do with Rook, Rook can’t help find them adorable. The two teens end up spending more time together as Antonia and Fable work with one another on some jobs, and eventually a friendship begins to form. Sun still is very reserved, but the pair are starting to connect and an attract is growing between them.

While things are going well with Rook and Sun, there is still the matter of Rook’s illegal Spell Binder device. And the fact that technically Rook shouldn’t even be working for Antonia. And, Antonia definitely shouldn’t be teaching Rook magic. Not to mention that while Rook and Antonia may be ok breaking some Consortium rules, Rook and Fable are less so and it is causing tension among the group. But when the Consortium gets word of what is going on and come for the mentors, Rook and Sun must rely on each other to find a way out of the situation. They may just be apprentices, but they are determined to stand up to the Consortium and help their mentors, no matter what it takes.

I really found this magic-filled, young adult story by F.T. Lukens to be just delightful. There is a nice sense of world building, a sweet couple in Rook and Sun, and a fun dose of adventure. Lukens has created a world that is very much like our modern one, with the addition of magic. Rook grew up surrounded by magic only to have it ripped away from him when his grandmother died and he is desperate to reconnect with that part of his life. He has not just lost something important to him in magic, but the sense of comfort and love from his grandmother. This past year has been hard, as Rook is really on his own, despite being not even 17. Rook’s story dovetails nicely with Antonia’s, as she is being punished by the Consortium for transgressions related to her last apprentice and so she too understands the idea of being held back from your potential and being kept away from something that is a part of you. So there is a kinship there that has Antonia serving as a friend and mentor to Rook. She enjoys breaking the rules a little, so she lets Rook get away with things he shouldn’t in terms of learning magic and helping out. But she also becomes someone solid in Rook’s life, which he really needs.

The initial conflict here is Rook figuring out how to get magic back into his life, then it slowly morphs in to the conflict with Sun and Fable, as they are both much more strict rule-followers and it doesn’t take long before they realize that Rook and Antonia are breaking plenty. It causes a nice conflict for Rook and Sun as they build a friendship, and then start some shy feelings for each other. Philosophically they contrast in terms of their views on the rules, but also they really like one another and struggle for that balance. The larger conflict here that develops is with the Magical Consortium, which gives Rook and Sun a chance to work together to fight the Consortium’s threats and the danger that results when they learn more about what is going on. I did feel the pacing was off a little here, as a lot of the story seems to be setting up for this conflict, which doesn’t come until the second half of the book. Things take a turn in intensity, danger, and adventure here and it feels a little later in the story than I would have wanted it to really kick off. I so think this story has a nice young adult arc, with the teens being forced to stand up and fight against the authority figures and even to save their adult mentors. So I found their adventure a lot of fun and it gives the teens a chance to really come into their own in the later part of the book.

Sun and Rook are sweet together with a grumpy/sunshine vibe. They are shy and adorable and trying to find their way with one another. They are also strong and brave and smart and figure out how to save the day together. While there is some danger and a few intense moments with their fight against the Consortium, on the romance end this is very much on the tame side. Rook and Sun share a few kisses that are very much G-rated, so definitely more sweet than sexy. I really liked the dynamic between them and watching them grow both individually and together.

I found this one a lot of fun and a very engaging story with a nice magical twist. Lukens has a great writing style and I enjoyed this one a lot. If you like magical world building and young adult adventures, Spell Bound is definitely one to check out.

I loved this novel! I've read other works from this author and was happy when I received this ARC. I wasn't disappointed. The book was sweet and charming while still invoking lots of emotion. It had a bit of grump-sunshine to the relationship that I couldn't get enough of. Rook is easily my favorite character I've spent time with this year. Be sure to pick this one up!

This story was a well written YA novel that had amazing representation! Sun and Rook's relationship ship is sweet and just as flawed as one would find in real life. Antonia is a wonderful mentor character it is too easy to love, while Fable takes a while to warm to. Overall, this book was one that made me feel warm and happy, even when dealing with tough topics like exclusion and authoritarianism. Rook was one of the best characters I've read this year, and I really loved his character the most, It was so easy to identify with his loss and desperation. I enjoyed the underdog themes, the dystpoian sequel feel, and the lovable characters.

Sweet, magical, and much like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.

One of my only gripes with this book comes with the marketing for it, though that isn’t actually reflective of the book or its quality. The description for this book places an emphasis on the protagonists, Rook and Sun, teaming up to save the sorcerers that they work for… except that that doesn’t actually happen until closer to the 70% mark. The rest of this book, up to that point, is a slow burn of Rook and Sun’s relationship as they work on different cases with their respective mentors. It’s a great slow burn, to be sure—but because of the descriptions giving away so much of the third act, I spent so much of the book wondering just when these mentors would be in trouble. I’m worried that some readers might be disappointed by the pacing of this book because of this, but I personally really enjoyed it for what it is: a cute book about found families in an urban fantasy setting.

Anyway, aside from that, I loved the characters in this book and the setting. Everyone was fun and interesting, and I was genuinely excited to keep reading! The writing style is accessible and grounded, yet still funny and quick. I think a lot of people who want a breezy yet emotionally resonant book (with a very diverse and very queer cast) will love this book.

Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s fun and cute—just expect a slightly slower pace than the description might suggest.

Spell Bound was incredibly cute and had all of the charm that I’ve come to love from F.T. Lukens’ writing. It was just so much fun and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!

Lukens has a way of pulling you into a story and making you feel deeply for their characters in a short amount of time. Rook and Sun are just so likable and you want to learn more about them from their first interactions. Rook’s determination to be back in the world of magic and just wanting a place to belong is deeply relatable and it was just wonderful watching him grow into himself as a person and apprentice. And Sun, my sweet baby. I loved them so much. They’re the grump to Rook’s unyielding sunshine and it’s the perfect pairing. This was such a fun frenemies-to-lovers storyline. <spoiler> And the whole section with Sun as a cat???? Hands down my favorite part - the emotional vulnerability between them was just unmatched. </spoiler>

I liked both So This Is Ever After and In Deeper Waters, but this one felt different - maybe more complex? The drama and conflict held a lot of weight and I was constantly guessing how this was going to end up. <spoiler> I felt myself rooting for Rook and Sun to dismantle the Consortium - and for Fable and Antonia to set aside their own differences and come together to protect their apprentices. </spoiler>

My biggest complaint, and why I can’t rate this higher than 4 stars, is the pacing. It took FOREVER for this story to really get going - and I didn’t truly feel invested in the plot until about 50% in. It took me a week to read 150 pages and then I finished the rest in a day and a half. The first half is almost solely exposition and character/world set-up, but it could have used more action. I don’t think that this was necessarily marked in the right way - the storyline with the Consortium and Rook’s Spell Binder doesn’t occur until really late and it almost feels like a spoiler to have it in there?

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I can’t wait to see what else F.T. Lukens publishes!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Two young sorcerers unite to save their respective mentors in this young adult fantasy. Bit of a slow starter, but once I got into it I really enjoyed it! A sweet romance and a strong fantasy, this is a book worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

4.5 stars!

This was so good 🥺 it took me a few chapters to really get into the story but once I did, I really loved it! I think the 2nd half of the book was especially great!! I absolutely adored So This is Ever After last year so this one was one of my most highly anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint! Rook & Sun’s Frenemies to Lovers journey was so great!!! And if you love a found family trope than definitely pick this one up!! Just overall really enjoyed this one 🥰

I enjoyed this book and I thought it was really sweet but it definitely was on the young side of YA if not even middle grade. Which isn’t a bad thing but I really don’t feel like this book was for me. I really liked Sun and found Rook and their romance very sweet and accurate to being a young teenager. Also I feel like all the representation was all really natural and well done, which is really refreshing. Honestly my biggest issue with this book is that it feels like the plot doesn’t start until halfway through. The synopsis reveals that Antonia gets captured so you expect that to happen way earlier in the book so I was very surprised it doesn’t happen until over 50% through. Overall I think this book would be a fun read for a young teen, especially one who identifies with the characters.

Utterly delightful! F. T. Lukens has yet to disappoint me, but Spell Bound really stuck out. The characters are endearing (and who doesn't love a morally gray but territorial sorcerer?). Sun was especially adorable and possibly autistic coded? Frankly I loved every moment of this book and raced through it in two days.

The "magic" of an F. T. Lukens book feels to me like falling backward onto a trampoline after you have been jumping on it. It both catches you and bouys you back up and it feels lovely. It is what you imagined a cloud would feel like when you were a kid, fluffy and warm and something to sink into and just vibe.
Spell Bound delivers on that once again, but this time it also has:
- Found Family
- Sunshine Character/Grumpy Character relationship
- An extremely badass Sorceress
- Two (2!) non-binary main characters
- There is only one bed! trope
- anti-capitalist vibes
and so much more!

I can't declare this my new favorite F. T. Lukens book because I love all of them so much! But this one definitely doesn't disappoint!

Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars

Another magical, adventurous & delightful read from F.T. Lukens!

One thing I love so very much about F.T. Lukens is that there’s always a promised HEA. Their novels are always lovely, chaotic (in the best way), & entertaining. I love that I always know I what I am getting into— A WONDERFUL TIME !

I have to say, this may have been my favorite so far ! The character development was fantastic & the MCs were on a long trail of disaster after disaster with even more magical mishaps at every turn…

“…that was as close as they were able to get because I took off running. They weren’t going to catch me. I was the motherfucking Gingerbread Man.”
[Quotes may not be in the published version of this novel, they were copied from the advanced reader’s edition.]

This book was an absolute joy to read and the relationship between our two MCs Rook & Sun was *insert heart eyes emoji here* and queer! (wooo we love the LGBTQIA+ rep! Not to mention Sun is non-binary, and on the neurodiversity spectrum as well, as you will be sure to notice in the book though I don’t recall it ever being mentioned, besides Rook respecting it! Anyway we love all of that beautiful rep!), and charming AF! The relationship between the two “rivals,” as they are each apprentices of a sort to rival witches— Antonia, and Fable (who is also non-binary— thank you for all the NB rep, Lukens ☺️). The rivalry between Antonia (a city sorcerer) & Fable (a cottage sorcerer), I honestly think, was rather entertaining, and obviously a problem to overcome for Rook &
Sun.

“I ignored them. It wasn’t mature in the slightest, but I didn’t know what to say. I’d chosen magic. I’d always choose magic. That wasn’t the question. But it had been nice to have a friend. To have someone who liked me in return. Someone who, despite my prickliness and social ineptitude, had kept trying. Most people gave up. Even my sisters didn’t fully understand.”
[Quotes may not be in the published version of this novel, they were copied from the advanced reader’s edition.]

Magical hijinks ensue (which should be a TM for Lukens 😉), charm, wit, and humor are found at every turn, and Sun is erm, turned into a CAT for a portion of the book, which is the best thing ever oml !

“I sighed, tipping my head back. “I regret everything.”
“Life choices, friend. Come on, like you said, it’s big, and we won’t even have to touch in the night. Unless your inner feline decides it wants to cuddle again.”
“So much regret.”
[Quotes may not be in the published version of this novel, they were copied from the advanced reader’s edition.]

I admire Rook SOMUCH because after having magic ripped away from him, after being surrounded by it his whole life, when his grandmother died, he was left with well, nothing magical. He made his way & is a genius, especially with electronics and technology, and makes a FANTASTIC, erm, very much magically illegal device that maps ley lines & senses magic, called the Spell Binder! He worked SO hard on it, and for someone with no magic, you have to admit that is incredibly impressive.

I also loved, so much, that none of the rep was ever really mentioned by name, either, the author shows, rather than tells, with ease & grace.

This was just such a joy to read and the road, the whole way through seems to be filled with obstacles for each MC alone, the MCs together, and the side characters to not only endure, but overcome! And that they do!

It was a truly marvelous magical comedic romp of a romantasy!

I enjoyed this from start to finish, and I recommend 100%! Another great one by F.T. Lukens!

A HUGE thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

An extraordinarily fun fantasy adventure featuring queer love, found family, and a little speaking truth to power. This book will wrap the rebellious but cozy part of you up in a blanket and shower you with sparkly golden butterflies.

F.T. Lukens just keeps getting better. This book was so sweet. I don't reread many books but I will go back to this one when I need a cozy hug. The characters are strong and the world is well-fleshed out. The romance part is light and has a fairly realistic progression, which is hard to find especially in YA. If you like Lukens' other books you'll also love this one and their writing style has gotten even stronger. I will be recommending this to everyone!

If you're looking for magic, adventure and romance, Spell Bound is the book for you!

Rook is non-magical, but was raised by his magical grandmother. When she passed away, a sorcerer looked at his palm and declared him non magical. He had to move out of her magical neighborhood and into an apartment in the city. He is a genius, but is very alone (and very lonely). When the book begins, he goes to inquire about a job at Hex-a-Gone, run by the famous sorcerer Antonia Hex. She shouldn't hire him, but she does, telling him she can't teach him magic and he can only be an office worker. But he doesn't care. He's just happy to be around magic again. He also has an ulterior motive - he wants to test his device, the Spell Binder, which identifies let lines, which sorcerers access for magic.

On his first day, Sun walks into the office with a handful of cursed objects. They are an apprentice of Fable, who Antonia is working with on a cursed piano. The box is full of other things from the same house. When the doormat trips Sun, and they fall, Rook saves the day and helps to capture the creepy cursed doll. But Sun leaves before Rook can learn their name.

After a couple of weeks, Antonia finds out about the Spell Finder. She is a rule breaker, and outcast of the Consortium which makes all of the rules, so she decides helping him is just a tiny act of defiance. But when she sends him to a haunted house without her (thinking Fable was going to be there), and he gets caught up in a cursed curtain, and is only saved because Sun was there and uses a sword to cut him out, Antonia decides to teach him magic. And Sun defies Fable to help as well. But if a non magical person can learn magic, then the Consortium doesn't have the stranglehold on magic they claim to have.

This book is full of awkward teenage love, with a non-binary character who doesn't like being touched. It is a sweet romance, which stays solidly in G/PG territory. The magical elements feels completely natural in the story, and it makes for a fun adventure story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.