Review: Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

Review: Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: UK Publisher: Hachette; US Publisher: Dutton Adult
Where did you get this book: Purchased
Release date: Out now

The #1 “New York Times” bestselling author sets the stage for a battle of epic proportions.Savannah Levine is all grown up. As a witch endowed with an array of spells, she is also a force to be reckoned with. As a paranormal investigator she is finally coming into her own. But her last case tore a family apart, and Savannah swore she’d give up her powers to fix the mess she helped create. Someone–or something–must have been listening.Powerless and on the run from witch-hunting assassins, Savannah stumbles upon a gathering storm that threatens the very existence of the Otherworld. The danger is real, and Savannah must somehow join forces with old friends like Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, and Hope to face their world’s greatest threat–and one that just might come from within.

*blurb taken from Goodreads*

Spell Bound takes off from the last book, Waking the Witch. Savannah’s problem of losing her spells – or rather someone taking them away from her – weighs heavily on her. With the witch hunter still after Savannah and more trouble ahead when a sorcerer causes trouble at one of Jamie’s gigs, things take a turn for the worst when a group of supernaturals decide that they want to show the whole world who and what they are, and to do so means going up against the interracial council and the Cabals.

First off, ahh! Now that I’ve read Spell Bound there’s only one more book to go before the series ends. There’s another reason why I wait to read what I call my special books. If you don’t read a book then it’s still there ready to be read and then if you don’t read the books the series can’t end. Yes, it’s bloody stupid but that’s one of my book secrets. I bet there are many of you out there do the same!

Anyway back to my review. Ok, it’s now become official: Savannah is now one of my favorite narrators in the Otherworld series. She’s a 6ft tall smart mouth with a mixture of arrogance and vulnerability that makes her fascinating. She’s also quite young when it comes to certain areas and that’s what I like about Savannah. She has flaws but she understands her mistakes and owns up to them.

Her relationship with Adam in Spell Bound is tested when Adam finally forces Savannah to grow up. He does this sharply and Savannah responds in her own way, but she soon learns that she does have to grow up and this is when Savannah’s softness shows. Savannah loves her family dearly and there are tender moments with Savannah and Paige that I thought was so sweet. I always thought that Savannah would perhaps be like Eve, but Kelley Armstrong’s character arc for Savannah is perfect, and one that I didn’t see coming.

Savannah doesn’t want to loose what she’s used to: a home with Paige and Lucas — and Adam who she knows who will always be there for her when she screws up. But with Adam speaking some home truths to her, she realises that it’s finally time to grow up, and stand ground rather than running away like a child. Of course Savannah doesn’t instantly mature in this book, but she realises that her actions need to change.

I did think that the supernatural mystery in Spell Bound was weaker compared to Waking the Witch. Demons are involved in whatever is going down, and Savannah’s demon Grandfather is mixed up in this renegade group that want to change and bring dominance of the supernaturals to the world. It’s still unclear who took Savannah’s powers away and why they did so. It was great seeing the Otherworld gang again with Elena and Clay, Hope and Carl, and my lovely sexy Jeremy.

I still didn’t get the sense of urgency of the big bad final in Thirteen, but I have faith in Kelley Armstrong that’s she going to deliver one hell of a book. The romance between Savannah and Adam is still not there yet as Savannah isn’t ready, but the ending…oh that gave me hope. Adam despite the difference in age with Savannah is perfect for her. Even though they are best friends, the tension between them is so strong and they just act like the perfect couple already. I do hope she we get a smexy time in Thirteen between them, and I hope to see the big love reveal.

Spell Bound is another great installment and now there’s only one more book to go and it will be the end *sobs*. I wished that the big last storyline had a bigger impact but I’m just oh so curious to see where Savannah’s story leads too and to see her have her HEA, and to say a fond goodbye to my first Urban Fantasy series.

I give Spell Bound a B+

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3 thoughts on “Review: Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong”

  1. I haven’t read this one yet cause I have been waiting for Thirteen. I know it is out, and I will have to get them soon. But I just don’t want them to end!! Like you said, if you haven’t finished the books, the series isn’t truly over yet. I might have to start all over from the beginning! 🙂

  2. @OCDReader: Today is the day *sobs*. The book is finally out. I can’t make myself buy and read it yet. I need to get myself mentally prepared before reading it!

  3. Nice review, thank you. I still have to start reading this author. I know, but it is daunting as she has written so much already.

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