novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
"It's been ten years since Bitten, the first novel in Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Otherworld series. In that time hundreds of thousands of fans have ravenously devoured the adventures of Armstrong's witches, demons, and werewolves. Now, in Spell Bound, she brings them all together for her most sweeping tale yet.
Savannah Levine is in terrible danger, and for once she's powerless to help herself. At the heartbreaking conclusion of Waking the Witch, Savannah swore that she would give up her powers if it would prevent further pain for a young orphan. Little did she know that someone would take her up on that promise.
And now, witch-hunting assassins, necromancers, half-demons, and rogue witches all seem to be after her. The threat is not just for Savannah; every member of the Otherworld might be at risk. While most of her fellow supernaturals are circling the wagons at a gathering of the council in Miami, Savannah is caught on the road, isolated from those who can protect her and unable to use her vast spell-casting talent, the thing she counts on most. In a story that will change the shape of the Otherworld forever, Armstrong gathers Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jamie, Hope, and other beloved characters, who soon learn that the greatest threat to supernaturals just may come from within." (From Amazon)
The last three novels of this series are tied closely together as the women of the otherword and their friends try to save the supernatural world. I love that Armstrong has chosen Savannah to tell the story as she can balance out the serious stuff with humour. While I am sad I am getting to the end of the series I am loving where this is going.
"It's been ten years since Bitten, the first novel in Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Otherworld series. In that time hundreds of thousands of fans have ravenously devoured the adventures of Armstrong's witches, demons, and werewolves. Now, in Spell Bound, she brings them all together for her most sweeping tale yet.
Savannah Levine is in terrible danger, and for once she's powerless to help herself. At the heartbreaking conclusion of Waking the Witch, Savannah swore that she would give up her powers if it would prevent further pain for a young orphan. Little did she know that someone would take her up on that promise.
And now, witch-hunting assassins, necromancers, half-demons, and rogue witches all seem to be after her. The threat is not just for Savannah; every member of the Otherworld might be at risk. While most of her fellow supernaturals are circling the wagons at a gathering of the council in Miami, Savannah is caught on the road, isolated from those who can protect her and unable to use her vast spell-casting talent, the thing she counts on most. In a story that will change the shape of the Otherworld forever, Armstrong gathers Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jamie, Hope, and other beloved characters, who soon learn that the greatest threat to supernaturals just may come from within." (From Amazon)
The last three novels of this series are tied closely together as the women of the otherword and their friends try to save the supernatural world. I love that Armstrong has chosen Savannah to tell the story as she can balance out the serious stuff with humour. While I am sad I am getting to the end of the series I am loving where this is going.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Spell Bound
3 Stars
Series note: This is book 12 in the series, but the 2nd focusing on Savannah Levine. The plot continues directly from where the previous book ended, so it is recommended that it be read in order for the backstory.
Unfortunately, Savannah's story arc does not live up to its potential. The character development is non-existent; the plot is a convoluted mess of intertwined threads that rely excessively on remembering details from the first 12 books in the series, and the hints at a romance between Savannah and Adam fall short.
Savannah is an adult, yet she still behaves like a self-absorbed and rebellious teenager. The entire premise of the book emerges from the fact that rather than dealing with the consequences of her actions, she throws a temper tantrum and ostensibly repudiates her powers. Moreover, the point from my review of book 11 remains - it is annoying when an author undermines a powerful heroine by nullifying her powers. Surely, there are better ways to create suspense.
The plot itself is nothing more than an attempt to include as many characters from previous books within the storyline. There is something nefarious going on in the supernatural world, but it is all very vague and tenuous. The villains are stereotypical and cartoonish rather than truly menacing.
The romance is the most disappointing element in the book. Adam and Savannah have absolutely no chemistry and treat each other more like siblings than potential love interests. There is nothing engaging about their conversations, which are completely devoid of the wit and snark that characterizes romances with sizzle and spark.
Finally, the book ends on an irritating cliffhanger. At least the last book is already out. Hopefully, it will compensate for the shortcomings of this one.
3 Stars
Series note: This is book 12 in the series, but the 2nd focusing on Savannah Levine. The plot continues directly from where the previous book ended, so it is recommended that it be read in order for the backstory.
Unfortunately, Savannah's story arc does not live up to its potential. The character development is non-existent; the plot is a convoluted mess of intertwined threads that rely excessively on remembering details from the first 12 books in the series, and the hints at a romance between Savannah and Adam fall short.
Savannah is an adult, yet she still behaves like a self-absorbed and rebellious teenager. The entire premise of the book emerges from the fact that rather than dealing with the consequences of her actions, she throws a temper tantrum and ostensibly repudiates her powers. Moreover, the point from my review of book 11 remains - it is annoying when an author undermines a powerful heroine by nullifying her powers. Surely, there are better ways to create suspense.
The plot itself is nothing more than an attempt to include as many characters from previous books within the storyline. There is something nefarious going on in the supernatural world, but it is all very vague and tenuous. The villains are stereotypical and cartoonish rather than truly menacing.
The romance is the most disappointing element in the book. Adam and Savannah have absolutely no chemistry and treat each other more like siblings than potential love interests. There is nothing engaging about their conversations, which are completely devoid of the wit and snark that characterizes romances with sizzle and spark.
Finally, the book ends on an irritating cliffhanger. At least the last book is already out. Hopefully, it will compensate for the shortcomings of this one.
readingrenbo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shepherd's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I have always enjoyed the last 3 books of this series.
styxx's review against another edition
3.0
The Otherworld series as a whole has been very enjoyable, and Spellbound is an interesting addition. It is unusual though as most of the books stand alone reasonably comfortably as separate stories even if the narrator is the same. Spellbound genuinely doesn't.
The narrator is Savannah Levine. The story picks up where it left off in Waking the Witch with her dealing with a variety of issues, most particularly a witch hunter and the apparent loss of her powers. Then, whilst she's trying to find a solution to these, a new problem crops up: an organisation of supernaturals who want to renounce secrecy and take their 'rightful place' in charge of the world.
Whilst Spellbound is a good story and some minor points get resolved in it, a lot is left hanging. Rather than a separate story, it is really the connecting book between the events of Waking the Witch and Thirteen. As a result, it's hard to feel completely satisfied with it. Hopefully the next book will draw everything else together.
The narrator is Savannah Levine. The story picks up where it left off in Waking the Witch with her dealing with a variety of issues, most particularly a witch hunter and the apparent loss of her powers. Then, whilst she's trying to find a solution to these, a new problem crops up: an organisation of supernaturals who want to renounce secrecy and take their 'rightful place' in charge of the world.
Whilst Spellbound is a good story and some minor points get resolved in it, a lot is left hanging. Rather than a separate story, it is really the connecting book between the events of Waking the Witch and Thirteen. As a result, it's hard to feel completely satisfied with it. Hopefully the next book will draw everything else together.
lolasreviews's review against another edition
5.0
I really love this book and this series. So 5 stars again. I love Savannah's point of view, I like her even more in this books. She really grows up in this book. I liked the fact that . I also like that at the end of the book So I think this is a series everyone has to read, it is definitely one of my favourite series. It really is too bad the next book will be the last. And I really can't wait for the last book. So a very good book in a very good series. I recommend this to everyone.
Spoiler
she realized that she was using Adam and apoligized.Spoiler
Savannah and Adam finally kiss, I was waiting for this to happen. I knew they should be together (that was obviously from book two) but the whole series they are only friends. But now finally that wil change, hopefully.amiejcp's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad! Not my favourite of the series but still has everything I love about it. Looking forward to reading the last one -- very soon!
hemloc's review against another edition
4.0
Three reasons to read Spell Bound:
1) I like the slow build of Savannah and Adam's relationship. It's necessary given their situation, and it's written really well. I also find it funny and sweet that Savannah's main sources of relationship advice are Cassandra and Clay, who are arguably the last people anyone should be asking for advice.
2) There's a definite feeling in this book that the series is ending. All the old characters show up, not for brief cameos but to take on big roles. It's setting itself up for the next book, the last one in the main series. That adds a lot of tension and excitement, especially for someone who became giddy even with only those brief cameos.
3) I've been looking forward to learning more about the Nast boys since Industrial Magic and Bryce, in particular, since Haunted. He's interesting, and the way he plays into the ending, which is my favourite part, helps bring together a plot that was a little scattered because it had a lot going on.
Two drawbacks to Spell Bound:
1) A problem with this series is that the villains are unsympathetic and irredeemable. They're tough challenges for the protagonists, but they aren't interesting. They don't make me question my morality. I don't even dislike them all that much.
2) Because the villains are so unsympathetic, they're easy to spot. I found myself not liking Savannah much at times because she kept falling into traps that, to me, were obvious.
1) I like the slow build of Savannah and Adam's relationship. It's necessary given their situation, and it's written really well. I also find it funny and sweet that Savannah's main sources of relationship advice are Cassandra and Clay, who are arguably the last people anyone should be asking for advice.
2) There's a definite feeling in this book that the series is ending. All the old characters show up, not for brief cameos but to take on big roles. It's setting itself up for the next book, the last one in the main series. That adds a lot of tension and excitement, especially for someone who became giddy even with only those brief cameos.
3) I've been looking forward to learning more about the Nast boys since Industrial Magic and Bryce, in particular, since Haunted. He's interesting, and the way he plays into the ending, which is my favourite part, helps bring together a plot that was a little scattered because it had a lot going on.
Two drawbacks to Spell Bound:
1) A problem with this series is that the villains are unsympathetic and irredeemable. They're tough challenges for the protagonists, but they aren't interesting. They don't make me question my morality. I don't even dislike them all that much.
2) Because the villains are so unsympathetic, they're easy to spot. I found myself not liking Savannah much at times because she kept falling into traps that, to me, were obvious.
pjdelany's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The performance from Joanna Parker is absolutely key for the audio edition.
Truly bringing Savannah alive (finally after 10 books!!)
Truly bringing Savannah alive (finally after 10 books!!)