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Description
Someone has cut off the powers of headstrong young witch Savannah Levine and there's a witch-hunter out to kill her. Savannah, who just tackled her first murder case as a private investigator, now has to rely on mundane skills and her half-demon best friend, Adam, to turn the tables on her would-be killer and recover her magic.
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Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member RavenswoodPublishing
Kelley Armstrong is a progeny when it comes to supernatural writing. Her books leave you breathless with their racy romances, the constant struggles, and the exciting stories. She does all of this effortlessly and you have no choice but to plummet without stumbling straight into her world. She has
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created such a strong presence in all of her characters that everything about them makes them seem real! You get so caught up in their stories that you feel you are a part of them. I cannot say enough good things about Kelley! Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Savannah Levine has lost her powers but still needs to investigate some strange occurrences in the supernatural world. It seems that some supernaturals want to start a Supernatural Liberation Movement and fight for their right to rule over all humanity. It also looks like the demons are divided
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into factions over the issue too. Savannah and her best friend (and how she wishes he were her boyfriend) Adam investigate along with Paige and Lucas, Sean, Jeremy and Jaime, Elena and Clay. This was exciting and it was wonderful to see so many characters from earlier books. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I love Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. This is the twelfth entry into the series, almost all of which are the linked first person stories of various women of different supernatural "races," including a werewolf, witch, angel, necromancer, and half-demon. Almost all of these books stand alone,
That wasn't the case with the last book in the series, Waking the Witch featuring witch Savannah Levine and it isn't the case with this sequel. That aspect made Waking the Witch my least favorite outing in the series to date, all the more because it left me with a cliffhanger in the very last sentence with the loss of Savannah's magic that left me wanting to hurl the book against the wall. This one, the second in the trilogy, didn't similarly leave on a cliffhanger, and I liked watching Savannah grow (and grow up) when forced not to use magic as a crutch, but it notably left major plot-lines unresolved for the next book. This book reads more like the build-up to a supernatural war, than a novel complete in itself.
I wouldn't call this a standout among the series. I fell in love with Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortes of the third and fourth books, and some of the other novels even evoked tears from me (and five star ratings). This latest novel is engrossing however. Armstrong writes in a clean style, features strong world-building, and writes characters that after a dozen books feel like old friends to me. I really loved seeing not just Paige and Lucas but Hope, Clay, Jaimie, Jeremy, Elena, Cassandra... This is fast-paced with lots of action, and I read this in a few hours in almost one sitting. And I certainly will be picking up the next book. Given I feel LK Hamilton has long become unreadable, and Charlene Harris lost the spark of her early Sookie books, and other current urban fantasy series have left me underwhelmed, I'd name Armstrong's Otherworld series as my favorite still-currently-publishing fantasy series. (Though from what I just read in other reviews--the next book in the series will be the end of the series. *sob* I hope it goes out with a bang! From where this left off, it sure has the potential to.)
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and though you might learn some plot spoilers for earlier ones in the bunch, they're all pretty self-contained, with you not needing to read earlier ones to get what's happening and with a satisfying resolution.That wasn't the case with the last book in the series, Waking the Witch featuring witch Savannah Levine and it isn't the case with this sequel. That aspect made Waking the Witch my least favorite outing in the series to date, all the more because it left me with a cliffhanger in the very last sentence with the loss of Savannah's magic that left me wanting to hurl the book against the wall. This one, the second in the trilogy, didn't similarly leave on a cliffhanger, and I liked watching Savannah grow (and grow up) when forced not to use magic as a crutch, but it notably left major plot-lines unresolved for the next book. This book reads more like the build-up to a supernatural war, than a novel complete in itself.
I wouldn't call this a standout among the series. I fell in love with Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortes of the third and fourth books, and some of the other novels even evoked tears from me (and five star ratings). This latest novel is engrossing however. Armstrong writes in a clean style, features strong world-building, and writes characters that after a dozen books feel like old friends to me. I really loved seeing not just Paige and Lucas but Hope, Clay, Jaimie, Jeremy, Elena, Cassandra... This is fast-paced with lots of action, and I read this in a few hours in almost one sitting. And I certainly will be picking up the next book. Given I feel LK Hamilton has long become unreadable, and Charlene Harris lost the spark of her early Sookie books, and other current urban fantasy series have left me underwhelmed, I'd name Armstrong's Otherworld series as my favorite still-currently-publishing fantasy series. (Though from what I just read in other reviews--the next book in the series will be the end of the series. *sob* I hope it goes out with a bang! From where this left off, it sure has the potential to.)
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LibraryThing member mountie9
The Good Stuff
I am constantly amazed on how fabulous a storyteller Armstrong is. I have only read the short stories in this series and still enjoyed this book. She gives you the perfect synopsis of what has happened in previous books for newbies to the series without irritating hard core fans who
Strong female characters (tho Savannah was not up to her usual kick ass self in this)
Fabulous humor
Storyline is exciting and keeps you guessing
Love Cassandra (since I am new to series I'm hoping she is in other stories)
intriguing storyline - must take my copy of Bitten with me camping
Lots of paranormal creatures - even some werewolves which are usually not my fav, but I am intrigued into finding out more about them
Love all of the different complicated family dynamics - very true to life
Love the honesty of Savannah's friends telling her honestly and lovingly about her less than stellar behavior
Kelley just has an extraordinary gift of sucking you into a story and making you feel like you are part of that world
Fabulous ending, very much looking forward to 13 now
The Not so Good Stuff
Wanted to smack Savannah upside the head because of some of the choices she made
A wee bit confusing if you haven't read the entire series (But this totally made me want to)
How long do I have to wait for 13 to come out (damn I hate waiting LOL!)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"You know, alcohol brings out different things in everyone," I said. "For you, it releases your inner librarian."
"Sexy, isn't it"
"Totally."
"When questioned, the soldier admitted that he hadn't been in the barn all night. See, the farmer had this daughter and, well, we all know how that goes."
"Well, that was humiliating," I said. "Tell you what, I'll buy that new top for your Jeep if you promise never to tell anyone you rescued me from a drunk asking for spare change."
Who should/shouldn't read
Obviously fans of the rest of the series will enjoy
Good for both adult and YA - nothing too racy or violent
Now I must pass this on to Kiera - because she is going to go postal if I don't let her read it soon (Don't worry publishers she will ALSO buy her own copy and have both signed by Kelley)
4.5 Dewey's (Only took .5 off because of MY enjoyment - only because I have only read the short stories in the series and was a little confused at times - for those who have read the series I imagine this would be definitely a 5)
I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review
I am constantly amazed on how fabulous a storyteller Armstrong is. I have only read the short stories in this series and still enjoyed this book. She gives you the perfect synopsis of what has happened in previous books for newbies to the series without irritating hard core fans who
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have read everything in the series - that is a gift that so few authors do wellStrong female characters (tho Savannah was not up to her usual kick ass self in this)
Fabulous humor
Storyline is exciting and keeps you guessing
Love Cassandra (since I am new to series I'm hoping she is in other stories)
intriguing storyline - must take my copy of Bitten with me camping
Lots of paranormal creatures - even some werewolves which are usually not my fav, but I am intrigued into finding out more about them
Love all of the different complicated family dynamics - very true to life
Love the honesty of Savannah's friends telling her honestly and lovingly about her less than stellar behavior
Kelley just has an extraordinary gift of sucking you into a story and making you feel like you are part of that world
Fabulous ending, very much looking forward to 13 now
The Not so Good Stuff
Wanted to smack Savannah upside the head because of some of the choices she made
A wee bit confusing if you haven't read the entire series (But this totally made me want to)
How long do I have to wait for 13 to come out (damn I hate waiting LOL!)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"You know, alcohol brings out different things in everyone," I said. "For you, it releases your inner librarian."
"Sexy, isn't it"
"Totally."
"When questioned, the soldier admitted that he hadn't been in the barn all night. See, the farmer had this daughter and, well, we all know how that goes."
"Well, that was humiliating," I said. "Tell you what, I'll buy that new top for your Jeep if you promise never to tell anyone you rescued me from a drunk asking for spare change."
Who should/shouldn't read
Obviously fans of the rest of the series will enjoy
Good for both adult and YA - nothing too racy or violent
Now I must pass this on to Kiera - because she is going to go postal if I don't let her read it soon (Don't worry publishers she will ALSO buy her own copy and have both signed by Kelley)
4.5 Dewey's (Only took .5 off because of MY enjoyment - only because I have only read the short stories in the series and was a little confused at times - for those who have read the series I imagine this would be definitely a 5)
I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member MelHay
Whirling from the sadness and regret of what happened with Kayla and her grandmother along with the people who died while she was on the case, Savannah wishes she could do something to help Kayla. Even give up her powers to make it all right again. Savannah wakes in her hotel room to find her best
I started late into this series with Waking the Witch, which starts with Savannah's story line so was a great time to jump in. I've enjoyed these two quick reads. Savannah is a little young but she is growing and learning, the hard way. Savannah hits a bottom here she never thought she would hit, but she starts to come back and want more of herself.
This book starts exactly where Waking the Witch ended. And the prologue is a wonderful start!. It brought me up to where I was with Savannah at the end of Waking the Witch, and made me curious again with its hints. I even went back and read the prologue again after finishing the book. I would suggest reading Waking the Witch before reading this one, but books prior to that I don't think you need.
The characters we meet! There is a huge cast of characters in this series, and I guess being 12 books there would be. I loved meeting them and getting little glimpses of their histories, who they are, and even a touch of cases from the past. All this has me wanting once again to pick up all the previous ten books I haven't read to get to know them all better. I really enjoyed these characters and the way they respond to each other. Oh and Adam... he is here in this book full force and I just loved him. He is adult yet feels of young innocent fun with Savannah. And some sexy to him too.
I enjoy the writing style Kelley has here. If I think back to Waking the Witch and this one it seems like one on going story with the two. Kelley guides us along through the stories that are connected deeply but leads into the next situation. Like there is no time that passes and we follow each day with Savannah. They stories evolve to a different level as you go and the story becomes more than just the simple case Savannah was working on. There is more to them and they flow together. I like that the books fit so close together like this.
This book could be read by Young Adult readers. There is just a touch of alcohol mentioned here as Savannah is twenty-one. But there is no sex. This is a story easy to follow and read through quickly.
There is so much more to Savannah's life than she knows. And all is about to change with the war on the horizon. I definitely want to continue reading these books, and what Kelley has coming next too.
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friend Adam - whom she's loved since she was twelve - sleeping in a chair beside her. He had found her. Then to find she is powerless. The one thing she depends on deeply, her magic, is gone. Not knowing who took it without a deal being made. On her way to get a drink, Savannah is reminded there's a witch-hunter after her. Not being able to use the one reflexive defense she has, Savannah has to learn to protect herself again. Savannah has to redefine who she is as a person to make it through the troubles to come, and win the love of her life.I started late into this series with Waking the Witch, which starts with Savannah's story line so was a great time to jump in. I've enjoyed these two quick reads. Savannah is a little young but she is growing and learning, the hard way. Savannah hits a bottom here she never thought she would hit, but she starts to come back and want more of herself.
This book starts exactly where Waking the Witch ended. And the prologue is a wonderful start!. It brought me up to where I was with Savannah at the end of Waking the Witch, and made me curious again with its hints. I even went back and read the prologue again after finishing the book. I would suggest reading Waking the Witch before reading this one, but books prior to that I don't think you need.
The characters we meet! There is a huge cast of characters in this series, and I guess being 12 books there would be. I loved meeting them and getting little glimpses of their histories, who they are, and even a touch of cases from the past. All this has me wanting once again to pick up all the previous ten books I haven't read to get to know them all better. I really enjoyed these characters and the way they respond to each other. Oh and Adam... he is here in this book full force and I just loved him. He is adult yet feels of young innocent fun with Savannah. And some sexy to him too.
I enjoy the writing style Kelley has here. If I think back to Waking the Witch and this one it seems like one on going story with the two. Kelley guides us along through the stories that are connected deeply but leads into the next situation. Like there is no time that passes and we follow each day with Savannah. They stories evolve to a different level as you go and the story becomes more than just the simple case Savannah was working on. There is more to them and they flow together. I like that the books fit so close together like this.
This book could be read by Young Adult readers. There is just a touch of alcohol mentioned here as Savannah is twenty-one. But there is no sex. This is a story easy to follow and read through quickly.
There is so much more to Savannah's life than she knows. And all is about to change with the war on the horizon. I definitely want to continue reading these books, and what Kelley has coming next too.
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LibraryThing member saramllr
I read somewhere that Kelley Armstrong was putting the Otherworld series on hiatus. I hope this is not the last book for a while because otherwise she's kinda leaving us hanging.
LibraryThing member sithereandread
SPELL BOUND, by Kelley Armstrong, is full of action, suspense, and the complete cast of characters from all the Women of the Otherworld books combined. Each book in the series has been leading up to this epic almost-conclusion to the series. Savannah has lost her powers and discovers a group of
After Waking The Witch, I loved reading the book from Savannah's POV, and I was excited to know that the last books in the series were through her eyes. Previously she's been more of a side-character but since her coming of age she is definitely a significant woman in Armstrong's Otherworld. Savannah has been all about her awesome magic skills her whole life and when that is taken away from her, her resolve crumbles under the pressure that she is just not good enough for everyone in her life. Along with her breakdown, Savannah and Adam are on the case to discover why witch hunters and other supernaturals are after her.
This book took many of the cases and problems from previous books and brought them together into one massive problem for supernaturals. I loved how Armstrong brought the gang together to fight! And, as always, I yearned for Savannah and Adam to finally realize their feelings for each other!!
Overall, this book was non-stop heart-pounding adventure with a huge cast of phenomenal characters. I am thrilled and anxious to read the final conclusion of the series as soon as I can get my hands on it!
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supernaturals that want to take their powers to the ultimate level. Full of intrigue, romance, and all of the characters that you know and love, I guarentee you will not be able to put this book down!After Waking The Witch, I loved reading the book from Savannah's POV, and I was excited to know that the last books in the series were through her eyes. Previously she's been more of a side-character but since her coming of age she is definitely a significant woman in Armstrong's Otherworld. Savannah has been all about her awesome magic skills her whole life and when that is taken away from her, her resolve crumbles under the pressure that she is just not good enough for everyone in her life. Along with her breakdown, Savannah and Adam are on the case to discover why witch hunters and other supernaturals are after her.
This book took many of the cases and problems from previous books and brought them together into one massive problem for supernaturals. I loved how Armstrong brought the gang together to fight! And, as always, I yearned for Savannah and Adam to finally realize their feelings for each other!!
Overall, this book was non-stop heart-pounding adventure with a huge cast of phenomenal characters. I am thrilled and anxious to read the final conclusion of the series as soon as I can get my hands on it!
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LibraryThing member kayceel
Spell Bound picks up where Waking the Witch left off: Savannah wishes that if the outcome of her investigation were different, she'd give up her powers...and then her powers are shut off. She reaches out to her best friend (and not-so-secret crush) Adam for help in discovering who took her powers
An exciting, fun, and teeny-bit sexy read - and with this ending, there's no way I can patiently wait for the next book!!!!
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and why, all while trying to keep away form a witch-hunter determined to kill Savannah, powers or no.An exciting, fun, and teeny-bit sexy read - and with this ending, there's no way I can patiently wait for the next book!!!!
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LibraryThing member flemmily
Disappointing. I haven't been reading paranormal much recently, so it may be just that I'm out of the groove, but this book felt a little phoned in. Characters from other books are kind of shoved in, without revealing much of the personalities that make them really fun to read about.
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick and Dirty: The second to last book in the Otherworld series, Spell Bound provides essential character and plot development, but drags a bit and leaves the reader wanting more.
Opening Sentence: He watched the girl stumble from the motel office, room key
The Review:
Spell Bound picks up right where Waking the Witch, the previous book in the series, ends. An unknown figure, outside Savannah’s room, conspires to steal her magical ability at the same time as Savannah pleads that she would give up her magical ability if it would make things right for poor Kayla and her grandmother and the law.
One would assume that the reader will be someone who is familiar with Savannah’s story through some of Armstrong’s other books, not necessarily virginal readers. I would like to note that anyone who has read any of Armstrong’s adult books like the Otherworld Series, there is often at least a few sex or sexually charged scenes that are not found in her young adult works. Returning readers should also consider that Savannah, a character we’ve known since she was twelve, is now twenty-one and active. The book is not risqué, but shows the realities of the consequences of close relationships that form through overcoming death defying obstacles trying to kill or capture you at every turn. That being said, Armstrong does try to allow for anyone to pick up the book and be able to understand the plot without needing excess detail on back stories.
The plot in this novel is kind of scattered and confusing, but I had to chalk that up to the fact that this book is more of a linking novel to bring all of the storylines together in the final book of the series, Thirteen, which is due out in July 2012. Savannah’s magic is missing and there aren’t many leads on how to get it back. You have the witch hunter from the previous book and a group who are concerned with bringing the supernatural world out into the open, which would bring chaos and death to humans. There’s also a kidnapping thought to be between Cabal families that is causing stress and narrow escapes across the country. There is a lot going on in the supernatural world that is about to come to a head in the final novel.
Not only is there turmoil in the supernatural world, but there are sparks between Savannah and Adam. I do like that there is real development between those two now that they are both older and learning more about who they are as adults.
Overall, this book is kind of confusing plot wise, but only because there are a lot of things that need to be explained before the series can conclude next summer. Long term readers will appreciate the development in characters, and new readers will come to love these complex and multi-dimensional characters. Savannah is sassy and the voice for the next generation of supernaturals, and I am eagerly awaiting Thirteen, even more so because of this novel.
Notable Scene:
I woke tied to a chair. Everything was dark, but when I moved my head, I couldn’t feel a blindfold.
I tried to twist and feel how I was bound, but my hands were tied back-to-back and I couldn’t stretch my fingers enough to touch anything.
I closed my eyes and worked on inhaling and exhaling, struggling to slow my galloping heart.
Kidnapped.
If anyone else was here, I’d joke about how this made me a legitimate challenger to Jaime’s record. Kidnapped again. Ha-ha.
Only this wasn’t funny at all. When I saw that blackness and felt my bound wrists, panic surged, tugging behind it the memories of kidnappings past.
The first time I had been captured with my mother. They’d come for her and I’d been home playing sick, so she’d had to protect me, which meant she couldn’t get away. She’d died without ever getting away.
The second time I’d been captured by my father. He’d been fighting Paige for custody and unable to tell his side of the story, so he took me. Then Leah convinced me he’d murdered Paige, and in a blind tantrum of spell-powered rage, I’d killed him.
Two kidnappings. Two deaths.
Who would die this time?
The Otherworld Series:
1. Bitten
2. Stolen
3. Dime Store Magic
4. Industrial Magic
5. Haunted
6. Broken
7. No Humans Involved
8. Personal Demon
9. Living with the Dead
10. Frostbitten
11. Waking the Witch
12. Spell Bound
13. Thirteen
FTC Advisory: Dutton Books provided me with a copy of Spell Bound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick and Dirty: The second to last book in the Otherworld series, Spell Bound provides essential character and plot development, but drags a bit and leaves the reader wanting more.
Opening Sentence: He watched the girl stumble from the motel office, room key
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glinting under the harsh lights of the parking lot.The Review:
Spell Bound picks up right where Waking the Witch, the previous book in the series, ends. An unknown figure, outside Savannah’s room, conspires to steal her magical ability at the same time as Savannah pleads that she would give up her magical ability if it would make things right for poor Kayla and her grandmother and the law.
One would assume that the reader will be someone who is familiar with Savannah’s story through some of Armstrong’s other books, not necessarily virginal readers. I would like to note that anyone who has read any of Armstrong’s adult books like the Otherworld Series, there is often at least a few sex or sexually charged scenes that are not found in her young adult works. Returning readers should also consider that Savannah, a character we’ve known since she was twelve, is now twenty-one and active. The book is not risqué, but shows the realities of the consequences of close relationships that form through overcoming death defying obstacles trying to kill or capture you at every turn. That being said, Armstrong does try to allow for anyone to pick up the book and be able to understand the plot without needing excess detail on back stories.
The plot in this novel is kind of scattered and confusing, but I had to chalk that up to the fact that this book is more of a linking novel to bring all of the storylines together in the final book of the series, Thirteen, which is due out in July 2012. Savannah’s magic is missing and there aren’t many leads on how to get it back. You have the witch hunter from the previous book and a group who are concerned with bringing the supernatural world out into the open, which would bring chaos and death to humans. There’s also a kidnapping thought to be between Cabal families that is causing stress and narrow escapes across the country. There is a lot going on in the supernatural world that is about to come to a head in the final novel.
Not only is there turmoil in the supernatural world, but there are sparks between Savannah and Adam. I do like that there is real development between those two now that they are both older and learning more about who they are as adults.
Overall, this book is kind of confusing plot wise, but only because there are a lot of things that need to be explained before the series can conclude next summer. Long term readers will appreciate the development in characters, and new readers will come to love these complex and multi-dimensional characters. Savannah is sassy and the voice for the next generation of supernaturals, and I am eagerly awaiting Thirteen, even more so because of this novel.
Notable Scene:
I woke tied to a chair. Everything was dark, but when I moved my head, I couldn’t feel a blindfold.
I tried to twist and feel how I was bound, but my hands were tied back-to-back and I couldn’t stretch my fingers enough to touch anything.
I closed my eyes and worked on inhaling and exhaling, struggling to slow my galloping heart.
Kidnapped.
If anyone else was here, I’d joke about how this made me a legitimate challenger to Jaime’s record. Kidnapped again. Ha-ha.
Only this wasn’t funny at all. When I saw that blackness and felt my bound wrists, panic surged, tugging behind it the memories of kidnappings past.
The first time I had been captured with my mother. They’d come for her and I’d been home playing sick, so she’d had to protect me, which meant she couldn’t get away. She’d died without ever getting away.
The second time I’d been captured by my father. He’d been fighting Paige for custody and unable to tell his side of the story, so he took me. Then Leah convinced me he’d murdered Paige, and in a blind tantrum of spell-powered rage, I’d killed him.
Two kidnappings. Two deaths.
Who would die this time?
The Otherworld Series:
1. Bitten
2. Stolen
3. Dime Store Magic
4. Industrial Magic
5. Haunted
6. Broken
7. No Humans Involved
8. Personal Demon
9. Living with the Dead
10. Frostbitten
11. Waking the Witch
12. Spell Bound
13. Thirteen
FTC Advisory: Dutton Books provided me with a copy of Spell Bound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member Larou
The most recent entry in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series (the twelfth, if you don’t count the two volumes of short stories) differs from the previous ones in that it is markedly less standalone. This is not just because it is a direct continuation from Waking the Witch,
Spell Bound hence being the penultimate volume, it comes as no surprise that it has a feeling of Grand Finale about it. I did not care much for the Big Apocalyptic Plot Involving A Momentous Destiny For Our Main Character that was rearing its head during the events unfolding here – while I don’t mind a bit of doomsday atmosphere, one if the things I’ve always liked about Armstrong’s novels is the way she kept her conflicts local and personal, and in consequence that more relatable. What I on the other hand greatly enjoyed about Spell Bound was the way it gathered pretty much all the characters from previous novels together with a lot of lose threads left hanging from those volumes and wove them all into the current narrative – I admit that I did not re-read the previous volumes to check but from what I remember about them it seemed quite deftly done to me.
And as always, Armstrong’s greatest strength is her characterisation – like the novel preceding it, Spell Bound is told from Savannah’s perspective and she grows up even more here, developing in an entirely believable way from a spoiled, over-confident teenager into a mature adult who is aware both of her strengths and her limitations. It is great fun to watch her grow up like this, and frequently quite funny, too – seeing her go for relationship advice to, of all people, Clay and Cassandra caused a lot of chuckling and chorting on my part. It will be a pity to see this series come to an end, but I’m also greatly looking forward to the final installment.
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picking up immediately after that novel’s cliffhanger ending, but also because it is is very open-ended, presumably leaving things to be finished in the next installment which is apparently going to be the final in the series.Spell Bound hence being the penultimate volume, it comes as no surprise that it has a feeling of Grand Finale about it. I did not care much for the Big Apocalyptic Plot Involving A Momentous Destiny For Our Main Character that was rearing its head during the events unfolding here – while I don’t mind a bit of doomsday atmosphere, one if the things I’ve always liked about Armstrong’s novels is the way she kept her conflicts local and personal, and in consequence that more relatable. What I on the other hand greatly enjoyed about Spell Bound was the way it gathered pretty much all the characters from previous novels together with a lot of lose threads left hanging from those volumes and wove them all into the current narrative – I admit that I did not re-read the previous volumes to check but from what I remember about them it seemed quite deftly done to me.
And as always, Armstrong’s greatest strength is her characterisation – like the novel preceding it, Spell Bound is told from Savannah’s perspective and she grows up even more here, developing in an entirely believable way from a spoiled, over-confident teenager into a mature adult who is aware both of her strengths and her limitations. It is great fun to watch her grow up like this, and frequently quite funny, too – seeing her go for relationship advice to, of all people, Clay and Cassandra caused a lot of chuckling and chorting on my part. It will be a pity to see this series come to an end, but I’m also greatly looking forward to the final installment.
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LibraryThing member Unreachableshelf
I enjoyed this book, but it is the second of Savannah's arc, and it does have that middle-of-the-trilogy feel to it. It picks up right after the end of Waking the Witch, when Savannah lost her powers. It features many of the series characters at least briefly, and although the plot of Savannah's
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trilogy so far seems as if it would be comprehensible to a reader beginning with Waking the Witch, this book is probably better appreciated to regular readers who already know all the reocurring characters well. Still, this book is better than I worried the middle book might be. I do love Savannah as a narrator, and I was glad to see that she eventually learned to start getting her act together in the absence of her powers rather than remaining passive and in need of protection. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nikk1s
I'm conflicted in my review: I love the WOTO characters and Kelley Armstrong's writing but this story doesn't live up to it's full potential because it's written to fit into the shallow category of YA. The action is fast paced and the story is enjoyable, but it's fluffy and lacks substance and
I was hoping the second book in Savannah's trilogy would be deeper and more mature as a representation of her increased maturity, but it didn't. It's disappointing as a reader to have followed this young woman's growth through 11 books, waiting for her to reach some level of maturity, self assurance, and acceptance of her power and potential, only to have her come off like an insecure, immature teenager in a syrupy sweet teen novel who just wants to be liked and accepted for herself. In spite of her character development over the series, she is just an adult version of the twelve year old in Bitten. It is only in the middle of book twelve that she realizes she has failed to learn and grow from her experiences. It's so frustrating as a reader to come so far with such strong complicated female leads like Elena, Jaime, Eve, Hope and Paige, who were given strong mature stories that demonstrated how they came to terms with their supernatural powers and weaknesses and developed powerful emotional relationships with their partners; only to leave Savannah's story so shallow and superficial. The romance has always been a secondary arc, and Adam is obviously the one for Savannah; but it's impossible for Savannah and Adam's relationship to progress because even Adam has been left in stasis, basically his power and maturity are where Stolen ended. Instead of being a mature supernatural in his thirties, he comes across as the college drinking buddy to Savannah's free spirit.
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depth. There's a lot of sub plots, creating a complicated settup for the next book.I was hoping the second book in Savannah's trilogy would be deeper and more mature as a representation of her increased maturity, but it didn't. It's disappointing as a reader to have followed this young woman's growth through 11 books, waiting for her to reach some level of maturity, self assurance, and acceptance of her power and potential, only to have her come off like an insecure, immature teenager in a syrupy sweet teen novel who just wants to be liked and accepted for herself. In spite of her character development over the series, she is just an adult version of the twelve year old in Bitten. It is only in the middle of book twelve that she realizes she has failed to learn and grow from her experiences. It's so frustrating as a reader to come so far with such strong complicated female leads like Elena, Jaime, Eve, Hope and Paige, who were given strong mature stories that demonstrated how they came to terms with their supernatural powers and weaknesses and developed powerful emotional relationships with their partners; only to leave Savannah's story so shallow and superficial. The romance has always been a secondary arc, and Adam is obviously the one for Savannah; but it's impossible for Savannah and Adam's relationship to progress because even Adam has been left in stasis, basically his power and maturity are where Stolen ended. Instead of being a mature supernatural in his thirties, he comes across as the college drinking buddy to Savannah's free spirit.
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LibraryThing member akmargie
I liked how the previous Savannah story was almost self-contained yet hinted at a larger world. So while there were references to other characters there, in this one they all start hanging out. Which got confusing really fast. Yeah, I should read the other books in the series but that's like 10
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books. Especially when I'm mostly reading for Adam and Savannah get together which I suppose they do but...so much stuff happens. And in so many places. It was really too much plot and not enough character development or even development of the powers stealing storyline which would have been much more interesting. It also bugged me how other characters treated Savannah. "Go investigate this like a big girl while majorly handicapped." "OMG I can't believe you got kidnapped while doing what we asked you too, grow up." It got old. Show Less
LibraryThing member beckymmoe
Oh. My. Gosh. Totally worth the year wait--even though I'm not sure how I'm going to make it until 13. I love this series! Savannah is moving up the list of my favorite narrators--Elena is first of course, then Eve, Savannah, Paige, Jamie, and then Hope. (And I honestly like Karl more than Hope, is
As promised, all the major Otherworld characters are converging for the last two books in the series, so no matter who your favorites are, you'll see them here. It's definitely not the book to start with, though--even though Savannah does a great job recapping what happened in book eleven and refreshing our memory about characters and events from other books that have relevance here, it really helps to have read the entire series. (Obsessive re-reading not necessary ;-)) I had to slow myself down while reading, just to make it last longer since I knew book thirteen won't be out until next year. I can't wait to see what Armstrong has in store for these characters--the only downside is that it will be the last book....
(Until the twins? Can't they have their own series eventually?)
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that wrong?) I was a little concerned toward the end that there was going to be a bigger cliffhanger than at the end of Waking the Witch, but the last five minutes relieved my worries considerably (good thing, because I was briefly considering a Misery-style authornapping--Kelley can rest easy, though, she didn't do what I was so afraid she would, thank goodness). As promised, all the major Otherworld characters are converging for the last two books in the series, so no matter who your favorites are, you'll see them here. It's definitely not the book to start with, though--even though Savannah does a great job recapping what happened in book eleven and refreshing our memory about characters and events from other books that have relevance here, it really helps to have read the entire series. (Obsessive re-reading not necessary ;-)) I had to slow myself down while reading, just to make it last longer since I knew book thirteen won't be out until next year. I can't wait to see what Armstrong has in store for these characters--the only downside is that it will be the last book....
(Until the twins? Can't they have their own series eventually?)
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LibraryThing member ZabetReading
Lost out on 5 stars because I hate cliff hangers.
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Finally, the long and loosely-connected Women of the Otherworld series starts to display an overarching plot. I haven't really felt the lack of one until now, but I have always thought the much more tightly-bound werewolf volumes held up better than the others, which all read like one-offs.
I still like Savannah as a viewpoint character fairly well, although there's only so much whiny teenager I can take - and her will-they-or-won't-they romance with her BFF was just tedious (from my aged and jaded perspective.) Mostly I liked the hints of something larger going on, and I'm looking forward to the follow-up.
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Spellbound draws all those others together, although it doesn't follow through with any of it - that will have to wait for the sequel.I still like Savannah as a viewpoint character fairly well, although there's only so much whiny teenager I can take - and her will-they-or-won't-they romance with her BFF was just tedious (from my aged and jaded perspective.) Mostly I liked the hints of something larger going on, and I'm looking forward to the follow-up.
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LibraryThing member LemurKat
I cannot help but feel that this book and its predecessor, are more geared at the young adult market. Maybe it's because Savannah is just out of teenage hood herself? Anyhow, it's filled with cameos of the previous characters, follows a routine investigation plot with a few devious twists, and
I am actually wondering if Armstrong has just decided to draw out the last book into three books in order to maximise on sales - beacause this book and the one before it could easily hav been combined, and in the next one is the grand finale. Whilst I am disappoitned that the series is ending, if it keeps going downhill as it is, then maybe that is for the best.
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eventually comes to a conclusion that is less than satisfying and pretty much doesn't answer any questions or actually resolve the main issues - which are Savannah's loss of magic and the Cult of Supernaturals. Overall, average.I am actually wondering if Armstrong has just decided to draw out the last book into three books in order to maximise on sales - beacause this book and the one before it could easily hav been combined, and in the next one is the grand finale. Whilst I am disappoitned that the series is ending, if it keeps going downhill as it is, then maybe that is for the best.
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LibraryThing member mlsimmons
Good book. You can tell she is bringing the series to an end. This book has almost every character the has been in this series. It is great to have Clay again, even if his part is small. He is my favorite character. The ending in still abrupt. I hope that the final book has a good ending for the
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LibraryThing member sharrow
I loved this book. I adore the series and this was such a great addition and a wonderful way to wind it up. Brilliant writing that is so tight with such depth in world building. Magic. A must read series.
LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
We meet up with Savannah once again in this continuation of waking the Witch. Savannah has still not regained her powers, the witch hunters are moving closer and a plot is underway to expose the “Otherworld”.
This is the second book of the trilogy within the series. Ms. Armstrong has made public
This is the second book of the trilogy within the series. Ms. Armstrong has made public
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that the next Savannah book would be the last of the Otherworld books, and followers of the series can see it revving up to wind down with this book. All of the characters from the 11 other books are being brought together to face a threat to all … the witches, the werewolves, the Cabals and even the spirit world. I enjoyed this story very much but it left me wondering (intended of course, being the second of a trilogy) whether Ms. Armstrong is going to leave us unsatisfactorily hanging at the end of the last book, whether Savannah will prove the most powerful of the characters or if she will wrap it all up in a nice pink bow? I am more of a “pink bow” enthusiast, but in this case my wish would be for a little crack in the doorway so that every once in a while there might be a stand alone book about these characters in which I have invested so much reading time. That being said, I would also like to see another Nadia Stafford book … so closing up the Otherworld might leave more time. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carol420
Savannah is trying to come to terms with her quirky powers, but really not succeeding. Her spells feel as important to her as breathing, so what's happening is quite devastating. It doesn't help that trouble keeping coming up, putting her in situations that make her miss the firepower even more. It
This is book#12 in the Women of the otherworld Series". Bear in mind when reading this that is a Young Adult novel and just doesn't have the feel to it that Kelley Armstrong's adult novels have. Never the less, it is a good entertaining read.
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seems all supernatural are a target for some sort of nefarious scheme. While everyone else meets in the Cabel strong hold in Florida, Savannah and Adam are out on the front lines trying to get to the bottom of things. They'll need to get to the bottom of things quickly or run the risk of their world being forever changed.This is book#12 in the Women of the otherworld Series". Bear in mind when reading this that is a Young Adult novel and just doesn't have the feel to it that Kelley Armstrong's adult novels have. Never the less, it is a good entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member ChelleBearss
Armstrong is one of my guilty pleasure authors. Books are interesting, action filled and full of vampires, werewolves and witches (oh my!) Always entertaining and good for a few hours of relaxing reading
LibraryThing member StarKnits
This is more of short story to bridge between two other books
LibraryThing member bm2ng
I liked it a lot but felt like we were left hanging there at the end. Hope the wait for the next book is not too long!