ARC Review: Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

Spell Bound
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publication: Dutton (July 26, 2011)


Description: At last, in the novel every Kelley Armstrong fan will need to own, all the major heroines and heroes of Otherworld are united. 

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.

My Thoughts: Having lost her powers and assuming it was because she made a silent vow that she would give them up so that a child she liked could have the grandmother she loved, Savannah has to learn how to deal with the supernatural world without them. Unfortunately, she is in the middle of all sorts of problems. She is being chased by a witch hunter and, since most of the supernatural community thinks they are only legends, she has trouble getting any one to believe her. She is also the target of the Supernatural Liberation Movement which believes that it is time for supernaturals to come out to the public and take their rightful place as leaders of humans. They look at Savannah and a few others of her generation as poster children for the new age that is coming. 


Savannah's relationship with Adam is also tested in this story. They are used to being best friends and partners in their various investigations but Savannah loves him and wants him to see her in a romantic way instead of as a little sister. She and Adam are both stubborn people. When she pushes him too far and wants to take too many risks, he backs away from her. Savannah already has abandonment issues. Adam's withdrawal is another difficulty she has to face when she is already neck-deep in difficulties.


This story and the various investigations gives readers a chance to reconnect with characters from earlier books in the Otherworld series. We first see Jaime when Adam and Savannah go to her for some help with ghosts. We see Hope and Karl when Adam and Savannah are investigating ways to get Savannah's powers back. In the course of the investigations we also see Paige and Lucas and Jeremy, Clay and Elena. I think most of the major characters from the Otherworld books are involved in this one too.


I love the bantering sort of relationship that Adam and Savannah have. I also like Savannah's voice. She is quick with a quip or other smart remark but you can see the marshmallow heart underneath. It was good to learn more about her and to have her learn more about herself. 


This story is a must for fans of the Otherworld books. I recommend this one to all lovers of urban fantasy.

Favorite Quote:

"You know, alcohol brings out different things in everyone," I said. "For you, it releases your inner librarian."

"Sexy, isn't it?"

"Totally."

He put his arm around my neck, as we set out across the road. "Remember I was doing some research on Persian demonology last week? Did I ever tell you what I found?"

"No, but I'm sure you're about to."

I received this ARC for review from Liza at Dutton. You can get your copy here. I did!