Spell Bound (Otherworld, #12)

by Kelley Armstrong

[celinenyx]

Finally, an instalment of the Women of the Otherworld books I enjoyed like old times!

Savannah has lost her magic, and with that her courage and confidence. And now is terrible timing - with witch hunters chasing her to kill her, and other stirrings in the supernatural community.

The problems I've been having with the latest Women of the Otherworld books were still prevalent in Spell Bound, but less so. Savannah is a bit whiny in the book, especially in the beginning, but Adam soon gives her the kick in the butt she needs. Spell Bound is not a self-contained story like most of the Women of the Otherworld books are, but continues the plotline started in the previous book. Neither does it give full closure at the end, but rather builds the action for Thirteen.

Almost all characters make an appearance in Spell Bound, and often in my opinion too short. I also didn't like the way Savannah and Lucas consort together, not telling Paige crucial information. I felt like this wasn't something that would fit in Paige and Lucas's relationship, and I was quite disappointed in his medieval "don't tell the woman because she can't handle it" attitude. Paige has shown her backbone again and again, and I think she deserved to be kept in the loop.

That being said, I think Spell Bound shows all the traits that made the Women of the Otherworld books so successful. It has a (mostly) likeable heroine, a love interest you can root for, plenty of action and intrigue. I felt that the pacing of this book was more on par with what I'm used to, and I'm especially looking forward how the overarching plot will turn out in Thirteen.