Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940152229110 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Stormy Smith |
| Publication date: | 03/19/2015 |
| Series: | Bound Series , #2 |
| Sold by: | Draft2Digital |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Sales rank: | 116,849 |
| File size: | 375 KB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Bound by Spells
4.8 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
18 reviews.
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Great story line wants you to
keep reading till the end
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The only thing I really wish about this book is that I had the time to just sit and read it straight through. Life got in the way and I feel like the time it took me to read this book detracted from my enjoyment.
I am really enjoying the world that was created here. The different castes of magic are very interesting and I like how they each have their own color of magic. It makes the use of their magic more tangible to the reader, it's easier to envision the scenes where there are characters using magic, especially against each other.
The AniMages are probably my favorite caste. I love the idea of someone being able to choose what they shift into, rather than stuck with one animal, or having to shift at the full moon like werewolves.
I have a hard time liking some of the characters I feel like we are meant to like. Cole and Micah both annoy me at times. In Micah's case, that might be intentional though. I do love the majority of the "good guys" though. Bethany, while not the main female character is one of my favorites and I am happy with the progression of her friendship with Aidan in this book.
I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series...I have to know what's going to happen next! If you enjoy paranormal/fantasy stories, especially with a little romance thrown in, you'll love this series. Definitely start with book one, Bound by Duty, you'll be lost if you don't.
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Great cast of characters and fast-moving plot will keep you reading, page after page, even though you should be sleeping or working.
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Thumbs up
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Love this Duty and Spells. You just cannot stop pulling for Aidan, but OMG Bethany is just too funny. She is the best friend every girl wishes to have. This series just keeps getting better. There are twists at every turn of the page. Lets see what Prophecy holds. I can't wait.
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Bound by Spells, the sequel to Bound by Duty, did not disappoint! Stormy Smith outdid herself with this quick to read, awesome book! If you are not sure whether or not you want to continue with the series I highly suggest you do!
I loved the new friendships that developed throughout the book, learning more about the queen's life and watching Amelia explore her power. A lot of things were uncovered which was very interesting and amazing!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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We are drawn further into the world of Mages here. We learn more of the Mage magics along with the Hunters and their abilities. There is more here that we didn't know, or Amelia as well. The things plaguing the mages are deeper than expected. There is also a twist with the Hunters. There was a brief mention about the Hunters when they were bound to Queen Julia and that some may not agree to her ways, but there is a hint of it coming to life here. I'm curious what will come with the Hunters in the future story.
This story is from the POV's of Aidan and Amelia. Both are in different places in this book. Both are learning different things. Though much of what we learn here solidifies the ideas we had from book one and gives more details of those impressions, along with uncovering additional troubles for Mages. Aidan is learning first hand of the Animages and his own abilities. Amelia is seeing Hunters and learning pieces of her mother, an Elder. Amelia still struggles with the power in her and hopes to learn something that will help calm and control the Keeper in her, that seems to be a dangerous entity. Both these characters, and many along with them, are determined to fight for what they believe in and what they want. The strength of this determination will help keep them going.
Aidan's thoughts in the beginning are a reminder to us of the important people and events of what had happened with them, friends, and family. Amelia does touch on some history, but I'm glad she doesn't to much as it would be repetitious of what Aidan remembers or learns.
We get the insight into Aidan and his thoughts. We learn of when Aidan first started changing and what brought it about. But! There is a bind on him that needs further breaking. Oh the history that belongs to Aidan. I'm so glad he got to learn the things he does about his family and what happened to them. Aidan is more than he ever imagined, and is trying to understand it all as it hits him as fast in this book as it did in the last for Amelia.
Bethany, oh Bethany. I love her sarcasm and direct path of discussions. She brings a smile to my lips, even when she's hurting from her boyfriend leaving. Bethany is the only human in the battle here. And she's more determined than any to do something about her friend being held by the mad Queen.
We meet new characters! The one that sticks out in my mind is Dylan. He's so adorable! I love his personality and his attraction to Bethany. He's extremely loyal to Aidan, Bethany, and a few others. He tries his hardest to be proper calling people Mr. and Ms. (Mr. Aidan, Ms. Bethany). He's young, you can tell but he's just a cutie-pie.
I'm loving this world and the characters. I need to know how it all works out for everyone, Amelia, Aidan, the Mages, the Hunters, and even the crazed Queen Julia. This book does end on a bit of a moment that makes me say, 'No, it can't be the end of the pages.' But I'm also happy where Amelia ends up, it's just... well, it leaves me anticipating the next book like the first book did.
I'll be counting down, waiting for it's release!
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I wont bother with the third book.
Bingaux
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I just finished both Bound by Duty and Bound by Spells. This is a great series and can't wait for the third book to arrive. Great characters.
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Last summer I was lucky enough to participate in the Bound by Duty blog tour. Here was a book I had never heard of and really went into blindly, but came out totally in love! But... you know how it is when you read a book right when it comes out and then have to wait seemingly forever for the next one? Well, thank goodness book two didn't take a full year! I was so psyched when I found out Bound by Spells was being released that I absolutely had to get in on the pre-release events! And this one was totally worth the wait.
Bound by Spells picks up right where Bound by Duty left off - with Amelia amongst her enemies and Aidan unsure of how to help her. Not only that, but Aidan's also fighting an internal battle with himself since discovering his animage powers... and his inner wolf. Amelia is also learning to control the torrent of power that has been released within her and trying desperately not to give in to it completely. But the very best part is that the location shifts for book two, to the magnificent home of Micah's mother. While I definitely liked the college setting of book one and felt like it was a perfect way to get to know all of the characters, I loved getting to explore this new place with Amelia and Micah! Especially the library...
I fell in love with the characters of Bound by Duty and they continued to wow me throughout book number two. I so loved watching as Aidan discovered things about himself and came to terms with them. He definitely became my favorite character in the series for so many reasons, not least of which was his stepping up to the plate when he could have said no. Amelia too made some amazing choices in Bound by Spells - some that I wanted to beat her over the head for, but still... And, well, Micah was still Micah. I liked him for sure, but he definitely isn't the main man!
The action in this book, while a little scarce, was still exciting and moved the story ahead at a good pace, never dragging like some middle books do. My only complaint is that Amelia and Aidan are not together (well, not really) for most of the book. It's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine when characters spend an entire book trying to get back together (see my review for World After). Luckily though, Bound by Spells made up for it in another way, so it wasn't as bad as it could've been without that small, spoilery detail.
Overall, I really liked where this book took the series. Stormy Smith has written a fantastic story with amazing, strong characters who have held my attention from book one, page one. She has been on several of my top ten lists over the last year and, after finishing book two, I can confidently say she'll be in a lot more of them. I can't wait to see where book three goes (and I'm really hoping for a lot more Aidan/Amelia moments)!
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I love this book. It has lots of twists and turns. This book is page turner i couldn't put it down must read thats
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I feel like any book starts off with a line like, “I woke up naked-again.” is going to be something special. I feel as though I needed to be there for him, just can’t have him waking up all naked… with no one around… I volunteer as tribute (wait, wrong book, it’s okay, I’ll still watch over him) In this case, I was definitely right! Bound by Spells took all the things that I loved about the first book, Bound by Duty, and made them all ten times as awesome!
I absolutely adored the duo point of view with both Aidan and Amelia. It added so much to the story to be able to see each of them taking their own journey and growing towards the bigger picture. Aidan really shined in this book. *swoon. I couldn’t get enough of his story. Sometimes you need to look back and understand the past to be able to move forward and really devote yourself to a future. This couldn’t have been more true for Aidan. I was really surprised where the story took him, but in the best way. Amelia was fantastic in Bound by Spells. There was so much growth from the first book till this one. Here’s the thing about a good heroine, they don’t have to have it all figured out, they can be scared, or unsure, just so long as they’re strong, compassionate, and use the fear to fuel them to do what is right. Amelia is a great heroine, she was the embodiment of all of those things I believe to be good. I enjoyed watching her grow. She’s still struggling with her power in this book, but she’s learning, and she’s got an iron will, so you know that it is only a matter of time. I think this journey to get there is what is going to make her into someone strong and well rounded enough that can actually control the power she has inside of her, which is crucial.
If I’m being honest here, all the characters really were enchanting in this addition to the series. I feel like the fantasy element stole the show in BBD, which I loved, but I also appreciated the balance that Bound by Spells brought by giving us such rich, multidimensional characters to really root for, or against. That’s right, even the evil Queen was a star in this show! Micah’s dear old mum was much more heinous than I was anticipating. Queen Julia really stepped up her evil game, and I hated that I loved it so much! I am appalled by her actions, but I also couldn’t look away. It was interesting to learn some things about what started her down the dark path she is on now. It always starts with a dash of heartbreak doesn’t it?
I loved getting to know even more about Micah in this one, he has quickly became one of my favorite characters. I can't help but to root for things to turn out ok for him too.
Ok. Now one thing I know Jen and I both agree on is how absolutely kicka** Bethany is! So many secondary characters seem to fall into two categories these days, the first of which, and maybe most used, being what I like to call the stepping stone category, which means that they are simply there to accentuate all the good things that your main character is, by being everything that person is not. EX…. The whore to the virgin, the liar to the honest, the shallow to the soulful and deep, I think you get my drift. Or the second category, the filler category. Which is quite simply someone you get to look upon briefly who is not your main characters but really brings nothing substantial to the story by being there. Bethany basically gives the middle finger to both of those categories, and then curtseys, because she’s awesome like that
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Bound by Spells takes everything that was established in Bound by Duty and amps it up 20 notches. I cannot get over the character development all-around. It is rare that I like a sequel better than the first book, but Bound by Spells surpasses the first for me. Both Amelia and Aidan have come into themselves in a way that I never thought that was possible. Julia is as evil as ever, and even her rule gets a bit of an explanation that we didn't get in the first novel.
This book is all about the internal struggle that everyone has to wage. War and strife forces people to make sacrifices on both sides and I think that was represented really beautifully in Spells, whether it was a current moment in time or through a flashback with one of the older characters.
I also loved that both Amelia and Aidan were firm in their love for each other. While Amelia had some fleeting doubts about whether Micah was her mate, it was always pushed away and thought of as gross which I appreciated (some authors would have opted for a love triangle there and I like that this novel never did.
The development of the Keeper magic was insane, and the plotline of everyone breaking their binding placed by other people was really interesting. Virtually all of the main characters had some sort of bind to break, and by having that bind broken, they grew. Now I get the title ;)
I just loved this one. Stormy really outdid herself. The series does not come more highly recommended.
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Wow, just wow, this book is AMAZING!!! The first thing I have to say is that I have been on pins and needles waiting for this release and Stormy did not disappoint! This is the second book in what I believe is a trilogy of books. I want you to understand that it rises above and beyond the first book in the series. Stormy has delved deeper into the background of existing characters and has revealed new life-changing and important characters. She made me fall harder for the hero(s), broke my heart with loss and despair, and even managed to make me laugh out loud with references I adored. Most of all, I was thrilled by having this story told from two sides. I love to have an alternating point of view because I believe that the reader gets to be a much bigger part of the story-line and is able to better experience the character's raw emotions all while gaining new understanding/empathy.
But, let me warn you...
The last chapter is a killer! So, be prepared...
Now I Just need Stormy to hurry up with the next installment! I cannot wait to see how everything plays out.
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4.5 stars -- Another beta read!!
There was so much I loved about this book, but I think the thing that really raised it above the first book is the addition of Aidan's POV. And not just b/c we all love Aidan (b/c come on, we all do). But the nature of the story as it left off in Bound By Duty demanded that 2 separate stories be told, and it would have been a terrible loss to not have that other half of the story. I ended up learning so much more about the prophecy, the AniMage's, the history, just from what Aidan was going through and the people he encountered. When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure how I was going to like the alternating chapters, b/c they really are completely separate stories. But I really loved how they gradually got closer and closer together until they intersected at the end in such a profound way.
Now don't get me wrong, Amelia's story was epic in its own right. And quite frankly, I wasn't always totally on board with her in BBD. But she just grows leaps and bounds in this book and becomes a heroine that I genuinely like, admire, and am looking forward to seeing how her future is going to play out.
Bethany was still awesome (though she was a bit more fun with Amelia in BBD). Micah, on the other hand, well that I just didn't see coming. Micah AND Baleon. I'd say more, but basically he surprised me in a huge awesome way, and I just did not (which I should have) expect his role to be quite so big. It was so refreshing to get to see what he was about, and learn about his life pre-Amelia.
Now, strangely enough, you know what my favourite part was? Queen Julia. Well, favourite might not be the right word. But basically, Queen Julia turned into this bizarre 3 dimensional evil character. Bizarre? Bizarre because she just wasn't the usual paranormal villain. She...she is....I don't know. She's like an Immortal Hitler. She is so unbelievably power hungry, but she believes with all her soul that she fights for the right. It's just...well....different from what I've come to expect, and I appreciated that.
Then there was Dillon. And more Charlie. Yup, all still epically awesome in the adorable, wise, unexpected characters.
I always love it when a sequel is even better than the first book....that's when you know a series is going to be epic.
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For someone who does not read paranormal or fantasy stories very ofter, I am sure hooked on this one. This is such a unique outlook into a fantasy world co-existing with our human world, that you will not be able to put this book down.
Yes, we have an evil queen. Well, not so much evil as totally DEMENTED! She is totally delusional by this point and the decisions she is making are hurting her people. At this point, they cannot even reproduce and she is facing the total destruction of her people.
Our main characters Amelia and Aidan have grown up thinking they are not anything special. All at once they have been thrown into this civil war that is brewing. With Amelia as the Elder/Seeker that prophecy has deemed will destroy the queen, all she needs to gain her full magic powers is her one and only mate. That would be Aidan. He has problems of his own because he has been raised as a human, right? He has no idea of his powers or how to use them. They are both fast learners. The clock is ticking, prisoners have to be freed, the war has to be started, and there is a queen to defeat if they ever hope to survive.
This fast paced and extremely interesting story is so imaginative you will want to read it in one sitting. One more book is promised in this trilogy. The game is on and I am pulling for the shapeshifters to carry the day!
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