Customer Reviews

Spellbound (Harlequin Teen)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I think I will forever refer to this book as a "sleeper cell book." I swear this book came out of nowhere. I started reading it on a rainy afternoon, thinking maybe it would be fun, but what I got was a breathless read that left me swooning and reeling at alternating times for next several hours.

I honestly didn't have high hopes when I began this. I found Emma to be intriguing by the end of chapter one and addictive by the end of chapter 5. I fell in love with this girl hard, and it's nearly impossible not to. Cara Lynn Shultz created a protagonist so strong and so vulnerable at the same time that I couldn't not cheer for her. And don't even get me started on the awesomeness of Brendan. This boy has it all: bad boy, romantic, savior and cynic all rolled into one delicious package. It would have been so easy for Brendan to become a cookie-cutter, YA boyfriend, but Shultz never once made me roll my eyes at something he said or did. Quite impressive.

The only flaw I could find in this novel was the inevitable can we/can't we be together shuffle that nearly every book has nowadays. The reader and the characters know their love is inevitable, so maybe next time we can skip the angst and go straight to the lovin'? But I suppose it does make the union all the sweeter ... Sigh.

This is the type of book romantics will fall for over and over. It's one of the books I know I will buy and read time and time again when I need a good romance fix. It has one of the best romantic pairings I have ever read. Emma and Brendan are the real deal. Edward and Bella beware: this is your competition.

Spellbound is an entertaining book about two teenagers who find they're caught up in a magic spell. Emma has to go live with her aunt in New York and thus enters a new school. It's never easy as the new kid, especially when she immediately starts crushing on the most handsome guy there. It seems Brendan returns the feelings, which results in a whole lot of jealous high school kids doing what high schoolers do - gossip, and cause trouble.

This was supposed to be a book about magic, but there really was very little magic in it. The whole story is based upon a magic spell, Emma has some visions in her dreams, her friend is a witch and does a couple spells, but that's it. It just wasn't magicky enough for me.

I did enjoy the story, though. The tension and fighting between the students felt real and (unfortunately) reminded me of my high school days. The characters were well-written and it was easy to connect to Emma and Brendan.

It's a good young adult story, give it a try if the subject intrigues you!

Spellbound was, in one word, perfect. I wasn't sure what the paranormal element of the novel would entail but my goodness, it was better than I expected. I honestly don't know how I can explain the novel without spoiling it, so I guess I'll just keep my mouth shut since half the fun is the mystery! Beautifully written and 100% addictive...Spellbound is a must read.

This novel has so many strong characters. There is a lot of development (so refreshing!) and all of them are an absolute joy to read about - minus the protagonists. After moving from Keansburg, New Jersey after some family deaths, Emma Conner finds herself living in New York City with her aunt, her only friend being Ashley, her two-years-younger cousin. The two go to Vincent Academy together and there, Emma meets many interesting people - Anthony the resident manwhore, Jenn the weekend drunk, Kristen the hateful devil, Angelique the quirky witch, Cisco the friendly gay and, last but certainly not least, Brendan the most amazing book boy that has ever existed. I've read many books with great guys in them but it's been a long time since I've gone to bed after finishing a book, on a high because of the great guy, plot and other characters. Spellbound managed to do just that and begged to be reread immediately. I honestly might have if it weren't 4am.

I found this story to be very unique and captivating. Again, I can't reveal what happens but trust me. It's amazing and unlike anything you've read it a long time, if ever. Though set in a paranormal world, this novel is very realistic. From the way Emma and Brendan's relationship develops to how people behave in high school...it's all there and true. The romance builds slowly and honestly made my heart explode multiple times. Brendan is intelligent, athletic and sweet. He protects Emma at all costs and this ultimately gets them through all things, thick and thin.

So do I need to repeat this again? You need to buy this book now. Camp out in front of the bookstore even. Do it. You won't regret it, I promise! This novel was so fantastic that I got so upset when it was over! Luckily, I found out from the author that there is a sequel, which she is currently writing! How fantastic is that? I hope Harlequin know that I'll be stalking them from now on.

Spellbound has everything a reader could ask for. Humour, romance, exciting action, suspense, legends and good ol' high school drama? Check! The wonderfully planned and written plot will keep you glued to the pages until you've finished it. I don't think it's possible to read this in more than one sitting, it's that good. After reading some so-so books lately, you don't know how pleased I am to finally read something so amazing. Cara gets a big hi five from me and I cannot wait to read more of her work!

First thoughts:

This book was a very fast read for me, seriously. I started reading the first page and I couldn't literally stop, the time passed me like it was nothing. I read this up late into the night till I finished it. I think because I came in tuned with the characters and I wanted to know what happened, wait let me rephrase that, I HAD to know what happened. I really love the back stories to these characters and how this whole story was based on another story within the book. I thought it was really creative and spunky!

Summary:

About a girl named Emma who ends up moving in with her Aunt Christine because of how her stepfather abused her and now that she went to this elite private school she only hopes to blend in and not stand out. But when she arrives she is anything but in the background. Soon she has the most popular guy after her but then she clearly puts a stop to it when she see's his behavior, no she has her eyes on another guy named Brendan. But Brendan doesn't really date any of the girls in school and when Brendan shows interest in Emma she literally loses touch with reality.

But when Brendan goes from being close to being afar and then close again, Emma gets supspcious. And on top of that she is having night terrors, ones in which she sees herself dying and her dead twin brother Ethan warning her to stay away from Brendan.

It takes all Emma has to solve this case and figure who she really is and with the help of her friend Angelique she might just have a chance of breaking whatever curse that has descended upon her.

Last thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline is unique, the characters are developed and it has a touch of supernatural in it. This is definately a book I enjoyed to read. Shultz has created a world of amazing stories and I can't wait to see what else she comes out with. And whether or not there is going to be another story I'm not quite sure. Though the problems in this book were solved the author left it open to continue on with other books with these characters and I really hope she does...I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5, it was original, captivating and most importantly well written.

This book had things that I had been missing lately. I've been reading books that I normally wouldn't read and this book took me out of my funk. Well actually Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout did.. but lets not talk about that.

I loved the simplicity of this book. It was a simple romance, with a little paranormal thrown in. I loved the characters, the humor, the friendships, the classic mean girls, and of course, the romance! I'm a sucker for a good romance book and certain scenes had me readjusting my position to get more comfortable in anticipation and in just general excitement when Brendan would do little things. I want him.

I really enjoyed the New York setting. Being the place I want to move to when I'm older, I love the city. The book just fit there. I could picture the streets she was walking down and hear the sounds that Emma was hearing.

Emma.. was a different sort of girl. She had an abusive step-father, which was what lead her to New York in the first place. She knew how to take the things that were thrown her way, and throw them right back. She was strong, and brave in her own way.

Then comes along Brendan... *swoons* He is the kind of boyfriend that any girl would want. He's sweet, caring, charming, funny, and protective. Heck, he even defends a girl that he barely knows honor the first day he even see's her. I repeat, I want him.

I loved this book! I give it 51 out of 51 tacos just for the ability to make me smile! I needed a feel good book at the moment, and this was perfect! Of course I hated the mean girls, especially Kristen, but I got over her! Go buy this book! You won't be disappointed!! :)

~~Sam :)

This book was a lot of fun to read. In fact, I stayed up really, really late reading it. I got sucked into the romance between Emma and Brendan in a big way. While I thought it started a little bit slow for me, it quickly picked up the pace and I found myself really wanted to see what was going to happen with this girl!

At first, I really thought this book was going to be very witch-y. That made me a little bit nervous because of all of the types of paranormal books, I tend to like the witch ones the least. But this book was really about much more than witches.

The author spends a lot of time on the story of the romance between Emma and Brendan and how intensely and quickly it develops. It is important to lay this as a foundation because if you understand this, you will completely "get it" when the author brings in the backstory about the legend/curse of these two lovers. And then you will find yourself cheering for them out loud. And squealing at times. And maybe giggling too.

I love the way Ms. Shultz allowed us to see what Emma was thinking. It really gave us insight into her character, and it was really quite funny. She felt like a bit of an outcast at her new, upscale school and it is through these thoughts (in addition to what she is saying) that let us really understand what it must have felt like for her. The same applies with her relationship with Brendan. She spoke...and also thought...her feelings, and so we were able to see just how her feelings developed. Allowing us to peer into Emma's thoughts gave us, as readers, an extra sense of the depth of who she was. I loved it.

I also really loved the dreams that Emma had. As you read this book, you will understand that Emma begins to have bizarre dreams that usually end...well, badly. In these dreams, Emma is always dying or something bad is happening to her. I loved these dreams almost as much as I loved the story because they were so vividly described and the imagery was wonderful. It was almost like I was dreaming them myself.

I highly recommend this book to YA readers and to adult readers who enjoy YA books. The romance part of it will appeal to those who love a good love story, and the paranormal aspect of it will appeal to those who love a good paranormal story. If you love both, you're in for a real treat.

Spellbound was a beautiful tale of tragic love and selfishness, redemption and selflessness all in one well written little package. This is probably the 4th young adult story I have read, this month alone, that deals with love through lifetimes, soul mates, and reincarnation. Despite the fact that I have read so many with similar themes, this story had a very fresh take on things. It was a fast paced read that I finished in a few hours (I devour well written fiction - sometimes too quickly for my own good).

Spellbound was yet another fantastic YA paranormal romance that I highly recommend to readers of the genre. I already added the follow up to Spellbound to my TBR list for 2012. I can't wait to see what Shultz does with the next story.

First I have to start off by saying that I LOVE the way the author wrote her characters. The fact that I'm an adult and I found myself thinking how I would have definitely said something Emma thought in her head. Or at least have the same thoughts too. For example, Emma and a few of her friends were out one night and Brendan (Emma's love interest) asked Emma what would she like? And in her head she thought "Um how about you, shirtless?" Now how many times have we thought that about some sexy guy. I know I'm guilty of it. The author had me laughing out loud quite a few times, and there's not many books that have done that. I had requested "Spellbound" from Netgalley and had it on my TBR pile due to numerous requests, until one day I responded to someone's retweet on Twitter about 90's music. And we hit it off immediately so when Cara started to follow me, I checked her out and found out she was the author of "Spellbound". So I bumped it to the top and I'm glad I did because I enjoyed every single word I read.

Poor Emma has lost almost everyone in her life and is left stuck with someone who isn't responsible. And one last event made her leave the place she called home to begin a new life in NYC. I have to say I really loved Emma's personality. She's funny, sarcastic and she stands up for what she believes in even if it means practically getting herself beaten up in front of the whole school. But there were other great characters in this book, they all were very well written and fit perfectly in the book. For one you have to have your hot guy that everyone wants, in which in this book his name is Brenden. I would have loved a Brenden in my days. Then you have sweet and naive Ashley, so innocent full of hope and dreams. Then you have your new friends and your spoiled rich girls.Overall there is a diversity of different characters, which make the book the success it is.

In "Spellbound" Emma is having a difficult time in her life and new school. Lucky for her, she's made a few friends and she has her cousin at her corner. But of course being new at a school, you have your "popular" girls and her followers who want to put you down. And never mind if you happen to fancy the interest of the most wanted boy in school. Oh war would start with the "popular" girls. Basically nothing comes easy to Emma. Her new life in NYC isn't all that its cracked up to be.

Basically this story is surrounds itself around Emma's pendant and the history behind it. Her twin brother who had passed away came across a pendant at a yard sale and bought it for his twin sister. No longer having her twin brother with her, she wears the pendant and cherishes it. But one day Brendan takes an interest on the pendant and proceeds to ask Emma about it and the history of it. To which she has no knowledge of, because it was a gift. Together Emma and her new bff search the history of the pendant and discover the mystery behind it. Little did she know that her special pendant is alot more than just a pendant. It's a door to her previous lives.

I wish I could say more, without giving any spoilers. Which I feel like I did already. But all I know is that I really really loved this book. I finished it in like two days. Spellbound has a little of everything. It has humor, sarcasm, love, magic and physical attraction. Her writing and characters pull you in so much you actually do feel like you're "Spellbound". I give this book a 5 stars and a definite "Good Choice for Reading" A must buy! Must read! You will NOT be disappointed.

It seems to start off slow. I only got through four chapters in four days. That is in no way to write a It seems to start off slow. I only got through four chapters in four days. That is in no way to write a good or bad judgement on the book. I mean, what can you really tell from four chapters anyway? I decided to continue on and see how it turns out.

WOW! am I ever glad I decided to finish this book. Not what I expected at all. Once the mystery and action kicked in I was hooked. I literally could not put the book down. Of course, my husband complained about the reading light being on all night. I just could not help it. I'm still shocked at how good this storyline turned out to be. It is a very difficult thing to un-seat one of my top ten favorites. This book has done just that amazing feat. A drama filled plot with danger, curses and a captivating love story makes this one of my top 10 of all time! I strongly recommend this book for all to read.

Publisher-Harlequin Teen

Reviewer Rating-5 STARS!

Reviewed by~Mechele

Brendan and Emma, when they are in a club together--hot.Right away in the story I was curious about Brendan, what was up with him. The climax scenes were really good. The action was fast-paced and awesome. I give it five stars. Great paranormal YA.