Spell Bound Audiobook

Posted by on Aug 10, 2011 in Reviews |

Review of: Spell Bound Audiobook
Audiobook:
Kelley Armstrong

Reviewed by:
Rating:
4
On August 10, 2011
Last modified:August 24, 2022

Summary:

Spell Bound Audiobook

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Published by:Penguin Audio-07/2011

Warm
9hrs and 31mins

It’s been 10 years since Bitten, the first novel in Kelley Armstrong’s New York Times best-selling 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

 

As a big fan of this series, my thoughts about this book might be tainted with the partiality that comes from just plain loving Ms. Armstrong’s style of writing and familiarity with the characters, this is the twelfth entry of Women of the Otherworld and still captivates my interest.

Every time I read/listen to the latest addition to this series, I feel as if I’m visiting good old friends, and I’m just plain thrilled to be back in this magical, and engaging world.

This book takes place immediately after the ending of Walking the Witch.  Savannah has lost her powers, and she’s convinced it’s because of the bargain she made to mend one of the wrongs from the last book. She and Adam have teamed up for an investigation; there are witch-hunters still after Savannah, she’s finding very difficult to fight back without her powers,  and they are working on finding a way to restore them back.

It’s nice to see Savannah’s character progress and growth, and is always a pleasure to get cameos from Elena and Clay (my favorites), as well as other endearing characters from this series.

The pacing, action and suspense typical of these novels, is ever-present in this book. Even “though”, some questions get answered, we are left in a state of huge anticipation or frustration, depending on your point of view, I imagine this might not be appreciated by some readers/listeners.

Normally I dislike cliffhangers, and that’s putting it nicely, but I have an explanation of why this time it didn’t bother me at all, and it’s all because; I just get transfixed with these novels, I enjoyed these books from the first page to the last, I love the way the author drags you into the story, with clever dialog, tight and smart plots imposable to put down. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next and final book.

I enjoy the pace of Savannah and Adam’s romance, and I think it’s going to be that much more enjoyable when they finally get together, not to mention, I’m just loving the romantic tension. We do see a little of bit of progress  in their relationship, but not enough to make it an adult read/listen, as a matter a fact, these last couple books read a lot more like YA books, after all, they have been about Savannah’s journeys into adulthood, and I trust Ms. Armstrong will grow her character, into another one of her fabulous creations, and a long way from the petulant teenager we first met.

I can’t deny this book felt just like a big set up for a grand and bang finally, but I still recommend  it to all fans of this series, you wouldn’t want to miss the events there are being masterfully arranged  to deliver an ending worthy of these stories and characters.
Although, most novels in this series can be enjoyed on its own, I definitely recommend reading/listening to the previous book, WALKING THE WITCH.

4.62 stars based on 24 ratings on audible.com
4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 436 ratings ·  115 reviews

 

Narration

 

Johanna Parker does a fantastic job with Savannah’s point of view; I really enjoyed her performance.

I’m very familiar with Ms. Parker’s work; she also narrates The Sookie Stackhouse’s novels (True Blood), by the way, another fantastic series on audio.

Having listened to Ms. Parker’s interpretation of Sookie for 11+ books, I had some doubts about accepting with credibility a new character. I should have never questioned her talent, I had no problem at all finding the distinction between the two, I completely got Savannah’s personality, her internal struggles and insecurities which seemed to have worsened in this novel, but surprisingly enough, I never once found her annoying, and I have to believe, it was due to the manner her character was delivered.

The pace of the book was perfect; the suspense and overall feel of the world was flawlessly conveyed, the male voices were masculine enough to be believable, and she performed this incredible cast of characters with a remarkable uniqueness that clearly differentiated each one of them.

Great job Ms. Parker!

The Author

Kelley Armstrong

Voices behind the books

Johanna Parker

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  • 4
    editor rating
Loupe Duffy
A mom, a wife, a friend, a happy ending addict, an Audiobook junkie, a wine lover and geek wanna -be. I'm constantly looking to be blown away.
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