Francesca DeVega is a healer in the city of Avel, composing magical sentences that close wounds and disspell curses, but her life is thrown into ch...
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Oct 21, 2011
joy
rated it: 
*4.5 stars*
first 100 pages, i wasn't sure about this one. technical -- and rather geeky -- descriptions of exactly how the wind magic works had me wondering if #2 was not going to live up to the spectacular promise of #1,
but by 200 pages, the humor and the plot had both caught hold and sailed aloft. (sorry, couldn't resist.) seriously, though, there were entire passages of dialogue that had me clutching my sides and snorting. if i had the time to transcribe a bunch more fav More...
first 100 pages, i wasn't sure about this one. technical -- and rather geeky -- descriptions of exactly how the wind magic works had me wondering if #2 was not going to live up to the spectacular promise of #1,
but by 200 pages, the humor and the plot had both caught hold and sailed aloft. (sorry, couldn't resist.) seriously, though, there were entire passages of dialogue that had me clutching my sides and snorting. if i had the time to transcribe a bunch more fav More...
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Jan 09, 2012
Candice
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 14, 2011
Ranting
rated it: 
http://www.rantingdragon.com/spellbound-...
Set ten years after the events in Spellwright, Nicodemus has left the Heaven Tree Valley and is now in the city of Avel, still pursuing the demon Typhon in an attempt to recover the Emerald of Aarahest, which contains the other part of his soul and the cure to his cacography. With it, he will be able to become the Halycon—a prophesied savior of magical language—instead of what he is now, the Storm Petrel—a prophesied destroyer of magical More...
Set ten years after the events in Spellwright, Nicodemus has left the Heaven Tree Valley and is now in the city of Avel, still pursuing the demon Typhon in an attempt to recover the Emerald of Aarahest, which contains the other part of his soul and the cure to his cacography. With it, he will be able to become the Halycon—a prophesied savior of magical language—instead of what he is now, the Storm Petrel—a prophesied destroyer of magical More...
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Dec 17, 2011
Vivienne
rated it:
It took me three months to the day to read this book. Do not take that as an indicator of the quality, but rather as an indicator of the agonies of my job. I finished the book at just before 3AM, sitting on my kitchen floor. That should be an indicator.
Spellbound is definitely a level up from Spellwright. Everything Spellwright did well--fun characters, unique plot, witty humor--Spellbound does better.
At times, I got confused by the politics, but that's pretty standard for me More...
Spellbound is definitely a level up from Spellwright. Everything Spellwright did well--fun characters, unique plot, witty humor--Spellbound does better.
At times, I got confused by the politics, but that's pretty standard for me More...
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Nov 28, 2011
Whitfield
rated it:
DISCLAIMER: Blake is awesome, and I hope he's wildly successful with this trilogy.
As for the book...
I really liked his first book, Spellwright, and re-read it in preparation for this one. It was totally worth it!
This book was so enjoyable, I found myself sleep deprived at the end of last week because for several nights in a row, when I picked the story up before going to bed, I couldn't put it down.
The main characters drew me in. The magic is fantastical in a More...
As for the book...
I really liked his first book, Spellwright, and re-read it in preparation for this one. It was totally worth it!
This book was so enjoyable, I found myself sleep deprived at the end of last week because for several nights in a row, when I picked the story up before going to bed, I couldn't put it down.
The main characters drew me in. The magic is fantastical in a More...
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Dec 15, 2011
Nori
rated it:
(I imagine I'm at least partially conflating my fondness for this book with my fondness for its author, but a little star inflation never hurt anyone.)
I read Blake's first book because he's a friend, an was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying it on its own merits. The sequel is even better: he's clearly grown as a writer during the interval, which made this one even more legitimately pleasurable to read than the first. He's grown as a student of medicine, too -- his choice o More...
I read Blake's first book because he's a friend, an was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying it on its own merits. The sequel is even better: he's clearly grown as a writer during the interval, which made this one even more legitimately pleasurable to read than the first. He's grown as a student of medicine, too -- his choice o More...
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Oct 06, 2011
Kai
rated it:
I've been lax on writing this review. I don't know if it's because I wanted to take time to let the book settle before I talked about it or if I was just lazy. (probably a bit of both)
The book was good. On many different levels, good. It was immediately visible that Charlton had taken his game to the next level and it helped the story out from beginning to end. Charlton's profession as a medical doctor also contributed positively to the story, giving a fantastical story a real lif More...
The book was good. On many different levels, good. It was immediately visible that Charlton had taken his game to the next level and it helped the story out from beginning to end. Charlton's profession as a medical doctor also contributed positively to the story, giving a fantastical story a real lif More...
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Dec 07, 2011
Mieneke
rated it:
Blake Charlton's debut novel Spellwright (review) made my top five books read in 2010 list last year, so me buying Spellbound was a given. Unfortunately I had to wait until I got to go Sinterklaas shopping to get it, so I didn't get to read it immediately on publication, to my great chagrin. But, I made up for that by reading it in two sittings and wow, was it great to return to the world Charlton has created! Spellbound is set ten years after the events of Spellwright and as such, life in the S
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Oct 17, 2011
Alan
rated it:
This book was enthralling. I was enthralled. Just like the cover said I would be.
Well, I loved the first book. So I was very excited for this one. When I heard that Nicodemus wasn't going to be the center of this story, and that Francesca would be a new protagonist, I was slightly nervous (but not really). But within five pages of chapter one I loved her. She is a complex, very interesting character.
I loved how it started right in the middle of all this stuff happening. There was the More...
Well, I loved the first book. So I was very excited for this one. When I heard that Nicodemus wasn't going to be the center of this story, and that Francesca would be a new protagonist, I was slightly nervous (but not really). But within five pages of chapter one I loved her. She is a complex, very interesting character.
I loved how it started right in the middle of all this stuff happening. There was the More...
Nov 01, 2011
John
rated it:
Review to come soon, but first my brain has to process just how awesome this book was!
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Sep 18, 2011
Dan
rated it:
Have you ever had those rare moments in life when something you remember that was quite good earns itself an even better sequel? When that original piece of entertainment becomes dwarfed as you realize how much of an improvement the sequel is over the original? Blake Charlton’s Spellbound fits this bill. It’s a sequel that accomplishes a lot that other sequels don’t do, which is having a vibe of its own and improving on the performance and execution from the first book in so many wondrous ways.
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Dec 12, 2011
Jean
rated it:
As a sequel should, Spellbound ramps up the story from Spellwright, and smooth over many of its faults. I still find the foreshadowing and pacing weak at times, though much improved. We get to see more of the rich and intriguing world and magic system, and the word play is top notch. I really liked the characters, though I wish there had been more from Nicodemus's point of view. Though it felt predictable, I really enjoyed how the ending played out as well.
The book is surprisingly stan More...
The book is surprisingly stan More...
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Feb 02, 2012
Jonathan
rated it:
Well what can I say.
Normally I'm reluctant to go the full five stars with a book (So far only Sanderson has gripped me enough for all fives and Edgar Allan Poe). However when I finished this brilliant follow up to Spellwright I had to award another five.
Blake Charlton may not be receiving the accolades of Pat Rothfuss but I would encourage every true fantasy lover to engage in this series and read it. Both are equally deserving up and comers in the genre from what I've re More...
Normally I'm reluctant to go the full five stars with a book (So far only Sanderson has gripped me enough for all fives and Edgar Allan Poe). However when I finished this brilliant follow up to Spellwright I had to award another five.
Blake Charlton may not be receiving the accolades of Pat Rothfuss but I would encourage every true fantasy lover to engage in this series and read it. Both are equally deserving up and comers in the genre from what I've re More...
Feb 07, 2012
Diana
rated it:
I really enjoyed this, and thought that it was better than Spellwright (though I enjoyed that novel too.) I appreciated the numerous medical interpolations - they're clinically very interesting - and Words and ideas associated with communication, writing, linguistics and text are treated very uniquely and with both a medical and compassionate feel (from individual experience, it seems.) I also enjoyed the puns!
In some respects I thought that the interaction and character/relationship d More...
In some respects I thought that the interaction and character/relationship d More...
Sep 18, 2011
Eduardo
rated it:
SPOILER WARNING:
I've tried to keep spoilers out of this blurb, but it turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought. So, in case you haven't read Spellbound yet, I would encourage you not to read my ranting ;-p
I finally finished reading Spellbound! I loved it! I hope this doesn't come across either rude or fanboy-ish, but I was truly surprised :)
The beginning had me all kinds of confused and uncertain, but once THOSE two met, it completely and utterly got me hooke More...
I've tried to keep spoilers out of this blurb, but it turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought. So, in case you haven't read Spellbound yet, I would encourage you not to read my ranting ;-p
I finally finished reading Spellbound! I loved it! I hope this doesn't come across either rude or fanboy-ish, but I was truly surprised :)
The beginning had me all kinds of confused and uncertain, but once THOSE two met, it completely and utterly got me hooke More...
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Dec 08, 2011
Leo Elijah
rated it:
Blake Charlton’s Spellbound featured in my recent “Best of 2011” post, however, I’d not yet finished the book, and had I written that list when I had, it may well have been awarded a higher ranking than it was.
Spellbound returns to the cast of Spellwright—ten years after the events that took place. The cast from the first book return—Nicodemus Weal, Deidre, Magister Shannon—and continue their plight to prevent the Disjunction, whilst keeping Nicodemus safe, now exiled from Starhaven More...
Spellbound returns to the cast of Spellwright—ten years after the events that took place. The cast from the first book return—Nicodemus Weal, Deidre, Magister Shannon—and continue their plight to prevent the Disjunction, whilst keeping Nicodemus safe, now exiled from Starhaven More...
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Aug 03, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
A disclaimer: a copy of this book was provided by Blake, who had consulted me at one point about the military elements of the story.
Blake Charlton’s second novel has remained one of my more anticipated books of the year, ever since I set aside his first, Spellwright. Set ten years after the events of his first novel, Spellbound picks up the action and world nicely, proving to be an entertaining and enthralling read, while avoiding the pitfalls of the dreaded sophomore slump.
More...
Blake Charlton’s second novel has remained one of my more anticipated books of the year, ever since I set aside his first, Spellwright. Set ten years after the events of his first novel, Spellbound picks up the action and world nicely, proving to be an entertaining and enthralling read, while avoiding the pitfalls of the dreaded sophomore slump.
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Oct 12, 2011
Tyson
rated it:
This book is so much fun. It starts with the rush of action and exhilaration with which most fantasy stories end. We've all read enough of them to know the formula - slow pace methodically building up to the fantastic finish, the finish the author wrote the book to get to, the beginning and middle just being that annoying necessity. Mr. (Dr.?) Charlton kicks that standard template in the ass and provides a 400 page rush. I enjoyed every second of it.
The story picks up 10 years after More...
The story picks up 10 years after More...
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Oct 26, 2011
Bastard
rated it:
http://bastardbooks.blogspot.com/2011/10...
Spellbound is right up there with my most entertaining novels so far this year. Blake Charlton puts the pedal to the metal from the get go, and doesn't let off until the last word is written. The book really has a bit of everything, interesting magic system, cool and fun characters, great action, some comedy, drama, romance, tragedy, horror, good dialogue and banter, etc. It's simply a fun and entertaining read from the get go, and I'm sure fe More...
Spellbound is right up there with my most entertaining novels so far this year. Blake Charlton puts the pedal to the metal from the get go, and doesn't let off until the last word is written. The book really has a bit of everything, interesting magic system, cool and fun characters, great action, some comedy, drama, romance, tragedy, horror, good dialogue and banter, etc. It's simply a fun and entertaining read from the get go, and I'm sure fe More...
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Dec 10, 2011
Tucker
rated it:
Disclaimer: I'm a big fan of Blake Charlton.
So .. I lied. I'm giving this 5 stars not 4. It sounds sort of corny, but I really enjoyed the romance in this book. The story and the dialogue was captivating similar to the knightly romances so well liked by Nico. The book occurs ten years after the first, so there are new characters and even the old characters have developed. I hope Blake keeps writing, whether in this world or the next.
So .. I lied. I'm giving this 5 stars not 4. It sounds sort of corny, but I really enjoyed the romance in this book. The story and the dialogue was captivating similar to the knightly romances so well liked by Nico. The book occurs ten years after the first, so there are new characters and even the old characters have developed. I hope Blake keeps writing, whether in this world or the next.
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Oct 27, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
Every once in a while I find a fantasy world so different it blows me away, and Blake Charlton’s world of magic where spells are woven with words and (be still my beating geek heart) grammatical devices is one of them. Don’t let the old-fashioned dungeons-and-dragonslike cover fool you. This one’s sharp and hip and not to be missed.
My full review will post at http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.com on Friday, Oct. 28.
My full review will post at http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.com on Friday, Oct. 28.
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Sep 24, 2011
Richard
rated it: 
A very solid second novel. Charlton communicates emotion well, has characters you can empathize with, and has an excellent magic system in place. The only area I felt could use a little more attention was in the communication of some of the plot points.
Overall, I enjoyed Spellbound, and I am looking forward to reading his next few books.
Overall, I enjoyed Spellbound, and I am looking forward to reading his next few books.
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Sep 24, 2011
Membrillu
rated it:
A part de A Dance With Dragons, que és l'únic jugador a la seva lliga, Spellbound ha estat el millor llibre de fantasia (no cifi) que he llegit aquest any, que no és dir poc. També ha estat una sorpresa perquè Spellwright, la primera part, no em va entusiasmar especialment. La progressió és espectacular.
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Jul 06, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Spellbound is an improvement over Spellwright. It’s got the same fun feel, and the same loveable characters, but there’s a level of maturity, depth and growth in Spellbound that really makes it fly high. Charlton has made his mark. I am excited to see where he can take us next.
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/2011/0...
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/2011/0...
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Oct 20, 2011
Alesia
rated it:
A very solid follow up to his debut book Spellwright. Looking forward to the final installment in the trilogy.
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Aug 30, 2011
Louise
rated it:
This book is exciting and fast-paced with delightful characters and complex dilemmas. I love Francesca!
Feb 05, 2012
Joseph
rated it:
Awesome. I really like the in-depth descriptions of how the magic works. I want a third book... if only to see a little bit more of the world they live in.
Sep 30, 2011
Ian
rated it:
Another solid fantasy from Dr Charlton (or is that soon to be Dr Charlton lol) i really hope that after this trilogy we see more from this author.
Oct 21, 2011
Ividia
rated it:
I enjoyed Spellbound even more than Spellwright and am looking forward to the next installment. I have already recommended the series to friends. The growth of Francesca was fascinating and completely unexpected. Thank you, Blake, for a marvelous new world.
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