Spellbinding

The Seven Spell Saga #1

by Tessa Stokes

When Chloe McGarry moves from her home in California to an English estate rich in history, she isn't sure what to expect. She never dreamed she'd get caught up in a mystery that has lasted for more than eight hundred years, nor that she'd fall in love with two gorgeous guys.

ebook

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I am an author writing paranormal romance and urban fantasy romance.

Reviews

[Lauren Basey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has the potential to be an excellent story. However, between the constant run on sentences, grammatical and punctuational errors, and the rambling on with irrelevant details or conversations, I could not make it past the 8th chapter. It was almost as if no one bothered to proofread and edit the book before it was published. I hope the author will revise and edit the book into the truly great story it has the potential to be.

[Alex Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard enough being eighteen, without the added pressure of a move to a new country, settling into a new home, building friendships with a new set of kids. When Chloe's family relocates to the UK she does her best to settle in, adopt British ways and restart her life.

As she starts to make new friends she finds herself in a dilemma - two gorgeous guys, and she's falling in love with them both.

The mysterious Tristan, a chivalrous knight trapped for 800 years in the body of a nineteen year old. The down to earth Oliver, a website designer, not quite as exciting on the surface but perhaps a better bet for a conventional relationship - but if you think he's boring, you need to wait till you reach the end.

The three friends work together to try and unravel Tristan's mystery, and set in motion a chain of events which leads to discovery, magic, time travel and ultimately tragedy.

This is one of those books that's easy to lose yourself in. The imagery woven by Stokes is electric, ranging from beautiful English countryside to medieval castles, contemporary settings to Norman life. Crusades, Magi, magic potions, secret passages, ancient ruins - this book pretty much has it all.

I loved the way the author so skilfully weaves from an archaeological dig in the 21st century to the same setting in the 12th century. There was a lot of well researched factual content which gently slotted into the story without being over-powering.

If you love fantasy, but want a change from vampires, zombies and werewolves, this is a book you mustn't miss.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

To say this book was good would be a positive exaggeration. I can't say I hated it but I didn't like it. I try to be positive about most author's work, but I have a hard time here. It reads like a stream of consciousness: disjointed conversations, errant thoughts, and run-on sentences that can confuse and frustrate. I really tried, because this did seem like it would have a great plot once it got going. But the annoying factor was very high. If you can get through all the trouble with the writing, it has an interesting story line. I don't think I am going to continue to the next books in the series, but it depends on my boredom level and whether or not I can actually finish this book. I only got about half way before I couldn't take it anymore. Technically I have not finished reading this book, though I am clearly finished with it.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the story pulls you in right away, i love the characters and the setting, I have the other books in the series to read as I really want to find out what happens next. Sort of romantic reality fantasy a change from what I have been reading.