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its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute book! The plot was interesting but I didn't really connect with the characters a whole ton. But the romance was very sweet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Confinement and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
cora_san21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a ridiculously fun queer fantasy adventure! I loved the characters, the world, and the messages. Unfortunately, it was either too long or just… felt long. That might be partly the pub desc’s fault, as it gave away what happened about 60% into the book, making me feel like the story was dragging until that point. I had a great time, but after a while I just wanted it to be over so I could move on. I’m loving FT Lukens’s stories, though, and I’m glad I impulsively borrowed them all from the library so I can move on to the next!
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
junzoin's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Violence
dae_as's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
arturo_luzen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Violence, Cursing, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Deadnaming, and Injury/Injury detail
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It was a fun, fast paced cute fantasy and I loved the characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Police brutality
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a super sweet, queer fantasy novel that was just a wonderful read for this time of year (September). I loved both Rook and Sun's journeys of self-discovery as they both struggle with finding their place in the world and eventually discover that they are enough. And Antonia and Fable were just wonderful (and I know she's not the same, but for some reason Antonia gave me Eda vibes from The Owl House). Not really enemies-to-lovers, but more a sort of academic rivals vibe with some grumpy-sunshine and found family tropes sprinkled in.
The whole section of
Sun being a cat and chasing leaves and meowing and cuddling and purring just made me so smiley 🥹
The only reason I'm removing a .25 star (and may just change to a 5-star in the future) is because of a couple things. One being that it repeated itself a few times, like almost word -for-word sentences (namely when Rook thinks/ talks about the butterflies his grandmother made with magic that he'd catch in the summer). And then the ending felt.. a little less than satisfactory. There's this whole "fight the system" arc that turns into "appealing to the better nature of the oppressors and things change." I wasn't wishing for violence or a full-blown revolution, but it kinda took the wind out of my sails.
Overall, a really fun, inclusive late-summer-turning-to-fall read, and I'm looking forward to reading more from F.T. Lukens!
Oh, and a quote that had me laughing like an idiot:
The whole section of
The only reason I'm removing a .25 star (and may just change to a 5-star in the future) is because of a couple things. One being that it repeated itself a few times, like almost word -for-word sentences (namely when Rook thinks/ talks about the butterflies his grandmother made with magic that he'd catch in the summer). And then the ending felt.. a little less than satisfactory. There's this whole "fight the system" arc that turns into "appealing to the better nature of the oppressors and things change." I wasn't wishing for violence or a full-blown revolution, but it kinda took the wind out of my sails.
Overall, a really fun, inclusive late-summer-turning-to-fall read, and I'm looking forward to reading more from F.T. Lukens!
Oh, and a quote that had me laughing like an idiot:
They weren't going to catch me. I was the motherfucking Gingerbread Man.
-Rook
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Deadnaming
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
“They weren't going to catch me. I was the motherfucking Gingerbread Man.”
➽ Spell Bound is a fun, paranormal Romance about magicians!! It's all about Rook, who manages to become an apprentice to the famous sorceress Antonia Hex, despite not having any magic himself. His grandmother was a magician, but since he didn't inherit the magic, he's no longer welcome in her world. Luckily, Antonia is a rulebreaker and allows him to tag along in exchange for his help in all the modern things (such as computers and the internet 😂). Her biggest rival is Fable, but luckily he's got a super cute, but grumpy apprentice called Sun. Rook is immediately taken with them and they end up growing closer, despite being on opposite sides! While Rook is cheerful and kind, Sun is harder to open up but still has a soft spot. I loved the discussions about the world's elitism when it comes to magic. The people in power punish anyone who breaks the rules and exclude anyone who doesn't have enough potential. Instead of sharing the power of the ley lines, they decide who can access it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
arxchiell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Deadnaming