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A review by tmkutawrites
Back in a Spell by Lana Harper
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
As a nonbinary person: the nonbinary rep in this book is a joke. Others have said it better than me. The vibes felt rancid in the beginning and I am sad to say the vibes were right. The disability rep also feels tacked on for brownie points and like Morty's nonbinary identity could have been edited out from the final draft and I would have been none the wiser.
Otherwise... the writing as words go is good. The plot was lackluster and the romance felt half baked at best. The book starts off basically as "sex pollen but make it goddess". I love an enemies to lovers deal but this was not it. They basically become infatuated woth each other through sex? At the end do Morty and Nina even really like anything about each other beyond trauma bonding and magical orgasms? Dopamine is a hell of a drug but it ain't that good. I can't help but think of how more powerful the end of the book would have been if they had gone forward and removed the witch marriage spell and decided to give a relationship a go without being magically goddess-induced love spell infatuated with each other. I don't really think you can give consent to a lifetime of magical bondage while still being under a spell that makes you magically infatuated with the person you are to be bonded with--and therefore more inclined to say yes, we are happy to stay bonded thank you, because magic influence and dopamine are, again, one hell of a drug. Just a thought.
Beyond all of that, this is likely going to be a deep connection book for those with familial emotional abuse. The ending is going to feel good for folks with that kind of familial trauma and I love that for them, tbh! Also those who have dealt with partner betrayal/relationship trauma will also likely feel seen--I know I certainly did.
Otherwise... the writing as words go is good. The plot was lackluster and the romance felt half baked at best. The book starts off basically as "sex pollen but make it goddess". I love an enemies to lovers deal but this was not it. They basically become infatuated woth each other through sex? At the end do Morty and Nina even really like anything about each other beyond trauma bonding and magical orgasms? Dopamine is a hell of a drug but it ain't that good. I can't help but think of how more powerful the end of the book would have been
Beyond all of that, this is likely going to be a deep connection book for those with familial emotional abuse. The ending is going to feel good for folks with that kind of familial trauma and I love that for them, tbh! Also those who have dealt with partner betrayal/relationship trauma will also likely feel seen--I know I certainly did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse