Scan barcode
A review by thegreatmanda
Spellbound by Allie Therin
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
I am, in fact, spellbound. I’m the biggest sucker for an M/M “damsel in distress” situation. Rory’s fear and defiance and secret, desperate yearning for Arthur to comfort and protect him are my personal favorite brand of gentle angst. Arthur’s reaction to Rory becomes very “touch him and die” early on, which is another of my favorite tropes. I love them together so much.
I liked that neither main character was someone who would be seen as a master in their magical world, with Arthur having no magic ability and Rory’s ability being subordinate, very situationally useful, and something he's still learning to control. Something like Zhang’s or Jade’s ability might seem like more obvious “main character energy”.
It's a fine line to walk to make a fade-to-black romance still feel sexy (when the characters are not ace and are meant to be in a sexual relationship), and I thought the author nailed it (so to speak) with this couple.
Favorite Quotes:
I liked that neither main character was someone who would be seen as a master in their magical world, with Arthur having no magic ability and Rory’s ability being subordinate, very situationally useful, and something he's still learning to control. Something like Zhang’s or Jade’s ability might seem like more obvious “main character energy”.
It's a fine line to walk to make a fade-to-black romance still feel sexy (when the characters are not ace and are meant to be in a sexual relationship), and I thought the author nailed it (so to speak) with this couple.
Favorite Quotes:
“Because you’re never obligated to do something just because someone offers you a lot of money to do it.”
“That’s right, sweetheart,” he said, through clenched teeth, holding on despite his prickling skin. “You come out of the past and you stay out.”
“You’re going to hold on to yourself.”
Rory made a broken sound. “I dunno if I can.”
Arthur’s heart lurched. “Then you hold on to me,” he snapped, “because I won’t let go. I’m going to anchor you to the present and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”
I want him to walk through those doors, tell me I don’t have to face this alone, tell me I can hold on to him ’cause he won’t let go.
I never met anyone like you, Ace, like a lighthouse in a storm, take me with you—“Go back to bed.”
“Oh no, absolutely none of that,” Arthur said immediately. “Stick to telling me to go to hell. There will be no sweet manners and puppy eyes from you or I’ll end up wrapped around your paranormal pinky.”
“We’re allowed to have complicated feelings,” Arthur said softly. “You can be grateful for what you now have and still mourn a loss.”
“If you took a chance, if you let people in, there’d be a war for you,” Rory said hotly. “I’d fight an army if—”
If I thought I could have you. He snapped his mouth closed before the rest of the sentence escaped. Geez, he had to shut up.
“An hour ago I would have bet my entire trust fund you didn’t even like me.”
Rory reached up and touched Arthur’s face. “You woulda lost every penny.”
“I’m so tired of the past,” he whispered against Arthur’s ear. “I’m so here, in this moment, and I want to stay with you.”
“Ace. Arthur. I thought I was lost. Don’t let me go.”