Spellcaster

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
HarlequinTeen, 2012
371 pages
YA; Paranormal
4/5 stars

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

After being pleasantly surprised by Spellbound, I was excited for a second book. While I originally anticipated it focusing on Angelique, viewing the conclusion of the first book as teasing that, I was fine with it returning to focus on Emma and Brendan especially as we do get a good dose of Angelique.

The epilogue of Spellbound led me to believe that Angelique would be the focus as Emma and Brendan had broken a centuries-old curse-what kind of obstacle could possibly top that? Didn't they deserve to just be young and blissfully in love? Well, that is how they start the book  but it is not long before some malicious forces conspire to cause pain to the couple. Especially difficult for Emma is Brendan's playboy past. He got around and everyone knows his reputation; even now girls still throw themselves at him, causing Emma to doubt Brendan's true feelings. Does he only feel because of the curse?

Beyond internal doubts, are the very real external threats that physically harm Brendan, Emma, and some of the people care about. Interestingly Brendan's past plays a big role in this as does Emma's magical abilities. We really get to see her start to exercise her talents throughout the book, building up to the big climax.  The magical aspect is definitely my favorite along with Angelique's snarkiness. Like me, she doesn't think Brendan is all that great but she is a good friend as she provides support and advice to Emma.

Again I grew weary of hearing about how attractive Brendan is and how much in love they are but that is the fundamental point of these books. They are in love and the strength of that love is integral to their ability to have a future together. It's just not my favorite part.

Overall: If you liked the first one, I think you'll like this one too: with dollops of magic and adventure and a heavy helping of romance :)

Cover: Of course, the same lovely font is used for the title but this time I really like the lovely green accents that make the cover seem brighter.

Spellbound

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
HarlequinTeen, 2011
324 pages
YA; Paranormal
3.5/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the idea of reincarnation and soul mates sounded interesting and a bit different from the usual paranormal YA so I requested this from Netgalley, eager to give it a shot.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. Main character Emma has had a hard life. Her father left her family when she was young, her twin brother died, and her mother died a year later leaving Emma in the care of an abusive alcoholic stepfather. After he almost killed her, she moves to New York to live with her aunt, attending a ritzy private school and immediately attracting attention, both positive and negative.

The negative comes from a mean girl who senses a threat and while for the most part, she is only vicious with her words, she does have a darker side. The positive comes from two jocks; one is Anthony, who's a total player and whose attentions are most definitely not welcome. The other is the enigmatic Brendan.  As the book progresses, Emma falls even more in love with him and together they must confront a dangerous and mysterious past.  Additionally Emma has her adorable younger cousin Ashley, a friend named Anthony, and a witch-friend named Angelique who provides important help in solving the reincarnation curse. One last aid is the ghost of her dead brother who seems to be warning her...about something.

I really loved the reincarnation aspect and all of the mystery around it; centuries ago, the fate of Emma and Brendan was set by selfish people in an epic fate.  Together they must act selflessly to chart a new course. However the language used to describe their love is familiar to regular readers of YA paranormal romance and bored me.  The reincarnation helps explain their immediate attraction and enduring connection and they do spend time together talking and getting to know each other. But they become a couple almost overnight and it was way too fast for my taste.

One final note is that the book is concluded and is not going to have a direct sequel. It seems like Angelique might get her own story set within the same universe but dealing with something entirely different.

Overall: A fair YA paranormal romance with a spunky heroine and some good action bits. Recommended for people who like PNR but hate cliffhangers and dragged out stories.