Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Spellbound
SERIES: Magic in Manhattan #1
AUTHOR: Allie Therin
NARRATOR: Erik Bloomquist
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019
LENGTH: 9 hours, 24 minutes
BLURB:
To save Manhattan, they’ll have to save each other first . . .
1925 New York
Arthur Kenzie’s life’s work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometric . . . and the only one available has sworn off his abilities altogether.
Rory Brodigan’s gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, he’s become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find counterfeit antiques. But with the city’s fate hanging in the balance, he can’t force himself to say no.
Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory’s ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that proves impossible to break—even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory safe and Rory must risk everything to save him.
REVIEW:
Now that’s the way to start a new series. I’m hooked, possibly obsessed – or maybe that is possessed?
I cannot believe this is Allie Therin’s first book, if I hadn’t looked for more of her works I definitely wouldn’t have guessed it from this one. The world building was intricate and imaginative and the plot had many twists and turns. But what’s more, the rules of this world weren’t explained. The reader/listener had to discover it all as we went along. It might cause some minor confusion at times, but it also enhances the reader experience. It’s most definitely my preferred way of experiencing books.
The same goes for the people we meet. They are complex and with pasts that we get glimpses of every now and then. We slowly get to know them as things unfold. There were many great characters in this book, I actually liked every one of them, even the bad guys. It’s rare that the entire cast of characters are so clear and fleshed out and are so integral to the entire book and not only brought out for a few selected scenes.
I loved the relationships between all the characters. The friendships, the budding romances and the alliances. The relationship between Ace and Rory was everything I look for in my books. Well almost everything, I can always hope for the ability for my heroes to live and love openly. But seeing as this book takes place in 1925 that sadly isn’t feasible. Ignoring that, I love the slow-burn romance, watching Ace and Rory dance around each other, being drawn to each other. Something else I really appreciated, and something I think many won’t is the lack of sex scenes, that they happen behind closed doors.
I loved Erik Bloomquist’s performance of this book. His pacing might be on the slower side, but speeding up the narration easily fixes that. He juggled so many different voices and accents for the characters that I’m kind of in awe. I mean it’s one thing to manage many voices, but making them credible is something else entirely. But more than the voices was the feelings he so accurately delivered. From Rory’s apprehension of the mysterious ring, Ace’s secret longing for someone to love, to love him. Then there was the bewilderment, fear and happiness. He nailed all in this book. I can’t ask for more. Allie Therin created some exceptional characters and an amazing world and Bloomquist made them all come alive and transported you to 1925 New York.
This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and the story is far from over. I can’t wait for the future books in this series to be released. I just need more Ace and Rory in my life. If you haven’t picked up this gem yet you need to change that now, it’s definitely worth it.
RATING: 
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