My rotation in pediatrics finished up with a month on the general medicine service at Stanford's academic pediatrics center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. It was the most demanding month of medical school so far, not only in terms of hours worked but also in terms of personal challenges. Many of my fundamental beliefs–some of them previously held only unconsciously–about health, healing, and dying were tested, broken, repaired. Like everything else in medical training, it all happened too fast to understand. Looking back now, it is hard to remember why I was so upset, elated, or worried. Perhaps with time and reflection, things become clearer.

Meanwhile, I'm happy to report that Spellbound has received a few more wonderful reviews.

*STARRED REVIEW* A well-written and cleverly presented fantasy with strong characters and surprising plot twists, this saga should appeal to those who enjoyed its predecessor as well as fans of Terry Brooks and L.E. Modesitt Jr.

-Library Journal

Spellbound is a fun, exciting read, one that deserves the attention and more of its predecessor. Rather than retread over old ground, Charlton has paved his way forward based on the lessons learned (presumably from his own experiences) in the prior book, building and expanding them aggressively in the second. The story is loaded with interesting characters, a story that works well and that comes unexpectedly at points, and a world that is worth returning to often. The result is a rich, textured read, one that shows what fantasy should be when it encounters a creative and curious mind, a second novel that doesn't disappoint. I'm already waiting for the final book in the trilogy.

-Worlds in a Grain of Sand

Simultaneously epic and intimate, high-flying and grounded, funny and dark, suspenseful and emotional, Spellbound is a daring new work of fantasy that pushes the Spellwright Trilogy closer to its conclusion while remaining just as emotionally and intellectually challenging as the first installment, and just as compelling as a standalone work due to its expert character study.

-Rob Will Review

In other news, the upcoming Spellbound book tour has grown larger. I'm very pleased to announce that I'll now be traveling to Houston and Dallas in addition to the previous destinations. Here's the line up so far.

September 16th, 7pm Launch party at Kepler's Books, Menlo Park, CA
September 20th, Powell's Books with Kate Elliott! Beaverton, OR
September 21st, U of W Bookstore, Seattle, WA Friday,
The Signed Page, Seattle, WA *Signed by me and cover artist Todd Lockwood*
September 23rd, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA
September 24th, Murder by the Book, Houston, TX
September 26th, A Real Bookstore, Fairview, TX