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Spellbinder #1
Spellbinder
There is magic in the big city…literally. New York City has a small, and by preference discrete, population of witches and wizards who live and love and go dancing just like everyone else. Holly McClure is one of them, a successful writer who tries to ignore her heritage, except when the local Magistrate needs her special gift in his coven. Holly is far more interested in Evan Lachlan, the handsome federal marshal who works with her best friend, assistant district attorney Susannah Wingfield.
But trouble is coming to the City in the form of a black coven run by a murderous psychopath, and deputy marshals and ADAs are powerless to deal with that kind of crime. The danger to Holly is extreme, for her special gift is the power of her blood to strengthen and bind any spell, for good or for evil. Holly's passionate love affair will be derailed by those who want to drain her for their own purposes. In the end it will be magic against magic, and Holly McClure will have to risk all for life and love.
But trouble is coming to the City in the form of a black coven run by a murderous psychopath, and deputy marshals and ADAs are powerless to deal with that kind of crime. The danger to Holly is extreme, for her special gift is the power of her blood to strengthen and bind any spell, for good or for evil. Holly's passionate love affair will be derailed by those who want to drain her for their own purposes. In the end it will be magic against magic, and Holly McClure will have to risk all for life and love.
396 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2006
26 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Rawn
77 books1,238 followersMelanie Rawn received a BA in history from Scripps College and worked as a teacher and editor before becoming a writer.
She has been nominated for a Locus award on three separate occasions: in 1989 for Dragon Prince (in the first novel category), in 1994 for Skybowl (in the fantasy novel category), and again in 1995 for Ruins of Ambrai (in the fantasy novel category).
She has been nominated for a Locus award on three separate occasions: in 1989 for Dragon Prince (in the first novel category), in 1994 for Skybowl (in the fantasy novel category), and again in 1995 for Ruins of Ambrai (in the fantasy novel category).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 26, 2009
Ok, truth is I didn't finish this. I got bored with it. I got bored with long scenes that were packed with apparently pointless detail and dialogue. Yes, the lead characters ore totally smitten with each other (it's been 2 weeks since I stopped reading this, and I can't remember their names). Do we have to keep getting hit over the head with it? repeatedly? again and again? So back to the library it went, and I'm not even slightly interested in what happened.
May 12, 2008
If you pick up this title expecting it to be like her Fantasy series, you deserve to be disappointed (so stop giving it such a low rating). It got me hooked, despite the first chapter being a little too detail heavy. Melanie Rawn has written three fantasy series that I also re-read (Dragon Prince, Dragon Star, Exiles) and am waiting on the third in one series and getting a little p*ssed that she kept writing other stuff and not returning to this series. Finally decided to pick up one of these extra novels and it’s hard to put down. Sorry, but Nora’s doing this witch thing wrong – well, since the Dance Upon the Air etc series – and this book shows how it should be done.
Along with The Golden Key, this will be going on my re-read shelf at home.
And now that I read the author's note I understand why Melanie needed to write something completely different.
Along with The Golden Key, this will be going on my re-read shelf at home.
And now that I read the author's note I understand why Melanie needed to write something completely different.
January 6, 2017
Hated it - gave up part way.
December 31, 2011
Melanie Rawn is one of my favorite authors.
That being said, I think that "Spellbinder" is not one of her best books. Though Rawn is an experienced and incredibly talented writer, she makes some amateur mistakes. The book is slow at many points, especially in the middle. It also feels as if Rawn is simply flaunting her knowledge on many subjects, which is not in and of itself a bad thing, but it is not subtly included but almost forced in the reader's face.
On the other hand: Rawn so carefully crafts incredibly loveable, relateable, wonderful, and believable characters. The relationships in the book are so endearing and you really feel yourself connecting and caring for them. That's one of the things I love about Rawn's novels so much: she has an innate talent for creating a memorable character that emotes relateably, making the reader feel very connected and involved in the story.
Overall: "Spellbinder" is an enjoyable read. Though slow at some points and preachy in others, the plot is interesting, the characters fantastic. I would recommend this book for lovers of a little romance, a little magic, a little suspense, a lot of banter, and a lot of feeling. A great book!
That being said, I think that "Spellbinder" is not one of her best books. Though Rawn is an experienced and incredibly talented writer, she makes some amateur mistakes. The book is slow at many points, especially in the middle. It also feels as if Rawn is simply flaunting her knowledge on many subjects, which is not in and of itself a bad thing, but it is not subtly included but almost forced in the reader's face.
On the other hand: Rawn so carefully crafts incredibly loveable, relateable, wonderful, and believable characters. The relationships in the book are so endearing and you really feel yourself connecting and caring for them. That's one of the things I love about Rawn's novels so much: she has an innate talent for creating a memorable character that emotes relateably, making the reader feel very connected and involved in the story.
Overall: "Spellbinder" is an enjoyable read. Though slow at some points and preachy in others, the plot is interesting, the characters fantastic. I would recommend this book for lovers of a little romance, a little magic, a little suspense, a lot of banter, and a lot of feeling. A great book!
July 2, 2010
I have to say that subtitle is quite accurate and I was very happy with this novel.
The main story is about Holly McClure, a spellbinder. Her very existence is a closely guarded secret because her blood can power spells or make spells even more powerful. She mostly avoids her heritage except when called upon by magical Magistrate (who is also a legal Judge). Her best friend (Susannah) introduces her to Evan Lachlan and it is not quite love at first sight, but damn close. Evan is a Federal Marshall who alongside Susannah work with Judge Bradshaw. Susanna is an ADA while Evan's job is protecting Judge Bradshaw.
It was a very compelling story that had me closely following the characters in the ups and the downs. I enjoyed the massively present Irish influence and lore. I really liked the characters whose actions I understood even when I wanted to berate them. The ending was sideways from what I expected, but good. (Sideways because it was different, but not to the point of diverging into a separate direction.)
The main story is about Holly McClure, a spellbinder. Her very existence is a closely guarded secret because her blood can power spells or make spells even more powerful. She mostly avoids her heritage except when called upon by magical Magistrate (who is also a legal Judge). Her best friend (Susannah) introduces her to Evan Lachlan and it is not quite love at first sight, but damn close. Evan is a Federal Marshall who alongside Susannah work with Judge Bradshaw. Susanna is an ADA while Evan's job is protecting Judge Bradshaw.
It was a very compelling story that had me closely following the characters in the ups and the downs. I enjoyed the massively present Irish influence and lore. I really liked the characters whose actions I understood even when I wanted to berate them. The ending was sideways from what I expected, but good. (Sideways because it was different, but not to the point of diverging into a separate direction.)
October 18, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It's extremely well written, with beautifully crafted characters. This was to be the first book of three, but according to TOR's website, book 3 was cancelled. Pffftttt!
This book is set in modern day, and introduces Holly McClure, a well known, published author who happens to be a Witch. She one of many, and she comes from a particularly strong line of Witches. It also introduces a parallel judge and jury system in place for witches. In a neat twist, one of the Witch judges is also a judge in real life, and knows Holly from both sides of her life. This book follows the journey of Holly meeting the love of her life, fighting her feelings for him, discovering how to tell him about her Witch life. It's a fun rollercoaster ride of a read, with laughter and sorrow both.
This book is set in modern day, and introduces Holly McClure, a well known, published author who happens to be a Witch. She one of many, and she comes from a particularly strong line of Witches. It also introduces a parallel judge and jury system in place for witches. In a neat twist, one of the Witch judges is also a judge in real life, and knows Holly from both sides of her life. This book follows the journey of Holly meeting the love of her life, fighting her feelings for him, discovering how to tell him about her Witch life. It's a fun rollercoaster ride of a read, with laughter and sorrow both.
August 17, 2010
darkpool's review pretty much hit the nail on the head for me:
Ok, truth is I didn't finish this. I got bored with it. I got bored with long scenes that were packed with apparently pointless detail and dialogue. Yes, the lead characters ore totally smitten with each other (it's been 2 weeks since I stopped reading this, and I can't remember their names). Do we have to keep getting hit over the head with it? repeatedly? again and again? So back to the library it went, and I'm not even slightly interested in what happened.
***
glad i picked this one up at the library so i didn't waste any money on it. :)
Ok, truth is I didn't finish this. I got bored with it. I got bored with long scenes that were packed with apparently pointless detail and dialogue. Yes, the lead characters ore totally smitten with each other (it's been 2 weeks since I stopped reading this, and I can't remember their names). Do we have to keep getting hit over the head with it? repeatedly? again and again? So back to the library it went, and I'm not even slightly interested in what happened.
***
glad i picked this one up at the library so i didn't waste any money on it. :)
July 29, 2012
This is the first Melanie Rawn book I have read, and I enjoyed it. I gather from other reviews of this I've seen that it's a big departure from her other books, and older fans didn't care for the new direction, but since I didn't have any history that wasn't a problem for me.
This is a combination of action, romance, and magic and there is a good plot and character development. I was engaged with the characters, and I wanted to root for the good guys and find out what happened to them.
I would recommend this as a great beach book, or to take to the cottage or on a plane as its an easy read and lots of entertainment.
This is a combination of action, romance, and magic and there is a good plot and character development. I was engaged with the characters, and I wanted to root for the good guys and find out what happened to them.
I would recommend this as a great beach book, or to take to the cottage or on a plane as its an easy read and lots of entertainment.
March 14, 2008
Nice story, my first book by Melanie Rawn and certainly not my last.
It's my first book in which witchcraft was set in the modern era, since most fantasy "swords and sorcery" sorta have their own witchy "spells" to it.
Good characters, good development, believable situations and th ups and downs of a good romance novel mixed with... well, magical interruptions.
I liked it.
It's my first book in which witchcraft was set in the modern era, since most fantasy "swords and sorcery" sorta have their own witchy "spells" to it.
Good characters, good development, believable situations and th ups and downs of a good romance novel mixed with... well, magical interruptions.
I liked it.
January 20, 2011
Melanie Rawn, stop following the urban fantasy freight train and go finish your series.
Totally unimpressed. Rawn's strength lies in the building of a lush and immersive setting. She creates worlds and cultures that hold up to thousands of pages of story. Wasting her talents for a generic paranormal romance novel is a shame.
Totally unimpressed. Rawn's strength lies in the building of a lush and immersive setting. She creates worlds and cultures that hold up to thousands of pages of story. Wasting her talents for a generic paranormal romance novel is a shame.
December 20, 2008
I don't know what to say about this book. I really thought it would be great. Now I can't believe I wasted my time reading the 400 pages. It took me 2-1/2 weeks which shows I wasn't real motivated to read. It was very boring to read.
June 3, 2013
Nice story and a change in scene, but not a change in character style. Will definitely read the second.
December 29, 2019
DNF @ page 159. I'm bored.
The most fundamental problem is that none of the things I expect from a Melanie Rawn novel are present here. My teenage and college years were spent reading the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, and rereading them quite frequently. I loved the first two books of the Exiles series, and like many fans, became somewhat resentful when it was made clear that Rawn was never going to go back and write the third book, giving us both the ending it deserved and the closure we needed. I wasn't involved in the boycott of her later work directly, because I didn't even know about the fandom drama until years later when I looked up "is the Exiles series ever getting finished" after I saw my two lonely books sitting together on the shelf one day. But I did not know about Spellbinder until several years after it was published, and I was annoyed enough that I didn't give it a try until now, when I found it at a used book sale and thought, "Rawn may have disappointed me with Exiles, but her other work is so good. What if I'm missing out by not reading this?"
Well, now I know I wasn't. Her big fantasy series were a tangle of romance, magic, dragons, and most of all, family. You could boil down the central themes of all eight of those books I loved across all three of those series to family bonds are one of the most important things in the world, no matter what that world happens to be. And that's simply not present here. It's a gaping hole in my expectations, and maybe I could forgive that, because that's on me and not Rawn, at least not directly.
But I just can't get invested in these snarky, glib characters. Everyone is snapping at each other all the time, be they friends or lovers or found family. And it does seem like "found family" is supposed to be a trope here--Holly has her fellow witches and some of them are honorary uncles and such--but those bonds aren't forged strongly enough to believe in them. And all that fighting is just irritating, not cute, when I don't believe these characters care about each other.
And all that fighting is the entirety of the plot so far. I gave up at 40% and I have only faint clues what the central conflict of the book is going to be. The prologue introduces the villain first--at least I'm assuming she's the big bad of the book, but if she is I'm already disappointed because she's a flimsy construction of three evil witch tropes in a trench coat--and then, a handful of short and confusing, disjointed scenes introduces Holly and her entire coven and presumably sets up the core conflict. In the prologue. But...it's that a bad witch is bad and pissed off at the main cast for being good and trying to put a limit on her power? If that's the point, why have I read 40% of the book and it's almost entirely about the romantic subplot between Holly and Evan? And it's not even a good romance because they flip-flop constantly between being sickeningly cute with each other and being slammed-doors, storming-out pissed at each other? None of it reads as believable, and it's tiresome because it doesn't feel like it contributes to the main plot. Whatever that is.
I can predict at this point that Holly and Evan are going to break up, because they're already engaged at 40%, so what else can even happen to keep them apart so that the climax involves their satisfying reunion and declaration of love? And then while they're estranged, I guess the evil witch is going to a) try to seduce Evan; b) put him in direct physical/magical danger; or c), both of the above. Again, so if that's the point, why hasn't the story done anything to show me the evil witch is at all dangerous (she's kind of ridiculous) or to make me care about Evan (he's mostly a jerk) or to prove that he and Holly actually care about each other (they're usually snapping at each other, then having sex, then throwing some sort of cultural pissing contest about which one of them is more Irish)--why should I care?
The only reason I can tell this is a Melanie Rawn novel is because her name is on the cover. This could have come from any two-bit "hop on the urban fantasy train" author who produces utterly dismissable work today, and I wouldn't know the difference, because nothing about what makes the other Rawn books great is here. I don't think I've ever before seen an author change (abandon?) their own signature style so completely as this.
The most fundamental problem is that none of the things I expect from a Melanie Rawn novel are present here. My teenage and college years were spent reading the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, and rereading them quite frequently. I loved the first two books of the Exiles series, and like many fans, became somewhat resentful when it was made clear that Rawn was never going to go back and write the third book, giving us both the ending it deserved and the closure we needed. I wasn't involved in the boycott of her later work directly, because I didn't even know about the fandom drama until years later when I looked up "is the Exiles series ever getting finished" after I saw my two lonely books sitting together on the shelf one day. But I did not know about Spellbinder until several years after it was published, and I was annoyed enough that I didn't give it a try until now, when I found it at a used book sale and thought, "Rawn may have disappointed me with Exiles, but her other work is so good. What if I'm missing out by not reading this?"
Well, now I know I wasn't. Her big fantasy series were a tangle of romance, magic, dragons, and most of all, family. You could boil down the central themes of all eight of those books I loved across all three of those series to family bonds are one of the most important things in the world, no matter what that world happens to be. And that's simply not present here. It's a gaping hole in my expectations, and maybe I could forgive that, because that's on me and not Rawn, at least not directly.
But I just can't get invested in these snarky, glib characters. Everyone is snapping at each other all the time, be they friends or lovers or found family. And it does seem like "found family" is supposed to be a trope here--Holly has her fellow witches and some of them are honorary uncles and such--but those bonds aren't forged strongly enough to believe in them. And all that fighting is just irritating, not cute, when I don't believe these characters care about each other.
And all that fighting is the entirety of the plot so far. I gave up at 40% and I have only faint clues what the central conflict of the book is going to be. The prologue introduces the villain first--at least I'm assuming she's the big bad of the book, but if she is I'm already disappointed because she's a flimsy construction of three evil witch tropes in a trench coat--and then, a handful of short and confusing, disjointed scenes introduces Holly and her entire coven and presumably sets up the core conflict. In the prologue. But...it's that a bad witch is bad and pissed off at the main cast for being good and trying to put a limit on her power? If that's the point, why have I read 40% of the book and it's almost entirely about the romantic subplot between Holly and Evan? And it's not even a good romance because they flip-flop constantly between being sickeningly cute with each other and being slammed-doors, storming-out pissed at each other? None of it reads as believable, and it's tiresome because it doesn't feel like it contributes to the main plot. Whatever that is.
I can predict at this point that Holly and Evan are going to break up, because they're already engaged at 40%, so what else can even happen to keep them apart so that the climax involves their satisfying reunion and declaration of love? And then while they're estranged, I guess the evil witch is going to a) try to seduce Evan; b) put him in direct physical/magical danger; or c), both of the above. Again, so if that's the point, why hasn't the story done anything to show me the evil witch is at all dangerous (she's kind of ridiculous) or to make me care about Evan (he's mostly a jerk) or to prove that he and Holly actually care about each other (they're usually snapping at each other, then having sex, then throwing some sort of cultural pissing contest about which one of them is more Irish)--why should I care?
The only reason I can tell this is a Melanie Rawn novel is because her name is on the cover. This could have come from any two-bit "hop on the urban fantasy train" author who produces utterly dismissable work today, and I wouldn't know the difference, because nothing about what makes the other Rawn books great is here. I don't think I've ever before seen an author change (abandon?) their own signature style so completely as this.
November 12, 2025
Gave up about 120 pages in, when the cop proposed. I could not stand him and hated everything about the romance. Every supposedly romantic moment between them made me cringe. Every supposedly sexy moment made me hyperaware of my asexuality. I refuse to believe that people think like that (though maybe cops do). And I'm not being prudish; I read and write a ton of smut, most of it a lot dirtier than the softcore fuzzy filtered crap that seemed to be this book's bread and butter.
The back of the book promised that there was a threat. In the prologue I thought the threat was the guy who actually did a ritual but apparently he's a good guy, he's just an asshole. Over a hundred pages in, I don't know who the bad guy is and I do not care. Let them eat the main character and her horrible cop boyfriend for breakfast. Good riddance.
The back of the book promised that there was a threat. In the prologue I thought the threat was the guy who actually did a ritual but apparently he's a good guy, he's just an asshole. Over a hundred pages in, I don't know who the bad guy is and I do not care. Let them eat the main character and her horrible cop boyfriend for breakfast. Good riddance.
September 20, 2018
This was a 498 page book that should have been 200 and sold with the $1 romances. I liked Rawn's Dragon Prince series. I also enjoy occasional sappy quaint romance. I was in the mood for some witchy reading. But this book was cheesy, with every scene drawn out pages and pages and PAGES past its due date. Like...so many casual and unnecessary talking scenes. For real. Also, the getting together insta love and breaking up and getting back together...when they made up I decided I valued my life too much to read any more of this stupid book. Ugh. And somehow she stretched it to make a sequel?? Defies the odds.
October 23, 2018
A bad scan of a Really good book
This looks like they scanned a hard copy of the book to get a digital version, but didn’t do a good cleanup afterwards—lots of L’s replaced by T’s, skipped hyphens, words smushed together, etc.—which I know weren’t in the hard copy, as I own it. If you can ignore that, the characters are believable and mostly likeable, the story is engaging, lots of detail on magic, theology, etc. that is great if you’re into it (I am), and a well-fleshed out world.
ES: switching to digital is expensive, but cheaper than paying to store ‘em when you read as much as I do!
This looks like they scanned a hard copy of the book to get a digital version, but didn’t do a good cleanup afterwards—lots of L’s replaced by T’s, skipped hyphens, words smushed together, etc.—which I know weren’t in the hard copy, as I own it. If you can ignore that, the characters are believable and mostly likeable, the story is engaging, lots of detail on magic, theology, etc. that is great if you’re into it (I am), and a well-fleshed out world.
ES: switching to digital is expensive, but cheaper than paying to store ‘em when you read as much as I do!
July 6, 2022
Holly McClure is a Spellbinder, a witch whose blood gives a spell more power. She is also a best-selling writer. When she meets US Marshall Evan Lachlan, she falls quick and hard. Their passionate relationship encounters problems when their worlds collide abd black magic stirs in NYC. Throw in a fundamentalist minister whose son gets killed in a Satanic ritual and things get really muddled. Evan loses his job, Holly is in danger as the bad guys want her blood. But, of course, it all works out in the end--although there are casualties, including Holly's best friend.
More fluff than substance, but OK to pass the time with.
More fluff than substance, but OK to pass the time with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
For me, the book moved very slowly. Character development seemed simply centered on sex, which may sell books, but it seemed that was all connecting the main characters (OK, that was sort of on purpose; I thought it was an appropriate pun). As a result, they weren't all that interesting. The male lead was not at all impressive as a cop. And his fit of depression? Total angst overload. Add a somewhat confusing and disappointing ending, and this was not Rawn's best effort. If you like here work, you will like the book anyway.
February 21, 2024
This was both an enjoyable read and a slog, in some ways.
It’s a meandering story, which isn’t necessarily bad, I just wasn’t always in the mood for it.
On top of that… the love story isn’t quite my type? I don’t get the “fiery red headed passion”-love the way it was portrayed here.
It’s a meandering story, which isn’t necessarily bad, I just wasn’t always in the mood for it.
On top of that… the love story isn’t quite my type? I don’t get the “fiery red headed passion”-love the way it was portrayed here.
Read
September 13, 202070 pages in and...nothing is happening. Can't be bothered.
January 2, 2026
The story is a little slow to start. It's well-written and good in the middle (which comprises most of the book). The ending is confusing and feels like pieces are missing, though.
June 11, 2012
Since this is mostly a love story, it is extremely important that I like the main characters. They are obviously the focus here, and I have to say, the male love interest rubbed me the wrong way from the start. For some reason authors continue to portray cops as chunky, stubborn, womanizing idiots, and this seems to be quite the same. Oh, and did I mention close minded and biased? Anyway, I certainly have no interest in Evan in this book, yet the main character is infatuated with him for some reason. The main character that is attractive and successful somehow finds a generic cop interesting enough to date? Sure, that makes sense. How did she fall for him you ask? They talked about stuff for a few days. That's about it. Yes, that probably is how it works in the real world, but let me explain.
This book starts out with a very interesting opening scene, and cuts right into a meeting of witches that is also attention grabbing. The characters introduced there seem great, and I can't wait to find out more. Then, on the next page we are introduced to a pissed off witch lady for a page, who isn't our main character, so I guess that wasn't important at all. Then some other random person is arresting people for a few pages. Come to find out, that was the love interest (completely unnecessary). Finally, after a few more pointless character changes we actually meet our main characters. The female main, Holly, is dancing with her female friend and of course our male main character makes an offensive gay joke. It's in his head of course, but what a great first impression for the reader. He continues to make a bad impression with his description of how all he wanted was to have sex with Holly, and how he can basically get it any time from anyone. Yet, somehow we are supposed to like this guy because he stopped looking at other girls for one second to pay attention to our main character. Aw, isn't it sweet, the jerk is deciding not to sleep with 17 random people to date our heroine. How precious. Then he gets mad at our heroine for "lying to him," which of course she didn't, and of course he doesn't want to actually consider the other side of the argument.
Now, why would I want to read a love story involving this idiot, and the girl that somehow finds him interesting? I hate guys like that in the real world, and they absolutely fail as love interests in a fantasy novel. I'm sure Holly tells him her secrets and he is either accepting or fights it and comes around to it later, but what is new about that? That doesn't change who he is or make me care about him at all. Also, there is no build up, or sexual tension, and no courting. They are dating from the start after some cigars and hawhawhaw sex talk. Could this be any worse?
Here is an idea, edit this down, cut out the love story, and focus on the actual witches. I could deal with this then, I might have even liked it. I definitely don't like the main character's choice in men, and I don't want to have to read his point of view for half of the book. Maybe the author thinks that is how all men behave, or all cops, or maybe she wanted to make us feel all happy and proud when the idiot bigot comes to somewhat accept a witch. Either way: ew.
This book starts out with a very interesting opening scene, and cuts right into a meeting of witches that is also attention grabbing. The characters introduced there seem great, and I can't wait to find out more. Then, on the next page we are introduced to a pissed off witch lady for a page, who isn't our main character, so I guess that wasn't important at all. Then some other random person is arresting people for a few pages. Come to find out, that was the love interest (completely unnecessary). Finally, after a few more pointless character changes we actually meet our main characters. The female main, Holly, is dancing with her female friend and of course our male main character makes an offensive gay joke. It's in his head of course, but what a great first impression for the reader. He continues to make a bad impression with his description of how all he wanted was to have sex with Holly, and how he can basically get it any time from anyone. Yet, somehow we are supposed to like this guy because he stopped looking at other girls for one second to pay attention to our main character. Aw, isn't it sweet, the jerk is deciding not to sleep with 17 random people to date our heroine. How precious. Then he gets mad at our heroine for "lying to him," which of course she didn't, and of course he doesn't want to actually consider the other side of the argument.
Now, why would I want to read a love story involving this idiot, and the girl that somehow finds him interesting? I hate guys like that in the real world, and they absolutely fail as love interests in a fantasy novel. I'm sure Holly tells him her secrets and he is either accepting or fights it and comes around to it later, but what is new about that? That doesn't change who he is or make me care about him at all. Also, there is no build up, or sexual tension, and no courting. They are dating from the start after some cigars and hawhawhaw sex talk. Could this be any worse?
Here is an idea, edit this down, cut out the love story, and focus on the actual witches. I could deal with this then, I might have even liked it. I definitely don't like the main character's choice in men, and I don't want to have to read his point of view for half of the book. Maybe the author thinks that is how all men behave, or all cops, or maybe she wanted to make us feel all happy and proud when the idiot bigot comes to somewhat accept a witch. Either way: ew.
March 2, 2017
I just really didn't get into this book. Not sure why, but just didn't catch me. I'm sure some people might like it, but it just wasn't my thing.
November 23, 2008
I'd have to say 4.5 stars. I wavered between 4 and 5.
Holly is a witch. Her powers are only mediocre, but her value is that a drop of her blood will make the spells cast by others way more powerful. She's valued within her Circle, but there are others who want her for darker purposes.
This book is subtitled "A Love Story With Magical Interruptions," and it is definitely a love story. Holly, who is a best-selling author of medieval biographies and historical fiction, meets Evan, an Irish federal Marshal. The depth of their relationship is epic, but he has to overcome a horrific childhood and his macho Irish issues over a woman who is way, way wealthier than he is. Their need for each other is great, but at times their differences can't be overcome, driving them apart.
Another Witch, not of their Circle, had crossed some lines, and her Measure was taken (circumnavigating her body with a bespelled cord), giving the Magistrate of the Circle the power to limit or destroy her powers if she continues to misbehave. But she meets up with a twisted dark practitioner, and wants revenge on Holly (through Evan if necessary) and the Magistrate.
The history of Holly's family, and the evolution of her powerful friendships with adopted extended family, told through recollections, are complex, fascinating and well done. The descriptions of Witchcraft, which is really little more than using the energies of objects and elements in meaningful ways by those with some natural Talent, are wonderful.
My only complaint is that some of the information given is a bit excessive in length, and given through "lectures" by characters, which gets somewhat tedious. I understand the wisdom of relaying information on the subject by having characters discuss it, but this happened a bit too often and at greater length than I preferred. It sometimes bogged down the story. The same goes for the characters' discussions of the nature of witchcraft, religion, and good vs. evil.
Overall, though, I really liked this book. The author is apparently has two very popular fantasy series, and this book is a departure from those, after a personal battle with depression. I may investigate her series books and give them a try.
Holly is a witch. Her powers are only mediocre, but her value is that a drop of her blood will make the spells cast by others way more powerful. She's valued within her Circle, but there are others who want her for darker purposes.
This book is subtitled "A Love Story With Magical Interruptions," and it is definitely a love story. Holly, who is a best-selling author of medieval biographies and historical fiction, meets Evan, an Irish federal Marshal. The depth of their relationship is epic, but he has to overcome a horrific childhood and his macho Irish issues over a woman who is way, way wealthier than he is. Their need for each other is great, but at times their differences can't be overcome, driving them apart.
Another Witch, not of their Circle, had crossed some lines, and her Measure was taken (circumnavigating her body with a bespelled cord), giving the Magistrate of the Circle the power to limit or destroy her powers if she continues to misbehave. But she meets up with a twisted dark practitioner, and wants revenge on Holly (through Evan if necessary) and the Magistrate.
The history of Holly's family, and the evolution of her powerful friendships with adopted extended family, told through recollections, are complex, fascinating and well done. The descriptions of Witchcraft, which is really little more than using the energies of objects and elements in meaningful ways by those with some natural Talent, are wonderful.
My only complaint is that some of the information given is a bit excessive in length, and given through "lectures" by characters, which gets somewhat tedious. I understand the wisdom of relaying information on the subject by having characters discuss it, but this happened a bit too often and at greater length than I preferred. It sometimes bogged down the story. The same goes for the characters' discussions of the nature of witchcraft, religion, and good vs. evil.
Overall, though, I really liked this book. The author is apparently has two very popular fantasy series, and this book is a departure from those, after a personal battle with depression. I may investigate her series books and give them a try.
March 17, 2009
As the author herself acknowledges in her note at the end of the book, this story is very different from anything else she's ever written. Rawn has, up until now, always been more of a classic fantasy author, all her stories taking place in worlds very much not our own. This book does still have magic, but the setting is modern day, and as the subtitle suggests, the fantasy aspects are the real focus of the book.
I confess that I had very serious doubts about this book even before I picked it up, and the first couple of pages nearly made me put it down. Turns out, the overwrought prose at the beginning is tied to the very annoying side character being presented as the start of the story. But if you were to go by just those opening pages and had no faith it was going to get better... well, it's only because I was already a Rawn fan that I persevered.
To be honest, the whole beginning of the book struck me as a little rough. The perspective shifts between characters with little warning, and I actually found myself having to look back multiple times to figure out who I was supposed to be hearing the thoughts of this time. It doesn't help that both of the male characters in question for the double-date scene I'm thinking of have names that both start with "E."
That said, once I got all the characters straightened out and figured out who was dating who, the story sort of stabilized, and I did definitely want to find out what happened. The plot wasn't nearly as complex as her other works, but it ended up being an enjoyable light read with several passages of truly funny dialogue. I'd better not rate it on Amazon, though, or I'll start getting email suggesting paranormal romances again.
I do hope Rawn feels better having written something very different. (She was apparently coming out of a long period of serious depression.) I just hope that she does eventually get back to her Ambrai series that got abandoned in the middle of the plot ten years ago.
I confess that I had very serious doubts about this book even before I picked it up, and the first couple of pages nearly made me put it down. Turns out, the overwrought prose at the beginning is tied to the very annoying side character being presented as the start of the story. But if you were to go by just those opening pages and had no faith it was going to get better... well, it's only because I was already a Rawn fan that I persevered.
To be honest, the whole beginning of the book struck me as a little rough. The perspective shifts between characters with little warning, and I actually found myself having to look back multiple times to figure out who I was supposed to be hearing the thoughts of this time. It doesn't help that both of the male characters in question for the double-date scene I'm thinking of have names that both start with "E."
That said, once I got all the characters straightened out and figured out who was dating who, the story sort of stabilized, and I did definitely want to find out what happened. The plot wasn't nearly as complex as her other works, but it ended up being an enjoyable light read with several passages of truly funny dialogue. I'd better not rate it on Amazon, though, or I'll start getting email suggesting paranormal romances again.
I do hope Rawn feels better having written something very different. (She was apparently coming out of a long period of serious depression.) I just hope that she does eventually get back to her Ambrai series that got abandoned in the middle of the plot ten years ago.
September 29, 2013
A terribly disappointing book. I've read and enjoyed everything else that Melanie Rawn has ever published, and enjoyed them all, but this book was a major departure - and really just not good. Rather than epic fantasy soap-opera (like her previous works) this is a modern-day supernatural romance - with the emphasis on romance. I've noticed before that Rawn has a distressingly conservative streak regarding relationships, but it's easier to excuse when the characters are living in a pseudo-medieval world that DOES care a lot about the production of heirs and women NEED to have children, blah, blah. But in modern-day New York (not that the setting of the book EVER feels like New York), it's, to me, inexcusable.
Holly McClure is a practicing witch (good) and also a massively wealthy and successful novelist. She mysteriously falls for a blue-collar Irish cop who doesn't know that she's a witch OR rich. When he finds out she's rich, her has such issues with her making more money than he does that he tries to break up with her. Basically, the guy is a jerk through-and-through, there is not ONE attractive thing about him. Why Holly likes him is a total mystery to the reader. Anyway, Holly has a rival, who is ALSO a sucessful, Anne-Rice-type novelist, who is a Slut and a Bad Witch. Her hi--jinks lead (slowly - this book is very long and rambling) to a showdown with Evil Occultists which gets some people murdered and her cop boyfriend dragged into the mess... along the way gratuitously insulting New Yorkers (and all city folks), goths, most pagans, most fans of bad supernatural novels such as this one, etc. (Although, surprisingly, there is a positive portrayal of gay characters, and pains are taken to portray Good Paganism as a positive religion). Still, in the end, Holly and the cop Get Out of the Big Bad City, Settle Down on a Nice Country Farm and Have Children. I roll my eyes.
Holly McClure is a practicing witch (good) and also a massively wealthy and successful novelist. She mysteriously falls for a blue-collar Irish cop who doesn't know that she's a witch OR rich. When he finds out she's rich, her has such issues with her making more money than he does that he tries to break up with her. Basically, the guy is a jerk through-and-through, there is not ONE attractive thing about him. Why Holly likes him is a total mystery to the reader. Anyway, Holly has a rival, who is ALSO a sucessful, Anne-Rice-type novelist, who is a Slut and a Bad Witch. Her hi--jinks lead (slowly - this book is very long and rambling) to a showdown with Evil Occultists which gets some people murdered and her cop boyfriend dragged into the mess... along the way gratuitously insulting New Yorkers (and all city folks), goths, most pagans, most fans of bad supernatural novels such as this one, etc. (Although, surprisingly, there is a positive portrayal of gay characters, and pains are taken to portray Good Paganism as a positive religion). Still, in the end, Holly and the cop Get Out of the Big Bad City, Settle Down on a Nice Country Farm and Have Children. I roll my eyes.
June 30, 2008
More needed to happen in this book. It seemed to focus more on general themes than on the story.
Almost every interesting event was glossed over in favor of fixation on the details of ritual or endless (and often pointless) talking and introspection. One chapter ended with a pretty exciting cliff hanger, and it was followed by a different pair of characters discussing the interconnectedness of New Yorkers. Talk about a disappointing transition!
Many of the main characters shared the same traits, a fixation with their lineage, a tendency to pepper their speech with phrases from other languages, and a fondness for lecturing each other. I found it annoying that the characters liked to complain about the heroine's little lectures despite the fact that they all did the same thing. It usually felt more like Rawn telling the reader things she knew or had thought about than anything that advanced the plot or characters.
The witty banter was at times overdone, there were more than a few non sequiturs. I spent way too much time re-reading conversations so I could make sure that I hadn't just missed whatever they were talking about. But no, sometimes the characters were either saying random things or referring to conversations or events that the reader had no clue about. A little of that is fine, and even expected among characters that know each other well. But it crossed the line from "showing that these people have an intimate relationship" to "confusing the crap out of me."
The ending was badly handled, especially the mystery aspects of it. The best part was that the evil was defeated, in part, by boring it with the same endless talking that had been annoying me the rest of the time.
This was the first book by Rawn that I've read, if I try her again I think I'll stick to a pure fantasy novel.
Almost every interesting event was glossed over in favor of fixation on the details of ritual or endless (and often pointless) talking and introspection. One chapter ended with a pretty exciting cliff hanger, and it was followed by a different pair of characters discussing the interconnectedness of New Yorkers. Talk about a disappointing transition!
Many of the main characters shared the same traits, a fixation with their lineage, a tendency to pepper their speech with phrases from other languages, and a fondness for lecturing each other. I found it annoying that the characters liked to complain about the heroine's little lectures despite the fact that they all did the same thing. It usually felt more like Rawn telling the reader things she knew or had thought about than anything that advanced the plot or characters.
The witty banter was at times overdone, there were more than a few non sequiturs. I spent way too much time re-reading conversations so I could make sure that I hadn't just missed whatever they were talking about. But no, sometimes the characters were either saying random things or referring to conversations or events that the reader had no clue about. A little of that is fine, and even expected among characters that know each other well. But it crossed the line from "showing that these people have an intimate relationship" to "confusing the crap out of me."
The ending was badly handled, especially the mystery aspects of it. The best part was that the evil was defeated, in part, by boring it with the same endless talking that had been annoying me the rest of the time.
This was the first book by Rawn that I've read, if I try her again I think I'll stick to a pure fantasy novel.
October 6, 2013
Holly McClure is a successful writer living in Manhattan. She’s also a witch, but one with a unique ability. Holly’s a Spellbinder, which means her blood has the power to strengthen any spell, for good or evil, and evil definitely wants her. But Holly has protective friends, including a gorgeous new lover who works as a U.S. Marshall. She also has a special group of witches, two of whom are surrogate uncles. But are these people enough to protect her? Holly’s also made a powerful enemy or two, and as each side ramps up their determination to win, lives are at risk.
Spellbinder is the first Melanie Rawn novel I’ve read and, based on the author’s notes, this work is different from earlier novels. Rawn weaves a lot of detail about spells, rituals, and Irish history into the story, which adds layers and depth. In some places, those layers overwhelm the plot, though, and slow the story down considerably. For instance, midway through the book Holly goes home to stay with a relative in Virginia, which evolves into many pages of backstory. There is also a fair bit of philosophizing (through dialogue and inner monologue) about religion, God, good and evil, and the 911 tragedy.
Still, there are plenty of things to like about Spellbinder such as the main characters, intriguing magical rituals, suspenseful buildup and, above all, the love story. I’d certainly read more of Rawn’s novels.
Spellbinder is the first Melanie Rawn novel I’ve read and, based on the author’s notes, this work is different from earlier novels. Rawn weaves a lot of detail about spells, rituals, and Irish history into the story, which adds layers and depth. In some places, those layers overwhelm the plot, though, and slow the story down considerably. For instance, midway through the book Holly goes home to stay with a relative in Virginia, which evolves into many pages of backstory. There is also a fair bit of philosophizing (through dialogue and inner monologue) about religion, God, good and evil, and the 911 tragedy.
Still, there are plenty of things to like about Spellbinder such as the main characters, intriguing magical rituals, suspenseful buildup and, above all, the love story. I’d certainly read more of Rawn’s novels.
April 14, 2009
This is the second time I've read this book. I swear DH bought it in hardcover, but he says we only read the first chapter or so in a bookstore. Nope. Read the whole thing. I'd forgotten how preachy it got at the end (and I'm not even talking about Rev. Fleming here).
Once again he put it down after about 2 chapters, but I plowed my way through it to the end.
The book is subtitled, "A Love Story with Magical Interruptions". Ok, nice tip of the hat there, but it's a bit too literal for me. The "romance" is pretty much wrapped up very early on without doubts and the "break up" didn't ring true for me. Something was missing, but I'm not sure what. The magic elements were actually more interesting until you got to the cardboard villain. I did like how things were woven together for the most part, but the weave could have been tighter overall.
Once again he put it down after about 2 chapters, but I plowed my way through it to the end.
The book is subtitled, "A Love Story with Magical Interruptions". Ok, nice tip of the hat there, but it's a bit too literal for me. The "romance" is pretty much wrapped up very early on without doubts and the "break up" didn't ring true for me. Something was missing, but I'm not sure what. The magic elements were actually more interesting until you got to the cardboard villain. I did like how things were woven together for the most part, but the weave could have been tighter overall.
August 18, 2012
This is a second read for me. I read it when it was new, remember liking it and looking forward to a sequel, and then it seemed nothing ever happened so I gave up. About a year ago, I came across the sequel in a Borders closing sale, but figured I needed to remind myself what happened in the first book before starting the second. I'm finally getting around to that. I still like it, but I can't say I loved it. I really like the characters and their interactions with each other, the witchcraft scenes, and the thriller side of the story. But there are times when it gets way too philosophical and long-winded and even preachy. I get that long-winded lecturing is meant to be a character trait of the main character, Holly, but it quickly got tedious to read. I'm still looking forward to the sequel, but I hope it sticks more to plotting than philosophizing.
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