What do you think?
Rate this book
Magebound #2
Spellwrought
"There is no such thing as evil magic, there are only evil mages."
Spellwrought continues the story of Lark, an abused slave bought by the Traxen Mage to run his magic shop. When not aiding the villagers and making new friends, Lark struggles to fend off the advances of his master, Lord Sactaren, which grows increasingly more difficult as he gets to know the mysterious and alluring man. Is Sactaren's true nature one of spells and seduction, or does a decent human being hide behind that flawless mask?
As Lark delves deeper into his master's past, he can't deny that Sactaren has committed his share of atrocities, but a man's past does not dictate his future, does it? If a simple slave can learn to be a man, why can't an evil mage change his ways? After all, power and riches and worldly pleasures mean nothing if a man has no soul.
But, drawn into the mage's world of lust, magic and darkness, Lark discovers first-hand how seductive power can be.
**Also contains a bonus, 18,000 words short story, 'The Long Way 'Round' featuring Rayne and Belaeden, two exclusive new articles on Unicorns and Lord Jan Besteth, and Character Biographies.**
Spellwrought continues the story of Lark, an abused slave bought by the Traxen Mage to run his magic shop. When not aiding the villagers and making new friends, Lark struggles to fend off the advances of his master, Lord Sactaren, which grows increasingly more difficult as he gets to know the mysterious and alluring man. Is Sactaren's true nature one of spells and seduction, or does a decent human being hide behind that flawless mask?
As Lark delves deeper into his master's past, he can't deny that Sactaren has committed his share of atrocities, but a man's past does not dictate his future, does it? If a simple slave can learn to be a man, why can't an evil mage change his ways? After all, power and riches and worldly pleasures mean nothing if a man has no soul.
But, drawn into the mage's world of lust, magic and darkness, Lark discovers first-hand how seductive power can be.
**Also contains a bonus, 18,000 words short story, 'The Long Way 'Round' featuring Rayne and Belaeden, two exclusive new articles on Unicorns and Lord Jan Besteth, and Character Biographies.**
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2015
About the author
Katica Locke
19 books100 followersI learned at a young age that books were precious and that the written word was a powerful means of communication. Since I have social anxiety and find it hard to speak to people, writing has become my voice. I’m able to say what I really think and feel without the irrational worry that comes with speaking.
I grew up and still live in Oregon, in the beautiful Willamette Valley. I’m within walking distance of the Willamette River, and a couple hours’ drive from both the coast and the mountains. Since writing doesn’t pay the bills yet, I also work for the school district, as an educational assistant at the same elementary school that I attended.
I love camping, hiking, bird watching, and rock-hounding and spend my free time writing, reading, or watching TV, movies, and sporting events. I’m a huge football, bullriding, and NASCAR fan.
I’ve been writing stories since I was ten and in all these years, the one constant in my writing has always been the magic, the supernatural, the inexplicable. Nothing inspires me like fantasy, be it dragons or vampires, faeries or demons.
I’m fascinated by human interaction, probably because I’m so bad at it, and few things in life bring out the raw intensity of human emotion like love and sex. Even when writing about faeries or demons or fantasy cultures, the needs are universal. Love is love, no matter what planet you’re on. Love is not the domain of the rich, or the powerful, or the beautiful. It belongs to everyone and that’s why I enjoy writing erotica. The fact that guy-on-guy action is really hot doesn’t hurt, either.
I grew up and still live in Oregon, in the beautiful Willamette Valley. I’m within walking distance of the Willamette River, and a couple hours’ drive from both the coast and the mountains. Since writing doesn’t pay the bills yet, I also work for the school district, as an educational assistant at the same elementary school that I attended.
I love camping, hiking, bird watching, and rock-hounding and spend my free time writing, reading, or watching TV, movies, and sporting events. I’m a huge football, bullriding, and NASCAR fan.
I’ve been writing stories since I was ten and in all these years, the one constant in my writing has always been the magic, the supernatural, the inexplicable. Nothing inspires me like fantasy, be it dragons or vampires, faeries or demons.
I’m fascinated by human interaction, probably because I’m so bad at it, and few things in life bring out the raw intensity of human emotion like love and sex. Even when writing about faeries or demons or fantasy cultures, the needs are universal. Love is love, no matter what planet you’re on. Love is not the domain of the rich, or the powerful, or the beautiful. It belongs to everyone and that’s why I enjoy writing erotica. The fact that guy-on-guy action is really hot doesn’t hurt, either.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 29, 2018
3.5 stars
I don't understand. Maybe the first book with salamander on the cover is an old edition, the unedited or maybe it's actually the new and edited version? Because the first half of book 2 is actually the last half of book 1. Same but different, some events were either omitted or added in these two books, like Rayne and Khas' parts. It confused me, which is the right one, the one that actually happened? But other than that, the core is same, I think, I didn't really reread the first half of the book 2, just skimmed and checked some events every 5-10% to make sure I don't miss anything.
Another half of this book though are Rayne and Bel's spin-off (this is the ultimate reason why I gave this book 4 stars beside the continuation of the last event between Lark and Naeven in book one, I would say Rayne and Bel's first meeting story was rather compelling despite I was quite reluctant to read about them at first, because I want Lark and Naeven's more, not Rayne and Bel's), the character biographies (not really sure why I should learn about Naeven from this part when in actuality I should learn about him from Lark's POV or maybe his own POV), the world building (okay, I admit the idea is amazing and high-fantasy material, but I don't want info dump for world building, I want it to be revealed in the story, not in author's afterwords), unicorn species (another unnecessary info dump about the variety of unicorn, I don't fucking care actually and skipped this part entirely), and then an excerpt for its sequel "Memoryache" (that SHOULD BE released in 2016, but it's 2018 NOW, where's the damn book? Don't tell me you don't intend to finish what you started??), and the SHORT continuation of Lark and Naeven's story after book 1, only one or two chapter and another HFN, gah. But again, with this kind of characters, the ending is understandable, I won't like it if Lark suddenly feels excited with the idea of being held and going all the way readily, because if so, then that's so not him. For someone with traumatic past like Lark, SLOW is the best. That's why I really like this series, they take it slow, they try to make it successful because they want each other so much even though each has their own demons to fight, they want to be strong so they can support and save their partner from their 'demons'.
The yearning in his eyes makes my chest ache, because I believe it’s not just the physical pleasure that my body can provide him that he yearns for, it’s me.
I don't understand. Maybe the first book with salamander on the cover is an old edition, the unedited or maybe it's actually the new and edited version? Because the first half of book 2 is actually the last half of book 1. Same but different, some events were either omitted or added in these two books, like Rayne and Khas' parts. It confused me, which is the right one, the one that actually happened? But other than that, the core is same, I think, I didn't really reread the first half of the book 2, just skimmed and checked some events every 5-10% to make sure I don't miss anything.
Another half of this book though are Rayne and Bel's spin-off (this is the ultimate reason why I gave this book 4 stars beside the continuation of the last event between Lark and Naeven in book one, I would say Rayne and Bel's first meeting story was rather compelling despite I was quite reluctant to read about them at first, because I want Lark and Naeven's more, not Rayne and Bel's), the character biographies (not really sure why I should learn about Naeven from this part when in actuality I should learn about him from Lark's POV or maybe his own POV), the world building (okay, I admit the idea is amazing and high-fantasy material, but I don't want info dump for world building, I want it to be revealed in the story, not in author's afterwords), unicorn species (another unnecessary info dump about the variety of unicorn, I don't fucking care actually and skipped this part entirely), and then an excerpt for its sequel "Memoryache" (that SHOULD BE released in 2016, but it's 2018 NOW, where's the damn book? Don't tell me you don't intend to finish what you started??), and the SHORT continuation of Lark and Naeven's story after book 1, only one or two chapter and another HFN, gah. But again, with this kind of characters, the ending is understandable, I won't like it if Lark suddenly feels excited with the idea of being held and going all the way readily, because if so, then that's so not him. For someone with traumatic past like Lark, SLOW is the best. That's why I really like this series, they take it slow, they try to make it successful because they want each other so much even though each has their own demons to fight, they want to be strong so they can support and save their partner from their 'demons'.
June 10, 2019
Disappointed.
I read this sequel, hoping that it might answer some questions and wrap up some story lines from the first book.
It didn't. Not really. It just introduced more (ultimately unfinished) storylines, more lovable and if not lovable, relatable characters, and some wonderful magic. (Some of which showed up in Harry Potter, I noticed)
Great world building, wonderful characters, great tension, a fave fantasy 'verse of mine. None of it wrapped up tho and there is no sequel.
And wtf happened to Khas!?
Not fair not fair NOT FAIR. *Stomps foot*
I guess I'm just not cut out for books that let you 'imagine the ending'. I never did like The Lady or the Tiger?.
SammiSue
I read this sequel, hoping that it might answer some questions and wrap up some story lines from the first book.
It didn't. Not really. It just introduced more (ultimately unfinished) storylines, more lovable and if not lovable, relatable characters, and some wonderful magic. (Some of which showed up in Harry Potter, I noticed)
Great world building, wonderful characters, great tension, a fave fantasy 'verse of mine. None of it wrapped up tho and there is no sequel.
And wtf happened to Khas!?
Not fair not fair NOT FAIR. *Stomps foot*
I guess I'm just not cut out for books that let you 'imagine the ending'. I never did like The Lady or the Tiger?.
SammiSue
May 29, 2017
I quite enjoyed reading this as it's an easy book to get through. Everything is straight forward.
I didn't give it five stars, however, because of a few things. The first was that so many characters were randomly introduced into the book without any real plot surrounding them. I really liked Rayne though, and it looks like he's going to be a major character for the next book which I'm hoping for! The second was that the characters have such intense mood swings that confuse me. One minute Lark wants sex and the next he's panicking over a kiss. I understand that he's been through a lot, but he seems to be taking a long time to come to terms with what happened! The mage himself is very bipolar. One minute he's being sleazy and the next he's angry.
Despite all that, I liked the clarity with which Locke wrote her novel. Lark was still looking for his pet that he lost in the previous novel and we learn more about Schaff and who he is and who he likes. I would like to see him develop a stronger relationship with the other cat that lives there and see a real friendship bloom for such a harsh and blunt character. I feel like he's extremely lonely as his attitude probably chases a lot of people away.
I can't wait for the next book!!
I didn't give it five stars, however, because of a few things. The first was that so many characters were randomly introduced into the book without any real plot surrounding them. I really liked Rayne though, and it looks like he's going to be a major character for the next book which I'm hoping for! The second was that the characters have such intense mood swings that confuse me. One minute Lark wants sex and the next he's panicking over a kiss. I understand that he's been through a lot, but he seems to be taking a long time to come to terms with what happened! The mage himself is very bipolar. One minute he's being sleazy and the next he's angry.
Despite all that, I liked the clarity with which Locke wrote her novel. Lark was still looking for his pet that he lost in the previous novel and we learn more about Schaff and who he is and who he likes. I would like to see him develop a stronger relationship with the other cat that lives there and see a real friendship bloom for such a harsh and blunt character. I feel like he's extremely lonely as his attitude probably chases a lot of people away.
I can't wait for the next book!!
September 9, 2015
My reading preferences must have changed a lot since I read the first book Magebound in this series. My anticipated excitement did not eventuate and I stopped reading mid-way when all I could think of was to slap MC Lark into the middle of next week with this self-pitying attitude, self-sabotaging behaviour and annoying tendency to blow hot and cold in his interactions with the mage Lord Sactaeren. Ummm - I found the secondary characters more interesting than the MCs in this book - and I mourned the loss and non-reappearance of the pet creature Lark tossed away at the end of the first book (maybe it comes back in the second half of the book but I'm afraid I'm not willing to tough it out to then to find out. A DNF read for me here.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews