What do you think?
Rate this book
Mackenzie Grey: Trials #3
Bound by Magic
All debts must be paid. Mackenzie Grey has had it rough these past couple of months. She’s lost her job, her relationship with Sebastian is teetering on the edge, and she’s hiding from a particular warlock that’s ready to call in his favor. When Bobby Wu catches up with Kenzie, it’s not what she expects. He said he would own her, and he meant it quite literally. Bound to the warlock, it’s a race against the clock to untie herself from Bobby before she does something she’ll live to regret. Will Mackenzie find a way out or will her world come crashing down around her?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2020
197 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Karina Espinosa
107 books466 followersKarina Espinosa is a Colombian-American author best known for the Mackenzie Grey series, the Blood Weaver Trilogy, and her latest romantasy hit, The Dragon’s Ballad. When she’s not writing fierce heroines and magical chaos, she’s globe-trotting, bingeing Asian dramas, or teaching college students how to write essays—with a coffee in hand and fictional body count on the rise.
Follow her for more coffee-fueled chaos and character heartbreak.
Follow her for more coffee-fueled chaos and character heartbreak.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 1, 2020
Wow! Another amazing adventure or maybe I should say misadventure in the ever increasingly complicated life of Mackenzie Grey Maconnich. Just when I think I can't love this series anymore I read the next book and adore it and its character even more than before.
FULL REVIEW
It’s no secret that I love Mackenzie Grey and adored the other two books in this series so I knew as soon as this one was available, I absolutely had to read it! When you first glance at the cover you don’t notice all the details, its when you look at again that you see everything, and there’s lots to see on this cover! This cover has Mackenzie Grey front and centre with the eye drawn to her dressed in her trademark outfit of jeans, t-shirt and jacket slung over her shoulder. This cover goes with the rest in this series and yet still co-ordinates well with the previous Origins series too. I love the shifter eyes on the cover too, they really draw the readers eyes to cover well. There is also the moon prominently placed centrally on the cover behind Mackenzie as the full moon is still extremely important to her even though she is no longer moon-bound anymore. I also really like the addition of the skyline at the bottom of the book. Genre’s I have seen listed for this book include Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance and Supernatural. There’s certainly a lot of different supernatural species in this series, with even more possibilities introduced in this book.
As a reader I was worried for Mackenzie when she had to “make a deal with the devil” in the form of Bobby Wu in the last book. The way he ominously said he owned her now sent shivers down my spine and had me anxiously biting my lip wondering what he had in store for her. There was one thing for sure it would be something big and more than likely both illegal and something Mackenzie didn’t really want to be part of. As the first words of the blurb say “All debts must be paid” and wow does Mackenzie have to pay! After Bobby Wu pop’s in on Kenzie and uses darl magic to brand his hand print on her shoulder she finds herself quite literally at his beck and call. No matter where she is, who she is with or what she is doing she is strongly compelled to leave it and quickly make her way to the man who thinks he is her master now. It soon becomes clear Mackenzie is to be the one to dirty her hands and paws so Bobby Wu can stand by and watch the dirt fly. From previous books we know Bobby Wu has a different sense of right & wrong or black & white than everyone else. Bobby Wu seems to continually loiter in the very dark, dark grey zone and he is determined to use Mackenzie and her wolf to his advantage as much and as often as he wishes.
Along with all this Mackenzie is trying to keep her relationship with Bash on track. Bash had rushed ahead and bought them a home that they could fill with a family. A family that Mackenzie does not feel ready for, she isn’t ready to feel tied down or responsible for anyone else right now, but will Bash dig in his heels on wanting children? Or can Mackenzie bring herself to discuss their future, rather than running from it as she usually does? There’s a brilliantly poignant and emotional scene in the book where Bash tells Kenz whether their family of two or more as long as they are together it is fine by him.
There is a bit of a turnaround between two very important people in Mackenzie’s life. Bash and Mackenzie do come to a decision about no longer keeping secrets from each other which is a huge step in the right direction. However, now best friend Amy is all human and in Kenzie’s mind “breakable” she decides to keep any danger she is in hidden from Amy for as long as is possible. One relationship going from strength to strength is the romance between Amy & Jackson, it’s clear to everyone around them they are in completely in love.
Mackenzie’s brother Ollie is suddenly released from the army and decides he wants to hang around with his sister more, which could become yet another hassle on Mackenzie’s ever increasing list of problems as he doesn’t know about the supernatural world and she is unsure how he will react to knowing what/who she really is.
This book is absolutely packed with action along with favourite characters and new characters being introduced too. There are the guys at the SIU all trying to continue on whilst Mackenzie is being investigated for her part in killing the vampire elders. There’s a new head vampire in town who clearly despises Kenz and thinks she got off lightly. Though she once again she proves to be tough enough to take any violence they dole out. Kenzie also shows she is stubborn and fiercely loyal to her friends and will not hear a wrong word said about old friend and exiled vampire Lucien.
Then we have the whole Bobby Wu and why he desperately wants the nymphs to need his help….and his anger when they go to the SIU for help rather than approaching him. There is a mystery man who is also facilitating Bobby Wu and his dark plans. On the light, good side is of course Bash, the Brooklyn Pack and once Bash calls him for help Waldo Wagner. Can the light & good win over dark & evil? And what price will poor Mackenzie have to pay this time?
As I said there are some newer characters featuring in this book, such as Kalia the head wood nymph, Waldo Wagner is also in this book and Ollie, Kenzie’s brother is in this book quite a lot too. Bobby Wu teleports himself and Kenz to see a strange authorative, arrogant man who seems to know a lot about her, but, who and more importantly what is he? And who is the something or someone that could and would hurt Mackenzie without the so called “protection” of Bobby Wu?
Mackenzie and Bash visit the local archivist for more information on their Anam Aonachd bond, what it means and how they can use it to their advantage. There’s not so much of the pack and its politics in this book, though when Kenz visits the new HQ for the Brookyln Pack there are still important wolves in the pack that are not keen on her and the baggage she brings with her to their pack. There is still some angst between Bash and Kenz as he finds it difficult to not be by her side and protect her from anyone and everything even though Kenz tells him and proves time after time she is a big kick-ass girl who can mostly take care of herself and almost anything anyone would like to throw her way. I did love how Kenz is a bit more understanding with Bash and his worrying about her in this book.
As always with the books in this series they are so well written as a reader you loathe having to put it down until the end! I love the relevant comments about Netflix, TV programmes and binge watching them along with comparisons of Vampires and Bella Swan from Twlight.
I find the descriptions amazing, you can really see what is being described easily and well. The description of Amy, “Amy’s fire engine-red hair was pulled into a messy bun and she wore a tank top that displayed her tatted sleeves in their full glory. She was a work of art.” I have to say I think Amy’s temper could also be compared to “fire engine red” too! The way the author describes Kenzie and Bash’s eyes, wow! I certainly think that Bash fills the top slot book boyfriend criteria brilliantly, with Jackson a close second of course. I also think some of the phrases in the book are so funny yet so “Mackenzie” like, “I leaned back on the sofa, placed my hands behind my head, and would have placed my feet on the table, but my mama raised me right.”
I could seriously go on and on and talk forever about this book and series. It’s definitely one of my top ten favourites.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this brilliant book were Wow! Another amazing adventure or maybe I should say misadventure in the ever increasingly complicated life of Mackenzie Grey Maconnich. Just when I think I can't love this series anymore I read the next book and adore it and its character even more than before.
To sum up, brilliant, fantastic, amazing, gripping, un-put-downable, addictive reading. . . need I say more?
FULL REVIEW
It’s no secret that I love Mackenzie Grey and adored the other two books in this series so I knew as soon as this one was available, I absolutely had to read it! When you first glance at the cover you don’t notice all the details, its when you look at again that you see everything, and there’s lots to see on this cover! This cover has Mackenzie Grey front and centre with the eye drawn to her dressed in her trademark outfit of jeans, t-shirt and jacket slung over her shoulder. This cover goes with the rest in this series and yet still co-ordinates well with the previous Origins series too. I love the shifter eyes on the cover too, they really draw the readers eyes to cover well. There is also the moon prominently placed centrally on the cover behind Mackenzie as the full moon is still extremely important to her even though she is no longer moon-bound anymore. I also really like the addition of the skyline at the bottom of the book. Genre’s I have seen listed for this book include Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance and Supernatural. There’s certainly a lot of different supernatural species in this series, with even more possibilities introduced in this book.
As a reader I was worried for Mackenzie when she had to “make a deal with the devil” in the form of Bobby Wu in the last book. The way he ominously said he owned her now sent shivers down my spine and had me anxiously biting my lip wondering what he had in store for her. There was one thing for sure it would be something big and more than likely both illegal and something Mackenzie didn’t really want to be part of. As the first words of the blurb say “All debts must be paid” and wow does Mackenzie have to pay! After Bobby Wu pop’s in on Kenzie and uses darl magic to brand his hand print on her shoulder she finds herself quite literally at his beck and call. No matter where she is, who she is with or what she is doing she is strongly compelled to leave it and quickly make her way to the man who thinks he is her master now. It soon becomes clear Mackenzie is to be the one to dirty her hands and paws so Bobby Wu can stand by and watch the dirt fly. From previous books we know Bobby Wu has a different sense of right & wrong or black & white than everyone else. Bobby Wu seems to continually loiter in the very dark, dark grey zone and he is determined to use Mackenzie and her wolf to his advantage as much and as often as he wishes.
Along with all this Mackenzie is trying to keep her relationship with Bash on track. Bash had rushed ahead and bought them a home that they could fill with a family. A family that Mackenzie does not feel ready for, she isn’t ready to feel tied down or responsible for anyone else right now, but will Bash dig in his heels on wanting children? Or can Mackenzie bring herself to discuss their future, rather than running from it as she usually does? There’s a brilliantly poignant and emotional scene in the book where Bash tells Kenz whether their family of two or more as long as they are together it is fine by him.
There is a bit of a turnaround between two very important people in Mackenzie’s life. Bash and Mackenzie do come to a decision about no longer keeping secrets from each other which is a huge step in the right direction. However, now best friend Amy is all human and in Kenzie’s mind “breakable” she decides to keep any danger she is in hidden from Amy for as long as is possible. One relationship going from strength to strength is the romance between Amy & Jackson, it’s clear to everyone around them they are in completely in love.
Mackenzie’s brother Ollie is suddenly released from the army and decides he wants to hang around with his sister more, which could become yet another hassle on Mackenzie’s ever increasing list of problems as he doesn’t know about the supernatural world and she is unsure how he will react to knowing what/who she really is.
This book is absolutely packed with action along with favourite characters and new characters being introduced too. There are the guys at the SIU all trying to continue on whilst Mackenzie is being investigated for her part in killing the vampire elders. There’s a new head vampire in town who clearly despises Kenz and thinks she got off lightly. Though she once again she proves to be tough enough to take any violence they dole out. Kenzie also shows she is stubborn and fiercely loyal to her friends and will not hear a wrong word said about old friend and exiled vampire Lucien.
Then we have the whole Bobby Wu and why he desperately wants the nymphs to need his help….and his anger when they go to the SIU for help rather than approaching him. There is a mystery man who is also facilitating Bobby Wu and his dark plans. On the light, good side is of course Bash, the Brooklyn Pack and once Bash calls him for help Waldo Wagner. Can the light & good win over dark & evil? And what price will poor Mackenzie have to pay this time?
As I said there are some newer characters featuring in this book, such as Kalia the head wood nymph, Waldo Wagner is also in this book and Ollie, Kenzie’s brother is in this book quite a lot too. Bobby Wu teleports himself and Kenz to see a strange authorative, arrogant man who seems to know a lot about her, but, who and more importantly what is he? And who is the something or someone that could and would hurt Mackenzie without the so called “protection” of Bobby Wu?
Mackenzie and Bash visit the local archivist for more information on their Anam Aonachd bond, what it means and how they can use it to their advantage. There’s not so much of the pack and its politics in this book, though when Kenz visits the new HQ for the Brookyln Pack there are still important wolves in the pack that are not keen on her and the baggage she brings with her to their pack. There is still some angst between Bash and Kenz as he finds it difficult to not be by her side and protect her from anyone and everything even though Kenz tells him and proves time after time she is a big kick-ass girl who can mostly take care of herself and almost anything anyone would like to throw her way. I did love how Kenz is a bit more understanding with Bash and his worrying about her in this book.
As always with the books in this series they are so well written as a reader you loathe having to put it down until the end! I love the relevant comments about Netflix, TV programmes and binge watching them along with comparisons of Vampires and Bella Swan from Twlight.
I find the descriptions amazing, you can really see what is being described easily and well. The description of Amy, “Amy’s fire engine-red hair was pulled into a messy bun and she wore a tank top that displayed her tatted sleeves in their full glory. She was a work of art.” I have to say I think Amy’s temper could also be compared to “fire engine red” too! The way the author describes Kenzie and Bash’s eyes, wow! I certainly think that Bash fills the top slot book boyfriend criteria brilliantly, with Jackson a close second of course. I also think some of the phrases in the book are so funny yet so “Mackenzie” like, “I leaned back on the sofa, placed my hands behind my head, and would have placed my feet on the table, but my mama raised me right.”
I could seriously go on and on and talk forever about this book and series. It’s definitely one of my top ten favourites.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this brilliant book were Wow! Another amazing adventure or maybe I should say misadventure in the ever increasingly complicated life of Mackenzie Grey Maconnich. Just when I think I can't love this series anymore I read the next book and adore it and its character even more than before.
To sum up, brilliant, fantastic, amazing, gripping, un-put-downable, addictive reading. . . need I say more?
March 22, 2023
Re-listened March 22, 2023
🎧📚
Narrated by Nicole Poole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I L O V E THIS SERIES 😍
🎧📚
Narrated by Nicole Poole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I L O V E THIS SERIES 😍
January 30, 2020
mackenzie grey returns in this next installment of her trials series and she deffinetly has her fair share of trials in this book while attempting to get her job back deal with bobby wu fending of pesky vampires and work on her relationship with bash mackenzies been on one hell of wild ride and doesnt look to be getting any less wild anytime soon i devoured my way through this book enjoying every bit of it from start to finish though im verry curious about several things in this book namely bobby wus motives im starting to think there is something more to his motives beyond whats presented to us at face value and just who is his mysterious accomplice and what does he want with mackenzie ahh karina you did another amazing job looking forward to seeing what you have instore for mackenzie and every in the next book :)
January 29, 2020
MacKenzie has to face Bobby Wu as he calls in her debt to him. He was serious about her being owned by him, when he binds her with magic. She has no choice but to go when he calls. On top of that, she is still dealing trying to get her job back. Her brother Ollie is back and seems he will closer.
Kenzie has a lot going on and little answers. There will be a lot at stake for her again. She will be doing what she thinks is right. Through it all, Kenzie has Bash, the pack, allies that she can rely on to help. But the end of this book is good. Can't wait for the next one. This series gets better with every book. There are so many things that happen in this book, you have to read it. No spoilers from me.
I received an ARC copy of this book, this is my honest review.
Kenzie has a lot going on and little answers. There will be a lot at stake for her again. She will be doing what she thinks is right. Through it all, Kenzie has Bash, the pack, allies that she can rely on to help. But the end of this book is good. Can't wait for the next one. This series gets better with every book. There are so many things that happen in this book, you have to read it. No spoilers from me.
I received an ARC copy of this book, this is my honest review.
January 31, 2020
Like all Karina Espinosa I wished the book would keep going on!
If you like Werewolves, vampire and magic then you’ll love Bound By Magic! The characters pull you in and it makes you want more!
Mackenzie has a lot to deal with. Her mate, getting her job back and a warlock that seems to think he owns her and let’s not forget the vampires still have it out for her after she took out their council. She just needs to get through this alive. With the help of all her friends and family it just might be possible!
To find out more you’ll have to read this attention grabbing book. If you haven’t read Karina Espinosa’s Makenzie Grey : Origins series or Mackenzie Grey : Trials then I suggest you pick up both series because you won’t want to miss a thing!
If you like Werewolves, vampire and magic then you’ll love Bound By Magic! The characters pull you in and it makes you want more!
Mackenzie has a lot to deal with. Her mate, getting her job back and a warlock that seems to think he owns her and let’s not forget the vampires still have it out for her after she took out their council. She just needs to get through this alive. With the help of all her friends and family it just might be possible!
To find out more you’ll have to read this attention grabbing book. If you haven’t read Karina Espinosa’s Makenzie Grey : Origins series or Mackenzie Grey : Trials then I suggest you pick up both series because you won’t want to miss a thing!
January 13, 2021
Karma lol
This was.... Frustratingly entertaining? It was bound to happen, but I always saw Bobby as someone with questionable morals who would always, in the end, be for Team Princess. I still think that, even though he pushed her to do things that would scar her. She'd never die, for one, and it sounded like he was honestly the least of her problems in the upcoming future. So them all treating him the way they did was... Frustrating lol
I love that she always told them everything now, and it was interesting seeing her more humble but still as stubborn. She never just takes anything she doesn't think ahe deserves and I like that a lot.
This was.... Frustratingly entertaining? It was bound to happen, but I always saw Bobby as someone with questionable morals who would always, in the end, be for Team Princess. I still think that, even though he pushed her to do things that would scar her. She'd never die, for one, and it sounded like he was honestly the least of her problems in the upcoming future. So them all treating him the way they did was... Frustrating lol
I love that she always told them everything now, and it was interesting seeing her more humble but still as stubborn. She never just takes anything she doesn't think ahe deserves and I like that a lot.
July 28, 2020
Kenzie is fantastic!
I have read all of the series but my first review, because I can't wait to devour the next installment. The main character Mackenzie Grey is a strong amazing champion for the under appreciated, overlooked and the lost. She fights for anyone who can't fight for themselves, and gives others the courage to fight, when no victory is in sight .
Her ensemble of friends, family and mate are just as strong. I can't wait for to see what happens next. If you love a strong female lead that kicks a** this book is for you.
I have read all of the series but my first review, because I can't wait to devour the next installment. The main character Mackenzie Grey is a strong amazing champion for the under appreciated, overlooked and the lost. She fights for anyone who can't fight for themselves, and gives others the courage to fight, when no victory is in sight .
Her ensemble of friends, family and mate are just as strong. I can't wait for to see what happens next. If you love a strong female lead that kicks a** this book is for you.
March 21, 2023
I think Kenz is infuriatingly cruel to her loved ones when she time after time after time dodges phone calls from worried loved ones FOR DAYS!!?! She is self centered and naive… and impulsive, and I don’t really understand why everybody loves her so much…
Also, what she fears most is being raped, and that nearly happened when she followed an unknown lawyer from SIU (SUI?)… So, next time they catch her ( maybe this is from the previous book…) - she just waltzes away with an unknown lawyer…? Please, Karina Espinoza, no one can be that stupid…
Also, what she fears most is being raped, and that nearly happened when she followed an unknown lawyer from SIU (SUI?)… So, next time they catch her ( maybe this is from the previous book…) - she just waltzes away with an unknown lawyer…? Please, Karina Espinoza, no one can be that stupid…
February 24, 2020
Debts
Adult content, reader discretion advised. Never make a deal with the devil. One day he will call in that which is his due. I'd die ignored th memo. Wu trapped her in a debt she could never repay and bound her to himself. No she is fight in the cross-fires between a god, Wu and the heavens only know.
Adult content, reader discretion advised. Never make a deal with the devil. One day he will call in that which is his due. I'd die ignored th memo. Wu trapped her in a debt she could never repay and bound her to himself. No she is fight in the cross-fires between a god, Wu and the heavens only know.
March 31, 2021
I know I never trusted Bobby Wu, but part of me wonders if he truly has her best interest at heart. I want to say yes, but someone who would force anyone to kill others definitely wouldn't. I believe Bobby thinks he is doing what is best, but he doesn't realize how that would truly break Mackenzie. So how does one truly win in the end? Great book. Sets us up for more to come!
February 19, 2020
I absolutely loved it, I can’t wait for the next book!!! Karina just knows how to hook and reader in from the beginning to the end. I couldn’t put the book down! I recommend the Mackenzie Gray series it’s unique!!!
May 15, 2020
Another amazing addition to the series! I absolutely love Mackenzie and all of the characters in this series. You must read this book. But not before you start at the beginning of the series. You won't be disappointed. Just another day in the life of Mackenzie Grey!
May 26, 2020
4 out of 5 stars.
The third book of the trials series was pretty good, overall. Some of the dialogue is starting to seem very repetitive. The books aren’t very long and always have a small amount of recap but the actual, “new” dialogue is just so familiar.
The third book of the trials series was pretty good, overall. Some of the dialogue is starting to seem very repetitive. The books aren’t very long and always have a small amount of recap but the actual, “new” dialogue is just so familiar.
March 6, 2023
Ok, so finally Mackenzie is thinking about what she says and her actions (some what) and this book was as frustrating for me. Good pace again and I liked where the story went. You can guess what the next book will cover just from how this one ended.
July 1, 2024
Another good book in the series
Heart of gold and sharp of wit MacKenzie does it again another great book in the series leaves you hanging running off to the next book to see how the pieces continue to come together.
Heart of gold and sharp of wit MacKenzie does it again another great book in the series leaves you hanging running off to the next book to see how the pieces continue to come together.
January 15, 2025
Well, that happened
Very good book with a lot of twists and turns. I didn't see what was coming. Also, who is going to be after Mackinze now. Smh. She really knows how to stay in trouble.
Very good book with a lot of twists and turns. I didn't see what was coming. Also, who is going to be after Mackinze now. Smh. She really knows how to stay in trouble.
January 31, 2020
Another brilliant addition to the series. The character and world building in this series is beautifully done,twists and turns we don’t see coming giving us a truly great book to enjoy.
February 15, 2020
Love reading these adventures of Mackenzie Grey. Couldn't put it down! Fast paced action from start to finish. .. Can't recommend them enough.
November 3, 2020
Love it but need more.
Is the next segment Valkrye rising?
Is the next segment Valkrye rising?
June 22, 2022
Amazing!!
September 5, 2024
Good fun story
March 5, 2025
More unexpected twists & turns. Great read!
October 10, 2025
Interesting
Can't wait to read what happens with Oliver! This story really leaves it waiting. So only 4 stars! But I will read on!
Can't wait to read what happens with Oliver! This story really leaves it waiting. So only 4 stars! But I will read on!
September 30, 2020
I really wanted to hit the spoilers button and go all out, but I’m always worried someone won’t be paying attention and accidentally hit the spoiler section. 😂 so here we go, without any spoilers, this book is such a fantastic continuation to such a great series. I’m constantly looking forward to having Mackenzie’s inner thoughts in my head again. Did not disappoint. I have gotten so many of my friends and family hooked on this series, and i can’t wait to discuss this one with them as well.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews