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Shadow Bound #1
Bound to Darkness
Seattle. Humans have no idea about witches or gods.
Beckett’s a screw up. She’s never been good with magic. What’s a witch to do when she’s more of a nuisance to the coven than she is an asset?
She goes on her own, makes a living working at a bookstore, and keeps trying to make her magic work.
It doesn’t.
Finnick’s a pain in the ass demigod who made the mistake of pissing off the wrong witch. Now he’s carrying a curse. He needs a witch to break the curse. Too bad he’s picked Beckett as that witch.
Beckett’s a screw up. She’s never been good with magic. What’s a witch to do when she’s more of a nuisance to the coven than she is an asset?
She goes on her own, makes a living working at a bookstore, and keeps trying to make her magic work.
It doesn’t.
Finnick’s a pain in the ass demigod who made the mistake of pissing off the wrong witch. Now he’s carrying a curse. He needs a witch to break the curse. Too bad he’s picked Beckett as that witch.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2020
277 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 1, 2020
When nothing you do turns out right
A great introduction to a new series. Loved the plot. A demi god cursed by a witch because he didn't love her and a witch that can't cast a spell without it turning out wrong. What happens when he turns to her for help? Will she be able too and will she find out why her magic has always felt wrong?
Add in a shape changing familiar, a witch from an evil coven, a coven wanting to bind our heroine's power and a mother with delusions. What will happen when she finds out the reason why she is "faulty"? Will the demi god sworn off love let her battle this as she battles the curse against him?
Some light moments, well paced read that mixes gods, witches and romance in a tale of secrets and betrayals. Wonderful characters that make you want to read the next book to discover the next part of their journey.
A great introduction to a new series. Loved the plot. A demi god cursed by a witch because he didn't love her and a witch that can't cast a spell without it turning out wrong. What happens when he turns to her for help? Will she be able too and will she find out why her magic has always felt wrong?
Add in a shape changing familiar, a witch from an evil coven, a coven wanting to bind our heroine's power and a mother with delusions. What will happen when she finds out the reason why she is "faulty"? Will the demi god sworn off love let her battle this as she battles the curse against him?
Some light moments, well paced read that mixes gods, witches and romance in a tale of secrets and betrayals. Wonderful characters that make you want to read the next book to discover the next part of their journey.
February 4, 2020
This book is great.
I loved the story line between Beckett and Finnick. I cannot wait for the next book. I wish I could read it now. Awesome book.
I loved the story line between Beckett and Finnick. I cannot wait for the next book. I wish I could read it now. Awesome book.
October 7, 2020
T
Nice read. Characters were likeable and the story drew you in. Didn't like the psuedo cliffhanger ending but I'm off to read the next in the series. Good pacing. Need a bit of editing. Reading the next.
Nice read. Characters were likeable and the story drew you in. Didn't like the psuedo cliffhanger ending but I'm off to read the next in the series. Good pacing. Need a bit of editing. Reading the next.
August 26, 2020
This was an enjoyable fantasy/romance. I was glad the author added the first three chapters of the next book as a teaser because that was actually the end point of the story (while still leaving interest for the next book.)
I detest unnecessary cliffhangers. If the teaser chapters had not been included I probably would have lowered my rating. Finish the damned story.
I detest unnecessary cliffhangers. If the teaser chapters had not been included I probably would have lowered my rating. Finish the damned story.
October 1, 2023
Beckett Jenkins is a witch, the daughter of the great and powerful Merriet Jenkins. However, Beckett is not an all-powerful witch. She can barely make a minor spell work, and after so many years of her mother’s disappointment, she knows how unfavorably her mother thinks of her. She is all but cast out of her coven as little as any of them pay attention to her, but they and members of other covens come to her because she grows plants that help with various spells and has hybrids never before seen. By normal standards, she would be considered a genius, but in magic circles where she did this all without magic, she was not given the credit due. In fact, today, her mother told her that the coven had voted to bind her powers permanently in a few weeks. This she definitely did not want to happen, and then Finnick walked into the bookstore where she worked. He is a demigod, the son of Dion, the god of festivals, and he wants her to remove a curse placed upon him by another witch. Well, she knew it was taboo to do such a thing as to remove a curse placed upon another by a witch, especially by a witch as powerful as Karina is. But then, Karina and the coven she belongs to are borderline evil. Beckett knew what she would do now to prove she was worthy of being a witch.
This is a very interesting universe, and I like it. I do have a few problems though. One is someone let Grammerly go wild and did not proofread what Grammerly suggested. There are missing words and sentences that make no sense. Two is the way the main characters figured out how to solve one of their problems. And adding an effect in the park at the last moment, is, well, kind of cheating to bring it up at the last minute to make the actions and repercussions fit the story you laid out. The physical world-building is sparse, but the character descriptions are pretty detailed. The ethereal world-building is of a personal nature at best. The character interaction is smooth and believable, while the characters’ backgrounds are hit-and-miss.
This fantasy, paranormal, supernatural romance story contains action and adventure in this series starter. I give it four stars out of five stars.
This is a very interesting universe, and I like it. I do have a few problems though. One is someone let Grammerly go wild and did not proofread what Grammerly suggested. There are missing words and sentences that make no sense. Two is the way the main characters figured out how to solve one of their problems. And adding an effect in the park at the last moment, is, well, kind of cheating to bring it up at the last minute to make the actions and repercussions fit the story you laid out. The physical world-building is sparse, but the character descriptions are pretty detailed. The ethereal world-building is of a personal nature at best. The character interaction is smooth and believable, while the characters’ backgrounds are hit-and-miss.
This fantasy, paranormal, supernatural romance story contains action and adventure in this series starter. I give it four stars out of five stars.
May 19, 2021
Usually when I rate something 2 stars it's because it doesn't feel like enough is going on and it's being dragged out. This book has the opposite problem. There's a lot going on in this, but it's too much for it to adequately handle, and almost as soon as an issue is introduced it's wrapped up and we're on to the next.
It doesn't allow enough room or time for anything meaningful to grow, and it leaves me unable and unwilling to connect to the characters or their problems because it feels like a waste of energy. Why try and be concerned, or relieved, or satisfied when I know it's not going to last long enough to be explored and it wont be explained?
After this whirlwind of breathless activity the book then just... stops. Like a single novel has been cleaved in half. This is extremely apparent in my kindle version because Chapter 11 tries to end on a cliffhanger, but is completely undermined by not only the misnamed and superfluous epilogue which is "chapter 12" blunting the effect, but by the inclusion of a 4 chapter excerpt from book 2 that resolves the cliffhanger entirely!
It doesn't allow enough room or time for anything meaningful to grow, and it leaves me unable and unwilling to connect to the characters or their problems because it feels like a waste of energy. Why try and be concerned, or relieved, or satisfied when I know it's not going to last long enough to be explored and it wont be explained?
After this whirlwind of breathless activity the book then just... stops. Like a single novel has been cleaved in half. This is extremely apparent in my kindle version because Chapter 11 tries to end on a cliffhanger, but is completely undermined by not only the misnamed and superfluous epilogue which is "chapter 12" blunting the effect, but by the inclusion of a 4 chapter excerpt from book 2 that resolves the cliffhanger entirely!
August 25, 2020
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot)
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see 3* differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: No -- I preferred the Mercy Temple series
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see 3* differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: No -- I preferred the Mercy Temple series
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
August 26, 2020
So magically goooooood!
Witch or God stories aren't my usual reading genre, but I can't recommend this book enough! You'll love Beckett with her wonky magic and silly familiar- snail, and her heartbreaking feeling like a failure. She's so resilient and tough and you'll just keep cheering her on. Finnick took a little getting used to. He was arrogant, uncaring, and insensitive at first, and quite unlikable, so when he started realizing his mistakes, he was much more engaging. this ends in a Major Cliffhanger, but you get enough excerpt for book two, that you'll be relieved but still interested. I can't wait to finish that book also! I highly recommend this series.
Witch or God stories aren't my usual reading genre, but I can't recommend this book enough! You'll love Beckett with her wonky magic and silly familiar- snail, and her heartbreaking feeling like a failure. She's so resilient and tough and you'll just keep cheering her on. Finnick took a little getting used to. He was arrogant, uncaring, and insensitive at first, and quite unlikable, so when he started realizing his mistakes, he was much more engaging. this ends in a Major Cliffhanger, but you get enough excerpt for book two, that you'll be relieved but still interested. I can't wait to finish that book also! I highly recommend this series.
April 27, 2021
Despite the wholly unnecessary cliffhanger ending I really liked this one.
Beckett and Finnick are totally adorable.
The story is good too, a bit like a modern fairytale.
But yeah like I said the cliffhanger was completely unnecessary and just pisses me off. Should've trusted us to like Beckett, Finnick, the story enough to want to continue with it for their own sake...
Beckett and Finnick are totally adorable.
The story is good too, a bit like a modern fairytale.
But yeah like I said the cliffhanger was completely unnecessary and just pisses me off. Should've trusted us to like Beckett, Finnick, the story enough to want to continue with it for their own sake...
August 25, 2020
A decent book
2 likable characters, each with their own problems, try to help each other and constantly screw up. It’s a fun story, not too deep, it has emotion as it’s main focus, and is fun. Don’t expect a great novel, it’s just a fun story that is written well. Only real issue is that problems can be solved with ease if they don’t stew it up, and magic, which seems to be long and Ned study, suddenly becomes something that can be done with the snap of a hand. It is suddenly too easy. Other than that, and the easy storyline, it’s a decent book.
2 likable characters, each with their own problems, try to help each other and constantly screw up. It’s a fun story, not too deep, it has emotion as it’s main focus, and is fun. Don’t expect a great novel, it’s just a fun story that is written well. Only real issue is that problems can be solved with ease if they don’t stew it up, and magic, which seems to be long and Ned study, suddenly becomes something that can be done with the snap of a hand. It is suddenly too easy. Other than that, and the easy storyline, it’s a decent book.
July 29, 2022
This was a total blast to read, so much fun. It's a quick and easy read. The editing could have been better as there are occasional words missing, but that doesn't detract from the sheer enjoyment of this story.
The characters are well developed. Although I had figured Beckett's situation very early on, I hadn't a clue about Finnick's. It was hard not to focus on just reading the Beckett chapters, but I'm glad I read it in order. The two stories quickly twined, and I really savored the read. Read this and the next book in one day!! I definitely recommend.
The characters are well developed. Although I had figured Beckett's situation very early on, I hadn't a clue about Finnick's. It was hard not to focus on just reading the Beckett chapters, but I'm glad I read it in order. The two stories quickly twined, and I really savored the read. Read this and the next book in one day!! I definitely recommend.
August 26, 2020
Endearing
Well written, charming book about a witch who grew up in a lifeless family and her journey to find in out who she is. And who she will become. Her familiar is a shape shifting tarantula/slug. Her adventures with a demi God bring humor and introduce other characters. story Moved very quickly. Entertaining, funny, sad, and I think you'll love this witch who screws up spells with regularity.
Well written, charming book about a witch who grew up in a lifeless family and her journey to find in out who she is. And who she will become. Her familiar is a shape shifting tarantula/slug. Her adventures with a demi God bring humor and introduce other characters. story Moved very quickly. Entertaining, funny, sad, and I think you'll love this witch who screws up spells with regularity.
August 31, 2020
The book was a fun read and kept my interest throughout the adventure. When a young witch, whose powers seem inconsistent at best, agrees to help a flamboyant demigod who was cursed by another witch he scorned, things get out of hand in a hurry. The story is full of wonderful characters and questionable relationships with a few plot twists to keep it interesting. This is a great light summer reading book that I recommend.
January 6, 2021
A witch who cannot do "proper" magic, and a demigod suffering from a curse - what a pair. And what a story this is. Brilliantly narrated, with lots of humour and enough tension and plot twists to keep a reader glued to the pages. Add to that very likeable protagonists, and you cannot go wrong with this book.
Great start to a new series!
Great start to a new series!
August 25, 2020
Kept me up long past my bedtime
Fantastic book! I couldn't put it down for very long. Wonderful mix of three dimensional characters, humour, hijinks and story. The prose is well crafted and enjoyable.
Highly recommended!
Fantastic book! I couldn't put it down for very long. Wonderful mix of three dimensional characters, humour, hijinks and story. The prose is well crafted and enjoyable.
Highly recommended!
August 27, 2020
I had my reservations about a story with witches and demigods together. But I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The story was a bit short and could have had more depth and detail to it. But the characters were engaging and the storyline was interesting.
September 6, 2020
OMG what a wonderful start to this series.
A faulty witch.
A demigod whose life isn't as joyful as it should be.
A weird af familiar, that shapeshifts??????
A mother I'd want to slap.
Another mother I want to help.
Great start can't wait for more.
A faulty witch.
A demigod whose life isn't as joyful as it should be.
A weird af familiar, that shapeshifts??????
A mother I'd want to slap.
Another mother I want to help.
Great start can't wait for more.
Read
September 8, 2020Well written, so you won't be annoyed by mispellings, wrong words, obvious plot holes and idiotic decisions by the characters.
An excellent starter for what promises to be an interesting and intriguing series. Not a world changing book but good fun and I hope to read more.
An excellent starter for what promises to be an interesting and intriguing series. Not a world changing book but good fun and I hope to read more.
Read
November 25, 2020Me and my shadow
A clutzy Witch whose misfiring magic embarrasses her mother and coven, but Beckett doesn't really care and doesn't let it bother her...too much. When a demi god contacts her to help break a curse a black witch cast on her sparks fly.
A clutzy Witch whose misfiring magic embarrasses her mother and coven, but Beckett doesn't really care and doesn't let it bother her...too much. When a demi god contacts her to help break a curse a black witch cast on her sparks fly.
February 14, 2021
Excellent
It was an easy interesting read. I like the characters and the story line. Especially about the witch half. Her mother is horrible and selfish maybe even a little crazy. The semi God half is just sad. I would recommend this book to anyone to read.
It was an easy interesting read. I like the characters and the story line. Especially about the witch half. Her mother is horrible and selfish maybe even a little crazy. The semi God half is just sad. I would recommend this book to anyone to read.
February 15, 2021
No ending in this story. She sets up an exciting situation and then you have to buy the next Book to find out the solution.
The words CLIMAX and ENDING come to mind. This book has neither! Read the requirements of literature for an appropriate book.
The words CLIMAX and ENDING come to mind. This book has neither! Read the requirements of literature for an appropriate book.
November 23, 2021
The main couple is really cute together but I really dislike cliffhangers, especially in the first book in a series. The preview of the second book should have just been a part of this book and that would have been a better ending.
March 17, 2022
Loved it! Full of magic; Good witches and Evil witches. An Evil mother that didn’t deserve to be a mother and a wonderful friend that was as good as a wonderful mother. Gods and Demi-Gods covers the lines of the books.
August 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this fantasy and want to read the rest of the series. I usually read other genres and taking a break from the gore of murder or the frightening non-fiction of a political persuasion.
September 5, 2020
Good read
Good read. I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who wants a fun time with a page turner.
Good read. I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who wants a fun time with a page turner.
September 7, 2020
Good read
Enjoyed the set of two books. Was expecting another book as a follow up. Hope there will be a sequel soon.
Enjoyed the set of two books. Was expecting another book as a follow up. Hope there will be a sequel soon.
September 7, 2020
Outstanding
A great fantasy book, lots of great action, a page turner f ok r sure, I, couldn't hardly put down
A great fantasy book, lots of great action, a page turner f ok r sure, I, couldn't hardly put down
September 13, 2020
Really good!
I loved this story! The concept is original and exciting. I liked all the characters, and would be eager to find out what happens next!
I loved this story! The concept is original and exciting. I liked all the characters, and would be eager to find out what happens next!
September 19, 2020
Fun and romantic
A wonky witch, a seriously damaged demi god, a mother who needs a good slap and one who needs help. A bit predictable but also a good read. Give it a shot its fun.
A wonky witch, a seriously damaged demi god, a mother who needs a good slap and one who needs help. A bit predictable but also a good read. Give it a shot its fun.
December 24, 2020
It was a pretty good read but not really that engrossing (I think coz I was reading The Brightest Night as well).
A good read for timepass
A good read for timepass
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews