Spell Bond: More Tales From the Old World

Old World Chronology

by Melissa F. Olson

The ties that bind are even stronger when magic is involved. These eight all-new tales run in between and alongside the main Old World novels, allowing fan favorites to take center stage and exploring the deep bonds between allies and frenemies.

Ride along with vampire ranch hand Wyatt for a night in "The Cowboy," and join Lily as she experiments with forbidden magic in "The Witching Hour." Find out what happens to Will, Sashi, and their daughter Grace when Grace finally learns her mother's greatest secret, in the connected stories "Blowback" and "Birthright."

Sink your teeth into the romantic life of Mary, alpha werewolf in Colorado, and enjoy a tender, but predictably complicated, moment between Jesse and Scarlett in "All That Glitters." Finally, discover how favorite Old World characters would handle the pandemic in "Blindside" and "Spiral."

Spell Bond also includes an exclusive sneak peek at the twelfth novel in this bestselling series, Old World War, coming in spring 2022.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Short Stories, Witches, Romance

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2021

About the author

Melissa F. Olson is a writer and film professor. Her work includes the comic ARCHAIC, the feminist horror novel The Other Frankenstein, and more than 20 urban fantasy novels and novellas, including the Scarlett Bernard series and the Boundary Magic novels. Her journalism and academic work has been published in The International Journal of Comic Art, the compilation Images of the Modern Vampire, Tor.com,  and the Everyone's Gone to the Movies series.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.

Reviews

[Jeanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not purchase this book with the intent of reading every story in the anthology. Below are the ratings for the ones I did.

The titles listed below felt less like a full story & more like a deleted scenes.
The Witching Hour | POV Lily | 2 stars
The Cowboy | POV Wyatt | 2.5 stars

The titles listed below are i short stories.
All That Glitters | POV Jesse | 3 stars
Spiral | POV CO Null (forgot her name 🤦🏻‍♀️ | 3 stars
Blindsided | POV Lex | 4 stars (My favorite story in the bunch)

The bonus material was a fantastic peek into the next book & it was exciting stuff!

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always happy returning to Olson's Old World universe! These stories are wonderful "bridge" while waiting for the (possible) final Lex/Scarlet book

Soft Spot
This event happens before Boundary Broken - before Ryan, the Wyoming Alpha is murdered and Mary takes his place as new Alpha. Now I feel sad for Mary because this quiet scene with Ryan is so lovely and there's potential of romantic relationship. I hope Mary will get a new love interest

Blowback
Will and Sashi are another favorite couple of mine from Old World universe. THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE WENT THROUGH!! With Will now human and found out that he had a teenager's daughter (who HATED her mother for keeping things secret), this story is interesting because it shows that tentative journey of father and daughter trying to understand each other. And Grace found out that she had magic after all!!

Birthright
Grace coming to Las Vegas! I think she will learn a lot being a new witch here

The Witching Hour
This is Lily trying to accept that she's now the new witch leader. I love the conversation she has with Sam (Lex's deceased twin) and that final step she takes to include KATIA in her life 😄

The Cowboy
WYATT AND MOLLY?!? Okay, I seriously didn't see THAT coming. I wanted their story!!

All That Glitter
So that's how Jesse gets his engagement ring 💗

Spiral and Blindside
Olson takes the characters to "real-life" events with COVID-19 pandemic. Olson says that she treats these two stories as an "What-If" episode. I like Spiral for showing Corry's relationship with the Lost Girls, and Blindside shows that Lex will always have Quinn, Lily, and Simon at her back.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly what I would describe as scraps or bonus material. The sort of scenes that get cut from the book. Some great moments and some extra detail for minor characters.

An enjoyable way to kill some time.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft Spot is about Mary Willis and her relationship with her Alpha Ryan Dunn (✮✮✮☆☆)

“I don’t need or want your protection anymore, Ryan, not like that. I just want you.”

Blowback is about Will Brighton's first outing with his daughter, Grace, and their surprising revelations found on the trails of Colorado (✮✮✮✮☆)

... falling back in love with Sashi was probably the easiest thing I’d ever done, like tossing a gallon of lighter fluid and a pile of logs on a flame that had never gone out.

Birthright is about Laurel Knox' surprise visitor who asks a favor, but may also be the help she and her wife need (✮✮✮☆☆)

“I want to know about, um, witches.”
“Just witches, or all the rest of it?” It was another test, and sure enough, the girl’s eyes widened. “The rest of it? There’s more?”

The Witching Hour is about Lily Pellar's search for help with some dangerous nighttime magic (✮✮✮✮☆)

“I would also remind you that you’re not alone, Lily.”

The Cowboy is about Wyatt allowing himself to fall in love again (✮✮✮✮☆)

“I don’t deserve it.”
That’s not for you or me to decide. We only get to decide how to live with what we’re given. And maybe who we want to share it with.

All That Glitter is about Jesse Cruz and Kirsten (✮✮✮½)

“I would argue that you and me together are a kind of magic in itself,” he said quietly

AUTHOR NOTE: “Spiral” and “Blindside” were both written during, and about, the COVID-19 pandemic ... the main purpose is to sort of update readers on how the Old World population would adjust to a pandemic in a dozen minor ways ... these last two stories to be sort of my version of Marvel’s “What If?”—they’re meant to make you think and wonder, rather than contribute to the larger mythology going forward.

Spiral is a story about Corry Tanger's struggle during the pandemic and how friendships can help (✮✮✮☆☆)

For people with brains like mine, brains that chew on worries the way rodents chew on wood, the last few months have been like being force-fed fear and apprehension.

Blindside is a story about Lex, her brother, Charlie and the fun ways magic can be used to bring joy (✮✮✮✮☆)

“Boredom can lead to delightful flights of whimsy.”

[Lynn Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old World Snapshots

Olson is wonderful as always. These are stories and glimpses onto secondary characters as well as a peek forward into what's next.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Old World!

I Love the Old World and its inhabitants. These short stories were fun to read and filled in some blanks across the books. Great reading!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to be back in the Old World

This was a wonderful visit of the great characters in the Old World Series. These snippets leave me wanting the whole story. There are so many great ideas here for wonderful stories with these characters. I hope that the author will self-publish more books in this world she has built. I guarantee that I will buy them!

[Developer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the stories are good and what we would expect from Ms Olson, however my 2 star rating stems from 2 major things:
1. No one wants to read about characters in a pandemic, we all want to escape the BS that has been the last few years, not relive it inside a fantasy genre. This the the 4th author I've seen do this and it's 4 too many in my opinion.
2. Please leave the politics out of fantasy. Opening the door to covid opened the door to too much reality and allowed some pretty direct references to politics. This not only dates what should be a timeless work of art but also potentially alienates a large swath of fans/readers. Our world is already divided enough by politics, please leave it out of fantasy!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I am already a fan of author Melissa Olson and the different series that have been created and sprouted off from the initial tales from the Old World. It is always nice to get a chance to take a peek from a different perspective and get to see events that are generally not able to be given with the first person POV's that occur in the main stories. Each of the secondary characters that are featured in these vignettes are all characters that we have come to know and adore.

With that being said, I was hoping for a little more. The stories really do not qualify as novellas, possibly maybe Short Stories (but, REALLY, really short stories). Regardless, it was a treat to get back into this world, even if it felt like only a snack.

Honestly, my favorite thing was the excerpt at the very end of the book that gave us a sneak peek at the next book - apparently the final book in this World - that is going to be coming out in the shortly. It sounds like it is going to be a Lex/Scarlett crossover and from the excerpt, it grabbed my attention immediately and it sounds like it is going to be a doozy.

Can't wait.

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a joy

These short stories were great! I miss this world….time for re-reading the series or better yet, just listening to the audibles. These would make excellent inclusions into a book. Or a book on each one with the characters being the main and everyone else a sub character. All are excellent ideas that can be explored except the Covid one (I lived it, don’t want to read it). The last one is a tease for the next book. Can’t wait for it to be published! This author has been a favorite of mine for years and I hope she continues to write more. I love the supernatural aspect for the witches, wolves and vampires. Writing Excellence! These short stories may not mean much in and of themselves to those who have not read the series. But if nothing else, they will give you the desire to read theseseries which is great. Thank

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book dead last in the series. Was that the right choice? Who knows, but it worked for me. Maybe you could read it before old world war so you get that as your closing book and it works better. Either way, as a completionist this was on my list.

I’m not going to individually review all the stories but there is a good mix. There’s a romantic one, a family one, and all the feelings in between (including COVID times anxiety for those of you who may be triggered by that). You get to see “behind the scenes” for some things, resolve some unresolved things, and ultimately come out with a more complete picture of all the characters we’ve come to know and love. I don’t think it’s necessary, exactly, but was a fun way for me to wrap up the series completely (for now).

[Anna Beste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spell Bond is the second collection of bonus content to go along with the Old World Series. I would recommend reading the stories as suggested on Melissa's website for them to make the most sense or at the end of both series to not spoil any plot points. The inclusion of the 'what if' stories was an interesting take on what people were going through during the 2020 pandemic. While they weren't necessarily canon, they were relatable and entertaining. The rest of the stories expanded on the characters that you grew to love, like Corry, Wyatt, Lily, and others. They all have such unique and complicated lives that they all deserve to have a few short stories to add depth to their characters.

https://melissafolson.com/the-old-wor...

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Melissa F. Olson books. When I saw she had a new book out, Spell Bond: More Tales From the Old World, I actually shouted out loud, which cause many curious looks. I love these books so much and have seriously missed them. I can't wait for the next one, but am sad that it could be the last. I love Olson's writing, characters, take on the supernatural, and want so many more. It's always hard to find a new author that you find such an affinity to and then to hear the series is ending. I have read/bought everything she has written and can only say that about one other author. I hope publishers see how much we love these books and author and sign up for many more!

[McKyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the pandemic stories, because who wants to read about real world problems in my fantasy books? I read to get away from stuff like the pandemic.
I also take issue with All that Glitters, the story about how Jesse gets his engagement ring. Although I'm confused, because in Born Magic (awful book btw) Scarlett was proposed to with an art deco ring with a ruby, Annie's birthstone, at the baptism. But in this story, written after Born Magic, he gets a gray star sapphire and proposes to her at Molly's house. Did MFO change her mind about how it should go? Not that I blame her, I much prefer the 2nd, but which one is supposed to be canon?

[Just Jese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didnt realize how much I missed this Old World saga

This was such a wonderful compilation and I wish I had stumbled across it sooner.
Each story felt timely, authentic and completely unique to the characters we originally met across each of the three series featuring the Old World and I was here for each and every single novella. Also thankfully it wasn’t Scarlett-centric because we were treated to her diary entries twice over already.
If this was so great why not give it a perfect rating? The editing errors are aplenty and it got to me.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed the and you do too!

This book is awesome! If you have read all of the old world books and want to know more about your favorites then read this! If you have read a few of the books and want to know if you should start the others or if you have never read an old world book but think you might want to then read this! This will get you hooked! I can’t wait for the next book and I want more! I want each of these short stories to be turned into full books!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incomplete

Incomplete stories with different characters.
The reader is left feeling dissatisfied.

It might take some time remembering The characters and where their stories ended when we last read about the characters. I

The storylines should recap where the original left off. This book starts a storyline but does not continue the storyline.
This is like lots of different outlines for possible books or parts of a book.

I would feel cheated it I paid for this book.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cool collection of short stories!

As promised in the book blurb, this was a collection of short stories about side characters, or about aspects of main characters not included in other books, or (in two cases) about potential impacts of Covid (no spoilers here, but both stories are good, and "make sense" for the characters involved). Great addition to my Old World collection!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories from Olson's Old World universe, filling in some time gaps and sometimes giving POV to favorite supporting characters. Lily gets one - that's why she's on the cover! - and there's one about Wyatt and Molly and a... vibe I didn't pick up on in the books. More please, Ms. Olson!

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I liked most of the little peeks into the side characters or side stories - the one with Jesse and the cursed ring was my favorite. I didn't care for either of the two covid stories and glad I didn't read them earlier - Cory's story was especially stressful to read with her anxiety - I am happy that she didn't make these canon.

[John E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun with other characters

Ranging across a variety of time periods, characters, and viewpoints, this is a great addition to the series. Sometimes new, sometimes expounding, it is interesting to see various characters from small to major become protagonists in their own stories.

[Tierney Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blindsided

I probably would’ve given it 5 stars, because I enjoyed revisiting all of the old world characters that I Fell in love withwhen I first found it’s Olsons books. But when I got to blindsided I was very disappointed in your storyline

[Marianne K. Benvenuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting to know other characters better

In reading the stories, it took me a while to remember their roles in other Boundary Magic books by Ms. Olsen. This is a good segue to the next book in the series.

[Cindy Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some wonderful short stories

I always enjoy Old World books and stories. These are now exception. I found myself wanting more of Grace's story. How ironic that her mother tries to do the same thing to Grace as Sashi's mother had done to her. Take away her choices.

[Cheyrl Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

Anyone who loves the Old World series will love these short stories. They bring our favorite characters to life in a personal way. I recommend the book to everyone who is a fan of the series.

[Riana Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each adds more to the stories

Not a lot of authors can boast that ALL of their short stories add facets to the overarching storyline of their "world," but Olson is of a different caliber.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collection is iffy. Some are really good, the last two are not.

[Beth Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

yay!

I love the glimpses we are given of the characters in these stories. I hope to read many many more books by this author.

[Seantheaussie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF due to boredom at 61%. Characters to peripheral for me to care about these short stories.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually like a book full of shorts but this was pretty good. Some stories more so than others but all in all a good read.