[REVIEW]
DISCLAIMER: When writing a negative review, it’s never my intention to sound like I don’t think ANYONE should read a book I rated one or two stars. If I told you not to, I might be taking away your chance from discovering your newest favorite book. Therefore, please don’t let my review TOTALLY discourage you from reading Spells. As I mentioned in the first disclaimer, this is collection of my thoughts and opinions on the book. This is me saying, “I didn’t like Spells and here’s why.” I’m not saying, “I didn’t like Spells, and here’s why you shouldn’t like it/read it.”
(I am aware some people need to see others’ thoughts and opinions to help them to decide whether or not to buy/read a book. If this review does help you, and that’s what you needed, that’s fine! However, don’t just take my word for it. Look at what others are saying, and decide from there.)
*Trigger/content warnings in this book for an abduction, a non-consensual kiss, and violence*
I really wanted to like Spells. For one, I’d hoped it would be better than the first book, Wings, which I’d rated two stars. For another, so many other readers seem to enjoy this series, and I wanted to see why. I’m worried I’m going to get hate for this review, but please know this is not a personal attack on you. You’re allowed to like this book and series!
On to the review...
MY CRITIQUES:
•Much like the first book, not a lot happened in Spells. None of scenes felt liked they flowed nicely together, so I was either bored or confused while reading it. There were a lot of scenes I wished had been fleshed out more, especially ones with the trolls. And the scenes between Laurel and her mom. Those scenes had SO MUCH potential.
•The characters were also not as fleshed out. One example is Klea. I REALLY wanted to get to know more about Klea. I wanted to find reasons to be suspicious of her as Laurel was. I’m fine with her being good, but I would’ve wanted more scenes where Laurel noticed her doing or saying something that looked shady. That way, when Klea came to the rescue, it would’ve been even MORE of a surprise. Instead, we got two scenes with Klea, Laurel just realizes she‘s not a bad guy, and then she just rolled with it. No more questions asked.
•There was also a minor character that I thought could’ve been developed so much more! Near the beginning of the book, there was a faerie at the school in Avalon who hated Laurel (I can’t remember her name, and I don’t care enough to go back and find out). We learn later they actually used to be best friends before Laurel was sent to live in the human world. I thought it would’ve been fascinating to watch them learn to trust each other—or begrudgingly have to join forces to defeat the trolls.
Unfortunately, all we got was a few scenes with her giving Laurel a death glare. You know, because girl-on-girl hate is just the best...
•The writing ALSO got on my nerves. There were a lot of unnecessary adverbs, and I kept thinking, “SHOW, DON’T TELL!!!” That’s especially important in a fantasy story, but there was none of that here (nor was there in the first book).
•The love triangle...
Okay, I’ll just get this out of the way—I’m in the minority who’s Team David. He’s such a sweetheart! For one, I love that his he accepts Laurel for who she is. And since him being human makes him more prone to death, or at least more severe injuries than Laurel, you gotta admire the guy for always being there for her. He seriously deserves all the good things in the world.
As for Tamani...*sigh* I understand he’s been watching over Laurel her entire life. I understand that it hurts him to keep his distance from her, and to watch her fall in love with someone else. However, the romance between him and Laurel felt too rushed in Wings, and I still didn’t believe in their chemistry in this book. Seriously, WHY were they so drawn to each other? Sure, we got a few scenes where we learned more about Tamani’s backstory, as well as scenes of him and Laurel going to events together. But I still couldn’t understand WHY Laurel and Tamani liked each other. Had Laurel done something kind for Tamani when they were children? Was Tamani...something other than hot to Laurel? If we’d gotten more of that, I would’ve understood why it was hard for Laurel and Tamani to want to be together, but couldn’t because she was a Fall fairy and he was a Spring fairy. But I never found myself rooting for them. ESPECIALLY after he kissed her without her consent...
•That’s right, folks. There’s an entire scene where Tamani blows up at Laurel for still being with David. It would make perfect sense if he was frustrated with her constantly going back and forth between him and David. But instead, Tamani gets frustrated that Laurel will not own up to her feelings and say it’s HIM she wants. And right after that explosion, Tamani FORCIBLY kisses her...in front of David.
I’m sorry, but that would NEVER make me even more conflicted in a love triangle. If anything, it’d help me figure out the love triangle VERY quickly. Tamani would be out of my life in no time.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There was a cliffhanger at the end of Spells, but as soon I finished this, I didn’t have any urgency to pick up the next book. All in all, I was bored, annoyed, and some points angry while reading Spells.
So will I read the next book, Illusions? I’m honestly not sure. I think I’ll put it off for a while before deciding whether or not to continue this series.