Review: Amazing read that will leave you Spellbound!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2014
Calista McCoy and her father Del McCoy have not always had the easiest of lives, always moving from town to town after the horrific death of her mother left her father devastated. Since that terrible day nothing seems to have gone right for them, Del has constantly had trouble finding and then keeping steady work and Calista has been struggling with problems of her own – problems of a different and supernatural nature. Since a very young age Calista had been able to see snippets of the future, but always nothing good, it would always be an image of her father losing his job, their move and their constant troubles to keep their heads above water financially. But no matter what she tried to do to try and change that future she couldn’t influence it or change it in anyway only sit and wait for the inevitable. Seeing the future is not the only gift she has and her gifts are something she has instinctively hidden from the world, from her father. Another gift she hides is the fact she can feel everyone’s emotions – an empath. This has caused Calista to avoid people leaving her friendless and alone but that all changes the day a strangely clothed woman appears and hands her a letter to give to her father and then disappears just as quickly. The letter changes everything and quickly she finds them all packed up moving the lavish estate of Mz Anasatia Havish in Crystal Grove. In that one moment everything changes and Calista learns that her gifts are something more – something Magical…..What happens from her is a domino effect of events that will test everything Calista believes in and thinks she understands? She is tested in ways she never thought possible and from every angle possible, even ones she never knew existed. Hunting down the truth of her past to find out who she truly is opens up more than she bargained for……..Will she be able to cope with the ultimate truth behind the lie that is her life? Will she be able to accept her ancestry and embrace her destiny?I previously read the Demon Blood series before starting this series which although each slide into place and overlap slightly giving you slight insight into just who Mz Havish really is, it is not necessary to have read the Demon Blood series firs or at all for that fact. The Spellbound Series is so strong in its conception, originality and stand-a-lone storyline, you are able to read it on it’s own very easily.Penelope King is an exceptionally talented Y.A author whose novels are exceptionally clear when you imagine each character – who they are, their feelings, desires and responses, are so ingrained into the magical spell weaved around the plot that you feel very close to all of the characters not just the main leads. Nicolas is a brilliant male counterpart for Calista and he keeps you on your toes as to who he is and what his intentions are. The twists as the books progress are inspirational in their conception and I cannot applaud Penelope King enough for providing us with such interesting, complex but completely realistic characters.Calista’s development from the child who arrives at the estate to the woman she becomes at the end is natural in its progression. You see each individual step she takes, experience every emotion, feel the weight behind every decision she makes and feel able to champion her and her friends as they search for the truth that will either save them all or destroy them……..A Brilliant read and completely recommended – but I do have a warning – this series is addictive and once you start, you will not be able to stop reading! Enjoy!!