Author: Jacob Z. Flores
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 210 Pages
Category: Urban Fantasy
At a Glance: An exciting and action packed addition to an already wonderful series, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the Blackmoors next.
Reviewed By: Lindsey
Blurb: Love and trust made them soul mates, but destiny might have other plans.
Ever since Drake Carpenter fell in love with warlock Mason Blackmoor, his life has been one supernatural battle after another, but Drake doesn’t mind… much. To be with Mason and experience the magical connection they share, Drake would face entire hordes of vampyren, shifters, or fae—and he has. Luckily Drake is immune to magic, though no one can explain his natural ability to negate almost any enchantment. With Drake’s own family gone, Mason is all he has. So why is Drake experiencing disturbing dreams about Mason that terrify him?
A new threat looms on the horizon, and a revelation about Drake’s identity and the true origin of his bond with Mason shatters everything Drake believes. If Drake, Mason, and all of magic are to survive the coming Spell Fall, the most destructive curse in sorcery, Drake must deal with the truth and fight his way back to Mason—because their enemies are gaining strength, and they intend to reach the boy Drake loves first.
Review: I was super excited when I saw the next installment to this amazing series was out, and couldn’t wait to see what new foes and dangers the Blackmoor family will face. This addition did not disappoint.
The series began in book one when Mason and Drake meet, and here, in book four, once their bond has grown after facing dangerous situation after dangerous situation alongside Mason’s family, we are back to where it began—only this time we get to read from Drake’s point of view. If you have been as enthralled with this series as I have, you know Drake is the unknown through all the books. Little bits here and there have been thrown in, but not enough to put the puzzle of Drake and what exactly his part in this mystical and magical battle will be, and the thing I love about Jacob Z. Flores is he doesn’t always go in a direction you think he will.
Drake’s immunity to magic is explored at the same time he begins to experience disturbing dreams and feelings he doesn’t understand. While he is facing a battle he doesn’t understand within his psyche, the Blackmoors and Protector Covens are still trying to figure out the new big baddies’ plan and how to stop it.
What a ride this story was, and, emotionally, it puts you through the ringer, especially in the beginning.
I truly adore this series and the intricate plot that has been woven, with all the possibilities. Since the beginning I have had my theories in some areas, but have had no idea what to expect in others, and many a time, what I thought would happen was so completely wrong. When questions are answered, it seems more questions come into play, and the deeper the plot goes, the more intense everything becomes.
The world-building is phenomenal and so captivating, with the structure of the magical beings and their perspective roles within the magic community. I find myself loathing the conclave and their secrets the more of them that are revealed (and more is definitely revealed), yet wondering if they are truly as awful as they are perceived, and what Gerald and the Warlock Hag’s motivations truly are. I find myself bouncing around on how I feel about the other Protector Covens and their thoughts and behaviors, one minute wanting to kick their collective butts, the next proud at seeing their commitment to the security of the gate and willingness to put aside differences to fight together. The tension between the groups is palpable. What I love most? That is probably that the Blackmoor Warlocks are well aware of how hot-headed and temperamental they are, and how they oftentimes create the conflicts. They aren’t portrayed as perfect specimens and have many a flaw, but their love for one another is still clear. I can get behind a family that bickers, fights, nags and uses sarcasm on a frequent basis, because they feel like a real family.
If I had one niggle, it’s the immunity thing. Most of the time Drake’s immunity is clear and it obviously doesn’t affect him, and the story has supported this, unless the magic is used to take something solid and bash him about. But I found a few times where he has been affected by the magic, like being teleported by the conclave that seemed to go against what has been portrayed, and the concept of his immunity. Although perhaps that was on purpose, as I have come to find Mr. Flores does throw little clues here and there that eventually build up to something spectacular.
This is an amazing series. If you haven’t read this series at all, but love books surrounded by magic and mystical elements, with amazing world-building, likeable and hateable characters, and an intricate plot that takes you through every type of emotion, go get book one, Spell Bound, and start from the beginning. If you have read this series and adored the first three books as much as I have, don’t wait to jump into book four. It will not disappoint.
Now, where is book five? I need it ASAP!
You can buy Spell Fall here:
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