Girls*Heart* Books: 'Spellbound' by Cara Lynn Shultz: Review

Spellbound
Spellbound Book #1
By Cara Lynn Shultz
Published By: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: June 21, 2011

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives, —visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else. (From Goodreads)

Spellbound is the first book in a series of the same name by Cara Lynn Shultz. Set in modern day New York City, the story spans the course of several months. Following a tragedy that leaves her all alone, the main character, 16 year-old Emma Connor, moves there to live with her aunt. I found myself drawn into Emma's story from the very start.

Told from Emma's point of view, the narrative is highly amusing. It is very easy to get caught up in the mystery she finds herself immersed in. I found myself completely entranced with this book and stayed up until 1 am on a work night to finish it. I simply had to know how things turned out between Emma and Brendan.

I really enjoyed the characters in the book. Emma is hugely likable and it's very hard to not admire her strength and humor in the face of the turmoil surrounding her life. Brendan, Emma's love interest, is funny, sweet and arrogant all at the same time in that oh-so appealing way only gorgeous teenage boys can be. My favorite character is Emma's best friend, Anglelique, though. Completely unique and proud of it, she accepts Emma from her first day at the uptight private school and she is always there for her from then on, regardless of the circumstances.

I have to say that I did see a few of the twists in the plot coming; some parts were a little predictable. However, the characters kept me engaged and hanging on until the end. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading the next volume in the series.

My Rating:

Cara Lynn Shultz’s love of supernatural writing began when she was 7 and wrote a play about ghosts, which she and her friends acted out on her grandparents’ porch. Since then, her work has appeared in Teen People, Alternative Press, Stuff, InStyle, Us Weekly, and The Guardian UK.She is a proud graduate of Fordham University and is currently a senior editor at People.com.Cara lives in her native New York City with her husband, tuxedo cat and 8 million other people. Spellbound is her first novel.

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