Review ~ Spellcaster ~ Cara Lynn Shultz

Title: Spellcaster

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz

Published: March 27th 2012

By: Harlequin

From: netgalley

First line: You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you.

Last line: And the lights around us grew brighter, a final burst of gold before they faded into the remains of the sunset.

Fave Line: My morose thoughts tumbled through my brain like a drunken gymnast.

I obtained this series in reverse order, acquiring the galley for Spelllcaster first which meant I needed to get my hands on Spellbound and I was pretty much hooked on the latter straight away. Having the sequel already to hand was therefore more than a mere bonus and as with other series I’ve picked up further down the line I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait!

In Spellcaster we pick up pretty much where we left off in Spellbound. Just a few weeks down the line we find Brendan and Emma in a state of perpetual bliss. Of course very little has changed around them. The ever detestable Kristin is still out to get Emma, Angelique still frowns at the mention of Brendan’s name and to top it all off Brendan’s mother still seems to be dead-set against his and Emma’s relationship.

Things take a turn however when it becomes clear that someone is out for Emma’s blood (quite literally) and Brendan, Emma and Angelique have to join forces to fight against a power that is darker and stronger than anything they have ever come across before.

After some investigation it appears that whoever is after Emma wants her blood because of the power it possesses, something which comes only with those who have experienced true love. It is this power that will make them stronger than ever and they will do anything, harm anyone to ensure that when the moon eclipses they possess the blood that will complete their transformation.

In spellcaster we see the return of familiar characters and there are also new characters which are just as intriguing as those we have read about before. I loved the way that the plot evolves in this sequel and I particularly like the way that Emma’s character has evolved. She is certainly one of the stronger female characters in YA. She sticks by her principles, has faith in those around her and is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if she has to go against them to achieve her goal.

I also like the pace with which the relationship between Emma and Brendan moves forward. Given their history and their potential future it would have been easy for their relationship to have progressed at a pace but this is not the case, rather it evolved slowly and seems all the more genuine for it. I also loved the roles that Angelique and Randi play in this book especially as the importance of their own powers begin to play a major role as the story reaches its conclusion – and what a conclusion! The build up was extremely tense and the climax of the story brilliantly written.

In short, Spellcaster is a brilliant sequel to Spellbound and if you haven’t read either and like kick-ass heroines then I would recommend both!

Rating: 4/5. Really enjoyed this series. I would absolutely recommend!