Spellbinder, A Moonshadow Novel, Thea Harrison

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy, Romance

I loved Moonshadow, the first novel in this trilogy. Thea is one of those authors who can make fantasy and magic feel real, who has me completely wrapped in the story. This time round we see the other side to Morgan, Queen Isabeau's magician enforcer, leader of her Hounds.

We met him mainly by reputation in the last book, knew him as a conscienceless killer, and now we see that its not him, he has to act as the Queen commands, has no free will. She took control of him centuries ago by magical means, and he is forced to obey her every command. He hates it, hates her, she killed his beloved Arthur, and he's been waiting for her to slip, make a mistake all these long years, and then he's going all out for freedom, even if it means his death. 
Then she does, she makes this tiny error in what she says and he takes advantage. 
He's not free, not yet but her words allow him freedom for a short time to research the magical knife at the heart of her control over him. He has to stay away from any of the Light Court, they can tell him her wishes, and it acts like a command. While he's researching and avoiding everyone he hears Sidonie play, is entranced and that leads to a string of events ending with her the Queen's prisoner. 
If we didn't know Robin, the Puck, and all he suffered from the last book, I'd think he was an awful person. He knows full well what will happen to Sid when the Queen gets her claws in, but he hates Morgan, hates that he was the instrument of his centuries of torture, as commanded by the Queen. He doesn't know the full circumstances, thinks Morgan betrayed the Dark court he was part of, thinks he is the Queen's lover and had a free hand in the atrocities he does. 
He sees Morgan is enjoying Sid's music, and thinks to use her as a trap for him, use her to break up his relationship with the Queen. 
Its kind of a long logic thinking that because he's following her tour, enraptured by her music that he will seek revenge on Isabeau for the atrocities she will inflict on Sid, but I guess Robin's kind of flawed in his thinking anyhow. He doesn't see Sid as a person, only a tool, and doesn't care what happens to her. His plan will work - or it won't. Either way he loses nothing by trying. I have to think of it the way he would, the way the Fae see humans, disregard them mostly as people, don't really care what befalls them unless, as with Sophie from Moonshine, there's some kind of personal connection. He's devoted to Sophie, determined to protect her despite the fact she's (mostly) human. He doesn't know Sid so he's not concerned about her. That changes though when he gets to know her.
Poor Sidonie, she's horrified, powerless, distraught at what's happened and feels so alone. She does what anyone would do, demands she be released, give the queen the sharp side of her tongue and...suffers the results. 
As Robin planned Morgan soon gets to know of what's happened but of course Robin doesn't know of the restrictions surrounding Morgan, so his plans from there go wrong. 
Its another fabulous magical read, making me really feel for Morgan despite the awful things he's done.
In Moonshadow I hated him, here I see him as another of the Queens victim's now I know the whole story, and likewise I felt so sad for Robin in Moonshadow, and had to keep reminding myself of what he'd been through when he was so casual about Sidonie's welfare. 
Its like we've two sides to the story now, the Dark Fae and the Light Fae, centuries of history, of Isabeau's horrific reign now look to come to a head, with the key players having a change of situation. I can't wait for the final novel bringing everything together.  
Stars: Five, great second book, roll on the final one ;-)

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I really, really enjoyed Moonshadow, but Spellbinder really blew it out of the water in my opinion. I loved the Arthurian feel to it and it was great to have more of Isabeau, she is my kind of twisted. Loved Morgan and Sidonie, probably my fave characters of Harrison's thus far. Can't wait to see what the next installment has in store for us.

How do you take the villain from the first book, and not just the villain, but, like, a super bad no good horrible very bad villain, and make him the hero of your second book? Well, somehow Thea Harrison manages.
In Moonshadow, a gender-flipped, slightly differently spelled Morgan le Fae is a wicked wizard/lycanthrope. In this book he's revealed to be a slave to the evil Isabeau, bound to follow her every command. So when she commands him not to come into her sight until he's healed, Morgan takes full advantage and makes plans to stay injured for as long as possible. While he's "on vacation," he hears about Sidonie Martel. She is a fabulous violinist and Morgan has always been drawn to music even if he doesn't play anymore. He, like many of her audience, is completely entranced. Too bad his interest brings Sidonie to the attention of Robin/Puck who kidnaps Sidonie and delivers her to Isabeau in an effort to get even with Morgan.
Sidonie has no idea what's going on. One minute she's on the road after a concert, the next she's in Avalon, the prisoner of vindictive queen who has her hands broken. But then, a mysterious force comes to heal her and protect her. Over time, she learns to trust this man she doesn't see, but isn't sure how they can ever be together.
A lovely story that continues the world-building I enjoyed in the first book.

Four stars
This book comes out July 18

I really enjoyed Sidonie's and Morgan's story. I will not reveal the ending, but I was very pleased with the maturity of the decision to let go of negative emotions. Very satisfying.

It's been a while since I've visited the world of the Elder Races and this novel reminded me of why I enjoy Harrison's world building. I had actually forgotten that we had met Morgan before so I began reading with no preconceptions. I liked the love story that developed between Morgan and Sid, although it did seem a bit rushed and under pressure. However, Sid is a strong character that knows her own mind. The villains left me a bit cold as they seemed evil just for evils sake. But, all in all, an excellent addition to the Elder Races series.

I've been a fan of this author since I read Dragon Bound and the books about the Elder Races are amongst my top ten so seeing this spin off series that so far is primarily UK based had me very excited. The first book Moonshadow brought the Fae under the spotlight and happily this book continues that course but boy is it a wild ride!
I'd been very intrigued by Morgan Le Fae , amazingly powerful sorcerer and very reluctantly serving the Light Queen. We quickly realise that he is under a powerful spell and all the evil things he has done and I'm thinking back to When Pia Goes to Hollywood is because Morgan has had no choice . Isabeau is a mercurial and narcissistic character, greedy for power and yet something she says inadvertently gives Morgan a chance to briefly escape her.
Sidonie has the world at her feet as she is a musician with amazing talents but as a human Sidonie has no magic. This quickly becomes a problem as she's kidnapped and delivered to the Winter Palace of the Light Fae. Sidonie has been feted, she is a woman used to privilege and has absolutely no idea of just what Isabeau is capable of . Unfortunately she quickly sees her life , her work and everything she needs ripped away from her but alone in the dark she finds solace with a stranger and a renewal of spirit because where there's life there's hope!
If Moonshadow was good this book is absolutely amazing! For me it compares easily to Dragon Bound and Oracles Moon as the romance is just so good. Also we get more of despotic and absolutely twisted Queen Isabeau. I loved the slight nod to Arthurian legends and yes the Puck is back but sadly he isn't exactly the hero I'd hoped for here but alas I can say no more.
This book is definitely a keeper with fabulous characters. Morgan is Alpha to his core but seeing the journey he took with Sidonie really allowed him to show his softer more tender side . Sidonie isn't exactly kicking butt but she is resilient and prepared to take chances. The world created here felt so realistic, plus the origins of the Elder Races becomes an integral part of this story. I loved it and even though something truly awful happens the author writes it in such a way that the darkness of that act didn't overtake the romance that followed. Bottom line is if you enjoy paranormal romance then this book will have you jumping for joy !
This voluntary review is of an advance copy and my thoughts and feelings are honest and I believe fair