Cast Away

Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, Book 6

By: Annabel Chase

Narrated by: Emily Lawrence

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Welcome to Spellbound, where paranormal is the new normal.

Witch-in-training Emma Hart is preparing for one of the worst days of her life...the marriage of fallen angel Daniel Starr to the spoiled fairy, Elsa Knightsbridge. Fortunately for Emma, distractions are easy to come by in Spellbound when a troll is found dead near a bridge and an overzealous werewolf is arrested for indecent exposure. Will these incidents be enough to keep Emma from falling apart? Or will one of these situations be her undoing?

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Red Palm Press LLC (P)2020 Tantor

Better than I expected

I read the only review at the time I downloaded this book. I’ve really gotten into the series and am enjoying it very much. When I read the review I was expecting a subpar book in the series but I was pleasantly surprised.

While the relationship and Emma’s desire for Daniel may seem quick as she has only been in Spellbound for a short time, sometimes love just happens like that. It is possible for a deep connection. As you read in the previous books, Emma and Daniel do have a connection that is different from previous relationships that Daniel is had. I would gather it’s because of how and why they met.

As far as what seems to be her methods of attempting to help Daniel and breaking the “spell” he is under...well I can’t say that they were horrible as this is a whole different world than the human world. Emma has to “think” and do things that are outside human norms.

I’m just saying that this book was much better than expected. Read it and form your own opinion. I sincerely enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.

I ❤️ this series!

I am sad there are no more. The characters are dynamic and the stories are not so similar it's like reading the same book. Each has a new plot and struggle .

Easy to follow

Like the narration and the easy way the story moves. Could have a little more mystery but a pleasant listen

I am a fan!

I ran across this series by accident. found the storyline to be sweet and si p.isti

Worst book in the series

Although i haven't listened to/read the 8th and 9th book yet.

Spoilers

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I just cannot accept, why the heck would somebody in their right mind first go to mayor Knightsbridge and give her the potion without having the antipotion first??? I mean, i would accept, because Emma is kind of a fairy-tale princess, being 100% good and all, that Daniel humiliated the Knightsbridge family and Elsa was heartbroken, like Emma because of Daniel, the law is too strict... etc. BUT Emma doesn't want Elsa to miss judgement and punishment for drugging Daniel, so that story-line is kind of dump... I hate that her being a sorceress was revealed in a jealousy way... I think in that situation Emma should have been summoned to curt, because she must have made some kind of dark magic being a sorceress and all, and Daniel's true love could be Elsa... The end of the previous book was also without love potion a beginning of a love story with a second chance. And i mean for a fairy i don't know, how long they live, but what should been the rush for Daniel to the wedding? At least a fake pregnancy would make it better. But until she found the potion, it was just Emma is possessed with Daniel, with nothing just "it must be fate, that Daniel belongs to me". OK it is kind of a fairy tale story, but... Other characters have bad marriages, affairs... At least she should have argued, why the sudden rush to marry, why not take things slow the second time?

And the other line with the young murderer, i would think at least, the girl would been a total wreck after accidentally killing a troll, and if not becoming numb than ask for help in the hope, he is still alive. Or at least this book had him to be the perfect soulmate of his wife; just to make it clear, Emma is not total coocoo with her obsession about Daniel... Emma could have defend the poor child for not wanting to kill or harm the troll, but being an accident with no witnesses, and in the end of the story Walter could have woken up from her dream clearing the whole thing... In case Anya was going to get help like anybody with a brain would do. And if not i still think she should be so much destroyed with her head to cry with tears because somebody asked her something, or being total silent, spending both of the days in bed stating she has a headache at least, and not eating, just starring at the wall, or overeating; any kind of signs of depression... OR she could have been portrayed as a total psychopath, who does not understand anything, she wasn't going to kill, it was an accident, nobody's fault, trolls die, it was Walter's turn, and only a coincident Anya was even there...

I still like the characters, except Emma's obsession. OK maybe i am envious a bit, because every time i was obsessed with anybody, none of my friend told me, i do not agree with you, but i try to help you, if you want, let's stalk him together, until we get arrested because it is wrong and i am right. Or am i the only one thinking, that Emma just broke into a house, where might as well lived two without love potion in love couple... Daniel wanted to be a better angel! Elsa loved her, he could have thought he owes her a second chance, not only focusing on the body, but the soul of Elsa... Yeah, i hated this book, i would give it a star or less, but i like the characters, so i gave it 2 stars.

Story Outside the Romance was Good

Some minor spoilers further in but this is my least favorite story so far, at least the romance Emma/Daniel sections. The rest of the story involving the murder case and the overarching issues of Emma's identity were enjoyable but the romance felt really awkward. So last book Emma found potions in the cabinet at Elsa's house who is engaged to Daniel. These potions were never tested but it is 'proof' that Elsa was putting a spell on Daniel to make him love her (despite him willingly going to Elsa's home and flirting and engaging with Elsa while Emma witnessed invisibly in the last book). Which is weird to use as immediate proof in a town where they constantly discuss putting potions in all their drinks, coffee, etc.

Emma (despite the fact that she has only been in Spellbound for about two months and only known Daniel that long) keeps insisting she knows the 'real' Daniel and that they are meant to be together and their love is special and she has to break the enchantment. This includes (minor spoilers) going to his bachelor party pressuring Daniel to drink a bunch of ale and shots that are loaded with different spells she made to try to break the spell he is under, going to Elsa's bachelorette party to try and catch her misbehaving to break up the marriage, and getting all her friends involved in casting spells to get the real Daniel back. Honestly it doesn't feel romantic to me at all, it feels creepy and stalkerish. She keeps insisting Elsa is bad but I don't feel like this is really shown in the story just stated by Emma, Elsa makes some rude remarks to Emma when she shows up to her party uninvited and knowing that Emma wants to break her and Daniel up, that hardly feels like a mean girl. Yes Elsa is privileged but since the author doesn't show much of Elsa and her actions we are relying as an audience on Emma who feels like an unreliable narrator and has again been in this town for about two months.

Emma gets a happily ever after with Daniel as this is a cozy but I don't feel like cheering about it I found myself cringing at the couple. Which was a shame because the story without their romance was interesting and engaging and in keeping with the rest of the series. The narration continues to be well done and some of the characters throughout the town are fascinating and I look forward to hearing about them. But I guess I just am not a fan of the obsessive fated instant love trope so often found in these stories and the extent people go to for their 'true love'. These same stories sound identical to horror films of an obsessive partner who keeps insisting they love you and know the real you and their love is special. I'm sure this doesn't bother some folks and some might find it romantic but this volume and the last just I found myself questioning Emma's perspective and not liking her. I will continue in the series as I hope this is just tied up now so it won't have to be dealt with again and also because I genuinely enjoy the world and concept that has been created. But by far my least favorite in the series.