Spellbinder (Moonshadow Book 2)

Just when you know you should hate someone, you find out it not as you thought!!! Ms. Harrison has an evil genius streak, and it is worth every word she wrote, what can I say. I was having palpitations near the end of the book. Well plotted; well crafted, well written and downright fantastic! How could this end? I'm thinking Romeo and Juliet, which I definitely didn't want to see.

I also felt there was a difference in this book, the emotion was different than her other books; after reading her comment at the end, I do believe this was a personal story for her and she handled it very well. This is well worth the time I spent reading it and I will be reading it again.

It got off to a slow start for me, I couldn't make the connection to the first book, so I just pulled it up and skimmed it again, after that it was something I couldn't put down. The characters were compelling. I would love to hear Sidonie play and Morgan was so much more than anyone could have believed.

Spellbinder was an amazingly suspenseful read. I wasn't sure I could like Morgan (after the villain he was in the first Moonshadow book), but Thea Harrison proved me delightfully wrong. Sid is a strong character with a talent, but it is her curiosity and her determination that makes her lovable. Morgan was much more human than I suspected, and despite being enslaved, quite a strong character all the same. The romance between the two was believable and sweet. From the summary of this book, I was worried it would be darker than what it actually was. Don't get me wrong, it was suspenseful. I had a hard time putting this book down. It was overall a satisfying read and definitely worth rereading in the near future.

This is my first disappointing book by Thea. I wondered how Morgan's story would be resolved, turns out with violence, treachery and pain. These are part of the court and embedded in the story. The narrative is consistent with the world but I found it painful to read. I simply do not like dark and cruel in my fantasy and never with romance. My favorite part was Dragos' cameo at the end.

Spellbinding! Emotional! Magical!

I don’t know where to start, but to say WOW. I was sucked in from the first to the last page and couldn’t put this novel down.

The Moonshadow series is a spin-off of the Elder Races. This series is primarily based in the UK, the other side of the world, and has brought in the races over their, mainly the Fae into the spotlight.

Finally we get Morgan Le Fae story. We learn so much about him. Why he does what he does, who he truly is, and the horrors he has been a part of and seen. If you have read the Elder Races then you know and have seen Morgan pop up every now and then. He’s the bad guy or is he??? I want to tell you so much about Morgan and his plight, but if I do I give so much away. Morgan’s journey is an emotional one in finding love, living life, and enjoying the world again.

Sid is a human with no magic at all. She’s strong, courageous, quick minded, and a musician who creates breathtaking music. Her life changes forever when she is kidnapped and turned over to the Winter Palace of the Light Fae.

Sid and Morgan are fantastic together. She shouldn’t trust him, but she can’t help it. In the end she trusts and opens up a world with possibilities for them both. Their romance was sweet and endearing.

Besides the romance Ms. Harrison whips up some seriously strong feelings and doesn’t pull any punches when she vividly describes her scenes. It’s an intensely emotional read. I was crying, I was loving, and I was hating right along side these characters. One scene at the beginning with Sid, I cried all the way through. It was just so heartbreaking to read.

Spellbinder is Captivating, Enchanting, and Entertaining. Their are so many great moments and charming characters. It’s action-packed, fast-paced, and romantic. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Rated: 5 Stars

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Thea Harrison with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

We travel back to England, and this time we are immersed in a spin of King Arthur’s legend. I have always wondered about Morgan’s back story since his introduction in Pia does Hollywood, and was extremely happy to see him finally come to life in this book. Ms. Harrison doesn’t disappoint in this book, and weaves a complex and heartfelt story about a man whose choices were taken from him, and the lengths he will go to right a wrong, no matter how much time has gone by, and no matter what the personal cost.

Sidonie is Morgan’s love interest, and together as the story progresses they come together to grow not only individually, but as a couple. My favorite character from Moonshadow, Robin, makes s reappearance, and keeps you on your toes as the story progresses.
As with all of Ms. Harrison’s books, I had to finish this in one swoop, and I’m sure most people will to. Don’t miss out on this great read!

*** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***

Spellbinder is the perfect title, I was bound to my kindle until I finished the last word. Morgan seemed to be bad guy in Moonshadow#1 but things are not always as they appear with our hero. I quickly fell for him as he treated Sidonie with such sweet gentleness. I'm a sucker for the big, bad alpha with heart. Both the h and the H are in situations out of their control but they forge an unlikely friendship/partnership to see each other through.
Queen Isabeau was as wicked as she was beautiful and the character we love to hate. All the characters were well developed and interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed Spellbinder and plan to reread before the next book in the series comes out. This is definitely a solid 4.5 star read.

I have been one of the curious few wondering about Morgan for a while now. And this is, ultimately his book. He was the character more fleshed out. Sidonie was good but I never got the sense there was any thing other than her music remarkable about her. This is not a bad thing but I think there may have been a missed opportunity to deepen the characterization a bit.

The King Arthur myth plays a large role in the backstory of the character. Harrison does a good job of putting her own slant on things. It felt familiar yet new, which is the standard definition of fresh writing.

However, fresh writing can't make up for the pace of this book. It dragged. Especially in the beginning. I read it on my iPad and have no idea of the actual page number to tell you how long it actually is but... It felt REALLY long. I've read books with 550+ pages with no recollection of time passing. I'd be reading and find myself looking at my location because I wanted to know how much further to go. Eventually, my eyes skimmed pages, glossing over chunks description and inner thoughts, wondering why it was necessary. The end didn't seem so bad. Not sure if this was because I was used to skimming sections at that point or if the pace evened out. I did finish but it took me a bit.

*review copy provided by author in exchange for honest review

A generous interpretation of Isabeau's order and a good serving of luck leads Morgan from Avalon to the United Kingdom. The Queen of Light Fae usually has him on a tight leash - a dagger gives her power over him - he has to follow her every order, the geas in him overriding every wish, dream and desire he has for himself. But this time...this time she told him she didn't want to see him again before he has completely healed after the disastrous loss of the passageway to Lyonesse in the war against Oberon's Dark Court.
It's his chance to taste a bit freedom and he intends to make the most of it. While free, Morgan wants to use his time wisely and research how to shake off the yoke Isabeau has put him under. He has lost so much but one thing stayed - his love for music. A fascinating pamphlet of a beautiful violin player invites him to a concert. When Morgan hears Sidonie play for the first time he is entranced.

Sidonie Martel can't shake the feeling of being watched. She might have picked up a new stalker on her concert tour. Her worries are confirmed when the car taking her to the airport is intercepted and crashes and Sid is being kidnapped. Her captor isn't after her though.
She is being handed over to the Queen of Light Fae, who throws her in a dungeon, with broken hands and a broken will - music is everything, how can she live when the only thing that gives her life has been taken from her? When a stranger sneaks into her cell she experiences kindness she didn't expect in a place like this.

When Morgan realizes that Sid has been kidnapped he sneaks back to Avalon. It's because of him that she is trapped in Avalon, in the queen's dungeon. He can't free her but he intends to make sure she survives. She mustn't know who he is, however, because that would endanger her life. And his own.

We met Morgan in the first book of this series in which he was a villain. I know that Thea Harrison can redeem those, she has done it in her Elder Races series and she'd done it so well, I knew I'd love Morgan in the end. He was a revelation. I loved EVERYTHING about him. He is kind, patient and so incredibly gentle and sweet with Sid. There is a decency, goodness about Morgan, it radiates off the pages, he definitely lives by a code of honor. Morgan has become my favorite hero right after Dragos.

Sid's growth from the beginning is awesome. She starts out as a reserved young artist who obsessively starts counting things when she's stressed out. It's ironic that her OCD is what keeps her halfway sane. Her captivity steels her will, Morgan gives her courage. Their growing feelings something to fight for. Her fierce will to survive is tremendous. Sid is tenacious, never backs down and faces everything she has to endure with so much dignity, her despair is heartbreaking. And then there is adorable innocence about her. She really is an endearing heroine.

Thea Harrison has a way of describing scenes that stay with you for a long time. In one scene Sidonie plays her heart out because so much depends on her music in that very moment. Ms. Harrison's words were stunning and when this scene was over I had tears in my eyes.

"She became the music. She was the story, the vibration. She became the story of love, the notes written in kisses and caresses on her skin. She felt the symphony, the swelling highs in the lifts, and the terrible lows in the falls, and hope was the cruelest note of all, the devastation that came afterward, utterly intolerable."

I fell in love with Thea's Spellbinder characters. She made me care for them, root for them and cheering them on. Morgan had a short jerk moment, which was kinda understandable but then again, I was a bit mad at him for not seeing what had been offered to him. He groveled, explained, I got over it.

We get to see the puck from the first novel and towards the end Dragos has a cameo. I swear that guy is the epitome of badassery and the leader of the a-hole pack but man...I love him. LOVE. HIM. He is my spirit animal.

I have read almost all PNR written by Thea Harrison, she keeps impressing me with her incredibly detailed world building and her multi-dimensional characters. I have nothing but praise for her and if you haven't read her yet...what are you waiting for? Get on with it.

Two entries into the series and the Moonshadow books are on the verge of overcoming the Elder Races as my favorite Thea Harrison work. Because these books take place in Europe and feature stories prominently featuring the fae, Ms. Harrison takes the opportunity to pull from historical literature and lore. There are hints of themes one might find in historical romance with including play on royal status, the importance of courtly manners, and political one-upmanship. However, my favorite part of this book is the reference to the Arthurian legends. Morgan le Fae of the court of King Arthur is a powerful sorcerer. Unfortunately, after being captured by Queen Isabeau of the Light Fae Court and turned into a lycanthrope, she compels him to serve her under a geas. He is forced to serve her capricious and power-hungry wishes even if it violates his own beliefs and is draining to his soul. By a stroke of luck, Isabeau gives him an order sloppily worded, and through the “letter of the law” allows him to steal some freedom. While enjoying the respite from the Light Fae court, Morgan discovers the music of one of the most famous musicians in the world.

Sidonie Martel is an internationally famous musician. She has adoring fans and she is delightfully human with no magical powers beyond her incredible gift for music. However, she gets caught up in a revenge scheme against Morgan. She is kidnapped and taken to the fae court where she is promptly imprisoned and tortured. Feeling bad about the situation, Morgan shows her mercy by trying to sneak into her cell and offer her some relief and comfort.

Ms. Harrison does a standout job with her characterization. I absolutely adore Sidonie. I love that she is human, but is smart enough to get herself out of the dungeon and plucky enough to outsmart Queen Isabeau. I love the small details about her including how she interacts with her music and her response to her compulsive tendencies. She is a multi-faceted character who is easy to admire. There is still a purity and light to her that is impossible to miss.

If I were to put myself in Thea Harrison’s shoes, I imagine that it would be delightful to make a villain into a hero. In book one, Morgan le Fae is an evil tool for Isabeau’s campaign to destroy the Dark Fae court. It is easy for me to forget that there are always two sides to every story and even bad guys can be misunderstood. So, I thank Ms. Harrison for redeeming this unusual choice for a hero. Furthermore, although she does not delve too deeply into the story of King Arthur, Morgan’s connection to it, gives the story a slight wistfulness.

The relationship between these two characters is magnetic. Both are formidable characters. However, I am particularly taken by how tender Morgan is to Sidonie. Although, he is the reason she is kidnapped in the first place, he has nothing to do with the kidnapping itself. However, his tender ministrations melt my heart. He is so caring and loving even as he is trying to hold himself separate from her. He is terrified that if the Queen finds out about his attention to Sidonie, Isabeau will order Morgan to do something evil and cruel to her. The power of the geas is always hanging over Morgan’s head and he is constantly fighting for ways to get around it. Regardless, even in this highly stressful time, Sidonie and Morgan find time to be together and nurture their relationship.

I like that the author is introducing new characters. including demi-gods into her cast. I can see mythology playing a greater role in future books. Furthermore, we get a cameo from the Dragos Cuelebre, Lord of the Wyr demesne.

This is a fantastic read filled with captivating characters, intriguing storyline, and an irresistibly satisfying ending.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book.

Spellbinder is another great addition to the Elder Race world. I was not expecting Morgan’s story yet, but it was refreshing to be a part of it. Although it was slow to pick up momentum, once it got going, it never stopped until the last page.

Morgan le Fae is the most powerful and feared sorcerer in history. Morgan and the queen’s hounds have carried out many vile things as commanded by Isabeau, the Queen of the Light Court. The thing of it is that Morgan has been enslaved by her for centuries and is compelled to do as she commands no matter what. After his last confrontation the knights and the army of the Dark Court, Morgan goes back to the Light Court wounded. Isabeau, pissed off over the loss of the skirmish, commands Morgan to go away and not come back until he was fully healed. Morgan grasps this opportunity to continue his research in finding a way to break the hold Isabeau has over him. As long as he is away from Isabeau, he cannot be compelled to go back to her. While in London, Morgan fell in love with the music of Sidonie Martel. He is so enthralled to her music, he decides to go to all her concerts. Unknown to him, someone is watching is every move.
Sidonie is a musical prodigy but in the Elder Race world, she is a Deadhead, because she is human with no magical powers. But her music is a thing of beauty. After a concert, Sidonie and her security team was home from a concert, Sidonie is kidnapped and taken to the Light Fae Court in Avalon. While there, she quickly realized that the Light Fae Court is something she is not prepared. After she was cruelly injured and thrown into prison, Sidonie is visited by an unknown stranger who healed her and took care of her. When Morgan finally reveals himself to Sidonie can their fragile bond survive the perils of court and discovery. They’ll need to do all they can to survive and time is running out.

Although there was some vagueness in Morgan’s seamless and agile movements around Avalon and the Fae court, there were a few close encounters that had me glued to the pages. Thea pens very well-developed characters and a well thought out story that moves along smoothly…all the way to a satisfying HEA. Can’t forget the “the pièce de résistance” …. who was seriously happy when Dragos made an appearance? Me (as an emoticon dancing the jig with big grin face). Love, love, love that. I don’t know who can resist Dragos when he’s in the “proverbial” room. The journey of Morgan and Sidonie kept me reading until the very last page. Hopefully we’ll see more of them as the other books in the series come out, because Morgan still has some “splaining” to do. Yep! Definitely a great read. Keep ‘em coming Thea. I voluntary reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book gifted to me by the author.

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

Although I enjoyed the first book in this Elder Races spin-off series, I did have a few minor reservations about it and I wasn’t at all sure about a follow up featuring the main bad guy as a romantic hero. Which shows what I know, because I really enjoyed this tale of a stolen musician, an enslaved Arthurian hero and a wicked, spiteful queen.

Firstly, Morgan is surprisingly sympathetic as our tragic hero. All that power, but no freedom, and with all his history taken into account it didn’t take long before I was firmly on his side and ready to forgive him pretty much everything. After all, how could he be blamed for all even the most terrible things he’d done when he’s under a geas that leaves him utterly incapable of disobeying Queen Isabeau’s orders, no matter how petty, cruel or horrific? He’s one of the most powerful sorcerers in the Elder Races world, but the object Isabeau used to enslave him might have come from a God and even he can’t compete with that.

Hardly the kind of match for a non-magical human, you might think, but just because Sidonie doesn’t have any magic, doesn’t mean she’s ordinary. In fact her music is so beautiful it makes Morgan forget – not just his pain and sorrow but also his rage. And Sid herself is pretty extraordinary even without her music. Admittedly, it does take her a while to cotton on to what exactly is happening after she’s kidnapped, but she’s had no real contact with the magical world, so it’s understandable. And once she does get it, I loved how strong she remained, even against some pretty awful odds. She’s a character, with quite a temper, but despite some initial despair, she’s not the sort to simply lie down and give up. I really liked her.

Mostly I liked how she was with Morgan, and how that allowed Morgan to be with her. They’re adorable together, at first, then strong and quite a formidable team, especially considering their power difference. Her experiences are so very different to his that it allows them to come at problems from completely different angles and argue through lots of possibilities. She’s quick and smart, especially for someone with so little magical experience and is also never afraid to stand up to him, nor others when she’s in defense of him. I especially liked how she dealt with Robin.

Of course things are far from easy for the pair of them. Morgan has a geas to fight, Sid has captivity to escape, there’s an evil queen to beat and some vicious fae to deal with, not to mention the whole issue of Isabeau’s knife. People who are completely new to this world may get quite lost in all the details of the Elder Races world, but if you’re familiar with fae lore you can probably follow along easily enough.

I do feel like some of the urgency and drama was lost right at the end. I can see why some things had to go that way, especially to allow certain important mythical moments to happen (loved the sword). Morgan has a lot of stuff to clear up, after all, but on Sid’s side it felt a bit flat and the romantic conflict wrapped up a little too easily. However, this is a minor thing and didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this.

In all this was a great addition to this series and the world as a whole. Morgan surprised me with how much I liked him and Sid was amazing. I really hope this won’t be the last we see of them as I’d love to see how their relationship progresses over time. Although with the way things ended, I’m pretty sure they’ll both be back again soon.

(ARC provided by the author.)

Thea Harrison has written one of my favorite series, The Elder Races, of which two books are my all-time favorites. The Elder Races is a PNR (ParaNormal Romance) series that is set in a world with Fae (light and dark), Nightkind, Demonkind, and Wyr that are known to humans and live their lives out in the open alongside humankind.

The Moonshadow series is a part of the Elder Races world but the focus is on the lands held for the use of Elder Races in the United Kingdom. You do not need to know about the Elder Races series in order to enjoy this series but I included the links in case you had interest. I highly recommend that series.

Spellbinder is the second book in the Moonshadow series and I loved this book! Having read the first book in this series, Moonshadow, I was familiar with the main character Morgan Le Fae. Anyone who love Arthurian lore will appreciate this story but I will point out that in this story Morgan Le Fae is not the female character from Arthurian legend Morgan Le Fay. In this story, Morgan is what could have happened to the Merlin character from Arthurian lore.

Morgan has been trapped in servitude for centuries to Fae Queen Isabeau of the Light Court. She has taken everything from him and has made him do despicable things. He is one of the most hated supernatural beings in this world. Nothing brings him pleasure or peace but when Isabeau mistakenly gives him a sliver of freedom through careless wording Morgan takes full advantage and flees the kingdom less she come to her senses to quickly and figure out her error.

Morgan fled to Earth as he had plenty of resources and safe houses there that were unknown to those who would no doubt be searching for him. While at one of the locations he heard about a musician that was beyond compare, Sidonie Martel. Morgan had once been a bard himself and thought that after so many centuries that maybe music would be able to bring him some joy, even if only for a moment. After seeing her performance, he was amazed because her music was more than he ever expected and to feel anything was addictive and he began to follow her performances from place to place.

What Morgan did not understand was that he was indeed being watched but not by anyone he would have suspected. This person realized that Sidonie meant something to Morgan but they misinterpreted her significance. It is this action that led to Sid being kidnapped and taken to the mystical land of Avalon. There she was imprisoned and brutalized. Morgan did not learn of Sid’s abduction right away and once he did he knew that he could not let her stay there. Traveling back to Avalon was dangerous but Morgan was going to do what he could to help.

What neither him nor Sid ever expected was that them coming together would create a bond that transcended anything they had come to suspect would happen to them. They had to play a dangerous game where subterfuge was their only chance at freedom. This is truly a high stakes paranormal romance filled with magic, Arthurian legend, and plenty of action.

“She became the story of love, the notes written in kisses and caresses on her skin.”
What really stood out to me about Spellbinder was that it was so very romantic. Morgan was so hated but Sidonie knew nothing of him or his past. He came to her under the cover of darkness and they came to know each other through words and actions. They knew each other before they saw each other as they were. I just adored that part. So not like today’s romances where they are taking each other before the first third of the book and are enamored with the person due to physical appearance. Then, there are the sacrifices that are made for their love. Such grand romantic gestures. So touching!

It was so refreshing to read a PNR that has more to it than just an instant romance. There is real depth to this story and you do not need to have knowledge of the Elder Races to enjoy this book or to have read the first book in this series but it makes for a deeper read if you had. I was real excited to see one of my favorite characters from the Elder Races make an appearance in this story. Big grin on my face! This story truly captivated me and inspired the romantic in me. I just can’t say enough that I found this story to be tremendously touching. Spellbinder is a must read that I highly recommend!

This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

“He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.”

Spellbinder by Thea Harrison is the second amazing installment in Thea’s creative paranormal urban fantasy Moonshadow series. This series is a spin-off from her Elder Races series set in the same remarkable world. I’ve been a fan of Thea’s since 2011 when she published her first Elder Races novel, Dragon Bound. I have inhaled every single installment in that series and it was a given that I would jump on board with her new Moonshadow series. I honestly didn’t think anything could top Dragon Bound, but, incredibly, Spellbinder does just that!

Spellbinder is the second installment in this series, but it could be enjoyed as a standalone read if that is your preference. Thea fills in any necessary information so a newbie will never be lost. When Moonshadow, the previous installment in this series ended, Robin, the Puck, had mysteriously disappeared. In Spellbinder, we catch up with Robin. This story mostly takes place in Avalon, where Queen Isabeau’s castle is located.

Spellbinder is the story of loathed sorcerer Morgan le Fae and acclaimed musician Sidonie Martel. As the story begins, it quickly becomes apparent that Isabeau, the Light Queen, has Morgan ensnared under a powerful spell and that she has been forcing him to serve her. It is a difficult task for an author to take a long-vilified character and successfully shift readers’ perceptions of him/her. Thea pulls off the feat of re-casting Morgan as a true hero with aplomb. I am still blown away by this couple’s story – their fortitude, ingenuity, chemistry, passion and strength in adversity and I can’t wait to read more about them as this series continues.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Spellbinder:

He cupped her head with both hands. “You’re full of your own kind of magic, and it’s much more rare and beautiful than all the other spells around you. They are commonplace. You are unique.”
---
“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”
“Unfortunately,” he said as gently as he knew how, “it would appear so.”
---
“I want you too, so much,” she whispered.
He murmured in her ear, “Then take me.”

I had many favorite scenes but one that quickly comes to mind involves a simultaneously flirtatious and humorous discussion between Morgan and Sidonie. Morgan’s surprised reaction still makes me laugh-out-loud:
“Just when I was coping with the idea that I’d necked with a werewolf,” she muttered. “Just when I was beginning to flirt with the idea of possibly… possibly inviting sex with a werewolf. …
Beside her, he had stiffened. Very quietly, he said, “Sex?” …
Giving her a slow, coaxing smile that turned the heat in the room up by a thousand degrees, he stroked her lips with the balls of his thumbs as he murmured, “Can we get back to talking about possibly inviting that werewolf for sex?”

I grew up dreaming of Camelot and King Arthur and still love well-written tales steeped in mythological lore. Morgan has been blamed over the centuries for turning on his protege, King Arthur, but, in Spellbinder, we learn that this was not by Morgan’s choice. Aspects of the Wild Hunt where Azrael, aka Lord Death, leads the baying hounds at the year’s end are also interestingly incorporated herein.

Spellbinder is exhilarating, addictive, gripping, romantically delicious, magical perfection! This is not a book to pick up when you need your sleep. Seriously, I was unable to put it down until I’d read the last word. LOL, for me, that was at three am a few nights ago. If you enjoy superb paranormal romances that take you on a wild fun ride melding fantasy with Arthurian elements, Spellbinder should absolutely be on your must-read list. I wouldn't hesitate to read it again. I can't wait to read Lionheart, the next exciting adventure in this imaginatively awesome series, coming in early 2018!

My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there!

Spellbinder is the second book in Thea Harrison's Elder Races spin-off series. This time around our antagonist from Moonshadow, Morgan, takes center stage as our hero.

Morgan la Fae has been ensared in a geas set by Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court, for centuries. After taking an injury from events that transpired in the first book, Morgan is sent away from the Court to heal. For the first time in all too long Morgan knows freedom, at least partial freedom. He's determined to do anything to see that his time away from the Court and Isabeau's influence. While away he discovers the wonderful music of Sidonie Martel. When Sid is kidnapped and taken to Avalon as a ploy to force Morgan's hand, he'll finally be forced to face his demons.

Sid is living the life she's always hoped for. Being a professional violinist was her dream, and being on tour allows her to stretch her wings and play the music she wants to play. But when she's kidnaped and transported to Avalon, she'll come to rely not only on her own cunning and determination to survive, but on the kindness of an unknown man who she begins to begrudgingly have feelings for. But when her very life depends on her talent, she'll discover that she holds the determination of her fate in her own hands.

I really loved the way that Thea Harrison turned Morgan from the villain in the first book into the anti-hero of sorts in Spellbinder. I wasn't really expecting Morgan to be the next character to get a story, but I was really drawn into his past. I loved the connection made within Arthurian legend. It's an interesting turn from the main Elder Races series, and kind of solidifies itself on it's own merits as a series, not just being a spin-off series.

Also, I loved Sid's strength and determination considering everything she is put through after she is taken to Avalon. Many would break under much kinder circumstances, but Sid will not give up, and I liked that a lot about her character. But, on the other hand, I also felt like this determination kept me from always liking her character. I found her to be a bit combative and not exactly nice sometimes. I know that she has no reason to be kind to those who took her, but not everyone that Sid encounters is evil. Some do show her kindness, but I didn't feel that same reciprocation from Sid, and it kept me from being one hundred percent behind her character oftentimes throughout the story.

I did enjoy the "masked" or "faceless" love interest in which the relationship between Morgan and Sid starts out. I was reminded of both Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera at certain times. This tactic helps build up the connection between Morgan and Sid, so when they finally decide to make that next step in their relationship you are just as ready as they are for things to move forward.

Overall, I really enjoyed Spellbinder. Despite not being completely on board with Sid's character, Morgan definitely shined throughout the entire book. I look forward to seeing where things go next. There are definitely quite a few secondary characters that I'd like to see get their own book, and a couple of those are anti-heroes just like Morgan. So far, despite being a spin-off series, the Moonshadow series stand well on it's own.

Wow. Spellbinder had me running a gamut of emotions. I was absolutely elated when I scored an arc, thrilled when I found out Morgan was the hero (I just knew there was more to him than we were being told) and a bit bummed when circumstances made it to where I could not start it as soon as it landed on my iPad. And yes, I was excited when I could FINALLY begin reading it.

It started out well, and I got a little thrill when it described the Djinn that popped into Sid’s concerts. I adore the Djinn and have since I met Khalil in Oracle’s Moon, a book within the Elder Races series. Then it happened. I never knew sweet little broken Puck would do something to make me so angry with him, but he did. His desperate play had me shouting at my iPad “Oh No, Puck, No!”.

Morgan won me completely over early on in the story. As we got more and more of his story and how truly evil Isabeau is, my heart broke. I loved Morgan. He was so very strong to not crack under the pressure of all that had been done to him. Ms. Harrison had an interesting/fascinating take on the story of Camelot and what brought it down.

What happened to Sid was horrid. She lost her entire world. After being kidnapped she did everything she was warned against and this did not end well for her. Broken both physically and mentally she imploded after being thrown in a dungeon and forgotten. This is when my frustration hit.

At this point of the story, I went from being happily immersed in a great story to feeling bogged down in a frustrating cyclic spiral. Sid was stuck in that horrid dungeon and Morgan’s situation began to feel more and more hopeless. I felt like I was in an inescapable lather, rinse, repeat cycle. In the midst of this, I realized how completely obtuse Sid could be. Holy cow, that woman just could not understand nor accept the phrase “It would be too dangerous to tell you”. I wanted to reach into my iPad and jackslap her to remind her of what was at stake.

I was now broken hearted for a whole other reason. A book I had longed to read was imploding in front of me. I even put it down and read another book. Finally, I girded my loins and dove back in. I decided no matter how I felt about this particular book, I would continue on with the series because usually Ms. Harrison’s books are freaking awesome. And that’s when the tide turned.

Things picked up, hope was restored, and I was rejoicing that I’d finally gotten out of that dark Dr. Seuss-ish useless waiting place that I found myself in for over 30% of the book. Finally, the four wheel drive of this particular book kicked in and traction not only was achieved, those wheels dug in and took me on the bumpy, thrilling ride I had been craving!

Spellbinder may have floundered a bit, but dang did it finish strong.

What happened to Merlin of the Arthurian legend is given it’s own Elder Race universe spin in Thea Harrison’s newest book Spellbinder (Moonshadow #2). The evil Morgan le Fae is the main character in this newest book in the Moonshadow paranormal romance series, which takes place in the same universe as Harrison’s Elder Race series. Harrison over several novellas and books has established Morgan as the deadly muscle of Queen Isabeau of The Light Fae. She will do anything and everything in her power to eliminate her perceived enemies, even trying to kill her twin sister. Isabeau has been portrayed as narcissistic, insane, and ruthless. To accomplish her goals she used Morgan le Fae the leader of her Hounds to make war on her enemies. Morgan even as a secondary character in the series has been penned as a complex character, and in this book his complexities and reasons are fleshed out when his life coincides with the non magical wholly human violinist Sidonie Martle. In Sidonie, Harrison writes a musically talented heroine that has more than normal human frailties, as she suffers from OCD. Morgan and Sidonie’s worlds crash into one another because of the sprite Robin, a character first introduced in Moonshadow. Robin as a character in Moonshadow brought me to tears, he was such a wounded and tortured character. The tears for Robin, in this book still fell, despite his using Sidonie horridly. He is a character that utterly breaks my heart, and I hope that someday he finds the peace he needs in the Moonshadow series.

In Spellbinder there are bad guys a plenty, as the entire court has been under Isabeau thumb, and they truly know no other way to live. The romance of Sidonie and Morgan isn’t thrust upon the readers and Harrison does a good job in letting it unfold naturally, which made the love story very believable. For longtime readers of the Elder Race series Dragos does make an appearance and a few series mysteries are still in play, as we all know Dragos lost some of his memories.

To be brutally honest, I thought after reading Moonshadow that Harrison was losing her mojo. Moonshadow wasn’t my favorite of her books. Even a not favorite book by Harrison is better than most other author’s books. As a reader I didn’t connect to the romance between Sophie and Nick. I was worried. I have seen other fabulous authors slide into mediocrity, as they try to hold onto a series after their expiration dates. Some series curdle like milk long after the sell by date while others sour slowly. Fortunately despite me not connecting with Sophie in Moonshadow Harrison’s MOJO is scintillatingly intact, praise the Elder Race gods. Infact this book is one of her best for the stunning romance; not since Pia and Dragos has a couple so ensorcelled me as a reader.

5 - "I was broken, and broken again, until I became someone else..." Stars!

Thea Harrison takes her readers back to the Moonshadow series with the second book; Spellbinder giving us Morgan Le Fae’s story.

There are so many things I can say about this book, it literally grabs you by the eye-balls and keeps you in its spell until the end. This isn’t your typical fantasy/pnr book, the author literally covers all bases and then some.

"What was healed can be rebroken…"

I think the other good thing is that although part of a series you can definitely read it as a standalone, because apart from Robin the puck I don’t recall any of the other characters involved having any major part of the first book. The story does follow on in the extent that The Queen of the Light Court is one of the main players this time, whereas she was sort of a secondary problem in the first book Moonshadow.

You will regret doing this to me. I will make sure of it…

I found it difficult initially to warm to Sidonie Martel at the start, although the situation she finds herself in, and the things she goes through after her kidnapping are quite disturbing, she still acted a little rashly at points, that-said though it was this behaviour that bought about some of the pivotal points in the story.

Sooner or later all the pieces would come together and she would fifure out who he was.

Her initial meeting with Morgan, and the virtual anonymity that then blossomed into a whole lot more gave this couple such a great depth, which added gravitas to everything that happened in the latter stages of the story.

There was no surviving some loves. No matter what happened to the love affair, whether it flourished or failed, those loves struck mortal blows one carried for the rest of one’s life. This love… this love was like that.

This is a battle of good against evil, the dark and light, those that were initially thought of as enemies eventually become allies. The players are so seamlessly moved around on the chess-board of the story that you are poised for disaster after each and every move that is made, it was a thrill-ride where you have no clue as to what may follow up next.

"The tide of war has shifted…"

And all of this played out around an absolutely captivating love story. I couldn’t predict how Thea would bring this couple together in the long term, and I absolutely adored the last couple of chapters because of it.

"I will come back."

Outstanding read, I cannot wait for Lionheart to be released in 2018, the author has me hooked!

SPELLBINDER is the second installment in Thea Harrison’s contemporary, adult MOONSHADOW paranormal/fantasy trilogy-a spin off from the author’s EDLER RACES series. This is sorcerer/lycanthrope Morgan le Fae, and musician Sidonie Martel’s story line. SPELLBINDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Morgan le Fae has been a troubling character throughout a number of the Elder Races installments, and SPELLBINDER reveals the true extent of Morgan’s leashed confinement.

Told from dual third person points of view (Sidonie and Morgan) SPELLBINDER is loosely based in the Arthurian legend of Morgan Le Fay- a powerful sorceress whose name is also synonymous with Welsh folklore of shapeshifting myth.

For hundreds of years Morgan le Fae has been cursed to serve the sadistic and evil Queen Isabeau of the Light Court but her most recent acquisition, a human female and musician Sidonie Martel, finds Morgan attempting to usurp the curse byway of carefully treading around the rules that govern his cursed existence. Tortured and imprisoned, Sidonie will be befriended by a man she knows nothing about but a man with powers that can be used for nefarious purpose. What ensues is the forbidden but building relationship between Sidonie and Morgan le Fae, and their struggle to break Morgan free of Queen Isabeau’s control.

SPELLLBINDER is a slow building storyline and relationship between two people thrown together by fate and circumstance. Sidonie is an award winning musician and Morgan has fallen in love with both the woman and her music. Discovering Sidonie has been imprisoned by the Queen of the Light Court Morgan tries desperately to make Sidonie’s life a little more comfortable while he struggles to find a way to set free them both.

Thea Harrison weaves folklore, myth and magic blending the Elder Races with the Moonshadow trilogy hinting at the origins of the Elder Races themselves. From fae to lycanthrope, sorcerers to dragons, gods to humans, the world of the supernatural comes alive when Thea Harrison puts pen to paper. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are colorful, dynamic and strong; the romance is seductive and intense. SPELLBINDER is a wonderful and exciting installment in Thea Harrison’s MOONSHADOW trilogy.

I generously received a digital ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the moment I read the first page, I was hooked and couldn't seem to stop reading. I've always been fascinated with the Fae, Avalon and King Arthur Legends which was in this book along with Thea's own unique spin to myths mixed with the modern world.

Sidonie Martel (Sid) is a very gifted musician whose parents encouraged her gift from a young age and worked hard to ensure she had every opportunity to succeed. She loves getting lost in her music especially with a violin in her hand and forgetting about her OCD tendencies, akwardness around most people and other troubles.
Morgan is a lycanthrope who was turned against his will by the petty Queen Isabeau of the Light Fae and has been under her control for centuries. He was once a very powerful human who helped a young boy become King but then was betrayed by Isabeau. Due to a geas, he's unable to pay her back for her deceit, offer help to prisoners or do anything unless Isabeau allows it.

When he becomes injured after a battle, he does everything he can to be free of Isabeau as long as possible when she sends him away and hopes to find a way to become free of her completely. He happens to hear Sid perform one night in London and finds himself drawn in a way he hasn't felt in centuries though his life is about to become even more complicated.

A foe who seeks to drive a wedge between Morgan and the Queen without being aware of what's behind the bond decides to kidnap Sid and in disguise manages to give her as a tribute to the Queen.

Sid becomes fed up with the treatment which ends up badly for her and it will take the unexpected help of a certain Magic Man as she calls him to find a way out of the terrible situation. She has no idea who he really is because he won't give a name at first for fear it could go badly for the two of them but Sid is tenacious and is determined not only to find out his name but to help him be free of the Queen.

Things become even more complicated as the story goes on but I don't want to spoil things. Let's just say that it's so worth reading to find out and some of it may be shocking.

This book was full of a fascinating mix of adventure, magic, steaminess, humor, mystery and the power of love. I'm so glad to have read this book and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I absolutely loved MOONSHADOW, the first book in the series, so when I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of SPELLBINDER, I jumped at the chance! I was a little concerned though, Morgan has made appearances in previous Elder Races books and he was a total jerk (putting it kindly). I honestly didn’t think he had any redeeming qualities… until I started reading the book. Wow!

It was really great getting to see a different side of Morgan. He’s not just some cold, calculating villain with evil coursing through his veins. He, like Sidonie, are victims of circumstance. Morgan is controlled by Isabeau—Queen of the Light Fae Court—and forced to obey her commands and enforce her brutal edicts. The only time Morgan has known true comfort in all these years of slavery is hearing Sidonie’s music.

Sidonie (Sid) is a freakin’ rock star, literally and figuratively. She’s enjoyed tons of success as a musician and leads a very fast-paced lifestyle. She also has some major OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) issues; which don’t get any easier when she’s kidnapped by some weird otherworldly guy and thrown into the Light Fae Court. I loved Sid’s character. She’s strong, resilient and very resourceful. I admired her strength and her honor. I want to be her!

Morgan and Sid are great together. He was her voice in the darkness telling her not to give up and providing what comfort he could to the terrified woman who not-so-easily captured his heart. Their romance is fast, fierce and forged in a passion so fiery the flames will never extinguish.

SPELLBINDER is everything I hoped for and so much more! I can’t wait to find out what Ms. Harrison has in store for us next!

I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Book two in the Moonshadow trilogy/series not sure which one yet though Goodreads implies it is a trilogy. I have to admit that while this book was really good it fell short of the excellence of the first book. For this installment we get to know Morgan a whole lot better which is nice since he had such a pivotal role in the first book as the bad guy. We find out that he only does what Isabeau tells him because he is forced to by magic. He fights it as much as he can, but has to cave eventually. When he is injured at the end of book one the Queen orders him to go away until he is healed so he disappears. Morgan uses the time as a chance for him to research how to get out from under her control. Things are going great until he goes to a music show to see Sidonie Martel perform and he becomes obsessed with her. Of course Robin (the puck) decides this makes her the perfect person to use to break Morgan and Isabeau apart (he is unaware of the magical control issue). Once Morgan finds out he is kidnapped the rest of the book is pent keeping them both safe and finding a way out of the horrible situation they are both in. The magical twists and turns are pretty awesome and I enjoyed the development of the arching story line though they constant woe is me was getting to me after awhile. There is a nice little twist at the end that I did not see coming. Overall this is a really good paranormal/fantasy romance novel. I give it 4/5 stars.

Morgan Le Fae has been doing bad things for centuries. He is under a geas to obey Queen Isabeau of the Light Fae. He must comply with her commands unless he can find a way around this geas he is under. He was not always a feared and bad man. Isabeau has found a way to bind him to her through a knife and geas. After his latest quest Morgan is gravely injured and the Queen forbids him to return until he is healed. Morgan for the first time is free of the queen until he heals, a freedom he wants to savor.

While recuperating he hears of a concert by a talented musician. Sidonie Martel is a famous violin virtuoso and quirky human. She has a few OCD qualities, as indeed we are all flawed in some way. Sidonie’s music calms Morgan. Her music almost lets him forget his obligations and he is quickly following her concerts all over Europe.

Sidonie is kidnapped and delivered to the Queen. Morgan must help rescue her. It was his fault she was kidnapped, his interest in her was noticed.

This book grabbed my interest immediately. Morgan was the evil hand of Isabeau in the first book of this trilogy, Moonshadow series. We find out about Morgan and why he is under a spell/geas. He does not want to obey the Queen and finds ways to circumvent the spell. Sidonie is a flawed human that is so talented that Djinn flock to hear her music. Sidonie needs Morgan as she is tortured and imprisoned. These characters are very compelling and the story is a new twist on Arthurian legends set in the Elder World. Literally, it was hard to put down. The music had magic that started a relationship between Morgan and Sidonie.
I highly recommend this second book and eagerly await the next one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thea Harrison has created a world that I’ve grown to love in her Elder Races novels. The Moonshadow series is a spin off from the Elder Races, so the world and mythology are the same and if you are a fan of those novels as I am it’s easy to jump right in and feel at home. Spellbinder is the story of a famous violinist, Sidoni Martel, who is kidnapped after a concert and left with the light court as tribute to their Queen. This was done to punish Morgan Le Fae, the Queen’s sorceror and huge fan of Sidonie’s. As a human Sidonie is at the whim of this evil queen who punishes her with torture and time in the dungeon. This is where Morgan finds, heals and falls in love with Sidonie. This is also where the story gets interesting. There is more to Morgan’s story than we’ve been led to believe and in order for these two to be together they have a huge hurtle to overcome.

This story was not unique, it played on the legend of King Arthur and even the Devil and Daniel Webster, however it was imbued with such passion between Morgan and Sidonie that I threw away those moments of similarity and rooted for them as a couple. In Moonshadow, the first book in this series, we see a little of Morgan, and he is a bad guy in that novel, as well as in some of the Elder Races books. I had a moment or two of doubt that the author could turn my feelings around, but he was paired with Sidonie who I loved from the first note she played and she easily swayed me to their side.

The reason I read romance novels is for that fantasy element of true love and grand passion. If I can’t believe in the couple the story falls flat. The relationship in this story had heart and Sidonie and Morgan fought ferociously to be together. I love that in a romance!

The Moonshadow series is getting more and more intriguing with each couple that’s introduced. I loved the first book, Moonshadow, and readers met Morgan as he was doing his best to inflict pain on Nikolas, his brotherhood and Sophie. I was kind of surprised when Spellbinder was Morgan’s book, but I should have trusted Thea Harrison to prove that nothing is quite as it seems.

Unlike Sophie, Sidonie was totally human with no power whatsoever. What she did have was her music, an unwillingness to give up and a strategic mind that saved her more than once. Even with all of that, she never would have had a chance if it weren’t for Morgan.

After reading Moonshadow, I never expected to like Morgan, much less sympathize with him. He didn’t win me over immediately, but it didn’t take long. Because of Sidonie’s intuitiveness, he finally had a little bit of hope and an ally he never expected.

There were a few twists and turns and things didn’t turn out exactly like either Sidonie and Morgan planned, but the path to a HEA isn’t always easy.

A few characters from previous books made some unexpected appearances and at least one of them made me want to go back and re-read one book in the Elder Races series (if not more.) Those appearances also proved that things are bound to get even more interesting as the Moonshadow series progresses. I can’t wait ?

I received Spellbinder in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved, loved, loved this story so freaking much! In the 2nd installment of the Moonshadow series we have the story of the wickedly bad Morgan and the virtuoso OCD having, violinist Sidonie. This was a beautiful tale. Reminiscent of King Arthur and Merlin. Sidonie is kidnapped by Robin, the puck, mentioned in the first book. Robin believes by kidnapping Sidonie and taking her to Avalon, Morgan will have to dissolve his relationship with Queen Isabeau of the Light Fae court. In the last book we get a hint that Morgan is not acting on his own accord. Poor Sidonie is treated as a slave and suffers an agony beyond her imagination. Once Morgan catches wind of what has happened to her he hastens to help her out as much as he can. We do find out that for centuries Morgan has been trapped by a spell so strong he cannot break free of it. The Queen controlled his every move and he did not have any free will. Sidonie is able to strengthen her resolve with Morgan's help and gain the Queen's favor, so that she may survive. Filled with suspense, hot scorching sex scenes and action so intense, I was glued to each word. I loved this story more than the first and found Sidonie extremely smart and quick witted. She did what she had to do survive, all the while she was plotting to get out of there. In the end, Sidonie and Morgan fall in love deeply and Morgan with the help of Sidonie and a certain god, is able to find an out of the geas he was under. Great read! Enjoyed every minute of it.

Diving into a new Elder Races novel always reminds me how very much I love this series. I adore how the mythology has expanded beyond the US Wyr and I get a kick out of the twisted politics of the Dark and Light Fae courts.

Did I say twisted? Because Isabeau's lust to be perceived as the best, the most beautiful, the greatest power in her land is messed up. She's arrogant and cruel and she's messing with forces even she can barely comprehend.

And Morgan hates her. Every act of cruelty, every time she goes off the rails and rants and raves only deepens his hatred. What she does to Sidonie is the last straw for Morgan. BUT...with the Queen's chains still binding him, he's not able to do much to help Sid. It's a terrible place for him to be in and he can't see a way out.

Sid's quick mind and almost obsessive nature gives Morgan options he didn't have before. Her ability to work things out and take leaps of faith pushes him. And they are sweetly fantastic together. While trusting Morgan seems like a bad idea on the surface (and given what we know about the Queen's ability to control him), Sid does just that. She trusts him and opens up a world of possibilities for them.

I'm still in love with this world and I was tickled to see a familiar face pop up. Things are in motion and I CAN'T WAIT to see where the next adventure takes us.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

Retellings of King Arthur's tale were my first introduction to fantasy as a kid, and it was pleasant coming back to them in a very modern, sexy, gender bending way. Morgan le Fae is briefly introduced in MOONSHADOW, but SPELLBINDER wastes no time establishing him as a hero doing his best under torturous circumstances.

SPELLBINDER intertwines several rather tricky elements, any of which may be a deal breaker for a reader with personal experience, but I liked how Harrison tried to ground what overcomes centuries old magic in the human, mundane world. Sid's lifelong struggle with OCD has given her coping methods that she applied during her captivity. Morgan's lifetime of magical enslavement was a consistent battle of wills and semantics, as he searches for every inch of freedom within his bonds. There is a lot of exploration of consent and free will, though sometimes the issue feels like it is brought up just so the characters can brush it aside.

Don't take any of these quibbles to mean that I didn't thoroughly enjoy reading SPELLBINDER. While the reality of Morgan's enslavement was repugnant, that gave his arc emotional weight. Sid was my main interest in the story, as her very human abilities made her triumphs all the more relatable and impressive. Harrison's excellent characters and attention to detail in her plot are apparent in this quick, sexy read.

Sexual Content: Sex scenes.

Review: SPELLBINDER (Moonshadow Book 2) by Thea Harrison
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars

I loved SPELLBINDER! This is the second book in Thea Harrison's Moonshadow Trilogy that is set in the Elder Races World. You don't need to read the Elder Races Series before starting this one, but I would recommend reading book one in the Moonshadow Trilogy, MOONSHADOW, before starting book two. Each book features a different couple and can be read as standalone though. SPELLBINDER is a Morgan, a sorcerer/ werewolf and Sidonie, a human musician's book. Morgan was one of the villains in book one and even faced off with Dragos in the Elder Races Series, but he's definitely hero material in this book. I love a good villain to hero storyline. SPELLBINDER was full of danger, mystery, magic and smoking hot romance. Thea Harrison is a master world builder and I loved her take on Avalon! I highly recommend this exciting and unique paranormal series. I'm obsessed with this series and I can't wait for the next book!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Way better than the fist installment in this series. This novel eventually told us the story of Morgan Le Fae, whom we have met before in other installments of the Elder Races series and in the first book of Moonshadow. He is not a complicated character, but his story is and I have enjoyed that a lot, also because there are hints about who was his king ;). Sid is also interesting in her being a person with serious mental issues, and that is something you don't meet so often in paranormal romance.

Molto meglio del primo volume della serie, questo romanzo ci racconta, infine, la storia di Morgan Le Fae, che abbiamo incontrato in altri romanzi della serie Elder Races e nel primo volume di Moonshadow. Non é un personaggio complicato, ma la sua storia invece sí e mi é piaciuta parecchio, anche perché ci sono chiari indizi su chi fosse il suo RE. Anche Sid non é male come personaggio, soprattutto perché ha dei problemi psichici, che non é una cosa che s'incontra spesso nei paranormal romance.

Wow! What an amazing read. Thea Harrison never disappoints!

Picking up after the events of Moonshadow, this story follows Morgan of the Fae, and his struggles under his cruel captor Isabeau. An injury sees him granted some free time to recover and Morgan wastes no time taking advantage of Isabeau's carelessly worded order. Morgan then discovers the talented musician, Sidonie - a human with a gift for music. He can't keep away and follows her tour every night. But someone from Morgan's not so distant past is also watching and uses Morgan's new obsession to lure him into a trap.

Sidonie, now kidnapped and held captive in Isabeau's castle is fighting to survive. A mortal woman trapped in a magical world she has nothing to fight back with except her music. But the mysterious stranger that visits her cell every night gives her hope for survival. Little does she know he is the most dangerous one of all...

Intrigued? You should be! This had me flipping the pages demanding to know what happened next. this is an amazing series and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Morgan le Fae, captive and enslaved for hundreds of years by the evil Queen Isabeau of the Light Court and who commands her deadly Hounds, is an extremely powerful sorcerer who despises the Queen he serves. Morgan is bound by the magical restraints of the Azrael's Athame, the Death's Knife with a Deadly Power, stolen and worn by the Queen.
Sidonie Martel, a human who didn't have a spark of magic but a gifted violinist, was kidnapped by Robin, for the sole reason that Morgan took an interest in her and her music. Robin who felt betrayed by Morgan, offered Sidonie to Isabeau..
The rescue and eventually the freedom of both Sidonie and Morgan were all the action I was hoping for, plenty of hair-raising and heart-rending moments.
Thea Harrison has invented characters who can each hold their own in the magical world. This new series has a new breath of life independent of the elder Races, though characters are recurring. Excellent writing as usual. Five stars.
I am grateful for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review. All opinions are mine.

In this book, we're introduced to Sid an amazingly talented violinist that catches the musical eye of Morgan. Bad move. There are so many people after him they are just itching for a way to take him down. Especially Puck aka Robin.
Puck wants revenge. And he is going to use Sid to get it.
Sid wants Morgan's freedom just as much as she wants her own. Cue the edge of your seat tension. We discover who and what is holding Morgan hostage and we already know who is holding Sid hostage. What we don't know is how to free both of them. Talk about biting your nails pulling your hair out tension. I honestly could barely read fast enough I was so invested in their freedom and hoping the antagonists got their comeuppance. The story itself was not predictable and I liked the fact that there weren't characters from previous series books. This book was all about Sid and Morgan. Definitely a good addition to the series and to the author's repertoire.

This makes for a great adventure romance even if you're not into Arthurian legend. This is only loosely connected to legend as it involves Morgan ( instead of Morgana) le Fae who was the villain of Moonshadow. I didn't want to read this book because I was sure that Morgan was unredeemably wicked but darned if the skillful Ms. Harrison didn't change my mind. The plot is at times heart wrenching because she succeeds in developing characters who seem real and flawed and so much more relatedable that way, for all of their other superlative abilities. The resolution created new problems and I appreciated that Ms. Harrison took the time to carefully work out a satisfying denouement.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable story.

Morgan Le Fae is a really intriguing character, he's the ultimate baddie in the first of this series and I was surprised how much I liked him He had a real air of mystery around him for me so I was glad to find out that he was a truly decent person.

Sidonie Martel I found really smart and really sassy. I love a heroine with abit of a temper, i always enjoy the verbal sparring between the lead characters. They had great chemistry together.

Puck is a brilliant side character, he seems such a sad soul I'm looking forward to learning much more about him.

Took me a little while to get into the story but once I did I couldn't put it down. It delves much deeper into the Light and Dark Fae courts and I had a better understanding of the politics involved. Isabeau was just vile and so were those surrounding her.

I'm really looking forward to the next book.

Spellbinder: Moonshadow, Book 2
Written by: Thea Harrison
Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake
This may be book two but it can be read as a stand alone. This is an incredible book about a musician that is kidnapped because a fae named Morgan, who is bound magically by the evil Queen, likes her. She is given to the Queen. Morgan is furious and tries to save her without the Queen knowing about it. Morgan has to do anything the Queen says and is afraid if the Queen finds out, she will make him kill the girl. It is an action packed, suspense filled, romance, fantasy, magic, fae and other creatures, awesome book. I loved this book! It is an audible book and the narration was truly wonderful. It is a woman narrator but the deep husky voices are done perfectly too! Wow, great job. Loved the story and narration! Don't miss this story. Morgan is in the first book as a bad guy but now you see why!

I buy everything of Thea Harrison's the minute it comes out. I love her Elder Races series and have been waiting impatiently for the next one. Spellbinder tells us about Morgan le Fae who, if you're familiar with the series, has shown up and caused problems for both Dragos and Pia in california, and for the Dark Fae in England. I would say from reading this, he's also based on an amalgamation of Merlin and Morgana in the King Arthur legends. You find out more also about Queen isabeau of the light fae, and maybe, why she's quite so crazy.
This story follows Captain of the Hounds Morgan le Fae dealing with his wounds from the battle at the end of the last book - Moonshadow, and reporting back to Queen Isabeau of the Light Fae and being ordered to stay away from her till he is healed. Morgan sees this as his chance to be away from her and the geas she holds over him. He travels to England and happens to go to a concert given by Sidonie Martel, a famous violinist. He is extremely touched by her music and begins to go to her every concert, but Isabeau's Hounds aren't the only ones searching for him. Sid is seen as a way to hurt Morgan, and perhaps cause division between Isabeau and her famous Captain. Morgan had to find a way to save Sid without ending up back in Isabeau's clutches himself.
I really liked the book, but for me, it just didn't have the magic of the first book of this new sub series in the Elder Races stories. I have read Moonshadow over and over again and it has never lost RA magi, the same with the original group of Elder Races books. This one, I read, then I skimmed over it again and I don't see myself revisiting much. It was good, it just didn't grab me the way most of this author's books do. That being said, I can't wait to find out what comes next in the series. I really hope we get to see Isabeau's final comeuppance.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
Spellbinder by Thea Harrison is book 2 in the new spin-off elder races series.

I loved Moonshadow, though honestly not as much as her previous books. It was a solid 4 for me - good enough to want the next book, but not quite an all-time favorite. However, I'm happy to say that Spellbinder surpassed Moonshadow in my mind, and I can't wait for book 3 now!

Main character Morgan Le Fae caught my attention in the previous book, and I was curious to see why such an amazingly powerful sorcerer apparently betrayed his friends and switched sides to serve the evil fairy queen Isabeau (who you just want to strangle). It's obviously immediately in the book that he's bound by a spell, and that he's been fighting for his freedom for a LONG time. I loved Morgan - everything about him - and would be happy to have a series of just him.

Sidonie is a world-famous human musician who is kidnapped and dumped in the light fairy kingdom. She pisses off Isabeau and gets dumped in the dungeon, and that's where our main characters meet, when he goes to find her, Sidonie took a little longer to grow on me than Morgan - she had a touch of TSTL, Mary sue-ishness about her when the book began. She did improve vastly, and I could get behind their romance, but I wish she'd been a little less perfect and a little more savvy from the get-go. That's the half a star, honestly.

The main conflict is how Morgan tries to help her within the confines of his spell, and how they start to fall for each other even though they know he could be ordered to betray or even kill her at any time. The conflict was well-balanced, and the relationship was mature and evolved at a satisfactory pace.

Ultimately, Spellbinder left me very satisfied. There are little things I'd change (Sidonie constantly thinking about how she'd been privileged in her human-world life seemed a tonely odd thing to focus on when she was in a dungeon with crippled hands, for one), but over all I was highly satisfied and have ordered a print copy for my personal library.
I received an e-arc from Thea Harrison in exchange for an honest review.

Morgan le Fan is a sorcerer bound by Queen Isabeau of the Light Court to do whatever she tells him to. She has used him for centuries to do terrible things, things that he hates her for and would give anything to see her destroyed but the geas by which she has him bound prevents him from doing so.

Sidonie Martel is world famous musician. After being hurt by a silver blade, Morgan escapes to Earth from Avalon to heal from his wounds. He attends a concert by Sidonie and becomes enthralled with her music. Morgan is being watched though, and a soon Sidonie is kidnapped and taken to Avalon in an attempt to pit Morgan against Isabeau.

Every single time I read a Thea Harrison book I think there is no way I’m going to love this one as much as the last one. I won’t love it like I do Dragos, or Rune, or Khalil (possibly my favorite). And every single time I do. I don’t know how she does it, but it’s the reason she is one of my favorite authors.

I felt like this book started out a little slow, but once it took off it was amazing. Morgan has been forced to do horrible things, but once he meets Sidonie he realizes he must find away to break the geas on him or they will never be together. Even though Sidonie is trapped in a very bleak situation, she never gives up hope of breaking free. I absolutely love these together! Morgan is so sweet to Sidonie, and even though she has OCD, Sidonie never gives up or gives in. They are probably my favorite couple other than Dragos/Pia and Grace/Khalil.



Spellbinder is the second book in the Moonshadow Trilogy.

Disclaimer – I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Kidnapped while on tour, musician Sidonie Martel is transported to the mystical land of Avalon. A human without magical ability, she is completely vulnerable to the deadly forces surrounding her.
When she defies her captors and refuses to share her music, an act of violent cruelty leaves her broken, her ability to play silenced, maybe forever. Her only hope is a whisper in the dark, gentle hands that offer healing, and a man who refuses to show her his face yet who offers advice she dare not ignore.
One of the most feared and powerful sorcerers in history, Morgan le Fae serves a Queen he despises, Isabeau of the Light Court. Once a famous bard and an advisor to kings, Morgan has been enslaved to Isabeau for hundreds of years, acting as enforcer and the commander of her deadly Hounds.
Sidonie's music touches Morgan in places he had abandoned centuries ago, and her fiery spirit resurrects feelings he had believed long dead. For Sidonie, trapped in captivity, passion offers a comfort she cannot resist.
But Isabeau holds Morgan bound in magical chains that only Death can break. And in the court of a cruel, jealous Queen, the only thing that burns hotter than love is revenge...

This is the second book in the trilogy in the Elder Races world. I’ve read the first one (Moonshadow) and was immediately intrigued by the description of Morgan. So I was very happy to learn that he would be the hero in this book.
Morgan is really the centre of the book. He is a very fleshed out character with a tragic back-story and a geas on him that forces him to do Queen Isabeau’s bidding. I loved how he manages to find the boundaries of his geas and help who he can.
Sidonie (Sid) is a somewhat less intriguing character. She is an musician with OCD. That’s how she is at the start of the book, and only through her trials and tribulations she’ll grow a backbone and learns to think before she acts. The way she skirts around truth sense was brilliant. Also I loved the way TH colluded to the Orpheus myth. [spoiler] To play for your hearts desire [spoiler]
I did love the way they are together. Morgan helps Sid out of love for her music and she accepts his help because she has no other protector. But soon they begin to love each other and they built a relationship based on trust, my favorite kind. I liked that Sid rescues Morgan in the end and the way things are handled.
The Light Fae court at Avalon is a snake pit and beautifully drawn. Isabeau and Modred are made for each other and well worth hating. I hope the third book wil also play in the Fae world as it’s intriguing Arthurian world.

PS
I have to admit I love it when there is a character with my name in a book. Even if she’s “a notorious gossip” . And when she’s mentioned a second time a have a little hope she will be in the next book!

Spellbinder is the second book in the Moonshadow series, a spinoff of the Elder Races books. Thea Harrison has penned another hit that adds to the Elder Races world. If you have enjoyed any of the previous Elder Race's books, then you will love Spellbinder.

Morgan le Fae, the unwilling lapdog of the Light Fae Queen, Isabeau, is looking for an escape from his centuries long enslavement. After a careless command issued by Isabeau, he has time away from her constant demands and hopefully time to find a way to gain his freedom. While on his hiatus he develops a fascination for musician Sidonie Martel, which will forever change her life.

Sidonie, a talented musician gets dragged into a conflict that may end her career and consequently her life. Abducted and whisked away to Avalon, she must learn to survive by any means necessary. Even if it means giving in to the whims of a narcissistic queen.

Morgan and Sidonie are book royalty. They are as wonderful a match as Dragos and Pia or Grace and Khalil (basically every Elder Races couple).

The only disappointment I experienced was with Robin's flawed logic. I understand that our wonderful puck Robin was terribly wounded physically and emotionally in the first book, but Sidonie was just as innocent as Sophie in this war. Thankfully, Robin attempted to make amends for his misdeeds. If you think about this dynamic character you will find the key to Thea's stories. No one character is all good or all bad. They are often the victim of circumstances and as "human" as a member of the Elder races can get.

As a wonderful bonus, fans of her previous books will find a revelation about Dragos postulated in Oracle's Moon given more credibility. (I will not post a spoiler, you have to read both books to figure it out.)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.