Spellbound (The Grimnoir Chronicles)

This is an amazing series. Adding magic to the thirties and then changing history in subtle ways is great fun. I also like how one of the over-arching plots in the book is very similar to the Marvel mutant plot. Normals vs Magicals.

The story and characters are fantastic, as in the first book. However, the book is riddled with typographical errors and, unfortunately, that is extremely distracting. I would have given 5 stars of the editing were better.

a good book to have in the throneroom..especially after 4th of July bad barbecue and you need to sit longer than usual..i worked in the dairy business at one time and been in the described local area several times...the author speaks from experience

Ok series. Nothing as good as the "Monster Hunter International" series. Interesting ideas and concepts for a sci fi. Unfortunately, my mark of a great or even good book is whether I'd read it again, and this series would get a no.

Ok series. Nothing as good as the "Monster Hunter International" series. Interesting ideas and concepts for a sci fi. Unfortunately, my mark of a great or even good book is whether I'd read it again, and this series would get a no.

What an amazing year for author Larry Correia. First the release of Hard Magic, book one of the Grimnoir Chronicles and an epic start to an epic new series. Then Monster Hunter Alpha, a novel featuring everyone's favorite werewolf Earl Harbinger. Next came Dead Six, a military thriller collaboration with Correia's close friend Mike Kupari. And now this, book two of the Grimnoir Chronicles: Spellbound.

How best to describe the Grimnoir Chronicles for someone yet to read Hard Magic? Take the X-Men. Then throw them into an alternate reality noir version of the 1930's. Instead of evolution though the super powers are granted by a vast alien entity that is part parasite/part galactic voyeur. Then add some guns. Scratch that. Add lots of guns. And airships. And Tesla super weapons. And robots. Then of course there is the growing threat of the Imperium, a Japanese empire that makes Hitler's Third Reich look cuddly. As if that weren't bad enough the United States government is moving toward a Registration Act for the magically active citizens that will surely trample all over individual freedom in the pursuit of "security and safety." Oh, and that vast alien entity that is enabling ordinary people extraordinary powers? It's being hunted by an even bigger alien entity that wants to devour it and all who come into contact with it.

The Grimnoir Society has a lot of trouble on its hands. Not only have they been framed for an assassination attempt on the President of the United States but they are still preparing for all out war against the Imperium. Heavy Jake Sullivan has been labeled Public Enemy Number One, and has lay low while a new secret policing force for dangerous magicals scours the country for him. Faye Vierra is still trying to recover from the massive amounts of magic she expended saving her allies at the end of Hard Magic. Enemies close in from all sides and the Society must fight to clear its name.

I wondered how any sequel could possibly top Hard Magic. I was honestly a little worried. The last fifty pages of Hard Magic are the most exciting moments of any book I have ever read and it seemed like an unlikely feat that Correia could top himself this time. I needn't have been concerned. Spellbound takes the world Correia built and makes it even more dangerous. Answers are given and even more questions arise. The characters continue to develop and progress. Jake is still guilt ridden by the death of a close friend but knows that he must set aside his grief to continue studying magic so that he can defeat the evil that is yet to come. Faye proves once again to be not just the most badass female, but character in general, in the entire Urban Fantasy genre. Another interesting development for Faye is the explanation for why her powers are so much greater than everyone else's. Correia writes these characters with such distinctive voices that they grow to be real people with real personalities.

Perhaps one of the best parts of Spellbound is the assembled cast of villains. There is no shortage of bad people in the alternate history world that Correia has imagined. From eugenic imperialists to thuggish law enforcers and political visionaries the Grimnoir Society has a colorful and interesting rogues gallery. Some of the villains even turn out to be uneasy allies, as an Iron Guard turned ronin has the potential to be one of the best characters in the entire series. Evil as they may be the villains are never bad solely for the sake of being bad. These corrupt characters have true motivation behind their actions and they prove to be an excellent foil for the forces of truth and justice.

The plot is very tightly woven across multiple perspectives encompassing the two main characters (Jake and Faye) as well as a number of the secondary cast. It is apparent that Correia loves writing this world just from the sheer soul and enthusiasm put into each page. The pacing is excellent and a dedicated reader will be sure to have the book finished in no time flat. Perhaps the best thing Spellbound accomplishes is that it sets the foundation for the next book in the series. Don't confuse this for typical middle book syndrome however. Spellbound tells a self contained story but prepares readers for even greater things to come.

And at last the action. The last fifty pages of Hard Magic encompass the greatest action scene ever written, hands down. Though Spellbound doesn't quite measure up it does provide insanely intense battles, culminating in a show down with an epic demon in Washington D.C. that is a real homage to King Kong. That is, if King Kong had fought the X-Men...and could fly...and breath fire...Needless to say Correia approaches the action with the same skill and dedication that makes all of his books so fiercely enjoyable to read. From gunfights to magic fights, there is a seamless choreography that is unmatched in its ferocity as well as its clarity.

Spellbound, book two of the Grimnoir Chronicles is an amazing story. As prequel to what I would consider the perfect book, Spellbound had a lot to live up to and it did not fail to impress. As great as Correia's Monster Hunter series is, the Grimnoir Chronicles is just better in every way. If you've read Hard Magic you will not be disappointed. If you haven't, go buy both right now. You can thank me later.

"You're Heavy Jake Sullivan, aren't you?"
"Yep."
"I was afraid of that."

Larry Correia delivers another exciting magical alternate history with Spellbound, the second of his GRIMNOIR CHRONICLES. After Jake Sullivan and the gang took care of the German zombies, the Japanese Iron Guard, and Nikola Tesla's peace ray in Hard Magic, the magicals are needed again to thwart new threats to the country. This is hard to do, though, after they've been framed for the attempted assassination of President Roosevelt. Public approval for magicals is low and opposition groups are organizing to march on Washington. FDR decides that magic must be regulated and proposes a new-deal-type law that will require all magicals to register with the government and wear an identification badge.

Meanwhile, after receiving a phone call from Hell, the Grimnoir recognize that there's a much greater magical threat that the American citizens are unaware of. Only the Grimnoir are equipped to handle it. Frustrated, they must take care of this alien evil while hiding from the government. Fortunately, they do have some really awesome magical powers, an unexpected powerful ally, and a lot of guns.

Once again, I'm surprised to find myself enjoying Larry Correia's testosterone-pumping, gun-toting, blood-spurting, heads-rolling story, but there's a lot more here than guns, guts and gore. There's a large diverse set of likeable and fully-developed fictional and real historical characters, an interesting historical backdrop, plenty of action and suspense, some blood-chilling moments, and a few quirky elements, too, such as an army of robots and a black hole.

There's also quite a bit of dark humor, which blends perfectly to lighten the mood just a bit when things get scary. I was always entertained by the scenes in which Lance takes over the body of an animal. I also love the adapted quotes at the beginning of the chapters, which put the story in its historical context. For example, one is from the New York Commissioner of Boxing who explains how, after Jack Johnson beat the Great White Hope, they bribed a referee and snuck in a Brute to end Johnson's career ("Gotta keep the sport pure, y'know?").

Bronson Pinchot's performance in the audio version of Spellbound is nothing short of brilliant. There's a large international cast here and Pinchot handles all of those accents with ease. He perfectly captures the excitement, horror, and humor of Spellbound. If you don't read audiobooks, you might consider starting with this series. It's a perfect example of how good audio can get.

There's danger on the horizon, American opinion about magicals is unstable (are they public heroes or public enemies?), and many questions remain about the Power, its motives, and Faye's ties to it. I'm looking forward to the next GRIMNOIR CHRONICLES book.

In complete honesty, I cannot click on any other review and say that it was helpful for me. If you've already read 'Hard Magic', or any other Larry Correia book, then you should have purchased this book without even bothering to read any reviews - because you KNEW it was going to be good.

And you wouldn't be disappointed.

But just in case you're not one of those people who've already read the other books and do like to read reviews, then I'll go ahead and post one before I have a Mouth simply tell you to buy this book and enjoy it.

Mouth? What's that, you say? Ah, but that'd be giving part of it away, wouldn't it? Instead, let's imagine a world where, at some point during the Industrial Revolution, certain magical powers began to manifest themselves in some people. Not everyone - and normally only one power per person. Now imagine this world if someone who was already brilliant - such as Edison, Tesla, or Fuller, has their brilliance enhanced by this magic. At the same time, since this magic does still appear in a world divided by nationalism (late 1800's), you end up with World War I complete with Zeppelins ... and zombies.

Yes, I know, zombies, but not your 'Walking Dead' zombies. Actual, re-animated dead, still capable of feelings - as one of the characters in 'Hard Magic' said, his father came home from the war and still loved to play piano - even though he was dead.

Since real world people - Harry Houdini (albeit only in a chapter opening), Buckminster Fuller, and even J. Edgar Hoover - are characters in this series, and in a believable way given the consistency of the world created here, that also helps. You feel the Oklahoma Dust Bowl like you were there. And with the Grimnoir society once again operating on two different levels, with plots within plots (yeah, I was confused about who was the 'bad' knight for a while myself) - well, I'd suggest you read 'Hard Magic' first, and then this one. But either way, don't miss out on a wonderful world. Really, Dan Garrett says so... :)

After reading Hard Magic (the first in the series) I knew I would like the series but was not convinced I would love it. Any questions I had about the series were thrown out soon after beginning this installment. Initially, this series was hard to describe as it was so different from others I have read. I think I will classify this as Magical Superhero Noir. There are elements of alternate history and the smoky charm of PI novel set in the 30's. Larry Correia is writing some of the best Urban Fantasy on the market. If you haven't read his work yet, you need to get out your credit card and head to your local bookstore!

Plot summary

The series comes into focus through the plot. We come to see the Grimnoir society on an international basis. The Grimnoir society comes off as a 30's version of the X-Men. They are a group of powerful (magically) active individuals with the dual goals of protecting other actives from the non active powers that be and protecting the rest of the world from actives. After receiving a message from beyond the grave, Jake Sullivan sets the groundwork to track a supernatural threat to earth - The PathFinder. Before he can begin his quest, there is an attempt on the life of the President and actives everywhere are looked at with suspicion. A new and powerful agency, the OCI, is rounding up actives to either kill or detain and they have some powerful weapons at their disposal. Jake, Faye and the rest of the crew are in a fight for their life and their freedom and terror is unleashed on actives and the city. Throughout the plot, we come to know the origins of Faye's power and what sets her apart from the rest of the active population.

The Good

It's Better than a Phone Call from Hell

Yes. There is a phone call from hell or at least somewhere close to hell. Wherever it was, the inhabitants were not very happy. Once again, Correia build a novel on the foundation of a solid plot and excellent characterization. Growing up, my favorite characters from TV were the X-Men. This story channels the great concepts in those comics and sets it in a unique time and place. The idea of the powerful yet misunderstood super humans fighting both their government and other actives while at the same time maintaining pure motives, is a compelling storyline. Beyond the plot, the characters are multifaceted and nuanced. Correia is excellent and creating spoken idiosyncrasies for his characters. This allows the book to translate very well into the audio format and allows the reader to build pictures of the characters in their head. Reading this series is an active and visual experience.

The Bad

There was very little to complain about in this one. Easily one of the top 10 I have read so far this year. If there is any room for complaint it would be that the pacing is a bit slow. Fans of genre will expect a fast paced novel and quick gratification. This series does not do that. I find it very refreshing and enjoyable but not everyone will share that sentiment. For my money, this is probably one of the most intelligent urban fantasy series I have read.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed this so much, I immediately moved on to the third (and Hugo nominated) third book. If you know someone who doesn't read UF but enjoys superhero movies, this might be a series they would enjoy. Additionally, it is unique and refreshing amongst its many competitors and the enthusiast is sure to enjoy this entertaining change of pace.

Audiobook Notes

Bronson Pinochet does one of the best narrations I have heard. His timing and pacing is impeccable. He infuses nuance into the voice and his varied accents and range of voices is memorable and entertaining. I am attached to the audio version of this series and will undoubtedly continue in this format.

Content Advisories

It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.

Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest

Sex - 1.5

The not so old adage (as far as I know, I made it up) that "its hard to worry about sex when you are saving the world" holds true. There is some relational content but nothing overtly sexual.

Language - 3.5

I would say that the language is a bit more than the average. Moderate use of mild obscenities and low use of the f-word.

Violence - 3.5

As usual, there are plenty of fight scenes. Summoned beings of all shapes and sizes are fought. There is a moderately graphic beheading and discussion of ritual suicide. There is a non ritual suicide and many injuries and blood. It is generally non gory.

This is the second book in the Grimnoir series and was a great continuation of this alternate history series with loads of action and magic. I enjoyed this book a lot more than 1st one in the series.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator does an excellent job with having distinct voices for different characters and portrays emotion well. My only complaint is that some of the voices are very deep and it is hard to hear them when you are driving because of background noise.

When a magical assassin (an Active) makes an assassination attempt on President Roosevelt all Actives are blamed, in particular the Grimnoir Society. All of the member of the Grimnoir become wanted men/women and are forced to hide. However then Jake Sullivan receives a call from a man beyond the grave. The call is a warning that the Power was fleeing something huge and evil and that something is about to arrive on Earth.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are interesting and well done and the magic system is unique. I love the idea of the Power and the parasitic relationship it has with humanity.

There is excellent world building here; the whole story is set in an alternate version of 1920’s America. The setting is made more real by quotes from newspapers and articles at the beginning of each chapter that highlight how different this alternate history is from the one we know.

There is a lot of action in this book as well and a lot of Correia’s standard “gun talk”. I continue to really enjoy how Correia has strong female and male characters. He does a good job balancing the roles for both female and male characters.

Overall this was an incredibly fun and interesting read. I love the characters, the world, the unique magic system, the high-octane action, and the complex plot. I really look forward to reading the third and final book in this series. I would definitely recommend this series to those who enough action-packed urban fantasy or alternate histories.

Action. Pure unadulterated action. Excitement. Mind boggling fight sequences. Lots and lots of guns. That is what I expect every time I pick up a Larry Correia book, and with Spellbound, that is exactly what you get. This is a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, and is full of set pieces that leave you gaping in awe. This book is just an absolute blast to read.

When an assassination attempt on the President is pinned on the Grimnoir Society, Jake Sullivan and his cohorts become fugitives, on the run from a government agency who are after more than just imprisoning these freaks. From here we get three very distinct plots that have been cleverly intertwined - the series overarching threat of the all consuming predator being the primary concern for Grimnoir knights, the deep seated distrust and fear of actives by the government, media and general public making life very hard on anyone who exhibits any power, and the coordinated attempt by some well funded and well resourced organisations to capture / kill Sally-Faye Viera because they seem to know / fear exactly what is going on with Faye's power.

This is a tightly plotted story, one that touches on some big themes like racism, seclusion, and government conspiracy theories, and one that is much more present than in Hard Magic where the plot was a way to get from action sequence A to action sequence B. Correia starts to really explore the consequences of actions in this book, forcing his characters to appreciate these consequences by exposing them to the biggest ones. There is still the sense that the plot is slightly contrived, that a few of the big plot points exist so that the massive fight sequences make sense, but I have very little problem with this because this is a book designed to entertain with good plotting acting as the icing on the cake.

In my review of Hard Magic I said that Correia had put together one of the best cast's in recent memory, and Spellbound has only strengthened my feelings on the cast. Jake and Faye are still far and away the stars of the show, two very likeable characters that you cannot help but admire for their sheer determination and resilience. For the rest of the cast we get a lot more back story, a greater understanding of their motivations, and a sense that these people have grown from being a team to being a family. The newly added heroes add a lot of spice to this family, while the new cast of villains are all appropriately terrifying in their convictions that they are acting for the greater good. The only small problem I had is that there are just too many interesting and exciting characters in this book, who are all doing interesting and exciting things, and it became almost overwhelming trying to keep up with everything that was happening.

The last thing I want to touch on is the action sequences. The sheer magnitude of the tasks facing our heroes is beyond anything I have ever read, and what makes this so good is the way in which our heroes work together to take down impossible beasts. There is so much going on but Correia seamlessly transitions the action shots from hero to hero depending on who is in the most danger. The final fight sequence goes for nearly a quarter of the book, at no stage does it get dull, and the balance of power hangs by thread where it feels like if just one hero loses concentration for the smallest moment, the fight would be over in an instant.

Spellbound is a book of high stakes and high consequence. The entertainment value is second to none, so don't go into this book expecting a gentle introduction to plot, setting and character. Correia hurls the reader from event to event, rarely allowing you to catch your breath, and somehow manages to do this while progressing a complex plot and building depth into his characters. You should definitely pick up this book, if for no other reason than to read one of the most epic finales I have ever seen in a book.

"Spellbound" is the second installment in Correia's "Grimnoir Chronicles", and it's every bit as good as the first volume, "Hard Magic". Set in an alternate early 1930s America, Correia's world is one where magic works for certain people- Actives. They have superhero like abilities: some are super strong; some can manipulate fire, ice, gravity, mechanical things or electricity; some can read minds or compel others to their will; some can raise the dead or summon demons to do their will. While these talented people have been more or less accepted by regular homo sapiens (especially the really useful ones- Cogs like Edison, Tesla and Browning are valued for their inventions, while Brutes are very useful for heavy labor), that is changing as certain Actives strive to take over the world. A movement towards mandatory registration of all Actives is growing stronger- and after registration, confinement would almost certainly follow soon after. A special government agency has been set up to do this- but it's going well beyond what it was created for.

Along with that danger, the alien entity that powers the Active's abilities is being pursued by its enemy, which will destroy earth. The Japanese government keeps trying to take over the world. One of the Grimnoir- a group of Actives who strive to protect the earth- may be connected to something evil. That's a lot for a group to deal with, even a group as talented and able as the Grimnoir.

The books feature a true ensemble cast- there is no one central character and the POV moves from one to another. There is no guarantee that any cast member, even a very important one, will survive a book- many died in "Hard Magic". This creates a real suspense that doesn't come in a lot of books, where one can assume that a main character will survive because there are more books in the series planned. I've really come to like the main characters in these books a lot; they learn, they have heartbreak, they grow.

"Spellbound" is nonstop action that combines magical powers, Japanese fighting techniques, hand to hand and enough gunfire to make Remington richer than anyone. It's intelligent- the many plot strands are woven tightly with none forgotten. And it features the creepiest interrogation scene ever, one that will feature in my nightmares for some time. HIGHLY recommended!

Larry Correia is a very gifted author; how many other writers have two successful series running simulatenously? His Monster Hunter books are good, but these Grimnoir Chronicle books are even better.

This book follows our crew of heroes as they face a plot that threatens to turn the American public against them due to their magical abilities. At the same time they are also in danger from an otherworldly demonic force hellbent on consuming our planet. The personalities and interplay among the characters is great, and the fight scenes are some of the best-written fights I can remember reading. There is plenty of humor, and some tear-jerking moments as well.

What Correia also does very well is rewrite our history. J. Edgar Hoover and FDR figure prominently in this novel, and the events surrounding the great World Wars are rewritten slightly to encompass this book's reality.

This was a terrific read.

Larry Correia has created a unique story in a alternate history setting that is very well done! The magic in the book is unique and very interesting. The characters are well done with just enough back story dished out in and bits and pieces to keep them interesting and keep me listening. Bronson Pinchot is an amazing narrator and does a fantastic job giving voice to the characters and adding to the overall enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend this series.

When you start the Spellbound series it is like getting hooked on chocolate. You always have to go back for more. The characters are delightful and original; the plot is out of this world. Jake Sullivan, the loyal and moral ex-Con who believes in liberty and freedom is by far my most favorite character.

Each character must confront not only their own truths but their own fears, their own personal demons. Jake becomes the glue that holds the group together when they have to fight their inner demons and the evil in the world. He also is the glue that allows success in the end.

The audio version is hands over fists better than the print version. It is wonderful to sit back and have a talented narrator read to you. Bronson Pinchot is wonderful. Overall: This has become a favorite. The plot is new and fresh and mixes a stark originality with somber far reaching themes. Its as addictive as chocolate. (However, if you just like to hold a book in your hands, the print version is also wonderful.)

I am never disappointed with Larry Correia.

I have seen this book in my recommendations; but have been ignoring it. I am not into Steampunk. But Man!!!! This book is GREAT!! I am not going to repeat what others have written in prior reviews, it is all true. You will NOT be dissapointed if you buy this book. If you like urban fantasy... Is this urban fantasy? I think it is a combination of Urban Fantasy and Steampunk. Whatever.. this is one of the best series or books if I have read all year. Began with Hard Magic; it was a Daily Deal on Audible. After that, I was hooked. LOVE BALKI!!!! Hope I spelled that right. He is a WONDERFUL Narrator. Print, Kindle, or Audible you can't miss. Read or Listen, you will love it. Balki rocks!!!!

As many have pointed out, Correia is churning these and other books out quickly, yet they are still amazing. Some authors take 5+ years to put out a sequel.

One of my new favorites. I love it! It's hardboiled meets magic with a pinch of steampunk/dieselpunk. But it's not your normal high fantasy magic or wizards, each magic user is unique much like the TV show Heroes or the movie Push.......I guess Mistborn and Codex Alera would sort of qualify too. However the magic system is unlike any of those.....though i guess Iron Guards are kind of like The Warded Man/The Painted Man. Anyhow, it's brilliant! I would absolutely love to see this on the silver screen. With today's special effects this could be an amazing film or tv series. Grimnoire Chronicles is definitely in my top 5 book series of all time.

Makes me sad that there are books like this out there, yet things like Twilight, Hunger Games, and Fifty Shades of Grey are the best sellers. And BTW i have read all of those too, and they were all garbage. I will give Harry Potter a pass though, even though not a literary masterpiece, it was worthy of it's popularity.

After reading his MHI series, I bought his first book in this series and loved it! If I were to label him as an "Active" like he refers to his characters, I would label him as a "Dreamer!" He has a gift of creating characters that almost anyone can relate. His use of historic events in reference to stories is awesome. Larry Correia has officially moved into #1 favorite author spot that was held by Jim Butcher. I really like the Harry Dresden character...but Owen Z. Pitt and Earl Harbinger are tied for first on my list now, with Jake Sullivan a close second!

Book number two of a three book series. Great stuff, just great stuff with a rich world built in the 1930s interlude between the world wars. Except the first world war was fought with Active Talents such as Heavies, Fades, Transporters, Summoners, Mouths,
Healers, etc, etc, etc.

I gave the previous book five stars.

I am ordering the next book and am surprised that I do not have it already.

If you liked the show "Heroes" season 1, then this is the series for you. The characters are what make a great sci-fi series. Not that they just have powers. Season one of Heroes got that right, and so does this book series. This also throws in a bit of X-Men style "mutant registration" in the mix as well. Pulling from many different sources and maintaining a sense of originality can be difficult but Larry Correia does it so well. I can't recommend this much more that I already have.

It took me a little while to sift through the beginning of this book as the first 150 pages or so are pretty annoying. You have the opinion after the first book that the main characters are extremely intelligent and resourceful, and then all of a sudden they are just repeatedly out smarted and owned at every step by a new villain...to a crazy extent! This lets up after awhile and starts to gain momentum. It does get ridiculously good when this happens and turns into a real page turner. I don't believe in a happy, feel good, good guys always winning story...but damn that was a bit overboard. A good thing to mention are the new characters such as Toru and the Justice. I felt like they added a ton of depth to an already great series with how everyone around them is forced to act, due to who they are/their abilities. His writing really gives them a ton of personality as well.

Another thing that is just nit picking, is that Larry Correia also resorts to a Superman/Kryptonite scenario that bugged me a little because it felt like a super easy way of dealing with actives and checkmating the knights of the Grimnoir. Other than that the story was satisfying and kept me turning the pages as each situation got more hectic and unpredictable. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wishes Harry Dresden was just a bit smarter, Jake Sullivan actually thinks before running into an unknown situation.

**DEFINITE SPOILERS**

Can anyone explain why none of the characters used the symbol that amplified their powers? It had no drawbacks on the villains. They were already psychotic and that's what made them go nuts. And its apparently not that draining to put on because Mr. Crow had one done on his original aged, infirm, and weak body. I couldn't wrap my brain around why no one thought of inscribing that on themselves for a power boost of ridiculous proportions.. Also in faye's fight with the demon in Oklahoma, why on earth didn't she travel pieces of it away like with the chairman? She does this at the end of the book with a demon that's 50 times bigger. These two things left a pretty sour taste in my mouth. I would love if anyone has an explanation !

While this is not his best book, it continues and deepens the series which itself is becoming interesting. Suffers from too many characters; but then wanting to know them better shows how well they are constructed. Larry Correia is a favorite and we buy every book of his as it apears. I can share these with my older teenage son and that is a treat. But for over the top enjoyment, the Monster Hunter series is better.

I will admit to being an unabashed Larry Correia fan, however the Grimnoir series is a step above. It mixes great action and characters with an interesting world and a cool magic system. Definitely start with the first book, but this is a satisfying sequel which expands the story and the conflicts the characters are involved in.

An outstanding sequel that picks up where the previous book left off. A new enemy to fight and the blood and sacrifice that goes with it.

Jake Sullivan is back, tougher than ever. Excellent characterizations and well plotted fight scenes make this series one of the best!

Just finished the audiobook and I literally can't wait for the next book in this series.
The reader (Bronson Pinchot) is pitch perfect here and in the prior Hard Magic.
Great extension of the themes started in that series. Nice arc to give an over-riding theme to the series.
Solid writing.
Nice to see a truly solid sophomore effort.

Larry Corriea really writes action and adventure better than anyone in the the Alternate Fiction Genre today. He mixes pulp, mythos, and action with great skill and his knowledge of details makes him one of the best new authors in the field. BRAVO

This is the sequel to Hard Magic, and Spellbound continues the character development and story-line of its predecessor while setting up the next in the series. You'll read this one quick, so, come on Larry - write the sequel already.

I came across Mr. Correla earlier this year after reading Hard Magic. I, of course, immediately picked up the second book. I do not feel I need to extrapolate the praises of others. Read Hard Magic. Then read this one. They are great.

I could type for ages about how incredible this book is. That, however, would ruin the fun for the new readers! This is a definite must read! Any fan of magic and science fiction will quickly be absorbed into the world Larry has created. A promising author with a very promising series. If you love the antics and wordplay of Owen Pitt then you will definitely love Jake Sullivan and his butt kicking friends! Correia is a genius! You will not be disappointed!

Great installment in a very entertaining and original series. Awesome blend of magic and gun-fighting that has lots of action.

I'm so happy to find a fantasy series that I don't have to feel ashamed to read. I can't wait for the next one.

I just finished listening to this book, loved it. Of course I expected to because I have listen to all his previous books in both this series and the Monster Hunter series. The only bad thing about this book is that it does leave everything is place for a sequel. Now I just have to wait...

Larry Correia has crafted a fantastic story, with fascinating characters and a storyline that grabs you at the beginning, and never lets go. This alternate universe has a sense of depth, which adds a wonderful background to the books in the series. Love it.

This is an excellent follow up to Hard Magic. Larry continues to develop the characters I love and introduces some more to love. I'd really love it if Larry could give us a novel set in the Grimnoir universe every year.

The narrator for these three books is the worst I have heard in a long time. His voices are whispery, mumbled, unclear, inconsistent, and invariably unexciting. The inflections are all over the place and entirely inappropriate throughout all three narrations. If there was another narrator I would dump this guy and repurchase all three books again to listen to a proper narration.

Spellbound (2011) is the second Fantasy novel in the Grimnoir Chronicles series, following Hard Magic. In the previous volume, an Imperium submarine observed the Bulldog Marauder lift off from the island. An Imperium blimp ignited while the raiders were about to board it.

The airship Tempest overtook the Imperium airship Tokugawa. Then the Bulldog Marauder appeared. Faye Traveled the Tempest a thousand miles away from the explosion.

In this novel, Jake Sullivan is a Heavy, capable of altering the force of gravity. He served time in Rockville State Penitentiary until he was offered a deal by J. Edgar Hoover. He has recently became a Grimnoir Knight.

Sally Faye Vierra is a Traveler, capable of teleporting herself. She can Travel any distance, but is only able to visualize the terrain for limited distances. She considers herself as a Grimnoir Knight.

John Moses Browning is a Cog, capable of inventing new weapons. He is also a Grimnoir Knight.

Francis Stuyvesant is a Mover, capable of hurling objects with his mind. He is the grandson of Cornelius and inherited United Blimp & Freight from his grandfather. He is also a Grimnoir Knight.

Heinrich Koenig is a Fade, capable of removing his body from the material plane. He is also a Grimnoir Knight.

Pemberly Hammer is a Justice, who always know if anyone is lying to her. She is the daughter of a former US Marshal.

Crow is a summoner, capable of bringing demons from elsewhere into the world. He works for the Office of the Coordinator of Information.

Okubo Tokugawa was an Active, with multiple talents. He was also the Chairman of the Imperial Council and chief advisor to the Emperor of Japan. He died on the Tokugawa.

Toru is an Iron Guard. He reveres Tokugawa.

In this story, the Warlock was killed on September 18, 1918. On the same day, a young Okie girl's eyes turned gray and she became a Traveler. She was the Spellbound.

A Boomer wants to kill Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Then an angel gives him great power and tells him where to find FDR. He goes to Miami and waits.

Francis and Heinrich have also come to Miami to meet the newly elected President. They are waiting for FDR in a nearby hotel club. Then the Boomer produces a gigantic explosion.

The front of the hotel is ripped apart. The window glass is sprayed throughout the room. Luckily, Heinrich Fades both of them and the glass splinters zip through them without cutting their flesh.

Heinrich goes to help the President-elect while Francis looks for something to Move. He sees a tray and Moves it at the Boomer. It cuts off the Boomer's head. But Heinrich disappears.

Crow interrogates Francis with threats of bodily harm. Francis tries to ignore the bully, but finally loses his temper. Yet efforts to use his powers are ineffectual.

Faye sits in a hotel room watching a film about Japan. Browning says that the newsreel doesn't show the torture schools. But the movie does show a man riding a black horse.

Faye comments that the rider looks just like Tokugawa. She says that it can't be the Chairman since he is dead. The Grimnoir elders wonder how she knows that he is dead.

Faye tells them that she had cut off his hands and threw them into a propeller. Then the whole airship blew up. Besides, she had talked to his ghost afterward. The elders disbelieve her story and think she is mad, but are exceeding polite after being reminded of her powers.

The elders refuse to discuss Faye's conversations with Tokugawa. They adjourn the meeting and clear the room. Then Faye and Browning are told of the presidental assassination attempt.

The elders of the Grimnoir Society don't go far. They reconvene in a room several floors below. The subject matter is the Warlock.

Sullivan is searching for more information on the powers of magic. He has already checked the Grimnoir Society library and other sources. Now he is searching the Library of Congress without success.

Sullivan really needs to talk to an expert on magical powers, but he is beginning to suspect the he is the best informed Adept in the world. His search may take him next to Europe. He would really like to look through the libraries in Japan, but the Imperium would probably insist on killing him slowly.

A redheaded woman tries to strike up conversation with Jake in the library, but he isn't interested. On his way home, he passes an alley where six thugs are attacking the redhead. He frees her and puts her into a cab.

A Bureau of Investigation agent calls on Sullivan that evening. Cowley takes him down to a car. The woman driving is no longer redheaded.

Pemberly takes them to New Jersey and gets them within Menlo Park. She leads Sullivan into the Shelved Projects warehouse. Inside an armored room, Jake takes a call from a dead man.

Tokugawa tells him that the Enemy has scented the Power. First will come a Pathfinder. If they destroy the scout, the Enemy will be foiled for a while. Tokugawa had destroyed two previous Pathfinders and his Iron Guard know how to eliminate the next one.

This tale takes Sullivan to warn the Imperium, but they refuse to listen. Toru is ordered to kill the ambassador. The ambassador commits seppuku and then transfers his memories to Toru.

This story brings Toru to the Grimnoir, but he insists that he is still an Iron Guard. The next installment in this series has not yet been announced.

Recommended for Correia fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magical systems, powerful Adepts, and secret societies. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin