Spell Bound

I don't know why, but this cover just kept giving me Ghost Busters vibes, but this book is far from it.

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens is YA queer fantasy novel that follows Rook, formerly known as Edison Rooker, in his attempts to regain the magic he lost when his grandmother died. Which ultimately leads him to the door of Antonia Hex (aka the very evil Regina George of this book,) who offers him a job and a new name, Rook. Under Antonia guidance, Rook begins to succeed at everything he does. (Though he does have to work hard to hide his magical spell binder, that is forbidden and super dangerous) Including gaining a rivalry with Sun. Until his spell binder is discovered, and Antonia is under fire. Rook must team up with Sun to save their teachers and keep their magic.

What I loved most about this book, was the magic system. It was both simple and complicated, in the sense that it was powered by ley lines. But also allowed diversity in the abilities of who was wielding it, aka Antonia vs. Sun.

I also loved the overall grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Rook and Sun. I found it to be a breath of fresh air between all the enemies to lovers I've been reading recently, where they're both just snarky jerks. Especially so in the way that Rook is the adorable bubbly one, given he is named after a dark and mysterious bird. While Sun is the dark and gloomy one.

Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about this book. Save for the fact that I need a bit more Sun and Rook in my life now.

SPELL BOUND is an intriguing and light-hearted YA fantasy. Edison Rooker (Rook) misses magic, something he lost when his grandmother died. As someone who cannot see ley lines, he was deemed unmagical and cast out from the home he knew. Since he is also a genius, he crafts a new plan to work for the most powerful sorcerer, armed with his Spell Binder and fierce determination. However, Antonia Hex is not at all what he expected - and though she is not allowed to take on an apprentice, she accepts his offer of employment as office staff only.

Rook is enjoying his new job when he meets Sun, the apprentice to Antonia's frenemy, Fable. Although Sun is quite prickly, Rook likes them right away. They begin to run into each other quite frequently, including in a coffee shop and at a haunted house filled with cursed objects. Fable and Sun realize what Antonia is doing breaks a few of the Consortium's rules, especially when she declares Rook her apprentice, but they mostly try to stay out of it.

The magnetic pull between Sun and Rook means that they both want to spend time together as frenemies and maybe even as friends - until they must on the run from the Consortium.

What I loved: This was a really charming and light-hearted read that deals with some thought-provoking themes. Lukens always manages to craft books that will just make the reader smile and endear them to these awkward and completely lovable characters, and this book is no different. There are many comical moments throughout that had me laughing out loud as well as just smiling - even through life-threatening situations.

Rook and Sun are just incredibly lovable. Neither is perfect, but as teens, they are aware of their flaws - but also their strengths. They both carry confidence and insecurity so well in a way that is endearing and very genuine. While they circle around their feelings for quite some time, other characters in the book see it as the reader does, and their relationship was really charming.

There were some really interesting themes around resources and access to resources; in this case, the resources were magic. The Consortium (government-type organization) controls who is allowed to practice magic, monitors the laws they have crafted, sets prices for different types of spells, and provides certifications for magic practitioners, while also taking a cut of their earnings (essentially taxes, though not labeled as such). They also have their own justice/court system to enforce the laws in addition to a police-like force. Their laws mean that a great deal of the population has been deemed nonmagical and forced to live far away from ley lines and without an ability to afford the cost-controlled spell work. Rook felt this first-hand, which is why he invented the Spell Binder, but such a device that could magic accessible to all is dangerous to the Consortium and their privileged principles.

The discussions around the laws, morality around breaking them, implications of their policies, and monetary gate-keeping were really thought-provoking throughout. Other themes around found family, respecting boundaries, and helping others were also really poignant.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the pacing felt a bit off in places with the beginning and some of the middle feeling very slow and the later parts of the book feeling a bit rushed.

Final verdict: With thought-provoking themes and endearing characters, SPELL BOUND is a charming YA fantasy with plenty of heart.