Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
Hardcover, 327 pages
Published: March 13th 2012 by Hyperion Book CH
Source: Purchased; Signed by author (Thanks, Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter!)
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads: Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.
Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Finally. The answers to all my questions and an ending to the evil cliffhanger in Demonglass. The waiting for this book has been torturous because of that. Nevertheless, this book delivers a ride that makes it all worth it.

The book picks up right where Demonglass left off, quite literally. It felt like I had just turned the page and fell right back in line with the story. Sophie's snarkness makes you feel right at home by this time in the series. This time we get to see if Sophie makes it all worth it. The lost friends, heartache, and scars needed to stand for something. She is put to the test in loyalties, strength, and intelligence to prove it. And yes, we can't forget about our boys, dear Archer and Cal. You all know there's a decision to make...but is it one that she makes herself or is made for her? Hmm... You need to read the book to find out! Don't worry, there's lots of "foreplay" and sly exchanges between the three leading up to the culmination of that decision. We get to see the old gang in this one as well, including my favorite friend, Jenna. Also, there's an introduction of the Brannick women. These ladies, I'd probably be beat for calling them that, truly make the book for me. Being only mentioned in the previous books, I never thought they would play such an integral role in the story. I wish I could have a book only about them, that's how awesome they are!

Since it starts at the cliffhanger, you land right in the groove of the previous action. After that, it just never stops. The book leaves little breathing room between major events. It keeps hitting harder and harder until the end. I put the book down and went "whooo..." because I didn't realize I needed air. If you have the time, this is definitely a "one-sitter." You will feel like you've ran a marathon by the end, but there is this wonderful sense of contentment afterwards. There are some huge twists that you will either love or hate, but the results are worth it. I am sad that it has ended, but it was a great final book in an amazing series!