Book Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz.

Product details:
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release date: June 28th 2011
Paperback, 384 pages.
Rating: 3½ out of 5
Ages: YA
Source: Netgalley.

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Best described as Gossip Girl with a paranormal twist, Spellbound, the debut novel by Cara Lynn Schultz is brimming with hot guys, mean girls, and an ugly ancient curse which leaves our spellbound lovers in serious danger. An enjoyable, fast-paced read, with sassy prose and a feisty protagonist who I immediately warmed to, Spellbound was, however, a little lacking in certain departments. For one, it didn’t provide me with anything that I haven’t already read dozens of times before in YA paranormal romances (Haven and Shadow Hills are two that immediately spring to mind), and these days I need something more than the well trodden formula of new girl, new school, hot guy, insta-love, guy turns jerk, back in love, ancient curse, that this book offers.

Sixteen year old Emma Conner has experienced a lot of tragedy and hardship in her short life, so a new start with her wealthy aunt in New York is just what she needs. What she doesn’t need is the unwanted attention she attracts at her first day at Vincent Academy her prestigious new school on the Upper East Side, namely from Anthony who is a total sleaze, and Kristin, all round Queen bitch and leader of her very own band of mean girls, who has taken an instant dislike to Emma. It’s not all bad though. On her first day at school she makes eye-contact with Brendan Salinger, who happens to be just about the hottest guy she has ever laid eyes on, and is instantly smitten. Brendan seems pretty taken with her too, but then after a date and an almost kiss, he turns cold. Emma has to figure out if this guy is just not that into her, or if there is something more sinister at work, like, say, an ancient curse, that means the two can never truly be together…

So far, so predictable, right? Well, it was for, me, but that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy this one. While the story and the mystery here are pretty formulaic, I have to admit, the love interest is smokin’ hot! Even though that YA affliction of insta-love is hard at work here (We have a soul mate situation), I couldn’t help but be drawn to Emma and Brendan. Emma is funny, feisty and has some great one liners, and even if she does lose all reason whenever Brendan is near, it’s hard to hold it against her. Brendan is just a bit yum! With his rock star good looks, and constant leaning, I swooned. What’s so appealing about constant leaning, you ask? Well to me, it reminds me of one of my all time biggest crushes Jordan Catalano* from My So-Called Life, who made Angela Chase lose all sense of reason with his constant leaning “I just like how he’s always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great.” Brendan leans great too. If you like Jordan Catalano, you will love Brendan, the sexy bad boy with a sweet, soft side.

The romance here, though, while pretty hot, overshadowed the rest of the plot. Themes of witchcraft and ancient curses are explored, but never really developed, nor is Emma’s family background, which I thought was going to be more integral to the plot. Most of the time, while Emma and Brendan realize they have to do something about the curse that haunts their love, they would rather just make out instead. I also anticipated plot twists and an exciting ending for this one, but unfortunately it all fell a little flat.

Despite my issues with this one, Spellbound is a solid debut overall, and even when I wasn’t so enamoured with the storyline, I admit that Brendan and his sexy leaning kept me turning the pages. Spellbound is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a quick, fun read, but for those looking for something completely new or different that stands out from the PR pile, this isn’t it.

* If you don’t know who I’m talking about, you might know him instead as the lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars. ;)