{"id":1243,"date":"2018-05-23T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T12:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=1243"},"modified":"2019-04-03T09:31:31","modified_gmt":"2019-04-03T13:31:31","slug":"review-bound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/review-bound\/","title":{"rendered":"Review &#8211; Bound"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/38613031-bound\"><em>Bound<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>by\u00a0Alexandrea Weis and\u00a0Lucas Astor<\/p>\n<p><strong><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1244 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bound.png?resize=231%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bound\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bound.png?w=231&amp;ssl=1 231w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bound.png?resize=116%2C150&amp;ssl=1 116w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/>Series:\u00a0<\/strong>Magnus Blackwell, Book 2<br \/>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong>\u00a0Adult,\u00a0Supernatural, Ghosts, Occult, Voodoo<br \/>\n<strong>Release Date:<\/strong>\u00a0April 17, 2018<br \/>\n<strong>Pages:\u00a0<\/strong>360<br \/>\n<strong>Purchase from:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1944109617\">Amazon<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/bound-alexandrea-weis\/1127921813?ean=2940155406464\">Barnes &amp; Noble<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>My Rating:<\/strong>\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"m_-7216894276626776604freeText11864751210171199612\"><i>Magnus Blackwell\u2019s past is about to catch up with him.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>An evil force has seized New Orleans. Pestilence, suffering, and darkness cloak the city. The citizens are scared and need their mambo to guide them, but Lexie Arden can\u2019t help anyone. A diabolical presence has taken Lexie\u2019s power and severed her ties with the other side.<\/p>\n<p>Magnus Blackwell is fighting demons of his own. Torn between his devotion to Lexie and a spirit from his past, Magnus\u2019s loyalty is put to the test. He must revisit his sins to uncover the key to the hatred ripping the city apart. If he doesn\u2019t, Lexie\u2019s reign as mambo will end.<\/p>\n<p>Their search for answers leads them deep into the darker realms of voodoo\u2014until a desperate Lexie does the unthinkable, and Magnus can do nothing to spare her from her fate.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Giveaway<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"rcwidget_5n2wrugu\" class=\"rcptr\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rafflecopter.com\/rafl\/display\/d04251232459\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-raflid=\"d04251232459\" data-theme=\"classic\" data-template=\"\">a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a><br \/>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/widget-prime.rafflecopter.com\/launch.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Review<\/h2>\n<p>After I finished\u00a0<em>Damned<\/em>, I immediately dove back into the world of the Magnus Blackwell series to read\u00a0<em>Bound<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Although I suppose I shouldn&#8217;t be, I was a bit surprised that two of the issues I had with <em>Damned<\/em> were a continued bother to me in\u00a0<em>Bound<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>I still find Will a confusing character.\u00a0<em>Bound<\/em> opens to Will once more disliking Magnus, despite having seemingly warmed to him at the end of\u00a0<em>Damned<\/em>. He also flip-flops several times between supporting Lexie and her calling above all else, and accusing her of putting her career first to the point of ignoring him and their life. As the book progressed, I found myself liking him less and less.<\/p>\n<p>Like\u00a0<em>Damned<\/em>,\u00a0<em>Bound<\/em> had the odd phenomenon of feeling like it was going to end multiple times. Unlike\u00a0<em>Damned<\/em>, this mostly occurred in the final few chapters, and bothered me, as I felt it made the ending drag on. I experienced a sense of &#8220;It&#8217;s not done yet?&#8221; each time a chapter that would have been a good ending gave way to a new chapter.<\/p>\n<p>A new issue for me in\u00a0<em>Bound<\/em> was the unrelenting pace of the story. I had an urge to take breaks while reading to get a respite from everything happening. On top of this, the final few chapters are packed with many different plot threads. I got the sense that the authors found themselves with plot points they weren&#8217;t able to work into the story and decided to jam them in at the end. I doubt this is really what happened, it was just how I felt about the ending.<\/p>\n<p>On the positive side, the authors created a fabulous atmosphere of distrust. I found myself wondering if any of the characters could be trusted, if any of them were what they seemed. Turns out, yes, a handful of them were.<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t know if all of the information in the book regarding Voodoo is factual, but it certainly seems well researched. Those characters in the book that are &#8220;knowledgeable&#8221; about Voodoo come across as well-informed and believable.<\/p>\n<p>If the Voodoo information isn&#8217;t factual, then the authors have certainly created a great mythos with the Voodoo spirits. If it is factual, then I applaud them for their research and making excellent use of the Voodoo pantheon of characters.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the couple of&#8230; let&#8217;s call them hiccups&#8230; I enjoyed Bound. The story was interesting, and I look forward to future installments. I really want to see Lexie succeed.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>About the Authors<\/h2>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Lucas.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1099 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Lucas.jpg?resize=225%2C262&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lucas Astor\" width=\"225\" height=\"262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Lucas.jpg?w=225&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Lucas.jpg?resize=129%2C150&amp;ssl=1 129w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>Lucas Astor\u00a0<\/b>is from New York, has resided in Central\u00a0America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a\u00a0very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle,\u00a0preferring to spend time\u00a0with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>He is an author and poet with a penchant for\u00a0telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He\u00a0likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world,\u00a0but right\u00a0next door behind a smiling face.<\/p>\n<p>Photography, making wine, and helping endangered\u00a0species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and\u00a0enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.<\/p>\n<p>One of his favorite quotes is: \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s better to be silent than be a fool.\u201d \u00a0~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Alexandrea.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1098 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Alexandrea.jpg?resize=200%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Alexandrea Weis\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Alexandrea.jpg?w=200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Alexandrea.jpg?resize=100%2C150&amp;ssl=1 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><b>Alexandrea Weis<\/b>\u00a0is an advanced practice registered nurse who was\u00a0born and raised in New Orleans.\u00a0Having been brought up in the motion\u00a0picture industry, she learned\u00a0to tell stories from a different\u00a0perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich\u00a0tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes\u00a0that\u00a0creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A\u00a0permitted\/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and\u00a0Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured\u00a0wildlife. She lives with\u00a0her husband and pets in New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p>Author links:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/alexandreaweis.com\">Website<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/m.facebook.com\/authoralexandreaweis\/\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/1211671.Alexandrea_Weis\">Goodreads<\/a>\u00a0| <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/alexandreaweis\">Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"clear: both;\" \/>\n<p><em>Disclaimer: This review is based on a complimentary eBook I received from Xpresso Book Tours. The complimentary receipt of this book has in no way affected my review or rating.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/xpressobooktours.com\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-868\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ButtonXBT.png?resize=280%2C280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Xpresso Book Tours\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ButtonXBT.png?w=280&amp;ssl=1 280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ButtonXBT.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bound by\u00a0Alexandrea Weis and\u00a0Lucas Astor Series:\u00a0Magnus Blackwell, Book 2 Genres:\u00a0Adult,\u00a0Supernatural, Ghosts, Occult, Voodoo Release Date:\u00a0April 17, 2018 Pages:\u00a0360 Purchase from: Amazon\u00a0|\u00a0Barnes &amp; Noble My Rating:\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/review-bound\/\">Keep Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Review &#8211; Bound<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[115],"tags":[90,105,71,39,141,145,80],"class_list":["post-1243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-blogger","tag-3star","tag-adult","tag-book-review","tag-books","tag-occult","tag-supernatural","tag-xpresso-book-tours","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-k3","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1231,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/review-damned\/","url_meta":{"origin":1243,"position":0},"title":"Review &#8211; Damned","author":"Rachel","date":"May 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Damned by\u00a0Alexandrea Weis and\u00a0Lucas Astor Series:\u00a0Magnus Blackwell, Book 1 Genres:\u00a0Adult,\u00a0Supernatural Release Date:\u00a0October 3, 2017 Pages:\u00a0426 Purchase from: Amazon\u00a0|\u00a0Barnes & Noble\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo |\u00a0iBooks My Rating:\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606 Over a hundred years after the death of Magnus Blackwell, Altmover Manor sits abandoned. 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