Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Title: Spellbound

Series: Spellbound #1

Author: Cara Lynn Shultz

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: June 2011

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Source: The publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

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 Connor, 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.

My rating: ★★★★☆
After her mother's death, Emma is left practically all alone in the world...with her idiot stepfather. But after an accident that he caused, Emma decided that its finally time to take up her Aunt Christine on her offer to come live with her in New York. A fresh start is exactly what she needs. But the students aren't exactly welcoming or nice in her new, fancy, prestigious, school. Though she is inexplicably drawn to one particular (and gorgeous, I might add ;)) guy, Brendan.

But ever since he came into Emma's life, weird, unexplainable things have been going on: street lamps exploding out of nowhere when she's around; weird dreams about herself in past lives where she ends up dying every time, and where even though dead, her twin brother Ethan warns her to stay away from Brendan, because if she doesn't, he will be the death of her O.O It's spooky, but she just cant stay away from him! There's something going on beyond these dreams that Emma cannot explain. But I will give you a hint: curse. (And if you like spoilers and would rather have the whole thing than just a measly hint, see the spoiler here ;) >>>

[It turns out that Brendan and Emma are soul mates. And no, that is not cute or lovey-dovey like you might think. Yes, Emma and Brendan are soul mates, but reincarnated soul mates. And let me tell you, their happily ever after is practically nonexistent. You see, this curse will reincarnate them over and over, generation after generation, they will find each other and fall madly in love, and then...BAM! Emma's reincarnated self dies! It happens every time. Its tragic, really.]

But don't fear, Emma and Brendan could be the ones to break this curse! The question is: will they be able to do it?

This book was fantastic! I really enjoyed reading it :) It was very humorous at some points, which I always love in a book, and the paranormal aspect it had was very unique; I really liked that too.

The characters were great and very diverse. Some I really hated, but I think that was the point, lol. The one I especially liked was Angelique, with all her quirkiness. And then there's Brendan...*sigh* I really liked him ;) I liked how protective he was of Emma. At one point he even saved her from a maniac taxi driver! Hey, anyone know where I can get my own Brendan?? lol

The story line was great as well. Very unique. Though I feel like something was missing...what, I cannot say. Maybe some extreme paranormal twist at the end? IDK. Talking about the end, I thought it was very satisfying :) And then I find out that there's going to be at least a book 2! Yay! I'm so happy it did not end in a cliffhanger! I hate those evil things -_- lol

I know I said this before, but it was a great book! And its definitely one of my favorites :) Cant wait for Spellcaster!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)