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Rabid Reads

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Binding the Shadows (Arcadia Bell)

Binding the Shadows - Jenn Bennett Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Every time I pick up a new installment in a series I automatically expect it to be better than the last; and even though there have already been plenty of books this year that have fit that description, Binding the Shadows is their Queen. This novel is larger-than-life, full-to-the-brim, jump-off-the-page, made-of-awesome good. I loved this series before but I am infatuated with it now! If you haven’t discovered Jenn Bennett you well, should get on that but, if you have and haven’t pre-ordered Binding the Shadows yet… what the heck is WRONG with you!?

The characters in these books are absolutely stellar; every time I come back to visit them, I feel like I’m returning home. They are just such a great bunch of people! On top of Cady, Lon, Jupe and Kar Yee; we also get to spend some quality time with the Giovanni’s and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them. I guess maybe we bonded over out mutual hatred of Yvonne? Yes, the ex wife and the “new” girlfriend finally meet in this installment and things go exactly as you’d expect them to… absolutely terrible! In spite of all the chaos that happens in this book, and I do mean chaos, I loved that Cady and Lon’s relationship actually grew stronger. And Jupe, I mean, how can anyone not love this kid?

The main plot is relatively simple; it’s what’s happening on the sidelines that makes this book so interesting. In a lot of ways this story felt like a stepping stone, or a point of no return. Cady’s been working so hard to carve out a normal life for herself but unfortunately, her old one is finally catching up with her and no matter what she does, she can’t outrun her past this time. Arcadia is either going to have to embrace the changes that are upon her or get buried by them because she’s in too deep to be able to turn back now. I loved the sense of urgency and all the build-up in this book; it made for one heck of an intense read. The wait for the next installment is going to be pure agony. So many questions, and so few answers! Gawd!

I’m going to keep this review short because nearly everything I want to say about this novel is a spoiler is some way, shape or form. I guess that’s what happens when you weave a killer story the way that Jenn Bennett does! Arcadia Bell is one of my all time favourite Urban Fantasy heroines and she does not disappoint in Binding the Shadows. Magic, mayhem and romance collide! But watch out for the cliffhanger because it’s a doozy.

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