UPDATE (10/17/16) - I did a reread just for the audio version and it was just as good as the printed copy.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (9/22/16) Talk about delivering the goods! Holy crap! I am freaking speechless at how good it was. I am now rejoicing that the audiobook was delayed--I get to do it all over again as soon as that comes out. No #9 book should be this good.

Just....wow!

Maybe I'll be a bit more coherent after my 2nd read. o_O ( )

Until I come to terms with this, all this prelim review will be is fangirl babble. I mean it guys. Let me have my moment.

What does this book have:

1) Complicated family politics? In spades. Kate's family, Curran's family, Roland's family, everyone's family. All family all the time.

2) Do surprises abound? Oh hell yes. We learn of some wibbly wobbly feelings! The truth of some people's existence! Why the hell Roland is acting weird about murdering Kate when he basically LIVES (albeit reluctantly) to do so.

3) Romance? Yep. Both of the functional and dysfunctional kind.

4) Everyone's favorite paranoid panther? His adorable mate? Derek the Boy Wonder? Ascanio the seducer? Julie the Herald? Andrea the sniper? [Insert whatever char you love here] yeah. pretty much.

5) did I love this book like the child I'll never have? Oh yes. Oh joyous day yes.

But why are you asking? Look. This is book 9 (or 11, depending on if you count Andrea's book and Derek's long novella as necessary to the main plot, which I do) and I can count on my hand the series I've kept religiously glued to that are this long (and not manga). I'm predisposed in many ways because these books have so much I love.

That said I wouldn't keep coming back if Andrews writing didn't stay solid. I wouldn't buy the eBook, audio, hardcover AND mass market of the books I'd I didn't love the characters. I wouldn't buy multiple copies of book 1 to give out to friends who spontaneously ask for kick ass heroines with swords. I wouldn't have just powered thru the ENTIRE SERIES in less then 3 weeks, forsaking even my fanfic addiction.

Yes I'm a fangirl. Yes I'm horribly biased. And yes I overlook some issues/clichés bc of that love. But this series is damn good and I'll lay siege to anyone who tries to convince me otherwise. ( )

Kate and Curran are finally getting married. but Kate's father is pushing her boundaries- literally. The Witches have a vision of him killing her infant son in the future. Meanwhile Roman the Volve is running around trying to get Kate to actually act like a bride-to-be. The is easily the most humorous book in the series.
re-read 11/10/2023 ( )

This really is a great book. ( )

Magic Binds
4 Stars

Kate's standoff with Roland finally comes to a head when he kidnaps Saimon and the Witch Oracle predicts the end of everyone and everything that Kate has come to love.

The build-up toward the confrontation is exciting as Kate and Curran work to gather their friends and allies for the upcoming battle. There are some intriguing revelations concerning several characters, especially Christopher whose backstory has always been particularly tantalizing, as well as several surprising twists that will be interesting to see play out.

The Andrews' world-building is as spectacular as ever, and the focus in this installment (and the previous novella) on Slavic mythology is both original and engrossing. Their ability to weave together threads from diverse cultures has always been a highlight of the series and this book is no exception.

Overall, an excellent addition to the series and I look forward to beginning the new spin-off series focusing on Hugh D'Ambray. It will be quite a feat if the Andrews' manage to redeem his character. ( )