Elaine White's Life in Books

Book – Spellbound (The Goddess Redemption #2)
Author – Kelli Lockheart
Star rating - ★★★★☆
Plot – much better than Book 1
Characters – more real and relatable than Book 1
Movie Potential - ★★★★☆
Ease of reading – easy to read
Cover - ✔
Suitable Title – ✔
Would I read it again – Maybe. Undecided.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **

I will admit that I much prefer this story to Book 1. In fact, you could easily pick up the entire story (the important parts, any way) of Book 1 here, without ever having to read the first in the series. The recap, though brief, sums up the entire first story in its entirety, making Book 1 a rather unnecessary read. However, a series containing reincarnation as a major story arc could go on forever, so it may be a matter of rinse and repeat for the rest of the series.

I like the characters Victor and Sara much more than I liked either Galen/Alexis or Orion/Artemis from the first book. They are more real and relatable, much more likable and believable as characters.

The story is also much better paced, there is an exploration of history, future and what is going on around both characters. The story of Victor and Sara is captivating and well done. I would enjoy this story, probably much more, if there was no history of Artemis/Orion or Alexis/Galen. If Victor and Sara were the entire story, I would be much happier.

Having finished the story, I have to admit that I was right. It was a rinse and repeat situation. Despite how well these characters worked and how great they were, I will not be reading any more of this series. I was happy with the story of Victor and Sara, but as soon as it got to the end and there was yet another reincarnation 'required', I knew I was going to tire of this series very easily. I liked the book, the characters and the style of writing, but I don't see why there is a continual need for reincarnation. Not even to teach Artemis a lesson. The story could easily have continued on, with the original reincarnation characters Galen and Alexis, or this book could have ended with Victor and Sara only just realising what they mean to each other. It didn't necessarily have to result in them becoming a couple, to teach Artemis a lesson. The series could easily have carried these characters through two more books.

Unfortunately, it feels like the author is trying to milk the story for as long as possible. The series could easily have ended here, with a few pages added at the end for Orion/Victor and Zeus to forgive Artemis/Sara for being a hot-headed, jealous girl who made a disastrous mistake.

Sadly, I'm dumping this series. I wish this book was all there was to the story, but I checked the end of book 3 and there is a book 4 and at the end of book 4, there is a book 5. I can't read that many of the same story repeated with the same characters, who only have different names. The relationship just isn't working for me. Sorry. It just feels never ending. I don't care enough about Orion or Artemis, or Alexis or Galen, or whoever the characters are going to become in Book 3, 4 and 5. I was happy with Victor and Sara and I'm happy with the ending of their story, so that's where I'm going to leave it.