REVIEW: Spellbinding, by Maya Gold

Salem is the bewitching backdrop to this lush, fast-paced tale of one girl discovering the source of her powers.

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.

Spellbinding is a coming-of-age-discover-I'm-a-witch-can't-figure-out-the-hot-guy-I-like story. The cover gave me the impression that I'd see more...um...witch stuff. And it's set in Salem, Massachusetts. I feel like I needed it to be...more.

It starts out great. Abby is interesting and the approachable sort, you'd be friends with her. Her friends, new and old, are likeable and develop Abby's character well, even if there's is a little missing. It's, of course, interesting that she's taking a part time job in Salem, in a witchy kind of store. But then...it just became a same ol'-same ol' kind of story. It all even wrapped up neatly and nicely.

But, to be fair, when you're looking for escapist reading, same ol'-same ol' works. It's a good story and something I wouldn't hesitate to share with readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Scholastic Point through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”