Spellbound by Ophelia Silk
- Publisher: Self-Published, April 8th 2021
- Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Novella
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 178 pages
- My Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Click on the cover for my review on Goodreads.
Check trigger warnings on the author’s website.
I went into the story knowing I’m going to get cottagecore sapphics with a simplistic plot, but I didn’t expect it to be so cute.
Jane Paris (20) and William make a striking couple. Or so the villagers say. One day, after another dissatisfying evening with William, Jane walks into the dangerous forest for a shortcut back home. Soon, a poisonous beast attacks her and it is only because of the witch Adelaide Thompson’s magic and cure that Jane survives. Raised to be proper and polite and marry a man, Jane learns that not all expectations are meant to be fulfilled, especially when there are other things that bring her happiness.
This reminds me a bit of Anna Burke’s Thorn but softer and focuses more on found family and queer joy. In a sense, Spellbound is a coming-of-age story for Jane where she gradually understands that some social norms she grew up accepting are meant to be challenged, and that there is a place in the world for her to be truly happy and free.
I love the parallel between magic and one’s true self; both are powerful and feared by many. It reads almost like a metaphor, for magic to be a protection and something that guides people into accepting themselves. Also, the beasts parallel inner demons, the internalized fear and bigotry. There is also the adorable contrast between the tidy village girl and the messy young witch. Even though Adelaide was set up to be this cold and reclusive witch, I find myself warming up to her very fast, and my heart breaks for her, too. Adelaide finds politeness a waste of energy and values honesty. I think the character traits of Jane and Adelaide also mirror the differences between being closeted and being out-and-proud.
There were times where I had to reread sentences because of slight ambiguity, which is possibly an uncorrected review copy issue, and the romance progression was a bit fast for me, but throughout most of the book as well as the ending, I smiled so much that the enjoyment Spellbound brings eradicates all the other nitpicks I have. Plus, I liked Adelaide too much.
Spellbound is a mostly feel-good novella with a confident witch in the forest and a village girl trying to find her way to be happy. Best if read by a fireplace, in a cabin where you can smell the woods outside.
I received a digital review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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