Binding Spell

Amazon Description:
"A case of mistaken identity takes Lark Sedassa from her family's estate and into the power of Kadar Arkalis, the ruler of North Eredor, who thinks he's captured a much greater prize. Although he soon realizes his error, he makes Lark his bride anyway, still hoping to capitalize on her family's connections. Escape is nearly impossible, and before long Lark is not sure whether she even wants to leave. As she struggles with her growing feelings for her captor, she must find the strength within herself to draw on powers she doesn't even realize she possesses. Without those powers, she cannot hope to face the evil rising within the kingdom...or save the man she now calls husband."

Binding Spell is a fantasy novel that show more follows Lark through her kidnapping and marriage to Kadar Arkalis – the Mark of North Eredor. My initial thought before I started reading the relationship between Lark and Kadar was Stockholm syndrome. Nope, not in this story. Lark find her own in this book.
This is the third installment of the Tales of the Latter Kingdoms. I have not read the other two books, so I'm not sure how everything would flow. I was told by the author that this book can be read as a standalone, and I feel this is an accurate statement.

Characters:
The story is written in first person – through Lark Sedassa. She's not your typical damsel in distress. She tries to escape her kidnapping repeatedly (obviously without much success because the description states they get married.) She stands up for what she thinks is right and speaks her mind. She also knows she has limits and when to test her chances with the challenges she faces. Lark has magic – a secret that she holds as well as others like her. Once she is in Eredor, she soon discovers that there is at least one other person with a strong sense of magic. This sets her off on finding out who it is and what to do about it. Can she trust her husband with this secret? Can she help save North Eredor from an evil magic?

Plot:
The plot moves well and kept my interest throughout the book. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the force marriage because I have read a few stories with similar dilemmas. Some were good and others I could have done without. This particular was one of the good ones, because the mystery of this magical person and a dark power out to take over the kingdom made the story more worthwhile. The only complaint that I have on the story is that the ending seem to be rather fast. I suppose I was expecting a little more "umph" fighting the villain than what was written. Perhaps a short epilogue on how things settled after the climax would have also helped.

The Bottom Line:
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It's a nice clean fantasy novel with a little mystery. If you like fantasy novels and magic, you might want to try this book. show less

I love how capable Lark was through her ordeal. She doesn't loose her hear over a guy and keeps focused on the main goal. Wish more books featured a smart h.

4 STARS

Binding Spell is book 3 in the series but the first one I have read. As far as I can tell it stands alone. It is fantasy, romance story. I like the characters, especially Lark. The suspense of the series is good.

Lark has traveled far with her brother so he can accept his legacy. Her Aunt's other guess was going to be a Princess but she could not show up. So Lark was given her rooms. In the middle of the night she was kidnapped. She figured out that it was a mistake. She tried to use sleep spells to make everyone fall a sleep but she got caught by Kadar

Kadar is the ruler of North Eredor. He wants more for his country. That was why he risked kidnapping a wife. He decided to go ahead and marry Lark. Her family had some power and show more money anyway. He married her the day after she arrived in his home. He promised her he would give her time before they would share a bed. They would keep that a secret. Kadar after Lark's second attempted to escape had lots of guards surround her she could not get away.

Lark hid her powers. People with magic are not wanted anymore. Lark does have just a little bit of talent or so she thinks. She can tell when people do magic around her. She feels great power is at hand in the castle. She wants to find out who has such power. It is more power than her father has.

The story is well told and kept my interest in the story. Wanting to see what would happen next? Why is someone doing powerful magic in the castle. Does Kadar know?
What is Kadar's plans now?

I would enjoy reading more of tales of the Latter Kingdoms in the future. I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review of it by Librarything.
Published March 27th 2013 by Dark Valentine Press 320 pages ISBN:9780988334823 show less

Another well-written, smoothly flowing story by Christine Pope. The other two books in the series suffered a bit from endings that felt a bit abrupt and underdeveloped. This one? Not so much. The ending felt pretty natural and organic, not like it popped out of nowhere. Overall, a good book and an engaging read.

This is book 3 of the Tales of Latter Kingdoms. I had not read the first two books and I didn't feel lost at all reading this book as you do with other series. I also found it to be a easy read.

In this book a woman named Lark is kidnapped and brought to a ruler named Kadar. She soon realizes that she was not kidnapped for a ransom but for marriage.

What Kadar doesn't realize is that Lark knows magic, of which she has been told to share that knowledge with no one. She did quite well until she felt dark impending doom as she felt an evil magic brought into the castle.

Will she betray her beliefs to help a kingdom that was originally forced upon her?

By: Christine Pope
Published By: Dark Valentine Press
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: Tales of the Latter Kingdoms #3
Review:

"Binding Spell" By Christine Pope was the third book in this series: 'Binding Spell' that will follow 'Lark through her kidnapping and marriage to Kadar Arkalis, the Mark of North Eredor.' You will find this story is written in first person by Lark Sedassa. Upon finding out that someone else had 'Magic" as does, Lark is set to find out who that is and what to do of it. Will she be able to trust Kadar and even save 'North Eredor' from this magic which is evil?

You will be kept intrigued as this plot unfolds. Who is this person that posses the magic that will take over show more the kingdom? This will be where I say you must pick up this good read to see just who that villain is.

This was definitely a good fantasy and yes, 'Magic.' Also you will find in this fantasy novel there was even some mystery.

I found "Binding Spell" a well enjoyable read and Yes I would recommend this novel as a good read. show less