Review – Mirror Bound by Monica Sanz

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley.**

Title Mirror Bound (The Witchling Academy #2)

Author Monica Sanz

Release Date September 10, 2019

Description from Amazon

Conspirator. Failure. Murderer.

Seraphina Dovetail is used to being called all these things. As the seventh-born daughter to a witch, and the cause of her mother losing both her powers and her life, Sera has always felt isolated. Until Nikolai Barrington.

The young professor not only took an interest in Sera—he took her into his home, hired her for his moonlighting detective agency, and gave her the one thing she’d always dreamed of: a chance. Under Barrington’s tutelage, Sera can finally take the School of Continuing Magic entrance exam to become an inspector and find her family. Now if only she could stop her growing attraction to her maddening boss—which is about as easy as this fiery elementalist quitting setting things on fire.

But when ghosts start dragging Sera into possessions so deep she can barely escape, and then the souls of lost witches and wizards appear trapped in mirrors, these two opposites will have to work together to uncover a much deeper secret that could destroy the Witchling world…

Initial Thoughts

I’d be lying if I said the author’s name wasn’t my primary reason for wanting to read this book. I can’t resist supporting a fellow Monica. I also happen to love books about witches so this was a total win-win. I read Seventh Born back in September but never got around to Mirror Bound until this past weekend. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy Seventh Bound, but it wasn’t a series that screamed “where’s the next book? I need it right now”.

Some Things I Liked

• Nik and Sera. I liked their relationship and I thought it felt realistic.
• The timeline. I also really appreciated the timeline structure of this story. A lot happened in the first book and I thought the six month time lapse felt appropriate for the storyline.
• The magic system. I also really liked the world building and magic system used in this book. We got to see some of it in the first book but Mirror Bound elaborated on the world in a much needed way.

One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About

• The ending. It was kind of a letdown. I hope there is a third book in this series because I would like to see more of Sera and Nik.

Series Value

I enjoyed this series. I’d definitely read the next book (if there is a next book). I think book 2 solidified my enjoyment of the series overall and made the over-arching storyline stronger.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book. I’d continue with the series and it had everything I look for in a good witch story. I’m not sure if the next book would be a “drop everything and read it” kind of book, but, I’d add any sequels to my TBR.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommendations for Further Reading

• Given by Nandi Taylor – if you liked the magic school element of this book, give this January release by Nandi Taylor a try.
• The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross – if you liked Nik and Sera’s relationship as well as secrets and a main character who is looking for her lost family, try this series by Rebecca Ross.
• Emerald’s Fracture by Kate Kennelly – again, if you like Nik and Sera’s slow burn romance and you liked the magic school setting, give this shorter series by Kate Kennelly a try.