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Spell Bound

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About The Book

An instant New York Times bestseller!

Two rival apprentice sorcerers must team up to save their teachers and protect their own magic in this “charming and engaging” (School Library Journal) young adult romantic adventure from the author of In Deeper Waters and So This Is Ever After.

Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a call center for magical emergencies. He doesn’t have much experience with hexes or curses. Heck, he doesn’t even have magic. But he does have a plan—to regain the access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed.

Antonia is…intimidating, but she gives him a job and a new name—Rook—both of which he’s happy to accept. Now all Rook has to do is keep his Spell Binder, an illegal magical detection device, hidden from the Magical Consortium. And contend with Sun, the grumpy and annoyingly cute apprentice to Antonia’s rival colleague, Fable. But dealing with competition isn’t so bad; as Sun seems to pop up more and more, Rook minds less and less.

But when the Consortium gets wind of Rook’s Spell Binder, they come for Antonia. All alone, Rook runs to the only other magical person he knows: Sun. Except Fable has also been attacked, and now Rook and Sun have no choice but to work together to get their mentors back…or face losing their magic forever.

Appearances

APR 28
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Asheville, NC 28801
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Barnes & Noble - Upper West Side
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Politics and Prose Bookstore
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In conversation with Andre L. Bradley
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
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YALLWest
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Santa Monica High School
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Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland)
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

About The Author

Photograph by F.T. Lukens
F.T. Lukens

F.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YA speculative fiction including the novels Spell Bound, So This Is Ever After, and In Deeper Waters (2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist; Junior Library Guild Selection), as well as other science fiction and fantasy works. Their contemporary fantasy novel The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction and won the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction. F.T. resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats.

Why We Love It

“F.T. Lukens is an expert at creating a chaotic blend of swoon-worthy romance and laugh-out-loud humor set against whimsical fantasy backdrops and fueled by effortlessly charming characters. Spell Binder is no exception! Add enemies-to-lovers apprentices and you’ve got yourself a winner.”

—Kate P., Editor, on Spell Bound

Product Details

  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (April 4, 2023)
  • Length: 336 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665916240
  • Ages: 14 - 99
  • Lexile ® HL670L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

"With mystery, magic, and mega-cute rivals-to-lovers vibes, Spell Bound cast a spell that had me flipping through the pages at lightning-speed! Once again, I'm utterly enchanted by F.T. Lukens!"

– Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue

"A charming and engaging story about finding your family when you feel out of place. A simple but sweet story that would be a great introduction to fantasy books. Very worthwhile to have in any tween or YA collection."

– School Library Journal

"A delightful novel about magic and belonging."

– Kirkus Reviews

"Tight plotting, fresh worldbuilding, and an innovative magic system buoyed by clever banter and impassioned romance results in a winsome found family narrative and a delectable treat."

– Publishers Weekly

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List High School Title

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: F.T. Lukens