Sidonie Martel is a musician of unparalleled talent. A human with no trace of magical abilities, she is kidnapped and taken to the mystical faerie land of Avalon. There, she ends up imprisoned by the evil Queen Isabeau, and Sidonie's cherished ability to make music is violently and capriciously broken. I really like Sidonie- she's plucky and pragmatic, yet optimistic despite her horrific circumstances.

Morgan le Fae is a highly powerful sorcerer who is despised and feared throughout Faerie. Morgan was enslaved by Queen Isabeau hundreds of years ago, and has been forced to commit countless atrocities at her command. Poor Morgan despises what he has become, and manages to get himself through each day by planning for the time when Isabeau drops his leash for just one second so he may turn on her and take his revenge. I adore Morgan! He's all surly and broody and somehow retains a tiny kernel of central goodness. Despite what he's done, Harrison skillfully makes him a sympathetic character, forced to become the monster he despairs of.

Together, Morgan and Sid work to save themselves from Queen Isabeau. I delight in Harrison's fantastical world-building, and the many nuanced characters that populate Avalon. Morgan and Sid's slow slide into love is very satisfying. While I miss Dragos and his people, I'm enjoying the look into the UK Elder Races as well. SPELLBINDER gives us a pleasing triumph of love and goodness over the cruel reach of the malignant Queen Isabeau, set in a charming alternate fae world of King Arthur's Avalon.

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