{Book Review} More than Magic: Snow Bound by Elizabeth Kirke

Title: Snow Bound
Series: More than Magic #2
Author: Elizabeth Kirke
Self-Published
January 2013

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Synopsis:

After learning how to use magic and fighting vampires, anyone would be bored going back to normal college life. As if that wasn’t enough, Jen didn’t realize how hard it would be to tiptoe around her non-magic family and friends. She can’t even talk to her familiar, Rak, without making sure no one else is around! Worst of all, Jen misses the friends she made over the summer. Aside from Rak, they’re the only other magics she knows and she hasn’t seen them in almost five months!

Jen is all too happy to accept an invitation to go skiing with the gang. She gears up for two weeks of snow, magic, and fun. Just when everything seems to be going great, an uninvited guest turns up. Soon the skiers aren’t the only things going downhill. Jen thought that vampires were just about the most dangerous thing the magical world could throw at her. Unfortunately, she’s about to learn that people with no magic at all can be just as deadly ...

After reading More than Magic: Summer Abroad, I couldn't refuse a chance to read and review the second book Snow Bound. I love this group of characters and their ingrained friendship. They're fun, loyal, and smart; but, somehow they're always attracting trouble. If you haven't read Summer Abroad, go check out my review HERE! Catch up on the characters and give it a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

So, Jen's back with the gang after 5 months of being separated from the only "magics" she knows. When we left her in the last installment, she'd barely learned she was a witch. Now she has her familiar Rak, who I adore, and she's been practicing spells. Her friends have decided a ski trip would be just the thing for their winter get together, and it might have been...if snowstorms and vigilantes hadn't been part of the equation. 

As always, I try hard to provide spoiler free reviews, but I do have to say this: GO JEN & THOMAS!!! 

Now, outside of the previous statement, there are plenty of surprises awaiting you in Snow Bound. Just as everyone gets settled and is enjoying their skiing, the weather gets bad and bullets start flying: the kind of bullets no werewolf wants to get hit with. As usual, tragedy strikes and the competent MES officers are forced to take things into their own hands, doing some things that could end their lives...literally.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I had a difficult thing with just a couple of things. There's a part in the middle where Dani goes into a detailed explanation about the side-effects of the potions the "magics" use. I found the description to be a bit overboard when a simple explanation would have probably been more effective. As it was, I found myself skipping over large portions of the explanation to get to the action. Also, I felt like the personalities each character portrayed in Summer Abroad didn't shine through as much in this book. 

That being said...I highly recommend both of the More than Magic books to anyone who loves the usual mythical creatures as well as water and fire elementals. Everyone has a unique role and a matching personality. They're all connected in one way or another...most often in ways that when one of them is hurt or dying, the others experience the desperation. Elizabeth pushed the characters out of their comfort zone and placed them in situations where they had to make difficult and controversial decisions. I absolutely loved the way she had Thomas think out a certain decision and come to the understanding he did. It showed brilliant maturity and growth!

Another fantastic book Ms. Kirke!!! Keep it up, because I cannot wait to read the next installment.