Caffeinated Reviewer | Only Spell Deep by Ava Morgyn
20th Mar
Narrated by Jennifer Pickens, Only Spell Deep by Ava Morgyn delivered a romantasy steeped in danger and ancient magic with a side of romance. An atmospheric tale that started and ended strong, with a middle that struggled.
Only Spell Deep
by Ava Morgyn
Narrator: Jennifer Pickens
Length: 12 hours and 30 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.5x
Judeth Cole has always had certain uncanny abilities. But when she arrived at Solidago, her grandfather’s estate by the sea, she was forced to keep them secret. There she lived a harsh life under his rule and the haunting legacy of her late grandmother, Aurelia. Until the fateful day she ignited a fire with her magic. It was the last time she saw her family alive.
Seventeen years later, she’s living in Seattle as Jude Clark, and failing at life, when she makes a last detour through her favorite bookstore, selecting a book to read as she waits to die. But when she pulls it from the shelf, an invitation to her for a clandestine midnight meeting slips out. Jude is quickly swept up into a world of secrets and magic, discovering a circle of powerful new companions led by the mysterious, enigmatic Arla. The source of their magic, Arla tells her, is an entity, trapped and bound, that they call The Fathom. But Jude swiftly realizes Arla wants this power all to herself, and that she’s willing to kill for it.
Terrified, Jude turns to Levi, the handsome bookseller who’s seen her at her worst. With his help, she begins a research journey that leads her all the way back to Solidago, the house she swore to never return to. Now, the Fathom threatening to break free and Arla on the hunt, Jude must finally face her past to save her future.
Judeth Cole, a girl with uncanny abilities, escaped her grandfather’s ancestral home by the sea in Seattle when her magic ignited a fire. It was the last time she saw her family alive. Now, seventeen years later, people know her as Jude Clark. She lives and works in Seattle. Her life is falling apart. Things are precarious at work and needed solace, she seeks her favorite bookstore. When she removes a book from the shelf, an invitation addressed to her falls out. It’s an invitation to a midnight meeting. Curious, she goes, and the tale that unfolds is filled with danger, magic, and a curious magical entity bound and trapped, known as The Fathom.
The tale that unfolds quickly pulled me in as we learn about Jude, her past, and this secret society run by Arla, a powerful witch. The setting was rich, and the atmospheric tale surrounding the Fathom was dark and delicious. Only Speel Deep starts off strong, but then the middle gets bogged down with research, magical understanding, and dialogue. The romance was served as a side-dish and served its purpose. Things pick up after that as the danger escalates and Jude grows as a character. The ending was strong and left me satisfied.
Jennifer Pickens narrated and did a great job of giving voice to Jude. She captured her personality and emotions while giving voice to other key characters and setting the tone. Pickens enhanced my overall enjoyment of the tale and kept me listening even as the middle dragged.
About Ava Morgyn
Ava Morgyn grew up falling in love with all the wrong characters in all the wrong stories, then studied English Writing & Rhetoric at St. Edward’s University. She is a lover of witchcraft, tarot and powerful women with bad reputations, and she currently resides in Houston surrounded by antiques and dog hair. When not at her laptop spinning darkly hypnotic tales, she writes for her blog on child loss, hunts for vintage treasures, and reads the darkest books she can find. She is the author of YA novels Resurrection Girls and The Salt in Our Blood, and paranormal women’s fiction The Witches of Bone Hill, from St. Martin’s Griffin.
About Jennifer Pickens
Jennifer Pickens has been a storyteller since childhood, when she could often be found acting out the adventures of the characters that she created. Now, in front of the mic, she uses her smooth tone and confident grasp of character and pacing to connect listeners to an author’s story, bringing their words to life. She lives in Oregon, and is often found reading, drinking tea, metalsmithing, quilting, or playing the mountain dulcimer.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
