by Debbie Cassidy
Series: The Witch Blood Chronicles #1
Narrator: Zehra Jane Naqvi
Length: 7 hours and 20 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Being left behind to hold the fort every time the world needs saving, sucks.
For Carmella Hunter, a witch blood with practically no magick, being surrounded by powerful friends has taken its toll. For once it would be nice to be the one doing the saving. Stuck in a dead end job in Piccadilly’s favourite bakery, Carmella spends her days making cinnamon rolls and her evenings feeding the homeless, all the while dreaming of making a difference.
One huge pastry order for the Covens annual meet and an attack of flu germs leaves Carmella delirious with a fever—too delirious to avoid a fateful bargain with a djinn named Paimon. Bound to do his bidding, his seductive voice in her head and his infuriating arrogance make the partnership a trying one. With Paimon, Carmella gets her first taste of power. A power she must use to track down the monsters hunting Paimon’s people. Suddenly Carmella isn’t so helpless anymore.
Things get complicated when her boss, and close friend, goes missing, and the enforcement agencies don’t seem too bothered about looking for a celestial dancer who likes to sleep around. With the help of Mal Banner, the Piccadilly Coven Elder Witch and self professed playboy, Carmella finally has the opportunity to be the hero she’s always wanted to be.
But someone doesn’t want Carmella digging. Someone will go to any lengths to make her stop.
I’ve been devouring urban fantasy, and when the first in the Witch Blood Chronicles came out on audio, I couldn’t resist. Binding Magick by Debbie Cassidy delivered an exciting start to the series with snark and a good-willed protagonist who lacks magic but finds herself in a bargain with a djinn.
Narrated by Zehra Jane Naqvi, we are introduced to Carmella Hunter. She is a witch blood who never came into her powers. She has spent her life feeling like an outcast or misfit. Bad luck, horrible ex-boyfriends and more have caused some emotional baggage, which is sad because Carmella is sweet, funny and likable. She works at the Piccadilly’s favorite bakery and is quite good at baking up their gooey confections. My mouth drooled with the descriptions. When the rest of the staff call out sick on a day when they have a massive delivery to the local Witches Coven, Carmella closes shop and bakes the day away, but as she makes the delivery she realizes she is coming down with whatever the rest of the staff has. Feverish and exhausted she falls into bed entirely dressed not knowing her life is about to change drastically.
Unwittingly she agrees to share her body with a djinn named Paimon. Paimon is hiding inside her and talking in her head. The situation is uncomfortable, seductive and complicated. It was interesting, and I laughed as they worked out awkward issues like bathroom issues and reading one’s thoughts. Paimon’s people are being hunted, and we get to spend some time in the in-between as Carmella helps him investigate.
Having Paimon in her head, gives Carmella her first taste of power as she accesses his. When her best friend and others go missing she seeks the help of the Mal Banner, the Piccadilly Coven Elder Witch. Mal is a charmer and quite easy on the eyes, but Carmella is beginning to have feelings for Paimon. Life is complicated for our little witch, but she is determined to save her friend and finish the task for the djinn.
Zehra Jane Naqvi did a fantastic job narrating, but I must admit her accent threw me based on the cover model. Once I got past that, I quickly slipped in and enjoyed her narration.
I loved the character growth in Binding Magick and the twist that came regarding Carmella. Cassidy developed the worldbuilding as she introduced us to characters and I am curious to continue.
The case wrapped up, and the author set us up for the next book in the series. I am looking forward to seeing Carmella grow and enjoyed the kickass heroine revealed to us. Now if only Carmella would realize how extraordinaire she indeed is.
Binding Magick was a great start to the Witch Blood Chronicles, and I look forward to continuing the series.
Binding Magick by Debbie Cassidy was a solid start to the urban fantasy series the Witch Blood Chronicles narrated by Zehra Jane Naqvi #iloveaudiobooks Share on X
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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Barbara Strickland
sounds different, I am plodding through my tbr so might add
Kimberly
It was. I have the next audio lined up and will be curious to see what I think.
Daniela Ark
I think it is so weird I love witches so much and I don;t read enough books about witches. I think I just have VERY high expectations and never feel witchcraft is done in books the way I like it LOL I’m glad you enjoyed this one and want to continue with the series!
Kimberly
Did you read Discovery of Witches? I really enjoyed this it has a nice blend of humor, magic, and mystery.
Cricket
These are my favorite types of books, especially with a relatable female lead. I’m going to definitely add this to my TBR list.
Kimberly
Enjoy Cricket!
Debbie Haupt
This sounds really interesting and I love the first line in the promo :). I may just put this on my list.
Kimberly
I have book two in the queue.
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts
Ahhhh this one looks like something right up my alley! I do love it when characters don’t have magical abilities so they have to fend for themselves in another way, haha. Plus there’s a djinn involved – this should be fun. ^_^
Kimberly
Agreed. It was fun learning about the world and this feisty heroine.
Sophia Rose
Oh, this one reminds me of a favorite sci-fi from a few years back when the character saved the life of an alien by sharing the body and then starting to have feelings.
The plot sounds good and I don’t think I knew about this author, so thanks! 🙂
Kimberly
Ooo alien encounter!
Nadene
Love the sound of this one. Great review,Kim.
Kimberly
Thanks, Nadene!
Mary Kirkland
I hadn’t heard of this one but it sounds good.
Kimberly
It was fun Mary.
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
This one sounds pretty good. I haven’t read any djinn or witch books in awhile. Might have to give this one a go!
Kimberly
Right. I am looking forward to listening to book 2
Angela Adams
“Being left behind to hold the fort every time the world needs saving, sucks.” — That opening sure grabs a reader’s attention! Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
Agreed. This was a lot of fun.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Another one I want to read. I love when an author has great character development, it makes you want to run out and get the next one to see what is going to happen and continue on your love affair of the characters lives. Great review!
Kimberly
Yeah, this was fun Mary.
Lorna
Hadn’t heard of this one and it sounds really good! I do have a question-does she ever get to see Paimon or does he just stay in her head? And if he leaves her, she will lose the powers she received from him, correct? Also, I saw where you said you got to listen to Gaslight. Didn’t you love it? I read and reviewed it, but want to get the audiobook as well.
Kimberly
Nope..sorry spoilers darling. If you really need answers message me on Facebook. I am listening to Gaslight now, just got audiobook late last night:)
Lorna
Oops I obviously wasn’t thinking!
Stefanie
Adding this one. Had to Google High Fantasy and Urban Fantasy. Didn’t know there were subcategories in the fantasy genre.
Kimberly
Indeed. High Fantasy tends to be completely new worlds with its own laws, nations etc. Urban is set in the world we know and either the paranormal world is out or lives among humans. There is usually magic,
Blodeuedd
Yay new good series 😀
Kimberly
Yep, yep!
Heidi
Sounds like a good start, and sharing head space with a Jinn sounds interesting.
Kimberly
It was refreshingly different.
Tyler H. Jolley
When you said it was setting up for the next book, does that mean this one ends on a cliffhanger?
Kimberly
Not what I would call a true cliffhanger more of an expectation of what is to come. The main thread of book one had closure.
sherry fundin
Enjoyed the review and the series sounds like a good one.
Kimberly
I’ve had fun with it Sherry 🙂
Ailyn Koay
i do like the background story behind it! I mean, here’s a heroine who managed to get what she dreamed about instead of trying to get rid of what she has..right?
Kimberly
Sort of..lol
kindlemom1
You know I have a hard time resisting a good witchy read Kim! This sounds like it has promise!
Kimberly
I have been craving all things UF and Paranormal lately.
Jennrenee
I just added this it sounds good. I do enjoy urban fantasy and witches seem to be my favorite. Great review
Kimberly
Yay. Glad you added it. I am gearing up to listen to the next book.
Cindy
Nothing like a kick ass heroine! I enjoyed reading your review and learning more about this book. Thanks!
Kimberly
Thanks, Cindy. It will be interesting to see how things develop.
Melliane
I would be curious to see what you think of the sequels as well! I didn’t know about this one
Kimberly
I have the next audio on deck. I just had to drop everything for the audio of Gaslight by Dannika Dark