Book review: Spellbound continues Catherine Roberton s series
1 May, 2021 01:00 AM
3 minutes to read
Black Swan, $36 Spellbound is the third in the Gabriel s Bay trilogy, with a helpful cast list at the beginning for those new to the series. The novel includes Robertson s characteristic humour and insight, and also the darker subject matter she s unafraid to embrace. Spellbound explores the use, misuse and impact of power, both political and personal.
At first the fight seems obvious: a battle to save the small town from a Tolkienian dragon, Elaine Pardew, a councillor from nearby town Hampton. She s determined to squash the planned Littleville tourist development in favour of a fancy aquarium, working hard behind the scenes to win over the wealthier residents of the area who think the poor bring it on themselves and that brown-skinned folk should shut up or find somewhere else to live. Elaine is a terrific scam artist , feeding people s worst instincts gr