Annette Marie

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Taming Demons for Beginners

With the passing of Robin’s parents, she ends up living with her uncle until their wills are settled. Raised to avoid magic she didn’t expect to find a demon in the basement. A very illegal demon in the basement. Skirting around rude family members and illegal activities was not Robin’s plan. But if her uncle keeps dodging her questions about the will, she might as well poke around the demon. After all, it’s in a summoning circle, it can’t hurt her, right?

Having the chance to see Robin’s origins as a demon summoner was fantastic! She has a sad start having lost her parents before the story even begins. And she is such a timid character! While she tries to stand up for herself, she’s just learning how to do so. Unfortunately, this means people talk around her and verbally push her around. Such a vast difference from Tori in the Spellbound world of Guild Codex. I can’t wait to see the character development in store for Robin in future novels!

And Robin's baking treats to share and enjoy with others was so wholesome. It broke my heart when family members didn’t appreciate it. Yet Robin found an uncommon ally who loved her baked goods.

Zylas is an alluring morally gray character. He has his own plans and toys within the bounds of his contract. While he won’t hesitate to eliminate a threat, there are moments he seems to hold back. But it might just be that he does this for his own enjoyment. But no matter where Robin and Zylas go, there is sure to be entertaining chaos in their wake.

Taming Demons for Beginners is the start of The Guild Codex: Demonized series. Readers familiar with the world will see fun cameos from Crow and Hammer guild members, as this book lines up with a previous tale. Taking Robin’s timid character and pairing her up with a troublemaker is sure to create intense interactions. And I can’t wait to read about it.… (altro)

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Damned Souls and a Sangria

Throughout Tori’s search to save Ezra, she’s stepped on quite a few toes. What should have been a small job, has exploded into a full out assault. One thing has spiraled into the next until the entire Crow and Hammer Guild is pulled into the crossfire. Old foes and allies will return in this final explosive conclusion. Readers can’t help but be pulled into the action.

Damned Souls and a Sangria brings The Guild Codex: Spellbound series full circle. Tori’s come a long way from being the angry bartender slinging drinks at the boys. She has a wealth of friends and companions, willing to risk everything to keep her and those they love safe. Not to mention the experience and skills learned along the way in her many adventures. Tori’s limits will be tested as one thing after another pulls people away from her. But the one thing no one can break is Tori’s determination.

Annette Marie will leave readers poised on the edge of their seats as Tori faces her greatest challenges yet. Each one threatens to rip away Tori’s resolve. She’s reminded time and again of her weaknesses, but given a choice between saving her own life or a friend's, she will always choose the other person. Reader beware, your emotions are going to go on a rollercoaster.

Damned Souls and a Sangria is a fantastic end to The Guild Codex: Spellbound series. Readers' time with Tori and the crew has come to an end. Plot threads left open previously have been closed, but there are side stories still to enjoy in the universe. It was a wild ride from book one that carried on with each new story. The journey was worth every minute spent on it.… (altro)

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Lost Talismans and a Tequila

The dynamics between Tori and the boys never fail to energize the writing. Despite all the challenges they’ve had to face and the current obstacles in their way, the team makes sure to do everything in their power to help one another. They aren’t perfect, and there are quite the emotional upheavals in Lost Talismans and a Tequila, but Annette Marie never loses sight of how much the characters mean to one another.

That being said, readers are allowed to peek into Ezra’s mind this time around. It was a pleasant surprise to hear the change in the audiobook narrator and realize it was Ezra’s point of view. Choosing this book as his moment to reveal his inner thoughts was perfect timing. So much of the narrative has been from Tori’s perspective, but Lost Talisman and a Tequila is focused on Ezra’s past tragedy and current situation. Being able to witness firsthand the emotions and inner turmoil Ezra faces was captivating.

Readers will by now be used to Tori rushing into danger without a single thought. But in Lost Talismans and a Tequila, Tori will have to face some of the bitter truths about her actions. While she may have good intentions, sometimes she does more harm than good.

Lost Talismans and a Tequila is another fast-paced ride in The Guild Codex world. While it has a light and boisterous feel, there are harder hitting themes lying in the wake for readers. Fans of urban fantasy and tightly woven friendships will enjoy this novel.… (altro)