by Sarah Fine
Series: The Immortal Dealers #2
Narrator: Carly Robins
Length: 8 hours and 53 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Life and death are a gamble for a girl fighting to save humanity in a world she’s only beginning to understand.
One minute, Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger was a fairly normal young woman with an almost normal life. Absent father. Peculiar mother. Family secrets. The next, she was hurled into a land where the Immortal Dealers are waging a battle between good and evil—and where the fate of the world is in the cards.
Having only started to master her own deck, the inexperienced Ernie places the wrong bet on the right guy at the worst time. That’s when she’s bounced into another realm and trapped there by a formidable and power-hungry rogue Dealer who knows more about Ernie’s fractured family than Ernie herself does.
Now, Ernie’s fight to free herself is only the beginning. As the secrets of Ernie’s father and his own relics of power start to surface, Ernie will need to tell friend from foe—a feat not as easy as it seems.
At least now she has a full deck…because to survive secrets, betrayals, and dangerous dimensions, she’ll need to deal the best hand.
The Guardian by Sarah Fine is the second novel in the Immortal Dealers, urban fantasy series. With a clever plot and fun magical world filled with cards, summoning creatures and more I quickly slipped back in thanks to the narrations of Carly Robins.
Because this is an urban fantasy series, I recommend listening to audios in the series in the order of their release. Ernestine “Ernie” Terwilliger found herself a dealer when she stole cards from a would be thief, and found herself caught up in chaos as Immortal Dealers wage a battle between good and evil. In this installment Ernie finds herself in another realm when she sides with the wrong dealer. She will have to use her wit, trust friends and if she is lucky save her long-lost father in the process!
The Guardian pulled me in from the opening paragraphs and held me to the last sentence. Poor Ernie is inexperienced in her knowledge of the cards, world and rules. She is just scratching the surface of mastering her own deck and is literally bouncing from assignment to assignment. To make matters worse, she hasn’t heard from Gabe, the immortal dealer who helped her and kissed her in the first book.
While I will admit I was pretty annoyed at Gabe, Fine gives us reasons, acceptable ones and any scenes involving him were fantastic. He is supportive of Ernie and help her grow as a dealer. Ernie, despite her initial reluctance is pretty kickass and we see her grow by leaps and bounds. I like the dealers she has surrounded herself with and Fine continues to give us history on them. We meet new characters and Ernie’s father. I am curious about someone Ernie met in the other realm and will leave you to discover them.
The story makes me think of my son playing Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and I get chuckle telling him about the audiobooks. Fine has such a vivid imagination and her take on the other realm with its giant insects and rules created an intense listen. As exciting as the adventure was, it was the tidbits and additional world building that rocked for me. From the cards to the forger who makes them; it enchanted me.
Carly Robins continues to narrate the series and has become the voice of Ernie for me. She gives each character a unique voice and enhances Fine’s interpretation. From the pacing to her control during an intense scene she makes listening a pleasure.
The ending delivered twists and has me excited to see what the next audiobook, The Warrior will bring!
With a clever plot and fun magical world filled with cards, summoning creatures and more I quickly slipped back into the world of the Immortal Dealers, in The Guardian by Sarah Fine narrations by Carly Robins. #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
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
This sounds really good. I will have to add this one to my TBR.
Mary
Olivia Roach
I am really happy you were able to enjoy the second book in this series and that it was so fun! It sounds like the world building is good and even though some characters – aka Gabe – annoys you, Fine explains his motivations and reasoning.
Anne
I don’t know this urban fantasty but it’s my jam. I’ll have to look into it. Anne – Books of My Heart
Jen
Oh wow – this sounds pretty good. I’m not familiar with the author or series. Thanks for the review.
Debbie Haupt
What an interesting series premise, you definitely have my interest peaked Kim. I haven’t read her but I have noticed you like her a lot. Thanks
Heidi
Sarah Fine used to be a go to author for me, but then her last few outings disappointed me so I haven’t been as eager to read her stuff. This one has gotten some mixed reviews, but I am going to give this series a go to see if Fine can impress me again. Glad that you are liking this series, I hope I do too. Have a Happy New Year, Kimberly!
Tyler H. Jolley
It sounds very captivating, nice review, Kimba!
Angela Adams
This feels like a story that is a much better “listen to” instead of a “read.” Thanks for the post.
Tonyalee
I love almost every book that Sarah Fine writes – I am so behind on this series! I love the idea behind the card dealers. I haven’t listened to anything by that narrator, so I will check out the clip for sure!
Lover Of Romance
Its good to know that this one is a UF, those books tend to be ones you must read in order. Sounds like a winner. Glad you enjoyed it darling.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds pretty good. I haven’t read anything by this author but this one sounds good.
Angela
Nice review. I’ve got this series on my TBR to try. It sounds good.
sherry fundin
It’s nice to have another great book to look forward to.
Nadene
This is a new one for me. One more series to add to my list.
Nick
Happy New Year, Kim!
This was a really fun sequel for me as well. Gabe is annoying, but Ernie is the life and soul of this series. Glad you enjoyed it!
Melliane
That’s an author I really want to try! It sounds like a good series!