by Annette Marie
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound #1
Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Length: 7 hours and 14 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.3x
Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig.
It went downhill the moment they asked me to do a trial shift instead of an interview — to see if I'd mesh with their "special" clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete dickheads, and I was an asshole right back. That's the definition of fitting in, right?
I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they… offered me the job?
It turns out this place isn't a bar. It's a guild. And the three cocky guys I drenched with a margarita during my trial? Yeah, they were mages. Either I'm exactly the kind of takes-no-shit bartender this guild needs, or there's a good reason no one else wants to work here.
So what's a broke girl to do? Take the job, of course — with a pay raise.
Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie is a fun, snarky urban fantasy series with a human heroine who stumbles into a supernatural guild. Laughter, friendship, kickassary and more await you!
Fellow blogger reviews put this series on my radar. I had to laugh at the footnotes on Goodreads from the author, stating this wasn’t a reverse harem story and each book ended without a cliffhanger. I guess the title caused some confusing. LOL This is urban fantasy at its finest.
Tori our twenty-one-year-old heroine is sleeping on her brothers couch while attending college and working at service industry. Tori is a redhead with a temper or maybe she just experiences the customers from hell. After an incident that gets her fired she begins apply for open waitressing gigs and finds herself blackballed by local businesses.
Depressed but not deterred she heads to the next business on her list when she finds an ad for a bartender at the Crow and Hammer. It borders between the upper and lower side of town but still within walking distance. When she arrives, an overwhelming feeling to run hits her, but Tori pushes through and somehow gets a trial gig. The tale that unfolds was hilarious, sweet, and. snark. It was an all around fun urban fantasy with some suspenseful threads and kickassary.
The three mages are friends/roommates and work together collecting bounties. Tori’s interaction with each was unique. There is a little love interest. However, with someone trying to capture a mage and Tori getting into trouble the romance was served as a side dish.
The current threat wrapped up leaving us in a good place. Three Mages and a Margarita set the tone for the series while establishing the world. We encountered different supernatural creatures, learned about the different guilds and how the supernatural remain hidden among the human world.
New to me narrator Cris Dukehart did a fantastic job with Tori and the rest of the gang. She captured their emotions, enhanced the snark and gave each a unique voice.
Snark, friendship and kickassery await you in his fun filled light urban fantasy. Look for my reviews of the next three books, Dark Arts and A Daiquiri , Two Witches and A Whiskey, and Demon Magic and A Martini this summer. A fifth book, The Alchemist and an Amaretto releases in October.
Laughter, friendship, kickassary and more await you, Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie #iloveaudiobooks #UrbanFantasy #GuildCodexSpellbound Share on X*eBook available in Kindle Unlimited.
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!
You are not the first that I have read that loves this series and I think I am on the cusp of getting it. I have just read that many reviews that make me excited for it. Including yours!
Mary
Olivia Roach
I have heard a lot about this author and her books because of fellow book bloggers and I do think I would be able to love her writing! I have a book of hers on my wishlist and I cannot wait to read it and delve into her brilliant urban fantasy too. Great review x
Stefanie
OMGosh, this author is one I want to read. Di loves Annette Marie and always features her books on her blog. I must read the Red Winter series first. This one that you’ve read looks fun with the female lead all lookin spunky.
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer
I LOVE Annette Marie! I need to give this a go. It sounds fun. She is so great at bringing a group together. Thanks Kimberly! ❤️
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
This sounds like it was a great Urban Fantasy! The elements of laughter, friendship, and kickassery sound appealing! Hopefully, you get a little more romance in the next segment. I’m glad you enjoyed it Kim! Wonderful Review!
Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books
I’ve been stalking this series for a while, I need to prioritise reading it soon! It sounds like a lot of fun and UF is a love of mine. 🙂
Carla
Nice review Kimberly although probably not my cup of tea. I do like the word Kickassary though.
Teresa Mary Rose
That is a super fun title! I am always her for fun and snarky reads. Great review!
Lily
oh I think i need this in my life also 😀 it looks super entertaining. I miss my UFs
Anne - Books of My Heart
This is my next up listen which I recommended and got through the library. So I skimmed your review a bit.
Ailyn Koay
sounds cool. Totally dig the cover and the snarky attitude
Melliane
I’m glad you had such a good time with this one, I really love this series. I don’t remember if I have posted my reviews but I did love them all. Can’t wait for the spin off and more books
Lorna
Oh, this does sound pretty awesome. I also like the cover and the names of all of the books. I may just have to get this one- soon.
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
This sounds like a fun series to get into and I’m glad to know it isn’t one that will cliffhang every installment!
Sophia Rose
That’s funny about the Reverse Harem mistake. Yeah, I could see that. Haha!
I think this sounds like a fun one, too.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Oh, this sounds like fun! I like “lighter” urban fantasy more than the really dark ones, and it sounds like this would work well for me. I’ll put it on my list. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
That sounds like a lot of fun.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
This looks like a lot of fun and while I don’t read much in this genre I really love the ones that have a lot of humor. I’m adding this one to my TBR – it looks perfect for a fun summer read.
Flora
Kimberly, this sounds right up my alley. Great review and I’ve added it to my Amazon wish list! Thanks. x
Angela - Angel's Guilty Pleasures
Other bloggers have put this on my radar too. I picked up the audio on this first book when it went on sale a while back. I’ve got plans to give it a go. Glad to see you enjoyed. ^_^
Lizzy
I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I’ve read the first three books so far, need to get on the fourth one!
Kimberly
I have devoured the first three audios and will listen to the fourth this weekend. LOL Reviews won’t post until June and July. #BlogAhead.
Debbie Haupt
hmmm I didn’t see this on the blogoshpere but its on my radar now Kim and what a cute title and cover I’m in. Thanks
Cynthia
I am laughing at the synopsis! Thanks for sharing your great review and putting this on my radar.
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
I’m so glad you liked it too! This series is a lot of fun and Tori really knows how to wind up in trouble. I can’t believe this is your first Cris Dukehart! I love her! Can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series!