Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Damned Souls and a Sangria by Annette Marie Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Guild Codex Spellbound #8
Published by Tantor Audio on November 24, 2020
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 7 hours, 55 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Once upon a time, I was your average spunky redhead with the lamest employment history ever, a shaky relationship with my only family member, and no idea what I was doing with my life.
Now, I'm a pseudo mythic with the best bartending job in the world, the most amazing (and hot) best friends I never knew I needed, and a guild of misfit magic-users who've become my extended family.
And I'm about to lose it all.
In my desperation to save Ezra, I stumbled into a web of ruthless deception—and seriously pissed off a sleeping hydra. Now its every murderous head is turned toward me and my guild, and I don't know how to stop it. I'm not sure I can.
I'm not sure anyone can. But if we don't, we're all doomed—Ezra, Aaron, Kai, and my beloved guild.
The Guild Codex Universe has worked slowly to the point where Guild Codex Spellbound series is at the same situation as the Guild Codex Demonized. I thought they might merge but they have not. It is intriguing to see some events from two different viewpoints. And now there are going to be two more storylines within Guild Codex. There is reading order on Goodreads which combines the various series in the world. The overall story arc is connected and like most urban fantasy, I would read them in order.
Damned Souls and a Sangria is the final book in the Spellbound story. Tori is trying so hard to get solutions to help Ezra and time is running out for them. Robin and Zylas have been helping and waiting for them to figure some things out is excruciating. Tori helps however she can to stop her worry.
Things really explode into action with many players affecting the outcomes. It was exciting because many things happened which I didn’t expect. The demon contractors and the demon mage cult and the MPD and the Crow & Hammer all end up in the battles. The fighting is intense and dangerous. Things seem dire more than one time.
I really enjoyed seeing the Crow & Hammer team come together. Darius is all kinds of awesome, and so is Tori. We see an old favorite of mine – Zak, the Crystal Druid – who is getting his own series. Kit, and Agent Shen, who just started their own related series, jump into the fray. And I have yet to read the final book in the Demonized series with Robin and Zylas (waiting for the audio). The layers of people I care about have so much happening.
I loved this inspiring ending with solutions for so many characters I have come to love. You’ll want to read this series, the whole Universe in order and you won’t want to miss a single thing. It’s amazing fun and heartwarming with good triumphing over evil.
Narration:
Cris Dukehart has been the main voice for this world. I am so comfortable with her voice for Tori, and Robin as well. She is one of my favorite narrators. She is able to infuse character emotions into her performance. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Annette Marie
Annette Marie is the author of YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced urban fantasy, bold heroines, and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She proudly admits she has a thing for dragons, and her editor has politely inquired as to whether she intends to include them in every single book.
Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad). She shares her life with her remarkably patient, comparatively sensible husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I love seeing a five star review for this! I have not started this series but I’ll keep it in mind?
It’s up to 4 intertwined series now and no one can get enough!
I’ve got this series on my “what to binge next” pile – hopefully I’ll have time starting next year.
I started it from the library on that trip in May 2019 when I visited you. There are now 4 related series and I’d be happy for more.
This series sounds so exciting and I’m thrilled the ending was so good!
This is a great series with 3 related ones now. And it’s also fun. There is something undeniable about its spirit.
Glad this series is still inspiring, Anne! Great review?
It’s just a very fun series. There is lots of action and magic with some politics but not much focus on romance.
This sounds like such a good series! I do hope to fit it in at some point. Glad you are enjoying it!
I love the series and related series. I want to do it as a Read-along in a few years.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the ending. I read the first and maybe second book, but I need to catch up.
I really love this series and all the related series. It would definitely be a candidate for an upcoming Read-along.