Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The One and Only Crystal Druid by Annette Marie
Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Guild Codex Unveiled #1
Published by Tantor Audio on October 12, 2021
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 8 hours, 12 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
I’m not your average girl. My best friend is my switchblade. My favorite hobby is using it on the cruel, the abusive, and anyone who gets on my bad side. I’m a convicted murderer with a chip on my shoulder and a dangerous lack of restraint.
And then there’s Zak. His rap sheet makes mine look tame. The bounty on his head is worth more money than I’ll ever make, and the deadly fae that shadow his every step wield more power than I’ll ever know. He’s the Crystal Druid, and his first mistake was setting foot on my turf. His second was saving my life. And his final mistake will be failing to realize that however dark, however ruthless, however broken he is . . . I’m worse.
Guild Codex Unveiled series is a different aspect of the Guild Codex Spellbound world. I have read the entire Spellbound series. I would say you can read Unveiled without Spellbound first but I wouldn’t. It also ties in with the Warped series. I really prefer to read in order, yes, but there is also background on the world, the guilds and some of the characters which is really helpful if you ever have first book in a series issues. PLUS the Spellbound books are awesome!
The One and Only Crystal Druid is the thrilling start to Zak’s story, except it wasn’t exactly. The start and then flashbacks are about a time when Zac is in his teens and a girl named Saber. We are in her thoughts and point of view. She has some memory issues and doesn’t remember about the time in her life when she knew Zak. Now it’s about 10 years later and they meet again.
Saber has had a rough time in those 10 years. But she did finish her vet tech license and works both at a veterinary and at a rescue farm. She is learning to be a farrier. She is very stabby but I like her. She is a witch who doesn’t seem to have much power, but does have a familiar.
Zak shows up about the time many animals and fae are dying in the nearby forests. She and Zak both end up trying to solve who is killing them, as it is in their best interest. Their team work is prickly but they have some fun too. We learn much more about Zak’s skills and his fae companions.
I can’t say much more without spoiling things. I was thrilled to learn more about Zak and didn’t even realize Saber would be part of his story. She has a lot more happening than she knows. We get a peek of what is to come at the end and thank goodness, The Long Forgotten Winter King will be available in January 2022.
Narration:
Cris Dukehart is the original narrator for Tori in the Spellbound and Robin in the Demonized series. She is back now for Unveiled. This kind of surprised me with Zak being male but it turned out to be a fit. I really enjoy her voices for Tori and Robin and Amalia. Dukehart is one of my favorite narrators. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Fall
It seems like it would be totally worth it to start with the earlier series. I love the sound of this😁
Yes there are lots of great books and they are so fun!
Good tip to start with the Spellbound series first. I have not read much YA fantasy, but am starting to read more of it.
I would say they are new adult not young adult. There are a few flashbacks to their childhoods but it was adults. It’s a very fun interconnected set of series.
So glad you are enjoying this connected series, Anne💜 And, I’m also a fan of the narrator and I’m not surprised she’s a good fit, even though the MC is male.
Well the MC is sort of male. The main character in my mind is the Crystal Druid but the point of view is a female who looks to be his love interest? That all remains to be seen.
Stabby is an excellent description. I used prickly, but stabby is outstanding!
I really liked her. I could feel for her past.