Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Twice-Scorned Lady of Shadow by Annette Marie Narrator: Cris Dukehart, Tim Campbell
Series: The Guild Codex Unveiled #3
Published by Tantor Audio on June 28, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 7 hours, 37 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
'm learning to embrace who and what I am, but there's one thing I can't face: the night Zak betrayed me. But even with the mysteries of our shared past hanging between us, I can't turn Zak away when he asks for my help.
Powerful fae are going missing, and when he tried to investigate, Lallakai vanished too. Now he wants me to venture with him into the territory of the Shadow Court, but its bloodthirsty courtiers don't welcome meddling druids.
Danger is gathering around us, seen and unseen. As we uncover incomprehensible clues about the missing fae, we realize this nightmare runs deeper than we imagined, and unveiling it means delving into the past—our past.
Guild Codex Unveiled series is a different aspect of the Guild Codex Spellbound world. I thought this was going to be Zak’s story but really it is his and Saber’s stories. I have read all of the Spellbound and Warped series. I would say you can read Unveiled without Spellbound and Warped first but I wouldn’t.  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 other series are awesome!
The Twice-Scorned Lady of Shadow picks up right were the previous book ended. It begins with the ordinary tasks Saber handles at the rescue where she volunteers. Zak disappeared on her again and she’s unhappy with him. It also has her going to her new guild, The Crow & Hammer!  Saber is uncertain how to deal with people there. She really hasn’t ever had any friends or allies.  It was fun to see Tori and the gang there.
Zak turns up there and she is shocked to find he knows Tori and her friends. He says he needs Saber, shares with her that Echo and Lallakei are missing. Saber knows he saved her and Rikr so they go to help him find his consort and Echo.
I won’t spoil what happens but they go to save Lallakai and as I’ve always known, she’s not trustworthy. It turns out she is part of the Court of Shadows whose territory is adjacent to Echo.
Contrasting the present day story of her rescue, Zak’s chapters tell us the history 10 years ago and why he left Saber then. Eventually, Saber hears the whole story. The reason Zak’s people are missing is an old enemy, one Lallakai was supposed to kill years ago and didn’t.  Zak has to face the pain and fear from that time, and Saber is supportive of him. The enemy has taken over the Court of Shadows.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and leaves me furious at Lallakai. I am worried for Zak and Saber. Thankfully, I won’t have to wait too long as The Unbreakable Bladesong Druid is projected to be released September 9.
Narration:
Cris Dukehart is the original narrator for Tori in the Spellbound and Robin in the Demonized series. She is back now for Unveiled. Since most of the story is Saber’s voice, this fits well.  Dukehart is one of my favorite narrators.  Now Tim Campbell is narrating the chapters which are from Zak’s point of view. I found it weird because the voice naturally is very different than Cris Dukehart’s voice for him. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell is an award winning actor and singer who lives in Los Angeles, CA. He works primarily in audiobook narration and voice over and has narrated hundreds of titles spanning almost every genre. He has won or been nominated for almost every major award in the audiobook industry, including most recently a 2018 Audie, a 2019 Audie (nom), a 2019 Voice Arts Award, and several Independent Audiobook and Audiofile Magazine Earphones awards.
He lived and trained in the UK and Germany, narrates as both an American and a Brit, and has studied performance diction in German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese, and Latin. He specializes in accents, dialects, and character work and holds three degrees in theater and music as well as graduating from the esteemed two year Great Books Colloquium of Pepperdine University.
In his other, musical life, Tim sings regularly with the LA Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera, and in studio sessions for TV and Film. Highlights include principal ensemble in Candide at LA Opera, Courfeyrac in Les Miserables at Fresno Grand Opera, Jud in Oklahoma with Cabrillo Music Theater, and Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Pacific Opera Project and singing on the soundtrack for Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and films such as Creed 2, Venom, and many others.
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:
- 22-COYER
Sounds like a fascinating series, Anne. Wonderful that you get to listen to Dukeheart, too.
I love these UF stories by Annette Marie. I don’t know how to describe them other than I really enjoy the characters, setting and story arcs. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Dukehart is the narrator.
I think when I get around to these, I’ll be sure to start with the original series and work my way through. I like to get all the worldbuilding and character background stuff as it unfolds if I can.
yes I would definitely read the series in order since there is so much connection which adds to the depth of development. I am considering this series for a Read-along but for a few years out because I have just read it.
I read the first couple of books of one of her series a while back. Glad to see you’re still enjoying the series, Anne!
I love it and will do a Read-along down the road. But I’ve read it recently so it will be later.
Glad that the next one is coming out soon for you!
Yes because the ending here was stunning. I want to know what happens next.
Love the cover! I’m glad you’re enjoying the series and hope the next one comes out soon for you.
All the series by Annette Marie have cool covers. She is even doing comics too.
What?!? Someone I totally missed it. So glad I stopped by. I am glad to see you enjoyed it. I just grabbed it and will read your review after I’ve devoured it…lol
I know. It’s rough to keep up with everything. I’ve taken a few more than I should this month and next.
Wow, she really does write a lot of series, doesn’t she? I just finally finished the Red Winter trilogy late last year and loved it, so I need to see what else of hers I already have on my kindle.
I’m glad to hear you loved that one. It’s the only one of hers I haven’t read. I love all these Guild Codex books and must do a Read-along for them but it’s too soon after I have read them all.