Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: Guild Codex: Demonized #1
Published by Tantor Audio on December 31, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 7 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Rule one: Don't look at the demon.
When I arrived at my uncle's house, I expected my relatives to be like me—outcast sorcerers who don't practice magic. I was right about the sorcery, but wrong about everything else.
Rule two: Don't listen to the demon.
My uncle chose a far deadlier power. He calls creatures of darkness into our world, binds them into service contracts, and sells them to the highest bidder. And I'm supposed to act like I don't know how illegal and dangerous it is.
Rule three: Don't talk to the demon.
All I had to do was keep my nose out of it. Pretend I didn't find the summoning circle in the basement. Pretend I didn't notice the shadowy being trapped inside it. Pretend I didn't break the rules.
But I did, and now it's too late.
Robin is still reeling from the loss of her parents, stuck under her uncle’s roof while he drags his feet on releasing her inheritance. He insists the funds are “tied up,” but Robin isn’t buying it, and with good reason. Among the items she’s meant to inherit is an ancient grimoire, a powerful magical artifact she’s determined to keep out of his hands.
While waiting for her chance to break free, Robin uncovers something far darker than financial manipulation. Her uncle has been illegally procuring demons and binding them to the highest bidder, and there’s one currently imprisoned in the basement library. This demon, however, refuses to play along. Robin has always been taught that demons are dangerous, and they are, but curiosity wins out. She sneaks downstairs to talk to him, and they slowly form an uneasy friendship. I was hoping they’d help each other. Robin really needed someone in her corner!
I really enjoyed this latest installment. Robin’s situation tugged at my heart, and I was rooting for her to outsmart her uncle from the start. His motives were clearly self-serving, and the way he withheld her inheritance angered me. Robin was a little naïve, but it fit her age and the sheltered life she’s led.
It was also fun seeing Robin again after her appearance in Demon Magic and a Martini, and I loved getting glimpses of those events through her perspective. I had felt a little bad for the demons, even being so dangerous, because they were enslaved and forced to do whatever their contractor commanded them to do. I was happy to get some info from their perspective.
This is one of my favorite installments of the series and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
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COYER Challenge is adopting our Read-along. You can read about COYER and join that challenge HERE. On the Sunday after the review posts, they will host a Discord chat at 12 PT, 2 CT, 3 ET and 9pm Europe, for a one hour chat. The chat is March 29. COYER is moving from Facebook to Discord. The Discord chat is HERE. The chat is on the COYER Discord server, which it may ask you to join if you are not already a member. You can test it out in advance as the chat room will be for the whole year.
Here’s your to-do list:
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- Find your copies of these books, borrow them from a friend, get them at the library or buy them. The ebooks are currently in Kindle Unlimited.
- Read Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections, by April 24.
- Make note of a favorite quote or two as you read the book.
- If you haven’t read the books before, make a list of questions you have for the discussion. If you have read them, please don’t spoil new readers.
- Link up your review on Goodreads or your site to the post.
- Join the COYER book chat on the Sunday following the post.
- Enter the giveaways!
Games:
Who said (enter the answer in the Giveaway, don’t put in the comments)
Who said ““You weren’t lying, You’ve never seen a demon before.”
There are other options in the Giveaway for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
Who said “You know, the fact that I’m the sanest one in this house is extremely alarming.” in Demon Magic and a Martini is Ezra.
The villain was Keys of Solomon.
.
Quotes you readers shared from Demon Magic and a Martini:
“There are two kinds of girls: those who’ve fantasized about a threesome with a pair of hot guys, and liars.”
“What if it tastes like Brussel Sprouts and burnt engine oil.”
“I told Darius to beware of narrow bridges and whips.”
“I’d prefer my Harley, but I can make do with this little crotch rocket.”
Interviews with Annette Marie:
2019- Nov 13: Two Ends of Pen interview
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
The prize will be a $5 Chirp gift card or Amazon digital gift card (Open Intl).
Grand-Prize Giveaway:
There will be 1 winner chosen.
Tantor Audio is generously donating a set of 15 codes for the entire set (we are reading) on audio. Codes will work US or Intl.
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 4-5 weeks, posting on Fridays. We should have a review for most of the books with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our friends.
Nov 7: Three Mages and a Margarita – Rolé @ Hooked by the Book
Dec 5: Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors – Sophia
Jan 2: Dark Arts and a Daiquiri – Angela @ Angel’s Book Nook
Jan 30: Two Witches and a Whiskey – Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About
Feb 27: Demon Magic and a Martini – Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature
Mar 27: Taming Demons for Beginners – Rachel @ Waves of Fiction
Apr 24: Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections – Robin
May 29: The Alchemist and an Amaretto – Melissa @ That Library Girl
Jun 26: Slaying Monsters for the Feeble – Lenore @ Celebrity Readers
Jul 24: Druid Vices and a Vodka – Barb @ Booker T’s Farm
Aug 21: Hunting Fiends for the Ill-Equipped – Brandee @ Unconventional Bookworms
Sep 18: Lost Talismans and a Tequila – Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
Oct 16: Rogue Ghosts & Other Miscreants – KC
Nov13: Damned Souls and a Sangria – Berls @ Because Reading
Dec 11: Delivering Evil for Experts – Anne
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.
About Rachel at Waves of Fiction
Hi, I’m Rachel, a wife, mother, and now grandma! I love reading, trying to stay active and healthy is a big part of my life.
I’ve loved reading from a very young age. Both my father and mother were avid readers so it’s no surprise. Growing up I was hooked on mysteries (always with a little romance, mind you). Nancy Drew was my first love, and then I graduated to Agatha Christie. Many times I read into the wee hours because I just had to know: who did it?!! I really wish I didn’t require sleep because it really cuts into my reading time!
Currently, I’m a big lover of mysteries, thrillers, urban fantasy, fantasy, historical, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Joining Goodreads back in 2011 was a revelation! Being able to share my love of books with like-minded people and discover new books has been so much fun, and then I discovered book blogging. I’ve been blogging since 2012 and it’s my favorite way of connecting with the bookish community!
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.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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I absolutely loved Robin and Zylas. Glad to see you did, too, Rachel!
They are my favorites!
I loved Robin! Can’t wait to see how her story progresses!
Great review! I’m already a fan of Zylas, though I’m still making up my mind about Robin. I’m curious to see how her character develops as the series continues. Glad you liked this one!”
I loved Robin. I was furious on her behalf but loved the way she fought for everyone but herself.
Thanks, Angela! Like Anne, I was enraged on Robin’s behalf. Her uncle was a creep! I hope you end up liking Robin, too!
When I read this the first time I hadn’t read any of the other books by Annette Marie. I really liked that Robin was not your typical badass heroine and needed self help books to try and be more assertive in her life. Zylas rocked!!!
Is it bad I really want a Human/Demon romance between them. Because I’m really pulling for one and please don’t dash my hopes if there isn’t anything on the horizon.
I ship them too! Glad to have you reading with us.
Yes, she isn’t your typical heroine and I really felt for her! I’m crossing my fingers they get a HEA!
Rachel thank you so much for sharing your great review and joining us on the Read-along.
My pleasure! I was bummed that I missed the chat. It was like wrangling cats over in Texas with my grandchildren, haha! Not really, they’re good kids, but it’s a lot of work to take care of a 10 and 7 year old! I’m finally home after a long day of travel and sitting down to catch up with everyone! I hope to make the next chat. Thank you for hosting! I know it’s gotta be a lot of work for you to set it up! I should be able to make the next chat.
Agreed! I look forward to seeing how she works with the Guild, but also, we know she has her own “demons” to fight. Great review.
Thanks, Jen! I look forward to seeing Robin grow and stand up for herself more and how she fits in with the Crow and Hammer crew. They’re a great guild compared to the others!
Hopefully the Crow & Hammer will be a safe space for her while she works on her family / inheritance problems and to figure out how demons can go home.
This was definitely my favorite so far of the series I think!
Yes, me too, Lisa! I was bummed I missed out on the chat. I hope to make it next month!
Well as I said it’s my favorite series of the Guild Codex.
I’m in love with that cover!!!!!!!
They are all pretty cool covers in the series.
Fantastic review, Rachel. I enjoyed this one!
It’s a favorite of mine in this world. The humor vs the dire life and death is a catching combination.
I really like Robin and this series is probably my favorite of the Guild Codex ones so far. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one.
yes my favorite too. Thanks for joining in the discussion here.