Damned Souls and a Sangria by Annette Marie Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: Guild Codex: Spellbound #8
Published by Tantor Audio on November 24, 2020
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 8 hours, 35 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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 I don't, we're all doomed—Ezra, Aaron, Kai, and my beloved guild.
4.5-5 stars
I loved this conclusion to Tori’s story! I’ve been anxiously waiting for all the different Guild Codex storylines to fully come together, and this book finally delivered. We’ve seen plenty of overlap between Tori and Robin’s stories, while Kit and the MagiPol side of things have been dancing around the periphery. Getting to see all those threads finally connect was incredibly satisfying!
I was also thrilled to see Zak (the Ghost) return. Honestly, it felt like he was on a bit of a redemption tour, and I loved it! Another character I’ve really enjoyed watching evolve is Mikiko. Over the last few books, we’ve slowly gotten to see a different side of her, and by this point, I genuinely felt like she was one of the gang, just as willing to put herself on the line for the people she cares about.
And, of course, there’s Ezra. After everything he’s been through, I was so invested in seeing how his story would conclude. I’m really happy with how things came together, especially because it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. I actually prefer endings that don’t tie absolutely everything up in a perfect little bow. It makes the story feel more realistic (and yes, I realize we’re talking about fantasy here, but still!).
I’m walking away from Tori’s story feeling genuinely happy and satisfied, but definitely not ready to leave the Guild Codex universe behind! I’m especially anxious to get back to Robin and Zylas. Robin’s absence during so much of this book left me with plenty of questions, and I know there’s a lot more to her side of the story. I’m hoping we can get a happier ending for her and Zylas than some of the other characters have had.
The audiobook narration continues to work wonderfully for me, and I’m so glad I chose to experience this series in audio. The characters, humor, action, and emotional moments have all been such a pleasure to listen to.
A fantastic conclusion to Tori’s journey, and I’m excited to see where the interconnected stories take us 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 November 15. 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 Delivering Evil for Experts, by December 11.
- 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 think that if you do not know a magic, it is not real?” “Smart. You will live long thinking that.”
There are other options in the Giveaway for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
Who said “It’s all about appearances, Shakespeare. Scaring the shit out of people is one kind of shield. Acting like a harmless, dimwitted jokester is another.” in Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants is Zak.
The villain was The Rogue Ghost
Observations and questions you shared from Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants:
(Thank you so much for sharing!) If you can answer any of these questions, you can do so in a comment.
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- I wasn’t thrilled with Lienna, but really started to like Kit in this installment
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Quotes you readers shared from Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants:
“How about I cut off your fingers, fashion them into an artifact to suppress your dumbass warps, and make you wear your own desiccated digits as a tiara?”
“I was going to say, even though you fire off those evil little marbles like a friggin’ howitzer, you’ve got the accuracy of a drunken mosquito in a hurricane.”
“Holy Adonis, that face! The photo looked like an outtake for a cologne model’s magazine shoot, except instead of selling you the sweet musk of rugged spice and sex appeal, this brooding dreamboat was selling a renegade brand of seething anger and … well … sex appeal.”
“A job? I’ll be free long before you will, Kit.”
“I only get visions of imminent danger, not imminent annoyance.”
“You’re here for that shitbag? Now him I’d be happy to help you bust.”
“I’m getting the hell out of here. Last thing I need is a dead Brad on my résumé. Adios, mofos.”
“Why is breaking the law always your first idea?”
“Really? I don’t recall licking Varvara’s boots at any point.”
“You two puppies don’t look like much, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”
“Very funny, Shakespeare,” the Ghost growled. “I don’t work with comedians either—or fools.”
“How could this guy be a literal god of manliness and well-read? My pretend crush on his unholy, broody hunkiness might’ve just shifted closer to reality.”
“Not everyone on the wrong side of the law is morally bankrupt.”
“Is he always this annoying?”
“Zak nodded sexily. How did someone nod sexily? Maybe it was the steely gaze. I needed to take notes.”
“I saw it on Criminal Minds,” I said. “You could learn a thing or two from Dr. Spencer Reid.”
“Tell you what. When the MPD starts giving a fuck about homeless mythic teens, I’ll let you know what happened to them.”
“And what did you do? Other than lose your shirt.”
“I distracted him. What else was I supposed to do? You’re the mythical powerhouse with all the scary magic, not me.”
“Sometimes, Kit Morris, I can’t tell if you’re playing dumb or if you really are that dumb.”
“I don’t think that outfit follows official MPD protocol, Agent Morris.” She winked. “But I won’t tell.”
“Are those burns on your chest? Your little hallucinations weren’t much help against a pyromage, were they?”
“What’s actually in there? Or is it something even more embarrassing than your magic?”
“You can’t bring sex toys to work.”
“instead of leather and chains, every piece was made of … cheese. “Fifty shades of gruyere,” I whispered in awe. The man fondled a mozzarella-based whip. “I have some very specific feta-shes.”
“Let’s get going before you have to tell someone that briefcase contains your hemorrhoid cream or dead gerbil’s ashes.”
“Go home. Start fresh in the morning. And Agent Morris, change your shirt. You look ridiculous.”
“I replayed my last thought: breaking a few rules wasn’t a big deal if no one got hurt. That line of reasoning echoed the philosophy of Lienna’s father.”
“I don’t like following orders I know are wrong.”
“I think you may need to look less at who the victims are and more at what they were doing.”
“Fifty shades of gruyere,” I whispered in awe.”
“The only thing you’ll get from following orders is a shitty pension or a death certificate.”
“The battle is the fun part. Not the victory.”
“Dynamite is lame. If I’m resorting to human tech, I’m using plastics.”
“People like her don’t know shit about what it takes to survive for people like us.”
“I really hope you’re not dead so I CAN KILL YOU.”
“Good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ is bullshit and you know it.”
“Are you really just figuring this out now? You don’t need firepower if your enemies are helpless against you. I haven’t even seen everything you can do, and I can tell you that your old guild severely underutilized your power.”
“Kit, this isn’t an ‘obedience equals failure’ and ‘rebellion equals success’ equation.”
“I go with my gut and that’s what’s always worked for me.”
“Hey, are your eyes different? They seem more … normal.”
“Killing hostages before your demands are met is bad for business.”
“I am the great and powerful Kit!” my floating, projected head bellowed in homage to the Oz. “Lay down your weapons or I will instruct my servant, the undefeated Crystal Druid, to remove your jugulars and use them to jump rope!”
“You think you’ve won?” his bland voice called. “Does this seem like a victory to you?”
“I can’t change the fact I have these powers, but they don’t make me a monster. Now that I understand them better, I can use them properly—responsibly.”
“Because some secrets are too dangerous.” Blythe gazed icily at the spot where the druid had disappeared. “And he didn’t want them anymore. Now they’re ours to unmask and destroy.”
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 Berls at Because Reading
Michelle adopted me as part of her blog when I decided to close down my blog, Fantasy is More Fun. The blog was dying, but my love of reading and the blogosphere was still strong as ever – so I found my new home here at Because Reading!
I’ve loved reading as long as I can remember knowing how and will always pick a book over watching tv, a movie, or sometimes even spending time with friends/family. I caught the blogging bug when I started my blog in July 2013 and it takes up most of my spare time (that’s not spent reading). When I’m not reading or blogging, I’m usually spending time with my husband of 12 years, my teenage stepson, or my brother. My dog, Buffy (yes, she’s named for Buffy the Vampire Slayer my all-time favorite show) is always by my side, whether I’m reading, blogging, or just hanging – and she’ll probably show up in a few blog posts.
As a little girl I wanted to be author and even wrote a short story that I sent to a publisher. I did this all on my own, just taking the address out of my favorite Babysitter’s Club book and asking them to make it into a book for other people to read for me. Although my first attempt at publishing wasn’t successful, I cherished that rejection letter for years and maybe someday I’ll fulfill that childhood dream of writing my own books. I recently finished the first draft of my first novel – Sweeter Than Death – and really hope that I’ll be able to make a go of it someday not too far away. And in 2013 I authored a short story in the anothology Welcome to the Future that I hope to someday expand into a full-fledged series. But in the meantime, I enjoy sharing my love of books with others and will often showcase indie authors that I admire for doing what it takes to make their dreams to write come true.
I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t reading at least one book and I’ve often longed for people that I could share that joy with. That’s what I love so much about blogging and communities like Goodreads – I finally found people who love to read as much as I do and who enjoy the kind of books I do!
I also have the privilege of teaching Kindergarten. I love what I do and you can expect it to bleed into my posts. Teaching is a big a part of me as my family and reading. So grab a glass of wine and chat books, blogging, and family with me!
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.
- 🎧 The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo #Will Tudor @minotaurbooks.bsky.social @macmillanaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @MinotaurBooks @MacmillanAudio - November 14, 2026
- Read-along & Giveaway: Damned Souls and a Sangria by Annette Marie @annettemarie.ca #CrisDukehart @tantoraudio.bsky.social #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks #Kindle+@TantorAudio - November 13, 2026
- 🎧 Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros @RebeccaYarros @rebeccayarros.bsky.social #FullCast @recordedbooks @recordedbooks.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - November 12, 2026
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
Fantastic review Berls.
I agree. I am so lucky to have all those who join me in the Read-along.
Thanks so much for a terrific review, and for being a buddy reader with me and Brandee.
Yes, this was a stellar wrap-up for Tori’s part of the story and so many others. Great review, Berls!