Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig.

It went downhill the moment they asked me to do a trial shift instead of an interview — to see if I'd mesh with their "special" clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete dickheads, and I was an asshole right back. That's the definition of fitting in, right?

I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they… offered me the job?

It turns out this place isn't a bar. It's a guild. And the three cocky guys I drenched with a margarita during my trial? Yeah, they were mages. Either I'm exactly the kind of takes-no-shit bartender this guild needs, or there's a good reason no one else wants to work here.

So what's a broke girl to do? Take the job, of course — with a pay raise.

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Note: The three mages are definitely sexy, but this series isn't a reverse harem. It's 100% fun, sassy, fast-paced urban fantasy.

Tori has no problem getting herself into trouble in every book in the Guild Codex series, but each one is a complete adventure—no cliffhanger endings.

Three Mages and a Margarita is book one in The Guild Codex: Spellbound by Annetta Marie.

This is my first taste of Author Annetta Marie. I’ve had my eye on her work since she first came on the scene. Her covers are very eye-catching and make want to take a second look.

Three Mages and a Margarita was a very entertaining and amusing listen.

Tori is our lead. She’s a twenty-one-year-old heroine who’s currently sleeping on her brothers couch while attending college and working in the serving industry. Tori doesn’t have the best of luck on keeping a job and soon she’s looking for something new. Magically she finds herself at an unusual bar and the tale that unfolds is hilarious, snarky, sweet, and fun.

We are soon introduced to three mages who are all friends/roommates and work together to collect bounties. Tori’s interaction with each one is unique and each guy plays a role in her life as a friend. There might be a possible love interest, but that’s not here nor there.

The story-line is fast-paced and enchanting. The world-building is nice. The secondary characters are all unique, interesting, and fun.

Three Mages and a Margarita unfolds nicely and is a great start to the series. I can’t wait to continue on. If your looking for an enjoyable urban fantasy to listen too then this is definitely one to check out.

Narration: Cris Dukehart is a new to me narrator. She did a fantastic job with Tori and the rest of the gang. Things moved along at a nice pace, emotions where captured, and the snark came off as fun and appealing.

Rated: 4 Stars

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Challenge(s):

• 2019 Audiobook Challenge

 

Angela

I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. I’m an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, dog owner, animal, and book lover. I’m the owner, reviewer, and mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy. My favorite shifters are dragons!

This series is magical and I never want it to end! Please give me all the books pertaining to this series, I beg you! The world is so fascinating and well built. The characters are complex and some walk in a grey area that makes the story that much more interesting.

Robin has been withstanding everything that's been thrown at her up to this point and it's amazing she's still alive. I've never seen myself so much in a character like I do with Robin. She's a bookworm who normally likes to stick to the outskirts of groups of people. She wasn't taught any of the survival skills she needs to have in this magical world she's found herself in much to her mother's dismay. Though I still wish I had her cooking skills. It's a fascinating balance Annette Marie strikes with Robin and the world she put her in and I love it!

Zylas is amazingly intelligent while also being a jerk half the time. There are moments when he has me thinking that he actually cares and then that all goes out the window after he calls Robin stupid in his native tongue. It's an entertaining dynamic and I'm excited to see where it's heading. I've said this before and I'll say it again I can't help but want Zylas and Robin to become a couple as dysfunctional as that may turn out.

There were a lot of action-packed scenes that had me on the edge of my seat with my hands over my eyes. There were way too many close calls for comfort. The ending had a bad feeling churning in my gut and I don't know how it's all going to be ok again. At this point, I just need some assurances that everything and everyone will be ok again. 

There were one or two scenes where I did get lost in dialogue because the voices were too similar. Other than that the narration was good!