I listened to A Little Warped right after The Alchemist and an Amaretto as part of The Guild Codex audio novel, Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections. If you are following the author's recommended reading order, this short story falls between The Alchemist and an Amaretto and Slaying Monsters for the Feeble.

A Little Warped kicks off a brand-new case for Kit and Liena. While it delivers a quick, standalone adventure, this incredibly brief novella primarily serves as a prequel that sets the stage for the next full Warped installment, Rogue Ghosts and Other Miscreants.

Rated: 3.5 Stars

This fifth installment in The Guild Codex: Spellbound series brings the holidays to a whole new level, complete with powerful elite magical families, a prestigious academy, and a pack of unusual werewolves causing trouble.

Diving into the Guild Codex Universe has been quite an interesting ride, and I'm really enjoying experiencing it in Annette’s recommended reading order. The Alchemist and an Amaretto takes Tori and her three mages away from the mean streets and the familiar walls of the Crow and Hammer, transporting them to a lush, magical island academy. It’s a fantastic look into the elite world Aaron grew up in.

At this point in the story, Tori is struggling with her brother and his intense hostility toward her and the magical world she has fallen into. Meanwhile, her best friends and teammates—Aaron, Kai, and Ezra—play massive roles in her life, forming a wonderful found family bond. Her attraction to Ezra is steadily growing, but his big secret and his demon constantly complicate things, keeping her completely off balance.

I really enjoyed seeing Aaron’s family and watching how he navigates their pressure to rejoin the family guild versus finding a different path away from the Crow and Hammer. It was also great to have Sin tag along with the gang; seeing her and Tori develop a closer friendship was a wonderful touch. As for the feral werewolves, they pose a massive, growing threat to the academy and everyone around it. Things take a dangerous turn and the characters are put on a serious time crunch, but in the end, Tori pulls through and absolutely kicks butt.

Each novel continues to beautifully expand this world, and I love seeing Tori grow into herself while building a found family and support system that truly works for her. This is another engrossing urban fantasy adventure for Tori and the gang, and I'm already looking forward to listening to the next installment in the universe.

Audio: As always Cris Dukehart does a splendid job narrating this series.

Rated 4 Stars

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergeist is book five in The Portlock Paranormal Detective series by Heather G. Harris & Jilleen Dolbeare and narrated by Alyse Gibbs.

As Bunny trains to become a detective, it’s refreshing to see her leave Portlock behind to solve a mystery in a human setting rather than her usual supernatural hometown. This time, her journey takes her and Sidnee to the academy for formal training. However, all is not well at the institution; whispered rumors of past disappearances, a restless poltergeist, and lurking secrets suggest something is deeply rotten. 

While I appreciate the ongoing continuity of the series, the growing number of unresolved plot threads is starting to feel overwhelming. There are simply too many loose ends left dangling from previous cases. On a positive note, I absolutely loved seeing Bunny and Sydnee’s friendship take center stage in this installment.  

Overall, The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergeist is another fantastic installment in the series. Despite a few lingering plot threads, the change of scenery and the fantastic focus on Bunny and Sydnee's dynamic made this a highly enjoyable read. If you love urban fantasy with great character growth and a solid mystery, this series remains a must-read. 

Rated: 3.5 Stars

Ilona Andrews has done it again! This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is a magnificent first installment to a brand-new series that grabbed me from the very first page. The premise and magic system feel incredibly fresh, anchored by a compelling and relatable protagonist in Maggie.

The story follows Maggie, who finds herself transported into the world of her favorite fantasy trilogy—a series that has left fans waiting years for the final book. Armed with encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, characters, and world, she sets out to change the narrative’s grim trajectory and survive a land that is as brutal as it is beautiful.

Maggie’s journey is fascinating to watch as she takes risky, clever steps to unmask corrupt rulers and build alliances with ordinary citizens. However, her interference quickly catches the eye of the elite. Every choice she makes ripples through the timeline, altering the "story" she knows by heart and creating an unpredictable future that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Audio: This was my first experience with narrator Kristen Sieh, and I was completely mesmerized. She brings a strong, confident feminine voice to Maggie while giving every side character a distinct identity. Even without drastic shifts in pitch, her subtle changes in tone perfectly capture the high-stakes emotions and internal struggles of the cast. She truly breathed life into the world of Rellas.

This book is a constant thrill ride. Between the epic battle scenes, a surplus of intriguing men, and palpable sexual tension, I was completely hooked. The powerful cliffhanger ending left me desperate for the next installment. If you enjoy high-stakes "isekai" or portal fantasy with deep world-building, this is a must-listen.

Rating: 5 Stars

I read this on Kindle Unlimited back in 2022.

Call of the Wolves is book one in the Call of the Wolf series by Adam Dark & Matthew Thrush.

The story begins with a classic forbidden romance: Alyssa, a witch, is in love with Marcus, the Alpha’s son. Predictably, the pack’s inherent loathing for her kind results in her being chased away, setting the stage for their eventual reunion.

While the story was decent, the mystery surrounding the murder and missing persons was far more compelling than the central romance. Alyssa’s constant denial regarding her feelings for Marcus became increasingly frustrating as the plot progressed. Furthermore, despite her claims of professional competence, her investigative skills seemed entirely dependent on her magic identifying the guilty parties rather than actual detective work. Ultimately, while events occur, the story feels like it lacks true traction.

The lack of a real ending was a major letdown. Instead of a resolution, the book just stops at the climax on a cliffhanger. The story I did like leaves me feeling quite unsatisfied, which is frustrating.

Ultimately, Call of the Wolves didn’t quite hit the mark for me. However, if the premise sounds like something you’d enjoy, I’d still encourage you to give it a try—just because it wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean it won’t be yours.

Rated: 3 Stars