Review – Three Mages and a Margarita (Guild Codex: Spellbound Book 1) by Annette Marie (4.5/5 Stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 314 pages
Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Release Date: September 14, 2018
ASIN: B07H6X8WL5
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Guild Codex: Spellbound series
Source: Borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

“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 for 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 jerks, 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.”

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Guild Codex: Spellbound series. I borrowed this through Kindle Unlimited. There are going to be seven books total in this series. There is also a sister series to this called Guild Codex: Demonized that weaves in and out of the Spellbound timeline but features different characters. Previous to reading this I have read and enjoyed all of Annette Marie’s other series.

Story (4/5): This story is a very traditional urban fantasy/paranormal story. It features Tori who is a rather hot-headed young woman who is trying to find a steady waitressing gig and trying to go to school to learn to start her own business. After being fired (again) for mouthing off at a cruel customer, she stumbles upon a strange bartending job. Ends up things at this bar are a bit different than she expected.

This is a pretty typical type of urban fantasy story but it’s fun and well done. I liked the twist of the heroine being normal and not having any magic powers in a situation where everyone else is magical. It’s an easy and fun read with some humor.

Characters (5/5): Tori is a fun character and the three mages she interacts with are also very well done. Marie does an amazing job with characters and that shines in this story. Even the side characters are interesting and engaging.

Setting (4/5): This is set in the city, a pretty typical urban fantasy setting. I do like the mysterious bar Tori ends up working in, it’s a fun setting.

Writing Style (5/5): I absolutely love Marie’s writing style; it’s just so readable and absolutely sucks me in. She really excels at making excellent characters, fun situations, witty dialogue, and does a wonderful job with action scenes as well. This reminds me more of the “Steel and Stone” series than her “Red Winter” series.

My Summary (4.5/5): Overall this was just so much fun to read and so hard to put down. This is one of those books where I kept finding excuses to sneak off by myself and read it when I should have been doing other things. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy light-hearted urban fantasies. I am immediately going to pick up the next book “Dark Arts and a Daiquiri”.