Three Mages and a Margarita: The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series, Book 1

I had no idea the adventure I was embarking on when I picked up this book. I don't usually read entire series, and I don't think I've ever read an 8-book series before. But I fell so deeply in love with these characters and the exquisitely constructed world, that not only did I devour the series, but I devoured the other 3 series in the Guild Codex as well. (I'd recommend checking out the reading order on her site). The characters are wonderful: likable, interesting, and well-developed. Tori is such a fun and interesting leading lady. Realistic, tough, determined, funny, and stubborn. Her sidekicks are funny, supportive, and badass (and yes, hot... but it's not reverse harem, so MAJOR points there). The slow-burn romance was very well done, but the friendships were what truly got me. The worldbuilding is truly fantastic for urban fantasy, too. I love the detailed types of magic, the way it's "policed", the magic community, how it all interweaves with a very real setting... there's so much detail and yet it flows so naturally with the real world. (And let's talk about how Vancouver is now top of my traveling bucket list). Overall, a fun, fast-paced, interesting read that's honestly quite unlike anything I've read before. It was everything I wanted in a book... and so much more.

I may not be the target demographic for this book, but I'm glad something in my brain encouraged me to take a chance on something a little different than what I normally read. With Three Mages and a Margarita, Annette Marie has delivered a delightfully fun read filled with intense action, explosive magic, and a cast of cool and believable characters whom I was happy to spend time with. Protagonist Tori is fantastic. She acknowledges that she sometimes has a firecracker temper, but she never uses it as a crutch and makes every effort to manage/work with it. The few times her temper does flare up, it's justifiable. She's crashing at her brother's place and though she doesn't have to pay him rent, she still insists on doing so. Mooching is not her style, she wants to better herself, and she's willing to work hard to make things happen. I also like that, despite entering a secret magic world, she's 100% "muggle." She's not a long lost descendant of Merlin with long-latent magical powers, nor is she some kind of chosen one who was suddenly gifted a bunch of power on a silver platter. Tori probably hates those types anyway, since she's all about earning her keep via her "mere muggle" powers of gritty determination and a take-no-prisoners attitude. Not only was Tori a believable protagonist, but all the characters she meets feel believable as well; including those who don't get a lot of "screen time." Tori's world felt like a living, breathing community, and the worldbuilding was vivid without ever getting bogged down in cumbersome description. When characters explained the magic world to Tori, it read like conversation and not like expository "info-dumps." The writing itself is quite good from both technical (e.g. grammar, syntax, sentence structure) and readability (content, characterization, pacing, flow) standpoints. From beginning to end, it was hard to put the book down and all I kept thinking was that this could make for a really cool Netflix-style TV show (Aside: Darren Barnet, who plays Paxton Hall-Yoshida on Never Have I Ever, would be perfect as Kai). Even better is that though this book is the first one in an ongoing series, it's a complete, self-contained adventure that doesn't end with a cliffhanger. However, it does entice you to want to read further. When this becomes available as a Kindle boxset, I want that so I can have all the books in one shot.

This was a fun and easy read that I got through in a day and a half. I enjoyed the characters and the heroine and liked all the hijinks she got into despite being human among mythics.

This book was a glorious adventure and it was just what I needed right now! Annette Marie has broken the mold and shattered my expectations yet again. Just when I think that she is super clever for coming up with imaginative, complex fantasy worlds she releases another and I am swept away again. If you are as clever as she is, you'll jump on her bandwagon and ride the magical waves of urban fantasy with us. So, yeah. Marie creates such captivating fantasy worlds. Not only is this world (and all of her other fantasy worlds) creative, but it is also damn intriguing. There are different magical systems that are detailed and just plain awesome. There is a magical governing body, magic guilds, and supernatural creatures. There are so many fun and compelling elements that are crafted into this world. There was clearly a lot of thought and research put into this world. This book was different from Marie's other books in that it has a self-contained plot. Marie has said that this series will be episodic. So while elements of the series will carry over to other books, each book of the series will have its own story. While I typically tend to stick to book series that have plots that encompass the entire series as opposed to single books in a series, the change up in style did not negatively impact my reading at all. So if you are hesitant to try the series because of this, I would urge you to still read this book! I was still able to appreciate the story. The story did seem much more fast-paced than Marie's other books. And while some serious things do occur in the book, the overall feeling was much lighter than her other books. I think the lighter feel and the fast pacing works well with the self-contained plot. The characters in this series were a true delight! I fell in love with these characters so quickly! Like, crazy fast! The main character is spunky, feisty, and fierce. I immediately liked her. Her three mage companions were just as likable. They each bring a different flavor into the story. And no, this isn't a reverse harem story so put that out of your head. (But if that's your thing then good on you. It just doesn't apply here. :)) And if I am being honest, I loved not having any inclination which way the romance in the story would go. With so many options, my mind was whirling! I also really appreciated the underlying themes hidden in the story. Friendship, trust, self-reliance, prejudice, and conviction all show up in the story in one way or another. Overall, Annette Marie is a storytelling Queen and you are mad if you do not read this! Pick this book up and fall into a world you'll want to stay in with characters that you'll want to stay with. This book will make you laugh, will make you root for the heroine, will give you the hella hot mage feels, and will make you crave more stories from Annette Marie! And while you are at is, pick up her Steel & Stone series, her spin-off Spell Weaver series, and/or her Red Winter series. Once you read one of Marie's books you will be under her spell! I am so stoked to read the next book in this series!

This is the start to a wonderfully entertaining series. Tori is temperamental but brave and loyal to those few who manage to get close. This is not a why choose series; there are three hot guys that are best friends and some have spinoff stories eventually. This book is snarky and funny and relies on more coincidence and luck at first than the rest of the books.

I received a free copy from Xpresso Book Tours and voluntarily reviewed it. Three Mages and a Margarita was a fun read. I've had some of this author's books on my to-read list for a while now, but this is the first book by her that I actually read. If you're looking for an enjoyable urban fantasy read this is definitely a good one to check out. Three Mages and Margarita is told from first person point of view from Tori's perspective. At the start of the book she gets fired from another job, she has a hard time keeping a job because of her temper. I don't really care for characters with a temper, but in most situation I thought her temper made sense. She didn't just got angry all the time, only when people really went too far. And instead of letting things slide she exploded with her temper then. She sure isn't afraid to tell anyone what she thinks and knows how to stand up for herself. After another failed interview she stumbles upon a job to be a bartender and decides to check it out, which is how she lands in a magic guild working as a bartender. I liked the set-up for this story, with how a normal human desperate for a new job accidentally stumbles upon a guild and start working there as a bartender. It also was interesting to see how the magic people reacted to Tori and they weren't too happy at first with a normal human in their midst. And even tough Tori is just a normal human, she still can contribute things and holds her own surrounding by all the magic users. I kinda liked how she is a human while being swept up in some magic problems. I liked Tori as a main character. She has a bit of a temper, but also works hard and doesn't back away from danger. I liked how she was just a normal human surrounding by people with all sorts of magic, but still hold her own. This book also touched upon some fears she has, but that didn't get explored as much as I would've liked. I do have the feeling we're going to see more of that in later books. Overall I liked her, but would like to get to know her better. And I had hoped to see a bit more about the whole bar tending thing, but while most of the book takes place while she's bar tending, except for her first day there, we don't get as many details about her actual work. There are a bunch of side characters as well that play a role in the story. Most noticeable the three mages that the title refers to. Aaron, Kai and Ezra are three mages that sit at the bar during Tori's first shift and she slowly befriends all three of them. All of them had their own personality and I liked how they were close friends that had each other's back. My favorite so far is probably Ezra, he is the quiet and mysterious type, who has a soft side and actually cares a lot. There's a bit of mystery surrounding his past that gets hinted to. I liked the hug scene with Tori as it really shows he has a lot of emotions even tough he doesn't always show them. Aaron is a bit fiery and talks a lot and there are some great interactions he has with Tori too. There's also a bit of history he has with how and why he joined this guild, which was kinda interesting. Kai is the one I probably find the hardest to get a good feel for. He's Aaron's best friend. He is described as hot, just like the other two and there is a cool action scene at the end of the book, but besides that I wasn't fully sure what to think of him. There are a few pieces of information that give a bit of a look into his personality tough. Overall I am looking forward to getting to know these guys more and I am a tad sad this isn't a reverse harem as I have no clue how Tori is going to choose between these 3 if it ever comes to a romance. Tori gets to know all three of the guys and there is a small hint of a possible romance, but it doesn't quite get there. And while she kisses one of the guys, she also seems pretty close to one of the other too, so not sure where that is going yet. I liked the set-up for this world building with the guild thing and how the magical people police themselves. There are also a bunch of different types of magic users, anything from the mags who throw elemental powers to alchemists, sorcerers who learn spells, powers like telepathy and more. There are grouped in some main categories and we get a feel for the different types of powers. It is a bit of an everything exists world when it comes to the magic and paranormal, but I did like how the main groups and things like the guild gave an unique touch to it all. And I have the feel we only have a glimpse of what this world has to offer. To summarize: this was a fun urban fantasy read. There was a good solid story and the main storyline gets mostly wrapped up by the end of the book, I liked how Tori a normal human who stumbles upon a guild and gets hired for a trial job as bartender. I liked Tori as a main character, she has a bit of a temper, but she works hard and can hold her own surrounded by magic users. She also doesn't shy away from some danger, but also realizes what she can and can't do. The three mages are have their own personalities and befriend Tori. There is a hint it might become a romance, but in this book it doesn't go further than her getting to know all three of them and kissing one of them. I liked how close the three mages were and they seemed good friends. I liked the set-up for the world with the guilds. It does have most paranormal and magic type of abilities fit in this world, but there are different main categories and the whole guild system which gives it an unique touch. This was a fun read and I am curious to see where the series goes next.

This is the first book in a new urban fantasy series by Annette Marie, and I had pretty high expectations because I have LOVED her other series - and she didn't disappoint! Set in a modern day supernatural setting complete with a range of magic users and an interesting, rich and internally consistent magic system, the story is told from the perspective of Tori, a funny, sassy, human who accidentally gets a job as a bartender at a magic guild. There she meets three powerful, hot, fun mages, and ends up on a fast paced adventure with them. Tori and the three mages are great characters, and although we don't get to find out too much about them yet, we definitely got some hints of their backstories that I'm looking forward to learning more about them in future series - I have no doubt there will be some exciting reveals in later books, knowing Annette Marie's style. There was a little bit of romance in this book, with the promise of more in future stories, although this is not reverse harem so its not yet clear who she will end up with (I think I'm team Ezra so far!). Like all her stories, Marie has created great characters, a rich world, and excellent, fast paced action. Action scenes are one of her strengths - somehow her descriptions manage to put me right in the middle of the action and I can put it down. But I also enjoyed some of the sweeter moments between the characters, as well as when Tori lets her sassy side out! This was definitely a great first installment in the series and looking forward to the release of the second soon

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

Questo è il primo di una serie di otto che si concatena ad altre tre serie… Un mondo meraviglioso tutto da scoprire che consiglierei a Chiunque piaccia al genere!

Three Mages and a Margarita feels like a vacation read, an escape. The writing is solid, with a sense of fun, and a sprinkling of romance. I love the Vancouver setting, which is near and dear to my heart. The main character is sassy--she made me laugh out loud at times, but she’s also clever and kind. I really enjoyed Marie’s use of magic guilds, and the magic she conjures is interesting and imaginative. This one ticks the binge-worthy box. I’m looking forward to more magic guild escapism with the rest of the books in Guild Codex series.

Tori est un personnage vraiment attachant qui a toujours des remarques ou des actions inattendues donc la lecture est pleine de surprise

Ich habe alle Bücher dieser Serie gelesen und ich muss sagen, sie sind alle hervorragend! Sie sind spannend geschrieben, die Charaktere entwickeln sich und die Geschichte wird nicht langweilig bis zum Ende. Einfach toll! Wer Lust hat sich auf eine ganz andere Welt einzulassen, die trotzdem ihren Ehrenkodex hat und die Werte einer Gesellschaft hoch hält, der ist hier richtig! Man lacht, man weint, man fiebert mit bis zum bitteren Ende! Danke für diese acht Bücher!

My first foray into the Guild Codex world was back in the summer when I read Demonized which I absolutely loved, and I immediately added the rest to my TBR pile. So imagine my surprise when going through my kindle and found that not only did I already own this first book but it has been languishing there for FIVE YEARS and I've never read it. Yes I know a big oversight on my part but one I've now happily corrected. From the first chapter I was drawn back into a world that I had come to love from the previous series I'd read, the humor, fast paced action and the magic system that is fantastically written, keeping me hooked til the very last page. You can bet I loved everything about this, one thing's for sure, I definitely won't be waiting five years to read the next book 🤣 When Tori losses yet another job due to her temper, it's back to the drawing board to find another fast. She's running out of options and money, so after literally being smacked in the face with a job advert for a bartender vacancy in the bad side of town, she decides she has nothing to lose by checking it out. But there is more to this bar than meets the eye, and this feisty redhead might just be the girl they are looking for. What's not to love about Tori, she's fiery with the absolute best screw you attitude to back it up. I mean I was in fits of laughter on how she got fired from her previous job (something that we all wish at some point in our lives we could get away with). Then there's her introduction to Aaron, Kai and Ezra which was equally hilarious. Where she not only had snappy comebacks but completely held her own, especially against Aaron who was determined to get under her skin. But underneath that firecracker exterior, there's a kind, caring girl who wants to belong and finds it hard to trust, giving her a vulnerability that just reels me in. Which brings me to the three hunky mages I mentioned above (for once I'm having a tough time deciding who I like the best). Aaron, like Tori is a bit feisty as he's a redhead as well, is a bit of a smart mouth but definitely a loveable rogue. Kai, who is a player with the women without even trying, has a different date every night but is respectful with it. And Ezra, calm, sweet and mild mannered until his friends are hurt or in danger, then beware. All have great personalities and attributes along with a camaraderie which extends to Tori once they get to know her. There's also a potential for a love interest amongst the three for Tori and I'm hoping it's Ezra because although I'm loving them all, he's just what Tori needs.. But I've been wrong before so I'll just have to wait and see. I'm off to book two now because now I've opened the door to this series I NEED to know what's in store next. So if you like friendships formed from attitude, a feisty bartender who pulls no punches, and three bad ass mages to have your back. This book will be right up your alley, go read. Highly recommend 😁