Audiobook review: Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie
Tori is a hard worker with little tolerance for rude customers, which is why she finds herself out of a job, again. When she stumbles across a job opening for a small bar on the wrong side of town, she’s reluctant to answer the ad, but she has no place else to go. She is shocked to receive a job offer after tossing a margarita in a customer’s face, but it’s what she discovers about the pub’s patrons that really surprises her.
Three Mages and a Margarita is the first book in the Guild Codex universe, introducing readers to the world of magic guilds and mages. For the read-along, we are following the author’s recommended reading order, found HERE https://www.guildcodex.ca/readingorder/.
Feisty bartender Tori is an excellent main character. I love that she is an ordinary human among magic wielders, but who has the strength to stand up for herself and fight for her friends. I like that her personality wins over the trio of mages who end up being her friends, but that her spirit and courage are what wins over the guild. Her temper and moral compass give her bravadoes, and although she does run towards danger, she does at least think about it first, and I appreciate that the Guild Master scolded her for going it alone.
Narration: the story is shared via the first person POV of Tori Dawson. Dukehart uses a perky, upbeat feminine voice for Tori. She captives the whip smart, takes-no-crap attitude of the twenty-one year old. Dukehart alters character dialogue based on gender and age with moderate success, making each character fairly distinguishable. Dukehart keeps the story moving forward in a lively manner.
Three Mages and a Margarita is a solid start to the series. I find the magic mythology interesting, albeit a bit complex. Marie uses Tori’s inquisitive nature as a means to convey the elaborate make up of the Guild Codex world. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s shared in a way that doesn’t make it monotonous. The book is a solid standalone story, but I have so many questions and want to see where it goes, which is a good thing.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B+
Jen
About the Book:
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.
Author: Annette Marie
Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound #1; Guild Codex Universe #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audiobook Release Date: October 16, 2018
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 7 hours; 14 mins
Source: Library
Audio Speed: 1.25x