The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie – A Book Review

Posted November 20, 2019 by Booksandblurbs in Reviews, Urban Fantasy / 1 Comment

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Alchemist and an Amaretto

(The Guild Codex: Spellbound – Book 5)

by Annette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Urban Fantasy
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down and Dirty

Book 5 ventures away from the Guild over the holidays, placing the group in mortal danger they didn’t expect. It’s fast, action based and the perfect blend of Urban Fantasy fun. Free on Kindle Unlimited!

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

As a guild bartender, I can handle pretty much anything–mages, sorcerers, witches, the occasional demon. But show me anything family-related and I’d rather run for the hills. It doesn’t even have to be my family.

So I have no idea why I thought spending the holidays with Aaron’s mom and pop was a good idea.

Meeting his famous parents is already terrifying enough, but I’ve got a bigger problem. Students of his family’s renowned mage academy are being attacked on the grounds–and somehow no one has seen a single assailant? Unexplained tracks litter the nearby woods, rumors of forbidden alchemy are circulating the campus…and Ezra has been acting strangely since we arrived.

Something deadly is brewing in the shadow of Sinclair Academy, and the longer we take to uncover it, the more dangerous it becomes. But no matter the risk, we’ll protect the students.

And Aaron’s parents too, I suppose. If we have to.

Thoughts on The Alchemist and an Amaretto

Yes!

This is a long(ish) running Urban fantasy that shakes the norms, introducing a heroine that is human…. and just human. She’s surrounded by mythics both powerful and fierce and she has to learn to dance among them if she wants to keep up.

So far, she’s gained a few tricks, made some astounding friends and has been gifted some rare trinkets, including a Fae familiar that really isn’t hers. Now, she has to take all that knowledge, and her own set of brass balls, and face her biggest challenge yet – the holidays at her friend’s place. Oh, and the ever encroaching presence of another friend’s demon. Fun times.

Pros:

Fast paced.
Love That she is human.
Friendships really matter here.
Mistakes happen.
Ezra… we are learning more about this scarred hero and the truth is becoming more painful with each book.

Cons:

Dreading the foreshadowing for Book 6…
I really this to be a RH… it’s not, and it’s not a romance either (the possibility for romance is there, but this isn’t a PNR) alas.
I miss the Druid. He’s not gone, just not in this one.

Perspective

First Person, Single POV

Ending Type

Pseudo Cliffhanger, Episodic

Romantic Dynamic

I really don’t know anymore… M/F if it every goes anywhere.

Character Age Range

20’s+

Final Verdict on The Alchemist and an Amaretto

4 out of 5 Stars

Fantastic Urban Fantasy that keeps growing and advancing this complex and immersive world. Can’t wait to see where it goes! Free on KU.

Published October 11th, 2019
296 Pages

If you enjoyed this review of The Alchemist and an Amaretto, please consider checking out a few of my other articles.

Your Turn

Have you started this series yet? How about the other books by Annette Marie? She writes both adult Urban Fantasy (this series) and YA books. Let me know – I would love to chat!