Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen – That’s What I’m Talking About…
Audiobook review: Hellhound Guilds & Other Misdirections by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen
Hellhound Guilds & Other Misdirections is the seventh book in Marie’s Guild Codex Universe while also being the second book in the Warped series. For the read-along, we are following the author’s recommended reading order, found HERE.
Former criminal turned MPD trainee Kit Morris is back. The story picks up about six months since Kit was arrested and helped take down his former friend, and about two weeks after the last couple of books involving the rogue demon attack and introduction of Robin Page. Kit has failed his agent exam twice and has been relegated to desk duty. However, when he learns that his friend and crush Agent Leanna Chen may be sent back to the LA precinct, Kit jumps at the chance to help her take down the criminal head of the Grand Grimoire Guild.
I enjoyed Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections quite a bit. In the first The Guild Codex: Warped book, Kit was running from the law, and I felt he came off too slick, like a stereotypical car salesman. However, this time around, Kit’s growing into his role as a soon-to-be agent of the MPD. Sure, he still has swagger, but he’s more thoughtful and respectful. I like that he considers the bigger picture and isn’t just using the MPD to escape being punished for his crimes. He will still call out any ridiculous agents or policies, but he believes in helping out the innocent and bringing down the bad guys.
The case focuses on an odd pattern of sleeper mages suddenly entering into demon contracts, and it all leads back to the Grand Grimoire’s GM and the rogue Red Rum Guild. The story tangentially touches the other two series with a visit to the Crow and Hammer and mention of the mysterious new contractor Robin, but knowledge of those books and events isn’t needed to enjoy Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections.
I like how Kit, a late comer into the world of magic, is quickly adapting to his new life and learning more about his abilities. I enjoy his growing bond (and potentially romance) with his partner, Leanna. The two balance each other and make a solid team. I also love the well timed pop culture references that Kit spews when in trouble or harassing another.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Kit. Toma nails the snarky, carefree attitude that Kit emanates and adds emotion into the performance when called for. Toma adjusts his voice for dialogue based on age, personality, and gender, pitching female voices higher and/or softer. I found that I enjoyed his performance, more this second time around.
While I found I had a couple tiny irritations in the climatic scenes, it didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
Agent Kit Morris. Has a nice ring, doesn’t it?
It’s a big step up from “wanted criminal” or “that weird con-artist guy with weirder psychic powers”—both of which recently applied to me. But my promotion to MagiPol agent comes with a few drawbacks.
First, supremely talented and effortlessly gorgeous Agent Lienna Shen won’t agree to a dinner date with me. Second, my new assignment has pitted me against a guild with very bad taste in pets. Third, those pets are demons, and those demons want to kill me.
My psychic magic is great for conning people. It doesn’t do jack shit against hellish orcs. If I screw this up, my dinner date will be with a demon—and I’ll be the dinner. Even better, I kind of suspect this supposedly straightforward assignment is actually the tip of an unholy iceberg of power-hungry malefactors bent on destroying all law and order in the city.
I should probably mention that last part to my boss.
Authors: Annette Marie, Rob Jacobsen
Narrator: Iggy Toma
Series: The Guild Codex: Warped #2; Guild Codex Universe #7
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audiobook Release Date: September 14, 2021
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 8 hours and 12 minutes
Source: Library
Audio Speed: 1.25x
