This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Alchemist and an Amaretto

It’s the holidays and Aaron’s off to visit his family at their home/mage academy. With Tori, Sin, Ezra, and Kai along for the ride. Worried about their first encounter with Aaron’s parents, Tori begins to overthink. But she’ll soon find it will be the least of her problems. Students are being attacked in the woods outside the academy. And the staff are blaming it on animal attacks. When Tori and crew are attacked, they’ll find out there’s definitely something more dangerous than wild dogs in the woods.

Annette Marie never fails to entice readers with creative twists on well-known lore. This time around it’s her own version of the lycanthrope curse. And even though the boys are some of the most powerful magic users, situations will arise where they are challenged by the new foes they must face down.

In the last novel, readers were able to dig further into Ezra’s backstory. In The Alchemist and an Amaretto, Aaron’s family drama is brought full front and center. Tori will see an entirely different side to Aaron brought on by the influence of those in the academy. And her worldview of what others think of the Crow and Hammer guild will be expanded. It’s entirely new rules of engagement when the fancier guilds are involved. To some, it doesn’t matter if a guild feels like home, or is loyal to a fault. Instead, they would prefer titles and prestige.

And adding to the mix of action and drama is the attraction Tori is beginning to feel. Romantic interests usually don’t carry much weight for me, but the way Annette Marie slowly builds in Tori’s is great. The dawning realization of what her feelings mean and if she should act upon them is realistic and at times heartbreaking. Not to mention the strong bonds of protection and love she feels for all of her companions make Tori such an amazing character to follow. She would do anything and everything to save her friends.

The Alchemist and an Amaretto was another fantastic addition to the Guild Codex: Spellbound. There’s always a new mystery to uncover and a new foe to take down. And along the way, Tori and the others learn more about themselves and what each of them means to one another. I can’t recommend this series enough. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is the fifth 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): Tori gets invited to Aaron’s parents’ estate for Christmas along with Ezra, Kai, and Sin. Ezra is acting a bit weird and students are getting kidnapped and dragged into the woods. It ends up being up to the team to hunt down the culprit in the woods and figure out how to save the students. While I still really enjoyed the story, I didn’t think it was quite as good as previous books. It was a bit predictable and just didn’t have as many interesting new elements. Still it was fast-paced and action packed, and I liked learning more about Aaron. I also liked that some of the things that happened in this book are starting to tie back to earlier storylines.

Characters (5/5): I really enjoyed that Sin was in the story more and also enjoyed learning Aaron’s background in more detail. Tori and Ezra are developing a “thing” for each other and it was interesting to see them navigate that relationship. I really enjoyed the characters and how they are progressing, but again missed our favorite mysterious druid. Marie is a master at creating interesting and engaging characters that you really care about.

Setting (4/5): The setting at the school where Aaron’s parents live was okay. Really nothing special but it was nice to see where Aaron grew up. I didn’t love the setting here but it was fine.

Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): I continue to love Marie’s writing, it’s just absolutely engrossing and so easy to read. I always whip right through her books. She does a wonderful job with characterization, action scenes, and interesting magic. I continue to really enjoy this series.

My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this book, even if it wasn’t my favorite book of the series. I would definitely recommend this series to those who enjoy light-hearted urban fantasy with a lot of action, magic, and humor. I am also enjoying her Guild Codex: Demonized series, maybe even more than this series. ( )

The Alchemist and the Amaretto is the fifth in the Guild Codex: Spellbound series by Annette Marie. It's the holiday season and many members of the guild are out of town to visit relatives. The Sinclair family always throws a holiday party at the world-renowned mage academy they run. Since Aaron invites Kai and Ezra to join him every year, Aaron also invites Tori along so she won't be alone for Christmas. Things seem normal enough until students start being attacked on school grounds, unexplained animal tracks are found in a nearby woods and rumors of a rogue alchemist begin circulating. Something deadly is brewing in the shadow of Sinclair Academy.

Yet another enjoyable time spent with my favorite mages and their fiery redheaded bartender. This story has a more subdued tone as the humor was toned down. I think I've also read too many werewolf themed books in a row so some of the plot felt a little predictable. Tori continues to give sass and kick ass, both literally and figuratively, which never gets old. The story ends with a great set up for book 6. I can't wait to find out how Tori solves that tricky situation!

At this point the author has also started a spinoff series, Guild Codex: Demonized. Given events in the last two Spellbound books I could easily see the two series be either intertwined or at least contain information important to Tori's story. I'm going to start mixing those books in between the audio releases for Spellbound. ( )

The Alchemist and an Amaretto
The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series, Book 5
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Cris Dukehart
This continues the story with the gang all going to Aaron's family's home for the Christmas season. There had been trouble with animal attacks and it happens at the private school for gifted teens. ( Paranormal gifts.) Not only do they have to fight the strong werewolves but find who made these. They are Not natural. Tory also may have found a way to help Ezra with the demon his body is forced to host.
Excellent narration!!! ( )

4.5

Book source ~ Kindle Unlimited

Tori Dawson is a bartender extraordinaire. But her place of employment is no ordinary pub. The Crow and Hammer is a guild for magic wielding people and Tori is human. But only a few people know that. Because otherwise she’d be booted to the curb. The mythical community believes she is a witch and, come Hell or highball, she’s going to keep it that way.

It’s nearly Christmas and Tori has been invited to visit Aaron’s family estate. Tori doesn’t particularly like family events, but Aaron’s one of her best friends and Ezra and Kai, her other best friends, and Sin are going, so she allows herself to be dragged along. Good thing, too. There’s evil shenanigans going on at Sinclair Academy and family mansion and Tori is essential to putting a stop to it. However, things are also busting loose regarding Ezra and Tori will never be the same.

Wow. There is so much going on, but it’s never overwhelming. Tori and her buddies are going up against something really nasty with big sharp pointy teeth. And then there’s the thing with Ezra. You know, the demony thing. Needless to say, it’s quite an eventful Christmas. Lots of action and danger and magic as well as the usual humor. I love this series so much and this edition to it does not disappoint. ( )