Mage Assassins & Other Misfits

The Guild Codex: Warped #5

by Annette Marie, Rob Jacobsen

The weirdness level of my life has reached an all-time high. Which is saying something, considering I started out as a psychic conman and somehow ended up as a MagiPol agent. And not just any agent. Lately, I’ve been Captain Blythe’s right-hand man and most trusted confidant.

Yeah, I know. Super weird.

It’s also kind of awkward, because unbeknownst to her, I’ve also teamed up with her most loathed nemesis, Darius King, guild master of the Crow and Hammer and the number one guy on the Consilium’s “To Be Eliminated” list.

Oh, and the Consilium? It’s just a secret organization embedded deep in the upper echelons of the MPD that’s using its nefarious influence to take over the world. Or destroy it. We’re still figuring that part out.

“We” being me and Blythe. And me and Darius. But not Blythe and Darius. Like I said, it’s awkward.

Unfortunately, the Consilium knows we’re on to them. It’s only a matter of time before they reveal how much power they truly wield—and eliminate all three of us for good.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Romance, Paranormal, Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2024

About the author

Annette Marie is the best-selling author of over thirty books, including the expansive urban fantasy series The Guild Codex, epic urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter.

A 2015 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist in Fantasy and an Amazon Charts Bestseller, Annette has sold over 2 million books. Her books have been translated into French, German, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, with readers coming back again and again for her addictive blend of fast-paced adventure, tantalizing forbidden romance, and unforgettable characters.

Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minions of darkness. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in her garden or an art project while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

To find out more about Annette and her books, visit www.annettemarie.ca

Reviews

[Teru · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

Okay but like... now what? What am I supposed to do with my life when the next book comes out in May? SEND HELP 👁️👄👁️ No major cliffhanger, fortunately - otherwise, I would just pick a freezer box in our morgue and sayonara 💀

Another amazing, fast-paced, hard-to-put-down, utterly addicting book in Warped series 😳 shit is truly bombarding the fan, the stakes are higher than ever, and I truly can't wait for the conclusion that's bound to be epic (though I think I see where it's going).

Kit and Darius as a partner bad-ass duo was such a treat, I loved every second of them together. And yes okay fiiine, I even missed Lienna a bit when she wasn't around for a while 🙄😅 Poor girl, I'm kidding she's awesome.

Unnecessary Romance Subplot ™ continues to be the bane of my existence, we are now officially in the romantic relationship territory, BUT! I have to hand it to Annette, it never took the focus off the plot, not in the least. I almost feel bad for all the Kit/Lienna fans who waited for this for five books because "😂😂😂" They probably have it worse you know 😂

I did some soul-searching and I know exactly why this particular relationship bugs me so much (besides the total lack of any chemistry whatsoever, mind you 😏) - the sheer magnitude of missed opportunity of Warped being the MM urban fantasy series of Guild Codex Universe 😭 I should just get over it but...🥺

I can't tell you how happy I was to see all those familiar faces of Crow and Hammer guild. It felt like coming home, and what's even better? Kit felt the same. He would be such an amazing addition to the rag-tag found family, and I hope I'll see even more interactions in the future!

So! ...is it May yet? 🥺

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note to self - reread these before the 6th and last one(?) comes out.
-----------------------------------
Ahhh my library finally added this!
I guess I know what my next read is :)
Oh I have missed Kit so <3
-----------------------------------
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll have you tomorrow (maybe)
-----------------------------------
Amazon says Jun 7, 2024 and not Dec 8, 2023.

[Chloe Frizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've liked the previous Warped books, you need to read this one.

What this book excelled at was upping the stakes for the series. I've loved the case-of-the-week structure of the previous books, but this one departs from that as our cast starts to dance with the Big Bad of the series. It's done well, giving us real consequences and new problems to tackle.

And *squeals* the romance balances both being slow-burn and giving us a little tidbit so well.

Thanks to Dark Owl Fantasy for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The crew is back!
This starts a bit slow, but there’s bigger stakes in this one, and broader more epic bad guys to track down. It’s full of constant action and political shuffling with a few side character reveals thrown in.
Romance definitely takes a backseat to political machinations and Kit evolution. I could have gone more exploration on Kit’s newfound abilities, which seems set to explode in the final book headed back towards his roots. (I think the next one rounds out this series. I could be wrong). The imagination that goes into Kit’s magic and his warped sense of humour are always the highlights of these books.
Kit has toned down his ‘Kitness’, which I know some people were calling for, but I wasn’t one of them. His snark and humour is what made the other books stand out for me. And I missed Lienna too. She reappears about halfway through with new bada$$ery, but this duo are my favourite. Sorry, Darius. You’re just not the same.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kit more and more with each book. The series is winding down and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[mith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy shit

Listen, it's been a minute since I've read one of Marie's releases. Oh, how I have missed her writing. (Well. I've read her patreon shorts, but that's besides the point!) Dare I say, I've even missed Kit!

This book was a surprise and an enigma. I've not been the biggest fan of this series, unfortunately, because I was always hoping it would go a much darker route (and not have a romance arc). And now I think it's getting there. Evil political and corporate powers at play, but with magic? Bro. Say less. If this is what the entire series was leading up to, then I am all for it. Holy shit am I down.

There's a lot I enjoyed about this book. Part of it might be the fact that it's been so long since I've read one of Marie and Jacobsen's books, but it was so easy to get into. The signature humor, nonstop action, and rising stakes are more than enough to hook, line, and sink my attentions. The addition of more MPD lore—more insight to the web of this whole system—was very interesting to read. I've always enjoyed that bit about this series, and it's one of my favorite things about Marie's writing in general. Her worldbuilding? Immaculate. Fourth series in this world, and she has not stopped giving, for lack of a finer term.

I wasn't even thinking about the romance, honestly. Like, I know it's there, but it just doesn't feel important in the grand scheme of things. Also, I still don't care for Kit and Lienna together.

Loved that ending. Absolutely adored it, and that final third of the book. I never know what to expect with these books, so they easily override my expectations, but this one! Like I said, it's what I've been waiting for. The next book is about a year away from release if it sticks to the plan, and I know by then that not only will I forget the entire series (again) and be okay with it, but also be verrrryy glad to see what the next book entails. 4 stars!

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Mage Assassins & Other Misfits

Having Kit team up with Darius for an entire novel was brilliant. Readers meet the guild leader in the first Guild Codex novel. Rumors of Darius' past have been floating around for quite a while, and now readers will witness it unfold along with all the repercussions he has had to deal with.

The synergy between Kit and Darius is both hilarious and delightful. And while Darius brings in the nostalgia for earlier fans of the series, Kit shines for this newer segment in Mage Assassins & Other Misfits. Being a psycho-warper can help Kit out of quite a few situations, but when the enemy comes prepared to combat his abilities, Kit has to find ways around it. Armed with his movie quotes and wits, Kit is in for a high stakes ride. Discovering more about his limitations along the way.

Readers are also left on edge at the end of the last novel, waiting to see what happens between Kit and Lienna. Kit is just as twisted up and anxious as the readers. It is adorable to see his inner thoughts and concerns surrounding Lienna. Despite all the serious and life threatening situations, the story makes sure to give readers resolution on their potential relationship.

Mage Assassins & Other Misfits is a fast-paced and exciting read. The balance between action, comedy, and romance is spot on. The Warped series has come a long way since book one. Fans of urban fantasy, while I don’t suggest starting with the Warped series, the Guild Codex world is a must.

[Kaitlynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've missed reading (new)Annette Marie books so much. I'm so happy.

The stakes were so much higher this one, and I wasn't ever really sure what was going to happen. And especially in the very first chapter. It was something that I wasn't expecting (but probably should have) So the gasp I gusped was LOUD.

I've missed this series and the characters so much, and I'm so glad that I have them back.

ta ta, I'm off to do a re-read to catch all the things I might have missed.

Thank you so much to Annette Marie and Dark Owl Fantasy for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sophia]

I just knew it! A few reviews ago I said just how interesting I found Guild Master Darius King. Mage Assassin and now debonair Guild Master who gets under MPD Captain Blythe’s skin like no other. Now, he’s Kit’s new secret partner while Blythe is his open partner as they hunt down the secret society behind the late Soze- and ne’er the two shall meet as far as Kit’s concerned.

My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy TBA.

[Pia Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Help this is the last one in the series that’s been keeping me company 🫥

[OhWell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of the Unveiled series, so it took me a while to attempt another Guild Codex book. It felt good to get back onto familiar territory with this installment. I am happy to report Kit hasn't lost his humour, there are cameos of the Crow & Hammer gang throughout, and, as expected, Darius is a big presence. I could never get enough of him!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️

I am really liking this series - I have since the beginning, but I am really liking the increased focus on Kit in this book. Apparently, he is on his own for a while as his partner -in-crime, (Leanna) and possible love interest, has left the city to tend to an ill parent. But did she leave because the two of them had crossed an unspoken line between work colleagues and somehow gotten a little bit closer than work buddies? Kit has no clue. It has been FIVE whole months.....

Regardless, he finds himself in the middle of two separate investigations (with 2 separate bosses) into really the same things. But, neither one of his 2 separate bosses realize that he is working with the other and Kit finds himself having to walk a fine line, while at the same time not really sure how he got himself into the whole mess. Kit is one of those "one of a kind" character's that you just can't help but like. He makes you laugh, even when he is doing things that make you feel like banging your head against a wall. and yet, you still find yourself rooting for him. Like a said before...he is awesome :)

What exactly is it that everyone is looking into? Well, the Consilium of course. The super secret organization that seems to have infiltrated every single department of MagiPol. Captain Blythe and Darius have come to realize that this organization is much more active and prevalent that anyone had previously thought. The Consilium is a secret organization that they are finding out is embedded deep in the upper echelons of the MPD and it is using its nefarious influence to take over the world - or destroy it......no one is exactly sure at this point. It seems to have its spider tenacles into every aspect of law enforcement and they are not willing to trust anyone. How did Kit wind up in the middle of all of this?

What I really enjoyed more than anything was getting to FINALLY learn a little bit of Darius' back story. I LOVE everything about the Crow and Hammer and any time we get to learn more about ANYONE in this Guild - not to mention the secretive Darius King - I'm all in! To me, Darius has been such an amazingly interesting character, even though we have never really been given too much information about him. So anytime we get to learn new information...I'm definitely all in for that. Count me in :)

One thing that did kind of surprise me was all of the sudden abilities that seemed to be unlocked in Kit. Where exactly did all of these new powers come from? It really did seem like quite a lot and everything seemed to occur out of the blue. Even with all of these new and unexpected powers....I am going to continue to keep chugging along with this storyline regardless because I do trust Ms. Marie and know that she definitely has something planned and she is going to take us in the right direction - I'm sure there is a method to her madness.

This ended up being another fun and easy to read story that was over before I knew it. That is always a very good sign for me - that I am so involved in the story that I'm not paying attention to how quickly the pages are flying by.....

I listened to this on audio and the narrator Iggy Toma, has been the same and consistent voice of the series. She did a fantastic job as usual. This is one of those books/series that always seem to make my day whenever I realize that there is a new addition out. The books in this series are always fun and easy to read or listen to. They always make me happy - not only while reading the book, but also once the book is completed, I love knowing that there is a new level of excitement that is going to begin to build all over again as the wait for the next book begins.

Fun, fun, fun......

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Always love being back in this world. It was amazing to get more page time with Darius and finally learn about that incredible silver fox.
I did miss Lienna and her influence on Kit in the first half of the book but I appreciated the growth in their relationship. But this gave page time for Kit's other relationships, particularly the one with Darius which I love, as well as those in the MPD with him.
I also liked seeing Kit and his magic evolutions. What is he really? His magic is just fascinating.
The stakes are higher, there's a big bad closing in on their goal. Kit and co need to figure it out before all hell breaks lose. There's a lot of good action scenes. Fun magic tidbits.

I look forward to what the next and I believe last book of Warped will bring! Audio was narrated well as always.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

   Kit is running simultaneous yet separate investigations into the Consilium – one with Captain Blythe, and another with Crow & Hammer guild master Darius over the past five months. Five months without Lienna, who has gone to be with her family while her father battles cancer. Five months for Cade to concoct his plans, the Concilium to start making their moves, five months leading up to a few pivotal moments which have the power to change the course of the mythic world. But hey, no pressure for the psycho warper, right?
   Is it weird, that I think part of why I liked this book markedly more than previous ones is there is very little Lienna distraction in it? I like Lienna, her character, her intelligence, her skill, and who she is as a person, I just don’t like her effect on Kit nearly as much (as I alluded to in my review for Hellbound Guilds) and how it filters into the larger story. And considering this series is from Kit’s point of view, and how he feels about her…well, absence makes the heart grow fonder, but not in the expected way for me.
   All the little clues are adding up, and with the slicing end to the last book, this one wastes little time in upping the stakes. It’s not just the Vancouver MPD flirting with trouble, but the entire magical world, and only Kit, Darius, and Blythe are actively clued in and working on it. With the new dangers appearing, Kit is having to flex his psychowarping power in new ways and directions It’s cool, what he’s doing, what’s happening with his magic…but I guess coming off Saber & Zak’s story, two very powerful druids and one a dimythic, seeing Kit leveling up so fast and so much and so far beyond what we thought was in his scope almost feels a little…too much. I miss the days of Tori and Robin, underdogs who frequently don’t have much if any magical power compared to the likes of Saber, Zak, and now Kit. Yet, I’m also really curious about what this means for Kit, and his past and future – guess that means the authors are crafting their story well, hm? This book kept moving, each push or revelation leading somewhere exciting, the stakes ramping up ever higher. And that explosive end! Marie and Jacobsen have been building, building this story, and the threads are starting to come together in unexpected ways with a design that could not have been guessed at earlier.
   Iggy Toma is the voice of Kit for me, and he does a good job portraying his personality. I did get thrown by the pronunciation of Copenhagen – he said the second have “hah-gen” but I always thought it was “hay-gen”? Are there multiple ways to say it in English? There were also a couple other words here and there for which I questioned the pronunciation, but I don’t recall what they were; it may very well be that they were also words I was only used to reading, never hearing, and so don’t know the “correct” pronunciation.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the authors and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really like The Guild Codex: Warped series and was excited to get my hands on a copy of this latest book. It had been a while since I read the previous book so I did struggle a bit remembering what exactly was going on with the Consilium, who they were and why Kit is after them. Luckily that didn't diminish my enjoyment much and I was swiftly pulled into the story. And the further I got the more reminders there were about the Consilium which helped.

This was a great read, I really enjoyed it. There's plenty of action and Kit being awesome and using his powers. There's this big thing going on with the Consilium and their plans and Kit and the others are trying to stop them. The ending has some important scenes and the way things end makes me look forward to the next book.

I really like Kit as main character and it was so fun to follow him again in this book. I like reading about his psycho warp powers, which become even more awesome with every book. I like his point of view on the things and the way he handles everything. There's a bit of romance progressing with Lienna as well which was nice to see. Lienna is absent in the part of the book and I was glad when she was back again as I like reading about them together. This book also has more about Darius, the GM of the Crow and Hammer, as well as his past and how that intersects with the current events. I have to admit I would rather read about Kit and Lienna, but I was happy to find out what was the deal between Darius and Blythe and what caused her to dislike him so much.

To summarize: I had a great time reading this book. There's plenty of action and Kit using his awesome psycho warp powers that become more awesome and powerful in every book. While I struggled a bit remembering what was going on with the Consilium as it had been a while since the last book, I was quickly pulled in the plot, and the further I got the more details about the Consilium got mentioned. I like reading about Kit and also was happy to see some romance progression with Lienna in this book. The ending left me excited for the next book!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I just want to say thank you to Annette Marie for giving me an ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion.

Mage Assassins & Other Misfits is the fifth book in The Guild Codex: Warped series. It took me a second to remember what happened in Stolen Sorcery & Other Misadventures because it has been a year since I read that one, but I quickly jumped back into the Guild Codex world. I have to admit... I have missed Kit's personality with his humor and "movie buff" pop culture references. He never fails to make me laugh. This book moves at a rapid pace, going from one high-stakes action scene to another. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. This book definitely upped the stakes for the series and leaves us on a cliffhanger. If you have read the other books in this series, this one is a must read. I'm not going to be able to wait another year for the next one!! Please Annette and Rob hear our cries and write the next one as fast as Kit can warp something. ;)

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book thinking that it was the last one. But I read relishing every word, every action, and boy was there a lot of action. Kit is still on the trail of the Consilium and its members, trying to maintain a balance between working with Darius and not letting Blythe know. This is an action-filled, thoroughly engaging, surprise-laden, neck-breaking twists and turns book, and I couldn’t catch my breath until the end. When I had reached almost the end, I wasn’t sure how it was going to wrap up and then I realized this can’t be the last one because…well, you’ll have to read it to find out. Kit is my hero is all I can say. Don’t miss this latest book; you’ll regret it if you do. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Marguerite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!!

Another spectacular installment within the Guild Codex world overall, but also specifically the Warped series. So great to be back in the world with Kit and Lienna again! Particularly fun to be chuckling over Kit's funny quips and movie references.

The plot was fun, fast-paced and certainly building to an amazing conclusion with the final book... although it is a year away *sob*. I really enjoyed having Darius more in the plot and revealing some more interesting levels of his character that have been hinted at, but not revealed yet. My favourite component was the reveal of some really interesting details about the dynamic between Captain Blythe and Darius... not going to say much more, but long time readers will be fascinated and invested!

This book has got 4.5 stars this time, losing that .5 star, mainly because I was hoping for some more Darius and Captain Blythe tension and drama (granted, this is just my interest and preference for these characters... not really a shade on the book, but still a little part of me is slightly disappointed with this first read, ha!) and also that cliffhanger (again, with the one year wait for the final book) is emotionally tough!!

Can't wait for the final book next year!

I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Annettesbookbanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

If you have enjoyed the rest of the warped series then you will love this one. It has really upped the stakes with the crew going up against the big bad in this one. Lots of magic battles, more unknown abilities and a race against time. I really enjoyed that it also included uncovering past secrets particularly about Darius and the Captain. Also the love interest is back and the slow burn continues.

What to expect:
- Urban fantasy
- Assassins, Mages and Magic battles
- Undiscovered powers
- Secret society
- Witty banter and pop culture references
- Double agents

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

[Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the hell... How will this continue???
And why do I have to wait for this 😭

[Sarah Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kit is one of my all time favorite characters!

[Brooke Sillaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 stars.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge drama going on in the Kit universe

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS WHY KIT IS MY (second) FAVORITE (after Ezra, because seriously, it's Ezra!) CHARACTER IN GUILD CODEX (top 5 book boyfriends for sure). I have nothing more to add. The authors did a phenomenal job as usual and I can't wait for the next (and hopefully many more) books in the universe <3

[Heather Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely my most favorite Warped book in the series, by far! I outwardly groaned when I learned we have to wait until next May to find out what's next. Kudos to Annette Marie. She just keeps getting better and better!

[Lindsey (Lindsey Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received an Advanced Reading Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Somehow, it was up to us—a ragtag band of misfits from Vancouver pitted against the seemingly unstoppable tide of the Consilium and its secret faction of the MPD’s most powerful leaders. I’d never wished that “the underdog always wins” movie magic applied to real life more than I did now.”

I didn’t know just how much I had actually missed Kit and the world of the Guild Codex since my last read. But then I dived into this book and (to put it in “beloved” bookish phrases) I could finally release the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. Not only was it just so amazing to be back inside of this wonderful world, but it also felt really natural to dive back in. I wasn’t lost, my goldfish brain didn’t need to do a re-read or refresh my memories. I just slipped right back in and felt as if I never left. That’s when you know you’re reading something exceptional.

What can I say about book 5 that I haven’t already mentioned in any of my previous 4 rave reviews? Well, that somehow this book has upped the stakes tenfold. Which is a feat after so many books in this world. But still, Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen keep on expanding on this world and its characters. We keep learning new things about the world and the characters in them. In this story in particular we get involved into a political power struggle where our favorite misfit heroes have to take on a huge anonymous net of corrupt members of the most powerful organization in the mythical world in a quite literal race around the world. (And no, no time for sightseeing, sorry Kit!) So yes, the stakes are higher than ever and Kit and co definitely have their work cut out for them. This is a thrilling, action-packed and intense rollercoaster ride of book that will be almost impossible to put down.

And yet, despite all of the action and politics and intrigue, Kit is still a character to steal the spotlight every single time. Our favorite underdog is facing his biggest challenge yet, and still he’s learning and growing and discovering new aspects of his power along the way. All that, and he still manages to be witty and real and empathetic and just a First Aid Kit (hah!) for the people he cares about. Can you tell I adore Kit? I’m just gonna go out and say it, Kit is my favorite Guild Codex character (sorry Zak, sorry Zylas…).

While we are talking about amazing characters, as the title suggest and many fans have been highly anticipating for a while, this book also heavily features our favorite silver fox guild master and former assassin, Darius! No spoilers here, but let me just say his backstory was intense and heartbreaking and I hope he gets everything he wants in the next book.

As for the romance fans, while the romance aspect is a bit on the backburner with all of the running/flying around the world going on, there are still a few lovely scenes in there that will definitely have you swooning!

Overall, I just can’t not rave about this book in particular, nor the series as a whole. If you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend you to. It has an amazing well-built and ever-expanding magical world, epic action-scenes that read like you’re watching them play out on a movie screen, complex and loveable characters you’ll fall in love with and slow-burn romance that will have you swooning your little heart out.

And if you have picked it up, please let me know so we can rave together as we impatiently wait for the next and final book in the Warped series!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

Things are heating up for Kit! Howdy. -waves hand- Kit Morris fangirl here. Please pull up a chair and let me tell you all the things.

First of all, this book sunk its hooks into me so quickly! I was marveling at all the connections and the revelations in the story. The plot was crafted so expertly. I was addicted to the pages of this book like I imagine an adrenaline junkie looking for their next thrill. I was utterly engrossed in the story from start to finish. Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen complement each other well and their combined writing style works especially well for Kit's character. I really loved getting a deeper dive into the upper echelons of mythic society and getting another view of this exciting magical world. All the mystery and suspense kept me wanting more.

Kit's character development was outstanding. So many new things come to light and we still don't have the answers but we are still freaking out about all the things. Getting a closer glimpse of Darius was truly epic. His character has been fascinating from the beginning of Annette's Guild Codex world and we all wanted more of him. I love all of the secondary characters in the Warped series and how they add layers of depth to the story.

The romantic nod(s) in this book were so heartwarming! There wasn't a whole lot of on-page romance in the strictest sense but all the feels were there causing a riot inside me. Hello, Book Six! -waves-

Overall, this book shocked me, captivated me, and did a whole lot of crazy things to my heart! That ending shook me. It was so perfect and so emotional and the cliffhanger had me on the verge of a meltdown. The writing was top-notch, the story flowed perfectly, the characters blew me away, and the plot was a thrilling ride. The release of the next book can't come fast enough for me. Check out this series and all the other series in the Guild Codex world. It will change your life!


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⛔My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers.

[Alyssa Legendairy’s Dairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I just finished listening and can still feel the adrenaline pumping. I’d love to say I was blown away by the latest installment in the Warped series, but I saw a definite mix of pros and cons in this book. Still, it excelled at everything I love about Annette Marie’s books, and I devoured it over the course of a day. I definitely want to reread them before finishing out the series however, since I think that helps out with continuity the best. 3.5 stars from me.

Pros:
I continue to love Kit as a character- his movie quotes, flair for the dramatic and worldview remain consistent and strong.

Kit + Darius is the combo I never knew I needed. I loved their scenes together and watching them work in tandem.

Darius lore drops were made in this book and I was SO THERE for it. I have wanted to know what went on between him and the captain for several books now and it didn’t disappoint.

Lienna’s rubix cube got an upgrade and I loved it. I didn’t even mind her not being there for the first part of the book- it felt natural and made sense.

Echoing another review I read, the stakes were definitely raised in this book. Very successfully. The third act of the book was by far my favorite, and I loved the various fight scenes and watching as everything clicked together. The fight scenes themselves remain a highlight of these series for me, playing out beautifully in my head. I also love how Kit really gets to utilize his power in each book- I’ve read some where the main character has powers but never really uses them… not so in Annette’s books. Well done.

Cons:
I couldn’t shake the feeling I had skipped a book. I know I didn’t because they reference the last one and I remembered it all and double checked it was the one just previous… but I feel like I was dropped into an already progressed investigation and had to work to play catchup on all the amazing progress they’d already made. It wasn’t my favorite, and I couldn’t help but compare it to the slow build up and piecing everything together we got in the Demonized and Spellbound series.

I think in part because of that “we fast forwarded” feeling, I felt disjointed going on a complete glob trotting adventure. Like the plot seemed a bit haphazard until they realized what the endgame was and then everything really came together and flowed naturally again.

This book veered perilously close to a cliff hanger. I suppose it “didn’t” because they finished out the last main objective, but it flagged on my cliff hanger radar.

Content Notes:
True to Annette’s style, our main couple are inching towards further intimacy but there aren’t any on or off page sex scenes in this book. A few more kisses though and things are definitely progressing, so I was wildly pleased.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the 5th book in the Guild Codex: Warped series. I borrowed this on ebook through Kindle Unlimited.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this volume in the Guild Codex:Warped series. I am continuing to be lucky enough to read a lot of amazing books this month and this was definitely one of them. I really loved how this ties in with a lot of larger events that have happened in this world.

Kit is being torn in two directions; he is trying to help Darius hunt down the members of the Consilium in secret while helping his supervisor, Captain Blythe, on the same investigation but from a different angle. When his secret searching reveals that there could be an apocalyptic event on the horizon, Kit and Darius are forced to pull in Captain Blythe. Darius and Captain Blyth have a sorted history and hopefully they can get past that to save the world. Meanwhile Leanne has been away helping her sick father get through his cancer treatment, but when she returns she would finally like to sit down and talk to Kit about the events from the last book.

I thought this was incredibly well done. We are finally getting some understanding (and bounds) on Kit's magic which I really liked. We also get to learn a lot more about Darius and his past which was very entertaining, he is such a mysterious characters in most of the other Guild Codex books.

Additionally, I really enjoyed how this ties in with a lot of the politics and issues from previous and spin off series in the Guild Codex World. This was really a pivotal book in the series as you learn a lot more about the MPD and the Consilium. There is a lot of well done action in here, a lot of humor, and some romance. It was all well-balanced and easy to read. I think this was hands down the best book in the Guild Codex: Warped series so far. I was a bit disappointed to find out that this didn't tie up the series, it sounds like this will be a 6 book series now. However, if the next book is as well done as this one then I am grateful to have another book!

My Summary (5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this book in the Guild Codex:Warped series and thought it was the best book in this series yet. We learn a lot more about the world and why things are happening in this book. We also finally get some more bounds on Kit's magic and learn some about why he can do what he does. The action scenes are spectacular here and I really enjoyed the magic and characters. This is a very well-balanced story that was hard to put down and easy to read, I look forward to the sixth book in this series.