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Drax Guard: Crew Six #3
Conduit
Warlock Specialist Remy Kalama will do anything to protect his four-year-old son. And that includes never telling him or anyone else about the fae ex who wrecked his life and violated his sense of self and trust. But secrets never stay hidden, and when his ex, Maeve Ballagh, resurfaces as part of a magic trafficking ring, he and Crew Six are called to bring her in. The kicker? Remy’s the bait.
He and his fire magic are ready this time. He just wishes he could trust the Crew’s new partners.
Half-elf Agent Sara Alder would prefer to stay a data analyst for the Bureau of Magical Affairs, but her boss has other ideas. Her trial run as a field agent shoves her onto the trail of a dangerous fae targeting men with magical abilities. Her job? Solve the mystery and keep Remy’s son safe while he and his team take down Ballagh.
When Ballagh gets the drop on the team and vanishes with Sara and the kid, Remy and his team will stop at nothing to get them back. Fae magic is powerful, but he’s not alone this time, and it won’t take his son.
Book 3 in the action packed urban fantasy x spec ops series with fast paced action, magic in the open, brothers in arms, and plenty of snark/humor. Best read in series order.
He and his fire magic are ready this time. He just wishes he could trust the Crew’s new partners.
Half-elf Agent Sara Alder would prefer to stay a data analyst for the Bureau of Magical Affairs, but her boss has other ideas. Her trial run as a field agent shoves her onto the trail of a dangerous fae targeting men with magical abilities. Her job? Solve the mystery and keep Remy’s son safe while he and his team take down Ballagh.
When Ballagh gets the drop on the team and vanishes with Sara and the kid, Remy and his team will stop at nothing to get them back. Fae magic is powerful, but he’s not alone this time, and it won’t take his son.
Book 3 in the action packed urban fantasy x spec ops series with fast paced action, magic in the open, brothers in arms, and plenty of snark/humor. Best read in series order.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
19 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Banschbach
15 books124 followersC.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 10, 2025
I'm a sucker for loving father-son relationships🫶🏾💖
August 21, 2025
A great continuation of the series and another reminder that brotherhood is and always will be my favorite trope of all time.
Let's break it down...
I love these characters because they feel so real as individuals, and yet their relationships with each other and as a team is even more endearing. The healthy masculinity and just general broship is heartwarming and so genuine. These guys will do anything for each other and they absolutely proved that as they showed up and sacrificed for Remy throughout the story.
The story tackles SA with respect and honesty without getting too gritty, and I really appreciated the tactful handling and supportive response of the rest of the characters, especially considering the victim was a guy, and that's an unfortunate stigma in our society. But the people in his life showed nothing but loyalty and care, reminding him none of it was his fault and they would have his back no matter what. I definitely teared up reading this one. 🥺
A bit more swearing overall in this one (mostly a lot of sh**), but that honestly doesn't bug me, especially in the context of a military setting, and especially for a story where kids are at risk and the villain is as vile and despicable as Balagh was. Despite her being the literal scum of the earth, her scheme was pretty clever from a writing standpoint and she made for a very hate-able antagonist.
As usual for this series the pacing was peppy and the action was intense, but there were plenty of soft father-son scenes and the secondary POV character got plenty of opportunities to shine. For such short books, I'm always amazed at how fleshed out the characters feel, and Sara really won my heart by the end.
Can't wait for book 4!! Especially after that cliffhanger 😤
Let's break it down...
I love these characters because they feel so real as individuals, and yet their relationships with each other and as a team is even more endearing. The healthy masculinity and just general broship is heartwarming and so genuine. These guys will do anything for each other and they absolutely proved that as they showed up and sacrificed for Remy throughout the story.
The story tackles SA with respect and honesty without getting too gritty, and I really appreciated the tactful handling and supportive response of the rest of the characters, especially considering the victim was a guy, and that's an unfortunate stigma in our society. But the people in his life showed nothing but loyalty and care, reminding him none of it was his fault and they would have his back no matter what. I definitely teared up reading this one. 🥺
A bit more swearing overall in this one (mostly a lot of sh**), but that honestly doesn't bug me, especially in the context of a military setting, and especially for a story where kids are at risk and the villain is as vile and despicable as Balagh was. Despite her being the literal scum of the earth, her scheme was pretty clever from a writing standpoint and she made for a very hate-able antagonist.
As usual for this series the pacing was peppy and the action was intense, but there were plenty of soft father-son scenes and the secondary POV character got plenty of opportunities to shine. For such short books, I'm always amazed at how fleshed out the characters feel, and Sara really won my heart by the end.
Can't wait for book 4!! Especially after that cliffhanger 😤
August 8, 2025
It was good, it was tender, it was tough; it had healthy masculinity and supportive guy friendships and a touching father-son relationship, sensitive and truthful handling of a male character who was a victim of a SA and had never really worked through the trauma, and cozy moments and intense fight scenes. 👍
April 17, 2025
The cliffhanger! Ahhhh!!!
Well done even with being heavy. I love how much the characters are there for one another. Loved seeing the new characters too!
Well done even with being heavy. I love how much the characters are there for one another. Loved seeing the new characters too!
February 16, 2025
I WISH PEOPLE WOULD STOP HURTING MY BOYS!
Man, Claire has such a gift for story, and she’s not afraid to use it to tackle the weighty issues. This one goes deep, and it hurts, the way you can feel the character’s hurt. I’m not sure I’ve ever hated a villain this much, and that includes Kamil. That’s saying a lot.
I love watching this crew fight together, with their different strengths and fighting styles. The way Besim wraps his body around someone, so the stoneskin protects them both; the absolute brotherhood in the seamless way Dej and Remy fight together and have each others backs; Cieran charging into things, even while he holds them all together. Gah, I love them so much!! And the side characters we’re collecting with each book—Bear, Sara, Rem’s parents (his dad is just the greatest!); Besim’s family from Faultline; the dragonfleet from Flashpoint. I hope to see them all together as we get closer to the conclusion of the series!
Book four is going to hurt just as much, I know it, and I cannot wait!! Let’s go, Dejan! 😍💔
Man, Claire has such a gift for story, and she’s not afraid to use it to tackle the weighty issues. This one goes deep, and it hurts, the way you can feel the character’s hurt. I’m not sure I’ve ever hated a villain this much, and that includes Kamil. That’s saying a lot.
I love watching this crew fight together, with their different strengths and fighting styles. The way Besim wraps his body around someone, so the stoneskin protects them both; the absolute brotherhood in the seamless way Dej and Remy fight together and have each others backs; Cieran charging into things, even while he holds them all together. Gah, I love them so much!! And the side characters we’re collecting with each book—Bear, Sara, Rem’s parents (his dad is just the greatest!); Besim’s family from Faultline; the dragonfleet from Flashpoint. I hope to see them all together as we get closer to the conclusion of the series!
Book four is going to hurt just as much, I know it, and I cannot wait!! Let’s go, Dejan! 😍💔
April 16, 2025
Wow. This book manages to cover some very heavy themes in a remarkably nuanced manner. Traumatic memories of s*xual assault are referenced in terms that are veiled enough that if a younger reader (NOT the target audience) picked the book up, they wouldn't learn anything they shouldn't, but the round-about referencing doesn't detract from the trauma and heaviness of the impact on the character. And MAN. Poor, Remy. Dude's been through it. Hope we get to see his life start to sort itself out as he's a more minor character in the next books.
Other content disclosures ... if you're not into mild swearing, these books aren't for you. These guys are military and their language shows it. However, more offensive curses are made in in-story languages while only stuff like sh*t makes it into the page directly.
Other content disclosures ... if you're not into mild swearing, these books aren't for you. These guys are military and their language shows it. However, more offensive curses are made in in-story languages while only stuff like sh*t makes it into the page directly.
February 10, 2025
Dear Claire,
Thanks for absolutely sucker punching me in the feels. Please take these 5 stars for your efforts. Cant wait for you to drop kick me in the emotions come April 🤕💕
- Robin
In all seriousness though, this book was stellar but will also rip your heart out.
As an aside, this book does tackle difficult topics such as SA and child trafficking, but all topics are handled with a lot of care.
Thanks for absolutely sucker punching me in the feels. Please take these 5 stars for your efforts. Cant wait for you to drop kick me in the emotions come April 🤕💕
- Robin
In all seriousness though, this book was stellar but will also rip your heart out.
As an aside, this book does tackle difficult topics such as SA and child trafficking, but all topics are handled with a lot of care.
December 5, 2025
I LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!! Remy is just so. Augh. I love him!!! And Sara is THE most relatable character EVER. Usually when I relate to characters, I tend to assume they won't be as cool, but Sara's AWESOME, and so kind!!!!!! And Bear. BEAR. I would die for him, the sweet boy
Honestly I just love this book so so much. There is discussion of some hard stuff in one characters past, but it's handled really tastefully, in my mind. And also there are griffin shifters, which is super cool. Basically, it's amazing, read it
Honestly I just love this book so so much. There is discussion of some hard stuff in one characters past, but it's handled really tastefully, in my mind. And also there are griffin shifters, which is super cool. Basically, it's amazing, read it
April 11, 2025
Me leaving comments on Book 2 of this series: "Oh interesting that Remy doesn't like fae-made recovery chocolate, even if it works faster than the other stuff... That's a really good character detail."
Me, about two months later while reading Conduit for the first time: "NO YOU DIDN'T"
Book three of this series is where the stakes get seriously underscored. Once we're in, there's no going back, either for us as readers or for the characters.
Make no mistake, there are HEAVY elements to this book. But like all really heavy themes, the beauty comes in how the author has the rest of the cast react. The very real brokenness in Remy's story is met with unflinching loyalty, kindness, and gentleness by those surrounding him, and it's there that he's able to begin healing. I have to give so many kudos to Claire for holding her ground against a story that really needed to be told, even though I'm dead certain it was a terrifying moment when Remy started finally opening up.
One less-talked-about bit of this book that I personally really liked... the second POV of Sara and her shift from wanting to stay behind her desk to being willing to step out of her comfort zone. I like my comfort zone. It's safe. But sometimes...sometimes there are circumstances that call us to go beyond. Sara is still a kind, clever, somewhat nervous analyst by the end of the book. No massive transformation into a super-soldier here. But she's discovered the steel in her spine, and that's a beautiful thing to witness.
And warning:
If you don't have Book 4 (Stoneheart) close to hand when you finish this, you might regret it. Get both of them at once and read back-to-back. You won't want to wait.
Me, about two months later while reading Conduit for the first time: "NO YOU DIDN'T"
Book three of this series is where the stakes get seriously underscored. Once we're in, there's no going back, either for us as readers or for the characters.
Make no mistake, there are HEAVY elements to this book. But like all really heavy themes, the beauty comes in how the author has the rest of the cast react. The very real brokenness in Remy's story is met with unflinching loyalty, kindness, and gentleness by those surrounding him, and it's there that he's able to begin healing. I have to give so many kudos to Claire for holding her ground against a story that really needed to be told, even though I'm dead certain it was a terrifying moment when Remy started finally opening up.
One less-talked-about bit of this book that I personally really liked... the second POV of Sara and her shift from wanting to stay behind her desk to being willing to step out of her comfort zone. I like my comfort zone. It's safe. But sometimes...sometimes there are circumstances that call us to go beyond. Sara is still a kind, clever, somewhat nervous analyst by the end of the book. No massive transformation into a super-soldier here. But she's discovered the steel in her spine, and that's a beautiful thing to witness.
And warning:
If you don't have Book 4 (Stoneheart) close to hand when you finish this, you might regret it. Get both of them at once and read back-to-back. You won't want to wait.
June 16, 2025
If you see me reviewing these out of order, I'm doing a very weird reread based on what I have access to right now. ANYWAYS this book!! Absolutely HECKING LOVED IT
I really loved learning more about Remy—his family, his son, and his backstory simultaneously made me want to stab things and cry. It was brilliantly done, and this is easily the villain I want to fight the most in the series!
The combination of action and some soft, adorable domestic scenes were so so great. I loved Sara coloring with Bear so much—speaking of which SARA. Such a good character, she was relatably nervous but held her own and I liked her a lot. So very sweet and kind and I would fight someone for her.
As usual, the crew brings me great joy. They feel especially family-esque in this book, with how they interact with Bear and Remy's family, and each other.
The action was BRILLIANT, and chapter 22 briefly killed me and I love it all a LOT OKAY. This author truly never fails to delight me and then put me through it and then delight me again. As all good authors should!
One final note is that I like how the romance is hinted at, but not full on happening in this book. We see the origin but not all of it and that fits for Remy and Sara and their story so well, and even what we got is brilliant
In short, this book was incredible and now I'm craving double chocolate chip cookies
I really loved learning more about Remy—his family, his son, and his backstory simultaneously made me want to stab things and cry. It was brilliantly done, and this is easily the villain I want to fight the most in the series!
The combination of action and some soft, adorable domestic scenes were so so great. I loved Sara coloring with Bear so much—speaking of which SARA. Such a good character, she was relatably nervous but held her own and I liked her a lot. So very sweet and kind and I would fight someone for her.
As usual, the crew brings me great joy. They feel especially family-esque in this book, with how they interact with Bear and Remy's family, and each other.
The action was BRILLIANT, and chapter 22 briefly killed me and I love it all a LOT OKAY. This author truly never fails to delight me and then put me through it and then delight me again. As all good authors should!
One final note is that I like how the romance is hinted at, but not full on happening in this book. We see the origin but not all of it and that fits for Remy and Sara and their story so well, and even what we got is brilliant
In short, this book was incredible and now I'm craving double chocolate chip cookies
April 22, 2025
How else can I say this but that things just keep getting better? I have only fallen more and more in love with this series, the world, and especially these characters. It's hard to put into concise words, because it's riotously funny, but also heartbreakingly sad. Grim, but also sweet. It deals with trauma and mental health with a support system to rely on, offering hope in darkness and a path to healing. It storms evil lairs and serenades kids with stories. Battles monsters and soothes souls. I think that's why I like it so much. It sweeps you up and away, through dark tunnels and out into the light.
Other reasons to read this book: Bros! Comrades in arms who 'get' you. And are also the 'cool' uncles. Neatest 4-year-old + neatest 4-year-old dad. DRAGON FIRE MAGIC. Oh, and chocolate cookies.
Other reasons to read this book: Bros! Comrades in arms who 'get' you. And are also the 'cool' uncles. Neatest 4-year-old + neatest 4-year-old dad. DRAGON FIRE MAGIC. Oh, and chocolate cookies.
April 24, 2025
*** Contains mild spoilers
This series keeps getting better and further cementing in my favorites list. Conduit focused on Warlock Specialist Remy Kalama and this one hit hard as a mama. I loved finally getting to meet Bear and am obsessed, as well as seeing Remy’s relationship with him. I love how we get to know the Crew better with each book and see more world building in this one! Once again, I also loved the themes of brotherhood.
This one does deal with some heavy topics that I’ve noted below, but Claire handles them with such tact and grace.
Content warnings: mention of s*xual assault, violence, some language
This series keeps getting better and further cementing in my favorites list. Conduit focused on Warlock Specialist Remy Kalama and this one hit hard as a mama. I loved finally getting to meet Bear and am obsessed, as well as seeing Remy’s relationship with him. I love how we get to know the Crew better with each book and see more world building in this one! Once again, I also loved the themes of brotherhood.
This one does deal with some heavy topics that I’ve noted below, but Claire handles them with such tact and grace.
Content warnings: mention of s*xual assault, violence, some language
August 7, 2025
This time we get Remy's backstory and to get to know his son and parents.
As well as the very tragic history of his assault by Blair's mother, Maeve. Who is back in town and wants Remy back.
Sarah Alder is the new character introduced that is an analyst that has been tracking Maeve and her crimes.
All the other team members are of course involved and rally around Remy!
This one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so try amd make sure you have Stoneheart on hand!
As well as the very tragic history of his assault by Blair's mother, Maeve. Who is back in town and wants Remy back.
Sarah Alder is the new character introduced that is an analyst that has been tracking Maeve and her crimes.
All the other team members are of course involved and rally around Remy!
This one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so try amd make sure you have Stoneheart on hand!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
Am not okay… do not have words yet… am saying a lot of curse words… it’ll be fine…
Want to read
May 23, 2025SM
July 31, 2025
This is by far the heaviest of the Drax Guard books yet, but the author continues to handle these hard topics with grace. The character dynamics are fabulous and I just want to give them all a hug…
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews