Warlock Wanted: Arcane Inc. Book 2

Arcane Inc. #2

by Sean Stone

Rachel Lecon murdered Eddie's parents. Now she's come back for him.... Eddie Lancaster has been running from Rachel for 13 years. Now she's finally caught up with him. This time his friends are in her crosshairs too. Running is no longer an option. Eddie must stand and fight the woman who has haunted his nightmares for over a decade. But the odds are stacked against him. Rachel is a far more powerful warlock than Eddie and with a newly improved mind-control serum in her arsenal, there is nobody she cannot command. Eddie is going to have to be smart if he is to defeat Rachel. One wrong step and she will plunge his life into chaos again. But how can he beat the woman who taught him everything he knows? If you like Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Shayne Silvers, Steve McHugh, Patricia Briggs, Shannon Mayer, or Ben Aaronovitch, you will LOVE the second installment of the Arcane Inc. series.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

Published July 30, 2021

About the author

Sean is a writer and reader of all kinds of books, but he particularly enjoys books with 413 pages. He lives alone in Maidstone with his cats, Molly and Klaus, in an apartment that does not allow pets. He is also quite sure that one of them is trying to kill him. It’s a good thing he’s immortal.

He works as a lab technician by day and writes rather marvelous books by night. Sometimes he writes in the day too, but those books aren’t as good.

Sean Stone is a serious man.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warwick Wanted by Sean Stone
Narrated by Hannibal Hills
This is book 2 in the series and you could read it without reading book 1 first but you would miss out on a great book! The evil witch that has been tracking our wizard, Eddie, for years has finally caught up to him. He has to deal with her threats and a creature that is killing people in the park. The police think Eddie is the suspect. Plenty of action, suspense, magic, and so much more.
Narration was wonderful!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually listening to the compilation of the first three books in this series. But if I wait until I finish to review them I won't remember what I thought of each individual book. So, I'm going to review them as I go.

I felt very much about his book as I did the first book in the series. The writing is fine, the world is interesting, and the narrator did a good job, but I just seriously don't like Eddie. The fact that he and the author really seem to be proud of the fact that he's an antisocial, arrogant, misanthropic sociopath grated on my nerves (and says a lot about the mindset of the modern male). It's one thing to possess these characteristics, it's another to bask in and brag about them.

What it feels like to me is...Have you ever heard the phrase "give me the confidence of a mediocre white man?" That's how Eddies' constant boasting contrasted with his "I don't care" when he commits an atrocity feels. Not that him being white is at issue, just the mentality of believing his own superiority even in mediocrity.

So, so far this series has been so-so for me. I'll finish it as I don't hate it. But I'm not loving it either.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.

This is the second book in the Arcane Inc. series. It is a standalone story with no cliffhanger ending. You can start here and Eddie [the MC] will provide you with a recap of the first book in this series but you are seriously missing out if you skip the first book.

Here, Eddie is hired to investigate some odd disappearances in a park, which might be paranormal. Additionally, his friends are getting very ill, he's trying to keep an eye out for Rachel - the evil witch who had Eddie's parents murdered, things in the romance department may be percolating, and the police are trying to pin a bunch of crimes on Eddie - which he may or may not have committed. So, he's got a lot on his plate.

I LOVE, LOVE LOVE this very clever, humorous and fun series. It is narrated by Eddie - who has some very humorous asides, breaks the fourth wall to address the reader and at times chastise the reader. But, while Eddie can come off as snarky and off-putting, he has a lot of heart and truly wants to do the right thing even when his evil nature overtakes him. Overall, very entertaining! Highly recommend.

I listened to this book - the narrator, Hannibal Hills, is absolutely perfect as Eddie - he embodies the attitude, the soul, the heartbreak and the cleverness of this character through his voice and absolutely enhances the written word. I am a true fan!

[Karsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really enjoyable book though Eddie didn't catch on to things as quickly as I would have liked him to. Still, Eddie mainly looks out for Eddie, and I like it - even though it means that he doesn't always do the "right" things. Good story and characters.

[Dale Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie Lancaster isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill wizard. You want work done that requires a little bit of magic...Eddie's your guy. So...it isn't too strange when the local city council comes to him for help. People in Mote Park have been disappearing. No trace left behind, no clue to their whereabouts. Eddie accepts the job...even though the local constabulary are at work on the case. The only problem is that brings him further under the microscope of Inspector Reynolds who is determined to prove that Eddie is a murderer. But...Eddie has secrets...and that's only one of them.

But, what is his greatest secret...and his greatest power... is that Eddie can steal magic. Witch...Wizard...Sorcerer...Mage... what have you... if Eddie can touch you he can pull the power out of you. And as far as he knows, he is the only one in the world that can do that. That's why Rachel has been trying to possess him...and why Eddie has been running as long as he can remember. Because Rachel will stop at nothing to have that power under her control.

This is the second book in the ARCANE, INC. series by author Sean Stone And...while reading the first will give you a little of the back ground story running through this book, it's not necessary and new readers can pick this book up and fairly well keep up with the on going story as the author provides enough information to give the reader a good reference.

Just a heads up. This story is written in the first person...AND... breaks the fourth wall of story telling as the main character continually talks to the audience making this more of a journal type story than a straight forward adventure. Regardless... the story flows fairly well and kept my interest until the end...which is all we can ask from any author.

[Colin Rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second instalment of the adventures of Eddie Lancaster follows a similar tone to the first book, a fairly large dose of snarky 4th wall breaking that mostly works quite well, but has been toned down from the first book with it being that much stronger for the change.

The narrator has again produced another strong performance for this book, enhancing the story and helping to bring the characters to life most effectively, particularly that of Eddie.

Overall, an enjoyable book that works well as either a standalone or as part of the larger series.

[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]

[Lisa Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Warlock for Hire, Wanted holds to the character speaking to the audience device. Still not my favorite, but I set it aside as I listened to this one. The plot is imaginative and tight with monsters of the supernatural and human variety and Eddie is what he is. A not very nice guy who keeps trying to overcome his own failings. He may even succeed one day despite himself.

The ending opened some avenues while closing others and I am curious to see what lies in store for us in book three.

Dare I admit to hoping Rachel would win out and we'd meet her menagerie? I guess I already have.

[Victoria Haugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a freaking fun series! Well, I've only listened to this one so far, but got the general gist of things from the summary & reviews. I'll probably be picking it up & will start listening again.

Loved the story, sarcasm & humor. I totally get it. A completely fun listen, and Hannibal Hills is one of my favorite narrators - he's awesome!

I was entertained from beginning to end, awaiting Book 3 on Audible!
You'll love it :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Kat Armstrong · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can count on the fingers of one hand the books in my life that I haven't bothered finishing. This is one of them. I read the first book in the series, hoped this one would somehow be better but it is just appalling! Misogynistic self insertion that manages to combine Harry Dresden and Deadpool and somehow make it unreadable. It reads like the narrator is a 14 year old boy who wants to convince his friends that he's cool and failing miserably.

It was free on Kindle Unlimited. It wasn't worth what I paid for it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narration that suits this character well.
Just a couple of missed errors
Ch 2 (17.55) it’s repeats a line
Ch 15 (15.48) another repeated line.

What I love about Eddie Lancaster is he’s not the perfect good guy, he’ll do the right thing but sometimes you have to cross the lines and he makes no apology for it. There’s also a darkness in him that can decimate when unleashed and Eddie learns a bit more about that side of himself in this story.
There’s plenty of action and drama in this book to keep the reader engrossed and I look forward to seeing what challenges he faces next!

[Michelle VanDaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is based on the audiobook. This is Book 2 in the series but could be read as a stand alone, personally I recommend starting with Book 1 so you get the full story. This series is filled with tons of action, suspense, snarkiness and magic! The narrator is perfection at bringing the story and characters to life. I really enjoy this authors descriptive writing and look forward to more in this series

[Wyatt Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review relates to the audiobook version.

The tone is a bit different from the first book. Eddie knows that his arch-nemesis is pursuing him and he has to do something about it. In so doing he kills many people, almost flippantly. The book was enjoyable and the ending was really worth getting to. There is enough action and smart comments throughout. A good second book. I look forward to the next one.

I received a free copy of this book and chose to write a review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie is at it again going after supernaturals after having many people go missing without a trace. A detective is now trying to prove that he’s done more than he’s really done even without evidence. Also, a former person that was in his life comes hunting him and his friends. What is a warlock to do?

[Curly's Ramblings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook review: Murder, mayhem, & magic filled book 2 as Eddie the Warlock works a case that has him also looking over his shoulder for an old foe. Sarcasm, assholery, and attitude abound making the book quite entertaining. The narrator did a nice job! I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So of course,I read book 3 before 2.lol Either way,these books are great. Eddie still has the police cheif after him.A wendigo bites his bestie and all his friends are sick.You need a good warlock spell tofix a mess like that. Hannibal Hills was an excellent narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

De

[Christine Karmelreads2665 W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge


Sean has created another well written saga in the life of Eddie Lancaster. The second installment will keep the reader engrossed into what Eddie has been up to since book one. He thinks he is so smart but he forgets even the brightest can be bested. Eddie is no hero he will do what benefits him best so that he comes out on top.

Overconfidence will cost him dearly and the question will remain is he ready to pay the price? Ashley and her family will make an appearance in this book and so will Inspector Richards who does not trust Eddie at all.

The person who started Eddie on this road will make an appearance finally. Rachel wants him back and Eddie is determined to avenge his family who will win the battle?

I have enjoyed reading about the characters from Arcane Inc. as the author keeps the story refreshingly funky enough to be amusing, twisted and a tad suspenseful. All good things to be had in a good book.

Received this book in exchange for an honest review.