Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie | Diving Deeper into The Guild Codex world

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Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
The Guild Codex: Demonized #1, Guild Codex Universe #5
Published by Dark Owl Fantasy Inc. on September 13, 2019
Age Group & Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rule one: Don't look at the demon.

When I arrived at my uncle's house, I expected my relatives to be like me—outcast sorcerers who don't practice magic. I was right about the sorcery, but wrong about everything else.

Rule two: Don't listen to the demon.

My uncle chose a far deadlier power. He calls creatures of darkness into our world, binds them into service contracts, and sells them to the highest bidder. And I'm supposed to act like I don't know how illegal and dangerous it is.

Rule three: Don't talk to the demon.

All I had to do was keep my nose out of it. Pretend I didn't find the summoning circle in the basement. Pretend I didn't notice the shadowy being trapped inside it. Pretend I didn't break the rules.

But I did, and now it's too late.

-- From the author of The Guild Codex: Spellbound comes a new series that will plunge an unprepared young woman into the darkest magic of the mythic world.

Oh, wow, it’s been a while since I read an Annette Marie novel! I’ve missed The Guild Codex world for sure after Demon Magic and a Martini, and I’m excited to dive into Taming Demons for Beginners.

Taming Demons for Beginners is a first in a new series set in The Guild Codex world.

This book follows a new character who appears later in The Guild Codex: Spellbound series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first series up through the fourth because (at the very least) before starting Taming Demons for Beginners because they connect.

This series follows Robin Page, and like Tori, she gets thrown into the Mythic World. Only Robin finds herself bound to a demon unwillingly (in exchange for baked goods!); despite growing up in the world, she’s always learned to stay away. But she’s a trooper, and she dives into the world headfirst.

Annette Marie’s humorous and witty writing style with sass in the first series is also in the spin-off.

I enjoy reading from Robin’s POV – she’s stubborn, curious and makes terrible decisions sometimes. But at the core, she’s a person who wants to do the right thing. Robin is full of quips and has a passion for baking – let’s say it’s best not to read the book hungry and leave it at that. Even the demon she’s bound to is full of sass! It made the book more enjoyable because I don’t do too well with books focusing on world-building. (That’s a me thing, though.)

Taming Demons for Beginners continues building The Guild Codex world from the first series.

We get a more in-depth look into a class of Mythics (rare? I don’t remember). I’m sure there’s bound to be more information about Demonica in future books of the series. It’s fascinating, and I want more. Plus demons! Please don’t be concerned about me – I like demons in my books. 😌

We also get Robin’s backstory before we meet up with the end of Demon Magic and a Martini. It’s kind of like getting a different POV in the same book, but with less confusion. And honestly? I like this approach because I’m not all over the place. And I get to see my favorite mages and human make an appearance as the characters from both series cross paths.

I’m ready for more with Robin and the world Annette Marie is building.

I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve read this series, and it’s great to jump back in! I’m excited for the second book in the series and to see what Robin’s next adventure is.

P.S. I wrote this review at like 1am and half asleep. I don’t know why I keep doing this. 😂