The Alchemist and an Amaretto

This review is also featured on <a href=https://www.behindthepages.org/post/the-alchemist-and-an-amaretto-by-annette-marie-book-review>Behind the Pages: The Alchemist and an Amaretto</a>

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.