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Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Guild Codex: Demonized #1
Published by Tantor Audio on December 31, 2019
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Length: 7 hours and 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Purchase Links: Amazon*Libro*Kobo*Chirp*Audiobooks.com*B&N
Goodreads
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.
Make sure to check out the companion series, The Guild Codex: Spellbound, available now, and The Guild Codex: Warped, coauthored by Rob Jacobsen.
©2019 Annette Marie (P)2019 Tantor
I’m taking part in the 2026 Read-Along for the Guild Codex World by Annette Marie hosted by Books of My Heart.
I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the Guild Codex universe, so I am beyond excited to dive into this year’s read-along! I actually first experienced this story as an audiobook back in 2021, and while a review was long overdue, I’m thrilled to finally be sharing my thoughts with you all today.
Taming Demons for Beginners is book one in The Guild Codex: Demonized series by Annette Marie and narrated by Cris Dukehart.
We first met Robin and her mysterious demon in Demon Magic and a Martini, it was nice to dive into their origin story. This book perfectly illustrates how their unlikely partnership began and the circumstances that led to Robin’s demon contract.
I have such mixed feelings about this one. While the world-building is intriguing, the protagonist, Robin, made it a difficult listen. Despite being twenty, she lacks a ‘spine’ and came across more like a sheltered child. Her refusal to stand up to her uncle or take legal action regarding her inheritance felt less like shyness and more like a frustrating lack of common sense. I usually prefer heroines who are bold and ‘kick-ass,’ so Robin’s timid, clueless nature became a major roadblock for me as the story progressed.
As for our demon, Zylas—he is exactly what you’d hope for: dangerous, mysterious, and undeniably captivating. The world-building expands beautifully here as we dive deeper into the lore of demons and sorcerers, and the chemistry between the leads is a clear highlight. Their partnership feels earned and authentic. It was also a thrill to see characters from the Claw and Hammer pop up, adding a great sense of stakes before the final, life-or-death battle.
Overall, Taming Demons for Beginners was a slow burn that left me with mixed feelings. While the world is fascinating, I’m on the fence about continuing the series. For me to really get invested, I need to see Robin develop a spine, stop offering friendship to those who betray her, and actually start applying her book knowledge to the dangerous situations she’s in. I’m hoping for some major character growth in the next installment
Audio: The audio production for Taming Demons for Beginners is fantastic. Cris Dukehart maintains high energy throughout, perfectly capturing every character. Though it starts off slow, the story’s intensity and action really take off the further you get into it.
Rated: 3 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
About Cris Dukehart
My name is Cris Dukehart. I am an Audie Nominee and Earphones Award Winning audiobook narrator and voiceover.
I’ve been told I approach the world with the quick witted humor of Mrs. Maisel and the spirit of a Southern Magnolia (which seems to me like a pretty mighty leap but sure felt good to hear and also seemed like the sort of thing a gal might want to include in her bio).
I’ve narrated over 400 books, across genres, from quirky memoirs, southern women’s fiction, and young adult titles to new adult urban fantasy and female-driven mysteries and I love being able to immerse myself in tales that include a rich array of characters of all ages and into stories that make a body believe in just a little bit of magic.
I have a natural and easy Mid-Atlantic dialect but also confidently perform the dialects from my southern upbringing (North Carolina, Virgnia, and West Virginia) as well as those I’ve picked up just meeting folks from my travels across the US and abroad.
I divide my time between my Mountain House, a Mid Century home perched on a mountain over looking the Caribbean, and an 1870 Southern Victorian riverfront home.
Both homes are PROJECTS (with a capital P) and need more than a little love, but along with my ridiculous sooper pooch, Bruce Ed, a menagerie of strays, a cast of family, friends, and characters that could just as well have stepped right off the pages of the books I read, a silly lot of DIY elbow grease, and you too… if you hang around here long enough… I’m pretty sure there’s a happily ever after waiting for all of us at the end.
About Annette Marie
Annette Marie is the best-selling author of The Guild Codex, an expansive collection of interwoven urban fantasy series ranging from thrilling adventure to hilarious hijinks to heartrending romance. Her other works include YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter.
Her first love is fantasy, while fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2026 Audiobook Challenge
- 2026 COYER Out To Lunch Again
- 2026 Library Love Challenge
- 2026 Read-Along Annette Marie
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I loved this one so much I’m still sad it wasn’t that great for you. :-(. But I can understand your points I guess. Maybe it’s because I feel so spineless a lot of the time that I understood Robin? lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/04/06/release-blast-review-rushed-the-coopers-2-by-aleatha-romig/
It seems I’m definitely in the minority on this one! I totally get the shyness factor, but something about her just didn’t sit right with me. I’m still hopeful for some growth in the next books, though. Thanks for checking out the review!
Bummer Robin was a disappointing heroine for you! I wanted her to stand up for herself too, because I hate it when anyone is treated badly and walked all over. I think we’ll get to see positive character growth over her story arc. At least I hope so! 🙂
I’m definitely hoping for some major development! I seem to be one of the few in our read-along group who struggled with her character, but I’m optimistic that we’ll see that positive growth soon. Thanks for the encouragement!
Bummer this latest was a mixed feeling one for you, but I get it, especially if the heroine wasn’t appealing.
The jury is still out on Robin for me, but I’m crossing my fingers for some major character growth. In the meantime, I’m having a blast with this read-along!
Oh, sorry to hear that Robin wasn’t your jam. I understand your points, but I actually liked that she was naive and scared and timid, and then managed all she did. I liked that she stayed true to her character and wasn’t suddenly kick-ass, but I anticipate we will get to see her grow even more with more books.
It seems I’m in the minority regarding my issues with Robin! However, the chat today was incredibly insightful and gave me some much-needed perspective on her character. I’m really hoping she grows on me as the series progresses.
Aw I love Robin. I thought she was suffering from grief and uncertainty about life without her parents. But when it came to others she was fierce. Thanks for sharing and joining the Read-along.
“There’s just something about Robin that rubbed me the wrong way during both my first listen and this relisten. I’m not her biggest fan at the moment, but I’m open to that changing as the story progresses. This read-along has been such a blast—thank you, Anne, for hosting!
Great review! This looks really good.
Thanks for visiting!