By the Edge of the Night

A Coveted Soul, Book 1

By: Darkjestress (aka Jamie French)

Narrated by: Jack Soto

Magic isn’t what people think it is. It isn’t studying incantations in mystical schools. There are no robes or wands, and certainly no close friends. After all, they might get killed for just hanging out with me. Take it from one of the spell-touched. Real magic takes the insanity to comprehend the true fabric of the world, the creativity to imagine a cast, and the ability to channel enough arcane energy to force reality itself to conform. I have to do all this without becoming so mana-drunk that I fall unconscious.

Casting spells is a curse of birth, leaving one destitute and alone on the streets, hoping to outwit the terrors hunting for blood and souls, long enough to make it to the next day. My mentor always taught me to keep my head down, mind my own business, and don’t get involved. Now I’ve been given an offer that I can’t possibly refuse. I’m not sure there is enough coffee in the world to deal with this madness. Well, if you can’t do something brilliant, do something incredibly stupid.

Content Warning: This book contains scenes of blood, violence, drugs, adult language, and adult content. There are moments of violence that are sexual in nature. There are assaults and macabre scenes. I don’t condone anything that hurts another human being ever. This is a work of fiction. Please listen at your own discretion.

Welcome to the premiere book of A Coveted Soul. This is only the beginning of an 8-book series. Book 2, "By the Edge of Binding Ties," should be out no later than Jun. 2026. Happy listening, Darkjestress.

©2025 Darkjestress (aka Jamie French) (P)2025 Darkjestress (aka Jamie French)

A sense of gallows humor

The main character is relatable, and not just because of his heavy caffeine consumption. It demonstrates that even in a dark world, not everybody has to be doom and gloom all the time. I would highly recommend this book. The narration was also excellent.

Captivating thriller, mixed with relatability.

As a book worm, I am very picky regarding my books. As a blind person, I'm also extremely picky regarding naration. 5 stars is not enough; this book easily deserves 10. As each chapter past, I kept wondering "Have I finally figured it out?" And, again and again, I was surprised, sucked further and further into the story. The main character is one of the most relatable I've ever found—from the trama they experienced to their desire for coffee. The narator is one of the best I've heard in a long, long while. Will definitely be recommending this book to all my friends and family.