Magicians' Reckoning

Spellsmith & Carver, Book 3

By: H. L. Burke

Narrated by: Bridger Conklin

Audiobook three in the Spellsmith & Carver trilogy.

Auric Spellsmith and Jericho Carver forged a friendship through fire. Now, they face a new enemy: a being from the Fey Realms who threatens their friendship as well as the life of one they both love.

The loss of his father leaves Auric reeling even as Jericho and his wife, Rill, are overwhelmed by the arrival of twins. When a mysterious Fey begins abducting local children, Spellsmith and Carver prepare for a full-on assault.

An attack close to home drives a sudden wedge between Jericho and Rill. With his friend's heart and confidence shattered, Auric steps up to defend their fractured family. Time's running out to save the stolen children, and the family must rally together to stop the Fey predator.

But the cost might be Rill's very soul.

©2017 H. L. Burke (P)2018 H. L. Burke

High Stakes and Romance

Family drama, missing kids, unexplained deaths, and a marriage proposal all come together in this steampunk adventure. This book can be read on its own but it's best read in the order it's written. The characters are so believable. The struggles of being first-time parents to twins, marital discord, losing loved ones, and other situations are so real. The bromance between Auric and Jericho is one of the best in fantasy. This has high stakes and romance as in the previous books, and it is a great ending to an exciting steampunk trilogy.

GREAT finish!

Well Done, my dear author, well done!

I have really enjoyed this series. There is a very unusual, neurodiverse heroine in this book. I found her quirky, no-nonsense, and very appealing. This book highlights even more the coexistence of magic and machinery in the world of Spellsmith and Carver, a web Burke weaves very well.

While I think it was very tastefully handled, there is a stronger, more obvious romance in this story, placing the trilogy solidly in the upper teen/new adult segment of young adult literature. Romance, engagement, and new marriage are stronger themes here than in the first two books of this series. While this is certainly not what drives the plot, yes, this is a kissing book.

The final book in the trilogy.

In this final installment in the Spellsmith and Carver series, things happen that shake the foundations of their close knit family. Spoilers type things. So go back and listen to the first two books. If you already did that then what are you waiting for?

Bridger Conklin completes his performance of this snarky, engaging, and magical trilogy. His deep voice brings the two lead men to life, while still possessing the range to convincingly protest the women in the cast.