Max Abaddon and the Dark Carnival

A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy Novel

By: Justin Leslie

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Book 4 in the Max Abaddon series.

After losing two close companions, Max has finally come to terms with his heritage. As his job at the Atheneum continues to fade slowly into the past, his position on the Council is once again tested.

This time The Dark Carnival is coming to town, and with it, an odd collection of Ethereals and Mages. With Planes Drifter headlining the first co-regular/Mage music festival, things, of course, don’t go as planned. At least not for Max and the team.

Max and the rest of the crew are quickly thrown into the middle of a string of vicious unconnected murders. With all the deaths appearing to be at the hands of various magical creatures and beings, it seems to be a clear open and shut case. Or is it...?

Will the team figure out what is going on before the regular government intervenes? Again most importantly, will Max and Kim find time for a drink or two at their favorite bar, the Fallen Angel?

Fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Benedict Jacka, Kevin Hearne, Richard Kadrey, Shayne Silvers, Patricia Briggs, and BR Kingsolver will not want to miss this latest addition to the Urban Fantasy scene!

©2021 Justin Leslie (P)2022 Justin Leslie

Critic reviews

"Justin is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the UF market." (Hunter Blain-Okayest, selling author of the Preternatural Chronicles)

Not too shabby!

I have enjoyed Max Abbadon's adventures from the beginning. The story is fun and interesting, and the characters come across as genuine friends. My biggest complaint in this book is the over use of Max's "heightened senses". normally I don't notice things like this - but it seemed like every other scrape the gang was in, Max described his heightened senses. Otherwise, an exceptional story. I'm looking forward to the next one.

a fast-paced plot made for an exciting listen.

I am loving this series and feel each audiobook is stronger than its predecessor. We are really getting to know Max, his friends, and the world Leslie has created. It’s a pleasant mix of suspense, magic and humor.

Can I just say I love Frank and Petro? All the characters are interesting and well developed with distinct personalities and quirks. The council, like most councils in urban fantasy, are a pain in the arse. Max is continuing to grow. His role as Atheneum is fading as he is pushed more and more into these cases. He also continues to explore and seek answers, and I like that about him. Things are a little cray-cray in the romance department with Kim. Their relationship runs hot and cold.

The investigation was a good one, with plenty of twist and pulse pounding moments that kept me listening into the wee-hours. The added pressure of keeping the government from getting involved kept me on edge as Max and his friends got into some pretty hairy situations.

The world-building blends the familiar with the unique and Leslie does an excellent job of bringing it life in vivid 3-D. I love the magic, gates, creatures and places that are characters themselves, like the Fallen Angel.

There are a lot of characters, but keeping them straight in my head is easy, thanks to the clever narration performed by Luke Daniels. I love his many accents and how well he keeps control of all the different character voices throughout the story. He has become Max while adding another layer of enjoyment to this fun tale.

Another work of art!

Loved the new book, and I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys the urban fantasy genre. Justin, you need to hurry up with the next book.

Amazing addition to Max's story.

Perfectly calculated addition to Max's story. I love the way some of the problems are resolved while maintaining an overall sense of foreboding as the story continues. Frank and Petro are my absolute favorite characters. I am already hungry for the next one.

beware the pixies

one crazy ride. love the characters ,the twists and turn. just when you think you know what's going to happen and BAM think again.

another Homerun

mages, fae, pixies, werewolves, vampires what else could you ask for. this book has it all and leaves you wanting more, just like the previous books.

great book!

really starting to shine as a author great delivery to a great story, worth it

i like your books but…..

I have to knock some staff and pointed out that at the very start of the book you have a main characters breaking up not a good sign Because it’s so goddamn predictable what’s gonna happen in the relationship and that right there should be a clue if it’s not predictable don’t do it