Max Abaddon and the Will: A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy Novel

Max Abaddon Series, Book 1

By: Justin Leslie

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Max Abaddon just got his lucky break...kind of.

Max was just having one of those days until he soon realized everything that goes bump in the night is real. Most people inherit a house, a pet, or money. Max Abaddon wasn’t so lucky. His gramps left him a job that required him to learn that magic was real, and he’d better learn how to use it. Soon....

In his new role Max works with a team of eccentric mages based out of a facility called the Atheneum that has for a very long time managed the relationship between the normal world and well everything else.

To make matters worse, a string of high-profile murders ensure his transition is not going to be an easy one. Will the team stop the murderer? Is Max unknowingly part of a bigger scheme? Most importantly, will Max be able to have a normal life again and find time for a drink or two at his favorite bar, the Fallen Angel?

©2019 Justin Leslie (P)2023 Justin Leslie

Fresh & humorous with fantastic world building

In Max Abaddon and the Will, we travel to sunny Florida, where we meet Max Abaddon before his thirtieth birthday. Unemployed after leaving the military, Max is hungover and at a crossroads in his life when he receives a call that his grandfather has bequeathed him something.

That something turns out to be a home with unusual secrets and a diary about his thirtieth birthday. Magic and mythical creatures are real, and the world is in danger. From Elven wine to portal stones, this audiobook was fantastic!

The world building was fresh, creative, humorous and suspenseful. The characters from human to not so human had depth, held my interest and have me wanting to know more. The house is magical itself, with hidden chambers, libraries, and spell labs.

The series is available in kindle unlimited and there are currently 3 books released. This is the first audiobook, but the next will be coming in 2021. I plan of grabbing them for audio and recommend you do as well.

Luke Daniels is the perfect narrator to handle these distinct characters and their personalities. From pixies to disengaged vampires, he added another layer of depth to this stellar tale.

Loved it.

Best Urban Fantasy I've listened to in quite some time.
The story was quite enjoyable, The writing is very good. This book checked all my boxes. It has a good male main character ,It's not full of romance or disguised porn. The magic system is believable and the narration is excellent.

If you enjoy Harry Dresden or Alex Verus this book is a must have.

30 Year Old Harry Potter

Max Abaddon gets the mother of all inheritances when he receives the message that his grandfather has died, magic is real, and he's got the chance to become part of something greater than himself but it comes with people trying to kill him. Max is bewildered at the start of his journey but rapidly comes to understand his situation. I really enjoyed the world-building here and Max gradually coming to discover the hidden reality underneath our day to day one. I also enjoyed the unique blend of Florida locales with the supernatural weirdness. I'm definitely going to check out the next book. The narration is great and brings a lot to the character, making him feel grounded and real. I recommend the audiobook over the written version.

Came up short on all counts...

I was looking forward to starting a great new series in this genre, but this isn't it. The writing is generally awkward as the author regularly misuses words on whose meaning he is unclear. I also have to agree with the many other reviewers who were put off by the protagonist's alcoholism: a weird trait in someone we're supposed to empathize with. Max's attitude toward women he's attracted to feels creepily immature, his internal monologue about them feeling like that of a fifteen year old. This entire book seemed like a set up and introduction for future installments, which would have been fine if it would have had at least some focused story of its own. Even the performance of Luke Daniels, which I've enthusiastically enjoyed in Nazri Noor's "Dark Mage" series misses the mark here. The overabundance of characters have been given a collection of weird accents (the British accents being wildly inaccurate) and speech impediments, presumably to help differentiate them but instead only managing to be distracting and irritating to listen to. I won't be continuing on in the series, and urge you to give this one a miss. Hope I can find something more satisfying.

took a chance and wasn't disappointed

Was hesitant to start a new series from an unknown to me author, but so far Luke Daniels has been pretty good at picking books I will like.

Was unconvinced at the start with it feeling a bit generic (guy with nothing really going on at the moment, but has military training, gets dragged into the supernatural) but quickly found its own direction.

The characters were believable and well though out, and Luke Daniels put plenty of personality into them.

Pacing is wonderful with no point where I was waiting through filler wanting it to get on with the story, yet it didn't feel rushed.

I'm out of credits, but the next two books went right on to my wish list for later.

so good...

thought it was gonna be like the other grandfather disappears and grandson become a wizard series...on paper it was...but it was awesome all the same. MC not completely OP yet is completely gullible...it works tho. keep them coming.

Interesting but felt like filler for a sequel

Worth a shot but felt unfulfilled in the story, as well as it was quite a bit shorter than I thought necessary

Pleasantly surprised!

Yes! I was pleasantly surprised by this series. Ok , there are familiar elements of magical world building throughout- but they are intertwined with new and interesting takes on it all. Plus, new elements I haven’t heard before. All in all, I did not mind the recycled parts because the story was so good! I will definitely give the next installment a go, and I’m excited to do it. **SPOILER** The ending credits “tune” was worth listening to the whole book😂

Highly entertaining start to a series

This was a well paced and enjoyable urban fantasy. Max is in a bit of a rut when his life takes a turn and he discovers magic and supernaturals are real. Book 1 creates a fantastic world and while it resolves the current mystery, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I just hope they get answered in the next book. Luke Daniels is a phenomenal narrator and is always a great listen.

CANT WAIT FOR MORE

MAX ABADDON AND THE WILL BY JUSTIN LESLIE is the first in the Max Abaddon series. Max is an unemployed, almost thirty year old just out of the military with no job, no wife and very little hope left, when he gets notified that his grandfather is possibly dead and his lawyer wants to see Max. Max with nothing to do goes and finds grandfather's will is not what Max could even imagine what it would be,neither is his lawyer.
Max has just found out that when he turns thirty he will inherit magical powers and a position that, yes can be cool can also get him killed.

Fast paced and a good mystery. I fell in love with the characters right away and cant wait to hear more of the series.

Luke Daniels is the narrator for the book and he did an excellent job at the characters, especially, Phil . To me he was spot on with Phil!

I recieved this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.

magic

Luke Daniels narration is so spot. Loved listening.

This book has brilliant and alluring characters , who have a sense of humour . This story will draws you in and keeps you fully entertained.

I'm hooked

This is a really enjoyable listen. The storyline and how he learns about his abilities is well written. The voices used are excellent fitting with how I would imagine the characters.
I recommend this book and will definitely continue listening to both the authors books and the narrators books.

finished in 1 go.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.

Well this is a book I wanted to finish, i couldn't stop, its enticing with characters that are strong, whitty and as real as anyone can be. The detailing is remarkable, as is the humour, its very well written and thought out. it's a tale that draws you in and keeps you fully entertained.
Lucks narration is flawless as expected, he brings the characters to life and gives each their own personality. it's a perfect combination.
The out takes at the end are brill, had Mr laughing out loud.
I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone.
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