Touched by Fire: Magic Wars

Demons of New Chicago, Book 1

By: Kel Carpenter

Narrated by: Savannah Gilmore, Adam Gold

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

For a decade, I’ve hated the supernaturals who owned my world. I hunted them. I killed them.

And now, in the most grand twist of fate - I am bonded to one of them.

Oh, the irony.

Being a supernatural bounty hunter isn’t exactly a popular job. But after the magic wars, there aren’t many things a human can do that will put food on the table. Thankfully, anything my right hook can’t handle, my guns can.

Or so I thought.  

When a demon summoning runs awry, the being that comes into this world changes everything. I’m not sure if he’s truly a demon or a god, but one thing I do know is that he’s after me. I’d like to see him try.

I’ve got a promise to fulfill, and I’m not backing down. The only way out of this is his death or mine, and I’ll do anything to survive. Even if that means making a deal with the devil.

If you can’t get enough of books by Ella Summers, Annette Marie, Shannon Mayer, Deborah Wilde, K.F. Breene, Jeaniene Frost, Kelly St. Clare, and Linsey Hall then dive right in to the dangerous depths of New Chicago. Beware of headstrong heroines with snark. These ladies don’t bark. They bite. Get your copy now!

©2020 Kel Carpenter (P)2020 Kel Carpenter

Okay, the narrator is fuckin awesome

The female narrator makes you feel like your right there in the FMC's world. I don't feel like she's a robot going through the motions when there's action and an overall great match for the tough FMC. It took me some time to give this a chance, but I'm so glad I did, because I'm loving it. The description isn't as cut and dry as it sounds. Everything is done in a slick way with adequate world building without being too info dumpy. Although sometimes I really hate starting a read when its the first release, especially when its this good, because now I'm just itching to read book 2 now, instead of a million years from now.

Ready for more of Piper!

Piper is a really strong heroine who is struggling with self-acceptance and trusting others. The post-Magic Wars world is compelling and there's just enough background to make sure you can follow what's happening. The majority of the story centers around Piper and Natalie. It's refreshing to read a story that's got a strong female friendship at the core. I did wish for more Ronan but I am guessing we'll get plenty more of him in subsequent books. The balance of mystery and reveals were well done and never did I get frustrated with the uncertainty. There were also plenty of new mysteries added so that things didn't get boring. Some moments throughout were slower than others but the pacing was pretty good. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger but in a way that just sets up the premise of the next book.

There are some romantic elements throughout but I wouldn't label this as a paranormal romance; it's more of an Urban Fantasy with some dystopian thrown in.

I loved Savannah Gilmore's narrating. Her voice is lovely and I especially liked how she did Ronan's voice. I liked the male narrator too but wasn't a fan of his female voice.

Overall, I am excited to continue reading Piper's story and can't wait for her and Ronan to finally get together! Good start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Wooooow what a way to start a series!

I haven't been listening or reading as much M/F romance books because of my love for reverse harem and M/M but Touched By Fire by Ken Carpenter grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I literally devoured this book in like 2 or 3 days. Anytime I had a break from my job or who I was doing chores, I was listening. I am impatiently waiting book 2 on audio because I need to know what happens next! I don't have as much time to read, but I sure can listen to my hearts content ❤️

For the narration, I wasn't familiar with these actors but I thought they did a good job. They were phenomenal at their same sex characters (Savannah for the women voices and Adam for the male voices). They weren't as strong with the opposite sex characters but it didnt detract me from the story enough to downgrade them to a 4 stars. I thought Savannah nailed the heartbreak and anger and stubbornness of the characters while Adam did a good job with the dominant males (and being all growly haha). I hope they continue this series and look forward to listening to more of them in the future.

In terms of the story, I really enjoyed this urban fantasy, pananormal tension-filled book. I like that Kel focuses on plot first over romance in this book, its refreshing and really sets up the stage for the next ones in the series. I thought the back and forth between Piper and Nat was great, made me giggle and smile as their relationship grew. I am not sure how I feel about the demons yet, but we shall see in the next books. I loved the magic and powers part, and I hope we get to see more about the other supernaturals. I could imagine some of these scenes in my head (very similar to the vibe the cover portrays so great job at keeping to that theme/keeping the theme constant.

I definitely would recommend this series and audiobook! I will be listen to book 2 once its available like ASAP. Amazing first book (and audiobook) for the Magic Wars series ❤️❤️❤️

I think this is my favorite book from Kel yet!

Seriously loved this book and don’t know how I’m gonna survive until the next one gets here. The narrators were so good. Hope to hear them narrating lots of other books. Piper & Ronan are 🔥🔥🔥 & I like Nat a lot. I don’t want to say anymore and give anything away. Do yourself a favor and get this audiobook. 🎧❤️🎧

Soo hooked on this author's series!

When it comes to fantasy/urban fantasy, I tend to get lost in the world-building, but Kel did a great job giving us just the right amount. I'll have to do the ebook for a re-read since I'm sure I missed some things in translation.

I'm quite the fan of Piper, she's a bit of an anti-heroine aka a kind of character I haven't read before. It's vastly different and while it won't work for everyone, but it worked for me. No doubt she's a bada** and can hold her own, but she's a bit of a jerk. We've read a lot of heroes like this and we tend to love them, So I'm totally here for the role reversals ;-)

Overall, I thought this was a solid start to this series, I can't wait to dive in even deeper. I wish we got to see more of the hero, but we got a few more books to go, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

Seriously, I'm so glad I found this author this year, ready for more!

Great story but narrator takes some getting use to!

At first I didn’t think I would be able to get through this book because of the narrator; however, after a while, the story took over and I couldn’t stop listening. It turned into a nail bitting story that left to me dying to know what happens next!

Those narrators! Amazing.

They both did an amazing job! But I need more of that male narrator in the next book! They really brought the story alive.

Of course another amazing book by Kel. And that ending!

Loved the duo Piper and Nat. Snarky and funny. I can't wait to learn more about them and their powers in the next book. She thinks there will be a time she won't wake up. I'm betting when that "time" comes she is going to rock everyone's world.

Can't wait for the next book!

Must Listen!!

This book was an AMAZING start to a great series! It hooked me from the first few minutes and I cannot wait to listen to book2! Excellent narration from both narrators and new, refreshing storyline.

I don’t know why I waited so long!

I love this story. I’ve been holding onto it for a while until book two came out and I wasn’t disappointed! The audiobook is the cherry on top. Narrators make or break the audiobooks for me and Ms. Gilmore and Mr. Gold were perfection. Can’t wait for the second audiobook to come out! ♥️

Touched by fire

Loved this book so much! Piper is such a strong character who just keeps fighting. I loved how she refused to cower or hide she was so strong and fierce. And the side characters made this book even better. I loved them so much. I want more of all these characters. There is a good amount of action in this story which kept me very interested. I’m excited to see what will happen for these characters in the next book and how the plot continues to unfold.

A real treat

I am so in love with this story I regret not pushing it up my TBR/TBL sooner!

I like the enemy-to-lovers trope and with the rejected mate trope that is embedded in this story, I don’t know what to expect but I am sooo rooting for Ronan’s chase to end up in delicious sexy moments with his Atma 💜💜

I like the tension between the characters and the world building is solid. I love how the tension is created between all the characters and how Piper’s distrust of the supes is just another trope that Kel uses to treat us with a delicious story! Can’t wait to dive in the next installment!!

I loved this book!

I was given this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Wow, I enjoyed that immensely. Strong main characters, but with enough vulnerability to make them "real". Plenty of action, suspense and mysteries to ponder over. Both narrators' voices suited the characters well. Really looking forward to finding out what happens next!

A-maz-ing!!

Wow. I cannot get enough of Kel Carpenter's writing. This is the start of another amazing series. Thoroughly devoured and enjoyed the narrators who definitely made the whole story come alive. Cannot wait for more.

demons, darkness and magic. Loved this!

Rating 4.5 magical stars
Demons, darkness and magic.....I loved this, my favourite book from Kel Carpenter so far!

Piper is a sassy, feisty bounty hunter with a hidden agenda and a dark secret. She hates magic after what it took from her, but in a world run by supernaturals, this human is one bad-a woman with a grudge, a talent for destruction and a lack of trust of anyone.  She finds herself the hunted and on the run after a summoning gone wrong, and not just by the powerful demon who emerged with his sights firmly set on her.

This story grabbed my interest from the very start. Piper is closed off and doesn't like anyone but I couldn't help liking her. She is a tough cookie but there is a hint of vulnerability to her and when she meets witch Natalie, they grudgingly team up in order to survive. Nat was a fabulous character, the light to Pipers dark and added some humour and reason to the intensity.

I cant wait for more of Ronan. He is a dark, determined, possessive hot hunk of demon and he will not be swayed away from his goal. There were a few chapters from his pov but I hope there are more in the next book, because he is intriguing and did I say hot 🔥

I listened to the audio and both narrators were excellent. I did love Adam Gold's deep, husky voice, another reason for more Ronan please!

This is a slow burn romance set in a dark dystopian type world where supernaturals are out of the closet and ruling the world. I'm looking forward to reading the next in this series after that ending!

New urban fantasy romance series with a hot demon

I liked this new urban fantasy romance audiobook, Piper is a strong heroine and the world-building was very well done. She is a bounty hunter and finds herself with Ronan a very hot demon. The pacing was good, sometimes a bit slow and for others, it took a fast pace, the characters are interesting. I definitely will be looking forward to the next in the series. After reading other books from the author I think this series is the best of her yet, still need to get more to see how the story goes but I am liking it so far, even after a cliffy. The narrators Savannah Gilmore and Adam Gold did a terrific job narrating it, I enjoyed it and would recommend giving it a go.

Amazing first book.

Loved it 💕 Was so excited to start another series by Kel Carpenter, just knew this would be a great read/listen even before i started and i was completely right. This book has mystery and suspense wrapped in an amazing Apocalyptic storyline.
loved Piper as our FMC and the Narrators brought this book to life for me.
cannot wait for more 💕

Can’t wait for book 2!

This book take a little bit to get into it but the story sucks you in by the end! The narrators on the audio did well! Can’t wait to see what happens next!

I really enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt the voice acting matched the characters and it didn't at all distract from the story. I've already preordered the next book in the series. I cannot wait to explore the world further.

Entertaining, funny and fast paced

I love this book.. piper is an amazing character.. she is absolute kick ass, sassy and sarcastic everything I love in a mc. Her back story is revealed slowly so gives you time to take it all in and understand her personality while the action and plots going on around it is fast paced and introduces other charters that are equally intriguing. I love that the story is set in the real world just not how we know it.. it make it relatable but still means anything can happen as they don’t abide by the rules we have now. I really liked there was such a wind range of supernaturals and it just added so much to the story.. I loved it can’t wait for book two and can’t recommend enough.

A brilliant adaptation

This is a brilliant first book in a new series. BRILLIANT.
The characters are well written and grab your attention from the start. Piper is a kick ass kind of bounty hunter who is not squeamish at all. Piper and her new BFF face danger, sexy demons and dangerous super naturals.
The choice of narrators is perfect.

I love this story and look forward to the next in this series and more by this author..