After thoroughly enjoying both the Guild Codex series I craved more of Annette Marie's writing.

Initially, I wasn't disappointed. It reads very similarly but then I noticed that in contrast to guild codex it somewhat lacks originality and is incredibly predictable.
All the plot twists were visible from a mile away.
The writing itself is great and the pacing is engaging and rather fast. The magic isn't particularly original but everything (not only the magic) fits together pretty well which was one of the main points I liked about the Guild Codex books as well. Character decisions make sense, personalities are consistent, all the good jazz that sounds easy but apparently isn't, as most books in the genre sadly demonstrate.

What started to annoy me and ultimately killed any further interest was the repetitive nature of the core game loop I almost want to call it.
Initially while emerging ourselves into the world and learning all the things this isn't an issue but after the initial settling-in period a very simple pattern emerges. Mc urgently needs to get a thing and is captured/incapacitated on the way. Someone is coming to the rescue and fails spectacularly but together the captured/incapacitated/imprisoned MCs are able to escape, rinse and repeat.
On the way, we learn various new things about the world and see a variety of new and interesting locations but the entire time it's just this one pattern that keeps any tension at all. Run after the thing, get diverted/captured, escape and start over. In the middle of the second book, the pattern becomes so obvious even to the author that one of the MCs comments about getting sick and tired of it himself. While reading that, hope arose in me that, as the author apparently noticed the repetitive nature she might change something about it, but no, it just kept stubbornly following the pattern.
While we are at repetition, all the fights are interchangeable as well. There was a new creature with new abilities every now and then but it just wasn't enough to break up the monotony.
What I found particularly vexing about all this was that at every climax they get soooo close to the thing they want but then some unfortunate plot (in)convenience happens and they have to start all over again. Again and again and again...
There is no progress, nothing, just the loop.

I will keep reading through the third book until I encounter the first iteration of the stupid loop just in case this was second-book syndrome.
Edit: well, it didn't even take an hour for the first pattern repeat to manifest in the third book. I still had hope. Now I am sad.

Because there is no way one could read this first book as a standalone (cliffhangers and all that) I decided to rate the series and not just the first book in this review. ( )

The Night Realm
Spell Weaver Series, Book 1
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Melissa Moran, Greg Tremblay
This is sooooo good! An imp that looks like a beautiful woman is asked to do a job for a Prince. She agrees before she finds out she has to go to the underworld to fulfill the requirements! She can mimic spells but she is supposed to be human. Things go sideways when her contact is an incubus she met topside. It's funny, full of great characters, romance, some suspense, and a very enjoyable read!
The two narrated are fabulous!
Oh, the incubus may be sexy but it is not x-rated! ( )

This is the first book in the Spell Weaver trilogy. I didn’t realize that this book is set in the same world as the “Steel and Stone” series but quite a bit earlier in time. The book started a bit slow but I really ended up enjoying it as it continued. Previous to this I have read Marie’s “Steel and Stone” series and “Red Winter” series and really loved them both.

This book follows Clio (can’t remember if she is mentioned in Steel and Stone because I read that a long time ago). She is a Overworld princess who’s been exiled to Earth for her safety. She’s given a chance to venture to the Underworld and steal some knowledge in order to return home. What she doesn’t take into account is Lyre, a skilled spell weaver who is assigned to work with her in the Underworld.

I loved getting to spend time in the Underworld and learn more about Lyre and Ash’s past. Clio is a well done character and I enjoyed her as well. The scenes between Lyre and Clio are very well done and they have great chemistry together.

Overall this is another great start to a urban fantasy series by Annette Marie. I love this world and enjoyed the characters a lot. Marie does an awesome job of balancing world-building, action, and romance. I will definitely be continuing this series; so far Marie hasn’t disappointed me yet! ( )

I have a soft spot in my heart for urban fantasy - it’s always so alluring and addicting. The Night Realm by Annette Marie is no different. We follow Clio, a nymph with a rare ability to mimic magic, as she goes to the Underworld to steal secrets from their master wavers. Clio must face all kinds of monsters and mayhem - including dealing with an Incubi master weaver named Lyre - so she can prevent a war and go home

Things I Liked
I really liked the worldbuilding and the setting in the story! I liked learning about the different castes of daemons and what their powers are, I liked learning about how Underworlders and Overworlders are different and the same (I would have liked to learn more about Overworlders, hopefully in book 2!), and I really liked Asphodel as a setting. It was kinda eerie, but really raw. I really loved that there was mythology elements blended into the story - mythology is always a win from me.

I really loved all the magic and spell weaving. I loved seeing so much magic being practiced and used. It was all really vivid and provided some nice fight scenes. I liked that we got to explore the difference between casting and weaving spells.

I liked the relationship that develops between Clio and Lyre. While there is obviously sexual tension and you can tell they are heading down a romantic path, I loved Clio and Lyre working together and studying spell weaving. It really showed both as powerful equals who can help and teach the other.

I loved seeing Lyre and Ash meet and getting to see the beginnings of their friendship. It was so great to see their reluctant partnership.

Things I Didn’t Like
Bastain was pretty awful and Clio was a little naive about it. I really understand where Clio is coming from and her trust in his as a loving brother, but he was so manipulative. He really didn’t have much of a presence in the story, so it wasn’t that big of a gripe for me.

Duclet got a little unhinged villain for me, and while it works with his character, I would like a little more depth.

This was a fun return to the Steel & Stone Universe for me, and it definitely made me want to re-read the series. I loved the little easter eggs too - like seeing Zwi, Ash’s dragonet, and going to the Consulate. But you do not need to have read the Steel and Stone series to enjoy this book! The Night Realm is a solid paranormal fantasy filled with daemons, magic, and action.

Trigger warning for attempted rape

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )