Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors 
SERIES: R’iyah Family Archives #2
AUTHOR: AJ Sherwood
NARRATORS: Tim Paige, Greg Boudreaux, Michael Ferraiuolo, Cooper North
LENGTH: 7 hours and 10 minutes
PUBLISHER: Podium Audio
RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2022
BLURB:
.One ghost from the past. Two unknown Australian monsters eating people. Three men who won’t let either problem win.
Familiars of choice, healing old wounds, Australian mythology (yes, Nico and Wicky are in Australia): it goes about as well as anyone could expect.
With giant amphibians of unusual size that stump even the MAD research department, Wicky may have summoned Godzilla (in his defense he was left unsupervised).
The next time they have to travel to a different continent Bel is drugging Nico first…
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second story in this series and really doesn’t work as a standalone.
When we last saw our intrepid heroes, Bel and Nico and Garen have settled down to domestic bliss. Nico and Garen are working together and they are so happy to be with Bel. The three of them are learning a lot about each other and how best to work with and protect Bel. Then they get a call for a job in Australia. There is a monster that is attacking people. When they get there, Bel discovers the problem is even worse than they thought. But even that pales in comparison to who else is there.
Spencer, Bel’s first familiar who deserted him and broke the bond, and to a great degree Bel himself, happens to be assigned to the Marine unit that is also in Australia working on this task. He tried to attack Bel and discovers that Nico and Garen will have none of that. He berates Bel and is all around terrible. His CO is not having it either, but somehow Spencer continues to be a thorn in everyone’s side.
Wicky and the rest of Bel’s team are there to assist. There MIGHT even be puppies 😉 It’s clear that Bel knows what he’s doing and with the support of Nico and Garen and the rest of the group, they are able to hunt down and eliminate the terrible monsters. And then there’s Spencer – the gift that keeps on taking. At least he will hopefully get his just reward this time 😛
This was a thoroughly enjoyable romp once again. Wicky and Nico together are trouble in the most fun and creative ways. Garen and Bel have a full time job managing those two on top of their other duties 🙂 There is a lot of action and adventure and surprises with the monster and those trying to hunt and eliminate them. They are definitely challenging. Wicky and Nico’s training exercises are worth the price of admission alone. Hilarious! Garen’s more serious approach was also on display as he does his best to support Bel – particularly after dealing with that ass Spencer. I really can’t wait for the next book, which I hear will focus on Wicky, Nico’s favorite playmate 😀
The audio performances of this book were great! Some of my absolute favorites repeat their roles here with the welcome addition of Cooper North voicing Wicky. I hope that continues with the next book. As Garen has a bigger part in this one, there is more of the always welcome Michael Ferriauolo who provides just the right pitch of serious, playful, tender and forceful with this character. Tim Paige’s enthusiastic performance of the puppy as human Nico was once again pitch perfect. Greg Boudreaux’s lovely performance of Bel as he really comes into his own in this story was “chef’s kiss”. This is why these guys are some of the best in the business. Recommended.
RATING: 
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