In the shadow-drenched alleys of New Orleans, I’m pushed past my usual assassin gig to retrieve a lost grimoire for the city’s Master Vampire.
Did I mention the grimoire holds the power to unleash Hades from the Underworld?
With the fate of the world teetering on the brink, I’m forced to partner with Kestrel, a vampire whose allure is as potent as his secrets.
As Hades inches closer to freedom, I have no choice but to expose my own powers.
Except there's a catch—
Using them might destroy me.
The Codex of Shadows is the first book in the Fire Mage Chronicles trilogy, an Urban Fantasy adventure with a morally gray hero, fated mates and vampires!
Tiffani Skye is an urban fantasy romance author who is a Dr Pepper addict, a mom to three kids, and married to her best friend. When Tiffani was little, she wrote stories for fun, but it wasn’t until she became a mom that she realized this was her dream—to share her imagination with others to make them smile. She hopes to provide you with an escape from your everyday worries and leave you happier than when you picked up the book.
Just wow!! Extremely captivating. This book sucked me in right from the start. I love a good Assassin book and I love a strong female lead. And the sprinkle of fated mates and slow-burn romance was the cherry on top! I will forever recommend this book! Another masterpiece by Tiffani Skye!
I absolutely loved this one! The tension & banter between Kestrel & Mac was so good💕fun little twists, amazing side characters, and an MMC who falls first 🫠! And we get the backstory of why Mac & Chantel have a love/hate friendship (Chantel is from the Fated Huntress series).
It was a great book and fast paced and I did not want to put it down! The only reason it took a few days to finish it was because of was reading it in between putting littles to bed!
I would say it was more of a 3.5 star for me, but marked it a 4 because it deserved more than the 3. 4 and 5 stars are harder for me to hand out. Typically I only give those to books that I I can’t stop thinking about and completely immerse myself into that world. I think as has the potential to do that as the series continues and the world and magic expands.
The slow burn/ enemies to lovers romance was amazing, I just wish there was more of a bridge to bring it from the hate to the love. I felt like it flipped like a light switch. I also would have loved more descriptions on the characters and the surroundings. That is more of a personal preference for me, as I like to picture everything like what the author imagined it!
Overall it was a great book and am excited to see where book 2 goes!
Let me tell you it was a favorite! It was kinda slow for me the first several chapters, but when it picked up. It really did and held me until I finished the book.
The Mage assassin and the Master Vampire go on a journey to find something, and I never thought the ending of this book would be a cliff hanger and I need more.
The two main characters were great energy, and the story line is amazing. I can not wait to read more of this series. 😛
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Tropes ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ ☁︎Fated Mates☁︎ ☁︎Vampires☁︎ ☁︎Enemies-to-lovers☁︎ ☁︎Touch-Her-And-Die☁︎
‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾ Thoughts ☽༓・*˚⁺‧͙
☁︎UHHH HOLD ON! NO, THIS CLIFFHANGER IS NOT OKAY! I need the next book RIGHT NOW! I refuse. I was taken on this beautiful and magical journey of dark secrets, hidden paths, and phenomenal magic, with tender love. This book is so well done and I was completely immersed in the world the author created!
˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖Recommended for (ppl who)…˖⁺‧₊˚☁️˚₊‧⁺˖ ☁︎Need to be taken on a new magical journey☁︎ ☁︎Loves a protective MMC☁︎ ☁︎Want to get wrecked by a heartbreaking cliffhanger☁︎
✩₊˚.⋆☾ Quote(s) ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ☁︎❝Who did this to you?'- 'I will tear them limb from limb for touching you-❞☁︎ ☁︎❝What's your opinion of me?'- 'You're obnoxious.'- 'At least you think about me.❞☁︎ ☁︎❝This would be the greatest battle of my life and one I couldn't afford to lose. The battle of her love.❞☁︎
The snark and sarcasm are for REAL in this one and it absolutely made my day! I'm a sucker for good banter and some sass, and this book delivered. (Even my colleague who I usually joke with noticed that my banter level was up, because this book is inspirational. 😂)
This book is laugh out loud hilarious and full of snark and tension and a couple bada$$ ladies and a seggsy vampire... sigh.... I loved it.
And there were so many fighting scenes that pulled me in and made me think that I too stood a snowball's chance at fighting and defeating a horde of vamps. (What's the appropriate group name? A suck of vampires? A camp o' vamps?)
So yeah. Loved Tiffani's writing style and humor, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!
🙊 No cursing 🌶 One kiss 🩸 Murder and battles, minimal gore
Thank you, Tiffani, for an early copy of the book! I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Good read! A modern setting for the story and use of pop culture references makes the story and characters more relatable, giving a fresh look at some of the traditional fantasy monsters. The main character, Mac, is sarcastic and witty. She knows what she wants and doesn't follow the same cliché that most female leads take in romance type books. Supporting characters are also unique and fun, allowing the reader to experience everything from laughter to those "are you serious right now" moments.
This is a quick read, with lots of twists and turns along the way and secrets galore. Chapters are a nice length as well.
The author uses similes and comparisons quite often. At times, it can be a bit much with simile after simile. I appreciate the description, but it may have been done slightly differently. I also found sections where the timeline seemed to skip abruptly. I would have liked to see additional details/descriptions for some of these instances as they may have helped with the flow. However, these gripes did not distract from the story, and I still really enjoyed it.
I look forward to the continuation of this series and will recommend The Codex of Shadows to friends and family.
4.5 ⭐️ Omg this book was so good, I'm mad at myself for not reading it sooner! It has Vampires, magic and all the other magical creatures. Even though it has a lot of magic and information, it's really easy to understand if you pay attention! Can't wait to read book 2!
What a fun read! This book is a fast-paced, quick read that kept me on my toes. The world was an interesting combination of magic and mythology, with all of our paranormal favorites (vampires, shifters, sorcerers, etc.) and a sprinkle of Greek gods. The action-packed plot made it easy to stay invested in the story without any lag in the pacing.
The story is told from the POV of Mac, a Mage assassin who is feisty and independent. The writing style of Mac's narration did a great job of not only telling the story, but also capturing the character's wit and attitude on every page. Plus, the slow-burn romance was filled delicious tension throughout.
Overall, The Codex of Shadows sets up a dynamic storyline with bada** characters that are layered with flaws, secrets, and humor in world filled with adventure. Definitely worth the read!
*NOTE: I read a review copy of this book and I am sharing an honest opinion.
I received this book as an ARC from the author. I LOVED the main characters. Mac is sassy, smart, and a total bad ass. I can’t wait to continue reading this series. It’s been awhile since I’ve sat down and just wanted to read a book all in one sitting. There is a nice little twist towards the end, but the book is fast paced and fun to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"His heartbeat, a frantic drum beneath my ear, played a melody that echoed through my veins. The tension of the bayou, the threat of the Sorceror, all momentarily eclipsed by the sanctuary of Kestrel's arms."
I really liked this new urban fantasy from Tiffani! It felt like a cozy adult Harry Potter with a dash of the Magiford series, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer mixed in. It's truly a remarkable combination! I loved the atmosphere of a magical New Orleans and the unique cast of mythical creatures it featured. It was such a refreshing take on urban fantasy! I'd like to work at Orenda's little shop and live in the Vampire mansion. That's not too much to ask, right?
Codex had a great balance of action and romance. I loved the tension between Kestrel and Mac! They kept me guessing with their secrets. It was such a fun read!
4/5 stars
Read if you Enjoy: Urban Fantasy Fantasy Romance Fated Mates Humor in Books Action & Adventure
*I received a complimentary ARC from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely loved & enjoyed this book from start to finish!
I loved seeing all the different creatures come to fruition within this same story! It was like a mage/vamp rendition of the popular show Once Upon A Time where more and more characters and creatures were revealed as the story played out - LOVE!
I also really enjoyed that Mac was a strong FMC that could defend herself, opposite of the popular fantasy FMC where we get the damsel in distress vibes. Mac sure didn't need anyone to come rescue her, and that in itself was like a breath of fresh air!
The only things I wish we got a bit more of was conflict, it seemed like everything was a little too good to be true. While there were many trials that our main characters faced, they seemed to be resolved pretty easily without much tension or fighting, I would have enjoyed more of that to make the story last even longer. It felt a little too easy in the end. BUT, this being the first book in what I am under the assumption is a series, I look forward to more! I also wish we would've got just a little bit more descriptive detail of our main characters. I feel like I needed more to be able to properly visualize them in my mind while reading, but what we got was just enough to paint the picture.
All in all, this book was great. It was a quick & super easy read. The FMC kept us entertained with her sassy attitude and remarks and I can't wait to see more out of these characters, fingers crossed!
– this is the first of a trilogy & should be read in order
– this is told from Mac’s point of view
– it is mentioned that a character endured being hit in the past
– it is mentioned that a character escaped their parent at a young age
– it is very briefly mentioned that there were some characters killed (in the past) who had done deplorable things (human trafficking of children, abusing & killing people)
– there is a line or two of suggestive comments from random other characters
– there is some fantasy violence, injuries & one decapitation
– a reoccurring side character has a shop that has talismans, pentagrams, tarot cards, & other items; this character does use the tarot cards with a main character during the story
– a random character makes cuts on another’s hand for a spell they are doing
Review:
I loved Tiffani’s Fated Huntress quartet romantic pairing, but Mac and Kestrel were even better! I loved their banter so much! I loved Mac’s determination to keep everyone around her safe/at a distance, but some characters managed to worm their way into her life permanently anyways. I loved the mysteriousness behind Mac & the secrets she was determined to keep from those around her. I loved seeing hints towards what they were, but not knowing exactly what they meant until it was revealed later on. I loved a lot of the side characters of this series and their friendships with Mac and/or Kestrel! I’m curious to see what they’ll be doing later on in the series with our main characters!
Summary:
Mac is an assassin, but when a Master Vampire offers her a job to find a mysterious grimoire, she finds herself acting as a treasure hunter. Only problem is that Mac finds herself having to cater to her new employer by having his lackey Kestrel tag along and question her every move. The closer they get to finding the grimoire and the person behind other mysterious happenings in New Orleans, the closer Mac finds herself leaning towards Kestrel and he towards her. Though Mac really can’t allow that with the secrets she harbors and the determination she has to keep everyone around her safe. But her secrets might need to come to the surface if they are going to stop who’s behind the attacks in New Orleans…
Tiffani has a gift for weaving an amazing Fantasy story that will leave readers captivated and enthralled until the very end 😍
This novel was action packed and included amazingly witty banter between the two MC’s
The sidekicks were just as wonderful with personalities, spunk, and sass!!
My favorites about this book • Touch her and die • He fell first • Incredibly strong FMC • Headstrong & powerful MC • Oh so juicy twists • Action packed • Witty banter
Mackenzie (Mac) is a fire mage assassin for hire. Mac keeps to herself and allows no one to get too close for reasons she’s unwilling to share. Being an assassin for hire, she is paid to locate a missing grimoire for a powerful Master Vampire, but Mac is now under the supervision of the Master Vampires second in command, Kestrel. Mac must learn to work as a team in order to recover the precious missing artifact, but working with this insufferable, overprotective, & ok…charming bloodsucker is proving to be more than she bargained for. Will Mac be able to walk away from Kestrel when all is said and done?
Kestrel, the second in command to Master Blackthorn, is in charge of working with the ever frustrating and all-consuming Mac. With a knack for irritating and annoying back-talk, Kestrel finds himself drawn to this powerful mage like no other he’s ever crossed paths with. The need he feels to protect her is overwhelming him on whole other level. Mac’s plan to simply walk away after this job is completed is terrifying for him. Will he be able to simply let her go?
Tropes: • He falls first • Strong FMC • Protective MMC • Found family • Slow Burn • Who did this to you? • Fated mates
I rated this 4.5 only because I personally would have loved to see more romance between the two MC’s. What can I say, I’m a sucker for romance 🥰
I loved this book! It was a lot lighter than the books I've been reading lately, so I think the change devolving helped also. But it was a quick and easy read because it was so well written, and the story flowed smoothly.
The Codex of Shadows is written in Mac's (the FMC) point of view. I loved being in her brain. Shee was funny, witty, sassy, and sarcastic while also being strong-willed, assertive, and secretly caring. From the beginning, you get a pretty big hint of her family line, which is her goal to keep a secret. Mac is an assassin and she's good at get job, so she gets called for a mission that the local bounty hunters couldn't complete. Get completion of this mission sets off a series of events that leads her into the adventures of the rest of the book. She temporarily works for a Master Vampire, and is easily frustrated by a particular member of the Blackthorn clan, who also harbors a lot of secrets. Neither are extremely trusting, but they have to work together to find and defeat the Sorcerer that's causing their problems, and potentially something a lot bigger. It was fun reading their banter, and seeing Mac fight between her emotions when he got under her skin.. but by the end of the book she was faced with the decision to give in our protect the people she was starting to care about. I can't wait for book two and to see where life takes her.
The very last chapter is in the MMC's point of view, and I loved the insight it gave into the other half of the equation.
Make sure you start this book when you won't be interrupted because you will NOT want to put it down!! The action, suspense, and ROMANCE are all incredibly woven throughout the book in such a way that you are instantly hooked from start to finish.
Like I said earlier, this book is PACKED with action! Mac Olsen (FMC) is in contention to be one of my all time favorite FMCs! She isn't a weak damsel in distress, instead she is kick-a, fierce, witty, and absolutely amazing. She is one of the most powerful characters in the story and it was so refreshing to see that for once. Mac is a skilled assassin that most people disregard as a "weak girl" or even worse, a pathetic fire mage.
I could go on and on about Mac, but let's dive into the vampire MMC, Kestrel. Who doesn't love a broody, mysterious, dark MMC?! He is all that deliciousness and so much more. The " who did this to you" and "touch her and 💀" moments are literal perfection! I want more Kestrel, more pining, more of everything. 😍😍
If you are interested in a paranormal Urban fantasy trilogy that has: 💃 Kick-a** FMCs that are powerful and witty 🧛 Sexy, dark, mysterious vampire MMCs 💀 "Touch her and d*e" and "Who did this to you" moments 🧙 Magic, spells, and fantastical monsters 🗡️ action and fighting scenes that keep you turning pages 💋 fated mates, closed-door, slow burn romance
This wonderful book took me by surprise! I had a few minutes and thought I would start it… I couldn’t stop reading. I was sucked into the story so fast. The FMC Mac is such a total baddy!! She is so cool, I wish I was as awesome as her. Mac is witty, fierce, formidable, complex and so much more including a skilled assassin. This is a paranormal urban fantasy and that was cool to have it take place in modern times with mythology mixed in.
I didn’t want this book to end, the only consolation for finishing it… is that it is the first in the series and the second one will be released this fall.
What you can expect and what I enjoyed:
🦸♀️ Morally grey heroes 🗡️ Magic sword 🧛 Vampires 🦄 Mythical creatures 🤫 Deep dark secret 🚫 Enemies to lovers 🪄 Magic galore ❤️🔥 Fire Magic 😠 Grumpy/grumpy 💋 Kisses only
Favorite Quote: “Kestrel’s mouth twitched. "I thought you were a weapon." I ran my tongue over the top row of my teeth. I didn't like my own words being echoed back at me. But he was right. My body was a lean, killing machine forged through unspeakable trials.”
Also, if you have read it then you will get this… I need my own Nic!!!
Thank you to the author Tiffani Skye for the electronic advanced copy of the book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5 stars recommended! I have just discovered the biggest disadvantage of reading advanced copies of books right as they come out: I am dying to dive into the rest of the story! This story is so good. Engaging and entertaining. New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit, so I enjoyed visiting it in a fantasy realm with mages, vampires, other fantastical species, and gods. Familiar places become even more magical as the mysticism of the old city shines through. Mac is an assassin. A mage with a secret that she’d kill to keep hidden. She gets hired by a vampire clan for a job that she feels is beneath her, but which sends her on a journey that changes everything. Find the Codex of Shadows. It sounds like a simple task. The Blackthorn’s second Kestrel is Mac’s new partner. The attraction between these two is undeniable and each has their own secrets to hide. The push and pull tension between these two is off the charts. This story is full of action, humor and adventure with a side of slow burn romance. What a story. Brilliantly written to keep your mind engaged with the right amount of suspense. The pages turned themselves. Now to wait for the rest of the series to come out
Do you love slow burn, enemies to lovers, “who did this to you” book tropes, and want it to be a closed door? Then give this book a read! The Codex of Shadows was a phenomenal paranormal story mixed with Greek mythology. This book will suck you in with its suspenseful plot. There were so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes! The Codex of Shadows was action packed without all the gory details. Furthermore, I was laughing so much throughout the story. Tiffani Skye did a great job weaving humor in this thrilling story. Mac was a fierce morally gray heroine with a mysterious past. She is an assassin wanting to keep her city safe. Her hard shell slowly softened for those she cares for as the story progressed. Kestrel was a swoony protective enigmatic vampire. I loved the banter and tension between the two. I did not see the twist coming at the end! This book was fantastic and I cannot wait for the next one in the series!
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
This book is about Mac, a sassy and very independent Mage assassin. She does her best to protect her city from magical creatures (vampires, shifters, sorcerers, etc.) while trying to stay hidden from her past.
Then she meets Kestrel, a vampire, and everything that she has tried so hard to stay hidden from she is about to come face to face with. She has kept these secrets to protect those around her and herself.
The slow-burn budding romance is filled with tension. Kestrel wants to protect Mac and Mac wants to do things on her own so nobody will know the truth about her.
My overall opinion is that while liking the characters and the storyline, I found the book to be a bit slow, a bit predictable, and anti-climactic. Having said that I do look forward to reading the second book because I know that the first books are establishing the characters and world-building. I do look forward to reading more about Mac and Kestrel.
I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. 😊
I'm so happy I was able to read this amazing paranormal story. This was a wonderful adventure, and I couldn't put it down.
Assassins, vampires, elves, Greek god, hidden identities, little enemies to lovers, fated mates, banter , all of it was fang-tastic.!!
The sassy MFC, Mac wants to do everything by herself, but Kestrel, a moody vampire, wants to protect her. Also, to cook and feed her. I mean, who doesn't love a man who's immortal, has power, can cook, protects you, falls first, and also fights along side with you. I love that Mac is a powerful, strong mage, but I would love to see her walls come down a little. Both main characters are amazing, and I enjoyed the side characters as well. The humor is great, and the hidden identity really surprised me.
The Codex of Shadows is in Mac's Pov until the last bit, and it's Kestrel POV, and gosh, if he isn't a lost puppy ���� I love it!!! Also, there is no spice, which I enjoyed, lots of tension, tho.
Sassy FMC and a way too observant MMC was the perfect match! The Codex of Shadows checked off all my boxes. BingeWorthy, angsty, hurt & comfort and HE FALLS FIRST!! I could not stop reading once I started and I absolutely loved every moment. Meet Mac, who is a fire mage, an assassin and a bit dark and twisty, but full of love she tries to keep from the world. She has an unconventional mission to complete and the one who works along side her is the perfect book boyfriend, literally chef's kiss. He is a vampire, with many secrets but one thing that you will pick up on, is his devotion for those he claims as his. Spice level is low but the tension is definitely there, you will find many giggling and kicking feet scenes.
I received an e-arc from the author, but opinion is purely my own.
I truly truly loved this book! Fast paced with a slow burn, enemies to lovers count me in! Tall, dark and moody meets his match in this high fantasy, action packed book! It’s giving who hurt you, it’s giving she’s mine, it’s giving she’s a strong independent woman who don’t need no man!! haha! But seriously this book has everything. I love the more modern spin, and with so many fantasy creatures it’s a recipe for success. Not to mention, the FMC is strong, capable, fiery, and steps into a world and a position that she has tried to avoid. She sets out on this mission with Mr. Tall Dark and Moody, all while guarding her own secrets and the stakes and the tension are everything! I won’t even mention the ending because omg. I could not put this book down and I am so so so excited to see how Mac’s story plays out!!
Mac is an assassin who survives by following her own rules to keep the extent of her powers hidden. Being a mage who conjures fire is as useful in her line of work, as is her weapon and trusty accessory, Nic. Enter the dark side of New Orleans where elves, vampires, shifters and magicians roam the streets and a stolen grimoire holds the power to release Hades from the Underworld. As Mac finds herself in an unwanted partnership with Kestrel, a powerful vampire with his own secrets, can she learn to trust her instincts when it may be her heart at stake? This book has it all - magic, action, friendships, banter, slow burn romance, laugh out loud scenes, and strong female leads - looking at you Daisy! Even if fantasy or Roma Tassy isn’t your thing, I promise you will enjoy this book. I can’t wait for the next one!!
I loved the story of Mac (FMC) and Kestrel (MMC), this is a good quick read that kept me engaged all the way to the end. The banter between the characters was wonderful, with lots of pop culture references to keep it relevant and relatable. The slow burn enemies to lovers was perfect. There were enough twists and turns and hinted at secrets in the book that once I started, it was hard to put it down…(I didn’t.. I read it in one day!!!! I had to know how it ended!!!) Also can we talk about that ending!!!! What a thrilling climax…I was literally reading this as a huge thunderstorm was playing outside my windows and it echoed the intensity of the ending to this book. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good Romantasy. I received this as an ARC ebook and thus is my honest opinion.
***ARC REVIEW*** Mac isn't just an assassin, she's an extremely powerful fire mage with a dark and traumatic past. Breaking through her walls is something none have accomplished since she went on the run 5 years ago. Having ended up as an assassin for hire in New Orleans at the ripe age of 21, her sharp tongue and unpredictable cunning deliver her to a contract that she may get more out of than she bargained for. The Master Vampire of New Orleans is rumored to be vicious and ruthless in his grab for power. Whispers suggest he murdered his family for the title. Working for and with him on this particular job is going to be an adventure. Keeping her guard up and icy detachment firmly in place will be another challenge entirely. New Orleans is a battle ground and Mac, along with the Vampire Master, is the first and only line of defense. Will their efforts be enough to keep New Orleans the magical sanctuary it has been? Or will their entire way of life be irreversibly fractured.
I absolutely adore Mac. Her entire demeanor is magnificent. The writing style is enticing and engaging. I had a good chunk of the puzzles figured out pretty early but I still had a great time reading this book. I love that Mac doesn't immediately swoon and her past plays a huge role in that. I appreciate that her damage isn't pushed under the rug and that she still has things to work out. I'm extremely addicted to this series already and hope book 2 is available soon...for my sanity.
Do you enjoy slow burn with a strong FMC who is an assassin and a Mage? Do you long for a possessive Vampire MMC? Does great banter make you smile and want to read more? Well this is the book for you! The writing is awesome and moves the story along. Let me say he falls first and she is fighting the attraction. He wants to protect her but she is an assassin so of course there is conflict. The banter between the main characters and side characters is wonderful, and who doesn't love good banter. In addition to Mages and Vampires you also get Sorcerers, Fae, Shifters, magic, Greek mythology and it's a series! There are twists I didn't see coming and I can't wait for the next book. Ms. Tiffany Skye I have questions and I need answers please.
“A surge of defiance rose within me, along with a burning determination for justice.” ⚔️❤️🔥
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️ Review: I rarely read fantasy because it’s hard to keep up with the characters, world-building, adventure, etc. It's usually not for me. I signed up for this ARC because it meshed with vampires, and I thought YES. There’s also an enemies to lovers with lots of tension; the most fun read I’ve had this month!! I’m super excited about book 2; thank you so much Tiffani for this copy!
In short, we follow the story of an assassin on a journey trying to get a grimoire that unleashes Hades from the underworld. I loved the blend of Greek mythology in an urban setting; I think if you’re trying to get into the genre, this is a great place to start.
This was a wonderful, fun read! I started reading it and laughed out loud a few times. I ended up reading it out loud to my college-aged daughter so she knew what my reactions were about! I recommend this to anyone who loves action, fantasy, world-building, excellent plot twists, and a little suspense sprinkled with a bit of romance. It will leave you wanting more. I devoured this book in just a few days. I found myself ignoring all my responsibilities to read. What a wonderful world to submerge myself in and get lost! The characters are loveable, and the author truly gives you a beautiful glimpse into her world! I can't wait for book two!!