Book three in the Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy series.
A lot has changed for Max over the past year. He left his job at the Atheneum, opening his own consulting firm. The Balance has occurred. With the Accords in place, the regular world as well as the magical community are getting acclimated to each other. What Max didn’t plan on was his position on the Council keeping him in the middle of current events.
With Tom back and Ned now missing, things are starting to get complicated again. A modified magical drug has hit the streets that can give regular humans a short-term boost of magic; even worse, is it causing the deaths of several people. Max, Phil, Petro, and the rest of the team are again called to help solve the mystery, and for that matter, prevent a possible new enemy from emerging. Or, is it someone they already know?
Will the crew find out who this new enemy is? Again most importantly, will Max and Kim find time for a drink or two at their favorite bar, the Fallen Angel?
Fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Benedict Jacka, Kevin Hearne, Richard Kadrey, Shayne Silvers, Patricia Briggs, and BR Kingsolver will not want to miss this latest addition to the urban fantasy scene!
ike most urban fantasy, it is important to listen to this series in the order of its release. For me this third novel had everything clicking into place. Not only do I have a real sense of the characters, tone and the world, but Max and the rest of the motley crew of friends and allies have endeared themselves to me. I slipped in quickly and became completely caught up in the case(s).
Leslie laid the foundation in book one and it paid off as each book has gotten progressively better. Tom is back, Ned is missing and someone is selling a street drug that is affecting humans. Some get a magical boost and others end up dead. Max loves the business he set up and his new digs, but it looks like Council work will throw a wrench in his plans…. especially plans that involve drinks & more time alone with Kim.
Max, Phil, Petro and the others are asked to step in and investigate. We learn more about the room of gates when we learn the drugs are coming from Everwhere, a place filled with trapped souls. Leslie’s imagination and the world he has created are brilliant.
Fans of Jim Butcher and Kevin Hearne will feel right at home here. The author weaves a tight, well-paced story with unique characters. The series storyline has endless possibilities and leaves the listener craving more. It looks like Max and his friends will deal with different gates and cases in each new installment. I for one cannot wait.
I recommend listening to this series. Luke Daniels narrates and his performance is stellar. Daniels has created unique voices for each of the characters capturing their personalities and delivering an award-winning performance. He enhances an already brilliant story through tone, inflection, and pacing. Listening to him narrate is always a pleasure. I feel like he brings the stories to life.
I loved the blend of humor, action and snark that the author weaved into The Gate to Everwhere, along with the politics and dealings with the Accord. The characters, even secondary, have depth and added to the overall story. I cannot wait for the next audio! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Okay. So, where to start. First, it’s clear that the author is building a series. NOT TO MENTION HE HAS LUKE FREAKING DANIELS, AUDIO HALL OF FAME NARRATOR DOING THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!
In my opinion, this is the book that truly sets the tone for the rest of the series. I found this author from a free book giveaway he did early in the year and haven’t turned back. This book is full of action, and has a killer ending! Plus, a little love interest finally put to rest. (I was waiting for this)
My only concerns with the first two books has been mostly addressed. Editing and the large number of characters we meet. The way Justin is handling all the people in the first two books works well here.
The story revolves around Max and the crew dealing with a spiked magic drug. I don’t believe I have read a more developed take on this in the magical realm of things. I would be interested to know if so. I almost got a hint of Storm Front (Dresden Files) by Jim Butcher at first, but that was quickly dispelled. The drug is being made in a place called the Everwhere. A place where souls are trapped. The Postern (room of gates) is looked at with more detail in this book, and again is a centerpiece to the storyline. It looks like every book will mean Max figures out a way to open another gate in the room.
End of the day, this is shaping up to be a great traditional Urban Fantasy series.
I got hooked with the story line and the incredible characters. My favorite so far is Phil because he's in your face and brings humor to every occasion. The audiobooks are amazing because it's Luke Daniels of course. Can't wait for the next installment
This was a slow burner but once it got going, it was impossible to set down. Justin continues to find his voice as Max and Co. Continue to fight the good fight.
"Max Abaddon and The Gate to Everywhere" is book three in the "Max Abaddon" series by Justin S. Leslie. This book was very well written and my favorite so far in this series. When a drug is going around, that is killing regular humans who want to be magical for a little bit, Max and the gang step in to see what is happening. I enjoy getting to know the characters more and more with each book. I like Justin's writing style and the way he keeps the reader wanting more. I can't wait to continue on in this series.
So far the series been pretty interesting and we get a new status quo for max in the third entry of the series. Max depart from the antheum and the employ of the council sorta. After the events of the 2nd book he was over the bullshit and was tired of having a million bosses and decided to start being independent. Max is alright for a MC but can be a bit of a hothead and a loose canon when it comes to dealing with situations. He is still fairly new to the magic world and now that the world knows about magic, he’s trying to find his place as tom’s grandson. Too bad Ned is dead since he was a good guy and an interesting character. The ending with the son was crazy asf and I hope we can help him. Tom being a crafty bastard is still kicking and with Lilith for now to see the child she cooked up in her crazy ass mind. Max vendetta against golsby just comes off childish to me because I feel like it’s bigger things going on then him tbh. Max to me is just mad he sometimes lack self control and get used a lot especially with killing the vampire drug lord. Anyone getting mad over that shit should ask why they didn’t handle him sooner and I going to be annoyed if they try to miraculously blame these vampire deaths on max even when he didn’t do anything for real.
As for his relationship with Kim, I’m kinda indifferent for the most part. She’s a competent character but she was getting on my nerves with if she want to be with max or not. Glad that’s settled but I’m not in love with her as a love interest. Feels like max just fall for any woman the shows him a little attention lol. I enjoying the large cast and how they work together to stop the bad guys. Darkwater is so obviously a bad guy and literally tried to kill everyone more than once. The council definitely letting him off to lightly when he caught more bodies and got Ned killed. Honestly max should be more pissed off at him then golsby. Definitely will continue the series and see where it goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Max’s story keeps getting more and more intense. Like the previous books in the series, the action is non-stop. If it weren’t for Max’s great sense of humor laced very liberally with sarcasm, it might become too intense. The cast of characters in long and I admit to looking back at notes from the previous books to keep up at times. The friends/family Max has made continues to play a large part in the series and everyone’s life seems to be at great risk. A bombshell dropped in the epilogue sent me running to start the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes urban fantasy with some humor.
I listened to the audiobook. Luke Daniels’ does an incredible job of bringing Max to life. Justin Leslie’s words and Luke Daniels’ narration are the perfect match.
Another great installment! Max has branched out on his own but his first case draws him back into the Atheneum and all the mysteries still buried. There is a magical drug that is hitting the market that is being enhanced by vampire blood. Max also learns about Soul Stones – which sound horrible! It will take the whole crew to figure out all the twists and turns this journey. Looking forward to what Max and Petro get up to in the next book!
I love all the references to tv shows, commercials, and Pixie shenanigans! It is difficult to know who to trust in this magical world and keeps the reader on their toes.