I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Codex: An Angel's Guide to Seducing a Human by Joe Duck is a funny tale about an angel sent to recover a lost book before a demon can be raised with it. Narius has a job to do, recover the Grimoire. Sounds easy but it's not! When a chance encounter lands him with Emily, a human and a witch, she shows him a side of humans he's never seen before and his job doesn't seem quite as important.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! (Yes people that deserved all caps!) I love the characters, the world building, the borderline satire/fantasy, and I'm dying for more!!! Despite being just over 400 pages, I didn't want the book to end. It's funny, a little romantic, has plenty of fantasy elements, and it's for adult :::whispers::: and I liked it!

A majority of the book is told from Narius's perspective. He is the main character! Narius is an angel of Lord Halfaya, a keeper of knowledge. He doesn't fight, he knows next to nothing about humans, and what he does know he learned in a book. He thinks he is a superior being knowing all and knowing what's best for mankind, but all he knows is wrong! His naivety though is what makes his character endearing and just down right adorable (if a 6 foot, sexy angel can be called adorable).

Emily is the other main character of the book and a portion (though not nearly as large) is told from her perspective. She's a witch, on her way to kill a dragon when she encounters the strangest thing...no spoilers I promise this happens during the first pages of the book...an angel stuck in the mud. :lol: Narius isn't what she expects, and she plans to use him to her advantage. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself growing attached to him, which as a reader you'll understand, and she's almost protective of him. Despite her cold demeanor and demands for money, Emily is kind, caring, and fiercely loyal to those she cares about.

Then there's the Codex, the book that this story is named for. It is sentient being, living for and knowing what is in its pages. It communicates with Narius and anyone who touches her...yes it's a she. Her downside is that she....well how to put this delicately....she's very ummm.....well the title says "seducing a human" and that is what she attempts with Narius. The problem is all the advise she gives is advise that would get a guy slapped. She brings levity to the book as she gets Narius in all kinds of trouble with Emily! I kinda like her ;)

The plot centers around finding the Grimoire, but it also follows the relationship that builds between Emily and Narius. Trouble finds them everywhere they go, and Narius learns that he can depend on no one but her to watch his back while Emily learns that her fairytale love she's always dreamed of may not be possible with Narius. And I have to say there were a few twists in the plot I wasn't expecting!

The Codex is described as lazy fantasy, and it's just that. The world-building is fun, the characters are easily relatable, and the plot drives the story. It's easy to read, easy to fall in love with and I believe will appeal to all audiences, even the non-fantasy lover. Be prepared to laugh, possibly tear up just a little, and fall in love!