Spell or High Water Audiobook – Magic 2.0, Book 2

There’s something magical about listening to a comic fantasy while tending my urban garden on a drizzly Portland afternoon—it adds just the right touch of whimsy to the day. That was exactly the case with Scott Meyer’s “Spell or High Water,” brought vividly to life by Luke Daniels’ pitch-perfect narration. As someone who devours audiobooks across genres but always delights in clever, lighthearted adventures, this second entry in the Magic 2.0 series delivered everything I wanted and more.

From the get-go, “Spell or High Water” sets expectations straight: this isn’t hard science fiction or high drama; it’s unabashedly playful with its own concept—reality as a computer program—and runs gleefully with every oddball implication that follows. I found myself smiling at how Meyer pokes gentle fun at both fantasy tropes and geek culture, giving us Martin Banks, our lovable American hacker-turned-wizard (of sorts), bumbling through magic and time travel with an endearing mix of self-doubt and hope.

This time around, Martin is still reeling from losing Gwen—a heartache that felt genuinely relatable even amidst all the digital sorcery and Atlantean escapades. The author crafts Martin’s emotional journey carefully: he misses his chance at love but finds himself offered another shot when circumstances pull him into Atlantis for a magical summit. Atlantis here is delightfully rendered—equal parts mystical sanctuary and satirical sci-fi playground—with powerful sorceresses who provide not only magical assistance but also serve as sharp commentary on gender dynamics within fantasy worlds.

What really stood out for me was how Meyer balances humor with real stakes. Even as murder mysteries swirl around Martin’s quest to win back Gwen, there’s never a sense of overwhelming darkness—the comedic tone keeps things buoyant without undercutting moments of genuine tension or character growth. Some might find this breezy approach too light compared to denser speculative fiction fare, but for me it felt like sinking into my favorite cozy sweater: warm, comforting, impossible not to enjoy.

Luke Daniels absolutely shines as narrator; his ability to juggle snarky banter, awkward romantic beats, outrageous characters (from earnest wizards to conspiratorial villains), and quick tonal pivots is nothing short of impressive. His delivery draws out every sly joke while grounding Martin’s personal struggles enough that you care about him beyond just laughs.

If I had any quibbles—and they’re minor—it would be that some supporting characters feel less developed than in Book 1 (“Off To Be The Wizard”), occasionally serving mostly as foils for punchlines or exposition dumps during fast-paced scenes in Atlantis. Still, these moments are fleeting amidst such witty dialogue and inventive world-building.

Ultimately, “Spell or High Water” is pure listening joy if you love your speculative fiction seasoned liberally with laughter—and maybe need reminding that adventure often starts where comfort zones end (even if yours looks more like coding than spellcasting). For anyone craving quirky charm rather than epic gravitas in their next audiobook pick—this one will leave you grinning long after you hit pause.