Set in the world of the Iron Druid Chronicles, Paper & Blood is the second audio in the Ink & Sigil series by Kevin Hearne. Narrated by Luke Daniels, fans of both series will delight in the telling of this latest adventure. Beloved characters, suspense, mystery and all the elements fans have come to love from Hearne.
Series: Ink & Sigil #2
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
Kevin Hearne returns to the world of his beloved Iron Druid Chronicles in book two of a spin-off series about an eccentric master of rare magic solving an uncanny mystery in Scotland.
There’s only one Al MacBharrais: Though other Scotsmen may have dramatic mustaches and a taste for fancy cocktails, Al also has a unique talent. He’s a master of ink and sigil magic. In his gifted hands, paper and pen can work wondrous spells.
But Al isn’t quite alone: He is part of a global network of sigil agents who use their powers to protect the world from mischievous gods and strange monsters. So when a fellow agent disappears under sinister circumstances in Australia, Al leaves behind the cozy pubs and cafes of Glasgow and travels to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria to solve the mystery.
The trail to his colleague begins to pile up with bodies at alarming speed, so Al is grateful his friends have come to help—especially Nadia, his accountant who moonlights as a pit fighter. Together with a whisky-loving hobgoblin known as Buck Foi and the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, along with his dogs, Oberon and Starbuck, Al and Nadia will face down the wildest wonders Australia—and the supernatural world—can throw at them, and confront a legendary monster not seen in centuries.
We are back with Al MacBharrais and Buck Foi, his whisky-loving hobgoblin. Al has just finished telling Buck about his curse and the implications when he receives a phone call from a sigil agents’ apprentice. Everyone knows to text him, but each apprentice has the other sigil agents’ phone numbers in the event of an emergency, and indeed, this is an emergency. XX has gone missing in Australia. So Al and Buck travel to Dandenong Ranges in Victoria to solve the mystery. The tale that unfolds had all the elements I love from this author, along with some twists that both amused and delighted me.
As with any urban fantasy, it is important to start at the beginning. If you haven’t read Ink & Sigil, I recommend you begin there.
Nadia, joins them. Can you say road trip! Wait until you check out their wheels!
Ink & Blood delivered, and I perhaps enjoyed it more than the first, as the world of sigils and magic has been established. It felt like coming home when we arrived in Edinburgh. Hearne brought humor, danger and surprises.
Druid Atticus O’Sullivan and his dogs, Oberon and Starbuck, join them, but I will leave you to discover why.
Gladys Who.. I have so many questions and gads I need the next installment now, even if this mystery wrapped up. Hearne answered questions, expanded our knowledge of the sigil agents world and their magic. I love the elements of this and the different skills each agent has. Unlike Druids, the sigil agents create magic using the language of sigils. When they write them, it evokes magic. Overall series thread arcs were strengthened while Hearne teased us leaving me with a thirst for more.
While the mystery, battles and world building are superb and kept me listening, it is the well developed, unique and complex characters that make this series, the Druid world and heck all of Hearne’s writing, so addictive. He allows the reader/listener to connect and care for each of them. The interaction and banter between this motley crew of adventures and keepers is something you cannot get enough of.
Herne weaves in current events, pop culture and thoughtful lessons, reminding us that this story takes place in our world.
I bought the novel (and the audiobook), but my first encounter has to be with Luke Daniels narrating the voices. He adds an element to these stories and characters. His unique character voices and the way he enhances the emotions of the story bring it all to life. Hearne and Daniels are the perfect pairing.
Now, I am waiting for my book to arrive so that I can read along as I listen for a second time. This series is a keeper.
Narrated by Luke Daniels Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne delivered from beloved characters to adventure. I am loving this spin-off series and cannot wait for more! #audiobook #mustlisten #NewRelease #Urban #InkandSigil #IronDruid Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Joyousreads
It always blows my mind to see the scope of your reading chops, Kim. 🙂
It’s been a while since I read a Kevin Hearne book, so I’m glad he’s got a new series.
Lover of Romance
This sounds like a delightful read that you have here. I adore those stories where you just feel like coming home to.
Lovely review.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I cannot wait to start this one! I have a copy from NetGalley but didn’t get a chance to read it yet so I bought the audiobook today and should be able to start it by the end of the week. I am so happy to see how much you enjoyed this one.
Jen
I can feel your enthusiasm jumping off my computer page! I really enjoyed this one as well, and did a combo ebook and audiobook. Luke Daniels is a master at bringing each one of the characters to life!
Kimberly
He really is. My hardcover arrived today as did my Audible copy, so we shall be relistening and reading along, very soon 🙂
Nadene
Here I am lagging behind. I plan to start the Iron Druid series soon. Glad o to see that the spin-off is just as fabulous.
Kimberly
Squee… I hope you love them even half as much as I do. The audiobooks are AMAZING!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m sure I’ll be reading this series after I read the Iron Druid books in 2023 Read-along. How I wish I could do it all but I will over time.
Kimberly
I am almost jealous you get to experience them…it makes me want to re-listen 🙂
Anne - Books of My Heart
Well I would love to have you re-listen with us on the Read-along in 2023. So keep that in mind. We are doing 9 books in 9 months so each one will have a full month. This is why I am planning ahead with the Read-alongs, so people have a better chance of reading with us.
Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
I was so upset with the end of the original Iron Druid series I haven’t actually read anything by Hearne since then… Do you think I’d enjoy this? Are there any sightings of characters we already know?
Kimberly
Yes, I do think you would enjoy this…and you’ll get to see beloved characters again., Atticus, Oberon and Starbuck are in this as well as others…so yes, grab them.
Sophia Rose
Glad to know that when I get caught up on Iron Druid that I still have good stuff to look forward to.
Ailyn Koay
and here i’m still stuck thinking about atticus, time for me to move on to Al~~
Kimberly
Ah, you shall see him in this…and Hearne is part of an anthology soon with Jim Butcher. It is a story that takes place between book one and two of this series from the voice of Oberon!
Ailyn Koay
I am not sure if I should be afraid or excited. Very trouble prone