Paper & Blood

Book Two of the Ink & Sigil series

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes book two of an “action-packed, enchantingly fun” (Booklist) spin-off series, as an eccentric master of rare magic solves a supernatural mystery Down Under!

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.

BOOK TWO OF THE INK & SIGIL SERIES

Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s enchanting Ink & Sigil series:
INK & SIGIL • PAPER & BLOOD • CANDLE & CROW

Critic reviews

Praise for Ink & Sigil

“Distinguished by its intricate and original magical system, charming dynamics among characters and strongly developed Scottish setting, Ink & Sigil places its irascible hero and memorable cast in a wide, fascinating world.”—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“A terrific kick-off of a new, action-packed, enchantingly fun series . . . delightful.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Immensely enjoyable . . . a great novel and a perfect example of how to launch a new series . . . Ink & Sigil is a great entry into Kevin Hearne’s fiction.”—SFFWorld

“Goodness, this book was funny, so funny. . . . What a unique, entertaining and complex protagonist . . . If you’ve ever been curious about the author’s work, this would be the perfect opportunity to jump on board.”—The BiblioSanctum

“A refreshing viewpoint into an urban fantasy setting [with] touches of humor and dynamic characters . . . Readers will be eager to see what happens next.”—Publishers Weekly

“Delightful! Hearne’s use of Scottish words and spellings . . . adds to the story’s singular flavor. The author includes plenty of shout-outs for fans of the Iron Druid series [in this] tale sure to draw in new readers.”—Library Journal

“Kevin Hearne takes the world he created in his Iron Druid series to a new gonzo level. Al MacBharrais may be his best character yet.”—Stephen Blackmoore

“You are in for a treat. Ink & Sigil is escape reading, and I loved every word.”—Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author of A Longer Fall

“A delightfully grimy journey through the hidden underworld of Glasgow, Ink & Sigil vividly blends Kevin Hearne’s unique take on urban fantasy with the grit of Scottish magic.”—Adam Christopher, author of Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town

Superb!!

I absolutely loved Paper & Blood! Just finished it and want to listen to it again!!

Swish!

This series is RAD! If you read the Iron Druid series, you’ll no doubt love this one, too. If you haven’t, and you’re into fantasy, this unique and well-explained system of magic is fascinating. The characters are equitable and socially-justice-minded. This will entertain you and give you warm fuzzies. Highly recommend.

Don't listen to the comments about politics!!!

I've seen a lot of people leaving one star reviews on this book because they don't agree with the "political views" of the author. I'd like to say that it's their loss, and that they're missing out on a great story which is as much a continuation of The Iron Druid Chronicles as much as it is a sequel to the Ink & Sigil series. There are maybe 5 sentences collectively that mention gender roles and racial stigmas. I was happy to have Atticus, Starbuck, and Oberon back for the majority of the story, and there's also a bit of redemption for a favorite character who died back in The Iron Druid books. If you enjoyed the magic and wit previously penned by Kevin Hearne, do yourself a favor and don't miss this one.

Solid Entry in This Chronicle

I write this was a solid entry into the Ink and Sigil Chronicle. And it was. As usual, Luke Daniels’ reading brings the story absolutely to life! His ability to play with words and phrasing, accents and emphasis, makes everything about the story come into vivid perspective for the listener. My issue however, was with the story itself. While overall the story was a good story and seemed to flow, I felt there were two main issues. Issue number one was that the story abruptly wrapped. We spent a lot of time getting information and going over things, that didn’t progress the story itself. Then, elements that were critical were left unanswered as Mr. Hearne seemed either to run out of time or want to lay foundation for another book. Either way, disappointing. Issue number two was the injection of social justice warrior commentary throughout the narrative. I hope you would agree that books of this genre are an escape from the drudgery of daily life. I certainly do not want to have that world infused into this one. This is especially true when political preferences and socio-economic views of the world differ so vastly among lovers of this genre. Please Mr. Hearne, leave your personal politics to the side next time and just let us enjoy the fantasy.

Luke Daniels outdoes himself

How many English dialects can a narrator perform in a STORY. Luke Daniels is my favorite, and this is his best effort.