If you read my review of Ink & Sigil, the first book in this series, you’ll know I loved this series and book 2 did not disappoint.

In Paper& Blood, Al MacBharrais is back along with Buck Foi (a whiskey obsessed hobgoblin), Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, and the rest of the gang. This time 2 out of the world’s 5 Sigil agents have gone missing in the Australian bush and the team is determined to find out what could have made them go AWOL. Filled with plenty of witty banter, interesting characters, and plenty of magical world building, this book is perfect for fantasy series fans. Oh always if you love good dugs, than you’ll probably enjoy this book because there are some good dugs (dogs) in this book.

This story takes us deeper into the world of Sigil agents, with Sigil’s being the form of magic within the series. We learn a bit more about what it takes to become a Sigil agent, and while we only scrape the surface of the bigger story at large, ie the curse on Al and who the heck Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite really is. We do learn quite a bit more around how Sigil magic came to be and get a deeper look into our main characters, which I quite enjoyed because really showcases the amount of world building that Hearne provides for us.

The characters themselves all have very distinct personalities and voices. They balance each other out and Hearne has done a great job of giving multiple layers to all the characters not just our series lead. The realistic traits that Hearne gives the characters also makes it’s easy to picture them out in the real world. There are even some brief mentions to the current world wide pandemic, but it’s not overdone, because I don’t know about the rest of ya’ll but I’m over it.

I’m very invested into this series now, and may even pick up the Iron Druid series, once I finish my current big fantasy series that is. While this is a light and fun read, it also has plenty of substance within it’s pages. If you love Fantasy series such as The Dresden Files or even like your fantasy with a bit of humor, than you’ll absolutely love this series!

Last thought, do Canadians really put maple syrup in their tea?? Is that a thing?? Someone DM me or comment with the answer to this please!

Paper & Blood comes out August 10, 2021. Huge thank you to Del Rey Books and Penguin Random House for my advanced copy for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof_books.

Sigil Agent Al MacBharrais gets a desperate plea for help from another sigil agent’s apprentice in Australia; seems two sigil agents and an apprentice have disappeared. With hobgoblin Buck Foi, Al takes off for Australia to find out what is happening. Since Al is going to be gone, his receptionist, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, decides to go on vacation. Finding Gladys in Australia is just the first surprise. There will be more to come.

One thing that really impressed me was the discussions with the apprentice who called Al for help. Ya-Ping was so thoughtful and insightful, as she discussed philosophy and delved into how experiences in the past affect the here and now, and decisions now affect things going forward.

I enjoyed seeing the main characters from the first book in this series, plus the Iron Druid and his two dogs are major characters in this book. And the descriptions of the places they go in Australia were detailed enough to imagine being there. A number of the characters also told stories, and that was fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy of this book.

I loved the first book and the world-building/character developments that Hearne created. The second book doubles down and delivers. Quickly, irrelevant, fun, and over far too soon, I can't wait for the next book! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me access to the ARC.

I did not enjoy "Paper & Blood", the second installment in the Ink & Sigil series, which is too bad because I enjoyed the first very much and was looking forward to this one. Not much goes on in this book except lots of talking, philosophizing, and some insults being thrown around while tramping along the mountain trails of Australia. For some reason it's set in Australia. I don't know why. Aside from some random wombats and some Oz slang, the story could be set anywhere. We meet a few new characters and the Iron Druid makes an appearance but that's about it. I found it sleepy and I hope Kevin Hearne contrives more excitement next time.

This next installment in the series did not disappoint. Funny and clever, there were lots of laughs!

Book 1 in this series was one of my top 10 reads from 2020, so when I received an email that book 2 was available to ARC, I squealed! This installment did not disappoint.

From Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite to Buck Foi, the ragtag band of hilarious characters is back to take out another problem that landed at their doorstep uninvited. It's one wizard van ride you aren't going to want to miss, unless you don't want to see some shite. Probably don't read this book, as it's full of shite to be seen.

Kevin does a fantastic job at name dropping covid to keep the book solidly in current society, without wasting words to describe the situation. I mean we've been living it right? He also, yet again, painted a picture of the setting so perfectly I felt like I was in the bush with the characters. I love his attention to detail without info dumping.

The development of Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite as a character was unexpected but exactly what the world building needed. Her hilarious appearances made my anticipation for book 3 unbearable! So many questions, not enough answers with this one. I need to know, do Canadians really put maple syrup in their tea?!

This mystery takes us deeper into the world of sigil agents, meeting & exploring the work space of an Australian apprentice, gave so much more depth to the life of an agent, and what Al is missing out on by his apprentices continually dying. It also gives a lot more information on the other worldly creatures/people/beings that Al & gang know of. This really gives weight to how expansive the world building is, and leaves me pondering over all the potential for future books.

Many of the questions from book 1 are answered, but there are a few series long questions that will still linger after finishing book 2. I don't feel cheated by this, but glad that they will hopefully get their own book, and the attention they deserved, instead of being answered as a side quest.

Every character in the book is well crafted, and has multiple layers to their being. I love that there aren't clear evil and good lines, but a lot gray and switching of sides potential. It gives more realistic traits to those of a different plane. He does a great job of showing that no two people are the same, and the world is full of variety without beating you over the head with it.

The sigil magic system is masterful, this book builds on book 1 and gives more rules, and short comings of its uses. I love the way it is described during battles, and pretty much everything about how it operates. The thought of parts of it being able to die out with an agents death was terrifying! (great nod to the death of a language.)

This series is riddled with life lessons, and deeper meanings. It shines light on the fact that we are all going through something, and have choices with potential to grow or wallow. I love the introspective nature of the characters, and the open communication. It is always refreshing when books don't use "if only they spoke to each other" as a way to create intense drama.

Overall, you'll love this series if you love humorous fantasy with a wide range of fantastical characters. And good dugs, they were very good dugs, and I feel it would be a disservice if I didn't mention them in the review.

Favorite Quotes without Spoilers:

"It's like the Spanish Inquisition, nobody expects a turtle dragon spider."

"Oi, there's a metaphor for evil, eh, MacBharrais? Industrial polluters are shitting demons in the creek. Clearcutting forests? Also shitting demons in the creek. And if ye put almond milk in ma coffee, ye're definitely shitting demons in the creek."

The second novel in the harrowing I would argue kid classic series. You would be hard pressed to find a more fun book for a younger reader in middle to early high school who wouldn't enjoy this one.

OMG! I really love the new cast of characters. Some of our old favorites make an appearance too. This book was great fun! I’m kind of sad that I read it early. I have to wait forever for the next book. I’m looking forward to the audio copy I ordered. Luke Daniels brings the stories to life even more than they already are.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!. This book is a great second book. I loved the characters and the storyline and the places the story takes place. I loved the humor in it. The names of characters in this series are hilarious. Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, Buck Foi? There is a new adventure that expands on the story. The adventure takes place in Australia and is so well written that it felt believable and true. It was fast paced with lots of humor and action. The Iron Druid makes an appearance again. I absolutely can't wait for book 3!

Aloysius “Al” MacBharrais and Buck Foi head to Australia to assist in the search for a missing sigil agent. For the ill-informed, only five sigil agents exist in the world and it is their ability to create sigils from special ink that make them powerful. These sigils work like magic spells and can be used for both offensive and defensive and even for more mundane purposes. So it is to be expected that the search for a missing one will be fraught with danger. Fortunately, the Iron Druid himself is also nearby and seems to be engaged on the same mission.

The second book in the “Ink & Sigil” series is a nice follow-on to the first, filled with all the quirky humor that one can expect from a Kevin Hearne book. The character of Buck Foi, a hobgoblin, continues to be the star of the humor, but most of the characters find a way to get into the act, leaving the protagonist Al to be the straight man. Whereas book one only mentions the Iron Druid, here he plays a sizeable role in what might almost be considered a continuation of his own book series. Of course, his Irish Wolfhound Oberon is along for the ride.

Periodically, the characters tell stories to the others, snippets from their own histories. These amount to stand-alone short stories embedded in the overall novel, having little or nothing to do with the main story. While I enjoyed them, I felt it was a little odd and made me wonder if the author’s primary plot didn’t have enough to it to fill out a full-length novel. On the other hand, I prefer this approach to other books that have extended navel gazing scenes as bridges from one action scene to the next. And there is quite a bit of perilous action here as well, particularly in the final third of the novel.

While the main plot is wrapped up in this book, there are plenty of threads left dangling to demand another book. I will add that I enjoyed the presence of the Iron Druid in this one, bringing all the gravitas of that character, However, I would like to see the next volume focus on Al, Buck, and the characters of <i>this</i> series. They can certainly stand on their own.

This is a fun visit with old friends. I enjoy Kevin Hearne and it was good to see the Iron Druid again. However this got bogged down in the last quarter of the book and I found myself skipping lines to get through to the end. Fans of Hearne will enjoy this but some may DNF.

I enjoyed this book. I love the characters and it was good to see Atticus and to know how he was faring. I liked the descriptive way all the monsters were portrayed. #PaperBlood #NetGalley

Anyone who has read a Hearne book knows that they are entertaining and witty, funny and delightfully full of the unexpected. Book two in this series is no exception. We welcome back MacBharrais as he travels to the Land Down Under in search of a missing sigil agent. With a curse hanging over his head and the possibility of getting closer to who has it in for him, this feels like to much of a coincidence to hand off to anyone else. With the help of the Iron Druid and his dogs, and a few surprise appearances, MacBharrais is about to discover that sometimes danger is not personal, just part of a package deal. Gods, monsters, favors, and magic are embroiled in one sticky mess and not even Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite are missing out on the action.

A rollicking good time that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves their paranormal quirky and fast paced. Hearne continues to deliver in this series and I'm all ready chomping at the bit for book three. Best part, we finally get an inkling who Gladys is and yes, she has definitely seen some Shite!

If you enjoy fantasy adventure, crude humor, and belly laughing out loud while reading a book, this is the series for you.

This is the second book in a spin-off series from Hearne's finished Iron Druid series, and while the background knowledge of that series will enrich the reading experience, it's not strictly necessary. Widely recommended for fans of fantasy, urban fantasy, and humor.

Al MacBharrais and Buck Foi are off to the Land Down Under on a rescue mission. The local sigil agent had gone missing under dangerous circumstances, then so had another sigil agent and her assistant. So off to Australia went the duo, but they requested that the Iron Druid be notified of the problem since he was in the area. Buck had fun outfitting a "wizard van" for their travels. Interestingly, Gladys, Al's receptionist, decided Australia was a perfect place to visit. Then Nadia, Al's accountant, showed up in time to lead the whole group through a numerous traps. Al also got to meet up with one of the Iron Druid's old flames which really unnerved him. This title broadens the Iron Druid universe while nicely developing Al, Buck Foi, and the rest of the office staff. Now all Al needs to do is find out who laid the double whammy on him and then what can he do about it.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!

Al and Buck are off to Australia in this adventure to find the missing Sigil Agents. Two of the group of world Sigil agents have disappeared while investigating an anomaly in the plane between Earth and the Fae plane possibly meaning that a "god " has come to earth for mischief. They proceed to a national park where they believe the two are being held hostage. As they travel into the park they meet the Iron Druid and his dogs who are there for the same reason. Strange mixed-up animals appear and begin killing the civilians and the park personnel and the crew must quickly get to the source of the disturbance and stop it before more people are harmed. Specific types of ink and paper with specific markings provide various magical abilities they use to overcome the problem.
This is a fun read. It is at times funny, horrifying, snarky and outlandish but great escapist literature!!!!
I highly recommend any of the writings from this author.

My only complaint about the story was that I wanted to spend more time with Al and company. I could have used a little less Iron Druid and a lot more Nadia.

Paper and Blood by Kevin Hearne, sequel to Ink and Sigil. All your favorite characters are back and still sorting out mysteries of the supernatural, with several surprising twists.

Was really looking forward to this second entry in the Ink & Sigil series as I enjoyed the the first one tremendously. Sorry to say I was disappointed. Was hoping for much more insight and exploration into the fascinating life and world of sigil agents, and Al in particular, but no. The Iron Druid once again makes an appearance, but this time he plays a major role, which I found detracted from my overall enjoyment. Now don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of the Iron Druid series, one of my UF favorites, but I felt like his involvement here somewhat sidelined Al. In fact the middle third of this book was somewhat of a slog for me to get through. It started good and finished strong though. New series, especially offshoots of a very popular series, can take some time to get their feet under them and find their own identity. Here's hoping the next entry returns to the magic and wonder generated by Ink & Sigil.

A solid entry in this new series. I love sigil agent Al and his hobgoblin buddy! This was an interesting story and loved the glimpse of the Iron Druid. I'm already looking forward to the next book and learning more about the curse(s) Al has to deal with.