I had high hopes for this one, as the premise had so much potential—part Killers of a Certain Age, with a vibe that reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The mix of older protagonists and an action-packed storyline promised an intriguing read, and the idea of seasoned characters taking on new challenges was definitely appealing. However, while the concept was engaging, I found myself losing interest as the story progressed.

There was plenty happening, but I just found myself getting bored with it at times. Despite the action and the witty moments, the story didn’t quite hold my attention as much as I’d hoped. I wanted to love the characters and the dynamic, but overall, it just didn’t click for me.

While this book wasn’t for me, I can absolutely see how others would enjoy it, especially fans of action-comedy or those who love a bit of snark mixed with supernatural elements. If you’re looking for something light, with a dash of mystery and humor, this could be a good pick!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and to DAW for the ARC of Slayers of Old By Jim C. Hines.

If the Thursday Murder Club were fantasy-oriented crime solving, this is it. I got a few chapters in and realized I'd be reading it in one sitting, which I did.

Slayers of Old follows three retired housemates, all different types of Chosen Ones in their youth (a part demon, a hunter blessed by a goddess, and a sorcerer). They now live together in a house (also a second hand bookshop) that is magically imbued with the historical magic of the sorcerer's family, making it a sentient character in the book itself. When otherworldly danger comes to Salem, the three are thrust into once again saving the world from another apocalypse, one that might be closer to home, and more tied to their long pasts, than they thought possible.

I really loved how this felt like reading about a retired Buffy the Vampire Slayer-esque found family. It hit the right vibes and humor for late 90s nostalgia, while also still being relevant to 2025. The jokes about the type of apocalypse this could be based on dream factors and how "This would have just been any other Tuesday" in their youth kept things light and funny, while also noting how the characters had aged and the lessons they had learned throughout their lives added to the depth of their actions and what their family meant to them.

My only struggle was with the different narration of each of the three characters and the interluding chapters that at first I had trouble placing the relevance of. A few times I wouldn't realize who was narrating until they mentioned something particular to their past/gifts. I think their voices needed to be a bit more differentiated to help with that, though they were very definitely distinct characters and the interluding chapters needed some sort of header to place them in the present, not the past.

3.75 stars!

Cozy mystery/fantasy isn't my favorite genre, but sometimes you need something lighthearted and funny to keep you going, and this delightful romp was a welcome break!

In Salem, MA lies a sweet little bookstore and a whimsically magical house inhabited by three great heroes, long-retired from their adventurous days. However, something is waking in the little town and the heroes must come out of retirement to track down the people summoning entities that are really better left sleeping. The cozy book are lovers are going to devour this. It's heartfelt, amusing, and the characters were really lovely. Not to pick favorites but I wish I had a grandparent like Temple. I wasn't really expecting this to be centered out a mystery, which is more my fault than anything, but I'm not a huge mystery fan and didn't find the actual plot super interesting. I think a little more humor and a little more atmosphere really could have helped this book out.

I definitely enjoyed it, especially as a college student absolutely fighting for my life through the last few weeks of the semester, but it wasn't a perfect fit for me and I could've used a bit more.

Thank you to Jim C. Hines and DAW for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

This was such a fun book to read. The author has beautifully woven reality and fantasy to create a perfectly blended world in which a woman is a van while a kid just wants ice cream. There is plenty of excitement, action and an epic battle but there is also a touching core message around chosen families and the ties that bind people who love one another.

Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines is everything I love about fantasy wrapped into one page-turning, action-packed story. If you’re a fan of clever world-building, snappy dialogue, and heroes who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, this book is an absolute treat.

The plot is full of twists and turns, but it’s the characters that really drive the story. Hines excels at making even the most battle-hardened slayers feel real, flawed, and relatable. Each character is dealing with their own baggage, their own challenges, and watching them navigate these obstacles—both external and internal—was what kept me hooked. The dynamics between the group of slayers is so well done, full of banter, loyalty, and a surprising amount of heart.

What really stands out to me in Slayers of Old is how Hines subverts typical fantasy tropes. The slayers, while skilled and tough, aren’t invincible or all-knowing. They make mistakes. They second-guess themselves. And that makes the stakes feel even higher, especially as they’re up against dangerous, mysterious enemies from a time long past.

The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming. Hines drops just enough detail to make you feel like you’re truly stepping into this universe, but never bogs you down in too much lore. There’s a balance between action, character development, and world-building that kept me engaged from start to finish.

By the end, I was both satisfied with the resolution and hungry for more. Slayers of Old has the perfect mix of humor, heart, and epic adventure. If you love fantasy that’s both fun and meaningful, I highly recommend this one—it’s a wild ride from beginning to end.