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Reviews

Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne

booksheenanigans's review against another edition

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4.0


A refreshing take to urban fantasy and magic genres. We follow Al MacBharrais, a blessed and curse man that can cast spells with magically enchanted ink which he uses his gifts to protect our world from rogue minions of various pantheon especially the Fae, who teams up with his sidekick—a mischievous hobgoblin (and probably one of my favorite characters in the entire series) to seek the truth as to why all his former apprentices keep dying from peculiar freak accidents, the secret to his curse, and the investigation to his latest apprentice’s death that will take him through Scotland’s magical underworld.

This was different but a good kind of different. First of all, the lead character was unlike anyone I have read in a long time. He was older than most, (50-ish) with a curse I'm sure no one would wish for. A curse that would make anyone who hears his voice begin to feel an inexplicable hatred for him so to prevent that, he typically communicates using text or speech applications. Al does break that habit when put in situations where he or someone he knows is put in immense danger and he doesn't quite have the time to sit back and text away.

Now with the plot/storyline, it did at times was a bit drawn out which I believe may have just been me attempting to decipher the dialogues here and there with the strong accents that had me saying 'whaaaaaaat?', hence the skimming that was brought upon. But the magical creatures, eccentric characters, action packed scenes, and the magic itself surely made up for it so it's a no-brainer that I'm down to read more of Al and Buck and their next adventure.

bakrafty1's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Men in Black meets the fairy world with a bit of James Bond to boot! Once I started, I could barely put it down. Even stopped to get Book 2 - Paper & Blood to have on hand for when finished. Loved it!!
Note: some may find it hard to read Scottish accents in written form, but it didn’t take long to catch on.

moeeyc's review against another edition

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3.0

I love the Iron Druid series and jumped at the chance to get an ARC of Kevin Hearne's new series debut Ink & Sigil from Net Galley. I did enjoy it, but I hope the next one might have a little more pizzazz. I was nervous about the thorough guide to dialect and pronunciation at the beginning of the book as I was already reading a dystopian book that is told in deteriorated English that was wearing on me. Not the case here, it was easy to follow and pronounce in my head. The characters are likable enough, the villains a little flat. It was pleasant enough reading and moved quickly. I'd like to see something a little stronger for the second outing.

roklobster's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A fun romp with fantastical elements and good moments of humor.

pixlz's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this series. The Scottish main character is hilarious and as an older bloke different to a lot of the books I read in the urban fantasy genre.

aoibhillsidhe's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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thelaurasaurus's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Loved it. The series it mosts reminds me of is Rivers of London (the fae, vaguely policemanish MC (or polisman in this case)). 

I was nervous when I saw the author was American-Canadian, but I didn't spot anything anachronistic to the Glasgow setting (I'm British, but not Scottish, so may have missed things).

I'm excited to continue with this series!

shegeekdawn's review against another edition

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4.0

First time reading this author and I really enjoy his storytelling. I'm not typically into novels involving the world of the fae, but this has a good twist to it and is actually pretty fun.

rsoccer70's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Trust me on this - listen to the audiobook rather than reading the print version! I started to read the book and even after the long intro about the spelling, meaning and pronunciation of the ample Scottish in the text - I found it too hard to track and I gave up after a few chapters. Not long after, I picked up the audiobook and it was amazingly well read and fully engaging. Not only did I get the meanings of words, but the first-person narrator came alive for me. It's a clever premise which readers of the Iron Druid (who makes a clever cameo) will recognize and appreciate. It moves quickly with a good sense of humor.  The characters are endearing and who knew that hobgoblins get loopy from ordinary salsa. I'm looking forward to listening to (not reading) the next titles in this series. 

jkay44's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

The world was well built and I liked the characters in theory. But I didn't feel compelled to keep reading. It felt a little too plot driven, and the characters were not given enough time to shine and for us to feel attached to them.