This book was provided for review by NetGalley. Thank you!

Trigger Warning: Blood, gore, general violence

Paper & Blood is the second book in the Ink & Sigil series by Kevin Hearne. Picking up shortly after the first book, we are once again thrust into the world of Al MacBharrais, sigil agent. While his work generally keeps him in England and Scotland, a call for help finds him traveling to the wilds of Australia. Along for the ride is the hobgoblin Buck Foi, Atticus O’Sullivan – who now goes by Connor, and his two dogs – Oberon and Starbuck. There’s also Gladys-Who-Has-Seen-Some-Shit, but it’s unclear if she’s there to hinder or help.

A fellow sigil agent has gone missing and the circumstances of her disappearance are less than ideal. With the help of the agent’s apprentice, MacBharrais is able to narrow down where the older woman went missing. As they search for her, the situation goes from bad to worse. Monsters of a kind not seen in centuries are wreaking havoc and leaving a trail of bodies. Who or what is behind these monsters is unknown but they aren’t stopping any time soon.

Much like the first book, Paper & Blood is a fun romp with MacBharris and company. Buck is raunchy, funny, and sometimes even helpful. MacBharris is his usual sometimes grumpy, sometimes kind self. Nadia doesn’t play such a large role in this book as she did before, but when she does show up she’s her usual badass self. Atticus, now Connor, does play a larger role though, as do his dogs.

While Paper & Blood is a spin-off of the Iron Druid series, it isn’t necessary to have read the series before starting this one. While there are mentions made to events that happen in the Iron Druid series, the Ink & Blood series can easily stand alone.

Overall, I quite enjoyed reading Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne. The characters we were introduced to in the first book return and as we are given more information on them, we also see how they have changed and grown. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. The action is well-paced with several high action/fight scenes interspersed between slower scenes that allow for plot and character development. The flashbacks, seen as stories told by various characters, also not only drive the plot along but give us a better understanding of the world they inhabit as well as who they are.

Readers who are familiar with Hearne’s work either through the Iron Druid series or any of his other series would do well to delve into this series if they haven’t already. Action-packed, funny, and even sometimes sweet, Paper & Blood brings a great deal to the table for those who enjoy a good urban or modern-day fantasy. I encourage my readers to pick it up and enjoy!

Surprised to find myself a bit “meh” about this one, after enjoying the first book. Not a big fan of change in location, or dragging the Iron Druid into this. There are a lot of things I did like here though, and I really liked the edged sense of humor in the story.

I REALLY want to like this series. But I find the characters flat, and the plot line lacking. Hopefully the next will be better?

This series was really fun! I enjoyed the characters and the humor, and even though I haven't read any of the other books set in this world, I was never confused.





Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.