Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Al MacBharrais is both blessed and cursed. He is blessed with an extraordinary white moustache, an appreciation for craft cocktails – and a most unique magical talent. He can cast spells with magically enchanted ink and he uses his gifts to protect our world from rogue minions of various pantheons, especially the Fae.

But he is also cursed. Anyone who hears his voice will begin to feel an inexplicable hatred for Al, so he can only communicate through the written word or speech apps. And his apprentices keep dying in peculiar freak accidents. As his personal life crumbles around him, he devotes his life to his work, all the while trying to crack the secret of his curse.

But when his latest apprentice, Gordie, turns up dead in his Glasgow flat, Al discovers evidence that Gordie was living a secret life of crime. Now Al is forced to play detective – while avoiding actual detectives who are wondering why death seems to always follow Al. Investigating his apprentice’s death will take him through Scotland’s magical underworld, and he’ll need the help of a mischievous hobgoblin if he’s to survive.

Review:

I have been a huge fan of Kevin Hearne for many years.  I love the Tales of Pell series (his collaboration with author Delilah S. Dawson), and I have read five of The Iron Druid series.  Ink & Sigil, takes place in the same universe as The Iron Druid, but follows a completely new set of characters.  Set in historic Glasgow, this book has a fun cast of characters, and a story that was highly entertaining.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Although I have been to Scotland (many years ago), I have not visited Glasgow.  But the author paints such a vivid picture of the city, that I feel like I have been there.  He mentions not only historic places, but bars, libraries and scenery that make me want to visit this wonderful place.

World-Building:

Aside from the real-life setting, the world of Ink & Sigil is steeped in the magical world, and mythology of the Fae.  There are many magical creatures, and planes of existence that are explained.  But you don't need to have read any of the Iron Druid books to understand the rules of this universe.  This is a self-contained series, so it's quite accessible.

Characters:

Al is a really likable, human character.  Unlike the Iron Druid, he is not immortal, and I love that he is on the older side.  He has seen a lot of life, but still has much to contribute to the world.  He is also complicated.  I like that he wasn't perfect.  But he did (mostly) try to do the right thing.

Al's sidekick is a hobgoblin named Buck.  I enjoyed how they got to know each other, with both characters testing each other's mettle.  Buck is mischievous and Al must keep a careful eye on him.  Even with Al's diligence, Buck manages to find ways to mess with Al.  This was super fun and entertaining.

I also enjoyed the character of Nadia.  She is many things (including being Al's accountant),  but most importantly, she is Al's Battle Seer.  I love how no-nonsense she is, and that she has a girlfriend.  This allows a friendship to grow between Al and Nadia, without the complications of a possible romance.  

Story:

The story is basically a mystery:  when Al's apprentice Gordie dies suddenly, he finds out that Gordie has been selling magical creatures.  Why was he doing this, and who was buying them?  I loved the parallels made between the book's plot, and the plight of immigrants caught up in real-life human trafficking. I enjoy how a book can bring up real-life issues using fantasy to illustrate social ills.  Strangely, using magical creatures as stand-ins for immigrants actually makes the point that people who are tricked into slavery are worthy of dignity and respect.  If we can develop sympathy for hobgoblins, we can certainly see immigrants as people.

Rating: 

Release Date:  August 25th, 2020

Author:  Kevin Hearne

Publisher:  Del Rey Books

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Page Length: 336 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A promising start to a new fantasy series, filled with an entertaining mix of characters.  If you enjoy fantasy, you will love this book.