Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Candle & Crow by Kevin Hearne
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Series: Ink & Sigil #3
Published by Penguin Audio on October 1, 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 320
Length: 11 hours, 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Al MacBharrais has a most unusual job: He’s a practitioner of ink-and-sigil magic, tasked with keeping order among the gods and monsters that dwell hidden in the human world. But there’s one supernatural mystery he’s never been able to solve: Years ago, someone cast twin curses on him that killed off his apprentices and drove away loved ones who heard him speak, leaving him bereft and isolated.
But he’s not quite alone: As Al works to solve this mystery, his friends draw him into their own eccentric dramas. Buck Foi the hobgoblin has been pondering his own legacy—and has a plan for a daring shenanigan that will make him the most celebrated hobgoblin of all. Nadia, goth queen and battle seer, is creating her own cult around a god who loves whisky and cheese.
And the Morrigan, a former Irish death goddess, has decided she wants not only to live as an ordinary woman but also to face the most perilous challenge of the mortal world: online dating.
Meanwhile, Al crosses paths with old friends and new—including some beloved Druids and their very good dogs—in his globe-trotting quest to solve the mystery of his curses. But he’s pulled in so many different directions by his colleagues, a suspicious detective, and the whims of destructive gods that Al begins to wonder: Will he ever find time to write his own happy ending?
I was happy to read more in the world of the Iron Druid Chronicles and we do get a scene with each of the three Druids. As I expected, we are dealing with Al’s curse and how Roxanne will live in the human world. Nadia embarks on her own path of creating a religion of whiskey drinking, cheese eating and non-violence to have a tax exempt entity for her van adventures and entertainment.
I enjoyed Al as he worked through his regular sigil agent work, while researching more about his curse. There is a fun visit to the nine ways to Nancy. He also has to stay ahead of the local detectives partly because of Nadia and Buck’s shenanigans. I am not really a fan of Buck and the hobgoblins, and just wished his parts to end faster.
I wished we had more time with the dogs, of course. But the time with them and the Druids was fun. I enjoy the magic and the skill and strategy required to utilize it. Owen helped with a vampire issue and that involved some contact with Leif.
Dating Roxanne is a perilous endeavor. Eventually she finds a new calling to ease into human customs. She isn’t wrong to be mad about how some dates treated her but her reaction was way harsh.
Being back in the world overall was fun and the ending was well wrapped and satisfying. Al even finds a new candidate to be his apprentice. There could easily be new adventures in this world in some kind of novella, especially with the dogs.
Narration:
Luke Daniels was amazing with all the accents and characters. The voices were distinct for a huge range of characters. He’s an absolute favorite. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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- Sunday Post – 10 November 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - November 10, 2024
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Wonderful that this connected series is equally enjoyable. Excellent review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. This was a satisfying conclusion to this series and many story arcs. I still hope we will see some shorts though.
Someday I’ll get to this series!
I found this series to be a lot more cute and quirky, and less war and battles overall than IDC. I think you would enjoy it.
Great review Anne. I always want more time with the dogs…lol
Thank you. The dogs and their meaty mysteries are my first choice! Starbuck really touches me where I live – Yes food, No squirrels.
I started this before my vacation, got about 50% done and haven’t been able to listen since. It’s my priority now… I need to know what happens!!!
You do! It does a good job of winding up plot lines and open issues.
Yet another author I keep saying I’m going to read some day! Glad you are enjoying this series so much.
It’s connected to the Iron Druid Chronicles, in the same world so I would read that series first. I already did the Read-along for that series though. I hope you will be able to do most of my Read-alongs because I love having you in the reviews and chats.
Oooo I skipped the review because I am starting book 1 of this series for my book club! Wish me luck!
I do wish you luck. It’s a good series. Enjoy!