Caffeinated Reviewer | Candle & Crow by Kevin Hearne

1^st Oct

Candle & Crow by Kevin Hearne is the third and final audiobook in the Ink & Sigil series. As a huge fan of Hearne and The Iron Druid Chronicles, I have loved this series set within the same world. While I own the hardcovers, I had to listen to the talented narrations of Luke Daniels. I highly recommend binge listening to the series.

Candle & Crow
by Kevin Hearne
Series: Ink & Sigil #3
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Length: 11 hours and 4 minutes
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the final book in the Ink & Sigil series, as an ink-slinging wizard pursues the answer to a very personal mystery: Who cast a pair of curses on his head?

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?

This last installment was an absolute treasure. We get to see a curse unbound, witness the birth of a god and spend time within the court of the gods. For fans of the Iron Druid, we also see Atticus and some very good dogs. There may even be sausages!

Al MacBharrais is a twice cursed practitioner of ink-and-sigil magic. His job entails keeping order between the gods and monsters who dwell in the human realm. Buck Foi the hobgoblin is making plans for himself after the events of the last book, and Nadia is creating a cult around a god who loves whiskey and cheese.

In the meantime, Morrigan, a former Irish death goddess, is living amongst the humans and trying dating apps. She has asked for help in securing a dwelling fit for her status. A large heist brings a pesky officer sniffing for clues to pin the whole thing on Al and company.

Hearne delivered an addictive tale that delivered not only laughs, but answers and conclusions to story arcs that had me grinning. I loved the suspense, shenanigans, and time spent with these characters.

Luke Daniels once again brings voice to these unique characters, and his performance was outstanding. I don’t know how he keeps track of all the voices in his head, but he delivers.

While I am sad to see this series end, I am happy to learn we will get novellas and more Meaty Mysteries. I am however excited to see what Kevin Hearne brings us next.

Whether you prefer audio or reading, I highly recommend you check out the Ink & Sigil series, as well as the Iron Druid Chronicles and, frankly, all of Hearne’s work. His imagination and gift of storytelling make him an autobuy for me.

Amazon | Audible

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