Holly (The GrimDragon)'s Reviews > The Hexologists

"The crush of water, compounded by the tentacle's vicious grasp, left Isolde feeling like one of Morris's sausages. As the light above faded to a dusky hue arrayed with the bubbles of her final breaths, she wondered if she weren't mostly filler: a person-shaped assemblage of breadcrumbs with just enough flesh and blood to hold her together. Warren possessed so much humanity and stood in such proximity to her that it was sometimes easy to imagine his ample compassion was her own. But seeing Alexander again after so many years, and perceiving the resentment that he obviously still carried, reminded her that one could not be human by association nor live with a borrowed heart. Were this the end of her, perhaps a sea monster was the confessor she deserved."

The Hexologists is the first novel in a fantasy steampunk (fantasypunk?!) series by the incomparable Josiah Bancroft.

The Books of Babel is a criminally underrated series (PLEASE READ IT FOLKS, I BEG!!!)

Endless thanks to Orbit Books for the finished copy!

The Hexologists releases TODAY!

Bancroft has such a way with words. It's impossible not to fall into the story between Isolde & Warren Wilby! The private investigators & Hexologists are "hunters of wraiths, slayers of bugbears, champions of the common pleb, determined sleuths in search of the truth" and I *adored* them!

I've said it before and I'll probably say it a million times again, but I freaking LOVE an established relationship in a story. It feels so rare, so comforting, special... There's a different air of banter between people who have known each other for a long time. This all-knowing, push your buttons, familiar, natural vibe that you don't have with just anybody.

An immersive magical system, vivid worldbuilding & Bancroft's brilliant prose make this cozy adventure one not to be missed!