Paper & Blood is the second book in Kevin Hearne's urban fantasy "Ink & Sigil" series, after the novel of the same name (Ink & Sigil) that came out last year. The series is a stand-alone sequel series to Hearne's completed urban fantasy series, the Iron Druid series, and features a profane older Scottish "sigil agent" as its protagonist, as he attempts to use drawn sigils in special ink to enforce the boundaries of our world against the supernatural....and to deal with some curses that have been cast upon him. Profanity, Vulgar Humor (of the profanity form, not the sexual form), and some clear silliness were very present in the first book, making it a bit different than the other urban fantasy series I read, but it was still very fun, so I was interested to see how the second book would turn out.

And well, it's still fun, but the silliness gets ramped up to another level to a point that didn't quite work as much for me, and the plot here reintroduced the Iron Druid, which made it a bit less effective than it might have been otherwise. It's clearly a second novel in what is meant to be a long running series, still introducing new characters and concepts that will play a role to come for sure, as well as carry the tone and long term plot arcs in the future. So if you liked book 1, you'll probably like this, although I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue....let me try to explain better after the jump.


-------------------------------------------------Plot Summary-----------------------------------------------------
Al MacBharrais, Sigil Agent, now knows he's on the clock: if he doesn't find a way to dispel the two curses upon him, in just a few months one of those curses will kill his latest contracted employee, the hobgoblin Buck Foi. The problem is: dispelling the curses will require figuring out who cast them, and whoever did cast them is likely to be out of Al's league.

But before Al can try and work on the problem, he gets a surprise call from across the world: two of the other Sigil Agents, who work in the Eastern Hemisphere, have gone missing when investigating a disturbance in Australia. And so Al and Buck Foi head to the down under to search for Al's missing allies....and whatever was powerful enough to make them disappear.

There, in Australia, Al will find himself confronted by gods, fae, meddling humans, and other unidentifiable monsters, and will be required to call for backup from one of the most powerful beings alive: the Iron Druid. But even the Iron Druid's help may not be enough to get through this.....and may make all his worries about his curses academic, at best.
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Paper & Blood follows up on Ink & Sigil, by, as many second books in series do, expanding the world quite a bit, and not just in that the book leaves Scotland to spend most of its duration in Australia. Notably however, the book expands the world in many ways just to setup characters and plot points for future books - so two new major characters are introduced: Roxanne, a goddess thought to be dead (under another name), and Gladys Who has Seen Some Shite, Al's receptionist who was a bit character in the prior novel but reveals herself to be far more important here. Then we have the Iron Druid, star of the prior book series which I haven't read, which probably will make this book far more interesting for longtime Hearne readers, but still is developed enough here that I was okay without any foreknowledge of who he was. And of course there's what we learn about the other Sigil Agents, particularly from the apprentice Ya-ping, who is dealing with the rough part of having to figure out how to live a double life as a young woman unable to tell normal humans...and boyfriends...about what she actually does. These characters work fairly well, and are very enjoyable additions.....mostly.

The mostly part comes because this book really leans into Hearne's sense of vulgar (again in ways other than sexually vulgar) and silly humor, like that in his collaborations with Delilah S Dawson that I found didn't work for me (Kill the Farm Boy, which I DNFed). For some people this humor, like a character constantly referred to as Gladys Who has Seen Some Shite, Buck Foi's antics, and far far more, will be pretty funny - for me, it just feels silly and distracting to a story that I generally liked otherwise. Sometimes these silly parts work - a story told by one of the Iron Druid's dogs about having to team up to take on squirrels is a really fun bit - but for the most part, the constant vulgar word play humor was wasted on me.

Even so, I did like how things turn out, with the final conflict resolved in a way that's logical enough and fitting for Al's capabilities, and the book featuring a good bit of character growth on the part of Al, as he acts as the wise old mentor to Ya-ping and at the same time realizes he has to change his view on what to do about his curses. Al's awareness of how Al has benefitted from systemic racism/sexism as an older White Man is played well, especially with him acting as a mentor to Ya-ping, who has none of those advantages, and the book also features a realization from another character on how unimportant to one's worth is disability, which is a nice theme....even if it does come a little out of nowhere.

Again I enjoy this world in large part, I just wish the silly word usage would not be as big a part of it, which it seems like it very much is going to be. As such, I'm not sure if I'll continue, although I'm tempted, but if you didn't mind or liked that sort of thing in the first book, or in Hearne's other works, then this series will be right on for you.

Thank you Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for a copy of the eArc of Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne. I've read the Seven Kennings, I've read the Tales of Pell, and I read Ink & Sigil, but I've never read Iron Druid. Although Ink & Sigil and this follow up are set in the world of Iron Druid, you don't need to read those books to experience the Ink & Sigil Series. I did not enjoy Ink & Sigil as much as I would've hoped, but Paper & Blood was fantastic. Kevin Hearne's crude humor and colorful characters are just what I needed. Al MacBharrais is the central character once again, and he travels to Australia this time as he investigates the disappearance of two other sigil agents. Along the trail he runs into a sigil agent's apprentice, his secretary, his accountant, and the Iron Druid with his hounds. (I see what you did here Mr. Hearne. bringing in one of your most notable characters to provide a big introduction to your other series for those of us who hadn't read any of it. Yeah I see what you did). And this group runs into all sorts of hilariously contrived beasts. This book had me laughting until the end. I can't wait to read the Iron Druid now.

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Series Info/Source: This is the second book in The Ink & Sigil series. I got an eGalley of this book to review through NetGalley.com.

Thoughts: We are still spending time with Al and Buck. This time they are called on to check on the disappearance of a fellow Sigil agent and their journey takes them to Australia.

This was a decent read but rambled on at times. There are diversions on paper making and ink making and many other things which I alternately enjoyed and found annoying because they detracted from the main story.

I love the characters and world here. However, this book also contained a few stand alone short stories that were embedded in the main story and these detracted from the overall book because they really pull the reader away from the action and the main storyline. The story that Buck told was particularly painful to get through. This would have been an awesome book if Hearne had said then Buck told the tale of "..." and then the full story itself had been included at the end of the book rather than breaking into intense action scenes to divert the reader.

There is quite a bit of action here and some interesting encounters with various gods. It was fun to see Atticus and Oberon again; they are in a good portion of this book. However, this didn’t seem to really tie in to a larger story and was just a quick jaunt to help out some fellow Sigil agents.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend it. It's humorous and entertaining and has some good mythology and unique characters in it. I do hope we see tighter writing in the next book; vast portions of this book wandered off onto side stories or spent copious amounts of time discussing things like paper making. This book wasn't as exciting and thrilling to me as the first in this series but I do plan to continue on with the series.

I get upset when readers say something like "I don't want to read politics!" or something similar.
All of life is politics. Saying "I don't want to read politics!" is like saying "I don't want to read about people! Or events! Or anything that I don't already agree with!" And then you only end of reading Beck or Franken and fine, whatever, read what you want.
Just know that there's a reason no one respects you and move on with your annoying life.
But I can now agree with readers who say "I don't want to read poorly-written politics!", because that's all I can appreciate in this book.
This series started out fairly "political" in Book 1, but dear God its gotten too annoying to read. I think the series started out having required topics introduced and discussed, just not very well. Not the first book I've read recently with this problem.
I want to like this story, I was excited to get an ARC and keep going with Al and Buck, especially Buck. Oh, the Iron Druid shows up for quite a while (and hijacks the plot, kinda annoying but I can see the value he brings to the series), I'm not upset, he brought Oberon, hell ya!
But reading a white man write two white cis males talk about how hard it is to be not a white cis male is depressing.
There is a whole chapter, a legitimate stand-alone chapter, where an Asian woman tells a black woman how hard it is to be a woman... the black woman is currently possessed by a white woman, and I'm sure there is a whole metaphor hidden in there somewhere. I mean, a almost-all-powerful god can still be oppressed, right?
Hearne can write a good story. Oberon tells a funny campfire tale, and I got to just enjoy the story. Buck tells a following story, and while I don't know what a hobgoblin knows about oppression, he can still entertain. Then the Iron Druid tells a story, and I can't explain how little I care about ableism in ancient Ireland. (So this dude was king because he was "physically perfect" and then lost his hand in combat, but it was wrong to remove his crown for losing his hand? It would be equally unfair for him to be king or not be king, that's not "ableism", it was ableism that he was king at all.)
The story wasn't bad, just got hijacked by the Iron Druid, so be prepared for that. If you didn't read his series before Book 1, you were fine, but you would really benefit reading the ENTIRE SERIES before reading this.
Characters make weird decisions, but it doesn't matter, the white cis men save everyone at the end and that's what matters. Or something? A bunch of woman also do things, but they were oppressed the whole time so good for them.
There was a surprisingly interesting exchange between characters about their use of violence... violence shows up a lot in Fantasy (because its entertaining and sells, I'm assuming) and especially in the Iron Druid's series, and to have a character question that was fun. It put the trope itself into question in a thoughtful way.
If the rest of the politics had been this well written, I'd be excited about Book 3. For now, I'm ready to move on.
**I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I finished the first of the Ink & Sigil series I was dying for more. Paper & Blood couldn't have come any sooner and it did not disappoint. I can confidently say that Al MacBharrais and Buck Foi are one of my favorite literary fiction duos. Oddly enough my feelings towards them are that of a wise and loving grandpa and your favorite crazy uncle.

I enjoyed the new challenge and journey presented in this second book that didn't feel repetitive but still included the best characters plus some new. The flow into the nitty gritty felt well-paced as the need for explaining the rules of this extremely imaginative world was less of a requirement. I loved that Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite played a new and mysterious role this time around.

Besides the simple fact that I could read dialogue from Buck Foi all day long, I'm really looking forward to reading the next phase of this series and rooting for Al to get some answers about this curse. Also, if anyone gets hints on where to find love cheese please let me know.

Hurrah! Another book about our favorite Druid, Al MacBharrais. This is a continuation of the Ink & Sigil series, and has been long awaited. And it fulfills all wishes, and then some. Full of all we love in these books, plus some stuff no one could imagine (except for Kevin Hearne, obviously). I want more!!!!!

I have never been so happy to have requested a book before!! So I dove right into Ink and Sigil and oh my how freaking hilarious and wonderful is this world!! Then it was right into Paper and Blood and it is just as fantastic as the first and I am so in love with these characters!! Al, Buck, Nadia, Connor and Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite are the people you want out in the bush fighting off eagle bulls and whatnot. This story picks up not long after the events in Ink and Sigil and Al is still trying to figure who laid the curses on him and has now told Buck about what will happen. However, they have received a call from the agents in Australia and some very bad things seem to be happening there so Al and Buck travel the Fae planes to help figure out what is happening. Let's just say, things get a tad out of hand, the Iron Druid is back to provide help, and the laughter continues unabated!! Action, battles, stories told by a dog, creatures combos from hell, and one fantastic wizard van later you will be so glad you went on this journey. But it isn't all just laughs and mayhem, these characters have heart and depth, and they become this wonderful, quirky, awkward, loving family who will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe.
Whether you have read the Iron Druid Chronicles or not, this is a fantastic addition to this world and I know I will be going back and reading the earlier books. If you need a laugh out loud fantasy with heart, action and amazing characters then you need these books and I am so looking forward to what comes next for Al and Buck!!!

As much as I enjoyed this book, I was also a bit disappointed in it. But that is totally on me. I was just expecting a totally different book, which kind of confused me and interfered a bit with my enjoyment as well. Also, Buck, the hobgoblin, sort of just annoyed the hell out of me in this one. But as sequels go it was still pretty good.

I am still enjoying Al MacBharris and think he is a wonderful character. I liked that he can do superhero type stuff while still just being an old Scotsman with a great mustache. The superhero stuff is totally magical and does eventually wear off, but Al uses it only when needed. He also has such a kind soul and is pretty smart when it comes to the politics of the Fae.

As I mentioned, part of my disappointment with this story was with how annoying I found Buck in this book. I can’t quite put my finger on why his character got to me this time, but I mostly just wanted him to go away. Also there is a story he tells at one point in the book that I found totally pointless to the plot as a whole, and it just went on way too long. I think most of this is totally on me this time as I did like him in the first book.

I really liked that we got to see a bit more of some of the characters in the first book, like Gladys who has seem some shite, Al’s receptionist in his legit business, and Nadia has some developments into her character as well. Looking forward to finding out some more about these two eventually.

Then there is Atticus or Connor as he goes by now. His part in the story is crucial, but I missed seeing things from his point of view and hearing the conversations between him and Oberon. Ultimately this story ended up being a bit about Atticus and his acceptance of what had happened to him at the end of the Iron Druid Chronicles. Which on the one hand was good, but not where I thought the story was going to go.

The story itself was good. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the sigil agents and why they were created. Also the differences between the eastern and western sigils. The setting of the Australian outback added a nice flavor to the story as well. The creatures they encountered there were interesting and hard to wrap my head around at times. They were chimeras and sometimes the combinations of animals were hard to imagine.

Overall, this was a satisfactory story in this series, even if it wasn’t what I was expecting. I really want to learn more about Al’s curse and have that whole issue resolved, which is what I thought this book was going to be about. There isn’t any indication of another book coming anytime soon, but I am really hoping there will be. There were a lot of loose ends at the end of this book that I really want to see resolved.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - DelRey in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

As soon as I read Page 1 of Chapter 1 I immediately saw similarities from Inkheart but this time it wasn't a magic reader but a scribe with magical ink with powers used to protect the world against monsters and gods. Now, Al travels to Victoria to solve the ultimate mystery with the help of his friends and friendly goblins he meets along the way and confronts the monster that is said to be lost for centuries and uncover the truth about the sigils. With Paper & Blood being similar to Inkheart in having that fantasy and supernatural effects along with a compelling story, will peak the interest of our young adult readers. There were a lot of magical/mystic elements in there too that can definitely make this book a potential candidate for a future book club and we have many Sci-Fi enthusiasts.

We will consider adding this title to our Science Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This book made me smile! The author’s sense of humor is occasionally pretty silly especially when it comes to the naming conventions of hobgoblins and trolls but it’s still fun to read.
I will happily read however many books the author writes in this series. Between this and his Iron Druid series he’s proven he can write reliably enjoyable, fun and often funny books. Also, all dogs are indeed good dogs.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In this second book in the Ink & Sigil series, Al MacBharrais and his hobgoblin assistant, Buck Foi, travel to Australia to try to find a missing sigil agent. His accountant, Nadia, also joins the fun. As we found in the first book, Ink & Sigil, pretty much everyone who appears in these books is far more than they appear! And, to round that out, we learn a whole lot more about Al's receptionist, Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, who is also much more than meets the eye! Finally, we also have the Iron Druid taking a significant role in the book, while he was only mentioned in the first book.

Every one of Hearne's books that I have read is fun - there's always a lot of humor - and this is no exception. But there's a lot more to his books than just humor. In this one, like the earlier book in the series, there's very strong character development. All of the characters are well developed, and I found that I did care about what happened to them. I also liked the fact that MacBharrais is not an invulnerable superhero - his sigils do give him an advantage when used, but they do wear off...........

Additionally, there is a plot that makes sense within the context of the world that he has built. Like any good series, there's a plot that is resolved in the book itself, but also a continuing plot - in his case, the curse hanging over his head - which I expect will be further developed in the (fingers crossed!) next book in the series.

Definitely a book to read, if you like a combination of creative fantasy, humor, and great character development. I am eagerly awaiting a third book in this series!

There are stories that are fun to read and quick to forget. Then they're stories that while you are reading them, they get your adventuring spirit while exciting your imagination and surprisingly spark your intellect along the story's journey with profound words that leave you to ponder long after you have left the page. Wisdom dropped like a pebble in a pool, but it ripples through you with its deeper meaning even later.

K. Hearne has always been able to do that in his stories and with a character like MacBharrais, his prose lends perfectly to shells out these truths or to hearing them (seeing as he is cursed). K. Hearne does an excellent job of writing broken characters, one's that carry- on when the world is grey and no longer makes sense. They don't do it because they are depressed, but because their brokenness has made them stronger.

His has managed to bring even more life to his characters in this book. Turning to jovial thief, Buck Foi, into almost a help (as long as whiskey is involved). K. Hearne once again gives his readers a cameo of the Iron Druid from his other series, where we get to see more growth from him.

This story blends worlds, myths, beasts, and more as Sigil agents, Iron Druid, hobgoblin, and old gods converge to fight monstrosities against both gods and nature. It's another adventure that shows the strength of paper and the power of ink.

** Thank you to Random House Publishers and the author for the opportunity to review this book. The opinions are my own and have been in no way been influenced **

I received a digital arc via Netgalley from the Publisher though all thoughts are my own.

This was such a fun book to read and I loved getting back into this particular world of magic, adventure, a Hobgoblin not afraid to speak his mind and a few characters from a different book also make an appearance in this latest storyline.

I'm so glad to have been able to read an early copy which I highly recommend particularly if you enjoy reading involving magic, very strange combinations of animals that become chimera, plenty of hijinks from a certain Hobgoblin and have a love for a variety of different writing instruments as well as mentions of ink!

Looking forward to the next book whenever it is released!

Trigger warnings: death, violence, family estrangement, blood, kidnapping.

As usual Kevin Hearne has done a fantastic time.
I loved reading Paper & Blood, even around a busy summer.
It feels like the story picks up right after Ink and Sigil, even though it doesn't.
Paper and Blood is a crazy ride of a book, and I've already put in my order for it. ]

Thanks for letting me review it!

Wish granted! I did not think I would be able to get an advanced copy of this book and am really happy that Random House Publishing-Ballantine provided me with a copy- thank you RHP and Netgalley for an advanced readers e-copy of this book.

"Paper & Blood" picks up where "Ink & Sigil" left off. Al MacBharrais is still double cursed- he can't talk to anyone for a long period of time without being hated by that person. Anyone that is under his service is doomed to die. Seems pretty bleak... but author Kevin Hearne weaves a hilarious story with likeable characters and an easy-to-follow plot line.

Al is off to Australia after hearing of the disappearance of other sigil agents. Realizing that he is in over his head, his group expands with the Iron Druid, a goddess, a baffled human, and a very worried sigil apprentice.
I never finished the Iron Druid series, although at this point I can't remember why. I love that Hearne was able to make such a fun crossover that gives the Iron Druid some significant 'screen' time. It is not necessary to read the Iron Druid series, although I imagine that reading it will help the reader understand some more of the minor nuances of the story.

This is a band of travelers, urban-fantasy quest story. There are a couple stories told by side characters that help "pass the time" and really make this book spectacular. The future is unknown, but it's nice to stop for a while to laugh and enjoy the scorching, death-inspiring landscape of Australia with a circle of almost-friends. 

If you enjoyed "Ink & Sigil," you will likely enjoy this follow up. Thanks again to Netgalley and Random House Publishing- Ballantine for an advanced copy of this book. Paper & Blood will be published on August 10, 2021.

Ink & Sigil was the first book I read by Kevin Hearne. While I knew that this was a spinoff from another series, I was able to read and enjoy that book without having read the other series (The Iron Druid Chronicles.) So I thought this one would be the same.

But the last book didn't even have the Iron Druid in it, and this one does. So I could feel that I was missing important information to make the dialogue and plot more meaningful.

*Spoilers-ish*
There's this whole thing going on between The Morrigan and The Iron Druid that I don't get and not enough info is given for me to get.
*End spoiler*

There was also this odd political-view dropping that didn't always go with the story. That is NOT to say that I disagree with the author's views, I actually very much agree, but it needs to fit into the story if you're going to drop it in there. The ableism, for instance, fit in because of the Druid's lived in experience having lost his arm.

But Al gets into several discussions with an apprentice that don't really flow well with the plot. Again, not bad, it just felt forced. It needed to be a puzzle piece that fit into the story, not just sprinkles thrown on top. Of a puzzle. That doesn't make sense, but you see what I'm getting at?

The pacing of the action was also kind of cut up. It should have been suspenseful as hell but it didn't feel like it. I'm not sure why, maybe it was just unemotional? I didn't get that nervous feeling like I was concerned someone would die even though the danger was there. The author was like, "hmm, we might die. Ok, you good? Because I'm good." It just didn't FEEL dangerous.

So basically - plot was excellent, I especially liked the good dugs and the story one of them told which was very sausage-themed. I love all of the characters in these books, I just want to FEEL more suspense, maybe to get a bit of inner dialogue or something. That's not the most specific feedback ever, aaaaaand that's why I'm not the writer, I'm the critic, with nothing to lose by sharing my word vomit opinions. So there you go.

In the second of the Ink & Sigel series, when a fellow sigil agent disappears under sinister circumstances in Australia, Al MacBharrais leaves behind the cozy pubs and cafes of Glasgow and travels to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria to solve the mystery.

The trail to his colleague begins to pile up with bodies at alarming speed, so Al is grateful his friends have come to help—especially Nadia, his accountant who moonlights as a pit fighter. Together with a whisky-loving hobgoblin known as Buck Foi and the Iron Druid, along with his dogs, Oberon and Starbuck, Al and Nadia will face down the wildest wonders Australia—and the supernatural world—can throw at them, and confront a legendary monster not seen in centuries.

This is a crazy silly series. Al MacBharrais is a great character and I look forward to him figuring out who placed the curses on him. There is more padding in this book than I remember in the first--two stories are told as if they are killing time waiting for someone. They are enjoyable, but I'm guessing that many will not see them as necessary. That being said, they are fun and it's always interesting to hear a dog's point of view.
I am a huge fan of Hearne's Iron Druid series so it was great fun to have him and his dogs (Oberon especially) back. There is another character from those books who joins the group and I really enjoyed that. I'll be interested to see where that arc goes in the third book.
Recommended to readers of the first book in the series.

"There's only one Al MacBharrais: Though other Scotsmen may have dramatic mustaches and a taste for fancy cocktails, Al also has a unique talent. He's a master of ink and sigil magic. In his gifted hands, paper and pen can work wondrous spells.

But Al isn't quite alone: He is part of a global network of sigil agents who use their powers to protect the world from mischievous gods and strange monsters. So when a fellow agent disappears under sinister circumstances in Australia, Al leaves behind the cozy pubs and cafes of Glasgow and travels to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria to solve the mystery.

The trail to his colleague begins to pile up with bodies at alarming speed, so Al is grateful his friends have come to help - especially Nadia, his accountant who moonlights as a pit fighter. Together with a whisky-loving hobgoblin known as Buck Foi and the ancient Druid Atticus O'Sullivan, along with his dogs, Oberon and Starbuck, Al and Nadia will face down the wildest wonders Australia - and the supernatural world - can throw at them, and confront a legendary monster not seen in centuries."

Australia bound!

I love this new series that Hearne has created, the characters are just great, but this one is exceptionally special because it includes an emergency trip to Australia, and although that trip left me missing a certain hacker from the first book, it included some old favorites from his previous series instead. I don’t want to say anything to spoil anything for anyone, but there is some wonderful resolution to storylines left over from the Iron Druid series. I can’t wait to see where he goes with this new series, new character additions, and some new loopholes.

* I received this book from NetGalley for review.

Sigil Agent Al MacBharrais is called from Scotland to Australia when a fellow Sigil Agent goes missing. Something pretty powerful has come through and is causing all kinds of trouble. He travels with his hobgoblin Buck Foi but is soon joined by his accountant Nadia. There are also appearances from Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite who has a secret identity beyond that of being Al's Canadian receptionist.

Al meets up with Ya-ping who is the missing agent's apprentice. She becomes their guide to all things Australian. They travel to the Dandenong Ranges where they rendezvous with the Iron Druid and his dogs. The whole group finds themselves battling all kinds of monsters and trying to keep things secret from humans.

The story is filled with banter. It is also filled with action and adventure and all sorts of paranormal critters based on mainly Irish mythology. Al is still trying to figure out who cursed him which has forced him to use a speech app on his phone for all his communications lest he earn the hatred of anyone he talks to. He also learns that he has a secondary curse linked to his first one which has caused the deaths of his apprentices. Now Buck in in danger of becoming a victim of the curse if Al can't get rid of it.

I liked the worldbuilding and the Australian setting of this episode. The characters are interesting and mysterious. Fans of the first book in this series will enjoy this one too and be eager to find out what happens next.