thank you to DAW books and netgalley for the arc! worth noting i was initially denied this request..never give up on your dreams, kids! DAW came through in the end and ensured i got to read it. my intuition was screaming five stars from the start, and it was absolutely right.

obsessed with how jim c hines looked at the golden girls and said “what if they could also banish a hellbeast with a salt circle and some passive aggressive banter”

slayers of old is a cozy contemporary fantasy full of monsters, magic, and mature women who are not here for your nonsense unless your nonsense includes ancient curses, sentient houses, or enchanted knitting needles. it’s giving chosen ones but make it postmenopausal. our heroines are long retired from saving the world and now run a bookstore in salem, massachusetts. peaceful right? wrong. their basement may or may not be a doorway to the underworld. there’s a tentacle kitten. and someone keeps summoning things that should absolutely not be summoned without at least a group chat and a backup plan.

it’s heartfelt. it’s hilarious. it’s quietly radical. jim c hines gives us older protagonists with actual depth and doesn’t reduce them to quirky side characters or grandma tropes. they are powerful, petty, compassionate, and tired in the most relatable ways. like temple says, “for everything there is a season. i’m deep into winter, and it’s getting colder.”

jenny is an absolute icon. she’s giving chaotic good with a side of emotional depth and honestly? i’d follow her into any portal, cursed basement, or senior discount lunch special.

quote that lives rent free in my head:
“all this because you’d rather bring a world-devouring forgotten god to our doorstep than go to therapy.”

please give me more stories where heroes can have gray hair, a bad knee, and still take down a demon before noon.

this is a book i will 100% read again. i’ve already preordered my copy and can’t wait for the audiobook!

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where quirky paranormal cozies are popular.

Even though this story is reminiscent of Buffy, it’s far from being a copy. It definitely creates its own vibe and takes its own path. The characters are great, it’s an original story, and it’s a really nice way to imagine what would happen to people who aged in that sort of a career. Very well-done, lots of fun, and not at all boring. I really enjoyed it!

A delightful blend of humor, heart, and supernatural adventure, Slayers of Old follows three retired heroes—Jenny, a former Hunter of Artemis; Annette, a half-succubus PI; and Temple, a 99-year-old wizard—as they run a cozy bookstore in Salem, MA. Their peaceful retirement is disrupted when ancient creatures threaten their town, forcing them to confront past demons and save the world once more.

This book proves that the chosen one doesn’t have an expiration date 😂

You can't just put a six-eyed tentacle cat on a cover and expect me not to read a book. That's really all it takes to get my undivided attention, and I'm glad I found this fun, cozy, horror-adjacent book because of it. The premise of three aged protagonists had me right away too. First there's Jenny, a 56-year-old woman who spent her teen years as a devoted Hunter of Artemis, but who is nowadays patching up the monsters she once fought. Then there's Annette, a 60-year-old grandma and retired private investigator and not-retired half demon. And don't forget Temple, a sorcerer with 99 years of experience, and he might be getting a little frail but he still has all that big magic. More or less retired from supernatural life, the three of them own a bookstore and live together in a magical, maybe sentient house. (Hands down one of my favorite things in fantasy novels. If you can think of any books with magical / sentient houses, let me know. I will read them.) But when there might be yet another apocalypse nearing, because some amateur occultists keep worshipping an ancient great being, Jenny, Annette and Temple are being dragged back into action. The overall plot wasn't that clear to me at first, but that got way better in the second half of the book. There are many different plot points that appear separately at first, but they make for a coherent story in the end. I liked not knowing what would happen next. There's talk of the apocalypse, but then we also have a haunted van, and these mice that hunt birds of prey, and a spell made out of LEGOs. I had a lot of fun while reading. And boy, was I glad when the tentacle cat from the cover finally appeared in the second half of the book, because my disappointment would have been immeasurable if it wasn't actually part of the story. I can barely find anything negative to say about this book. I didn't like that every POV was first person, because all the characters read the same, really. I found myself often forgetting whose perspective I was currently reading from, but it also wasn't that bad. I too think that the protagonists could have been even older, because Jenny and Annette were still unrestrictedly badass without any age problems. I mean, they are 56 and 60 respectively, that's hardly even retirement age. But it was a pleasure to read from characters who lived a whole life and just had their shit together. All in all, a super fun time. The story wrapped up nicely, but I would most definitely read a sequel.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and DAW for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a few years since I’ve read a book by this author, so I was happy to see a book I’d love to read by him. This latest is a standalone (tragedy, really), and it stars three “older” people who were Chosen Ones who retired for one reason or another. I just loved all three of them; they had such distinct personalities and went about life in different but still similar ways. When a new threat is brought to their attention, they all have to come out of retirement and go to battle with some new friends. I really wish this wouldn’t be a standalone, but I understand the author’s the one who makes that decision. There’s just so much potential. Anyway, this is a fun, well-written, captivating novel that in turns makes you laugh, get a little squeamish, and tear up a little. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Going into this, I was really excited for the premise! Retired heroes coming out of retirement to protect their magic, sentient home! Add some (a lot) of sarcastic humor in there and you've got a really enjoyable story! While overall I did enjoy this book, at times I felt like there was a lot going on that wasn't completely tied together well. There were also A LOT of characters, and it was hard to keep up with at times! I feel like this would make a fantastic TV show, but as a book it was a little much.

This book immediately drew me in with a Buffy the vampire slayer meets golden girls lol. Chosen ones who have already saved the world and done their time coming out of retirement. I’m here for it!! I need more tentacle kitty lmao. Not to mention they own a bookstore together in Salem MA. Such a cute read. From the golden girls style banter, action scenes, and magic. This is one of my favorite of all time. A must read.

As someone who grew up watching reruns of Golden Girls between seasons of Buffy, this one felt made for my generation.

There is banter, there are quips, there are tales of funny past missions. And also some not so fun missions. There is even a snarky god with good music taste.

In a way this book feels like a whatif about Buffy if after the Graduation at the High School the Scooby Gang broke up. Some went the way of normalcy, some did not.

It was fun to spot some of the little nods to each one, crazy wacky adventures for Buffy, wonderful deserts for Golden Girls.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the eARC. I will definitely be recommending this one to my fellow 90s kids.

This book could start as a joke: a retired slayer, an old wizard, and a grandma succubus wake up one morning... It's been a fun read. I never read any book by this author, and that was a great disovery. The characters were fun. This is a urban fantasy read, with a lot of different supernaturals.

Pick it up if you like:
- Urban Fantasy / Supernatural characters
- Characters older than 40 y/o
- Magic
- Some thoughts around family and friendship
- World saving with humour

It's said to be a Buffy X Golden Girls. And I agree on the Buffy part. It has a vibe. Magic problems, old books, and retired slayers forced to slay again. I really liked the character of Jenny (my fav) and Ronnie. The mice are also fun (I will leave to you next reader to decide for yourself).

Slayers of Old is a fun ride. I absolutely enjoyed all the characters and the take on being a Hunter or Slayer. With something that has been done and done again it’s refreshing to have a witty take on it. Retired Hunters will always be amazing. The formatting on the ebook was done well.

I love this author and was so excited to see a new book!

This is fun! A semi-retired chosen one heavily based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer is in on the action one more time. She lives with a part-demon and an ancient wizard in a semi-sentient house. The trio gets involved in averting the end of the world when a young hero with prophetic visions shows up with the wrong idea.

I'm not sure if the most blatant Buffy nods are intended, less than conscious, or lifted with the assumption most readers won't be familiar with the original inspiration. A small-statured heroine was selected as a young teen (by Artemis, so the structure of the organization is different) and becomes a Hunter. Her family name is Winter and her mom's name is Joy. She is paired with a single trainer who isn't himself a Hunter, and with whom she develops a difficult relationship. She recruits her high school friend group to help her Hunting efforts, and the crew is traumatized and damaged. The training organization relies on Hunters' naivete, and she eventually leaves the organization after realizing how poorly she has been used and how much harm the group, and she (though unintentionally), have caused. A younger Hunter is called before her retirement, another teen girl ~coincidentally~ named after a virtue (Hope, instead of Faith), with whom she's forced into an adversarial relationship. None of these are problems per se, but if we're all supposed to be in on the joke, I missed the laugh cue. The book has sections that are definitely heavy and while there is some humor, maybe the balance wasn't quite right for me. I needed a heavier hand with the *wink*wink*, if that was the intention.

Recommend to readers of The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher, for older chosen ones, or Hemlock & Silver, for a magical non-traditional heroine.

eARC from NetGalley.

What a lovely gem this book was! If Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Golden Girls were to have a mashup, it would be this book. A "Hunter of Artemis" (slayer), a witch and a succubus are all retired from their former lives and run a cozy bookshop together in Salem, Massachusetts,. When magical creatures start getting attacked it looks like someone is out to get them and for one of our trio this is deeply personal.
I loved the found family aspect of the story and the magical, sentient house. I loved the friendship and the love the three friends shared. This could easily be a series and I would love backstory books on all the characters, but it works as a stand alone just as well.

Jenny Winter: Former Hunter of Artemis. Nurse to all kinds of magical creatures. Co-owner of bookstore and gift shop.

Temple Finn: 99-year-old sorcerer. Magically bound to his house. Lactose is now his enemy.

Annette Thorne: Half-succubus. PI Detective. Grandma.

All of them have saved the world on multiple occasions. Can they do it one more time?

#ThxNetGalley #JimC.Hines #SlayersofOld

"All this because you'd rather bring a world-devouring forgotten god to out doorstep than go to therapy."

Ex Hunter of Artemis, half Succubus retired private investigator and a sorcerer own a book and trinkets shop, sound like a start of a joke huh? But it's actually start of a great book with unique, greatly fleshed out characters. The humor was top notch, the three main characters were such a delight to follow and their friendship and squabbles made me laugh so many times I lost track, all of them witty and intelligent. The three seniors were such a breath of fresh air, even though they are quite far along in their lives, they still have the youthful spirit that can not be squelched by arthritis or hot flashes.

There were so many crazy good things in this book, such as Cthulhu-like kitty, possessed van, goddess who loves getting tributes in form of pop song and a sentient house!

I loved how the house is ingrained in their lives and helps them with everyday mundane stuff such as providing bigger closets, additional rooms for quests, opening and closing doors when one needs it, but also offering protection from those who want to harm them.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with eARC of this book in exchange for a honest review, I absolutely loved it!

Slayers of Old is a delightful and refreshing take on the fantasy genre, blending humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural. The story follows a group of retired magical beings who are reluctantly pulled back into action to save the world once more. The premise is both charming and engaging, offering a unique perspective on the "chosen one" trope by centering on seasoned heroes rather than young adventurers.

Hines' writing is witty and accessible, with a narrative that balances lighthearted moments with genuine emotional depth. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own quirks and complexities to the story. Their interactions are filled with camaraderie and banter, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity that enhances the reading experience.

The world-building is imaginative, drawing on familiar fantasy elements while adding unique twists that keep the story feeling fresh. The pacing is steady, with the plot unfolding at a comfortable rhythm that allows for character development and world exploration without feeling rushed.

While the novel is primarily lighthearted, it doesn't shy away from addressing deeper themes, such as the challenges of aging, the value of experience, and the importance of community. These elements add layers of depth to the story, making it more than just a simple adventure.

Overall, Slayers of Old is a fun and heartfelt read that offers a new perspective on familiar fantasy tropes. It's a perfect choice for readers looking for a story that combines humor, adventure, and a touch of magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a great read! Slayers of Old is full of self-aware nods to the genre while replacing the plucky, headstrong young protagonist with far more relatable mid-sixties (and up) main characters you can’t help but root for, flaws and all. Packed full of found family and featuring a cosy bookshop, a haunted van, an eldritch ex-cat named Squidward, and a sentient house that loves its people.

I like the idea of aging heroes forced to save the world one more time. They’ve already done their time in the spotlight, but the world clearly refuses to stay saved for good. Slayers of Old offers a fun take on this trope; it’s cozy, character-driven, and reads well.

Jenny (a hunter once devoted to Artemis), Annette (a half-succubus grandma with sass and scars), and Temple Finn (a nearly century-old wizard bound to his half-sentient ancestral home) have settled into their golden years trying to run a bookstore in Salem. They want peace and to enjoy Temple’s excellent meals. Alas, eldritch horrors don’t have a shred of decency - they don’t care that the former Chosen Ones have arthritis and can barely remember to get dressed.

The house they live in is far more than a backdrop. Thanks to its magical bond with Temple, it creaks and groans with his aches, but it also bends reality. It rearranges its rooms on a whim, creates new ones when needed (say, for unexpected guests), and generally ignores the laws of physics. Between that and the sentient mice who assault neighborhood cats, the setting feels alive in the best way.

The magic here isn’t overly explained, which, honestly, I appreciated. It seeps and lingers and remains unpredictable. The banter between the trio is warm, well-timed, and believable. Their friendship comes from decades of shared pain, triumph, and breakfast routines. They’ve all made their mistakes, and lived long enough to understand what matters now.

That said, the coziness comes at a small cost. You know going in that this isn’t the kind of story where the world will end in darkness. There’s comfort in that, sure, but it also meant the stakes never quite reached the heights I like. Evil won’t win, not really. The tone reassures you of that from the start.

And that’s okay. Sometimes I prefer the assurance that the found family will win, that the bookstore won’t burn, and that a haunted van with a ghost mom can be part of the solution. Slayers of Old delivers exactly what it sets out to: heart, humor, action, and magical mischief. Also, the ending isn’t exactly what some may expect, and it’s better for it.

I’d give it 4 stars. Cozy horror(ish) fantasy done right.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

If you’re a Buffy fan and want to know what she got up to in her retirement years, this book is for you.

Jenny, the retired Hunter of Artemis, is the Buffy proxy, complete with burning down a high school. I really enjoyed her character!

Annette was also interesting and the addition of her family to the story really worked.

Really the “weak” spot for me was the last member of their trio, Temple. I just didn’t really connect with him as a character. I get why he was included and his importance but I just felt myself skimming a bit through his POV’s.

Overall a fun read and it’s nice to read something that’s not the first book in a five book series.

This was such a fun and cozy read! It took me back to my childhood of watching Buffy. I 1000% enjoyed every single word of this book and it's definitely on my favorites list for 2025.