No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Tower where cruel witches and warlocks rule, a decision that cost him the right to practice magic. And if he disobeys, his punishment—execution—will be swift. Though he's tried to fly under the radar, Gage can't hide from powerful warlocks who want him dead—or the secrets of his own past. But with the help of his friends, Trixie, a gorgeous elf who hides her true identity, and a hulking troll named Bronx, Gage might just make it through this enchanted world alive.
I say this every time, but I love urban fantasy and the genius world building that goes along with it and of course kick ass snarky characters. Angel’s Ink has all of it. This is a solid start to promising urban fantasy series. Unlike a lot of UF that has a lead female protagonist, this one has a male. Gage is a good guy, so unlike his fellow warlocks and witches who have god complexes. Gage is trying to live a normal life and stay off the grid, but he is a loose end the Ivory Tower wants to tie up, i.e. kill. Unfortunately in his attempt to do a good deed for a customer, he ends up bringing a war to his front door and his friends, Bronx and Trixie get caught up while their own secret pasts come knocking too.
I have not read the two novellas published before Angel’s Ink about Gage’s co-workers Bronx and Trixie, but I did read the back-story about the Great War, Warlocks and Witches: The Subjugation of the Races, that explains why the warlocks and witches are in control and how they got it. It is a powerful piece about the atrocities of war and I think you should take the time to read it at some point. You can find it free on Jocelynn’s website.
Angel’s Ink is told in first person POV from Gage. I like his voice and attitude. He had to make some tough decisions and I felt his frustration and pain. The world building isn’t rushed and as a lover of series I am glad too much wasn’t revealed. When dealing with an open world with magic and all sorts of creatures there are so many possibilities for the author and it looks like Jocelynn is going in the right direction with this one. She has created a unique and interesting world I will want to visit again.
My one issue is with Trixie. She is Gage’s love interest and I just didn’t feel the chemistry between them. Mainly because of Trixie. I won’t say I didn’t like her, but she isn’t my kind of character. She started out strong and I thought she would be kicking ass, but she ended up being teary eyed in most of the book. If the romance had been taken a little slower and not resolved in this book and Trixie had been stronger I would give Angel’s Ink 5 sheep, but I am giving it 4.25 Sheep.
There is a lot of humor. Here are some of my favorite parts:
“You got it,” I said, somewhat relived that the three of us weren’t going to be drawing dicks on the arms of satyrs that evening.”
“Instead of risking his neck and mine, the troll had decided to go the wiser route and take advantage of a known obsessive-compulsive trait in vampires. Seeds, buttons, and even flower petals; if they could be sorted and organized, the vampire was compelled to stop whatever he was doing and complete the task.” [...] “The two vampires glided out of the parlor while I fought the urge to throw a handful of f***ing buttons at their backs.”
Gage: “Holy Sh**, Chang! That’s Medusa’s head!” Chang: “Yeah, it’s great. You interested? It still works.”
Gage: “Be careful with that thing,” I said, taking another step away from it while shielding my eyes with a raised hand.
Chang: “No worries. The safety is on. Her eyes are closed.” He laughed manically at his own joke before patting me on the arm. “Open the eyes and bang! Instant lawn ornament. You need something like that?”
4.25 “OCD” Sheep
Sharon Stogner (edit Kalpar)
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Love comes in many varied forms. There is the love of family, love of country, and love of chocolate. But for Jocelynn Drake, one truly treasured love is the love of a good story. This Midwestern native spends the majority of her time lost in the strong embrace of a good book. When she’s not hammering away at her keyboard, frowning at her monitor, or curled up with a book, she can usually be found cuddling with her cats, Harley and Demona, walking her dog Max, or flinging curses at the TV while playing a video game. Outside of books, cats, and video games, she is completely enamored of Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, fast cars, and Anthony Bourdain (but only when he’s feeling really cranky).
Love comes in many varied forms. There is the love of family, love of country, and love of chocolate. But for Jocelynn Drake, one truly treasured love is the love of a good story. This Midwestern native spends the majority of her time lost in the strong embrace of a good book. When she’s not hammering away at her keyboard, frowning at her monitor, or curled up with a book, she can usually be found cuddling with her cats, Harley and Demona, walking her dog Max, or flinging curses at the TV while playing a video game. Outside of books, cats, and video games, she is completely enamored of Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, fast cars, and Anthony Bourdain (but only when he’s feeling really cranky).
Asylum Tales
Dark Days Series
