I’ve stopped saying that I like Fantasy books when I’m filling in questionnaires from publishers as I find that I get inundated with information about books featuring dragons and warlocks etc etc. When I read a Sarah Painter book I’m reminded just how good the genre can be.
The Book Keeper is the second book in the Unholy Island series and follows on straight from The Ward Witch. Luke Taylor has taken over the book shop on the Island following the death of Alvaris. It is a dream job for him and he is just starting to feel at one with the quirky store that literally has a mind of its own. Gradually it is revealing more of its secrets to him. He has really made a home here and now that he has settled he is realising that his feelings for Esme, the Ward Witch, are becoming deeper and deeper.
When Luke finds himself at deaths door after receiving a hexed book, life changes for everyone on the island and it is all they can do to try and save Luke’s life. Is the new inhabitant on the island the automatic replacement for him?
Once again I’ve found myself gripped by the characters in this story. I didn’t think that the magical world of the Crow Investigation series could be beaten but Unholy Island is my new favourite fantasy series. Where else can you find witches and kelpies and all kinds of other magical creatures that we haven’t quite categorised yet. If the Island senses that you need help it just adopts you, gives you somewhere to live and allows you to stay.
My only gripe is that the stories are so short! I’m already itching for the next instalment.
Supplied by the author and Siskin Press Limited in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication Date: Feb 22 2024. 264 pages.
You can get a copy of the book here: https://amzn.to/4bzvhTo
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