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The Hexologists #1
The Hexologists
The first book in a wildly inventive and mesmerizing new fantasy series from acclaimed author Josiah Bancroft where magical mysteries abound and only one team can solve The Hexologists.
The Hexologists, Iz and Warren Wilby, are quite accustomed to helping desperate clients with the bugbears of city life. Aided by hexes and a bag of charmed relics, the Wilbies have recovered children abducted by chimney-wraiths, removed infestations of barb-nosed incubi, and ventured into the Gray Plains of the Unmade to soothe a troubled ghost. Well-acquainted with the weird, they never shy away from a challenging case.
But when they are approached by the royal secretary and told the king pleads to be baked into a cake—going so far as to wedge himself inside a lit oven—the Wilbies soon find themselves embroiled in a mystery that could very well see the nation turned on its head. Their effort to expose a royal secret buried under forty years of lies brings them nose to nose with a violent anti-royalist gang, avaricious ghouls, alchemists who draw their power from a hell-like dimension, and a bookish dragon who only occasionally eats people.
Armed with a love toughened by adversity and a stick of chalk that can conjure light from the darkness, hope from the hopeless, Iz and Warren Wilby are ready for a case that will test every spell, skill, and odd magical artifact in their considerable bag of tricks.
The Hexologists, Iz and Warren Wilby, are quite accustomed to helping desperate clients with the bugbears of city life. Aided by hexes and a bag of charmed relics, the Wilbies have recovered children abducted by chimney-wraiths, removed infestations of barb-nosed incubi, and ventured into the Gray Plains of the Unmade to soothe a troubled ghost. Well-acquainted with the weird, they never shy away from a challenging case.
But when they are approached by the royal secretary and told the king pleads to be baked into a cake—going so far as to wedge himself inside a lit oven—the Wilbies soon find themselves embroiled in a mystery that could very well see the nation turned on its head. Their effort to expose a royal secret buried under forty years of lies brings them nose to nose with a violent anti-royalist gang, avaricious ghouls, alchemists who draw their power from a hell-like dimension, and a bookish dragon who only occasionally eats people.
Armed with a love toughened by adversity and a stick of chalk that can conjure light from the darkness, hope from the hopeless, Iz and Warren Wilby are ready for a case that will test every spell, skill, and odd magical artifact in their considerable bag of tricks.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2023
About the author
Josiah Bancroft
15 books3,497 followersBefore settling down to write fantasy novels, Josiah Bancroft was a poet, college instructor, and aspiring comic book artist. When he is not writing, he enjoys recording the Crit Faced podcast with his authorial friends, drawing the world of the Tower, and cooking dinner without a recipe. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Sharon, their daughter Maddie, and their two rabbits, Mabel and Chaplin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 953 reviews
February 5, 2024
Published TODAY!
I took a shamefully long time to finish this book, but I'm a criminally slow reader - this is my 4th book THIS YEAR :o
Look at my ARC!
Bancroft is known for his prose, especially among those who have a deep love for good writing rather than just good stories. He captures the same Dickensian flavour in this book as he did in his Babel series - dry, witty, wonderfully observed, painting extraordinary yet believable characters.
Here he describes a publican in his pub.
Of course, many readers are insensible to good prose, and some percentage of the reading population are actively irritated by it. So, let's move on to the story, because a book with worldclass prose but without a great story is like a house built of the finest materials by a monkey.
Like the Books of Babel this is a tale set in a steam punk world, the place has a late Victorian feel to it with steam punk technology carrying it into the 1930s and additional magics allowing all sorts of extras.
The eponymous hexologists practice one of two still-permitted magics (the other being alchemy and the outlawed strands including wizardry and necromancy). It's a rather weak and overly complex sort of magic that tends to help out in the solving of problems rather than solve them outright.
The Hexologists is a very different book from Senlin Ascends and the other 3 books of that series. It's a MORE different book than if Bancroft had merely chosen to write about a different place, different people, and a different adventure. The reason being that Senlin Ascends was, in its way, an epic fantasy tale where an uprooted protagonist goes on a quest with stakes that elevate (pun intended) to the 'world shaking' level where the lives of many many thousands are in the balance.
The Hexologists is a 'whodunnit', a small stakes detective novel, a whole different genre. Our main characters, whilst often in jeopardy, get to go home each evening, sleep in their own bed, and have tea and toast for breakfast. They constantly have the option of simply stopping and doing something less dangerous. And should they quit, out of self-preservation or frustration, perhaps some modest injustice to someone else will go un-righted, but likely nobody will die, certainly not thousands of people, nations won't burn.
If you enjoy whodunnits, and can realign your expectations - setting aside your previous Bancroft experience, or jumping on the author's work for the first time - then you will find a very good story and have a great time.
It is in the nature of detective stories that the detective themself, be it Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot etc comes to the page essentially fully formed and reaches the end of the book without having undergone much of a personal arc. They may be incrementally changed by their experience, a touch more or less cynical, but theirs is not the true story - the story is the puzzle and the interest is in how the particular key that is our detective will unlock that mystery.
Bancroft uses rather shallow, almost omniscient point-of-view that resides mainly in the head of Isolde Wilby but dips behind the eyes of her husband Warren from time to time. This is an eccentric couple of middling years with a healthy, well-adjusted marriage, complete with an off-screen sex life -- all quite normal but also unusual in fiction, where the drama arising from damaged people and fractured relationships is often part of the excitement.
Isolde is very case-focused, a take-no-prisoners personality, though not a sociopath, whereas her husband is a people person, always making friends and ready to chat to anyone. They have a bag of wonders from Isolde's late father (a wizard of repute) that provides an array of very imaginative magic items to help them navigate the case and its dangers.
I've seen some reviews call this a whimsical book ... it certainly feels that way in the first chapter, but the degree of whimsy rapidly reduces and I think that it's an inaccurate characterisation to call the book whimsical, though there is certainly a signficant element of the cozy/whimsy around the peripheries, particularly around the characters' homelife.
So the story itself is clever, twisty, really imaginative, and engaging. I wanted to know the truth. I wanted payback for some of those whose past hurts/injustices were revealed. It's a very good whodunnit.
The only place it fell down a little for me - and here only because of my personal reading tastes - was that I didn't feel a strong sense of emotional engagement with the characters. And let's note her that this is not the job of a whodunnit. We don't suffer with Hercules Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, because that's not the point of those stories - they're the detective, not the victim. Likewise here, our characters are not put through the wringer in the same way that the focus of a quest is. Yes, people try to kill them, but when they survive, they go home, have tea, and can decide to stop. Senlin in his tower, Frodo on his journey to Mordor - these people have their lives torn away from them and live in constant danger, uprooted, pushed into strange new places where they must accomodate themselves, and all with the threat of never seeing loved ones again, explosion, invasion and the like.
But anyone who complains about that side of things is simply complaining that this is a detective story rather than epic fantasy.
It's a really well written detective story set in a steam punk world, garnished with magical items, wizards, spells and the like. A twisty tale with violence, heart ache, pageant, and yes ... whimsy.
Dive in!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
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Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
..
I took a shamefully long time to finish this book, but I'm a criminally slow reader - this is my 4th book THIS YEAR :o
Look at my ARC!
Bancroft is known for his prose, especially among those who have a deep love for good writing rather than just good stories. He captures the same Dickensian flavour in this book as he did in his Babel series - dry, witty, wonderfully observed, painting extraordinary yet believable characters.
Here he describes a publican in his pub.
Of course, many readers are insensible to good prose, and some percentage of the reading population are actively irritated by it. So, let's move on to the story, because a book with worldclass prose but without a great story is like a house built of the finest materials by a monkey.
Like the Books of Babel this is a tale set in a steam punk world, the place has a late Victorian feel to it with steam punk technology carrying it into the 1930s and additional magics allowing all sorts of extras.
The eponymous hexologists practice one of two still-permitted magics (the other being alchemy and the outlawed strands including wizardry and necromancy). It's a rather weak and overly complex sort of magic that tends to help out in the solving of problems rather than solve them outright.
The Hexologists is a very different book from Senlin Ascends and the other 3 books of that series. It's a MORE different book than if Bancroft had merely chosen to write about a different place, different people, and a different adventure. The reason being that Senlin Ascends was, in its way, an epic fantasy tale where an uprooted protagonist goes on a quest with stakes that elevate (pun intended) to the 'world shaking' level where the lives of many many thousands are in the balance.
The Hexologists is a 'whodunnit', a small stakes detective novel, a whole different genre. Our main characters, whilst often in jeopardy, get to go home each evening, sleep in their own bed, and have tea and toast for breakfast. They constantly have the option of simply stopping and doing something less dangerous. And should they quit, out of self-preservation or frustration, perhaps some modest injustice to someone else will go un-righted, but likely nobody will die, certainly not thousands of people, nations won't burn.
If you enjoy whodunnits, and can realign your expectations - setting aside your previous Bancroft experience, or jumping on the author's work for the first time - then you will find a very good story and have a great time.
It is in the nature of detective stories that the detective themself, be it Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot etc comes to the page essentially fully formed and reaches the end of the book without having undergone much of a personal arc. They may be incrementally changed by their experience, a touch more or less cynical, but theirs is not the true story - the story is the puzzle and the interest is in how the particular key that is our detective will unlock that mystery.
Bancroft uses rather shallow, almost omniscient point-of-view that resides mainly in the head of Isolde Wilby but dips behind the eyes of her husband Warren from time to time. This is an eccentric couple of middling years with a healthy, well-adjusted marriage, complete with an off-screen sex life -- all quite normal but also unusual in fiction, where the drama arising from damaged people and fractured relationships is often part of the excitement.
Isolde is very case-focused, a take-no-prisoners personality, though not a sociopath, whereas her husband is a people person, always making friends and ready to chat to anyone. They have a bag of wonders from Isolde's late father (a wizard of repute) that provides an array of very imaginative magic items to help them navigate the case and its dangers.
I've seen some reviews call this a whimsical book ... it certainly feels that way in the first chapter, but the degree of whimsy rapidly reduces and I think that it's an inaccurate characterisation to call the book whimsical, though there is certainly a signficant element of the cozy/whimsy around the peripheries, particularly around the characters' homelife.
So the story itself is clever, twisty, really imaginative, and engaging. I wanted to know the truth. I wanted payback for some of those whose past hurts/injustices were revealed. It's a very good whodunnit.
The only place it fell down a little for me - and here only because of my personal reading tastes - was that I didn't feel a strong sense of emotional engagement with the characters. And let's note her that this is not the job of a whodunnit. We don't suffer with Hercules Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, because that's not the point of those stories - they're the detective, not the victim. Likewise here, our characters are not put through the wringer in the same way that the focus of a quest is. Yes, people try to kill them, but when they survive, they go home, have tea, and can decide to stop. Senlin in his tower, Frodo on his journey to Mordor - these people have their lives torn away from them and live in constant danger, uprooted, pushed into strange new places where they must accomodate themselves, and all with the threat of never seeing loved ones again, explosion, invasion and the like.
But anyone who complains about that side of things is simply complaining that this is a detective story rather than epic fantasy.
It's a really well written detective story set in a steam punk world, garnished with magical items, wizards, spells and the like. A twisty tale with violence, heart ache, pageant, and yes ... whimsy.
Dive in!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
..
July 13, 2023
JBs ‘books of babel’ series is so criminally underrated and i have a feeling this series will fly under most readers radars as well.
this book hits the ground running. it starts off immediately with a case for the hexologists to solve and the pacing never really lets up as the couple investigate while being their charming selves and getting out of sticky situations. JB does a good job at creating an alternate victorian era setting filled with magic and mystery.
the thing is, i loved the ‘books of babel’ series so much that i couldnt help but compare. and i unfortunately didnt like this as much. while there are many things to enjoy about this first installment/new series, something about it didnt quite grab me like ‘babel’ did from the start.
but its still early days. everything is wrapped up pretty well, but the tiny loose ends have me interested in seeing how the series will progress. fingers crossed i just need time to warm up a little bit more to the story and truly love it.
massive thanks to orbit for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
this book hits the ground running. it starts off immediately with a case for the hexologists to solve and the pacing never really lets up as the couple investigate while being their charming selves and getting out of sticky situations. JB does a good job at creating an alternate victorian era setting filled with magic and mystery.
the thing is, i loved the ‘books of babel’ series so much that i couldnt help but compare. and i unfortunately didnt like this as much. while there are many things to enjoy about this first installment/new series, something about it didnt quite grab me like ‘babel’ did from the start.
but its still early days. everything is wrapped up pretty well, but the tiny loose ends have me interested in seeing how the series will progress. fingers crossed i just need time to warm up a little bit more to the story and truly love it.
massive thanks to orbit for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
May 9, 2023
A really, really delightful read. Bancroft's writing is at his best here, a perfect blend of 10 dollar words and yeoman's prose. Our protagonists--a very happily married couple--are relatable and complex. The mystery is really fun and twisty-turny. I loved exploring the Victorianesque world and the magic, creatures, spells, and relics. There's a great cast of characters both grounded and bizarre. There's also a very clear message about the responsibility of the nobility to care for, not neglect, the plebiean.
All in all, I think THE HEXOLOGISTS takes the best elements of the Books of Babel and combines them. I think there is something for everyone to like, no matter what you liked about Senlin. I think if you didn't like Senlin for some reason, you should still give this book a chance, as it is likely whatever your complaint was was resolved here.
I was genuinely sad when it ended, as several things had not been wrapped up, despite the story itself being self-contained in nature. There are some characters I was not sad to see go and some that I'm slavering to see again. This book at time felt like Up, The Phantom Tollbooth, Mary Poppins, Agatha Christie, and the Bourne Identity. I know that doesn't make any sense, but I don't think there's anything like the feeling of wonder when reading a Bancroft novel.
I highly recommend this and can't wait for more people to read it. I'll have a full video review closer to the release date.
Thank you to Orbit and Josiah Bancroft for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind that I'm a huge fan of both the author and the Books of Babel. :)
All in all, I think THE HEXOLOGISTS takes the best elements of the Books of Babel and combines them. I think there is something for everyone to like, no matter what you liked about Senlin. I think if you didn't like Senlin for some reason, you should still give this book a chance, as it is likely whatever your complaint was was resolved here.
I was genuinely sad when it ended, as several things had not been wrapped up, despite the story itself being self-contained in nature. There are some characters I was not sad to see go and some that I'm slavering to see again. This book at time felt like Up, The Phantom Tollbooth, Mary Poppins, Agatha Christie, and the Bourne Identity. I know that doesn't make any sense, but I don't think there's anything like the feeling of wonder when reading a Bancroft novel.
I highly recommend this and can't wait for more people to read it. I'll have a full video review closer to the release date.
Thank you to Orbit and Josiah Bancroft for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind that I'm a huge fan of both the author and the Books of Babel. :)
August 2, 2023
How does Josiah Bancroft fare once he leaves the comfortable confines of the Tower of Babel? Pretty well, in fact! Bancroft leans into the charming voice and delightful prose that brought The Books of Babel to life in order to kickstart this delightful new series.
Bancroft effortlessly establishes the new setting, the stakes, the lovable main characters, and the magic system all while employing his trademark wordplay flourishes and clever turns of phrase. The Hexologists shares plenty of structural DNA with his previous novels, so longtime fans will surely feel right at home while Bancroft charts a slightly different course here.
While I initially felt that a 5-star review would be in order, the story lost some steam in the back half and I was not wholly invested in the mystery at the heart of things, so we settled into a very solid 4.0. Our lead pair, Iz and Warren, are a great duo and I hope to follow their adventures for several more books to come!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf and follow @specshelf on Twitter.
Bancroft effortlessly establishes the new setting, the stakes, the lovable main characters, and the magic system all while employing his trademark wordplay flourishes and clever turns of phrase. The Hexologists shares plenty of structural DNA with his previous novels, so longtime fans will surely feel right at home while Bancroft charts a slightly different course here.
While I initially felt that a 5-star review would be in order, the story lost some steam in the back half and I was not wholly invested in the mystery at the heart of things, so we settled into a very solid 4.0. Our lead pair, Iz and Warren, are a great duo and I hope to follow their adventures for several more books to come!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf and follow @specshelf on Twitter.
September 24, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I even start.
Based on other books I've read that follow a similar structure (a couple solves mysteries together in an SFF setting), I was fairly optimistic going into this. It's my first novel by the author, and I've mostly heard good things about his previous series. I'm definitely taking it off my TBR now, though, because my biggest issue by far was the writing.
Now I've been known to enjoy some purple prose every now and then, and I don't mind it when I encounter words I don't immediately understand because I can usually understand them in context, or look them up if I'm curious. But this read like the author had a thesaurus by his side, and just substituted words for fun. Why use nostrils when you can use nares, right? In fact, the entire book smacks of "aren't I so clever?" in a very pretentious way, that made me really dislike my reading experience. And the writing isn't the only thing that gives off this vibe.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how he built his characters. Let me start by saying that they can be summed up as "very clever" (Iz) and "very empathetic" (Warren), and they are both extremely horny all the time even though they've been married for ages. Is this important? I wouldn't think so, but I guess the author does, because he makes sure to repeat this often. The sexual innuendo was cringe-worthy, and I say that having read books like Ice Planet Barbarians (which, btw, got a higher rating than this book, because for all its faults, it was at least entertaining). But what made me raise my eyebrows was the dynamic between Iz and Warren. It seems clear to me that he wrote them with traditional gender roles flipped. Warren does most of the cooking, he's the sweet one, he gets very emotional, he's a bit clingy. Meanwhile, Iz is the one who decides their course of action. She's brusque (but not emotionless!), she's very smart, and, unlike Warren, she would not spend her time nursing him if he got sick, but would instead go out and figure out a cure. There is a lot of focus placed on these characteristics, and the contrast between them is often mentioned. Normally I'd be really into this setup, but it all felt so calculated and blatant, and I can't help but feel like this, again, is the author going, "look at me! Aren't I so clever to have reversed their gender roles? Don't I have modern sensibilities?"
But the most egregious issue is honestly how boring the entire book is. It's much too long for the story it's telling, which isn't that interesting anyway, and the characters have very little to recommend them. The only saving grace was the inclusion of Felivox.
Also, for a book that's supposedly funny, I didn't even crack a smile.
Anyway, if you're looking for a couple solving mysteries together, may I recommend that you skip this one and instead, pick up either The Conductors (it's a debut and the writing was a bit rough, but I really liked the characters and the plot was good enough) or The Spare Man (great characters, fun plot, overall a really good time).
Where do I even start.
Based on other books I've read that follow a similar structure (a couple solves mysteries together in an SFF setting), I was fairly optimistic going into this. It's my first novel by the author, and I've mostly heard good things about his previous series. I'm definitely taking it off my TBR now, though, because my biggest issue by far was the writing.
Now I've been known to enjoy some purple prose every now and then, and I don't mind it when I encounter words I don't immediately understand because I can usually understand them in context, or look them up if I'm curious. But this read like the author had a thesaurus by his side, and just substituted words for fun. Why use nostrils when you can use nares, right? In fact, the entire book smacks of "aren't I so clever?" in a very pretentious way, that made me really dislike my reading experience. And the writing isn't the only thing that gives off this vibe.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how he built his characters. Let me start by saying that they can be summed up as "very clever" (Iz) and "very empathetic" (Warren), and they are both extremely horny all the time even though they've been married for ages. Is this important? I wouldn't think so, but I guess the author does, because he makes sure to repeat this often. The sexual innuendo was cringe-worthy, and I say that having read books like Ice Planet Barbarians (which, btw, got a higher rating than this book, because for all its faults, it was at least entertaining). But what made me raise my eyebrows was the dynamic between Iz and Warren. It seems clear to me that he wrote them with traditional gender roles flipped. Warren does most of the cooking, he's the sweet one, he gets very emotional, he's a bit clingy. Meanwhile, Iz is the one who decides their course of action. She's brusque (but not emotionless!), she's very smart, and, unlike Warren, she would not spend her time nursing him if he got sick, but would instead go out and figure out a cure. There is a lot of focus placed on these characteristics, and the contrast between them is often mentioned. Normally I'd be really into this setup, but it all felt so calculated and blatant, and I can't help but feel like this, again, is the author going, "look at me! Aren't I so clever to have reversed their gender roles? Don't I have modern sensibilities?"
But the most egregious issue is honestly how boring the entire book is. It's much too long for the story it's telling, which isn't that interesting anyway, and the characters have very little to recommend them. The only saving grace was the inclusion of Felivox.
Also, for a book that's supposedly funny, I didn't even crack a smile.
Anyway, if you're looking for a couple solving mysteries together, may I recommend that you skip this one and instead, pick up either The Conductors (it's a debut and the writing was a bit rough, but I really liked the characters and the plot was good enough) or The Spare Man (great characters, fun plot, overall a really good time).
August 26, 2023
My heart grew 2 sizes the day I found out Josiah Bancroft was releasing another book. A brand new fantasy outside of the Tower of Babel series, a series that consisted of 4 books. I was filled with absolute glee when more details came out about The Hexologists and I became even happier when I got the opportunity to review this one early for my YouTube subscribers.
As soon as I started reading this, I got those Senlin Ascends feelings. Though I did want this to distinguish itself from his previous book, Josiah Bancrofts writing is still so recognizable and unique. It can absolutely throw a new reader off but it made me happy as a Bancroft veteran. You gotta go in expecting insanely detailed writing. It’s very posh and indignant, and smart. Kind of like our main characters. We are quickly introduced to, well, the Hexologists, a husband and wife pairing, which by the way the banter between our 2 main characters is just so funny and lovely. Husband and wife comedy to the max and not in a bickery complainy sort of way either.
They are informed my the kings secretary that the king has not been himself in fact he seems on the verge of madness and he’s begging for there help as they have consulted with medical professionals who are stumped so why not ask the 2 people who deal with magical mysteries. Plus apparently someone is claiming to be the kings son so just another hard task to add to the list. They reluctantly accept. but not without consequences as it seems someone is trying to stop them from finding answers.
Not only is Hexology used clearly to help them with the mystery but they have all kinds of magical stuff in their arsenal like a bag that has a portal in it to some storehouse so they can pull out artifacts and charms, very Mary Poppins like. I did have a hard time pinpointing a time period that this world feels inspired by but I got 1920s vibes and I got the same steampunk feel as Tower of Babel. Bancroft definitely extended that here which I didn’t mind. It works so well in this environment. While the earliest pages do start out slow, it reminded me of an onion – in the best kind of way, as I hate onions – in that every layer I peeled back, aka every page I turned, added more and more depth, eventually growing into the best version of the idea at the heart of it of the story and I was getting it, understanding it. Absolutely adored this.
As soon as I started reading this, I got those Senlin Ascends feelings. Though I did want this to distinguish itself from his previous book, Josiah Bancrofts writing is still so recognizable and unique. It can absolutely throw a new reader off but it made me happy as a Bancroft veteran. You gotta go in expecting insanely detailed writing. It’s very posh and indignant, and smart. Kind of like our main characters. We are quickly introduced to, well, the Hexologists, a husband and wife pairing, which by the way the banter between our 2 main characters is just so funny and lovely. Husband and wife comedy to the max and not in a bickery complainy sort of way either.
They are informed my the kings secretary that the king has not been himself in fact he seems on the verge of madness and he’s begging for there help as they have consulted with medical professionals who are stumped so why not ask the 2 people who deal with magical mysteries. Plus apparently someone is claiming to be the kings son so just another hard task to add to the list. They reluctantly accept. but not without consequences as it seems someone is trying to stop them from finding answers.
Not only is Hexology used clearly to help them with the mystery but they have all kinds of magical stuff in their arsenal like a bag that has a portal in it to some storehouse so they can pull out artifacts and charms, very Mary Poppins like. I did have a hard time pinpointing a time period that this world feels inspired by but I got 1920s vibes and I got the same steampunk feel as Tower of Babel. Bancroft definitely extended that here which I didn’t mind. It works so well in this environment. While the earliest pages do start out slow, it reminded me of an onion – in the best kind of way, as I hate onions – in that every layer I peeled back, aka every page I turned, added more and more depth, eventually growing into the best version of the idea at the heart of it of the story and I was getting it, understanding it. Absolutely adored this.
March 10, 2024
Josiah Bancroft has crafted a new series filled with magic and an intriguing couple, but why did I get bored... so much?!
Iz and Warren Wilby are The Hexologists, a charming couple and some kind of magical prived detective. They are hired by the royal secretary to uncover a secret about the king's past relationship.
The first chapter starts strong, titled "The King In The Cake" and continues a captivating twist with the wizards and a dragon. However, I found myself losing focus and the pace of the story slowed down considerably.
I might be interested in reading future books and I believe the series has potential and I am curious to see where Bancroft takes the characters next. While each book appears to have a self-contained story, the main characters seem to have secrets that will be gradually revealed over time.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review.
Iz and Warren Wilby are The Hexologists, a charming couple and some kind of magical prived detective. They are hired by the royal secretary to uncover a secret about the king's past relationship.
The first chapter starts strong, titled "The King In The Cake" and continues a captivating twist with the wizards and a dragon. However, I found myself losing focus and the pace of the story slowed down considerably.
I might be interested in reading future books and I believe the series has potential and I am curious to see where Bancroft takes the characters next. While each book appears to have a self-contained story, the main characters seem to have secrets that will be gradually revealed over time.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review.
September 15, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I enjoyed this book so much. It was the type of book that you savor and enjoy with each scene. I mainly loved the character interactions and the every-day scenes. I read the Babel series and while I did not rate it the highest I still enjoyed that series and especially loved the way the author wrote characters. He has a talent for writing humanistic characters with prominent personalities and flaws. You can easily distinguish all his characters with their personalities and this book appears to be no different. The characters are just as well written and flawed in this book and I really enjoyed it. I will say I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did Babel. Babel had a unique world but I connected to the characters so much more in the Hexologists.
Watch my video here if you choose! https://youtu.be/7zUUNxrNXas?si=GL2s5...
The main characters in this book are Isolde and Warren. They are a married couple who are Hexologists (well at least Isolde is a Hexologist). The magic system in this world is comprised of Wizards, Alchemists, Necromancers, Hexologists along with magical creatures/artifacts. Wizards and Necromancers appear to be rare but there are still a few out there. The main plot line of this book is that Isolde was asked by the royal family to help them in a case to solve an issue of blackmail against the king. Isolde and her husband agree to assist the royal family in this case. The book then follows them trying to unravel the story behind the blackmail and track down the people involved in the story.
The problem is that someone does not want them to unravel the mystery and sends various magical creatures against them. There are a few fight scenes with magic and magical creatures that were really engaging to read. There are also some fun magical artifacts that had some really cool abilities—an example is a ring that allows the person to dive into shadows which was really interesting. The plot was more of a mystery/investigative story and there were some good twists and turns at the end of the story which made me excited for the next book.
But I mostly loved Isolde and Warren. They have such a sweet connection to each other and their personalities perfectly offset each other. She is not the greatest around other people, people just seem to dislike her because she is more harsh and to the point. Whereas Warren is loved by everyone and can get anyone to be his friend. He is a big teddy bear personality but if someone/something is threatening Isolde he will fight back. I really loved the dynamic of Isolde and Warren and I seriously cannot wait to read more of their adventures of solving mysteries.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a book with well-written characters, a mystery to solve, magical artifacts and some magical creatures thrown into the mix. I cannot wait for the second book and I am so glad I got to read this book!
Watch my video here if you choose! https://youtu.be/7zUUNxrNXas?si=GL2s5...
The main characters in this book are Isolde and Warren. They are a married couple who are Hexologists (well at least Isolde is a Hexologist). The magic system in this world is comprised of Wizards, Alchemists, Necromancers, Hexologists along with magical creatures/artifacts. Wizards and Necromancers appear to be rare but there are still a few out there. The main plot line of this book is that Isolde was asked by the royal family to help them in a case to solve an issue of blackmail against the king. Isolde and her husband agree to assist the royal family in this case. The book then follows them trying to unravel the story behind the blackmail and track down the people involved in the story.
The problem is that someone does not want them to unravel the mystery and sends various magical creatures against them. There are a few fight scenes with magic and magical creatures that were really engaging to read. There are also some fun magical artifacts that had some really cool abilities—an example is a ring that allows the person to dive into shadows which was really interesting. The plot was more of a mystery/investigative story and there were some good twists and turns at the end of the story which made me excited for the next book.
But I mostly loved Isolde and Warren. They have such a sweet connection to each other and their personalities perfectly offset each other. She is not the greatest around other people, people just seem to dislike her because she is more harsh and to the point. Whereas Warren is loved by everyone and can get anyone to be his friend. He is a big teddy bear personality but if someone/something is threatening Isolde he will fight back. I really loved the dynamic of Isolde and Warren and I seriously cannot wait to read more of their adventures of solving mysteries.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a book with well-written characters, a mystery to solve, magical artifacts and some magical creatures thrown into the mix. I cannot wait for the second book and I am so glad I got to read this book!
April 28, 2024
I am super pleased to finally have read this one and it did not disappoint. Somewhat between an urban, a mystery, a detective story and also an immersive and cultured lyrical and verbose drama, is the story and world of the Hexologists. Iz and Warren are a married, loving couple who have defied the norm by doing their own thing and using magic most people have opted to forget in their world. They work together in a charming manner to solve mysteries using Hexology, and they do it whilst bolstering and supporting one another, something very unusual and cosy which you don’t often see in fantasy. I was really thrilled to read from the PoV of a healthy and kind married couple and I also felt excited to dive into their plot. It’s a windy one and yet it feels joyous and like a run ride to be on.
Iz was a feisty and determined character who knows her own value and worth and brought a lot to the story. She’s powerful and yet she also leans on her husband when she’s having a hard time, something I felt was very genuine about her. I liked her resourcefulness and the way that she narrowed things down and took the lead in their problem-solving a lot of the time.
Warren is a charming delight to read about. His wit and snappy dialogue can charm anyone and he always manages to soften Iz’s exterior for those around. He’s able to really capitalise on the people and what they know as he gains trust and friendship easily. I liked seeing him work to balance out Iz.
Together the duo are a fun pair who don’t take themselves too seriously, never forget to have a good time, and who are very good at what they do. They’re determined and resourceful and able to laugh as they get into some tricky situations too. They are fun and full of life and they kept me engaged as a reader.
The plot felt a little secondary to the characters for me in this book, although there is a mystery of the king and whether he’s sired an illegitimate heir, that felt like the backdrop to showing off the characters. I was interested in the story but really I think I’d read about these two whatever they were up to so I am glad that there should be more to come in this series.
4*s from me.
Iz was a feisty and determined character who knows her own value and worth and brought a lot to the story. She’s powerful and yet she also leans on her husband when she’s having a hard time, something I felt was very genuine about her. I liked her resourcefulness and the way that she narrowed things down and took the lead in their problem-solving a lot of the time.
Warren is a charming delight to read about. His wit and snappy dialogue can charm anyone and he always manages to soften Iz’s exterior for those around. He’s able to really capitalise on the people and what they know as he gains trust and friendship easily. I liked seeing him work to balance out Iz.
Together the duo are a fun pair who don’t take themselves too seriously, never forget to have a good time, and who are very good at what they do. They’re determined and resourceful and able to laugh as they get into some tricky situations too. They are fun and full of life and they kept me engaged as a reader.
The plot felt a little secondary to the characters for me in this book, although there is a mystery of the king and whether he’s sired an illegitimate heir, that felt like the backdrop to showing off the characters. I was interested in the story but really I think I’d read about these two whatever they were up to so I am glad that there should be more to come in this series.
4*s from me.
September 23, 2023
Every singular sentence of The Hexologists is overly long and stuffed with superfluous, puckish, recondite adjectives. When I started my study of this book, it was daunting and snagged my focus on its myriad of dictional flourishes. However, the more I read the more I was endeared to the writing style; I was savoring the paragraphs like cradling a welcome, sapid lemon drop on my tongue.
(That's what reading this book is like.)
This is the story of Isolde and Warren, a married couple who solve crimes. Isolde is a powerful Hexologist, a sharp investigator, and completely lacking in tact. Warren carries her bag (magical), and befriends everyone they meet. I loved their odd-couple dynamic, which is entertaining as it is wholesome.
The drama of this story comes almost entirely from the mystery they are solving: whether a man could be the hidden son of the king. Along the way they get caught up in magical battles and business tycoons, make trips to the mother-in-law and dangerous dimensions. The mystery is done quite well, with a well balanced sprinkling of clues and false-leads along the way.
Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
(That's what reading this book is like.)
This is the story of Isolde and Warren, a married couple who solve crimes. Isolde is a powerful Hexologist, a sharp investigator, and completely lacking in tact. Warren carries her bag (magical), and befriends everyone they meet. I loved their odd-couple dynamic, which is entertaining as it is wholesome.
The drama of this story comes almost entirely from the mystery they are solving: whether a man could be the hidden son of the king. Along the way they get caught up in magical battles and business tycoons, make trips to the mother-in-law and dangerous dimensions. The mystery is done quite well, with a well balanced sprinkling of clues and false-leads along the way.
Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
Want to read
April 8, 2023
August 5, 2023
”The king wishes to be cooked alive," the royal secretary said.
And what an opening line to set up this fun, adventurous mystery to be solved by a married couple known as the Hexologists - private investigators of the paranormal.
Isolde and Warren are complete opposites and this dynamic just works perfectly. Warren is extremely sociable with a gentle conscience and great emotions, complementing (and detracting) from Isolde's brusque, abrupt, and often rude manner.
The relationship between these two is what I wished for in book one of Senlin Ascends.
”My wife has a talent for hexes and mysteries. I mostly just carry her bag."
Magic is mostly dormant in this new age, where technology supersedes the use for it, and suspicion has wiped out other traces such as wizards. Hexology’s power lies in the drawing of complex rosettes - minoring in magic while majoring in art. Yet it is often mocked, and Iz is seen as a source of ridicule and contempt.
Oh, we also have a dragon who lives in their bag called Felivox. He’s a self-taught literate and is absolutely delightful.
If you aren’t familiar with Bencraft’s previous work, then prepare to be blown away by such clever, witty, and lush writing. Stunning metaphors, sharp retorts, absolute gems of observations on human nature.
”Have you done anything unwise?"
She gripped the straps of his apron, and steadied herself. "Yes, I have."
He stroked her hair. "All right. I love you."
Whilst I enjoyed this immensely, sometimes the magic details and world-building, or the foggy fight scenes impeded my enjoyment.
Thank you to Orbit for providing an arc in exchange for a review.
Bookstagram
And what an opening line to set up this fun, adventurous mystery to be solved by a married couple known as the Hexologists - private investigators of the paranormal.
Isolde and Warren are complete opposites and this dynamic just works perfectly. Warren is extremely sociable with a gentle conscience and great emotions, complementing (and detracting) from Isolde's brusque, abrupt, and often rude manner.
The relationship between these two is what I wished for in book one of Senlin Ascends.
”My wife has a talent for hexes and mysteries. I mostly just carry her bag."
Magic is mostly dormant in this new age, where technology supersedes the use for it, and suspicion has wiped out other traces such as wizards. Hexology’s power lies in the drawing of complex rosettes - minoring in magic while majoring in art. Yet it is often mocked, and Iz is seen as a source of ridicule and contempt.
Oh, we also have a dragon who lives in their bag called Felivox. He’s a self-taught literate and is absolutely delightful.
If you aren’t familiar with Bencraft’s previous work, then prepare to be blown away by such clever, witty, and lush writing. Stunning metaphors, sharp retorts, absolute gems of observations on human nature.
”Have you done anything unwise?"
She gripped the straps of his apron, and steadied herself. "Yes, I have."
He stroked her hair. "All right. I love you."
Whilst I enjoyed this immensely, sometimes the magic details and world-building, or the foggy fight scenes impeded my enjoyment.
Thank you to Orbit for providing an arc in exchange for a review.
Bookstagram
October 10, 2023
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/10/10/...
I confess, I wasn’t a huge fan of Josiah Bancroft’s first series, The Books of Babel, but as soon as I read the few pages of The Hexologists, I just knew it was going to be a very different book and one that is more to my liking. After all, it’s not every day you get to read a story about a king who wants to be baked into a cake.
For married couple Isolde “Iz” and Warren “War” Wilby, however, it’s just another typical day on the job for them as magical investigators. After questioning the royal secretary on the king’s apparent madness (he was even about to climb into the oven), our protagonists learn that the monarch is being blackmailed with a devastating, decades-old secret that can throw the line of succession into question and alter the destiny of the kingdom. Despite having no love for the nobility, Iz reluctantly agrees to look into the case by examining the piece of evidence that started it all—a letter written by someone claiming to be the king’s bastard son, stamped with a royal signet ring that supposedly went missing years ago—not to mention, rampaging golem attacks tend to have a way of forcing a decision.
Thus begins an adventurous and sometimes meandering journey through a steampunkish Victorianesque world with Iz and War as they pry into every nook and cranny in search of evidence. Often, these bold undertakings lead our hexologists to discover much more than they bargained for, from resentful old chums from magic school to an epicurious dragon who lives in an enchanted carpet bag. Bolstered by their love for each other and their commitment to helping people, this dynamic husband-and-wife duo never hesitates to dive headfirst into danger to solve even the darkest and most perplexing cases.
As much as I ended up enjoying this novel, I have to say, the first few chapters weren’t easy. While I was hooked on the premise from the start, the writing style did take some time to get used to. No doubt inspired by the setting, stylistically the prose came across vaguely Victorian in that it exhibited a sense of formality that can be felt in both the narrative and dialogue. Occasionally, these long, overly ornate sentences would just jump out at me because they were so awkwardly dense and clunky. It didn’t help either that the early plot was all over the place, making it easy to lose track of what the Wilbys were even supposed to investigate.
Of course, all of this is also my way of complimenting Bancroft, who has managed to capture the setting’s tone so perfectly. Fortunately, too, I found my footing after a few chapters and the rest of the novel went more smoothly. I was able to start connecting to the characters, appreciating their individual quirks and charms. One thing I absolutely loved about The Hexologists is that it features a married couple as its main protagonists, and hence, what romance you see in the story will be very different than what you’d normally get in other books of this type. For one, it’s on the lighter side, but when those little moments of devotion between Iz and War do show up, they’re tender, sweet, and beautiful.
From silly puns to situational irony, there’s also a lot of humor, which starts coming through in spades once the story establishes a solid foundation. The characters’ antics definitely got a few smiles out of me as well. Mystery and action-adventure elements combine to send the plot deeper and deeper into territory both strange and wondrous, and my early doubts eventually gave way to fascination and excitement.
To conclude, while The Hexologists had a somewhat shaky start with occasional moments of disorientation, it ultimately evolved into an engaging narrative of intrigue and daring. With its rich setting and clever wit, I would recommend this novel for readers who enjoy stories that weave together the charm of detective mysteries with paranormal magic. That said, for me it’s Iz and Warren Wilby who totally stole the show. They are simply the most wonderful and endearing pair of protagonists I’ve ever met, and I hope we’ll get to see more in this series starring these two soon!
I confess, I wasn’t a huge fan of Josiah Bancroft’s first series, The Books of Babel, but as soon as I read the few pages of The Hexologists, I just knew it was going to be a very different book and one that is more to my liking. After all, it’s not every day you get to read a story about a king who wants to be baked into a cake.
For married couple Isolde “Iz” and Warren “War” Wilby, however, it’s just another typical day on the job for them as magical investigators. After questioning the royal secretary on the king’s apparent madness (he was even about to climb into the oven), our protagonists learn that the monarch is being blackmailed with a devastating, decades-old secret that can throw the line of succession into question and alter the destiny of the kingdom. Despite having no love for the nobility, Iz reluctantly agrees to look into the case by examining the piece of evidence that started it all—a letter written by someone claiming to be the king’s bastard son, stamped with a royal signet ring that supposedly went missing years ago—not to mention, rampaging golem attacks tend to have a way of forcing a decision.
Thus begins an adventurous and sometimes meandering journey through a steampunkish Victorianesque world with Iz and War as they pry into every nook and cranny in search of evidence. Often, these bold undertakings lead our hexologists to discover much more than they bargained for, from resentful old chums from magic school to an epicurious dragon who lives in an enchanted carpet bag. Bolstered by their love for each other and their commitment to helping people, this dynamic husband-and-wife duo never hesitates to dive headfirst into danger to solve even the darkest and most perplexing cases.
As much as I ended up enjoying this novel, I have to say, the first few chapters weren’t easy. While I was hooked on the premise from the start, the writing style did take some time to get used to. No doubt inspired by the setting, stylistically the prose came across vaguely Victorian in that it exhibited a sense of formality that can be felt in both the narrative and dialogue. Occasionally, these long, overly ornate sentences would just jump out at me because they were so awkwardly dense and clunky. It didn’t help either that the early plot was all over the place, making it easy to lose track of what the Wilbys were even supposed to investigate.
Of course, all of this is also my way of complimenting Bancroft, who has managed to capture the setting’s tone so perfectly. Fortunately, too, I found my footing after a few chapters and the rest of the novel went more smoothly. I was able to start connecting to the characters, appreciating their individual quirks and charms. One thing I absolutely loved about The Hexologists is that it features a married couple as its main protagonists, and hence, what romance you see in the story will be very different than what you’d normally get in other books of this type. For one, it’s on the lighter side, but when those little moments of devotion between Iz and War do show up, they’re tender, sweet, and beautiful.
From silly puns to situational irony, there’s also a lot of humor, which starts coming through in spades once the story establishes a solid foundation. The characters’ antics definitely got a few smiles out of me as well. Mystery and action-adventure elements combine to send the plot deeper and deeper into territory both strange and wondrous, and my early doubts eventually gave way to fascination and excitement.
To conclude, while The Hexologists had a somewhat shaky start with occasional moments of disorientation, it ultimately evolved into an engaging narrative of intrigue and daring. With its rich setting and clever wit, I would recommend this novel for readers who enjoy stories that weave together the charm of detective mysteries with paranormal magic. That said, for me it’s Iz and Warren Wilby who totally stole the show. They are simply the most wonderful and endearing pair of protagonists I’ve ever met, and I hope we’ll get to see more in this series starring these two soon!
September 10, 2023
The magical realm in this book and the bizarre things that happen really hooked me! Many of the characters were relatable while some were just off the wall but still intriguing. I loved every bit of this! It takes you on a magical ride. I'm not sure how the Author dreamt up this book, but it's such a journey! I loved how different it was and how everything plays out. Such good twists and a wonderful ending!
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
October 25, 2023
Hexologists is a delightful 'whodunnit' and surprisingly deep read that explores class struggles with such brilliance. It’s a novel that I had the assumption would be a standard “cosy mystery” book with a fantasy twist, yet Bancroft does so much more than just a whimsical mystery. In this review, I will try to give a short yet comprehensive look at this wonderful book.
Josiah Bancroft is known for his evocative prose, even his greatest critics can agree that the man knows how to write. It isn’t dense, but just wonderfully constructed. How he strings certain words together to create a picture that is easy to visualise and conveys the atmosphere of the world brilliantly. The prose is a mix of literary aesthetics, cheeky social commentary, quotable and insightful lines, and just being a clever writer. In general, the writing is definitely more descriptive than in Books of Babel, but seeing certain criticism, I don’t see how it’s that drastic. The first couple chapters might be more descriptive than the Bancroft affair however, that's because he is giving life to the world, and the protagonists fill the role as pseudo-detectives (as hexologists). So, I feel that in that context, having our protagonists be more observant of the world and considering their personalities is only fitting. I should be clear that I'm biased, as I adore his writing, and in general, it complements his witty dialogue that feels akin to PG Wodehouse, Mervyn Peake, and some of the great British writers with some modern sensibilities.
The character work—this is probably the most surprising element—the sheer depth on display. It's a book just above 300 pages and makes perfect use of that time. I do agree with the sentiment that ‘The Hod King’ is Bancroft’s best work in terms of character exploration, yet with the efficiency and concise nature, you have a feeling that the author has stepped up his game. Characters that appear in a single chapter feel genuinely human, and hearing their struggles. One chapter specifically we get outlined a person's entire history in a few pages and their significant moments in life, and it’s just beautiful to read. There are also just characters who have a sense of history about them. You pick up certain relationships that are somewhat ashtray just from how the scene is set. You feel the characters have lives beyond the confines of the narrative. As a whole, the characters reinforce certain themes of social class. This is an element I won’t go into in depth, but I enjoyed the social commentary and how Bancroft communicates his message about aristocracy and the divide between the people. There’s this wonderful quote:
In terms of the real heart of the book, it’s the two protagonists, Warren and Isolde Wilby. The couple is simply adorable, and it’s because of that that I partly understand where the cosy comparisons come from, yet it’s so much more than just being cute. That underlying sense of trust and how they comfort each other when worse comes to worse—their dynamic, flirtatious, and that sense of compassion Individually, they are wonderful characters. Isolde has more time in the spotlight however, Warren is still quite developed. In terms of Iz, I enjoy reading how stubborn and sometimes shortsighted she is. Despite her occupation, she puts herself into the work too deeply, which leads to large consequences as a result. There’s this moment where she becomes very irrational, feeling like a Dresden moment. She is so stubborn, she wants a certain answer, she is aware of the consequences, but she will probably regret certain decisions later down the road. If there’s an element where you can see Bancroft's craft has improved, it would be the female cast. It’s not that they were bad in Books of Babel, it’s more that he’s just a better writer and makes them feel more human. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention there’s a talking dragon? Well, there is, and that dragon is bloody fantastic and very cheeky!
Worldbuilding I will be quite vague in this one because discovering the world is part of the charm. In general, the book feels like it addressed the largest criticism of Books of the Babel, which is the world. In Senlin Ascends, the world feels huge, yet the sequels unfortunately feel narrow in comparison. That will most definitely not be the case here. The world feels quite vast and expansive, like there’s a breathing and magical world outside of where the protagonist lives. It’s a steampunk but leans more into the fantasy elements with magicians, mandrakes, dragons, and all that jazz. When the sci-fi aspect does appear, it’s quite exciting, and in general, I really want to learn more, in particular about the Meridian War and the gods that reside in this world.
The magic system is something I didn’t expect at all. Maybe this was naïve of me, but I just didn’t expect it to be present, and holy damn, it’s pretty good. It’s more of a soft magic system with some clear limitations and dangerous consequences. It’s that uncertainty and that sense of danger that make this world exciting to explore, and I’m interested to see how it develops in the future.
The plot is well a 'whodunnit' and so I believe aligning expectations for that type of experience is pretty important. It’s silly to criticise this book, being a departure from Books of Babel, where that feels more epic fantasy(ish). How it unfolds is extremely well done, with the inevitable twists, the general deductions, and how we reached a certain conclusion. This book serves as a great example of being a brilliant book 1. The mystery surrounding this book is definitely concluded in a fitting manner, but it leaves certain developments open that make you want a sequel to explore it further. I have no qualms about recommending this book because of its closed nature, and I’m excited for the future of this series.
In conclusion, this is an excellent book, a brilliant first entry into a series, and I am excited for the future of Warren and Isolde Wilby adventures.
8.5 or 9/10
Josiah Bancroft is known for his evocative prose, even his greatest critics can agree that the man knows how to write. It isn’t dense, but just wonderfully constructed. How he strings certain words together to create a picture that is easy to visualise and conveys the atmosphere of the world brilliantly. The prose is a mix of literary aesthetics, cheeky social commentary, quotable and insightful lines, and just being a clever writer. In general, the writing is definitely more descriptive than in Books of Babel, but seeing certain criticism, I don’t see how it’s that drastic. The first couple chapters might be more descriptive than the Bancroft affair however, that's because he is giving life to the world, and the protagonists fill the role as pseudo-detectives (as hexologists). So, I feel that in that context, having our protagonists be more observant of the world and considering their personalities is only fitting. I should be clear that I'm biased, as I adore his writing, and in general, it complements his witty dialogue that feels akin to PG Wodehouse, Mervyn Peake, and some of the great British writers with some modern sensibilities.
The character work—this is probably the most surprising element—the sheer depth on display. It's a book just above 300 pages and makes perfect use of that time. I do agree with the sentiment that ‘The Hod King’ is Bancroft’s best work in terms of character exploration, yet with the efficiency and concise nature, you have a feeling that the author has stepped up his game. Characters that appear in a single chapter feel genuinely human, and hearing their struggles. One chapter specifically we get outlined a person's entire history in a few pages and their significant moments in life, and it’s just beautiful to read. There are also just characters who have a sense of history about them. You pick up certain relationships that are somewhat ashtray just from how the scene is set. You feel the characters have lives beyond the confines of the narrative. As a whole, the characters reinforce certain themes of social class. This is an element I won’t go into in depth, but I enjoyed the social commentary and how Bancroft communicates his message about aristocracy and the divide between the people. There’s this wonderful quote:
But there is something shameful about it, isn't there? I mean, the purpose of the euphemism is to shield the speaker from the difficulty of the subject. We say passed away instead of died, and put out to pasture instead of just admitting an elder was unceremoniously removed from gainful employment because a younger, cheaper hire applied for their job. You may pretend that these circumlocutions are for the benefit of the victim, but they're not. They are for the comfort of the speaker. We call them 'ascendant class' because it makes their suffering feel less shameful for those of us who refuse to address the role we play in perpetuating poverty to the enrichment of ourselves. I say, let's call them the poor, and help them.
In terms of the real heart of the book, it’s the two protagonists, Warren and Isolde Wilby. The couple is simply adorable, and it’s because of that that I partly understand where the cosy comparisons come from, yet it’s so much more than just being cute. That underlying sense of trust and how they comfort each other when worse comes to worse—their dynamic, flirtatious, and that sense of compassion Individually, they are wonderful characters. Isolde has more time in the spotlight however, Warren is still quite developed. In terms of Iz, I enjoy reading how stubborn and sometimes shortsighted she is. Despite her occupation, she puts herself into the work too deeply, which leads to large consequences as a result. There’s this moment where she becomes very irrational, feeling like a Dresden moment. She is so stubborn, she wants a certain answer, she is aware of the consequences, but she will probably regret certain decisions later down the road. If there’s an element where you can see Bancroft's craft has improved, it would be the female cast. It’s not that they were bad in Books of Babel, it’s more that he’s just a better writer and makes them feel more human. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention there’s a talking dragon? Well, there is, and that dragon is bloody fantastic and very cheeky!
Worldbuilding I will be quite vague in this one because discovering the world is part of the charm. In general, the book feels like it addressed the largest criticism of Books of the Babel, which is the world. In Senlin Ascends, the world feels huge, yet the sequels unfortunately feel narrow in comparison. That will most definitely not be the case here. The world feels quite vast and expansive, like there’s a breathing and magical world outside of where the protagonist lives. It’s a steampunk but leans more into the fantasy elements with magicians, mandrakes, dragons, and all that jazz. When the sci-fi aspect does appear, it’s quite exciting, and in general, I really want to learn more, in particular about the Meridian War and the gods that reside in this world.
The magic system is something I didn’t expect at all. Maybe this was naïve of me, but I just didn’t expect it to be present, and holy damn, it’s pretty good. It’s more of a soft magic system with some clear limitations and dangerous consequences. It’s that uncertainty and that sense of danger that make this world exciting to explore, and I’m interested to see how it develops in the future.
The plot is well a 'whodunnit' and so I believe aligning expectations for that type of experience is pretty important. It’s silly to criticise this book, being a departure from Books of Babel, where that feels more epic fantasy(ish). How it unfolds is extremely well done, with the inevitable twists, the general deductions, and how we reached a certain conclusion. This book serves as a great example of being a brilliant book 1. The mystery surrounding this book is definitely concluded in a fitting manner, but it leaves certain developments open that make you want a sequel to explore it further. I have no qualms about recommending this book because of its closed nature, and I’m excited for the future of this series.
In conclusion, this is an excellent book, a brilliant first entry into a series, and I am excited for the future of Warren and Isolde Wilby adventures.
8.5 or 9/10
January 4, 2024
The food analogies in this are legitimately 🧑🍳💋
Charming, smirk worthy, and deliciously prose-tastic. It’s not technically a “cozy fantasy” (bc boy, oh, boy- the stakes are crazy awesome), but the MC’s personalities make it feel like it’s one?
I’d recommend this to my friends that love Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and the Rivers of London series.
This is a strange plot to pitch.
It’s like Fantastic Beasts x The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida x Sherlock vibes. But it’s official, I’m starting a category called #HollywoodReady.
I love Isolde. Her no-nonsense personality was refreshing.
I love the absurdity and deep kindness of War.
I love how much they love each other unapologetically.
What a delightful way to kick off 2024.
Can’t wait to see how this series progresses.
4.25/5
Charming, smirk worthy, and deliciously prose-tastic. It’s not technically a “cozy fantasy” (bc boy, oh, boy- the stakes are crazy awesome), but the MC’s personalities make it feel like it’s one?
I’d recommend this to my friends that love Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and the Rivers of London series.
This is a strange plot to pitch.
It’s like Fantastic Beasts x The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida x Sherlock vibes. But it’s official, I’m starting a category called #HollywoodReady.
I love Isolde. Her no-nonsense personality was refreshing.
I love the absurdity and deep kindness of War.
I love how much they love each other unapologetically.
What a delightful way to kick off 2024.
Can’t wait to see how this series progresses.
4.25/5
October 25, 2023
After the “Books of Babel” series, to say that I was excited about a new Josiah Bancroft book coming out would be quite an understatement. I pre-ordered it as soon as possible, and when it showed up in my mailbox, I dropped everything else I was reading in favor of diving head-first in this man’s work. There is, of course, always a certain trepidation reading a new series by a beloved author, but I was sure Bancroft would deliver, and he did!
“The Hexologists” is a glorious little urban fantasy/mystery, so I will not summarize the plot in too much details to keep you safe from spoilers, but here is what you need to know: Isolde and Warren Wilby are Hexologists, a type of magician practicing one of the few still-legal forms of magic. Isolde uses it specifically as a tool to help her in investigations. The story begins when the couple is approached by the King’s secretary: the monarch is undergoing what one might call a crisis of identity bordering on the psychotic meltdown, and no medical professional has been able to help, so they are now being tapped for help. Isolde doesn’t like working for the royals, but when they are attacked in their own home and realize that part of the problem may be someone trying to claim to be the King’s illegitimate child, things get complicated and dangerous fast.
Bancroft writes amazing prose, that I have to stop and admire often as I read his books, and that absolutely delights me. That he chose to write up a character like Isolde, basically a Sherlock Holmes-type with a complex family history and the loveliest marriage I have seen in fantasy novel in ages, combined with his gift for beautiful writing… well you can imagine how thrilled I was as I read “The Hexologists”, and I was quite sad to see it end.
The whodunnit aspect of this novel was fun and twisty. The world-building is fairly classic steampunk style, but never falls into clichés of that genre, it’s detailed and richly described, and contains the sort of whimsy that made his Tower of Babel so enchanting and unique. For instance, the bag that is actually a portal to a warehouse where a dragon ended up making itself at home had me squeaking with glee. And so had the relationship between Iz and Warren: seriously, so many books use dysfunctional relationships to push plot points and character development, but rarely do you see a happy, loving and supportive couple on the page. Well, the Wilbys are one such couple, on top of being pretty atypical characters in their own rights, and it warmed my heart to read about them.
If you liked Bancroft’s previous work, you can pick this one up with no hesitation – and if you are new to his books but you enjoy magical Victoriana, well-drawn out characters and royal mysteries, you will find something to love in “The Hexologists”! Highly recommended!
“The Hexologists” is a glorious little urban fantasy/mystery, so I will not summarize the plot in too much details to keep you safe from spoilers, but here is what you need to know: Isolde and Warren Wilby are Hexologists, a type of magician practicing one of the few still-legal forms of magic. Isolde uses it specifically as a tool to help her in investigations. The story begins when the couple is approached by the King’s secretary: the monarch is undergoing what one might call a crisis of identity bordering on the psychotic meltdown, and no medical professional has been able to help, so they are now being tapped for help. Isolde doesn’t like working for the royals, but when they are attacked in their own home and realize that part of the problem may be someone trying to claim to be the King’s illegitimate child, things get complicated and dangerous fast.
Bancroft writes amazing prose, that I have to stop and admire often as I read his books, and that absolutely delights me. That he chose to write up a character like Isolde, basically a Sherlock Holmes-type with a complex family history and the loveliest marriage I have seen in fantasy novel in ages, combined with his gift for beautiful writing… well you can imagine how thrilled I was as I read “The Hexologists”, and I was quite sad to see it end.
The whodunnit aspect of this novel was fun and twisty. The world-building is fairly classic steampunk style, but never falls into clichés of that genre, it’s detailed and richly described, and contains the sort of whimsy that made his Tower of Babel so enchanting and unique. For instance, the bag that is actually a portal to a warehouse where a dragon ended up making itself at home had me squeaking with glee. And so had the relationship between Iz and Warren: seriously, so many books use dysfunctional relationships to push plot points and character development, but rarely do you see a happy, loving and supportive couple on the page. Well, the Wilbys are one such couple, on top of being pretty atypical characters in their own rights, and it warmed my heart to read about them.
If you liked Bancroft’s previous work, you can pick this one up with no hesitation – and if you are new to his books but you enjoy magical Victoriana, well-drawn out characters and royal mysteries, you will find something to love in “The Hexologists”! Highly recommended!
June 15, 2023
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft follows the exploits of Isolde and Warren Selby, a pair of magical investigators who are also married to each other, as they try to solve a mystery using their specialised skills. Having very much enjoyed Josiah Bancroft's imaginative worldbuilding and beautiful writing in The Books of Babel, I was very eager to read this novel.
As always, Bancroft's writing was very good and flowed smoothly throughout the story. The main characters, Isolde and Warren, were a pleasure to read about as were some secondary characters such as Isolde's mother and a certain wizard. The worldbuilding was innovative - be it the various kinds of magical practitioners, creatures or spells. Especially enjoyable was the "portalmanteau" which was a key tool used by the Wilbys' during their investigation - suffice to say it was a repository of magical curiosities. A reader like me who at one point lived on an exclusive diet of Dame Christie's novels did see some of the twists coming but overall I really enjoyed the gradual unravelling of the mystery and the solution to the "whodunit". It was also lovely to read about Isolde and Warren's partnership both as professionals and as individuals - their commitment, their support towards each other and the mutual love and respect they shared was heartwarming.
There were a few things which didn't work for me as well. One was the writing felt overtly quirky and a bit too elaborate at times, which disrupted the smooth flow of the narrative. This is probably down to personal preference but for me whimsy is delightful when balanced - here it seemed at times that it was trying too hard. The second thing is there were a lot of magical elements, almost too many for me, and again at times it felt overloaded. I would have liked a more graded worldbuilding approach such as Bancroft accomplished in Senlin Ascends, his debut novel.
Overall this is a thoroughly enjoyable magical mystery novel that I would definitely recommend to readers of The Books of Babel but also to new readers looking for a fun, innovative fantasy read. Josiah Bancroft continues to shine as a novelist who writes like no other in the fantasy genre and I would encourage all interested in fantasy to give his newest creative endeavour a read.
Many thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
As always, Bancroft's writing was very good and flowed smoothly throughout the story. The main characters, Isolde and Warren, were a pleasure to read about as were some secondary characters such as Isolde's mother and a certain wizard. The worldbuilding was innovative - be it the various kinds of magical practitioners, creatures or spells. Especially enjoyable was the "portalmanteau" which was a key tool used by the Wilbys' during their investigation - suffice to say it was a repository of magical curiosities. A reader like me who at one point lived on an exclusive diet of Dame Christie's novels did see some of the twists coming but overall I really enjoyed the gradual unravelling of the mystery and the solution to the "whodunit". It was also lovely to read about Isolde and Warren's partnership both as professionals and as individuals - their commitment, their support towards each other and the mutual love and respect they shared was heartwarming.
There were a few things which didn't work for me as well. One was the writing felt overtly quirky and a bit too elaborate at times, which disrupted the smooth flow of the narrative. This is probably down to personal preference but for me whimsy is delightful when balanced - here it seemed at times that it was trying too hard. The second thing is there were a lot of magical elements, almost too many for me, and again at times it felt overloaded. I would have liked a more graded worldbuilding approach such as Bancroft accomplished in Senlin Ascends, his debut novel.
Overall this is a thoroughly enjoyable magical mystery novel that I would definitely recommend to readers of The Books of Babel but also to new readers looking for a fun, innovative fantasy read. Josiah Bancroft continues to shine as a novelist who writes like no other in the fantasy genre and I would encourage all interested in fantasy to give his newest creative endeavour a read.
Many thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 1, 2023
Rejoice, plot driven readers, this story is for you. The Hexologists is a mystery that takes place in a magical world in a time analogous to Edwardian England. Whereas technology has begun to replace the old ways and magic, it really isn't Steampunk. Electric transportation and lights - yes. Air transport and mechanical gizmos - no.
The mystery was quite good and I enjoyed it. However, I am a character driven person and I could not connect with any of the characters. That's a me thing. This is part of a series but stands on its own.
Trigger Warning: child abuse
The mystery was quite good and I enjoyed it. However, I am a character driven person and I could not connect with any of the characters. That's a me thing. This is part of a series but stands on its own.
Trigger Warning: child abuse
August 28, 2023
I thought this was a charming book sometimes too charming. It seems like we are out in this jumbled up realm in which he could have written more about. It was hard for me to get through because it just felt lackluster to me. I do want to thank the author, NetGalley, and Orbit books for letting me read this arc and giving an honest review about it.
September 20, 2023
I requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, Orbit, on NetGalley and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.
If you thought Josiah Bancroft was going to be a one-hit series wonder, then you are in for an incredible surprise with the start of his new series, THE HEXOLOGISTS.
Having read and loved Josiah Bancroft's series, The Books of Babel, I hungrily cracked this one open expecting another dark, whimsical fantasy mystery. That wasn't at all what I got - instead it was an exciting mystery fantasy full of magical creatures, monsters, a unique magic system, a vast array of intriguing magical relics, characters I fell in love with instantly and a new adventure in every chapter!
Couple Iz and Warren Wilby have built quite the reputation solving challenging cases involving troubled ghosts, wraiths, demons and many other such bugbears found in their city. It was known that if your troubles fell on the weirder side, it was the Wilbys you wanted to hire.
When the royal secretary knocks on the door with a case, Iz and Warren's initial response is to refuse the case. The last thing they want is to work for the Crown. But the little fellow mentions the King was very ill, wanting to bake himself inside a cake - which piques their curiosity. It got my attention as well - I just had to know why - and maybe I also wanted to know if they guy ever succeeded during the course of the book.
The real mystery the couple is hired to investigate is a letter received claiming the author was the illegitimate son of the King...which could mean a disaster should the King perish in one of his attempts to crawl into an oven. The last thing needed was contention for the Crown.
Sounds simple, right? The Wilbys think so too - until the first attempt on their lives. Following these two as they search for answers was an exciting adventure, start to finish! I admit, there were some very lengthy descriptions as our characters were introduced in the first chapter that seemed a bit clunky, but the rest of the book flowed just fine. Bancroft is such a clever wordsmith - it's just as much fun experiencing his prose as it is seeing all of his creative genius on the pages as he builds and fleshes out this incredible world. I kept thinking, okay, he can't possibly come up with a better character than Warren Wilby...then I met Felivox. Or I'd think, the portalmanteau is the coolest thing ever....and then Iz started pulling out and using all of the magical charms and relics stored in the portalmanteau.
This was a delightful romp that I think would make a wonderful adaptation to a tv series. Each chapter could be an episode because each one had its own adventure, which all connected into a bigger story with an awesome payoff. I admit, I did think I predicted the outcome...but as per usual, I was wrong. When I re-evaluated and came up with a new conspiracy theory, that was wrong too.
Bring on more fantasy mysteries! I hope this trend continues because I have read several of these lately and I just can't seem to get enough.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this review and many more on my website, https://www.thenerdynarrative.com or if you prefer video format, you can find those on my BookTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/thenerdynarra...
If you thought Josiah Bancroft was going to be a one-hit series wonder, then you are in for an incredible surprise with the start of his new series, THE HEXOLOGISTS.
Having read and loved Josiah Bancroft's series, The Books of Babel, I hungrily cracked this one open expecting another dark, whimsical fantasy mystery. That wasn't at all what I got - instead it was an exciting mystery fantasy full of magical creatures, monsters, a unique magic system, a vast array of intriguing magical relics, characters I fell in love with instantly and a new adventure in every chapter!
"The Hexologists--hunters of wraiths, slayers of bugbears, champions of the common pleb, determined sleuths in search of the truth--at least when the truth pays the fare."
Couple Iz and Warren Wilby have built quite the reputation solving challenging cases involving troubled ghosts, wraiths, demons and many other such bugbears found in their city. It was known that if your troubles fell on the weirder side, it was the Wilbys you wanted to hire.
"People who tell you not to be afraid of things are usually the first to get eaten by tigers. Fear helps us prepare. I say, gather your supplies, arm yourself, and make the dark afraid of you."
When the royal secretary knocks on the door with a case, Iz and Warren's initial response is to refuse the case. The last thing they want is to work for the Crown. But the little fellow mentions the King was very ill, wanting to bake himself inside a cake - which piques their curiosity. It got my attention as well - I just had to know why - and maybe I also wanted to know if they guy ever succeeded during the course of the book.
The real mystery the couple is hired to investigate is a letter received claiming the author was the illegitimate son of the King...which could mean a disaster should the King perish in one of his attempts to crawl into an oven. The last thing needed was contention for the Crown.
Sounds simple, right? The Wilbys think so too - until the first attempt on their lives. Following these two as they search for answers was an exciting adventure, start to finish! I admit, there were some very lengthy descriptions as our characters were introduced in the first chapter that seemed a bit clunky, but the rest of the book flowed just fine. Bancroft is such a clever wordsmith - it's just as much fun experiencing his prose as it is seeing all of his creative genius on the pages as he builds and fleshes out this incredible world. I kept thinking, okay, he can't possibly come up with a better character than Warren Wilby...then I met Felivox. Or I'd think, the portalmanteau is the coolest thing ever....and then Iz started pulling out and using all of the magical charms and relics stored in the portalmanteau.
This was a delightful romp that I think would make a wonderful adaptation to a tv series. Each chapter could be an episode because each one had its own adventure, which all connected into a bigger story with an awesome payoff. I admit, I did think I predicted the outcome...but as per usual, I was wrong. When I re-evaluated and came up with a new conspiracy theory, that was wrong too.
Bring on more fantasy mysteries! I hope this trend continues because I have read several of these lately and I just can't seem to get enough.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this review and many more on my website, https://www.thenerdynarrative.com or if you prefer video format, you can find those on my BookTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/thenerdynarra...
September 27, 2023
Married partners Iz and Warren Wilby rid their world of crimes committed by ghosts, incubi, wraiths and assortment of other supernatural creatures with the help of hexes and magical artifacts. They work for the citizens and have made it a rule never to help nobility.
Until the king’s secretary approaches them with a puzzle too good to ignore. The king, going a little mad, wants to bake himself into a cake. Why? After the king receives a blackmail letter, a royal secret buried 40 years ago might come to light. The Wilby’s must rely on their skills and a handful of friends to solve the mystery before it destroys the nation.
If you’ve read Bancroft’s Books of Babel series and you loved his imagination and world building, I’m here to say he’s done it again! Hands down the magical world building was my favorite part of this book.
In a world were necromancers and wizards have been criminalized, alchemists are the only magical group left that hold any level of prestige as they help acquire the fuel this world needs to power almost everything.
Hexologists, once a powerful force, are humored but mostly ignored as technology and science has improved healthcare, introduced electricity and caused many other advances that used to require hexes. No longer do citizens need the assistance of hexologists when technology can do that for them.
This reminded me so much of how there is something almost magical that is lost and cannot be duplicated or replaced when AI take over jobs from humans.
Iz and Warren make a funny and endearing team. Bancroft excels with his dry, witty dialogue between the two. It’s refreshing to have a couple already in love for years who know each other very well and are still deeply passionate toward each other.
There was also a great cast of side characters, including a dragon residing in carpet bag with a never-ending need to eat. He was my favorite character!
For me, the mystery was the weakest part of this novel. If you are an avid mystery reader, I’m not sure you’ll find the mystery that compelling. At times I found it a bit tedious and uninteresting.
But this is the first book in the series, and the characters and magical world more than held my attention and left me very excited to see what happens next in this series!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.
Until the king’s secretary approaches them with a puzzle too good to ignore. The king, going a little mad, wants to bake himself into a cake. Why? After the king receives a blackmail letter, a royal secret buried 40 years ago might come to light. The Wilby’s must rely on their skills and a handful of friends to solve the mystery before it destroys the nation.
If you’ve read Bancroft’s Books of Babel series and you loved his imagination and world building, I’m here to say he’s done it again! Hands down the magical world building was my favorite part of this book.
In a world were necromancers and wizards have been criminalized, alchemists are the only magical group left that hold any level of prestige as they help acquire the fuel this world needs to power almost everything.
Hexologists, once a powerful force, are humored but mostly ignored as technology and science has improved healthcare, introduced electricity and caused many other advances that used to require hexes. No longer do citizens need the assistance of hexologists when technology can do that for them.
This reminded me so much of how there is something almost magical that is lost and cannot be duplicated or replaced when AI take over jobs from humans.
Iz and Warren make a funny and endearing team. Bancroft excels with his dry, witty dialogue between the two. It’s refreshing to have a couple already in love for years who know each other very well and are still deeply passionate toward each other.
There was also a great cast of side characters, including a dragon residing in carpet bag with a never-ending need to eat. He was my favorite character!
For me, the mystery was the weakest part of this novel. If you are an avid mystery reader, I’m not sure you’ll find the mystery that compelling. At times I found it a bit tedious and uninteresting.
But this is the first book in the series, and the characters and magical world more than held my attention and left me very excited to see what happens next in this series!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.
October 19, 2023
2.75/5
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Josiah Bancroft’s “The Books of Babel” series so I was very excited to try out the first book in his new series “The Hexologists.”
Boy oh boy, was this a disappointment.
Bancroft has created some fun world building and interesting characters, particularly the husband and wife duo of Warren and Isolde Wilby, but his overly verbose writing style undermines any tension he attempts to build and it kept me at arm’s length from caring about his characters and meaningfully engaging with his story. Everything was far too cutesy and whimsical for my tastes. Bancroft seems so amused with himself that I could practically sense him winking at me through the pages of his book, as if to say, “Wasn’t that clever?” It was all a bit too much for me that I struggled to get through even the shortest of chapters.
I can’t recall being this underwhelmed and unengaged with a book. Reading this book was akin to eating a rice cake. It was a flavorless experience that I derived no pleasure from. It’s a thing that happened and I’m ready to move on to something, anything, that has some semblance of taste.
So no, I will not be continuing with “The Hexologists” series. However, I’m still interested in giving his “Books of Babel” series a try as I’ve seen only glowing praise for it. Bancroft is indeed a very strong writer. I just wish, in the case of “The Hexologists,” he knew when to get out of his own way.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Josiah Bancroft’s “The Books of Babel” series so I was very excited to try out the first book in his new series “The Hexologists.”
Boy oh boy, was this a disappointment.
Bancroft has created some fun world building and interesting characters, particularly the husband and wife duo of Warren and Isolde Wilby, but his overly verbose writing style undermines any tension he attempts to build and it kept me at arm’s length from caring about his characters and meaningfully engaging with his story. Everything was far too cutesy and whimsical for my tastes. Bancroft seems so amused with himself that I could practically sense him winking at me through the pages of his book, as if to say, “Wasn’t that clever?” It was all a bit too much for me that I struggled to get through even the shortest of chapters.
I can’t recall being this underwhelmed and unengaged with a book. Reading this book was akin to eating a rice cake. It was a flavorless experience that I derived no pleasure from. It’s a thing that happened and I’m ready to move on to something, anything, that has some semblance of taste.
So no, I will not be continuing with “The Hexologists” series. However, I’m still interested in giving his “Books of Babel” series a try as I’ve seen only glowing praise for it. Bancroft is indeed a very strong writer. I just wish, in the case of “The Hexologists,” he knew when to get out of his own way.
September 26, 2023
"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!
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!
October 23, 2023
Reliably excellent prose, a joy to read, vintage Bancroft. The character leads were solid, and their strengths and flaws played off each other well. A substantial amount of humor mixed with moments of awfulness made this a fun read.
My biggest hangup with the story is how incredibly long it took me to read it. This is not a lengthy novel, and I'm used to taking my time with Bancroft's prose, but this took me far too long to get through. Not exactly sure why, as it was enjoyable, but it didn't provoke me to keep reading deep into the night.
While I enjoyed The Books of Babel quite a bit more, this is still a worthwhile read, with some clever concepts and memorable characters that have me looking forward to the next volume.
My biggest hangup with the story is how incredibly long it took me to read it. This is not a lengthy novel, and I'm used to taking my time with Bancroft's prose, but this took me far too long to get through. Not exactly sure why, as it was enjoyable, but it didn't provoke me to keep reading deep into the night.
While I enjoyed The Books of Babel quite a bit more, this is still a worthwhile read, with some clever concepts and memorable characters that have me looking forward to the next volume.
September 19, 2023
This book has been pretty highly anticipated on /r/Fantasy, both because the Books of Babel are well regarded and because Josiah is our Local Boy Made Good. Happy to report that this book was delightful.
This book stars a husband-and-wife team of investigators, Warren and Isolde Wilby. Isolde is a Hexologist, able to cast minor magics, but their success has more to do with their skill as researchers & investigators than anything else.
Tonally, there’s a lot in this that reminded me of the Books of Babel. No matter how dark they got, there was always a lot of whimsy in Babel, and that comes through even more strongly here. But there are two things that make this book very different. The first, and in my opinion more important one, is the protagonists are very different from Thomas Senlin. They’re not on any kind of journey of self-discovery; they’re both mature professionals, confident in their abilities. And they are very, very much in love. War and Iz are a perfect team, and play off each other perfectly.
The other difference: this is essentially standalone. It’s kicking off a new series, but if there’s never a sequel, we won’t be left with half a story.
As one would expect for a book where the lead characters are a husband-and-wife team of investigators, this is a mystery story. The ailing king (the world has a distinct Victorian England feel to it) has received a letter purporting to be from an illegitimate and previously unknown offspring; the Wilby’s have been tasked by the Crown to investigate this claim, with the utmost discretion. Naturally things get more complicated, and quickly.
Probably my favorite part of this, besides the relationship between Warren and Isolde, is the fact that they are lightweights. Iz’s Hexology is the least regarded of the magical disciplines, and the least powerful. Against a wizard or a necromancer or an alchemist, she is nigh helpless. Or would be, if not for cleverness and stubbornness.
One last point that tells you a great deal about this book: Iz’s full name is Isolde Ann Always Wilby. (Say it out loud using the “Iz” nickname if you don’t get it.) And another thing she received from her father: a tattered old carpet bag that leads to a vast storeroom of all the assorted magical artifacts he collected over the course of his career. This item is known as the Portalmanteau. And it is worth knowing that Iz is one of those people who claims to hate puns (no one actually does).
Anyway, this book is delightful, and I’m looking forward to the next volume of their adventures.
My blog
This book stars a husband-and-wife team of investigators, Warren and Isolde Wilby. Isolde is a Hexologist, able to cast minor magics, but their success has more to do with their skill as researchers & investigators than anything else.
Tonally, there’s a lot in this that reminded me of the Books of Babel. No matter how dark they got, there was always a lot of whimsy in Babel, and that comes through even more strongly here. But there are two things that make this book very different. The first, and in my opinion more important one, is the protagonists are very different from Thomas Senlin. They’re not on any kind of journey of self-discovery; they’re both mature professionals, confident in their abilities. And they are very, very much in love. War and Iz are a perfect team, and play off each other perfectly.
The other difference: this is essentially standalone. It’s kicking off a new series, but if there’s never a sequel, we won’t be left with half a story.
As one would expect for a book where the lead characters are a husband-and-wife team of investigators, this is a mystery story. The ailing king (the world has a distinct Victorian England feel to it) has received a letter purporting to be from an illegitimate and previously unknown offspring; the Wilby’s have been tasked by the Crown to investigate this claim, with the utmost discretion. Naturally things get more complicated, and quickly.
Probably my favorite part of this, besides the relationship between Warren and Isolde, is the fact that they are lightweights. Iz’s Hexology is the least regarded of the magical disciplines, and the least powerful. Against a wizard or a necromancer or an alchemist, she is nigh helpless. Or would be, if not for cleverness and stubbornness.
One last point that tells you a great deal about this book: Iz’s full name is Isolde Ann Always Wilby. (Say it out loud using the “Iz” nickname if you don’t get it.) And another thing she received from her father: a tattered old carpet bag that leads to a vast storeroom of all the assorted magical artifacts he collected over the course of his career. This item is known as the Portalmanteau. And it is worth knowing that Iz is one of those people who claims to hate puns (no one actually does).
Anyway, this book is delightful, and I’m looking forward to the next volume of their adventures.
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September 2, 2023
The Hexologists
by Josiah Bancroft
Fantasy Urban Mystery Cozy
Ages 16+
NetGalley ARC
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Orbit Books
Iz and Warren Wilby are the Hexologists; Iz is able to create hexes easily and her husband is her muscle for those times their cases involve chimney-wraiths, incubi, or a ghost, but when the royal secretary knocks on their door, Iz doesn't want to hear him out because she does not want to aid the royals because of how they treat the people. Then from the basement comes a mandrake and now it seems the Hexologists don't have any other choice.
I would call this a slow cozy mystery because there was a lot of going here and going there without descriptive detail, or seeming to go anywhere within the plot. Maybe if there was a deeper dive into these plots, more about the graveyard, the gravediggers, the palace, the king, the princess and her husband and kids, etc., I wouldn't have felt as if I was supposed to know more about this world.
Even though there were some funnies, overall I didn't care much for this story since I had to force myself to read it. There wasn't anything in it to make me connect or care for the characters, except maybe for the dragon, he was the only one who seemed to have any real 'personality', everyone else blended together.
But having a happily married couple as MCs was a change from the 'norm' of today, and it was even better that the 'romantic' scenes weren't erotica. While there were some descriptions, they weren't detailed to the point of grossness so this book is suitable for readers 16 and older. But even with the mild adult content, mature younger readers could pick this up because there's not a lot of violence or language.
If another fifty pages of descriptions, backstories, and a little more 'darkness drama' were added, this could be a much better story, but as is, I won't be keeping an eye out for the next book.
2 Stars
by Josiah Bancroft
Fantasy Urban Mystery Cozy
Ages 16+
NetGalley ARC
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Orbit Books
Iz and Warren Wilby are the Hexologists; Iz is able to create hexes easily and her husband is her muscle for those times their cases involve chimney-wraiths, incubi, or a ghost, but when the royal secretary knocks on their door, Iz doesn't want to hear him out because she does not want to aid the royals because of how they treat the people. Then from the basement comes a mandrake and now it seems the Hexologists don't have any other choice.
I would call this a slow cozy mystery because there was a lot of going here and going there without descriptive detail, or seeming to go anywhere within the plot. Maybe if there was a deeper dive into these plots, more about the graveyard, the gravediggers, the palace, the king, the princess and her husband and kids, etc., I wouldn't have felt as if I was supposed to know more about this world.
Even though there were some funnies, overall I didn't care much for this story since I had to force myself to read it. There wasn't anything in it to make me connect or care for the characters, except maybe for the dragon, he was the only one who seemed to have any real 'personality', everyone else blended together.
But having a happily married couple as MCs was a change from the 'norm' of today, and it was even better that the 'romantic' scenes weren't erotica. While there were some descriptions, they weren't detailed to the point of grossness so this book is suitable for readers 16 and older. But even with the mild adult content, mature younger readers could pick this up because there's not a lot of violence or language.
If another fifty pages of descriptions, backstories, and a little more 'darkness drama' were added, this could be a much better story, but as is, I won't be keeping an eye out for the next book.
2 Stars
September 23, 2023
This is a fun, zany romp that follows the magical exploits and (mis)adventures of a husband-and-wife team of magical detectives in a gaslamp-style alternate 1920s world. I loved both Warren and Isolde Wilby, individually and as a wonderful, loving partnership, and needless to say I was also thrilled by the way a particular draconic character was developed across the book.
All of the adventures they go through on their quest to solve their latest case are fabulously imaginative and fast-paced. For me, the only issue was that there were SO MANY fast-paced, vividly recounted magical fights in a row that by the end I was skim-reading some of them - so the pace, for me personally, could have done with a few more breathing spaces before I had to invest again in the question of how they would defeat yet another seemingly impossible enemy.
However, with all that being said, the writing was so charming and delightful and the characters themselves were so great, that I absolutely enjoyed the book as a whole, and I will definitely be reading the next book in the series. Thanks so much to Orbit Books for my review copy!
All of the adventures they go through on their quest to solve their latest case are fabulously imaginative and fast-paced. For me, the only issue was that there were SO MANY fast-paced, vividly recounted magical fights in a row that by the end I was skim-reading some of them - so the pace, for me personally, could have done with a few more breathing spaces before I had to invest again in the question of how they would defeat yet another seemingly impossible enemy.
However, with all that being said, the writing was so charming and delightful and the characters themselves were so great, that I absolutely enjoyed the book as a whole, and I will definitely be reading the next book in the series. Thanks so much to Orbit Books for my review copy!
August 20, 2024
Josiah Bancroft is a criminally unsung fantasy author. His first novel, Senlin Ascends, was self-published and submitted to author Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. It made it to the final stage of the competition before losing to another novel, but had been reviewed so positively by the book bloggers that it gained its own following. It's the first book in a now-completed tetralogy, The Books of Babel. The Hexlogists is the first book in his new series, and it is pretty darn great! A work of fantasy, this new world he has created has a healthy helping of steampunk elements, and some cozy factors to boot (although the stakes are certainly high).
Isolde and Warren Wilby are a very happily married couple known as The Hexologists, though it's really only Is who practices the art, while War mostly cooks gourmet meals, acts as the brawn when called for, and takes over in social situations requiring the finesse that his wife lacks. Neither is much of a fan of the Crown and its policies, but find themselves hired to look into the matter of blackmail by someone claiming to be the illegitimate child of the king. Of course, there winds up being much, MUCH more going on behind the scenes, and our hexologists are in for quite the adventure.
Bancroft fleshes out this fantasy world with its politics and history of its magics: wizardry, alchemy, necromancy, and hexegy. I admit to feeling mired down at times with the details of world building. But this was more than made up for with the fascinating characters, engaging adventures, and an abundance of lines that made me literally laugh out loud. I love how this author writes more unique fantasy rather than simply borrowing from what has become standard for the genre. The result of that combined with the humorous voice of his writing is simply delightful. It's got the discipline of hex-casting, an incubus who can tell you the details about any corpse buried within its jurisdiction, a gargoyle Goddess of Grotesques, and a gourmand dragon inside what amounts to a bag of holding and who offers many moments of hilarity throughout the story.
There is some mild violence in this book, and several fade to black scenes of our heroes getting randy, but nothing graphic in either regard. This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but just leaves the door open for further escapades for our intrepid duo. Reading this was a delight and I definitely plan on continuing in the series when the sequel is released. I cannot recommend this author enough to fans of the genre!
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It was bedlam, a hedonistic riot, or as Victor described it, “the usual whoop-de-do.”
Isolde and Warren Wilby are a very happily married couple known as The Hexologists, though it's really only Is who practices the art, while War mostly cooks gourmet meals, acts as the brawn when called for, and takes over in social situations requiring the finesse that his wife lacks. Neither is much of a fan of the Crown and its policies, but find themselves hired to look into the matter of blackmail by someone claiming to be the illegitimate child of the king. Of course, there winds up being much, MUCH more going on behind the scenes, and our hexologists are in for quite the adventure.
“That is a Hex of Woe. Its bearer will suffer from insomnia, vertigo, tremors, impotence, styes, tinnitus, and galloping flatulence.”
Bancroft fleshes out this fantasy world with its politics and history of its magics: wizardry, alchemy, necromancy, and hexegy. I admit to feeling mired down at times with the details of world building. But this was more than made up for with the fascinating characters, engaging adventures, and an abundance of lines that made me literally laugh out loud. I love how this author writes more unique fantasy rather than simply borrowing from what has become standard for the genre. The result of that combined with the humorous voice of his writing is simply delightful. It's got the discipline of hex-casting, an incubus who can tell you the details about any corpse buried within its jurisdiction, a gargoyle Goddess of Grotesques, and a gourmand dragon inside what amounts to a bag of holding and who offers many moments of hilarity throughout the story.
He soothed her with walks and theater tickets and outings to bookshops, museums, and restaurants where he confounded the staff by pouring entire boats of gravy into a tattered carpetbag that vented fire like a steak flambé.
There is some mild violence in this book, and several fade to black scenes of our heroes getting randy, but nothing graphic in either regard. This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but just leaves the door open for further escapades for our intrepid duo. Reading this was a delight and I definitely plan on continuing in the series when the sequel is released. I cannot recommend this author enough to fans of the genre!
Bookshop.org
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October 18, 2023
The fantastic ‘Books of Babel’ series that launched this author’s career in fantasy was always going to be a tough act to follow.
Fortunately, I enjoyed this first of a new series, and it goes in a very different direction.
Basically it’s a murder mystery with strongly magical vibes. The two lead characters, Izzy and Warren, wife and husband, act as private detectives in a Victorian style steam punk world, using Izzy’s minor magical skills involving Hex’s. Although heavy magic has mostly disappeared from or fallen from respectability in this industrialised setting it’s still there if you look hard enough and the investigation that the couple get reluctantly pulled into exposes them to more of that than they’d like.
As I expected from past experience the prose is excellent and the storyline unique and imaginative. The Dragon in a portable case is an excellent invention.
However, I was less enamoured with the lead characters. They seemed to me too perfect a couple for this sort of tale. In love, still in lust, never a cross word, in complete harmony as a couple. Maybe that’s an aim in everyone’s life but in this story it just seems a little too twee.
So this depiction of a perfect couple took the edge off the magical detective drama for me. No other characters are described to the level that Izzy and Warren are but those others that we do come across are usually in various states of crisis or turmoil compatible with this murder mystery. The lead characters just seemed too much of a contrast to everyone else. Maybe Izzy has her reckless side but it’s submerged by the partnership.
I’m probably making it sound like I’m not a big fan of the book, but the portrayal of the main character’s relationship is about the only thing I have reservations with. Murder mysteries aren’t usually my scene but when placed in this magical, but relatable, setting, and with the excellent descriptive writing, it worked well for me. Pleasant is the word that springs to mind. Not edgy though!
The book ends with many of the immediate storyline strands resolved but enough of concern remains for the series to continue and I’ll be up for the next book. 4*.
Fortunately, I enjoyed this first of a new series, and it goes in a very different direction.
Basically it’s a murder mystery with strongly magical vibes. The two lead characters, Izzy and Warren, wife and husband, act as private detectives in a Victorian style steam punk world, using Izzy’s minor magical skills involving Hex’s. Although heavy magic has mostly disappeared from or fallen from respectability in this industrialised setting it’s still there if you look hard enough and the investigation that the couple get reluctantly pulled into exposes them to more of that than they’d like.
As I expected from past experience the prose is excellent and the storyline unique and imaginative. The Dragon in a portable case is an excellent invention.
However, I was less enamoured with the lead characters. They seemed to me too perfect a couple for this sort of tale. In love, still in lust, never a cross word, in complete harmony as a couple. Maybe that’s an aim in everyone’s life but in this story it just seems a little too twee.
So this depiction of a perfect couple took the edge off the magical detective drama for me. No other characters are described to the level that Izzy and Warren are but those others that we do come across are usually in various states of crisis or turmoil compatible with this murder mystery. The lead characters just seemed too much of a contrast to everyone else. Maybe Izzy has her reckless side but it’s submerged by the partnership.
I’m probably making it sound like I’m not a big fan of the book, but the portrayal of the main character’s relationship is about the only thing I have reservations with. Murder mysteries aren’t usually my scene but when placed in this magical, but relatable, setting, and with the excellent descriptive writing, it worked well for me. Pleasant is the word that springs to mind. Not edgy though!
The book ends with many of the immediate storyline strands resolved but enough of concern remains for the series to continue and I’ll be up for the next book. 4*.
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