The Hexologists cover art

The Hexologists

The Hexologists, Book 1

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The Hexologists

By: Josiah Bancroft
Narrated by: Sarah Slimani
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About this listen

 From the acclaimed author of Senlin Ascends comes the first book in a wildly inventive new fantasy series where magical mysteries abound and only one team can solve them: The Hexologists.

'Bancroft is a wonder as ever! The Hexologists was a joyous delight on every page - buoyantly inventive, witty, poignant, gripping, and deeply satisfying' Madeline Miller, author of Circe

As the nation's foremost investigators of the paranormal, Isolde and Warren Wilby are accustomed to bumping up against things that go bump in the night. They have made quite a name for themselves as the Hexologists: detectives of the uncanny, the monstrous, the strange. After a decade of wedded bliss and dozens of fantastical adventures, there is little in the world that can still surprise them.

But when a famous artist dies under suspicious circumstances, Isolde finds herself investigating a murder that may not have happened, and a crime scene that seems to shift beneath her feet. Not one to be easily thwarted, Isolde is compelled to take greater and greater risks in pursuit of her elusive answers. Meanwhile, the laws that govern magic appear to be breaking, and those cracks are spreading to the everyday world.

The mystery will carry the devoted duo to seedy underworlds, enchanted gardens, and subterranean military zoos. Old friends will come to the Wilbies' aid as they infiltrate secret societies, battle vicious imps, and flee from a pack of venomous wolves. Equipped with Isolde's hexes, Warren's muscle, and an enchanted bag full of magical relics, the Hexologists will have to risk life and limb to unravel the riddle at the heart of A Tangle of Time.

'Fantastic! The Hexologists fizzes eloquently with wit and elegance, but also has marvellous worldbuilding and an excellent plot - and a central pair of characters who I quite simply love. A cocktail of a book made with the very best champagne' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library©2023 Josiah Bancroft (P)2023 Hachette Audio UK Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical Mystery Paranormal

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Critic reviews

'Josiah Bancroft's imagination will astound you. One of the most inventive fantasy authors out there' Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga
All stars
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After The Towers of Babel which is outstanding; the bar has been set high! The first book clearly doesn’t reach those heights but I was engaged and ultimately finished the book. The real gripes was the dragon with both narration and character being extremely annoying! And sometimes the over descriptive story line felt like a dickens novel!!! Some good stuff; the story twisted and turned like a twisty turny thing and fantasy ideas kept coming thick and fast. The story definitely starts slowly and it takes time and commitment to get through the first chapters but again that’s due to the legend that is Thomas Senlin! Will these new characters reach legend status, only time will tell but it is a good start!

Engaging

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Lots of fun, good mystery, engaging, great narrator and a great twist at the end. Can’t wait for the next one

Enjoyable magical mystery

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Liked the story and the audio performance will be reading/listening to the next one

Refreshing fantasy book

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I was already a fan of Josiah Bancroft after reading his Books of Babel series, he creates such vivid, quirky and ridiculously enjoyable settings. The Hexologists is no different. This new world is even more delightful and appeals greatly to my love of magic against a gaslight fantasy backdrop. All the key characters are instantly likeable (or detestable) and are well developed. It is very funny in parts (dragon’s dialogue and the ‘bag’ antics spring to mind) but it’s also quite dark in places too. The world building is fantastic, you’ll never want to leave. Really loved this and had such a massive book hangover afterwards - has left me desperate for the next in the series. Will appeal to fans of Brandon Sandersons Wax & Wayne Mistborn era books. Highly recommend.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wonderful magical world beautifully written

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Love Josiah Bancroft - literary genius! Characters come to life with his unique style of story telling, use of language and sheer imagination.

I was enthralled !

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I was really enjoying the story and was going to give it 5 stars.

Then after the story ended the author added another 3 chapters , just to create a sequel. And these chapters messed up the mystery that had just been solved.

The author pulled a Marvel Studios on us. Why can’t you just tell one story instead of trying to setup a whole universe? I have no intention of buying another book when this one ended poorly 😡

Muddled story 😟

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