Publishers Weekly
Warlock and tattoo artist Gage returns in Drake’s solid, if overly descriptive, second Asylum Tales urban fantasy (after Angel’s Ink). In a dark version of our world, Gage remains marginally free from the brutal Ivory Towers. Reluctantly forced to accept his very unwanted role as poster boy for magical apprentices who long to flee the restrictive Towers, Gage faces a new problem when he discovers the ruling witches and warlocks believe he killed his powerful, missing mentor. His employees, elf Trixie and troll Bronx, help as Gage attempts to stay one step ahead of his enraged hunters while also dealing with family issues, the elf Summer Court, a witch turned into a cat, and his dark elf mafia boss. Infodumps impede the narrative flow, but the clever, complex story intrigues. Agent: Jennifer Schober, Spencerhill Associates. (May)
From the Publisher
[T]he clever, complex story intrigues — Publishers Weekly
“Gritty, authentic and fast-paced! This urban fantasy series rocks!” — J.R. Ward
“A lot of fun, with a whole new take on the dark urban fantasy. Bright and breezy, with fascinating characters, and a background with hidden depths. Drake puts the ink in incredible.” — Simon R. Green
“Angel’s Ink is an other-earthly blend of magic and technology in the best tradition of urban fantasy that refused to let me go. The continuing Asylum Tales promise to be intriguing and wildly inventive.” — Kim Harrison
“Jocelynn is amazing at fleshing out plots, subplots and characters.” — USA Today
“Expert storyteller Drake invites readers to join her in a spirited and spellbinding new series…. The author does a great job of introducing her mesmerizing new world and then filling it with a truly compelling cast of characters. She is on track to deliver another outstanding and inventive series.” — Romantic Times BOOKclub
“Drake kicks off a new urban fantasy series with a strong first title....definitely check out this series from the popular Drake.” — Booklist
“Drake (the Dark Days vampire series) very ably spins a series launch ….stirs up trouble that sends the plot caroming with ferocious intensity to a satisfying but open-ended conclusion.” — Publishers Weekly
Kim Harrison
Angel’s Ink is an other-earthly blend of magic and technology in the best tradition of urban fantasy that refused to let me go. The continuing Asylum Tales promise to be intriguing and wildly inventive.
Booklist
Drake kicks off a new urban fantasy series with a strong first title....definitely check out this series from the popular Drake.
USA Today
Jocelynn is amazing at fleshing out plots, subplots and characters.
Simon R. Green
A lot of fun, with a whole new take on the dark urban fantasy. Bright and breezy, with fascinating characters, and a background with hidden depths. Drake puts the ink in incredible.
Romantic Times BOOKclub
Expert storyteller Drake invites readers to join her in a spirited and spellbinding new series…. The author does a great job of introducing her mesmerizing new world and then filling it with a truly compelling cast of characters. She is on track to deliver another outstanding and inventive series.
J.R. Ward
Gritty, authentic and fast-paced! This urban fantasy series rocks!
USA Today
Jocelynn is amazing at fleshing out plots, subplots and characters.
Booklist
Drake kicks off a new urban fantasy series with a strong first title....definitely check out this series from the popular Drake.
Romantic TimesBOOKclub
"Expert storyteller Drake invites readers to join her in a spirited and spellbinding new series…. The author does a great job of introducing her mesmerizing new world and then filling it with a truly compelling cast of characters. She is on track to deliver another outstanding and inventive series."
Library Journal
Having first met Gage, warlock and tattoo artist, in Drake’s “Asylum Tales” series launch Angel’s Ink, we find our hero still battling the warlock powers-that-be whose base camp is located in the Ivory Towers. This time, however, the witches and warlocks of the world are fighting back, hunting for anyone with information on the Towers’ secret location. As a former Tower occupant who left in disgrace, Gage has become a person of interest in this hunt. On top of being hunted by his fellows, Gage is still trying to protect his girlfriend Trixie from her elfin kind and pull his friend Bronx out from under the control of a dark elf mobster. Along the way, meetings with Mother Nature, hobgoblins, and Sofie, a witch-turned-cat, keep the story moving between action scenes.
Verdict Drake falters a little on this sophomore outing. Gage and Trixie behave like horny teenagers, the language is crass at times, and the plot is predictable. Though Drake falls short of comparisons to Jim Butcher and Kim Harrison this time around, devout urban fantasy readers would probably enjoy.—Brooke Bolton, North Manchester P.L., IN
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