A few months have passed since Susan’s search for her father revealed another world that lives alongside our own. With the knowledge that she is a demigod and her father one of the Ancient Powers, she struggles to regain normality again over her life.

She tries to concentrate on Art School, only seeing new ‘Bookseller’ boyfriend Merlin once a week. But when he gets sucked into an ancient map, Merlin’s sister Vivien calls on Susan to help. Whilst inside this magical map of a long ago garden, a powerful God is alerted to Susan’s existence. She is just what this God needs to complete a ritual that has already taken many dozens of lives.

Sucked into the Bookseller’s and Old World of monsters again, Susan’s desire to stay mortal is tested over and over. Despite an infuriating and clingy presence of Booksellers keen to protect her, Susan must step up and be her mighty father’s daughter in a battle of wills, stone, magic and horror.

The 2nd in The Left Handed Booksellers of London series, Susan’s true powers are revealed and her battle to stay normal pushed to the max.

Again we follow the Booksellers and meet many more in the organisation, all with their separate responsibilities and tasks. Magic is often required and used over the public or police officers who happen to get caught up in things, and the story feels all the more real when things sometimes go out of ‘Bookseller’s’ control.

Susan’s boyfriend Merlin is still a stylish dresser and the author often describes in detail his and other’s clothing choices. Merlin’s cross dressing doesn’t surprise some of his colleagues, or me either as his character is so enigmatic he can pull almost anything off, with flair to boot.

The detail throughout the story is lush, and the world building great too as the reader learns along with Susan about the Ancient Ones, all while melding in with human history.

Fun read. Tons of battles with positively creepy monsters keeps the action up and the plot moving.

Author – Garth Nix

Age – 15+

Read a review for the 1st book in the series (Click on the Cover)  

(2023, Allen & Unwin, Paranormal, Gods, Murder, Police, Alternate Universes, Magic, Powers, Bath, Humour, Funny, a touch of Romance, Sassy, Siblings, Demigod, Secrets, Control, Booksellers, Action, Gunfights, Serial Killer, Crime, Fantasy, Statues, Stone, Map, Historical, 1983, Horror, Mortal, Series)