A Call from Down Under

Al MacBharrais, a sigil agent in Glasgow, receives a cryptic, urgent call from Ya-ping, apprentice to the Australian sigil agent Shu-hua. Shu-hua and another agent, Mei-ling, have vanished while investigating supernatural disturbances in the fire-ravaged Australian bush. The call is laced with anxiety and hints at deeper trouble, as more agents and their apprentices are missing. Al, already burdened by a deadly curse that kills his apprentices, feels compelled to act, despite the risk to himself and his hobgoblin companion, Buck Foi. The emotional weight of loss, responsibility, and the hope of redemption propels Al to gather his resources and prepare for a journey that will test his resolve and the bonds of his found family.

Curses and Contracts Revealed

Al confides in Buck about the two curses afflicting him: one that makes people loathe him after prolonged contact, and another that kills his apprentices after a year. The revelation is heavy, as Buck realizes his own life is at risk. Their banter masks deep fear and affection, and Al's guilt over past apprentices' deaths is palpable. The only solutions seem impossible—killing the unknown caster, dying himself, or breaking the contract, each with dire consequences. The emotional core is Al's desperate hope to break free, reclaim his voice, and save Buck. Their relationship, laced with humor and pain, is the heart of the story's struggle against fate.

Gathering the Unlikely Allies

Al reaches out to his network: other sigil agents, his manager Nadia, and his enigmatic receptionist Gladys. Each brings unique skills and quirks—Nadia's goth pragmatism, Gladys's mysterious power, and Buck's irrepressible mischief. The team's dynamic is a blend of camaraderie, exasperation, and mutual respect. Their preparations are meticulous, from magical sigils to mundane logistics, underscoring the seriousness of the threat. The emotional tension is heightened by the looming danger and the unspoken fear that not all will return. Yet, there's hope in their unity, a sense that together they might defy the odds.

Through Fae Ways to Australia

The journey to Australia is not a simple flight but a passage through the Fae realm, Tír na nÓg, guided by the Herald Coriander. The Old Ways are perilous, and an attempted assassination in the Fae lands signals that powerful forces are arrayed against them. The transition from the cold, familiar streets of Glasgow to the blazing, alien sun of Melbourne is jarring. The team's arrival is marked by culture shock, humor, and the ever-present threat of violence. The emotional landscape is one of awe, anxiety, and the bittersweet memory of lost family, as Al is reminded of what he's fighting for.

Apprentice in Peril

On the train to Shu-hua's home, Ya-ping shares her tragic past—losing her parents, finding a new family with Shu-hua, and training as a sigil agent. Her vulnerability and determination shine through, as does her fear of failing her mentor. The team investigates Shu-hua's meticulously organized sigil room, uncovering clues about the missing agents and the supernatural threat. The emotional resonance is in Ya-ping's struggle to balance grief, duty, and hope, and in Al's recognition of her potential and the weight of mentorship. The sense of impending danger grows as they piece together the mystery.

The Wizard Van Heist

Buck's delight in stealing and transforming a tradie van into a "wizard van" is a moment of levity amid the tension. The van becomes a symbol of their unconventional approach and the blending of the mundane with the magical. Outfitted with stolen whisky, black velvet, and magical sigils, it's both fortress and home. The team's banter, especially Buck's antics and Nadia's dry wit, provides comic relief and deepens their bonds. Yet, the van is also a vehicle into the unknown, carrying them toward the heart of the supernatural crisis and the emotional crucible awaiting them.

Dead Drops and Red Ink

At the Healesville Grand Hotel, Ya-ping retrieves a dead drop from Shu-hua, written in red ink on special paper—a coded warning of extreme danger. The message's subtext, understood only by apprentice and master, reveals the depth of their relationship and the peril they face. The team's analysis of the clues is methodical, but the emotional impact is raw: fear for Shu-hua's life, guilt over not acting sooner, and the burden of leadership. The dead drop is a turning point, crystallizing the stakes and the urgency of their mission.

Monsters in the Bush

The team's trek into the Australian bush is a gauntlet of horror. They encounter grotesque chimeric monsters—turtle-dragon-spiders, cheetah-beetles, cassowary-cobras—spawned by a greater evil. The violence is brutal and the casualties real, including innocent hikers and a park ranger. Al's use of sigils to heal and erase memories is a grim necessity, highlighting the cost of secrecy and the trauma inflicted on bystanders. The emotional toll is heavy: guilt, grief, and the relentless pressure to keep moving. Yet, moments of heroism and compassion—Ya-ping's courage, Buck's loyalty—offer glimmers of hope.

The Iron Druid Joins

The arrival of Connor Molloy, the Iron Druid, and his talking hounds, Oberon and Starbuck, shifts the balance. Connor's ancient wisdom, magical prowess, and easy camaraderie with Al add depth and history to the team. His presence is both reassuring and intimidating, especially to Buck, who fears the Druid's iron aura. The team's dynamic evolves, blending old grudges, new alliances, and the shared goal of rescuing the missing agents. The emotional arc is one of renewed hope, tempered by the realization that the threat they face is worthy of legends.

Blood, Paper, and Battle

As they navigate the deadly bush, the team shares stories—of ancient battles, lost loves, and the power of paper and ink. These interludes provide insight into their psyches and the weight of history they carry. The battles with monsters are fierce, testing their skills, magic, and resolve. The use of sigils—crafted with painstaking care—becomes both weapon and lifeline. The emotional stakes are heightened by the constant danger, the need to protect one another, and the knowledge that every victory is bought with blood and sacrifice.

The Mother of Devils

The true enemy is revealed: Caoránach, the Mother of Devils, an ancient oilliphéist capable of spawning endless chimeric horrors with her blood. Her presence is apocalyptic, her motives inscrutable. The team realizes they are pawns in a larger game, manipulated by gods and bound by ancient contracts. The emotional core is the confrontation with overwhelming evil, the fear of being outmatched, and the determination to fight regardless. The battle against Caoránach is both physical and metaphysical, a test of courage, ingenuity, and the bonds that hold the team together.

The Trap-Laden Valley

The approach to Caoránach's lair is a nightmare of magical and mundane traps—pitfalls, toe poppers, hook bindings, and killing fields. Nadia's battle-seer abilities are crucial, guiding the team through with precision and grit. The tension is excruciating, every step a potential death sentence. The emotional strain is palpable: fear, frustration, and the desperate hope that they can outwit the architect of this gauntlet. The valley becomes a crucible, forging the team's resolve and exposing their vulnerabilities.

The Price of Favors

The true architect of their ordeal is revealed: Ogma, the Irish god of writing and learning, who orchestrated the crisis to avoid repaying a favor to the Iron Druid. The cost of divine favors is laid bare—innocent lives lost, trust betrayed, and the realization that even gods are bound by pride and self-interest. The emotional climax is Connor's rejection of vengeance, choosing instead to break the cycle of obligation and harm. The team's anger, grief, and exhaustion are met with a bittersweet sense of closure and the hope that justice, however imperfect, has been served.

The Morrigan Returns

Amid the chaos, the Morrigan—ancient goddess of death and battle—returns in the body of a fallen SES worker, now calling herself Roxanne. Her presence is both terrifying and poignant, as she struggles with her old nature and the desire for a new life. Her actions are pivotal, both in battle and in the emotional resolution of the story. The team's reactions range from awe to suspicion, but Roxanne's journey is one of self-discovery, regret, and the hope of redemption. Her interactions with Connor, Al, and the others are fraught with history, longing, and the possibility of transformation.

The Final Reckoning

The final battle against Caoránach and her spawn is brutal and desperate. Al's use of a healing sigil to close the oilliphéist's wound is a masterstroke, turning blood magic against itself and halting the tide of monsters. The team's combined strength, sacrifice, and ingenuity win the day, but not without loss—Officer Campbell falls, and the cost of victory is etched in blood and ash. The emotional aftermath is a mix of relief, sorrow, and the sobering knowledge that the world remains perilous, and the work of protecting it never ends.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

With the threat ended, the team tends to the wounded, mourns the dead, and begins the long process of cleaning up the mess left by gods and monsters. Ogma is confronted and held accountable, if only symbolically, and Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite reveals her true power as a witness and arbiter. The surviving agents and apprentices reaffirm their bonds, and Al is left to ponder the nature of curses, favors, and the possibility of change. The emotional tone is one of exhaustion, gratitude, and the tentative hope that healing is possible.

Roxanne's Human Rebirth

Roxanne, no longer the Morrigan, asks Al for help in forging a human identity in Scotland. Her desire to live, love, and perhaps find redemption is both touching and unsettling. Al, wary of the dangers of divine favors, accepts a simple act—pouring tonic into his glass—as payment, choosing to break the cycle of obligation. Roxanne's journey is one of reinvention, the search for meaning, and the hope that even the most ancient and damaged beings can change. The emotional resonance is in the possibility of forgiveness, both of self and others.

The Necro Crypt Beckons

Roxanne sets her sights on Bardowie Castle, envisioning it as the Necro Crypt—a haven for her new life and a symbol of transformation. Buck and Nadia are enlisted for a grand heist to secure the funds, blending mischief, ambition, and the promise of new adventures. Al, still burdened by his curses but buoyed by hope, turns to research and reflection, seeking answers in the past and the wisdom to shape a better future. The story closes on a note of renewal, the promise of new beginnings, and the enduring power of found family and chosen purpose.

Characters

Al MacBharrais

Al is an aging sigil agent, burdened by two devastating curses: one that makes people loathe him after prolonged contact, and another that kills his apprentices after a year. His deep sense of responsibility and guilt over the deaths of his apprentices drive his actions. Al is resourceful, compassionate, and wryly humorous, masking pain with wit. His relationships—with Buck, Nadia, and the other agents—are marked by loyalty, affection, and a longing for connection, especially with his estranged son. Al's journey is one of seeking redemption, breaking the cycle of harm, and finding hope in the possibility of change, both for himself and those he loves.

Buck Foi

Buck is Al's contracted hobgoblin, a creature of chaos, humor, and surprising depth. His irreverence and penchant for theft mask a deep loyalty and vulnerability, especially as he learns his life is at risk from Al's curse. Buck's antics—transforming vans, bantering with gods, and dreaming of legendary status—provide comic relief and emotional ballast. His relationship with Al is complex: part sidekick, part conscience, part surrogate family. Buck's journey is one of self-discovery, grappling with mortality, and the hope of leaving a mark on the world, even if it's just a legendary wizard van or a well-timed quip.

Nadia Padmanabhan

Nadia is Al's manager, accountant, and human resources expert, but also a battle-seer with semi-divine heritage. Her goth aesthetic, sharp wit, and pragmatic approach ground the team. Nadia's foresight is crucial in navigating magical traps and dangers, and her loyalty to Al and Buck is unwavering. She balances the mundane and the magical, providing both comic relief and emotional support. Nadia's journey is one of embracing her power, finding purpose in chaos, and forging bonds that transcend blood and fate.

Ya-ping

Ya-ping is Shu-hua's apprentice, orphaned and adopted into the world of sigil agents. Her vulnerability, intelligence, and determination make her both relatable and inspiring. Ya-ping's journey is marked by grief, self-doubt, and the struggle to live up to her mentor's expectations. Her courage in the face of danger, her empathy for others, and her willingness to learn and grow make her a linchpin of the team. Ya-ping embodies the hope that the next generation can break old cycles and forge a better path.

Connor Molloy (The Iron Druid)

Connor is a two-thousand-year-old Druid, marked by loss, wisdom, and a deep connection to Gaia. His magical prowess, talking hounds, and storied past make him both a formidable ally and a source of awe. Connor's journey is one of letting go—of old obligations, of the need for vengeance, and of the burdens of immortality. His interactions with Al, Buck, and Roxanne are layered with history, regret, and the hope of finding harmony in a world that never stops changing.

Roxanne (The Morrigan)

Once the Morrigan, goddess of death and battle, Roxanne is now a woman seeking a new life. Her struggle with her old nature, her desire for love and humanity, and her capacity for both violence and remorse make her a complex, compelling figure. Roxanne's journey is one of transformation—learning to forgive herself, to choose kindness over destruction, and to find meaning beyond her ancient role. Her interactions with Connor, Al, and the others are fraught with longing, regret, and the hope that even the most damaged can change.

Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite

Gladys is Al's receptionist, but also an avatar of immense, possibly divine power—an observer, arbiter, and enforcer of cosmic rules. Her Canadian persona masks a being who commands respect from gods and mortals alike. Gladys's role is to witness, to hold the powerful accountable, and to ensure that the rules—written and unwritten—are honored. Her interactions are laced with humor, wisdom, and the quiet authority of one who has seen it all. Gladys embodies the story's themes of justice, perspective, and the enduring need for witnesses to truth.

Shu-hua Lin

Shu-hua is Ya-ping's mentor, a master of both Chinese and Irish sigil systems. Her meticulousness, wisdom, and care for her apprentice are evident in every action. Shu-hua's disappearance and rescue are central to the plot, and her survival is a testament to resilience and the power of mentorship. Her relationship with Ya-ping is one of mutual respect, affection, and the hope that knowledge and tradition can be passed on, even in the face of chaos.

Ogma

Ogma is the Irish god of writing and learning, revealed as the architect of the crisis. His pride, cunning, and willingness to sacrifice mortals to avoid paying a debt make him both formidable and morally ambiguous. Ogma's interactions with Connor and Gladys expose the limits of divine honor and the dangers of unchecked power. His journey is a cautionary tale about the cost of pride, the consequences of broken promises, and the need for accountability, even among gods.

Nadia's Battle-Seer Lineage

Nadia's heritage as a demigoddess and battle-seer is both a source of power and a burden. Her visions guide the team through mortal peril, but also isolate her, as she grapples with the cost of seeing too much. Nadia's journey is one of embracing her gifts, finding balance between destiny and choice, and using her power to protect those she loves.

Plot Devices

Dual Curses and Deadly Contracts

The story's central plot device is the dual curse afflicting Al: one that destroys relationships, another that kills apprentices. These curses drive the narrative, shaping Al's actions, relationships, and sense of self. The curses are not just obstacles but metaphors for guilt, trauma, and the struggle to break destructive cycles. The contracts—magical, legal, and social—are equally binding, reflecting the story's preoccupation with obligation, debt, and the price of power. The interplay of curses and contracts creates a web of cause and effect, foreshadowing betrayals, sacrifices, and the possibility of redemption.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The team's formation—Al, Buck, Nadia, Ya-ping, Connor, Roxanne, and others—is a classic found family, each member bringing unique strengths and wounds. Their banter, loyalty, and willingness to risk everything for one another are both plot drivers and emotional ballast. The story uses their relationships to explore themes of belonging, forgiveness, and the hope that chosen bonds can heal what blood and fate have broken.

Magical Realism and Mundane Detail

The narrative structure weaves magical elements—sigils, Fae realms, talking hounds—into the fabric of the mundane: print shops, vans, cheese, and whisky. This juxtaposition grounds the fantasy, making the stakes feel real and the characters relatable. The use of dialect, humor, and cultural references deepens immersion and provides both comic relief and social commentary.

Foreshadowing and Narrative Echoes

The use of interludes—stories of ancient battles, papermaking, and monster-slaying—serves as both foreshadowing and thematic reinforcement. These tales echo the main narrative, offering wisdom, warnings, and emotional resonance. The structure is cyclical, with past mistakes and victories informing present choices, and the hope that understanding history can break the cycle of harm.

Divine Machinations and Moral Ambiguity

The plot is driven by the schemes of gods—Ogma's manipulation, the Morrigan's rebirth, Gladys's witnessing—who are powerful but deeply flawed. Their actions blur the line between good and evil, forcing mortals to navigate a world where fate is both imposed and negotiable. The story uses divine machinations to explore themes of accountability, the limits of power, and the possibility of change, even for the seemingly unchangeable.

Analysis

Paper & Blood is a modern fantasy that interrogates the nature of power, obligation, and the possibility of change. At its heart, the novel is about breaking cycles—of violence, of guilt, of divine manipulation—and forging new paths through found family, compassion, and the courage to confront the past. The dual curses afflicting Al are metaphors for trauma and the ways we unwittingly harm those closest to us, while the contracts and favors that bind gods and mortals alike reflect the inescapable web of responsibility and consequence. The story's humor, warmth, and attention to mundane detail ground its high-stakes battles and cosmic intrigue, making the characters' struggles deeply relatable. The return of the Morrigan as Roxanne is a powerful meditation on redemption and the hope that even the most damaged can choose a new life. Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, as cosmic witness, embodies the need for accountability and the enduring power of perspective. Ultimately, Paper & Blood suggests that healing—personal, communal, and cosmic—requires honesty, forgiveness, and the willingness to let go of old debts. The novel's lesson is clear: the future is always a cusp, and the choices we make, however small, can mend what blood and fate have torn.

Last updated: November 17, 2025