TITLE: Slayers of Old
AUTHOR: Jim C. Hines
PUBLISHER: DAW
PUBLISHING DATE: October 21, 2025
PAGES: 352
SOURCE: ARC
FROM GOODREADS: Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, MA. A calm, peaceful, tourist-filled oasis, where they never have to worry about saving the world. Until some of the locals start summoning ancient creatures best left where they were…and they discover that their bookstore basement just may be the portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes may have thought they were done…but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to join together to save the world one last time.
Fun, funny, and heartwarming, this is a story of community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.
Annette, a succubus, Jenny, a Hunter of Artemis, and Temple, a 99-year-old wizard live together in a grand old house in Salem Massachusetts. They are all three retired from their old jobs and spend their days running a bookshop in the front part of their home and patching up magical creatures seeking and sanctuary. Temple's family has resided in the home for generations and he is magically linked to the home. It feeds off his power and takes care if its inhabitants (like making sure their favorite snack is always in the fridge or controlling the temperature when it gets cold at night). However, the house is weakening, and Temple feels his time of earth is about to end. However, there may be more going on than Temple and his "family" realize.
A young man named Ronnie shows up in the shop one day and Annette worries he can't be trusted. Ronnie is allegedly harbinger meant to stop destruction, and he has his sights set on Temple and his crew. Annette also thinks he is responsible for the injured harvester who needed help the night before. The three soon learn someone is out to cause the end of the world. This person is linked to one of the three through history and they are recruiting Annette's grandson to help complete the job.
This book was so much fun. I'd say it's best described as fantasy/urban fantasy but there are some horror elements as well. There are all kinds of scary and fun creatures and entities, including Ronnie's mother Mary, who is haunting his van in order to keep him safe. The book is told in alternating chapters for the three characters' POVs which worked really well and provided depth and backstory for the crew. All three of the characters have their own issues they are dealing with which adds depth to the fight to stop the end of the world.
Full of cosmic horror, supernatural creatures, tricky mice, Gods, Squidward the cat (see the disturbing yet cute cat on the cover) and found family, this book has something for everyone. I think any fantasy lover would enjoy it as well as anyone who likes octogenarian characters. I don't know if it is a series or a standalone. It wraps up nicely but I think there is a potential for future installments and I kind of hope there are. If this book isn't on your radar, maybe it should be!
MY RATING: 5 PAWS
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