Angel’s Ink

Drake (the Dark Days vampire series) very ably spins a series launch about a tattoo artist with big secrets. This alternate universe contains evil warlocks and witches, tradition-bound elves, an ancient purveyor of equally ancient treasures both real and mystical, and plot twists designed to enchant. Gage fled the cruel Ivory Towers and life as a warlock to run his Asylum Tattoo Parlor, assisted by troll Bronx and elf Trixie. Those wanting some ink with a little magic sprinkled in come to Gage. The sadistic warlocks have forbidden Gage to use his magic on pain of death, so he keeps a low profile, but when he mixes a breathtakingly rare ingredient into a tattoo for a dying woman, he stirs up trouble that sends the plot caroming with ferocious intensity to a satisfying but open-ended conclusion. Agent: Jennifer Schober, Spencerhill Associates. (Oct.)