The Island God: Unholy Island, Book 3

Unholy Island #3

by Sarah Painter

Mysterious, magical, and a little bit deadly… Welcome to Unholy Island.

The close-knit community on Unholy Island is protected by ethereal wards, keeping the unusual residents and their secrets safe from prying eyes.

But the island is more than a sanctuary for the magically-inclined and the not-quite-human, and when the mayor goes missing, the ramifications threaten the whole world…

The Island God is the captivating conclusion to the Unholy Island trilogy.

*The Unholy Island series is set in the same world as the urban fantasy mystery series Crow Investigations, but it can be enjoyed independently.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published October 24, 2024

About the author

Sarah Painter is the author of the bestselling magical novel, The Language of Spells, and its follow-up, The Secrets of Ghosts.

She has written 'book club' fiction with atmospheric settings and historical elements (In The Light of What We See and Beneath The Water), and a 'wonderfully dark and twisty' supernatural thriller, The Lost Girls.

Sarah's latest venture is an exciting new urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations. Yes, she finds it hard to stick to one genre!

Before writing books, Sarah Painter worked as a freelance magazine journalist, blogger and editor, combining this 'career' with amateur child-wrangling (AKA motherhood).

Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her husband and children. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon, and is the proud owner of a writing shed.

Reviews

[cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoy Sarah Painter’s books and The Island God was no exception. There are, however always plot elements that aren’t explained or woven into the narrative that leave me a little frustrated.

The dreamy, slow pace of the first two books in this series is fitting to the setting but didn’t translate well to the final book that had so many plot elements to wrap up. Who or what was the source of light and smoke on Àite Marbh at the beginning of the book? Why did Tobias so easily get pulled through the portal in the tomb? Why did Lewis avoid Luke for a year before truly going missing? Why was Esme alone immune to Lewis’ charms? How did Esme and Lucy convince Lewis to come to the beach so easily when Lewis has been suspicious of Esme?

The concept of this series and the community on Unholy Island are all engaging and I enjoyed all the books - just wanted a little more depth to this one.

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit surprised to find out this is apparently only a trilogy. All three books are short and sweet, and while not super attached, it still read fast and easy for me.

Might look into the author's main series, haven't decided yet.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The close-knit community of Unholy Island are mysterious, memorable and magically-inclined.

This is the third and final book in the series.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

each of the Unholy Island books just keep getting better

Love the characters and the plot. The atmosphere is enthralling. This a world I want to visit over and over and people I want as friends.
Hope the series continues.

[Meredith Stepien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this trilogy! I flew through it. A perfect escape right now.

[The Man from DelMonte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me get one thing straight. Sarah Painter is a very good writer. Even when she's not at her best she's still streets ahead of most of her peers plying their trade in the fantasy genre. The problem is that she's quite variable. I started with her Crow Investigations series. Like a lot of such things they build to a climax and then the story arc has nowhere to go. I felt her Language of Spells series (of which I've only read the full length works) was scrappy and incoherent.
And so we come to the Unholy Island trilogy. This is set to one side of Crow Investigations and various elements of that bleed into this. The Ward Witch was a great opener but The Book Keeper was stunning. It set a very high bar for The Island God and to my great irritation failed to clear it. The plot needs Tobias to be absent for it to work, he being the Island God of the title. So Tobias disappears into a spooky island a little way off Unholy Island, it being a place where the wall between the worlds becomes passing thin. Having created a vacuum by his absence, something malign moves in and possesses Luke's twin brother. After various ill happenings Tobias returns and restores everything to normal. It was all a bit (literally) deus ex machina for me.
It's still beautifully written, well worth your time and writers of her quality deserve our support.

[Kathryn Jamieson Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be selected as an advance reader for this title but is not a paid review.

I have read everything this author has published, usually on the day of release, and was thrilled by the crossover with the Crow Investigations series.

I refuse to give anything away but can say that this series gets stronger with each title, the characters are so beautifully three dimensional and I just adore Hammer.

The writing is done in such a way that visualisation of the people and places are so easy but without the unnecessarily lengthy descriptions you sometimes get from authors (I’m looking at you Mr Tolkien).

This story was gripping from the outset and I read it in two sittings, in fact only the need to make a birthday cake prevented it from being done in one.

Highly recommended but please start with the Ward Witch and then the Book Keeper. Roll on Book 4 please?

[Jane Pennington · Rating 1 out of 5]

sad and sorry

I have enjoyed many of Sarah Painter’s books, especially Unholy Island books 1 and 2, but this one not at all.
For me it was a long tedious and repetitive conclusion to what could have been an excellent trilogy. There were far too many weak female characters needing to be rescued by a man,and the story felt drawn out.
I’m sad and sorry that the series ended in this way, with a ‘and they lived happily ever after’, blunt-force ending.
However I’ll still look out for this author’s forthcoming books..

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as book 1 and 2. Made some of the favourite characters unlikable, and I am glad the book series is over as it spoiled many of the people in books 1 and 2. When you no longer like the main character or sub-characters, it is hard to recover, and the book did nothing to help improve the stained and sullied characters.
I found the Ward Witch Esme, clingy, jealous, and less likeable. She was no longer strong and stable. Seren was spoiled forever, in my opinion. Tobias no longer seemed strong and infallible. +

[Jacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook narrated by Katie Villa
This is the third Unholy Island book, following on from The Ward Witch and the Book Keeper. It's set in the same universe as her Crow Investigations books and there is a little bit of crossover, but not enough to confuse a new reader. THe island, Unholy Island, is off the coast of Northumberland, joined to the mailland at low tide by a causeway. It's a sanctuary for magical misfits and people hiding from their past. In the first book. Luke came to Unholy Island looking for his missing brother, and met a whole cast of characters including Esme Gray. In the second book he became a permanent resident, taking over the island's magical bookshop. In this book, the island's mayor goes missing, Luke's twin, Lewis, finally turns up, but he's not quite what he seems to be. Esme and Luke's new relationship comes under strain when she seems to be the only one on the island immune to Lewis's particular form of attraction. I've enjoyed this whole trilogy. It has a certain cosiness without sacrificing tension. Katie Villa's reading is easy on the ear.

[Dimi Elah Mayorga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this series is 3.5-4 stars! It was kind of hard to review them individually because they are each relatively short and pretty quick. They have that cozy vibe but with some level of higher stakes, and within the comfort of kind of knowing what’s going on, there is a level of unease and tension and mystery that ups the pace a bit and takes it to the level right above that “cozy” level read.

[Edward JP Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know that feeling you get when you finish a book, or series, that feels like a friend is moving away? That's when I know that I really liked what I was reading. This series did that, and I'm so very glad!

[Lyndal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good read

I have now read 3 of these books and found them quite enjoyable.
The characters from earlier books continue to grow in this one. A tad predictable but it passed the time.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I love a bit of Sarah Painter. She’s someone I turn to when I just want to read something that I know is going to be good and engrossing. I loved the Crow Investigations series with its magical families (which do spill over here) and I am thoroughly enjoying the Unholy Island series too. I have a slightly strange fascination with Holy Island anyway (and have read plenty of mystery books that use the limited access of the causeway as a plot device) so the setting really appeals, but the characters are likeable and real, the mystery intriguing and the magical elements fun and creative. Yes this is more of a series review than an individual book, but Painter is so consistently good that I find it a bit hard to say anything new!

[Kristi Heck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of the three books. I think it's because of the character shifting. The focus of the last book is different and I didn't like it as much as the first two.

[Heather Brigden-McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved loved LOVED this whole series, and this book lived up to all my expectations. It's so rare to find a story where all the characters are intriguing, well formed, and have a life beyond the main narrative. There are many fantasy authors out there, but I feel Sarah Painter is unique in that she takes our every day world and sees the magic hidden there, she adds the magic, the unusual, the improbable, and weaves it seamlessly into places that are familiar. Reading her stories are like glimpsing the thin veil between what we know to be true, and the mystery of what else could do easily be.
The action in this story starts almost immediately and you can feel the sense of forboding from the outset, from main characters and the setting itself too. I love how the Island and bookshop are almost sentient, it add so much depth to the story and gives it a timeless quality. I also loved the cameo appearance of Lydia Crow in this last installment, from Painter's other major series. It adds to the sense that these stories could all be based in reality, it acknowledges the wider world and gives you the notion that these characters are all out there somewhere, continuing their stories, even if we don't know where they lead.
Painter did recently say that The Island God will be the last in the Unholy Island series, and i am really sad about that. It has been one of my favorite stories of all time (and I read a lot), and I still have so many questions about some of the other characters. I can only hope that we might get to see some of them again elsewhere in future.
Highly recommend this series, although please don't start with this book, as great as it is, start at the begining and enjoy the fresh air, wild scenery, and complete charm of the Unholy Island.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third and, for the time being, the last of the three books set on Unholy Island – like Lindisfarne but further out and odder, you might say. We meet familiar faces again, but the stakes are higher, and a number of threads are brought together and tied off – Luke’s search for his brother, Esme’s relationship worries, who exactly is Tobias? At the same time there are characteristic touches of humour and lighter notes to offset the tension, as one might expect from such a talented author.


To call the book “charming” is not damning with faint praise in this case. The world Sarah Painter creates here draws the reader in, engages and involves one in the story, the characters and their fates. Because she uses multiple point-of-view characters, the reader is able to see what is coming into view before the characters, both in the sense of ominous developments in the plot but also in the hope of a resolution when everything seems to be going wrong. The magic is used sparingly, much of the time more as an ambient force than a plot device, and the sense of threat builds up, never feeling as if it can be magically hand-waved away. Many important features of the climax are established early on, but are still satisfying and fresh when brought into play.


It was a delight to meet again a character from an earlier set of books; the door is left a little ajar, perhaps, for a return of at least one of the present characters to that familiar world. I can’t wait!

[Miss Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. And an amazing end to the trilogy on Unholy Island.
I received this ARC from Sarah Painter in return for a review and as a huge fan of Sarah’s I have to say I am so so happy to be apart of this ARC team. I have read almost everything this author has written and I have throughly enjoyed every story.

Her writing is so indulgent and she really knows how to build an amazing world filled with the most in depth and brilliant characters. Each character always has their own story going on as well as being wrapped into the overall adventure of the book.
The Island God was a thrilling adventure that brought together a quick paced and interesting adventure set on the mysterious Unholy Island. Bringing the characters full circle, bringing us, as the reader into the story with them. It’s easy to fall into a Sarah Painter story, she builds worlds so well and creates characters who are both loveable and ones who make you want to scream.
This book was definitely an adventure and well written, the energy in this last book was high and exciting and created a brilliant atmosphere. I really did feel like I was on the beach breathing in the ocean air and watching the fog roll in.

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book (maybe?) in the Unholy Island series.) Hammer sees a light through the trees of a tiny, empty islet across the water from Unholy Island. Then he sees smoke, and hurries to tell Tobias. No one should be out there, so they go to check things out. They find it absolutely silent. And no one seems to be around. After walking and searching for a while, the two men come to a bowl-shaped bit of land, and built into the hill, a black rectangle-shaped entrance. Hammer does not want to go in but Tobias said he needs to check it out, so in he goes, with Hammer quickly following behind.
And then Tobias is gone, and after waiting a bit, Hammer realizes Tobias is no longer there. He goes back to Unholy Island to report it.
The rest of the islanders seem to be doing well after the death of Alva; and the bookstore is going well once Luke realizes how to care for it, and he and Esme grow closer.
But then someone arrives on the island and wreaks havoc. With Tobias gone, and Bee spirit walking between worlds to try and find Tobias, and the trouble the visitor brings, it looks like the island sanctuary might be destroyed forever. While the three books were dark and creepy, they were a great, quick read. Luckily there's more Sarah Painter books out there.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the opening chapter of The Island God, we slip effortlessly back into the swing of Unholy Island. Esme is reading books, talking to her cat and daydreaming about Luke. Luke is recovering from the events of The Book Keeper (which you should definitely read first if you haven't already), getting to know the bookshop, and dreaming of Esme. It's all very cosy, and yet... there are some discordant notes. When Tobias and Hammer investigate strange lights on a nearby islet, they stumble into something more dangerous than anything on Unholy Island. Meanwhile, Luke's past is about to come knocking, and it's really time Esme reckoned with her own history and her self-worth.

This is the third book in the series, and it really feels like Sarah Painter has hit her stride with the worldbuilding now: the cast works as an ensemble but we also get to know them better as individuals, and we understand more about the part that everyone plays in keeping Unholy Island the way it is. I highly recommend you read this one, but only after you've read the first two: start with The Ward Witch and enjoy!

[Michelle Hunter-Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I feel as though I’ve been waiting for ages for the final volume in this series. The Island God did not disappoint. I read it in two sittings and would have read it in one evening if life hadn’t got in the way.

The author is particularly good at creating an atmosphere. I could almost imagine myself on Unholy Island, shivering as the mist rolled in and soaking up the sense of both security and a brooding danger. The Island God is the perfect read for the spooky season which is fast approaching.

I loved the characterisation of the islands inhabitants. They are so well formed. Each playing their part in the islands daily life, I felt as though I knew them all. The love story between Esme and Luke is delicately portrayed and forms part of the fabric of Unholy Islands life.

The Island God is a five star conclusion to the Unholy Island trilogy. A satisfying ending though being greedy I’d like more.

I highly recommend it even if you don’t usually read fantasy. It has everything, mystery, love and a touch of magic.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the fire at Luke’s book shop, he and Esme are doing better than ever and becoming a couple. But then something goes terribly wrong on a neighboring island and Tobias goes missing. At the same time, Luke finally gets word of his missing twin brother.

This book really ramps up the tension in this story of the isolated and somewhat magical community on Unholy Island. My favorite parts of these books are the atmospheric setting of the fog shrouded hidden island sanctuary and the close knit found family community. The Island God takes that up a notch with more spooky danger and reveals more of the uncanny nature of the people living there.

This is definitely a series to read in order. All of the books are wonderful and while Painter has said this is the end of the trilogy, I really hope there will be more books set on Unholy Island!

Thank you to the author for the ARC. The book releases on September 19.

[Ronald McCutchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice rounding out of this trilogy with a storyline that literally puts the world at risk. I'll be interested in seeing if/how this intersects with any future Crow Investigations novels now that we know Matteo is a Silver. I liked that the narrative goes a little wonky when Luke's twin brother is overtaken by the hungry spirit and everyone begins to fall under its sway. But this is the second novel in recent months that ended literally by deus ex machina... even if Tobias takes pains to give some credit to Esme for her attempts as Ward Witch. On one hand, the stakes were high (potentially for the world, but definitely for the islanders), but even so, things seemed to be resolved fairly neatly/quickly Esme going to the point of sacrificing herself was tense, but on the other hand, but I also felt pretty certain that something would save her so the suspense was tempered.

[Karen Heenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the author's Crow Investigations series and when she took a side trip to Unholy Island, I went along as well and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. This series can be read without reading the Crow books first, but why would you want to? Anyway, read them both, in whatever order you choose.

The Island God is a great addition to the series. My favorite part is that the island is as much a character as any of the people (or what pass for people). Good worldbuilding isn't in everyone's wheelhouse, but Sarah Painter has it in spades. As the story world grows, we get to hear from more characters and this really adds to the tension of what eventually happens at the end.

I don't know if this is the last Unholy Island book in the series - it reads like it could be - but wherever this author goes next, I'll come along for the ride.

[Mel Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a cool breeze from the ocean, this tale wraps around you , mysterious and refreshing. There is a tidal rhythm about the writing style that works perfectly with the story. I would have liked a bit more backbone to the heroine but watching her slowly develop is also rewarding . I enjoyed the way figures from other Sarah Painter series made cameo appearances , with tantalising threads pointing to the future. Reading this book was a pleasure, Sarah made the island so clear and attractive , I want to jump in my car and go there right now! I am looking forward to the next instalment and hoping that the characters’ abilities will blossom . I was extremely lucky to receive an ARC copy to review which was a first for me , I enjoyed it so much I pre ordered a kindle copy too !

[Sharen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning book! I have never read a Sarah Painter book I didn’t love! This appears to be the last in the series (please say it’s not so) and it is simply amazing as all of the Unholy Island books are. There is everything I like…..love (no sex), Magick (real..not the stage kind), evil doers doing evil deeds, mystery, wonderful dog and cat, no editing issues, and best of all no cliffhanger ending. While they can be read as freestanding books….they are much better read in order so you get the whole Unholy Island backstory. (There is also an unexpected link to her “Crow Investigation” Series when Lydia Crow shows up.)
So, curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea (or two) and enjoy.

[Em Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a magical series of books

Bought The Ward Witch on a whim before a short camping break, and demolished it and The Book Keeper while away. The Island God was conveniently released just after the break, and I've demolished that, too. Thoroughly enjoyed all 3. Easy to read, beautifully written and really gripping. I'd love more stories about the island, or about the peripheral characters like Lydia Crow. Or back stories.
Reminded me slightly of the likes of Susan Cooper and Ben Aaronovitch, in that the story is set in the normal world but encompasses a sort of unseen layer with fae and magic. Deeply compelling.

[Courtenay Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island God is the third book is Sarah Painter's Unholy Island series. I adored the first two books and this third one is the best yet. The series is the perfect mix of mystery, mythology and romance. Painter's characters feel vivid and real but she doesn't give their secrets away too soon. She drops just enough hints about their pasts and secrets to keep you intrigued and guessing.

I've also read her Crow Investigation series and I highly recommend you do the same. The long awaited character crossover in this latest book was a delight!

[Patrice L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be a member of the Advanced Reader Team, and to Sarah Painter I offer my congratulations on another winner. Loved, loved, loved it! I tend to immerse myself in what I’m reading, the result being that I was worried about my friends on Unholy Island when Lewis first smirked. Are three books really enough? No, but I don’t believe in pushing authors, so I’ll leave it be. Thank you, Sarah, for this book and for having Lydia Crow come for a short visit. I think I need to reread the Crow Investigation series.

[selda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Painter hat es einfach drauf. Ich liebe ihre Geschichten. Mit der Crow Investigation Reihe hatte sie mich am Haken und die Miniserie Unholy Island habe ich ebenso begeistert verschlungen.
Wer sich ins Sarah Painter Universum fallen lässt, darf sich auf eine gelungene Mischung von Magie, Mystik und Dunkelheit freuen. Ihre Figuren haben Ecken und Kanten, das macht sie so interessant. Band 3 dieser Serie ist ein würdiger Abschluss dieser Minireihe. Ich fand es toll, dass Lydia Crow der Insel einen Besuch abstattet. Ich freue mich schon unendlich aufs nächste Buch aus ihrer Feder.