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Keepers of the Crossing #2
The Handsel Witches
Four months after the defeat of the Dark Friars, Liam O'Connor is finally finding some balance in life. He's juggling college, his friends, and his role as a Keeper of the Crossing. But that balance is about to break, and his friends’ safety is on the line.
Tariq Ashar is trying to make his new relationship with Liam work while dealing with old secrets tied to Lucas Martindale, the obnoxious and unpredictable grandson of the Head of the Guild. When Lucas’ troubled past comes back to haunt him, it pulls Tariq and Liam into danger, putting everything at risk.
Meanwhile, a new enemy is rising in Sarumbourne, driven by anger and revenge. As darkness spreads through the city, the Keepers must fight to protect it - or lose what they’ve sworn to defend.
Tariq Ashar is trying to make his new relationship with Liam work while dealing with old secrets tied to Lucas Martindale, the obnoxious and unpredictable grandson of the Head of the Guild. When Lucas’ troubled past comes back to haunt him, it pulls Tariq and Liam into danger, putting everything at risk.
Meanwhile, a new enemy is rising in Sarumbourne, driven by anger and revenge. As darkness spreads through the city, the Keepers must fight to protect it - or lose what they’ve sworn to defend.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Ryan J. Hamshaw
2 books23 followersRyan J Hamshaw is an author based in Wiltshire, UK. His goal is to write inclusive stories where young people can see themselves represented.
Ryan is the author of the young adult, urban fantasy series 'Keepers of the Crossing'. Book one, 'The Dark Friars', was released in November 2024. Book two will follow in 2025.
Ryan is the author of the young adult, urban fantasy series 'Keepers of the Crossing'. Book one, 'The Dark Friars', was released in November 2024. Book two will follow in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 12, 2025
The Handsel Witches picks up four months after Liam defeated the Dark Friars and sees him finding some balance in his life. However when a new enemy makes their presence known in Sarumbourne, it could endanger everything and everyone Liam cares about!
There were no signs of the sophomore slump with this book…in fact the complete opposite! Hamshaw continues to build on the lore set up in the first book and manages to deliver a book that suppresses it’s predecessor! His fast paced writing kept the plot moving whilst still giving the reader quiet moments to breathe. He’s very good at building suspense and keeping you at the edge of your seat. Just when you think he’s going to give you what you want….he doesn’t…and I mean it in a good way! His references were also very on point; from Wicked to Buffy to Avengers, they were brilliant and relevant 🫶🏽
The best aspect of the book were the characters. Splitting the narrative between Liam and Tariq was a great decision that added to the story especially as they continue to try and be together! I am shipping these two so much! I’ll never get enough of their romance! We need more of this please 🙏🏼 It continues to heat up in this book…wait for that spa scene 😏🫠 even though Ryan is too good at building obstacles for them...hello Lucas.
I enjoyed getting to see these characters grow with Liam being a great main character. He gives early Buffy vibes as he continues to learn more about the Keeper world. Tariq really comes into his own and having chapters from his POV really fleshed out his character. Finding out about his tragic backstory added more depth to his character and just made fall for him even more 🫶🏽
The supporting cast are also brilliant, having some incredible moments. Breakout character is totally Jack who has some of the best moments. His banter really had me smiling. Heather also continues to grow and is one of the most underrated characters. The main group really became a unit and gave off Scooby gang vibes.
This book delivered everything I wanted and just made me love the series even more. I can’t wait to see where it goes, especially with that cliffhanger! Can’t believe I have to wait 🫠
There were no signs of the sophomore slump with this book…in fact the complete opposite! Hamshaw continues to build on the lore set up in the first book and manages to deliver a book that suppresses it’s predecessor! His fast paced writing kept the plot moving whilst still giving the reader quiet moments to breathe. He’s very good at building suspense and keeping you at the edge of your seat. Just when you think he’s going to give you what you want….he doesn’t…and I mean it in a good way! His references were also very on point; from Wicked to Buffy to Avengers, they were brilliant and relevant 🫶🏽
The best aspect of the book were the characters. Splitting the narrative between Liam and Tariq was a great decision that added to the story especially as they continue to try and be together! I am shipping these two so much! I’ll never get enough of their romance! We need more of this please 🙏🏼 It continues to heat up in this book…wait for that spa scene 😏🫠 even though Ryan is too good at building obstacles for them...hello Lucas.
I enjoyed getting to see these characters grow with Liam being a great main character. He gives early Buffy vibes as he continues to learn more about the Keeper world. Tariq really comes into his own and having chapters from his POV really fleshed out his character. Finding out about his tragic backstory added more depth to his character and just made fall for him even more 🫶🏽
The supporting cast are also brilliant, having some incredible moments. Breakout character is totally Jack who has some of the best moments. His banter really had me smiling. Heather also continues to grow and is one of the most underrated characters. The main group really became a unit and gave off Scooby gang vibes.
This book delivered everything I wanted and just made me love the series even more. I can’t wait to see where it goes, especially with that cliffhanger! Can’t believe I have to wait 🫠
September 15, 2025
It feels like cheating on the first book to say it, but I might just love this one even more!
Diving back into the world of the Keepers was so much fun and this time we get to know the characters even better. Whilst it took me a bit of time to get used to jumping between Liam’s perspective and Tariq’s in this book, the characters are so brilliantly written that I soon realised when I’d missed the switch (‘Wait, this doesn’t sound like Liam?!’) - and I only missed it because I was so engrossed in their story!
And what a story. This next instalment in the series gives us some fun new monsters, fabulously vivid locations and all the hilariously spot-on pop culture references we’ve come to know and love from Hamshaw.
All that said, I think what I loved most was finally watching Liam’s ‘normal’ world collide with his Keeper world, and getting a lot more of the brilliant Lily and Jack into the bargain! Without giving too much away, with this book we get to explore more of the lore we love and some of our other characters’ back stories begin to shine through, which was so satisfying. Plus ending on a cheeky cliffhanger no less?! We love to see it.
So, if you haven’t read this series yet, I heartily recommend devouring it as soon as possible! And if you’ve already loved book 1… well, what are you waiting for?!
Diving back into the world of the Keepers was so much fun and this time we get to know the characters even better. Whilst it took me a bit of time to get used to jumping between Liam’s perspective and Tariq’s in this book, the characters are so brilliantly written that I soon realised when I’d missed the switch (‘Wait, this doesn’t sound like Liam?!’) - and I only missed it because I was so engrossed in their story!
And what a story. This next instalment in the series gives us some fun new monsters, fabulously vivid locations and all the hilariously spot-on pop culture references we’ve come to know and love from Hamshaw.
All that said, I think what I loved most was finally watching Liam’s ‘normal’ world collide with his Keeper world, and getting a lot more of the brilliant Lily and Jack into the bargain! Without giving too much away, with this book we get to explore more of the lore we love and some of our other characters’ back stories begin to shine through, which was so satisfying. Plus ending on a cheeky cliffhanger no less?! We love to see it.
So, if you haven’t read this series yet, I heartily recommend devouring it as soon as possible! And if you’ve already loved book 1… well, what are you waiting for?!
January 14, 2026
4.5* what a great sequel! in my opinion it truly lived up to the greatness that was the first one. it was so lovely to dive back into this world, especially adding witch lore to the universe was so cool. and the fact that lily got to shine because she's a history nerd, how perfect! the way the keepers their magic works is still so interesting to me, and i love how our keeper knowledge was expanded with this book.
even though the book is quite short, there was such a great balance between action packed or lore heavy scenes and friendship or romance scenes. there were no boring parts, i was so excited to continue reading the whole time.
the only thing that made me soooo annoyed was when this one character was introduced and it was INCREDIBLY obvious who they actually were, yet somehow NOBODY realised. i was like GUYS PLEASE!!!! at least they realised eventually.
anyway that ending... SURELY that means there's gonna be a third one... right
even though the book is quite short, there was such a great balance between action packed or lore heavy scenes and friendship or romance scenes. there were no boring parts, i was so excited to continue reading the whole time.
the only thing that made me soooo annoyed was when this one character was introduced and it was INCREDIBLY obvious who they actually were, yet somehow NOBODY realised. i was like GUYS PLEASE!!!! at least they realised eventually.
anyway that ending... SURELY that means there's gonna be a third one... right
September 8, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book. I've been waiting to see how our young hero's training and powers have been developing, and Ryan did not disappoint in his descriptive writing style. I was intrigued throughout, constantly guessing what might happen and who's who. Ryan takes us on a real journey with the Keepers and their allies (and enemies) and build beautifully on the world and relationships he has created. I went through all the emotions, and can't wait for the next installment.
September 16, 2025
A truly fantastic YA magical book. This series has my whole heart. I honestly feel like the characters are my friends, that I'm on this journey with them. I can't get enough!
Fast-paced, addictive and beautifully written. Highly recommended for everyone.
Fast-paced, addictive and beautifully written. Highly recommended for everyone.
October 6, 2025
The second instalment in this series, 'The Handsel Witches' both manages to improve upon its predecessor, and repeat some of the decisions that held me back from giving book number one a full 5 star rating.
The first positive thing I want to point out is how easy this book is to read. The quality of the writing is top notch, and it was so nice to just be able to sit back and read something without having to mentally edit as I went along.
I think both the world and characters get some much-needed fleshing out in this second instalment - particularly some of the side characters, who take a much more prominent role here than in book one. In some respects, this addresses one of my concerns about book one, which was that the inspiration taken from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a bit too prevalent at times. I do think some much-needed differentiation has started to happen here.
THAT SAID, there are some things that happen that still feel very Buffy-coded - to the point where I feel like I could name the specific episodes being referenced. The degree to which that will impact your reading experience is obviously going to vary. For me, it made the characters seem unnecessarily stupid at times, when a bit more subtlety could have gone a long way.
Ultimately, while I would encourage everyone to give this and its predecessor a read, and I'll also be preordering the next book when it becomes available, I'm going to give this the same rating as I did the first book.
Rating: 4.5/5
The first positive thing I want to point out is how easy this book is to read. The quality of the writing is top notch, and it was so nice to just be able to sit back and read something without having to mentally edit as I went along.
I think both the world and characters get some much-needed fleshing out in this second instalment - particularly some of the side characters, who take a much more prominent role here than in book one. In some respects, this addresses one of my concerns about book one, which was that the inspiration taken from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a bit too prevalent at times. I do think some much-needed differentiation has started to happen here.
THAT SAID, there are some things that happen that still feel very Buffy-coded - to the point where I feel like I could name the specific episodes being referenced. The degree to which that will impact your reading experience is obviously going to vary. For me, it made the characters seem unnecessarily stupid at times, when a bit more subtlety could have gone a long way.
Ultimately, while I would encourage everyone to give this and its predecessor a read, and I'll also be preordering the next book when it becomes available, I'm going to give this the same rating as I did the first book.
Rating: 4.5/5
October 22, 2025
A story that completely stole my heart
Keepers of The Crossing: The Handsel Witches is one of those rare books that wraps itself around you and doesn’t let go. From the very first chapter, I felt like I had stepped into a world that was dark, magical, and hauntingly beautiful. Ryan has such a powerful way with words — every page pulled me deeper in, and I didn’t want to leave, reminding me more and more of my childhood where I used to spend afternoons watching one of my favorite series Buffy ;-).
The characters felt so real to me. I cared for them, feared for them, and celebrated their courage. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, full of tension and wonder, and the story builds in a way that kept me completely hooked. I found myself reading late into the night, just needing to know what would happen next.
What I loved most was how this book blends folklore, mystery, and emotion so naturally. It’s not just a story about witches and the keepers — it’s about friendship, legacy, bravery, and the weight of secrets that shape us. It left me both enchanted and a little heartbroken in the best way possible.
This book reminded me why I love reading so much. A masterpiece of dark fantasy and storytelling. I can’t recommend it enough.
Keepers of The Crossing: The Handsel Witches is one of those rare books that wraps itself around you and doesn’t let go. From the very first chapter, I felt like I had stepped into a world that was dark, magical, and hauntingly beautiful. Ryan has such a powerful way with words — every page pulled me deeper in, and I didn’t want to leave, reminding me more and more of my childhood where I used to spend afternoons watching one of my favorite series Buffy ;-).
The characters felt so real to me. I cared for them, feared for them, and celebrated their courage. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, full of tension and wonder, and the story builds in a way that kept me completely hooked. I found myself reading late into the night, just needing to know what would happen next.
What I loved most was how this book blends folklore, mystery, and emotion so naturally. It’s not just a story about witches and the keepers — it’s about friendship, legacy, bravery, and the weight of secrets that shape us. It left me both enchanted and a little heartbroken in the best way possible.
This book reminded me why I love reading so much. A masterpiece of dark fantasy and storytelling. I can’t recommend it enough.
October 6, 2025
Off the back of an impressive debut novel last year, Hamshaw returns with a stunning second offering in this modern fantasy thriller.
Building on the solid foundations of The Dark Friars, we get a look into Liam's life as a Keeper but also find his friends becoming embroiled in the deadly mystical underworld.
With the witch hunts of the 17th and 18th century coming back to haunt the guild, the discovery of another keeper, the deepening of Tariq's lore and his relationship with Liam and plenty of pop culture references throughout to keep it grounded, this story keeps fleshing out the world Hamshaw began to weave for us in The Dark Friars.
If you are a fan of Buffy, Supernatural, Shadowhunters, Wynona Earp and that brand of CW style fantasy show from the noughties to the 2010s then you will love The Keepers of the Crossing series.
Building on the solid foundations of The Dark Friars, we get a look into Liam's life as a Keeper but also find his friends becoming embroiled in the deadly mystical underworld.
With the witch hunts of the 17th and 18th century coming back to haunt the guild, the discovery of another keeper, the deepening of Tariq's lore and his relationship with Liam and plenty of pop culture references throughout to keep it grounded, this story keeps fleshing out the world Hamshaw began to weave for us in The Dark Friars.
If you are a fan of Buffy, Supernatural, Shadowhunters, Wynona Earp and that brand of CW style fantasy show from the noughties to the 2010s then you will love The Keepers of the Crossing series.
October 7, 2025
Ryan J Hamshaw is back with The Handsel Witches, the fantastic follow-up to his equally fabulous debut, The Dark Friars. ❤️🖤
The second instalment in the Keepers of the Crossing series, Ryan once again weaves historical legends into his wonderful Buffy the Vampire Slayer inspired world. 💪🏼💪🏼
In The Handsel Witches, we catch up with Liam and Tariq a few months after the events of The Dark Friars. Their attempts to develop their relationship seem to constantly be hindered by their commitments to their Keeper duties. Keeping their secrets identities just that, and saving Sarumbourne from the supernatural is hard work.
When the Handsel witches make their return to town, Liam’s loyalty to the Keepers, Tariq and his friends are all tested. Throw in the devilishly wicked Lucas Martindale and we have one killer sequel. 🧙 🧙🏼🧛
The second instalment in the Keepers of the Crossing series, Ryan once again weaves historical legends into his wonderful Buffy the Vampire Slayer inspired world. 💪🏼💪🏼
In The Handsel Witches, we catch up with Liam and Tariq a few months after the events of The Dark Friars. Their attempts to develop their relationship seem to constantly be hindered by their commitments to their Keeper duties. Keeping their secrets identities just that, and saving Sarumbourne from the supernatural is hard work.
When the Handsel witches make their return to town, Liam’s loyalty to the Keepers, Tariq and his friends are all tested. Throw in the devilishly wicked Lucas Martindale and we have one killer sequel. 🧙 🧙🏼🧛
October 21, 2025
Keepers of the Crossing - The Handsel Witches by Ryan J Hamshaw is the second book in the Keepers of the Crossing series. I went straight into this after The Dark Friars as I was desperate to know what Liam and Tariq get themselves into this time.
I may have read this book in 1 day, it was that addictive. Just like The Dark Friars, I was captivated by the story, every chapter had a revelation that meant I simply had to read the next chapter. The ending! Let’s just say I need book 3 as a matter of urgency.
The characters are so well written, I’ve fallen in love with them all (especially Tariq) who is my new book boyfriend.
The best comparison I have for this series is “Buffy but gay”. An absolute must if you love vampires, witches, demons and all things supernatural. Another 5 star read and I’m so excited for book 3!
I may have read this book in 1 day, it was that addictive. Just like The Dark Friars, I was captivated by the story, every chapter had a revelation that meant I simply had to read the next chapter. The ending! Let’s just say I need book 3 as a matter of urgency.
The characters are so well written, I’ve fallen in love with them all (especially Tariq) who is my new book boyfriend.
The best comparison I have for this series is “Buffy but gay”. An absolute must if you love vampires, witches, demons and all things supernatural. Another 5 star read and I’m so excited for book 3!
January 9, 2026
Bring me another! I already need more Keepers!! This was a great sequel and such a fun adventure. Tariq and Liam along with the other keepers take on Witches and Vampires this go around to save their friends and the town. If you love a cozy magical fantasy book with wholesomeness and a bit of romping action this book is for you!
October 9, 2025
Wow what a great read, fast paced great plot and superbly written. Keep up the good work Ryan J Hamshaw you've got me hooked and wanting more.
James Cooper
James Cooper
December 29, 2025
Do you have those books that, no matter the genre, become comfort reads almost immediately? The kind where, a paragraph or two in, you know you’re safe. You can set the rest of the world aside and just sink into the story as the words unfold on the page. I have far too many of those to list, but to give you an idea, they include The Last Herald Mage trilogy by Mercedes Lackey, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and the A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes—along with, honestly, most of her books. I’m also pretty sure the Keepers of the Crossing series by Ryan J Hamshaw has officially joined that group.
I’m not ready to say I’m a full-on YA reader yet, but I might be getting there. Or at least I’m becoming a fan of a very specific flavor of YA: a little dark, a little queer, and a whole lot of fun. I don’t know why it still surprises me how good some YA authors are at building immersive worlds and filling them with characters I don’t just enjoy reading about, but actually come to care about. That happened to me years ago with Rotters by Daniel Kraus, and again earlier this year with The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass (a review I swear I’ll write eventually). Both pulled me into worlds I never wanted to leave. The world Ryan J. Hamshaw has created in the Keepers of the Crossing series fits right in with those.
What really surprised me was how The Dark Friars pulled me in… and then The Handsel Witches went and did it all over again. I honestly think I enjoyed this second book even more than the first. The stakes are higher this time around, especially when it comes to the people Liam loves most. The action is more intense, and the vampire fight alone is worth every moment spent in this version of Sarumbourne.
But as much as I enjoyed the story itself, that’s not the reason I know I’ll be rereading this series for years. That credit goes to Liam, Tariq, Jack, Lily, and the rest of the cast (including Lucas). These are characters the author clearly loves, and that affection comes through on the page. There’s an intentionality to how they’re written that makes this series feel like a comfort read, even when things get dark. They’re flawed, insecure, hopeful, and constantly growing into themselves—and I’m more than happy to keep spending time with them as they do.
I’m not ready to say I’m a full-on YA reader yet, but I might be getting there. Or at least I’m becoming a fan of a very specific flavor of YA: a little dark, a little queer, and a whole lot of fun. I don’t know why it still surprises me how good some YA authors are at building immersive worlds and filling them with characters I don’t just enjoy reading about, but actually come to care about. That happened to me years ago with Rotters by Daniel Kraus, and again earlier this year with The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass (a review I swear I’ll write eventually). Both pulled me into worlds I never wanted to leave. The world Ryan J. Hamshaw has created in the Keepers of the Crossing series fits right in with those.
What really surprised me was how The Dark Friars pulled me in… and then The Handsel Witches went and did it all over again. I honestly think I enjoyed this second book even more than the first. The stakes are higher this time around, especially when it comes to the people Liam loves most. The action is more intense, and the vampire fight alone is worth every moment spent in this version of Sarumbourne.
But as much as I enjoyed the story itself, that’s not the reason I know I’ll be rereading this series for years. That credit goes to Liam, Tariq, Jack, Lily, and the rest of the cast (including Lucas). These are characters the author clearly loves, and that affection comes through on the page. There’s an intentionality to how they’re written that makes this series feel like a comfort read, even when things get dark. They’re flawed, insecure, hopeful, and constantly growing into themselves—and I’m more than happy to keep spending time with them as they do.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews