An amazing story read by an amazing narrator!

I love this series by Jordan L Hawk! It’s not my typical style, so that’s a surprise in itself, but Jordan is an amazing writer so it’s not really a surprise at all.

This series takes place in the past, with a lot of magic and is in a world where shifters (familiars) and witches are part of the main population. In fact the witches are the police and pretty much everything is run with some form of magic – but – it’s still a very harsh world and magic doesn’t necessarily preclude technological advances. It’s fascinating!

We’ve met Nick before, but you don’t have to read these books in order (necessarily) to read this one. However, I do recommend it, not only because they are so good, but because it gives a lot of background.

In this story – Nick – who hates witches – for a variety of reasons – must bond with one in order to help the ferals (unbonded familiars) who are his passion.

Poor Jamie is a “war hero” with a hole in his heart the size of New York. He can’t help but be attracted to Nick even though everything in him screams to stay away.

This is a wonderful enemies to lovers romance, with a mystery and a lot of action. We also get some social commentary and a look at how society manages “the good of all at the price of one”.

The “monster” at the end of this nearly broke my heart – but it was a wonderfully sweet and happy ending. I love these guys together and I think this just might bump book one out of line as my favorite in the series.

I literally laughed and cried and held my breath while reading this – if you’re a fan of the series or the author you won’t want to miss this. If you’ve never read anything by the author I’d suggest this series as it’s wonderful and not as long as some of the others, but I’m sure you’ll want to move on to those as well!

Highly Recommended!

5 of 5 stars

Audio

What can I say about Tristan James that I haven’t before? He’s just so damn good! He’s got this amazingly sensual voice, a terrific Irish accent, a great sense of timing and wonderful emotional depth to his voice that makes stories like this magical.

I loved reading this story but listening is absolutely the way to go. It’s like being given an inside look into this world and being able to listen in on their lives.

Tristan absolutely NAILS Nick's voice and his "horse" mannerisms!

Highly recommended!

6 of 5 stars

2 people found this helpful

Another captivating installment in Hexworld

Once again Jordan has crafted a wonderful and entertaining world with Hexslayer. I was immersed and submerged, and nearly drowned in the rich details and exciting plot twists.

The narration is excellent. There are a lot of characters and dialogue but I only found myself questioning who was speaking once or twice. That’s really good in my opinion. It’s too often I struggle with keeping characters straight when a narrator’s reading dialogue.

I did not give this story 5 stars, which is unusual for me when it comes to Jordan's books. I felt that there was not enough romance between the two main characters. I am not talking sex, I am talking about love or emotional connection. In the other Hexworld stories I found the two men to be deeply bonded and connected, and there wasn't that dynamic present in this one.

After pondering why I felt this way I think it was because of the ending. I won't divulge any spoilers, but I didn't receive the usual satisfaction I get at the ending of a romance novel. It ended too quickly after a major incident (well really a month had passed by) but that made it even less romantic. The end felt like almost an afterthought, or tacked on to give some small closure rather than the thought processes that led the characters to their final actions. I would have enjoyed a bit more insight into the feelings and thoughts that led to the final few paragraphs. Other than that it was awesome (as I expect in her stories) Jordan is a masterful storyteller--I am looking forward to seeing the Hexworld saga continue!

2 people found this helpful

Least favorite of the series

I thought I wanted this series to never end, this book kinda proved to me that I definetly can want this series to end now. By now it felt rinse/repeat and milked, I was disappointed with how much I didn't like this book.

The main character Nick is just so unlikable and never does much to try and be appealing to the reader. His attitude just comes off like nails on a chalk board anytime a chapter comes up with his POV. I get that there are story driven reasons why he is like that but it just makes this book not fun when there just isn't anything great about a character. The prior book in the series with thr fox I felt like was a good example of a character that had went through rough times but at least had some likeable characteristics, so i know it's possible to pull it off. Unfortunately the writing didn't do much to make this books character enjoyable.

The romance is also such a side plot that it's easy to lose focus on it ever being there. It feels like it was plugged in as it feels unnatural and too unfocused to get attached with what they were developing.

The main plot, if it was good, i would excuse all these issues, i unfortunately still didn't like the mystery story told as its kinda too dark, gritty, dangerous and sad for my taste.

I dont want to continue the series after this, i just dont like how depressing and dark it got.

1 person found this helpful

Jordan L. Hawk is a master

We’ve known Nick for a while now. The familiar who hates all witches almost to the point of an obsession. He also, more or less, thinks of familiars that bonds with witches as traitors. It’s so deep rooted that it has caused rifts between him and his brother and his friends. He’s been vocal about what he thinks that’s for sure. So when “his” witch comes along, and is a police detective to boot, he is less than thrilled.

Foy years he’s devoted his life to one cause; to create a safe space and help feral familiars. And the new ban put in place by the higher ups, giving the police the authority to round up and arrest what they’d call dangerous familiars and put them in menageries is putting fear in the feral community. Naturally Nick starts up a resistance. He along with a few acquaintances starts smuggling ferals out of state, but when one of them turn up dead everything is put upside down. The only way the police is going to investigate is if he bonds with Jamie, his witch. What they learn is far more dangerous and horrible than they ever imagined. As more and more ferals turn up dead the pressure increases for them to stop the responsible party, all the while keeping the higher ups unknowing of their investigation.

As always I loved the premise of this book, horrible as it was. Gosh I feel for the feral familiars, how they were hunted and harassed for just being. Sadly, or I would say scarily, this kind of thing happens in real life as well if you are outside the norm in some way – but I won’t go into that here. Jordan L. Hawk has an amazing talent for creating magical and fantastical worlds that are never quite as they seem.

Jamie lost his lover in the war – or at least that’s what he believed until the dead body of his former love was found in the park surrounded by bloody hexes. He is determined to do what it takes to bring the killer to justice, even if it means bonding with a familiar that hates all witches and blames them for all that is wrong with the world. The more they uncovers and the more he learns about familiars and ferals, the more he questions everything the thought was true.

It was easy to fall for and sympathise with Jamie. Sure he’d been misled by false information by people he trusted, but at least he was willing to listen. Willing to learn and re-evaluate and make up his own mind. Nick on the other hand, not so much. He didn’t budge an inch, never willing to really let anyone in and was quick to judge. I’m not saying he doesn’t have valid reasons for his dislike of witches alike, but not everyone will be the same. Because in the end, isn’t he doing the same thing as they were?

Tristan James once again delivered a masterful narration. He juggles voices, feelings and accents expertly. He makes it easy for the listener to follow the story – to live in the story with Jamie and Nick. It’s an experience that you shouldn’t miss out on if you are a fan of James and Hawk’s.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

1 person found this helpful

a touch of evil

A mystery with, as in its predecessors, nteresting characters, plot twists & surprises to enjoy.

wonderful

This book was wonderfully narrated. I loved Nick and Jamie's book!! Cant wait to listen to the rest of the books.

Satisfying

On second review I realized that this author rocks. Tristan James reads this and all of his narrations with a fine actors aplomb. So good the second time!

Intense

The mystery and intensity of this series keeps growing more and more and I LOVE IT.

Of course the narration made it more so. Tristan James is just a gem. He nailed this performance perfectly as usual.

Jamie was such a strong character despite all he’d been through. He gave as good as he got which was particularly true when it came to Nick. He wasn’t forceful, No, but he didn’t let himself be pushed around / bullied by Nick.

Speaking of Nick, he annoyed me in the initial stages of the book because I kept wondering why he was so damn rude and angry all the time. It became clearer why as the story went on .

Additionally , as I began to understand his thought processes and motives, I began to warm up to him.

The writing here was impeccable as usual. There was no way to predict how the story would go and the final showdown both thrilled and terrified me in equal measure while keeping me on the edge of my seat all throughout.

I’m definitely continuing this series till it’s final book no doubt. I do wonder if Isaac’s book is next. Doesn’t matter to me though, if Tristan James does the audio, I’m listening to it. Period. :D

Awesome series

Another awesome addition to this series. Historical is not my genre but I love this series. I also don't particularly care for witches but Ms. Hawk has painted an amazing world. I love the familiar/witch theme. We have seen Nick in previous books, he is Rook's brother. He hates witches because of past issues & he thinks that all they do is use familiars. There is a really good plot going on where feral familiars are being killed, in a most gruesome way. I did figure out who was behind it all but it didn't take away from the story. Nick & Jamie made a great couple. Jamie was so kind & caring about Nick's feelings. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Magnificent

This is my favourite of Hawk's books and mr. James captured the characters wonderfully