“A Christmas Hex” (Book 2.5)
This is one of those stories that could have worked any time of year — but the fact that it occurred around Christmas made it all the sweeter.
After reading the full-length novels in this series, it was easy to forget that witches and familiars in New York City did anything else except work for the Metropolitan Witch Police! Law enforcement still plays a part in this tale, but in the form of a private detective agency. Gus was a bit too perfect sometimes, but we were viewing him through Roland’s eyes, so it’s easy to forgive him.
The thing that Roland dislikes about himself ends up being the key to solving this case, and I cheered for him at the end. I’d happily read their further adventures. And as usual, Hawk excels at including diversity in his fiction in unexpected yet perfect ways.
Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.
“Wild Wild Hex” (Book 3.5)
Though New York City has so far been the setting of the Hexworld series, witches and familiars exist all over the world in this historical fantasy/paranormal romance setting. Here, we visit the American Southwest and a different law enforcement agency. I can’t take the name “Hexas Rangers” seriously, but that didn’t stop me from adoring the characters and conflict in this Hexworld installment.
I’ve raved about Hawk’s effortless inclusion of diversity in his previous works, so take it as given that he also does an excellent job here. Short novellas don’t seem the best place to develop a fully-fledged romance, but the connection between Enoch and Rafael feels neither rushed nor contrived.
The plot outside the romance is also solid and delightfully twisty. I’d love to check in on these characters later. Perhaps when they chase a fugitive to New York City and must team up with the Metropolitan Witch Police…?
Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.
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