Have you heard of Shepherd? It's an interesting new option for those looking for book recommendations. I was asked to contribute an article in a way that ties into my Steel Empires series, so the topic I landed on was the best books that blend fantasy and alternate history. It was incredibly difficult to settle … Continue reading Shepherd.com: “The best books that blend fantasy and alternate history”
Book Review: Deceiver of Minds (SPECTR #3.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Read my reviews of the previous books in the SPECTR series: SPECTR: The Complete First SeriesSPECTR: The Complete Second SeriesStalker of Shadows (#3.1) Bringer of Night (#3.2)Seeker of Truth (#3.3)Harvest of Bones (#3.4) If Hawk continues the pattern from previous SPECTR collections, this novella is the penultimate installment of this particular adventure. A mystery about John’s past has been building … Continue reading Book Review: Deceiver of Minds (SPECTR #3.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Book Review: Harvester of Bones (SPECTR #3.4) by Jordan L. Hawk
Read my reviews of the previous books in the SPECTR series: SPECTR: The Complete First SeriesSPECTR: The Complete Second SeriesStalker of Shadows (#3.1)Bringer of Night (#3.2)Seeker of Truth (#3.3) Because it had been a long time since I visited this world, I happily re-read the first three books in SPECTR series 3 before diving into this novella. I … Continue reading Book Review: Harvester of Bones (SPECTR #3.4) by Jordan L. Hawk
Book Review: Unseen (Rath & Rune #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Read my review of the first book in the Rath & Rune series, Unhallowed. We return to Widdershins to continue the quest set up by the events in the first book. Sebastian and Ves, though still retaining their jobs at the Ladysmith Museum library, have the blessing of Head Librarian Mr. Quinn to seek out … Continue reading Book Review: Unseen (Rath & Rune #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Blind Tiger (The Pride #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
Hawk granted my wish and returned to his clever and imaginative Hexworld series—except moving the action to a new time and place. Prohibition Chicago is rife with story fodder, especially where magic is involved, and this book is no different. Hawk takes the traditional, in which a small-town guy escapes to the big city and … Continue reading Review: Blind Tiger (The Pride #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
A Year in Reading: 2020
As usual, I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge for the year to 50 books. That's about a book a week, and combined with novellas and graphic novels, I usually end up with a final tally of around 100 books. Not bad. Makes me feel like something in my life is productive, and reading will always … Continue reading A Year in Reading: 2020
Review: Unhallowed (Rath & Rune #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
I was delighted to return to the world of Widdershins, eight years beyond the original series, and check in on my favorite fictional town. The librarians of the Ladysmith Museum were always a source of amused befuddlement for me during the original series, so I was excited that one of those librarians was a hero … Continue reading Review: Unhallowed (Rath & Rune #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Spirits Trilogy by Jordan L. Hawk
Restless Spirits (Book 1) I’m diving into another series by Hawk, and I couldn’t be happier. He’s proven time and time again to be a storyteller I know I will enjoy, so I was excited to start fresh with a new batch of characters in another historical paranormal romance setting. I enjoyed the early interactions … Continue reading Review: Spirits Trilogy by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexworld Stories by Jordan L. Hawk
"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 … Continue reading Review: Hexworld Stories by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexhunter (Hexworld #4) by Jordan L. Hawk
Now that Hawk has thoroughly established the rules of the Hexworld series, it was time to start breaking them. The events of this book took elements of familiars and witches to new levels, in intriguing ways that made for a mystery that acted as the perfect backdrop for the burgeoning relationship between Isaac and Bill. … Continue reading Review: Hexhunter (Hexworld #4) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexslayer (Hexworld #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Every book in this series gets better on multiple levels. Hawk continues to pull threads on the over-arching plot, making it more intriguing and convoluted without losing any of the believability of such events in the world he has created. In tandem, each romance both supports and is affected by the greater events. I was … Continue reading Review: Hexslayer (Hexworld #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
As usual, Hawk excels in crafting unique characters that you can't help but fall in love with and root for. On the surface, this book is a typical tale of two people from different social strata falling in love and dealing with the barriers between them. But there's also a bonus police procedural plot and … Continue reading Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: “The 13th Hex” (Hexworld #0.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
This delicious short story, packed with adventure and romance, can be read at any point during the Hexworld series. I enjoyed this look into how Rook and Dominic became working (and more) partners, and as an added bonus, Cicero (from Hexbreaker) is a prominent character. Hawk packs a solid bit of worldbuilding into this fantasy … Continue reading Review: “The 13th Hex” (Hexworld #0.5) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Seeker of Truth (SPECTR #3.3) by Jordan L. Hawk
For the first time this series, the dream team is splitting up of their own accord. Caleb stays in New Orleans to assist Zahira on a case for SPECTR while John heads out of town in search of clues to his own identity. Both separate plots of this novella are satisfying, and Hawk gives those … Continue reading Review: Seeker of Truth (SPECTR #3.3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Hexbreaker (Hexworld #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
In other reviews, I've raved about the ways Hawk includes diversity in his fiction. For this series, I've found something else to adore -- the effortless way that the reader is absorbed in the worldbuilding with no awkward breaks for exposition or the dreaded info-dump. Could there be a bit more explanation for some things? … Continue reading Review: Hexbreaker (Hexworld #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Bringer of Night (SPECTR #3.2) by Jordan L. Hawk
After all the shenanigans that have occurred over the course of this series, a run-of-the-mill murder mystery and case of mistaken identity are almost too boring for our heroes. Except nothing about this string of murders is normal, and John, Caleb, and Gray have friends (both old and new) along for the ride. There's yet … Continue reading Review: Bringer of Night (SPECTR #3.2) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Stalker of Shadows (SPECTR #3.1) by Jordan L. Hawk
The first installment of the next SPECTR epic brings us something completely different -- and all the best parts of exactly the same. John is now the character who must wait patiently while Caleb and Gray get to do what they do best (eat demons). They're in a new setting, which is why everyone is … Continue reading Review: Stalker of Shadows (SPECTR #3.1) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: SPECTR: The Complete Second Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Mocker of RavensDancer of DeathDrinker of BloodBreaker of ChainsShaker of Earth I read this collection even faster than I did the first one. It's too bad I can't give it an even higher rating than 5 stars. John, Caleb, and Gray are back to doing what they do best -- dispatch demons … Continue reading Review: SPECTR: The Complete Second Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: SPECTR: The Complete First Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Includes the titles: Hunter of DemonsMaster of GhoulsReaper of SoulsEater of LivesDestroyer of WorldsSummoner of Storms Honestly, my review can be boiled down like this: I purchased the series as a full set, but the books were so good that I didn't want to pause in between to write individual reviews of each book. My … Continue reading Review: SPECTR: The Complete First Series by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) by Jordan L. Hawk
This series closes out in a maelstrom (pun intended) of heroism, madness, horror, love, triumph, and just a few tentacles. Everything comes full-circle (pun also intended) as Whyborne and Griffin join with new and old allies to defend their home of Widdershins from the extra-dimensional Masters who have returned to reclaim what is theirs. Because … Continue reading Review: Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) by Jordan L. Hawk