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REVIEW: Devil Take Me by Rhys Ford, Ginn Hale, Jordan L. Hawk, T.A. Moore, C.S. Poe & Jordan Castillo Price
Devil Take Me by Rhys Ford, Ginn Hale, Jordan L. Hawk, T.A. Moore, C.S. Poe & Jordan Castillo Price
Temptation lurks around every corner in worlds sometimes dark, sometimes lurid. Giving in is both dangerous and satisfying, though never in the ways one expects. While these enticements offer a vast range of benefits and boons, the cost is a soul and the devil expects his due. Sometimes suave and charming or calculating and cruel, these devils have schemes and desires of their own. They can be creatures to run away from… or toward.
Join the most unique and celebrated authors of LGBT urban fantasy and paranormal fiction for a fast-paced and unpredictable ride, from a city on the other side of reality, to a world suspended in dusk, to a twisted version of the 1960s and 70s.
Meet devils in top hats and waistcoats, a defrocked motorcycle-riding priest, and a genderfluid antihero—among many more. Full of humor, romance, horror, action, intrigue, and magic, these stories have one common element….
They’re one hell of a good time.
I am the type of reader who, when I see the words raven king, dark duke or devil in winter in the title expects some being who can magically control ravens or actually came from hell only to be let down when they invariable turn out to be just some bastard with poor manners. So I was delighted to know that Devil Take Me was quite literal.
This anthology features a stellar list of authors, among them my favorites Jordan L. Hawk and Jordan Castillo Price, giving their own take on the theme of selling the soul to the devil and trying to get it back.
Infernal Affairs by Jordan L. Hawk: Fluffpaw’s crossroads demon Ralgath, first day on the job, answered a summoning from Chess, a non-binary who wanted to be a hero. Turns out Chess was more than he bargained for. Outwitted by a human, he was demoted to customer service but was later given a chance to redeem himself. Luckily for the demon, Fluffpaw was there to help him.
The lightest and fluffiest story of the anthology. Written in an ironic tone and about as serious as Greg Trembley’s demon voice for Ralgath. Ralgath and Chess were so cute, I’d hurl my tablet if they don’t end up together!
Collared by T.A. Moore: Ex-priest, Jack, was commanded by his personal demon Math to find what was stolen from him…
which took forever to find that I didn’t care anymore. However, I did enjoyed the gruesome horror and Math and Jack’s twisted relationship.
Counterfeit Viscount by Ginn Hale: Archie sold his soul to Nimble, a prodigal conjurer and he was given the chance to get it back by helping Nimble solve a case.
Set in the same world as Wicked Gentlemen, which I haven’t read yet, but now I’m curious. Loved the camaraderie and banter between Archie and Nimble and that twist that I didn’t see coming. Very satisfying epilogue too.
11:59 by C.S. Poe: Death-defy battles against nightmares is the order of the day everyday for Asuka. The monster slayer, tired and merely a shell of his former self, meets the bookworm Merrick, cheerful and full of life. Merrick persistently pursues Asuka and through his knowledge of mythology, helps him defeat the source of nightmares.
This I would love to see as an anime! The freeze frame scene of Asuka falling off a building in a rain of glass is classic. Merrick believing Asuka is a real hero is adorbs! Merrick is cute as a button but really, I was shipping Asuka with the Devil himself.
Wonderland City by Rhys Ford: Wonderland is in trouble as another little girl came through the mirror. Every citizen of Wonderland knows there’s nothing as dangerous as a human child. Xander Spade, with the help of deposed prince, Jean Michel and brave dog, Blue, was tasked by Oz, the Devil to find the child, Naomi, in exchange for returning his soul and going back home to the other side of the looking glass.
At first, this was as whimsical and topsy turvy as the original which I loved. Then came the confrontation with the Red Queen and everything became bloody, chaotic, painful and downright horrifying which I loved too. I know the queens of Wonderland are crazy but here, they are monstrously psychopathic. The process of letting the beast out was drawn out in every excruciating detail and my heart went out to Xander. The romance was there or it will be there once Xander stops putting Jean Michel at arms length.
Dark Favors by Jordan Castillo Price: When Johnny was young enough to fearless, he unwittingly sold himself to the Old Man. Fast forward to 1979 and the Old Man asks Johnny a big favor: kill somebody.
I hate dub-con situations and here comes the big dub-con scene as the highlight. Great. Would have skipped it but it was crucial to the story. Also, I felt conflicted because Adam harassed Johnny and I should hate him for it but at the same time I was drawn to his affable, confident personality and I think he should have just charmed his way through Johnny’s hardcore shell instead of tying him to a chair. On the upside, JCP‘s world-building was expertly crafted as usual and the idea of favors as currency was executed well.
Rating:
Infernal Affairs – 4 Stars
Collared – 3 Stars
Counterfeit Viscount – 4 Stars
11:59 – 4 Stars
Wonderland City – 4 Stars
Dark Favors – 3 StarsOverall:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: A Good Idea At The Time
Artist: Ok Go
Album: Oh No -
My Top 10 Reads of 2018
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REVIEW: Destroyer Of Worlds by Jordan L. Hawk
SPECTR: Destroyer of Worlds – Jordan L. Hawk
After becoming possessed by the vampire spirit Gray, telekinetic Caleb Jansen thought his situation couldn’t get any worse. But that was before Graham Forsyth, head of SPECTR’s sinister Research Division, took him into custody.
Forsyth claims he can exorcise Gray before the forty-day time limit runs out. But once at RD, Caleb and Gray find themselves ensnared in a web of lies. What is the truth behind the tests Forsyth is performing on them? What does the agency really plan to do with Gray? And most worrisome of all, why does Gray sense demons within the walls of RD’s compound?
Caleb’s boyfriend, SPECTR agent John Starkweather, has suspicions of his own. With the help of his friend Sean and a shadowy organization known only by their symbol of a moth, John intends to save Caleb and Gray at any cost.
But when divided loyalties threaten his last chance at exorcism, Caleb discovers love may come at a price higher than he’d ever imagined.
It’s official. The drakul is unleashed, John drops his bomb shell and Caleb approves. Great Sehkmet, this installment is GOOD!
Caleb and Gray fell into the hands of Forsyth and RD. They were taken to a military fort where they were held prisoners and underwent a battery of tests. The situation, which was already bad, became even worse as they uncover what Forsyth was up to. They planned their escape with the help of mysterious individuals they call Moths.
This is the most dangerous situation the trio has been in so far. Caleb and Gray worked well together and instinctively knew when the other should take over. There was one heart stopping moment when the person John thought he knew unexpectedly went to the dark side. Other persons also proved they were not what they seemed.
Gray in full glory is magnificent! We also see a vulnerable side to him and his smug face too. The relationship between him and Caleb was endearing and pure. The relationship between him and John was equally adorable if a bit awkward because John and Gray never really talked outside the exorcisms and Gray doesn’t know what to do and what John expects of him. Bless Caleb for helping Gray navigate through all these mortal nonsense.
Destroyer of Worlds might be the best book yet! We get a lot of action, some much needed answers and whole new world of possibilities. I am happy I waited until all the books for the first series are out because I don’t know how I would deal with all the cliffhangers. And I also won’t feel too bad if the first series ends because yay! we still have series 2.
Finally, Caleb, Gray and John are truly a throuple! Now on to Summoner of Storms.
P.S.
Reviews of SPECTR here.
Reviews of Jordan L. Hawk books here.Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away
Soundtrack: Oh, My Lover
Artist: PJ Harvey
Album: Dry(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19444864-destroyer-of-worlds)
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You know all the mortal nonsense you like to dismiss? Well pay attention,
because you’ve just resigned yourself to dealing with it for the rest of our life.”
“Perhaps I did not think through the ramifications as thoroughly as I should
have.Jordan L. Hawk -
REVIEW: Eater Of Lives by Jordan L. Hawk
SPECTR: Eater of Lives – Jordan L. Hawk
When a supernatural killer is implicated in a string of cannibalistic murders, federal exorcist John Starkweather must track the demon down with the help of his live-in lover, Caleb Jansen. Caleb is possessed by Gray, a vampire spirit who is a natural demon hunter.
Caleb’s desire to find the killer is tempered by the knowledge his own time is running out. If John can’t successfully figure out how to exorcise Gray before forty days are up, the possession becomes permanent.
When John’s ex shows up, looking for a place to stay while visiting the city on business, tensions mount even higher. Lines are drawn and Caleb learns some decisions, once made, can never be changed.
Despite constant reassurances from Gray that no, he’s not going to harm any humans, no, he’s not going to turn Caleb into a mindless puppet or a bloodthirsty monster, the foolish mortals insist their fears and doubts ad nauseam. Listen to the drakul, people!
And what the fuck, Sean?! Why would you say that to Caleb? Sean is fast becoming a giant asshole. I know he means well but an asshole nonetheless.
Gray continues to be precious as both he and Caleb gets possessive and territorial when Will shows up unannounced. John, ever the nice guy, agrees to let his ex stay over. The ex showing up and causing trouble is a bit cliche but did help move some things forward.
This installment was different from the other books as a third POV was introduced, that of the possessed. The showdown between the demon and Gray was huge and public and had serious consequences for the trio. The ending was a cliffhanger so major I immediately picked up the next book because OMG!!!
This is what I really love about Jordan L. Hawk. The books in her series keeps getting better and better as they progress. Whyborne & Griffin, Hexworld, SPECTR, read any of them and guaranteed you will be hooked!
P.S.
Whyborne & Griffin review here.
Hexworld reviews here
SPECTR reviews here..Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Hunger
Artist: Florence + the Machine
Album: High as Hope(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18284871-eater-of-lives)
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SPECTR: Reaper of Souls – Jordan L. Hawk
When an incubus murders the powerful ally of an anti-paranormal senator, it’s up to hotshot Federal exorcist John Starkweather to catch the demon before it can kill again. Fortunately, he has backup, in the form of his boyfriend Caleb, a telekinetic possessed by the vampire spirit Gray.
As the political pressure mounts and bodies pile up, John discovers an old enemy protecting the incubus: the Fist of God, a group that believes all paranormals are evil. But why would the Fist work with a demon? And why would they let it kill one of their own allies?
John and Caleb need to find out fast. Because the incubus lurks at the intersection of love and longing, and it’s willing to turn their deepest desires against them.
For Reaper of Souls, our SPECTR agents are dealing with an incubus and deepest darkest desires is the theme for this installment.
Caleb got a snazzy new leather coat which didn’t impress Tiffany.
“They aren’t going to give out a warrant against a senator on the say-so of a possessed hippie,” Tiffany replied. “Or are you a goth now, with the coat and boots? Way to live the vampire stereotype.”
“Tiffany,” John said, a warning edge in his voice. “Can we keep the personal insults out of it, please?”
“Fine.” She settled back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest. “But if he starts writing morbid poetry and hanging out in graveyards, I’m staking his ass.”
But it certainly got John’s blood running, John who has a dark secret desire (which doesn’t take much to figure out given his reactions). He’s keeping it from everyone including Caleb. I wonder how Caleb and Gray would react if they know. I think all readers saw it coming but I can’t wait for the moment he drops the bombshell.
Finding out who the possessed human was was a bit blah because there wasn’t much action on this part but the climax took it to the max.
Powers were amped up as Gray battles the incubus on top of a lighthouse.
The scenes where Caleb vamps out and Gray comes out to play were major hellyeah! moments. I say unleash the drakul!
P.S.
Reviews of SPECTR books here.
Reviews of Jordan L. Hawk books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: The Hollow
Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Mer de Nom(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17999898-reaper-of-souls)
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Hexworld: Wild WIld Hex – Jordan L. Hawk
Can a lawman witch find love with an outlaw familiar?
After weeks spent tracking down the gentleman bandit Rafael, Hexas Ranger Enoch Bright finally has the outlaw in his sights. He doesn’t expect to find out Rafael is his familiar.
When Enoch runs afoul of the murderous Bone Gang, he and Rafael strike a deal to take down the gang together. As lawman and outlaw work together, Enoch soon realizes the next thing the gentleman bandit steals will be his heart.
Can a lawman witch find love with an outlaw familiar?
After weeks spent tracking down the gentleman bandit Rafael, Hexas Ranger Enoch Bright finally has the outlaw in his sights. He doesn’t expect to find out Rafael is his familiar.
When Enoch runs afoul of the murderous Bone Gang, he and Rafael strike a deal to take down the gang together. As lawman and outlaw work together, Enoch soon realizes the next thing the gentleman bandit steals will be his heart.
A Hexworld novella set in the heart of Texas featuring a hawk familiar and the only black ranger in the west. With fast-paced gun slinging action and a train heist, it’s almost as fun as the main novels only that it is too short. The witch+familiar magic is as fascinating as ever and it was interesting to see the dynamics work out there in the wilds. I hope Enoch and Rafael visit New York and meet the other guys
P.S.
Reviews on Hexworld books here
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Soundtrack: Hello Hawk
Artist: Superchunk
Album: Come Pick Me Up(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36489289-wild-wild-hex)
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SPECTR: Master of Ghouls – Jordan L. Hawk
Caleb Jansen’s old life is in ruins after being possessed by the vampire spirit Gray. Now all Caleb wants is for Gray to be exorcised so he can adjust to living as a registered paranormal. Instead, District Chief Kaniyar of SPECTR offers him a new choice: be locked away for public safety, or come work for the very agency he’s spent years trying to avoid. The only good thing to come from Caleb’s possession is his relationship with federal exorcist John Starkweather, but even that seems doomed to end before it can really begin.
John’s newest case is a nightmare: someone is summoning demons and forcing them to possess women and boys snatched from the streets of Charleston. If his team can’t find the summoner soon enough, the possessions will become permanent, transforming the victims into ghouls. To make matters worse, he barely prevents Gray from feeding on their only lead.
Can John shield his heart from Caleb, who only seems interested in a temporary hook-up? Can Caleb keep Gray under control while they hunt for the summoner? Or will the cost of solving the case be higher than any of them could have guessed?
Because the master of ghouls has set his sights on a new target: Gray.
Happy first of Halloween! It’s my favorite season so here are some vampires and ghouls to kick things off.
Master of Ghouls is the second novella in the SPECTR series and I admit, my brain wasn’t fully engaged when I was listening to this, what with chores and what have you. It also went by fast but given that, I liked how Gray+Caleb+John’s relationship is progressing at a reasonable pace. Cinnamon roll Gray is still bewildered with humans in general and Caleb’s issues in particular because Gray assumes them living with John is a done deal whereas Caleb is all doubts and second guesses.
There were also ghouls that Gray is itching to hunt and now that Caleb and Gray are working for SPECTR, I am excited for them to unleash full drakul power which is something that John gets a kick out of. He’s still trying to find ways to get Gray out of Caleb but take your time, John.
Distracted as I was, I still felt the rush and the suspense at the climax. Jordan L. Hawk did a good job setting up threads for the next installments and introducing a sinister villain. At the end, some doubts were put to rest and the trio took it to the next level. Yay!
P.S.
Ok, John, so I said take your time but what I really mean is please don’t exorcise Gray! Just don’t. Ever.
Review of book 1, Hunter of Demons here
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Ghouls Night Out
Artist: Misfits
Album: Collection(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17412325-master-of-ghouls)
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SPECTR: Hunter of Demons – Jordan L. Hawk
Unregistered paranormal Caleb Jansen only wants a normal life. But when a demon murders his brother, Caleb knows he has to avenge Ben’s death, no matter what the cost. Unfortunately, his only allies belong to an extremist group who would kill Caleb if they found out about his talent.
Gray is a wandering spirit, summoned to hunt and destroy demons by drinking their blood. This hunt goes horribly wrong, and for the first time in his existence Gray is trapped in a living, human body. Caleb’s body…and Caleb is still in it.
Hotshot federal agent John Starkweather thinks he’s seen it all. But when he’s called to exorcise Caleb, he finds a creature which isn’t supposed to exist outside of stories. For Gray is a drakul: a vampire.
Having spent his life avoiding the government as an unregistered ‘mal, Caleb can’t let himself trust a federal exorcist, no matter how sexy. And he certainly isn’t going to give into the heat growing between them and sleep with Starkweather.
Can Starkweather win Caleb’s trust and convince him he isn’t the enemy? Can Caleb keep Gray under control, as the drakul experiences the temptation of a living body for the first time?
Because if he fails and Gray gives in to bloodlust, Starkweather will have no choice but to kill them both.
I have been curious about the SPECTR series for a long time, being a Jordan L. Hawk creation but I admit to putting it off because I don’t like the cover. Well, I’m sorry for not reading it sooner. This is one very engaging novella.
SPECTR features one of the more unusual menage a trois I have come across with. Love geometries are my pet peeves but the Caleb, Gray and John combo is something I can get behind with because it works very well and to everybody’s mutual benefit. Gray is a drakul who possessed Caleb. He/she/it has always seen the world as grey, no color or smell except for the demon prey. Inside Caleb, Gray discovers a whole new spectrum of colors and sensations. The snarky twink Caleb, on the other hand, gets accelerated healing, better eyesight and faster reflexes. And John, shameless flirt and best exorcist in town, gets two beautiful creatures for the price of one. Very win-win-win.
Hunter of Demons’ plot sounded kind of out there but it was delivered convincingly. The world-building was nicely done. It’s a very interesting world full of demons, creatures hunting demons and humans with paranormal abilities. The dialogue was a snappy banter but part of the thrill is lost because the narrator’s voices for Caleb and John sounded the same so it was confusing. The pacing was just right, it speed up on the right places and the story felt complete even though it ended with a cliffhanger.
Hunter of Demons is the the kind of fast, enjoyable novella that makes you binge-read the entire series.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Waking the Demon
Artist: Bullet for My Valentine
Album: Scream Aim Fire(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16281053-hunter-of-demons)
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Whyborne & Griffin: Balefire – Jordan L. Hawk
Whyborne’s Endicott relatives have returned to collect on the promise he made to help them take back their ancestral manor from an evil cult. In exchange, they’ll give him the key to deciphering the Wisborg Codex, which Whyborne needs to learn how to stop the masters.
To that end, Whyborne, his husband Griffin, and their friends Iskander and Christine travel to a small island off the coast of Cornwall. But when they arrive at Balefire Manor, Whyborne must not only face the evil within the ancient mansion, but the painful truth about his own destiny.
I can’t believe we’re almost at the end…
It has been quite a ride and ten books in, I’m still feeling the thrill. In fact, I think Balefire is the best book yet!
Reading the previous installments is definitely a must and I strongly recommend the Whyborne & Griffin series for those into paranormal historical because this is one of the best series out there.
Balefire has our quartet, Whyborne and his husband Griffin, Iskander and Christine, traveling across the Pond to help the Endicotts take back their mansion in exchange for the key to the Wisborg Codex. I love that the story almost instantly gets into the action with some major laugh out loud moments to break the tension. And there is tension aplenty. Whyborne and friends do not trust the Endicotts, the Endicotts consider Whyborne an abomination and the ketoi are making demands.
Hell yeah, Christine! Our girl is in dire need of sustenance. In her condition, she’s craving for lemons but she’s still fighting monsters in that devil may care badass way of hers. I’m also glad to see Heliabel has a major role in the story as Persephone’s emissary. The Whyborne Matriarch can fight as ferociously as the best of them.
The romance was not the focus in this installment but that is understandable. Saving the world took precedence and I greatly approved the fact that Jordan L. Hawk did not push the usual romance conflicts as Whyborne and Griffin are already married and it would be tiresome if they go through big misunderstandings or almost break ups every time. Instead we are treated with tender moments that speak volumes of the deep love between the two. Even Iskander and Christine had their moments.
Jordan L. Hawk did a great job connecting all the threads and then amping up the volume by introducing another interesting magic system, having Whyborne do more mindblowing spells and just generally making things more action- packed and fast-paced.
The author not only made good use of Lovecraftian mythos but she was also able to deftly include Arthurian legends to the mix.
Our favorite bad guy from the Outside made his appearance and he is still bent on making Whyborne surrender. Whyborne, stubborn man that he is, is holding his ground with some help from an ancient being. Although it still seems we are not any closer to seeing these Masters, I am already feeling the excitement of the final showdown.
And now for some burning questions:
How would Widdershins be now that the Endicotts are in town? What would their lives be like when our quartet becomes a quintet? What would Whyborne find in the Wisborg Codex? And who would survive the battle with the Masters?
The adventures of Whyborne, Griffin, and their friends will conclude in
Deosil, Whyborne & Griffin Book 11.Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfectSoundtrack: Long & Lost
Artist: Florence + the Machine
Album: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40281878-balefire)
