Scan barcode
heabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the prequel novella to this series so I was excited to read HEXBREAKER and it ended up being so good! I don’t read a lot of historical romance but apparently if you throw some magic and paranormal elements into it then I’m completely sold. Set in an alternate 1890s New York City, this series follows the familiars and witches of the Metropolitan Witch Police and I’m so ready to devour the rest of the HEXWORLD books. The world building was so good and I was sucked into not just the alternate paranormal parts but also the lifestyles and culture of the late 1800’s. I even had to look up some of the slang and other things mentioned since I’m not overly familiar with this time period in history. Not only do we have the mystery that Cicero and Tom are trying to solve, but we also have some really interesting politics surrounding the treatment of familiars.
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about Cicero at first because he’s pretty snobby but it’s also really fitting since he’s a cat shifter (house cat not large cat) so he has all the standoff attitude of a cat that wants attention but doesn’t want you to know he wants attention. It didn’t take long for me to love him though and I appreciated how comfortable Cicero was in his skin. He knows exactly who he is and he won’t compromise for anyone. Tom was just the sweetest and gentlest soul and I adored him from the very beginning. I loved Tom’s dedication to his job and the people he protects on his beat. He’s immediately intrigued by Cicero and he falls pretty quickly for the moody cat. The romance between Tom and Cicero was pretty swoony and I enjoyed every second.
Content Warning: several on page instances of period specific racial and homophobic slurs; references to past abusive relationships; references to a fellow familiar being badly beaten by their witch because the familiar was gay
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
But Tom was different. Tom used his strength as a shield, not a bludgeon. His hands to protect and uphold, not beat down. Tom made him feel...well...loved. In a way he never had been before.
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about Cicero at first because he’s pretty snobby but it’s also really fitting since he’s a cat shifter (house cat not large cat) so he has all the standoff attitude of a cat that wants attention but doesn’t want you to know he wants attention. It didn’t take long for me to love him though and I appreciated how comfortable Cicero was in his skin. He knows exactly who he is and he won’t compromise for anyone. Tom was just the sweetest and gentlest soul and I adored him from the very beginning. I loved Tom’s dedication to his job and the people he protects on his beat. He’s immediately intrigued by Cicero and he falls pretty quickly for the moody cat. The romance between Tom and Cicero was pretty swoony and I enjoyed every second.
Content Warning: several on page instances of period specific racial and homophobic slurs; references to past abusive relationships; references to a fellow familiar being badly beaten by their witch because the familiar was gay
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
But Tom was different. Tom used his strength as a shield, not a bludgeon. His hands to protect and uphold, not beat down. Tom made him feel...well...loved. In a way he never had been before.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
To stay the least, I’m impressed with this earlier work from JLH which makes me appreciate the newest release [b:Blind Tiger|57127534|Blind Tiger (The Pride, #1)|Jordan L. Hawk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1613746290l/57127534._SY75_.jpg|89406153] all the more as it’s set a few decades later in this same alternate universe.
Here, magic is only wrought via a written spell known as a hex. In order for it to really work, a witch must activate it, their power amplified greatly if bonded to a familiar. Set in historic NYC in the late 1800’s, this series focuses on the various law enforcers made of both witches and animal familiar shifters.
The social and cultural constructs are interesting and often unfair, the potential mate bond between such a pairing is all the more enticing. We got a good taste of this world with the [b:The 13th Hex|29474747|The 13th Hex (Hexworld, #0.5)|Jordan L. Hawk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457585150l/29474747._SY75_.jpg|49752792] and this time around, human cop Tom and cat familiar Cicero, reluctantly join forces to solve several mysterious deaths, missing persons, and possibly murder.
Tom is a cop, pretending to be nonmagical and hiding some very big secrets, one being he’s the rare witch who can actually break hexes. When several suspicious deaths come across his path that could be tied to his notorious past, Tom’s compelled to make sure that what he destroyed many years ago has not made some unfortunate miraculous resurrection. He soon finds himself paired with detective Cicero, whose best friend has gone missing, where the scant evidence points towards being connected with the aforementioned tragedies.
Beware a lack of communication and the evident deception as Tom ‘s big secret looms ominously throughout. There’s also a lot of personal dramatics and drama, and to top it all off, plenty of bad guys waiting in dark corners to be well… bad.
So yes, this gave me anxious indigestion, but JLH writes grounded plausibility in this paranormal setting, and I quite enjoyed myself. Bonus points for what looks like a big setup of an overall story arc that might just span the entire series. I for one am looking forward to how it all plays out.
To stay the least, I’m impressed with this earlier work from JLH which makes me appreciate the newest release [b:Blind Tiger|57127534|Blind Tiger (The Pride, #1)|Jordan L. Hawk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1613746290l/57127534._SY75_.jpg|89406153] all the more as it’s set a few decades later in this same alternate universe.
Here, magic is only wrought via a written spell known as a hex. In order for it to really work, a witch must activate it, their power amplified greatly if bonded to a familiar. Set in historic NYC in the late 1800’s, this series focuses on the various law enforcers made of both witches and animal familiar shifters.
The social and cultural constructs are interesting and often unfair, the potential mate bond between such a pairing is all the more enticing. We got a good taste of this world with the [b:The 13th Hex|29474747|The 13th Hex (Hexworld, #0.5)|Jordan L. Hawk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457585150l/29474747._SY75_.jpg|49752792] and this time around, human cop Tom and cat familiar Cicero, reluctantly join forces to solve several mysterious deaths, missing persons, and possibly murder.
Tom is a cop, pretending to be nonmagical and hiding some very big secrets, one being he’s the rare witch who can actually break hexes. When several suspicious deaths come across his path that could be tied to his notorious past, Tom’s compelled to make sure that what he destroyed many years ago has not made some unfortunate miraculous resurrection. He soon finds himself paired with detective Cicero, whose best friend has gone missing, where the scant evidence points towards being connected with the aforementioned tragedies.
Beware a lack of communication and the evident deception as Tom ‘s big secret looms ominously throughout. There’s also a lot of personal dramatics and drama, and to top it all off, plenty of bad guys waiting in dark corners to be well… bad.
So yes, this gave me anxious indigestion, but JLH writes grounded plausibility in this paranormal setting, and I quite enjoyed myself. Bonus points for what looks like a big setup of an overall story arc that might just span the entire series. I for one am looking forward to how it all plays out.
eb2114's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
raynebair's review against another edition
4.0
I love the magical element here with the witch and familiar. It was different and fun.
As always, Tristan James delivers an outstanding narration.
As always, Tristan James delivers an outstanding narration.
j4nck3's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
Hi. I loved this. It was adorable.
Yes. I just called a book filled with murder, mayhem, and mischief adorable.
The world in this one is so interesting. Historical, yes, but fantastical. We've got witches and familiars being a thing that folks just know and accept--love it. We've got hexes being the magical science/snake oil cure-all. LOVE IT.
On top of that, we have the very best characters ever. I adore Tom and Cicero and Dominic(k? I'm bad at names.) and Rook and even Bill. We get complicated but believable backstories and complex emotions and.. did I mention I loved this book? I absolutely cannot wait to see what come next!
re-read: in the end, this isn't my favorite book of the series, but even so it manages to hit me in my feels.
Yes. I just called a book filled with murder, mayhem, and mischief adorable.
The world in this one is so interesting. Historical, yes, but fantastical. We've got witches and familiars being a thing that folks just know and accept--love it. We've got hexes being the magical science/snake oil cure-all. LOVE IT.
On top of that, we have the very best characters ever. I adore Tom and Cicero and Dominic(k? I'm bad at names.) and Rook and even Bill. We get complicated but believable backstories and complex emotions and.. did I mention I loved this book? I absolutely cannot wait to see what come next!
re-read: in the end, this isn't my favorite book of the series, but even so it manages to hit me in my feels.
evnaturtleduck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
I love a good historical, paranormal story and Hexworld is my new favourite series. I was first introduced to this world with The 13th Hex, billed as book 0.5 and found originally in the Charmed and Dangerous anthology. It is now available as a standalone and I recommend reading it before you pick up Hexbreaker. It’s not absolutely necessary but will give you a better appreciation for some of the characters in Hexbreaker.
I love this new world Ms. Hawk has set up. It is different from other things I have read and comes with loads of potential for future stories. I see this as being a vibrant and prolific series. I’m not sure if she plans on following our heroes Tom and Cicero or introducing new pairs of witch and familiar, but either way it will be entertaining.
Now on to my review of this book; I adored it! Cicero is so cat like. I loved how his personality matched his animal side so well. Tom is solid, good, and yet has dark secrets. These two were a perfect match. I loved the plot; the mystery of who was behind the hexes was partially a surprise but obvious on hindsight (as all good mysteries are). The action and suspense were excellent and the romance believable. The love scenes were tender and swoon worthy, exactly what I expected.
I loved that we got to see Dominic and Rook again. I hope we see more of them in the future. I loved seeing Cicero’s bohemian friends and where they gathered. I liked glimpsing part of New York’s history, revised a little in this alternate reality. The setting was rich and engrossing.
If you are in the mood for a good mystery with engaging characters, an interesting time period and magic, this is the book and series for you!
I love a good historical, paranormal story and Hexworld is my new favourite series. I was first introduced to this world with The 13th Hex, billed as book 0.5 and found originally in the Charmed and Dangerous anthology. It is now available as a standalone and I recommend reading it before you pick up Hexbreaker. It’s not absolutely necessary but will give you a better appreciation for some of the characters in Hexbreaker.
I love this new world Ms. Hawk has set up. It is different from other things I have read and comes with loads of potential for future stories. I see this as being a vibrant and prolific series. I’m not sure if she plans on following our heroes Tom and Cicero or introducing new pairs of witch and familiar, but either way it will be entertaining.
Now on to my review of this book; I adored it! Cicero is so cat like. I loved how his personality matched his animal side so well. Tom is solid, good, and yet has dark secrets. These two were a perfect match. I loved the plot; the mystery of who was behind the hexes was partially a surprise but obvious on hindsight (as all good mysteries are). The action and suspense were excellent and the romance believable. The love scenes were tender and swoon worthy, exactly what I expected.
I loved that we got to see Dominic and Rook again. I hope we see more of them in the future. I loved seeing Cicero’s bohemian friends and where they gathered. I liked glimpsing part of New York’s history, revised a little in this alternate reality. The setting was rich and engrossing.
If you are in the mood for a good mystery with engaging characters, an interesting time period and magic, this is the book and series for you!
pnwbookbear's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and interesting new world with a cool magic system and witches and familiars. I'm liking this new series quite a bit. Looking forward to reading the next installment!