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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Lovers of Whyborne and Griffin should have no problem with this spinoff as the atmosphere is creepy and secretive, with just that touch of surprising horror as Widdershins still has its hold on its denizens and those that it beckons into its fold.
Newcomer Vesper Rune, has a deep dark secret that has plagued him all his life and in a desperate attempt to rid a curse from himself and his beloved brother, he infiltrates the Ladysmith’s library under false pretenses. Of course, what he doesn’t expect to find is a belonging he’s never had and stirring feelings for one he should never desire. The thing is, will Vesper have the chance to fulfill such farfetched dreams with library archivist Sebastian Rath, or will a brewing nasty foe prevail instead?
What always makes a spinoff good and what made this story’s predecessor so successful was that it delivered a solid mystery, stoked an initial slow burn between the two protagonists that turned epic, and Hawk consistently plied plenty of heart behind the terror and suspense.
Here, it’s not quite there yet, but it’s only the first book and I have strong hopes and an inkling that Vesper and Sebastian (as well as the eccentric librarian cast) will more than prove their worth by employing their quirky resourceful ways. Whyborne and Griffin are in the periphery doing their own thing, hopefully enjoying some of their hard won peace but as everyone knows, evil never rests and will inevitably rear its ugly head in some form or another. There’s a new duo in town to take their turn at it, and they’re far from shabby and subpar!
Lovers of Whyborne and Griffin should have no problem with this spinoff as the atmosphere is creepy and secretive, with just that touch of surprising horror as Widdershins still has its hold on its denizens and those that it beckons into its fold.
Newcomer Vesper Rune, has a deep dark secret that has plagued him all his life and in a desperate attempt to rid a curse from himself and his beloved brother, he infiltrates the Ladysmith’s library under false pretenses. Of course, what he doesn’t expect to find is a belonging he’s never had and stirring feelings for one he should never desire. The thing is, will Vesper have the chance to fulfill such farfetched dreams with library archivist Sebastian Rath, or will a brewing nasty foe prevail instead?
What always makes a spinoff good and what made this story’s predecessor so successful was that it delivered a solid mystery, stoked an initial slow burn between the two protagonists that turned epic, and Hawk consistently plied plenty of heart behind the terror and suspense.
Here, it’s not quite there yet, but it’s only the first book and I have strong hopes and an inkling that Vesper and Sebastian (as well as the eccentric librarian cast) will more than prove their worth by employing their quirky resourceful ways. Whyborne and Griffin are in the periphery doing their own thing, hopefully enjoying some of their hard won peace but as everyone knows, evil never rests and will inevitably rear its ugly head in some form or another. There’s a new duo in town to take their turn at it, and they’re far from shabby and subpar!
braincell4rent's review
4.0
Did I miss something? I feel like I must have missed something.
This was the first book I read by this author and although at first I had a bit of trouble inmersing in the context (don´t mind me, it´s probably just my thing), I soon found myself deep inside a cozy fantasy novel.
I was not expecting here tentacles (and it was cute how these "monsters" were portrayed), a family dynamic as we saw (which was great to see) and much less the fact that this turned to be less violent than I thought with murder and all (wait, I did want violence, there was not enough violence, neverming one of the main characters snapping someone´s neck for bothering children...).
Ah, nevermind me, I´m rambling again.
What I meant was: I need to read more stuff by this author. Because I liked this one, but still felt there were pieces missing.
This was the first book I read by this author and although at first I had a bit of trouble inmersing in the context (don´t mind me, it´s probably just my thing), I soon found myself deep inside a cozy fantasy novel.
I was not expecting here tentacles (and it was cute how these "monsters" were portrayed), a family dynamic as we saw (which was great to see) and much less the fact that this turned to be less violent than I thought with murder and all (wait, I did want violence, there was not enough violence, neverming one of the main characters snapping someone´s neck for bothering children...).
Ah, nevermind me, I´m rambling again.
What I meant was: I need to read more stuff by this author. Because I liked this one, but still felt there were pieces missing.
barometz's review
5.0
I had put off reading this for a while because I loved the Whyborne and Griffin series so much, and I was nervous about whether a second series in the same world could effect me the same way. But I am so glad I did!
It's so sweet and has such a great sense of humor. But more than that, there is just so much in here about monsters as "other" as a metaphor for ways that people are "other" in real life, and it just makes my queer little heart squeeze in the best way.
It's so sweet and has such a great sense of humor. But more than that, there is just so much in here about monsters as "other" as a metaphor for ways that people are "other" in real life, and it just makes my queer little heart squeeze in the best way.
weskstarzec's review
adventurous
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
leontiy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jestilence218's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
teresab78's review
5.0
This was no less than what I come to expect from Jordan Hawk's works. It was imaginative and spooky. I had a good sense of place and time. I guessed one twist but not another. The book kept my attention until the end and left me eager for the next book. This promises to be a great series.
sammy_lou's review
5.0
I am so happy to be back in Widdershins. This is set in 1910, 8 years after the last Whyborne & Griffin book. There is a brief mention of our hero's but that your lot. It was like going back home after a long time away. Things have changes though and monsters and magic are not just myth.
We have two new heroes in Vesper Rune and Sebastian Rath. Sebastian is a Librarian in the museum and Vesper is a book binder. After the old book binder, Kelly, goes missing, Vesper takes his place in the library. Vesper hides many secrets and I won't spoil them for you. Let's just say that he isn't all he seems and is at the Library under false pretense.
I likes Vesper and Sebastian together. Sebastian brings out the best in Vesper and is his first true friend. It doesn't take long for feeling to develop, but Vesper is scared to go beyond friendship. He is scared of what Sebastian will think of him when the truth is revealed. When he does learn the truth, he takes it so well. He just loves Vesper and doesn't want him to change.
I loved the mystery aspect in this book. Someone is trying to keep Sebastian from digging into Kelly's disappearance. Also, some odd things are happening at the Library and our two set out to learn the truth. We finally learn about Ladysmith museum and it's architect. That was so sad to hear but it does explain why the library is so complicated. He hides many secrets in it's walls. I did peg our bad guy early on but I did feel sorry for them. There is one more bad guy who happens to get away.
I can't wait to read the next book and continue my adventures in Widdershins.
We have two new heroes in Vesper Rune and Sebastian Rath. Sebastian is a Librarian in the museum and Vesper is a book binder. After the old book binder, Kelly, goes missing, Vesper takes his place in the library. Vesper hides many secrets and I won't spoil them for you. Let's just say that he isn't all he seems and is at the Library under false pretense.
I likes Vesper and Sebastian together. Sebastian brings out the best in Vesper and is his first true friend. It doesn't take long for feeling to develop, but Vesper is scared to go beyond friendship. He is scared of what Sebastian will think of him when the truth is revealed. When he does learn the truth, he takes it so well. He just loves Vesper and doesn't want him to change.
I loved the mystery aspect in this book. Someone is trying to keep Sebastian from digging into Kelly's disappearance. Also, some odd things are happening at the Library and our two set out to learn the truth. We finally learn about Ladysmith museum and it's architect. That was so sad to hear but it does explain why the library is so complicated. He hides many secrets in it's walls. I did peg our bad guy early on but I did feel sorry for them. There is one more bad guy who happens to get away.
I can't wait to read the next book and continue my adventures in Widdershins.