Scan barcode
A review by cspoe
Hexslayer by Jordan L. Hawk
5.0
Another Hexworld book by Jordan L. Hawk, and another home-run for the historical, paranormal genre! This series ages like a fine wine. Each novel, each short story, progressively takes on more and more elements of this fantastical world, wholly immersing the reader in the experience of a lifetime.
The over-arcing plot of the series grows more intense in Hexslayer. After the epic events of Hexmaker, familiars are being side-eyed by society, politicians, religious groups, and police like never before. Those unfortunate enough to transform into what New York City now deems "dangerous familiars" are immediately hauled to jail for the "safety and well-being of others." And this is where we join Nick, a horse familiar and Rook's brother, who cares for the unloved, unwanted, or independent familiars in the city. As the owner of Caballus, a familiars' only bar and tenement, Nick has given up all of his own hopes, dreams, and chances at love, to assume the role of protector. It has hardened him, angered him, and made Nick fiercely distrustful of any and all witches.
Which is why the romance with Jamie MacDougal, an officer with the Metropolitan Witch Police, makes for such a wild ride! Circumstances involving murdered feral familiars, tied to both Jamie and Nick, force the two to temporarily bond in order to get MWP approval to inspect the mysterious deaths. But Nick refuses to be broken by a witch, especially one who was a rough rider, and Jamie isn't about to let a hardass like Nick boss him around or pity him like the rest of society does, due to his missing leg.
Jordan's romantic subplot in this book is stunning. These incredibly complex, deeply emotional men are strong-willed, courageous, and willing to show one another parts of themselves they've hidden from the world. Their tenderness and simple acceptance of one another soothes a real human ache-- a need to be loved for exactly who we are and nothing more. And Jordan nails that aspect.
I can wax endless poetic about this series, but I promise it comes from a place of pure honestly. Every note and beat of Hexslayer is necessary in Jordan's building of this epic, magnum opus.
The over-arcing plot of the series grows more intense in Hexslayer. After the epic events of Hexmaker, familiars are being side-eyed by society, politicians, religious groups, and police like never before. Those unfortunate enough to transform into what New York City now deems "dangerous familiars" are immediately hauled to jail for the "safety and well-being of others." And this is where we join Nick, a horse familiar and Rook's brother, who cares for the unloved, unwanted, or independent familiars in the city. As the owner of Caballus, a familiars' only bar and tenement, Nick has given up all of his own hopes, dreams, and chances at love, to assume the role of protector. It has hardened him, angered him, and made Nick fiercely distrustful of any and all witches.
Which is why the romance with Jamie MacDougal, an officer with the Metropolitan Witch Police, makes for such a wild ride! Circumstances involving murdered feral familiars, tied to both Jamie and Nick, force the two to temporarily bond in order to get MWP approval to inspect the mysterious deaths. But Nick refuses to be broken by a witch, especially one who was a rough rider, and Jamie isn't about to let a hardass like Nick boss him around or pity him like the rest of society does, due to his missing leg.
Jordan's romantic subplot in this book is stunning. These incredibly complex, deeply emotional men are strong-willed, courageous, and willing to show one another parts of themselves they've hidden from the world. Their tenderness and simple acceptance of one another soothes a real human ache-- a need to be loved for exactly who we are and nothing more. And Jordan nails that aspect.
I can wax endless poetic about this series, but I promise it comes from a place of pure honestly. Every note and beat of Hexslayer is necessary in Jordan's building of this epic, magnum opus.