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Rath & Rune #4
Unbroken
The hunt for the evil Books of the Bound nears its end, as Ves and Sebastian track an elusive killer who can raise the dead.
Librarian Sebastian Rath has Bound himself to three of the four necromantic Books created by his ancestors. Only the Book of Blood remains—and it’s in the hands of an elusive killer.
Someone is murdering members of the Widdershins Horticultural Society using the Book’s magic. In order to stop the killings and Bind the final Book, Sebastian and Ves must find their way through a forest of lies and deception. But the danger is closer to home than they think, and more than one killer has Sebastian in their sights.
Librarian Sebastian Rath has Bound himself to three of the four necromantic Books created by his ancestors. Only the Book of Blood remains—and it’s in the hands of an elusive killer.
Someone is murdering members of the Widdershins Horticultural Society using the Book’s magic. In order to stop the killings and Bind the final Book, Sebastian and Ves must find their way through a forest of lies and deception. But the danger is closer to home than they think, and more than one killer has Sebastian in their sights.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2025
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
86 books2,667 followersJordan L. Hawk writes queer fiction with a helping of eldritch monsters and things that go bump in the night. He's best known for the award-winning Whyborne & Griffin series. He lurks in the forests of Massachusetts, but can be lured out with pizza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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March 4, 2026Catching up on this Widdershins spin-off series with tentacled Lovecraftian hero and lethal librarians. Enormous fun, as ever with JLH: there's good horror, much of it coming from standard issue humans as well as the cosmic sort, and a pair of deeply likeable heroes in an extended family, plus excellent throwaway lines about the glorious madness that is Widdershins.
November 2, 2025
Yes, this series is OK, but obviously nowhere near as good as Whyborne & Griffin: Books 1-10...which I must re-read very shortly. Oh, and this series should end after the next story Unbound...but who knows 🤷♀️..
June 28, 2026
I am sorry to say but this was such a nothing burger of a novelette. The author clearly banked on our love for Whyborne and Griffin series to carry it because the story by itself was not good. There was barely any plot. I was, frankly speaking, bored. For the asking price I expected better. And to top this, there is going to be another!? This book barely had any substance to it, and he is going to churn out another one. It felt like there was no effort put into it. I am very disappointed and am not sure I will continue with the series. As a reader, I need more.
October 25, 2025
Felt very flat.
October 31, 2025
Widdershins is truly one wacky town!
Btw, TENTACLES!!
Btw, TENTACLES!!
June 25, 2026
Though I did receive a review copy in ebook format, I ended up listening to the audio when it was released so I am going to review that version instead. Joel Leslie has been doing a great job giving voice to this series. I want to start by saying that I am a big fan of this author's worldbuilding skills. Though we first came to know the town of Widdershins in the Whyborne and Griffin series, it seems like a different town from Sebastian Rath's and Vesper Rune's perspective. There is less traveling to exotic destinations. Through them we get to see more of the town's inhabitants, and businesses.
In this book, Sebastian discovers that the horticultural club is losing members due to mysterious deaths that also lead to violent resurrections. He and Vesper have to deal the final death blow of the corpses in order to protect the people of Widdershins. But what is the secret that the gardening group is hiding that explains what is happening? It is a compelling mystery, but it is safe to say that the person responsible is also holding on to the final Book of the Bound, the Book of Blood.
To recap some of what has happened in this series, Sebastian has bound himself to three of the books and this is the final one. In the past, one other person had been attached to these books and he was driven mad. Sebastian has been pretty strong so far, though the books and the souls attached to them do seem to want to take over Sebastian's will sometimes. It's dangerous and I'm glad Sebastian has found a partner in Vesper. Vesper's brother Noct and the Endicott family are also good to have in his corner.
In addition to the person killing the gardening club members, the leader of the School of Night shows up like a wolf in sheep's clothing to wreak havoc. Vesper and Noct's mother and grandfather, who are also pretty heinous, are in town to do know God knows what. They prove themselves to be helpful in this book, but I do believe there is a ulterior motive in the works. With Sebastian binding to the final book, with little to no objection from the last spirit that inhabits it, I do think that certain parties are eager to see what happens when the books are all together again.
I had thought this might be the last book but I'm glad that they didn't rush what happens after this final binding with the main mystery of the book. Will Sebastian be able to handle it? Is something bad awakening as a result? I expect that we will find out the answers in the next book, and I cannot wait!
In this book, Sebastian discovers that the horticultural club is losing members due to mysterious deaths that also lead to violent resurrections. He and Vesper have to deal the final death blow of the corpses in order to protect the people of Widdershins. But what is the secret that the gardening group is hiding that explains what is happening? It is a compelling mystery, but it is safe to say that the person responsible is also holding on to the final Book of the Bound, the Book of Blood.
To recap some of what has happened in this series, Sebastian has bound himself to three of the books and this is the final one. In the past, one other person had been attached to these books and he was driven mad. Sebastian has been pretty strong so far, though the books and the souls attached to them do seem to want to take over Sebastian's will sometimes. It's dangerous and I'm glad Sebastian has found a partner in Vesper. Vesper's brother Noct and the Endicott family are also good to have in his corner.
In addition to the person killing the gardening club members, the leader of the School of Night shows up like a wolf in sheep's clothing to wreak havoc. Vesper and Noct's mother and grandfather, who are also pretty heinous, are in town to do know God knows what. They prove themselves to be helpful in this book, but I do believe there is a ulterior motive in the works. With Sebastian binding to the final book, with little to no objection from the last spirit that inhabits it, I do think that certain parties are eager to see what happens when the books are all together again.
I had thought this might be the last book but I'm glad that they didn't rush what happens after this final binding with the main mystery of the book. Will Sebastian be able to handle it? Is something bad awakening as a result? I expect that we will find out the answers in the next book, and I cannot wait!
January 10, 2026
Read for the Romancing the Gothic bookclub.
As ever, there's not really much to criticize about getting the chance to once again, return to Widdershins. I will literally never say no to anything set in this universe, and getting to read a new adventure in the Rath and Rune series was a treat.
Seb and Ves were as they always are, an utter treat to read about, as were Noct, Irene, and Mortimer. Loved the addition of (or rather, the return of) Mr. Tubbs, because he added a truly entertaining element to the investigation.
As with the previous books, the mystery was the weaker part of the novel, and it was pretty obviouus who the truly 'guilty' parties were meant to be pretty early on. That said, I did appreciate the twists with the other Dark Young and the references to Rappacini's Daughter, as well as the reveal of the culprit carrying out the attacks, and their motivation for doing so.
I will say, Bonnie (and, in many ways, Ves and Sebastian) rather annoyed me in this one, because the whole situation with the School of Night was something they should have seen coming a mile away. Still, now that that's sorted, we get to deal with the real creepy crawlies of the series - Ora and Lenore Rune.
And, of course, whatever's going on with the Books of the Bound now that all four of them are together again.
While I went into this one expecting it to be the last of the series (four Books of the Bound, four books in the series, the logic was there you guys!), I can't say I'm upset about getting an additional book. That said, time to set the timer back to waiting I suppose!
As ever, there's not really much to criticize about getting the chance to once again, return to Widdershins. I will literally never say no to anything set in this universe, and getting to read a new adventure in the Rath and Rune series was a treat.
Seb and Ves were as they always are, an utter treat to read about, as were Noct, Irene, and Mortimer. Loved the addition of (or rather, the return of) Mr. Tubbs, because he added a truly entertaining element to the investigation.
As with the previous books, the mystery was the weaker part of the novel, and it was pretty obviouus who the truly 'guilty' parties were meant to be pretty early on. That said, I did appreciate the twists with the other Dark Young and the references to Rappacini's Daughter, as well as the reveal of the culprit carrying out the attacks, and their motivation for doing so.
I will say, Bonnie (and, in many ways, Ves and Sebastian) rather annoyed me in this one, because the whole situation with the School of Night was something they should have seen coming a mile away. Still, now that that's sorted, we get to deal with the real creepy crawlies of the series - Ora and Lenore Rune.
And, of course, whatever's going on with the Books of the Bound now that all four of them are together again.
While I went into this one expecting it to be the last of the series (four Books of the Bound, four books in the series, the logic was there you guys!), I can't say I'm upset about getting an additional book. That said, time to set the timer back to waiting I suppose!
October 18, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Unbroken is the fourth book in Jordan L. Hawk’s Rath and Rune series and picks up the series arc with the hunt for the fourth Book of the Bound. While each story is its own adventure, the overaching plot carries across the series and these are best read in order. I am really enjoying this series and the way it takes a beloved and familiar location (Widdershins from Hawk’s incredible Whyborne & Griffith series) and gives it a fresh spin by setting the story years later and giving us mostly new characters. This story follows the pattern of the prior books by focusing on locating one of the Books of the Bound. Along the way, we get an interesting mystery as Ves and Sebastian try to figure out who has the book, why they are killing the Horticulture Society members, and how to stop them.
While we do get a resolution related to this final book, there are some big picture things that don’t resolve here. I had thought this was the last book in the series and was a little worried that we don’t get the “big finish” here, but was delighted to learn that there is one more book coming that will wrap it all up.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Unbroken is the fourth book in Jordan L. Hawk’s Rath and Rune series and picks up the series arc with the hunt for the fourth Book of the Bound. While each story is its own adventure, the overaching plot carries across the series and these are best read in order. I am really enjoying this series and the way it takes a beloved and familiar location (Widdershins from Hawk’s incredible Whyborne & Griffith series) and gives it a fresh spin by setting the story years later and giving us mostly new characters. This story follows the pattern of the prior books by focusing on locating one of the Books of the Bound. Along the way, we get an interesting mystery as Ves and Sebastian try to figure out who has the book, why they are killing the Horticulture Society members, and how to stop them.
While we do get a resolution related to this final book, there are some big picture things that don’t resolve here. I had thought this was the last book in the series and was a little worried that we don’t get the “big finish” here, but was delighted to learn that there is one more book coming that will wrap it all up.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 26, 2025
3,5 stars
The blurb seems to be suggesting that this is the last book in the series, but when I started wondering by 70% how on earth all the issues could be solved in the remaining page time and checked I (of course) found out that there is one more book yet to be released. (I really should have paid better attention! 🤦🏻♀️)
Jordan L Hawk keeps ‘the best for last’, namely what’s going to happen to Sebastian now that , with that last scene more or less a cliff hanger and a promise of horror to come.
And then there are Ves and Noct’s evil mother and grandfather who are clearly looking to harness some of the powers that are now contained. Ora, particularly, creeps me out. He is a total psychopath and his ‘love’ for Ves and Noct truly horrifying.
Some developments and revelations are rather surprising and seem to come out of nowhere, but ... this is Widdershins, so anything is possible!
We get some nice Ves/Sebastian moments, as usual not quite enough for me. But I enjoyed the mystery better this time, with some darker moments and sinister ongoings.
No idea when the last book will be released, but I will be back, no doubt, to see this to its end.
The blurb seems to be suggesting that this is the last book in the series, but when I started wondering by 70% how on earth all the issues could be solved in the remaining page time and checked I (of course) found out that there is one more book yet to be released. (I really should have paid better attention! 🤦🏻♀️)
Jordan L Hawk keeps ‘the best for last’, namely what’s going to happen to Sebastian now that , with that last scene more or less a cliff hanger and a promise of horror to come.
And then there are Ves and Noct’s evil mother and grandfather who are clearly looking to harness some of the powers that are now contained. Ora, particularly, creeps me out. He is a total psychopath and his ‘love’ for Ves and Noct truly horrifying.
Some developments and revelations are rather surprising and seem to come out of nowhere, but ... this is Widdershins, so anything is possible!
We get some nice Ves/Sebastian moments, as usual not quite enough for me. But I enjoyed the mystery better this time, with some darker moments and sinister ongoings.
No idea when the last book will be released, but I will be back, no doubt, to see this to its end.
September 22, 2025
I've read Patreon ARC. Overall this was another excellent mystery/romance novel in the series written up to Hawk's usual high standards - the MCs were endearing, the plot was fast paced and suspenseful, the historical background was realistic and believable and there wasn't a single redundant scene.
Nevertheless, the mystery aspect was weaker this time. We can clearly state by now that Sebastian and Ves are.. pretty hopeless as detectives. The Endicotts also did not perform up to their usual standards and the librarians were not as helpful as they were in previous novels. In fact, Mr. Quinn seemed quite happy to watch Seb and Ves struggle with the challenge the books of the bound presented on their own.
I also have to say that I've grown to detest Lenore Rune's character as one-dimensional, caricature villain. Hawk's past villains were given more depth, personality and motives than the psychotic, shining-like "Here's mommy!".
Nevertheless, the mystery aspect was weaker this time. We can clearly state by now that Sebastian and Ves are.. pretty hopeless as detectives. The Endicotts also did not perform up to their usual standards and the librarians were not as helpful as they were in previous novels. In fact, Mr. Quinn seemed quite happy to watch Seb and Ves struggle with the challenge the books of the bound presented on their own.
I also have to say that I've grown to detest Lenore Rune's character as one-dimensional, caricature villain. Hawk's past villains were given more depth, personality and motives than the psychotic, shining-like "Here's mommy!".
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March 23, 2026I didn't want to come to this conclusion but my days of Hawk are behind me, I think? I keep wanting to run away from the scenes - I have a bit stronger sense of second-hand embarrassment and this was frequently triggered, even for scenes where the primary negative emotion was of a different sort - and that means running away for the TV, what can I say, I am a special one.
I re-read the previous books as audio in preparation which means my interest was already limping along but... oh, I don't know, the characters behaved in ways I just wanted to smack them for and the family drama on all sides was making me all kinds of frustrated, the mystery felt light on action and reason and heavy on drama... I am trying to think of what I enjoyed and why I should like this book and I am coming up surprisingly empty and the best I can come up with is: nice. And not like actually mean it nice but the "nice" one says about a person they don't want to date but don't want to fell bad for being bland.
I re-read the previous books as audio in preparation which means my interest was already limping along but... oh, I don't know, the characters behaved in ways I just wanted to smack them for and the family drama on all sides was making me all kinds of frustrated, the mystery felt light on action and reason and heavy on drama... I am trying to think of what I enjoyed and why I should like this book and I am coming up surprisingly empty and the best I can come up with is: nice. And not like actually mean it nice but the "nice" one says about a person they don't want to date but don't want to fell bad for being bland.
April 1, 2026
This book did sit on my NOOK for a number of months because I have to psych myself up to read horror. I'm not a big horror fan, but if Jordan L. Hawk writes it, I will buy and read it. Especially when it's this series.
Sebastian, Ves, Irene, and Noct are deep in the thick of it, trying to find the last book, The Book of Blood. This time people from Ves and Noct's life are there, complicating things. Their entry just racketed up the tension for me while reading this book, and I found myself muttering, "Don't trust them. Don't trust them."
And speaking of tension, holy smoke! That tension starts at the beginning and continues all the way to the end. However, I'm exceedingly glad there will be another book in the series.
Sebastian, Ves, Irene, and Noct are deep in the thick of it, trying to find the last book, The Book of Blood. This time people from Ves and Noct's life are there, complicating things. Their entry just racketed up the tension for me while reading this book, and I found myself muttering, "Don't trust them. Don't trust them."
And speaking of tension, holy smoke! That tension starts at the beginning and continues all the way to the end. However, I'm exceedingly glad there will be another book in the series.
November 2, 2025
3.5 stars. Hawk's Widdershins series affected me on a visceral level; I will never not choke up when I hear "Widdershins knows its own." But his recent releases, including this Widdershins spin-off series, have not had the same impact. I suspect that some of the disconnect stems from the vastly different time and place (the last book in the original series, Deosil, was published in 2019). But for whatever reason, I'm continuing with the Rath & Rune series mostly out of fond nostalgia.
November 4, 2025
It seems I jumped the gun.
I thought this was the last book and so I started this series thinking it was complete. I am both disappointed I was wrong and happy I get to continue to journey along with Sebastian and Ves.
This one was a wild ride. Mystery and bad guys galore. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.
While these are not exactly romance there is just enough chemistry between Seb and Ves to keep me satisfied while giving me an interesting story with lots of side characters to keep me entertained.
I eagerly await the final instalment.
I thought this was the last book and so I started this series thinking it was complete. I am both disappointed I was wrong and happy I get to continue to journey along with Sebastian and Ves.
This one was a wild ride. Mystery and bad guys galore. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.
While these are not exactly romance there is just enough chemistry between Seb and Ves to keep me satisfied while giving me an interesting story with lots of side characters to keep me entertained.
I eagerly await the final instalment.
July 14, 2026
An exciting wrap to the adventures of Sebastian and Ves, and all their accompanying cohorts as they seek, and ultimately find, the Book of Blood. The story takes some unexpected twists, has some gorey death scenes worthy of the great masters of the macabre, and ultimately gives a very satisfying end to the search for all four missing books upon which the series is based. And... a solid HEA for Sebastian and Ves and for Vet's brother Nacht and his lovely girlfriend, now fiancé, Amelia. ❤️
Oh, and kudos to Joel Leslie who delivered another outstanding performance.
Oh, and kudos to Joel Leslie who delivered another outstanding performance.
January 3, 2026
Solid book. I mean, I've loved the three previous ones, does anybody really expect me not to love this one? (Also, this is not, as I had erroneously suspected, the final book in the series.)
I do really like the plot, though. It is ... honestly, it is not as horror as I was expecting and just...kind of tragic, really. (Tragic in a sad way for the character involved, not that anything unusually bad happens to the main group.)
I do really like the plot, though. It is ... honestly, it is not as horror as I was expecting and just...kind of tragic, really. (Tragic in a sad way for the character involved, not that anything unusually bad happens to the main group.)
June 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this spinoff series, probably even more than Whyborne & Griffin. I’m quite looking forward to the next book.
As always the suspense is done really well, the plot is well done. Intricate and well executed but niche enough to feel original.
My favorite pair so far has got to be Noct and Irene. Noct is such a wholesome sweetheart and I really would like to see more of his character later on. I’m holding out for tiny tentacled grandchildren now.
As always the suspense is done really well, the plot is well done. Intricate and well executed but niche enough to feel original.
My favorite pair so far has got to be Noct and Irene. Noct is such a wholesome sweetheart and I really would like to see more of his character later on. I’m holding out for tiny tentacled grandchildren now.
November 3, 2025
Hawk's a great storyteller, and this plotline was unique; however, I felt like the pacing was off. A lot of scenes seemed to end abruptly. There were so many scenes that would have went better if they had more detail to them. Overall the story was enjoyable. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
July 24, 2026
An enjoyable addition to the series, although a little rushed towards the end. We see more involvement in the present day from Ves and Noct's mother and grandfather; rather than them simply being a part of their past they are starting to become more involved in the hunt for the books. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story concludes.
June 7, 2026
Ves and Sebastian close in on book 4 and are met with suitably macabre situations.
Whilst I do enjoy this series, not quite as much as the earlier Widdershins books.
Noct and Irene strengthen their bonds but whilst the 4 books are found, is there more to come?
Whilst I do enjoy this series, not quite as much as the earlier Widdershins books.
Noct and Irene strengthen their bonds but whilst the 4 books are found, is there more to come?
October 19, 2025
Good story in the series.
The pace of the story is good. I like the characters. There is romance , magic, monsters, and action. It is well-written. This is a good series.
The pace of the story is good. I like the characters. There is romance , magic, monsters, and action. It is well-written. This is a good series.
November 5, 2025
Yes! I really needed to know how it continued! Engaging, interesting, fast-paced, a real page turner. The only bad part is waiting until the next installment to know how the overarching story ends.
December 26, 2025
Another great installment in the series. I look forward to wear the story is going. The pacing and twist/turns keep me coming back.
December 29, 2025
Very Midsomer Murders vibe to the killing-spree-of-the-week, cool visuals.
January 5, 2026
I thought this was the last book, but there's still one to come.
May 24, 2026
I Definitely liked it more than the previous book of the series. At the same time however I will be relieved when the series is over.
June 14, 2026
Is that a tease for more….
July 10, 2026
Enjoyable story that is well written with likeable characters and good world building. The narration is very good as well.
December 13, 2025
Oooh, boy! So far, this is the best book of the series, and also the most horrifying. You can still easily predict a lot of turning plot points (the reason behind the garden the moment we get the description, or that something is up with the new neighbour, or who would come to save our heroes both times), mostly because of tropes but also based on the information we learn in the previous books, but unlike the previous books, the exact details are still pretty surprising (what exactly is up with the new neighbour, who exactly is behind the garden, who else would suddenly come to the rescue). Ditto for the identity of the villain and why they were using the book. The level of paranoia is through the roof and we get a really cool cinematic final confrontation.
On the minor downside - not enough Noct and Mr Quinn, too much involvement from the Endicotts, and it's getting pretty annoying that a) they don't do anything to stop Vesper's fucked up family prowling in the shadows, and b) they never even stop to think of maybe not adding this book to the rest, especially since they were outright told in the previous book that the necrobooks want to be reunited.
Still, it was a pretty exciting adventure and I hope we get an epic finale in the next book.
~~~~~~~
📖🌬️Unhallowed 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐
📖🦷Unseen 🌟🌟🌟
📖🦴Unknown 🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖🩸Unbroken 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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