4 stars
I find myself liking Hawkyn more than its predecessor, Razr, so hence the rating. In term of story, character development and insta-lust trope (can't do without insta-lust, that's not how it works :P), this novella is better written. It's like Ione take her time while tell the story about Hawkyn and his lady love, Aurora. I like that even this novella is about Hawkyn, the plot is pretty much complex like Ione's Demonica full length novel. After elf, Ione now introduced wytch. Not witch with "I", but "Y" *snort, yeah I know*. Meaning, that this kind is not your usual witch. I also like that while Aurora is a wytch and she said that actually she come into a warrior line or something, she work as a masseuse, yet she far from damsel in distress. I mean, what happen to her (torture and alike) is already horrible, yet she manage to survive.
I like Hawkyn's personality, even though he can be too overbearing as seen in the Suzanne's story, but he actually a good person that want the best for his Memitim's brother and sister. Some warning though, if you have some "daddy issues" of yourself *and no, it's not a joke*, this book have plenty, with Hawkyn and apparently Azagoth. Its surprised me to see Azagoth have an integral part in this novella, and also even he got his happy ending with Lilliana, not everything is gold and roses. I like that Ione still infused some "real life" problem, especially with a married couple (nah, there's no wedding scene. But its safe to assume Azagoth and Lilliana is married). Like, hey...yeah you can get the girl (or guy), but problems will still arise here and there. Consider Azagoth is the embodiment of brooding hero with a full scale of "brood" (and have anger management issues), also he somehow feel guilty for abandoning his Memitim children, both Azagoth and Lilliana have plenty problems of their own. What happen in the end for them almost break my heart, tho.
Anyway, Hawkyn didn't left out, tho. Beside his romantic relationship, I like his bromance with Cipher, an angel that had fallen from grace but not become fallen angel yet, and with his Memitim brother. I also like despite the insta-lust, not like Razr-Jedda relationship that work too fast, Hawkyn took his time with Aurora. I can totally feel the romance (and the steaminess is a bonus). What surprised me is...Hawkyn's biological mother, turn out to be an okay-ish person (or angel). I expect to meet another evil mother or a mother that didn't care at all for her children. Yet, Ulnara is something else.
Another good installment of Demonica world, and I believe some plot regarding Azagoth is to move his and Lilliana's story forward. Hawkyn is a must read if you a Demonica fans (also..Jim Bob. I got curious and curiouser regarding his real identity!)