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SPECTR Series 2 #2
Dancer of Death
Revenge. Murder. Ballet?
Vampire spirit Gray wants to hunt demons. Unfortunately, the foolish mortals at SPECTR have put his host, Caleb, their lover John, and their partner Zahira on desk duty. Gray longs to leave Charleston with John, but if they flee, SPECTR will make them the hunted.
A series of paranormal murders returns the team to the field, at least temporarily. Ballerinas are being murdered by a vila, a demon that kills with dance. If they can’t stop the deadly attacks in time, one of Zahira’s friends may become the next victim.
And while they track the demon, an unknown entity has begun to track Gray…
Vampire spirit Gray wants to hunt demons. Unfortunately, the foolish mortals at SPECTR have put his host, Caleb, their lover John, and their partner Zahira on desk duty. Gray longs to leave Charleston with John, but if they flee, SPECTR will make them the hunted.
A series of paranormal murders returns the team to the field, at least temporarily. Ballerinas are being murdered by a vila, a demon that kills with dance. If they can’t stop the deadly attacks in time, one of Zahira’s friends may become the next victim.
And while they track the demon, an unknown entity has begun to track Gray…
Audible Audio
First published February 15, 2016
20 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,639 followersJordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 27, 2019
-------Orig review March 2017------
4.5 Stars
If it weren't for their idiot boss, I'd give it a full 5 starts. He just irritates me, though. Almost as much as he irritates Gray. I love the introduction of their new SPECTR partner, Zahira, though. She's smart, capable, and knows very well what it's like for people to hate her just because of who she is.
4.5 Stars
If it weren't for their idiot boss, I'd give it a full 5 starts. He just irritates me, though. Almost as much as he irritates Gray. I love the introduction of their new SPECTR partner, Zahira, though. She's smart, capable, and knows very well what it's like for people to hate her just because of who she is.
January 16, 2016
Possibly one of the most tightly written, brilliant book of the series. Jordan L. Hawk lays down the groundwork for so much character development and world expansion in this as well as delivering a great paranormal mystery.
You need to be reading this series.
You need to be reading this series.
Read
January 21, 2016My 'Oh God where is the next book' shelf on Goodreads basically belongs to Jordan L Hawk.
A terrific standalone with a spectacularly gory premise that I can only high five for its visceral yuck, great developments in the Caleb/John/Gray partnership as well as strengthening the supporting characters (in, let it be noted, a realistically diverse world), and a tight sinister WTF series arc building steadily. If you haven't read this series I can only recommend bulk buying the lot, unplugging your phone, and making sure you have drinks and snacks to hand so you don't have to get up.
Which is to say, I liked it. :)
A terrific standalone with a spectacularly gory premise that I can only high five for its visceral yuck, great developments in the Caleb/John/Gray partnership as well as strengthening the supporting characters (in, let it be noted, a realistically diverse world), and a tight sinister WTF series arc building steadily. If you haven't read this series I can only recommend bulk buying the lot, unplugging your phone, and making sure you have drinks and snacks to hand so you don't have to get up.
Which is to say, I liked it. :)
January 17, 2016
Ohhh. No. They wouldn't dare...
I love this series and while we have a complete story there are hints and clues and all manner of bigger story arcs that have me pleading with Jordan for more. Like more, NOW.
Gorgeous, sexy, etheric, dramatic, and gah, will someone make this series into a film. Soon. Highly recommended 6/5.
Go read from book 1 if you haven't already...
I love this series and while we have a complete story there are hints and clues and all manner of bigger story arcs that have me pleading with Jordan for more. Like more, NOW.
Gorgeous, sexy, etheric, dramatic, and gah, will someone make this series into a film. Soon. Highly recommended 6/5.
Go read from book 1 if you haven't already...
June 10, 2025
2nd re-read June 2025
_______________
SUPER excited for the next one!!!!
_______________
SUPER excited for the next one!!!!
March 16, 2018
Have you heard of SPECTR? No? Oooo! *giddy clap* Let me tell you about them.
SPECTR is “Strategic Paranormal Entity ConTRol”. They police everything non-human and keep humans safe from the things nightmares are made of.
Imagine X-Files meets Shadowhunters. Freaky mind-bending paranormals under investigation and ideally they are incarcerated by government agents. Hawk has created a supernatural world that rivals with the best. An intricate realm which is deeply layered with complex creatures and significant history. The world building here is impressive.
Allow me to introduce you to the sexy suit: Special Agent John Starkweather. He’s an exorcist and he’s one of the agency’s most talented. His sharp looks and blue eyes attract men and women everywhere but since a cutting break-up a few years prior, he’s still searching for mister right. Caleb is his younger hipster/goth case subject suffering from possession. His long hair and smart mouth are far from John’s usual taste and yet he’s drawn to Caleb regardless and the attraction is most definitely mutual. Unfortunately (or not) John is unsuccessful with his attempts to free Caleb of the NHE (non-human entity). We discover Caleb is possessed with Gray, an unstoppable and unfathomable creature. Once ‘infected’ a forty day countdown begins. If an exorcism is not performed before then, the paranormal takes over the driver seat of the human body and the soul is lost forever. Raw deal, aye?
Once Gray, a drakul (better known as a vampire), is revealed to the agency his services become a hot commodity. John is awestruck, enamored and taking full advantage of Gray’s unique powers. As they partner up to crack some tough cases, the clock quickly ticks down. Before long, *ding* Caleb’s time is up and he immediately surrenders sole control of his body. He does so willingly, to save the man he loves. Wait? Loves?! Yeah, it turns out he fell for the suit, go figure. And yet, he’s not the only one thinking with his heart instead of his brain. John crashes full speed ahead with his heart and falls for Caleb too. But he doesn’t stop there. He finds himself helpless to Gray’s magnetic allure and does the forbidden dance with giving the other half of his heart to a NHE.
Three lovers…two bodies…one trippy romance. It’s ménage but its not…but yeah, it is.
Totally three in the bed here…or the wall…or the balcony.
The first season is packed with adrenaline, orgasms and gore.
I blazed through like a girl on fire.
Season two continues after the battery ‘fiasco’ and the fearless throuple prepares to take on the rest of the demons in town. Grays hungry and his only two concerns are food and sex. He’s overdue for some gluttony and stuffs himself…with both. *whispers* Holy Goddess is it HOT. Gray is adorable, straightforward, wise and absolutely terrifying. I am his number one fan. Gray’s dialogue dominated my favorite parts. Heavy duty highlighting was happening throughout the entire season. I cringed, giggled and turned on a fan. There was some terror and some horror but all-in-all it maintained manageable levels for me. Not too scary for this scaredy cat.
Demon hunting should be clear-cut and a fairly simple task. However, as it turns out demons take many forms and friendly foes are still the enemy. Is anyone on their side anymore? Why do they continue to put their lives at risk for mortals with no sense at all? The saving grace is their new partner. Or technically John’s new partner. She’s green but she’s exactly what the three are desperate for…a friend.
In this episode in season two a stronger and powerful demon is targeting ballerinas and forcing them to dance to their death.
I promise, it’ll keep you on your toes.
What's to like: New faces are introduced to replace missing voices from the first series. Zahira is a fantastic addition and it was lovely to see her character built with religious connotations that didn’t have to define her. I always respect authors that weave their stories with diverse attributes that do not flash like a neon sign. No agenda or list of characteristics to check off, they simply…are. Zahira is curious, loyal and eager. The fact that she’s Muslim does not come first when I think about ‘who’ she is. The case in this episode was extra scary but only because I feared more for the boys. They seemed safer before love was a factor. Now they have more to lose (each other) and I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
What's to love: Gray finds himself at the mercy of human emotions. He’s never felt anxious, afraid or jealous before. He is unsure how to handle all of these…feelings. I found the comparison of a tiger fascinating and I could see and feel when the big cat was annoyed, angry and affectionate. That is purely from the sensational writing. I love Gray. I love Caleb. I love John. And I also loved the writing. As you can see, there is a LOT to love.
Beware of: A time warp of paranormal greatness. I wanted to read this story but had to power through seven novella’s first. It’s not a difficult task but it was time consuming. You cannot start here, its pivotal that you follow the thread from the beginning. And now I’m desperate for more but it’s a waiting game. Hurry up and wait is not a strong suit of mine. But I’m willing to hold out, no matter how long it takes, for more kinky lovin’ with my favorite NHE and his two favorite guys. If you typically steer clear of WIP’s I would advise you to bookmark this baby and block out your calendar for some binge reading as the series continues and nears completion. I would also technically classify this as m/m/m and despite this not being a favorite trope of mine, it totally works here.
This book is for: Paranormal lovers will definitely want to get their freak on with John, Caleb and Gray. SPECTR is the crème de la crème of the supernatural worlds out there and you are seriously missing out if you pass this series up. So go on now, get reading. Ohh, and you can pet the tiger but I would advise against touching John…the tiger doesn’t like anyone touching his John.
Book UNfunk
SPECTR is “Strategic Paranormal Entity ConTRol”. They police everything non-human and keep humans safe from the things nightmares are made of.
Imagine X-Files meets Shadowhunters. Freaky mind-bending paranormals under investigation and ideally they are incarcerated by government agents. Hawk has created a supernatural world that rivals with the best. An intricate realm which is deeply layered with complex creatures and significant history. The world building here is impressive.
Allow me to introduce you to the sexy suit: Special Agent John Starkweather. He’s an exorcist and he’s one of the agency’s most talented. His sharp looks and blue eyes attract men and women everywhere but since a cutting break-up a few years prior, he’s still searching for mister right. Caleb is his younger hipster/goth case subject suffering from possession. His long hair and smart mouth are far from John’s usual taste and yet he’s drawn to Caleb regardless and the attraction is most definitely mutual. Unfortunately (or not) John is unsuccessful with his attempts to free Caleb of the NHE (non-human entity). We discover Caleb is possessed with Gray, an unstoppable and unfathomable creature. Once ‘infected’ a forty day countdown begins. If an exorcism is not performed before then, the paranormal takes over the driver seat of the human body and the soul is lost forever. Raw deal, aye?
Once Gray, a drakul (better known as a vampire), is revealed to the agency his services become a hot commodity. John is awestruck, enamored and taking full advantage of Gray’s unique powers. As they partner up to crack some tough cases, the clock quickly ticks down. Before long, *ding* Caleb’s time is up and he immediately surrenders sole control of his body. He does so willingly, to save the man he loves. Wait? Loves?! Yeah, it turns out he fell for the suit, go figure. And yet, he’s not the only one thinking with his heart instead of his brain. John crashes full speed ahead with his heart and falls for Caleb too. But he doesn’t stop there. He finds himself helpless to Gray’s magnetic allure and does the forbidden dance with giving the other half of his heart to a NHE.
Three lovers…two bodies…one trippy romance. It’s ménage but its not…but yeah, it is.
Totally three in the bed here…or the wall…or the balcony.
The first season is packed with adrenaline, orgasms and gore.
I blazed through like a girl on fire.
Season two continues after the battery ‘fiasco’ and the fearless throuple prepares to take on the rest of the demons in town. Grays hungry and his only two concerns are food and sex. He’s overdue for some gluttony and stuffs himself…with both. *whispers* Holy Goddess is it HOT. Gray is adorable, straightforward, wise and absolutely terrifying. I am his number one fan. Gray’s dialogue dominated my favorite parts. Heavy duty highlighting was happening throughout the entire season. I cringed, giggled and turned on a fan. There was some terror and some horror but all-in-all it maintained manageable levels for me. Not too scary for this scaredy cat.
Demon hunting should be clear-cut and a fairly simple task. However, as it turns out demons take many forms and friendly foes are still the enemy. Is anyone on their side anymore? Why do they continue to put their lives at risk for mortals with no sense at all? The saving grace is their new partner. Or technically John’s new partner. She’s green but she’s exactly what the three are desperate for…a friend.
In this episode in season two a stronger and powerful demon is targeting ballerinas and forcing them to dance to their death.
I promise, it’ll keep you on your toes.
What's to like: New faces are introduced to replace missing voices from the first series. Zahira is a fantastic addition and it was lovely to see her character built with religious connotations that didn’t have to define her. I always respect authors that weave their stories with diverse attributes that do not flash like a neon sign. No agenda or list of characteristics to check off, they simply…are. Zahira is curious, loyal and eager. The fact that she’s Muslim does not come first when I think about ‘who’ she is. The case in this episode was extra scary but only because I feared more for the boys. They seemed safer before love was a factor. Now they have more to lose (each other) and I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
What's to love: Gray finds himself at the mercy of human emotions. He’s never felt anxious, afraid or jealous before. He is unsure how to handle all of these…feelings. I found the comparison of a tiger fascinating and I could see and feel when the big cat was annoyed, angry and affectionate. That is purely from the sensational writing. I love Gray. I love Caleb. I love John. And I also loved the writing. As you can see, there is a LOT to love.
Beware of: A time warp of paranormal greatness. I wanted to read this story but had to power through seven novella’s first. It’s not a difficult task but it was time consuming. You cannot start here, its pivotal that you follow the thread from the beginning. And now I’m desperate for more but it’s a waiting game. Hurry up and wait is not a strong suit of mine. But I’m willing to hold out, no matter how long it takes, for more kinky lovin’ with my favorite NHE and his two favorite guys. If you typically steer clear of WIP’s I would advise you to bookmark this baby and block out your calendar for some binge reading as the series continues and nears completion. I would also technically classify this as m/m/m and despite this not being a favorite trope of mine, it totally works here.
This book is for: Paranormal lovers will definitely want to get their freak on with John, Caleb and Gray. SPECTR is the crème de la crème of the supernatural worlds out there and you are seriously missing out if you pass this series up. So go on now, get reading. Ohh, and you can pet the tiger but I would advise against touching John…the tiger doesn’t like anyone touching his John.
Book UNfunk
January 3, 2017
Another enjoyable adventure with John, Caleb & Gray. While this was trippy - a dancing demon, I liked that it was something different. I am hoping the tide turns in Spectr and people start treating Caleb & Gray much nicer ... this hateful stuff is damn annoying !
February 18, 2017
She’ll make you dance if she wants to, but then she’ll leave your corpse behind…
Turns out fighting a NHE in the middle of a crowded bridge is just enough to get John, Caleb, Gray, and Zahira grounded. Desk duty is never fun, but for Caleb, being stuck in the middle of an office that is alternately pissing their pants when he walks by or tagging his door with insults, it seems like cruel and unusual punishment. Gray just wants to eat something, but that isn’t exactly new. So when they get a call out in the middle of the night about a dead body found in suspicious circumstances they are pretty damn thrilled. Not that Caleb needs to see another dead body any time soon.
But dead bodies and inhumanly flexible dancers are only half the problems that Team Gray will face. With enemies at front and back it might take a miracle to pull this one off.
Not to mention Gray is gonna get a bit bitey if people don’t stop hitting on/threatening John–-but that might just be the hunger speaking.
Oh but this waiting for books to be published (or, you know, written) thing kinda sucks. I love this series and have been eagerly awaiting the continued fate of our trio of boys (and drakul) after their oh-so-public run-in with the Raven Mocker in book one (of series 2). Though I guess I should call it a quartet of peoples/drakuls since Zahira seems determined to stick around (yay!).
But, yeah, as a surprise to no-one, Barillo continues to be a pain in everyone’s nicely-rounded ass-cheeks, and has no compunction about telling John, Caleb, or Gray just how he feels about them. Which mostly involves threats of imprisonment and other not very fun things. Nothing like working for a boss that wouldn’t mind at all if you were to drop of the face of the planet (with a foot-shaped bruise on your ass).
This early in the series we can’t quite be sure who is on the side of angels, demons, or just plain-annoying bureaucracy, but there are quite a few contenders for the Things That Will Come Back to Bite Their Lovely Tushies.
(Look, all I am saying is no-one is that friendly and welcoming unless they are secretly evil and set on world domination. Trust me, I know from experience. Self-help groups are where evil and bad coffee go to breed.)
At this point in the series (both the finished first one, and the ongoing second) I have no clue who isn’t reading these books, but hell, if you are out there I suggest you rectify that horrible horrible mistake right now. John, Gray, and Caleb are refreshingly unique, entirely hot, and more than a little addicting. These books keep me on the tips of my toes (and not in a I’m gonna make you dance your ass (toes, and probably feet) off kind of way).
And my only complaint is the fact that I have to wait months between books to find out what happens next.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Turns out fighting a NHE in the middle of a crowded bridge is just enough to get John, Caleb, Gray, and Zahira grounded. Desk duty is never fun, but for Caleb, being stuck in the middle of an office that is alternately pissing their pants when he walks by or tagging his door with insults, it seems like cruel and unusual punishment. Gray just wants to eat something, but that isn’t exactly new. So when they get a call out in the middle of the night about a dead body found in suspicious circumstances they are pretty damn thrilled. Not that Caleb needs to see another dead body any time soon.
But dead bodies and inhumanly flexible dancers are only half the problems that Team Gray will face. With enemies at front and back it might take a miracle to pull this one off.
Not to mention Gray is gonna get a bit bitey if people don’t stop hitting on/threatening John–-but that might just be the hunger speaking.
Oh but this waiting for books to be published (or, you know, written) thing kinda sucks. I love this series and have been eagerly awaiting the continued fate of our trio of boys (and drakul) after their oh-so-public run-in with the Raven Mocker in book one (of series 2). Though I guess I should call it a quartet of peoples/drakuls since Zahira seems determined to stick around (yay!).
But, yeah, as a surprise to no-one, Barillo continues to be a pain in everyone’s nicely-rounded ass-cheeks, and has no compunction about telling John, Caleb, or Gray just how he feels about them. Which mostly involves threats of imprisonment and other not very fun things. Nothing like working for a boss that wouldn’t mind at all if you were to drop of the face of the planet (with a foot-shaped bruise on your ass).
This early in the series we can’t quite be sure who is on the side of angels, demons, or just plain-annoying bureaucracy, but there are quite a few contenders for the Things That Will Come Back to Bite Their Lovely Tushies.
(Look, all I am saying is no-one is that friendly and welcoming unless they are secretly evil and set on world domination. Trust me, I know from experience. Self-help groups are where evil and bad coffee go to breed.)
At this point in the series (both the finished first one, and the ongoing second) I have no clue who isn’t reading these books, but hell, if you are out there I suggest you rectify that horrible horrible mistake right now. John, Gray, and Caleb are refreshingly unique, entirely hot, and more than a little addicting. These books keep me on the tips of my toes (and not in a I’m gonna make you dance your ass (toes, and probably feet) off kind of way).
And my only complaint is the fact that I have to wait months between books to find out what happens next.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
February 17, 2016
Among the many notes and gasps and exclamations I made while I was reading the latest installment in the SPECTR series, one of the thoughts that kept tripping through my head was, how does Jordan L. Hawk keep coming up with the ideas for her stories? I mean, a demon that dances its victims to death? If you don’t understand how macabre and gruesome a concept that truly is, you need to read Dancer of Death. It’ll make a believer out of you from Chapter One.
Because I’ve already opined in myriad ways about how much I love John and Grayleb since book one of the first SPECTR series, I want to start by talking up two of the newer characters, agents Zahira Noorzai and Karl Rand. First of all, the diversity they both bring to the series is nothing short of awesome, but their acceptance of Caleb and Gray as a valued member of the team rather than the monster so many of their fellow agents believe they are just makes me love them that much more. I adore Zahira as a partner to John and Grayleb but have a mad amount of respect for her as an individual too, and I love that both she and Karl are breaking down stereotypes just by being true to themselves. In fact, I hope we get to know Karl a lot better as the series continues.
One of the points Dancer of Death also reinforces is the literal gray area of Gray’s own gender. We think of Gray as “he” because John and Caleb use the male pronoun, so it’s easy to forget that Gray’s sexuality is ambiguous or, really, just plain neutral. What I love about this little reminder is that, while Gray is fond of Caleb, Gray is entirely John-sexual. For that reason alone, parts of this story were made more powerful when Gray was feeling threatened and, therefore, protective of John, and it was such a beautiful reminder of how in touch with his “humanity” (don’t tell him I said that) Gray is becoming. It really served to remind me of what a romantic sort of love it is that Gray feels for John, pure and uninhibited by labels or bias or preconceived notions. And lest you need a reminder of how magnificent Gray is, that comes in the form of a scene from Fort Sumter that draws a gorgeous mental picture of our drakul’s other-worldliness (my pithy ::snort:: observation in my notes/highlights on that one was “So Badass”). Looking back on that scene as I was reading it, I have to say that I don’t think I really got the full scope of Gray’s magnitude, not to mention his magnificence, because I was so caught up in the drama and suspense. Believe me, after reading Dancer of Death, I get it now.
John, Grayleb and Zahira are the outliers of SPECTR, facing hate and discrimination from the very team that’s supposed to have their backs, and they do it while getting the job done. The fact that some of the worst villains in this second series are of the human variety and are, for all intents and purposes, the good guys, is a great juxtaposition. But it’s still the supernatural baddies that steal the show, and the level of imagination that went into Dancer of Death? The how of the immense creativity will always be a mystery to me—it’s nothing short of awesome. The action and suspense and tension is meted out in the perfect dose, along with the romance and the question of what else is waiting out there for these agents…
Whatever awaits, I’m sure it’ll be ghoulish and grizzly and impressive, not to mention memorable. The Underlord of the Dance in Dancer of Death isn’t a demon I’ll forget any time soon.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Because I’ve already opined in myriad ways about how much I love John and Grayleb since book one of the first SPECTR series, I want to start by talking up two of the newer characters, agents Zahira Noorzai and Karl Rand. First of all, the diversity they both bring to the series is nothing short of awesome, but their acceptance of Caleb and Gray as a valued member of the team rather than the monster so many of their fellow agents believe they are just makes me love them that much more. I adore Zahira as a partner to John and Grayleb but have a mad amount of respect for her as an individual too, and I love that both she and Karl are breaking down stereotypes just by being true to themselves. In fact, I hope we get to know Karl a lot better as the series continues.
One of the points Dancer of Death also reinforces is the literal gray area of Gray’s own gender. We think of Gray as “he” because John and Caleb use the male pronoun, so it’s easy to forget that Gray’s sexuality is ambiguous or, really, just plain neutral. What I love about this little reminder is that, while Gray is fond of Caleb, Gray is entirely John-sexual. For that reason alone, parts of this story were made more powerful when Gray was feeling threatened and, therefore, protective of John, and it was such a beautiful reminder of how in touch with his “humanity” (don’t tell him I said that) Gray is becoming. It really served to remind me of what a romantic sort of love it is that Gray feels for John, pure and uninhibited by labels or bias or preconceived notions. And lest you need a reminder of how magnificent Gray is, that comes in the form of a scene from Fort Sumter that draws a gorgeous mental picture of our drakul’s other-worldliness (my pithy ::snort:: observation in my notes/highlights on that one was “So Badass”). Looking back on that scene as I was reading it, I have to say that I don’t think I really got the full scope of Gray’s magnitude, not to mention his magnificence, because I was so caught up in the drama and suspense. Believe me, after reading Dancer of Death, I get it now.
John, Grayleb and Zahira are the outliers of SPECTR, facing hate and discrimination from the very team that’s supposed to have their backs, and they do it while getting the job done. The fact that some of the worst villains in this second series are of the human variety and are, for all intents and purposes, the good guys, is a great juxtaposition. But it’s still the supernatural baddies that steal the show, and the level of imagination that went into Dancer of Death? The how of the immense creativity will always be a mystery to me—it’s nothing short of awesome. The action and suspense and tension is meted out in the perfect dose, along with the romance and the question of what else is waiting out there for these agents…
Whatever awaits, I’m sure it’ll be ghoulish and grizzly and impressive, not to mention memorable. The Underlord of the Dance in Dancer of Death isn’t a demon I’ll forget any time soon.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
September 6, 2018
No matter what kind of a day, week, month, or year I'm having, John and Caleb/Gray always make it better. Always. That is the true genius behind Jordan L. Hawk's writing. I'm so glad she decided to continue with SPECTR 2, as each new novella brings interesting revelations, and more fun and excitement.
John, Zahira, and Caleb/Gray finally get put on a case after weeks of desk duty (because their district chief is a bigoted jerk), but John is given strict instructions to handle this quietly, or else. Yeah, no pressure there. I really can't stand their new district chief, Barillo, who replaced Kaniyar. He despises John and his team, and makes no bones about the fact that they disgust him.
A vila is a demon that, once summoned, will help the possessed individual kill their victims by forcing them to, literally, dance themselves to death. A principal dancer forced to "retire" is out to get her revenge, and it's up to the team to stop her, all while keeping out of the way of Barillo. As usual, the story is action-packed and offers excitement galore. Just what I love!
You had to do it, didn't you, Jordan? Now I'm all worried about whoever, or whatever, has their sights set on Caleb/Gray! It's totally your fault now when I start harassing you for the next story. *grins* Loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
John, Zahira, and Caleb/Gray finally get put on a case after weeks of desk duty (because their district chief is a bigoted jerk), but John is given strict instructions to handle this quietly, or else. Yeah, no pressure there. I really can't stand their new district chief, Barillo, who replaced Kaniyar. He despises John and his team, and makes no bones about the fact that they disgust him.
A vila is a demon that, once summoned, will help the possessed individual kill their victims by forcing them to, literally, dance themselves to death. A principal dancer forced to "retire" is out to get her revenge, and it's up to the team to stop her, all while keeping out of the way of Barillo. As usual, the story is action-packed and offers excitement galore. Just what I love!
You had to do it, didn't you, Jordan? Now I'm all worried about whoever, or whatever, has their sights set on Caleb/Gray! It's totally your fault now when I start harassing you for the next story. *grins* Loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
June 1, 2019
These books are all fairly short, but they still pack quite a punch. In this case, we have a dancing demon, who makes people dance themselves to death. Things are still tense at work, with people still afraid of and sinking to school boy bullying tactics again Gray/Caleb (which, huh. Not smart, that!), and the new boss throwing out threats left and right. The only thing going well is the relationship between Gray/Caleb and John, and Zahira is fitting in well, but even this is on thin ice, with both men hiding seemingly little things from each other. It’s all going to come to a head, eventually, I’m sure.
February 27, 2016
This series only gets better and better! And if you haven't read it, I really don't know what are you waiting for... It's absolutely amazing.
Dancer Of Death pretty much picks up where the last book left it. Our boys are still dealing with the consequences of their last paranormal fight, and how that has influenced/ changed their lives.
After having been off field for a bit, they are called back to action when there’s a strange murder that seems to have demonic/paranormal stuff behind it.
Caleb, with the help of Gray can spot demons much more easily, and the people in SPECTRE know this. However they are still afraid of Gray, and its power.
The story, as the name of the book tells you, is about a demon who dances its victims to death. There is a woman in pain, a summoning, a possession, a bunch of deaths, and all stuff creepy. There is a SPECTRE team afraid that they will be separated if things don’t work out.
One of the things that I loved the most about this book was that I got to look at Gray a bit more closely. That in this book I could feel his desperation, and his frustration a bit more, and that here I could see how that affects Caleb.
Zahira, the new girl who is part of the Gray-Caleb-John team was a delight to read. She’s smart, and brave, and incredibly understanding.
I liked the pace that the author chose for this story. It started slow and then suddenly started to pick up little by little, until everything seemed more and more clearly. I enjoyed how the mystery was solved, and I ADORED that it creeped me out so much… I’m weird, what can I say?
One of the things that I love the most about Jordan L. Hawk is that while she does work with cliffhangers, they are never the kind of cliffhanger that will piss you off. She leaves a question or two in the air, but it’s always stuff you can live with until the next book comes out. This book left a bunch of questions for me, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
So, yes. Read this. Fall in love with Caleb, Gray and John. Get totally lost in this amazing world that the author has created where monsters, and demons, and vampires, and hunting, are well, an everyday thing.
Dancer Of Death pretty much picks up where the last book left it. Our boys are still dealing with the consequences of their last paranormal fight, and how that has influenced/ changed their lives.
After having been off field for a bit, they are called back to action when there’s a strange murder that seems to have demonic/paranormal stuff behind it.
Caleb, with the help of Gray can spot demons much more easily, and the people in SPECTRE know this. However they are still afraid of Gray, and its power.
The story, as the name of the book tells you, is about a demon who dances its victims to death. There is a woman in pain, a summoning, a possession, a bunch of deaths, and all stuff creepy. There is a SPECTRE team afraid that they will be separated if things don’t work out.
One of the things that I loved the most about this book was that I got to look at Gray a bit more closely. That in this book I could feel his desperation, and his frustration a bit more, and that here I could see how that affects Caleb.
Zahira, the new girl who is part of the Gray-Caleb-John team was a delight to read. She’s smart, and brave, and incredibly understanding.
I liked the pace that the author chose for this story. It started slow and then suddenly started to pick up little by little, until everything seemed more and more clearly. I enjoyed how the mystery was solved, and I ADORED that it creeped me out so much… I’m weird, what can I say?
One of the things that I love the most about Jordan L. Hawk is that while she does work with cliffhangers, they are never the kind of cliffhanger that will piss you off. She leaves a question or two in the air, but it’s always stuff you can live with until the next book comes out. This book left a bunch of questions for me, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
So, yes. Read this. Fall in love with Caleb, Gray and John. Get totally lost in this amazing world that the author has created where monsters, and demons, and vampires, and hunting, are well, an everyday thing.
February 24, 2016
4.75 stars
This one is pretty high on the gore factor and we get some POV from the bad guy in this one--which makes it reminds me a lot of book #4 Eater of Lives in the first series.
Excellent pacing that kept me on the edge of my set. Plenty twists and turns in the developing relationship between the threesome, that makes it ever more complex. I really enjoy how this is being explored. Some emotional interludes as well as sizzling sexy bits. I hadn’t read the blurb before I read the story and that last line was interesting, as I guess I hadn’t realized that the scent Gray ran across for the second time in this book was tracking him. Interesting development for sure especially since Gray contends the thing he smells is not food… ie. not a demon.
Lots of intriguing secondary characters! I find myself wondering how Deacon will fit into this overall, as something about him tells me he’s more integral than the surface seems to show—of course, I could be wrong. And the more we get to know Zahira, the more I’m loving her as a partner for these guys. One scene with her and Gray was just so touching! Karl the trans man is also great, and I find myself hoping we will get to read more about him as well.
Overall, an enjoyable installment of the series that left me eager for the next.
This one is pretty high on the gore factor and we get some POV from the bad guy in this one--which makes it reminds me a lot of book #4 Eater of Lives in the first series.
Excellent pacing that kept me on the edge of my set. Plenty twists and turns in the developing relationship between the threesome, that makes it ever more complex. I really enjoy how this is being explored. Some emotional interludes as well as sizzling sexy bits. I hadn’t read the blurb before I read the story and that last line was interesting, as I guess I hadn’t realized that the scent Gray ran across for the second time in this book was tracking him. Interesting development for sure especially since Gray contends the thing he smells is not food… ie. not a demon.
Lots of intriguing secondary characters! I find myself wondering how Deacon will fit into this overall, as something about him tells me he’s more integral than the surface seems to show—of course, I could be wrong. And the more we get to know Zahira, the more I’m loving her as a partner for these guys. One scene with her and Gray was just so touching! Karl the trans man is also great, and I find myself hoping we will get to read more about him as well.
Overall, an enjoyable installment of the series that left me eager for the next.
March 8, 2020
Audiobook reviewAfter the bridge take-down in Mocker of Ravens John, Caleb and Gray are on desk duty. Something all of them hates. But their boss is not happy and they ever want to have a hope of getting out in the field again, they need dance by his pipe. The call comes in the middle of a night a demon is leaving dead dancers strewn around and needs to be stopped. Clues lead them to a ballet studio and one of their dancers, but finding them is easier said than done. Especially since there’s an unknown entity lurking behind the scenes, distracting them at some inopportune moments.
You know, I kind of enjoy the friction between our main characters. It’s not always sunshine and roses anymore – at least when it comes to their relationship. The rest of their lives have always been a kind of a mess with demons and attacks and betrayals, but the two and three of them have always been solid. In this second series we see the growing plains of their relationship, how their individual wants and needs don’t always combine. Caleb wanting a normal life, with friends and without demon hunting and all things SPECTR. Gray on the other hand hates being side lined and pushes for going out on the field again killing demons. Grudgingly accepting that the ones that can still be exorcised aren’t food. John, just like Gray, John wants to be out on the field doing what he does best. He miss having a team that trust and likes him, being shunned in the office. So they have a few things to figure out, and it will take time, but in the end they’ll be stronger for it.
I also really enjoy Zahira. She’s got spunk, she’s a fresh wind and I think that with some more experience under her belt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with and will one day take on the world’s injustices. It’s going to be fun seeing her evolve in the coming books.
So far these books mostly reads like single stories and not one overall story as the first series. That might change though, when we go further along in the story. I mean their lives move forward and one book builds on the previous ones, but the continuance isn’t immediate. There’s an underlying feeling, at the moment very quiet, but I’m guessing it will build towards something epic at the end of the series – Hawk never disappoints on that.
Brad Langer is an intense narrator and feels every word he speaks. He takes the listener along for a ride every time. He makes you feel the intensity of the fights, the heart pounding in your chest when it looks like game over. He’s engaging and it never lets up, just like the stories he’s telling. A great fit if you ask me.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
September 22, 2018
This is one review for all 5 novellas in the SPECTR Series 2, posted on each novella in this series, because I am wiped out.
I waited 3 years for this second series of SPECTR stories to be finished and they were completely worth the wait. And here I am, already waiting for Series 3. *sigh*
A lot happens with John, Caleb and Gray, and some of it is damn hard to read. All of them are hurt in this series, and worse, they hurt each other. For a while, it seemed like they might actually lose against the bad guy, who seemed, unbelievably, to be much stronger than Gray. There were times when I thought Gray and Caleb were actually done, it was pretty freaking scary. But the thing that hurt most was John losing faith in Caleb and Gray, .
The love and the bond between the three of them isn't something that's easily destroyed, though JLH made us suffer for it this time. I loved the additions to the series, namely Kurt & Zahira, though Barillo can GTFO as far as I'm concerned.*I'd be ok with Gray eating him* And I'm super excited about the direction SPECTR 3 seems to be going. I CANNOT WAIT!!! *sigh* *sits down to wait*
I waited 3 years for this second series of SPECTR stories to be finished and they were completely worth the wait. And here I am, already waiting for Series 3. *sigh*
A lot happens with John, Caleb and Gray, and some of it is damn hard to read. All of them are hurt in this series, and worse, they hurt each other. For a while, it seemed like they might actually lose against the bad guy, who seemed, unbelievably, to be much stronger than Gray. There were times when I thought Gray and Caleb were actually done, it was pretty freaking scary. But the thing that hurt most was John losing faith in Caleb and Gray, .
The love and the bond between the three of them isn't something that's easily destroyed, though JLH made us suffer for it this time. I loved the additions to the series, namely Kurt & Zahira, though Barillo can GTFO as far as I'm concerned.*I'd be ok with Gray eating him* And I'm super excited about the direction SPECTR 3 seems to be going. I CANNOT WAIT!!! *sigh* *sits down to wait*
January 3, 2020
Another great addition to the SCPECTR series! 4 Stars!
I set this series aside for some time, waiting for the bundled audiobook to come out! Now I can binge listen at a discount! 😉
Here we have John, Caleb, Grey (Gray sp?—too lazy to look at the blurb), and Zahira back in the field taking on a vila. If you remember your Harry Potter then you may remedy that a vila is connected to dancing. Here, this dancing demon has people dancing to their deaths!
Our squad is still facing backlash at work because of Grey at work and are under a hostile boss.
On a personal front, Grey is hungry and is manifesting himself more and more.
Will they catch the murdering vila? Will Grey get to eat? Will work tensions subside?
Read and find out!
My rec? Hell, yeah! But only if you’ve read all the previous books!
I set this series aside for some time, waiting for the bundled audiobook to come out! Now I can binge listen at a discount! 😉
Here we have John, Caleb, Grey (Gray sp?—too lazy to look at the blurb), and Zahira back in the field taking on a vila. If you remember your Harry Potter then you may remedy that a vila is connected to dancing. Here, this dancing demon has people dancing to their deaths!
Our squad is still facing backlash at work because of Grey at work and are under a hostile boss.
On a personal front, Grey is hungry and is manifesting himself more and more.
Will they catch the murdering vila? Will Grey get to eat? Will work tensions subside?
Read and find out!
My rec? Hell, yeah! But only if you’ve read all the previous books!
January 14, 2019
Great series!
Gray, Caleb and John are awesome! :)
Ugh, and I still want to choke and shake District Chief Barillo.....
Gray, Caleb and John are awesome! :)
Ugh, and I still want to choke and shake District Chief Barillo.....
February 21, 2016
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
4.75 Stars -
I love this series and didn’t want Dancer of Death to end – or more, I don’t want to let these characters go! I need the next book now!!
I love how Gray and Caleb are delineated and you can see they are two different beings in the same body. I love how John treats them as such. You can tell all three are in this relationship together. The only things I missed from this installment were more overall relationship time and a love scene from Caleb and Gray’s perspective. I like seeing it from the perspective of three rather than just two.
The mystery was great and in keeping with the tone of the series. Anyone who has read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will recognize the name “Vila” and have a preconceived notion of the demon. This is not the very pretty, man enthralling creature from that children’s book though. This vila is altogether more sinister and dangerous.
Fans of the series won’t be disappointed. If you are new, start at the beginning with Hunter of Demons, Book 1 in the first Spectr series. Enjoy!
4.75 Stars -
I love this series and didn’t want Dancer of Death to end – or more, I don’t want to let these characters go! I need the next book now!!
I love how Gray and Caleb are delineated and you can see they are two different beings in the same body. I love how John treats them as such. You can tell all three are in this relationship together. The only things I missed from this installment were more overall relationship time and a love scene from Caleb and Gray’s perspective. I like seeing it from the perspective of three rather than just two.
The mystery was great and in keeping with the tone of the series. Anyone who has read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will recognize the name “Vila” and have a preconceived notion of the demon. This is not the very pretty, man enthralling creature from that children’s book though. This vila is altogether more sinister and dangerous.
Fans of the series won’t be disappointed. If you are new, start at the beginning with Hunter of Demons, Book 1 in the first Spectr series. Enjoy!
April 19, 2024
Well DANCER OF DEATH set the foundation for all kinds of interesting developments and I will be jumping right into the next book so I can get some answers! Tensions are high at SPECTR as Caleb struggles with the other agent's dislike and fear of Gray but thankfully he has John and their new partner Zahira, who by the way, continues to be amazing. There's also some tension between our couple as Caleb begins to keep some secrets to protect John and I'm sure those will come to a head sooner rather than later. This has been such an amazing series and I'm so impressed with Jordan L. Hawk's ability to keep each book fresh with an interesting monster case to solve while also continuing the ever growing story of John, Caleb, and Gray.
February 26, 2016
4.5 stars.
Loved this one! The plot slooowly starts to pick up...John and Caleb are increasingly frustrated with their job in Spectr, there's an unknown entity teasing Gray, and the guys have a new partner - Zahira. She's so great for them, especially for Gray. I loved her! NOt surprising, since J.L. Hawk is amazing at female characters. Her Christine from the Whyborne&Griffin series is in my top-10 of favorite heroines ever.
The wait for the next book will be excruciating...(((
Loved this one! The plot slooowly starts to pick up...John and Caleb are increasingly frustrated with their job in Spectr, there's an unknown entity teasing Gray, and the guys have a new partner - Zahira. She's so great for them, especially for Gray. I loved her! NOt surprising, since J.L. Hawk is amazing at female characters. Her Christine from the Whyborne&Griffin series is in my top-10 of favorite heroines ever.
The wait for the next book will be excruciating...(((
November 13, 2018
✮4 Stars✮
June 25, 2016
Separation certainly made the heart grow fonder in Spectr case. I thought I was getting in sort of a rut with this series - yet another book with a new case of a disgruntled human summoning a demon, some kind of obstruction from guys' colleagues and an obligatory sex scene between John and Caleb and/or Gray. But after several months of waiting it all looks new and exciting now.
The trio seemed especially powerless (in a legal sense) in this book, and although I definitely appreciate the strong emotional response it creates, as a fan I'm hoping for more victories for them in the next installment.
The trio seemed especially powerless (in a legal sense) in this book, and although I definitely appreciate the strong emotional response it creates, as a fan I'm hoping for more victories for them in the next installment.
June 3, 2019
2019 Re-Read:
I'm loving this series. You can tell by the way I stayed up way too late reading it last night. I really hate that new boss guy, though. Kinda sick of his crap at this point, so I hope that, whatever his problem is, he gets it under control before too long. I can see that if this side plot goes on too long, it could diminish my enjoyment of the series overall. But, for now, bring on the next one!
I'm loving this series. You can tell by the way I stayed up way too late reading it last night. I really hate that new boss guy, though. Kinda sick of his crap at this point, so I hope that, whatever his problem is, he gets it under control before too long. I can see that if this side plot goes on too long, it could diminish my enjoyment of the series overall. But, for now, bring on the next one!
March 15, 2016
same old... This was short, it was a lot of the usual.
The story around the demon was rather boring.
It felt a lot of "meh".
I skimmed in the end.
I am a bit sad to see such an interesting concept go stale...
The story around the demon was rather boring.
It felt a lot of "meh".
I skimmed in the end.
I am a bit sad to see such an interesting concept go stale...
July 6, 2019
Okay, things aren't getting settled between Caleb, Gray and John, in fact, I think they might just get worse though for now, they are pretty much status quo though the status doesn't seem to intend to stay.
This book is oddly focused on Gray and Caleb to the point I found myself missing John. In fact, if you think about it the entire series has had more of a focus on Gray and Caleb for obvious reasons but I don't want that any more. I want more of John but this book definitely doesn't have that.
I liked the plot and the mystery behind this one. We have another new baddie and it feels weird that all the NHEs in this series are super-powered up but they definitely make for interesting storylines and action scenes especially when it isn't as easy for Gray to defeat them.
I am liking the PASS meetings though I have an uneasy feeling about Deacon I wonder if he is going to come between John and Caleb.
Also, I really really hate Barillo can we have him turn up dead up the end of this series. I can feel the unrest between our MCs and he isn't helping the situation one bit.
I am liking the series so far though I can't help wondering why they are so many strong NHEs in Charleston even after Gray did a clean-up job. It's weird there is definitely something going and I am desperately hoping we have our MCs on even footing again. Also, I am eager to find out what this not-demon entity will turn out to be.
This book is oddly focused on Gray and Caleb to the point I found myself missing John. In fact, if you think about it the entire series has had more of a focus on Gray and Caleb for obvious reasons but I don't want that any more. I want more of John but this book definitely doesn't have that.
I liked the plot and the mystery behind this one. We have another new baddie and it feels weird that all the NHEs in this series are super-powered up but they definitely make for interesting storylines and action scenes especially when it isn't as easy for Gray to defeat them.
I am liking the PASS meetings though I have an uneasy feeling about Deacon I wonder if he is going to come between John and Caleb.
Also, I really really hate Barillo can we have him turn up dead up the end of this series. I can feel the unrest between our MCs and he isn't helping the situation one bit.
I am liking the series so far though I can't help wondering why they are so many strong NHEs in Charleston even after Gray did a clean-up job. It's weird there is definitely something going and I am desperately hoping we have our MCs on even footing again. Also, I am eager to find out what this not-demon entity will turn out to be.
October 28, 2019
This series just continues to deliver. Just as Gray is starting to really strain under their forced benching by Barillo (gosh that character needs to die a painful death!) a case gets handed to John, Caleb and Zahira. Of course not everything goes as planned (when does it ever? lol) but in this case the ending is a good one for our fearless crusaders.
What I truly love in this series is that while we're dealing with an established relationship between John, Caleb and of course Gray, they still grow throughout the series. Just another reason to keep coming back *grin*
What I truly love in this series is that while we're dealing with an established relationship between John, Caleb and of course Gray, they still grow throughout the series. Just another reason to keep coming back *grin*
February 26, 2017
3.5 stars Audio Version
Good as always with this series. It was an interesting case and I'm really liking the guy's new partner. Also an interesting twist with the new paranormal creature making it's appearance. Hopefully that's what the next book will be about.
Narrator was great as usual.
Good as always with this series. It was an interesting case and I'm really liking the guy's new partner. Also an interesting twist with the new paranormal creature making it's appearance. Hopefully that's what the next book will be about.
Narrator was great as usual.
March 4, 2016
Gray returns in Dancer of Death. He wants to find a few demons he can eat but unfortunately, he and John and Caleb, his host, a well as Zahira, their partner are on desk duty. Gray chafes at the inaction but respect Caleb and John enough to behave.
They are called back to the field when a demon begins killing ballerinas. The next on the list could be Zahira’s friend. The chase is on but it appears as if someone is also tracking Gray.
These stories are so exciting. The fact that Gray is hosted by Caleb makes them more so. We have three individuals but only two bodies. Caleb lets Gray out when necessary but still knows what is going on. The heat is high both in and out of the bedroom. The plot is excellently done and there will be more to go as all is not resolved. Looking forward to more in this series.
They are called back to the field when a demon begins killing ballerinas. The next on the list could be Zahira’s friend. The chase is on but it appears as if someone is also tracking Gray.
These stories are so exciting. The fact that Gray is hosted by Caleb makes them more so. We have three individuals but only two bodies. Caleb lets Gray out when necessary but still knows what is going on. The heat is high both in and out of the bedroom. The plot is excellently done and there will be more to go as all is not resolved. Looking forward to more in this series.
February 21, 2016
When will SPECTR get the Point
The new Director of SPECTR doesn't want Caleb/Grey working for him and would like to split them up from Agent John. Meanwhile numerous people have gone missing and two Ballerinas have been given the Gisele treatment. Not good. A dance macabre indeed.
As usual with Jordan Hawk, the plot is original, the characters interesting and the action fast. There are several romantic interludes between our heroes, but no new relationship developments. Most of the new interest is focused on their new partner, Zahira, who's fascinated by Grey. I also wish to compliment the book cover with the appropriately very worn out toe shoes, perfect !
The new Director of SPECTR doesn't want Caleb/Grey working for him and would like to split them up from Agent John. Meanwhile numerous people have gone missing and two Ballerinas have been given the Gisele treatment. Not good. A dance macabre indeed.
As usual with Jordan Hawk, the plot is original, the characters interesting and the action fast. There are several romantic interludes between our heroes, but no new relationship developments. Most of the new interest is focused on their new partner, Zahira, who's fascinated by Grey. I also wish to compliment the book cover with the appropriately very worn out toe shoes, perfect !
March 9, 2016
***audio version***
Another amazing episode in this series and sexy gray.
Another amazing episode in this series and sexy gray.
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