Hexen's Cross

Hexen's Cross #1

by J. Kowallis

"The magic calls her.
A prophecy binds her.
The ancestors guide her.

Dr. Taran Grim, a young professor of occult studies, knows the written history of witches better than anyone in her field. And she should. She’s one of them.

After a mysterious stranger arrives at her office inquiring about the mythical staff of Woden, Taran’s curiosity reveals a millennia-old prophesy directly tied to her. The answers wait in Bryden, England and the only person who can help her gain access to the hidden valley is the descendant of Ruhmactir, and a member of the shape-shifting Geri clan: Collens “Coll” Donovan.

But the Donovans have secrets of their own, and Taran’s underdeveloped magic is wreaking strange havoc on her life. If she can’t manage her magic and strike a truce with Coll, they’ll fail to prevent the prophesied event known as Deireanhexe: the end of the hexen race."

Genres: Fantasy, Witches, Romance, Magic

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2018

About the author

J. Kowallis graduated from Weber State University’s creative writing program, and lives in Utah with her Mini Schnauzer, Etta. She enjoys dreaming about, flying to, and writing about distant lands (real or unreal).

Reviews

[Lauren Horowitz]

Exquisite world building, a family of secrets, a badass heroine and a bad boy to boot? Yes, J, yes!

[Ashley Tomlinson]

I have read every book that J. Kowallis has written so to say I am a fan is an understatement. She has a way of writing that is so engaging and makes me feel like I'm right there with the characters experiencing everything with them. It makes reading more enjoyable and it really makes me fly through her books at lightning fast speeds.

I was hooked on this book as soon as I read the name Odin in the beginning. I knew it was going to be full of myths and magic and I was right on the nose with that assumption. Ragnarok was mentioned a time or two making me have some major Thor vibes. I was glad when the Thor movies were at least mentioned.

Taran was an incredible character! I loved everything about her and was always on her side even if I wanted to slap her. Coll was a hard character to like at first but the more I learned about him the more I understood him which made me like him. I loved the banter that the two of them constantly had. It made them feel real.

I so did not see that ending coming! It took a moment of absently staring at the book before I was able to get up and continue living. I am so excited to get book 2 I need to know what happens next, like now!

[Lora Edwards]

This book was fantastic. The author did her research and it shows. The story grabs you from the beginning and digs it' claws into you, I didn't want to put it down. There is a great balance of folklore and danger as well as a bit of a budding love story. I cannot wait for the next book.

[Natshane]

J. Kowallis, a brilliant master of words, had once again created a new series that I know for sure (10000% guaranteed kind of sure) that will leave us with a gaping mouth, an awestruck expression and the thrill of an adventure!

OCCULT STUDIES.

That theme alone has sealed the deal, bewitched from the start and enamored me into devouring the book page by page, word by word. I have no qualms about reading a J.Kowallis book as I had always looked up to her works (if you follow my reviews, you will see my absolute obsession / fangirling tendencies over the phenomenal The Enertia Trials: The Complete Series). So when the author decided to stray away from dystopian/sci-fi and venture into the unchartered territory of witches and fantasies, holy shoot, I'M LITERALLY DYING OF HAPPINESS and ADMIRATION for this woman.

If there is one thing I could count on, it's the author's ability to deliver a compact storyline filled with hours of research and substance to make every single moment believable. I found myself to be so enticed by the world building and the characters, from the background to the unique blend of mythology with magic and witches, it is without a doubt that Hexen's Cross turned out to be AMAZING.

** ARC Generously provided by the author.

P.S. Sorry it took me too long to type out the review, I was in a book hangover and could not, for the life of me, figured out how to convey my thoughts. I may have a reread sometime soon!!!

[Tricia]

Mythology, magic and mystery...all my favorite M words in one novel.







If you read my reviews you know I'm a sucker for mythology, and Kowallis seamlessly weaves it into the world of the Hexens in an utterly unique way.







I also think it needs to be said that this story has some serious Indiana Jones vibes happening. The riddles to be solved, hunting for possibly fictitious relics from the past, magical BOOBY TRAPS, all being pioneered by the badass seeker of knowledge, professor/Hexen extrodinaire, Taran Grim.









Taran was pretty awesome. Although her Hexen legacy was not as accomplished as it could be, her knowledge on the mythological and mystical was second to none. Or at least, very few. I'm glad she still has some stuff to learn where her spells/powers are involved because I think if she had all that straight away she would be unstoppable at whatever she puts her mind to. I think I'll quite enjoy watching her develop and exact those powers as the story continues.







Now can we talk Collens Donovan for a hot minute? How is it even an accent on paper is HAWT?







I mean, he was kinda douchetastic at the beginning, but we all know sometimes those rough around the edges types are hiding all their many squishy loveable bits underneath. Coll was no exception. His magical prowess was a nice balance to Taran's wealth of knowledge. As Taran chipped away at his armor we got a much better idea of him as a person without the bluster and bravado...and of course, like Taran, it was hard not to like what I saw.







That ending was explosive, be prepared for twists and revelations you won't see coming! I was on the edge of my seat by the end and I CAN'T WAIT to see what happens next in this world of magic and mayhem! If you are a fan of mythology, adventure, magic, and swoon-worthy characters you need to add Hexen's Cross to your must-read list.







Btw still insanely jealous of Hexen's ability to magic their way around daily nuisances like doing your hair and avoiding traffic. Taran, share your secrets with me please!







*I received an ARC at no cost from the author*

[Cassandra (Thebookishcrypt)]

*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
I've been super excited for this novel ever since I heard it was in the works! I love Jernae's writing so much and I was anxiously awaiting more from her after her Dreamland series ended.
This novel follows Taran as she dives deeper into her family history of witches, hexens, and finds out that she's tied to a prophecy. She must face it head on, with help from a fellow hexen, Coll, before her race is wiped out for good.
I loved the fact that we learned a lot about Taran's world along with her instead of trying to keep up with a character that knew everything we didn't. Unfortunately, I was only able to relate to her through some of her emotions but other than that, I had trouble building a deeper connection to her and it really impacted my reading.
One particular thing that happened the moment Coll and Taran met had me constantly resenting a part of him so I couldn't sympathize with him when the plot asked for it. I also couldn't fall in love with him as much as I wanted to. I enjoyed him as a character but I couldn't say I would shed a tear for him, at least not yet. I would need to see if the next book changes my mind about him. Although, I really wish we would've gotten his POV as well as Taran's. I think that if I would've been able to witness his world first hand, I would've been more sympathetic towards some things in his life, in the past and the present.
One thing that I couldn't get enough of was the humor in this novel. I busted out laughing too many times to count and it kept the book intriguing enough during slow moments. I was at the verge of tears and I couldn't have asked for more in that department.
I also looooooved the frequent mentions of Norse Mythology. Jernae may have used words I'm familiar with but she wove it all into a world of her own. I want to see so much more of the magic system mentioned in this novel because it all sounds amazing! I felt like I just got a little taste of the world and I can't wait to see more.
I'm sad to say that I have yet to connect to most of these characters. There were some scenes that would've impacted me a whole lot more had this not been the case but since it was, they just went over my head.
I also don't know why but I couldn't keep up with the information I gained of Taran's family history and everyone else's. I have a vague idea of it but the details kept evading me and wouldn't stick to my brain. I blame it all on my horrible, never-ending book slump though, it had nothing to do with Jernae and her new world. I may need to reread this whenever I am in a better mind set for this genre so I can appreciate it more!
I want to say that this novel is a slow burn. Both in the romance department, and in every other one. To be honest, this felt like a prequel to me so I am excited for the next book to show me more about Taran and her character development. I may not have built connections but I am definitely intrigued. Also, that ending was definitely a big cliffhanger and I need to know what's going to happen next!
3.9/5 stars

[Naadhira Zahari]

This book is magical and it is everything I never knew I needed! I really wasn't pushing myself to have high expectations about this book but clearly, the author has once again wowed me with another captivating story of hers. It can no longer be escaped that J. Kowallis is in fact a great wielder and craftswoman who writes the most interesting and beautiful stories. It's a shame that not a lot of people see and get to experience it firsthand just how amazing she is, that the stories she has written will stay and be with us readers for a long time. I think I'm getting off track here because I'm here to talk about this amazing book and not the amazing author. Moving on then...

The story is actually really easy to understand and follow along as it progresses. Even though there are a few pages dedicated for pronounciations and the meaning of the spells, you don't have to refer to it that much because when you read along, it'll be explained what the spell means.

Taran is such an amazing character. She's independent, very smart and very dedicated to what she does. Coll on the other hand was very rude and annoying at the beginning but once you know the real him, his true colours, you won't hate him anymore. You'll begin to understand him and see just how much in pain he really is in.

I adore Taran and Coll together. Even though they blatantly hate the guts of one another, they can't help it that there's a pulsating love and desire between them. That no matter how much they try to fight and ignore it, it's there and it demands some action. And I really want to see more because there's too little romance in this book and I need more.

The ending left me shook to say the least. I desperately need the second book in my hands asap but I know that won't be happening soon. This means that I'll have to wait torturously which is fine. I'm so used to getting my heart ripped open and having to wait for the next book in the series to be available to read. It's one of the joys, really.

[Moa Eriksson]

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. That was... wow. I'll write a review when I can write coherent sentences again.

Two weeks later:
This book was seriously incredible. I loved it so much! When I read it had Germanic folklore in it, I was sold. Since I grew up with those stories, they have a special place in my heart, and I absolutely loved seeing Kowallis’s take on them. It was unique, and surprising, and utterly impressive. I am 100% obsessed.

I loved the characters. Taran is really cool and fun to read about. She’s a professor of Occult Studies, so she knows everything worth knowing about Germanic folklore. She’s a hexen, and descendant of Woden, also known as Odin, a god from Norse mythology. But, while Taran knows most of everything about her heritage, she hasn’t kept up with practising her magic. She’s totally awesome, and I loved reading about her.

And, okay, I loved Coll, too. He’s not all that nice at first, but he has an accent, and I can’t resist a guy with an accent, so I loved him. He’s also a hexen. But what I liked the most about Coll was that he was so layered. At first sight, he’s horrible. But he can also be really nice, and sweet, and he’s so protective of his sisters, and honestly, he’s just awesome. Honestly, all the characters in this book were really layered, and I loved finding out new things about them as I got further into the book.

There were so many things I loved about this book, but the mythology was the best of all. Kowallis’s take on the stories was entirely original and you could tell that she’s really done her research. Everything was so well thought-out, and every part of it made complete sense. The plot was amazing, and it was impossible to put down.

I have to say something about the ending. It… shocked me, to put it lightly. Honestly, it’s taken me two weeks since I finished the book, until now, that I’m able to write a somewhat coherent review. The ending caught me by surprise, and by the end of it all, I was yelling and crying and just freaking out. Waiting for the next book will be torture. Absolute torture.

There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to tell you how much I loved this book, so I guess you’ll just have to read it *wink wink*. With layered characters, interesting mythology, and a good plot, Hexen’s Cross is a unique take on the old tales that will leave you gripping the pages until the very last sentence… This is a new must-read!

[ZombiieeX]

This book was an absolutely pleasure to jump in. It been a while since a storyline grabbed my attention so strongly, but i swear i could not stop reading. It's impressive how much work and research she did to creating such a believable and strong storyline. She mixed perfectly magic, mythology and mystery, creating a very unique vibe. i'm also amazed at how much J. Kowallis grew as a writer, her style is alot more defined. The storyline was entertaining from the start. I was hooked very quickly (main character has cookie dough for breakfast, i was in love after that). I was also a very big fan of the romance even if Collens start off as an asshole, it was pretty hard not to end up loving him. I'm really excited to see how this "relationship" is gonna be in the rest of the series because guys, THAT ENDING KILLED ME A LITTLE. The last part of the book was full of twists and turns that just kept me on the edge the whole time and left me craving for more.
I need more.
Sadly, the ending came too quickly and now i'm gonna be stuck in an horrible book hangover.

Hexen's Cross : 4.5/5


[Toni Swinehart]

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I was hooked within the first 5 pages reading every extra moment I could find. I loved the mythology and danger with just a hint of romance. I am looking forward to the next installment. Seriously, just read this book!! <3

[Anwesha]

**I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This doesn’t affect my opinion of the book.**

I was actually supposed to have stopped reading ebooks. And, I actually did, until I got this mail, about the author, J. Kowallis’ new book, Hexen’s Cross. Yep, this one! And you just freaking can’t apply for an ARC copy when the author of your favourite dystopian series, The Enertia Trials, releases a new fantasy book! And that too, one with witches and symbolism and mythology! Oh, and you all, if you love dystopias and apocalypses and post-apocalyptic worlds, YOU SHOULD READ THE ENERTIA TRIALS!!! No, you just can’t love dystopia and not read the Enertia Trials…no, you just can’t do that! I could go on and on, about how awesome the Enertia Trial is, but I have separate posts, with reviews for each of the books in the series and you should go check them out if you wish to read about me incessantly fangirling about the four books, this one is for Hexen’s Cross.

To be honest, it took me two weeks to read the first chapter. No, not because it was utterly boring, no, it’s quite the opposite, it’s just long, like seriously long, and it takes a chapter or two to get the hang of what’s happening. Once I was done with the second chapter, it’s one hell of a captivating, enchanting, bewitching 😉 ride through the pages.
But, before I tell you about the plot and how I loved it, let me tell you about the other aspects, the title, and the cover.

Cover and Title: The cover has this dark, mesmerizing and witch-y aura to it, and it is so freaking perfect for the story! Like holy crows! look at the artwork on the cover, the hands…the crest candles…the cross….the dripping wax, flowing over the hands, they are basically what the entire story revolves around. I think that the hot wax from the candle, dripping on the fingers represent the danger, from their own people…or it’s just me trying to read deeper.But yes, that is one eye-catching cover. The title, it’s literally, that’s just what it is, that’s what the entire story is based on, and I love how the title made me curious, about wanting to know what it exactly referred to. I just have a thing for the covers for J. Kowallis’ books.

Writing: I like the author’s writing style, like it has this hint of sophistication in it, while also being simple to read and comprehend. And I like her usage of long sentences, but really, one of the best parts of the writing in this book is the heavily detailed description of certain elements. Description of fragrances in the book, oh how detailed they are! And so is the clothing of the characters! And a character’s appearance….like I absolutely love reading heavily or intricately detailed writings, and I love this book more for having that.

"After slipping into a pair of black high-waist wide-leg trousers and a jade green blouse with black lace detailing, I stand in front of my full length body mirror and study my face and hair."

"Oils that smell of citrus bergamot and lemon, and evening floral jasmine. Soaps of palmarosa and sandalwood. Half assed attempts of my emotional younger self to attract healing, love, luck, and success."

Those are just two of those instances. There are vivid descriptions of the color of irises too <3, and no, I just love that aspect of the book.

And you have an entire pronunciation guide, in the beginning, to help you with all the words of the ancient tongue, And it isn’t just pronunciation, you have the entire meanings and it just adds to the all the good things about the book. And the combination of witchcraft with mythology and all the mythical legends and prophecies and history and the important symbols hold, and how big a role they play, like it’s amazing how much research seems to have gone into building up the story.

World building: I love the world building in this story, how the author describes the setting of the story, the surroundings of the characters and the places of yore and fantasy and myths, though the story is majorly set in the modern world. It isn’t too much, and it isn’t too little, it just feels like the right amount, to understand and follow the story, and picture the places in your mind. There are parts where the story is set in the past, describing real events from then, and parts where the story is set in a magical fictional, mythical world, and all of them are just right.

Plot: Oh, we finally get to the plot! it’s captivating and enchanting and it hooks you from the first, sinks its claws so deep in your mind, that the chapters would fly by and you would not realize for that is how engrossed you are, in the story. The story builds up at a steady pace, with some fast paced parts, which are mostly laced with danger. The story makes you laugh and cry and hope and bite your nails. The ending, holy crows! AS MUCH AS IT IS HEART WRENCHING, IT IS ALSO JOYOUS, IN SOME ASPECTS AND I ALREADY NEED THE NEXT BOOK, I HAD ACTUALLY GONE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT BOOK, THE SECOND I WAS DONE WITH THIS, ONLY TO REALISE THIS BOOK ITSELF, WASNT OUT YET 😦 NO! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE CERTAIN CHARACTERS AND HOW THEY FARE AFTER THE EVENTS OF THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS AND OH! I ALSO JUST REALISED SOMETHING BIG! 😮 Can we please have the next book soon? I can’t talk about the plot without giving away major spoilers… 😦 unless you don’t mind spoilers…do you? I could go on and on, fangirling… 😀
Characters: We have our main protagonist, Dr. Taran Grim, she’s an interesting character to read about. Yes’ she makes some choices and does some things in a certain way that I wished she had done differently, but no, that is also what makes her up. I love how persistent she is, at getting something done, and that adds to her positive attributes.Our other main character, oh’ i think he is the other main character, for Collens Donovan plays a very important role, in the entire story, and the plot.. and maybe for adding a sprinkle of romance..maybe, I wouldn’t know, you would have to read about that. But I didn’t like him, when we first meet him, and I absolutely didn’t want Taran to have to work with him, I wanted Taran to work by herself, for I didn’t like him until long after, when we get to know his story, why he is the way he is, at least a part of it. We come to know the secrets of the Donovans, and his friends and family. I love how their relationship with each other progresses, and also their banter, though I felt we could have done without the banter and a little peace instead once or twice. But oh, I now wonder what will happen to the two of them…
There are other characters, Taran’s Morai, who feels like this all-knowing, omnipresent Hexen, and you would love her, even if she is a little hard at times. And there are other characters, some you would absolutely love, and wish to be best friends with, and then there are ones you wouldn’t like that much, and of course, the ones you wish had driven off a cliff and dropped on a cropping of jagged rocks. Bust need tut then, you just need villains in the story too.

And last of all, you have mentions of modern literature and movies and multiple mentions of Harry Potter and Chris Hemsworth and no, you can’t not read the book and not love it.

The only reason I hadn’t given a 5 star, I was left confused, about the ancient characters, maybe it was just me, I don’t know, and for how long it took to get through the first two chapters, and no, not because it didn’t grip me, for it did, but it just took a long time.

[Catalina]

As soon as I read the short description offered by the author regarding this book, and I quote, "This is a New Adult magical realism novel with heavy folklore influence. Main themes/genres: Paranormal Romance, Magical Realism, Timeline Changes, Scandinavian/Germanic Folklore, Norse Gods, Witchcraft", I was sold.

I cleared my TBR (and if you are like me, you know this isn't easy) and dived right it.

I'm a sucker for magic, what can I say? Add to this mix folklore, and you've got me hooked. And this book delivered this and so much more.

My only complaint? I finished it too quickly.

[Giselle]

ARCs can be requested here: [closed - other review opportunities found here]

[Kim]

This review and many others, both german and english, can also be found on my blog.
Diese und viele weitere Rezensionen, auf deutsch und englisch, findet ihr auch auf meinem Blog.
Ravenclaw Threadsister


‚Hexen’s Cross‘ is the first book in the a new series by J.Kowallis, or at least it seems to be. It didn’t read like a stand-alone and I can’t imagine the ending of this book to actually be the end of the story, yet when I checked GoodReads for the name of the series I couldn’t find anything.
If this actually a stand-alone the ending was very un-satisfying, but I’ll just hope for the best.

Both the cover and the synopsis immediately drew my attention. To be honest the synopsis kinda reminded me of Deborah Harkness’ ‘A Discovery of Witches’, which I really liked. The cover is perfect for the story and promises a amazing story.

The plot is really interesting and I’m absolutely fascinated by all the mythology going on, although I can’t speak to the correctness of it as I hardly know anything about the subject. I do read a lot of fantasy and I didn’t come across anything in the book that seemed over-used or even familiar, which really is quite the feat. And the plot-twist towards the end totally surprised me. Part of it was something I expected for quite a while, but the other part was something I never expected.
I liked the writing style and the use of different languages for the spells and stuff, but the few german words / sentences in the beginning of the book threw me off a bit. German is my first language and most of the words / translations she used seemed off to me.

Taran is a strong women who has distanced herself from her heritage without really realizing it. She is a history professor, yet knows almost nothing of her own family history.
It was really interesting to see how in the beginning she thought she was so in touch with her “inner witch” and connected to her family until she started to realize that she hardly knew anything and should have spent a lot more time studying her magic.
I really liked her character and could identify with her. She is an academic and a witch, is there anything better than that? Maybe the fact that she’s obviously read Harry Potter.

Coll on the other hand took me a while to get used to. His accent immediately threw me off. No offense to anyone, but I just couldn’t imagine him attractive after “hearing” him speak. The fact that he keeps calling Taran “women” doesn’t help either.
As we get to know him better and their relationship slowly develops we see a different side of his which endears him to me a little more. The way he is protective of his sisters, his use of magic and his obvious feelings for Taran show his softer side.

SPOILER
With the way she referenced Harry Potter she should’ve known that if she changed the past she can’t expect to return to the same present she left..

[Muskan]

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated below are mine and 100% true.

I am a huge fan of The Enertia Trials and when J Kowallis announced her new book, I knew I wanted it. It was one of my most anticipated read of 2018 and I am so happy to say that it delivered.

Hexen's Cross is a magical story with loads to do with Mythology and focuses a great deal on Family with the right amount of romance. It totally reflects that Kowallis is a skillful and gifted writer. The great thing about the Author is her stories are amazing, but her story-telling skills are extra ordinary. Her writing is simple, easy to understand yet carries the perfect amount of Intensity and enchants you.

The book follows Taran as she tries to uncover the secrets of her bloodline and to do that, she needs help from Coll.
Taran is an amazing female lead. She is highly intelligent, bold and not afraid to be herself. Coll is our typial flirty, arrogant romantic interest in Pain. Now I could have totally fallen in Love with him if he wasn't introduced the way he was. For me, respecting women (or JUST PEOPLE IN GENERAL) and chivalry is very important. While he redeemed himself and I sympathize with, it just didn't sit right with me. Other than that, Coll is a very intelligent and skillful Hexen. And, I do ship them both as couple! I can't wait to see their romance grow!

The World Building was just fantastic. I loved how we got to know things along with Taran. I am really excited to see it expand in the next book. I can't wait for the next book, especially after that highly shocking ending. I am very excited to see how the characters develop and where the story leads too.

All in one, read this book if you like books with Magic, Myth, Mystery, family bonding and Sexy Romance.

[Julie]

I have recently read quite a few young adult books that just lacked of something to keep me interested, even though the reviews were good. I decided on a whim to try Hexen's Cross after seeing it be recommended on social media.
I haven't been able to put the book down! It's as simple as that.
I like for a story to take me somewhere and to make me forget about what's happening around me, and this book did just that :) It is really easy to read, well written and keeps you on your toes.
Many books have a male character that you're not supposed to like at the start of the story but fall in love with very quickly. I have to say I absolutely disliked the male character for many chapters and was wondering how he'd turn up to be decent later on. The author managed this brilliantly!

I will admit that I was slightly overwhelmed by the amount of foreign words used in the first chapter but I soon realised they were explained as soon as they appeared, so got quickly used to this.
Sometimes there are too many descriptions that I personally deem unnecessary, but it's my personal opinion and once I got used to it, it didn't bother me anymore.
Now there are a few errors that I think are due to the spell checker whereby Adrian become Aiden and Sera becomes Sara for example, but I've similar errors in many modern books and it wasn't so bad as to stop me reading the book. I just wish there hadn't been any as I don't like to be surprised in such a way when I'm enthralled by a story, as I then tend to focus on what might go wrong next. I wish I weren't like that, but that's who I am...

All in all VERY happy with the story and looking forward to reading the next book and other books from the same author :)

[H.M. Gooden]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of this book and have voluntarily and ecstatically reviewed it!
The author had me from the gorgeous cover all the way to the story. I’m a sucker for mythology and legends and the research and detail that went into this book surpassed any expectation I could have hoped for. Although I generally hate cliff-hanger endings, this story was so good I don’t care and want to read the next one right now!! As good as the Witches if not better!

[Rachella Tirazona]

Another great read from this amazing author!

I love the concept of this book and got me hooked till the very end. The characters are amazing and I feel like Im part of this book.

The author makes sure that we are part of this book and we can feel what the characters feel.

A worthy 5 star read indeed.

[Sophia McIntyre]

I won this arc in a giveaway. This book is amazing. I finished it in one sitting. A page Turner from start to finish....now for the next book

[Melanie Matson]

Instantly captivating. Some romcom-esque tropes. But you know what? I didn’t even care. With an original plot line and interesting characters and development, I can’t wait to read the second book of Kowallis’s sophomore series!

[Erin]

Magic, legends, lore, and mythology. You can find it all here in this book. Our heroine is a hexen and a descendant of Woden a mix of Zeus and Odin. Taran is a beautifully written character. She has complexity and dedication to learning her spells. Coll's character adds another depth to the story with his layers of personality and his hexen history. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Amy Braun]

HEXEN'S CROSS was a book whose cover caught my eye, and whose premise peaked my interest. When it was gifted to me, I entered with an open mind and let the story carry me. I feel that's a good comparison to how the main character, Taran, entered this world. The story was light on traditional action until the end, but in its place were great characters, drama, and heavily researched lore. I had a great time reading this book and when it ended, all I could think was "No, that can't be the end! I have so many questions!"

The author's writing style is natural and easy to follow, and her characters are easy to relate to. I really liked Taran and was always rooting for her. Coll was a little more difficult to sympathize with at first (because he was a jerk), but I also found him quite compelling by the end and enjoyed his dynamic with Taran.

What really sold this book for me was the lore and the research that went into this book. I love Nordic mythology so this was a fantastic book for the mythology lover in me. The magic system was also a lot of fun and seemed natural. The transition from light magic to heavy magic added to the immersion.

HEXEN'S CROSS is a great urban fantasy book that opens many doors for an exciting adventure with a great heroine.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[carrie thackston]

Wow, I loved this so much! The mix of legends and mythology is interwoven in the story amazingly well. The research for this must have taken a long time.
Taran, our heroine is a descendant of Woden (Odin, Zeus), and a witch. She spends most of her time as a professor and not practicing or learning her spells. Coll is a consultant and also a witch of another line. They have a rocky start, but are forced to work together to prevent the end of the Hexen line. The intricacies of the myths, legends, and historic figures are mind blowing. It can get a little confusing, but it in no way detracts from the story or my enjoyment of it. There is also a glossary to help. I have to say this is one of my top 5 reads for the last year, and I read 4-5 books a week. I won't go into detail about the story because no synopsis would do it justice. Just know there is a magical staff, prophecy and a whole lot of chemistry. I really want Taran and Coll to quit fighting their attraction, mainly Taran, and just be together for their quest. There is a big bump at the end that put a kink in that, but I have faith. Read this, it will keep your interest starting with the first page!

[Ashley]

This book was amazing! I love books that bring fantasy and mythology together and this did not disappoint.

Dr. Taran Grim is a hexen and comes from a long line of hexens. She tragically lost her father when she was younger and much to her grandmother’s chagrin, her and her siblings don’t make their gifts as powerful witches their primary focus in life. Instead, Taran throws herself into her studies of the occult and becomes an expert in her field.

One day a stranger makes his way into her office with a stone and nothing is ever the same for her after that. He questions her of Woden’s staff, something that is only a myth for those who are not hexen. Taran realizes a symbol on the stone matches the symbol on her hand and she immediately calls home to get some insight from her grandmother. She gets more than she expects though and her new path leads her to Bryden, England where she must work with a man who has nothing but disdain for her despite being the only one who can help.

There are twists and turns and so much fun in this adventure. The end will leave you wanting more!

[Michele Hossack]

Wow! I loved this book - the characters, the story, the action. Everything was woven together into a fantastic reading experience. Taran is a strong female lead, pulled into a magical whirlwind adventure. She is uprooted from the world she knows, and learns to stand strong in a new and challenging environment. I don't want to give anything away. Just go read this book!

[Lil]

I've been waiting for a good read to take me out my reading slump. *dances* This is so good. Fantastic read! Very magical. Would highly recommend this.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat)]

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Gatekeeper Press and the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Taran Grim is a witch. A Hexen to be exact, she's also a professor of occult studies at University, who better to teach you than a witch, right? Strange dreams have been plaguing her, nightmares really, a recurring one, where she watches her father die, again, and again, and again. When these dreams line up with a vision and a strange man who shows up in her office for a meeting asking about the staff of Woden, she can no longer ignore the signs. She must travel to Bryden, England, and there's only one person alive who can help her, Collens Donovan, a member of the shape-shifting Geri clan. The problem being, that the Donovan family have secrets of their own and Taran's magic isn't as advanced as it ought to be by this stage. If she can't somehow work out how to get up to speed real quick, and manage to strike a truce with Collens, then there will be no way that she can prevent Deireanhexe from happening, which will be pretty bad for her, considering it means the end of the Hexen race.

I'll admit, that cover caught my eye pretty quick when I came across it available for request on Netgalley. It has such a beautiful hand drawn quality to it that just cannot be rivaled, and it fit with the story so well!! I'm also a sucker for Urban Fantasy, so it was a no-brainer for me to request this.

Taran Grim is a university professor that teaches occult studies at a University, and she's a witch, from a loooooong line of witches that go back all the way to Woden, or, Odin as some people know him. She keeps having these nightmares, reliving the murder of her father over and over again, not thinking much of it. And when she spaces out for four hours while having some form of vision, she realises that something isn't quite right. After some pushing from her Grandmother, she eventually goes to see her in person and learn what the hell is going on. It is now that she learns about Deireanhexe, a prophecy that has foretold the end of the Hexen race. Her Grandmother tasks her with the knowledge that she is meant to stop it, all the while, reminding her that she is so far behind where she should be with her magical skills. I must say I really enjoyed the character of the Grandmother, or Moroi, as Taran refers to her.

Taran was a likable character who has bad luck with men, and feel for her. I found her to be incredibly relatable and just overall enjoyed her. One thing that did annoy me about her though, was her ability to jump to conclusions and come across as a total bitch to Collens, who, while no angel himself, she needs in order to complete the whole saving the Hexen race thing. Collens was a great character who had a lot of depth, and plays the playboy arsehole to perfection. I really enjoyed getting to crack through his layers along with Taran and learn what made this guy tick. I enjoyed the character of Sara as well, Collens' sister, though we only got to see her for a small portion of the story, I'm hoping that she makes a bigger appearance in the second installment. These two characters and the way they interact made me want to pull my hair out at times, but I do enjoy a haters to lovers approach, I will say now, this has a very very slow burn romance seed that is beginning to bloom, but I'm looking forward to finding out more about it.

I loved the way the Kowallis blended mythology with her urban fantasy world. It just flowed incredibly well and made so much sense. Nothing felt forced at all. At the beginning of the book there is a glossary which to be honest I didn't really want to have to scroll back to the beginning and jolt myself out of the story line, so I know that I was pronouncing 98% of the words incorrectly in my head, which did bug me a little, maybe having in text pronunciation would have worked a bit better here?

The story itself was well thought out and executed, it flowed well and kept me engaged. It didn't give me those good book butterflies, but it was still an enjoying read, I knew that one particular character would show up at an imperative point in the story, however, I was not expecting those that were with them and I really wasn't expecting that twist, so well done on that account.

All in all, this was an enjoyable urban fantasy read with a storyline that will travel over the span of the series I believe as nothing was really solved in this installment. The ending left me hanging and I'm looking forward to diving into the next one to see what happens.

[Kimberly]

*A thank you to NetGalley, J. Kowallis, and Gatekeeper Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*

First I want to say that J. Kowallis has established a world that is amazing. The amount of research that she has done in Hexen's Cross is astonishing and it really shows. Even when she went through the history of Hexens I didn't get bored, like I usually do. This is because I really enjoyed the world, but there was one thing I didn't really enjoy.

Honestly, I just couldn't like Taran. I understand that Taran is supposed to be a complicated character with flaws but this didn't come off how Kowallis wanted it to. This is my personal opinion but Taran came off to me as rude, selfish, and childish, and one of the worse things is Taran mentioned it several times that she knew she was acting this way. Also, her relationship with Colls didn't have any depth to it for me, it wasn't until the end that I actually started to be fine with it.

Now, not to give away any spoilers but the ending was great. I loved how it ended that particular story but left so much open for the sequel! There are so many ways this story can go and I can't wait! I will be reading the next book, as soon as I can.

[Beth]

I liked the story and the investigation into finding the staff of Woden but at times it was difficult to understand the myths that Taran was relating, I still think this is a good idea for a series. What the author needs to work on is dialogue. The dialogue between most characters was stilted and awkward. Taran and Coll are supposed to be in their late 20’s and they talk to each other like mean middle-school kids. Neither of their personalities is likable. I didn’t see the chemistry between them. Their lack of chemistry took away from the storyline quite a bit. Another slightly irritating aspect is that sometimes the author is overly descriptive of objects that are really not vital to the story but just add to word count. Also, I understand that the author felt the need to include a glossary of terms and phrases of magic but I really don’t want to jump to the glossary to understand a word mid-read. It ruins the flow of the story. It’d be better to just explain it while it’s happening. Overall, it’s an interesting story but needs some polish. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jes]

While an intriguing premise, I wasn’t as enthralled as I wanted to be. With Taran and Collens being thrown together, I found their chemistry lacking. And this is just for me personally, but I find it off-putting when an author makes it a point to state how her lead female character cannot put on weight or have “feminine curves” despite how much she eats, but then contradicts herself when the lead character goes for extended periods of time not eating. I tried talking myself into the book several times chalking all of this up to “hexen magic” but ultimately the book fell flat for me. Perhaps it’s just because I’m not used to this particular author’s work and this is my first book from this author.
I enjoyed the twist at the end, but a lot of the plot seemed drawn out. Maybe book 2 will hold more realistic chemistry for the lead characters. We shall see...