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SPECTR Series 3 #1
Stalker of Shadows
Some stones are better left unturned…
John Starkweather feels restless. Though still technically an agent for SPECTR, his only job now seems to be hanging out with his boyfriends, Caleb and the vampire spirit Gray, and binge-watching TV in their New Orleans apartment.
The inactivity comes to an abrupt end when a rougarou attacks John’s estranged grandfather. Even though he hasn’t seen his family since he was a teen, John can’t pass up the opportunity to reconnect.
The more John investigates the attack, the stranger everything about it seems, from his parents’ odd behavior to the rougarou’s unnatural size. And the closer John comes to finding answers, the nearer he draws to a truth that might be better left uncovered.
John Starkweather feels restless. Though still technically an agent for SPECTR, his only job now seems to be hanging out with his boyfriends, Caleb and the vampire spirit Gray, and binge-watching TV in their New Orleans apartment.
The inactivity comes to an abrupt end when a rougarou attacks John’s estranged grandfather. Even though he hasn’t seen his family since he was a teen, John can’t pass up the opportunity to reconnect.
The more John investigates the attack, the stranger everything about it seems, from his parents’ odd behavior to the rougarou’s unnatural size. And the closer John comes to finding answers, the nearer he draws to a truth that might be better left uncovered.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2019
51 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,636 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 69 reviews
May 23, 2019
*sigh* Too short, too short, TOO SHORT!! There is never enough John, Caleb & Gray!!
The guys are hanging out in New Orleans, directed there by Kaniyar after their "vacation" roaming around the country. Caleb & Gray are having a great time, spending time with John uninterrupted by SPECTR, chasing *and eating* any NHE's they find, and Caleb, who is officially "dead", is working under his new name doing vampire tours, LOL. But John is starting to feel a little useless, sitting around and doing nothing and it's wearing on him. He could always visit the NOLA SPECTR office and see if they need help but he's afraid that might raise questions that would lead the agency back to Caleb & Gray.
Then the local agency head calls John, but not for help on a case. She has news that sends John reeling. About his family, that disowned John years ago and signed him over to the State, making SPECTR his family.
John, Caleb & Gray become part of an investigation hunting rougarous, which have been killing people off in the swamps but appear to be heading in the direction of New Orleans. And they don't know it, but the rougarous have a target in mind other than the city.
The story seemed like it was over so fast. The chase for the rougarrous was exciting, as well as some pretty traumatic things going on for John. The only problem I had was that there just wasn't very much time between Caleb, John & Gray, and I missed it. They have always been busy, but most things they investigate together and still have a little time outside of SPECTR together. This time they were constantly going in opposite directions. :(
Still, Jordan L. Hawke manages to keep me engaged with the plot, the writing is excellent and any time with these guys is still amazing, no matter what. And right at the end there's a visitor that promises to make the next book....complicated at best, and possibly more surprises coming about John's past. I can't wait! <3
The guys are hanging out in New Orleans, directed there by Kaniyar after their "vacation" roaming around the country. Caleb & Gray are having a great time, spending time with John uninterrupted by SPECTR, chasing *and eating* any NHE's they find, and Caleb, who is officially "dead", is working under his new name doing vampire tours, LOL. But John is starting to feel a little useless, sitting around and doing nothing and it's wearing on him. He could always visit the NOLA SPECTR office and see if they need help but he's afraid that might raise questions that would lead the agency back to Caleb & Gray.
Then the local agency head calls John, but not for help on a case. She has news that sends John reeling. About his family, that disowned John years ago and signed him over to the State, making SPECTR his family.
John, Caleb & Gray become part of an investigation hunting rougarous, which have been killing people off in the swamps but appear to be heading in the direction of New Orleans. And they don't know it, but the rougarous have a target in mind other than the city.
The story seemed like it was over so fast. The chase for the rougarrous was exciting, as well as some pretty traumatic things going on for John. The only problem I had was that there just wasn't very much time between Caleb, John & Gray, and I missed it. They have always been busy, but most things they investigate together and still have a little time outside of SPECTR together. This time they were constantly going in opposite directions. :(
Still, Jordan L. Hawke manages to keep me engaged with the plot, the writing is excellent and any time with these guys is still amazing, no matter what. And right at the end there's a visitor that promises to make the next book....complicated at best, and possibly more surprises coming about John's past. I can't wait! <3
May 18, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Stalker of Shadows marks the start of the third season of Jordan L. Hawk’s fabulous SPECTR series. The end of the second season brought us an enormous battle with Yuri and Dru that almost destroyed Charleston. That chapter closed out John, Caleb, and Gray’s life in Charleston and left them heading off to new adventures, so I have been really eager to see how Hawk redefines the series in a new location and where they would take our beloved men from here. This book really sets up both their new lives, as well as the new season, so it definitely serves as a foundation story, rather than the super high intensity of the end of last season. But there is still an exciting case, a suspenseful ending, and a lot of groundwork laid for where things go from here.
I liked that this case brings us more in contact with John’s family, as the focus of last season delved a little more into Caleb and Gray. So this is a nice chance to explore John’s backstory more as he reunites with his family for the first time since he was a teen. John also meets a cousin he barely remembers and I think the family dynamic is going to go interesting places as the season continues. I enjoyed the way the case with the rougarou attacks ties together with John’s family and things come together in really interesting ways, particularly at the end. We do get resolution to the immediate case, but given that this is a serial style story, there are lots of open threads as this book ends that will continue in future stories. I am really intrigued by where things are left at the end of this book and there are so many things I am eager to see explored.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Stalker of Shadows marks the start of the third season of Jordan L. Hawk’s fabulous SPECTR series. The end of the second season brought us an enormous battle with Yuri and Dru that almost destroyed Charleston. That chapter closed out John, Caleb, and Gray’s life in Charleston and left them heading off to new adventures, so I have been really eager to see how Hawk redefines the series in a new location and where they would take our beloved men from here. This book really sets up both their new lives, as well as the new season, so it definitely serves as a foundation story, rather than the super high intensity of the end of last season. But there is still an exciting case, a suspenseful ending, and a lot of groundwork laid for where things go from here.
I liked that this case brings us more in contact with John’s family, as the focus of last season delved a little more into Caleb and Gray. So this is a nice chance to explore John’s backstory more as he reunites with his family for the first time since he was a teen. John also meets a cousin he barely remembers and I think the family dynamic is going to go interesting places as the season continues. I enjoyed the way the case with the rougarou attacks ties together with John’s family and things come together in really interesting ways, particularly at the end. We do get resolution to the immediate case, but given that this is a serial style story, there are lots of open threads as this book ends that will continue in future stories. I am really intrigued by where things are left at the end of this book and there are so many things I am eager to see explored.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
June 5, 2019
Oh I love these guys ...John, Caleb & Gray - back on the hunt and back to solve a new mystery. A fabulous series ❤️
June 10, 2019
It is definitely not safe to go back into the waters…
With Charleston in their rear-view widow, John, Caleb, and Gray hope that this next section of their lives will be a bit less…bloody. Well, maybe not completely. Gray’s got to eat, after all.
John is still with SPECTR, though with Caleb declared “dead,” John still recovering from Yuri’s attacks, and Gray needing to keep on the down-low, he has mostly spent his days scrolling through news feeds online. Needless to say he is starting to feel a bit on the useless side. Caleb and Gray, on the other hand, are rather enjoying this chance to get away from the stress and constant attempts to kill/capture/control them.
Their newest stop on their lazy tour of the South is New Orleans. Where there is more danger lurking in the swampy shadows than the trio are ready for. And more demons from John’s past than he is ready to handle.
SPECTR is back! And Series 3 is ready to change things up a bit. After that nail-biter of a ending for Series 2, I was more than a little eager to get my hands on this book. And despite the fact that I am more than a little late with this review (my many apologies, but I got sick and boy did it take a bite out of me) I have to say it was well worth the wait. I really enjoyed having the story set in this new location, and taking the boys out of the SPECTR office (mostly) certainly helped make this new season feel like there are so many more new possibilities. As much as I love the previous two series, I think another one with the same bad-office dynamic would have started to feel a bit stale. Taking the guys out of Charleston and plopping them down in New Orleans was a great idea.
And I’m not just saying that because the idea of Caleb (and a very reluctant Gray) giving vampire tours is fucking hilarious.
Overall this was a very good first book for the series. We got to see the dynamic of the trio in a very interesting place, with plenty of room for growth, but also with the weight and depth of their past experience together giving it a real believability. John’s past get more fleshed out, as well, which was great. Seeing him interact with people from his childhood really gives new meaning to some of his past interactions, especially in regards to how strongly he clings to SPECTR. Which at times has been a frustration for me as a reader, but the more I get to know him, the more understandable it is.
I don’t have any real criticisms of this first book. There are things that I’m looking forward to learning more about, and secondary characters that I’m getting to know (and hope they don’t turn out to be evil–always a new worry with each new series), and while they might not have everything I want out of them, I know the first book in a series tends to be more about grounding the story for what is to come in later books. I’m more than willing to wait, since I’ve always been impressed before.
This is definitely not place to pick up the SPECTR series, since they are all linked together in some fashion, but for long-time fans this is a must buy. Be you the kind of reader who likes to wait till the season completes to prolong the pleasure, or, like me, you can’t help but gobble them up as soon as they come available, I can already tell that this series is going to be bloody delicious.
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.
With Charleston in their rear-view widow, John, Caleb, and Gray hope that this next section of their lives will be a bit less…bloody. Well, maybe not completely. Gray’s got to eat, after all.
John is still with SPECTR, though with Caleb declared “dead,” John still recovering from Yuri’s attacks, and Gray needing to keep on the down-low, he has mostly spent his days scrolling through news feeds online. Needless to say he is starting to feel a bit on the useless side. Caleb and Gray, on the other hand, are rather enjoying this chance to get away from the stress and constant attempts to kill/capture/control them.
Their newest stop on their lazy tour of the South is New Orleans. Where there is more danger lurking in the swampy shadows than the trio are ready for. And more demons from John’s past than he is ready to handle.
SPECTR is back! And Series 3 is ready to change things up a bit. After that nail-biter of a ending for Series 2, I was more than a little eager to get my hands on this book. And despite the fact that I am more than a little late with this review (my many apologies, but I got sick and boy did it take a bite out of me) I have to say it was well worth the wait. I really enjoyed having the story set in this new location, and taking the boys out of the SPECTR office (mostly) certainly helped make this new season feel like there are so many more new possibilities. As much as I love the previous two series, I think another one with the same bad-office dynamic would have started to feel a bit stale. Taking the guys out of Charleston and plopping them down in New Orleans was a great idea.
And I’m not just saying that because the idea of Caleb (and a very reluctant Gray) giving vampire tours is fucking hilarious.
Overall this was a very good first book for the series. We got to see the dynamic of the trio in a very interesting place, with plenty of room for growth, but also with the weight and depth of their past experience together giving it a real believability. John’s past get more fleshed out, as well, which was great. Seeing him interact with people from his childhood really gives new meaning to some of his past interactions, especially in regards to how strongly he clings to SPECTR. Which at times has been a frustration for me as a reader, but the more I get to know him, the more understandable it is.
I don’t have any real criticisms of this first book. There are things that I’m looking forward to learning more about, and secondary characters that I’m getting to know (and hope they don’t turn out to be evil–always a new worry with each new series), and while they might not have everything I want out of them, I know the first book in a series tends to be more about grounding the story for what is to come in later books. I’m more than willing to wait, since I’ve always been impressed before.
This is definitely not place to pick up the SPECTR series, since they are all linked together in some fashion, but for long-time fans this is a must buy. Be you the kind of reader who likes to wait till the season completes to prolong the pleasure, or, like me, you can’t help but gobble them up as soon as they come available, I can already tell that this series is going to be bloody delicious.
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.
May 17, 2019
Series Three, Episode One: Seekrits
As Jordan L. Hawk leads readers of the SPECTR series from a Charleston, South Carolina, that bears the scars of Yuri and Drugoy’s destructive murderous rampage, to the city of New Orleans that still wears its own scars from Hurricane Katrina (I mean, the contradictory carnage of the supernatural and the natural phenomena, amiright?), two things are immediately evident: strange(r) things are afoot in the Big Easy, and John Starkweather’s past is about to either elucidate or complicate his present. Or, maybe both. Probably both.
John is at a crossroads, and his discontent is unmistakable. He’s still a SPECTR agent, but he’s beginning to feel as if it’s in name only. He spends most of his days at home while Caleb and Gray are off doing the best damn job in all of New Orleans. Gray loves it* (*hint: no he does not), and John is going stir-crazy being relegated to the task of keeping the loves of his life out of trouble while still satisfying Gray’s innate need to hunt…until John gets a call that will influence everything integral to the story: his grandfather is attacked by a rougarou, and that event will not only bring John into contact with the people who’d disowned and sold him out when he was just a kid, but it will also introduce an NHE in the Louisiana bayou the likes of which no one has ever seen before. The creature is the bayou, a manifestation of it in physical form, and it’s one of the most patchworked paranormal entities introduced yet in the series, once again exposing Hawk’s gift for bringing the image of a supernatural entity to life in bold and vivid ways.
While, for the most part, this installment of the series is an exposition of, or at least the introduction to, John’s backstory and the things which have been teased out but are yet hidden behind a veil of secrets and lies, there is also the joy of watching how Gray is evolving. John’s story is already a heart-tugger, before all the details are even in, but there’s an inkling that there will be a monumental revelation or two. As for Gray, I’m not altogether sure when he developed such a deliberate sense of sarcasm; it’s probably always been there, though was more accidental than purposeful, but he is more self-aware these days and has so many pointedly comical asides and exchanges with Caleb in Stalker of Shadows. I’m here for much more of the affectionate banter between them; it’s such a subtle but brilliant example of how conjoined and bonded they are and how symbiotic their relationship is. Gray still scoffs at blatant displays of mortal nonsense, of course, yet our loveable vampire is thinking in more human, emotional ways. The development of Gray’s character, both individually and as an extension of Caleb, is some of the best parts of the series, as the drakul was introduced to the world in a form they’d never experienced before, and the fact that love and affection for both Caleb and John has influenced this evolution in Gray is really just an addition to, or byproduct of, those little nonsensical human things Gray has been absorbing. But, probably wouldn’t admit to, because nonsense. That’s not to say there aren’t some residual issues that need to be ironed out after events in Breaker of Chains, though. Gray stepping over the line of predator back in Charleston has had some lingering aftereffects that, so far, no one is talking about.
The buildup to and fulfillment of the climactic action sequence in Stalker of Shadows is chilling, during which the skeletal remains of a landscape that was once alive and vibrant before Katrina swept it all away provides a haunting backdrop for Caleb, Gray, and John to confront the improbable creature they must destroy before it can gain more strength and do more harm. There is another significant encounter during this scene which is met with just enough vagary that I’m not going to spoil it, but suffice it to say, Hawk leaves readers dangling. Not a cliffhanger but definitely a tease that’s left me thirsty for the next book to see where they’re going to go with this storyline. Especially with series history dictating how epically it could succeed or fail, either one.
This is yet another compelling installment in one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy serials. Jordan L. Hawk offers readers top-notch storytelling where reality and imagination commingle and converge with multi-layered characterizations and solid dialogue that tells the story rather than merely adding to the word count. And then, on top of all that, readers are gifted with three distinct individuals encompassed within two humans who all love each other in fully touching ways.
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
As Jordan L. Hawk leads readers of the SPECTR series from a Charleston, South Carolina, that bears the scars of Yuri and Drugoy’s destructive murderous rampage, to the city of New Orleans that still wears its own scars from Hurricane Katrina (I mean, the contradictory carnage of the supernatural and the natural phenomena, amiright?), two things are immediately evident: strange(r) things are afoot in the Big Easy, and John Starkweather’s past is about to either elucidate or complicate his present. Or, maybe both. Probably both.
John is at a crossroads, and his discontent is unmistakable. He’s still a SPECTR agent, but he’s beginning to feel as if it’s in name only. He spends most of his days at home while Caleb and Gray are off doing the best damn job in all of New Orleans. Gray loves it* (*hint: no he does not), and John is going stir-crazy being relegated to the task of keeping the loves of his life out of trouble while still satisfying Gray’s innate need to hunt…until John gets a call that will influence everything integral to the story: his grandfather is attacked by a rougarou, and that event will not only bring John into contact with the people who’d disowned and sold him out when he was just a kid, but it will also introduce an NHE in the Louisiana bayou the likes of which no one has ever seen before. The creature is the bayou, a manifestation of it in physical form, and it’s one of the most patchworked paranormal entities introduced yet in the series, once again exposing Hawk’s gift for bringing the image of a supernatural entity to life in bold and vivid ways.
While, for the most part, this installment of the series is an exposition of, or at least the introduction to, John’s backstory and the things which have been teased out but are yet hidden behind a veil of secrets and lies, there is also the joy of watching how Gray is evolving. John’s story is already a heart-tugger, before all the details are even in, but there’s an inkling that there will be a monumental revelation or two. As for Gray, I’m not altogether sure when he developed such a deliberate sense of sarcasm; it’s probably always been there, though was more accidental than purposeful, but he is more self-aware these days and has so many pointedly comical asides and exchanges with Caleb in Stalker of Shadows. I’m here for much more of the affectionate banter between them; it’s such a subtle but brilliant example of how conjoined and bonded they are and how symbiotic their relationship is. Gray still scoffs at blatant displays of mortal nonsense, of course, yet our loveable vampire is thinking in more human, emotional ways. The development of Gray’s character, both individually and as an extension of Caleb, is some of the best parts of the series, as the drakul was introduced to the world in a form they’d never experienced before, and the fact that love and affection for both Caleb and John has influenced this evolution in Gray is really just an addition to, or byproduct of, those little nonsensical human things Gray has been absorbing. But, probably wouldn’t admit to, because nonsense. That’s not to say there aren’t some residual issues that need to be ironed out after events in Breaker of Chains, though. Gray stepping over the line of predator back in Charleston has had some lingering aftereffects that, so far, no one is talking about.
The buildup to and fulfillment of the climactic action sequence in Stalker of Shadows is chilling, during which the skeletal remains of a landscape that was once alive and vibrant before Katrina swept it all away provides a haunting backdrop for Caleb, Gray, and John to confront the improbable creature they must destroy before it can gain more strength and do more harm. There is another significant encounter during this scene which is met with just enough vagary that I’m not going to spoil it, but suffice it to say, Hawk leaves readers dangling. Not a cliffhanger but definitely a tease that’s left me thirsty for the next book to see where they’re going to go with this storyline. Especially with series history dictating how epically it could succeed or fail, either one.
This is yet another compelling installment in one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy serials. Jordan L. Hawk offers readers top-notch storytelling where reality and imagination commingle and converge with multi-layered characterizations and solid dialogue that tells the story rather than merely adding to the word count. And then, on top of all that, readers are gifted with three distinct individuals encompassed within two humans who all love each other in fully touching ways.
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
May 22, 2019
Each time I think the author is going to end this series she doesn’t and I’m ecstatic knowing John and Caleb/Gray will be returning with all new adventures. The guys are finally free of Charleston and everything that went on there. Caleb is officially “dead” but John is still a SPECTR agent working solely for Director Kaniyar. She sent them to New Orleans and they’ve been there for weeks but still have no clue why. Caleb has started painting again and took a job as a tour guide on a vampire tour which Gray isn’t exactly thrilled with, but had me laughing. Just a reminder that these books really should be read in order as there’s way too much backstory, character development, and just plain awesomeness to miss.
John had a wonderful childhood until his parents realized he could sense etheric energy and they sent him to a “school” where he was so miserable, he ended up trying to kill himself. His parents were so embarrassed they “sold” him to the state and that’s how SPECTR became his family. Imagine his surprise when he discovers his parents and grandfather living out in the bayous of Louisiana. His grandfather is attacked by a rougarou and this sets John and Caleb/Gray onto the case. Nothing about this case is simple, however.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
John had a wonderful childhood until his parents realized he could sense etheric energy and they sent him to a “school” where he was so miserable, he ended up trying to kill himself. His parents were so embarrassed they “sold” him to the state and that’s how SPECTR became his family. Imagine his surprise when he discovers his parents and grandfather living out in the bayous of Louisiana. His grandfather is attacked by a rougarou and this sets John and Caleb/Gray onto the case. Nothing about this case is simple, however.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
December 29, 2020
I do really enjoy these three. For the first time they're all outside of their comfort zone and on the run. Well on th erun with help. While most of Spectr thinks Caleb and Gray are dead, really they're just kept moving around the country while everyone tries to figure out what next. But lately their boss has had them all settled in New Orleans and John's back in touch with regular Spectr agents.
I was really happy to get back to these guys. The last arc in the story ended with things going pretty crazy. This story opens up with things kinda being flipped on their head. For once it's John out of sorts and not sure where he stands in things. For Caleb and Gray this new existence hasn't been all bad. They hunt, and while Gray finds humans for the most part to be silly Caleb really enjoys giving the vampire tours. Of course nothing stays simple long.
Happy to be back with these guys and to see them back in their element tracking a big infestation of NHE's. But of course there's another level of things this time around and the ending of the story has me itching to read more.
I was really happy to get back to these guys. The last arc in the story ended with things going pretty crazy. This story opens up with things kinda being flipped on their head. For once it's John out of sorts and not sure where he stands in things. For Caleb and Gray this new existence hasn't been all bad. They hunt, and while Gray finds humans for the most part to be silly Caleb really enjoys giving the vampire tours. Of course nothing stays simple long.
Happy to be back with these guys and to see them back in their element tracking a big infestation of NHE's. But of course there's another level of things this time around and the ending of the story has me itching to read more.
May 22, 2022
I'm so excited to be back reading about one of my favorite polyamorous relationships! STALKER OF SHADOWS finds John, Caleb, and Gray laying low in New Orleans following the aftermath of the demon attacks in Charleston. John has been recovering from his injuries and Caleb has been working for a vampire tour company (lol love this). But when John finds out his estranged grandfather has been attacked by a rougarou the trio finds themselves on the hunt and John returns to working with the local SPECTR office.
This first installment focuses mostly on the plot and the case and less on the romance but there's no doubt that these three love each other and are dedicated to protecting each other. With some hints being dropped about John's past and his family and a new drakul in the mix things are sure to get interesting!
Content Warning: gore; frequent mentions of John's toxic relationship with his parents who sent him to a "rehabilitation" facility as a teenager to cure him of paranormal abilities which resulted in John's suicide attempt; death of a grandparent
This first installment focuses mostly on the plot and the case and less on the romance but there's no doubt that these three love each other and are dedicated to protecting each other. With some hints being dropped about John's past and his family and a new drakul in the mix things are sure to get interesting!
Content Warning: gore; frequent mentions of John's toxic relationship with his parents who sent him to a "rehabilitation" facility as a teenager to cure him of paranormal abilities which resulted in John's suicide attempt; death of a grandparent
August 24, 2020
Loved the new location and start of a new storyline for John, Caleb and Gray. This story went by so quickly and I wasn't ready for it to be over. The questions surrounding John's family and past are very interesting and I can't wait to read the next one! I do wish there had been a little more time with John, Caleb and Gray together - it seemed they were always heading in opposite directions in this book.
April 16, 2019
I read a Patreon ARC. This first story in series 3 -- like a first episode in a movie serial -- leaves things to be resolved in future episodes, and in the series arc as a whole. At the end of the story #1/episode #1 of series 3, I was like, "What? You're leaving it there?"
There were some aspects of mysteriousness in this particular story that were resolved and/or explained. There were references back to the previous series, and issues that still needed to be discussed and trauma to be more fully recovered from dating back to series 1 and especially dating from series 2.
John and Caleb still need to work on communicating how they're feeling day to day to each other. Caleb is not terribly perceptive that way, and John apparently hasn't been particularly forthcoming, either. Gray makes it quite clear how he feels, especially in a touching declaration to John. Caleb had had his family trauma right up front in the first series. John had pretty much dealt with family trauma that was in the past, before any of the SPECTR stories started. But family rears its head again here for him. Also there are literal demons in the form of rougarou (would rougaroux be the plural?).
Things have been going pretty well for Gray and Caleb between the end of series 2 and the beginning of series 3. There have been demons to hunt, and very little mortal nonsense in the form of rules but being relatively discreet in their hunting. At the beginning of series 3, the three are in New Orleans. Caleb *loves* New Orleans, and has gotten a job he loves and Gray loathes. John is trying to figure out his new role, who he is without lots of rules to follow, and how he can contribute as much as possible in this unorthodox partnership. Much action-adventure follows, with internal hurts of John's for him to deal with, and external demons to fight.
There were some aspects of mysteriousness in this particular story that were resolved and/or explained. There were references back to the previous series, and issues that still needed to be discussed and trauma to be more fully recovered from dating back to series 1 and especially dating from series 2.
John and Caleb still need to work on communicating how they're feeling day to day to each other. Caleb is not terribly perceptive that way, and John apparently hasn't been particularly forthcoming, either. Gray makes it quite clear how he feels, especially in a touching declaration to John. Caleb had had his family trauma right up front in the first series. John had pretty much dealt with family trauma that was in the past, before any of the SPECTR stories started. But family rears its head again here for him. Also there are literal demons in the form of rougarou (would rougaroux be the plural?).
Things have been going pretty well for Gray and Caleb between the end of series 2 and the beginning of series 3. There have been demons to hunt, and very little mortal nonsense in the form of rules but being relatively discreet in their hunting. At the beginning of series 3, the three are in New Orleans. Caleb *loves* New Orleans, and has gotten a job he loves and Gray loathes. John is trying to figure out his new role, who he is without lots of rules to follow, and how he can contribute as much as possible in this unorthodox partnership. Much action-adventure follows, with internal hurts of John's for him to deal with, and external demons to fight.
May 20, 2019
Such a great setup for the new series! The twists! The new characters! Revisiting the old characters! Not ignoring the horrible trauma they went through and that they still need to work through! Horror! Gray being the cutest! Caleb jumping on the oportunity to work as a fake vampire tour guide because hes a giant troll! Using the emoji v<3v BECAUSE THEYRE A VAMPIRE!!! That was so cute
May 30, 2019
John and Caleb are ok, but Gray, he is the one I truly enjoy. He has no time for mortal nonsense but John is more important than hunting, how can you not love the drakel?
Readers get a look John's past, as his family have been targeted by a NHE and John is sent to investigate. Won't lie there are moments that tug on the heart strings. There is an interesting twist towards the end which will be interesting to follow in the next adventure. I really do enjoy the adventures of Caleb, Gray and John. And really happy they all survived another adventure!
Readers get a look John's past, as his family have been targeted by a NHE and John is sent to investigate. Won't lie there are moments that tug on the heart strings. There is an interesting twist towards the end which will be interesting to follow in the next adventure. I really do enjoy the adventures of Caleb, Gray and John. And really happy they all survived another adventure!
November 7, 2022
I love the SPECTR Series. I am obsessed.
I recently discovered this series and initially thought there were only six books. Later, I realised that there are only six books in the first series but there is another series focusing on the same characters (kind of like another volume in one contiguous series) with an additional five books and on top of all that there is a third currently underway and I was ecstatic. I read the first two series back to back in quick succession and I wanted to wait till the entire third series was published before I picked it one but curiosity got the better of me and here, I am.
This book is amazing. I am in love again. I loved the first SPECTR Series but I didn't enjoy the second one as much, especially in the beginning but this one, oh God! This one is so far on par with the first series. It was exciting and thrilling, especially considering both Caleb and John are currently on vacation.
It was amazing just how good this was.
I loved the fact that all the issues that have sprung up over the course of the previous two series are being addressed. This was a huge issue in the second series where there was a lot of miscommunication and downright no communication of which I was not a fan. I am also cautiously optimistic that this isn't headed that way and we will see these characters actually learn from their mistakes.
With this series, we are delving into John's past and there is something there which has me very intrigued. The author definitely has more in the works there. The reveals that we get regarding that particular mystery in this one are so juicy that I want the next one in the series like right now and the fact that I can't find any information on when it will be out is driving me crazy. There seem to be some significant revelations coming our way with regard to John and I can't wait to find out what they are.
In this one Caleb, John and Gray are all dealing with issues and I hope they all get addressed because I don't want a repeat of what happened in the second volume. Cautiously Optimistic, remember. I liked how Caleb and Gray are furious there is in the mix, but I am glad the author didn't try to keep it a secret because that would have been a bad idea .
Fingers Crossed, John, Caleb and Gray are freaking in bliss by the time this one wraps up and I can't tell you how excited I am for the next one.
John is feeling pretty useless in this one but that revelation he came to at the end was so poignant it brought tears to my eyes and I loved how the author gave John his confidence back. It was such a charged moment and so so worth it.
Did I mention I can't wait for the next one especially when it is so elusively named Bringer of Night?
November 6; 2022
I genuinely had a lot of problems getting into the story this time around but once the plot picked up I was hooked. There is a lot going on in this one and that cliffhanger of an ending was unbearable, I have no idea how Bringer of Night wasn't a priority for me because that ending was killer. There is just so much hinted at in this story, so much plot and character development that needs to be worked through and I really can't wait to find out how the author will resolve it all.
I recently discovered this series and initially thought there were only six books. Later, I realised that there are only six books in the first series but there is another series focusing on the same characters (kind of like another volume in one contiguous series) with an additional five books and on top of all that there is a third currently underway and I was ecstatic. I read the first two series back to back in quick succession and I wanted to wait till the entire third series was published before I picked it one but curiosity got the better of me and here, I am.
This book is amazing. I am in love again. I loved the first SPECTR Series but I didn't enjoy the second one as much, especially in the beginning but this one, oh God! This one is so far on par with the first series. It was exciting and thrilling, especially considering both Caleb and John are currently on vacation.
It was amazing just how good this was.
I loved the fact that all the issues that have sprung up over the course of the previous two series are being addressed. This was a huge issue in the second series where there was a lot of miscommunication and downright no communication of which I was not a fan. I am also cautiously optimistic that this isn't headed that way and we will see these characters actually learn from their mistakes.
With this series, we are delving into John's past and there is something there which has me very intrigued. The author definitely has more in the works there. The reveals that we get regarding that particular mystery in this one are so juicy that I want the next one in the series like right now and the fact that I can't find any information on when it will be out is driving me crazy. There seem to be some significant revelations coming our way with regard to John and I can't wait to find out what they are.
In this one Caleb, John and Gray are all dealing with issues and I hope they all get addressed because I don't want a repeat of what happened in the second volume. Cautiously Optimistic, remember. I liked how Caleb and Gray are furious there is in the mix, but I am glad the author didn't try to keep it a secret because that would have been a bad idea .
Fingers Crossed, John, Caleb and Gray are freaking in bliss by the time this one wraps up and I can't tell you how excited I am for the next one.
John is feeling pretty useless in this one but that revelation he came to at the end was so poignant it brought tears to my eyes and I loved how the author gave John his confidence back. It was such a charged moment and so so worth it.
Did I mention I can't wait for the next one especially when it is so elusively named Bringer of Night?
November 6; 2022
I genuinely had a lot of problems getting into the story this time around but once the plot picked up I was hooked. There is a lot going on in this one and that cliffhanger of an ending was unbearable, I have no idea how Bringer of Night wasn't a priority for me because that ending was killer. There is just so much hinted at in this story, so much plot and character development that needs to be worked through and I really can't wait to find out how the author will resolve it all.
June 12, 2025
Re-read June 2025
May 17, 2019
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is definitely a new start for John, Caleb, and Gray, and it feels very new as the reader, too. After the debacle that happened in Charleston at the end of Shaker of Earth, the three are deposited in New Orleans with no real mission. This is definitely a move that is difficult for John. Caleb always felt like a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of guy. I don’t feel like he really had roots even before Gray ended up cohabiting his body with him. And Gray is the kind of creature that would prefer to roam the world and eat demons or NHE’s as the SPECTR agency calls them. They both ended up with ties, not to a place, but to a person, when they met John. As long as they are with John, their new identity and menial job isn’t a problem for them. The SPECTR office that John had worked at was pretty much all he had ever know, after his parents kicked him out and he was raised by the organization to make use of his psychic gifts.
So things are feeling pretty uncomfortable for John at the beginning of this book, and it only gets more so, when he finds out his family has been living in New Orleans for some time and that his grandfather was just attacked by a Rougarou (a swamp dwelling werewolf). When he decides to join in on the investigation, he does see his mother and father again, and they aren’t any more welcoming to him than they were in the past. His cousin Ryan does seem to be a really nice guy though. But, I have to wonder. I want to believe that John has at least one decent relative in the bunch but in this series, I have to question characters intentions. And there is the allusion to a family truth that John might uncover in the blurb. John’s mother says something in the book that makes John question what he knows about himself, but any secrets there might be are still hidden at the end of this book, so I definitely can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Besides, John’s family issues, there are the rougarous, which are usually solitary creatures that feed on lone wanderers into their territory. Their behavior in this book is odd, and John, Caleb, and Gray (with a little help from some old friends, yay!) have to figure out why there seems to be a convergence of them in the area. John learns that his old leader Kaniyar really doesn’t trust Caleb and Gray, and that he might be the only reason they are still alive. It gives him a sense of purpose that he was missing, but he also wants to get back to exorcising demons and living a semi-normal life. Gray and Caleb come upon an NHE that I am really hoping will play a helpful part in future books as well. On a personal level, John, Caleb, and Gray aren’t quite where they were before John caught Gray feeding on a human. I really hope that they can begin to work on their trust issues in the next book.
While the author wrote the book very well, the growing pains that the characters were going through made things feel a little disjointed. A few things are left in the air at the end of the book and the ending feels a bit cut short. That won’t stop me from reading whatever future books come out in the series and recommending this book and all the past ones. This is definitely not a stand-alone read, so check out all the previous books if you haven’t already.
8/10 Pots of Gold (80% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
This is definitely a new start for John, Caleb, and Gray, and it feels very new as the reader, too. After the debacle that happened in Charleston at the end of Shaker of Earth, the three are deposited in New Orleans with no real mission. This is definitely a move that is difficult for John. Caleb always felt like a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of guy. I don’t feel like he really had roots even before Gray ended up cohabiting his body with him. And Gray is the kind of creature that would prefer to roam the world and eat demons or NHE’s as the SPECTR agency calls them. They both ended up with ties, not to a place, but to a person, when they met John. As long as they are with John, their new identity and menial job isn’t a problem for them. The SPECTR office that John had worked at was pretty much all he had ever know, after his parents kicked him out and he was raised by the organization to make use of his psychic gifts.
So things are feeling pretty uncomfortable for John at the beginning of this book, and it only gets more so, when he finds out his family has been living in New Orleans for some time and that his grandfather was just attacked by a Rougarou (a swamp dwelling werewolf). When he decides to join in on the investigation, he does see his mother and father again, and they aren’t any more welcoming to him than they were in the past. His cousin Ryan does seem to be a really nice guy though. But, I have to wonder. I want to believe that John has at least one decent relative in the bunch but in this series, I have to question characters intentions. And there is the allusion to a family truth that John might uncover in the blurb. John’s mother says something in the book that makes John question what he knows about himself, but any secrets there might be are still hidden at the end of this book, so I definitely can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Besides, John’s family issues, there are the rougarous, which are usually solitary creatures that feed on lone wanderers into their territory. Their behavior in this book is odd, and John, Caleb, and Gray (with a little help from some old friends, yay!) have to figure out why there seems to be a convergence of them in the area. John learns that his old leader Kaniyar really doesn’t trust Caleb and Gray, and that he might be the only reason they are still alive. It gives him a sense of purpose that he was missing, but he also wants to get back to exorcising demons and living a semi-normal life. Gray and Caleb come upon an NHE that I am really hoping will play a helpful part in future books as well. On a personal level, John, Caleb, and Gray aren’t quite where they were before John caught Gray feeding on a human. I really hope that they can begin to work on their trust issues in the next book.
While the author wrote the book very well, the growing pains that the characters were going through made things feel a little disjointed. A few things are left in the air at the end of the book and the ending feels a bit cut short. That won’t stop me from reading whatever future books come out in the series and recommending this book and all the past ones. This is definitely not a stand-alone read, so check out all the previous books if you haven’t already.
8/10 Pots of Gold (80% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
August 18, 2019
This story takes a while to get up to speed. As ever, it is well written and bears all the hallmarks of the author’s technique. Characterisation is largely established from previous books and this story looks to explore previously blank areas of the past. To do this through a new series, the author uses reminiscences to bring the reader up to speed. There is quite a lot of this and it can be a little intrusive, but it does help given that there has been some time between books. The characters are balanced with both positive and negative personalities. New family members are introduced and as with other characters from the past these tend to be polarised only to have plot features revealed that enrich them within the storyline.
These series are a good vehicle to introduce a wide range of monsters not widely known. This story adds another character, which not only reaps destruction but also shows characteristics that broaden the potential skillset and raise questions about what is possible. As the reader only picks up glimpses of the creature’s thoughts there is so much that remains unknown about them and their reasons for being there. The setting is well described but is used more as context to the story rather than atmosphere. The author is very effective at using the setting to enhance the atmosphere, as is shown in some of her other series.
As noted above, this is a slow boiler and it takes a while to place the story in context. The earlier parts of the book are easy to switch off from; nevertheless, the tension cranks up towards the end and there is a clear path through the set pieces that increases the pace. To that end, it is a little formulaic, but the writing is sufficient to keep the reader’s interest.
The shift in dominance within the central relationship is reinforced in this series and there is bravado on one side and self-doubt on the other but a strong bond that continues to cut through this. The author uses this to implicate that positive action can sweep aside self-doubt, at least temporarily. Sex in this book is implied rather than detailed, it is to be assumed that there is only so many times it can be described before it loses its impact. Nevertheless, the passion between the partners is reinforced time and again.
The plot provides the necessary increase in pace, but there is a sense that key points are skimmed over. Whether this was deliberate to allow for hooks to be placed in subsequent books is unclear, but it does impact the intensity of the read, the reader looks for resolution and clarification but the story moves on. There are quite a number of twists and revelations that also are posited only to be passed by. This is common in the first book in a series, but as this is a rather thin book it does leave a taste of more questions than answers.
By the end of the book, it is clear that some immediate threats are resolved but there are both obvious plotlines and less clear questions that allow for subsequent books to latch onto. It is to be hoped that as the series progresses there will be an enrichment of the plot.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
These series are a good vehicle to introduce a wide range of monsters not widely known. This story adds another character, which not only reaps destruction but also shows characteristics that broaden the potential skillset and raise questions about what is possible. As the reader only picks up glimpses of the creature’s thoughts there is so much that remains unknown about them and their reasons for being there. The setting is well described but is used more as context to the story rather than atmosphere. The author is very effective at using the setting to enhance the atmosphere, as is shown in some of her other series.
As noted above, this is a slow boiler and it takes a while to place the story in context. The earlier parts of the book are easy to switch off from; nevertheless, the tension cranks up towards the end and there is a clear path through the set pieces that increases the pace. To that end, it is a little formulaic, but the writing is sufficient to keep the reader’s interest.
The shift in dominance within the central relationship is reinforced in this series and there is bravado on one side and self-doubt on the other but a strong bond that continues to cut through this. The author uses this to implicate that positive action can sweep aside self-doubt, at least temporarily. Sex in this book is implied rather than detailed, it is to be assumed that there is only so many times it can be described before it loses its impact. Nevertheless, the passion between the partners is reinforced time and again.
The plot provides the necessary increase in pace, but there is a sense that key points are skimmed over. Whether this was deliberate to allow for hooks to be placed in subsequent books is unclear, but it does impact the intensity of the read, the reader looks for resolution and clarification but the story moves on. There are quite a number of twists and revelations that also are posited only to be passed by. This is common in the first book in a series, but as this is a rather thin book it does leave a taste of more questions than answers.
By the end of the book, it is clear that some immediate threats are resolved but there are both obvious plotlines and less clear questions that allow for subsequent books to latch onto. It is to be hoped that as the series progresses there will be an enrichment of the plot.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
April 8, 2020
Audiobook reviewHere we go again…
John, Caleb and Gray find themselves in New Orleans. They’d been travelling around the country for some time but were asked by Kaniyar to investigate strange happenings in New Orleans. John is still healing from the fight with the drakul a few months back, and is unable to be as active as he wants. Caleb is having the time of his life, having taken a job as a vampire tour guide for tourists. Which Gray obviously feels is mortal nonsense to the nth degree. He wants to spend the time hunting. When John gets a call that his grandfather had been seriously injured in a rougarou attack the trio drops everything and rushes over to lend a hand (and fang). John hopes that this might be an opening to reunite with his estranged family.
John’s history has been hinted at since the beginning but we’ve never really gotten many details. Now when he returned to his family we saw so much, more than we wanted at times. I hate that this book brought so much pain for John. It really showed us that no one can hurt us as much as family. I really liked Ryan and hope he will be a continuous feature going forward. On that same note, I have to mention that I miss Zahira, she livened things up whenever she was around. But I guess her place is at SPECTR rebuilding and holding down the fort. I do hope she’ll join the boys later on in the series.
I’m intrigued by some of the comments the telepathic demon made. I don’t know where it will lead us in the future books, but going from past experience with Hawk’s books, it’s probably nowhere good. Relationship-wise, our guys are solid, still not 100% after the mess in Charleston, but they are moving forward – together. It’s nice to see them settled and sure.
Brad Langer captures the essence of the book. I love how he really goes all out for the suspenseful moments, those whispers just before everything blows up. They really set the tone, make the listener a part of the story and feel the intensity and thrill of the huts or attacks. I loved Caleb’s vampire tours, irony and all. But I also felt like he was finally allowed something he enjoyed and not only following John and Gray in their hunts. Langer really made these tours fun, fake fangs and all.
Fans of the previous two series will most definitely enjoy this one, and if you haven’t read any of the stories, go back to the beginning to see how it all started out. As always this book ends with a cliff-hanger, but this time it’s more of a “to be continued in…”
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
May 24, 2019
This cannot be read as a standalone and the reader needs to have read the previous books in the series. The WHOLE series – both part one and part two.
In staying with the flow of the SPECTR universe, this starts where Series #2 leaves off. Caleb and John have been relegated to New Orleans, where Caleb gets a kitchy job as a tour guide and John is twiddling his thumbs feeling resentful.
This book is John’s story. The reader gets to see how much the past hurt John, how it’s still hurting him and how he’s trying to reconcile what happened. There is more of an emotional investment in this story between John’s resentment of their situation in New Orleans, feeling like he’s being punished by SPECTR as is a glorified drakul-sitter to make sure Gray doesn’t eat someone’s face (you can just hear the derision in Gray’s voice – “Humans aren’t food”), and John's family situation.
And when the above is combined with our paranormal mystery it makes for a very enjoyable story. This has a good balance of emotional turmoil, romance, and kicking some rougarou hide. The ending holds a nice surprise and, yes, we do have a small cliffhanger. I continue to greatly enjoy this series.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
In staying with the flow of the SPECTR universe, this starts where Series #2 leaves off. Caleb and John have been relegated to New Orleans, where Caleb gets a kitchy job as a tour guide and John is twiddling his thumbs feeling resentful.
This book is John’s story. The reader gets to see how much the past hurt John, how it’s still hurting him and how he’s trying to reconcile what happened. There is more of an emotional investment in this story between John’s resentment of their situation in New Orleans, feeling like he’s being punished by SPECTR as is a glorified drakul-sitter to make sure Gray doesn’t eat someone’s face (you can just hear the derision in Gray’s voice – “Humans aren’t food”), and John's family situation.
And when the above is combined with our paranormal mystery it makes for a very enjoyable story. This has a good balance of emotional turmoil, romance, and kicking some rougarou hide. The ending holds a nice surprise and, yes, we do have a small cliffhanger. I continue to greatly enjoy this series.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 29, 2022
3.5 stars M/M (effectively M/M/M) paranormal romance series.
The books are short as they act more as sections/chapters in the bigger arc of series 3.
Book 1 in series 3 starts slow as it is building the new arc.
Caleb is having a blast being a vampire tour guide (!) in New Orleans, painting and being with Gray and John. Gray is almost as happy since he and Caleb get to hunt freely and fuck John, his only complaint is the vampire tour guide thing which is admittedly funny. John on the other hand is lost. He is purposeless and moonless as a federal agent working outside of the normal SPECTR structure.
A new demon hunt is linked to John’s family that abandoned him and he gets inadvertently some shocking personal news. While they all get shocked stumbling on another
Note that there was hardly any sex in this one.
This is a great M/M paranormal series. Or at least the first 2 series are. Must be read in order as some of the books ends in serious cliffhangers. The world building is imaginative, the pace is solid and character development is very good. It is an interesting take on a poly relationship and on typical paranormal lore such as vampires.
I continue to be invested in John, Caleb and Gray as they are one of my favorite couple/triad.
The books are short as they act more as sections/chapters in the bigger arc of series 3.
Book 1 in series 3 starts slow as it is building the new arc.
Caleb is having a blast being a vampire tour guide (!) in New Orleans, painting and being with Gray and John. Gray is almost as happy since he and Caleb get to hunt freely and fuck John, his only complaint is the vampire tour guide thing which is admittedly funny. John on the other hand is lost. He is purposeless and moonless as a federal agent working outside of the normal SPECTR structure.
A new demon hunt is linked to John’s family that abandoned him and he gets inadvertently some shocking personal news. While they all get shocked stumbling on another
Note that there was hardly any sex in this one.
This is a great M/M paranormal series. Or at least the first 2 series are. Must be read in order as some of the books ends in serious cliffhangers. The world building is imaginative, the pace is solid and character development is very good. It is an interesting take on a poly relationship and on typical paranormal lore such as vampires.
I continue to be invested in John, Caleb and Gray as they are one of my favorite couple/triad.
March 16, 2020
~sigh~ So short! It is never enough! *laughs*
The plot thickens! After the events at the end of season 2, Caleb-Grey and John are in New Orleans. And, to Grey utter aggravation, Caleb is conducting vampire's tours. *dies laughing*
But soon, John learns that his grandpa is living there and was attacked by a rougarou. From then on, they quickly learn that rougarous are converging into New Orleans, that there seems to be a REALLY big one (an alpha? an elder?) who is calling them, and that something else is lurking on the swamps.
Add to that the fact that John is feeling less than fine with his injury preventing him to do anything else than sit at home while Caleb-Grey hunt; that the encounter with his parents was less than positive; and that he is feeling useless, just keeping his badge because he is the only one who can make Grey listen and yeah... not his best moment. But at least his cousin seems to be alright with him. (Why I feel that there is more to this cousin than what we are shown?)
This is another fantastic instalment in this series, and as always, once I began it, I simply couldn't stop.
I need to get the next one! :P
The plot thickens! After the events at the end of season 2, Caleb-Grey and John are in New Orleans. And, to Grey utter aggravation, Caleb is conducting vampire's tours. *dies laughing*
But soon, John learns that his grandpa is living there and was attacked by a rougarou. From then on, they quickly learn that rougarous are converging into New Orleans, that there seems to be a REALLY big one (an alpha? an elder?) who is calling them, and that something else is lurking on the swamps.
Add to that the fact that John is feeling less than fine with his injury preventing him to do anything else than sit at home while Caleb-Grey hunt; that the encounter with his parents was less than positive; and that he is feeling useless, just keeping his badge because he is the only one who can make Grey listen and yeah... not his best moment. But at least his cousin seems to be alright with him. (Why I feel that there is more to this cousin than what we are shown?)
This is another fantastic instalment in this series, and as always, once I began it, I simply couldn't stop.
I need to get the next one! :P
May 18, 2019
Series three has our heroes in New Orleans. Something is driving the rougarou towards the city and our intrepid trio has to figure out why. When John's grandfather is one of the victims, it throws a whole new dynamic into this hunt.
This is one of those 'everything changes' books. I hate that now I actually have to wait to find out what happens. Everything is going to be different from here on.
This is one of those 'everything changes' books. I hate that now I actually have to wait to find out what happens. Everything is going to be different from here on.
April 20, 2019
Hands down my absolute favorite SPECTR. Set in New Orleans, it captures the mood of NOLA very well. We are spooky and beautiful and strange and alive.
Also? Rougarou! ROUGAROU ERRYWHERE! I was actually a little scared because rougarou were mentioned often to me as a kid...so to see them come to life here was wild and fun and horrifying.
Cannot wait for the next one especially since it looks like it will be set here too.
PS Caleb loving giving vampire tours and Gray hating it is my new mortal nonsense fave
Also? Rougarou! ROUGAROU ERRYWHERE! I was actually a little scared because rougarou were mentioned often to me as a kid...so to see them come to life here was wild and fun and horrifying.
Cannot wait for the next one especially since it looks like it will be set here too.
PS Caleb loving giving vampire tours and Gray hating it is my new mortal nonsense fave
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
"Stalker of Shadows" received FOUR stars.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
April 23, 2019
A very promising beginning to a new series - a new setting and a change of pace from series 2. Readers who expect many twists and shocking revelations may be disappointed - the new pace is more relaxed than series 2 and this chapter is mostly background building (besides the specific SPECTR case, that is), with a few tantalizing hints on the general direction of the series. Nevertheless, it was excellent. I did not even mind the open ending (cliff hanger is probably overstating it).
January 8, 2021
With this latest installment SPECTR remains one of my favorite contemporary horrors/mysteries out there. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought once about John’s past while reading series 1 & 2, just taking his explanation at face value. But it’s Hawk, so of course there’s something sinister about John’s family and I can’t wait to find out this (definitely creepy and possibly heartbreaking) secret!
Side note: The abandoned amusement park gave me literal nightmares. Loooooved it.
Side note: The abandoned amusement park gave me literal nightmares. Loooooved it.
December 24, 2019
Great
It has taken far longer than i wanted to, to read the third series of SPECTR. But i can honestly say that the wait was defiantly worth it. The plot has thickened further, another Drakul, it will be interesting to see if this one is another baddie or if they decide to be a good guy. 10 out of 10.
It has taken far longer than i wanted to, to read the third series of SPECTR. But i can honestly say that the wait was defiantly worth it. The plot has thickened further, another Drakul, it will be interesting to see if this one is another baddie or if they decide to be a good guy. 10 out of 10.
December 3, 2024
Shadows
This book is a 4/5 for me. I did not realize it is part of a series. I have read one other book in this series and it was good. This book makes me want to read more of the series. I am enjoying John and Caleb. This book involves introduces another drakul and loup garrou. I recommend this book.
This book is a 4/5 for me. I did not realize it is part of a series. I have read one other book in this series and it was good. This book makes me want to read more of the series. I am enjoying John and Caleb. This book involves introduces another drakul and loup garrou. I recommend this book.
August 21, 2025
Stalker of Shadows is fast, dark, and addictive, the kind of story that grabs onto you and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere is thick with danger and desire, pulsing with urban fantasy grit and paranormal heat. Hawk’s writing delivers tension you can feel in your bones, laced with sharp banter and undercurrents of forbidden attraction. It’s electric, lean, and impossible to put down.
May 19, 2019
storyline: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: *****
editing: *****
4.5 This series just keeps getting better. Another promising beginning, can't wait for the next installment.
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: *****
editing: *****
4.5 This series just keeps getting better. Another promising beginning, can't wait for the next installment.
May 20, 2019
What can I say? I can't get enough of Jordan's writing. I absolutely loved New Orleans' settings, the plot and the new character introduction.
I'm in awe of this author and I hope for many, may books in the series.
I'm in awe of this author and I hope for many, may books in the series.
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