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SPECTR Series 3 #5
Deceiver of Minds
John Starkweather is reeling from the discovery that SPECTR, the agency to which he’s dedicated his life, experimented on him as a child. As his true memories continue to return, he has but one purpose: to find the other victims.
When John, Caleb, and Gray discover SPECTR has been tracking their every move, they’re left with only one choice: to go on the run and find the other victims before the agency catches up with them.
But the past isn’t done with John yet, and the truth about one of his fellow victims may hold devastating consequences for the future.
When John, Caleb, and Gray discover SPECTR has been tracking their every move, they’re left with only one choice: to go on the run and find the other victims before the agency catches up with them.
But the past isn’t done with John yet, and the truth about one of his fellow victims may hold devastating consequences for the future.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2022
8 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,639 followersJordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 2, 2023
I really love this series and this story definitely had a lot of the things coming to a head. But the downside to this series is these novellas often leave us on a cliffhanger. Things definitely picked up speed in this story and we finally got some answers to a few more questions about John's past. He's been trying to find out how he got to the point he's at with someone else's memories, but his search has started to drive a wedge between him and Caleb and Gray.
I felt for Caleb and Gray in this story. They want to help John, but he's pushing them away and feeling the need to do things on his own. But I do appreciate that these guys do actually talk to each other and try to understand where the other is coming from, so Caleb will let John go off on his own, but he's ready to jump in to save him if needed.
I can't wait to get the next segment of this series. Things are tense and there's a lot of things on the line.
I felt for Caleb and Gray in this story. They want to help John, but he's pushing them away and feeling the need to do things on his own. But I do appreciate that these guys do actually talk to each other and try to understand where the other is coming from, so Caleb will let John go off on his own, but he's ready to jump in to save him if needed.
I can't wait to get the next segment of this series. Things are tense and there's a lot of things on the line.
June 25, 2022
DECEIVER OF MINDS was non stop action but it also felt very much like the middle of a book, which is an unfortunate side effect of a serialized story.
A lot gets revealed in this one and poor John just can't catch a break. He's been through so much and right when he's starting to feel like he's found himself and found people who will love and support him, it all gets ripped away. I probably should have seen this betrayal coming considering Hawk has used the same set up in several other books.
As this series has grown its shifted a bit away from the romance and focused more on the plot surrounding NHEs, SPECTR, and John's past. I don't mind the shift because the story is still interesting but I do wish we could have had a few more soft moments between John, Caleb, and Gray.
Per usual there's a cliffhanger ending, though this one is more minor. But I'll still be anxiously waiting for the next book.
Content Warning: gaslighting; mental manipulation; institutional abuse
A lot gets revealed in this one and poor John just can't catch a break. He's been through so much and right when he's starting to feel like he's found himself and found people who will love and support him, it all gets ripped away. I probably should have seen this betrayal coming considering Hawk has used the same set up in several other books.
As this series has grown its shifted a bit away from the romance and focused more on the plot surrounding NHEs, SPECTR, and John's past. I don't mind the shift because the story is still interesting but I do wish we could have had a few more soft moments between John, Caleb, and Gray.
Per usual there's a cliffhanger ending, though this one is more minor. But I'll still be anxiously waiting for the next book.
Content Warning: gaslighting; mental manipulation; institutional abuse
June 27, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Deceiver of Minds is the fifth book in Season 3 of Jordan L. Hawk’s amazing SPECTR series. The books are written in serial form and read as one long story, with a new overarching plot each season. Therefore, this review will spoil previous key events in the series (but not for this book).
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Deceiver of Minds is the fifth book in Season 3 of Jordan L. Hawk’s amazing SPECTR series. The books are written in serial form and read as one long story, with a new overarching plot each season. Therefore, this review will spoil previous key events in the series (but not for this book).
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
July 18, 2022
Have been waiting for a long time to see John, Caleb and Gray. But the book just got finished too fast. :( Ryan being the original John, didn't see that coming, though him sticking like glue to our John was pretty much suspicious. Was hoping to see a bit more romance, was missing the softer side of Gray. Poor John , always getting deceived by people he trusted. Waiting eagerly for the next book. ☺️☺️
August 17, 2022
I suspected the plot twist from the start but it was still a good read diving into John's twisted 'past'. My only real complaint is that this installment is too short!
November 11, 2022
The only thing I want to know is what happens next, will there be another addition to this series or are we getting a whole new series? This book literally opened a can of worms and I can't wait to know what happens next.
In this instalment, we follow John as he tracks down the other survivors from the Centre which leads him to Houston while Caleb, Gray, Night and Zahira are left to confront SPECTR.
This was literally a mind fuck. This book literally amped the level to the max. The plot unfolds at breakneck speed, it almost unravels and there is just so much happening. While I was expecting and bracing for certain revelations, I was literally thrown for a loop when I realised how the author was deciding to use said revelations because I was completely unprepared for the things that happen in this one. I mean the author could literally devote the entirety of a future instalment to just dealing with the mental fallout of the events in this one.
It's clear that John and Caleb & Gray need to recalibrate their relationship because something's definitely wrong and I'm eager to see how that plays out. John has to come to terms with his reclaimed identity and it will be interesting to see how the author chooses to deal with that. More importantly, will he still be John?
The ending to this book isn't technically a cliffhanger but there is just so much that needs to be dealt with and the fact that I can find no information as to the future of this series has me anxious because I need more, so much more.
In this instalment, we follow John as he tracks down the other survivors from the Centre which leads him to Houston while Caleb, Gray, Night and Zahira are left to confront SPECTR.
This was literally a mind fuck. This book literally amped the level to the max. The plot unfolds at breakneck speed, it almost unravels and there is just so much happening. While I was expecting and bracing for certain revelations, I was literally thrown for a loop when I realised how the author was deciding to use said revelations because I was completely unprepared for the things that happen in this one. I mean the author could literally devote the entirety of a future instalment to just dealing with the mental fallout of the events in this one.
It's clear that John and Caleb & Gray need to recalibrate their relationship because something's definitely wrong and I'm eager to see how that plays out. John has to come to terms with his reclaimed identity and it will be interesting to see how the author chooses to deal with that. More importantly, will he still be John?
The ending to this book isn't technically a cliffhanger but there is just so much that needs to be dealt with and the fact that I can find no information as to the future of this series has me anxious because I need more, so much more.
May 21, 2022
Just finished Patreon's ARC. The novella was excellent but - and it should come as no surprise to anyone who read the previous SPECTR series - it ends in a cliff hanger. Still, I'm a lot happier with this cliff hanger than the one we had on series 2.
As for the plot itself, without going into too much detail, the unraveling of John's past just gets messier and messier, to the point that makes you wonder how on earth Hawk would be able to solve it on the last book of the series...
SPECTR really should pay for therapy for John&Caleb after this, although Gray would probably rebel against this kind of mortal nonsense.
As for the plot itself, without going into too much detail, the unraveling of John's past just gets messier and messier, to the point that makes you wonder how on earth Hawk would be able to solve it on the last book of the series...
SPECTR really should pay for therapy for John&Caleb after this, although Gray would probably rebel against this kind of mortal nonsense.
October 14, 2024
Better than the recent one. I wasn't crazy about this plotline really but there's some intriguing changes here.
July 26, 2022
If Hawk continues the pattern from previous SPECTR collections, this novella is the penultimate installment of this particular adventure. A mystery about John’s past has been building for some time, forcing him and his partners Caleb and Gray to balance that personal quest with other issues that flare up in their current New Orleans home. Everything comes to a head here, as we immediately jump into action fully focused on this central plot line. Now that John knows the truth about what happened to him as a teenager, he’s determined to search out those who experienced the trauma along with him.
Right at the beginning of this story, I started to wonder whether John’s “cousin” Ryan might play an active role instead of continuing along for the ride. No spoilers here, but the answer is a solid yes. Hawk pulls off an epic plot twist amid a story packed with tension and surprises. I also admired a neat bit of storytelling that has the basis of a previous argument between the three heroes (the constant, but necessary, separation of Caleb and Gray from John during previous stories) first turn into a handicap and then become the very thing that might save everyone’s lives. For now, the trio is solidly on the same page as they race to save John and the other Operation Mephisto survivors.
Each SPECTR collection has shared certain elements, but in this one especially, Hawk uses the differences in them to create unique and engaging stories. For this story, in particular, the second drakul who has been tagging along with Gray undergoes a transformation that is both amusing and marks a significant character change. I’m almost as curious about what will happen with Night in the long run as I am about how our heroes defeat the current villain.
Except villain is almost a misnomer here. Multiple sides are in play for this conflict, but none of them are traditional “bad” guys, even if you remove how everyone thinks they are acting for the best. I have faith that Hawk will wrap up this epic story in the final novella, and I feel like I can already safely decree that this series of SPECTR is my favorite.
Right at the beginning of this story, I started to wonder whether John’s “cousin” Ryan might play an active role instead of continuing along for the ride. No spoilers here, but the answer is a solid yes. Hawk pulls off an epic plot twist amid a story packed with tension and surprises. I also admired a neat bit of storytelling that has the basis of a previous argument between the three heroes (the constant, but necessary, separation of Caleb and Gray from John during previous stories) first turn into a handicap and then become the very thing that might save everyone’s lives. For now, the trio is solidly on the same page as they race to save John and the other Operation Mephisto survivors.
Each SPECTR collection has shared certain elements, but in this one especially, Hawk uses the differences in them to create unique and engaging stories. For this story, in particular, the second drakul who has been tagging along with Gray undergoes a transformation that is both amusing and marks a significant character change. I’m almost as curious about what will happen with Night in the long run as I am about how our heroes defeat the current villain.
Except villain is almost a misnomer here. Multiple sides are in play for this conflict, but none of them are traditional “bad” guys, even if you remove how everyone thinks they are acting for the best. I have faith that Hawk will wrap up this epic story in the final novella, and I feel like I can already safely decree that this series of SPECTR is my favorite.
January 5, 2023
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 5 in series 3 is another cliffhanger and is unfortunately not the end of this series.
The villain yet again spirals uncontrollably inexplicably after meticulous plans to date. It is Yuri/Dru all over again and I don’t like the lack of villain character development.
But it at least plugged the plot hole related to those selective murders. It makes sense now why the obvious people like John haven’t been attacked and his parents and the doctor did.
I don’t know how much lying John can handle honestly. It is a bit excessive.
Caleb and Gray are again mostly sidelined.
Although the last couple of plots were less than the others this is a great M/M paranormal series so far. 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.
Now that John knows more nuances about his enemies, I am curious how this series arc will end!
The books are short as they act more as sections/chapters in the bigger arc of series 3.
Book 5 in series 3 is another cliffhanger and is unfortunately not the end of this series.
The villain yet again spirals uncontrollably inexplicably after meticulous plans to date. It is Yuri/Dru all over again and I don’t like the lack of villain character development.
But it at least plugged the plot hole related to those selective murders. It makes sense now why the obvious people like John haven’t been attacked and his parents and the doctor did.
I don’t know how much lying John can handle honestly. It is a bit excessive.
Caleb and Gray are again mostly sidelined.
Although the last couple of plots were less than the others this is a great M/M paranormal series so far. 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.
Now that John knows more nuances about his enemies, I am curious how this series arc will end!
July 18, 2022
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to be offered this book for review, because it has been a year and a half since the last book, and I couldn’t wait! Though the author has released other books in that time, I needed to find out what would happen with John and Caleb and Gray.
At the end of the fourth book in this series John was given the answers to many of the questions he had about his past. His real name is revealed, but he still goes by John. He learns more about the facility he was held in and the name of his fellow patients/lab rats. As he learns more, memories of his own start to emerge. There is still so much to discover, though. Like, how much involvement there was on the part of the people he trusted when he first started the SPECTR organization? And where are the other versions of John Starkweather that left the facility they were held in as teens? He definitely wants to find them, because most of the people who knew about the secret place are turning up dead.
When John decides to go find these people, I was once again frustrated that he didn’t want to take his boyfriends, Caleb and Gray. Even though they share the same body, Caleb and Gray have really come into their own with their wants and desires. And both of them are as frustrated as me. It seems like John is pulling away, and they fear that John resents Gray’s possession of Caleb, but they also know they could be of help. Still, John decides to take Ryan, who is the real John’s cousin. John feels that Ryan deserves to know the truth just as much as he does.
Well. I have had my suspicions of Ryan from the beginning, since he was so nice when the rest of John’s “family” was terrible. I didn’t begin to suspect the real truth, though, until this book, shortly before it was revealed. Things go quite crazy, and John is turned against Gray and Caleb. It’s brief, but damage is done, and though Gray and Caleb are forgiving, I’m not sure John can forgive himself. I have to mention Night at this point. Night is another drakul in possession of a dead body. He had been following Gray because he didn’t understand why Gray would be involved in “mortal nonsense.” A drakul’s purpose is to hunt demons, and that’s it. I was wondering if Night would come to care for others with so much time spent with Gray and happily, he does because pulls through for Gray and Caleb in the nick of time. It was a happy moment for me, so I had to bring it up.
Each series has had a big bad to conquer in the last book. In this book, it seems like the big bad is revealed, but it’s not the same as I thought it would be in the beginning. I thought that John and Caleb and Gray were going to deal with the agency that caused this all in the beginning, but there is a more immediate threat. I am just not sure if both will be taken care of in the next book, which feels like it will be the last in this series, or if it will follow them into a series four. Of course I am just being hopeful about the continuation of the series, because I love these characters and I will never get enough.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 stars
I was so excited to be offered this book for review, because it has been a year and a half since the last book, and I couldn’t wait! Though the author has released other books in that time, I needed to find out what would happen with John and Caleb and Gray.
At the end of the fourth book in this series John was given the answers to many of the questions he had about his past. His real name is revealed, but he still goes by John. He learns more about the facility he was held in and the name of his fellow patients/lab rats. As he learns more, memories of his own start to emerge. There is still so much to discover, though. Like, how much involvement there was on the part of the people he trusted when he first started the SPECTR organization? And where are the other versions of John Starkweather that left the facility they were held in as teens? He definitely wants to find them, because most of the people who knew about the secret place are turning up dead.
When John decides to go find these people, I was once again frustrated that he didn’t want to take his boyfriends, Caleb and Gray. Even though they share the same body, Caleb and Gray have really come into their own with their wants and desires. And both of them are as frustrated as me. It seems like John is pulling away, and they fear that John resents Gray’s possession of Caleb, but they also know they could be of help. Still, John decides to take Ryan, who is the real John’s cousin. John feels that Ryan deserves to know the truth just as much as he does.
Well. I have had my suspicions of Ryan from the beginning, since he was so nice when the rest of John’s “family” was terrible. I didn’t begin to suspect the real truth, though, until this book, shortly before it was revealed. Things go quite crazy, and John is turned against Gray and Caleb. It’s brief, but damage is done, and though Gray and Caleb are forgiving, I’m not sure John can forgive himself. I have to mention Night at this point. Night is another drakul in possession of a dead body. He had been following Gray because he didn’t understand why Gray would be involved in “mortal nonsense.” A drakul’s purpose is to hunt demons, and that’s it. I was wondering if Night would come to care for others with so much time spent with Gray and happily, he does because pulls through for Gray and Caleb in the nick of time. It was a happy moment for me, so I had to bring it up.
Each series has had a big bad to conquer in the last book. In this book, it seems like the big bad is revealed, but it’s not the same as I thought it would be in the beginning. I thought that John and Caleb and Gray were going to deal with the agency that caused this all in the beginning, but there is a more immediate threat. I am just not sure if both will be taken care of in the next book, which feels like it will be the last in this series, or if it will follow them into a series four. Of course I am just being hopeful about the continuation of the series, because I love these characters and I will never get enough.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 stars
December 17, 2023
"Deceiver of Minds" 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."
March 3, 2023
Gaping plot hole!
I haven’t finished yet, but these two things are getting on my nerves. I don’t like horror tropes much.
Why don’t we know the name of the agent who wrote the report about Jonathan and the werewolf? We know the name of the other agent, but who signed the report?
And it’s pretty darn obvious that Ryan is not who he says he is.
I haven’t finished yet, but these two things are getting on my nerves. I don’t like horror tropes much.
Why don’t we know the name of the agent who wrote the report about Jonathan and the werewolf? We know the name of the other agent, but who signed the report?
And it’s pretty darn obvious that Ryan is not who he says he is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2023
what happens next?!
The circle keeps tightening further and further on our main characters, John, if that’s who he really is, and Caleb. Who is their true enemy? I am not going to tell you, so you’ll have to read the books yourself. And it also means, I have to wait until the next series comes out!
The circle keeps tightening further and further on our main characters, John, if that’s who he really is, and Caleb. Who is their true enemy? I am not going to tell you, so you’ll have to read the books yourself. And it also means, I have to wait until the next series comes out!
August 23, 2025
Deceiver of Minds leans more on buildup and atmosphere than on high-octane action, but we’re moving into some more action. The mystery is intriguing but what carries the story is the evolving dynamic between the leads, full of tension and emotional depth. It’s a solid penultimate installment in Spectr Series Three.
May 20, 2022
I've been waiting for this for so long! (Not really, I was just very excited)
The books are getting really plot heavy, and I can't guess where this is going next. It is a bit lighter on the romance, but I trust Jordan to get us there in the end, he always does.
I still love Night!
The books are getting really plot heavy, and I can't guess where this is going next. It is a bit lighter on the romance, but I trust Jordan to get us there in the end, he always does.
I still love Night!
July 31, 2022
Great read,by a great author.
I absolutely love this series. The on going story keeps me hooked and the devotion they have for each other is great.I just wish the books were longer.I finished this one in just over an hour.
I absolutely love this series. The on going story keeps me hooked and the devotion they have for each other is great.I just wish the books were longer.I finished this one in just over an hour.
August 3, 2022
This one is so fast paced, with things coming at John and Caleb/Gray. I felt like I could only hang on for the ride. It was hard to know who they could trust and who they couldn't. More things are revealed about John's past life.
April 29, 2023
I finished this book in two days mainly because I did not want to finish it in one sitting. The twist right at the middle of the book I did not see coming and I just can't wait for the next installment.
June 25, 2022
Well like all the others this one ends on unfinished business. Since this book came out yesterday it is going to be awhile before we find out more. Can not wait.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2022
story line: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: ***
world building: ****
editing: *****
main characters: *****
side characters: ***
world building: ****
editing: *****
June 27, 2022
Looooong wait for this one, so much so that I had forgotten the main thread of the plot and some of the details. Hopefully not so long a wait for the next one.
July 15, 2022
It feels like pretty much the same things happening over and over. Still, I really enjoy the characters.
October 3, 2022
I really wish this had been longer.
October 3, 2022
Spins and twists
As if demon possession and altered memories weren't enough we now have another victims turned really really bad... I am floored and excited to see what comes next!
As if demon possession and altered memories weren't enough we now have another victims turned really really bad... I am floored and excited to see what comes next!
November 10, 2022
Great book but finished a little abruptly, until I remembered there are usually six books in the SPECTR series', meaning I am now eagerly awaiting the next one!
August 27, 2023
CLIFF-HANGER, not fair...
October 10, 2023
4.5 stars
January 3, 2024
Erm... This is not the last book? And when is the next one coming?
It feels like the author got bored with the series. And it was just getting interesting. I want more.
It feels like the author got bored with the series. And it was just getting interesting. I want more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews