Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Hexbreaker by Jordan L. Hawk

2 reviews

galleytrot's review

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

READ: Feb 2023
FORMAT: Digital

BRIEF SUMMARY: 

In this historical fiction mystery/romance set in 1897 New York, Tom has spent the past eight years under a false identity, living as a beat cop to avoid detection from those who would see him answer for his past. Cicero is a familiar with the Metropolitan Witch Police (MWP), and the pressure is on for him to choose a witch to bond with. When Tom and Cicero each get wrapped up in violent crimes with very similar circumstances, they must reluctantly come together to get answers that the Police and the MWP won’t get on their own. 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4 / 5⭐ 

I am quite delighted by the world this series introduces! I often enjoy historical fictions with a bit of fantasy tossed in, and I especially love to see worlds where the fantasy aspect is common knowledge amongst the non-fantastical population, not some kept-secret. This, tossed up with a bit of suspense/mystery and detective work, made for a charming reading experience. 

Tom is an extremely rare sort of witch who is running from his past – as a hexbreaker, he can innately nullify hexes, but this ability has traumatized him in a way that he can’t forgive himself for. Cicero clocks Tom as his witch (an innate bond of comparability) from the very moment they meet, but Tom is so far from Cicero's expectations that he refuses to accept their connection. Cicero must get past his preconceived discrimination to see Tom for who he truly is – but who is Tom really, when eight years ago he had a different name, a different path, a different community, a different morals compass?

TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.5 / 5⭐ 

As far as worldbuilding goes, I find myself quite rapt and drawn in. I haven’t explored a world or a series quite along these lines before, and wouldn’t mind seeing more of the like. I’m enjoying learning about the rules of this world, and the societal implications of the magical coexisting with the non-magical. 

It needs to be said that I’m always a little wary about worlds that have fated pairings (bonds, mates, soulmates, etc.) and here is no different. There seems to be a focus on consent being a big part of a witch/familiar bonding, and that’s great! But it’s also clear that forced bonding can take place, and that some bonds can be quite abusive or exploitative in nature.

I don’t know that the mystery/investigation was especially well-written, either. I think there were too many elements at play; too many facets to the conspiracy. When it all came to a head, everything was more or less dealt with in an explosive chaos. It all works out for them in the end, but not through means of catching on and getting ahead of things – more that, the ensemble just blindly stumbles through the climax while things are revealed and resolved (sometimes by circumstance, sometimes by reaction). 

FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 3.75 / 5⭐ 

If you like historical fiction with an otherworldly aspect, this one is worth a go! I expect to continue on and finish the series over the next month or so. 

This story has representation for all sorts of sexualities, races, and religions. There are women characters who do important things and have important roles, which is something many m/m books very often lack. Refreshing! 

The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail. 

This book contains: violent murders and assaults; a past fire resulting in deaths; dated terms and language that are homophobic, racist, and bigoted in nature (appropriate to the time period); homophobic and racist stereotyping; mentions of a physical abuse/assault driven by homophobia and antisemitism; threat of sexual violence; non-weapon and weapon violence leading to injuries and death (guns, knives, claws, teeth); confinement using cages and hexes; themes of slavery and servitude; drug and alcohol use; and, dishonesty and deception in the founding of a relationship.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Gore, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Confinement, and Cursing

Minor: Body shaming, Classism, and Cultural appropriation

jennifox's review

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Violence