Breaker of Chains by Jordan L. Hawk #LGBT #Paranormal #Review

Dana reviews Breaker of Chains (SPECTR Series 2 Book 4) by Jordan L.Hawk. (Published March 16, 2018, 163 pages) A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

To see the audiobook review of SPECTR Series 1 click here.

To see the audiobook review of SPECTR Series 2 Books 1-3 click here.

Blurb:

Big changes are afoot at SPECTR. John Starkweather, once a hotshot field agent, is now benched. Instead of chasing down demons during Charleston’s biggest outbreak, he’s stuck interviewing exorcists about a previous case. But what at first seems like a busywork assignment takes a darker turn, as John begins to suspect the increase in possessions might not be coincidence, but part of an unseen conspiracy.

The vampire spirit Gray was made to hunt demons and drink their blood. He and his human host, Caleb Jansen, ought to be at the forefront of SPECTR’s field team. But their new partners refuse to let Gray use any of his abilities, let alone actually hunt and fight.

Fortunately, Caleb and Gray have allies outside of SPECTR: the only other living drakul, Drugoy and his host Yuri Azarov. Yuri and Dru live by no mortal’s rules, and they can show Caleb and Gray how to do the same…depending on how far they’re willing to go.

Because breaking the rules comes with a cost, and the price of Caleb and Gray’s freedom may be the life of the man they love.

Buy links: Amazon | B&N Add to Goodreads

Okay. I’m writing this just as I finished the book because I either had to get my thoughts down in words or scream in frustration and delight at my walls. This has got to be my favorite SPECTR book so far. The plot has rampped up to a new level of intensity.

For a quick recap Gray is a Drakul (vampire like entity) who shares a body with Caleb, a low level telekinetic. His power increased with the possession but his humanity has made a really likeable character out of Gray and Caleb. They are both in love and loved by John, an “exorcist” and agent with SPECTR a paranormal law enforcement agency.

Gray/Caleb and John were partners working to rid humans from demons possessing them. At the end of the last book, their new, narrow-minded boss split them up as well as their third working partner Zahira. John is such a peaceful person who always tries to make the best of every situation. In real life, I think I am more like him. The person I became while immersed in this story related to Caleb and Gray more and their frustration at the new arrangements. Their new partners definitely left them holding the shortest straw.

In the last book, Gray found an old friend in another human/drakul pair. I was excited for Gray and Caleb. Someone else like them. Ones who were paired together longer who might be able to offer some advice. Let’s just say that things get a bit dicey in regards to Yuri/Drugoy and as fun as eating demons seems when they are all together, there are darker forces at work. Possessions are at an all time high, and SPECTR under it’s new rule won’t let Gray help out. Things seem out of hand and it only gets crazier at the end. It has a straight up apocalyptic feel. There is a jealous ex, and corrupt agents. Several characters are not quite who they seem to be.

I don’t like to use the word cliffhanger because it puts people off, but I don’t have another word. Lives and relationships hang in the balance at the end of this book. Don’t let that put you off, there is something thrilling in the knot of anticipation that settles in your chest. Well, for me there is. It just shows how invested in the story I am and how well the author allowed me to connect to her characters.

I am a huge fan of Jordan L.Hawk. She is a master of creating these other worlds that are so similar to our own; similar politics, similar histories. Just a bit more paranormal. They aren’t are own world, but it feels like it could be while reading the stories. If you asked me to pick a favorite series of hers, I would be hard pressed to choose one. The Hexworld and W&G series are brilliant. The SPECTR series, being more immediate, is the one that I’m jonesing on the most right now. I would recommend reading or listening to this series immediately. The audios are really good and even though I read this book, I heard the narrator in my head because he has become the voice of Gray and Caleb for me. All I can think as I wrap up this review is that I hope that there isn’t a long time before the release of the next book. Highly recommended.

10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in North Carolina and forgot to ever leave. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave her a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When she isn’t writing, she brews her own beer and tries to keep her cats from destroying the house. Her best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook at Amazon and other online retailers.