This is a charming and quite unique series. And I've already started in on the third book (audio). I didn't think Owen and Malachi were quite as interThis is a charming and quite unique series. And I've already started in on the third book (audio). I didn't think Owen and Malachi were quite as interesting as Tom and Cicero from Hexbreaker, but the Hexworld universe is interesting enough on its own.
But I realized two things when listening to Hexmaker. 1) The word "prick" should be prohibited entirely. That word during a steamy scene is a real mood-killer. 2) And I'm apparently not very fond of certain accents. Now, maybe it's because I'm not a native English speaker, and that listening to an accent I'm not used to hearing distracts me too much from the story. But the truth was that the way Tristan James read Malachi's character was downright off-putting to me. Now, I usually like Tristan James' narrations. But the way he made Malachi sound sort of squeaky and then combined it with that (to me) weird accent, was just not appealing at all.
This story was such a delightful surprise! I'm always on the hunt for new, great, mm, mystery series. And since I'm apparently very picky, I've given uThis story was such a delightful surprise! I'm always on the hunt for new, great, mm, mystery series. And since I'm apparently very picky, I've given up on more of highly recommended series than I'd like to think about. But, finally, my persistence paid off!
Anyway. Let's start with the worldbuilding. It's both inventive and charming. Set in an alternative version of NY at the end of the 19th century. Witches, shape-shifting familiars, and hexes are all frequently occurring, weaved into normal society. Right along with all the political implications of wildly different factions trying to co-exist. So kudos for that, Hawk!
Tom and Cicero couldn't appear more different if they tried. The big and brawny cop, and the slender and outrageous cat familiar. But Tom, despite his dark past, is the kindest of souls, and he is exactly what the disillusioned and cynical Cicero needs. *Sigh*Their lovestory is sweet in a dark and rather brutal world. Simply a great combination.
As all great stories, and especially the first book in a series, there's lots of information to process. And there's lots of interesting and fleshed out supporting characters. I was a bit put off in the very first chapter, however. Since I listened to the audio, the amount of name-dropping and introduction of several different characters with accompanying quick, back-stories the first few minutes of the story were definitively too much. But I kept going and it was so worth it.
The plot's great. Or rather, plots. Because there's more than one, even if they are all weaved together in the end. They're intricate enough to be interesting, yet not so much so that it was difficult to keep up. The pacing was also excellent. Both in terms of detective work, and the personal development between Tom and Cicero. Those storylines were perfectly intertwined which is very uncommon in my opinion.
If I have to comment on one thing, it would be the introduction of the available magic and the concept of hexes. Because I never managed to figure out exactly what those entailed. In Hexbreaker, it was often some sort of symbol imbued with magic. And an important part of the storyline was the concept of using hexes as a drug, to get a high or amplify the effect of alcohol. And it bothered me immensely that it wasn't described how these kind of hexes - pieces of paper with a specific symbol on it - was actually used. Did the user eat the paper? Did they put in their drink? Did they speak a certain word to activate it? And also, it was very unclear to me what kind of magic was possible in this world. There were no fireballs or levitating people, so what were the limits? As the existence of magic is so central to the story, I thought it was very frustrating that this aspect of the world remained unclear to me.
Otherwise, I thought Tristan James did a great job narrating. Though, I wasn't particularly fond of his various accents. And at times I thought he mixed up Tom's and Cicero's voices. But my overall rating of his performance is still 4.5.
But either way. This is a great series for lovers of cosy, mm mysteries. Highly recommend....more
What a whirlwind this story was! Not at all what I expected. In the very best way possible.
I didn't read this book because of the blurb. Nobility and aWhat a whirlwind this story was! Not at all what I expected. In the very best way possible.
I didn't read this book because of the blurb. Nobility and arranged marriages isn't usually my cup of tea. No, I read it because of the recommendations and reviews. I knew there would be twists and turns and that's exactly what I got.
If you enjoy surprises, steampunk, and an MC who goes through some rough sh*t before finding his happy, then this is definitely for you.
Yes, there might be some unintentionally funny parts. All the different names used to describe d*cks are definitely highlights. Or what do you think about turgid horn? Heated weapon? Proud monster? And finally, my personal favourite: Gnarled club.
Reflections of a Swede
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steam-punk
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