Reviewed by Carissa
TITLE: Destroyer of Worlds
SERIES: Spectr #5
AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk
PUBLISHER: Self-published
BLURB: After becoming possessed by the vampire spirit Gray, telekinetic Caleb Jansen thought his situation couldn’t get any worse. But that was before Graham Forsyth, head of SPECTR’s sinister Research Division, took him into custody.
Forsyth claims he can exorcise Gray before the forty-day time limit runs out. But once at RD, Caleb and Gray find themselves ensnared in a web of lies. What is the truth behind the tests Forsyth is performing on them? What does the agency really plan to do with Gray? And most worrisome of all, why does Gray sense demons within the walls of RD’s compound?
Caleb’s boyfriend, SPECTR agent John Starkweather, has suspicions of his own. With the help of his friend Sean and a shadowy organization known only by their symbol of a moth, John intends to save Caleb and Gray at any cost.
But when divided loyalties threaten his last chance at exorcism, Caleb discovers love may come at a price higher than he’d ever imagined.
REVIEW:
I want it in the record that under no circumstances did I cradle/stroke my Kindle while whispering “myprecious” in a creepy Gollum voice, when I got my copy of this book. I, in no way, did that. ‘Cause that would be weird. So…totally didn’t do that. I swear.
Right. Now that we’ve got that settled…
Caleb’s biggest problem should’ve been the fact that he’s got a week till his clock stops ticking and he’s got a permanent roommate in his head. That was until he found himself remanded to the control of Graham Forsyth and SPECTR’s Research Division.
Gray’s biggest problem should’ve been the fact that in a week the man he loves is going to try and kill him. Then everyone started trying to kill the men he loves.
John’s biggest problem should’ve been the fact that he is pretty sure he is going to go against everything he believe in to save the man and drakul that he loves. Then a betrayal of trust costs him everything, and leaves him with nothing.
Caleb, Gray, and John thought they knew how everything was going to end, then someone changed all the rules and now they are going to have to decide whether their love for each other is worth the cost of everything they hold sacred.
A month. I’ve waited a little over month to find out what happened after the cliffhanger in Eater of Lives (and there are others out there who’ve had to wait even longer, poor buggers) but it was soooo worth it. This book hit all my soft spots…and quite a few of my hot spots (biting makes me go all tingly…not that you really needed to know that). Caleb finally makes his choice, John finally learns some truths (at great cost), and Gray finally gets a proper meal–with rather explosive results.
While I might not be a big fan of cliffhangers, this book repays us quite nicely with some great action and some answers to questions that have been lurking around the edges of SPECTR headquarters. Not only do we get a look into what is happening in Forsyth’s creepy ‘Research’ Division, but the moths finally come out to play in the open–and boy do both offer us some shockers. Some things I saw coming, others I totally didn’t, and one thing–well let’s just say it was probably inevitable, if heartbreaking. This book throws loyalties up in the air and you never quite know where they are going to fall when they hit the ground.
There was also some pure awesome lightning hotness going on between John and Gray. A lot of the books so far have dealt with the difficulties between John and Caleb, and how Gray is influencing both of their decisions, but up until now Gray has been a spectator in most of the relationship. No longer. This book finally puts the big question front and center, and everyone is going to have to finally admit how they feel about each other. Because time is almost up and decisions must be made. It is no longer just about Caleb and John…it can’t be. Gray has to speak up, John has to fess up, and Caleb has to choose between ‘normal’ and the life he could have if only he lets his old dreams go. I really don’t want to spoil things…but I will give you this: it is hot. When all comes down to it, and finally they have all made their choices, for better or for worse…it is so incredibly freaking hot.
Honestly? I just loved this book. It balanced perfectly between giving us answers and posing some new and interesting questions. We got some nice action, a few resolutions, and a several steps closer to my longed-for Gray/Caleb/John total three-way power and love-filled sex romp (ok, I don’t actually expect a ‘sex romp’ but a girl has gotta dream). I can’t wait to see what unfolds in book six, Summoner of Storms (out in July of 2014, I believe), and am looking forward to whatever Jordan Hawk throws at the trio. And it is actually starting to feel like a trio, instead of a couple with an audience lurking around the back of everything. You really need to read this (though, as I’ve said before, this series needs to be read in order so that you can really get the full impact. They are really good stories, so it isn’t like it will hurt you). I don’t think you will be disappointed.
RATING:
BOOK LINKS: Jordan L. Hawk’s Website