Reviewed by Elizabetta
TITLE: Necropolis
SERIES: Whyborne & Griffin, #4
AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk
PUBLISHER: self published
LENGTH: 172 pages
BLURB:
Introverted scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne has spent the last few months watching his lover, Griffin Flaherty, come to terms with the rejection of his adoptive family. So when an urgent telegram from Christine summons them to Egypt, Whyborne is reluctant to risk the fragile peace they’ve established. Until, that is, a man who seems as much animal as human tries to murder Whyborne in the museum.
Amidst the ancient ruins of the pharaohs, they must join Christine and face betrayal, murder, and a legendary sorceress risen from the dead. In the forge of the desert heat, the trio will either face their fears and stand together—or shatter the bonds between them forever.
REVIEW:
Holy caravansary, Batman! Our intrepid heroes, Whyborne and Griffin, are
adventuring in Egypt, chasing down more bad guys, and they are in rare form. Not even getting caught in a fierce, in-the-middle-of-nowhere black-out sandstorm can stop them, or keep them from getting down and dirty…
“We lay in the darkness, listening to the sand on the canvas [tent], the moan of the wind around the ropes, as our breathing evened out… “Relaxed now”? Griffin teased.
You gotta do what you gotta do. And that’s what I love about these two… anywhere, anyhow, anyway, they fight evil and still have time for a little hot sumthin-sumthin.
Jordan Hawk delivers this fourth book in the Whyborne & Griffin series and it’s a doozy. The guys travel half a world away at the request of their pal Christine Putnam (that’s Doctor Putnam, to you). She is, once more, heading an archeological dig in the deep desert, at the site of Nephren-ka’s tomb. You’ll remember that mummified ex-necromancer who started the ball rolling back in book one. Christine has uncovered more occult-ish shenanigans, and is in dire need of help.
Well, she specifically wants Whyborne’s special help. ‘Cause who you gonna call when battling monsters who communicate in hieroglyphs?
He’s awkward, he’s introverted, he’s a homebody, but Whyborne reluctantly travels to the land of recalcitrant camels to help uncover who’s been messing with Dr. Chris’ work. Whyborne’s skills in magic and philology come in handy towards unlocking the mad plans of secret cultists.
They discover the resurrection of an ancient Egyptian queen who has summoned her minion horde– jackal-like cannibals– to do her evil bidding, to wreak havoc on the world (it’s never explained just how she comes back, I was wondering about that…).
Luckily, Whyborne has been honing his sorcerer skills. He can summon, fire, wind, and now he’s working on rending earth. Earth, wind, and fire… he can rock it harder than ever. Despite Griff’s censure (he doesn’t like the magic stuff), Whyborne is finding confidence in his powers, and, really, you just know they’re gonna come in handy…
Necropolis has lots of humorous interplay. Here’s Christine getting a little testy…
“Oh honestly, Whyborne, don’t put up such a fuss. I swear, you men have your entire egos tied to the functioning of a few inches of flesh.” “More than a few,” Griffin said with a smirk.
and, a secondary character makes an observation…
“I couldn’t help but notice how well you two chaps fought together. I suppose you must practice a great deal, to be so attuned to one another’s movements?” (Whyborne’s) face grew uncomfortably hot… “Yes,” Griffin said.
“We practice every chance we have.”
Oh, that Griff. Fun times.
This tale ends rather abruptly. But I really like the entire story arc, how events hinted at in book one– those that haunt Griffin– are played out, how he continues to face his fears, and with Whyborne always there, at his side. Their devotion is a delight to witness…
“His hands tightened on my upper arms, almost hard enough to bruise… “How you burn, bright enough it almost blinds me. But I can’t look away.”
and…
“I am here because you undo me, utterly, and always have. I was yours for the taking from the first.”
So romantic. And more… Though their own families have failed them miserably, Whyborne and Griffin, with Christine, are making their own family. Adventure, mayhem, and love– it’s a neat package. Get thee to the casbah and try this great addition to a fun series.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: