Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Fallow 
SERIES: Whyborne & Griffin #8
AUTHOR: Jordan L. Hawk
NARRATOR: Julian G. Simmons
PUBLISHER: Widdershins Press
RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2016
LENGTH: 6 hours, 56 minutes
BLURB:
When Griffin’s past collides with his present, will it cost the lives of everyone he loves?
Between the threat of a world-ending invasion from the Outside and unwelcome revelations about his own nature, Percival Endicott Whyborne is under a great deal of strain. His husband, Griffin Flaherty, wants to help—but how can he, when Whyborne won’t tell him what’s wrong?
When a man from Griffin’s past murders a sorcerer, the situation grows even more dire. Once a simple farmer from Griffin’s hometown of Fallow, the assassin now bears a terrifying magical corruption, one whose nature even Whyborne can’t explain.
To keep Griffin’s estranged mother safe, they must travel to a dying town in Kansas. But as drought withers the crops of Fallow, a sinister cult sinks its roots deep into the arid soil. And if the cult’s foul harvest isn’t stopped in time, Fallow will be only the first city to fall.
Fallow is the eighth book in the Whyborne & Griffin series, where magic, mystery, and m/m romance collide with Victorian era America.
REVIEW:
Returning home. Facing the past. Facing the people left behind and everything that was were left unresolved is never easy. An magical artefact is found in Fallow, Griffin’s hometown. The town he was forced out from when caught with the neighbouring boy. Now said town is dying. Dying from magical corruption, from failing harvests and if not stopped it won’t be the only town left destroyed.
There are a lot of emotions tied to Griffin’s going back to Fallow. So much hurt connected to that place and people. People with long memories and unkind hearts. I felt for Griffin so much in this book. How he was treated, both directly and the talk behind his back. On the other side I loved how Whyborne, Christine and Iskander never stood silently back accepting it. Then again I don’t thing Christine is ever quiet. Never in this book, series really, is there every any doubt only unwavering support and unlimited friendships and love.
As far as the plot goes, stopping the evil to be unleashed; it was intense and thrilling as usual. It also hits closer to home than we’re used to. But that too makes it all the more exciting. I do not know how Hawk does it, but they truly keep the essence and magic going all throughout the series.
Julian G. Simmons is Whyborne and Griffin. He captures the essence of all the characters so perfectly that it’s almost eerie. One of my favourite portrays of his is Christine, he always nails her spunk, sass and guns blazing attitude. How she and Whyborne became such friends is more than amazing, but they are so different that their friendship becomes epic.
Fallow has been another wonderful instalment in this series and I’m sad that there’s only one more book made into audio. On the other hand, I do have one more adventure before I have to take leave of these guys.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: