Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Unhallowed

SERIES:  Rath & Rune

AUTHOR:  Jordan L. Hawk

PUBLISHER:  Widdershins Press LLC

LENGTH:  8 hours and 35 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 13, 2020

BLURB:

Monsters. Murder. Librarians.

Librarian Sebastian Rath is the only one who believes his friend Kelly O’Neil disappeared due to foul play. But without any clues or outside assistance, there’s nothing he can do to prove it.

When bookbinder Vesper Rune is hired to fill the vacancy left by O’Neil, he receives an ominous letter warning him to leave. After he saves Sebastian from a pair of threatening men, the two decide to join forces and get to the truth about what happened to O’Neil.

But Vesper is hiding secrets of his own, ones he doesn’t dare let anyone learn. Secrets that grow ever more dangerous as his desire for Sebastian deepens.

Because Kelly O’Neil was murdered. And if Sebastian and Ves don’t act quickly enough, they’ll be the next to die.

REVIEW:

Ladysmith museum librarian Sebastian Rath is most unhappy that  protege of his mother and friend, Kelly O’Neil just up and disappeared.  He had learned everything about book binding and restoration and took his job seriously.  Until he just vanished – having left a note and moved out of his apartment apparently in the middle of the night  Although his friends try to convince him otherwise, Sebastian believes that something is not right and the O’Neil is in danger.

Vesper Rune has spend time at the Boston public library and has now accepted the vacant binding/conservation post at the Ladysmith.  Sebastian is not terribly welcoming – but when the new hire helps in out after he’s chased by some hoodlums, Sebastian has a change of heart.  He’s misjudged and discounted the man simply because he’s not O’Neil.

They become closer friends and when it turns into a bit more, well that’s OK with both of them 🙂  Vesper is hesitant though – he’s never had a relationship with anyone and his past is so horrid and his secret mission so critical, that he plays everything very close to the vest.  But eventually Sebastian is attacked and Ves comes to his rescue again and he can no longer hide his secret.  He assumes this is the end of his friendship with Rath, but little does he know about what goes on in Widdershins.  He isn’t even CLOSE to the strangest thing Sebastian has dealt with 😉   When the librarians and the newcomer join forces, it will be the only way to contain the evil that is about to be unleashed.

What a great kick-off to a new series by Jordan L. Hawk!  I’m a sucker for the books and characters of this world.  I was sad that the original W&G series was going to end, but was thrilled to know that the adventures in this world would go on.  The librarians are such important citizens of Widdershins  and it’s great to be back in that place and time.  I loved Vesper and Sebastian together in this.  The creepy factor is there enough to provide for the suspense and magic, but not so much as to fall over into horror – which for me is a good thing since that’s not my jam 😉  The tone of the book is perfect – carrying on the tradition of the previous series, but adding a new level of humor and magic and new character with new strange powers and histories.  Suffice to say that the climax of the battle is again one of the this author’s special talents.  As readers/listeners, we’re just waiting for the next shoe to drop 🙂

Joel Leslie has taken on the narrating duties of this series.  I have to say he is the perfect choice.  These are dramatic and exciting stories that he infuses with a lot of enthusiasm.  But he’s also adept at the quieter, more intimate moments which are the life’s blood of this world.  Highly recommended and can’t wait for the next book!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

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