Mocker of Ravens (Specter 2, #1)

Title: Mocker of Ravens (Specter 2, #1)
Author: Jordan L. Hawk
Publisher: Widdershins Press, LLC
Release Date:June 16, 2015
Genre(s): Paranormal
Page Count: 114
Reviewed by: Kristin
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Blurb:

Caleb has spent the last six months adjusting to life possessed by the vampire spirit Gray. Unfortunately, after the events of Fort Sumter, the other agents of SPECTR view him more as a ticking time bomb than a co-worker.

The one bright spot is Caleb and Gray’s boyfriend, federal exorcist John Starkweather. But John has problems of his own. A supernatural killer is on the loose in Charleston, stealing the hearts of its victims to extend its own unnatural life.

With the help of a rookie agent, John, Caleb, and Gray must find the killer before it strikes again…or before they become the demon’s next victims.

Mocker of Ravens cannot be read as a stand alone and the reader must read Series 1 to understand what is going on.

I enjoy this series because the individual books aren’t overly complicated, I like the characters, I LOVE the location (Charleston!), there is enough tension to keep me engaged, and the premise is interesting. This is like eating a dark chocolate bars (Ghiridelli preferably) – I can consume the whole thing in one sitting, or, I can break off a few pieces and savor over the course of a week.

I like breaking off pieces.

Mocker picks up right on the heels of Summoner of Storms. John and Caleb are barely tolerated by, well, everyone. SPECTER despises them, the entire field staff is afraid of them, but yet, as the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer, there is no place else for John and Caleb to go.

Enter Zahira. New field agent fresh out of the academy. An exorcist like John. She was the only one to volunteer to work with the outcast agents. What makes her different though, Zahira immediately strikes a rapport with Gray. She’s fascinated by him and doesn’t really hide that fact.

The main plot, however, is something is killing people at a local nursing home. John, Caleb and Zahira are sent to figure out what, and they discover the Raven Mocker. A ghoul of old that takes the heart of the victims so it can live longer.

And this is another reason why I enjoy this series – all these really cool, nearly forgotten, old myths and legends brought into modern times. We get so used to the Brother’s Grimm stories being remade and replayed, but there are a plethora of other dark stories from which inspiration can be pulled and Ms. Hawk does a splendid job.

My one concern with the new series is the new SPECTR boss is a total ass to John and Caleb. It’s borderline too much so, which makes me wonder if his having a hard-on for shutting down their partnership is going to lead to something or if it’s only going to be a source of angst.

Meanwhile, John’s, Caleb’s and Grey’s relationship continues to grow and develop, and I continue to love Gray’s humor and straightforward view of things. Food, not Food. And now, John is theirs. Love it! A jealous drakul!

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