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Kit Melbourne #6
Hawthorn Hex
When a civil war causes vampires to spill into Seabingen, Kit is ordered to create a city-wide ward to protect the Guild from rogues. A ward like this has never been made before. This kind of ward is only possible in theory. As Kit struggles with dangerous experimental magic, her home life begins to unravel. With Fenwick gone more often than he's at home, Kit has to rely on Tessali to take care of things. But Tessali has secrets which may endanger them all. How can Kit protect her city, and her home, when the enemy is already inside?
361 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2016
4 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Kater Cheek
37 books290 followersKater Cheek is the author of the urban fantasy Kit Melbourne series, the Alternate Susan series, and the chicken comic Coop de Grace. Her short work has appeared in The Steampunk User’s Manual, The Living Dead anthology, Weird Tales, Fantasy Magazine, and some other forums including foreign textbooks. Kater Cheek is a graduate of 2007 Clarion San Diego. www.catherinecheek.com. When not writing, she enjoys dangling in the air and making the sort of art that requires safety glasses and good ventilation.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 2, 2022
When a vampire does blood magic and destroys the existing ward around the city, the Guild Leader tells Kit to create a new ward that doesn’t have the old ward’s weakness. No one has done a ward like this, and the only one who even knows how is an evil witch who hates Kit. Kit has to get the only notes, then study and practice them until she can use the information to create an entirely new ward.
This was fun to write because it parallels a little bit the creation processes that artists and writers go through. I do this a lot with my art, try to create something that’s never been done before, not knowing if it’s even possible. I liked to share that feeling using Kit’s magic instead of my multi-media art.
This is the sixth book in the Kit Melbourne series. It’s not necessary to have read the previous books, but it will help if you have read them, as earlier books will give you some familiarity with the characters. Kit is still in this, of course, and Fenwick. Tessali, introduced in the previous book Changer’s Turf, is a crucial character. Because she’s sharing a roof with Kit and Fenwick, her problems become everyone’s problems. I think this will resonate with anyone who has tried to help a troubled teen and had it end poorly.
Kit and Tessali have a lot of interpersonal conflict in this novel. Tessali is very young, insecure, and not terribly wise. She’s also terrified of disappointing Kit, so when Tessali makes some bad decisions which get her into trouble, her reluctance to ask for help compounds the problem. If you read the interview on my blog, I go a little deeper into the mother-nanny conflict, feminism, and what it means to be a working mother.
While there’s plenty of action, vampires, dangerous magic, deception and secrets, this book gets deeper into Kit’s character than some of the previous books. Who says fun urban fantasy can’t be real literature? I think you’ll enjoy it.
This was fun to write because it parallels a little bit the creation processes that artists and writers go through. I do this a lot with my art, try to create something that’s never been done before, not knowing if it’s even possible. I liked to share that feeling using Kit’s magic instead of my multi-media art.
This is the sixth book in the Kit Melbourne series. It’s not necessary to have read the previous books, but it will help if you have read them, as earlier books will give you some familiarity with the characters. Kit is still in this, of course, and Fenwick. Tessali, introduced in the previous book Changer’s Turf, is a crucial character. Because she’s sharing a roof with Kit and Fenwick, her problems become everyone’s problems. I think this will resonate with anyone who has tried to help a troubled teen and had it end poorly.
Kit and Tessali have a lot of interpersonal conflict in this novel. Tessali is very young, insecure, and not terribly wise. She’s also terrified of disappointing Kit, so when Tessali makes some bad decisions which get her into trouble, her reluctance to ask for help compounds the problem. If you read the interview on my blog, I go a little deeper into the mother-nanny conflict, feminism, and what it means to be a working mother.
While there’s plenty of action, vampires, dangerous magic, deception and secrets, this book gets deeper into Kit’s character than some of the previous books. Who says fun urban fantasy can’t be real literature? I think you’ll enjoy it.
September 13, 2020
This is book six of the Kit Melbourne series and Kit is a few years into her job as the Vampire Guild’s Dayrunner for their leader. Her daughter Jade is a toddler and getting teeth, so she is lucky to have faerie nanny Tessa around to help look after Jade, whilst she and Fenwick work. Fenwick has just taken a promotion, to earn more money, but it leaves him travelling three weeks out of four! Kit finds it hard to have him away so often and is not a very maternal mother, so doesn’t want to give up her job to be stuck at home all the time. Her boss calls her in for some training and shows her a spot where the city ward has been broken. She could just fix it again, but a rogue vampire has already managed to get into the city with the aid of a witch using blood magic, so it is no longer secure.
Kit tries to get some spell books from a well-known witch in town, but she knows Kit’s family and would never give them to her if she asks herself. So she sends Tessa, who ends up revealing too much about her own life and wishes, making an agreement with the witch, where she will get her heart’s desire and she will have to do something very difficult in return for the elderly witch. Something that should be impossible with the level of magic she has as a lowly serving faerie. She doesn’t tell Kit of her arrangement, especially after seeing Kit’s reaction when a certain type of spell is mentioned! Whether this will endanger her role as nanny to Fenwick and Kit’s daughter is for you to find out, but secrets are never a good thing.
Kit has her work cut out for her, as she has to experiment with unknown magic to build a new hex around the city that will keep out the rogue vampires and keep the city safe. Kit has already been accosted by one and harmed, and there is no knowing how many more have managed to sneak into the city whilst the ward is down. But the fix is not going to be a simple or even fast solution. Her first attempts leave her draining her own life energy dangerously and needing to seek immediate help from another magical user and faerie, with better experience in these matters, to correct herself. Difficulties with the distance between Kit and Fenwick start to cause problems between them and each wants the other to give up their jobs to care for their child!
Kit is wearing herself out trying to learn the magic she will need to protect the city, whilst also having to avoid those enemies of her and the Guild leader, who want to use her for leverage, or even kill her to gain power for themselves. The new protection ring she is making has many parts and has her even pretending to be part of a group of workmen, to bury certain larger parts of the ward from easy access by others. Tessa’s wish has come true, but magic spells always have a personal cost and she is finding that life is not quite how she wanted it and is causing problems for her and her position with Kit and Fenwick. She leaves them both wondering if they can even trust her to look after their daughter, after certain actions leave Jade in danger.
New responsibilities for both, leave Kit and Fenwick at odds and more tired than they have ever been. A daughter should have brought them closer together in their marriage and teamwork, but it seems to be pushing them further apart. More danger is coming to their family and they will need to work together to survive what is coming. Both will face individual problems and family issues, but hopefully become stronger together in the end. I look forward to the next book in the series, in which it looks like Kit could be making some wrong decisions and end up on the wrong side of her boss and his protection! I can’t wait!
Kit tries to get some spell books from a well-known witch in town, but she knows Kit’s family and would never give them to her if she asks herself. So she sends Tessa, who ends up revealing too much about her own life and wishes, making an agreement with the witch, where she will get her heart’s desire and she will have to do something very difficult in return for the elderly witch. Something that should be impossible with the level of magic she has as a lowly serving faerie. She doesn’t tell Kit of her arrangement, especially after seeing Kit’s reaction when a certain type of spell is mentioned! Whether this will endanger her role as nanny to Fenwick and Kit’s daughter is for you to find out, but secrets are never a good thing.
Kit has her work cut out for her, as she has to experiment with unknown magic to build a new hex around the city that will keep out the rogue vampires and keep the city safe. Kit has already been accosted by one and harmed, and there is no knowing how many more have managed to sneak into the city whilst the ward is down. But the fix is not going to be a simple or even fast solution. Her first attempts leave her draining her own life energy dangerously and needing to seek immediate help from another magical user and faerie, with better experience in these matters, to correct herself. Difficulties with the distance between Kit and Fenwick start to cause problems between them and each wants the other to give up their jobs to care for their child!
Kit is wearing herself out trying to learn the magic she will need to protect the city, whilst also having to avoid those enemies of her and the Guild leader, who want to use her for leverage, or even kill her to gain power for themselves. The new protection ring she is making has many parts and has her even pretending to be part of a group of workmen, to bury certain larger parts of the ward from easy access by others. Tessa’s wish has come true, but magic spells always have a personal cost and she is finding that life is not quite how she wanted it and is causing problems for her and her position with Kit and Fenwick. She leaves them both wondering if they can even trust her to look after their daughter, after certain actions leave Jade in danger.
New responsibilities for both, leave Kit and Fenwick at odds and more tired than they have ever been. A daughter should have brought them closer together in their marriage and teamwork, but it seems to be pushing them further apart. More danger is coming to their family and they will need to work together to survive what is coming. Both will face individual problems and family issues, but hopefully become stronger together in the end. I look forward to the next book in the series, in which it looks like Kit could be making some wrong decisions and end up on the wrong side of her boss and his protection! I can’t wait!
August 20, 2020
“Hawthorn’s Hex”, already the sixth book in the “Kit Melbourne Series” by Kater Cheek, is as fresh, entertaining and appealing as every Kit Melbourne adventure.
With the ongoing vampire civil-war threatening to spread to Seabingen, Kit has to attempt to put an all-encompassing ward on the city, something no one has never done before, as the magic necessary is deemed extremely dangerous, and the only witch who could help is a sworn enemy of Kit’s. But nonetheless Kit has to try, with unseen repercussion to her private life. Her relationship with Fenwick suffers, not only due to Kit task, but also due to his repeated absences, that let Kit alone with the added burden of taking care of their in-living foster teenager Tessali.
This is a very interesting story that use the plot to delve into the process of creation, equaling the witchy work to any artistic process, while showing all the hardships that a (practically, as Fenwick is almost always gone) single parent endures in the constant struggle between social obligations and familiar needs.
Kater Cheek’s storytelling is superb, flesh and endearing, blending action and description elements into a multifaceted action-packed, fast paced story. With wonderful multidimensional characters, a very good crafted world and realistic plots, this is one the best UF series of the year.
With the ongoing vampire civil-war threatening to spread to Seabingen, Kit has to attempt to put an all-encompassing ward on the city, something no one has never done before, as the magic necessary is deemed extremely dangerous, and the only witch who could help is a sworn enemy of Kit’s. But nonetheless Kit has to try, with unseen repercussion to her private life. Her relationship with Fenwick suffers, not only due to Kit task, but also due to his repeated absences, that let Kit alone with the added burden of taking care of their in-living foster teenager Tessali.
This is a very interesting story that use the plot to delve into the process of creation, equaling the witchy work to any artistic process, while showing all the hardships that a (practically, as Fenwick is almost always gone) single parent endures in the constant struggle between social obligations and familiar needs.
Kater Cheek’s storytelling is superb, flesh and endearing, blending action and description elements into a multifaceted action-packed, fast paced story. With wonderful multidimensional characters, a very good crafted world and realistic plots, this is one the best UF series of the year.
September 3, 2020
🔮🔮ONE THRILLING ADVENTURE🔮🔮
Bring it on! Kater doesn't hold back, pull any punches or take any prisoners, unleashing this tough as nails 100% on point realism, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, thrusting this little gem together flawlessly. A raging tempest of formidable trials and challenging tribulations, noting the deadly twists, wicked turns and thin lines, catapulting this little guy to a whole new realm. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, rousting the drama, intrigue, turmoil, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and unnerving situations along with a boatload of anarchy while dodging calamity, you have one thrilling adventure. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Kater, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Bring it on! Kater doesn't hold back, pull any punches or take any prisoners, unleashing this tough as nails 100% on point realism, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, thrusting this little gem together flawlessly. A raging tempest of formidable trials and challenging tribulations, noting the deadly twists, wicked turns and thin lines, catapulting this little guy to a whole new realm. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, rousting the drama, intrigue, turmoil, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and unnerving situations along with a boatload of anarchy while dodging calamity, you have one thrilling adventure. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Kater, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
January 1, 2021
A vampire manages to destroy the existing ward protecting city. In a panic, the Guild Leader requires Kit Melbourne create a new ward that no one has ever successfully done before. An evil witch may have some information about it, but she and Kit are enemies. But Kit will have to find the information she needs and create that impenetrable ward.
While working on this task, Kit obtains a faerie nanny to watch her child. But the nanny has her own secrets, and Kit is not sure she is willing to risk the life of her child. Will she be able to save the city as well as her child if things go wrong?
While working on this task, Kit obtains a faerie nanny to watch her child. But the nanny has her own secrets, and Kit is not sure she is willing to risk the life of her child. Will she be able to save the city as well as her child if things go wrong?
August 18, 2022
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I love Kit and what she does demands a lot of her time as does Fenwick. Neither will give up their jobs to work on their relationship and soon there might not be anything worth saving. The wards on the city have broken and now rogue vampires have gotten in. But that might not be the only threat to Kit and those she cares about. Tessali is doing things and hiding this from those around her. There is the magic that has never been before so Kit is not even sure if it will work and it could be impossible. I love the characters and the books are fast-paced and enjoyable.
September 2, 2020
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. The towns ward was broken and it let rogue vampires in to the town. So now it has to be redone so the Guild Leader Holzhausen and Kit. Kit has to ward her house to make it safe for her family. Now Kit has to make sure things are right in the town. Now would be time to get the book. I will getting more from this author.
September 5, 2020
Is their marriage doomed? Kit and Fenwick’s lives are spiraling out of control. Rogue vampires are putting Kit in harm’s way, Tessali has made some bad choices that have put her and Kit in harm’s way, and neither Kit nor Fenwick is ready to give up their demanding jobs to save their marriage. Something has to give. But what? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
September 3, 2020
I did not realize that this was a book well into a series. I was lost with a lot of the story line because I did not know what had happened before. I did finally furnish the book. It was a good read, but would have been better if I had read the books before it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2020
What a fabulous book. I cannot seem to get enough of this series. The characters have me spellbound. I am so invested in this series. I love everything about this series. I would definitely recommend this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 11, 2020
Hawthorn's Hex by Kater Cheek is such an amazing story that I have had the privilege to read. This is book number six in this amazing series that had me hooked from the very beginning. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic, mysteries, horrors and fantasy in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2020
This is book 6 of the Kit Melbourne series. I love this series. The character work is great and the story had a great flow. The storyline grabs you from the start and keeps you until the end. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 22, 2022
Loved this book. The characters were mapped out and well defined throughout the book. They had great growth throughout it and the storyline flowed well. It was a page turner for me and held my interest throughout. I have enjoyed this author for several books now and can’t wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2020
Kater Cheek has given us another great Kit Melbourne story. The characters were engaging and the story was entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2020
A truly magical and entertaining ride of a story. Full of action and suspense. The storyline and the characters are amazing. A very good book.
January 23, 2016
When a vampire does blood magic and destroys the existing ward around the city, the Guild Leader tells Kit to create a new ward that doesn’t have the old ward’s weakness. No one has done a ward like this, and the only one who even knows how is an evil witch who hates Kit. Kit has to get the only notes, then study and practice them until she can use the information to create an entirely new ward.
This was fun to write because it parallels a little bit the creation processes that artists and writers go through. I do this a lot with my art, try to create something that’s never been done before, not knowing if it’s even possible. I liked to share that feeling using Kit’s magic instead of my multi-media art.
This is the sixth book in the Kit Melbourne series. It’s not necessary to have read the previous books, but it will help if you have read them, as earlier books will give you some familiarity with the characters. Kit is still in this, of course, and Fenwick. Tessali, introduced in the previous book Changer’s Turf, is a crucial character. Because she’s sharing a roof with Kit and Fenwick, her problems become everyone’s problems. I think this will resonate with anyone who has tried to help a troubled teen and had it end poorly.
Kit and Tessali have a lot of interpersonal conflict in this novel. Tessali is very young, insecure, and not terribly wise. She’s also terrified of disappointing Kit, so when Tessali makes some bad decisions which get her into trouble, her reluctance to ask for help compounds the problem. If you read the interview on my blog, I go a little deeper into the mother-nanny conflict, feminism, and what it means to be a working mother.
While there’s plenty of action, vampires, dangerous magic, deception and secrets, this book gets deeper into Kit’s character than some of the previous books. Who says fun urban fantasy can’t be real literature? I think you’ll enjoy it.
This was fun to write because it parallels a little bit the creation processes that artists and writers go through. I do this a lot with my art, try to create something that’s never been done before, not knowing if it’s even possible. I liked to share that feeling using Kit’s magic instead of my multi-media art.
This is the sixth book in the Kit Melbourne series. It’s not necessary to have read the previous books, but it will help if you have read them, as earlier books will give you some familiarity with the characters. Kit is still in this, of course, and Fenwick. Tessali, introduced in the previous book Changer’s Turf, is a crucial character. Because she’s sharing a roof with Kit and Fenwick, her problems become everyone’s problems. I think this will resonate with anyone who has tried to help a troubled teen and had it end poorly.
Kit and Tessali have a lot of interpersonal conflict in this novel. Tessali is very young, insecure, and not terribly wise. She’s also terrified of disappointing Kit, so when Tessali makes some bad decisions which get her into trouble, her reluctance to ask for help compounds the problem. If you read the interview on my blog, I go a little deeper into the mother-nanny conflict, feminism, and what it means to be a working mother.
While there’s plenty of action, vampires, dangerous magic, deception and secrets, this book gets deeper into Kit’s character than some of the previous books. Who says fun urban fantasy can’t be real literature? I think you’ll enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews