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Hexworld #0.5
The 13th Hex
Romance. Magic.
Murder.
Dominic Kopecky dreamed of becoming a member of New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police—a dream dashed when he failed the test for magical aptitude. Now he spends his days drawing the hexes the MWP relies on for their investigations.
But when a murder by patent hex brings crow familiar Rook to his desk, Dominic can’t resist the chance to experience magic. And as the heat grows between Dominic and Rook, so does the danger. Because the case has been declared closed—and someone is willing to kill to keep it that way.
The 13th Hex is the prequel short story to the all-new Hexworld series. If you like shifters, magic, and romance, you’ll love Jordan L. Hawk’s world of witch policemen and the familiars they bond with.
Genre: m/m paranormal historical romance
The 13th Hex was originally published as part of the Charmed and Dangerous anthology. Only minor details have been altered for this reissue.
Murder.
Dominic Kopecky dreamed of becoming a member of New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police—a dream dashed when he failed the test for magical aptitude. Now he spends his days drawing the hexes the MWP relies on for their investigations.
But when a murder by patent hex brings crow familiar Rook to his desk, Dominic can’t resist the chance to experience magic. And as the heat grows between Dominic and Rook, so does the danger. Because the case has been declared closed—and someone is willing to kill to keep it that way.
The 13th Hex is the prequel short story to the all-new Hexworld series. If you like shifters, magic, and romance, you’ll love Jordan L. Hawk’s world of witch policemen and the familiars they bond with.
Genre: m/m paranormal historical romance
The 13th Hex was originally published as part of the Charmed and Dangerous anthology. Only minor details have been altered for this reissue.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2015
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
82 books2,442 followersJordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
August 15, 2021
3.5 Prequel Stars!
A really nice beginning to JLH’s series setting up a world of witches and their animal shapeshifting familiars.
Bridging murder, magic, and mates, this was an intriguing start that I want to explore further!
A really nice beginning to JLH’s series setting up a world of witches and their animal shapeshifting familiars.
Bridging murder, magic, and mates, this was an intriguing start that I want to explore further!
May 14, 2016
Review written May 14, 2016
3 Stars - Just a short series-teaser. I'm on!
Book #0.5
BR weekend with Sofia: Ms. Hawk's new HR-para M/M series 'Hexworld'. We start with reading this short teaser novella and continue with the recently published first book #1-Hexbreaker. — YAY! Big hopes for a good new great JLH adventure series.
*********************************************
Dominic Kopecky is a ordinary pen-pusher drawing hexes (a hexman) for investigations at New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police (MWP). Once he had a bigger dream, and teasted for magical aptitude (joining the force as a witch) without luck. But working there is better than nothing. Appears a goodlooking dark familiar from top floor, a shape-shifter crow, Rook. Things start to change... and sparkle.
Way too short. I never had a chance to get to know or really care about these two characters. The good thing was I got a glimpse of this time (late 18xx), the para-world building and at least met one character in the next book (a charming lazy cat shifter).
Promising, nice and gave me new reading-lust (after a long deep book slump). Looking forward to the full length novel next.
*********************************************
I LIKE - to start a new series by a favorite M/M writer
3 Stars - Just a short series-teaser. I'm on!
Book #0.5
BR weekend with Sofia: Ms. Hawk's new HR-para M/M series 'Hexworld'. We start with reading this short teaser novella and continue with the recently published first book #1-Hexbreaker. — YAY! Big hopes for a good new great JLH adventure series.
*********************************************
Dominic Kopecky is a ordinary pen-pusher drawing hexes (a hexman) for investigations at New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police (MWP). Once he had a bigger dream, and teasted for magical aptitude (joining the force as a witch) without luck. But working there is better than nothing. Appears a goodlooking dark familiar from top floor, a shape-shifter crow, Rook. Things start to change... and sparkle.
Way too short. I never had a chance to get to know or really care about these two characters. The good thing was I got a glimpse of this time (late 18xx), the para-world building and at least met one character in the next book (a charming lazy cat shifter).
Promising, nice and gave me new reading-lust (after a long deep book slump). Looking forward to the full length novel next.
*********************************************
I LIKE - to start a new series by a favorite M/M writer
September 16, 2018
Leave it to Jordan Hawk to get me out of a slump. This was fast but oh so sweet. I loved both characters. Now I’m invested in this world. On to Hexbreaker.
August 30, 2020
Dominic Kopecky is nowhere near content with his lot in life, having always aspired to become a witch. Unfortunately, his magical potential didn't really make much of a blimp on the aptitude test. So now he spends his days working as a hexman, drawing intricate symbols for policemen whose magical potential did register.
Then one day, a crow familiar recruits Dominic to help solve a crime that other detectives closed in a suspicious way.
As an introduction to the magical world of the Hexworld series, this short story certainly shows a lot of potential. As an example of what kind of character chemistry one may expect from future protagonists, it certainly makes me want more.
When it comes to character building, things couldn't have been much worse. This is basically the story of two people deciding on the equivalent of marriage, two days after having met. Sure, Rook's urgency is understandable, even if it doesn't excuse his high-handed manner. But Dominic really could've been less of a doormat.
Score: 2/5 stars
This should've been a full story.
=================
Review of book 1: Hexbreaker
Review of book 2:Hexmaker
Review of book 2.5: A Christmas Hex
Review of book 3: Hexslayer
Review of book 3.5: Wild Wild Hex
Then one day, a crow familiar recruits Dominic to help solve a crime that other detectives closed in a suspicious way.
As an introduction to the magical world of the Hexworld series, this short story certainly shows a lot of potential. As an example of what kind of character chemistry one may expect from future protagonists, it certainly makes me want more.
When it comes to character building, things couldn't have been much worse. This is basically the story of two people deciding on the equivalent of marriage, two days after having met. Sure, Rook's urgency is understandable, even if it doesn't excuse his high-handed manner. But Dominic really could've been less of a doormat.
Score: 2/5 stars
This should've been a full story.
=================
Review of book 1: Hexbreaker
Review of book 2:Hexmaker
Review of book 2.5: A Christmas Hex
Review of book 3: Hexslayer
Review of book 3.5: Wild Wild Hex
May 6, 2016
So, I loved this story except I also HATED IT because it was so short and I wanted this book to last forever. Okay, no. I loved it full stop, I can't hate it, but I am so sad because I just loved these guys. I'm going to reread it endlessly because I love everything about Rook and want to read his life with Dominic serialized. "Dominic and Rook fetch milk." I'll read it.
Currently lobbying Ms. Hawk for a full Rook/Dominic novel. Please join me.
Currently lobbying Ms. Hawk for a full Rook/Dominic novel. Please join me.
October 19, 2020
4 Stars
Not too shabby an introductory story to the bigger Hexworld series, featuring romance and intrigue with a cast of crime-solving witches and their shapeshifting familiars.
This series is sure to be another prime example of Hawk’s masterful storytelling, blending paranormal elements into an immersive historical setting.
It’s early days yet, but I’m all in.
Not too shabby an introductory story to the bigger Hexworld series, featuring romance and intrigue with a cast of crime-solving witches and their shapeshifting familiars.
This series is sure to be another prime example of Hawk’s masterful storytelling, blending paranormal elements into an immersive historical setting.
It’s early days yet, but I’m all in.
August 11, 2018
Even Jordan L. Hawk's short stories impress and enthrall me. Fangirls gonna fangirl, I guess.
The 13th Hex is very short, yes, but it is also very entertaining. And sweet. And a whole lot of fun. As usual, Hawk has created an intriguing world of magic and mayhem, and I can't wait to read more.
And I mean that literally because I'm starting Hexbreaker as soon as I post this review.
The 13th Hex is very short, yes, but it is also very entertaining. And sweet. And a whole lot of fun. As usual, Hawk has created an intriguing world of magic and mayhem, and I can't wait to read more.
And I mean that literally because I'm starting Hexbreaker as soon as I post this review.
August 14, 2019
This was a cute short story about how Dominic and Rook met. It introduces Cicero, the main character from the first book and gives a little bit of information about the Hexworld. There was a bit of steam, a bit of angst and a bit of detecting work that showed what MWP day to day life was like. I enjoyed it.
September 17, 2021
Rook and Dominic....yep, I'm already hooked. Great prequel!
Can't wait to dive into this series.
My spidey senses are tingling, it's gonna be oh-so-good!
Can't wait to dive into this series.
My spidey senses are tingling, it's gonna be oh-so-good!
January 19, 2020
I rarely read short stories. But I like this series so much that I did it this time. And I'm not disappointed. It all began with this short story. Rook and Dominic. And Cicero, of course. It's a good story, a great introduction to the excellent series. It's nice to see Rook and Dominic find each other.
May 22, 2016
Oh dear, this is a difficult one. I'm a huge fan of Jordan L. Hawk and was itching to start on this series but I'm not totally into these guys yet. I'm not a huge fan of instant attraction and everything felt a bit rushed BUT I can see the huge potential and hopefully Hexbreaker will win me over. Fingers crossed!
October 28, 2016
Short introduction to what I am sure is going to be quite the interesting world.
October 21, 2016
"This is awful." Cicero complained, wringing his sodden clothing. "I'm not your friend anymore, Rook."
"I've some fresh cream back in the barracks."
"Fine." Cicero tossed his head. "I might reconsider. After the cream."
From the second Cicero appeared on page I was in love.
Jordan L. Hawk builds worlds like a BOSS!!
This short is about Rook (a crow) and Dominic (a Hexmaker) and it is an absolutely wonderful introduction to the Hexworld. Witches and Familiars. Magic and Hexes. I'm hooked.
"I've some fresh cream back in the barracks."
"Fine." Cicero tossed his head. "I might reconsider. After the cream."
From the second Cicero appeared on page I was in love.
Jordan L. Hawk builds worlds like a BOSS!!
This short is about Rook (a crow) and Dominic (a Hexmaker) and it is an absolutely wonderful introduction to the Hexworld. Witches and Familiars. Magic and Hexes. I'm hooked.
February 23, 2017
Gaslights and candles era, magic, shifters, mystery and love story !!!! My cup of tea!
This novella is beautiful and I think is pretty useful as introduction to the hexword universe. To know a bit of how the witches police department work, the bond between witches and familiars (the shifters) and the hexs!
Dying to start Hexworld!! :”)
May 14, 2016
A good start - going to continue.
Read with Ingela
April 9, 2019
The 13th Hex is a fantastic introduction to one of Hawk's newest universes, Hexworld. Everything about this series is unique and complex. A breath of fresh air to both the historical paranormal genre, as well as the shifter genre. Characters are multi-layered with the full gambit of human interactions: love, joy, hurt, embarrassment, pain, and growth. Relationships are sweet, heartbreaking, erotic, and beautiful.
In this short story, we meet one of the first of many reoccurring characters: Dominic Kopecky. Dreams of working as a witch for New York's Metropolitan Witch Police have been dashed when his magical aptitude test comes back as a big fat zero. Dominic is however, quite a gifted hexman. He works at the MWP, spending his days at a drafting desk designing the hexes that witch police and their familiars will use in the line of duty. Everything from unlocking doors to settling stomachs, someone must draw the hex to be infused with magic, and Dominic is that man. When a number of hexes in the city go wrong, and there appears to be a murderer on the loose, unbonded familiar and crow-shifter, Rook, approaches Dominic for help in unearthing the mystery behind the seemingly innocent, hand-drawn hexes.
Dominic is a wonderful character. He continues to be one of my favorite humans in the series, despite his introduction being relatively short in comparison to novel follow-ups. He's the sort of man that any reader can relate to. Dreaming of a career and a life that the world has told him is not suitable. Gifted, but overlooked in a crowd. Even rather self-conscious when it comes to his body. And Rook is a fabulous counterpart to Dominic! They are like peanut butter and jelly. A perfect combination. One is never far without the other as the series develops, and for good reason.
I highly recommend this title and this series. It'll stir joy for those who love historical New York City, produce wonder in the hearts of paranormal fans, and awe for anyone who has yet to experience Jordan L. Hawk's wonderfully bizarre imagination.
In this short story, we meet one of the first of many reoccurring characters: Dominic Kopecky. Dreams of working as a witch for New York's Metropolitan Witch Police have been dashed when his magical aptitude test comes back as a big fat zero. Dominic is however, quite a gifted hexman. He works at the MWP, spending his days at a drafting desk designing the hexes that witch police and their familiars will use in the line of duty. Everything from unlocking doors to settling stomachs, someone must draw the hex to be infused with magic, and Dominic is that man. When a number of hexes in the city go wrong, and there appears to be a murderer on the loose, unbonded familiar and crow-shifter, Rook, approaches Dominic for help in unearthing the mystery behind the seemingly innocent, hand-drawn hexes.
Dominic is a wonderful character. He continues to be one of my favorite humans in the series, despite his introduction being relatively short in comparison to novel follow-ups. He's the sort of man that any reader can relate to. Dreaming of a career and a life that the world has told him is not suitable. Gifted, but overlooked in a crowd. Even rather self-conscious when it comes to his body. And Rook is a fabulous counterpart to Dominic! They are like peanut butter and jelly. A perfect combination. One is never far without the other as the series develops, and for good reason.
I highly recommend this title and this series. It'll stir joy for those who love historical New York City, produce wonder in the hearts of paranormal fans, and awe for anyone who has yet to experience Jordan L. Hawk's wonderfully bizarre imagination.
April 27, 2016
Short 50 page intro to a series. I thought it did what something this short should do which was peak my interest. I read it based on a review & would read the next. I think JLH writes characters that for some reason I find instantly likable. I root for them even if I’m not entirely sure why.
July 20, 2017
Fast-paced short. 4 Stars.
A great prequel to the Hexworld series, or refresher before reading #2. Like always, Jordan L. Hawk creates characters that are unique and you want to get to know better.
A great prequel to the Hexworld series, or refresher before reading #2. Like always, Jordan L. Hawk creates characters that are unique and you want to get to know better.
Read
May 17, 2016Cute, light and short introduction to the world of a new series.
March 11, 2016
3.5 stars
I thought the combination of witches, familiars, and non-magical officer like hexmen was interesting set-up. I enjoyed that part most definitely. However, the 'mystery' was just okay, and it was solved quickly. It didn't have the complex and complete world-built feel like Lou Harper's story. Plus everything between Dominic and Roox also happened pretty fast in a kind of 'soulmate / soulbond' kind of manner (which not always a favorite trope of mine)
PS: Review originally written for Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Anthology
I thought the combination of witches, familiars, and non-magical officer like hexmen was interesting set-up. I enjoyed that part most definitely. However, the 'mystery' was just okay, and it was solved quickly. It didn't have the complex and complete world-built feel like Lou Harper's story. Plus everything between Dominic and Roox also happened pretty fast in a kind of 'soulmate / soulbond' kind of manner (which not always a favorite trope of mine)
PS: Review originally written for Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Anthology
May 12, 2018
Rating: 3.5* of five
A perfectly fine story. I like Rook a lot, but am less enamored of Dominic Kopecky. I just wanted a toe-dip into the world of the series before committing myself to it. This short tale was enough to allow me to get the sense of what Author Hawk was planning...a New York City imbued with magical energy that expresses itself via pseudoscientific means...to see if this could keep my soap-opera lovin' story-slurpin' soul from parching into dust. I mean, Whyborne & Griffin is only one more novel from being complete on my reader radar! I need sudsy sweet seriesness! Now!!
Three winks in under 40pp means one entire star off.
A perfectly fine story. I like Rook a lot, but am less enamored of Dominic Kopecky. I just wanted a toe-dip into the world of the series before committing myself to it. This short tale was enough to allow me to get the sense of what Author Hawk was planning...a New York City imbued with magical energy that expresses itself via pseudoscientific means...to see if this could keep my soap-opera lovin' story-slurpin' soul from parching into dust. I mean, Whyborne & Griffin is only one more novel from being complete on my reader radar! I need sudsy sweet seriesness! Now!!
Three winks in under 40pp means one entire star off.
September 27, 2016
Very, very neat. Nicely done short story^^
June 12, 2017
My only complaint - it's too short!
I've never read a Jordan Hawk book before but she keeps cropping up on my feed and my recommended reading lists so I figured I'd give this one a go and I'm glad I did.
While this is incredibly short, it serves as a wonderful introduction to this new setting, a sort of steampunk imagining of New York which rather had a feel of Dickensian London to its alleyways, steeps and carriages.
While there was a bit of insta love, I'm reading it with the view of a bonding type - when it's the one you know - kind of interpretation as is often the case in shifter books.
I'm intrigued by the magic in this world and by the shifters and how they connect to witches and the hexes so I'm looking forward to getting on with book one.
There wasn't much in the way of sex but what was there was done well and with a method which fitted well into this none technological world.
Hawk's use of language is evocative and full of beautiful imagery, could be another favourite author quite quickly I think.
I've never read a Jordan Hawk book before but she keeps cropping up on my feed and my recommended reading lists so I figured I'd give this one a go and I'm glad I did.
While this is incredibly short, it serves as a wonderful introduction to this new setting, a sort of steampunk imagining of New York which rather had a feel of Dickensian London to its alleyways, steeps and carriages.
While there was a bit of insta love, I'm reading it with the view of a bonding type - when it's the one you know - kind of interpretation as is often the case in shifter books.
I'm intrigued by the magic in this world and by the shifters and how they connect to witches and the hexes so I'm looking forward to getting on with book one.
There wasn't much in the way of sex but what was there was done well and with a method which fitted well into this none technological world.
Hawk's use of language is evocative and full of beautiful imagery, could be another favourite author quite quickly I think.
June 1, 2016
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for this little novella, the precursor to the new Hexworld series by Jordan. This story first appeared in Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy, and I enjoyed it then. I have a very good feeling about the new series, a very good feeling indeed.
April 26, 2017
I'd almost missed this short prequel of the great JLH adventure series. Just a little caprice of mine- everything between Dominic and Roox happened a bit faster then I'd love to. Nevertheless, this magical energy is there. Also, the world of witches, their familiars and hexmakers. An absolute joy!
August 7, 2021
THE 13TH HEX was a great introduction to the HEXWORLD series and I knew right away that I was going to enjoy this magical paranormal romance! I loved the concept of the police being run by witches and their familiars and that certain people are talented at drawing hexes which in turn are used by the witches.
This was a fast read but I felt really immersed in the setting and I enjoyed our characters. They fall in love quickly but it’s sweet and romantic, even with the murder investigation going on. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
This was a fast read but I felt really immersed in the setting and I enjoyed our characters. They fall in love quickly but it’s sweet and romantic, even with the murder investigation going on. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
February 9, 2017
I always appreciate these shorts, especially when they fill out intriguing worlds like Hawk's, but I do find it hard to know the right measures for evaluating them. Though this story is billed as a prequel, I read this after the first two books, which may be why I mostly found it disappointing. Rook is definitely one of the more colorful side characters in the novels and there are plenty of hints that his relationship with Dominic was full of fireworks, so I was really surprised at how bland Dominic was.
Bottom line: Hawk's a very skilled writer always worth reading. Fans of the series will want to read the side stories, but I would have preferred a longer, more developed story for Rook.
Bottom line: Hawk's a very skilled writer always worth reading. Fans of the series will want to read the side stories, but I would have preferred a longer, more developed story for Rook.
July 14, 2017
2.5 Stars
This was a short short short prequel to Hexbreaker in the Hexworld series.
This was short so I dint really want to overanalyze it. I'll just say that i liked it.
It was about how Rook and Dominic from Hexbreaker met and became witch and familiar.It didn't give me enough satisfaction and I would've loved at least 20 more pages to give it more flavour but alas it wasnt to be!
All in all good start to the series.
This was a short short short prequel to Hexbreaker in the Hexworld series.
This was short so I dint really want to overanalyze it. I'll just say that i liked it.
It was about how Rook and Dominic from Hexbreaker met and became witch and familiar.It didn't give me enough satisfaction and I would've loved at least 20 more pages to give it more flavour but alas it wasnt to be!
All in all good start to the series.
April 14, 2016
A great beginning to hopefully a great series. There's a little bit of everything in this short, magic, romance, a murder case, corruption and familiars that shift. Much like Ms Hawk's other series, there are plot twists and just plain fun in this prize.
June 12, 2017
I enjoyed this story, though not as much as I was hoping. Still it was an enjoyable read and I had no complaints. It was a short story but it also felt rushed, like I would have preferred this couple got their own fully fleshed out story. C'est la vie.
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