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SPECTR #4
Eater of Lives
When a supernatural killer is implicated in a string of cannibalistic murders, federal exorcist John Starkweather must track the demon down with the help of his live-in lover, Caleb Jansen. Caleb is possessed by Gray, a vampire spirit who is a natural demon hunter.
Caleb's desire to find the killer is tempered by the knowledge his own time is running out. If John can't successfully figure out how to exorcise Gray before forty days are up, the possession becomes permanent.
When John's ex shows up, looking for a place to stay while visiting the city on business, tensions mount even higher. Lines are drawn and Caleb learns some decisions, once made, can never be changed.
Alternate cover edition for ISBN 0988564165 / 9780988564169
For previous cover edition see here
Caleb's desire to find the killer is tempered by the knowledge his own time is running out. If John can't successfully figure out how to exorcise Gray before forty days are up, the possession becomes permanent.
When John's ex shows up, looking for a place to stay while visiting the city on business, tensions mount even higher. Lines are drawn and Caleb learns some decisions, once made, can never be changed.
Alternate cover edition for ISBN 0988564165 / 9780988564169
For previous cover edition see here
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Jordan L. Hawk
84 books2,646 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 155 reviews
December 30, 2016
Written December 14, 2014
3.7 Stars - Another tidbit on the road to solution
Book #4
Clicked and downloaded the new audiobook edition a week ago.
Another new creepy storie part about three souls and their love-tale.
**********************************************
Eater of Lives, is the fourth (3 hr) novella part in the SPECTR series. PRN crime novellas written by a by me favorite author - Jordan L. Hawk (who also writes Whyborne & Griffin's adventures in the 1890:s).
Add to that: — Narrated by a simply fantastic voice belonging to Mr Brad Langer (a la Nick Nowak in Boystown).
Add as well: — Two yummy 'living' characters in John and Caleb... and mostly off-screen, Grey.
For me a new and kind of fresh take on the paranormal M/M genre (no wolves..). Both creepy and spooky stories with well done interesting crime cases.
For more.. - Reviews, the cast, the plot etc:
***********************************************
‘Eater of Lives’ - a perfect title
The crime investigation this time has to do with Valerie, the slender young woman who just wants to manage to eat less. A deal with an evil that just makes it all the more devastating. And dangerous.
In each part is the SPECTR case an adventure in full-rushing speed. A bit scary, very raw, suspense-filled and dripping bloody. This author has truly an incomparable talent for scary things and all the night's creepy species. ~ Boo!!
On their home front rolls it on pretty good. It's hot —filthy hot— in the bedroom, but then suddenly pops an old boyfriend up in the door. ...D@mn it!!
After all, this is a gay romance, and that is why I will return to these books, so of course is it this new, yet fragile, relationship that makes my interest keep growing. It's not over yet, and this time it all ended with a question mark. What happens now?
**********************************************
Two more book-parts to imbibe. May they be released as audio books soon. ~ Next #5 - Destroyer of Worlds.
I LIKE - YEP, despite a cliff hanger ending...
********
The Spectr series:
3.7 Stars - Another tidbit on the road to solution
Book #4
Clicked and downloaded the new audiobook edition a week ago.
Another new creepy storie part about three souls and their love-tale.
**********************************************
Eater of Lives, is the fourth (3 hr) novella part in the SPECTR series. PRN crime novellas written by a by me favorite author - Jordan L. Hawk (who also writes Whyborne & Griffin's adventures in the 1890:s).
Add to that: — Narrated by a simply fantastic voice belonging to Mr Brad Langer (a la Nick Nowak in Boystown).
Add as well: — Two yummy 'living' characters in John and Caleb... and mostly off-screen, Grey.
For me a new and kind of fresh take on the paranormal M/M genre (no wolves..). Both creepy and spooky stories with well done interesting crime cases.
For more.. - Reviews, the cast, the plot etc:
***********************************************
‘Eater of Lives’ - a perfect title
The crime investigation this time has to do with Valerie, the slender young woman who just wants to manage to eat less. A deal with an evil that just makes it all the more devastating. And dangerous.
In each part is the SPECTR case an adventure in full-rushing speed. A bit scary, very raw, suspense-filled and dripping bloody. This author has truly an incomparable talent for scary things and all the night's creepy species. ~ Boo!!
On their home front rolls it on pretty good. It's hot —filthy hot— in the bedroom, but then suddenly pops an old boyfriend up in the door. ...D@mn it!!
After all, this is a gay romance, and that is why I will return to these books, so of course is it this new, yet fragile, relationship that makes my interest keep growing. It's not over yet, and this time it all ended with a question mark. What happens now?
**********************************************
Two more book-parts to imbibe. May they be released as audio books soon. ~ Next #5 - Destroyer of Worlds.
I LIKE - YEP, despite a cliff hanger ending...
********
The Spectr series:
November 24, 2019
-------Orig review March 2017-------
4.5 Stars
Holy moly, these just get better and better! I'm glad I am reading them now, rather than when they came out, because cliffie!!! Though I need to jump into a different book before I read books 5 and 6 here, so...
I am loving John, Caleb and Gray. So much uncertainty regarding how things are going to end up. Gray has developed feelings for John and Caleb, but he doesn't think the feelings are returned and Caleb is so uncertain as to where his relationship with John will be whether or not they are successful exorcising Gray. And that ending! I'm at the edge of my seat -- I'll come back to this series in a couple days.
4.5 Stars
Holy moly, these just get better and better! I'm glad I am reading them now, rather than when they came out, because cliffie!!! Though I need to jump into a different book before I read books 5 and 6 here, so...
I am loving John, Caleb and Gray. So much uncertainty regarding how things are going to end up. Gray has developed feelings for John and Caleb, but he doesn't think the feelings are returned and Caleb is so uncertain as to where his relationship with John will be whether or not they are successful exorcising Gray. And that ending! I'm at the edge of my seat -- I'll come back to this series in a couple days.
May 4, 2019
Water of Lives by Jordan L Hawk and narrated by Brad Langer is book four of the series. This book is getting more intense with the possession, boyfriend, and possible lock up. Good action and emotional roller coaster.
Good narration!
Good narration!
September 4, 2013
Nooooooooo! WTF!! How can I wait till 2014 after leaving it like that? God I Love this series but it always leaves me wanting more and biting my nails to the quick. What's going to happen to the gorgeous Caleb and my lovely fangy Grey? Will John cotton on to whats really happening? What is really happening? OMG! the plot sure is thickening.... ARRRGH! I need to know and I need to know NOW!
Did I say I love this series.....
Did I say I love this series.....
September 7, 2013
Another fantastic installment in the SPECTR series. We are getting seriously angsty now, as Gray and Caleb's situation closes in on them. The storybuilding is terrific, Gray is developing in a very interesting way, and the monster they face in this episode is magnificently nasty.
You definitely need to commit to the series here, not dip in. The next one isn't out till Feb 14. I may gnaw off my own foot waiting.
You definitely need to commit to the series here, not dip in. The next one isn't out till Feb 14. I may gnaw off my own foot waiting.
July 22, 2015
4.5 stars... because that ending!!! Damn... I'm glad I have the next book already or I'd be whining. Parts of this one were hard to read. Horrible, awful, powerful bad guy... YUCK. Loving this series.
June 9, 2025
3rd re-read June 2025
_______
Love Gray!!
_______
Love Gray!!
August 3, 2018
Aside from some of the gross factor tied into demons eating people, this was another great installment to the series. I am curious about how this one ends because Caleb is going away with John's SPECTR boss (forget his name), and I don't have a good feeling about this! Narration is still great and I need to find out more about this series because I don't think it ends at book 6. Fingers crossed!
July 16, 2018
The problem with getting the bundled series audiobook is that you just can’t stop listening!!! This is my second (or third?) listen and I love it just as much!
June 23, 2020
stakes are getting higher!
also getting the some pov's from the 'bad guy' here was such a good idea, and it was super creepy 😨
also getting the some pov's from the 'bad guy' here was such a good idea, and it was super creepy 😨
August 25, 2018
Ugh! NOOO! Not the "MCs refuse to talk to each other so Big Misunderstandings" occur! And not the "ex comes back and causes trouble" trope. You're better than this, Ms. Hawk. So I could knock off half a star for that nonsense, but the rest of the relationship stuff was strong enough to overcome it. (And I guess when you fall in love in just a few weeks, before you really get to know the other person, it's not too far out of the realm of possibility for these things to occur.)
Complicating things further is just the basic way that possession works in this world, and we get to "go inside" the head of another victim. It's a great way to counter what's happening with Caleb/Gray and seeing why anyone would be extremely concerned about John at this point, and why Caleb is worried about losing himself completely if the 40 days come up and they haven't succeeded in exorcizing Gray. How can he really trust what Gray tells him, that Gray won't take over his mind, especially when they're getting better at sharing his body.
And then cliffhanger! Thank goodness this series is complete already. Onto the next!
Complicating things further is just the basic way that possession works in this world, and we get to "go inside" the head of another victim. It's a great way to counter what's happening with Caleb/Gray and seeing why anyone would be extremely concerned about John at this point, and why Caleb is worried about losing himself completely if the 40 days come up and they haven't succeeded in exorcizing Gray. How can he really trust what Gray tells him, that Gray won't take over his mind, especially when they're getting better at sharing his body.
And then cliffhanger! Thank goodness this series is complete already. Onto the next!
July 21, 2014
Best of the bunch so far... No time to review; gotta find out what happens!
January 2, 2017
What the heavens ??? They cannot take Caleb & Grey away- this next book best rectify the situation! Grow some balls John and sort this mess out
February 8, 2020
Audiobook reviewYou know what they say about the best laid plans….
I wasn’t planning on listening to this book today, well a few minutes before I went to sleep, sure. Lo and behold, I’m still wide awake a couple of hours later and am another book down in this series… and one that ended like that! I really wish I didn’t have to go to sleep, that I didn’t have work in the morning. At times like this I hate being a responsible adult and I wish could stay up all night listening to the next book instead…
We’ve come to the middle of this story and have an uneasy status quo between Caleb/Gray and SPECTR. Time is running out to perform the exorcism and keep the possession from becoming permanent. But, like it has before, it takes the backseat when a new demon is rampaging through the city and John is tasked to stop it – with the help of his new reluctant partner/s. Well Caleb is reluctant, Gray wants nothing else but to hunt and eat the demon running around.
For the most part the relationship between John and Caleb is at a standstill. Well, John’s ex did cause a stir when he turned up on the doorstep – expecting John to take him back. So things are more than a little tense around the house. I liked to see how Caleb and Gray grew closer and bonded to each other, understood each other and worked together. They fit and complete each other.
All throughout the book you could feel the pressure, the tension of time running out. But also of the words that weren’t said. About Gray. What would become of him if and when they succeeded in exorcizing him? Did they even want him to leave? Would SPECTR let Caleb go once Gray was gone? Many questions unanswered…
Brad Langer narrated the heck out of this book. Gray’s jealousy of John’s ex was hilarious. He also really captured John’s longing to keep Gray in any way possible, and the uncertainty of how to manage it. The fear of the unknown for Gray and Caleb. I loved his intensity during the showdown. How he made it all feel creepy, he really made the listener feel that unease. So sensitive listeners might get a few nightmares – free of charge ;) I loved it.
If the last few books ended abruptly and with a feeling that the story wasn’t finished yet, they have nothing on this one. Because that was one heck of a cliffhanger – so make sure you have the next book ready because you’ll need it.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
January 11, 2018
First Re-read 5 January 2018
Still just as hard to read the second time, even knowing how things turn out. I like my escapist reading to be a little more on the lighter side.
New Favorite Quote:
more jagged edges which will never really fit back together they way they once were.
Original Review 6 July 2014
So sad! Everyone is so sad in this one, it was harder to read. And the ending! Thank god I've already got #5 or I would be freaking out.
Favorite Quotes:
"Killing, eating, and dismembering victims is almost always a male trait when NHEs aren't involved."
"Go us," Caleb muttered.
"Fine," Caleb muttered. Outnumbered in his own damn head; this had to be a new low.
It is terrible in a way he did not know something could be terrible.
Gray suppresses a sigh. I suppose we must save him.
"I guess," Caleb agrees with a singular lack of enthusiasm.
Still just as hard to read the second time, even knowing how things turn out. I like my escapist reading to be a little more on the lighter side.
New Favorite Quote:
more jagged edges which will never really fit back together they way they once were.
Original Review 6 July 2014
So sad! Everyone is so sad in this one, it was harder to read. And the ending! Thank god I've already got #5 or I would be freaking out.
Favorite Quotes:
"Killing, eating, and dismembering victims is almost always a male trait when NHEs aren't involved."
"Go us," Caleb muttered.
"Fine," Caleb muttered. Outnumbered in his own damn head; this had to be a new low.
It is terrible in a way he did not know something could be terrible.
Gray suppresses a sigh. I suppose we must save him.
"I guess," Caleb agrees with a singular lack of enthusiasm.
April 15, 2024
Well, EATER OF LIVES certainly pulled at the heartstrings as well as grossed me out with the cannibalism plot line. It was a roller coaster of emotion for this one. Caleb continues to help out SPECTR with their cases while John continues to research ways to exorcize Gray. However, things are getting complicated as feelings begin to grow and Gray realizes that he will likely die if he's exorcized. Caleb is also struggling with a growing attachment to Gray mixed with fear over what will happen if they don't remove Gray at the 40 day mark.
Overall, I just wanted Caleb and John to talk and share what they're thinking because keeping secrets is a good way to mess things up. Things are definitely ramping up for a big splashy climax to this journey and I can't wait to see how it happens.
Content Warning: on page cannibalism; graphic thoughts of a POV character with an eating disorder
Overall, I just wanted Caleb and John to talk and share what they're thinking because keeping secrets is a good way to mess things up. Things are definitely ramping up for a big splashy climax to this journey and I can't wait to see how it happens.
Content Warning: on page cannibalism; graphic thoughts of a POV character with an eating disorder
May 14, 2024
Reread 05/2021 review- 2.25stars. I'm just soo freaking irritated with John & I LOATHE Forsyth!!😡🤬😡🤬
Reread 07/2021 review- 2.6 stars?? I still agree with my original review 100,000%!!! 🤬😬😑🤯🤬😡😤🤬😠
Original 11/2014 review- 4 stars. GF DAMN IT!! You have got to be f-ing kidding me!! This cannot be happening?!?! GAHHHH!!
Oh! And I 1. adore Gray even more, 2. hate Forsyth, and 3. am irritated with John. 😒
Reread 07/2021 review- 2.6 stars?? I still agree with my original review 100,000%!!! 🤬😬😑🤯🤬😡😤🤬😠
Original 11/2014 review- 4 stars. GF DAMN IT!! You have got to be f-ing kidding me!! This cannot be happening?!?! GAHHHH!!
Oh! And I 1. adore Gray even more, 2. hate Forsyth, and 3. am irritated with John. 😒
February 28, 2016
Eeek Cliffhanger!
February 26, 2016
4.5 stars.
First read on July 6, 2015.
Re-read on February 25, 2016.
These books just keep getting better and better...<3
First read on July 6, 2015.
Re-read on February 25, 2016.
These books just keep getting better and better...<3
June 5, 2020
Are you kidding me?! Grrrr I need to start book 5 right now!
November 5, 2017
Be careful what you wish for. You are what you eat. Nothing good lasts forever.
Time is ticking down on Caleb’s forty-day clock, and with less than two weeks to go, things are getting a little antsy in Caleb’s head. And he is starting to wonder if John won’t be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat, let alone a drakul from Caleb’s body. Then two, wholly unwanted, surprises are dropped into their laps, and suddenly Mission Save-Caleb is put on the back burner. Caleb can deal with a Windigo on the loose, hell Gray could use the snack, but having John’s ex show up at their door is something that just might push Caleb, and Gray, over the edge. Now Caleb and Gray have to keep a city from becoming a Windigo buffet, keep Will from trying to sample John, and deal with the fact that they both are quite stupidly head over heels in love with a man that might just end up locking them up, or burning them down. Honestly? Hunting finger-munching demons is starting to look down-right fun.
Time is running out for the trio, and you can really tell it in this last story. Tensions are high, emotions are all over the place, and no one knows what is going to happen after the clock runs out. And it is becoming more and more difficult to close their eyes to the inevitable conclusion. While in the previous three books the characters were able to pretend everything was fine, or at last would be fine, things are shaken up in this book and lines are being drawn in the sand. Whether the characters have the courage to walk over them, we probably won’t know until the next book. But I really enjoyed the splintering that began in this book.
In real time John, Caleb, and Gray have only been together for a few weeks, so it is no real surprise that they don’t have the foundation to keep them impenetrable amidst the constant hits that they get in this book. They have trust, they have love, but they seem to have a definite lack of communication. John keeps his doubts to himself. Caleb is beginning to see that trust may not be enough when the man you love, loves another. And Gray? Well, Gray is figuring out how much being in love sucks. That every bright moment has shadows. That the sweet taste can turn cuttingly bitter. I really can’t wait to see where they go in the next book because they have about reached the tipping point in this one, and one false move could send them all hurtling into the abyss. Or prison.
I can’t say that cannibalism is a favorite subject of mine. And I certainly don’t want to imagine becoming anyone’s late-night snack, but I have to admit that I do like the Windigo aspect of this novel. I think we get a closer look into just how devious demons can be, and why everyone is so convinced that Gray is simply days from revealing the whole big demon truth-–mainly that Caleb is just a skin to walk in. It adds a new bit of tension to the story, and ended up adding a newer twist on the whole Caleb/Gray problem. I just knew that having Forsythe along was going to lead to no good.
This book ends on one hell of a cliffhanger and I’m seriously hating not having ready access to book five, Destroyer of Worlds (coming out in February). This book was fun, but mostly it was about putting the trio through the wringer so that anything could go in book five. Can’t wait to see what John does–-though I have a few suspicions–-and I really need him to, for the love of sekhmet, just tell Gray he is in love with him, already. Gray may be a drakul, but the guy deserves a break now and again. And if Caleb can come to some type of peace with Gray and John, I think there is a chance at a beautiful, and highly combustible, love between them all. If a demon doesn’t kill them. If Forsythe doesn’t lock them all up. Or if they don’t continue to be stupid-heads, and ignore that they are so perfect for each other–-screw what the rest of the world says. 4.5 stars
Overall this was an awesome series, and I wait with twitching buying fingers for the next in the series to come out. For all its ups and downs, this series lands at a solid 4.5 pretty much the whole way through. I thoroughly recommend you pick up these books. They will most likely stay near the top of my re-read pile for quite some time.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Time is ticking down on Caleb’s forty-day clock, and with less than two weeks to go, things are getting a little antsy in Caleb’s head. And he is starting to wonder if John won’t be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat, let alone a drakul from Caleb’s body. Then two, wholly unwanted, surprises are dropped into their laps, and suddenly Mission Save-Caleb is put on the back burner. Caleb can deal with a Windigo on the loose, hell Gray could use the snack, but having John’s ex show up at their door is something that just might push Caleb, and Gray, over the edge. Now Caleb and Gray have to keep a city from becoming a Windigo buffet, keep Will from trying to sample John, and deal with the fact that they both are quite stupidly head over heels in love with a man that might just end up locking them up, or burning them down. Honestly? Hunting finger-munching demons is starting to look down-right fun.
Time is running out for the trio, and you can really tell it in this last story. Tensions are high, emotions are all over the place, and no one knows what is going to happen after the clock runs out. And it is becoming more and more difficult to close their eyes to the inevitable conclusion. While in the previous three books the characters were able to pretend everything was fine, or at last would be fine, things are shaken up in this book and lines are being drawn in the sand. Whether the characters have the courage to walk over them, we probably won’t know until the next book. But I really enjoyed the splintering that began in this book.
In real time John, Caleb, and Gray have only been together for a few weeks, so it is no real surprise that they don’t have the foundation to keep them impenetrable amidst the constant hits that they get in this book. They have trust, they have love, but they seem to have a definite lack of communication. John keeps his doubts to himself. Caleb is beginning to see that trust may not be enough when the man you love, loves another. And Gray? Well, Gray is figuring out how much being in love sucks. That every bright moment has shadows. That the sweet taste can turn cuttingly bitter. I really can’t wait to see where they go in the next book because they have about reached the tipping point in this one, and one false move could send them all hurtling into the abyss. Or prison.
I can’t say that cannibalism is a favorite subject of mine. And I certainly don’t want to imagine becoming anyone’s late-night snack, but I have to admit that I do like the Windigo aspect of this novel. I think we get a closer look into just how devious demons can be, and why everyone is so convinced that Gray is simply days from revealing the whole big demon truth-–mainly that Caleb is just a skin to walk in. It adds a new bit of tension to the story, and ended up adding a newer twist on the whole Caleb/Gray problem. I just knew that having Forsythe along was going to lead to no good.
This book ends on one hell of a cliffhanger and I’m seriously hating not having ready access to book five, Destroyer of Worlds (coming out in February). This book was fun, but mostly it was about putting the trio through the wringer so that anything could go in book five. Can’t wait to see what John does–-though I have a few suspicions–-and I really need him to, for the love of sekhmet, just tell Gray he is in love with him, already. Gray may be a drakul, but the guy deserves a break now and again. And if Caleb can come to some type of peace with Gray and John, I think there is a chance at a beautiful, and highly combustible, love between them all. If a demon doesn’t kill them. If Forsythe doesn’t lock them all up. Or if they don’t continue to be stupid-heads, and ignore that they are so perfect for each other–-screw what the rest of the world says. 4.5 stars
Overall this was an awesome series, and I wait with twitching buying fingers for the next in the series to come out. For all its ups and downs, this series lands at a solid 4.5 pretty much the whole way through. I thoroughly recommend you pick up these books. They will most likely stay near the top of my re-read pile for quite some time.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 5, 2013
♡♥5 Stars - KAPOW!♥♡
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
I found this series after reading Jordan L. Hawks “Whyborne & Griffin” series. I had fallen in love with her writing and wanted more. The SPECTR series is very different but has all the vivid imagery, engaging characters and action packed storyline that I have come to associate with Ms Hawk’s writing. When “Eater of Lives” released I could not wait to see what was in store for my favorite characters.
“Eater of Lives” is the fourth installment in the Spectr series. The setting for this series is in a world where people with paranormal abilities must register with the government and are expected to share this information as well as their registration number when asked for it. There is a fair amount of discrimination and fear of people with paranormal abilities by the non paranormal population. There are also supernatural creatures living among the humans that have the ability to inhabit the body of a human and wreak havoc. A special agency has been formed called the Strategic Paranormal Entity ConTRol or SPECTR which is comprised of individuals with varying paranormal abilities who work together to protect people and dispose of malicious non-human entities or NHE’s. In the beginning of the series we meet Caleb, an unregistered paranormal. Caleb has been living under the radar, so to speak, hoping to live a normal life. While attempting to avenge his brother’s death, Caleb ends up possessed by a drakul or more commonly known as a vampire. Normally these spirits only inhabit dead bodies but through a series of events, Gray ends up trapped in Caleb’s very much alive body. According to current belief if he is not exorcised in forty days, Gray, the drakul, will be a permanent part of Caleb, possibly even taking over Caleb completely. As a result of this possession, Caleb meets Special Agent John Starkweather, an exorcist from SPECTR. When John fails to exorcise the NHE from Caleb, he ends up taking Caleb home to stay with him until they can figure out how to remove the spirit. While working and living together they develop a friendship, their attraction for one another deepens and they fall in love. With Gray trapped in Caleb’s body, this presents an unusual situation. Not a ménage per se but think of having two spirits in one body, with Gray experiencing everything Caleb experiences. This is something Gray has never experienced before, having only had glimpses of lives from the memories of the dead he has inhabited. I love this concept. The author gives us a story where the characters trying to cope with these problems as well as their day to day lives in a world that is not always kind to people who are different, in a thought provoking manner. All the while providing us with an action packed tale filled with mystery, suspense, and romance.
In this installment Caleb/Gray and John are living together. They have still not discovered a way to exorcise Gray from Caleb and time is running out. On top of that there is a series of gruesome murders that appears to be the work of a cannibalistic NHE which takes priority over John trying to find a way to exorcise Gray from Caleb. To complicate things further, John’s ex, Will, appears one night hoping to rekindle his relationship with John. This really does not go over well with Caleb or Gray.
Eater of Lives is fast paced and picks up where the last book ended. Each book has a different case central to the story as well as the continuing storyline revolving around John, Caleb and Gray. I have to say this case was one of the creepiest yet. It is engaging and I have grown to love the characters, especially Gray. There are moments in this book where my heart broke for him. I will not say more to avoid possible spoilers but I will say that I had a “WHAT!” moment at the end. The next installment is scheduled for release in February 2014 and I cannot wait.
Note: For those that have cliffhanger issues, and I admit I am normally one of those people, this is a serialized series and each ends with a cliffhanger, of sorts. I normally do not enjoy this style, but this is an awesome series and the wait is not long between books.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
I found this series after reading Jordan L. Hawks “Whyborne & Griffin” series. I had fallen in love with her writing and wanted more. The SPECTR series is very different but has all the vivid imagery, engaging characters and action packed storyline that I have come to associate with Ms Hawk’s writing. When “Eater of Lives” released I could not wait to see what was in store for my favorite characters.
“Eater of Lives” is the fourth installment in the Spectr series. The setting for this series is in a world where people with paranormal abilities must register with the government and are expected to share this information as well as their registration number when asked for it. There is a fair amount of discrimination and fear of people with paranormal abilities by the non paranormal population. There are also supernatural creatures living among the humans that have the ability to inhabit the body of a human and wreak havoc. A special agency has been formed called the Strategic Paranormal Entity ConTRol or SPECTR which is comprised of individuals with varying paranormal abilities who work together to protect people and dispose of malicious non-human entities or NHE’s. In the beginning of the series we meet Caleb, an unregistered paranormal. Caleb has been living under the radar, so to speak, hoping to live a normal life. While attempting to avenge his brother’s death, Caleb ends up possessed by a drakul or more commonly known as a vampire. Normally these spirits only inhabit dead bodies but through a series of events, Gray ends up trapped in Caleb’s very much alive body. According to current belief if he is not exorcised in forty days, Gray, the drakul, will be a permanent part of Caleb, possibly even taking over Caleb completely. As a result of this possession, Caleb meets Special Agent John Starkweather, an exorcist from SPECTR. When John fails to exorcise the NHE from Caleb, he ends up taking Caleb home to stay with him until they can figure out how to remove the spirit. While working and living together they develop a friendship, their attraction for one another deepens and they fall in love. With Gray trapped in Caleb’s body, this presents an unusual situation. Not a ménage per se but think of having two spirits in one body, with Gray experiencing everything Caleb experiences. This is something Gray has never experienced before, having only had glimpses of lives from the memories of the dead he has inhabited. I love this concept. The author gives us a story where the characters trying to cope with these problems as well as their day to day lives in a world that is not always kind to people who are different, in a thought provoking manner. All the while providing us with an action packed tale filled with mystery, suspense, and romance.
In this installment Caleb/Gray and John are living together. They have still not discovered a way to exorcise Gray from Caleb and time is running out. On top of that there is a series of gruesome murders that appears to be the work of a cannibalistic NHE which takes priority over John trying to find a way to exorcise Gray from Caleb. To complicate things further, John’s ex, Will, appears one night hoping to rekindle his relationship with John. This really does not go over well with Caleb or Gray.
Eater of Lives is fast paced and picks up where the last book ended. Each book has a different case central to the story as well as the continuing storyline revolving around John, Caleb and Gray. I have to say this case was one of the creepiest yet. It is engaging and I have grown to love the characters, especially Gray. There are moments in this book where my heart broke for him. I will not say more to avoid possible spoilers but I will say that I had a “WHAT!” moment at the end. The next installment is scheduled for release in February 2014 and I cannot wait.
Note: For those that have cliffhanger issues, and I admit I am normally one of those people, this is a serialized series and each ends with a cliffhanger, of sorts. I normally do not enjoy this style, but this is an awesome series and the wait is not long between books.
January 3, 2026
I am now regretting the fact that this series doesn't have undercover agents. If it had, I could take abut undercover characters with on-the-cover sexiness.
(Yes, I am still going on about the bare-chested men on these covers; they make me happy I'm reading these on Kindle as opposed to print, but I realized last night that I was comparing the luminosity of my new Kindle with someone else's *while showing them a page from this novella which happened to have a sex scene on it*. This one is totally my fault.)
So. "Eater of Lives". The paranormal police force (Spectr) is trying to track down a serial killer who enjoys gnawing on human beings - maybe the serial killer is a human, or maybe it's not, it's hard to tell at the beginning of the story. John Starkweather and Caleb, the contractor hired by Spectr because he's sharing a body with Gray, a big, scary entity named who preys on demons, are doing their best to hunt down the killer, while slowly coming to the conclusion that they both like Gray and don't want him destroyed. But if he isn't removed from Caleb soon, the situation will be permanent, and that's a bit of an issue, as well.
There's a cliffhanger at the end of the novella, which hints that the overarching plot is finally going to hit us in the next installment.
(Yes, I am still going on about the bare-chested men on these covers; they make me happy I'm reading these on Kindle as opposed to print, but I realized last night that I was comparing the luminosity of my new Kindle with someone else's *while showing them a page from this novella which happened to have a sex scene on it*. This one is totally my fault.)
So. "Eater of Lives". The paranormal police force (Spectr) is trying to track down a serial killer who enjoys gnawing on human beings - maybe the serial killer is a human, or maybe it's not, it's hard to tell at the beginning of the story. John Starkweather and Caleb, the contractor hired by Spectr because he's sharing a body with Gray, a big, scary entity named who preys on demons, are doing their best to hunt down the killer, while slowly coming to the conclusion that they both like Gray and don't want him destroyed. But if he isn't removed from Caleb soon, the situation will be permanent, and that's a bit of an issue, as well.
There's a cliffhanger at the end of the novella, which hints that the overarching plot is finally going to hit us in the next installment.
October 3, 2013
Still enjoying the series
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot captured my attention quickly. Hawk is good at coming up with storylines that all tie together but don’t seem so similar that it feels like I’m reading a variation of the same story over and over again.
- I like the main characters more with each installment I read, but that also makes their difficult situation seem more and more hopeless.
- It’s interesting to see the interactions between another human-entity pair. It provides a nice parallel to Caleb and Gray.
CONS:
- This one seemed tenser to me than the earlier stories, so it wasn’t as fun for me to read. Caleb is worried and miserable the whole time, and John is frustrated because he doesn’t know how to get Gray out of Caleb’s body.
- The earlier stories have all been pretty clean--that is, mostly free of spelling and punctuation mistakes. This one has noticeably more (example within the first few pages: “He couldn’t to think like that”), which indicates either sloppier editing or possibly a rush to finish the story.
Overall comments: I like this series very much, but if you don’t like cliffhangers, you’re likely to be frustrated by the ending here. I was.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot captured my attention quickly. Hawk is good at coming up with storylines that all tie together but don’t seem so similar that it feels like I’m reading a variation of the same story over and over again.
- I like the main characters more with each installment I read, but that also makes their difficult situation seem more and more hopeless.
- It’s interesting to see the interactions between another human-entity pair. It provides a nice parallel to Caleb and Gray.
CONS:
- This one seemed tenser to me than the earlier stories, so it wasn’t as fun for me to read. Caleb is worried and miserable the whole time, and John is frustrated because he doesn’t know how to get Gray out of Caleb’s body.
- The earlier stories have all been pretty clean--that is, mostly free of spelling and punctuation mistakes. This one has noticeably more (example within the first few pages: “He couldn’t to think like that”), which indicates either sloppier editing or possibly a rush to finish the story.
Overall comments: I like this series very much, but if you don’t like cliffhangers, you’re likely to be frustrated by the ending here. I was.
October 8, 2013
What a great series! I put the review of all four installment into one post - I read all four in one go, so it even seemed to me like one big story.
And what a great one!
I love the world building, it is done very well, and it has a more original take on the old demons and paranormal cops trope than most books I read.
It has two great main characters: Caleb, the vegetarian hippietwink (possessed by Grey) and John, the paranormal cop and exorcist. An unusual couple with many differences, but also a lot of feeling between them.
But most fascinating for me was how Grey was inserted in the story - I would have liked to see more of him, but maybe this will be the case in the next installment (February 2014 - god, that seems awfully loooong....).
All installments also have a mystery/crime/demon hunt/action plot - they were all good, all a bit creepy and I enjoyed them very much.
If the next one has more Grey in it, it could become a favourite :-)
And what a great one!
I love the world building, it is done very well, and it has a more original take on the old demons and paranormal cops trope than most books I read.
It has two great main characters: Caleb, the vegetarian hippietwink (possessed by Grey) and John, the paranormal cop and exorcist. An unusual couple with many differences, but also a lot of feeling between them.
But most fascinating for me was how Grey was inserted in the story - I would have liked to see more of him, but maybe this will be the case in the next installment (February 2014 - god, that seems awfully loooong....).
All installments also have a mystery/crime/demon hunt/action plot - they were all good, all a bit creepy and I enjoyed them very much.
If the next one has more Grey in it, it could become a favourite :-)
April 9, 2014
What an ending! I'm so glad I can move straight on to the next installment, rather than have to wait like a lot of people have had to do, I don't know what I would have done. The 40 day time period is nearly up and everyone is waiting to find out if Gray will take full possession of Caleb or not and if not, what is going to happen? Gray insists he doesn't know what all the fuss is about and is quite relaxed about the whole thing (apart from the fact that he will need to find a new host and this one won't be alive!). Can't wait to find out what will happen!
October 23, 2019
Wow - loved this one. I really enjoyed seeing John struggle a bit with what he wanted for Caleb and Gray and what he is supposed to do as an agent. The demon was interesting and seemed to be a bit more of a challenge in this book as well. I also liked seeing Caleb and Gray starting to better understand each other and admit to their feelings for John. Lots of excitement and that ending - good thing I already have book 5!
November 3, 2018
✮4 Stars✮
💗
December 1, 2020
Ouch! *sobs and immediately starts Destroyer of Worlds*
January 30, 2018
I have to say, Caleb kind of annoys me! He is such a moan.
Gray and John are cool though!!
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