Widdershins

Whyborne & Griffin, Book 1

By: Jordan L. Hawk

Narrated by: Julian G. Simmons

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Some things should stay buried.

Repressed scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne has two skills: reading dead languages and hiding in his office at the Ladysmith Museum. After the tragic death of the friend he secretly loved, he's ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man.

So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible. Griffin left the Pinkertons following the death of his partner, hoping to start a new life. But the powerful cult that murdered Glenn has taken root in Widdershins, and only the spells in the book can stop them. Spells the intellectual Whyborne doesn't believe are real.

As the investigation draws the two men closer, Griffin's rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne's iron control. When the cult resurrects an evil sorcerer who commands terrifying monsters, can Whyborne overcome his fear and learn to trust? Will Griffin let go of his past and risk falling in love? Or will Griffin's secrets cost Whyborne both his heart and his life?

©2012-2013 Jordan L. Hawk (P)2013 Jordan L. Hawk

Romance Fantasy horror

I was happy to find this book as I am always looking for gay fiction that I might enjoy. As there is an exceptional amount that is poorly written I was pleasantly surprised that the writing of this novel and characterizations therein done very well.

One of my favourite books

This series is one of my favourites, It only gets better and better. I wished though that the narrator would make the different voices more distinct.

Loved it

I really liked this book. Great story line. They make such a cute couple. A few good sexy times. I loved the narrator. Cannot wait to listen to more.

Not Great, Not Terrible

I had a hard time getting into Widdershins. Upon reflection, I think that had a lot to do with an Audible narrator who was so passive as to sound like every sentence he had to utter was a terrible bore and just getting up in the morning must have been a tedious chore. It made the main character sound whiney and dumb and completely unlikeable. There was no spark of intelligence at all - just confusion, annoyance, and a grievous amount of tell over show.

Story: Percival Whyborne has had to live under the cloud of his very famous and very powerful father's name for all his life. At the Ladysmith University, he is still harassed mercilessly for being a Whyborne but at least he has his books. Until Griffin Flaherty comes into the university seeking a translation of a very odd book. Suddenly both men find themselves caught up in a supernatural world and conspiracy with far reaching consequences.

As far as paranormal goes, there isn't much new here. That doesn't necessarily mean it is a bad book but a LGB theme isn't going to excuse or justify sloppy/poor writing. Plot and world building is still incredibly important and none of the characters or the University felt real. The book had a cartoony feel that, while not terrible, still never felt grounded at any time. The conspiracy ended up sounding too much like a B-movie trying to use Masons or Shriners as world dominating evil mustache twirlers. It was hard to decide who was stupider sounding - the main characters or the villains (ok, the villains were stupider). There was the spark of something good under all the mess but it was pretty well hidden.

Because the narration was so offputting, I would not recommend the Audible version. Perhaps I might have enjoyed this more had I read the book instead of listened to it.

A spicy period piece

Not the best performance, but a great story. I was a little sceptical about a period piece to start with, and a stilted performance didn't help, but in the end, a sexy period piece that's worth the money. Get it now. I've even bought another book in the series.

Great book, so-so narration

I love the book (as well as the whole series), but didn't much care for the narration. It was especially annoying that the narrator constantly presented the dialogue between the MCs as if they were whispering, so it was almost impossible to hear (while the background text and Whyborne's thoughts were still loud).

Great series

This is a recommendation for the entire series, since they are to be listen to in the Right order. Every book has a stand alone story but the background story of the MCs life together continues in the books. The romance is there but what keeps the stories interesting is the adventures they undertake in each book. I still need to listen to the last Two but until now i liked all of Them, allthough my favorite is bloodline since it explains alot about the MC and his ability to conduct magic. The stories are Well researched and do hold true to a lot of Real legends. Would recommend the series to all Who like historical fantasy Novels in the style of Indiana Jones adventures - and like the mm genre (you need to since there is s lot of sexual scenes). The narrator is the same throughout the series and that a blessing - and he is not bad.

Narrator is annoying. Story is mediocre.

First off, the production of this piece is substandard. Sometimes it sounds like the narrator is in a large empty room speaking through a tin can. I bravely ploughed on though...to listen to a mediocre story.
Let it be said up front that the homosexuality didn't bother me. In fact, it was quite hot, but the plot just seemed ludicrous. I never bought into the character's "mortal peril" or the fact the entire world was at risk. I believe this is a series and I will not be continuing it.

good story

sound quality varies from section to section, but an amazing story, great chemistry, and avoided some terrible tropes.

New Author for Me

Any additional comments?

This is a new series for me and I actually rec'd the e-book from my secret Santa & just had to have the audio book. I really enjoyed this one. It had a little of everything, hot sex, paranormal and a pretty good mystery. I'm not sure I believed the quick turn around of Percy's father but if it will make Percy happier then its fine by me. I love Christine she cracks me up w/her take no prisoner approach, which given the time period a women would have to have that attitude to succeed in any type of job place. I hope in one of the upcoming books she finds someone that will accept her for who she is & love her dearly. On to the next book in the series. I wished the narrator would have differentiation between his voices more so that I was able to know who was speaking easier.