Bloodline

Whyborne & Griffin, Book 5

By: Jordan L. Hawk

Narrated by: Julian G. Simmons

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Between his bullying father and dissolute brother, Percival Endicott Whyborne has quite enough problematic family members to deal with. So when his sister returns to Widdershins asking for help solving the mystery of a derelict ship, Whyborne is reluctant to get involved. Until, that is, a brutal murderer strikes, leaving Whyborne and his lover Griffin no choice but to take the case.

The investigation leads them deep into a conspiracy of blackmail, murder, and darkest sorcery. But worst of all are the secrets held within the family itself, one of which will destroy everything Whyborne believed to be true, not only about his family, but about himself.

©2014 Jordan L. Hawk (P)2014 Jordan L. Hawk

Favorite in the series, so far!

In this book, plot threads that have been mentioned only as subtext so far finally came to light, and I couldn't be happier! It's wonderful to see the growth in Griffin, Percival, and their relationship, and to learn that what I'd suspected about Percy's family history is, in fact true. (Won't say more, due to spoilers.) What really takes this book to a new level for me is how the notion of what (and who) constitutes a "monster" is finally challenged. No longer can the so-called monsters be seen as safely separate from humanity; they are, in fact, much closer to home than Percival ever imagined. Watching him grow and struggle with this fact - and the question of what to do with power once one has it - has brought so much depth both to his character, and the series as a whole. I'm really excited to see where Jordan L. Hawk will take this wonderful story next. (Also: I love Christine. So much. And the narrator voices her *so* perfectly, it's great!)

Good Start, Eye Rolling Middle, Satisfying End.

This book was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. There were elements that I really enjoyed and others that I did not. Some possible spoilers below but not really, more a spoiler of previously obvious build up then anything. But overall I have enjoyed this series completely. There are moments where the mystery parts are weak and the character are slow to keep up with the audience conclusions, But I have and will continue to enjoy these books!! Whole heartedly.

I have enjoyed that these books have played on a persons pride. The antagonists are usually individuals that are/were close to one of the characters, they find and use arcane secrets, but are in the end brought low by their own pride.

I was not happy about the Skywalker to Darth Vader turn, the obviously too innocent for his own good protagonist getting swept up in the powers and slowly falling to the dark side out of ignorance. It was obvious from book one it was coming but it went by quick enough I suppose.

The ending however was very satisfying, wrapping up many of the storylines and giving the audience a well deserved and anticipated sigh of joy; at least that’s what I did.

Awesome series

To get the most from this series start at the beginning. It is beautifully written. It's funny and touching at the same time. The sex scenes are smoking hot. Give it a go. Take a chance!

Great series

The story of W & G continues to evolve. Hawk's universe takes a very interesting turn in Bloodline and while it is a bit darker than the rest, the book is a wonderful addition to the narrative. Enjoyed thoroughly

Always love a Jordan L. Hawk novel.

Print, audio, it doesn't matter. She brings all the feels. Beautiful as usual. Get this one and all the others.

An amazing story in the series.

With this story, character development and story line all came together beautifully. The narration also helped to make this one special. Thanks for the joy and tears all the way through.

Fantastic

I’m still loving the way the story is unfolding itself.
The love between Griffin & Whyborne is so beautiful

Bloodline

I have been reading/listening to the Layborne and Griffin series one after another. They are hard to put down. The friends and families of the main couple are well developed in the story and interesting too. The action is exciting and the plot has twists and turns. Use your credits to buy the whole set- read them sequentially.

Another adventure!

What a book! On the one hand I truly loved it, on the other, there were parts that I really disliked. Mixed feelings anyone?

Bloodline hit much closer to home compared to the rest of the series have. It all started with an unexpected visit from Whyborne’s sister. A sister he’d never been close with. She asks him for help and to meet her in a seedy part of town. The events taking place changes the Whyborne family forever in the most devastating of ways.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Whyborne’s. The introverted scholar, the shy man who’s love for knowledge and dead languages made him awkward in social situations and honest to a fault. In Bloodline that’s not the case anymore. But almost overnight he’s deceiving his loved ones, lying to them. Not only that, the morals he’s always lived by aren’t as important. In short I did not like this version of Whyborne. Sure, some of it had their reasons and explanations, but it still made me enjoy the book less, at least the first half of the book.

The last part of the book was by far my favourite. I loved every second of that. The revelations, the twists and turns, both the expected ones, and the unexpected ones. And some things truly were unexpected. It was a thrilling rollercoaster and made me salivate for more.

There weren’t as much growing happening in the relationship between Whyborne and Griffin. Well, except for that one thing… There wasn’t much focus on it. It was there for sure, but not the main focus.

I loved the showdowns in the end, it was exhilarating, intense. Heartbreaking. Julian G. Simmons narrated it brilliantly. He really brought it to life to the point where you felt like you were there, experiencing the biting winds, watching the battle with your heart pounding. Hoping that the people you’ve come to love will make it out alive.

So far this is book is my least favourite of the series, but they can’t all be winners. However it did bring some answers as well as some new twists and turns that will be fun to explore more in the books to come.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

Great.

Love this continuation of the adventures of Whybourne and Griffen. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy.