Unhallowed

Like many readers I fell deeply in love with Whyborne, Griffin and the world Jordan L. Hawk created in the [b:Widdershins 16128152 Widdershins (Whyborne & Griffin, #1) Jordan L. Hawk https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1352121658l/16128152.SY75.jpg 21952704] series, so I was little worried that his first entry in a spin-off series with new characters set in our favorite murder town couldn't possibly live up to its predecessor. I shouldn't have worried; Unhallowed has a few call-backs and Easter eggs for W&G fans, but it very much stands on its own, featuring two strong MCs, a cast of promising supporting characters (including an Endicott!) and an intriguing new paranormal peril. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll just say that if you liked the increasingly bizarre Mr. Quinn and the other librarians you'll be right at home in Unhallowed. Sebastian Rath (who played a very minor role in W&G's final book, [b:Deosil 50775359 Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) Jordan L. Hawk https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568743027l/50775359.SX50_SY75.jpg 63549842]) is the chief archivist for the Ladysmith library, and Vesper Rune is the man with a Big Secret who arrives from Boston to take a job as the new library binder/conservator. They start out as antagonists but fairly quickly become allies, and then friends working together to solve the mysterious disappearance of the man who held Ves's job before him. But Vesper can't get too close to Sebastian; not only because he can't reveal his true purpose, but also because he can't let anyone see what he really is...a monster (not a spoiler, see the book's opening sentence). The dynamic between the two men has some superficial similarities to Whyborne's “nobody could possibly love gawky old me” and Griffin's “self-assured but hiding years of deep hurt.” Ves thinks nobody will ever want or even touch him, but he has none of Whyborne's innocence or physical awkwardness. And Sebastian is pretty easy going but is living with a load of guilt about the fallout from the decision not to follow in his mother's professional footsteps. So there's still that lovely moment of amazement and relief for both MCs of “he sees me and he still wants me” but it comes from a very different angle. I think the book can be enjoyed by Widdershins newbies, but there are numerous delightful nods to the previous series that reward loyal fans. Widdershins in 1910 is a different place than it was at the end of Deosil; sorcery is acknowledged and appreciated, and even Sebastian's sexuality doesn't seem to set off any alarm bells. Some of the funniest parts of the book are Sebastian comparing Widdershins to Boston and labeling the latter as “strange.”The book ends with a definite HFN for our MCs but lots of unanswered questions and a direct lead into the next installment. I'm so happy to be back in Widdershins, but not for the nostalgic value; this series looks like it has the promise to be just as wonderful on its own merits. W.K.I.O. indeed!