Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Owl
AUTHOR: M. Raiya
PUBLISHER: Harmony Ink Press
LENGTH: 202 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2019
BLURB:
Gabriel made a decision to help a friend, and it cost him. He’s been exiled from his clan, trapped in his owl form, living in a swamp, and slowly losing his humanity. If not for Vincent, Gabriel would have no chance of regaining what he lost.
Vincent is popular and successful, but no one knows the real him, who is gay and would rather become a musician than a lawyer… no one but the owl living in the hollow tree. As Vincent shares his secrets, he not only unburdens his heart, but stirs Gabriel’s. In each other they have a chance to heal… to live.
Unless Gabriel’s grandfather has his way.
REVIEW:
This is another of those books I wish there would be a sequel to, or something. It was so good. With it being paranormal/shifters, I was automatically hooked, but this is really such a good story. It has so many messages and things to it. The writing is just amazing. It’s about facing your fears, overcoming them, standing up for yourself, believing in who you are. But it’s also about hope and love. A sense of belonging, of family. It just hit me in the feels.
Gabriel has been stuck for 3 years in his owl form. But he’s been in the ‘backyard’ of a young man and his family for a while. This young man who has captivated Gabriel with those bright blue eyes. He also felt a sadness in him and confirmed it when he saw the young man crying. Which led up to Gabriel saving his life. But in saving Vin’s life, he’s revealed some things about himself which got him in trouble to begin with. And when an attack causes Gabriel to have to be hospitalized, the thing that caused him to be stuck was freed and Gabriel was back. But now he and everyone around him are in trouble because of his grandfather. Being a powerful magical being that cursed Gabriel, he knows his grandfather will stop at nothing to kill him now. And more secrets are being exposed. But Vin is determined to show Gabriel he’s not alone anymore and they will beat this together. Even though it may cost them both their lives.
In this life, I’ve seen power and greed corrupt people into oppressing others. Look at all that’s going on in the world now. But what people often seem to forget, is love, or what some believe is love, can warp a person just as bad. And Gabriel’s grandfather believed just that. And it’s made him crazy. I can’t tell you anymore than that. You have to read and find out. But he’s the one who cursed and had Gabriel shunned. And for Gabriel, my heart broke. To go from being loved by family, to trying to save someone from bullies, to being shunned. And knowing for the rest of his life, he’d end up completely wild. He still had his wits for now. But somehow Vin helped save Gabriel as much as Gabriel saved Vin. They had a bond that formed, and later more securely, that was not going to be broken. No matter who tried to stand in their way. They had each others backs in ways no one else ever had. They got each other, they shared their doubts and fears, hopes and dreams. And in it all they wanted, was to do it together. But some people can’t handle others being happy. They want everyone to wallow in their misery, while oppressing those around them. And for Gabriel, he never wanted to be that way. He just wanted to be happy and loved. And in Vin, he finally found home.
It’s a beautiful story. It could almost be an every day story to a point. I mean, yeah, no real shifters or magic, but the gist could be anyone dealing with assholes in their lives. I would really like to see something about them later down the line. See how they’re doing, how they are coping with the weight of everything. Maybe it could happen….. 😉 .
RATING: 
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