Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Newyddian
SERIES: Augarten
AUTHOR: Charlie Godwyne
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 186 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 25, 2020
BLURB:
In 2027, the true nightmares descend upon Augarten…
Six months after the life-altering events whose impact affected his higher soul, Gabriel is struggling not to lose everything he has managed to carve out for himself in Vienna with Florian and Solomon. But he knows powerful magic is woven into his very existence, meaning the future he craves may not be possible.
Then Gabriel sees dark omens: the nature spirit Augarten’s nightmares are coming. He also discovers that Ian, his beloved guardian angel, needs to make a critical transition. The success of that transition may very well determine whether Gabriel and his lovers survive the nightmares. But Augarten holds Ian’s fate in her hands, and the bargain she is insisting upon is a tough one: it may even cost Gabriel all his happiness.
Is there any path forward that will allow Gabriel to hold onto his joyful life with two men? Or will he be required to pay the ultimate price and lose their treasured love?
Newyddian, the fifth book of the Augarten series, is a 50,000-word MMM urban fantasy romance about a love that spans lifetimes. It contains magical realism, cute baby trees, a book bindery full of lost memories, and even in the darkest times, lots of espresso.
The Augarten series is now complete and is best read in order: Equinox, Syzygy, Hiraeth, Florian, and Newyddian. An epilogue, Eviternity, will be released in 2022.
REVIEW:
NOTE: This is the fifth book in this series and as such cannot be read as a standalone.
This story returns to the “future” present for our three men, Gabriel, Solomon and Florian. Gabriel has been warned that Augarten’s nightmares are coming. And soon. He is still sharing the magic that Augarten demands, even though it comes at a cost. Gabriel still misses Ian, his guardian angel, terribly, but he has a new guide who is trying to help him see what has to be done. This guardian is a familiar character from Augarten’s past and Gabriel learns from and trusts him. More than anything, Gabriel wants more time with his two lovers and to be reunited with Ian. The path to these two desires may not work together as the timelines are in motion. Gabriel’s visions of the future are dependent on how he can find the strength to continue his journey and accept the help he will need to survive it
Well this again, is like a mystical magic carpet ride. Gabriel and Solomon and Florian continue to strengthen their relationship, but Gabriel’s tree made body is not going to last forever. His goal is to stay as long as he can with his lovers. Solomon, who is younger and has not known the loss of a partner, desires for Gabriel to live a long life in this third incarnation and he struggles with the reality that may not happen. Florian is the glass half full one in this instance and takes things one day at a time. They also are supportive of Ollie and want to be there for him and the path of his life. Ian is still a missing puzzle piece that Gabriel misses so much and it’s hard for him to figure out his path. Gabriel’s strength in learning the lessons of this life and doing what he can to support his men even at the cost of his own comfort is the real story here.
Again, I would call this literary fiction rather than a straight romance, although there is a happy ending. If you are a fan of magical realism, spiritual quests, answering the big universal questions, you will enjoy this book. There are lovely descriptions of the beautiful Vienna and I loved the prose – although the phrase “touching eyes” literally in English is a bit ooogly and is more likely eyes meeting in English vernacular. A story of transformation and evolution that is challenging and lovely.
RATING: 
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