Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Gatherdawn
SERIES: Luminia
AUTHOR: Lee Colgin
PUBLISHER: Colgin Enterprises
LENGTH: 180 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2024
BLURB:
When the worlds of a prince and a gargoyle collide, the bond they forge is stronger than stone.
Zenith
I stand watch, cold as the rock encasing me, immortal, forgotten, lonely. Until one bright festival evening, when a young prince from a faraway land catches my gaze… and he sees me. My heart springs to life like a bloom in the early morning light. For the first time in centuries, someone knows I’m real. I’m here.
Prince Anash
My mother is a queen, but my father is an incubus brothel worker. Where does that leave me? Half-breed by blood, demon by nature, and a loner by necessity because no one, absolutely no one, will have me. In a last-ditch effort to find a suitable match, Mother drags me to the Gatherdawn, a spring festival of bounty and fertility—or bullies and frostbite, if you ask me. Which nobody ever does.
The trip is tedious, and I’m tempted to give up until I lay eyes on the most handsome creature I’ve ever seen. A gargoyle, standing guard in stone form, who keeps returning my stare, ogling me from across the ballroom so shamelessly it’s a wonder his overseer doesn’t scold him for being distracted.
But when I work up the courage to speak with him, he gives me the cold shoulder.
Just like everyone else.
* * *
Gatherdawn is a high fantasy gay romance set in Colgin’s Fae Realm of Luminia. It features a grumpy gargoyle and a lonely half-breed prince. Despite all odds, they might find comfort in each other. Add a dash of secrets, first time flying lessons, and spicy opposites-attract chemistry, and you’ve got a steamy gay romance carved in the very heart of stone!
The story will continue in Volume II!
REVIEW:
Prince Anash and his sister Princess Karia have arrived in Lemossin for Gatherdawn, the annual spring festival as guest of Queen Aurielle. Their mother Queen Eilonwy of Tierney arrives as well as they are there for an extended stay. Prince Anash is only half fae though – his father is an incubus and as a result, his wings aren’t functional and he has a tail 🙁 This has been a source of shame his whole life surrounded by beautiful and power fae. As usual, he’s treated poorly by the Princes of Lemossin – Tomas and Evani. They are cruel to Anash and subject him to ridicule at the initial ball. The only comfort Anash gets is from the gargoyle who is in the ballroom that he can tell is watching him with interest. No one else in the realm seems to realize that Gargoyles are alive. They accuse him of being weird talking to a statue. He doesn’t enlighten them that gargoyles are sentient.
When the princes play a nasty prank on him, the gargoyle who is named Zenith, comes to his rescue. He can communicate with the stones and got the message that Anash is in trouble. Zenith is able to fix the problem, but he doesn’t want anyone to know that he’s awakened and that he’s been getting messages from the stones that trouble is brewing. He doesn’t know what it is but it has awakened him – and only him. Anash agrees reluctantly but still shares with his mother and sister.
Anash continues to meet with Zenith in secret. He shifts from his stone form only for Anash and they become friends even though Zenith contends that he is only there to serve and protect the Prince. When Anash is in danger though, Zenith leaves his stone form and rushes to save him. This sets off another chain of events where the other gargoyles are awakened. With Zenith free of his stone self, he’s able to do more things with Anash. They spend what little time they can get together. Zenith shows Anash that he is stronger than he ever though and Anash could not be more greatful. They go from friends to lovers to realizing that they are mates. They are in physical pain when they are apart.
Suvi, the princess of Lemossin is completely different to her brothers (and we met her in the first book, Tattered Allegiance). She is not at all what she seems. There is trouble brewing in the south and the Queen of Lemossin is requiring all Halflings to sign an oath of allegiance to the fae rather than the human world. But the humans have had enough and they aren’t going to take it any more. It’s clear the Queen has a plan – and it’s going to mean bloodshed.
Suvi has her own plan but it may be too late. Anash, Karia and Eilonwy are aware of Suvi’s plan. But an unexpected announcement leaves everyone scrambling. And Anash might lose Zenith who is not only his friend, but his lover and mate.
This story was quite unexpected. It’s a continuation of the first half of this duet, although there is little character crossover. Be warned, once again, things end on a bit of a cliffhanger and nothing is resolved. The brewing war with the humans is closer than ever. We now know that Aurielle will stop at nothing to decimate and enslave the humans to a harsher degree than they already are. Suvi and her allies along with Anash and his family and Zenith and the other gargoyles are key to their success. I loved the way the story tied in to the first book. Zenith is a brave and protective new character in this story. Anash starts out at someone full of self-loathing – feeling like he’s a bad fae, a bad incubus, a bad prince, etc. Through Zenith’s eyes he begins to see himself as maybe something more. His mother’s love and support and pride helps too 😉 I can’t wait to see what happens next. The next book can’t come fast enough!
RATING: 
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