Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Gargoyle Vigilante
AUTHOR: M.M. Wilde
PUBLISHER: Knight Ever After Publishing LLC
LENGTH: 130 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2024
BLURB:
The world’s holiest relics are at risk, and the dawn of evil looms. Only the Shadow Slayers can keep the darkness at bay…
As a Shadow Slayer gargoyle appointed by the Archangel Michael, Dante has fought for centuries to defend the human realm. The rogue gargoyles he hunts are relentless in their quest to maim and destroy, but Dante is one of Heaven’s top warriors. However, Dante prefers eliminating the dark scourge by his own rules.
Amir is a student of Near Eastern studies who carries a secret. When Amir discovers his antique dealer uncle’s mutilated corpse, he flees in terror with the sacred artifact he swore to protect. Yet somewhere in the shadows, a sinister threat exists—one that seeks to steal his life as well as the treasure he guards.
Thrust into a world Amir never knew existed, he struggles to understand what part he must play. For Dante, he learns that only the touch of his Fated One can crack the stone of his cold, lonely heart. Together, they will risk everything to save the life of their unborn child.
This time, the battle is personal…
Note: Gargoyle Vigilante is the first book in the action-packed, edge-of-your-seat Shadow Slayers series that features gargoyle shifters who will do anything to protect their fated mates. In this novella, you can expect a growly, possessive gargoyle, a feisty younger mate and a knotty good time. Oh, did I mention that gargoyles have forked tongues and talented tails? Grab your copy now to find out just how talented!
REVIEW:
Dante is a Gargoyle Slayer who has spent millennia guard relics and slaying the rogue gargoyles who are doing the bidding of Lucifer. If they manage to obtain three of the ancient sacred relics, the tide will turn and the dark forces will overrun the good on earth. While he’s hanging out in a bar, Malachi, his former partner in crime and the Archangel Michael show up. Turns out that it’s time for Dante to hang up his slayer ways and settle down with his fated mate to “replenish the ranks”.
Simultaneously, Amir, a Near East Studies college student finds his beloved uncle slain and he just knows that whoever did it is after the ancient relic that his uncle was charged with safeguarding. While he only sort of half-listened to his uncle and thought of the stories as myths, it’s clear that somebody is after that relic and are willing to kill for it. He quickly packs a bag and the relic and attempts to leave his uncle’s antique shop that he lives above. But it’s too late. The evil forces are there to get that relic.
When Dante feels the tingle that a relic is near, he and Mal charge off to fight the rogue Gargoyles. They have Amir cornered and are going in for the kill. Dante realizes that THIS is his fated mate. He’s none too happy about this. He hasn’t had a relationship like ever. Nor does he want one. He’s been happy as a lone wolf killing demons. But Amir is in danger and he knows he has to protect him. So he takes him back to their lair where Ezekiel, a healer, can work his magic. Turns out that Amir is not just human and that he and Dante are fated mates and that they will have to produce offspring to keep the Slayers going.
Amir is quite shocked to hear this news. He recovers and he can’t help but be drawn to Dante. He’s a virgin and has certainly never seen a gargoyle shifter before. When he meets Michael and the other archangels and hands over the relic, well he’s now part of this world. Oh yeah, and he and Dante are already procreating.
Despite Amir’s pregnancy and Dante’s promise to always be there and take care of him, Dante is summoned to a big meeting because it seems that rumor has it that Lucifer is now in possession of two relics. This may or may not be true, but Dante is compelled to hunt with Mal to make sure that the evil forces do not get another relic.
Will he make it back in time for Amir to give birth to their first child? Will he make it back at all?
This started off pretty well with Dante’s grumpy and snarky personality on full display. Amir is a young guy and he’s thrown into a new world. He accepts is pretty readily, but he’s not sure about this pregnancy thing. Finding out he’s fated to a gargoyle is a bit of a shock. My issue with the story is that I didn’t feel like I got to know either character really – they were sort of all over the map for me. I didn’t necessarily believe their connection. I would have liked a lot more world building and a lot more time of the characters together getting to know each other and figure out their plan. The banter and tone sort of careened from snarky to overly sweet. I’ve read a lot of shifter books and this is the second book this week I’ve read with an MC named Dante! I really wanted their to be Gargoyle eggs so I was little disappointed in how that worked out. Anyway, as usual YMMV.
RATING: 
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