‘Chevalier’ is the much-awaited-by-me sequel to ‘Romanus’, a magical and dangerous world of gargoyles with a unique history, mysterious prophecies, and politics of class separation that would make an eighteenth-century nobleperson blanch. In the first book hunky, kind-hearted firefighter Mason discovered he was a special kind of gargoyle, a Romanus, but none of the other members of the chasse he encountered was able to tell him what that means or what he was meant to do. Everybody else seems to have a role, including Mason’s lover, warrior Luc, but Mason himself is told he is important yet nobody in his chasse has any idea why. This sequel is all about Mason finding out he is nobility, meeting his biological father, and figuring out his role in gargoyle society once and for all. It is an exciting, suspenseful, and dangerous undertaking, with Mason and Leo working together like never before so they can survive the multiple surprises coming at them in this story.

Mason is as fantastic as ever. He is a dedicated firefighter, defender of the weak, and accepts no injustice in his presence. His one weakness is his ongoing inability to admit to himself how much he loves Luc – but he corrects that in a big way as the story progresses. Mason realizes he needs Luc to be his strength, and with the kind of crap he faces from his biological father and the “tests” he has to go through, Mason needs all the support he can get. His strength and determination in the face of his biological family’s elitism, bigotry, and nastiness is inspiring!

Luc may be the low-class warrior, the chevalier in gargoyle terms, but no matter what insult they throw in his face, he remains calm and steady. He is unrelenting in his support of Mason, and the fact that Mason finally admits how he feels and asks Luc to move in with him may have something to do with that. But mostly it is just who Luc is – and all his abilities are urgently needed as they travel to France to meet Mason’s biological family. The manipulation, machinations, and politics emerge slowly, but Luc has his hands full keeping Mason, and himself, safe.

If you like gargoyles and appreciate a unique and fascinating world with its own mythology and legends, if you want to find out what a Romanus is and, like Marcus, are curious about his family’s history, and if you’re looking for a read that consists of an intriguing journey of discovery, suspense, and wonderfully supportive – and very hot – lovers, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did. Fantastic!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )