Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Lornyc is good at keeping secrets, because secrets can get you killed.
Lornyc hates politics. The small talk, backstabbing, and the attempts to undermine his marriage make his blood boil and his head ache. But what he really hates is someone kidnapping his husband. The suspicion that the Valen are somehow involved is confirmed when the truth about Methian’s real parentage is revealed.
But there are other fights ahead, this time with the mage when Lornyc discovers that they were not only behind his mother’s family being stripped of their magic, but have been trying to limit the Reagalos family powers for centuries.
The Review
Avarice is book three of the “Reagalos” series, and it’s just as exciting as the first two novels: Servitude and Idolatry.
Lornyc has continued to prove himself as a great leader. For the youngest High Lord, he has used his intelligence, integrity and honesty to improve and help those and the Cities around him. But just when Lornyc thinks he has one problem solved, there’s another one springing up from somewhere.
Some ttreat Lornyc as a child, never believing in his abilities. Some want to destroy the relationship between Lornyc and Methian. But the non-believers don’t know what they are up against, and Lornyc holds his own secret about his heritage.
Unfortunately, some never believed that Lornyc and Methian were ever in love, and look at their marriage as arranged and/or political. The two men have been warned that something could happen to them as Arial Charta, the Supreme Mage and ruler of Beher has called for an L5 summit. She is devious and a force to be reckoned with!
Lornyc and Methian know of the trouble that could occur at the L5, and decide to pretend and play the game. As they arrive in Beher, Methian tells Lorny to be careful, because what he sees of the city and the palace is only glamour. Nothing is what is seems.
All the while, Lornyc has made discoveries about the caves and the orbs, and how they connect to the Cities. As Lornyc is tired of all the social activity at the ball, he retires early, but sneaks out to see if he can pick up some information. When he hides in the garden, he faces something he doesn’t want to see, and runs from Methian. He discovers a cave under Beher with dormant orbs. Can they be awakened, and what will happen if they are?
What of the room of Artifacts from different dimensions, and what secrets lie there? Just who is Brethen Council member Stellaro, supposedly dead for 400 years? Is he Taran Tellara, lover to Bartemus Hadral and father to Methian. Is Methian a Valen? Why has he been kidnapped? How far will Lornyc go to get his husband back? What are Brethren Council leader Kalec and General Treal stirring up with Lial,l Head of Audits, and how does the Emaus Protocols fit with their plan?
So many questions.
Once again, Cohen expands her creative imagination with secrets and reveals in this third installment of the “Reagalos”. The world building is well done, and there’s no end to the adventure and excitement with each novel. There’s also the fascinating power of the orbs (and magic in general) and the part they play in Lornyc’s life. No matter how many subplots are going on in the story, they all come together nicely by the end, and leave me yearning for the next book.
Besides the usual characters from the first two books, there are some new ones in this novel. Dr. Jimma, Heba, Sia and Fioal all are involved in the Triation Department. There’s more of an in-depth look at Arial Charta. Urla Hadral also gets a larger role in this novel. And there are many emotional, dangerous and humorous scenes with many of the existing characters.
I highly suggest reading Servitude and Idolatry before starting Avarice. There are just too many secrets, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next in Restitution, the fourth book in the “Reagalos” series!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
