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Captain of the Temple Police is not an easy job. Gerard wasn't expecting it to be easy…but he also didn't expect to have to fight off the Priestess's overtures at every turn. While he isn't against killing, torture seems dishonorable, and a visit to the dungeons leaves Gerard feeling more than a little sympathy for the pirates he's been ordered to capture. Nevertheless, if he's to protect his gentle, talented wife, Gerard must do his job and eliminate the anti-wyvern pirates. He's made a valuable friend and ally in the wily Admiral of the Temple Sea Watch. Together, they track down the charismatic pirate leader, Gwain, who agrees to meet with them. However, Gwain's chosen site for for their parley is a dangerous island gamepark where the stakes are high, and everyone is prey. This is the illustrated version of the second book in the Cowry Catchers series.
236 pages, Nook
First published December 4, 2010
7 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Hilton
66 books172 followersAbigail Hilton writes fantasy books, including Hunters Universe, Pirates of Wefrivain, The Prophet of Panamindorah, and the Eve and Malachi Series.
She also publishes under A. H. Lee, including The Incubus Series and The Knight and the Necromancer.
She also publishes under A. H. Lee, including The Incubus Series and The Knight and the Necromancer.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 11, 2022
4 Stars
Again, this fantastical AU where the main creatures are either half human/half animal or talking animal counterparts, is set in an unpalatable society where predator and prey is just a way of life. This world is unlike any I’ve read, and there is an uncomfortable feeling as some species eat the others in a weird gruesome societal hierarchy that’s as fascinating as it is horrific. No wonder there is a resistance brewing!
Ruled by wyverns and the powerful priestess who controls them, it’s Morchella who plays many power exchange games with her people and the 2 complete opposite men who patrol the sea and land for her. Gerard is the ever honorable grishnard (dominant species of half man, half gryffin) and his delicate contentious relationship with Silveo (half fox,half man) who makes up for his size with cunning and brutal efficiency is where this story shines. This continues their journey of bringing down the resistance and how they slowly form a tenuous friendship that is oh so twisty and complex.
Hilton really brings an emotional slow build to the relationship between Gerard and Silveo - how they must work for the priestess to do her harsh uncompromising bidding without becoming a victim to her machinations as well. I cannot express how intricate the dynamic is between these two and the world they live in. Hilton has really outdone herself in the intriguing anti-hero Silveo and though he’s still quite self serving, I totally look forward to seeing him eventually outwit the true enemy with his astounding cunning and survival skills and hopefully, with Gerard by his side.
Again, this fantastical AU where the main creatures are either half human/half animal or talking animal counterparts, is set in an unpalatable society where predator and prey is just a way of life. This world is unlike any I’ve read, and there is an uncomfortable feeling as some species eat the others in a weird gruesome societal hierarchy that’s as fascinating as it is horrific. No wonder there is a resistance brewing!
Ruled by wyverns and the powerful priestess who controls them, it’s Morchella who plays many power exchange games with her people and the 2 complete opposite men who patrol the sea and land for her. Gerard is the ever honorable grishnard (dominant species of half man, half gryffin) and his delicate contentious relationship with Silveo (half fox,half man) who makes up for his size with cunning and brutal efficiency is where this story shines. This continues their journey of bringing down the resistance and how they slowly form a tenuous friendship that is oh so twisty and complex.
Hilton really brings an emotional slow build to the relationship between Gerard and Silveo - how they must work for the priestess to do her harsh uncompromising bidding without becoming a victim to her machinations as well. I cannot express how intricate the dynamic is between these two and the world they live in. Hilton has really outdone herself in the intriguing anti-hero Silveo and though he’s still quite self serving, I totally look forward to seeing him eventually outwit the true enemy with his astounding cunning and survival skills and hopefully, with Gerard by his side.
November 8, 2015
Flames (The Guild of the Cowry Catchers #2)
by Abigail Hilton
The second book in the series picks up right where the first left off. In book 2, the rubber meets the road as there say. The stakes are high; the tension and action is ramped up.
The book follows the cat and mouse game between our team of Gerard and Silveo against Gwain. Gwain becomes a real character in this book rather than a mysterious figure. He has few ‘on screen’ interaction but much about him is revealed by his actions is this book.
The quest to capture Gwain and destroy the pirates is complicated by the growing unease Gerard has about everything. Morchella reveals her evil side and as the story unfolds, Gerard seriously contemplates just running away. It is a difficult proposition given how powerful the wyverns are and the growing complication of his friendship with Silveo. When he broaches the plan with his wife Thessalyn, she points out that they can’t leave Silveo behind and Gerard realizes that the sneaky foxling has burrowed permanently into their hearts.
Events unfold in such a way that they never get the chance to run. The author is absolutely brilliant in her story telling. Every single decision and action the characters make feels genuine and one action follows another in a way that just feels inevitable.
As the story gallops toward the end, there is a sense of doom and looming tragedy, however, the author surprised me with Silveo. His actions crossed a line that seemed too far to ever recover from. In hind sight, I believed it but I didn’t see it coming.
The end of the book left me sobbing and heartbroken. That’s just how invested in these characters I had become. Of course, having bought the entire series already I just went right into book three without a break.
There were nights when I had to force myself to put this story down to go to bed. And I lost count of how many times Abigail Hilton made me cry!
by Abigail Hilton
The second book in the series picks up right where the first left off. In book 2, the rubber meets the road as there say. The stakes are high; the tension and action is ramped up.
The book follows the cat and mouse game between our team of Gerard and Silveo against Gwain. Gwain becomes a real character in this book rather than a mysterious figure. He has few ‘on screen’ interaction but much about him is revealed by his actions is this book.
The quest to capture Gwain and destroy the pirates is complicated by the growing unease Gerard has about everything. Morchella reveals her evil side and as the story unfolds, Gerard seriously contemplates just running away. It is a difficult proposition given how powerful the wyverns are and the growing complication of his friendship with Silveo. When he broaches the plan with his wife Thessalyn, she points out that they can’t leave Silveo behind and Gerard realizes that the sneaky foxling has burrowed permanently into their hearts.
Events unfold in such a way that they never get the chance to run. The author is absolutely brilliant in her story telling. Every single decision and action the characters make feels genuine and one action follows another in a way that just feels inevitable.
As the story gallops toward the end, there is a sense of doom and looming tragedy, however, the author surprised me with Silveo. His actions crossed a line that seemed too far to ever recover from. In hind sight, I believed it but I didn’t see it coming.
The end of the book left me sobbing and heartbroken. That’s just how invested in these characters I had become. Of course, having bought the entire series already I just went right into book three without a break.
There were nights when I had to force myself to put this story down to go to bed. And I lost count of how many times Abigail Hilton made me cry!
December 18, 2014
This was a *much* easier read than Embers was, mostly because I didn't have to spend half the book trying to figure out which shelt was which.
There was a lot more interaction between Gerard and Silveo - if not the quantity of interaction, than at least the quality of it. I still say that their relationship is the best part of this series. A lot of work was put into writing those two characters, and it definitely shows. Their interactions range from hilarious to heartbreaking at the drop of a colorful, multi-feathered hat. Shinies.
Gwain was also more developed as a character in this book. While you were given glimpses of him in Embers, the best look you got at him was through the book notes that opened each chapter. In Flames, he's actually a part of the story. You get to learn about where he comes from, and everything. And, of course, each chapter continues with an excerpt from his various books.
Flames had a lot more action in it than Embers did, but that's understandable. Embers had an entire world and plot to set up - it didn't have time to focus on *just* the story. It's the superhero movie problem...the second one is always better, because the first already took care of establishing who the characters are, and how the universe works. I won't judge Embers too harshly because of that...but Flames was definitely more interesting.
I want to bludgeon the way this book ended. CLIFFHANGERS...really, really badly timed cliffhangers. That was low, book. You can't just end there. You can't. There should be a law against that kind of cliffhanger. However, I already went out and bought the final three books in the series. Your cliffhangers have no power over me now, books!!! D8<
There was a lot more interaction between Gerard and Silveo - if not the quantity of interaction, than at least the quality of it. I still say that their relationship is the best part of this series. A lot of work was put into writing those two characters, and it definitely shows. Their interactions range from hilarious to heartbreaking at the drop of a colorful, multi-feathered hat. Shinies.
Gwain was also more developed as a character in this book. While you were given glimpses of him in Embers, the best look you got at him was through the book notes that opened each chapter. In Flames, he's actually a part of the story. You get to learn about where he comes from, and everything. And, of course, each chapter continues with an excerpt from his various books.
Flames had a lot more action in it than Embers did, but that's understandable. Embers had an entire world and plot to set up - it didn't have time to focus on *just* the story. It's the superhero movie problem...the second one is always better, because the first already took care of establishing who the characters are, and how the universe works. I won't judge Embers too harshly because of that...but Flames was definitely more interesting.
I want to bludgeon the way this book ended. CLIFFHANGERS...really, really badly timed cliffhangers. That was low, book. You can't just end there. You can't. There should be a law against that kind of cliffhanger. However, I already went out and bought the final three books in the series. Your cliffhangers have no power over me now, books!!! D8<
January 2, 2016
What a fantastic volume in the TGotCC series! That cliff hanger is even better than the last. I know I keep saying this, but, I definitely can not wait to see what happens next. I'm torn, however - I know that there are books 4 and 5 to follow, but neither have yet to be released. Although, if I remember correctly 4 may be out soon.
Do I wait, for book 4 so that I can read them back to back or read book 3 now....decisions, decisions...
Do I wait, for book 4 so that I can read them back to back or read book 3 now....decisions, decisions...
October 2, 2019
⭐️4.5⭐️
July 11, 2024
If this is your first time through, the book's ending will destroy you. (Unless you're more perceptive than me and see it coming.) In many ways, this was the most difficult book of the series.
February 16, 2018
Upon finishing - damn, that was a well-done cliffhangery ending to the book! I really loved this one and am looking forward to Ashes.
At 70% - the statements about Silveo at 38% still apply. Also, I really like the writing in this book, more than in Embers. It reads smoother and the exposition feels more natural, whereas in Embers the expositional asides came across as kind of awkward to me. So I'm enjoying Flames even more than I did Embers (which was quite a bit), because of the great story plus enjoying the writing style more.
At 38% - the more Silveo says and does, the more I love him. He's such a memorable, well developed character.
At 70% - the statements about Silveo at 38% still apply. Also, I really like the writing in this book, more than in Embers. It reads smoother and the exposition feels more natural, whereas in Embers the expositional asides came across as kind of awkward to me. So I'm enjoying Flames even more than I did Embers (which was quite a bit), because of the great story plus enjoying the writing style more.
At 38% - the more Silveo says and does, the more I love him. He's such a memorable, well developed character.
February 21, 2017
Like the first book, I got sucked into this richly develop a fantasy world like none before. I feel like I know (and love) these wonderful characters and I'm glad to be privileged to follow their adventures. The author displays some serious storytelling talents with a flair for the dramatic and good pacing. The way she build her fantasy world with short samples from an illegal guide book at the beginning of every chapter is perfect and effective without being overbearing. Really, I have nothing bad to say about this series, so far everything is perfect: story, characters, action, pacing, writing style, world-building etc.
April 16, 2013
Silveo and Gerard, in service to the High Priestess, search for Gwain, the leader of the Resistance. Book two in this fascinating fantasy world of shelts (half human, half animal) that allows us to reflect on complex power dynamic social systems, how false religions can be used to oppress the masses, and--in an intriguing development I didn't see coming--sensitivity for those sexually abused is called for even as acceptance for varying sexual orientations is encouraged. This is a five part series, and I lucked into the first two books for free. But I am so confidant I'll want to spend as much time as I can in this alternate world, as the author has evoked its complexities in such a compelling manner, that I am going to opt for the five-in-one larger all at once Kindle download for a cheaper price. If you like the world of Game of Thrones and are seeking out another such fantasy series to savor, my advice is that this is good enough that you should just get the all five at once option, as once you get into it, you won't want to stop before you must, either.
December 5, 2022
This is a character driven narritive and those are my FAVORITE. I don't think I will ever get tired of these characters.
The characters feel real, they have different aspects of their personalities, they have faults and strengths. They have idiosyncrasies just like real people. And I love them.
You could ask me at any time what the title of the saddest chapter in this book is and I could name it for you. The name is inacious and you would never know it is going to rip your heart out.
The characters feel real, they have different aspects of their personalities, they have faults and strengths. They have idiosyncrasies just like real people. And I love them.
You could ask me at any time what the title of the saddest chapter in this book is and I could name it for you. The name is inacious and you would never know it is going to rip your heart out.
August 16, 2016
Abigail Hilton continues a great saga in book two of The guild of the cowry catchers series. I really like the character development and the pace of the book. It is even better to listen to the podcast of it. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.
March 6, 2013
We're definitely getting places. Though I felt Gerard's change was a tiny bit abrupt. Good cliffhanger in the end and in total liked it better than Book 1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2014
Best book of the bunch!
August 26, 2016
I thought that first book was good. This was better. It made every character deeper and more complex, well nuanced and delightful. Really enjoyed this. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2024
Ugh such a sad ending! I like that we finally find Gawain but all the aftermath is just sad.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews