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Owl
Gabriel made a decision to help a friend, and it cost him. He’s been exiled from his clan, trapped in his owl form, living in a swamp, and slowly losing his humanity. If not for Vincent, Gabriel would have no chance of regaining what he lost.
Vincent is popular and successful, but no one knows the real him, who is gay and would rather become a musician than a lawyer… no one but the owl living in the hollow tree. As Vincent shares his secrets, he not only unburdens his heart, but stirs Gabriel’s. In each other they have a chance to heal… to live.
Unless Gabriel’s grandfather has his way.
- GenresLGBT
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2019
About the author
M. Raiya
27 books17 followersM. Raiya is a Vermonter and splits her time between a home in the mountains and a camp on a lake, writing full time when she’s not taking long walks with her dog, swimming, kayaking, or birding, always with a camera in hand. She writes gay paranormal romance. Mostly. Her novel Depth of Return won first place in the 2017 Rainbow Awards in the Gay Paranormal Romance category, and her novel Another Healing was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. She has been published by Less Than Three Press, Dreamspinner Press, Changeling Press, and Torquere Press.
Honest reviews are greatly appreciated, and so are comments below or on her website.
Visit her website here: http://mraiya.com/
Sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dEa1lT
Honest reviews are greatly appreciated, and so are comments below or on her website.
Visit her website here: http://mraiya.com/
Sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dEa1lT
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 10, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Owl is an interesting mix of teenage melodrama and romance. The story is told in first person from Gabriel’s perspective. The point of view allows Raiya to emphasize Gabriel’s conflicting emotions and arguably reveals his immaturity. For example, Gabriel often seems to swing between two extremes in his relationship with Vin—either he’ll pursue a relationship with the human despite the risk of Gabriel revealing himself to another human (much less courting one); or he’s moments away from unilaterally breaking off all contact with Vin to protect the human from Gabriel’s vengeful grandfather. I found it a bit grating that the whole reason Gabriel is in a position to meet Vin is because he is being punished for revealing himself as an owlshifter…only for Gabriel to subsequently reveal himself to Vin and his parents.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Owl is an interesting mix of teenage melodrama and romance. The story is told in first person from Gabriel’s perspective. The point of view allows Raiya to emphasize Gabriel’s conflicting emotions and arguably reveals his immaturity. For example, Gabriel often seems to swing between two extremes in his relationship with Vin—either he’ll pursue a relationship with the human despite the risk of Gabriel revealing himself to another human (much less courting one); or he’s moments away from unilaterally breaking off all contact with Vin to protect the human from Gabriel’s vengeful grandfather. I found it a bit grating that the whole reason Gabriel is in a position to meet Vin is because he is being punished for revealing himself as an owlshifter…only for Gabriel to subsequently reveal himself to Vin and his parents.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
December 11, 2019
This is another of those books I wish there would be a sequel to, or something. It was so good. With it being paranormal/shifters, I was automatically hooked, but this is really such a good story. It has so many messages and things to it. The writing is just amazing. It’s about facing your fears, overcoming them, standing up for yourself, believing in who you are. But it’s also about hope and love. A sense of belonging, of family. It just hit me in the feels.
Gabriel has been stuck for 3 years in his owl form. But he’s been in the ‘backyard’ of a young man and his family for a while. This young man who has captivated Gabriel with those bright blue eyes. He also felt a sadness in him and confirmed it when he saw the young man crying. Which led up to Gabriel saving his life. But in saving Vin’s life, he’s revealed some things about himself which got him in trouble to begin with. And when an attack causes Gabriel to have to be hospitalized, the thing that caused him to be stuck was freed and Gabriel was back. But now he and everyone around him are in trouble because of his grandfather. Being a powerful magical being that cursed Gabriel, he knows his grandfather will stop at nothing to kill him now. And more secrets are being exposed. But Vin is determined to show Gabriel he’s not alone anymore and they will beat this together. Even though it may cost them both their lives.
In this life, I’ve seen power and greed corrupt people into oppressing others. Look at all that’s going on in the world now. But what people often seem to forget, is love, or what some believe is love, can warp a person just as bad. And Gabriel’s grandfather believed just that. And it’s made him crazy. I can’t tell you anymore than that. You have to read and find out. But he’s the one who cursed and had Gabriel shunned. And for Gabriel, my heart broke. To go from being loved by family, to trying to save someone from bullies, to being shunned. And knowing for the rest of his life, he’d end up completely wild. He still had his wits for now. But somehow Vin helped save Gabriel as much as Gabriel saved Vin. They had a bond that formed, and later more securely, that was not going to be broken. No matter who tried to stand in their way. They had each others backs in ways no one else ever had. They got each other, they shared their doubts and fears, hopes and dreams. And in it all they wanted, was to do it together. But some people can’t handle others being happy. They want everyone to wallow in their misery, while oppressing those around them. And for Gabriel, he never wanted to be that way. He just wanted to be happy and loved. And in Vin, he finally found home.
It’s a beautiful story. It could almost be an every day story to a point. I mean, yeah, no real shifters or magic, but the gist could be anyone dealing with assholes in their lives. I would really like to see something about them later down the line. See how they’re doing, how they are coping with the weight of everything. Maybe it could happen….. ;) .
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Gabriel has been stuck for 3 years in his owl form. But he’s been in the ‘backyard’ of a young man and his family for a while. This young man who has captivated Gabriel with those bright blue eyes. He also felt a sadness in him and confirmed it when he saw the young man crying. Which led up to Gabriel saving his life. But in saving Vin’s life, he’s revealed some things about himself which got him in trouble to begin with. And when an attack causes Gabriel to have to be hospitalized, the thing that caused him to be stuck was freed and Gabriel was back. But now he and everyone around him are in trouble because of his grandfather. Being a powerful magical being that cursed Gabriel, he knows his grandfather will stop at nothing to kill him now. And more secrets are being exposed. But Vin is determined to show Gabriel he’s not alone anymore and they will beat this together. Even though it may cost them both their lives.
In this life, I’ve seen power and greed corrupt people into oppressing others. Look at all that’s going on in the world now. But what people often seem to forget, is love, or what some believe is love, can warp a person just as bad. And Gabriel’s grandfather believed just that. And it’s made him crazy. I can’t tell you anymore than that. You have to read and find out. But he’s the one who cursed and had Gabriel shunned. And for Gabriel, my heart broke. To go from being loved by family, to trying to save someone from bullies, to being shunned. And knowing for the rest of his life, he’d end up completely wild. He still had his wits for now. But somehow Vin helped save Gabriel as much as Gabriel saved Vin. They had a bond that formed, and later more securely, that was not going to be broken. No matter who tried to stand in their way. They had each others backs in ways no one else ever had. They got each other, they shared their doubts and fears, hopes and dreams. And in it all they wanted, was to do it together. But some people can’t handle others being happy. They want everyone to wallow in their misery, while oppressing those around them. And for Gabriel, he never wanted to be that way. He just wanted to be happy and loved. And in Vin, he finally found home.
It’s a beautiful story. It could almost be an every day story to a point. I mean, yeah, no real shifters or magic, but the gist could be anyone dealing with assholes in their lives. I would really like to see something about them later down the line. See how they’re doing, how they are coping with the weight of everything. Maybe it could happen….. ;) .
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
December 23, 2019
Wow. It’s been a while since I read a book this good. One that makes me want to go back and read it again to see if I missed anything. Gabriel and Vin are amazing characters. They both have issues—ones that could lead to the extreme—but together, they work through things. One of the biggest issues is that Gabriel (Riel) is an owl. Okay, he’s a shapeshifter, but when they meet, he’s unable to shift back to human. Figuring out how to communicate is the first hurdle they have to overcome. I hope the author either continues this as a series, or writes other books in a similar vein because I know I’d buy them.
What I liked: the characters. Vin and Riel are amazing. And the way they tackle things head on is really well done. I loved the imagination it took to come up with a way to communicate. And the imagery the author uses is so beautifully done, I felt like I was really there. Both boys have problems—ones that could lead to them paying the ultimate price. But they work through them together and come out stronger in the end. I loved the twist at the end with Vin—nicely done and a good ending to the story.
What I didn’t like: Okay, if I had to name something, it would be all the barfing that goes on. Could have toned that down a little—especially since I tend to read while I’m eating—but it worked for the scenes where it occurred.
Recommendation: This is a definite “buy me” book. The friendship/romance between the boys is sweet and beautifully done. The situations almost believable, and the imagery enhances the overall feel of the book. I know that having read this, I am going to look for other books by this author.
Thanks to the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked: the characters. Vin and Riel are amazing. And the way they tackle things head on is really well done. I loved the imagination it took to come up with a way to communicate. And the imagery the author uses is so beautifully done, I felt like I was really there. Both boys have problems—ones that could lead to them paying the ultimate price. But they work through them together and come out stronger in the end. I loved the twist at the end with Vin—nicely done and a good ending to the story.
What I didn’t like: Okay, if I had to name something, it would be all the barfing that goes on. Could have toned that down a little—especially since I tend to read while I’m eating—but it worked for the scenes where it occurred.
Recommendation: This is a definite “buy me” book. The friendship/romance between the boys is sweet and beautifully done. The situations almost believable, and the imagery enhances the overall feel of the book. I know that having read this, I am going to look for other books by this author.
Thanks to the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2020
Young adult is not my cup of tea but I decided to give this one a chance due to overwhelmingly good reviews. This book worth the money paid and grabs you emotionally and does not let go until the end.
I can only complain about a bit much of melodrama but since it's YA and both MCs are not fully mature adults, I guess they get emotional overloads and behave somewhat irrationally.
Nonetheless it was a worthy read and I really enjoyed this book.
I can only complain about a bit much of melodrama but since it's YA and both MCs are not fully mature adults, I guess they get emotional overloads and behave somewhat irrationally.
Nonetheless it was a worthy read and I really enjoyed this book.
January 29, 2023
4.25 stars
February 23, 2024
Sweet fantasy romance with a twist of magic and drama.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews