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Immortal Jewels #3
Beyond the Ruby River
In Ancient Egypt when the pharaohs ruled the banks of the Nile, Mahu led a simple, if somewhat melancholy, life. Making papyrus filled his days. His needs were provided for, but deep in his soul, Mahu longed for companionship.
Dakarai, born of a demon mother and a human father, craved independence. A young incubus constantly in the shadows of his full-blooded siblings, Daka set out for a new city and a life of his own.
While a starving Daka roams the streets hunting for a meal, the sight of a beautiful man walking alone stops him in his tracks. Just what he needs to quench his spiraling thirst.
But Mahu turns out to be more than Daka bargained for, and his heart falls for the lonely man.
What happens when one lover is immortal and the other seeks contentment in the afterlife? Betrayal shatters their foundation. Can Daka and Mahu find their way back to each other, or is each soul destined to long for the other for all eternity?
***
Beyond the Ruby River is an MM Paranormal Romance with a steamy love story, a second chance romance, and the mysteries of an ancient world. This is book three of a series and can be read as a standalone with its own HEA and no cliffhangers.
Dakarai, born of a demon mother and a human father, craved independence. A young incubus constantly in the shadows of his full-blooded siblings, Daka set out for a new city and a life of his own.
While a starving Daka roams the streets hunting for a meal, the sight of a beautiful man walking alone stops him in his tracks. Just what he needs to quench his spiraling thirst.
But Mahu turns out to be more than Daka bargained for, and his heart falls for the lonely man.
What happens when one lover is immortal and the other seeks contentment in the afterlife? Betrayal shatters their foundation. Can Daka and Mahu find their way back to each other, or is each soul destined to long for the other for all eternity?
***
Beyond the Ruby River is an MM Paranormal Romance with a steamy love story, a second chance romance, and the mysteries of an ancient world. This is book three of a series and can be read as a standalone with its own HEA and no cliffhangers.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
60 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 17, 2021
Best one of the series!!! Hands down! Mahu and Daka's love story is one that spans centuries. The book set mostly in the past, about two thousand years before the events of the first two books. I absolutely loved Daka. 😍 I adored being in his head as he ventured out on his own for the first time in a new city. He may be an incubus who feeds off sex, but he was still innocent in a way. Mahu was so sweet with him. The two of them together was just beautiful and I enjoyed the plethora of steam in this one!!
Sadly, these two don't get together then spend their eternity in happiness right away. Circumstances lead to a betrayal in Mahu's eyes causing him to leave Egypt, which means leaving Daka as well. As an incubus, Daka is bound the land of his birth. He can never leave, which means he can't ever follow Mahu if he chooses go. It broke my heart reading all the unanswered letters Daka sends to Mahu. Hundreds of years spent mourning his loss, yet Daka could never let go. He gave his heart to Mahu and that's where his heart would stay.
I was mad at Mahu. Two thousand years is a long time to avoid someone you once loved. Yes Mahu was hurt by Daka, but that was one hell of a grudge to hold on someone who obviously loved him beyond reason. I couldn't blame Daka one bit for what he did. With such a kind heart, I just didn't understand why Mahu couldn't have forgiven him and gone to him sooner. It isn't until Mahu is on his death bed, where we last left him in the previous book, that he actually reaches for Daka again. I thought this cruel. Mahu ignored Daka for his entire life as a vampire, yet he summons him at his end, causing Daka to experience losing him all over again. It was a selfish wish of a dying man. If I was Daka I think at that point I may have helped Mahu along his way to death for how he treated me, but I'm not and I didn't spend almost my entire life loving him as Daka did.
" I wanted so much to believe you were happy without me."
" Well, I wasn't."
I cannot imagine being on the receiving end of that kind of devotion, the kind of love that can span the test of time. I was so happy when Mahu and Daka reunited in the flesh. I did think the man should have groveled a bit more, but in Daka's eyes he'd waited long enough to be with the man he loved. He didn't want to wait any longer and you know what, in the end, I can't fault him for that.
Sadly, these two don't get together then spend their eternity in happiness right away. Circumstances lead to a betrayal in Mahu's eyes causing him to leave Egypt, which means leaving Daka as well. As an incubus, Daka is bound the land of his birth. He can never leave, which means he can't ever follow Mahu if he chooses go. It broke my heart reading all the unanswered letters Daka sends to Mahu. Hundreds of years spent mourning his loss, yet Daka could never let go. He gave his heart to Mahu and that's where his heart would stay.
I was mad at Mahu. Two thousand years is a long time to avoid someone you once loved. Yes Mahu was hurt by Daka, but that was one hell of a grudge to hold on someone who obviously loved him beyond reason. I couldn't blame Daka one bit for what he did. With such a kind heart, I just didn't understand why Mahu couldn't have forgiven him and gone to him sooner. It isn't until Mahu is on his death bed, where we last left him in the previous book, that he actually reaches for Daka again. I thought this cruel. Mahu ignored Daka for his entire life as a vampire, yet he summons him at his end, causing Daka to experience losing him all over again. It was a selfish wish of a dying man. If I was Daka I think at that point I may have helped Mahu along his way to death for how he treated me, but I'm not and I didn't spend almost my entire life loving him as Daka did.
" I wanted so much to believe you were happy without me."
" Well, I wasn't."
I cannot imagine being on the receiving end of that kind of devotion, the kind of love that can span the test of time. I was so happy when Mahu and Daka reunited in the flesh. I did think the man should have groveled a bit more, but in Daka's eyes he'd waited long enough to be with the man he loved. He didn't want to wait any longer and you know what, in the end, I can't fault him for that.
July 8, 2024
Reseña breve: Al principio estaba muy emocionada con la historia. He amado ambos protagonistas, sin embargo, no me han gustado ciertas decisiones que la autora ha decidido usar en la historia. Por este motivo no le pongo la cuarta estrella.
Me esperaba algo más.
Me esperaba algo más.
June 16, 2021
I ADORED this book. From start to finish, I was captivated by the immaculate world-building and how real everything felt. It’s clear that Colgin invested time and effort into researching her setting and making it as true to the time as possible.
Set in this gorgeous world are two of the most unforgettable characters she has created. Mahu and Daka have stolen my heart. Their passion is undeniable and their love story is nothing short of captivating. I couldn’t look away.
When I tell you these were some of the hottest scenes I’ve read…and I’ve read some SPICY scenes.
This book had it all. A setting that is intriguing and unique, characters that are lovable and memorable, heart break, angst, pain and heat that is off the charts.
This will be a go to reread for me. One I need to own a hard copy of to keep on my shelf of favorites.
Oh, and Tamaj? If he doesn’t get a spin off story, we riot.
Gimme more, please.
Set in this gorgeous world are two of the most unforgettable characters she has created. Mahu and Daka have stolen my heart. Their passion is undeniable and their love story is nothing short of captivating. I couldn’t look away.
When I tell you these were some of the hottest scenes I’ve read…and I’ve read some SPICY scenes.
This book had it all. A setting that is intriguing and unique, characters that are lovable and memorable, heart break, angst, pain and heat that is off the charts.
This will be a go to reread for me. One I need to own a hard copy of to keep on my shelf of favorites.
Oh, and Tamaj? If he doesn’t get a spin off story, we riot.
Gimme more, please.
June 17, 2021
I absolutely loved it & thought it was the best of all of them. In the last book, we find out about Mahu's lost love Dakarai (Daka) and he dreamed about him while he was dying. At the end of the last book, after Mahu has been cured, he tells Daka that he will come to him. Daka is a halfling, half human & half incubus & can't leave the land of his birth. Mahu is a human who makes papyrus and he lost his wife and children to a sickness. He meets Daka who has left home and they grow as friends and then lovers. Mahu is looking forward to the day when he is reunited with his family. When what Mahu perceives as a betrayal happens, he leaves Egypt & doesn't go back. There are letters that Daka had written to Mahu after he had left that just broke my heart. Mahu doesn't answer them until one day one letter does come & it's not what Daka wanted to read. I was rather pissed off at Mahu for abandoning Daka for over 2,000 years & only reaches out to him when he is on his deathbed. But they do finally get their HEA. I loved see the bonus scene getting to see them in the future together. These books are going on my re-read shelf, especially this one as it was my favorite.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
June 16, 2021
I just love the Immortal Jewels series by Lee Cogin and Beyond the Ruby River the 3rd book and last book in this wonderfully well written fast reading series. Learning Mahu history adds just the right amount of clarity to the story and this finale was awesome, it was so enjoyable you just couldn't help turning from one page to the next until you had gobbled up the whole book, knowing you were going to find out how everything ends between Mahu and Daka because these two more than deserve their happy ending.
June 25, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Beyond the Ruby River is the third book in Lee Colgin’s Immortal Jewels series. We have met Mahu in past books and he has been a small, but key side character in the first two stories. In those books, Mahu is suffering from an illness that affects older vampires and the other vampires are desperate to save him. Mahu’s plight drives the action in the second book, in particular, so I was very interested to get his story here.
My favorite part of this book is the way Colgin develops life for Daka and Mahu in ancient Egypt. I have no idea how authentic the depiction is, but I found it really interesting to see the life at that time. We get some nice detail, such as how Mahu turns papyrus into scrolls, or bits about village life. I enjoyed Mahu and Daka’s early courtship and watching the men fall for one another.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Beyond the Ruby River is the third book in Lee Colgin’s Immortal Jewels series. We have met Mahu in past books and he has been a small, but key side character in the first two stories. In those books, Mahu is suffering from an illness that affects older vampires and the other vampires are desperate to save him. Mahu’s plight drives the action in the second book, in particular, so I was very interested to get his story here.
My favorite part of this book is the way Colgin develops life for Daka and Mahu in ancient Egypt. I have no idea how authentic the depiction is, but I found it really interesting to see the life at that time. We get some nice detail, such as how Mahu turns papyrus into scrolls, or bits about village life. I enjoyed Mahu and Daka’s early courtship and watching the men fall for one another.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
July 16, 2021
I have no idea if I'm happy with this book or disappointed. Objectively, it's the best in the series. It has the best narrative, the most bonding moments between the characters, and both Dakari and Mahu are well rounded characters. However, given that this is the third in the series and about 70% of the book happened like a millenia before the plot of book 1, it's pretty unsurprising. I feel like we knew what happened for most of the book, minus some small details, and what we didn't know was easy to guess. The clues in past books that hyped Mahu's story sort of spoil it at the same time.
On one hand, reading this book by itself would preserve the plot and that feeling of wondering what will happen next. On the other, it would spoil the adventure of book 2, as this book eventually goes back to where book 2 ended and keeps on going from there. It doesn't spoil book 1 though, so if you wanted to avoid dealing with Valeri, you could jump from book 1 to 3 without missing much, other than details.
I do wonder how they'll manage life going forward from the end point of the book. The romance arc is resolved, but there's practical matters that were left in the air in regards to Mahu's health that are nagging me to the point in which I can't enjoy the happily ever after. It makes it seem like a happy for now. If Dakari could take Sachi's place, it would be perfect, but I'm not sure if Lee thought much of the issue.
On one hand, reading this book by itself would preserve the plot and that feeling of wondering what will happen next. On the other, it would spoil the adventure of book 2, as this book eventually goes back to where book 2 ended and keeps on going from there. It doesn't spoil book 1 though, so if you wanted to avoid dealing with Valeri, you could jump from book 1 to 3 without missing much, other than details.
I do wonder how they'll manage life going forward from the end point of the book. The romance arc is resolved, but there's practical matters that were left in the air in regards to Mahu's health that are nagging me to the point in which I can't enjoy the happily ever after. It makes it seem like a happy for now. If Dakari could take Sachi's place, it would be perfect, but I'm not sure if Lee thought much of the issue.
June 24, 2021
3.5 ★
For the past couple of months, I’ve been on a Egyptian themed books binge. And since this book can be read as a standalone I wanted to read it right away. First time reading a book by Lee Colgin but hopefully not the last. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and you could tell that there was thorough research behind it.
Lately, I've been sounding like a broken record but when I started reading this story I was concerned with the insta-love vibes. But, luckily, that changed throughout the rest of the book. Seeing Daka and Mahu’s relationship go from that first stage of naivety to their first disagreement (a big one btw), felt genuine.
Tbh, at times I couldn't stand Daka, he could be way too stubborn for my liking. But in the end you could tell why he acted like that. He might be immortal but he's still a twenty-two years old half incubi eager to explore his human half. That led to a series of choices that could be debatable, testing the couple’s love. Mahu’s reaction was expected and from my perspective valid. He had his beliefs and those weren't going to change overnight. After all, they both needed time to heal and reconnect with each other.
A curious demon-halfling. A grieving man. A love story set in Ancient Egypt, great when in need of a book focus on the couple and the ways they sort out the obstacles life throws at them.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
“You’ve wisdom beyond your years, but I don’t believe you will take from me. Only give.”
Emotion clouded Daka’s eyes. “Don’t be so sure.”
For the past couple of months, I’ve been on a Egyptian themed books binge. And since this book can be read as a standalone I wanted to read it right away. First time reading a book by Lee Colgin but hopefully not the last. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and you could tell that there was thorough research behind it.
Lately, I've been sounding like a broken record but when I started reading this story I was concerned with the insta-love vibes. But, luckily, that changed throughout the rest of the book. Seeing Daka and Mahu’s relationship go from that first stage of naivety to their first disagreement (a big one btw), felt genuine.
Tbh, at times I couldn't stand Daka, he could be way too stubborn for my liking. But in the end you could tell why he acted like that. He might be immortal but he's still a twenty-two years old half incubi eager to explore his human half. That led to a series of choices that could be debatable, testing the couple’s love. Mahu’s reaction was expected and from my perspective valid. He had his beliefs and those weren't going to change overnight. After all, they both needed time to heal and reconnect with each other.
A curious demon-halfling. A grieving man. A love story set in Ancient Egypt, great when in need of a book focus on the couple and the ways they sort out the obstacles life throws at them.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
July 4, 2021
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
When half-human, half-incubus Dakarai leaves home determined to make his way independently he meets and falls for a human called Mahu. Consumed by grief and burying himself in his work, Mahu is surprised to capture Daka’s attention, but quickly their blossoming friendship turns into much more. However, when Mahu’s mortality threatens to part them, Daka makes a choice that costs them both everything.
Beyond the Ruby River is the third novel in the Immortal Jewels series but can be read as a standalone. I adored the setting of ancient Egypt. This time period is one that I love, and the author clearly did their research in making such an amazing world come to life through the pages.
I loved Daka’s character. His personality and innocence set him apart from most of his kind, and his desire to find the one is adorable. His feelings and actions are so raw and honest, despite not always having the outcomes that he intended. Mahu is a perfect complement to him. He is calmer and sees more realism in the world than Daka does. You can see why each falls for the other and the relationship develops very naturally as the story progresses.
I also enjoyed the inclusion of other supernatural beings, especially vampires and the author’s take on them. It was a refreshing and different take on the vampire lore, and one that I would love to learn more about through the other books in the series.
If you love supernatural loves stories set in beautiful ancient Egypt, then I highly recommend that you read Beyond the Ruby River!
When half-human, half-incubus Dakarai leaves home determined to make his way independently he meets and falls for a human called Mahu. Consumed by grief and burying himself in his work, Mahu is surprised to capture Daka’s attention, but quickly their blossoming friendship turns into much more. However, when Mahu’s mortality threatens to part them, Daka makes a choice that costs them both everything.
Beyond the Ruby River is the third novel in the Immortal Jewels series but can be read as a standalone. I adored the setting of ancient Egypt. This time period is one that I love, and the author clearly did their research in making such an amazing world come to life through the pages.
I loved Daka’s character. His personality and innocence set him apart from most of his kind, and his desire to find the one is adorable. His feelings and actions are so raw and honest, despite not always having the outcomes that he intended. Mahu is a perfect complement to him. He is calmer and sees more realism in the world than Daka does. You can see why each falls for the other and the relationship develops very naturally as the story progresses.
I also enjoyed the inclusion of other supernatural beings, especially vampires and the author’s take on them. It was a refreshing and different take on the vampire lore, and one that I would love to learn more about through the other books in the series.
If you love supernatural loves stories set in beautiful ancient Egypt, then I highly recommend that you read Beyond the Ruby River!
June 20, 2021
This was a sweet slightly angsty (I might have shed a couple of tears)romance
I dropped into this series here so I had no previous knowledge of the characters but it did not hamper the story or my understanding in any way. Really enjoyed the world-building in this one
Daka is innocence and sweetness personified - he wants the real thing and he wants it from Mahu - The only problem is Mahu is human
I was a bit upset with Mahu on a couple of occasions. One of them I probably would have responded a bit more aggressively so on that I gave him a pass however the other bit he should have trusted in Daka's love for him
This is one you will want on your shelf for those times you want a bit of angst, a touch of hope, and a whole lot of steam 😉
I am going to go back to the first in series - Enquiring minds and all that
I dropped into this series here so I had no previous knowledge of the characters but it did not hamper the story or my understanding in any way. Really enjoyed the world-building in this one
Daka is innocence and sweetness personified - he wants the real thing and he wants it from Mahu - The only problem is Mahu is human
I was a bit upset with Mahu on a couple of occasions. One of them I probably would have responded a bit more aggressively so on that I gave him a pass however the other bit he should have trusted in Daka's love for him
This is one you will want on your shelf for those times you want a bit of angst, a touch of hope, and a whole lot of steam 😉
I am going to go back to the first in series - Enquiring minds and all that
May 25, 2022
not very happy with it
Big spoiler alert
So I quite liked the first part. And quite disliked the second. I don’t really like giving reviews, especially bad ones, but I’m really mad at how this story went.
Definitely not a fan of this couple. They were cute in the beginning, but the more I read, the more icky they became.
-Mahu learning Daka is an Incubus. Kay, his reaction was more or less valid. He’s a pious man, really cares about seeing his family in the afterlife. Obviously he was scared since the reveal was so sudden. Still, for someone who is falling for the other person, his reaction was pretty rough. Like, he allowed no explanation, he forbid his thoughts stop for a moment and take a break. For me, it was a reaction from One Night Stand, not a partner you cared for.
I have to give him that he fund Daka afterwards and apologized. But it was was the kind of apologizing, where Daka apoligized more… So aftertaste stayed, and I had a trouble seeing this relationship as genuine afterwards. It felt off.
-obviously, there’s no arguing, Daka’s choice to turn Mahu, was a bad one. Like, how many times does one have to tell you they don’t want an „eternal damnation” to accept that? Even in his last minutes of death, Mahu refused being turned. And Daka completely ignored that.
BUT
Altough, it was a bad decision, this decision opened an Opportunity for the most interesting plot in this book. But it was COMPLETELY skimmed over. And that I cannot forgive. Instead, we get 6 letter, 5 of which are basically the same, and we see one response. That’s all the action we get for the whole 2 millenia.
We don’t see how Mahu deals with his new life. We don’t see how he processes his feelings for Mahu. We don’t see how Daka accepts the life without Mahu, except for the letters. We just get the timeskip and see that btw, 2 thousand years passed. I was so upset at that. The best part of the book, completely skimmed. What’s the point of creating such a twist if you don’t go into it? I can only call it a lazy writing, cause I just don’t understand this choice.
-And the last bit. The audacity of Mahu. He had all the right in the world to leave Daka. He had all the right in the world to not contact him ever again. Daka deserved him. But the audacity to summon Daka and confess his love to him on his second deathbed after 2 thousand years? Wow. I was stunned. I assume the summoning was an accident and he didn’t expect to see him, but how dare you say you loved him for the last 2 millenia after you refused to see him throughout this time. This is simply cruel. Mahu is a cruel man. If he wanted to get his last revenge this way, I could understand that. Not agree, but understand. But if it was honest (and apparently it was) he’s the most cruel character I’ve read about.
-the least satisfying Reunion I’ve read. There were apologies, but once again, skimmed over. They just had make up sex, said sorry and that’s it. Once again, after such act, 2 thousand years of angst, there has to be a redemption arc. Not 5 Pages of sex and apologizing.
I just don’t believe in this relationship. There were so many potentials for a really interesting plot in this book, and so much of it was simply wasted.
I don’t like giving low ratings. Usually I don’t give ratings at, unless I really like the book or I really dislike it. Unfortunately, I was really frustrated with this one.
I do not recommend.
Big spoiler alert
So I quite liked the first part. And quite disliked the second. I don’t really like giving reviews, especially bad ones, but I’m really mad at how this story went.
Definitely not a fan of this couple. They were cute in the beginning, but the more I read, the more icky they became.
-Mahu learning Daka is an Incubus. Kay, his reaction was more or less valid. He’s a pious man, really cares about seeing his family in the afterlife. Obviously he was scared since the reveal was so sudden. Still, for someone who is falling for the other person, his reaction was pretty rough. Like, he allowed no explanation, he forbid his thoughts stop for a moment and take a break. For me, it was a reaction from One Night Stand, not a partner you cared for.
I have to give him that he fund Daka afterwards and apologized. But it was was the kind of apologizing, where Daka apoligized more… So aftertaste stayed, and I had a trouble seeing this relationship as genuine afterwards. It felt off.
-obviously, there’s no arguing, Daka’s choice to turn Mahu, was a bad one. Like, how many times does one have to tell you they don’t want an „eternal damnation” to accept that? Even in his last minutes of death, Mahu refused being turned. And Daka completely ignored that.
BUT
Altough, it was a bad decision, this decision opened an Opportunity for the most interesting plot in this book. But it was COMPLETELY skimmed over. And that I cannot forgive. Instead, we get 6 letter, 5 of which are basically the same, and we see one response. That’s all the action we get for the whole 2 millenia.
We don’t see how Mahu deals with his new life. We don’t see how he processes his feelings for Mahu. We don’t see how Daka accepts the life without Mahu, except for the letters. We just get the timeskip and see that btw, 2 thousand years passed. I was so upset at that. The best part of the book, completely skimmed. What’s the point of creating such a twist if you don’t go into it? I can only call it a lazy writing, cause I just don’t understand this choice.
-And the last bit. The audacity of Mahu. He had all the right in the world to leave Daka. He had all the right in the world to not contact him ever again. Daka deserved him. But the audacity to summon Daka and confess his love to him on his second deathbed after 2 thousand years? Wow. I was stunned. I assume the summoning was an accident and he didn’t expect to see him, but how dare you say you loved him for the last 2 millenia after you refused to see him throughout this time. This is simply cruel. Mahu is a cruel man. If he wanted to get his last revenge this way, I could understand that. Not agree, but understand. But if it was honest (and apparently it was) he’s the most cruel character I’ve read about.
-the least satisfying Reunion I’ve read. There were apologies, but once again, skimmed over. They just had make up sex, said sorry and that’s it. Once again, after such act, 2 thousand years of angst, there has to be a redemption arc. Not 5 Pages of sex and apologizing.
I just don’t believe in this relationship. There were so many potentials for a really interesting plot in this book, and so much of it was simply wasted.
I don’t like giving low ratings. Usually I don’t give ratings at, unless I really like the book or I really dislike it. Unfortunately, I was really frustrated with this one.
I do not recommend.
June 19, 2021
Forever
After reading this book I have a newfound fascination with papyrus. I also am more enamored with this series after learning about Mahu and Daka. I’ve been curious about Mahu since we met him and after the last book even more so. After experiencing everything about them, I feel fulfilled. “I want to keep going, Nedjes. With you.” These two… They didn’t have it easy. I may have yelled at them a lot but their love, their connection and their journeys moved me. From their first steamy meeting to their belated but beloved reunion, I loved it all.
After reading this book I have a newfound fascination with papyrus. I also am more enamored with this series after learning about Mahu and Daka. I’ve been curious about Mahu since we met him and after the last book even more so. After experiencing everything about them, I feel fulfilled. “I want to keep going, Nedjes. With you.” These two… They didn’t have it easy. I may have yelled at them a lot but their love, their connection and their journeys moved me. From their first steamy meeting to their belated but beloved reunion, I loved it all.
June 18, 2021
Wow. Lovely at the beginning, heartbroken in the middle, bittersweet at the end. Very sweet, very sad. Still, there are wonderful characters set in beautiful scenery. You can feel the heat enveloping you.
Daka and Mahu are an unlikely pair, at least on the surface. Mahu mourns his family. Daka is a half incubus. The depth of their love for each other is amazing. To literally wait millennia to be reunited plainly shows it.
Lovely story!
Daka and Mahu are an unlikely pair, at least on the surface. Mahu mourns his family. Daka is a half incubus. The depth of their love for each other is amazing. To literally wait millennia to be reunited plainly shows it.
Lovely story!
June 26, 2021
It was a long time that I promised myself to read this series. I'm a sucker for vampire (ehehehe) characters and tropes, not gonna lie. And when I saw that the 3rd book is placed in ancient Egypt? Oh yes please, no question asked.
Let's start with the positives and go from there.
The cover is gorgeous. Just gorgeous.
There aren't that many stories with ancient Egypt as the main setting, and it's a good decision to go there and make the readers explore the new world while reading the romance. It makes it a more unique experience. I love a couple of the 10000000 books with Greek gods or medieval knights&sorcerers, but change is also beneficial.
I really cherish the slow and cute explanation of the process of making the papyruses. It was a kind of job that I find relaxing; it was easy to understand why both MCs fell in love with it. And it wasn't the usual "making the food" routine, which also was a nice difference.
The sex scenes are hot. I was hoping for more action :)) with full incubi look, but they were still engaging, various, and nicely written.
I didn't know Mahu from previous books - in the beginning, I've found him charming. He was a nice person, caring, loving his work, easy to talk to, and not full of himself. He nicely balanced other MC - Dakarai, who was a force of nature, sweetly innocent and naive. They seemed like a good couple, working and relaxing together, happy with each other's presence. They were learning to see the world thru their partner's eyes and to accept some differences between the two of them.
If you didn't look at the blurb, you could think, that the story is just about them spending time together, without any drama or angst.
Sadly, this wasn't the case.
Mahu disappointed me three times. The first disappointment was well explained, and that I accepted. He was an average person living in ancient Egypt; he could fear things that he didn't understand and was taught that they are evil. But he made the same decision THREE times, breaking his lover's heart, and that just erased my sympathy for him. Also, when he called Daka in the moment of doubt - really low blow, Mahu, really really low.
Daka's sweetness was also destroyed - by his selfishness. He was young, yes, but after 2/3 parts of the book he was MUCH older and he still behaved in the same way. I find it hard to believe that this insta-love was a true-and-forever kind of love when there was so much baggage that their relationship had at the end of the book.
The 1/3 part of the Ruby River is just mundane stuff, while the rest is almost only about death, sadness, pain, and thinking-not-talking. I truly don't understand why the author decided to make it a full-length book when the short novella would be enough. And would have a more prominent impact on readers. I may be alone in this sentiment, but there is a limit of sadness & wrong decisions after which I just disconnect with characters, lose all the sympathy for them, and basically hope for their death. It could be a fine short story tho, and it's a loss that it was published like that.
The ending itself was full of plot twists and resolutions of which was never mentioned before. I'm guessing that they took a bigger part in previous books, but the premise of this one made me believe that the story is a sort of a prequel, and there is no need to worry about the sudden appearances of other characters. But even with this knowledge, I find the conclusion rushed, making Mahu an even worst person than before. He had all of the time in the world to make one hurtful decision after another because he knew that his lover is immortal, and he can always come back to him when he'll feel like it.
Overall, I ended complaining about almost everything in "Beyond the Ruby River". I think that the first 10-15 chapters are good to read when you have a need to only spend time with the characters and don't read about any big mystery, complicated world, or too many side characters. The next part of the book, weirdly paced, seems like something that should be a book (or maybe, be the 2nd novel?) in itself. It's much more angsty, and if you would like to just cry and suffer with the characters (remembering, that eventually there will be a HEA) - this should be your pick.
I received an ARC of this book from the Gay Romance Reviews, and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Let's start with the positives and go from there.
The cover is gorgeous. Just gorgeous.
There aren't that many stories with ancient Egypt as the main setting, and it's a good decision to go there and make the readers explore the new world while reading the romance. It makes it a more unique experience. I love a couple of the 10000000 books with Greek gods or medieval knights&sorcerers, but change is also beneficial.
I really cherish the slow and cute explanation of the process of making the papyruses. It was a kind of job that I find relaxing; it was easy to understand why both MCs fell in love with it. And it wasn't the usual "making the food" routine, which also was a nice difference.
The sex scenes are hot. I was hoping for more action :)) with full incubi look, but they were still engaging, various, and nicely written.
I didn't know Mahu from previous books - in the beginning, I've found him charming. He was a nice person, caring, loving his work, easy to talk to, and not full of himself. He nicely balanced other MC - Dakarai, who was a force of nature, sweetly innocent and naive. They seemed like a good couple, working and relaxing together, happy with each other's presence. They were learning to see the world thru their partner's eyes and to accept some differences between the two of them.
If you didn't look at the blurb, you could think, that the story is just about them spending time together, without any drama or angst.
Sadly, this wasn't the case.
Mahu disappointed me three times. The first disappointment was well explained, and that I accepted. He was an average person living in ancient Egypt; he could fear things that he didn't understand and was taught that they are evil. But he made the same decision THREE times, breaking his lover's heart, and that just erased my sympathy for him. Also, when he called Daka in the moment of doubt - really low blow, Mahu, really really low.
Daka's sweetness was also destroyed - by his selfishness. He was young, yes, but after 2/3 parts of the book he was MUCH older and he still behaved in the same way. I find it hard to believe that this insta-love was a true-and-forever kind of love when there was so much baggage that their relationship had at the end of the book.
The 1/3 part of the Ruby River is just mundane stuff, while the rest is almost only about death, sadness, pain, and thinking-not-talking. I truly don't understand why the author decided to make it a full-length book when the short novella would be enough. And would have a more prominent impact on readers. I may be alone in this sentiment, but there is a limit of sadness & wrong decisions after which I just disconnect with characters, lose all the sympathy for them, and basically hope for their death. It could be a fine short story tho, and it's a loss that it was published like that.
The ending itself was full of plot twists and resolutions of which was never mentioned before. I'm guessing that they took a bigger part in previous books, but the premise of this one made me believe that the story is a sort of a prequel, and there is no need to worry about the sudden appearances of other characters. But even with this knowledge, I find the conclusion rushed, making Mahu an even worst person than before. He had all of the time in the world to make one hurtful decision after another because he knew that his lover is immortal, and he can always come back to him when he'll feel like it.
Overall, I ended complaining about almost everything in "Beyond the Ruby River". I think that the first 10-15 chapters are good to read when you have a need to only spend time with the characters and don't read about any big mystery, complicated world, or too many side characters. The next part of the book, weirdly paced, seems like something that should be a book (or maybe, be the 2nd novel?) in itself. It's much more angsty, and if you would like to just cry and suffer with the characters (remembering, that eventually there will be a HEA) - this should be your pick.
I received an ARC of this book from the Gay Romance Reviews, and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
July 7, 2021
Unsurprisingly, considering how I felt about the two preceding books in this series, I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Daka and Mahu are so sweet and endearing, and the side characters are fun as well, especially a couple over-protective family members. Their story is also poignant, sometimes very sad. Thank goodness for the bits of sweetness, happiness, and sexiness. Daka, in particular, provides a lightness to the story, though he is not incapable of legitimate serious feelings, words and actions.
There is a fair amount of detail on the environment, the world the characters live in, without any sense of slogging through too many details. The story and setting felt real and intimate. I'm not sure how much was historically accurate, so far as ancient Egypt goes, but there's the supernatural element & it is fiction, so nothing felt grossly off. With the first book, it felt based in the common sort of old world fantasy is often found, with the author's own spin, types of supernatural beings, and conflicts. Book 2 felt a little more based in real time & geography - just with, you know, vampires & magic. This one seemed real, with supernatural beings living among people when necessary, but hiding their true nature, and with the religion of the time speaking of beings like vampires or demons as wrong and dangerous to one's life and hoped for afterlife. (Mahu battles with this kind of belief throughout a great deal of the story, and there are discussions on faith periodically, though one could view it as simply the views of the characters in this world, not in real life, if one prefers.)
The language in this book is pretty modern, not likely how people would've spoken in ancient Egyptian times. Sometimes language inaccuracy bothers me in historical setting books, but it didn't bother me at all with this book. I don't know if it was the supernatural element or the fact that we perhaps have less of a familiarity with how people spoke back then to judge accuracy in the first place, but I was able to roll with it perfectly well and did not find it the least bit jarring. The way people spoke felt natural to me.
In case anyone is wondering if it can be read as a standalone, reading the previous two books provides information on this world of vampires and the supernatural, and seeing Mahu, (and a glimpse of Daka), from the perspective of those books is valuable; however, most of this book does take place centuries earlier and is kind of a side jaunt, a story in the same world. (It DOES eventually meet up with the previous books though & I wouldn't suggest skipping those at all. For one thing, they're so good, so why would you?)
I'm really, really hoping that there will be more books in this world, as it seems just infinite with fantastic possibilities. I am completely hooked on Colgin's writing.
There is a fair amount of detail on the environment, the world the characters live in, without any sense of slogging through too many details. The story and setting felt real and intimate. I'm not sure how much was historically accurate, so far as ancient Egypt goes, but there's the supernatural element & it is fiction, so nothing felt grossly off. With the first book, it felt based in the common sort of old world fantasy is often found, with the author's own spin, types of supernatural beings, and conflicts. Book 2 felt a little more based in real time & geography - just with, you know, vampires & magic. This one seemed real, with supernatural beings living among people when necessary, but hiding their true nature, and with the religion of the time speaking of beings like vampires or demons as wrong and dangerous to one's life and hoped for afterlife. (Mahu battles with this kind of belief throughout a great deal of the story, and there are discussions on faith periodically, though one could view it as simply the views of the characters in this world, not in real life, if one prefers.)
The language in this book is pretty modern, not likely how people would've spoken in ancient Egyptian times. Sometimes language inaccuracy bothers me in historical setting books, but it didn't bother me at all with this book. I don't know if it was the supernatural element or the fact that we perhaps have less of a familiarity with how people spoke back then to judge accuracy in the first place, but I was able to roll with it perfectly well and did not find it the least bit jarring. The way people spoke felt natural to me.
In case anyone is wondering if it can be read as a standalone, reading the previous two books provides information on this world of vampires and the supernatural, and seeing Mahu, (and a glimpse of Daka), from the perspective of those books is valuable; however, most of this book does take place centuries earlier and is kind of a side jaunt, a story in the same world. (It DOES eventually meet up with the previous books though & I wouldn't suggest skipping those at all. For one thing, they're so good, so why would you?)
I'm really, really hoping that there will be more books in this world, as it seems just infinite with fantastic possibilities. I am completely hooked on Colgin's writing.
June 26, 2021
Reviewed by Taylin
4 3/4 Hearts
Mahu lives to exist without really enjoying living. When Daka enters his life, Mahu feels a spark that he hasn’t felt in an age. The need for independence drives the incubus, Daka, from his family. When he sees Mahu, something other than lust swells within him. But, given they live in Ancient Egypt where Osiris is among the many worshipped Gods, can Daka trust Mahu with his demon secret?
Many people are drawn to tales set in Egypt, and I am one. Beyond The Ruby River is the third book in the Immortal Jewels Series and the one I have been looking forward to reading the most – I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Mahu and Daka. The tale starts somewhat slowly and picks up to a good pace. Having already encountered Mahu in the series and considered him a scene-stealer, I was impatient to see where backstory crossed with previous elements.
The author states that this book can be read as a standalone and, I agree. Previous knowledge of characters/storyline is an advantage, but only in the later stages where some may feel the story is rushed without said information. Overall, not much is lost by not reading the previous installments as the basic elements are covered. I have to admit though that, I’d like to read a spin-off about how Mahu became a member of the vampire council. That aspect wouldn’t belong in this story, but maybe the author could consider it for the future.
The timeline begins in 564 BCE when Daka is an effervescent demon of twenty-two. And here is where I took a second look at my only niggle with the story. Daka considered a man of thirty-five or forty to be in his prime. By today’s standards, he is correct, but in Ancient Egypt, life expectancy was thirty – thirty-four. However, Daka’s observation may have been due to his immortality. Mahu’s view of himself as an ‘old man’ is more in keeping with the era.
Mahu lived in a simple time of family, friends, and work as a papyrus maker. He is the kindest of gracious souls but not the kind that gets on your nerves. He accepts life and death in all its forms, and I absolutely adored him.
This story contains some beautiful depictions of life in Ancient Egypt, including the gods’ influence in daily life. Couple that with the realization that demons exist and what centuries of existence does to a man once they’ve grasped true love, and I was left with a story that made me smile, cry, and transported me back to an era of history that I adore.
4 3/4 Hearts
Mahu lives to exist without really enjoying living. When Daka enters his life, Mahu feels a spark that he hasn’t felt in an age. The need for independence drives the incubus, Daka, from his family. When he sees Mahu, something other than lust swells within him. But, given they live in Ancient Egypt where Osiris is among the many worshipped Gods, can Daka trust Mahu with his demon secret?
Many people are drawn to tales set in Egypt, and I am one. Beyond The Ruby River is the third book in the Immortal Jewels Series and the one I have been looking forward to reading the most – I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Mahu and Daka. The tale starts somewhat slowly and picks up to a good pace. Having already encountered Mahu in the series and considered him a scene-stealer, I was impatient to see where backstory crossed with previous elements.
The author states that this book can be read as a standalone and, I agree. Previous knowledge of characters/storyline is an advantage, but only in the later stages where some may feel the story is rushed without said information. Overall, not much is lost by not reading the previous installments as the basic elements are covered. I have to admit though that, I’d like to read a spin-off about how Mahu became a member of the vampire council. That aspect wouldn’t belong in this story, but maybe the author could consider it for the future.
The timeline begins in 564 BCE when Daka is an effervescent demon of twenty-two. And here is where I took a second look at my only niggle with the story. Daka considered a man of thirty-five or forty to be in his prime. By today’s standards, he is correct, but in Ancient Egypt, life expectancy was thirty – thirty-four. However, Daka’s observation may have been due to his immortality. Mahu’s view of himself as an ‘old man’ is more in keeping with the era.
Mahu lived in a simple time of family, friends, and work as a papyrus maker. He is the kindest of gracious souls but not the kind that gets on your nerves. He accepts life and death in all its forms, and I absolutely adored him.
This story contains some beautiful depictions of life in Ancient Egypt, including the gods’ influence in daily life. Couple that with the realization that demons exist and what centuries of existence does to a man once they’ve grasped true love, and I was left with a story that made me smile, cry, and transported me back to an era of history that I adore.
June 28, 2021
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes
I gave it 4.75
Mahu lives to exist without really enjoying living. When Daka enters his life, Mahu feels a spark that he hasn’t felt in an age. The need for independence drives the incubus, Daka, from his family. When he sees Mahu, something other than lust swells within him. But, given they live in Ancient Egypt where Osiris is among the many worshipped Gods, can Daka trust Mahu with his demon secret?
Many people are drawn to tales set in Egypt, and I am one. Beyond The Ruby River is the third book in the Immortal Jewels Series and the one I have been looking forward to reading the most – I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Mahu and Daka. The tale starts somewhat slowly and picks up to a good pace. Having already encountered Mahu in the series and considered him a scene-stealer, I was impatient to see where backstory crossed with previous elements.
The author states that this book can be read as a standalone and, I agree. Previous knowledge of characters/storyline is an advantage, but only in the latter stages where some may feel the story is rushed without said information. Overall, not much is lost by not reading the previous instalments as the basic elements are covered. I have to admit though that, I’d like to read a spin off about how Mahu became a member of the vampire council. That aspect wouldn’t belong in this story, but maybe the author could consider it for the future.
The timeline begins in 564 BCE when Daka is an effervescent demon of twenty-two. And here is where I took a second look at my only niggle with the story. Daka considered a man of thirty-five or forty to be in his prime. By today's standards, he is correct, but in Ancient Egypt, life expectancy was thirty – thirty-four. However, Daka’s observation may have been due to his immortality. Mahu’s view of himself as an ‘old man’ is more in keeping with the era.
Mahu lived in a simple time of family, friends, and work as a papyrus maker. He is the kindest of gracious souls but not the kind that gets on your nerves. He accepts life and death in all its forms, and I absolutely adored him.
This story contains some beautiful depictions of life in Ancient Egypt, including the gods' influence in daily life. Couple that with the realization that demons exist and what centuries of existence does to a man once they’ve grasped true love, and I was left with a story that made me smile, cry and transported me back to an era of history that I adore.
Love Bytes
I gave it 4.75
Mahu lives to exist without really enjoying living. When Daka enters his life, Mahu feels a spark that he hasn’t felt in an age. The need for independence drives the incubus, Daka, from his family. When he sees Mahu, something other than lust swells within him. But, given they live in Ancient Egypt where Osiris is among the many worshipped Gods, can Daka trust Mahu with his demon secret?
Many people are drawn to tales set in Egypt, and I am one. Beyond The Ruby River is the third book in the Immortal Jewels Series and the one I have been looking forward to reading the most – I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Mahu and Daka. The tale starts somewhat slowly and picks up to a good pace. Having already encountered Mahu in the series and considered him a scene-stealer, I was impatient to see where backstory crossed with previous elements.
The author states that this book can be read as a standalone and, I agree. Previous knowledge of characters/storyline is an advantage, but only in the latter stages where some may feel the story is rushed without said information. Overall, not much is lost by not reading the previous instalments as the basic elements are covered. I have to admit though that, I’d like to read a spin off about how Mahu became a member of the vampire council. That aspect wouldn’t belong in this story, but maybe the author could consider it for the future.
The timeline begins in 564 BCE when Daka is an effervescent demon of twenty-two. And here is where I took a second look at my only niggle with the story. Daka considered a man of thirty-five or forty to be in his prime. By today's standards, he is correct, but in Ancient Egypt, life expectancy was thirty – thirty-four. However, Daka’s observation may have been due to his immortality. Mahu’s view of himself as an ‘old man’ is more in keeping with the era.
Mahu lived in a simple time of family, friends, and work as a papyrus maker. He is the kindest of gracious souls but not the kind that gets on your nerves. He accepts life and death in all its forms, and I absolutely adored him.
This story contains some beautiful depictions of life in Ancient Egypt, including the gods' influence in daily life. Couple that with the realization that demons exist and what centuries of existence does to a man once they’ve grasped true love, and I was left with a story that made me smile, cry and transported me back to an era of history that I adore.
June 28, 2021
“Beyond the Ruby River” by Lee Colgin centers around a half-incubus named Dakarai, who has never quite felt in sync with his family of immortals. His connection with a mortal widower, Mahu, leads him to believe that he can find love, but it can only be fleeting because humans have such a short lifespan. Finding a way to maintain a relationship may require a price neither is willing to pay.
This adult historical gay paranormal romance gives an intriguing and vivid glimpse of life in ancient Egypt and provides several thought-provoking conundrums. There is the conflict of being a demon and entirely outside of the other person’s religious beliefs, Mahu’s faith that he will rejoin his family in the afterlife that Daka doesn’t believe in, the punishment for making a significant decision without permission, and the challenge of immortality and its effect on decisions, to name a few.
Although this story is part of the ‘Immortal Jewels’ series, there is no problem reading it as a stand-alone tale. I suspect that one of the secondary characters had a major role in a previous story, but, although I am curious, I had no problem understanding his concerns and motivations. I liked the way the relationship unfolded for the first part of the story, but I was disappointed by the way things unfolded for the second half, even though I could understand the reasoning. I can’t help thinking that one of the pair deserved better, even though he did commit a pretty egregious error. This left me feeling vaguely dissatisfied, even though the story ultimately did meet the criteria of a romance. The bonus story did help and makes me hopeful that there will be a tale featuring yet another unique being. Now I need to read the previous stories in the series!
A copy of this title was provided for review
This adult historical gay paranormal romance gives an intriguing and vivid glimpse of life in ancient Egypt and provides several thought-provoking conundrums. There is the conflict of being a demon and entirely outside of the other person’s religious beliefs, Mahu’s faith that he will rejoin his family in the afterlife that Daka doesn’t believe in, the punishment for making a significant decision without permission, and the challenge of immortality and its effect on decisions, to name a few.
Although this story is part of the ‘Immortal Jewels’ series, there is no problem reading it as a stand-alone tale. I suspect that one of the secondary characters had a major role in a previous story, but, although I am curious, I had no problem understanding his concerns and motivations. I liked the way the relationship unfolded for the first part of the story, but I was disappointed by the way things unfolded for the second half, even though I could understand the reasoning. I can’t help thinking that one of the pair deserved better, even though he did commit a pretty egregious error. This left me feeling vaguely dissatisfied, even though the story ultimately did meet the criteria of a romance. The bonus story did help and makes me hopeful that there will be a tale featuring yet another unique being. Now I need to read the previous stories in the series!
A copy of this title was provided for review
January 7, 2023
I loved this book! Daka and Mahu were delight to read. Incubus are always a joy because they are so carefree and sexy. Dakarai was no exception. He is half human half incubus who fall in love/ lust at first sight with Mahu who is human.
There were so many sweet moments, Mahu teaching Daka to float, teaching him is trade, introducing him to his friends… adorably domestic. The sex is super hot and when you add horns and a tail nothing can go wrong!
But Mahu is dying from the same illness that left him without a wife and sons. In desperation Daka attempts to save him asking for his vampire friend to turn Mahu. Mahu refuses but Daka faced with his eminent death ignores his refusal and forces Temaj to do it. Mahu doesn’t forgive him, because he took the chance of his reunion with his family in the afterlife and goes away… he leaves Daka for 1000 year…. It hurt like hell reading Daka’s letters and his sorrow for all those years… only half living… he was impulsive, and took away his choice… but 10000 years? Mahu just ignored him for that long and faced with death again calls to him… and of course Daka still in love with him answers. Somehow the vampires find a cure for the sickness of old age vampires ( a vampire can die from old age) and Mahu returns to Egypt and to Daka. To their HEA… they end together but it’s like I’m always looking over my shoulder because Mahu was very unfair, but then they are immortals and 1000 it’s nothing to a incubi and a vampire.
I was expecting more Egyptian shenanigans and not just the brief appearance of the Ra or Osisis, is pyramid and papyrus… I wanted more lore than that.
There were so many sweet moments, Mahu teaching Daka to float, teaching him is trade, introducing him to his friends… adorably domestic. The sex is super hot and when you add horns and a tail nothing can go wrong!
But Mahu is dying from the same illness that left him without a wife and sons. In desperation Daka attempts to save him asking for his vampire friend to turn Mahu. Mahu refuses but Daka faced with his eminent death ignores his refusal and forces Temaj to do it. Mahu doesn’t forgive him, because he took the chance of his reunion with his family in the afterlife and goes away… he leaves Daka for 1000 year…. It hurt like hell reading Daka’s letters and his sorrow for all those years… only half living… he was impulsive, and took away his choice… but 10000 years? Mahu just ignored him for that long and faced with death again calls to him… and of course Daka still in love with him answers. Somehow the vampires find a cure for the sickness of old age vampires ( a vampire can die from old age) and Mahu returns to Egypt and to Daka. To their HEA… they end together but it’s like I’m always looking over my shoulder because Mahu was very unfair, but then they are immortals and 1000 it’s nothing to a incubi and a vampire.
I was expecting more Egyptian shenanigans and not just the brief appearance of the Ra or Osisis, is pyramid and papyrus… I wanted more lore than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2021
4 Stars
Oops, I did it again... so, I've always been drawn to Ancient Egypt and vampires, so when I read the blurb, even if I knew it was third in a series, I decided to give it a go. Plus side, it can be read as a standalone, especially the part set in the past, although it would've been helpful to have read at least the book before since it seems Mahu appears there. There might be some spoilers in this review, which I'll mark accordingly.
I loved Daka, he was absolutely devoted to Mahu, Daka deserved more than that, especially since he couldn't leave Egypt. It broke my heart to see the depth of his love despite him being an incubus, and I wanted to knock some sense into Mahu. Frankly, his reasons for not contacting Daka for so long didn't really work for me and made me angrier at Mahu. *shrugs* So, as you might have noticed, I didn't care for Mahu. Yes, Daka and Mahu had chemistry, but there's more to it than that. Daka had his heart in the right place when he did what he did, and I felt Mahu should've grovelled a whole lot more than he did. *shrugs*
Still, the book was engaging, well-written and Ms. Colgin managed to transport me back to Ancient Egypt, so there's that. Recommendable, even if I wanted more for Daka.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Oops, I did it again... so, I've always been drawn to Ancient Egypt and vampires, so when I read the blurb, even if I knew it was third in a series, I decided to give it a go. Plus side, it can be read as a standalone, especially the part set in the past, although it would've been helpful to have read at least the book before since it seems Mahu appears there. There might be some spoilers in this review, which I'll mark accordingly.
I loved Daka, he was absolutely devoted to Mahu, Daka deserved more than that, especially since he couldn't leave Egypt. It broke my heart to see the depth of his love despite him being an incubus, and I wanted to knock some sense into Mahu. Frankly, his reasons for not contacting Daka for so long didn't really work for me and made me angrier at Mahu. *shrugs* So, as you might have noticed, I didn't care for Mahu. Yes, Daka and Mahu had chemistry, but there's more to it than that. Daka had his heart in the right place when he did what he did, and I felt Mahu should've grovelled a whole lot more than he did. *shrugs*
Still, the book was engaging, well-written and Ms. Colgin managed to transport me back to Ancient Egypt, so there's that. Recommendable, even if I wanted more for Daka.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
June 28, 2021
4.5 stars
An epic love story that spans centuries, overcomes betrayal, prejudice, and even fate— it’s hard not to get caught up in this novel. Mahu and Daka build such a genuine love that it’s impossible to believe it won’t somehow weather any challenges— be those challenges time, distance, or some very serious mistakes— even if the process of weathering them is anything but easy. I have to admit that at times I found Mahu’s choices frustrating, even selfish, and I’m not at all sold on his non-apology apology skills (I’m sorry, but saying things like “some wrongs are so enormous we can’t right them work words. We can only keep going in spite of them,” is…NOT. A. SATISFACTORY. SHOW. OF. REMORSE) but the resolution offered by an HEA that brings peace, and happiness, to them both is well worth it. For a romance with compelling, sometimes deeply frustrating, always memorable and sympathetic characters, this is a good choice. It’s helpful, also, if not strictly necessary, to have read the earlier books in this series for context on some of the characters and situations, so if you haven’t already, give them a try!
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An epic love story that spans centuries, overcomes betrayal, prejudice, and even fate— it’s hard not to get caught up in this novel. Mahu and Daka build such a genuine love that it’s impossible to believe it won’t somehow weather any challenges— be those challenges time, distance, or some very serious mistakes— even if the process of weathering them is anything but easy. I have to admit that at times I found Mahu’s choices frustrating, even selfish, and I’m not at all sold on his non-apology apology skills (I’m sorry, but saying things like “some wrongs are so enormous we can’t right them work words. We can only keep going in spite of them,” is…NOT. A. SATISFACTORY. SHOW. OF. REMORSE) but the resolution offered by an HEA that brings peace, and happiness, to them both is well worth it. For a romance with compelling, sometimes deeply frustrating, always memorable and sympathetic characters, this is a good choice. It’s helpful, also, if not strictly necessary, to have read the earlier books in this series for context on some of the characters and situations, so if you haven’t already, give them a try!
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 28, 2023
Can I just say.. wow! This book was jam packed full of history, details, character growth and such beautiful writing I was blown away! I was eager to learn more about Mahu, as he is known to other vampires as incredibly kind and generous. I wanted to learn more about not just who he is, but who Daka was as well
And we, as readers, got all of that information in spades!
We got to know how Daka and Mahu first met, along with their first kiss with each other, and their first foray with one another. We got to know about both these men's past, and Mahu's past is truly heartbreaking. And may I just say, prepare yourself to have tissues nearby! The end of their history getting told us tear jerking and oh, so sad.
After we get informed about their history we then get taken to present times. And from their begins Mahu's journey to find Daka and hopefully regain his love and trust once more.
This story has by far been my favorite one! The characters were really well written, had fantastic backstory and depth, and the storytelling was phenomenal! I kept hoping right alongside Daka that Mahu would change his mind, but alas what happened, happened. Overall this story has been my favorite so far! Onto the next one!
And we, as readers, got all of that information in spades!
We got to know how Daka and Mahu first met, along with their first kiss with each other, and their first foray with one another. We got to know about both these men's past, and Mahu's past is truly heartbreaking. And may I just say, prepare yourself to have tissues nearby! The end of their history getting told us tear jerking and oh, so sad.
After we get informed about their history we then get taken to present times. And from their begins Mahu's journey to find Daka and hopefully regain his love and trust once more.
This story has by far been my favorite one! The characters were really well written, had fantastic backstory and depth, and the storytelling was phenomenal! I kept hoping right alongside Daka that Mahu would change his mind, but alas what happened, happened. Overall this story has been my favorite so far! Onto the next one!
July 6, 2023
Wow wow wow, I didn’t think the next book in this series could get under my skin like the second one did but holy fuck did this wreck me.
Mahu and Daka were just *chef’s kiss* and while I knew where their story would end up I had no idea how it’d destroy me along the way.
Daka is just the sweetest half-human half-incubus I’ve ever met in a book and his adoration of Mahu from the get-go is endearing as all hell. Especially since Mahu has no clue why Daka would be interested in him. His devastation when Mahu learns he’s an incubus was so hard to read, I mean the man you love waking you up by basically calling you a demon is kind of shit.
Ughhhh and then Mahu’s sickness! I didn’t anticipate his death/turning into a vampire to be so traumatic but the whole thing left Daka reeling, and me too actually. I think what really got me though were the letters. I cried reading them. Daka’s love for Mahu and his absolute pain absout him leaving Egypt were soul crushing. I loved it all so much!
Another amazing book in a series that’s quickly becoming a favorite. 5 ⭐️
Mahu and Daka were just *chef’s kiss* and while I knew where their story would end up I had no idea how it’d destroy me along the way.
Daka is just the sweetest half-human half-incubus I’ve ever met in a book and his adoration of Mahu from the get-go is endearing as all hell. Especially since Mahu has no clue why Daka would be interested in him. His devastation when Mahu learns he’s an incubus was so hard to read, I mean the man you love waking you up by basically calling you a demon is kind of shit.
Ughhhh and then Mahu’s sickness! I didn’t anticipate his death/turning into a vampire to be so traumatic but the whole thing left Daka reeling, and me too actually. I think what really got me though were the letters. I cried reading them. Daka’s love for Mahu and his absolute pain absout him leaving Egypt were soul crushing. I loved it all so much!
Another amazing book in a series that’s quickly becoming a favorite. 5 ⭐️
July 9, 2021
3,5*
I think it's my fault that I had a different expectations after the first 2 books in the series.
I did like the beginning and the slow-burn romance between Mahu and Daka and descriptions of the life in ancient Egypt.
But when Mahu was turned vampire and abandoned his lover, whom he declared his love for, it went downhill for me.
I was not convinced with the reasons why Mahu stayed away from Daka for 2 millennia and how they were reunited. It was underwhelming after all the adventures of the first 2 books and the rush against time to find a cure for Mahu's illness.
I have expected something telling us about MC's lives in these 2 millennia they were apart and a couple of pages telling us of how they have suffered from being apart (mostly on Daka's side) just did not do it for me. I felt like something was missing in that story.
I still liked the writing and would follow the author but that particular story did not do it for me, sorry.
I think it's my fault that I had a different expectations after the first 2 books in the series.
I did like the beginning and the slow-burn romance between Mahu and Daka and descriptions of the life in ancient Egypt.
But when Mahu was turned vampire and abandoned his lover, whom he declared his love for, it went downhill for me.
I was not convinced with the reasons why Mahu stayed away from Daka for 2 millennia and how they were reunited. It was underwhelming after all the adventures of the first 2 books and the rush against time to find a cure for Mahu's illness.
I have expected something telling us about MC's lives in these 2 millennia they were apart and a couple of pages telling us of how they have suffered from being apart (mostly on Daka's side) just did not do it for me. I felt like something was missing in that story.
I still liked the writing and would follow the author but that particular story did not do it for me, sorry.
July 8, 2024
It was a good, interesting story… but the vast majority of this book takes places before the inevitable betrayal and heart-breaking and so even though Daka and Mahu were wonderfully sweet together, their whole romance (for me) was through a veil of melancholy.
And I hate that the reason they were apart for so long was just because Mahu chose to never go back. In the scale of immortality, decades or maybe even a century could be bearable for holding grudges, but centuries? Nearly two thousand years to choose to be apart from “the other half of [his] soul”? Knowing that vampires aren’t truly immortal and aging sickness is in his cards and waiting too long would mean losing his chance to ever go back but he still waits until his deathbed?
It was a well-written, interesting story. I did not dislike it, the way I disliked the last book (for the abusive bf/sire) but I don’t like to be sad? Their lost centuries made me very sad for them.
And I hate that the reason they were apart for so long was just because Mahu chose to never go back. In the scale of immortality, decades or maybe even a century could be bearable for holding grudges, but centuries? Nearly two thousand years to choose to be apart from “the other half of [his] soul”? Knowing that vampires aren’t truly immortal and aging sickness is in his cards and waiting too long would mean losing his chance to ever go back but he still waits until his deathbed?
It was a well-written, interesting story. I did not dislike it, the way I disliked the last book (for the abusive bf/sire) but I don’t like to be sad? Their lost centuries made me very sad for them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2021
To save a life one must sometimes give up their soul mate. Ms. Colgin created such a marvelous character in Daka, cute, mischievous, independent, and so attracted to Mahu. The way of the ancient world of Egypt was woven throughout this book as a pleasure for me to read as I love ancient history. The weaving of hybrid demon and vampire was also a treat. The treatment of the life span of vampires was a new twist that related back to the previous book Across The Sapphire Sea (Book #2). Daka loved his Mahu enough to change Mahu's life to save him and that resulted in losing him for two millennia.
The journey back for both is heart rendering, tragic, and tearful; get out the hankies. The letters Daka wrote during this time are from his soul and can't be missed. This review is written freely and the ARC I read is via GRR.
The journey back for both is heart rendering, tragic, and tearful; get out the hankies. The letters Daka wrote during this time are from his soul and can't be missed. This review is written freely and the ARC I read is via GRR.
June 22, 2021
This is book three in the Immortal Jewels series, I haven’t read the others, so I am unable to say if this is a continuous storyline, if it was, I wasn’t lost. I found this book to be overly long and felt that Daka deserved someone more deserving of his love. I loved Daka from the very beginning, how he was half incubus and half human, trying to find his place in a world that wouldn’t accept him or his kind. Unfortunately I never warmed up to Mahu or how he treated Daka, especially the middle and the end. The whole time I was reading the book, I kept hoping sweet Daka would end up with someone other than Mahu but it never happened. Overall I just never liked Mahu and wanted more for Daka.
I give this story 2 stars for Daka.
This review is based on an advanced copy received from the author.
I give this story 2 stars for Daka.
This review is based on an advanced copy received from the author.
June 15, 2023
This one felt so different from the first two novels in some way. We knew key parts of Mahu and Daka’s story from the previous book, so reading this book knowing certain things were coming was both a little difficult and a bit of a relief (I don’t think I would have liked it at all as a surprise.) Mahu and Daka were both such engaging characters, and I enjoyed learning about making papyrus scrolls and seeing them fall in love.
Part of me feels like the separation was just too long for the feelings, but I was at least partly convinced that immortals experience time very differently from mortals, and mortals also make the mistake of letting time pass, then being embarrassed that time has passed and so letting *more* time pass rather than resolve something. I’m so glad they got their HEA, I just wish it had happened sooner!
Part of me feels like the separation was just too long for the feelings, but I was at least partly convinced that immortals experience time very differently from mortals, and mortals also make the mistake of letting time pass, then being embarrassed that time has passed and so letting *more* time pass rather than resolve something. I’m so glad they got their HEA, I just wish it had happened sooner!
June 30, 2023
This book wraps up the story arc you see in book 2 with Mahu after he is healed, and Daka, the lover Mahu is talking to near his end. This story transports you back to the building of pyramids and the ancient gods of Egypt to learn about other supernatural creatures that exist. Daka is an half incubus, half human, who is striking out to live on his own for a time. He becomes fixated on Mahu, and orchestrates a meeting and befriends them. Their attraction is pretty instant, but Mahu doesn't know of supernatural creatures, and was already married.
This story starts at their meeting and through their courtship, then through their heartbreaking separation, and finally the events after Mahu is restored. It's definitely a story of love verses religion here, and whether a relationship can withstand two very different people and their strongly rooted beliefs.
This story starts at their meeting and through their courtship, then through their heartbreaking separation, and finally the events after Mahu is restored. It's definitely a story of love verses religion here, and whether a relationship can withstand two very different people and their strongly rooted beliefs.
October 10, 2025
I like the characters. the story stressed me out from beginning to end, though. Sure, we all know how it all ends (if you've read books 1 and especially the end of books 2), but I was nervous and angry the entire time. I really found no joy in any part of the story. I read it in less than 1 day because I wanted to get it OVER WITH so that I can read the next one. Just, no. Daka was naive, but sweet, Mahu was too stubborn and always hanging onto his ridiculously useless religious beliefs, even if he did become wise in the end. I'd rather have just read a summary so that I didnt have to suffer the story. if all you like in a book is sex and sadness, this is for you. for me? I need a lot more than that. Only one 4th of the book had chapters that made me feel joy or root for the characters. I need to go read the next one so that maybe I can shake this off.
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