Gabriel has been gone longer than predicted, and Evander is growing increasingly worried each day that passes without his return. Confounded by their leaders’ lack of answers, Evander and the team begin to fear the worst.In the midst of fruitlessly searching Miami for clues to the Daemon Abaddon’s whereabouts, Evander begins to have disturbingly vivid dreams. With a little help from a newly … newly returned and empty-handed Michael and Barabbas, Evander discovers Gabriel has been calling out for help across their nascent bond, and they set off to rescue Gabriel from the depths of the Underworld.
Gabriel is old friends with torture, and his captors haven’t been gentle. Despite growing weaker every day, Gabriel resolves to survive long enough for rescue, or to die fighting, until a Dark Seer begins to dredge up the terror of Gabriel’s horrific childhood, threatening to destroy his mind and soul. Nearing the end, Gabriel manages a last-ditch effort to contact help, reaching out to Evander in his dreams.
Against all odds, Evander and the team fight through the Underworld to reach Gabriel and come face to face with mortality. Sacrifices made for the bonds of brotherhood nearly break them, and Gabriel learns the hard way that embracing the darkness while fighting for the light may be the only way to survive.
From the underbelly of Reno to the glitz and glam of Vegas, Gabriel, Evander, and the men they call family will be tested, and the final confrontation with Gabriel’s maker may be the end of everything they hold dear.
Surviving the Shadows is an approximately 100,000-word LGBTQ urban fantasy with a romantic subplot. It is a direct sequel to Shadowing the Light and reading the first book in the series is essential to enjoying this one. Please see the disclaimer on the Copyright Page for content advisories.
more
Incredible world-build with fantastic characters and a plot that glued me to my kindle. The writing was awesome and i am hooked Gabriel and Evander. They are finally figuring themselves out. This is a really complex story with lots of supporting characters that we come to know and love. i laughed and i cried in this story as things happened that just broke my heart. I laughed with lots of the snark and some of the situations will make you chuckle. This has such a complex plot that you will be wanting to read cover to cover and will resent whatever interrupts you from reading.. like sleeping.
The The Bearer of Truth series really must be read in order because of the plot and character development. The world-building continues to develop in this book and you will need the foundation of book one to understand and enjoy it. I am really hoping that the author has this made into an audible series because i would be buying it first thing. Book three should be coming out before the end of the year and i have a reminder to look for it.
Highly recommend this series!!!
Ms Turner has delivered a fast-paced, adventurous story that shows importance of friendship and being united in times of trouble. The book is told from multiple POVs, is very low steam and romance is put on a back burner. It can not be read as a standalone. The characters are diverse, the plot has twists that kept me engrossed till the end. The book mentions grief, physical and mental abuse, panic attacks, childhood trauma. I loved Ms Turner’s depictions of Hell and all its creepy crawlies – at times gross and fascinating.
Evander and his Bellator team are ready to move forward with their mission but Gabriel has been missing for some time, and there are no leads. But through his tenuous connection to his mate Evander is able to locate Gabriel. It takes all their combined strength to get him free but tragedy strikes them when least expected. They have to deal with their grief, Gabriel has to heal and get past what was done to him, and they have to keep going.
I liked that Evander made an effort to change, to be more compromising and patient with Gabriel and his team mates. It will take a while to bridge the gap between him and Gabriel, but this time he is determined to prove that he can be understanding and compassionate. The bond between friends is deeper than ever as they support each other and try to prepare for the moment they get a hold of Abaddon. I liked their camaraderie, their humor and light teasing. I genuinely like Gabriel. He is that kind of man that will give the shirt off his back to those who need it. After all he’s been through, he needs someone to love him passionately, and it seems that Evander is finally coming up to scratch. As they move from place to place they manage to save innocent lives, finally have a decent lead and learn more about themselves.
The finale of the story was spectacular. Gabriel was a powerful adversary that held his own against one of the strongest Daemons of Hell, Abaddon. Evander, Gabriel and their team mates came out of it bruised but alive, so maybe now some questions will be answered. It was a very well-built story, and I am curious to find out what happens next. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
Surviving the Shadows is the second book in The Bearer of Truth series by Miranda Turner.
This is an LGBTQ urban fantasy that has a romantic factor and continues the story started in the first book, Shadowing the Light. Gabriel, Evander and their found family of men lead us readers on an amazing adventure filled with well written story, incredible world building and colorful and wonderful characters.
This story delivers a mix of dream walking, demon orgies, torture, rescue missions, gods and Goddesses, a journey through into the Underworld, sacrafice, loss/grief, emotions and action. Really exciting and interesting read and I can’t wait for book three.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
5 stars
Heat Level: 2
(definitely chemistry and feelings but due to what the characters go through not really part of this story)
So many emotions!!!!
This story is epic, emotional, powerful and heartwarming. I love Evander and Gabriel!!!
So much happens in this story I’m not sure my words can do it justice! Gabriel goes through so much in this story; emotionally, physically and relationship wise. I loved book 1 and book 2 does not disappoint, I couldn’t put it down.
Possible themes and/or triggers: abduction, captivity, torture, PTSD, child abuse, grief, sexual assault, abuse of power among others.
There are so many things that happen it’s hard to write a review without spoilers, so be warned…
LIKELY SPOILERS BELOW!!!
***
The journey to save/free Gabriel from the underworld is intense and totally heartbreaking! Someone significant sacrifices themselves for Gabriel and it broke my heart! I was totally waiting for/expecting a loophole that brought them back but alas, their destiny was written (I’m not crying, you’re crying). The grieving the whole team endues was hard but very well done by Miranda. I could feel for each character and their unique process through their grief. I especially felt for Rafe.
I love Evander’s character development and love that he is slowly changing, broadening his mind and opening himself up to Gabriel. It’s wonderful to see their chemistry and even their fledgling relationship get stronger. I like that Evander’s progress is slow, its a lot more realistic and I feel fits the story perfectly.
I love that we get to visit past characters; Antonio and Bain and I love new magic user and Aura Reader, Nico. He’s the perfect combination of wit, sass, and power! I loved his introduction and how he was eventually brought into the team/family!!
The showdown with Gabriel’s sperm donor is explosive, literally and figuratively!! A fantastic development for the series and I can’t wait to see where Miranda will take us next!!
Amazing writing, face-paced, action adventure, and so much heart, I just love all these characters. I can’t wait to see how powerful Gabriel is and how his relationship with Evander will grow! 5 stars from me!!!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com