2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Idolatry by Rebecca Cohen

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Idolatry (Reagalos Book 2) by Rebecca Cohen
Gay Fantasy Romance
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 5, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627989390
ISBN-13: 978-1627989398
Amazon: Idolatry (Reagalos Book 2)
Amazon Kindle: Idolatry (Reagalos Book 2)

Sequel to Servitude

Reagalos: Book Two

Upon taking the throne as High Lord of Katraman and Liege of Scura, Lornyc Reagalos’s focus on rebuilding one city and reassuring another leaves little time for his husband, Methian. Added to that, he must contend with the unexpected revelation that his grandfather, Romanus, set up his own religion and named an enigmatic figure called The One as its deity. Through some twisted interpretation of the signs left by Romanus, the Cerulean Cult comes to believe Lornyc is their god and invites him to sanctify the Cult as part of its five-hundred-year anniversary.

During the Sanctification Ceremony, the Cult’s holy relic, an orb given to it by Romanus, is split, releasing an entity that tears a hole in the dimensions. The species that guards the dimensions, the Valen, force Lornyc to fix the breach, or they will have him extinguished.

Now as Lornyc faces a race through the different planes of existence to capture the escaped entity, he must rely on his own Valen guardians to help him. With Methian and his family by his side, Lornyc must fight to repair the damage or lose his life.


Story moved at a good pace. Concise and diverse by bringing in the other dimensions. My only complaint was that there really wasn't an ending. The dialogue and scene just stopped. No cliff hanger just 'I'm done.'. Very creative. I was able to immerse myself into the fictional time and place without difficulty. Author was able to make it relatable, but unique at the same time. I enjoyed both the primary and secondary characters. I probably would have understood them more had I read the first book. So a bit more backstory would have been helpful. Good use of imagery. Language appropriate to setting and characters. Good balance of showing and telling.

The writing style was great, although I believe this is a sequel to something? Nevertheless, I didn't once feel left out of the action. I really like the handle the author has on court intrigue--its a favorite subgenre of mine. The blend and creation of the setting magic styles was really fun.