Secret of the Gargoyles

Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles #3

by Rebecca Chastain

In her brief career as a gargoyle healer, Mika Stillwater has faced some daunting challenges, but none have stumped her--until now. A strange sickness infects a handful of gargoyles in Terra Haven, rendering them comatose and paralyzed. Worse, the cure she seeks is shrouded in the gargoyles' mysterious culture and the secret they guard with their lives.

Gaining the gargoyles' trust is only the first step. To save the sick gargoyles, Mika must embark on a perilous mission into the heart of deadly wild magic to a place no human has ever survived...

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Fiction, Supernatural

250 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2016

About the author

REBECCA CHASTAIN is a feminist, animal advocate, and nature devotee. She believes empathy is a hero’s trait and love is a motive, an inside job, and a transformative energy that shapes each person’s world. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles series, the Terra Haven Chronicles series that begins with Deadlines & Dryads, and the Madison Fox urban fantasy series.

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Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a gargoyle healer’s worst nightmare. Gargoyles are contracting a strange sickness and they are slowly dying, comatose and unable to help either themselves or Mika. Terra Haven is becoming a deadly place for gargoyles and only Mika may be able to find the cure, but they are a secretive lot, they share little about their culture, their history or their customs and needs.

When all else has failed, Mika must learn their secrets and prove she is strong enough to face the wild magic that surrounds their most sacred grounds. She cannot do it alone, but the only one with the powerful magic she needs is the one man she must stay very far away from or risk losing her heart forever.

Secret of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain is the third addition to this trilogy and you know what that means….when you reach that final page, after being lost in the magical world of these amazing gargoyles, you must say goodbye. Not to worry, this final hoorah is one action-packed, secret-filled high danger read that will set a new high bar for Ms. Chastain’s creative writing! From fiercely loyal and ferocious gargoyles to deathly ill gargoyles, wasting away and helpless, Mika is facing her greatest challenge, but at what cost? Will she receive the help she seeks when that crucial moment arrives with wild magic buffeting her from all sides?

Mika is her usual kind and witty self, not too self-assured, but much stronger than she realizes as Ms. Chastain breathes her own magic in to the life of each character. What a plot! What a wild trip! What a great mission that Mika will risk it all so it doesn't fail! What do you think, will Mika find more than respect on this journey? Will there be a powerful mage in her future? Which leads me to another question…must we really say goodbye just when gargoyles were getting some much deserved print time?

I received an ARC edition from Rebecca Chastain in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles - Book 3
Publisher: Mind Your Muse Books (June 22, 2016)
Publication Date: June 22, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Print Length: 196 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mika has a very rare ability that makes her a perfect gargoyle healer and she has dedicated all her time to helping gargoyles in need ever since she discovered it. Unfortunately there is one problem she has so far been unable to resolve and that's healing the gargoyles who are lying dormant around the city. Mika knows there is something very wrong with them but none of the research she has carried out has helped her find answers. It's taken a long time but now she has finally gained the trust of an older gargoyle who knows what is causing the problem but it isn't something that she can solve on her own and she is forced to turn to the FPD for help. Since most of the squad is currently unavailable it is up to Marcus to help Mika and Oliver on their dangerous quest, the only question that remains is will they be fast enough to save the gargoyles currently in Mika's care?

Secret of the Gargoyle is a fantastic finale to the Gargoyle Guardian trilogy that's full of action, danger and magic. Rebecca Chastain has created such a bright and vivid world and it's one I love spending time in. The way she describes magic use is wonderful and it just got even better in this book as Mika manages to tap into a power that humans aren't even supposed to know exists. The gargoyle characters are brilliant, I've loved Oliver from the beginning and it's been wonderful watching him grow from the tiny hatchling Mika rescued in Curse of the Gargoyles to the courageous companion he has become. Oliver loves Mika beyond all reason and thinks nothing of putting himself in harm's way to protect her but that is something that definitely goes both ways and Mika would do anything to look after him and any other gargoyles that cross her path.

Mika is brilliant, she's smart, brave and incredibly caring. As the only known gargoyle healer she sees it as her responsibility to look after all of the gargoyles and she thinks nothing of putting herself at risk to save them. I admire how focused she is on her goal but I loved that Marcus calls her out when she gets in over her head. She doesn't always see the dangers to herself until it's almost too late and she needs someone to help her take a step back and look at the bigger picture sometimes. Marcus obviously cares deeply about her and I really enjoyed the slow build romance that has developed between them. There were hints of an attraction between them in the previous stories but this is the book that really moves things forward since they spend so much time working together. I think they make a great couple, their personalities fit well together and they both bring something different to the relationship.

I've loved every minute of this series so I'm incredibly sad that it's come to an end but I'm still kind of hoping that Rebecca Chastain will choose to revisit this world again in the future. I'd be very happy to read more books from Mika's point of view but there is also definitely story potential for Mika's friend Kylie and a certain Captain. No matter what she's writing about this author is on my auto-buy list though and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret of the Gargoyles (Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles #3) by Rebecca Chastain is the last book in the series and it goes out with a bang. The magic and touching story is excellent. A suspense, a mystery, intrigue, love of these dear gargoyle creatures, and so much more. A wonderful end to this great series.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up shortly after book two left off, Mika’s journey as gargoyle healer comes to a head as she face a whirlwind of danger in her desire to heal seven frozen gargoyles. At her side, Oliver-he’s a mini warrior gargoyle with the cutest personality!- And Marcus, possible love interest, fire elemental, and the voice of reason when Mika goes overboard in her zeal to help gargoyles.

I loved so much about this story! Mika’s personal journey remained a big focus and I appreciated that. Mika has come a ways since the first story and it shows in her actions. Granted, she has a ways to go with her rash decision making, but she’s improving by leaps and bounds while trying to stay true to herself. Marcus and Mika had me in stitches, dancing around their mutual attraction. And Oliver... this little gargoyle is fierce in his friendship, loyalty and protectiveness as they come! S. E. Smith or Katie Reus’s dragonlings are the closest to this cuteness I’ve read so far. Overall, great read.

[Lynne Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trilogy. It's too bad it will only ever be a trilogy, but that's okay. It ended with so much to envision for myself.

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was the best of the three and the series was a fun read. I think the author could combine the three and, with a few edits, make one really fabulous novel. I loved the world and the characters and would love to spend more time there. I'd read more of these for sure.

Really good urban fantasy.

[Susan Brinkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

How wonderful to read about Mika coming into her own as a gargoyle guardian. Nice to know that she's willing to do what she can for her charges, but also understands that she can't save theoall.

[Devann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a good end to the series. Overall I really liked the world building in this series as well as all the adorable gargoyles, and we got to learn a little bit more about gargoyle origins in this one. Even the romance between Mika and Marcus was a good fit for the story and didn't overshadow the rest of the plot or action. Overall I thought the series felt a bit rushed at times, but they are fun and fast reads for someone who is looking for something besides the vampires and werewolves that over saturate the urban fantasy market.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret of the Gargoyles takes place approximately 3 months after book 2, Curse of the Gargoyles.

There are still comatose gargoyles throughout Terra Haven and even after three months of searching for answers, Mika is not any closer to saving the poor creatures. One of the gargoyles is the marmot she helped save from a null in book 2. After several weeks of being spied on by Celeste, a gargoyle from book 1, Magic of the Gargoyles, she finally approaches Mika with the Secret of the Gargoyles.

The fate of the comatose gargoyles has now been tenderly placed in Mika's hands. Knowing how to save them is only the first step. The next step is finding the location of the cure since it is veiled in magic for protection of all gargoyles. This requires trekking into an area that no human can survive and battling with the forces of wild magic that have claimed the land. Asking the Federal Pentagon Defense squad (FPD) is the next logical step in Mika's plan, only most of them are unavailable. She does manage to snag Marcus Velasquez, the guy she has a crush on, to go with her, Celeste, and Oliver, although he's not happy. This mission is wrought with danger and he can't sit idly by and let her go alone.

Terra Haven, the location of the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles, is pretty ambiguous; it could be anywhere. This allows the reader to take the well-written descriptions and build their own version of the world Rebecca Chastain has created. Mika is a compassionate soul and we continually learn more about the depth of her compassion. We also see a part of her in book 3 that is quite different from the Mika of books 1 and 2. She learns the power and strength behind her gargoyle guardian abilities and what giving into them could mean. Is she strong enough to resist or not as she's pushed into a position that will make or break her? Marcus is such a patient and kind guy and I love his interactions with Mika. There is chemistry galore between them and love the subtle dynamics between them. Mika, however, has been so focused on the comatose gargoyles that she allowed herself to pull away from him and others.

Secret of the Gargoyles is a fantastic book. The plot of the story, the entire series actually, is unique and exciting. The story line packs such a punch that you can't help but be drawn into and fully engaged in the story. The emotional content in regards to the plight of the trapped gargoyles and Mika's passion to save them was realistic and Mika's emotions transfer to the reader.

This is a fun urban fantasy book that is fast paced and full of action and crackling with tension and uncertainty. The author did a wonderful job continuing the character and world development in Secret of the Gargoyles. I enjoyed the book and the series very much and hope to see the author write in this world a lot more. There are so many stories that still need to be told about Mika, Marcus, and Oliver.

This book is a verified Amazon purchase.

[Floryie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my review in any way.

The third book in the series and the final one starts off right where it left off in the previous book. Mika is searching for a cure for the dormant Gargoyles. And this gets her to go on a dangerous mission. Will she succeed in it? Will she and her companions, Oliver,Celeste and Marcus safely return from the journey? This forms the major part of the book and the author has done a fantastic job of tying up the tale into a neat bundle.

Mika has grown a lot from the first book. She is a strong heroine with none of the over confidence in her abilities. She is brave and full of heart, always on the lookout to help the gargoyles. The trials she undergoes in this book shows her tender heart and her indomitable spirit. Marcus is the perfect pair for her. He can't abide her getting into danger without another thought for herself. She seriously needs someone who has to think about her and he does it in spades. Celeste's part was majorly minor but she does add the necessary background information to the story. Oliver has also grown along with Mika. He adores her and will do anything for her. He personifies the gargoyles perfectly.

The author has breathed life into the characters and the plot with fantastic story telling. The fantasy elements and the way the magical parts are handled by her was very well done. She is a natural with her emphasis on the completeness of the story. There's a no thread left open at the end. But she did leave me with questions regarding Mika and Marcus. Speaking of them, the romance angle between them was beautifully handled. It wasn't overly done and was given the right touch. It did get fiery at times when they were at logger heads! That's part of their appeal.

I have enjoyed reading the entire series so far and I hope there will be more tales with Mika and Marcus and also with Kylie and her captain. A very satisfactory ending to a great series!

My rating : 5/5

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

It was fast paced, easy to read, made me feel the warm tinglies, and ended well. I recommend this to any age reader who wants to take an exciting mind trip to another dimension

[C. Erani Kole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9 for me because of that small amount of feeling where it's like I'm getting more than I bargained for but there's a grain of sand missing to completely overwhelm me in the best way possible. Does that make sense?

I. Loved. This. Mika Stillwater is a midlevel earth elemental, a gargoyle healer, and a gargoyle guardian. From the first book, she's always been associated with gargoyle magic and this last installment of the trilogy brings it home. I so wish these books were longer. And that it was more than a trilogy. But at the same time, I'm glad things are ending on a high note and in a weird way, the author stuck to the main points: Mika, her journey to finding herself on a soul-level, the adorable gargoyles, gargoyles in general, her love interest. I still want to know more about the rest of the elite squad and Kylie and see more of Terra Haven through the Gargoyle Guardian's eyes, but I guess you can't get everything. So I'll just hope that there's more stories set in Terra Haven because Mika be looking FINE by the end of her story and oh my God but I wish an artist would read this, fall in love with Mika and bring her to life. Take me back!

[Ozsaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the trilogy was just as enjoyable as the first two. I have to say, it's rare for an author to write a trilogy without a single weak book. This book was just as fun and fast paced as the others.

I really liked how Mika matured a lot in this one. I also loved that she became more confident in herself and her power.

I liked the budding romance, and the conflict between them wasn't contrived. And the attraction wasn't overplayed. Mika had an important mission so it was nice that she wasn't completely lovestruck over Marcus. Instead, they worked together to achieve their goal.

I liked Marcus. He never tried to force Mika to do what he wanted. He explained his side of things, but once Mika made up her mind, he was there to support her. It was pretty refreshing as romances go. Also, it helped that the entire story wasn't about the romance, but getting stuff done.

Plot was good, pace was fast, Gargoyles were cool - all around fun, and I'm happy I finished the trilogy.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT kindle unlimited, can be bought separately or as I did in 3 set/collection, though higher now than when I bought it, just got lost for bit on my tablet/carousel so fixing the issue of not having read 2 & 3 plus not having reviewed those or the 3 set

I place the lives of all gargoyles into your hands with what I am about to tell you… In her brief career as a gargoyle healer, Mika Stillwater has faced some daunting challenges, but none have stumped her—until now. A strange sickness infects a handful of gargoyles in Terra Haven, rendering them comatose and paralyzed. Worse, the cure she seeks is shrouded in the gargoyles’ mysterious culture and the secret they guard with their lives. Gaining the gargoyles’ trust is only the first step. To save the sick gargoyles, Mika must embark on a perilous mission into the heart of deadly wild magic to a place no human has ever survived...


Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles
Magic of the Gargoyles #1
Curse of the Gargoyles #2
Secret of the Gargoyles #3
Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles Omnibus
(Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles #1-3)

[chantal forget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très original, le dernier de cette trilogie. Dommage, l'histoire aurait pu aller plus loin. Bien écrit. Il y a de l'humour, des personnages riches en couleur, et ces gargoyles... merveilleux.
De l'action, du dévouement, un soupçon d'amour et beaucoup d'originalité, voilà ce qui vous attend dans ce livre captivant... même quand je l'ai terminé, j'en voulais plus. Je ne voulais pas que ça s'arrête, pas déjà!

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta say I really like how different this book is. The romance is there but not overly done or in your face, there’s more gargoyle healing and then some, along with the quartz puzzle magic. I loved it all. Only thing I would’ve liked to see was interaction with the rest of the elemental squad after everything settled.

[Macwolf01 [Elise] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles series, and I dont want it to end, I love this world and the characters.

Oliver has grown up so much, Mika is coming into her powers.
I like the dynamic between Marcus and Mika but I really missed the rest of the FPD 5 and Mika bf Kylie.

4 stars again and even more than the other 2 this book needed to be longer.

[Excalibur Snape · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the best one in the trilogy or as I refer to it as a duology since the first book is in my opinion a stand alone.
The last chapter in my book had a lot of blank pages in between pages with words. I'm hoping they were just extra pages and not some of the story was messing because that would be a shame.
Love the world, love the magic system and I love all the characters.

[Dawn Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good ending

Mika is once again battling a crazy magic except this time she almost doesn't recover. Marcus is awesome. Oliver is still the sweetest gargoyle. There's action again in this book and mild romance too.

[LaCath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect ending for the trilogy, with a bit of romance between Mika and Marcus (yay !). It also was a little less hardcore than both previous books, so I liked it best.
Just one more short story to read and, sadly, I'll have to say goodby to that amazing universe... at least for now

[JW USA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

The three books are really one story. This ends the narrative arc and wraps up the loose ends. Mica and Marcus do spend time together but I did feel chemistry or see their connection grow. It felt superficial at the end.

[Leanna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I loved all three books. I would love more about the subject. I hope you write more. Thank you for your story's. They inspired my imagination.
Leanna

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really didn't want this series to end!!! Maybe she will published the next one..I will be watching!! NO SEX. Love interested!! And what a hunk!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting world and a whirlwind of a story. I only wish there was more!

[Lisa Lenox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read!

[Beth Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

More please

I love these books! I am sad there are not more of them!! I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was not as good as the previous two. A few too many jumps in assumptions and skills.

[Diana Rivis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Terrific Read

A terrific and enjoyable third book in this series. It wraps things up beautifully, yet still leaves things open for the possibility of more stories.

[Andrew Rubins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story, nice characters

This is a very readable book- a good story and nice characters. It’s easy reading and just the sort of book to read in times like this!