The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari

Title:  The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari  (The General and the Horse-Lord: Book 2)

Author:  Sarah Black

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  244 pages

Rating:  B+

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  The General and the Horse-Lord: Book Two

Sequel to The General and the Horse-Lord

Fresh out of the closet, General John Mitchel and Gabriel Sanchez are settling into their new life together when an old army colleague taps them for a rescue mission to Tunisia. Eli and Daniel, two former Rangers working security, have been arrested in Carthage, charged with blasphemy and thrown into prison.

With rampant unrest in the ancient city and an old enemy targeting them, John gathers a team to liberate the two captive men. When he discovers Eli’s boyhood obsession with Al-Jazari’s Elephant Clock, the rescue becomes complicated and strangely beautiful, and John and Gabriel have to risk what they love the most to bring their team home.

 

Review:  I adore this series. I fell in love with the men and the family that they made together in the first novel, The General and The Horse-Lord, and enjoyed watching them strengthen and even expand that love in this novel.  To understand and fully appreciate this book you really should read the first novel

John and Gabriel are finding their way as a new family, dealing with the issues that have come up as they incorporate their lives and children.  They are good parents and their devotion to their families is apparent, it would not be easy to deal with this situation as a teenager and that becomes apparent with Juan.  I loved that there was never any question that the kids came first and both men participated fully as parents.

 Loved watching them in their element as bad asses who refused to back down and always found a way through whatever trouble came their way.  Many of the things that were talked about and glimpsed as part of their past in the first story were shown in this story.  They make an amazing team and they came to take those poor boys home and went home with even more family.  The intrigue and puzzle that John had to figure out and outmaneuver was fun and interesting and I deeply enjoyed the muscle and intelligence that Gabriel brings to the table.

These men have been in love for pretty much their entire adult lives. Even though they are still relatively new to being open about their love, the support and understanding they have for one another spans decades and is unbreakable. Watching what being able to live in the light and be free to show their devotion has done to an already strong relationship is beautiful.

Seeing Kim come into his own and John accept that his boy has grown and let him go a little was wonderful to see.  Kim is such a unique and beautiful person and I love that there was never anything but love and acceptance for him.

These characters will stay with you long after you have finished these books.  They are a fun, interesting and intelligent cast and I wish that I could spend more time in this world.

Reviewed by Nina