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The Maker's Song #2
In the Blood
In the bestselling tradition of Laurell K. Hamilton and Patricia Briggs, this thrilling follow-up to the critically acclaimed fantasy debut "A Rush of Wings" is a satisfying and pulse-pounding read, guaranteed to please fans of dark fantasy.
DANTE LIVES
Vampire. Rock star. Begotten son of the fallen angel Lucien. Dante Baptiste still struggles with nightmares and seizures, searching for the truth about his past. It is a quest as seductive as his kiss, as uncontrollable as his thirst, and as unforgiving as his determination to protect one mortal woman at any cost.
KNOWLEDGE KILLS
FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace now knows the extent of the Bureau corruption that surrounds her, but worries that she is losing the battle. And when Dante and his band Inferno come to Seattle on tour, Heather can’t help but be drawn back to the beautiful, dangerous nightkind. But what Heather and Dante don’t know is that new enemies lurk in the shadows, closer than they think . . . and even deadlier than they fear.
DANTE LIVES
Vampire. Rock star. Begotten son of the fallen angel Lucien. Dante Baptiste still struggles with nightmares and seizures, searching for the truth about his past. It is a quest as seductive as his kiss, as uncontrollable as his thirst, and as unforgiving as his determination to protect one mortal woman at any cost.
KNOWLEDGE KILLS
FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace now knows the extent of the Bureau corruption that surrounds her, but worries that she is losing the battle. And when Dante and his band Inferno come to Seattle on tour, Heather can’t help but be drawn back to the beautiful, dangerous nightkind. But what Heather and Dante don’t know is that new enemies lurk in the shadows, closer than they think . . . and even deadlier than they fear.
389 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2008
22 people are currently reading
1977 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Phoenix
18 books930 followersAdrian Phoenix writes urban fantasy and is the author of The Maker's Song series, (currently working on book 6) and the Hoodoo series, the third book, Black Moon Mojo and the forthcoming Sons of Darkness series. Her humorous paranormal Thinning the Herd was released January 2016.
She lives in Springfield, Oregon in a zombie-free home (except when meeting deadlines) with three cats, Keats, Emily, and Raven and has two sons, three grandchildren and three granddogs.
She loves to read and see movies, enjoys hiking with her granddog, Cielo, (immortalized in Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa), and hanging out with friends.
She also loves creepy things and yearns to go on a paranormal investigation. She also hopes to do a haunted tour one day.
She also loves, loves, loves music – and anything by Trent Reznor is high on the list. She also loves to hear from my readers and fans, So please feel free to contact her!
Website: http://www.adrianphoenix.com
Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrian...
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/adriannikolasp...
She lives in Springfield, Oregon in a zombie-free home (except when meeting deadlines) with three cats, Keats, Emily, and Raven and has two sons, three grandchildren and three granddogs.
She loves to read and see movies, enjoys hiking with her granddog, Cielo, (immortalized in Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa), and hanging out with friends.
She also loves creepy things and yearns to go on a paranormal investigation. She also hopes to do a haunted tour one day.
She also loves, loves, loves music – and anything by Trent Reznor is high on the list. She also loves to hear from my readers and fans, So please feel free to contact her!
Website: http://www.adrianphoenix.com
Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrian...
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/adriannikolasp...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 11, 2015
5 stars – Vampire Romance/Urban Fantasy
This book left me stunned, speechless (not a small feat), and emotionally drained, and it’s taken me a few days to gather my thoughts enough to write a review. I loved A Rush of Wings, and this evoked all the same intense reader emotions and reactions, only more, more, more!
Adrian Phoenix has created an engrossing world with such complex, evocative characters. Dante is hands down one of the most troubled, damaged, tortured heroes of any romance series that I’ve read, and his physical, mental, and emotional turmoil and anguish is agonizingly gut-wrenching to witness. He really gives Zsadist from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series a run for the money in the angst department. Heather is such a strong, determined, caring heroine, and her intrinsic need to help those she loves, including her spiteful, self-destructive, bipolar sister and her beloved Dante, is completely heartbreaking. The fragile, tender, and intense romance between Dante and Heather is both beautiful and tragic, and if ever there was a couple that deserves a HEA, it’s these two. Add Fallen Lucien to the mix of pain, regret, and heartbreak, and it’s a fundamental smorgasbord of drama and angst. Then there’s my boy Von, another rich character, whose total loyalty and unrelenting devotion to Dante adds another touching element to the story.
Dante and Heather are reunited and trying to forge a relationship, but he continues to struggle with his past, memory, identity, and destiny as both True Blood and Fallen. Besides Dante’s internal torment, he and Heather must face external forces and fight enemies that threaten to rip them apart, forever. With Lucien losing the battle with the Fallen to hide and protect the Maker, Dante’s sanity is at stake and his future with Heather is uncertain.
In the Blood is another dark, gritty, riveting, impressive, and emotionally haunting read in the fantastic, creative Maker’s Song series that grabs a hold of you and never lets go! I’ll warn you strict romance lovers that it’s a very intense, edgy, violent urban fantasy read, and although there is romantic intimacy and one sex scene between the H/H, there isn’t a resolution or HEA. In fact, it ends on a ‘say it ain’t so’, doozy of a cliffhanger, so I’ll be biting my nails until Beneath the Skin comes out 12/29/09. 5 stars!
FYI: There’s a very handy glossary and translation of words and phrases at the back of the book that might be helpful to review before and while you’re reading!
This book left me stunned, speechless (not a small feat), and emotionally drained, and it’s taken me a few days to gather my thoughts enough to write a review. I loved A Rush of Wings, and this evoked all the same intense reader emotions and reactions, only more, more, more!
Adrian Phoenix has created an engrossing world with such complex, evocative characters. Dante is hands down one of the most troubled, damaged, tortured heroes of any romance series that I’ve read, and his physical, mental, and emotional turmoil and anguish is agonizingly gut-wrenching to witness. He really gives Zsadist from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series a run for the money in the angst department. Heather is such a strong, determined, caring heroine, and her intrinsic need to help those she loves, including her spiteful, self-destructive, bipolar sister and her beloved Dante, is completely heartbreaking. The fragile, tender, and intense romance between Dante and Heather is both beautiful and tragic, and if ever there was a couple that deserves a HEA, it’s these two. Add Fallen Lucien to the mix of pain, regret, and heartbreak, and it’s a fundamental smorgasbord of drama and angst. Then there’s my boy Von, another rich character, whose total loyalty and unrelenting devotion to Dante adds another touching element to the story.
Dante and Heather are reunited and trying to forge a relationship, but he continues to struggle with his past, memory, identity, and destiny as both True Blood and Fallen. Besides Dante’s internal torment, he and Heather must face external forces and fight enemies that threaten to rip them apart, forever. With Lucien losing the battle with the Fallen to hide and protect the Maker, Dante’s sanity is at stake and his future with Heather is uncertain.
In the Blood is another dark, gritty, riveting, impressive, and emotionally haunting read in the fantastic, creative Maker’s Song series that grabs a hold of you and never lets go! I’ll warn you strict romance lovers that it’s a very intense, edgy, violent urban fantasy read, and although there is romantic intimacy and one sex scene between the H/H, there isn’t a resolution or HEA. In fact, it ends on a ‘say it ain’t so’, doozy of a cliffhanger, so I’ll be biting my nails until Beneath the Skin comes out 12/29/09. 5 stars!
FYI: There’s a very handy glossary and translation of words and phrases at the back of the book that might be helpful to review before and while you’re reading!
January 11, 2009
I have been completely drawn in by the world that Adrian has created. The combination of Dante's origins of both True Blood and Fallen combined with his tortured childhood at the hands of doctors Moore and Wells and the rest of Bad Seed has resulted in a truly compelling and emotional story. I'll admit that upon starting this one I was impatiently awaiting the reunion of Heather and Dante, but I quickly got drawn into the additional storylines as well. Discovering the depth of Dr. Wells' depravity through his Alex and Athena, the fascinating potential with Cortini and the backstory and potential for disaster with Lucien, Lillith, Gabriel and Morningstar. Annie's character brought realistic emotions to Heather as she coped with her troubled sister, loving her even when she did everything she could to make it difficult to do so. And Von, I loved his dedication not only to Dante, but to all of his family. The unexpected strength of Dante's powers against the Fallen was great surprise, as I'd begun to fear a cliff hanger that would have left me in uncomfortable suspense for the next book. Having been spoiled by getting the first two books in two weeks, I'm now gutted at the thought that we have to wait another year for the next one!
April 21, 2009
Another six star book. OMG was this incredible. Again angels and vamps, but what she did with them was amazing. I loved everything about this book:
how she used the angel's names and the hierarchy and the mythology she shapes out of standard angelology (Gabriel as Elohim. YES!!!!);
Dante's powers are developing nicely and what he does will have you going, Damn that's wicked;
Heather's sister is bipolar and it is dealt with sensitively, but doesn't pull any punches. I look forward to seeing where this character goes;
More of Dante's backstory is shown (and had me in tears);
What was best about this book is it didn't feel like a second book that was mainly setting up another book. The ending felt like a beginning (Dante definitely has hit a new level), but it was satisfying. No throwing this book across the room out of frustration. I am looking forward to the next one, but I feel the writer trusts her writing and story enough that she didn't have to leave me with a great cliffhanger. There are plenty of questions at left at the end, top of the list, what will happen to DeNoir.
This book was a good balance of the supernatural story and the mundane one.
Now stop reading this and go get the books. You can read this as a start, but I suggest you read A Rush of Wings first.
how she used the angel's names and the hierarchy and the mythology she shapes out of standard angelology (Gabriel as Elohim. YES!!!!);
Dante's powers are developing nicely and what he does will have you going, Damn that's wicked;
Heather's sister is bipolar and it is dealt with sensitively, but doesn't pull any punches. I look forward to seeing where this character goes;
More of Dante's backstory is shown (and had me in tears);
What was best about this book is it didn't feel like a second book that was mainly setting up another book. The ending felt like a beginning (Dante definitely has hit a new level), but it was satisfying. No throwing this book across the room out of frustration. I am looking forward to the next one, but I feel the writer trusts her writing and story enough that she didn't have to leave me with a great cliffhanger. There are plenty of questions at left at the end, top of the list, what will happen to DeNoir.
This book was a good balance of the supernatural story and the mundane one.
Now stop reading this and go get the books. You can read this as a start, but I suggest you read A Rush of Wings first.
April 17, 2009
OMG what can i say::this book is so damn good that i read it cover to cover twice in 7 days!!::i was completely absorbed in the world of Dante and Heather::everything about the book is fantasic::there are pages that made me cry pg 138, pg185:: chapter 29 is beautiful, i find this kind of intimate the best kind of intimate::nothing flowery and over the top just intimate love::i can't wait for the next book:: this book needs 6 stars::
June 10, 2009
The story is really interesting, but I can't say that I loved reading it.
It got really confusing for me to keep up with all of the bad guys. They kept coming out of the woodwork every time I turned a page! As if that wasn't bad enough, sometimes the author used their first name and sometimes she used their last name. I'm not kidding. There was Dr. Wells (evil mastermind of the Bad Seed project), Alex Lyons (Dr. well's son/Athena wells twin brother/government agent/psycho), Athena Wells/Hades (TOTAL PSYCHO), Brian Sheridan (government asassin?), Catrina Cortini (government asassin with a vampire mom), James Wallace (Heather's evil dad), Alberto Rodriguez (some kind of bad guy with some kind of agency..I think FBI), Monica Rutgers (ADIC at FBI/bad guy),Gabriel (Fallen/evil leader), Morningstar (Fallen/sleezy power-grubber)...Did I forget anyone? Probably. But you get the point. On one page it would talk about Catrina being on a plane thinking about something, and then five pages later it would talk about Cortini sneaking around in the woods. ??? It is the SAME PERSON! USE ONE NAME FOR GOD'S SAKE!
I'm sure this next thing probably didn't bother anyone else, but it grated on my nerves... the singing. I hated reading the words to Dante's songs! "I'll kiss away your fears. If you crawl. With me. Fall with me. For me." What the...?! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! It wasn't as bad as it was in the first book, but still! I guess I'm not one of those people who hears the music in my head.
Ok. I'm done ranting.
The story, while incredibly complicated, is extremely interesting. I am really looking forward to finding out when the Maker/Fallen storyline goes. Yes. Even if it means reading more of Dante's lyrics.
It got really confusing for me to keep up with all of the bad guys. They kept coming out of the woodwork every time I turned a page! As if that wasn't bad enough, sometimes the author used their first name and sometimes she used their last name. I'm not kidding. There was Dr. Wells (evil mastermind of the Bad Seed project), Alex Lyons (Dr. well's son/Athena wells twin brother/government agent/psycho), Athena Wells/Hades (TOTAL PSYCHO), Brian Sheridan (government asassin?), Catrina Cortini (government asassin with a vampire mom), James Wallace (Heather's evil dad), Alberto Rodriguez (some kind of bad guy with some kind of agency..I think FBI), Monica Rutgers (ADIC at FBI/bad guy),Gabriel (Fallen/evil leader), Morningstar (Fallen/sleezy power-grubber)...Did I forget anyone? Probably. But you get the point. On one page it would talk about Catrina being on a plane thinking about something, and then five pages later it would talk about Cortini sneaking around in the woods. ??? It is the SAME PERSON! USE ONE NAME FOR GOD'S SAKE!
I'm sure this next thing probably didn't bother anyone else, but it grated on my nerves... the singing. I hated reading the words to Dante's songs! "I'll kiss away your fears. If you crawl. With me. Fall with me. For me." What the...?! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! It wasn't as bad as it was in the first book, but still! I guess I'm not one of those people who hears the music in my head.
Ok. I'm done ranting.
The story, while incredibly complicated, is extremely interesting. I am really looking forward to finding out when the Maker/Fallen storyline goes. Yes. Even if it means reading more of Dante's lyrics.
February 16, 2009
The story of Dante, Heather and the Fallen continues.
Dante's headaches are getting worse, Heather is in danger, Lucien may or may not be gone forever and we get to meet Caterina- a hit woman mortal raised by a vampire and Annie - Heather's bipolar self-destructive sister. On top of that, the cast of crazies this time are around are just as mean and badass but a touch more psychotic than the last batch.
Well worth it to get sucked into this story that is at turns both dark and tender.
I was surprised and very happy that Phoenix actually continued her excellent writing and allowed for a story to be told and not be bogged down with out of the blue weird monkey sex.
When there was sex, it was not only worth it, it was plausible. At the point in the story you are so invested in the plot and characters you feel it.
Dante's headaches are getting worse, Heather is in danger, Lucien may or may not be gone forever and we get to meet Caterina- a hit woman mortal raised by a vampire and Annie - Heather's bipolar self-destructive sister. On top of that, the cast of crazies this time are around are just as mean and badass but a touch more psychotic than the last batch.
Well worth it to get sucked into this story that is at turns both dark and tender.
I was surprised and very happy that Phoenix actually continued her excellent writing and allowed for a story to be told and not be bogged down with out of the blue weird monkey sex.
When there was sex, it was not only worth it, it was plausible. At the point in the story you are so invested in the plot and characters you feel it.
January 3, 2010
Holy cliffhanger, Batman!
The sequel to A Rush of Wings is every bit as gripping and addictive as its predecessor. And Phoenix pushes everything just a little bit further. There's just a little bit more action, a little bit more urgency, a little bit more romance.
And a whole lot more "holy crap!" The end of this book blew me away and left me wondering how I will ever survive an entire year waiting for the next one.
The most addictive series I've read in ages. I haven't been able to put these books down. I can't rave about them enough. Please read them. Now.
Actually, maybe you should wait and read them next January so you won't have to wait for book three. ;)
**Jan 2010 re-read**
Just as amazing the second time. These books are so addictive!
The sequel to A Rush of Wings is every bit as gripping and addictive as its predecessor. And Phoenix pushes everything just a little bit further. There's just a little bit more action, a little bit more urgency, a little bit more romance.
And a whole lot more "holy crap!" The end of this book blew me away and left me wondering how I will ever survive an entire year waiting for the next one.
The most addictive series I've read in ages. I haven't been able to put these books down. I can't rave about them enough. Please read them. Now.
Actually, maybe you should wait and read them next January so you won't have to wait for book three. ;)
**Jan 2010 re-read**
Just as amazing the second time. These books are so addictive!
May 14, 2011
3.5 stars
“Unbound. Untrained. Destined for Madness.”
I enjoyed In the Blood a lot more than the first book in the series. This book felt more cohesive and the flashbacks seemed to fit the story well. In the Blood is the second book in The Maker’s Song series. It follows Dante’s story as he comes into his powers as a creawdwr (creator). Basically, a lot of people want to capture Dante and use and reshape him to their needs.
In this book, we learn more about the previous creawdwr’s background through a side trip to Gehanna. I found it interesting to note that the author used Yahweh as the creator. (In Hebrew Yahweh is one of the spellings of God’s name). Lucien, or Samael as he is called in Gehanna, is taken prisoner and tortured by Gabriel who wants the power of the creawdwr. Through Lucien’s and Lilith’s flashbacks, we get a taste of that world and learn why no creator lives there now.
Of course, I was reading the book for more of Dante. How I loved it when he spoke his Cajun French. So sexy. Dante was on a concert tour that took him close to Heather. Dante is suffering from major headaches and is his control is slowly deteriorating. Heather and Von are able to keep him from spiraling out of control. The descriptions of Dante’s music and power were beautiful, using the language of music to describe his making and unmaking of things.
A lot of things happen in this book and the action was incredible. The man behind the Bad Seed project Dr. Wells is also highlighted in this book. In addition to the Bad Seed project, Dr. Wells genetically engineered his children resulting in a set of twins with unusual abilities. His daughter Athena was on the verge of insanity, believing that she was Hades and that she needed Dante for a trinity of power.
I did have a few issues with this book. There were a lot of story lines to follow in this book, and it may be confusing for the reader. Heather also acts less and less like an FBI agent, doing a lot of research on her own. I’m not sure that would be realistic in a real government agency. The ending was a little unbelievable, but it is a paranormal novel...
Dante Baptiste's character makes me want to read the next book. I am also curious about the Cercle de Druids and learning more about Caterina Cortini's family. I’m looking forward to reading Beneath the Skin.
December 27, 2008
After being apart for months, Dante Baptiste and Heather Wallace find themselves together again in Heather’s hometown of Seattle, with their enemies right behind them. But while fighting the forces determined to control Dante, each of them must also fight their own internal battles.
Heather must decide if it is safer remaining with the FBI or get out before they decide she is a loose end that needs tying up. She also knows she must finally decide which emotion is stronger, her love for Dante or her fear.
Dante still can’t remember his past. His migraine attacks have gotten worse and more frequent, and now he also suffers from seizures. While his love for Heather pulls him to her, it also tells him she is safer without him. And Dante isn’t ready to deal with the betrayal he feels from Lucien, someone he considered to be his most trusted friend.
Yet, through it all, Lucien is determined to keep Dante hidden and safe. He is willing to sacrifice everything for Dante. Even their relationship and his own life.
In The Blood is even more gripping than Adrian Phoenix’s first novel, A Rush of Wings. As the second book in The Maker’s Song series, In The Blood provides the reader with a more in depth look at the characters, their relationships, and their past. All the while, Ms. Phoenix’s talent weaves the underlying themes of family and hope seamlessly into the story, giving the reader a sense of familiarity and belonging. Even through the fantastical elements the reader can identify with the heroes and heroines, elevating the story to one of the best in the genre. Start off the New Year right and get yourself a copy of In The Blood, available December 30, 2008.
Heather must decide if it is safer remaining with the FBI or get out before they decide she is a loose end that needs tying up. She also knows she must finally decide which emotion is stronger, her love for Dante or her fear.
Dante still can’t remember his past. His migraine attacks have gotten worse and more frequent, and now he also suffers from seizures. While his love for Heather pulls him to her, it also tells him she is safer without him. And Dante isn’t ready to deal with the betrayal he feels from Lucien, someone he considered to be his most trusted friend.
Yet, through it all, Lucien is determined to keep Dante hidden and safe. He is willing to sacrifice everything for Dante. Even their relationship and his own life.
In The Blood is even more gripping than Adrian Phoenix’s first novel, A Rush of Wings. As the second book in The Maker’s Song series, In The Blood provides the reader with a more in depth look at the characters, their relationships, and their past. All the while, Ms. Phoenix’s talent weaves the underlying themes of family and hope seamlessly into the story, giving the reader a sense of familiarity and belonging. Even through the fantastical elements the reader can identify with the heroes and heroines, elevating the story to one of the best in the genre. Start off the New Year right and get yourself a copy of In The Blood, available December 30, 2008.
May 11, 2010
In the Blood
picks up where A Rush of Wings left off with Dante and Heather apart following the "Bad Seed" aftermath.
I love this series, but I have to say that for whatever reason, I'm thinking it's all the odd words within it, it takes me for-freakin'-ever to read each book. Pourquoi? Well, with words like: Aingeal, Anhrefncathl, Calon-cyfaill, Chalkydri, Creawdwr, Cydymaith, Elohim, Llygad, Wybrcathl, can you really blame my brain for occassionally misfiring and shouting, "WTF? Read that again ... slower this time ... go back ... what?" LMAO!! Merde! LOL!
The hero is a seriously tortured soul and our heroine is a tough cookie who will not leave the side of her man. I finish each book liking all the characters more than the first and know the rest of the series will prove the same. I really like Von and would like to continue to learn more about him.
My brain hurts, so it'll probably be a while before I tackle book 3, Beneath the Skin. But, not too long. :)
[Format Read: eBook]
I love this series, but I have to say that for whatever reason, I'm thinking it's all the odd words within it, it takes me for-freakin'-ever to read each book. Pourquoi? Well, with words like: Aingeal, Anhrefncathl, Calon-cyfaill, Chalkydri, Creawdwr, Cydymaith, Elohim, Llygad, Wybrcathl, can you really blame my brain for occassionally misfiring and shouting, "WTF? Read that again ... slower this time ... go back ... what?" LMAO!! Merde! LOL!
The hero is a seriously tortured soul and our heroine is a tough cookie who will not leave the side of her man. I finish each book liking all the characters more than the first and know the rest of the series will prove the same. I really like Von and would like to continue to learn more about him.
My brain hurts, so it'll probably be a while before I tackle book 3, Beneath the Skin. But, not too long. :)
[Format Read: eBook]
September 25, 2013
While the action is certainly enough to keep me occupied, I'm still having trouble with the character side of these books. With Dante more than anyone else. I'm fine with the tortured hero, I'm fine with the overly dramatic past consuming the present, but Dante has too many characteristics and not enough character. He's a vampire, he's an angel, he's a front man, he's a sex object, he's *designed in a lab to be a sociopath*. More than anything else, I find it so distracting every time a character has to stop and admire how sexy and gorgeous he is. My reaction every time is, "That guy? Really?". Viewing Dante entirely through the reflection of other people's adoration really doesn't carry the character.
I keep waiting for Phoenix to give me a reason to fall in love with Dante, give me a reason to care about all the wheels turning around him. Until I have that reason, the big "will he/ won't he" drama around his godhead isn't emotionally relevant. I get it. There's a comedic amount of weight stacked against Dante. I mean, a truly ridiculous amount. Every time a shadowy government agency comes up with a new plan to attack/ kill/ activate Dante, it seems like over kill. I'd like to believe that Dante's eventual survival will be the product of his personal growth, but at this point I'm expecting to get dragged through multiple books just to have him spontaneously erupt like a magical angel/ vampire super nova while every else nods and says "We knew it all along".
I keep waiting for Phoenix to give me a reason to fall in love with Dante, give me a reason to care about all the wheels turning around him. Until I have that reason, the big "will he/ won't he" drama around his godhead isn't emotionally relevant. I get it. There's a comedic amount of weight stacked against Dante. I mean, a truly ridiculous amount. Every time a shadowy government agency comes up with a new plan to attack/ kill/ activate Dante, it seems like over kill. I'd like to believe that Dante's eventual survival will be the product of his personal growth, but at this point I'm expecting to get dragged through multiple books just to have him spontaneously erupt like a magical angel/ vampire super nova while every else nods and says "We knew it all along".
November 17, 2009
Again...WOW! Adrian Phoenix amazes me, yet again. She first caught me with A Rush of Wings. And continued with this installment in the Maker's Song series.
It's so beautifully disturbing. You can't help but love Dante. I just wanted to hold him. I'm pretty sure Dante Baptiste redifines the term "tortured soul". And Ms. Phoenix lays it out so clearly. You can FEEL his pain...or at least what you can fathom of it.
Also, in this book, you delve further into Heather's character. I've grown to really like her. In A Rush of Wings she was just outshined by Dante. So you didn't get the opportunity to really know her. This time she gets her little spotlight and you can see more of her inner-self shining through the pages.
And Von...I want my own Llygad (sp?)!
The only issue I had with this book was the constant changes in POV. It jumped around, it seemed, every few paragraphs. It annoyed the crap out of me. But after a while, I got over it and let the story suck me in. And it was SOOO worth the effort! It didn't even bother me that I had to keep flipping to the glossary to look up the cajun phrases. ( I swear, I'll be fluent by the end of this series!)
I'm looking forward to Beneath the Skin in December. Adrian Phoenix is an autobuy for me!
It's so beautifully disturbing. You can't help but love Dante. I just wanted to hold him. I'm pretty sure Dante Baptiste redifines the term "tortured soul". And Ms. Phoenix lays it out so clearly. You can FEEL his pain...or at least what you can fathom of it.
Also, in this book, you delve further into Heather's character. I've grown to really like her. In A Rush of Wings she was just outshined by Dante. So you didn't get the opportunity to really know her. This time she gets her little spotlight and you can see more of her inner-self shining through the pages.
And Von...I want my own Llygad (sp?)!
The only issue I had with this book was the constant changes in POV. It jumped around, it seemed, every few paragraphs. It annoyed the crap out of me. But after a while, I got over it and let the story suck me in. And it was SOOO worth the effort! It didn't even bother me that I had to keep flipping to the glossary to look up the cajun phrases. ( I swear, I'll be fluent by the end of this series!)
I'm looking forward to Beneath the Skin in December. Adrian Phoenix is an autobuy for me!
March 12, 2012
I wasn't sure with the first book if I would actually like this series. I didn't really care for a lot of the characters but I decided to read the second to see where it leads.I'm glad I did. I liked this book. My only complaint is the number of characters that were introduced throughout the chapters and the names given to certain things or events.There is a glossary at the end of each book (which you will need). That took some of the enjoyment of the reading, as your constantly skimming the glossary to figure out meanings. I'm not love with many characters in this book but I do have favorites.Von being one.I could happily read a book , just about him. I don't have any connections for Heather or Dante. I was glad that this book wasn't one, where they looked at each other and knew they were soul mates.(although at points, it started to lean that way). I love the stories that balanced the book. There was so much more action in this book and the last five chapters, blew me away.I will continue and see where this leads.
March 13, 2012
This was still really interesting since the characters are so great, but the first 3/4 of the book was rather slow. Not much happened. Just a lot of talking about Heather's mother, Robert Wells, and dealing with Annie. I was also disappointed that there wasnt much of Lucien, because I really love him. It didnt feel like it really got going until chapter 35. And then, of course, the last 5 chapters were amazing! It really paid off in the end.
The setup for the next book was also awesome. It wasnt as stand alone as the first either. Although it was clear at the end of the last book, that there was more to come, it still felt like an ending for the time being. But the end of this one felt like it could have actually said "To be continued." I cant wait!
The setup for the next book was also awesome. It wasnt as stand alone as the first either. Although it was clear at the end of the last book, that there was more to come, it still felt like an ending for the time being. But the end of this one felt like it could have actually said "To be continued." I cant wait!
July 22, 2009
Again, the plot (which pretty much continues from the events of the first book) was a little too long and drawn-out. But it did introduce a few more elements that will only thicken the plot in future books and maybe make the series on a whole a more satisfying read.
I'm still finding the whole idea of Dante-as-a-rockstar slightly cringe-worthy. The whole notion of it really doesn't bother me, because it makes a little bit of a sense for a twenty-something guy living in that kind of world to find some kind of outlet in such a career. But it's when he starts singing and those generic lyrics pour from his mouth... sigh. It's not good.
I'll probably read the next book, though, because that something is still there.
I'm still finding the whole idea of Dante-as-a-rockstar slightly cringe-worthy. The whole notion of it really doesn't bother me, because it makes a little bit of a sense for a twenty-something guy living in that kind of world to find some kind of outlet in such a career. But it's when he starts singing and those generic lyrics pour from his mouth... sigh. It's not good.
I'll probably read the next book, though, because that something is still there.
October 28, 2015
Not as good as the first one, mostly because there was very little interaction between Dante and Lucien. Also, I didn't like Heather acting all jealous suddenly and I very much disliked Annie - yes, she was sick but also simply mean.
On the other hand, I've yet to find a book that would be so full of crazy people and dead bodies. There was not one innocent person in this book, everybody had blood on their hands. And the crazy thing was that you actually got why they were killing, most of them had a very good reason for it.
This book, it's dark urban fantasy but it reads like a thriller: secret government organizations, secret projects, secret agents - but also fallen angels, vampires and magic. It's an incredible, addictive combination.
On the other hand, I've yet to find a book that would be so full of crazy people and dead bodies. There was not one innocent person in this book, everybody had blood on their hands. And the crazy thing was that you actually got why they were killing, most of them had a very good reason for it.
This book, it's dark urban fantasy but it reads like a thriller: secret government organizations, secret projects, secret agents - but also fallen angels, vampires and magic. It's an incredible, addictive combination.
May 29, 2009
this is a book you don't want to start reading late at night. you'll end up watching the sun rise as you flip through the pages. i couldnt possibly stop without getting to the end. when i did i found one heck of a cliff hanger. this book was even more riveting than the first. Dante is just such a haunted man. everything has been so completely tragic in his life. it's completely heart breaking. watching Heather being so determined to save everyone she loves is just as wrenching. so much drama an emotion is woven through the action and the many plots in this series perfectly. it never bogs you down but it is always present. waiting for book three is going to be miserable.
February 6, 2009
I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, since the author frequently switches between first and last names, nicknames and codenames for any given character. Granted, much of my confusion may be due to failing to read the previous book in the series. Until I finished the book, I had no idea it was part of a series, lol! I’m undecided as of yet whether I’ll go back and read book no. 1.
February 14, 2009
I forget what I gave Book 1 already. Again, a great dark world of vampires and fallen angels, and mixed in with the FBI and secret shadow organizations. Could have brought Heather and Dante back together sooner in the book, and I do get a bit tired of Dante's memory flashes, but otherwise there is a plenitude of bad guys, strong and steadfast good guys, shifting loyalties and double-crossing.
March 28, 2009
a totally awesome book, so much is happening in the book. but you have nightkind, fallen, and bad guys of all sorts in there. like i said awesome. i love her books so much.
March 17, 2021
I'm loving re-reading this series!
November 29, 2014
I am really enjoying this exciting and different series. The writing style is different and the characters have may textures that allow you to enjoy the different plots unfolding.
deals
November 30, 201530 November 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
March 23, 2011
Not Boding Well for Damaged Dante
FBI Agent Heather Wallace knew that the events in D.C. hadn't been a victory for the home team. Not fully, anyway. She returned to Seattle, leaving Dante in New Orleans, both to give herself time to come to terms with the massive paradigm shift she went through when her hunt for the serial killer known as CCK dropped her into a dark world of vampires, fallen angels, mad scientists, and government conspiracy, and to try to protect Dante as much as she could through controlling the information the Bureau had on him. Okay, and to try to do some damage control on her career, too. But the Powers That Be aren't nearly done with Heather yet, and her superiors give her an ultimatum that lets her know just how precarious her position...and her life...really is.
And those are just the PTBs she knows. There are others. Darker. More dangerous. And they're the ones that don't want to control Heather...they want to control Dante. They want Heather dead.
Dante's band is on tour, heading to Seattle. Despite his worsening health and shattered psyche, the nightkind goth rocker is intent on safeguarding Heather. Suffering seizures, riddled with pain and barely holding on, he's heavily self medicating as his friends and fellow band members keep a wary eye on him. No sooner does he reconnect with Heather than their world is once again rocked with intrigue and danger. Dark shadow agencies are out to kill them, freaks of nature are out to kidnap them, and more than one very powerful supernatural force is searching, endlessly searching for him.
A flawed and broken Dante and world-weary Heather are once again at the center of a storm powerful enough to scour the earth...or unmake it.
The dark saga of True Blood nightkind and Fallen creawdwr Dante Baptiste and the FBI agent who loves him, Heather Wallace, continues in this second installment of The Maker's Song series. Slightly less gory and disturbing than its predecessor, In the Blood is just as complex and layered, grim and disturbing as the first, but it doesn't have quite the same level of sick, sadistic trauma that E brought along with him in A Rush of Wings. Oh, it definitely has some, as Dante's past is just about as sadistic and twisted as it gets, but fortunately the glimpses readers are afforded of Dante's childhood come in fractured, brutal little pieces that are easier for me to deal with than E's over-the-top sexual sadist butchery. At least in part.
There's no shortage of story here, but in that regard this book slightly edges out the first, because while there are plenty of layers to the plot, much complexity to the characters, and a plethora of conflicting agendas attacking from every side with each party of bad guys working dangerous and quick-changing angles, there's a slightly neater trail through that wild, ravaging forest than existed in A Rush of Wings. This book isn't quite as chaotic, didn't get quite so heavy laden with over-telling, and offered up a few moments of hope that the first book totally lacked.
There sure are a lot of different faces of corruption and evil in this series, though. If the Bureau and the SB aren't enough, there's the morally bankrupt Dr. Wells, who definitely won't be winning any Father of the Year awards in this millennium, and don't even get me started on the Elohim, who have just as many agendas and grimy graspers of power as you would expect any group of Fallen angels to have. Poor Dante really is the quintessential superstar - everyone on this planet and beyond want a piece of him, no matter how thoroughly it will destroy him. His story is tragic, heartbreaking, nauseating, and just plain sad.
In fact, that's starting to be one of the drawbacks of this series for me. Two books in and so much horror has been heaped onto Dante's plate, so much agony, misery, and treachery, that it's more than a little depressing. You can't like him as a character without wanting him to triumph in this, and honestly, I'm just not seeing enough glimpses of hope and happiness, tremulous as they may be, on this spiral into the hellish infernos of Phoenix's imagination.
I thoroughly respect Phoenix's talents. She's created such a flawed and broken protagonist and I can't help but root for him. Heather didn't do much for me in the first book, but in this one I really started to enjoy her spirit and appreciate her dedication to Dante - I just hope that dedication doesn't wane and that he doesn't have to suffer one more loss in his painfully short but horrifying life. He keeps pushing her away, but so obviously needs her. Wants so desperately to keep her safe, and knows that he's her biggest threat. It's all so Shakespearean.
I'm becoming quite fond of the llygad Von, who we met in the first book but really took on a distinct personality of his own in this one, and Cortini shows a lot of promise for a cold blooded executioner. They are both welcome additions to the story and added some nice depth to the good guy column...though as has been quite clear since the beginning of the series, "good" is relative. I was disappointed in Lucien's storyline, though. I can't seem to warm up to the Elohim contingent as story conflict fodder, and find their agendas and mythology often seem discordant when paired with the governmental and medical meddlers. I wish that planar aspect of the baddies had been dealt with first before the dark Aingeals had their part to play. And if wishes were fishes...
Adrian Phoenix has created a terrifying world with this series, a world on the brink of annihilation, when the big picture gets closely examined, and she's not above putting her main characters through debilitating misery. I have to be honest...that scares me. I have no idea if there will be a happy ending in this series, or even how I would define "happy" after two books of bleak hopelessness and a well told, if heartbreaking story. Because the series is so unique and the path so winding as I've read to this point, I'm really wondering how this is all going to turn out, but I'm almost afraid to read it and see. I said in my review of the first book that I like dark tales, and I do. But I'm starting to realize just how much I need at least a little lightness mixed in with it, and I favor an ultimate happy ending. I just don't know if I'm going to get that here. It may be a while before I pick up the next book in the series, though I do intend on doing so. And frankly, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with what that says about me...on any level.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
FBI Agent Heather Wallace knew that the events in D.C. hadn't been a victory for the home team. Not fully, anyway. She returned to Seattle, leaving Dante in New Orleans, both to give herself time to come to terms with the massive paradigm shift she went through when her hunt for the serial killer known as CCK dropped her into a dark world of vampires, fallen angels, mad scientists, and government conspiracy, and to try to protect Dante as much as she could through controlling the information the Bureau had on him. Okay, and to try to do some damage control on her career, too. But the Powers That Be aren't nearly done with Heather yet, and her superiors give her an ultimatum that lets her know just how precarious her position...and her life...really is.
And those are just the PTBs she knows. There are others. Darker. More dangerous. And they're the ones that don't want to control Heather...they want to control Dante. They want Heather dead.
Dante's band is on tour, heading to Seattle. Despite his worsening health and shattered psyche, the nightkind goth rocker is intent on safeguarding Heather. Suffering seizures, riddled with pain and barely holding on, he's heavily self medicating as his friends and fellow band members keep a wary eye on him. No sooner does he reconnect with Heather than their world is once again rocked with intrigue and danger. Dark shadow agencies are out to kill them, freaks of nature are out to kidnap them, and more than one very powerful supernatural force is searching, endlessly searching for him.
A flawed and broken Dante and world-weary Heather are once again at the center of a storm powerful enough to scour the earth...or unmake it.
The dark saga of True Blood nightkind and Fallen creawdwr Dante Baptiste and the FBI agent who loves him, Heather Wallace, continues in this second installment of The Maker's Song series. Slightly less gory and disturbing than its predecessor, In the Blood is just as complex and layered, grim and disturbing as the first, but it doesn't have quite the same level of sick, sadistic trauma that E brought along with him in A Rush of Wings. Oh, it definitely has some, as Dante's past is just about as sadistic and twisted as it gets, but fortunately the glimpses readers are afforded of Dante's childhood come in fractured, brutal little pieces that are easier for me to deal with than E's over-the-top sexual sadist butchery. At least in part.
There's no shortage of story here, but in that regard this book slightly edges out the first, because while there are plenty of layers to the plot, much complexity to the characters, and a plethora of conflicting agendas attacking from every side with each party of bad guys working dangerous and quick-changing angles, there's a slightly neater trail through that wild, ravaging forest than existed in A Rush of Wings. This book isn't quite as chaotic, didn't get quite so heavy laden with over-telling, and offered up a few moments of hope that the first book totally lacked.
There sure are a lot of different faces of corruption and evil in this series, though. If the Bureau and the SB aren't enough, there's the morally bankrupt Dr. Wells, who definitely won't be winning any Father of the Year awards in this millennium, and don't even get me started on the Elohim, who have just as many agendas and grimy graspers of power as you would expect any group of Fallen angels to have. Poor Dante really is the quintessential superstar - everyone on this planet and beyond want a piece of him, no matter how thoroughly it will destroy him. His story is tragic, heartbreaking, nauseating, and just plain sad.
In fact, that's starting to be one of the drawbacks of this series for me. Two books in and so much horror has been heaped onto Dante's plate, so much agony, misery, and treachery, that it's more than a little depressing. You can't like him as a character without wanting him to triumph in this, and honestly, I'm just not seeing enough glimpses of hope and happiness, tremulous as they may be, on this spiral into the hellish infernos of Phoenix's imagination.
I thoroughly respect Phoenix's talents. She's created such a flawed and broken protagonist and I can't help but root for him. Heather didn't do much for me in the first book, but in this one I really started to enjoy her spirit and appreciate her dedication to Dante - I just hope that dedication doesn't wane and that he doesn't have to suffer one more loss in his painfully short but horrifying life. He keeps pushing her away, but so obviously needs her. Wants so desperately to keep her safe, and knows that he's her biggest threat. It's all so Shakespearean.
I'm becoming quite fond of the llygad Von, who we met in the first book but really took on a distinct personality of his own in this one, and Cortini shows a lot of promise for a cold blooded executioner. They are both welcome additions to the story and added some nice depth to the good guy column...though as has been quite clear since the beginning of the series, "good" is relative. I was disappointed in Lucien's storyline, though. I can't seem to warm up to the Elohim contingent as story conflict fodder, and find their agendas and mythology often seem discordant when paired with the governmental and medical meddlers. I wish that planar aspect of the baddies had been dealt with first before the dark Aingeals had their part to play. And if wishes were fishes...
Adrian Phoenix has created a terrifying world with this series, a world on the brink of annihilation, when the big picture gets closely examined, and she's not above putting her main characters through debilitating misery. I have to be honest...that scares me. I have no idea if there will be a happy ending in this series, or even how I would define "happy" after two books of bleak hopelessness and a well told, if heartbreaking story. Because the series is so unique and the path so winding as I've read to this point, I'm really wondering how this is all going to turn out, but I'm almost afraid to read it and see. I said in my review of the first book that I like dark tales, and I do. But I'm starting to realize just how much I need at least a little lightness mixed in with it, and I favor an ultimate happy ending. I just don't know if I'm going to get that here. It may be a while before I pick up the next book in the series, though I do intend on doing so. And frankly, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with what that says about me...on any level.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
May 27, 2018
I'll be honest, I only got to page 211 before I decided it was not worth finishing this book. I recall the the first book in the series was not great to start, but got better. I was hoping this book would do the same.
The writing and plot were both immature. I found the character descriptions off-putting. The story seemed stuck in the 1990s, but also had elements that somehow indicated the future. Basic world building and story telling should indicate to the reader at least some time frame. Elements set in the past were also set in current times, using things that didn't exist 20 years ago, let alone 20 years prior to when this book was written. It's a little sloppy.
The final straw on this book is that I found it offensive. The use of mental illness as a caricature is always bad. I don't know if the author has personal experience with the mental illnesses they chose to portray, but all they were doing was furthering stigmatizing mental illness in these books. I found them very poorly described and used.
I cannot recommend this book.
The writing and plot were both immature. I found the character descriptions off-putting. The story seemed stuck in the 1990s, but also had elements that somehow indicated the future. Basic world building and story telling should indicate to the reader at least some time frame. Elements set in the past were also set in current times, using things that didn't exist 20 years ago, let alone 20 years prior to when this book was written. It's a little sloppy.
The final straw on this book is that I found it offensive. The use of mental illness as a caricature is always bad. I don't know if the author has personal experience with the mental illnesses they chose to portray, but all they were doing was furthering stigmatizing mental illness in these books. I found them very poorly described and used.
I cannot recommend this book.
August 2, 2019
Dante & Heather are great together; but there are lots of plots & subplots in this book.
Dante: Musician; vampire, True Blood Prince; Fallen Angel; Maker & Unmaker...
Heather: Mortal but maybe a bit more since Dante saved her,
The families: Heather's - Dad crazy FBI & Sister Annie just crazy
Dante's - Lucien/Samuel his dad one of the Fallen angels & his Vampire family
The FBI & a Shadow bureau intent on CYA & taking out people who know about the project that created Dante,
Fallen Angels intent on getting Dante - Gabriel, Lilith, Morningstar
The Wells Family,,,,Robert "created Dante" & programmed him to do his bidding. His crazy children Alexander & Athena are also out to get Dante for their own purposes & then there is the dying wife.
Other True Blood Campires.....
I enjoyed the book; but I need to rest up before tackling the 3rd one in the series.
Dante: Musician; vampire, True Blood Prince; Fallen Angel; Maker & Unmaker...
Heather: Mortal but maybe a bit more since Dante saved her,
The families: Heather's - Dad crazy FBI & Sister Annie just crazy
Dante's - Lucien/Samuel his dad one of the Fallen angels & his Vampire family
The FBI & a Shadow bureau intent on CYA & taking out people who know about the project that created Dante,
Fallen Angels intent on getting Dante - Gabriel, Lilith, Morningstar
The Wells Family,,,,Robert "created Dante" & programmed him to do his bidding. His crazy children Alexander & Athena are also out to get Dante for their own purposes & then there is the dying wife.
Other True Blood Campires.....
I enjoyed the book; but I need to rest up before tackling the 3rd one in the series.
January 5, 2022
The plot was so complex yet, somehow, Phoenix never getting mixed-up, which was no easy feat. She did a great job of writing so many twisted and morally grey (on second thought, pretty much all of them were morally black) characters. But the tone was just 100% grim and dark, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was the reason why I'm not continuing with this series. Right now, I need to prioritize my mental health, which means that dark books aren't really the best idea at this time.
August 20, 2017
I think I liked the first one just a wee bit better because of the detective/mystery portion of it (not that we didn't know who'd done stuff necessarily) but this one was still good. It's a pretty unique take on religious iconography (think that's the right word/term) and it'll be interesting to see where the series ends up, though Dante's a bit too thick skulled for my tastes.
August 19, 2011
Second in The Maker's Song, a dark urban fantasy series revolving around a young Maker/Unmaker whom his father is desperate to keep from the attention of the Elohim. The action in this story takes place mostly in Seattle, Washington.
The Story
Dante is on tour with his band, Inferno, with a planned stop in Seattle. He needs to see Heather. Be sure she's okay. Heather certainly isn't sure. The briefings she is called in for certainly don't reassure Heather; she feels as though she's teetering on the brink. With the examples of how thorough the Shadow Bureau is in cleaning up loose ends with the cooperation of the FBI, Heather doesn't think much of her chances for survival.
She's also suspicious of her father's actions, claiming that he's there in support of her. Hah. He never has been supportive of his family and the more she uncovers about her parents, the less trust she has in his word.
The FBI is "curious" about Heather's rather rapid healing when she was shot in A Rush of Wings; the changes wrought onto her by Dante when he saved her. And hitmen are assigned and reassigned with their targets varying by the day, by the hour switching between disavowal, kidnapping, and death.
The FBI isn't their only concern as Alex and Athena Lyons will do anything to Dante to make the three of them a trinity as well as giving him their father, Dr. Robert Wells. Then there's Annie, Heather's sister, a mess and a half twisted by their father into betrayals.
Lucien is betrayed by Lilith and captured by his fellow Elohim. Chained, Lucien is unable to protect his son and must put his faith in a dubious other. A faith that is tested as Dante resorts more and more to creating a song of making drawing the Elohim to him.
The Characters
Dante Baptiste Prejean is a vampire-Elohim with a special twist that makes him a Maker as well as an Unmaker. The Elohim have not seen a Maker since Yahweh, 2,000 years ago. His childhood was a nightmare of torturous conditioning in the Bad Seed program, yet, as an adult, Dante seeks only to protect even as the seizures and headaches grow worse. Von is a nomad turned 40 years earlier; he has chosen to follow Dante and his particular road while both caring for Dante and doubling as a roadie for the band.
Heather Wallace is an agent with the FBI and a devoted seeker of truth and justice with lots of personal baggage. She loves Dante but is concerned about his psychopathic possibilities. Then there's Annie Wallace, Heather's sister. In a home recovering from a failed suicide attempt, Annie is too much like Athena and will do anything to hurt Heather while Heather gets suckered in everytime.
Dr. Robert Wells is the other half of the evil pairing involved in Bad Seed, a black ops experiment funded by the government creating and testing psychopaths. Letting them go and watching how they act and react within an innocent populace. Alexander and Athena Lyons are the twin children of Robert and Gloria Wells…and I'm not sure which parent is worse. Their genes certainly were passed on to their children. There's a similarity between the twins and Dante as well. Oh, did I mention, Alexander is a Special Agent for the FBI…
I don't think there's anyone in the FBI Office who actually cares about law, order, or justice; they're mostly in CYA-mode. Caterina Cortini is everyone's nightmare—if you see her, you're dead. A specialist in wetwork, Caterina is also the daughter of a vampire who raised her on stories of Pure Bloods. An influence that will change how she reacts to her orders.
The Elohim: Lucien, Dante's father; Lilith, a former lover of Lucien's disillusioned when Lucien took Yahweh out from under the control of the Elohim; and, Morningstar and Gabriel who appear to share the throne of Gehenna with equal suspicion. For some reason, there is a need to bind a Maker (Dante) before he goes insane and whoever holds the binding leash of that Maker rules.
My Take
All I can say is…try and gather up all five of the current books because you will hate having to wait for the next in the series. Phoenix's characters are compelling—I certainly never thought I would fall for a goth rocker. Yet it proves the old saying about not judging a book by its cover. Whenever Phoenix mentions Dante's dress and piercings, I get a "whoa" with a step-back in my brain and, so what? It's Dante's character that is important—and I do love how Phoenix portrays Dante's everyday interactions. It's refreshing even as it's rudely unexpected. Yup, I'm in love with Dante and am rooting for both of them!
The Cover
The cover's background reminds me of the club in Seattle where Heather heard Dante's band for the first time. But I still don't buy the cover model as Heather. Her sister, Annie, maybe because the closest Heather comes to wearing the model's apparel is for the concert—purple fishnet top over a purple bra and black jeans. The tattoos are never mentioned. As for the title, In the Blood…um…does it refer to Alexander and Athena's relationship to their father, the evil Dr. Robert Wells? And their mother…she sure seems to be a piece of work! It seems too great a stretch that it refers to Dante's mixed heritage of vampire and Elohim.
The Story
Dante is on tour with his band, Inferno, with a planned stop in Seattle. He needs to see Heather. Be sure she's okay. Heather certainly isn't sure. The briefings she is called in for certainly don't reassure Heather; she feels as though she's teetering on the brink. With the examples of how thorough the Shadow Bureau is in cleaning up loose ends with the cooperation of the FBI, Heather doesn't think much of her chances for survival.
She's also suspicious of her father's actions, claiming that he's there in support of her. Hah. He never has been supportive of his family and the more she uncovers about her parents, the less trust she has in his word.
The FBI is "curious" about Heather's rather rapid healing when she was shot in A Rush of Wings; the changes wrought onto her by Dante when he saved her. And hitmen are assigned and reassigned with their targets varying by the day, by the hour switching between disavowal, kidnapping, and death.
The FBI isn't their only concern as Alex and Athena Lyons will do anything to Dante to make the three of them a trinity as well as giving him their father, Dr. Robert Wells. Then there's Annie, Heather's sister, a mess and a half twisted by their father into betrayals.
Lucien is betrayed by Lilith and captured by his fellow Elohim. Chained, Lucien is unable to protect his son and must put his faith in a dubious other. A faith that is tested as Dante resorts more and more to creating a song of making drawing the Elohim to him.
The Characters
Dante Baptiste Prejean is a vampire-Elohim with a special twist that makes him a Maker as well as an Unmaker. The Elohim have not seen a Maker since Yahweh, 2,000 years ago. His childhood was a nightmare of torturous conditioning in the Bad Seed program, yet, as an adult, Dante seeks only to protect even as the seizures and headaches grow worse. Von is a nomad turned 40 years earlier; he has chosen to follow Dante and his particular road while both caring for Dante and doubling as a roadie for the band.
Heather Wallace is an agent with the FBI and a devoted seeker of truth and justice with lots of personal baggage. She loves Dante but is concerned about his psychopathic possibilities. Then there's Annie Wallace, Heather's sister. In a home recovering from a failed suicide attempt, Annie is too much like Athena and will do anything to hurt Heather while Heather gets suckered in everytime.
Dr. Robert Wells is the other half of the evil pairing involved in Bad Seed, a black ops experiment funded by the government creating and testing psychopaths. Letting them go and watching how they act and react within an innocent populace. Alexander and Athena Lyons are the twin children of Robert and Gloria Wells…and I'm not sure which parent is worse. Their genes certainly were passed on to their children. There's a similarity between the twins and Dante as well. Oh, did I mention, Alexander is a Special Agent for the FBI…
I don't think there's anyone in the FBI Office who actually cares about law, order, or justice; they're mostly in CYA-mode. Caterina Cortini is everyone's nightmare—if you see her, you're dead. A specialist in wetwork, Caterina is also the daughter of a vampire who raised her on stories of Pure Bloods. An influence that will change how she reacts to her orders.
The Elohim: Lucien, Dante's father; Lilith, a former lover of Lucien's disillusioned when Lucien took Yahweh out from under the control of the Elohim; and, Morningstar and Gabriel who appear to share the throne of Gehenna with equal suspicion. For some reason, there is a need to bind a Maker (Dante) before he goes insane and whoever holds the binding leash of that Maker rules.
My Take
All I can say is…try and gather up all five of the current books because you will hate having to wait for the next in the series. Phoenix's characters are compelling—I certainly never thought I would fall for a goth rocker. Yet it proves the old saying about not judging a book by its cover. Whenever Phoenix mentions Dante's dress and piercings, I get a "whoa" with a step-back in my brain and, so what? It's Dante's character that is important—and I do love how Phoenix portrays Dante's everyday interactions. It's refreshing even as it's rudely unexpected. Yup, I'm in love with Dante and am rooting for both of them!
The Cover
The cover's background reminds me of the club in Seattle where Heather heard Dante's band for the first time. But I still don't buy the cover model as Heather. Her sister, Annie, maybe because the closest Heather comes to wearing the model's apparel is for the concert—purple fishnet top over a purple bra and black jeans. The tattoos are never mentioned. As for the title, In the Blood…um…does it refer to Alexander and Athena's relationship to their father, the evil Dr. Robert Wells? And their mother…she sure seems to be a piece of work! It seems too great a stretch that it refers to Dante's mixed heritage of vampire and Elohim.
September 28, 2020
Didn't enjoy it as much as the first one, but I will continue with the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews