Metalhead

by Rachel M. Martens

"You're going to hate me by the end of this...but I can't help myself. You're going to kill me, beautiful."

Metalhead is a music-injected adrenaline rush of a YA paranormal romance in which good girl Trish falls in love with the tattooed guitarist she tutors and unleashes a force powerful enough to burn the world down. Loving Axl Varness isn't easy, even if he is the first person to love Trish for who she is inside and build her up instead of tearing her down. If Trish wants to hold onto her new paramour and her own fragile self-esteem, she'll need to contend with an abusive boyfriend and a school full of bullies.

Meanwhile, Axl has never had much self-control and trying to protect the girl he loves is pushing him to his breaking point...and if Axl loses control everyone around him will be in mortal peril. As easily as he can play a riff on his guitar, Axl can bring pieces of his soul to life...and some of those pieces would love nothing more than brutal, bloody vengeance.

Ready to lose control?

Genres: Paranormal

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2024

About the author

Rachel M. Martens is the writer of the "Poe" gothic thriller series, as well as the short horror collection "Midnight Hour"(2017), the YA paranormal romantic thriller "Metalhead"(2019), and the political thriller "Patriots' Dance"(2024). Martens resides in Wisconsin and travels extensively, taking inspiration from the locales she has visited and the books she has read along the way. Her favorite time to write is in the midnight hours with a storm as background music and a mug of tea close at hand.

Reviews

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advance PDF copy of the book from the author for my honest review.

Rita Crowley my old english professor, always ask her students if they are readers and then would tell us how a good author's work always find it's way into reader's hands and I believe her with how I discovered author Rachel M. Martens. Of course that she writes a series that's tied into Edgar Allan Poe didn't hurt.

I've never been much of a fan for paranormal or supernatural books but I like how the author flavors her stories with it, mixes it perfectly with traditional fiction and it makes her stories perfect.

Martens writes a good story, she grabs and holds your attention and puts the reader right their in the pages. Metalhead's about a nerdy girl Trish, who basically has her life planned out but that all changes when she's ask to tutor bad boy metalhead Axl and you get a quite interesting YA genre story.

While I don't want to give away too much, my only real complaint with this one is the ending verse being more like her Poe series were your left hanging for the next installment.

I'm not a fan of first person books, but Martens executes it perfectly, through Trish telling the story and even gives her full control of the story. When it comes to characters, Rachel's definitely one of the masters and what she does with Axl, makes this story work.

I also like all the elements from multi-genre's in this one. You have thriller, suspense, horror, with a touch of paranormal, add in a hint of romance, and a pinch of the psychological genre.

Discover Rachel M. Martens, she's a young talented author, with a great future and she'll end up being your new favorite author. Give her Poe series a try, start with Nevermore, then Rest in Peace's, Death's Mark and whatever she writes.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Metalhead by Rachel M. Martens

Rachel M. Martens’ Metalhead is a captivating young adult paranormal romance that intertwines elements of music, adolescence, and supernatural intrigue. Published in 2019, the novel explores the complexities of identity and the often tumultuous journey of young love against the backdrop of the vibrant and sometimes dark world of rock music. Martens adeptly combines these themes to create a narrative that resonates with both music enthusiasts and young adult readers.

Synopsis
Metalhead follows the story of Trish, a high school student who defies her “good girl” image as she falls for a charismatic yet enigmatic tattooed guitarist, ultimately leading her into a world filled with excitement and danger. The setting is richly embedded in the music scene, where Trish discovers not only the power of love but also the darker aspects of this lifestyle. As the narrative unfolds, Trish grapples with her own identity and the social pressures that accompany her newfound relationship, providing readers with a relatable exploration of adolescent challenges.

Thematic Exploration
One of the key themes examined in Metalhead is the quest for self-identity during adolescence. The protagonist’s journey illustrates the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires, as Trish navigates the often treacherous waters of peer judgment and self-discovery. This duality is further emphasized by her relationship with the guitarist, which serves as a catalyst for her transformation. Martens effectively portrays the push and pull of familial and societal influences, highlighting the struggle many young adults face in asserting their individuality.

Moreover, the novel addresses the theme of music as a powerful force in shaping identity and community. Trish’s immersion in the rock scene not only provides a backdrop for romance but also invites readers to consider how music can serve as both a refuge and a source of conflict. Martens captures the essence of youth culture, illustrating how music can create bonds while simultaneously leading to divisions based on differences in lifestyle and values.

Characterization
Martens excels in her characterization, particularly in her portrayal of Trish. The protagonist is depicted as multifaceted; her evolution from a conventional high school student to a more self-assured individual is compelling and relatable. The supporting characters, including the love interest and Trish’s friends and family, are well-developed, each contributing to the central themes of love, loyalty, and the search for acceptance. This depth enhances the emotional stakes of the narrative and allows readers to engage more deeply with the characters’ journeys.

Style and Accessibility
The novel’s prose is accessible, making it suitable for a diverse audience while effectively conveying the emotional intensity of Trish’s experiences. Martens employs vivid descriptions and an engaging narrative style that captures the excitement of the music scene and the inner turmoil of adolescence. The pacing of the novel strikes a balance between moments of tension and introspective reflection, maintaining reader interest throughout.

Conclusion
Metalhead by Rachel M. Martens stands out as a significant contribution to the young adult paranormal romance genre. Through its exploration of identity, love, and the impact of music, the novel resonates with the challenges faced by contemporary youth. Martens’ ability to weave complex themes into a captivating narrative makes this work a valuable resource for both readers and scholars interested in the intersection of music, youth culture, and literature. Metalhead not only entertains but also invites reflection on the ways in which young adults navigate their identities in an increasingly complicated world. This novel is a testament to the power of storytelling in capturing the essence of the adolescent experience.

Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book!

[♡︎.ᐟજ⁀➴ Erie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Metalhead
by Rachel M. Martens
⭐️ 3.5 stars
Thank you to the author, Rachel M. Martens, for the eARC! 💌🤘

🎸 “You're going to hate me by the end of this…” 🎸
Okay but can we talk about chaotic YA guitar boys who literally tear open the veil between this world and the next because they’re FEELING THINGS too hard?! Because same, Axl 😩🔥

Metalhead serves up a deliciously dark hit of supernatural high school drama, complete with hot musician angst, shadowy powers, and a sweet (but bruised) girl trying to find herself in a world that keeps tearing her down 🖤🏫🩸

• What I Liked
• The concept?! A rock-god with actual otherworldly powers?? YES PLEASE 👀🎶
• Trish was so relatable — the internal spiral, the quiet strength, the cautious hope 💔🌷
• The way music threads through this whole book like a pulse 💓🎧
• Multiple genres showing up like uninvited party guests (in the best way) 🌀🔮🧠🔪
• That simmering enemies-to-something tension between Trish & Axl 😮‍💨🔥
• The Poe-core energy lurking in the corners 🪦🕯️
• A story about control vs. chaos wrapped in eyeliner and emotional pain 🖤🕸️

• What Didn’t Work for Me
• The ending left me screaming into the void — not in a cliffhanger way, in a “wait that’s it?” way 😤🪦
• Spice level = tame. Not expecting full heat in YA, but a little more wouldn’t have hurt 🔥🫠
• I wanted to FEEL the emotions harder — there was so much pain and passion on the page, but it felt a little distant at times 💭🥀
• Axl’s powers were SO cool but needed more screen time and explanation! Let the boy burn things! 🔥🎸👹

TROPES / THEMES
• Good girl meets tortured chaos boy ✨🖤
• Found family in the loudest places 🎤👫
• Music as identity and rebellion 🎸💔
• YA with edge, trauma, and guitar solos 🩸🎶
• “You make me feel alive and that’s terrifying” energy 😳⚡
• Power you can’t control vs. love you can’t ignore 🕷️🫶
• Just a dash of paranormal horror (more please!) 🧛‍♂️💀

Final Thoughts:
This one felt like a midnight jam session that starts soft and ends in broken strings and bleeding fingertips 🎶💢 It’s messy, raw, a little wild — and while not perfect, it’s got a beating heart under all that shadow and sound.

Trish and Axl’s story gave me what I came for: pain, passion, and paranormal guitar boy violence. I just wish it went a little harder and hit a few deeper notes before fading out 🎵💋

Would I read a sequel? Hell yes.
Would I shove this into my teenage goth self’s hands? Absolutely 🖤👩‍🎤

3.5 stars from your girl Erie — for the vibes, the music, and the potential that almost melted the amp 🔊💔🔥

Now someone cue the angst playlist 🎧🖤💀

[Jalessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. THE PLOTTWIST?! Hello? Amazing. It was such a mixture of intense romance, and gothic vibes. The bands mentioned, the characters described — it was such a good read that I happily finished in less than 24 hours. I loved getting to know Axl on a deeper level and seeing who Trish is on the inside, and allowing Axl to encourage her to be herself. I recommend this book highly, highly! An absolute masterpiece, and such a pleasure to have bought.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was written okay. Its not one of the absolute best books I have read. I loved the idea behind it, but the way it ended was kind of disappointing. Didn't lead to if there will be a second one and there wasn't any closure either.

[Jenna]

DNF at 30%
I just couldn't take the cheesiness. I try to give books the benefit, especially YA, but I couldn't keep going. As I always say "Life is too short to read books you don't like."

I received a copy from the author through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to give this a 5 star…

But not with that end. It left me a bit angry, honestly. It wasn’t even a cliffhanger where you know more is coming.

[Eva Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not getting any closure at the end messed me up! It would have been a better rating if it was something! But damn!