Helpful Score: 4
A Rush of Wings started off a bit confusing for me during the first couple chapters. Not in a bad way, but because of the different points of view that you have to get used to. There are about seven points of view total. After I learned all the characters and the parts they would play it got very interesting. There is the beautiful FBI agent, a handsome vampire, a horrible serial killer, a fallen angel, and a few other key characters.
The way the book is set up there are a lot of scene changes. This gives the book a kind of movie feel. There is lots of action, and the story moves steadily along. There was never a moment when I felt bored or like I wanted to put the book down, quite the opposite really.
It was very interesting to see the view from inside a serial killer's head. The evil thoughts, and the way the killer's mind worked was scary. I think it added a creepy element to the story.
The characters make some serious mistakes though. Heather, who is supposed to be a kick ass FBI agent, makes the biggest. Mistakes that can cost her or others their lives, and could have been dodged by just checking her gun before leaving the house. Dante, the gorgeous vampire, does as well. But I let this slide because he's not in the right frame of mind through out the book.
The book flowed along quickly, and everything is cleared up in the end. You learn everyone's roles, and what they have done to get where they are in life. Another problem I had was that there was a bunch of French in the dialogue that I didn't understand. Come to find out in the back of the book there is a Index of terms which was really helpful! I would say if you enjoy Kim Harrison, you will probably want to pick this up. It's a really GOOD first book for Adrian Phoenix, and I looked forward to reading more.
The way the book is set up there are a lot of scene changes. This gives the book a kind of movie feel. There is lots of action, and the story moves steadily along. There was never a moment when I felt bored or like I wanted to put the book down, quite the opposite really.
It was very interesting to see the view from inside a serial killer's head. The evil thoughts, and the way the killer's mind worked was scary. I think it added a creepy element to the story.
The characters make some serious mistakes though. Heather, who is supposed to be a kick ass FBI agent, makes the biggest. Mistakes that can cost her or others their lives, and could have been dodged by just checking her gun before leaving the house. Dante, the gorgeous vampire, does as well. But I let this slide because he's not in the right frame of mind through out the book.
The book flowed along quickly, and everything is cleared up in the end. You learn everyone's roles, and what they have done to get where they are in life. Another problem I had was that there was a bunch of French in the dialogue that I didn't understand. Come to find out in the back of the book there is a Index of terms which was really helpful! I would say if you enjoy Kim Harrison, you will probably want to pick this up. It's a really GOOD first book for Adrian Phoenix, and I looked forward to reading more.
Helpful Score: 4
Although this is the author's first novel, I really enjoyed the writing style. I would not be surprised to see this book eventually made into a movie, as this series could easily attract a "Cult" following. There is heavy emphasis on music, scent and amusing fetish textures, along with an intertwining of basic commonality ("scientific") beliefs and "soul" beliefs. There is a wonderful glossary of "Cajun" terms in the back - wish I'd known about that, in advance.
Helpful Score: 2
WOW! This was definitely an interesting book, and it took me for a bit of a surprise. It is dark, twisted and full of carnage, but it also beautiful, touching and full of hope. I really enjoyed the world that Phoenix has built (and it will no doubt continue to expand in subsequent books). The setting is great (New Orleans is always a kick ass setting for PNR/UF) and the plot is intense. It is thrilling, horrific and a tad romantic. These three things don't usually mesh well together, but Phoenix makes it work. The book is alluring, compelling, passionate, amusing, intense and dark.
While I am still a bit lost on the character's abilities/backgrounds (i.e. Maker/Unmaker), I am enjoying her take on vampires, fallen angels and the like. I really enjoyed learning more about Dante and Heather, and I actually cared about them early on. Phoenix draws you into her character's inner being, allowing you to experience their emotional turmoil and happiness. I grieved right along with them, and smiled when they were happy. I was amazed at how realistic they felt! Heather was proactive, tough, loyal but a bit impulsive. Dante was protective, loyal and fierce but also melodramatic and "pigheaded." Heather believes in keeping her promises but knows that promises aren't always able to be kept. Dante doesn't lie, ever, and doesn't forgive those who lie to him, ever. Also, the two main characters aren't the only bright stars in this world. Lucien, Von, Simone, Trey, etc. were also very integral in this story. The connection between Dante and Lucien makes my heart hurt immensely.
I found the chemistry between Dante and Heather profound, as they were drawn to one another on a much deeper scale. True to Urban Fantasy, there is only a touch of romance between them and their one sex scene is one of the best I've read in the genre. It happens 300+ pages in, so the sexual build up may have something to do with it, but my eyes were wide and my heart was palpitating. I also loved that weaving in any form of sexual activity into the book - ménage à trois, hetero sex, gay sex, etc - was not off limits and was second nature to the world.
The evil SOB in this book was one hell of a creep. He made my skin crawl. I also felt a twinge of sadness for him though (that would be the social worker in me) since he did not ask for that existence. However, he was still the president of Sickos R' Us.
Conclusion: 4/5 Stars. It only gets 4 because it did not hook me, and I had to push through it a bit in the beginning. This was not due to boredom, but complete ignorance as to what Dante is - and this I am still not sure of! His past has been uncovered, but he is one mysterious creature. After things got rolling, I really enjoyed the plot. The social worker in me LOVED the ability to remain compassionate, fiercely protective and loyal despite horrific, painfully debilitating histories. I am a sucker for the tortured soul! I do wish I had book 2 in the series to read right away, but I guess I have to wait on it.
While I am still a bit lost on the character's abilities/backgrounds (i.e. Maker/Unmaker), I am enjoying her take on vampires, fallen angels and the like. I really enjoyed learning more about Dante and Heather, and I actually cared about them early on. Phoenix draws you into her character's inner being, allowing you to experience their emotional turmoil and happiness. I grieved right along with them, and smiled when they were happy. I was amazed at how realistic they felt! Heather was proactive, tough, loyal but a bit impulsive. Dante was protective, loyal and fierce but also melodramatic and "pigheaded." Heather believes in keeping her promises but knows that promises aren't always able to be kept. Dante doesn't lie, ever, and doesn't forgive those who lie to him, ever. Also, the two main characters aren't the only bright stars in this world. Lucien, Von, Simone, Trey, etc. were also very integral in this story. The connection between Dante and Lucien makes my heart hurt immensely.
I found the chemistry between Dante and Heather profound, as they were drawn to one another on a much deeper scale. True to Urban Fantasy, there is only a touch of romance between them and their one sex scene is one of the best I've read in the genre. It happens 300+ pages in, so the sexual build up may have something to do with it, but my eyes were wide and my heart was palpitating. I also loved that weaving in any form of sexual activity into the book - ménage à trois, hetero sex, gay sex, etc - was not off limits and was second nature to the world.
The evil SOB in this book was one hell of a creep. He made my skin crawl. I also felt a twinge of sadness for him though (that would be the social worker in me) since he did not ask for that existence. However, he was still the president of Sickos R' Us.
Conclusion: 4/5 Stars. It only gets 4 because it did not hook me, and I had to push through it a bit in the beginning. This was not due to boredom, but complete ignorance as to what Dante is - and this I am still not sure of! His past has been uncovered, but he is one mysterious creature. After things got rolling, I really enjoyed the plot. The social worker in me LOVED the ability to remain compassionate, fiercely protective and loyal despite horrific, painfully debilitating histories. I am a sucker for the tortured soul! I do wish I had book 2 in the series to read right away, but I guess I have to wait on it.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book. Unfortunately for PBS, this one is a keeper.
Helpful Score: 1
I picked up this book solely based on the reviews by other readers. So when I began I had high hopes for the story, but I was confused for the first couple of chapters. And if it weren't for the Glossary, I would have put the book down. I really couldn't figure out what was going on with the Cajun/French/Elohim language. But I didn't give up and I'm glad. It is an incredible story, very layered, great characters and a mystery like I have never read before. It is not your standard Vampire story, far from it in fact. Dante and Heather are a great couple, along with Dante's "family" they are complex characters and have a path of their own. There is always this sexual "tension" between Heather and Dante, and even though we only get one "bedroom" scene with them, you will enjoy the romance that builds with them, even in the face of horrible tragedy and death. I have a lot more questions regarding Lucien and the Fallen, and how Dante will deal with this knowledge, but I guess it will be revealed in the next book. My only complaints about this story is: 1. It should be Dante's picture on the cover, not what we are to believe is Heather, since she never wore that outfit in the story. And Dante's description definitely deserves a cover. 2. It was too long, I felt dragged down occasionally by the overwhelming detail in parts of the story (that's why I gave it a .5 star decrease). I don't really need all the absolute minute details to understand the story. But other than that I am glad I gave the book a chance, I read it to the end, and can't wait to see what happens to Heather and Dante next.
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