A Rush of Wings: Book One of The Maker's Song

A Rush of Wings is the first group read pick for Book Bloggers Anonymous. An online reading group started by Steph at Paper Cut Reviews.

I was a little wary at first because it seemed like something out of my comfort zone. A FBI agent, a psychotic serial killer and a mysterious guy who also claims to be a vampire? Not usually something I'd pick up at the bookstore.

But the great thing about being part of a book club is that you get pulled out of your comfort zone sometimes because other people are making your reading choices for you and that way you discover books you normally wouldn't look twice at!

It's been a while since I've read a third person narrative and it took me a while to get used to it at first. I don't have a preference for either, though I am fond of first person, as I like to follow the story at the pace of the lead character sometimes, learning as they do.

But I wouldn't let this stop you from picking up this book! I really enjoyed the way Phoenix laid out the plot line, letting us see all angles of the story through the narratives of the main characters.

I'm still on the fence in my opinion of Dante; I can't put my finger on it. I did warm up to him as a character by the end, but I still can't make my mind up. I'm looking forward to reading more about his history and learning more about his unique 'talents'. Plus it was refreshing not to read about a vampire who is centuries old.

Heather I loved; there are not enough strong independent women in PN and UF books. Too many of them drop everything at the feet of their newfound loves. Heather's ability to stay true to herself and her principles made me respect her all the more.

Final Thoughts…

I do feel there's a lot to explore, - Lucien for example, I'd love to know his story. I'd also like to see more of the vampire's world explored more. Plus I'd like to find out more about Heather's background (maybe I should just write a wish list?)

During the opening chapters I did feel a little lost. Like something had happened that I'd missed. Though this feeling quickly disappeared as I read on. I can imagine some people would find this a little off putting.

There's also a glossary at the end of the book that maybe, could have done justice at being placed at the start of the book. Even though I'm Welsh and can speak a handful of Welsh words (the language some of the names are based on) I butchered the pronunciation and the glossary would have been a help.

In the bigger scale of things these are minor factors and by no means take anything away from the book. It's an interesting premise and I can't wait to see more of this world explored in the next book.

I received "A Rush of Wings" courtesy of Adrian Phoenix as the winner of an Interview & Giveaway Event hosted by Judi @ Sidhe Vicious Reviews. Thank you ladies!

If you are a fan of Dark Urban Fantasy, then you MUST read "A Rush of Wings"! This tale of FBI Agents, Fallen Angels, and Vampires is a darkly sexy adventure that will make readers experience a myriad of emotions. Fear, desire, anger, pity, and understanding are just some of the emotions Phoenix so eloquently portrays in a world of serial killers, covert and deadly government experiments, acts of revenge, and ultimate portrayals.

If you'd like to read the rest of this review, please visit me on YzhaBella's BookShelf
http://yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/03/rush-of-wings-by-adrian-pheonix.html

Kate Leger aka YzhaBella
http://yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

This was a solid start to a series. It has some great characters, fine writing and pacing and a really interesting plot. The mood is dark and gritty and not for the squeamish. This novel is written in third person, which I really enjoyed. Having been reading a lot of UF, I almost forgot that novels can be written in anything other than first person. I liked having the perspective of different people, as it makes for really great character development. Once I was done this book I had a sense of who these characters were and not just how they were perceived by the heroine. Huge bonus. The weakness of this story was the female lead. Heather is not very believable as the FBI agent/profiler and she’s very flat and bland. Moreover, I didn’t really get the chemistry between her and Dante – odd and mismatched pairing. He really is the main character, so I really don’t get the cover: who’s the chick in leather??? It most certainly is not Heather (she’s supposed to be 29 but her clothes scream 80). The romance really didn’t work for me. It seems like it was thrown in just to be there. This book would have been fine without it; maybe building tension for book 2 would have been a better choice. Having said that the story was good enough and the concept was unique. I will read the next books in this series.

Usually when I read the back of a book and see the word vampire I get excited thinking that it will be a great read. A Rush Of Wings was not. Special Agent Heather Wallace is on the hunt for CCK. In the search she meets the psycho's next target a goth rocker who pretends to be a vampire. Only what Heather quickly realizes is, Dante really is a vamp with a dark past.

Mix in fallen angels, parts of the story being in french and characters dying in one chapter and then showing up in the next as though nothing happened. This was the first book in the series, but I feel like there's a whole other book that explains things a bit better. I will probaly read the next book so that this book will finally make sense.

Vampires, angels and psychopathic serial killers are the new reality for FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace - and they aren't mutually exclusive.

A three-year man hunt to catch the Cross Country Killer has led Special Agent Wallace to New Orleans. While trying to give a voice to the victims left behind she finds her destiny. Here, in the Big Easy, she meets Dante - an angry young man who has lost his ties to the past. And who may not have a future, if the Cross Country Killer has a say.

Adrian Phoenix has created a unique world with diverse and complex characters that keep her story moving forward at an exhilarating pace. Her debut novel provides a distinctive perspective on some of the worlds most famous myths and leaves the reader craving to discover more.

A Rush of Wings is like a wild song of despair, pain, and anger intertwined with an innocent melody of love and hope.

This book was a great read! A totally different take on vampires and fallen angels with mystery, suspense, action and a bit of passion mixed in. Adrian Phoenix paints a new version of New Orleans, the "supernatural" elements that inhabit the area, and takes you on a roller-coaster ride that you never want to end. I loved it!