Saturday, September 21, 2013

ARC Review: On Midnight Wings by Adrian Phoenix - 3 Wine Glasses

10381472On Midnight Wings 
(The Maker's Song #5)
by Adrian Phoenix 
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: September 24th 2013 by Pocket
original titleOn Midnight Wings
ISBN 1451645341 
ARC Courtesy of Publisher
Goodreads - Amazon - Kindle - B&N - iTunes - Book Depository
A DESPERATE SEARCH. A DARK AND DANGEROUS JOURNEY. AND EVERY STEP COULD DESTROY EVERYONE DANTE LOVES.
ONLY ONE MORTAL WOMAN CAN SAVE HIM . . .
As Dante Baptiste’s true identity as both True Blood and Fallen ripples throughout New Orleans, he and Heather struggle for their lives against different foes, fighting their way back to each other. To free herself from her father’s treachery, Heather accepts help from an ally–and steps into even greater danger. Dante, lost to his brutal past, wavers between his own sense of self and the Bad Seed-programmed S that lurks within, between the never-ending Road and the Great Destroyer. And the danger of becoming both.
. . . UNLESS THE FALLEN REACH HIM FIRST.
Lucien searches frantically for the lovers, all too aware that time is running out. Dark forces continue to gather, eager to possess and manipulate the young vampire for their own ends. The fate of mortals, nightkind, and the Fallen pivots around Dante as he struggles to piece together his shattered psyche and gain control of his power before he rips all three worlds asunder.

Crystal's Thoughts:

Dark, twisting and chaotic; On Midnight Wings picks up where Etched in Bone left off. Dante is missing and Heather has been kidnapped by her father. Can Lucien, Von, Silver and Annie find them before it's too late and Dante finally looses his slippery hold on his sanity? Past and present collide inside his mind, battling with the SB (Shadow Branch) programming implanted in him as a child and outside forces determined to turn him into The Great Destroyer. Heather is his only anchor but when she is taken away will he be able to stand against impossible odds to remain true to himself and the promises that he has made those he loves, or will he turn into what they all fear?

I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand I loved it and couldn't put it down turning the pages as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next. Who was going to betray whom. What sadistic player would appear next. What ensuing barbaric game they would put Dante through. The emotions where intense and punched you right in the chest, in classic Adrian Phoenix style. Dante and Heather can't seem to catch a break and to be honest, I felt just as exhausted as them while reading! This is definitely a series that will put you through all aspects of an emotional ringer. 

On the other hand, I was disappointed that the series arc did not progress. Especially after the dragged out story line in the last book. I feel that the 300+ pages could have been summarized in just a few chapters and more progress made in the over all story. I actually found myself skimming in areas because there were so many explanations but not enough forward motion. It was also so long since I read the last book in the series, since this one's release was pushed back a few times, that I had a bit of a time catching back up to the going-on's in the series as your dumped right back into the action within the first sentence. 

Each and every character that you have come to love in this series is featured through out On Midnight Wings. Each with their own dire situation to fight through, and each determined to get to Dante before it's too late. I am hoping for more of a coming together and answers of some sort in the next book. I feel that the series has reached the point where some resolution is needed instead of being dragged down by more doomsday flash. The The Maker's Song series has always had a very dark feel to it but was balanced well with humor and sexiness, this installment is missing that balance. On Midnight Wings is my least favorite of the series but I have faith in the series still and it is still a series that I would recommend wholeheartedly to urban fantasy fans everywhere. 


Rating: 3 Wine Glasses


2 comments:

  1. I was so worried it was going to be like that. I love the series but it does seem like we aren't getting a lot of what made it great, Dante and Heather together, Dante and Von messing around. I really want to see some down time for the characters.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Me too! I was disappointed by the lack of progress and actual story in this one. I'm hoping she can go back to her roots and what made this series so addicting at the beginning in the next installments. Fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete

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