raeanne's review against another edition
2.0
Blood Song is…meh. I really liked the world building and the unique twists to the paranormal aspects. Celia being a vanilla woman bodyguard while doing so sounds so cool. Same could be said of the plot. But, at every turn there’s something holding it back.
Plot: Started great but nosedived into bloated chaos. For instance,
Then, someone rolls through and hands over the head and heart of her sire. Great. How the fuck did you do that? Celia was freaking the fuck out and clueless on how to do it so…WTF? We never learn and it’s just dropped. His deal was more like a gift than business. What was the point of it all?
Same goes for the troublesome vamp trio. They seem random. We don’t know who they are or why or what part they play. But Celia gets into it with the woman, of course. No real motive besides bitchy ego and pride. That’s…hardly necessary. There’s plenty of other shit in the main plot to go on, FFS. WTF? Why?
Characters: Great as outlines, but they never really filled out. Then the cast ballooned. It’s easy to lose track of them. They drop and pop like flies and rotate like tires. I find it hard to care about them. There seems to be a lack of emotion all around. I get bodyguards, kings and blah blah blah have reasons to hide and blah blah blah but blah blah blah.
Celia is usually the kind of protag I go for but something just isn’t clicking. Can’t pinpoint it yet. Maybe she just deals with too much in too short a time. I mean all that shit and
OMFG that shit with Vicki sucked and she couldn’t go off and investigate it. I understand Vicki’s power level would kill drama and make these easier plus her death is supposed to amp the story up. But it seemed left by the wayside. How was that not connected? It should’ve been an alarming red flag but they acted like it was natural besides beefing up security. Which went just splendidly, btw.
I really wished there wasn’t so much going on and there was breathing room. Without it how are we supposed to get to know these people and care? How are we supposed to follow? It feels like overloading to hide holes and gaps. The basis sounds great, if only it was proportioned and polished instead of doubled and dumped.
I’m willing to give the next book a shot because it could be so great. Maybe after setting up the series plot line it’ll calm down a bit. But I’m nervous since so much is told instead of shown throughout. This novel doesn’t feel organic, but a forced try-hard novel trying to capitalize in the current market without any heart or spark.
We’ll see how the next book, Siren Song, goes.
Plot: Started great but nosedived into bloated chaos. For instance,
Spoiler
the gotta kill my sire line. Everyone was harping how vitally important it is for her to kill him ASAP. Yet she got distracted and sidelined constantly. It wasn’t subtle or well done. Just seemingly purposeless chaos.Then, someone rolls through and hands over the head and heart of her sire. Great. How the fuck did you do that? Celia was freaking the fuck out and clueless on how to do it so…WTF? We never learn and it’s just dropped. His deal was more like a gift than business. What was the point of it all?
Same goes for the troublesome vamp trio. They seem random. We don’t know who they are or why or what part they play. But Celia gets into it with the woman, of course. No real motive besides bitchy ego and pride. That’s…hardly necessary. There’s plenty of other shit in the main plot to go on, FFS. WTF? Why?
Characters: Great as outlines, but they never really filled out. Then the cast ballooned. It’s easy to lose track of them. They drop and pop like flies and rotate like tires. I find it hard to care about them. There seems to be a lack of emotion all around. I get bodyguards, kings and blah blah blah have reasons to hide and blah blah blah but blah blah blah.
Celia is usually the kind of protag I go for but something just isn’t clicking. Can’t pinpoint it yet. Maybe she just deals with too much in too short a time. I mean all that shit and
Spoiler
losing her best friend.OMFG that shit with Vicki sucked and she couldn’t go off and investigate it. I understand Vicki’s power level would kill drama and make these easier plus her death is supposed to amp the story up. But it seemed left by the wayside. How was that not connected? It should’ve been an alarming red flag but they acted like it was natural besides beefing up security. Which went just splendidly, btw.
I really wished there wasn’t so much going on and there was breathing room. Without it how are we supposed to get to know these people and care? How are we supposed to follow? It feels like overloading to hide holes and gaps. The basis sounds great, if only it was proportioned and polished instead of doubled and dumped.
I’m willing to give the next book a shot because it could be so great. Maybe after setting up the series plot line it’ll calm down a bit. But I’m nervous since so much is told instead of shown throughout. This novel doesn’t feel organic, but a forced try-hard novel trying to capitalize in the current market without any heart or spark.
We’ll see how the next book, Siren Song, goes.
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. Interesting premise, but wasn't fleshed out enough. I might be picking up the sequel in order to find out what happens to the characters.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a good minute to get into this book. I am not entirely sure why. I did realize that I felt a bit bogged by a ton of information that I just didn't feel I needed. I know that the author has to build the world for us and such but I felt like it wasn't effortless, I had to make myself read it to get to the good stuff
I enjoyed all the action and the bad-ass-ness (I am making it a word) that is Celia. She is pretty bad ass, I also felt so horrible for her when it gets to the car scene, even more so than the actual half vampire thing. I also though the whole "vampire sire" thing was going to be way more climactic and part of the story but...alas, maybe we will see more about that in future books.
I love the sexiness of Celia's men. Whew! I want me some Kevin! Is it to early to start making Team Kevin pins, stickers, t-shirts...nipple pasties? I loved the whole walking out of the water on the beach scene, yes. I liked the world that Cat Adams built in this book. This author-duo is clever and fresh when it comes to a market full of paranormal stories. I can't wait to read more about this world and Celia, the ending of this book sets up wonderfully for the next.
I enjoyed all the action and the bad-ass-ness (I am making it a word) that is Celia. She is pretty bad ass, I also felt so horrible for her when it gets to the car scene, even more so than the actual half vampire thing. I also though the whole "vampire sire" thing was going to be way more climactic and part of the story but...alas, maybe we will see more about that in future books.
I love the sexiness of Celia's men. Whew! I want me some Kevin! Is it to early to start making Team Kevin pins, stickers, t-shirts...nipple pasties? I loved the whole walking out of the water on the beach scene, yes. I liked the world that Cat Adams built in this book. This author-duo is clever and fresh when it comes to a market full of paranormal stories. I can't wait to read more about this world and Celia, the ending of this book sets up wonderfully for the next.
aknas22's review against another edition
5.0
This book had it all. Interesting story, action, and characters (primary and secondary) that I wanted to know more about. Celia Graves is a bodyguard and used to taking care of herself. She's the typical stubborn female protagonist of the urban fantasy genre with one big difference...she's able to ask for help and to take it. I had to dock a star because I feel like there are too many loose ends even if there is going to be a sequel.
I'm really looking forward to the next book. Hope some of these questions are answered. Maybe they were and I just missed it?
Spoiler
She asked Bruno and Matteo for help taking down the ubervamp and before that she asked the head of Birchwood for help with her new status as an abomination.Spoiler
Why was attacking and killing her necessary? What is the deal with Edgar and whoever wanted to frame him? How does all this fit in with the plots against the King of Rustland?I'm really looking forward to the next book. Hope some of these questions are answered. Maybe they were and I just missed it?
eb00kie's review against another edition
1.0
Ok... I dislike the review, it does no justice to the idea. The bodyguard part is used only as an excuse, as it appears in the beginning only.
The title is poetic, I would've read the book only for it, but nooo let's just be uninventive and tell the truth part-siren-part-vamp =(descriptive features) song-blood = voila 'Blood Song'
Emotional charge: The scene was staged for an all-out on mommy dearest, an all-out on granny dearest, whose character shifts according to the needs, a facing between beliefs that were shared by many against one, between dr. Greene and Celia, and some more details as to what happened between Bruno and C; let's see... they broke up. Bruno is like that song 'You're hot than you're cold' and overall everything seems forced. The show beween C. and the mermaid was also kind of lame since our protagonist doesn't know her mind very well and the discussion has the air of spilling something up at first, without thinking and than patching up the results.
The plot was full of the unexpected, and that is a plus, because with so many books on the vamps, werewolves and the other dwellers of the supernatural it's really hard to come up with something new.
In the end the book was kind of boring; it didn't really draw me in. Most annoying? It really shows some promise.
The title is poetic, I would've read the book only for it, but nooo let's just be uninventive and tell the truth part-siren-part-vamp =(descriptive features) song-blood = voila 'Blood Song'
Emotional charge: The scene was staged for an all-out on mommy dearest, an all-out on granny dearest, whose character shifts according to the needs, a facing between beliefs that were shared by many against one, between dr. Greene and Celia, and some more details as to what happened between Bruno and C; let's see... they broke up. Bruno is like that song 'You're hot than you're cold' and overall everything seems forced. The show beween C. and the mermaid was also kind of lame since our protagonist doesn't know her mind very well and the discussion has the air of spilling something up at first, without thinking and than patching up the results.
The plot was full of the unexpected, and that is a plus, because with so many books on the vamps, werewolves and the other dwellers of the supernatural it's really hard to come up with something new.
In the end the book was kind of boring; it didn't really draw me in. Most annoying? It really shows some promise.
the_lady_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Review as seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
I'm not a fan of this book.
I will not be reading the next one.
The characters were dull. There were no emotions. Every "emotion" had a follow up explaining why the main character felt the way that she did. And she was annoying. Everything was so clinical. When a tragedy happened in her life, her reactions weren't believable. She just wasn't a well-written character. I couldn't read about her without getting annoyed by something. She acted less like a woman and more like a robot.
I also couldn't remember characters. I got the basics. The main character is Celia. Her best friend is Vicki. Her best friend's lover is Alex. Her ex-fiancee is Bruno. His brother is Matty. That's all I can honestly remember. Characters in this book came and went faster than the wind and then were brought back later in the book. There was no sense to it. We were just supposed to remember who they were.
The only thing that I really liked about this book was the plot. The idea was very interesting. I'd never heard of some of the points or concepts in this novel. Like an "abomination," that was definitely new and very neat! Nice touch, because I'm sure that if they existed that's what they would probably be called. Just not written in a satisfying, easy-to-read way. In fact, I skimmed about thirty percent of this book. And I HATE skimming.
The timespan in this book was unsteady also. I have no idea how long passed. I couldn't comprehend the timing in this novel. It was very unsettling after I thought about it. Do the authors know how many days this book took place in? If they could share, that'd be awesome.
I wanted to love this book, because I love the cover. It's mysterious and captivating. I absolutely love the woman's eyes and make-up, but no cover in the world could make up for what was actually written.
I'm not a fan of this book.
I will not be reading the next one.
The characters were dull. There were no emotions. Every "emotion" had a follow up explaining why the main character felt the way that she did. And she was annoying. Everything was so clinical. When a tragedy happened in her life, her reactions weren't believable. She just wasn't a well-written character. I couldn't read about her without getting annoyed by something. She acted less like a woman and more like a robot.
I also couldn't remember characters. I got the basics. The main character is Celia. Her best friend is Vicki. Her best friend's lover is Alex. Her ex-fiancee is Bruno. His brother is Matty. That's all I can honestly remember. Characters in this book came and went faster than the wind and then were brought back later in the book. There was no sense to it. We were just supposed to remember who they were.
The only thing that I really liked about this book was the plot. The idea was very interesting. I'd never heard of some of the points or concepts in this novel. Like an "abomination," that was definitely new and very neat! Nice touch, because I'm sure that if they existed that's what they would probably be called. Just not written in a satisfying, easy-to-read way. In fact, I skimmed about thirty percent of this book. And I HATE skimming.
The timespan in this book was unsteady also. I have no idea how long passed. I couldn't comprehend the timing in this novel. It was very unsettling after I thought about it. Do the authors know how many days this book took place in? If they could share, that'd be awesome.
I wanted to love this book, because I love the cover. It's mysterious and captivating. I absolutely love the woman's eyes and make-up, but no cover in the world could make up for what was actually written.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Celia is a bodyguard who ends up taking a job that ends badly for her. What ends up happening was an interesting and creative plot around vampires and magic. I just loved Celia's character--her strength, loyalty, and protectiveness. I'll definitely read the next one!
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
hard to get into at first, but after u did really good
codysgotbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Synopsis:
Bodyguard Celia Graves has definitely accepted her share of weird assignments, both human and supernatural. But her newest job takes the cake. Guarding a Prince from terrorists and religious fundamentalists is hard enough, but it seems like the entire supernatural world is after this guy too. When she is betrayed by those she is employed to help, and everything goes horribly wrong, Celia wakes to find herself transformed.
Neither human nor vampire, Celia has become an Abomination—something that should not exist—and now both human and supernatural alike want her dead. With the help of a few loyal friends—a sexy mage, a powerful werewolf, and a psychic cop—Celia does her best to stay alive. On the run from her enemies, Celia must try to discover who is behind her transformation…before it’s too late.
My Thoughts:
When I bought the book, I was excited and pumped to read it thinking this was going to be a pumped up action story with lots of twists and turns and in my excitement, I bought the next two books in the series as well. The beginning of Blood Song starts out with action and excitement, and then that drops when you start meeting the other characters. While a lot of detail is given to describing scenes and events (which slows down the reading quite a bit), not much is given in the way of learning the characters (which makes them slightly difficult to connect with). I began regretting my impulse purchase of the sequels. With that in mind though, you do start to eventually warm up to the other characters about midway through and it’s at about the same point that I was able to differentiate between the past love interest and what might possibly be the current love interest.
I LOVED the world built by Cat Adams-where monsters are known about, and society has been made to deal with it and work beside them. Vampires are avoided at all costs since they lost all humanity when they are turned. Partially turned humans are called Abominations. Werewolves, demons, spawn, and Sirens all have their part in this story and by the end of the book, I wasn’t regretting my impulse purchase anymore and I’m now itching to read the next in the series, Siren Song.
Bodyguard Celia Graves has definitely accepted her share of weird assignments, both human and supernatural. But her newest job takes the cake. Guarding a Prince from terrorists and religious fundamentalists is hard enough, but it seems like the entire supernatural world is after this guy too. When she is betrayed by those she is employed to help, and everything goes horribly wrong, Celia wakes to find herself transformed.
Neither human nor vampire, Celia has become an Abomination—something that should not exist—and now both human and supernatural alike want her dead. With the help of a few loyal friends—a sexy mage, a powerful werewolf, and a psychic cop—Celia does her best to stay alive. On the run from her enemies, Celia must try to discover who is behind her transformation…before it’s too late.
My Thoughts:
When I bought the book, I was excited and pumped to read it thinking this was going to be a pumped up action story with lots of twists and turns and in my excitement, I bought the next two books in the series as well. The beginning of Blood Song starts out with action and excitement, and then that drops when you start meeting the other characters. While a lot of detail is given to describing scenes and events (which slows down the reading quite a bit), not much is given in the way of learning the characters (which makes them slightly difficult to connect with). I began regretting my impulse purchase of the sequels. With that in mind though, you do start to eventually warm up to the other characters about midway through and it’s at about the same point that I was able to differentiate between the past love interest and what might possibly be the current love interest.
I LOVED the world built by Cat Adams-where monsters are known about, and society has been made to deal with it and work beside them. Vampires are avoided at all costs since they lost all humanity when they are turned. Partially turned humans are called Abominations. Werewolves, demons, spawn, and Sirens all have their part in this story and by the end of the book, I wasn’t regretting my impulse purchase anymore and I’m now itching to read the next in the series, Siren Song.