Tag: author Rachel Haimowitz

An Ali Audiobook Review: Crescendo (Song of the Fallen #2) by Rachel Haimowitz and Giles Barron (Narrator)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Bridging the hatred of centuries did not come easy for Freyrík Farr and Ayden Vaska. As prince of a war-torn human province, Freyrík could ill afford to fall for an enemy. And Ayden, an elven warrior with three hundred years of bitterness in his heart, wanted no part of love. Yet they came together despite themselves and the wills of their peoples, joining hearts and minds to fight a race of Dark Beasts threatening the extinction of mankind.

Yet the Dark Beast threat pales beside the dangers of a summons to the human High Court, home of the Aegis Exalted and the harshest test yet of Ayden’s and Freyrík’s fledgling love.

When the Aegis strips Ayden of his magic, Freyrík is forced to choose between his love for elf, Aegis, and king, all the while seeking the one uncertain path that might save his doomed race. Time is fast running out for mankind, and only by making peace amongst themselves and with their ancient elven enemies can they end the Dark war—and undo the tragedy that’s plagued humans, elves, and Dark Beasts alike for the last three hundred years.

This was an action packed and super emotional sequel to Song of the Fallen.  It picks up a few weeks after the end of the previous book.  They are headed to see the human king and when they arrive things go poorly.  Freyrick and Ayden are separated and Ayden is made a slave.  From this point on things go from bad to worse.
For much of the book the two are not together.  Freyrik is working through his own issues and how he feels about the behavior of other humans and Ayden is trying to figure out how to free the other elf slaves.  It wasn’t until the very end that I was sure things were going to work out for the two men.
 
I think this would have been a higher rated book for me if it weren’t for the rushed ending.  This was a pretty long book and as I previously said, the two MC’s weren’t together for much of the story.  Then all of a sudden we get an epilogue with a HEA.  It felt abrupt to me and I felt like between books one and two I had spent a lot of time with this couple.  I wanted more of the happy ending with them.
 
The audiobook was narrated by Giles Barron who I thought did a great job with both of the main characters as well as the many side characters.  This is not the same narrator as book one but it I took a really long time between them so this was not as issue for me.  I’m just noting it for people who are doing the books back to back. 
 
Overall I really enjoyed this book and felt it was a good conclusion to this story.  I highly enjoyed the audio version and would definitely recommend that.
 
This cover was done by Simone and I think the cover is really well done and it fits perfectly with the cover for book one.  
Audiobook Details:
Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 11 hours and 2 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Audible.com Release Date: April 12, 2018
Language: English
ASIN: B07C325RN6

An Ali Audiobook Review: Counterpoint (Song of the Fallen #1) by Rachel Haimowitz and Narrated by Craig Beck

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

counterpoint_audiobook2400It is the twilight of mankind. Depleted by generations of war with a dark race, the human kingdoms and their ancient alliance stand on the brink of extinction. The outlands are soaked with the blood of the fallen. The midlands are rotting with decadence and despair.

Elfkind, estranged by past crimes, watches and waits for nature to run its course.

And then the two collide.

Ayden’s life has long been guided by two emotions: love for his sister, and hatred of all things human. When he’s captured in battle, he must for his sister’s sake swallow his pride and endure slavery in the service of a human prince, Freyrik Farr.

Freyrik’s always known elves to be beautiful and dangerous, but never has one affected him as deeply as Ayden. Can his life of service to his people leave room for this attraction? Dancing on a dagger’s edge between duty and high treason, Freyrik discovers that some choices can change a life, and some an entire world.

Between prejudice, politics, pride, and survival, Ayden and Freyrik must carve a new path, no matter how daunting. For nothing less than the fate of both their peoples rests on the power of their perseverance and their love.

I really enjoyed this story.  I had never read this author before so I had no idea what I was going in to so I was pleasantly surprised and I have a new series and a new author to follow.  There is elaborate world building and the writing was very engaging.  I loved both of the main characters and the complicated situation they find themselves in unfolded seamlessly.  While Ayden enters into the relationship as a slave there is no forced sexual situations (which I was a little nervous about going in to this).  The relationship progresses over time and as trust builds Ayden begins to care for Freyrik.  I love when an enemies to lovers trope takes the time to show how the relationship unfolds and I think the author did a great job with that here.  I could totally belief that they were falling for each other.  It was a slow build and those always pay off so well in the end for me.
There is a warning about violence and there is some, but I didn’t think it was too bad and there wasn’t much of it.  The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but fortunately the second book is already out so I can move directly on to that.
This story was narrated by Craig Beck.  I don’t think I’ve ever listened to him before but now I’m totally a fan.  I thought he did an excellent job on all of the voices and the story as a whole.  I would definitely recommend this audiobook.
Overall this was a really good story for me.  I would recommend it for fans of the fantasy genre and people who enjoy the enemies to lovers trope.
Cover by Simone’:  I like the cover.  It is an older cover but I still think it fits well with the fantasy concept of the story.
Sales Links

Audiobook Details:

Published  by Riptide Publishing (first published July 31st 2010)
ISBN139781937551193
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/counterpoint-song-fallen-1
SeriesSong of the Fallen #1