Review posted here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-etched-in-bone-makers-song-4-by.html


I finished this book last week, I know, once again, slow. But Lover Unleashed took up the time after that. It was my main focus, so this way, I can have two reviews back-to-back. This book was full of more action, more of the amazing characters we know and all (and a couple of new ones) and, of course, another fantastic storyline. Absolutely incredible from start to finish. This is one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Etched in Bone starts off as a flashback that within a few paragraphs had me cursing. We find out that Heather's and Annie's father, Special Agent James William Wallace, decides to make an appearance. He is "saving" his girls from the mind-controlling vampires who have "stolen" Heather's will. Obviously we know different, but James being the world's most terrible dad makes things even worse when he brings some heavy backup to kidnap his daughters and kill all their friends including Dante. When the first two chapter ends, we are given quite a few shocks and surprises that are a great start for this book.

We then end up in the past by three days right before Dante literally punches a hole to a different universe. Dante and Heather are being stalked by the great and drunk Shadow Branch chief, Sam Gillepsie who is still making plans to kill Dante. Then we get to where the last book left off and that is in Gehenna. Dante is both adored and feared in Gehenna and he is trying to save his friend (and just discovered father) Lucien. This is where we meet the other angels of Gehenna who want to keep him as prisoner to save their world. In a way I feel bad for them, but they are really going about it the wrong way. They expect him to do it now, but Lucien along with others have warned them on how he will be treated.

This series just gets more complicated by the page and I found it hard to put down especially when we get insight to one of the villains, Dion. Dion has the ability to erase memories and plant new ones and when it suits him or Shadow Branch, he causes aneurysms in the brain that erupt at the same time. I thought he was scary before, but getting into his head, just freaked me out that much more.


We also get more of the gang, not as much of the big and sexy Von as I would like. But then given what happened at the end of book 3, Beneath The Skin, his spark was sort of dulled. Also we get a small surprise about what happened to Heather's mom. Now in the book, we are told it was from her bond from Dante and that is why she saw a certain man's face (not spoiling), but I have the sinking suspicion that it wasn't the case.

Nonetheless, I could talk about this book forever. It was so well written, of course given that Phoenix is uber talented, and so complex. We are introduced to some new characters, given some surprises that had me screaming and the ending was quite the cliffhanger. Highly recommend this series. Do not try reading from the middle, start from the beginning because you will be lost for sure if you don't. But if you want a series full of action, mystery, suspense, romance, vampires, not so nice angels and insane government conspiracies, this is the series for you.