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Crescendo
(Song of the Fallen #2)
by
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
...more
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ebook, 245 pages
Published
July 10th 2011
by Guiltless Pleasure Publishing
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Crescendo (Song of the Fallen, #2)
^^EXPLOSIVE AND YUMMY CONCLUSION!^^
4.5
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
Miss Haimowitz has got it, she has outdone herself in this one when it comes to the writing. She could have given us an easy HEA, an easy road for both Freyrik and Ayden but man if she didn’t blow all of that out the water. These lovers were pushed beyond what they could handle and for a little bit man and elf looked as if they were not going to make it. This action packed epic tale will keep you on your ...more
4.5
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
Miss Haimowitz has got it, she has outdone herself in this one when it comes to the writing. She could have given us an easy HEA, an easy road for both Freyrik and Ayden but man if she didn’t blow all of that out the water. These lovers were pushed beyond what they could handle and for a little bit man and elf looked as if they were not going to make it. This action packed epic tale will keep you on your ...more
Finally! Finally! Finally!
After waiting forever (okay, I admit that its actually been less than 6 months) Ayden and Freyrik finally get their Happily Ever After...or is it merely a Happy For Now? (Rachel, will you please stop torturing me!) I will admit that I was really nervous about reading this. Not because I don't trust Rachel, but because I've had several bad experiences with sequels over the past few months. This sequel did not disappoint!
The story begins about 3 weeks following the end o ...more
After waiting forever (okay, I admit that its actually been less than 6 months) Ayden and Freyrik finally get their Happily Ever After...or is it merely a Happy For Now? (Rachel, will you please stop torturing me!) I will admit that I was really nervous about reading this. Not because I don't trust Rachel, but because I've had several bad experiences with sequels over the past few months. This sequel did not disappoint!
The story begins about 3 weeks following the end o ...more
This is the sequel of "Counterpoint", which ended with a cliffhanger, and it's about the hunky protagonists being called before the Big Boss of the humans. They have to pretend they're not in love with each other and the elf gets cut off from his magic, which is quite ... unpleasant for him.
To be honest I liked the second book less. It focused more on the hate between humans and elves and the intrigue at the human court than on the romance. This wouldn't be a bad thing, but the whole situation ...more
To be honest I liked the second book less. It focused more on the hate between humans and elves and the intrigue at the human court than on the romance. This wouldn't be a bad thing, but the whole situation ...more
What a great series. I hate to see it end but this book is perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. Well maybe I would (view spoiler).
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Awwww! Beautiful!
The writing is really a part of the story and it enters your mind, holds your hand and takes you to another world, another place. There's also a fine humorous vein that made the darker moments a bit lighter. It was as if the author was telling the story whispering in my ear, but the writing is not shy at all. It's intimate and personal, the perfect instrument for the narration.
In the previous book, Ayden and Freyrik had to face their own prejudice and that of Freyrik's people t ...more
The writing is really a part of the story and it enters your mind, holds your hand and takes you to another world, another place. There's also a fine humorous vein that made the darker moments a bit lighter. It was as if the author was telling the story whispering in my ear, but the writing is not shy at all. It's intimate and personal, the perfect instrument for the narration.
In the previous book, Ayden and Freyrik had to face their own prejudice and that of Freyrik's people t ...more
I'm so mad with this book!!! Rather, with the author. I read Counterpoint last year while reading Prisoner because I was trying to make Bloodraven last as much as possible, it was like my fantasypaloza. In retrospective, I think while I liked all three books, Bloodraven being my absolutely favourite, Counterpoint was my less favourite, hence, I read the second part several months after.
Like I said, I'm MAD, even more after reading the acknowledgments because Rachel said this was a three years p ...more
Like I said, I'm MAD, even more after reading the acknowledgments because Rachel said this was a three years p ...more
Oct 03, 2014
*P*u*r*p*l*e* Masochist
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
MM Fantasy Fans
Shelves:
action,
m-m,
imagination-gone-wild,
paranormal,
very-emotional,
arc,
historical,
new-adult,
fantasy,
dark
~Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review~
Crescendo- A steady increase in intensity or force; a gradual increase in the loudness of a sound or section of music.
The 2nd and the final installment in the Songs of the Fallen series had everyt ...more
"...and suddenly it didn't matter that their songs couldn't twine when their bodies and hearts and minds fit so perfectly, harmonized so exquisitely well. He hung in the moment, a perfect crescendo, and wanted for absolutely nothing."
Crescendo- A steady increase in intensity or force; a gradual increase in the loudness of a sound or section of music.
The 2nd and the final installment in the Songs of the Fallen series had everyt ...more
Unputdownable sequel to Counterpoint. Great tale of m/m romance and epic fantasy adventure.
"You have never laid your pride down, Freyrik. Not once, for me or anyone. You don't know what it means to give that up, even for a moment. And yet you ask it of me again and again! Tell me, Freyrik, what more can you wring from me? Have I not done enough for you to trust me, gods crack you?"
Re-read 14th April 2013
"You have never laid your pride down, Freyrik. Not once, for me or anyone. You don't know what it means to give that up, even for a moment. And yet you ask it of me again and again! Tell me, Freyrik, what more can you wring from me? Have I not done enough for you to trust me, gods crack you?"
Re-read 14th April 2013
2nd review Nov 2019
Still loved it but was really disappointed with Ferick.
He always tries to do better by Aden but never pulls through.
Especially the one sentence "would it have been so bad" .... I am not sure I could have forgiven him
But the second half was more satisfying. The ending is a bit quick but well done.
All in all 4.5 stars
1st review
even though I was a bit disappointed with both I loved this book nearly as much as the first one
great series
Still loved it but was really disappointed with Ferick.
He always tries to do better by Aden but never pulls through.
Especially the one sentence "would it have been so bad" .... I am not sure I could have forgiven him
But the second half was more satisfying. The ending is a bit quick but well done.
All in all 4.5 stars
1st review
even though I was a bit disappointed with both I loved this book nearly as much as the first one
great series
CRESCENDO, LOVE & WAR
-
It was so good to jump back inside this world. This was fabulous and so very vivid. A great ending of war. And, a resolution I love. ...more
-It was so good to jump back inside this world. This was fabulous and so very vivid. A great ending of war. And, a resolution I love. ...more
Jul 02, 2018
Karen
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018-books-read,
audible-completed
4.5 stars rounded down to 4. Loved this one.
and the story continues...
You might remember that I reviewed the audio book for 'Counterpoint' the first book in this duology about a month ago and I loved it...well, some things haven't changed because I loved this one as well.
'Crescendo' picks up right where we left off at the end of 'Counterpoint'. Freyrik and Ayden are heading for the High Court where their presence has been demanded by the Aegis Exalted.
As the tensions between elves and human ...more
and the story continues...
You might remember that I reviewed the audio book for 'Counterpoint' the first book in this duology about a month ago and I loved it...well, some things haven't changed because I loved this one as well.
'Crescendo' picks up right where we left off at the end of 'Counterpoint'. Freyrik and Ayden are heading for the High Court where their presence has been demanded by the Aegis Exalted.
As the tensions between elves and human ...more
4.5 Stars
Gah! Rachel is so good at world-building and telling an engaging story that it didn't matter that I'd read the first book over 2 years ago; I had no problem picking up where the tale left off and immediately dropped into the action. Once again I find myself wishing that more Fantasy-based books were this engrossing, this detailed, this sexy and romantic. Fantasy isn't a genre I read a lot of (not including UF/SPN/PNR) but I would read (and listen) more if I were sure I'd get this kind o ...more
Gah! Rachel is so good at world-building and telling an engaging story that it didn't matter that I'd read the first book over 2 years ago; I had no problem picking up where the tale left off and immediately dropped into the action. Once again I find myself wishing that more Fantasy-based books were this engrossing, this detailed, this sexy and romantic. Fantasy isn't a genre I read a lot of (not including UF/SPN/PNR) but I would read (and listen) more if I were sure I'd get this kind o ...more
I re-read Counterpoint for the bingo challenge and that one ends so up in the air I had to read this immediately. =) Rachel does not disappoint. She evokes emotion so viscerally I spent about middle third of the book close to tears as Rik dealt with being powerless to help those he loves and Ayden dealt with the hopelessness of being captive and as they both did their best to do what was necessary for their people while remaining true to each other. I have to admit though, the ending seemed rush
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I think Ms. Haimowitz loves to invoke very strong emotions in her readers. There were several instances where i simply put the book down and did not want to read further 'cos i was
led to believe that horrendous events lay ahead
which i would be better off not reading. It's kinda like the stimulus of closing your eyes tight right before something hits you and you saw it coming a split sec in advance.
But...!!!! I picked up the book again and again from where I left off multiple times and fin ...more
But...!!!! I picked up the book again and again from where I left off multiple times and fin ...more
This sequel to Counterpoint does not disappoint. Freyrik and Ayden continue to face many challenges, first from Freyrik's people, especially their supreme ruller and then from Ayden's Elvin people as well. Together they continue to support each other, though circumstances often make them wonder if that support can possibly continue.
Overall this was an exciting read that had me wanting to knock my head against a wall in frustration at all the setbacks and punishment they endured and at other time ...more
Overall this was an exciting read that had me wanting to knock my head against a wall in frustration at all the setbacks and punishment they endured and at other time ...more
4.5 stars. Very good m/m fantasy romance picking right up where the first book left off, as a human prince-regent and his elven lover-slave try to find their way through deceit and betrayal and perhaps save both their races.
Enjoyable, though not as much as the first.
Crescendo is book two of the Song of the Fallen Series and is the conclusion of Freyrik and Ayden’s love story. Book one ends with Freyrik being summoned to High Court, where he must face his superiors and account for his actions. Both Freyrik and Ayden realize that their relationship may be in jeopardy and are uncertain of their future as a couple.
When they arrive at High Court, immediately they are separated, and Ayden is stripped of all his magical powers. Ayden’s human captors use a form of ...more
When they arrive at High Court, immediately they are separated, and Ayden is stripped of all his magical powers. Ayden’s human captors use a form of ...more
It was a terrible idea to start off EXACTLY where the first book left off. That in itself seemed very unimaginative, boring and rushed.
Again, the setting was very believable (the writing was the same but easy to ignore) but the characters where everything but! I had lots of issues with the Aegis (view spoiler) ...more
Again, the setting was very believable (the writing was the same but easy to ignore) but the characters where everything but! I had lots of issues with the Aegis (view spoiler) ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I wanted to like this book. I really did but it was such a frustrating and torturous read. I think it lacks the actions and the thrill of the first book.
Things I liked:
1)Ayden!!!
2)The Elven Kingdom. I wish they had spent more time here instead of the High Court.
Things that made me pull my hair out:
1)Freyrik. It’s frustrating to see how he failed Ayden time and time again. He should have shown at least a bit of backbone and stood his ground. At some point I think Ayden would be better off without ...more
Things I liked:
1)Ayden!!!
2)The Elven Kingdom. I wish they had spent more time here instead of the High Court.
Things that made me pull my hair out:
1)Freyrik. It’s frustrating to see how he failed Ayden time and time again. He should have shown at least a bit of backbone and stood his ground. At some point I think Ayden would be better off without ...more
What a huge disappointment after the first book this one was! Not only was it too dark and painful with Ayden getting humiliated and punished all the time, but lovely, wonderful, sweet Freyrik of book #1, turned into a blind, self-righteous, hard headed a$$hole, who couldn't hear anything wrong about his King or humans in general. Near the end, I was positively hoping they would end up separated because Ayden deserved so much better than this. And what an ending it was! Everyone who's read a fan
...more
Nov 24, 2012
Em
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
dtr,
m-m,
seriel,
paranormal,
abuse-torture-rape,
angst,
fantasy,
fae,
slave-kidnapped-hostage,
magic
I enjoyed reading this one even more than the first, it had a lot more angst and the last 20% or so was full of nail biting action. Freyrík and Ayden are closer than they have ever been and determined to appreciate every second they have together in case it's their last. I was a bit anxious about the ending and how it could possibly turn out alright for them but I couldn't be happier!
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3.5 stars
I didn't like how everything gets swept up under the rug at the end. The plot is literally solved in the last 2% of the book with a handy epilogue. What's the point of the plot then if it gets wrapped up neatly off page?
I didn't like how everything gets swept up under the rug at the end. The plot is literally solved in the last 2% of the book with a handy epilogue. What's the point of the plot then if it gets wrapped up neatly off page?
Song of the Fallen Series Review:
The Covers: The new covers are very beautiful! Perfect art for fantasy stories. I find it most amazing that the artist Simoné managed to capture an aspect of the novels that is extremely important, but does not naturally translate to graphic art. Sounds. Songs. Music. Everything has it’s own song for those able to listen and in the first cover the elf is almost glowing with music and power surrounding him, in the second cover it is very significant that he seems ...more
The Covers: The new covers are very beautiful! Perfect art for fantasy stories. I find it most amazing that the artist Simoné managed to capture an aspect of the novels that is extremely important, but does not naturally translate to graphic art. Sounds. Songs. Music. Everything has it’s own song for those able to listen and in the first cover the elf is almost glowing with music and power surrounding him, in the second cover it is very significant that he seems ...more
This was amazing...but my heavens, an entire book was missing between the last 2 Chapters.
I mean...
...surely we will get THAT "chapter". For goodness sakes.
Now aside from that aspect, this was absolutely breathtaking, equally stressful and even painful at times. So many heartbreaking moments depicted with some of the most beautiful writing I have read. I was kinda a mess the entire book. But it was so worth it.
*Highly Recommended*
Now let me stalk the author for more. *grumbles* ...more
I was looking forward to reading this book, after I liked the first book quite well. Unfortunately the first book was a lot better in my opinion.
True, in the first one it also took me a while to get into it, so I was prepared for that. What I didn't expect was to downright hate the beginning. And by "the beginning" I mean the first 60% of the book. I was tempted to quit countless times and only kept reading because I wanted to finish the series.
Freyrík and Ayden spend the entire first 60% at Hi ...more
True, in the first one it also took me a while to get into it, so I was prepared for that. What I didn't expect was to downright hate the beginning. And by "the beginning" I mean the first 60% of the book. I was tempted to quit countless times and only kept reading because I wanted to finish the series.
Freyrík and Ayden spend the entire first 60% at Hi ...more
First, I have to have a moan about the cover for this book...what were they thinking? Freyrick's face looks like a photograph of some bloke that hs been poorly photoshopped into the painting. WHY do m/m books have such crappy covers? It bugs me beacuse it does the book and the author a diservice. This is a fantastic book. I absolutely LOVED IT! The crappy cover will prevent some readers even considering reading it, which is such a shame. 'Crescendo' is a fantastic sequel to 'Counterpoint'. It co
...more
I just loved this book! I loved the characters of Ayden and Freyrik. Their relationship was just so wonderful. Warm and loving and trusting. I liked the way the first book of this series (Counterpoint)was about the way that Ayden and Ric started out as enemies, but came to love and trust one another.This love and trust was really put to the test in this second novel in which they are summoned to High court and Ayden had to play the part of slave instead of lover to Freyrik. They are sent on a jo
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I agree with most of the positive reviews given about these two books but I can't help but feel a little cheated at the end. I felt the ending was rushed, anti-climatic and it left me feeling a jest wee bit unsatisfied.
In the final few pages we have (view spoiler) ...more
In the final few pages we have (view spoiler) ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescendo ending *spoilers* | 3 | 43 | May 18, 2013 03:44AM |
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M/M erotic romance author, freelance writer and editor, sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, proudly pervish. I'm a twitter addict (@rachelhaimowitz), and I blog every M/W/F at Fantasy Unbound. To learn all about my current and upcoming projects, please stop by my website. I love to hear from folks, so feel free to drop me a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Song of the Fallen
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“Dark beasts, night terrors, and Ayden with manners? These woods were
terrifying indeed.”
—
9 likes
terrifying indeed.”
“Gods cracked, Freyrík, they would have raped me!" He surged forward so suddenly Freyrík flinched and tripped away. "And no, I did not incite or invite their attentions. It is your people who paint me like a harlot and parade me round half-naked, your people who find it amusing to use my brethren like toys, your people who teach their children such high art of disrespect that boys think rape a pleasant way to pass an afternoon!”
—
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