Needs to shut up and mind their own damned business.

Like a number of my friends I have  become totally, unapologetically, addicted to this series. I've enjoyed the individual cases contained within each story and the continued build of the overlying story arc but most of all and, I think a number of my friends will agree with me on this, what I've enjoyed is the relationship between Mal and Seong-Jae. Without a doubt this is one of the hottest, most captivating, magnetic pairings that I've encountered since...Ty and Zane (or just insert whoever floats your boat here, for me Ty and Zane will always have a spot at the top of my list).

While the mystery in this one wasn't quite as strong as previous stories I still enjoyed it and found it interesting and while I had most of it figured out earlier than usual in the story there were still a couple of details to things that surprised me so maybe not quite the usual but still a fairly solid crime. 

Meanwhile in other parts of the story we got a peek at Sade and enough to know that maybe some things would have happened differently or maybe not at all...I don't know but I have to say I'mma not happy with Mx Marcus at the moment and then there's the resident badboy, Sila...as far as this character's concerned I'mma' just gonna' say "He's batsh*t CRAZY!" and scary as f*ck!

Over the last few books we've seen Mal and Seong-Jae's relationship grow deeper and stronger  and now in this one...well, I don't know how to say this my friends but it seems we're about to take a side trip here and while I'm not entirely sure of all the whys, whens and what fors or how comes things are changing and let me just say as if I wasn't already addicted and committed to this series at this point you will have to pry the next book out of my cold dead hands before I'll not be reading it...oh wait, I'm already reading it. So yeah, that won't be happening this time around or anytime soon if I have my way because I am so on board for this whole adventure start to finish sign me up!

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An ARC of "Criminal Intentions: Season 1 Episode 11, Crescendo" was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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 humans grows, so does the love between Freyrik and Ayden. Things go from bad to worse when the Aegis binds Aydin's magic and Aydin discovers that he's not the only elf being held prisoner by the high court. Between the intrigues of the high court, the threat posed to mankind's existence by the dark beast and the machinations of Freyrik's brother as he plots the down fall of the Aegis. Freyrik and Aydin are fighting not just for their survival but the survival of both of their races.

This book...Wow! Just wow! It's been quite a while since I've read a fantasy novel that contained a plot that captured me as strongly as this one did. The plot for this story was a little more complex than the usual and things often weren't quite as they seemed especially where the Aegis and the high court were concerned and I loved it but I have to admit keeping track of all the subtle twist, turns and nuances of events as they transpired and the impact that they would have on events and individuals was a bit challenging. 

I loved the pacing and the ongoing world building that occurred in this book always being given enough of both to keep my imagination fully engaged and the story moving at what for me was a steady pace and while not to fast it also didn't drag. 

I was on the edge of my seat pretty much from start to finish as Freyrik and Ayden struggled to find a solution that would save both of their races and allow them to be together. Their's is not an easy relationship and sadly more often than not it's Ayden who pays the price in blood, pain and ultimately with the binding of his magic. While his faith in Freyrik may falter at times it never fails and in the end when they need each other it holds strong. 

My one and only niggle was the ending and even this by no means spoiled things for me. I have to admit that after all that they went through to save their races and each other I would have liked a little more happy times with Rik and Ayden but still all things considered knowing that they got to be together was a big plus. 

While Craig Beck was the narrator for the first book, Giles Barron took on the challenge of narrating 'Crescendo' and I was really pleased with his narration. While I had a month between the first and second book it was by no means enough time to forget the wonderful narration that I enjoyed in 'Counterpoint' and fortunately Mr. Barron was equal to the task drawing me back into the story effortlessly and giving me voices that held all of the expression and consistency that was present in the first book.

'Song of the Fallen' is my first time reading this author aside from a short story and a book co-written with another author and I have to admit maybe that's not such a good thing because for me this one has set the standard pretty high for future books by Ms. Haimowitz and needless to say I'll be adding Giles Barron to my list of narrators that I like.

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An audio book of 'Crescendo' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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*

“He trusted me with his dearest. I trust him with mine.”

Good grief...after almost 2 books, I might actually trust this character finally.

The night terrors grew worse with the weather, until the horses were trudging through a foot of snow. Their compass stopped working. On the night of their sixth day following the marks, Ayden dreamed of broken bows drawn across tuneless strings, pulling him from bed and toward a darkening void. He dreamed of hate so raw and raging it ripped him from the inside, rent and broke him into something else, something terrible and new, all teeth and claws and fury, and he sank them into Freyrík’s throat and tore, tasted blood flow on his tongue and down his gullet with pure white pleasure—

He woke screaming, and fell out of the tree.