Blood Song

Beautiful and incredibly tough, bodyguard Celia Graves lives in a world much like ours, except it is filled with supernatural creatures who are living openly among humans, some of whom have magical powers, too, including innate psychic powers and powers granted by being a witch or "mage." Other creatures making an appearance include ghosts, demons, werewolves, and vampires. Celia has always seen herself as a "plain vanilla human," but as a highly paid bodyguard, she compensates for that by great training, a whole lot of advanced planning, and arming herself with expensive magically-enhanced clothing, equipment and weapons. Unfortunately, though all her skill and preparation helps keep her from getting killed outright, it doesn't entirely save her when an assignment guarding a Eastern European prince goes badly wrong. Her co-bodyguard is massacred and Celia is bitten but not killed by a vampire. As a result, she becomes part-vampire and part-human, a rarity called an "Abomination" by her society. Celia is horrified by her situation, but even more concerned that it will ultimately get her locked up by human authorities--a fate in some ways worse than death for her due to an experience in her childhood of being kidnapped and tortured. If she ends up imprisoned by the human authorities keeping a watch on her, she will probably never get out, if they don't outright execute her due to her new super strength and lust for human blood causing her to kill someone. But that isn't her only problem. She is also being tracked by shadowy connections of her former prince client as well as multiple powerful vampires, including her maker. Celia needs quiet and time to adjust to her new condition, but she doesn't have that luxury. It will be a miracle if she manages to even survive. This is a compelling start to a new series. Celia is a strong protagonist and her situation is unique and enthralling. The story's take on vampires is particularly interesting, with an approach to their lore that is a solid combination of several main trends in handling vampires of the past 10 years or so. There are also multiple potential love interests in the story, including a gorgeous werewolf and Celia's ex-fiancé, a powerful mage, but no actual on-stage romance in this particular book. The action is constant and the book is so well written, it is a "couldn't put it down" read. I highly recommend Blood Song to anyone who loves urban fantasy, particularly with vampires and werewolves in it.

Blood Song will go along with Ilona Andrews and Pat Briggs series on my shelf. This is a really great start to an explosive new series by Cathy Clamp and C.T. Adams. I haven't really liked their previous books but I truly enjoyed Celia Graves in personality and ability. She says and does what she wants and-has to deal with the consequences of her actions and in most cases, her mouth. The plot has so many twists and turns that no one can question its originality. Very good start to a new series.

I'm not much into urban fantasy, I find it rather dull and boring, generally. However, this book seemed to fit just about right with me. It was otherworldly and still realistic, a nice mesh of things fantasy and realistic in a modern world. I love the details about the demons, vampires, werewolves, and other frightful creatures, how they just give you enough information about them instead of pounding the reader with facts right off the bat (authors bore me when they do this). Instead you find things out as they go. I think all the other reviews have clued one in to what the book is about. I definitely recommend giving it a read! I look forward to the next book in the series. PS, love the cover art too. So many 'photo-manipulations' are used for cover art nowadays and are often overdone or kind of the same thing over and over (pretty girl in a dress). This cover art is photo-manipulated but very subtle! Kudos to the artist and the Cat Adams duo for choosing Zeibyasis for their cover! Yay!

Gold Star Award Winner! BLOOD SONG is the work of amazing duo C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, writing as Cat Adams. In this story we meet Celia Graves, a bodyguard to the rich and famous who, although she is a regular human, knows about ghosts, demons, and other types of supernatural beings. While on assignment guarding a prince from a small European country, she is left wounded from a vampire attack. This attack leaves her as an Abomination, not really vampire but not plain vanilla human, either. Celia must figure out her new limits, as well as destroy her maker before he can gain control over her - although this is the least of her worries. Action, twists, and turns abound in this wonderful new series. The story flows like magic and the characters are very exciting. Celia Graves is definitely a character to watch. For readers who are familiar with C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, I think they'll be surprised at this new take on the old supernatural creature story. For those who are not familiar with them, I believe they'll go back and find their other stories just to get another taste of such wonderful storytelling. This book is what urban fantasy is all about: fast-paced, mysteries galore, and a main character who is stubborn beyond belief even in the face of stronger creatures. Reading this book was like going on a roller coaster ride where the lever broke off and they can't find the off switch. Cat Adams has crafted a story that will have others taking notice and scrambling to craft a story just as good. I think this will be one of the best series we'll see this year, and I would expect nothing less from the dynamic duo called Cat Adams. Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Only one time earlier this year (out of hundreds of books) have I ever been impressed enough to write a review......Until this book. This is my second review ever, and it was because I was so surprised and impressed with it. I won't go into detail about the book but I will tell everyone that this book is one of my new favorites. I would very much put this book / story / style next to ones like Mercy Thompson, Sookie, Illona Andrews's series, Friday Night Bites, Jane Yellowrock, and Shelly Laurenston. It was a perfect style, possible romance, fast paced, and felt like a light and easy read but at the same time intense with many twists and changes. It tugged just right. I have already put the next book on my pre-order and have added this author to my list. P.S. The ending does not leave you hanging but it does give you a peek into the next one:)!