Author Adrian Phoenix puts one huge, dramatic, violent storyline through its paces as The Maker’s Song series continues to wind its way through book after book. After A Rush of Wings and In the Blood, readers are now up to book three, Beneath the Skin, which takes up literally where the second installment left off. Most series do follow books up one right after the other; this series is more of a serial, cutting an extensive story in segments without the added fluff to smooth the cuts.

Dante Prejean, a.k.a. Dante Baptiste, is much more than the crazed vampire authorities would have the world believe. For those agents of the various government branches hunting him down, Prejean is “enhanced.” Even the fools responsible for his torture and subsequent killing sprees have no idea who they are dealing with.

Heather Wallace—a now-wanted FBI agent and Dante's lover—knows that Baptiste is a true blood vampire and a creator. This new revelation heightens the dangers to Dante and everyone around him. His new support system has much to do to help him physically and mentally as he struggles to maintain a hold on the here and now.

As the net closes in on Dante, the need for someone who can stabilize and train him becomes increasingly imperative. The Fallen, the vampires, the Feds and the rogues all have master plans and personal agendas for the powers of Dante Baptiste harnessed in their hands. They should proceed with caution and expect the gloriously unexpected from this young creator. Many may have to fall before the power of the mighty tames them all.

Kudos to Adrian Phoenix for an excellent plot rich with creativity and action. It’s a big leap to have a character who is at once vampire and god-like, and risky to have said character so murderous, whether he is or is not directly responsible. For many with religious views, the idea of mixing a supposed creator with such evil could be a real turn-off since he is responsible for delivering so much of it. The next book, or books, should be interesting.

On another note, if—and that is a big if—there is a re-introduction to characters from previous books in the series, the intros are limited and easily missed. For readers new to this series - particularly starting midway through - it’s not so easy to catch on to a majority of what makes this story worth reading. The story is still interesting, yet the complexities passing from book to book make for a constant haze of confusion the whole read through. I highly recommended that readers approach this series from the beginning of book one to get the full experience of a wildly engrossing read.