Heavy Metal Symphony

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day. This one took by surprise!

A. K. Palombo's HEAVY METAL SYMPHONY is a thoroughly enjoyable saga of a classically trained vocalist's rise to international renown as the front person for famed heavy metal band Handel's Messiah—and the bittersweet love affair that propels her up that ladder and, finally, into finding her own voice. Set in Buffalo, New York, this contemporary novel with romantic elements reminded me of "Daisy Jones and the Six" crossed with "A Star is Born" in all the best ways: the clash of ambition, art, and love; the intense competition (and jealousy) between band mates; the tension between muse and artist; the lovingly detailed band discography and song lyrics.

Most of all, what I appreciated about HEAVY METAL SYMPHONY was the deeply immersive worldbuilding that brought to life to a musical genre I know very little about outside of the radio. It's here that Palombo's love for her subject matter really shines brightest and most convincingly. To add to the veritas, there's even a selection of very convincing album cover art that serve as chapter headers throughout. (Someone has got to make a Handel's Messiah album using album art, song titles, and lyrics!) While this is Palombo's first contemporary novel—she's written four critically acclaimed historical novels as Alyssa Palombo—she excels at taking the reader by the hand and orienting them in whatever world she chooses, whether it be fifteenth-century Florence or 21st-century Buffalo.

Sweet, angsty, sexy - this was the heavy metal/tock band romance I didn't know I needed. My only suggestion would be to change the cover to reflect more of what's inside the book. It's really well written and I don't think the cover matches the expectations for what's inside!

Thank you to A.K. Palombo, NetGalley, and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

THERE ARE SPOILERS WITHIN THIS REVIEW

Man, I was super excited for this one based on the cover and title alone. As a heavy metal FAN, and a romance fan, finding a book that mixed them had me salivating. I started and was immediately ready for my heart shatter, and it did, but for reasons external to the plot too.

The things I liked were numerous! I loved the author's way to indicate past and present by using the band's albums. It was such a fun way to take us as the reader back and forth between the timelines. I also loved the songs that Palombo wrote for this book. I kept catching myself wanting to turn to Spotify to listen to Handel's Messiah's songs before remembering they are fictional.

I also really liked the Ava and Killian of the past. They were super cute together and I loved their scenes together.

As for what I didn't like, well, there are numerous things here too.

The biggest one, for me, was the end. This is what cemented this book as a 3 star read for me. [I have a very strong dislike for books that leave the end open-ended. I understand an author's desire to let the reader determine their own ending, but that's not what I'm reading a book for. I want to know how it ends. I want closure. We do not get that with this book. I have no idea how the subtle interactions Palombo created between Ava and Killian impacted them, or what they truly meant. I needed closure with them, but I did not get that and I feel a little robbed. Even if we didn't get a happy ending, at least I'd know (hide spoiler)]

Another thing I didn't like, was Ava. At least the present day Ava. It irked me that she took no responsibility for her role in their destruction together. Everything was Killian's fault and I just don't agree. [Killian asked Ava at one point why she never told him she was feeling silenced and wanted to be more than just their singer. That she wanted to write. Ava told him that she had... but that didn't appear to happen. At least not within the story we have. There was one argument where he pseudo-brushed off a song she wrong and sang for him. I say "pseudo" because she never made it clear that she wanted to take it places. I'm not saying Killian was blameless, I'm just saying they were both at fault. Ava was written in a way that tried to portray her as blameless... but as I said, I disagree. She bottled everything up internally and never gave him the opportunity to do better. Then when everything blew up, refused to listen to him. That was super heartbreaking for me. I wanted to yell at my Kindle in hopes Ava would shut up long enough to just... listen and speak. She made zero effort. (hide spoiler)]

For the majority of the book, I was at a solid 3.5 possibly rounded up to 4 stars, but the ending dropped it to a solid 3 stars for me.

HEAVY METAL SYMPHONY is a harmonious fusion of music and heartfelt romance that evokes a symphony of emotions. The characters, oh, they sing! They practically leap off the page and straight into your heart.

Real, raw, and emotionally resounding, Ava and Killian's turbulent love story plays out like an unforgettable ballad. Ava, our classically trained vocalist turned heavy metal goddess, is a testament to the powerful women who fight for their voice in the music world. Killian, the charismatic and complex frontman, is the embodiment of the turbulence that accompanies creativity and fame. Their chemistry is like a visceral guitar riff that leaves you yearning for more.

Palombo masterfully orchestrates the story, guiding us through the highs and lows of Handel's Messiah's journey. The inclusion of original song lyrics and the depiction of the band's behind-the-scenes dynamics offer a fascinating, immersive experience and a touch of authenticity and fun. You’ll yearn for the day you can find Handel’s Messiah on Spotify!

The emotional resonance of the narrative and the authenticity of the world-building are a testament to Palombo's love for music and her hometown of Buffalo, New York. The novel strikes a chord, reminding us of the power and passion that comes from finding and owning one's voice. If you love metal and you love a good romance, then you really need to pick up this five-star, standing-ovation read that will leave you begging for an encore.

I loved this book! It's not a cookie cutter romance. I love that although the relationship is between Killian and Ava, the ultimate love story is between Ava and the band/music/herself.

Killian is such a horrible MMC, and not even in the morally grey kind of way. It’s hard to like him. Even during the good times he comes off as manipulative and disingenuous. Does he actually love her or only what she does for his music and his ego? It’s difficult to pinpoint what’s reality with him and I guess that’s the whole crux of the book.

I hate that he takes out his anger with Ava by criticizing her performances. It’s such a petty version of attempting to control her. I’m glad Ava ultimately chose herself and the band. As much as an open ended resolution leaves me frustrated, I’m proud of Ava. And I hope Killian can rise up to the challenge and grow up and meet her where she is instead of trying to drag her down to his level.

I love books with multiple timelines. I love the slow reveal of all the turmoil that got the characters to present-day before the final resolution. There is something so heartbreaking about seeing the happy start and early progression of the relationship while at the same time seeing it fall apart.

I felt this was really original and sucked you right into the rockstar world. The lyrics throughout were fantastic and made me wish the band was real so I could listen to the music!

Just like praise for Ava’s voice, this story is “strong, intimate, beautiful, and brutal all at once.”

This book is a love letter to musicians and those who love music, especially classical and heavy metal, which share a lot of common ground. I found so much personal resonance in Ava’s story—her passion for self-expression and her ambition, and also how she’s led by her heart—sometimes to her own detriment.

I enjoyed experiencing Ava’s evolution throughout the story and felt that the dual timelines were the perfect way to demonstrate Ava’s growing independence, agency, and confidence. She goes from a talented but insecure young singer to staking her artistic claim as a songwriter holding her own in the predominantly-male band she fronts. The way in which Palombo portrays the complex, passionately competitive romance between Ava and Killian is both subtle and realistically raw. Fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and A Star is Born will love this novel. Don’t miss it!

This book was frustrating. I'll try to avoid spoilers in this review.
It starts with a great premise: what if we have a romance book that starts when the relationship gets difficult, rather than being two strangers getting together and then a fade out at the end. Great premise.
It's structured in two timelines - the "now into the future" and "then - getting together and developing the problems" arc. For me the issue was that they covered a lot of the same ground and were quite repetitive. Concerts and set lists, rehearsals and looking at each other, making weye contact. Not making eye contact. I found the second half dragged.
A bigger problem is I didn't like Ava and Killian as a couple. When they get together she is a 22 year old call-centre worker who wants to be a performer and he is a 30 year old with the power launch her. Eww. Then he controls and gaslights her. When they discuss the future they have very different visions and never resolve that, they just kick it under the carpet. Communication is missing between them- but he buys her roses, so that's OK. Selling abuse as romance is something that happens a lot, and it always makes me sad. Ava should not be debating whether Killian is the love of her life, she should be reading about coercive control.

I received an e-Arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my opinions.

I had super high expectations for the book, I'm a big music person so I thought that element would keep the book interesting for me but unfortunately not. The characters were okay but I wasn't desperate to keep delving in and found myself disinterested in how it all panned out

How did I not know I needed a contemporary romance novel centered around a female-fronted metal band? Heavy Metal Symphony is a truly incredible story about the heavy metal music scene. It is as much a love story to the music as it is a love story between two musicians.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.