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Descendant #1
Descendant
Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.
Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.
Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.
Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.
Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.
278 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2013
40 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Nichole Giles
9 books87 followersNichole Giles had early career plans of becoming an actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 29, 2015
(Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk)
This was an okay story, but I lost interest. The characters were okay, but they could be irritating at times, and I didn’t like the romance. When they started claiming ‘irrevocable’ love I started rolling my eyes, and the searching for keys thing just made me think of the horcruxes from Harry Potter. And who has a pet moose anyway?
6 out of 10
This was an okay story, but I lost interest. The characters were okay, but they could be irritating at times, and I didn’t like the romance. When they started claiming ‘irrevocable’ love I started rolling my eyes, and the searching for keys thing just made me think of the horcruxes from Harry Potter. And who has a pet moose anyway?
6 out of 10
April 8, 2015
Big thank you to Jelly Bean Press publishers for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review!
This book was pretty cool!
I'm actually really intrigued with the outcome of this story, so yeah, I'm invested now!
Let me summarize the plot:
Long ago, a Prince fell in love with a maiden.
No one knew who she was or where she came from, however they loved each other so much that they could not bear to be apart.
They married.
Their love was so pure that it transcended time, however, not everyone rejoiced.
A terrible war and take over occurred and the lovers were lost, doomed to never be together again.
The land fell into darkness, never to face the light again.
or is it?
Abby has a gift- she's a healer, she sees things no others can- She's called a 'gifted'.
Tragedy strikes and her mother promptly moves her far away, giving her a ring from her grandmother.
Starting a new High school is never easy for any teenager, however, we her gaze collides with the brilliant blues of a boy, a boy her heart knows but she does not.
Her world changes.
Darkness and danger arise.
Treachery abounds.
Death stalks.
My family always said i had a flair for dramatic descriptions! :P
Okay, so i actually really liked this book. I was intrigued, I loved the world-building and the contrast of the magical land and the contemporary world.
There is a bit of insta-love BUT i actually didn't mind it too much for this one, there was some parts that had me eye- rolling but otherwise it was pretty cool.
The fantasy part was also very creative, which is a superb thing in my eyes. It was creative and original, so very refreshing.
Overall, i give it a 3.5
There were some cliche themes in here and some other things which i can't really go into because it'd be a major spoiler.
Otherwise, I'm looking forward to the second book.
Stay awesome!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
This book was pretty cool!
I'm actually really intrigued with the outcome of this story, so yeah, I'm invested now!
Let me summarize the plot:
Long ago, a Prince fell in love with a maiden.
No one knew who she was or where she came from, however they loved each other so much that they could not bear to be apart.
They married.
Their love was so pure that it transcended time, however, not everyone rejoiced.
A terrible war and take over occurred and the lovers were lost, doomed to never be together again.
The land fell into darkness, never to face the light again.
or is it?
Abby has a gift- she's a healer, she sees things no others can- She's called a 'gifted'.
Tragedy strikes and her mother promptly moves her far away, giving her a ring from her grandmother.
Starting a new High school is never easy for any teenager, however, we her gaze collides with the brilliant blues of a boy, a boy her heart knows but she does not.
Her world changes.
Darkness and danger arise.
Treachery abounds.
Death stalks.
My family always said i had a flair for dramatic descriptions! :P
Okay, so i actually really liked this book. I was intrigued, I loved the world-building and the contrast of the magical land and the contemporary world.
There is a bit of insta-love BUT i actually didn't mind it too much for this one, there was some parts that had me eye- rolling but otherwise it was pretty cool.
The fantasy part was also very creative, which is a superb thing in my eyes. It was creative and original, so very refreshing.
Overall, i give it a 3.5
There were some cliche themes in here and some other things which i can't really go into because it'd be a major spoiler.
Otherwise, I'm looking forward to the second book.
Stay awesome!
-The Book Herald
Tweet me @thebookherald
June 6, 2014
Nichole Giles is my YA paranormal fantasy goddess. Her writing is divine.
This is one trilogy that won't disappoint. And we're only into book 2!
I hope she is madly writing and publishing the third one because I have high expectations based on the first two.
In Descendant she builds the romantic relationship between Abby and Kye, which between normal teenagers is difficult enough. But they have the added challenges of having loved and lost each other over lifetimes, their Gifts, and the curse that dooms them to death for their love. Pretty much sucks to be them.
Despite all this, Abby never gives up hope of breaking the curse and being with Kye. And you root for them. You want them to over come the curse.
Oh, and did I mention there's an evil Lord trapped in another dimension who wants to destroy the world, demons trying to kill Abby, Kye, and all others Gifted, and mad chases across the U.S.? It's enough to make a person exhausted. Good thing they are teens.
Characters are well constructed, likable, and show incredible growth. The writing is solid and the story line well crafted. I was especially intrigued by the use of chakras, crystals, and herbs by Abby. That takes some research. I really liked the use of Abby seeing visions of her past life.
This is one trilogy that won't disappoint. And we're only into book 2!
I hope she is madly writing and publishing the third one because I have high expectations based on the first two.
In Descendant she builds the romantic relationship between Abby and Kye, which between normal teenagers is difficult enough. But they have the added challenges of having loved and lost each other over lifetimes, their Gifts, and the curse that dooms them to death for their love. Pretty much sucks to be them.
Despite all this, Abby never gives up hope of breaking the curse and being with Kye. And you root for them. You want them to over come the curse.
Oh, and did I mention there's an evil Lord trapped in another dimension who wants to destroy the world, demons trying to kill Abby, Kye, and all others Gifted, and mad chases across the U.S.? It's enough to make a person exhausted. Good thing they are teens.
Characters are well constructed, likable, and show incredible growth. The writing is solid and the story line well crafted. I was especially intrigued by the use of chakras, crystals, and herbs by Abby. That takes some research. I really liked the use of Abby seeing visions of her past life.
June 15, 2014
This book was incredible! I loved how I wasn’t able to find a good stopping place because every time I turned the pages I was left wanting more! This is a book that you will definitely lose sleep over and in a good way!! I especially appreciated how the characters were inspiring and had a world to puzzle through with the heroine, especially, having a challenging journey to undertake along with her counterpart.
With the delectable romance, along with the exhilarating and artistic storyline, Giles has effectively spanned eras with this paranormal novel. I can honestly say that my first thought when completing this book was please give me the next one!! It’s always a triumph when a book is finished and you were able to experience twists and turns throughout. Giles definitely accomplished this!
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
With the delectable romance, along with the exhilarating and artistic storyline, Giles has effectively spanned eras with this paranormal novel. I can honestly say that my first thought when completing this book was please give me the next one!! It’s always a triumph when a book is finished and you were able to experience twists and turns throughout. Giles definitely accomplished this!
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
December 15, 2014
That a great story. Abby meets a boy that everything seems to click and then the worst happens. Their days are number because of a curse placed on them. It was emotional in some parts. I cant wait to see what happens next.
November 29, 2015
The characters in this weren't bad, but I didn't love them.
There were a few times where I felt bored while reading this, and it dragged in areas, but it was an okay read overall.
There were a few times where I felt bored while reading this, and it dragged in areas, but it was an okay read overall.
August 10, 2015
I remember downloading this on a day when it was free. Thought: you know what, it looks decent so I'll give it a shot.
I wanted to like this. Really, I did. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Summary:
Abigail Johnson is considered Gifted, but it's more like a curse. A Healer who has never healed another person who also has visions of the past that somehow passes for Sight, she's a bit of a mess. That doesn't change when she moves to Jackson, Wyoming. Suddenly, it seems as if destiny has led her directly to this place and time, where Gifted wander around in groups, and the local heartthrob has eyes only for her.
But Jackson isn't safe for everyone, and Abby especially has a few new problems to work out. Along with Kye--the boy she feels she's known forever, yet only a day--she must take on a mission from the Fairy Queen. A mission that reveals the past, layer by layer, and threatens the future with each passing second.
Initial Thoughts:
I really had no initial thoughts for this one. I got it for free without doing more than skimming the blurb--or maybe that instalove wouldn't have hit me so hard--and just decided that it was time to read it. For the beginning, I got through it without too much eye-rolling, but then it declined and by the end, I was swearing a lot more than I should have been.
Writing Style:
I have to start with this one, because I feel it will set the premise for the rest of the not-so-good review. In a single word: immature. None of the characters were fleshed out, at all. Everyone was a one dimensional caricature of something that existed before. Though nothing was worse than the absolute lack of detail concerning the villains. They were there because they needed to be, but they had no motives or thoughts or codes of their own beyond the basest forms of depravity that the author could give them. More or less, they are the shadows in the night that your mind forms into a bogey man … but is still a shadow; meaning it lacks any substantiality. This, for me, was the most unforgivable aspect of the book. It was bad enough having walk-in secondary characters, but to have shadows for villains was unacceptable.
Plot & Setting:
I liked the general idea of the plot. Where Abby slowly discovers what the visions mean and has to deal with those as they come while revealing the past to herself and others. That aspect of it was cool and intriguing.
Yet, it had no bearing on the actual plot. In fact, the story itself was all over the place. I understand that these two teenagers are out to save the world … but they need several distractions from that very thing. And instead of making sure they lay low and stay safe after getting the things they need, they expose themselves at every opportunity to danger. It was maddening. While, at other times, we waste pages and pages on their lackluster (more obsessive than endearing) love story while they flounce around NYC like a couple of dumb tourists. It was maddening.
As far as the setting goes, I don't even feel like going into it. Suffice it to say: lack of descriptions. Though I'm usually okay with this--and it didn't really bother me this time--I still have to chalk this up to my less-than-acceptable reading experience.
Characters:
Oi vey. I hated them all. (Here there be SPOILERS. You are FOREWARNED.)
Abby was the innocent. She was naive, ignorant, and an emotionally stunted pain in the ass. She is very much the definition of TSTL (Too Stupid To Live). There were so many times in which I was praying for the villains to kill her. (Except they would have to be competent in order to do anything at all. More on them later.) Abby was the number one reason I began to loathe this book.
Key wasn't much better. Like Abby, he is nothing more than a caricature of his role. He's made out to be the gorgeous, noble princeling-type who happens to have a heart of gold that allows him to communicate with animals. Gag me. Mister Perfect meets I Wish I Had A Brain. For some reason, he has skills and equipment that no teenager would normally have and he works for the Fairy Queen. He saves the world constantly and knows that nobody will ever know about it. But he's okay with that because he's good for the sake of being good. Again: gag me. He was unrealistic, ridiculous, and almost as innocent as Abby--though there were some innuendoes dropped by other characters to make him seem like a "player". (Please, this baby boy doesn't know the meaning of the word.)
All Side Characters were walk-ins only. They served their purposes to very minimal degrees and were asked to exit the stage immediately so that the main leads could have more time to make kissy faces, disturbingly quick declarations, and realize all their potential as true loves. Nothing else mattered in this book at all. Especially other characters.
All the Villains were in the same boat. As previously stated, they were stick figures and place holders. Meant to do and say despicable things to Abby, but without ever actually succeeding in doing anything at all. They were incompetent, ignorant, and useless. And the main bad guy was just so ridiculous that reading his dialogue made me want to gouge my eyes out. It was truly horrendous at the end there.
Overall Opinion:
I can't even. I'm so happy to be done with this and moving on to another book. Either the books in YA are getting worse and worse, or I'm just outgrowing them more and more. One way or the other, I still don't think this book would make anyone's cut. But that's just my opinion. You know, the only one that matters to me.
I wanted to like this. Really, I did. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Summary:
Abigail Johnson is considered Gifted, but it's more like a curse. A Healer who has never healed another person who also has visions of the past that somehow passes for Sight, she's a bit of a mess. That doesn't change when she moves to Jackson, Wyoming. Suddenly, it seems as if destiny has led her directly to this place and time, where Gifted wander around in groups, and the local heartthrob has eyes only for her.
But Jackson isn't safe for everyone, and Abby especially has a few new problems to work out. Along with Kye--the boy she feels she's known forever, yet only a day--she must take on a mission from the Fairy Queen. A mission that reveals the past, layer by layer, and threatens the future with each passing second.
Initial Thoughts:
I really had no initial thoughts for this one. I got it for free without doing more than skimming the blurb--or maybe that instalove wouldn't have hit me so hard--and just decided that it was time to read it. For the beginning, I got through it without too much eye-rolling, but then it declined and by the end, I was swearing a lot more than I should have been.
Writing Style:
I have to start with this one, because I feel it will set the premise for the rest of the not-so-good review. In a single word: immature. None of the characters were fleshed out, at all. Everyone was a one dimensional caricature of something that existed before. Though nothing was worse than the absolute lack of detail concerning the villains. They were there because they needed to be, but they had no motives or thoughts or codes of their own beyond the basest forms of depravity that the author could give them. More or less, they are the shadows in the night that your mind forms into a bogey man … but is still a shadow; meaning it lacks any substantiality. This, for me, was the most unforgivable aspect of the book. It was bad enough having walk-in secondary characters, but to have shadows for villains was unacceptable.
Plot & Setting:
I liked the general idea of the plot. Where Abby slowly discovers what the visions mean and has to deal with those as they come while revealing the past to herself and others. That aspect of it was cool and intriguing.
Yet, it had no bearing on the actual plot. In fact, the story itself was all over the place. I understand that these two teenagers are out to save the world … but they need several distractions from that very thing. And instead of making sure they lay low and stay safe after getting the things they need, they expose themselves at every opportunity to danger. It was maddening. While, at other times, we waste pages and pages on their lackluster (more obsessive than endearing) love story while they flounce around NYC like a couple of dumb tourists. It was maddening.
As far as the setting goes, I don't even feel like going into it. Suffice it to say: lack of descriptions. Though I'm usually okay with this--and it didn't really bother me this time--I still have to chalk this up to my less-than-acceptable reading experience.
Characters:
Oi vey. I hated them all. (Here there be SPOILERS. You are FOREWARNED.)
Abby was the innocent. She was naive, ignorant, and an emotionally stunted pain in the ass. She is very much the definition of TSTL (Too Stupid To Live). There were so many times in which I was praying for the villains to kill her. (Except they would have to be competent in order to do anything at all. More on them later.) Abby was the number one reason I began to loathe this book.
Key wasn't much better. Like Abby, he is nothing more than a caricature of his role. He's made out to be the gorgeous, noble princeling-type who happens to have a heart of gold that allows him to communicate with animals. Gag me. Mister Perfect meets I Wish I Had A Brain. For some reason, he has skills and equipment that no teenager would normally have and he works for the Fairy Queen. He saves the world constantly and knows that nobody will ever know about it. But he's okay with that because he's good for the sake of being good. Again: gag me. He was unrealistic, ridiculous, and almost as innocent as Abby--though there were some innuendoes dropped by other characters to make him seem like a "player". (Please, this baby boy doesn't know the meaning of the word.)
All Side Characters were walk-ins only. They served their purposes to very minimal degrees and were asked to exit the stage immediately so that the main leads could have more time to make kissy faces, disturbingly quick declarations, and realize all their potential as true loves. Nothing else mattered in this book at all. Especially other characters.
All the Villains were in the same boat. As previously stated, they were stick figures and place holders. Meant to do and say despicable things to Abby, but without ever actually succeeding in doing anything at all. They were incompetent, ignorant, and useless. And the main bad guy was just so ridiculous that reading his dialogue made me want to gouge my eyes out. It was truly horrendous at the end there.
Overall Opinion:
I can't even. I'm so happy to be done with this and moving on to another book. Either the books in YA are getting worse and worse, or I'm just outgrowing them more and more. One way or the other, I still don't think this book would make anyone's cut. But that's just my opinion. You know, the only one that matters to me.
May 6, 2015
Well Written Abby Johnson had a vision when she was out with her friends. When she got home, she heard her grandmother calling her name. Abby runs up to their apartment and the room has been completely ransacked. Isabelle, Abby's grandmother, has been hurt. Abby has been training with her grandmother as healer, but is unable to save her. Marion, Abby's mother, reached for a gap in the mantle and brought out a wooden box that had all of Isabelle's prized possessions and had been left to Abby: her ring, some healing crystals, a pocket-size book of herbal remedies and a sealed envelope with Abby's name on it. Abby and her mom leave and end up in Wyoming. Kye is a guy Abby was drawn to even before she officially meets him. Rose talks to Abby in her first class and asks her to sit with them at lunch. She is asked to go to a trip to Yellowstone to kick off Spring Break and celebrate Rose's 18th birthday. When at the lodge Abby sees a stranger with a gray aura. She senses evil, bad, scary. Abby is moved a lot so she really doesn't have any friends or a boyfriend. She loves her grandmother and mother. She grows stronger as the story goes on. She is loyal, caring, and kind. She can be determined to the point of stubborn. She grows in many ways as the story continues and she finds answers to questions, even some she never knew she had. I found Kye to be a strong young man. He's smart and caring. He can also be very protective. He has a mission and will do whatever he has to in order to fulfill it. Then he meets and falls for Abby. He also grows through the story. It was a good book and well written. I recommend it to anyone that likes this genre.
May 29, 2013
This one is going to merit a re-read, friends. The rich texture of the lore that is being used, the fast pace of the action, and the array of characters are demanding that I spend a little more time in this universe; real life has made it difficult for me to give this novel the attention it deserves.
What I can tell you for sure: I love that Giles has combined typical elements of the paranormal genre, traditional legends, and fae tales into one epic love story that causes mortal peril that lasts for generations. There were bits and pieces of so many familiar stories that the premise felt very plausible and real. While reading, I struggled with whether to take my time and enjoy every morsel of the universe Giles built, or to race headlong through the action-packed plot. I took turns at both, as it turns out.
I can also tell you for sure that I really connected with the main character, right down to her questioning whether or not she should hop on a plane with the hot boy. She's a smart girl who doesn't let her friends or her emotions knock her around, and I respect her for that. As for the hot boy. . . he's a perfect gentleman who can still get your heart drumming in your chest with just a look. Even if you're not into this paranormal storyline, it's worth reading for the book boyfriend alone. :)
This is one of those books that you like when you've finished it, and you like more as you ponder afterwards. I will definitely be re-reading at my leisure this summer, and certainly will be anticipating a sequel.
What I can tell you for sure: I love that Giles has combined typical elements of the paranormal genre, traditional legends, and fae tales into one epic love story that causes mortal peril that lasts for generations. There were bits and pieces of so many familiar stories that the premise felt very plausible and real. While reading, I struggled with whether to take my time and enjoy every morsel of the universe Giles built, or to race headlong through the action-packed plot. I took turns at both, as it turns out.
I can also tell you for sure that I really connected with the main character, right down to her questioning whether or not she should hop on a plane with the hot boy. She's a smart girl who doesn't let her friends or her emotions knock her around, and I respect her for that. As for the hot boy. . . he's a perfect gentleman who can still get your heart drumming in your chest with just a look. Even if you're not into this paranormal storyline, it's worth reading for the book boyfriend alone. :)
This is one of those books that you like when you've finished it, and you like more as you ponder afterwards. I will definitely be re-reading at my leisure this summer, and certainly will be anticipating a sequel.
November 26, 2015
Love Without End
This series must be read in order. This is the first book.
Abby and her family have always been in hiding and on the run. She knows there are people or things after them but she has no clue who what or why. All she know is she lost her father to whatever wants her family dead. Her Gram is a widow as is her mother. Such is the life of the hunted. Maybe she is not as special as Gram thinks. Why are they being hunted? What is so special about them? Why did her father sacrifice himself?
This is an amazing coming of age dark fantasy series filled with its own mystos and Gods. Past lives and supernatural powers lend more dimensions to the mysterious and ever changing world and characters of this multidimensional series. No one is who they seem even if they do not realize it. Filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery, action and adventure this series will keep you guessing until the end of each book. I can't wait to read Birthright!!!
***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers who like their dark fantasy unique and full of complex characters and major plot twists :D
This series must be read in order. This is the first book.
Abby and her family have always been in hiding and on the run. She knows there are people or things after them but she has no clue who what or why. All she know is she lost her father to whatever wants her family dead. Her Gram is a widow as is her mother. Such is the life of the hunted. Maybe she is not as special as Gram thinks. Why are they being hunted? What is so special about them? Why did her father sacrifice himself?
This is an amazing coming of age dark fantasy series filled with its own mystos and Gods. Past lives and supernatural powers lend more dimensions to the mysterious and ever changing world and characters of this multidimensional series. No one is who they seem even if they do not realize it. Filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery, action and adventure this series will keep you guessing until the end of each book. I can't wait to read Birthright!!!
***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers who like their dark fantasy unique and full of complex characters and major plot twists :D
January 6, 2015
This review was orginally on Sara's Books and Things
A rich lore and backstory, with dynamic and creative characters. Making this an instant love and add to my list of re readable books.
One part of this that I love is that it has all of the classic fairy tale elements, from cursed lovers, to an epic quest that must be undertaken, adding in fairies and mortals with abilities called gifts. It's beautifully done, a masterfully woven tale.
Another thing that I enjoy although you get a case of insta love between Kye and Abby it still develops and is well written.
I also really loved the story it's creative, and full of twists. Some characters that make you want to strangle them, because they are jerks and terrible people.
A rich lore and backstory, with dynamic and creative characters. Making this an instant love and add to my list of re readable books.
One part of this that I love is that it has all of the classic fairy tale elements, from cursed lovers, to an epic quest that must be undertaken, adding in fairies and mortals with abilities called gifts. It's beautifully done, a masterfully woven tale.
Another thing that I enjoy although you get a case of insta love between Kye and Abby it still develops and is well written.
I also really loved the story it's creative, and full of twists. Some characters that make you want to strangle them, because they are jerks and terrible people.
October 17, 2013
First line:
"Kye's white shirt is drenched with blood."
Right from the first page, this good, clean book is action packed and hard to put down. Abby Johnson is Gifted with Sight and Healing. She is drawn to Kye who is also Gifted. Together they must stop a mad man who wants to kill all the Gifted.
The past and present woven together was intriguing. Well written without tons of romance drama, I enjoyed this story.
I did skim some of the history as to why Kye and Abby are Gifted but what I read I liked, it was very imaginative.
Rating: PG
V: Fighting
L: No
S: Kissing
Liked:
Pacing
Story
Abby
Disliked:
Her publisher going under.
"Kye's white shirt is drenched with blood."
Right from the first page, this good, clean book is action packed and hard to put down. Abby Johnson is Gifted with Sight and Healing. She is drawn to Kye who is also Gifted. Together they must stop a mad man who wants to kill all the Gifted.
The past and present woven together was intriguing. Well written without tons of romance drama, I enjoyed this story.
I did skim some of the history as to why Kye and Abby are Gifted but what I read I liked, it was very imaginative.
Rating: PG
V: Fighting
L: No
S: Kissing
Liked:
Pacing
Story
Abby
Disliked:
Her publisher going under.
December 2, 2014
An absolutely wonderful Young Adult novel full of love and suspense and charm. Also, a quick, easy read with characters to fall in love with and a plot full of twists and turns that make one hold her breath and grasp the book hard with both hands. Lots of good set ups and payoffs, not to mention evil antagonists--plural--who make the reader wish she could climb inside the book and throttle them by the neck, good and strong, permanently! Well written. Love the elementals and paranormal gifts. Can't wait for the sequel!
June 1, 2013
This was a fantastic read with not the typical paranormal teenage romance that is on the bookshelves. The character Abby has the emotions of a teen-age girl trying to figure out who she is while fitting into a new town and school. Then mix in dreams of true love, loss and past lives and you've got a story the keeps the pages turning. It's a book I enjoyed and one I can highly recommend to young and old.
April 10, 2013
Open your eyes to another facet of our world in Descendant and you'll be sucked into an adventure with Abby and Kye that will explore the power of gifts, courage, and love. This story has it all--adventure, romance, and self-discovery. I love Abby's strength and abilities to see things that others can't. Giles has crafted a page-turner that will leave you looking for Abby and Kye hoping for more of their story.
April 15, 2015
Descendant is what you'll get after mixing The Mortal Instrument's silly plot and Twilight's silly love story. If you're not put off, I feel sorry for you but go ahead.
April 12, 2015
So satisfyingly enjoyable.
This was a fantastic read. Love the powers, the magic, the mystical--and the romance. The story moves fast and keeps you on your toes. I screamed at the characters--why can't you see that? No don't do that! Loved every single moment with Kye and Abby. Loved the pull of the past that mixed with the present. I'm big into books with magical powers and otherworldly things and romance and this book met all those needs. Clean read.
This was a fantastic read. Love the powers, the magic, the mystical--and the romance. The story moves fast and keeps you on your toes. I screamed at the characters--why can't you see that? No don't do that! Loved every single moment with Kye and Abby. Loved the pull of the past that mixed with the present. I'm big into books with magical powers and otherworldly things and romance and this book met all those needs. Clean read.
May 6, 2015
Great read with an interesting plot and good character development. Abby and Kye are tied together by a tread that transcends time. It tugs on the heartstrings. I am looking forward to more from this author. It's a clean book. Action packed.
June 15, 2014
Loved this book. Fun read.
March 13, 2018
I am glad that I didn't wait long to start reading this amazing story. It kept me up at night reading because I didn't want to put it down and not know what was going to happen next. This is a well written story with great characters. I can't read the sequel!
Abby is a teenage girl living with her mother and grandmother. Abby is gifted, she is a healer and has sight. Her grandma is a great healer and is trying to teach Abby how better her skills with healing. They move around a lot and after her grandmother's tragic death, Abby and her mom move to Jackson, Wyoming. It's here that she meets some friends who are not at all what they first seem. While on a trip to her friend Rose' birthday party is when everything changes for Abby. She starts talking and connecting with the mysterious teenage boy Kye. They are drawn together in more ways then they know.
When the pieces start falling into place and the story starts really coming together it just keeps getting more and more exciting. Abby and Kye will be up against people from their present and their past as well as an evil that they are not sure they can conquer. There is also a curse that they hope to break or their time together will not be as long as they are hoping for.
This book you will not want to put down. I loved the characters and the story. I enjoyed how the author didn't rush their romance but it was timed out perfect for the story. I can't wait to start reading the sequel and find out what happens next.
Abby is a teenage girl living with her mother and grandmother. Abby is gifted, she is a healer and has sight. Her grandma is a great healer and is trying to teach Abby how better her skills with healing. They move around a lot and after her grandmother's tragic death, Abby and her mom move to Jackson, Wyoming. It's here that she meets some friends who are not at all what they first seem. While on a trip to her friend Rose' birthday party is when everything changes for Abby. She starts talking and connecting with the mysterious teenage boy Kye. They are drawn together in more ways then they know.
When the pieces start falling into place and the story starts really coming together it just keeps getting more and more exciting. Abby and Kye will be up against people from their present and their past as well as an evil that they are not sure they can conquer. There is also a curse that they hope to break or their time together will not be as long as they are hoping for.
This book you will not want to put down. I loved the characters and the story. I enjoyed how the author didn't rush their romance but it was timed out perfect for the story. I can't wait to start reading the sequel and find out what happens next.
December 3, 2017
Superb
Loved every minute of this first book. Can’t wait to read the next one. A love story for all time.
Loved every minute of this first book. Can’t wait to read the next one. A love story for all time.
May 23, 2013
A review copy was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love a book with a strong heroine, and this is exactly what Descendant had. Mixed with an adorable romance, I really enjoyed this one!
Abby is one of the Gifted, having gifts of Sight and Healing. After a traumatic event that rocks her to her core, she moves to seemingly normal Jackson, Wyoming along with her mother. Soon after, she is thrust into the deep, dark work of the Gifted after she meets Kye, a beautiful, blue-eyed boy with who she connects with on a magical level. She flees with Kye at her side, trying to bring a balance back to the world before it can be destroyed.
Abby is a really resilient girl. She has lived her whole life moving from place to place, trying to be normal when she is anything but. I admired her strength after realizing in such a short amount of time that she is supposed to basically save the world. It was such a shock to her, but she pushed through and pushed again. She always finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place but manages to make the best decision for everyone involved.
Kye, whose name I love by the way, is such a sweetheart. He risks it all for Abby, even when they seemed doomed from the start. He would go through great depths for her, and I was swooning hard whenever he spoke. He really has a way with words. :) He’d do absolutely anything for Abby, which I always say is the absolute most important trait in a guy.
I love their group of Gifted friends as well. Rose, Jen, Val, and Akers are all super helpful to Abby and stay by her side no matter what. Kye’s dad, Eoin, is so sweet and a really great dad, even though he was absent for a lot of Kye’s life. Eric I won’t say much about since I don’t want to spoil anyone!
The plot was extremely fast paced, and I was always struggling to catch up. One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about the Gifted history, especially the story about Raina and Theron. I craved every single detail I could about it, and I love how it tied in to the present day Gifted. The writing was really good, especially the flashbacks. As much as I loved Kye and Abby, I felt they were a bit insta-lovey. I know they had a really strong connection and all, but I just needed a bit more time to really get to know them as a couple before I felt comfortable with them dropping the L-bombs with each other. They did have really sweet kisses though!
All in all, I so liked this book. It’s a never been done before take on magic and the like, and it’s definitely a fast read!
Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: My arms band around him, and my lips cut off his words. I kiss him until my heart feels like it could beat out of my chest and into his. Until we melt together like we’re one person, until the energy surrounding us turns a perfect, pale lavender that glows through my closed eyelids. Our lips and tongues tangle together in a war of submission, creating a taste sweeter than anything I’ve experienced and completely, uniquely ours.
Rating: 3.5/5 Tar Heels!
See more reviews at www.tarheelbibliobabe.blogspot.com! :)
I love a book with a strong heroine, and this is exactly what Descendant had. Mixed with an adorable romance, I really enjoyed this one!
Abby is one of the Gifted, having gifts of Sight and Healing. After a traumatic event that rocks her to her core, she moves to seemingly normal Jackson, Wyoming along with her mother. Soon after, she is thrust into the deep, dark work of the Gifted after she meets Kye, a beautiful, blue-eyed boy with who she connects with on a magical level. She flees with Kye at her side, trying to bring a balance back to the world before it can be destroyed.
Abby is a really resilient girl. She has lived her whole life moving from place to place, trying to be normal when she is anything but. I admired her strength after realizing in such a short amount of time that she is supposed to basically save the world. It was such a shock to her, but she pushed through and pushed again. She always finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place but manages to make the best decision for everyone involved.
Kye, whose name I love by the way, is such a sweetheart. He risks it all for Abby, even when they seemed doomed from the start. He would go through great depths for her, and I was swooning hard whenever he spoke. He really has a way with words. :) He’d do absolutely anything for Abby, which I always say is the absolute most important trait in a guy.
I love their group of Gifted friends as well. Rose, Jen, Val, and Akers are all super helpful to Abby and stay by her side no matter what. Kye’s dad, Eoin, is so sweet and a really great dad, even though he was absent for a lot of Kye’s life. Eric I won’t say much about since I don’t want to spoil anyone!
The plot was extremely fast paced, and I was always struggling to catch up. One of my favorite parts of the book was learning about the Gifted history, especially the story about Raina and Theron. I craved every single detail I could about it, and I love how it tied in to the present day Gifted. The writing was really good, especially the flashbacks. As much as I loved Kye and Abby, I felt they were a bit insta-lovey. I know they had a really strong connection and all, but I just needed a bit more time to really get to know them as a couple before I felt comfortable with them dropping the L-bombs with each other. They did have really sweet kisses though!
All in all, I so liked this book. It’s a never been done before take on magic and the like, and it’s definitely a fast read!
Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: My arms band around him, and my lips cut off his words. I kiss him until my heart feels like it could beat out of my chest and into his. Until we melt together like we’re one person, until the energy surrounding us turns a perfect, pale lavender that glows through my closed eyelids. Our lips and tongues tangle together in a war of submission, creating a taste sweeter than anything I’ve experienced and completely, uniquely ours.
Rating: 3.5/5 Tar Heels!
See more reviews at www.tarheelbibliobabe.blogspot.com! :)
May 28, 2013
**ORIGINALLY ON READ-A-HOLICZ, HERE**
4.5 STARS: WOW just WOW. When I started this book it was like BAM, EMOTIONS! Seriously the prologue and the first chapters really impact you. The feelings you felt with Abby were strong. I thought this would be an interesting book but had no idea of the amazingness of it! So I will try to keep this spoiler-free as i can :)
Abby is gifted and moves a lot. Her family is filled with gifted people and was under the guidance of her grandmother. Her latest move was caused by her grandmother's passing, which let me tell you made me explode into tears. You could feel the anguish and the frustration. She then moves to Jackson where things get even more interesting. That's where Abby meets Kye. I liked Abby she went through a lot of transformations. She went from dark, broody, and kinda depressed to friendly, more open, and in my mind lighter as the book went along. I really think Kye and her friends got her out of her own personal darkness. I also liked that her thoughts were kinda philosophical and i liked that she was a thinker.
The romance. At first I was hesitant because i was afraid there would be insta-love. BUT actually the romance in the book wasn't bad. Did they fall for each other pretty fast? Yes but you have to understand that there connection and the familiarity that they already know each other makes it seem like they've been together for ages! And Kye is sweet, hot, mysterious, and caring. Which kinda surprised me, I thought he was gonna be a jerk at the start :P
The magic, visions, and darkness really make Nicole's novel stand out me. When you were reading about how Abby healed or her visions you got more intrigued to know what's really going on and what the truth was. I liked that I could get immersed in the book and could see all that i wa reading. I LOVED that Abby had a "gift" although she thought it a curse because it added another layer to her character that made her seem stronger. Also i really liked that she had these weird and strange visions because they made the story more complete.
OVERALL: This book was a complete surprise! I didn't think I could fall in love with a story or characters so fast but I did! The story, the magic *if you can call it that-more on the side of powers* and the romance made this book come alive to me. A great debut that had me reading through the night!
4.5 STARS: WOW just WOW. When I started this book it was like BAM, EMOTIONS! Seriously the prologue and the first chapters really impact you. The feelings you felt with Abby were strong. I thought this would be an interesting book but had no idea of the amazingness of it! So I will try to keep this spoiler-free as i can :)
Abby is gifted and moves a lot. Her family is filled with gifted people and was under the guidance of her grandmother. Her latest move was caused by her grandmother's passing, which let me tell you made me explode into tears. You could feel the anguish and the frustration. She then moves to Jackson where things get even more interesting. That's where Abby meets Kye. I liked Abby she went through a lot of transformations. She went from dark, broody, and kinda depressed to friendly, more open, and in my mind lighter as the book went along. I really think Kye and her friends got her out of her own personal darkness. I also liked that her thoughts were kinda philosophical and i liked that she was a thinker.
"How can I heal other people when my own heart is broken"
"Life's a journey that forces us all to move forward, whether we want to or not."
The romance. At first I was hesitant because i was afraid there would be insta-love. BUT actually the romance in the book wasn't bad. Did they fall for each other pretty fast? Yes but you have to understand that there connection and the familiarity that they already know each other makes it seem like they've been together for ages! And Kye is sweet, hot, mysterious, and caring. Which kinda surprised me, I thought he was gonna be a jerk at the start :P
The magic, visions, and darkness really make Nicole's novel stand out me. When you were reading about how Abby healed or her visions you got more intrigued to know what's really going on and what the truth was. I liked that I could get immersed in the book and could see all that i wa reading. I LOVED that Abby had a "gift" although she thought it a curse because it added another layer to her character that made her seem stronger. Also i really liked that she had these weird and strange visions because they made the story more complete.
OVERALL: This book was a complete surprise! I didn't think I could fall in love with a story or characters so fast but I did! The story, the magic *if you can call it that-more on the side of powers* and the romance made this book come alive to me. A great debut that had me reading through the night!
June 9, 2013
An interesting unique tale about a young woman who is gifted and the journey she takes on. I really found the character of Abby to be really interesting. This book was like an adventure that you get sucked into right from the start.
Right from the start, we see that Abby is in danger from unknown people. She is scared and rightfully so we learn when she suffers a tragic lost which causes her and her mother to move. Yet both Abigail and her mother feel like there were so many questions left unanswered, but they have no answers and lean on each other for support. I really liked the mother and daughter relationship in this book. I felt that there was a genuine trust between the two of them. This was one of the ways books really shine for me.
Also when they get to town, I was impressed with how the other kids welcomed her and that there were no mean girls in this book, but rather other teenagers who were welcoming and opening to her. I found that these girls were really nice. I really like Rose and her sparkling personality.
Yet the moment Abby meets Kye, there’s a spark between them and things get intense and they discover so much more about each other. Kye and Abby find out that they are both Gifted and have abilities. These abilities make them special and hunted by a group that wants to have their abilities and unleash a terrible evil on the world. Also love the scene with the fairies. Thought it was vividly descriptive and well done. I also like how the fairies did a good job of explaining how their powers are part of them and how the dark forces are coming for them and how they must be viligant against those who would kill them.
Plus things get really crazy really fast. There are also things we learn about Abagail and Kye. How they were past lovers and that she is a reincarnated princess/descendant of the princess. This makes her kind of shocked and special and Kye too. We find that there adventure takes them to all kinds of places. Their adventure to find the keys to stop the bad guys comes at a heavy price as they have to wrestle with hard decisions about what to do and when to do things. They also have some really neat, but kind of unrealistic thing like scaling down the Statue of Liberty which was a far stretch even for me.
Overall I liked the book but found it at times to be a little bit long and sometimes a little bit dramatic at times. I really liked Abagail and Kye’s relationship a lot. I wanted them to actually have more romantic scenes, because that was where the book shined. The imagery and flashbacks were nice of their former lives was nice. I just wish at times that the dialogue from the villains hadn’t been so corny.
A solid book.
Rating: 4 Hearts
Right from the start, we see that Abby is in danger from unknown people. She is scared and rightfully so we learn when she suffers a tragic lost which causes her and her mother to move. Yet both Abigail and her mother feel like there were so many questions left unanswered, but they have no answers and lean on each other for support. I really liked the mother and daughter relationship in this book. I felt that there was a genuine trust between the two of them. This was one of the ways books really shine for me.
Also when they get to town, I was impressed with how the other kids welcomed her and that there were no mean girls in this book, but rather other teenagers who were welcoming and opening to her. I found that these girls were really nice. I really like Rose and her sparkling personality.
Yet the moment Abby meets Kye, there’s a spark between them and things get intense and they discover so much more about each other. Kye and Abby find out that they are both Gifted and have abilities. These abilities make them special and hunted by a group that wants to have their abilities and unleash a terrible evil on the world. Also love the scene with the fairies. Thought it was vividly descriptive and well done. I also like how the fairies did a good job of explaining how their powers are part of them and how the dark forces are coming for them and how they must be viligant against those who would kill them.
Plus things get really crazy really fast. There are also things we learn about Abagail and Kye. How they were past lovers and that she is a reincarnated princess/descendant of the princess. This makes her kind of shocked and special and Kye too. We find that there adventure takes them to all kinds of places. Their adventure to find the keys to stop the bad guys comes at a heavy price as they have to wrestle with hard decisions about what to do and when to do things. They also have some really neat, but kind of unrealistic thing like scaling down the Statue of Liberty which was a far stretch even for me.
Overall I liked the book but found it at times to be a little bit long and sometimes a little bit dramatic at times. I really liked Abagail and Kye’s relationship a lot. I wanted them to actually have more romantic scenes, because that was where the book shined. The imagery and flashbacks were nice of their former lives was nice. I just wish at times that the dialogue from the villains hadn’t been so corny.
A solid book.
Rating: 4 Hearts
May 6, 2013
'Descendant' is a fantastic new young adult fantasy/paranormal novel that weaves a captivating tale that will have readers hooked from the first paragraph. It follows Abigail "Abby" Johnson as she moves to the small town of Jackson, Wyoming after her grandmother's murder in Las Vegas. Abby and her mother must be careful wherever they go because Abby isn't just another ordinary teen - she's Gifted with the abilities to Heal and with Sight. Because of her gifts, Abby and her family can never stay in one place for long, and Jackson is sure to be no different - at least until Abby meets the incredibly gorgeous Kye. They have an instant and intense attraction that Abby's never experienced before, although she has the strangest feeling that she has known Kye - has loved him - for a long time. But before they can explore their feelings for one another, the darkness that has always followed Abby shows up in Wyoming and they need to move again. Only this time Abby isn't alone; she has Kye with her and they aren't going down without a fight.
This was a truly wonderful paranormal novel that had me hooked right from the very beginning. The plot wasn't completely original in concept, but the execution was amazing and it definitely blew me away. I loved Abby as a main character. She's smart, devoted to her family, and wants to help people in any way she can - especially since one of her gifts is Healing. Her relationship with Kye is intense and interesting, although some readers may not like the "instalove" they seem to have. I liked the immediate attraction since it ran deeper than just the run of the mill love at first sight scenario - they have a history together, which makes their instant bond romantic instead of cheesy, in my opinion. The writing was flawless with a great pace and effortless flow throughout the book. The plot was very fascinating and I loved reading about Abby's gifts and the different abilities that could manifest, along with learning about the history of the Gifted ones. It added an extra depth to the novel that gives the reader a better understanding of the inner workings of the plot. Overall, this was an enchanting paranormal novel that fans of the genre will not be able to put down. Highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a truly wonderful paranormal novel that had me hooked right from the very beginning. The plot wasn't completely original in concept, but the execution was amazing and it definitely blew me away. I loved Abby as a main character. She's smart, devoted to her family, and wants to help people in any way she can - especially since one of her gifts is Healing. Her relationship with Kye is intense and interesting, although some readers may not like the "instalove" they seem to have. I liked the immediate attraction since it ran deeper than just the run of the mill love at first sight scenario - they have a history together, which makes their instant bond romantic instead of cheesy, in my opinion. The writing was flawless with a great pace and effortless flow throughout the book. The plot was very fascinating and I loved reading about Abby's gifts and the different abilities that could manifest, along with learning about the history of the Gifted ones. It added an extra depth to the novel that gives the reader a better understanding of the inner workings of the plot. Overall, this was an enchanting paranormal novel that fans of the genre will not be able to put down. Highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2015
Book Review- Descendant by Nicole Giles
Abby lives in Las Vegas at the moment with her Gram and her mom. One night when Abby is out with friends she catches this strange man watching her. Then she immediately has a vision that makes her physically sick. She calls her mom to come get her and take her home. The man has vanished. When they approach home Abby knows something is wrong. They find her Gram on the kitchen floor and the apartment torn apart. Abby tries to heal her Gram but is unable to do so. She loses her greatest teacher.
Abby and her mom move to Wyoming, knowing they are no longer safe. Abby starts high school at Jackson, meeting new people and tries to be normal. Jen and Rose are two girls she meets and become her first friends. Kye is a mysterious boy that that gets her attention. She is drawn to him and eventually learns he also has gifts. She is then thrust into a world of other creatures; fairies, sprites, mermaids, and the Elen. She has inherited the powerful ring of the Princess. She clearly has ties to Princess Raina whose ring it originally was. This ring is extremely important and she must keep it at all costs.
Tynan, leader of the Dark Elen and a demon army is waiting to be released from his prison. Abby and Kye are in a race to find the keys that open the sealed doors. A curse placed upon them determines their fate as betrayal sets the catalyst in motion. Abby has to make the ultimate sacrifice.
This was a great book. It was action packed and full of suspense. Kye and Abby are chased in multiple cities. Both cling to each other as they are pulled into war that occurred many lifetimes ago.
I felt for Abby immediately. She lost her grandmother in the beginning of the story. She is completely reeling from that, then she is dropped in the middle of this new world and fight she knows nothing about. You share her confusion as she is forced into this unknown world. She has to draw from her gifts, her strength and her love to live through everything.
It’s a great YA story that will keep your attention with everything the author throws at you. The characters are great and likable. The love story is epic and centuries old. I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Abby lives in Las Vegas at the moment with her Gram and her mom. One night when Abby is out with friends she catches this strange man watching her. Then she immediately has a vision that makes her physically sick. She calls her mom to come get her and take her home. The man has vanished. When they approach home Abby knows something is wrong. They find her Gram on the kitchen floor and the apartment torn apart. Abby tries to heal her Gram but is unable to do so. She loses her greatest teacher.
Abby and her mom move to Wyoming, knowing they are no longer safe. Abby starts high school at Jackson, meeting new people and tries to be normal. Jen and Rose are two girls she meets and become her first friends. Kye is a mysterious boy that that gets her attention. She is drawn to him and eventually learns he also has gifts. She is then thrust into a world of other creatures; fairies, sprites, mermaids, and the Elen. She has inherited the powerful ring of the Princess. She clearly has ties to Princess Raina whose ring it originally was. This ring is extremely important and she must keep it at all costs.
Tynan, leader of the Dark Elen and a demon army is waiting to be released from his prison. Abby and Kye are in a race to find the keys that open the sealed doors. A curse placed upon them determines their fate as betrayal sets the catalyst in motion. Abby has to make the ultimate sacrifice.
This was a great book. It was action packed and full of suspense. Kye and Abby are chased in multiple cities. Both cling to each other as they are pulled into war that occurred many lifetimes ago.
I felt for Abby immediately. She lost her grandmother in the beginning of the story. She is completely reeling from that, then she is dropped in the middle of this new world and fight she knows nothing about. You share her confusion as she is forced into this unknown world. She has to draw from her gifts, her strength and her love to live through everything.
It’s a great YA story that will keep your attention with everything the author throws at you. The characters are great and likable. The love story is epic and centuries old. I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next. I give it a 4 out of 5.
May 29, 2013
Descendant slowly wove a spell around me the longer I read. What an enchanting story! Abby is a refreshing heroine. In the beginning after she leaves Las Vegas and relocates with her mother to Jackson, Wyoming, she tries to be a loner. Two girls won't let her, they instantly befriend her and try to draw her out of her self-created shell. Abby is grieving but she also has to live. One boy, Eric, tries hard to get her attention. She doesn't feel comfortable around him, but she is drawn to the popular and good-looking Kye. Weeks pass before these two are thrown together while on a birthday celebration to Yellowstone. It's then Abby discovers the once distant Kye is a sweet, nice guy and he's like her. He's Gifted.
Author Nicole Giles has created an engrossing YA paranormal filled with mystery, dark and light, the battle of good vs. evil, and a time-spanning love in Descendant. I lament about insta-love, but not here. Abby and Kye's attraction stems from a historical connection I fully understood and appreciated. I really liked Abby. As a kid accustomed to moving, a lot, she keeps her feelings restrained, figuring she doesn't really need to show others her true self since she might be leaving soon. Her powers of Sight and Healing are also very cool and her visions are creepy and intriguing. Once she connects with Kye and her two friends Jen and Rose, she begins to shed her need for anonymity and enjoys being with others. Like Storyville in the tv show, Once Upon A Time, Jackson is a special place. The story's pacing was just right, revealing what was necessary, raising questions when needed, showing us another world and otherworldly beings.
Paranormal fans searching for an engrossing read have no need to search any further. Pick up a copy of Descendant, sit back, and get lost. Get lost in the world of the Gifted, the light and the dark, and maybe fall in love (but remember, Kye is Abby's guy:). I recommend it!
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
Author Nicole Giles has created an engrossing YA paranormal filled with mystery, dark and light, the battle of good vs. evil, and a time-spanning love in Descendant. I lament about insta-love, but not here. Abby and Kye's attraction stems from a historical connection I fully understood and appreciated. I really liked Abby. As a kid accustomed to moving, a lot, she keeps her feelings restrained, figuring she doesn't really need to show others her true self since she might be leaving soon. Her powers of Sight and Healing are also very cool and her visions are creepy and intriguing. Once she connects with Kye and her two friends Jen and Rose, she begins to shed her need for anonymity and enjoys being with others. Like Storyville in the tv show, Once Upon A Time, Jackson is a special place. The story's pacing was just right, revealing what was necessary, raising questions when needed, showing us another world and otherworldly beings.
Paranormal fans searching for an engrossing read have no need to search any further. Pick up a copy of Descendant, sit back, and get lost. Get lost in the world of the Gifted, the light and the dark, and maybe fall in love (but remember, Kye is Abby's guy:). I recommend it!
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
July 2, 2013
Reviewed by Inna @ Inna's Little Bookshelves
This book was a roller coaster of emotions. I was all over the place reading this and it started from chapter one. I'm talking like page 3 people and it didn't end until quite literally the last page.It's beautifully written and you could feel the emotions Abby was experiencing. Speaking of Abby I liked her as a character. Granted, she had her flaws and at times I really couldn't connect with her as a character but she was very wise for her age and I loved reading some of the things she thought to herself.
"Life's a journey that forces us all to move forward, whether we want to or not."
That's pretty deep for a 17 year old guys.I loved her loyalty to her friends and those she loved and how she actually considered the situation and tried to think logically ( which unfortunately is becoming very rare in heroines.) Her relationship with Kye was sweet and I loved how it didn't take over the whole story. It was there and it was part of the plot line but it wasn't the whole plot, it was there to back the plot which was the main focus.
Okay so some people will get annoyed with the while Insta- Love but honestly it's not your typical Insta-Love. It has the whole they knew each other before and loved each other before ,and even then there is development to their relationship. It's not that meet at 9 am and proclaim undying love by lunch kind of thing. The plot was intense when it picked up. Somethings revealed I saw coming from a mile away, others hit me in the face like a freight train. The story line was original and I loved all the legends behind the story.
People that enjoy an intense paranormal romance should definitely check out this novel
This book was a roller coaster of emotions. I was all over the place reading this and it started from chapter one. I'm talking like page 3 people and it didn't end until quite literally the last page.It's beautifully written and you could feel the emotions Abby was experiencing. Speaking of Abby I liked her as a character. Granted, she had her flaws and at times I really couldn't connect with her as a character but she was very wise for her age and I loved reading some of the things she thought to herself.
"Life's a journey that forces us all to move forward, whether we want to or not."
That's pretty deep for a 17 year old guys.I loved her loyalty to her friends and those she loved and how she actually considered the situation and tried to think logically ( which unfortunately is becoming very rare in heroines.) Her relationship with Kye was sweet and I loved how it didn't take over the whole story. It was there and it was part of the plot line but it wasn't the whole plot, it was there to back the plot which was the main focus.
Okay so some people will get annoyed with the while Insta- Love but honestly it's not your typical Insta-Love. It has the whole they knew each other before and loved each other before ,and even then there is development to their relationship. It's not that meet at 9 am and proclaim undying love by lunch kind of thing. The plot was intense when it picked up. Somethings revealed I saw coming from a mile away, others hit me in the face like a freight train. The story line was original and I loved all the legends behind the story.
People that enjoy an intense paranormal romance should definitely check out this novel
July 29, 2014
My Thoughts:
The Cover: The cover for Descendant is absolutely beautiful. A dark haired girl, a beautiful lily, and the title in beautiful calligraphy. It all looks so magical; I could not wait to dive in.
The Plot: Holy WOW!! This book blew me away. Nichole Giles has written an amazing tale of magic, history, intense love, and betrayal. I love the historical parts, Abby's visions and the lore, that add so much to the story. Descendant moves along at a good clip, spinning a tale of a love that is transcendent, and a war that raged centuries ago and devastated a world. Magic abounds and fairytale-like creatures come alive as Abby and Kye fight to keep demons and other hideous beings from destroying the not-so-ordinary world.
Characters: Our main characters throughout the story, Abby and Kye, are two Gifted young adults who must take on supernatural forces beyond their wildest dreams. Over the course of the story, you get to know our protagonists, but it takes a lot of time. I found that the character development was a little lacking, but it did not harm the storyline.
The supporting characters were a bit see through and two dimensional, as well. But I really liked Jen and Rose. They seemed to be polar opposites and sometimes that can make a great friendship. The villains had the right amount of creepiness and mayhem abound with Juri, Boone and their henchmen.
Is it Worth Reading?: Totally; I have fallen into the world that Nichole Giles has created and I don't want to leave. It is a brilliant escape from reality. The magic and the history really made this story or me. I am about to launch into Birthright, but definitely recommend it to readers of YA fantasy!
Descendant gets 4/5 crossbows glowing with the power of persuasion!! Read it, Read it!!
The Cover: The cover for Descendant is absolutely beautiful. A dark haired girl, a beautiful lily, and the title in beautiful calligraphy. It all looks so magical; I could not wait to dive in.
The Plot: Holy WOW!! This book blew me away. Nichole Giles has written an amazing tale of magic, history, intense love, and betrayal. I love the historical parts, Abby's visions and the lore, that add so much to the story. Descendant moves along at a good clip, spinning a tale of a love that is transcendent, and a war that raged centuries ago and devastated a world. Magic abounds and fairytale-like creatures come alive as Abby and Kye fight to keep demons and other hideous beings from destroying the not-so-ordinary world.
Characters: Our main characters throughout the story, Abby and Kye, are two Gifted young adults who must take on supernatural forces beyond their wildest dreams. Over the course of the story, you get to know our protagonists, but it takes a lot of time. I found that the character development was a little lacking, but it did not harm the storyline.
The supporting characters were a bit see through and two dimensional, as well. But I really liked Jen and Rose. They seemed to be polar opposites and sometimes that can make a great friendship. The villains had the right amount of creepiness and mayhem abound with Juri, Boone and their henchmen.
Is it Worth Reading?: Totally; I have fallen into the world that Nichole Giles has created and I don't want to leave. It is a brilliant escape from reality. The magic and the history really made this story or me. I am about to launch into Birthright, but definitely recommend it to readers of YA fantasy!
Descendant gets 4/5 crossbows glowing with the power of persuasion!! Read it, Read it!!
June 27, 2015
First I would like to thank the lovely author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Descendant to read and review.
After a traumatic event that rocks Abby to her core, she moves to seemingly normal Jackson
At the age of 17, she has the emotions of a teen-age girl trying to figure out who she is while fitting into a new town and school, you then need to add into the mix dreams of true love, loss and past lives and you've got a story the keeps the pages turning
Soon after, she is thrust into the deep, dark world of the Gifted after she meets Kye; a beautiful, blue-eyed boy secrets of his very own
This love story is magical and has you rooting for both Abby and Kye from the beginning.
Kye is a perfect gentleman who can still get your heart drumming in your chest with just a one look ;)
An exciting young adult paranormal romance & coming of age story with a splash of urban fantasy involving Greek/Roman mythology
The author has managed to create something so captivating, unique, and something that doesn't follow the trends in the world of books as they are today
Descendant moves along at a good speed, spinning a tale of love that is transcendent, and a war that has raged centuries ago and caused endless devastation.
Be prepaid to read about lots of fairies, mermaids, psychics, healing herbs and crystals, sprites, magical creatures, dragons, swords and sorcery, goddesses, demons, the Morrigana, magic, witchcraft, romance oh and one more thing.....lots of kissing
Well written.
Love the elementals and paranormal gifts. Can't wait for the sequel
After a traumatic event that rocks Abby to her core, she moves to seemingly normal Jackson
At the age of 17, she has the emotions of a teen-age girl trying to figure out who she is while fitting into a new town and school, you then need to add into the mix dreams of true love, loss and past lives and you've got a story the keeps the pages turning
"Life's a journey that forces us all to move forward, whether we want to or not."
Soon after, she is thrust into the deep, dark world of the Gifted after she meets Kye; a beautiful, blue-eyed boy secrets of his very own
This love story is magical and has you rooting for both Abby and Kye from the beginning.
Kye is a perfect gentleman who can still get your heart drumming in your chest with just a one look ;)
An exciting young adult paranormal romance & coming of age story with a splash of urban fantasy involving Greek/Roman mythology
The author has managed to create something so captivating, unique, and something that doesn't follow the trends in the world of books as they are today
Descendant moves along at a good speed, spinning a tale of love that is transcendent, and a war that has raged centuries ago and caused endless devastation.
Be prepaid to read about lots of fairies, mermaids, psychics, healing herbs and crystals, sprites, magical creatures, dragons, swords and sorcery, goddesses, demons, the Morrigana, magic, witchcraft, romance oh and one more thing.....lots of kissing
Well written.
Love the elementals and paranormal gifts. Can't wait for the sequel
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