Descension

Storm of Stars #1

by Briana Michaels

Entering the Wasteland is a death sentence.

The rules?
1. Your first step into the Wasteland is your last.
2. Don’t die.
3. Leave no teammate behind.

Nyx has been a prisoner in the Wasteland for as long as she can remember, her cellmates the only family she’s ever known. Favored by the warden, she and her crew hunt the realm’s most dangerous monsters for the chance to shorten their sentences.

Everything in this realm is lethal, including the air they breathe and the targets they chase. But what terrifies Nyx most is being separated from her team, which is exactly what will happen if they aren’t careful.

Survival is a game of risk, and Nyx’s crew takes the biggest one of all when they enlist a stranger to aid in their most dangerous hunt to date. He’s crafty, sexy, skilled, and definitely lying about his intentions.

Yet Nyx can’t resist him, no matter how hard she tries, and her team doesn’t like it.

A bargain is struck, a mission goes wrong, and in an act of rebellion, Nyx dives head-first into a prophecy that will destroy the entire world if it isn’t stopped. It’s not just her life on the line anymore, but every creature who draws breath in this universe.

When it comes to saving what she loves most, no sacrifice is too great.

Or is it?

This dark fantasy is a why choose romance with found family, high tension, spice, and angst.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Why Choose, Shapeshifters, Dark, Romance, Fantasy Romance

576 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2023

About the author

Briana Michaels grew up and still lives on the East Coast. When taking a break from the crazy adventures in her head, she enjoys running around with her two children. If there is time to spare, she loves to read, cook, hike in the woods, and sit outside with a fire. She does all of this with the love and support of her amazing husband who always has her back, encouraging her to go for her dreams. Aye, she’s a lucky girl indeed.

Reviews

[Chantelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love anything by this author, but it pissed me off that the FMC was a virgin (I know there was a reason for it!), but then not all of the MMCs were, some had slept with the villains sex slaves!!! Yeah, only once apparently but that fucked me the bell off!

[Klizbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Briana Michaels wrote one of my favorite series so I had high hopes for this duet…and it was good. The character development was fantastic, the world building was phenomenal, and the plot was exciting.

However…I didn’t really enjoy reading this book. I wanted fantasy, adventure, and romance. This book was lacking in the romance department. Don’t get me wrong, everyone in this book thought about s£x all the time. They all touched themselves relentlessly. But the group as a harem is a mess and I just can’t fathom these people coming together without their rampant jealousy and rage getting in the way. 5/5 internal harem drama rating. These people are constantly fighting and raging against each other; it only gets worse as the book progresses.


- 👀 POV: 3rd person-limited
- 📖 Duet
- 🐶 Tropes: slaves, enchantments, secrets and lies, hidden heritage, prophecy, jealous and possessive
- 🔪 FMC: everyone acts like she is evil incarnate. She’s fierce, sweet, broken, determined, loyal, and stubborn.
- 🌎 5/5 World-building Stars
- ⭐️ 4/5 Plot-line Stars
- 🤓 4/5 Character Development Stars
- 👥 Harem: 4 guys
- ♥️ 2/5 Romance stars
- 🍒 Virgins: FMC
- 🌶 2/5 Spicy Stars
- 🔥 Slow burn
- 👄 Kinks: blood
- 🚫 No… MM, OW, Cheating, bullying
- ‼️ Triggers: torture, slavery, murder, blood drinking

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, let me say book 2 will be out at the same time as book 1. So my reaction to this cliffhanger seems absolutely ridiculous, but what in the actual f##k??!!!! 🥰😬🤯🤬

Alrighty, now that that's out of the way. Descension is part 1 of 2: Storm of Stars by Briana Michaels, a fantasy why choose. Can I tell you that at the end of the first book I still cannot choose who my favorite guy is? At first, I was like absolutely Rune.😍 Then, Caz was like hey I'm over here sneaking in the shadows.🥰 And not to be outdone, Hale is the strong silent type (and that just does something to me). 🥵 Maybe there are other choices. 🙊 Maybe I don't need to make choices. I choose everyone. I'd like to take Nyx's men, but I'm not so down for her rather difficult life.

So much happens in book 1. There is action, adventure, smutty times, danger, dancing, monsters and more. These books are big ones and I flew through book 1 and will be picking up book 2 just as soon as I finish this.

So, are you a fantasy reader? (Honestly it isn't my most read genre-BUT this is super good) Are you a puzzle solver that loves to figure out what a prophecy means? (Literally deciphering things like code over here) Do you like why choose? (Everyone should 😉) Check out these books!!!

[Kelly Eudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
5/5⭐️
3.5/5🔥

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐖/𝐓𝐖(𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳):
MFMMM/third person multi POV/reverse harem/dark elements/high fantasy elements/romantasy/cliffhanger/slow burn/paranormal/found family/friends to lovers/fated mates/magic/prophecy/dragons/monsters/forked tongues and other fancy monster members/virgin FMC/angst/jealous/possessive/obsessive/dreamwalking/death/torture/murder

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰:
Book one of the Storm of Stars Duet. This book CANNOT be read as a standalone and does end on a cliffhanger. Lucky for you, you can dive right into book two with this double release! And who doesn’t love more than one release?! 😉

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
A life of imprisonment is all Nyx, Rune, Hale and Caz have ever known. Since they were children, they’ve lived in the Wasteland’s prison, sharing a bond like no other and being trained to be the biggest and baddest monster hunters of their realm. They target, lure, hunt and capture, but bring all their monsters back to the warden for execution. While bargains with the warden only get them so far, and yes he may shave time off their sentences after each successful mission, when does it actually ever end?

Meeting new people in the Wastelands that haven’t been corrupted by the darkness never happens. So when their next mission has them intersecting what seems to be a friendly but questionable foe, they are hesitant and very cautious of letting him help them hunt. Now add that to the mysterious soul deep pull Nyx feels for him, and you have one high tension mission to complete on an impossible time frame. What they don’t realize, this particular mission will change the course of their lives.

Holy smokes!! Just wow! I’m not even sure where to start with this. I loved this book. This fantasy world Micheals built is phenomenal. If you’re one of the people who check out page numbers… let me just say, do not let the page number deter you, this reads fast, but buckle up because it’s one wild ride.

Nyx and her guys are some intense characters and I loved them all. They all have different traits, different demeanors, and different skills they excel in. One thing they all have in common is the absolute loyalty, determination, and love they have for each other and their group as a whole. Nyx, Rune, Hale and Caz definitely do not have happy backstories. The only light they have in their dark world is probably each other. There are some rough memories to flash back through while you read this. And as we meet and learn more about Kyo, his history is a bit different but still not sunshine’s and rainbows.

This plot takes off and will keep you in its magical clutches until you’re done. Having both these books at your disposal at the same time is a blessing in disguise. I had to make myself stop to do this review of book one before jumping into book two so I didn’t mix anything up. There are a ton of lies and secrets being revealed as this story progresses. Nyx and her guys struggle with what they should and shouldn’t believe is the truth and who they can or can’t trust. The suspense, betrayals, and twist are heavy throughout. The amount of sexual tension here is wound tight enough that you’re just waiting for it to snap. This ending is a bit abrupt but explosive and contemplative.. so now if you‘ll excuse me…I’m off to put all my adult responsibilities on hold until I finish book two! 😬😏



** 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 … 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦, 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 =𝘋 **


𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:

But she’d never leave without them. Regardless of their individual sentences, Nyx didn’t want to be free unless they were, too.

It was either love or war with this woman. Sometimes at the same time.

She might be able to sense vibrations and energy from her team, but she sensed Kyo with a soul-deep instinct she never realized she had until he came around.

“Such a good girl,” Caz encouraged. “Taking our boy’s big dick like that. You’ve got him so wound up, he’s going to bust, Nyx. Look at the power you have over him.”

Nyx hated when he got overly jealous and petty, but she also secretly loved that he sank to that level when it came to her. Having a possessive serpent-tongued monster with the body of a god and the mind of an animal was glorious for a girl’s self-esteem.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

High tension, action from beginning to end, a non-stop rollercoaster of emotion, beautiful character development, and the most amazing and immersive world building I have ever read… You will find all of that and so much more in this duet!


It honestly felt like I was reading an amazing D&D campaign with a LOT of spice thrown in, which is the best compliment I can think of. The found-family aspect really brings that home and makes me long for those 10 hours days of playing around a table with friends and family, never knowing what was going to happen to our characters next while building this amazing world and bonds that I will cherish forever. If you want THAT in a book, then this epic duet is absolutely for you!


Do you want a rich world with an amazing magical system like you’ve never seen before? Check.
Do you want mythical creatures like dragons and some new ones you couldn’t even begin to fathom in your worst nightmares?
Check.
Do you want characters who have to scrape and claw and drag themselves through the muck and mire to finally find their peace and happiness?
Check.
Do you want the slowest of slow burns but yet ALL the spice getting there?
Check.

This duet will absolutely grab you from the first chaotic page, all the way to the last. It kept me on the edge of my seat, dying to know what was going to happy to Nyx and her crew from beginning to end. I laugh until I cried and I cried until I couldn’t see the pages to read.
There were times when I was overwhelmed and it gave me the worst hangover any book or series ever has, but it was SO worth it. It is a duet I will read again and again. It hold space in my fantasy loving heart like no other.

Please me mindful that this is DARK. The darkness is on page just as much as off, so please be kind to yourself and take breaks as needed!

If you, however, love the darkness, then dive right in and be ready. This duet will likely steal your heart just like it did mine.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastical read with a lot of mystery

I’ve always been a fan of Briana’s work with her ability to weave a detailed and intricate story and world for her readers. This was no different. The entire world built by Briana had so much detail and I easily found myself immersed in a landscape reminding me of some kind of an epic and legendary lore or video game. It is a bit of a dark read in regards to Nyx and her torture as well as her life as a prisoner. It was hard to stomach at times but was needed to show how resilient Nyx is as a character.

My one complaint is the purposeful cloak and dagger type plot. A lot of things were purposely kept from the reader and even between characters which was frustrating to read. I can appreciate a good puzzling and enigmatic plot but I found this to be more frustrating than enjoyable. I love fabricating my own theories which trust me, I have done my fair share with this book but I was still hoping for some answers by the end. Now I’m just left with more questions and possibly some evidence to strength some of my theories. Just because this is an aspect of the book I didn’t particular like, doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. It’s just a personal preference.

Regardless, I will be reading the 2nd book to see how the story plays out and get my answers.

[Meagan Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I was sucked into the story right from the prolog and from that point on I didn't want to put this book down. I love a good fantasy especially when you add in world building, character development, and all the spice without them ever actually getting down and dirty. This is also a why choose so what is there not to love?

My heart breaks for these characters as they struggle to lower their prison sentences for a chance at freedom while battling the wasteland tracking and bringing monsters to their warden. There is so much tension and angst between her and the three men she is caged with inside the prison. Ugh it's just so stinking good! This does end on a cliffhanger but I was lucky enough to also receive the next book in the series so I could jump right in. This will keep you on the edge of your seat and will also keep you guessing what happens next. Got theories? Toss them out the window because I was wrong at every turn. You have to get your hands on this book!

Thank you so much for the chance to ARC for this duet. I am eating this story up!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book starts, we are dropped right into a monster hunting adventure for Nyx, Caz, Rune, and Hale. We get a quick look at each of their personalities and how they interact. Then we learn the truth about their world, their "jobs," and their reasons for monster hunting.

All along the Storm of Stars prophecy and the Warden hang over their heads. Things start to change for all of them when they run into another monster hunter, and freedom seems finally within reach.

The world building and imagery for the realms are so descriptive. I'm sure all the hidden connections were only partially revealed towards the end of this with the cliffhanger, but the next book coming out the same day helps.

[Bailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm of Stars is an epic reverse harem fantasy. both of these books are thicc boys full of world building, magic, shifters, monsters, intrigue, and spice.

The books are dense and there is something happening on every page. It has a whole entire mythology and magic system that is unique and interesting. Nyx’s men are obsessed with her and are willing to crawl through fire and broken glass to support her and be with her. The burn is slow but there are other ways they have fun before the main event. But be prepared to have a gnarly case of blue ovaries for awhile.

If you’re into epic fantasy with huge plots and lots of action and danger but also enjoy reading about fancy peens, this is the book for you. Run, don’t walk to get this duet.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Storm of Stars book 1 (early copy)and I feel it's like a fantastic penitentiary reverse harem meets the world building fantasy of Lord of the Rings. I got sucked into it and many many hours later am only now resurfacing to the real world. If the world building and intense characters wasn't enough to make me abandon everything for this book today, the spicy scenes sure as heck were. I never imagined sex scenes without actual sex could captivate me so much and yet I re-read some of them an unhealthy number of times because just YES

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Enjoyed this, but it took a bit to get into it as there is a lot of world building. As it starts after all the characters have met, it takes some time to understand the MCs.
I did struggle a little more in the middle as there is less action and it's more focused on the characters and their development. I always find the author really nails the worlds she creates. They are imaginative and really creative too! I just think I struggled to feel connection to the characters themselves, and it just felt a little slow in parts for me.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough words I can use to accurately describe how much I absolutely loved this book. What a ride! You will fall in love with the cast of characters and lose sleep trying to read just one more page to see what happens to them next. This book is absolutely massive, but it needs every page to get the story told. The story never drags on or gets boring, and you’ll come to the end wishing there was just a little more.

[Giovanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the worldbuilding in Briana's books, I love how the characters are so well described and I love that the men have such dedication to Nyx.
Now this is a duet and the cliffhanger is *heartstopping* however good news, book 2 is already out. She did the same with the Hell Hounds trilogy and I think that is amazing.
This had me up beyond my bedtime.. It is a Fantasy world with all the grit and dirty corners you do not get in fairy tales, the monsters are big and scary..

[Vallene Boddington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic fantasy.

Colossal of a fantasy with epic world building. An action-packed, slow-burning pageturner, why choose romance with intense twist and turns. Roller-coaster read.
Nyx's men are obsessed and possessive with her.
Puzzle solver would enjoy figuring out the prophecy.
MFMMM, multi POV, please check trigger warnings.
Book 1 does end in a cliffhanger, but book 2 is released on the same day. Complete series.

[Elena R · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!!!!

All of Briana's books are fantastic and this was no exception! Absolutely amazing!! I literally couldn't put either of the books in this series down!! There were some naughty very late reading sessions due to this!! Haha.

I definitely recommend hitting the download button now!!

[My reading addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a total 5 star read that I got lost in this world, excellent character, world and plot development I'm eager to keep reading this author books

👀 Third person (doesn't feel like)
👨4 MMC, mixed harem
🚫 Mm, FF, OWD, OMD, bully, pregnancy
🌶️ No faded to black, good sexy times
🔥 mix of slow and medium burn
🍒FMC

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I love Briana Michaels. This high fantasy story sucked me in and I didn’t want to put this book down. All the emotions I rolled through this book and that ending OMG. I’m running to book 2 now!!!

[Jasmine Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per usual Briana wrote an amazing story (Duet!) I am so glad they are released together because that Cliff am I right?! the spice, tension and angst are all amazing and I absolutely cannot wait for more from her!!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant stop now, cliffhanger! thank the gods the next is out

The gods love Briana for always releasing duos and trilogies all together! This book has sucked me in and ends in a literal hanging in mid air ending! It’s great, enjoy but make sure you have both ready!!

[M. R. Erfman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!!

I just finish this book at the gym and yelled “NO!” Out loud. If that doesn’t give you an idea on how this book is then idk what else to tell you! I need my emotional support items ASAP!!

[hooraylibrarybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy. This was a LONG book. Idk if I’ll read the second. Nyx and her three monster friends are kept in a prison to hunt other monsters. They escape and meet Kyo. She wants them all. They all have something to do with a prophecy. She gets kidnapped at the end. On the fence for the next one.

[Dreama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great story, Nyx is broken trapped in prison hunting monsters to bring back to the warden. The only thing that saves her is her men each of them as different as night and day but there obsession with Nyx fuels there life.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This duet was fucking incredible. That’s all I have to say.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have theories and I'm not waiting to find out. Off to start book 2 immediately. This book sucked me in from the beginning and did not take long to finish. Less than two days.

[martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

storm incoming, tucked in bed reading this while bae’s sleeping. life is actually good

[Cat the RH Safekeeper]

🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

High tension, action from beginning to end, a non-stop rollercoaster of emotion, beautiful character development, and the most amazing and immersive world building I have ever read… You will find all of that and so much more in this duet!


It honestly felt like I was reading an amazing D&D campaign with a LOT of spice thrown in, which is the best compliment I can think of. The found-family aspect really brings that home and makes me long for those 10 hours days of playing around a table with friends and family, never knowing what was going to happen to our characters next while building this amazing world and bonds that I will cherish forever. If you want THAT in a book, then this epic duet is absolutely for you!


Do you want a rich world with an amazing magical system like you’ve never seen before? Check.
Do you want mythical creatures like dragons and some new ones you couldn’t even begin to fathom in your worst nightmares?
Check.
Do you want characters who have to scrape and claw and drag themselves through the muck and mire to finally find their peace and happiness?
Check.
Do you want the slowest of slow burns but yet ALL the spice getting there?
Check.

This duet will absolutely grab you from the first chaotic page, all the way to the last. It kept me on the edge of my seat, dying to know what was going to happy to Nyx and her crew from beginning to end. I laugh until I cried and I cried until I couldn’t see the pages to read.
There were times when I was overwhelmed and it gave me the worst hangover any book or series ever has, but it was SO worth it. It is a duet I will read again and again. It hold space in my fantasy loving heart like no other.

Please me mindful that this is DARK. The darkness is on page just as much as off, so please be kind to yourself and take breaks as needed!

If you, however, love the darkness, then dive right in and be ready. This duet will likely steal your heart just like it did mine.

[Toubob · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

The big bad is super obvious to everyone but the main characters. They even struggle to figure it out at the end of the book after lots reveals.