Chloe always dreamed of visiting the ocean, and now the ocean is the only place she has left to go. Trapped in the form of a mermaid and on the run from the Sylphaen, her best chance for safety lies in traveling with Zeke to his underwater home and staying under his protection there.
Leaving isn't easy, however. Her best friend doesn't know where she's gone, and her family doesn't either. She's been forced to abandon Noah, the boy she's liked for years and who she's just discovered likes her too. She only hopes Zeke's people will help her so she can return soon.
But when conspiracies follow her and people start to die, safety becomes harder to find than ever. The Sylphaen are coming. They're more powerful than she could have imagined.
And they're not through with Chloe yet.
~ Book Two of the Awakened Fate Series ~
The Awakened Fate Series #1 - Awaken #2 - Descend #3 - Return #3.5 - Abide: An Awakened Fate novella #4 - Arise #5 - Become
Skye Malone writes action-packed fantasy and paranormal romance. A fan of magical books since childhood, they adore stories that pit ordinary characters against extraordinary odds and reveal the strength within. Abandoned buildings are their passion, along with old castles and deep, dark parts of the forest where anything is possible. A graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in English literature, Skye lives in the Midwest with a retired racing greyhound and a three-legged mutt.
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Second in a series of many, this will most likely be my last. The first one was interesting as an awakening book, Chloe and the readers discovering her mysterious powers and heritage. The writing was fine enough and the pace and danger ok, but once you allow for open fires on the ocean floor (magic) and most of the rest unbelievable stuff, you have too many twists and turns so it is impossible to know who is the good or bad guys. Ok read, but enough.
This was not as good as the first book and i felt it was rather anticlimactic.
The extreme dislike of some characters towards Chloe was a bit cartoonist and then the subsequent events because of this were rather rushed and overly dramatic.
I still feel nothing for the projected romances as none of the characters have much chemistry.
I do like the take on mermaid lore and do like a few of the main characters and the mystery of Chloe's past is enough for me to continue the series.
I received a copy of Descend in exchange for an honest review.
After being injected with a strong, modified dose of Neiphiandine by the insane Sylphaen cult, Chloe is forced to remain in mermaid form. Unable to survive on land she travels back to Nyciena with Zeke and his brother Niall.
Her arrival in Nyciena is less than welcoming. Chloe discovers Zeke's father is a king and his eldest brother, Ren, the heir to the throne, is sure that Chloe is a spy. King Torvias allows Chloe to stay in the palace under guard and grants her the medical attention she needs although he doesn't completely believe Zeke's story about Chloe being a target of the supposedly eradicated Sylphaens.
Everyone in the kingdom believes Chloe is Zeke's latest fling and she can tell everyone is gossiping about her as she tries to blend in and make friends with Zeke's twin sister, Ina.
When a deadly attack strikes the palace, suspicion falls on Chloe and Ren takes action against her, playing right into the Sylphaens' hands.
Will Zeke get to her in time? Will any place on land or in the ocean ever be safe for Chloe? Is it possible that there is a Sylphaen hidden in her midst waiting for the right time to strike?
Descend picks up right where Awaken leaves off bringing you right into an amazing underwater fantasy world that will blow your mind. Everything about Yvaria and Nyciena is so well thought out by the author. Details about the palace and the way the dehaians live make them seem so realistic and almost... human.
I loved the story line, it kept me interested and kept in line with the events of the first book. I also was happy that in this book Skye Malone gives you chapters in Chloe, Zeke, and Noah's perspectives. Noah's perspective really added to the story in my opinion. The characters have so much depth and you fall for each of them in their own way (although I love Zeke - he's awesome!). The end of the book leaves you wanting to get right into the next book as soon as possible. I am so in love with this series and I can't wait to see what awaits Chloe, Zeke, and Noah next!
Overall, the writing is great, this book is easy to get into, and if you loved Awaken you will love this continuation of the Awakened Fate series!
I'm enjoying this series, but here's my big complaint...these books are far too short. I feel like you're just getting into the story to only have it end. I can't get these from my library and I'm not sure i want to keep paying for them when they are so short just to find out what happens to Chloe, Zeke and Noah (whom I think is almost more interesting than the merpeople, I want to know more about what he and his family are).
Descend starts where Awaken left off. Chloe is in the ocean with Zeke and they are headed to his home to get the drug out of her system. However the kingdom is not as safe as Zeke thought and he needs to get Chloe home on land in the hopes to get her away from the Sylphaen that want her for their sacrifice. getting her home is not that easy especially as she also has "people" Noah's cousins on land that want to kill her as well. Girl can't catch a break.
Book one felt like a standard, well written, mermaid themed YA. Book two decided to ramp everything up to 11 and leave me completely dumbfounded and in the dark as to where the plot is going in the best way possible. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, NOPE sharp left turn. It was amazing. Chloe and Zeke's perspectives are so interesting to read and seeing their thoughts and feelings on each scene is astounding and wonderful. I feel so bad for Chloe in this book, that poor girl. The way she handles every trauma feels realistic and personal. I Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Descend kept me just as captivated as Book 1. Chloe just cannot catch a break, through the entire book. She can’t be on land, can’t be in water and has no where else to go really. I can’t wait to see what happens in Return.
The deception from Naill was something I didn’t see coming, after the death of their father and everything between Chloe and Zeke. It threw me, definitely. Don’t even get me started on the reunion with Noah. Was I expecting everything to be great? No absolutely not, with the whole cousin situation and all. He annihilated me, and you can’t help but feel for Chloe. I’m hoping the situation gets better and Noah can at least explain to Chloe in Book Three.
It was great! Not a dull moment in the whole book, I can assure you!
#2 in the series continues the story of Chloe as she leaves land behind to go to Zeke's city where she is not welcomed warmly by all. Zeke's oldest brother thinks she's a spy, and Zeke's twin and, apparently everyone else who knows Zeke, thinks Chloe is just his new lover - Zeke loves them and leaves them is how Zeke is presented. Chloe isn't sure what to do or believe especially when the stereo-typical catty merwomen say as much and treat her badly. But things get a lot worse before they get better. Without adding an spoilers, Chloe needs to go on the run again with more and more enemies gathering around her and infiltrating the mer-city. It had a cliff hanger ending so on to #3 we go ...
I really liked theis book but I could have done with a little less drama. Oh my goodness the trouble this girl has through no fault of her own. Just being the child of her parents have her in tons of danger. Love most of the characters and really disappointed in other characters.
Poor Chloe. This second book in the series takes our heroine through a lot of trouble, none of which she expected. Well, she did think she might face problems changing into she was meant to be, but not like what comes at her. This is a great story by itself. Well written, with surprises and twists. I look forward to the next one.
This second book definitely kept moving. Close is proving to be tough as she endures. I would've liked to see more spoken at this point between her and Zeke though. So much left unsaid.
Intrigue, death, terror, love and loss. This second book has Chloe running for her life. Being drugged, beaten up, scared and no one to turn too. Quick read. Fast paced. Worth reading.
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't all sunshine and lovey dovey, there was quite the air of betrayal, and deception. More of a who dunnit atmosphere.
Enjoyed following Chloe and Zeke through their many adventures! Skye Malone has made this paranormal fantasy feel so alive. It has been hard to stop reading!
I enjoyed this book too. Never a dull moment, action at every turn. Skye Malone is an imaginative author. I don't see how this series will possibly end well.
Read all 9 books in the series. It's really good. Mermaids, wizards, and other newly created supernatural figures. This was a unique story and a real page-turner. I highly recommend.
(I suggest not reading unless you’ve read the first book–may contain minor spoilers)
You would think that learning that your were a mermaid that you would meet some mermaid friends, turn your legs in to a fin, and maybe learn the tricks and trade of your true nature. It would seem like a real fun experience for some but in this case it was anything but. Book 1, Awaken, left us with Chloe being forced into mermaid form by a drug some madman injected her with and having to leave her friend’s home to flee to some mer-prince’s palace, only to leave the boy she just kissed for the first time behind in a huff. Descend leaves nothing in between, setting us on the journey Chloe must make now continuing the suspenseful fantasy tale.
“She’s gone now. She can’t come back.”, “You better hope not. I’d hate to have to kill her for you” Descend, Skye Malone
Going into this book I was a tad bit hesitant because it had been awhile since I read the first book and I wasn’t sure if it was going to live up to my expectations but I was totally wrong and blown away. I only read it in two days, taking it in my purse everywhere, and I took every advantage I could to keep reading on and on. The story is much shorter than that of Awaken but the plot thickened and kept me on my toes. With Chloe on her way to the seas to seek shelter among the other merfolk alongside Zeke, I got to know more of the prince claiming Chloe doing weird things to the ocean. Meeting him in this sequel was so much fun. He’s kind and thoughtful and always and foremost wants to do the right thing. His connection and growing attraction to Chloe is not something anyone can miss and I have to say I’m here for it.
“I didn’t want him to go. It felt good to have him here. Comforting. Safe. And more than that…" Descend, Skye Malone
(Mini-Spoilers)
I am the kind of reader that is not a oppose to a love triangle but in all my years of reading of love I’ve never been on two teams at once. One of the most epic and most talked about love triangles is from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and I have been on Team Edward for years. It wasn’t until I read Descend and have completely lost my mind because I am unable to pick a guy that I want Chloe to end up with–at this point I’m just hoping neither of them die. Love interest aside, seeing more of Zeke and meeting his royal family, this book is not short of betrayal. All the characters intertwined in the story were satisfying. For the short time that Chloe spent in the mermaid palace all the characters were fully developed in the tone they were set in this story.
We all read stories of fae and vampires, even werewolves and witches but I don’t know where this stigma for fantasy books not to explore more of the world of mermaids came about. There’s something magical and whimsical about a creature that can live under water and walk on land and this book gives that to you. I can definitely say this is a great read and it would be good for readers of fantasy to dive into and if I were to compare it to anything it would probably be Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, a book of a girl who found out from a merman prince she’s half mermaid only to change life as she knows it. I had so much fun reading this book what with laughing, gasping, and having my face locked in utter shock for a few minutes. I had no choice but to share this beauty with you all. Just remember this is book 2 out of 6, plus a novella.
Recently I read(and reviewed) Awaken, the first in this series, and really liked it. When I realized the second book was out, I snapped it up and read it soon after. It’s young adult and it has to be said, it’s about Mer-people, only they are known as Dehaians. And so far, it’s the only mermaid series that I have ever liked.
The story starts when the last book ends. Chloe is in the ocean with Dahaian’s, Zeke, and his brother Niall and they are on their way to the Dahaian city, where the rest of Zeke’s family lives. She has changed to her mermaid form for the first time, after being drugged, and the only thing that will help her, is the physicians in Nyciena. Of course the journey is fraught with danger, but actually it gets even worse once in Nyciena.
This time around, the story is told from Chloe’s, Zeke’s, and Chloe’s crush, Noah’s perspectives. It was kinda nice getting everyone’s point of view, Noah’s especially, since he isn’t a Dahaian, so we get more information about Noah’s family, and about what Noah really is. Turns out, Noah and his brother are the nicest members of his extended family. His extended family-uncle and cousins, are just some of the villains this time around, although that was just a small part of the book.
While the previous book took place mainly on land, this time around, most of it takes place in the ocean. The author’s view of life in the ocean for the Dahaian was pretty fascinating. Over and above the huge walled city of Nyciena, the ocean itself is full of all sorts of bad elements. The Dahaian’s aren’t the only intelligent creatures in the ocean, and war seems pretty imminent. Chloe is right in the middle of a major power struggle, and things don’t exactly go well for her.
I remember saying in the last review, that I wanted more of the under the ocean story with book one, but now with this one, I missed having a bit more of the story take place on land. I think I wanted to see more of Noah and Chloe’s romance. So in that respect, I think I liked the first book a bit better, and I think if the story was mostly going to happen under the ocean, then more of it should have happened at the city. It just seemed like it was mostly traveling in the ocean, and fighting off bad guys, although a lot of that was pretty exciting.
I did enjoy the magic in the story, the ways the Dahaian’s utilize things in the ocean, and of course the description of the city. I do really like Zeke’s character, but I am hoping that we get more of Noah next time around, because he and Chloe’s friendship/romance was a big part of what drew me into the story in the first place. I also thought the cliffhanger ending was a bit too abrupt this time around. There really is something to be said about series books with no real cliffhangers, and I know from other authors that it really can be done.
If you have read the first book, you really need to read this one. It was full of dangerous situations, Dahaian politics, betrayals, and an interestingly described under the ocean world. If you haven’t read the first one, you really should before reading this one, as it is not a stand alone. All in all, a pretty good read!(RabidReads.com)
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. So if Awakenreminded me of The Little Mermaid minus Sebastian, I’m not sure what to compare Descend to, honestly. (And it’s probably a good thing that I have nothing to compare it to.)
Descend is the second book in Skye Malone’s Awakened Fate series, continuing from where Awaken left off at after Chloe’s near-death encounter with the Sylphaen, a cult supposedly dead for a century that wants to get rid of the world of people like Chloe. Descend takes us into the world of Nyciena, a world below the ocean that is the only place safe enough for her to seek refuge from the Sylphaen. But Nyciena isn’t the place Chloe wants to remain in for long - she wants to get back to the surface, where her friends and family have no clue where she has gone.
As much as I really enjoyed the Awakened Fate series in general, I feel like something is missing from Descend that didn’t hit the mark with me (really, I need to get better at figuring out why certain books don't work for me). For the duration of the book, Chloe is basically running from the Sylphaen and trying to figure out what she really is. Noah is hoping but not hoping that Chloe will come back to shore. Meanwhile, he’s trying to protect Chloe in his own way, who will no doubt get hunted down by his cousins should they ever find her. Zeke is trying to get his father and older brother to understand that the Sylphaen has returned - they’re not as dead as hoped.
The world and culture of Nyciena are little to none in Descend, aside from the few moments Ina, Zeke’s sister, tries to show Chloe around the kingdom. But the few that I did get to read about Nyciena intrigue me enough to hopefully learn more about the kingdom. (They’re also party people, so I hope that’s not what they’re really all about?)
The same goes for the greliarans, which are a group of people who hunt down the dehaians, the group of mermaid people Chloe seeks refuge from the Sylphaens. From Noah’s perspective, we learn a few facts about how they operate, but it’s even less than the world and culture of Nyciena. They’re extremely strong and are humans who can turn into Hulk-like creatures with a desire to kill.
Descend is very plot driven - and the same can be said for the series thus far. It’s the book to go to for those who want a book that is somewhat slow in character and world development, but also those who don’t mind the slow progression throughout the series.
I'm still not quite sure what to make of this series. Or this novel for that matter. I'm just a little bit confused and yet intrigued at the same time. Heck, I'd have to be since I'm still reading the series. Perhaps it's because I don't see the goal behind it at all. Which is a very important thing to me and when I don't understand something I just get lost. Which is how I'm starting to feel about it.
In this novel Chloe has been forced to conform to her Dehaian form. As much as she wanted to be able to belong to the sea, this isn't exactly what she had in mind. Because now the drug won't let her change back into her human form. A form that she starting to sorely miss. Now she needs medical help and the only one who's willing to help her is Zeke. The boy with the glowing eyes who always seemed to find her. Zeke wants nothing more than to find out what's wrong with Chloe. First, she's attacked by the water, then a person, and now she's being hunted to be used as a sacrifice. But there's no reasonable way to explain why and Zeke is wanting answers fast. The only way that he knows how to help is by taking her back to his home. However, they don't receive the welcome that they thought they'd get. Chloe is both bound and gagged by Zeke's older brother. Ren has decided that Chloe is a spy and nothing that Zeke can say can convince him otherwise. Especially, when his father is murdered right under their noses. Now the suspicion is definitely on Chloe and quite a few people believe that she did it. Everyone but Zeke thinks it's true and he's willing to do anything to help Chloe out. Including going against the new king's orders.
This novel is a lot like the first one in this series, because it's also a young adult urban fantasy novel. I'd say that there's romance in this novel, but that be a lie. While it seems like there's supposed to be romance in this novel, the plot seems to think differently. The plot kind of takes a turn for the worst and it doesn't turn out very well. The plot started to go downhill pretty quickly, but a twist does help to save it sometimes. There are actually a few twists in this novel, and they each have an important role to play. They keep the reader interested, when all you want to do is put the novel down. So my recommendation is quite simple. This novel isn't really worth the read. It's kind of boring and not a very entertaining one at all. Overall, they are better novels out there that really deserve the attention more than this one.
I was really intrigued to continue reading the second book as Chloe had to face her new unwanted and unknown nature as a mermaid or dehaian. What I couldn't foresee is the amount of thrilling adventure this book was going to pack!
Wow, I loved and cringed with the amount of fierce action and violence inflicted upon the characters. Poor Chloe suffers endlessly as her enemies pursue her from all corners and groups. She's hated by everyone, even her possible allies become a threat as she's cast as an outsider and a danger to Zeke's people. I enjoyed the royal family's presence in this book's plot. Their underwater world is vividly described with such colourful, exotic imagery that I envisioned this fantastic kingdom with no problem and a lot of wanderlust.
Don't despair because Noah also has his important appearance. Chloe shows a lot of endurance as she's dealt blow after blow from enemies in the water and on land. I breathed through the pages with so many things going on non-stop. There were loads of new elements to learn and relish about the dehaian culture. Not only their militarized kingdom or their courtly gatherings, but the tools they use or how they deal with enemies.
I remember that the dialogues in the first book were a bit insipid, but in this book they are much more interesting. However, the characters keep interrupting each other and that was frustrating :-D
I powered through the last chapters as kick-ass action scenes pushed Chloe and her only ally from one danger to another. After a tremendously shocking plot twist left me breathless in the end, I closed the book with a big sigh of satisfaction, yet very anxious about the darkening future that awaits this little mermaid. Wow, this series is quite the catch.
"She was safer out there, safer with her own kind. I hated it, but it was true."
I can not tell you how awesome it was to dive back into Skye Malone's world! After reading the first book, I knew I couldn't stay away from the others.
Malone's world is so magical with many different types of creatures. That is the biggest problem for Noah and Chloe. Noah, being a greliaran, and with Chloe being a dehaian; the two can never be together.
Chloe runs to Zeke's underwater world of Nyciena, after being poisoned in the first book. She learns that the Sylphaen will stop at nothing to capture her. Zeke thinks she will be safe with him, but he is wrong. The Sylphaen have spies and traitors among Zeke's people. No one can be trusted and no one can be safe.
I absolutely adore Skye Malone's writing style and basically everything about this book! She has a very creative mind and throws exciting surprises at the reader! Bring on book three!
I loved this book the same as the first one. No spoilers here, but it was captivating and exciting with twists and turns around every corner, and keeping you hooked right the way through. I gave this one the four stars because although it was amazing - don't get me wrong, it was - I was just breaking into the story. Metaphorically reading the first book in a series tends to be the most 'rough' because you are so new into it that it is taking you through ups and downs with abrupt turns and cliffhanger endings and the most horrible question of: "what happens next?". I enjoyed this book so much and I couldn't begin to put into words the volume of excitement it brings, but I enjoy the 'rough' part of the journey a lot, and the only reason I gave it four stars was because it began to soften up a little - but don't worry, it doesn't stay that way for long ;-).
Second time reading this. Still giving it 5 stars! My only nitpicking was I felt the characters “Shivered” a lot haha! Even though this was my second time reading it, I had forgotten who the villain was and it was a surprise again. I do feel bad for Chloe and how she’s constantly going back and forth.
This book ok but it all most the same thing that happened in the last book the swim around and run from plp that's trying to kill her but nothing really happening so I don't no I still want to know what going to happen so that's y I keep read I bhai
This series continues to surprise me. Although, in this book I kind of grew tired of the whole Chloe's in trouble...now shes safe...oops shes in trouble again. Don't get me wrong it in no way made me want to stop reading. I had to find out what was going to happen.