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Door of Keys
Door of Keys: Descendance
Book Two of the Door of Keys Series
Life. It is invaluable, yet fleeting. But what if you were told the way to keep it forever was as simple as opening a Door?
Guiding souls to the afterlife. This is what it means to be a Guider, a half-angel living in secret. When Silvia discovered her true identity, her destiny changed forever. Although, the city of Ascendance isn’t what it seems to be. Training to use her gifts alongside her friends quickly morphs into prophecies of Revolution, while twisted whispers of destiny from her father tug at her heart. Secrets are unearthed from darkness, lies are told by people she once trusted, and all while war is coming.
Salvatore, a Demon and Silvia’s father, has amassed an army of lost souls to break the Door of Keys and destroy the natural order of the Realms.
Silvia must stand against him as the Guider’s struggle to uphold their duty. But as evil as he is, can she really face her father if he means to stop death itself, especially when it's claimed so many she loves?
Will Silvia lead a revolution with the Guiders, will she bathe the world in fire alongside her father, or will Silvia create a destiny of her own?
Door of Descendance contains the following that may not be suitable for some readers. A character is conceived without consent. This is never shown, and never described in detail. It is mainly hinted at. Mild Language, Death, Violence, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Gore, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Grief, and Anxiety.
Life. It is invaluable, yet fleeting. But what if you were told the way to keep it forever was as simple as opening a Door?
Guiding souls to the afterlife. This is what it means to be a Guider, a half-angel living in secret. When Silvia discovered her true identity, her destiny changed forever. Although, the city of Ascendance isn’t what it seems to be. Training to use her gifts alongside her friends quickly morphs into prophecies of Revolution, while twisted whispers of destiny from her father tug at her heart. Secrets are unearthed from darkness, lies are told by people she once trusted, and all while war is coming.
Salvatore, a Demon and Silvia’s father, has amassed an army of lost souls to break the Door of Keys and destroy the natural order of the Realms.
Silvia must stand against him as the Guider’s struggle to uphold their duty. But as evil as he is, can she really face her father if he means to stop death itself, especially when it's claimed so many she loves?
Will Silvia lead a revolution with the Guiders, will she bathe the world in fire alongside her father, or will Silvia create a destiny of her own?
Door of Descendance contains the following that may not be suitable for some readers. A character is conceived without consent. This is never shown, and never described in detail. It is mainly hinted at. Mild Language, Death, Violence, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Gore, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Grief, and Anxiety.
478 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2025
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September 11, 2025
I had the great fortune to read the finale of the DOK series before it hit the shelves, and I was just as enamoured with the characters, setting, and story that Kimberly Byrd crafted in the first book. From the very start, this series has stood apart in its inventiveness and emotional depth, and Descendence proves to be a powerful conclusion.
One of the questions I always have when reading a series is whether an author can sustain momentum and meaning across multiple books. Will the finale honour the foundation laid at the beginning, or falter under the weight of expectation? In this case, Byrd delivers with confidence. Descendence holds its own as both a continuation and a culmination, weaving the threads of her world and characters into something that feels complete yet bittersweet to leave behind.
The heart of this book, much like the first, lies in its characters, and Byrd’s passion for them radiates through every scene. Her handling of Sylvia and Salvatore is particularly striking, as she explores the complexity of their relationship and the consequences of the choices they face. Yet Byrd doesn’t stop at her protagonists — the villains and secondary figures are equally fleshed out, their motives and relationships given weight that makes the conflicts layered rather than predictable.
Through these interwoven dynamics, Byrd compels the reader to feel, sometimes heartbroken, other times victorious, envious, approving, or even disillusioned. The emotional stakes are high, and each twist in loyalty or revelation of truth carries impact precisely because the characters feel so alive.
What sets Descendence apart from many in the teen fantasy genre is its refusal to settle for formula. This is no cookie-cutter tale of chosen ones and inevitable triumph. Instead, it is a story that embraces complexity, shades of morality, and the messy beauty of human (and not-so-human) bonds. If you’re looking for a fantasy that defies the expected and lingers long after the final page, Descendence — alongside its predecessor Ascendence — is well worth the read.
One of the questions I always have when reading a series is whether an author can sustain momentum and meaning across multiple books. Will the finale honour the foundation laid at the beginning, or falter under the weight of expectation? In this case, Byrd delivers with confidence. Descendence holds its own as both a continuation and a culmination, weaving the threads of her world and characters into something that feels complete yet bittersweet to leave behind.
The heart of this book, much like the first, lies in its characters, and Byrd’s passion for them radiates through every scene. Her handling of Sylvia and Salvatore is particularly striking, as she explores the complexity of their relationship and the consequences of the choices they face. Yet Byrd doesn’t stop at her protagonists — the villains and secondary figures are equally fleshed out, their motives and relationships given weight that makes the conflicts layered rather than predictable.
Through these interwoven dynamics, Byrd compels the reader to feel, sometimes heartbroken, other times victorious, envious, approving, or even disillusioned. The emotional stakes are high, and each twist in loyalty or revelation of truth carries impact precisely because the characters feel so alive.
What sets Descendence apart from many in the teen fantasy genre is its refusal to settle for formula. This is no cookie-cutter tale of chosen ones and inevitable triumph. Instead, it is a story that embraces complexity, shades of morality, and the messy beauty of human (and not-so-human) bonds. If you’re looking for a fantasy that defies the expected and lingers long after the final page, Descendence — alongside its predecessor Ascendence — is well worth the read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review