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Fated Destruction #2

The Golden Shears

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My name is Kaidance Monroe, and I'm cursed with the gift of sight.

I see death. Bloody, violent death. Before it even happens.

I was taken in by a mysterious benefactor, who wants to use my abilities to vanquish his oldest enemy. But the dark secrets in my new home drove me away. I don't know where I belong any more - with the fallen angel who has become my protector, or with the immortal deities that are determined for me to join their cause.

All I know is I'm being hunted by an army of Zeus's soldiers, tracked by monstrous beasts that want to eat me alive, and running from the one person I want to be with.

But when I find the Golden Shears, and claim the power to vanquish gods, everything will change.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2017

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387 people want to read

About the author

D.S. Murphy

29 books283 followers

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5 stars
289 (34%)
4 stars
307 (36%)
3 stars
189 (22%)
2 stars
41 (4%)
1 star
12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Leann.
95 reviews3 followers
August 16, 2017
I loved this book, and it's a great read, but I have to say I am a bit disappointed that it was such a short book...I feel 200 pages is closer to a novella than a full story...oh, and the end is a horrible cliffhanger that makes you mad that you started the series when it was so new and only 2 books in😒 So, I guess I'm playing another waiting game as I am to so many others.
Profile Image for Reina Sasaki.
Author 2 books45 followers
May 16, 2021
The only thing I would complain about is how a particular villain got defeated far too early in the series. A shame, I thought, since the character got such strong background, that I had hoped there would be a bigger show down than that.

Aside from that, I like this second book better than the first.

I believe the theme of this series is around Kaidance’s trying to understand why she got the power to see people's death? And her becoming involved in the world of magic would eventually lead her to that closure. I might have said before in the first book review that I like Kaidance’s caring personality the most. And I'm glad to see the consistency in her character. Her caring for her friends is what gets me smile, thinking, I won't mind being a friend with her.

Also, her love triangle with the two boys hooked me in. I root for the angel, by the way.

The setting up of the magic world also had a mythical atmosphere, same as when I had read a book on Greek Mythology back in college. The quest in search for the shear, as well as mysteries that led to it, was a real treat. The ending was excellently done too. Now I could only guess what Kaidence would do now with the big boss’s holding so much advantage in the game?

I definitely would buy the third book.

Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,616 reviews35 followers
April 19, 2020
Following on from Scarlet Thread, Kaidence is now on the run with Puriel, in a race to save her friends from Zeus.
I enjoyed this a lot more than book one. Maybe getting to know the characters and being more immersed in the world. However, I can't believe it ends on such a cliffhanger! Bring on book 3!
Profile Image for Punkin.
983 reviews
May 21, 2021
Whoa

This was a mess. More characters, more greek myth. Holy cow. Twists all over the place. Still super light on the romance part much to my eternal disappointment.
Profile Image for Amber Dene.
172 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2020
Book two is just as amazing as book 1. It is a new and fun take on the Olympians. I truly am enjoying the story.
Profile Image for Hollie.
1,680 reviews
May 11, 2017
~1.5 stars~

Well............at least I can say without any regrets that I am done with this series now. This book was just far too immature for my preference. It had all of the book qualities in a YA fantasy that I despise:
* Lame and predictable love triangle
* Immature and unrealistic characters
* A weak heroine that needs constant assure and continually complains about "how she wants to make decisions for herself"
* Cheesy and ridiculous plot
* Desperate need of editor
* cliffhanger

So, like I said, I'm out on this series now. The only good thing about it was that it was offered as a kindleunlimited. Sorry for the ugly review I just wanted to give my fellow readers a heads up with this one.
Profile Image for EPendleton.
99 reviews5 followers
March 17, 2025
Book 2 seems to be a bit too fast paced without enough supporting substance to make it truly captivating. I had some issues with Book 1, namely that Kaidence is far too young for this kind of stuff, if you ask me. If I pretend, which is what I’ve been doing, that she much older than she is then the story sits better with me.

I appreciate that we picked up right where we left off in Book 1. No need for recaps. Puriel killed Matt. Kaidence blames herself. We save her best friends and suddenly we’re off to find the Golden Shears. Queue random magical using, not magical having, people who rush in to save Puriel and Kaidence and her friends and somehow whirl them away on gigantic birds to go jet setting. Literally, these giant birds were the star of the book for me, Minokawas to the rescue! Of course, as all things that I generally love in books, they meet a terrible gory end.

While I admire the intricacy of the ideas of the tests for Kaidence to find the Fates, I think they were too quick and haphazard. I also think that Zeus taking over Sarah’s body was a bit lackluster. I wanted to be surprised, I wanted Kaidence to leave her behind or kill her, that’s the safest thing to do. But, as with all heroines, she will not cut out liabilities if she loves them. Puriel included, after he goes all Mega Leech. I agree he could be useful, but I’m also of the mind that loose ends are not a good idea. Should probably trim them with those pretty golden shears, just saying.

The quick and short little romance budding between Kaidence and Sitri needs some serious attention. And the whole staying our thing seems quite over played. Come on, that’s no fun. Give me something more forbidden 😂.

I’ll hang in for another book. Again, these aren’t bad, they’re good filler books for me.
Profile Image for Lana.
2,768 reviews59 followers
May 26, 2023
Book 2 and Kai has escaped from Nevah, Able's community, freeing Puriel the fallen angel of Zeus in order to go save her friends Jessie and Sarah who she had left behind in the JDRI home. Puriel ended up killing Matt as had been foreseen by Kai herself and she was traumatised by this. However she freed her friends and they travelled in order to find some safety from the hunters searching for them and to find the golden shears. Only these could cut the threads of fate and it seemed only Kai could now wield these. She wanted also to find the fates as they were the ones who could tell her where the shears were hidden. They travelled to distant lands and found help from some rebel forces, met with mermaids and risked everything to follow the fates trail. Zeus ended up finding her through one of her own, and she realised that only if she killed him would they all be safe. She had not wanted to get involved in the war between Zeus and Able however she now needed Able's protection for herself and her friends including Puriel. I love that Kai is becoming so headstrong, that she defends those she cares for even if sometimes she makes the wrong decisions in order to save them. She is torn between Istri and Puriel one who she feels compelled to love and one who would do anything to protect her unconditionally. I am dying to read book 3 of this very thrilling series full of mythological lore, where a war between the gods is once again being fought by humans and rooting for Kai of course!
Profile Image for Sydni Donahue.
480 reviews41 followers
September 15, 2022
I’m always going to hate love triangles. Because I always end up liking the one that loses more. God I fucking hate that about myself. This book was good. Not as good as the first one in my opinion but still quite good. I love Puriel. I do think Kai has made a mistake with her choice of Sitri but I also get it. Usually with love triangles I understand and argument for both but the underdog is always more appealing to me. Her and Puriel had something pass between them at the beginning that was like magic and he ended up falling for her and sacrificed his life so many times for her. Sitri is protective over her and I do believe loves her but his allegiance to Able is something I’m not too fond of. It’s complex with both of them but god how love triangles make me angry. Puriel could have made more of an effort with her before Sitri came but he also knew his job was to protect her and truthfully Kai didn’t know the full extent of his feelings until the end of this book. I do love this series. I think it’s super underrated. I own the first three now but not the fourth. I am looking forward to the direction it’s going in. I’m also sad for Puriel. I give this 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elise  Hoffman.
Author 4 books11 followers
March 9, 2020
What I love about second-in-series books: action! All the character development is pretty well filled out. You understand the characters reasonably well (mysteries not counting of course), and the general story has been outlined, you know what the crisis is. The second book means you get all the action!

And Kaidence stays VERY busy here, complete with angsty teen romance/triangle. Seriously, the girl can’t take a minute to catch her breath, cuz when she tries she immediately gets some epiphany and feels the desire to rush off to do something else without stopping to think. This, of course, backfires spectacularly- every time! And thus, our story has a lot of momentum.

And at the end, I’m still not really sure who all is a bad guy. I’m not really sure there are ANY good guys. This story is a conundrum wrapped up in a can of worms that’s stuck between a rock and hard place.

Basically, it’s fun. Definitely worth the read/listen. The narration is excellent!
Profile Image for Emily.
165 reviews6 followers
May 26, 2021
Interesting story; tough read

I got the second book because I wanted to see how the story and characters progressed and grew, book two keeps the storyline flowing and throws in a few twists that almost, almost, make me want to read the next. The bottom line that keeps me from book the is the writing technique. It is well organized and follows clear progressions, yet it seems to skip what could be helpful transitions. One minute the group it's in the forest, the next in a random tent in an encampment. Three is a lot of telling instead of showing, there are many instances I found myself drawn away from the actual story and into just reading the words as they are written in sequence, almost like I had to form the descriptors myself to pull me back into a scene.
Overall, I don't regret reading it and i feel like this story has a tonne of potential to beer perfected and expanded on; it's just not my star...yet.
Profile Image for Jaclyn Collins.
3 reviews
June 10, 2017
Great story

This is a great book for Greek mythology lovers. It has a wonderful image of who Zeus and Hades are. It is more than angels are good guys and Hades is pure evil. I enjoy books that places the normal in a different aspect. I do think these books should be longer and absolutely hate the way they have ended. Especially this book. I understand it needs suspense and wonderment for the next book. But it should at least finished the mission these guys were on, after all I read through 2 books to get to this moment and it is just cutoff. Also there was a good bit of mistakes I caught in the book so your proofwriter I believe skipped some of the book. But it really is an amazing story
Profile Image for fanboyriot.
1,049 reviews15 followers
May 31, 2024

1.5 ⭐️


Not going to lie, I didn’t like this book, it was even worse than the first one. I feel like the plot could be good, the adventure was nice but I hated the characters and the authors take on the Greek gods and goddesses. Again the main character is insufferable. The lines of dialogue are extremely childish and overall I hated the writing style of this. Like the line: “Lots of chocolate. And some male companionship, for making out in the dark and stuff. If only we knew any boys.” ( - Chapter four, pages 39 and 40) like why? This was so random with everything that was going on at the time and making out with boys was what you were thinking about… not to mention the wording “male companionship” just sounds disgusting.


Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Angst Level: n/a
POV: First Person
Release Date: 20, February 2018


⚠️ Content Warnings:
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Toxic relationship

Profile Image for Linda Levine.
4,640 reviews25 followers
May 8, 2017
I enjoyed the story of this young woman who has some very serious choices to make. She finds herself in the middle of a battle between brothers who are gods. She can choose to work with one who vows to protect her if she will destroy his enemy. He can give her a very luxurious life but it has its costs.

There are also two very different men that attract her attention. One has risked his life to save her but has a dangerous past. The other requires a different allegiance.

There is a lot of action and plenty of surprises in the story and it keeps you guessing. The end leaves you eager for more.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
3 reviews
July 26, 2017
Cliffhanger

I liked the book up until the ending. There isn't one, it just ends and nothing is resolved. And I know that the author plans to release a "bonus chapter" but it would have to be a bonus book in order to resolve all the problems these characters are facing. I don't understand why the author cut it off like that, its like the book ended half way through. Plus I felt like some parts weren't descriptive enough to paint a clear picture so you would have to fill in a lot of blanks yourself. I did give it 3 stars for imagination and creativity but I feel like it could have been better.
8 reviews
October 24, 2019
really enjoyable.... if you don't long wait times between books in a series

I have really enjoyed reading the first 2 books in this series. However, I wish I had paid more attention to the reviews as I usually don't like starting a series until the final book is out, unless I know the author puts them out in a timely manner. After reading the reviews and looking at the release date gaps, in addition to the other series books D.S. Murphy has released in between this series, I'm frustrated that I started these. If you're not one to mind long lapses between books, then I highly recommend this series. If you're like me, read them once the final book is out.
Profile Image for Leila.
198 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2017
Pretty darn good

Not bad, pretty darn good series thus far. I enjoy the mythological connection of Angels and Demons in relation to the Greco-Roman Gods and Goddesses. It's unique. That being said, I do have to agree with another reviewer in regards to the editing mistakes. In both books, there are a number of times in which the quotations are misplaced or there were wording errors that could have been fixed by reviewing the book or having an editor. Despite this, I still recommend this book.
Profile Image for debturk1970_bookvibes.
1,848 reviews18 followers
May 28, 2021
A Rescue, A Treasure Hunt & Ultimately Loss!😍✂💔😢
A 3.5 Star Read.🌟
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
The Golden Shears (Fated Destruction #2)

Another engaging book with God's & mythology mixed into the modern day settings. I found the writing and execution a bit more lacking than book #1 but the tale was just as good & actually more fast paced & dynamic. I do find Kaidence's emotions around romance a bit strange & unexplained!😕 There is a much larger emotional element this time across most situations & characters.👍

Debbie, 1970, UK
Profile Image for Holly Lenz.
928 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2021
The Golden Shears takes off right where the Scarlet Thread left off. This is an intense YA adventure with supernatural and mythological beings. The characters and the love triangle continues to develop. The cliffhanger ending is painful because I don’t yet have the next book.

Contains language and violence. Recommended for teens and older.

The narrator of the audiobook is well suited and does a good job.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Nicole Morphew.
45 reviews
October 31, 2024
Amazing - Small Spoiler

Such an amazing story!! I love the characters, plot, shocking twists and turns, the romance, the fact that the main characters aren't always the #1 best at everything character, and that some of the "supporting" characters have times in the book where they seem like the main character(s)!

Mr. Murphy is an amazing author/storyteller!

I really hope Kai is able to find a way to deal with Zeus and make him a non-threat, but save Sitri so that Kai and he can explore their love connection further!
Profile Image for Kelly Osburn.
16 reviews
June 6, 2017
WTF

The second book of the series ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger and I am so pissed off right now. I enjoyed the story, but I DESPISE writers who do this-I absolutely DESPISE them. So if you enjoy books that leave you hanging, go for it. Had I known this, I would never have read the books. They were free for me to read. I will never purchase this author's books, EVER. Ending a book the way she did is a cheap move. I will make a note to never read anything else she writes, EVER.
Profile Image for Juin Charnell.
Author 4 books6 followers
August 8, 2017
The storyline is original and entertaining but the ended stopped without a conclusion so I was frustrated by not having a climax to the story; unless there is a book 3. Then it makes sense. The author is adding a new chapter to the end. I don't know if that was reader feedback. It is a worth while story to read and it has good plot points and a nice twist that was foreshadowed very gently so when the payoff happened you say "oh yeah".
Profile Image for Laura.
2,495 reviews83 followers
March 15, 2020
Great YA fantasy book. I really enjoyed the second book in this series. This book starts off where the first book left off and it is full of nonstop action!! Kaidence, the main character is learning her way and she just has to trust her instincts. There is a bit of a love triangle, and the ending!! OMGEEE, talk about a cliffhanger!!
Patiently, waiting for book #3 to be available on audio. It was a great audiobook and I felt like the narrator does a fabulous job breathing life into the story.
Profile Image for S. Leann .
Author 2 books49 followers
August 19, 2021
Although I will continue the series I did not enjoy it as much as the first book. The ending seemed a little rush and I was more engaged with the beginning on how she finds Jessie and Sarah. I guess since I’m not use to dark fantasy mixed with Greek mythology I’m still getting use to the concepts. The love triangle between Kaidance, Puriel, and Sitri could’ve been developed more as well but it seemed rather fast pace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cathy.
274 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2017
This book is about Greek mythical gods, humans and magical beings with the main character being able to see a persons life thread and able to severe it. Loved this YA fiction but disappointed how disruptive the ending was. I really hoped it would have been of a decent length and it would have wrapped at number two, yet, we are meant to wait. Just wish the sequels to Orpheum was ready to read.
Profile Image for Helen Brumfield.
77 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2017
This is the 2nd book in a Trilogy, and a bonus chapter is on it's way for this book. I have really liked this series so far. It's an easy read, flowed pretty well. I love a strong female lead in a book. I also love the mix of Greek Mythology, and humans. The proofreading could use some work, found a lot of mistakes. Looking forward to the last book!!
Profile Image for Ashley.
28 reviews
April 1, 2018
Such a fun book! I’m really looking forward to the next installment! I rated 4 instead of 5 because I felt some of these adventures could have been much more in depth and detailed, but they felt very short. Again, I have to keep in mind it is meant for YA, but I was so in love with the adventures I wanted more!
Profile Image for Sandi.
691 reviews46 followers
March 19, 2020
Things are moving along at a must faster clip in this book, starting right from the first chapter. There are some interesting (and even unexpected) twists and turns and exciting action, all leading to a hell of a cliffhanger. Very curious now to see where this story goes from here.

I received this audiobook free in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Tammy Bulcao.
918 reviews11 followers
May 20, 2020
Great book! 💜

This is book 2 in this series. I’m loving this series. I love the paranormal world with all its magic and mystery and this book has it all.
The narration is absolutely amazing. She really brings each unique character to life!
This book has a cliffhanger and continues to book 3.
I recommend this book/series.

Sisters Spotlight 💜
Profile Image for Fiona Ross.
Author 12 books15 followers
February 4, 2022
I loved this book. Kaidance Monroe is plucky and determined. She needs to be to survive what the author puts her through. D. S. Murphy is a highly skilled and talented writer who draws us into a world that takes our breath away. Drawing on the ancient Greek myth of the Three Fates, these four books are real page-turners. Book five is the epic conclusion. I can't wait. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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