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Descent #1-7
The Descent Series Complete Collection
DESTINED TO BE A WEAPON. Elise Kavanagh is good at one thing: killing demons, angels, and gods. For years, she was the death that supernatural creatures feared. More myth than woman, she walked the Earth as the embodiment of vengeance.
DENYING HER DESTINY. Elise wants to retire with with the man who has long protected her body and mind. James Faulkner is a powerful witch, and the only one she trusts to protect her identity. Together, they go into hiding and try to become normal people...whatever that means.
DESTINY WON'T BE DENIED. It's not easy to retire when you were born to be a killing machine. Old enemies still hold bitter grudges against Elise. The demon overlord of her new home isn't happy to have the Godslayer hiding out in her territory. And there are still gods that need to be killed...
ONLY ONE WAY OUT. Elise must descend into the infernal to become the very thing she's spent most of her life fighting: a powerful demon that feeds upon human flesh. A creature that might survive slaying God.
This collection contains all seven books of The Descent Series, as well as three short stories interspersed with the books.
THE COMPLETE DESCENT SERIES
1. Death's Hand
2. The Darkest Gate
3. Deadly Hearts (short story)
4. Dark Union
5. Damnation Marked
6. Death Scream (short story)
7. Dire Blood
8. Defying Fate
9. Dying Night (short story)
10. Paradise Damned
DENYING HER DESTINY. Elise wants to retire with with the man who has long protected her body and mind. James Faulkner is a powerful witch, and the only one she trusts to protect her identity. Together, they go into hiding and try to become normal people...whatever that means.
DESTINY WON'T BE DENIED. It's not easy to retire when you were born to be a killing machine. Old enemies still hold bitter grudges against Elise. The demon overlord of her new home isn't happy to have the Godslayer hiding out in her territory. And there are still gods that need to be killed...
ONLY ONE WAY OUT. Elise must descend into the infernal to become the very thing she's spent most of her life fighting: a powerful demon that feeds upon human flesh. A creature that might survive slaying God.
This collection contains all seven books of The Descent Series, as well as three short stories interspersed with the books.
THE COMPLETE DESCENT SERIES
1. Death's Hand
2. The Darkest Gate
3. Deadly Hearts (short story)
4. Dark Union
5. Damnation Marked
6. Death Scream (short story)
7. Dire Blood
8. Defying Fate
9. Dying Night (short story)
10. Paradise Damned
1687 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
555 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Reine
114 books2,006 followersHi everyone! My name is Sara, and I write urban fantasy and paranormal novels as SM Reine. I collect swords, cat hair, and typewriters (which I do use for writing!). It's a good day when those three things have nothing to do with each other.
If you would like to know the instant my next book is available, you should enlist in my Army of Evil! We have a wicked cool secret handshake, but you'll have to sign up to learn it. ;) Check it out -- http://smarturl.it/armyofevil
If you would like to know the instant my next book is available, you should enlist in my Army of Evil! We have a wicked cool secret handshake, but you'll have to sign up to learn it. ;) Check it out -- http://smarturl.it/armyofevil
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Want to read
February 17, 2020This box set containing 7 full novels and 3 short stories (the entire series) is currently only £0.99 on kindle. I’ve heard great things about this series & couldn’t resist that bargain!
August 29, 2019
Elise is one of the most badass characters I have ever read. If you love kickass female leads, this is your series. Not only does the series go for seven books, but The Ascent Series further follows Elise's journey. If you're ready to get invested in a great adventure, these books are for you.
A bit sociopathic, I found Elise satisfying to read about. No frills. No nonsense. She just goes after it full-tilt. And after everything she's been through, her attitude is wholly warranted, not to mention necessary for the world she's involved in.
The secondary characters were all likable and believable as well. Get ready to have your heart torn and stomped (but n the best way, of course).
The pacing of the series was fantastic. Each book gives us just a little bit more about the broader picture, and when we find out whose side everyone is really on-- well, just wait for it! While the origin of it all felt a bit trivial when it first comes up, in hindsight, it's the ultimate story-starter. What else could have set this all in motion?
I'm an origin story lover, so Book 6: Defying Fate was my favorite. When the shoe drops about James' history, the jaw will hit the floor, guaranteed.
Angels, and demons and God play significant character roles throughout, making this a niche genre not done as often as many others. Another reason to read this series. Get out of the box a bit! You won't be disappointed!
A bit sociopathic, I found Elise satisfying to read about. No frills. No nonsense. She just goes after it full-tilt. And after everything she's been through, her attitude is wholly warranted, not to mention necessary for the world she's involved in.
The secondary characters were all likable and believable as well. Get ready to have your heart torn and stomped (but n the best way, of course).
The pacing of the series was fantastic. Each book gives us just a little bit more about the broader picture, and when we find out whose side everyone is really on-- well, just wait for it! While the origin of it all felt a bit trivial when it first comes up, in hindsight, it's the ultimate story-starter. What else could have set this all in motion?
I'm an origin story lover, so Book 6: Defying Fate was my favorite. When the shoe drops about James' history, the jaw will hit the floor, guaranteed.
Angels, and demons and God play significant character roles throughout, making this a niche genre not done as often as many others. Another reason to read this series. Get out of the box a bit! You won't be disappointed!
February 16, 2023
This is an excellent series. The worldbuilding is phenomenal, and even though I wanted to slap the protagonist a few times during the books, I understand why she is the way she is. She is a very damaged character that went through hell and back and has scars to prove it.
I will definitely check out the other stories set up in this rich and complex world.
I will definitely check out the other stories set up in this rich and complex world.
February 26, 2019
What an amazing series, I loved every page.
It's brilliantly written with wonderful characters, Elise is such a powerful personality I loved her..... I want to be her. And James is totally awesome but I can't help feeling like he got a bum deal but then so did Anthony.
The storyline is so fantastical it grabs you from the first page and doesn't let you go till the end of the series, I found it hard to put down. There are so many twists and so much action in this set you can't help but become addicted to Ms Rein's writing.
I can't wait to delve into the next series.....
It's brilliantly written with wonderful characters, Elise is such a powerful personality I loved her..... I want to be her. And James is totally awesome but I can't help feeling like he got a bum deal but then so did Anthony.
The storyline is so fantastical it grabs you from the first page and doesn't let you go till the end of the series, I found it hard to put down. There are so many twists and so much action in this set you can't help but become addicted to Ms Rein's writing.
I can't wait to delve into the next series.....
December 12, 2018
Fantastic series a must have for Urban Fantasy fans.
This series is very well written , the character's the issues they face maybe set in a world of magic and shifters but hits some genuine issues of life, cannot recommend these books enough but beware once you read one you will need more .
This series is very well written , the character's the issues they face maybe set in a world of magic and shifters but hits some genuine issues of life, cannot recommend these books enough but beware once you read one you will need more .
February 9, 2019
A great read
I loved this series. It had everything I need to keep reading. The twists and turns always had me guessing wanting to know what was going to happen next. I did keep notes to remember the dates and keep that straight. I started with the Wolf series and this author just keeps me wanting another of her books
I loved this series. It had everything I need to keep reading. The twists and turns always had me guessing wanting to know what was going to happen next. I did keep notes to remember the dates and keep that straight. I started with the Wolf series and this author just keeps me wanting another of her books
March 14, 2019
Gripping!
I wasn’t sure at first I would like it. I got the first boxed set on special through Amazon and was hook on the first sentence. I finished the first three and immediately ordered the next set. I finished that group in three days and again immediately downloaded the next series. So on I go.....
I wasn’t sure at first I would like it. I got the first boxed set on special through Amazon and was hook on the first sentence. I finished the first three and immediately ordered the next set. I finished that group in three days and again immediately downloaded the next series. So on I go.....
August 30, 2019
Thrilling Urban Fantasy
A well written urban fantasy. Full of action, intrigue, love and hate. Angels, demons and witches make for a tantalizing take with rich descriptions and a fantastic plot. After reading the first three books of this series I had to buy the complete set. The many twists and turns will keep you turning the pages!
A well written urban fantasy. Full of action, intrigue, love and hate. Angels, demons and witches make for a tantalizing take with rich descriptions and a fantastic plot. After reading the first three books of this series I had to buy the complete set. The many twists and turns will keep you turning the pages!
March 16, 2019
It is rare that a series can start with such humble subject matter, then organically grow in scope to become an epic tale without it feeling forced. Any fan of Hunter-style supernatural fiction should read this series.
January 3, 2019
Great series
I couldn't put it down. Fascinating way to look at god, demon, angels and such. Totally took me by surprise and kept me turning the pages.
I couldn't put it down. Fascinating way to look at god, demon, angels and such. Totally took me by surprise and kept me turning the pages.
February 25, 2019
Starts a bit slow but great read overall
Slow start, picks up the pace by the third book, can't put it down by the end. Wish I could unread the last few pages because wtf!
Slow start, picks up the pace by the third book, can't put it down by the end. Wish I could unread the last few pages because wtf!
November 11, 2019
Dark, disturbing, but eerily riveting
A part of me thinks this series was so wrong. That reading it was blasphemous. I felt horribly guilty being on Elise's side at the end, but given the context, struggled to not agree that Metaraon and Adam were not in the wrong.
Elisa was not your typical heroine. A demon hunter, cold, merciless, almost uncaring except for a select few. With a Destiny that boggles the mind. And the betrayals and losses on top of it all.
This was one heck of a series, but definitely not for everyone. Overlooking the grammatical errors, the content is dark, violent, twisted even. Not something for the young. Admittedly, I had to finish it but I can read almost anything. On to the next chapter.
A part of me thinks this series was so wrong. That reading it was blasphemous. I felt horribly guilty being on Elise's side at the end, but given the context, struggled to not agree that Metaraon and Adam were not in the wrong.
Elisa was not your typical heroine. A demon hunter, cold, merciless, almost uncaring except for a select few. With a Destiny that boggles the mind. And the betrayals and losses on top of it all.
This was one heck of a series, but definitely not for everyone. Overlooking the grammatical errors, the content is dark, violent, twisted even. Not something for the young. Admittedly, I had to finish it but I can read almost anything. On to the next chapter.
July 1, 2020
This series was so great and was so much better than Reines' other series that I read. Elise was so fierce but loyal in her own way from the beginning. It took me so long to actually figure out what was going on because I'd have one thought and it would be shut down in the next second as well.
It was refreshing to read a book about Angels and demons that didn't set God up to be so high, mighty and religious while also not being anti religion.
All of the characters were written so well and the growth for Elise and James every book was so vast. Even the sub characters had the right amount of growth necessary for their storyline.
The books in between were a little slow but they still had enough action and intrigue to keep it going until it came back to Elises' story.
I'm so glad there's more books afterwards cause I feel like there's still so much you can do with the plots.
It was refreshing to read a book about Angels and demons that didn't set God up to be so high, mighty and religious while also not being anti religion.
All of the characters were written so well and the growth for Elise and James every book was so vast. Even the sub characters had the right amount of growth necessary for their storyline.
The books in between were a little slow but they still had enough action and intrigue to keep it going until it came back to Elises' story.
I'm so glad there's more books afterwards cause I feel like there's still so much you can do with the plots.
February 26, 2022
I have reviewed each of these stories separately, so this is just an overview.
Elise and James are connected from the very beginning and through a web of twists and turns we follow their journey to many battles. The books switch in time so that their lives are eventually correlated to the ‘why, how, when’ etc. of their present. I liked the complexity of their characters because it demonstrated their reality and authenticity.
The use of myth is well done and the writing style is great (except ‘off of’) – fast-paced for sure. There are villains and heroes and those in between, and certainly plenty of action, magic and the supernatural.
Yes, I would recommend this series.
Elise and James are connected from the very beginning and through a web of twists and turns we follow their journey to many battles. The books switch in time so that their lives are eventually correlated to the ‘why, how, when’ etc. of their present. I liked the complexity of their characters because it demonstrated their reality and authenticity.
The use of myth is well done and the writing style is great (except ‘off of’) – fast-paced for sure. There are villains and heroes and those in between, and certainly plenty of action, magic and the supernatural.
Yes, I would recommend this series.
August 2, 2020
Excellent series!
If you enjoy a heroine who’s gritty and totally badass with a heart caged in steel- this is for you! Elise’s story was well thought out, the characters were full of depth and all your questions from book one until the end get answered, just not the way you would necessarily expect! While it’s not a HEA it Does leave you with an impression that Elise and James, Could possibly find happiness together eventually, if Elise can forgive, James could finally forget. 😉
If you enjoy a heroine who’s gritty and totally badass with a heart caged in steel- this is for you! Elise’s story was well thought out, the characters were full of depth and all your questions from book one until the end get answered, just not the way you would necessarily expect! While it’s not a HEA it Does leave you with an impression that Elise and James, Could possibly find happiness together eventually, if Elise can forgive, James could finally forget. 😉
August 15, 2020
Different
If you like to be thrown in the middle of an overly complex, tale that is going to switch frequently from past to present and then back again to some completely different period, place and event then jump right in.
Unfortunately it's not the clearest story written and Reine does seem to take pleasure in random jaunts off to the side which bear little relevance to the now point of the story.
Didn't hate it, but equally I didn't love it.. it was incredibly cheap though..
If you like to be thrown in the middle of an overly complex, tale that is going to switch frequently from past to present and then back again to some completely different period, place and event then jump right in.
Unfortunately it's not the clearest story written and Reine does seem to take pleasure in random jaunts off to the side which bear little relevance to the now point of the story.
Didn't hate it, but equally I didn't love it.. it was incredibly cheap though..
May 14, 2020
Nothing new and kind of tedious
A hero with every advantage except for common sense. When authors start writing what’s unexpected and characters start thinking about what they shouldn’t do (o say like take the one thing the Night Hag needs into the tunnels where the Night Hag is) then my reviews will improve greatly.
A hero with every advantage except for common sense. When authors start writing what’s unexpected and characters start thinking about what they shouldn’t do (o say like take the one thing the Night Hag needs into the tunnels where the Night Hag is) then my reviews will improve greatly.
July 15, 2020
Roiling adventure.
Reine has done a fabulous job of taking threads of established mythology and woven it into a whole new story.
Elise is a very flawed heroine, who at times we don't like very much but she always tries to do the right thing.
The sweep of this collection is breathtaking, ranging from Heaven to Hell and places Inbetween.
Reine has done a fabulous job of taking threads of established mythology and woven it into a whole new story.
Elise is a very flawed heroine, who at times we don't like very much but she always tries to do the right thing.
The sweep of this collection is breathtaking, ranging from Heaven to Hell and places Inbetween.
January 6, 2021
Entertaining and stressful, and wonderful
It takes a lot for me to get invested in a series long enough to read it in a row. This series has been one of the few to make it into that group. It’s characters are well designed and human. There are true laugh out loud. Reine really gets into character with writing the dialogue.
It takes a lot for me to get invested in a series long enough to read it in a row. This series has been one of the few to make it into that group. It’s characters are well designed and human. There are true laugh out loud. Reine really gets into character with writing the dialogue.
May 17, 2021
Almost Perfection
This series was a roller-coaster ride and I tell you I am dizzy. It's a good feeling, y'all. But I'm also angsty! I swear this chick has had some tough breaks and some tough calls to make. And even at the end....there are times I'm screaming at her 'cause I know she's making the wrong decision but in the end I know it must be meant to be. Right. Right? Brava!
This series was a roller-coaster ride and I tell you I am dizzy. It's a good feeling, y'all. But I'm also angsty! I swear this chick has had some tough breaks and some tough calls to make. And even at the end....there are times I'm screaming at her 'cause I know she's making the wrong decision but in the end I know it must be meant to be. Right. Right? Brava!
May 2, 2023
Was a bit confusing to read with all the diffent dates, and switching of characters. Otherwise it was a great read. I was mad at James for not telling her sooner and his kept secret drove me insane I had to find out what it was. In the end I didn't much like it, but Elsise did act a little like how a normal woman hurt did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2024
Not what you expect, better!
Excellent experience reading this book series. Every page kept me hooked to the end of each book and now I can read the new series, am an addict now, the whole thrill of the chase in the plot and you just keep going through it all. you don't expect the book to play out how it did with a happier ever after. Very gratifying.
Excellent experience reading this book series. Every page kept me hooked to the end of each book and now I can read the new series, am an addict now, the whole thrill of the chase in the plot and you just keep going through it all. you don't expect the book to play out how it did with a happier ever after. Very gratifying.
January 10, 2019
!!!!
I love this series so hard! Elise is my hero! She’s a bad***woman. James, ah , poor James. He just can’t do anything right. Their love-hate relationship is just one of the reasons I love this series so much.
I love this series so hard! Elise is my hero! She’s a bad***woman. James, ah , poor James. He just can’t do anything right. Their love-hate relationship is just one of the reasons I love this series so much.
February 14, 2019
Crazy books
It took over a week to Finnish these books and that's even skipping a lot of chapters. It's hard to keeps up with what year your reading. Good luck with understanding what you've just read.
It took over a week to Finnish these books and that's even skipping a lot of chapters. It's hard to keeps up with what year your reading. Good luck with understanding what you've just read.
April 11, 2019
This series was fantastic. I couldfn't stop reading. The characters were
Mesmerizing and I couldn't get enough of Elise and James. I was a little disappointed that Malcolm didn't survive as I thought he was also a strong character.
Mesmerizing and I couldn't get enough of Elise and James. I was a little disappointed that Malcolm didn't survive as I thought he was also a strong character.
December 17, 2019
Great collection
This was a great collection of stories that gave you the origin of Elise James and let you meet their old friends . I have read almost all lol of the author 'so books but never knew the hows.
A must read.
This was a great collection of stories that gave you the origin of Elise James and let you meet their old friends . I have read almost all lol of the author 'so books but never knew the hows.
A must read.
November 11, 2021
Fantastic!!
I have actually read this series more than once and every time I read it I catch something that I missed the last time! I’m looking forward to reading more of Elise’s story!!
I have actually read this series more than once and every time I read it I catch something that I missed the last time! I’m looking forward to reading more of Elise’s story!!
May 20, 2022
Satisfying 🌟
Action packed, fight of good vs evil in another world way! Although the back and forth of past & present was a bit confusing it was so worth reading! Suspense, surprising characters, fun and imaginative! Great read!
Action packed, fight of good vs evil in another world way! Although the back and forth of past & present was a bit confusing it was so worth reading! Suspense, surprising characters, fun and imaginative! Great read!
December 17, 2018
I love this entire series and Reine's other series' as well. she is a wonderful writer!
January 7, 2019
Average
Just not that impressed. Nathaniel was the only likeable character. The Elise/Eve thing...a bit too confusing at times.
I doubt I'll read the Ascension series.
Just not that impressed. Nathaniel was the only likeable character. The Elise/Eve thing...a bit too confusing at times.
I doubt I'll read the Ascension series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews