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Ethereal Foes #2

Duncan's Descent

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‘Tis far better to love in hell than to live in heaven.

As a demon of the Ethereal, it’s Duncan Sinclair’s job to sway humans toward the path to hell. Duncan is very good at his job—until a prank gone wrong lands him in the upper realm doing penance. Now he’s being bombarded with love, kindness, and affectionate sex…and it’s killing him. The only way out is to agree to sway souls for heaven, with an angel as his partner.

Confronted with an angel who drinks, swears, and takes him to bliss with her sinfully delightful body, Duncan finds himself at risk of losing his heart to the enemy. Loving this angel could land him right where he doesn’t want to be—heaven. But what’s a demon to do when he’s falling?

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2008

34 people are currently reading
256 people want to read

About the author

Marie Harte

199 books2,403 followers
Important:: Marie Harte is NOT active on GoodReads, so to contact her, please use her website at marieharte.com.

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.

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5 stars
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100 (36%)
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84 (30%)
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26 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Annie .
2,506 reviews940 followers
March 20, 2018


In book two of the Ethereal Foes series, Marie Harte gives Duncan his heroine in Sapphira. This was not a pairing that I anticipated but it actually worked out kind of well. Though different in personalities, I liked that even though Duncan sometimes manhandled Sapphira, she never let him totally walk over him. Again, this story is very short, not leaving much room for too much development. The romance moves at a fast-pace and because this is a novella, I would have loved to see more page time between the hero and heroine.

You don’t need to read this series in order to understand it, but it definitely helps when the author mentions some of the other characters in the series for future books. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Under the Covers Book Blog.
2,840 reviews1,343 followers
March 20, 2018



I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


In book two of the Ethereal Foes series, Marie Harte gives Duncan his heroine in Sapphira. This was not a pairing that I anticipated but it actually worked out kind of well. Though different in personalities, I liked that even though Duncan sometimes manhandled Sapphira, she never let him totally walk over him. Again, this story is very short, not leaving much room for too much development. The romance moves at a fast-paced and because this is a novella, I would have loved to see more page time between the hero and heroine.

You don’t need to read this series in order to understand it, but it definitely helps when the author mentions some of the other characters in the series for future books. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

*Review copy provided by author❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,381 reviews78 followers
March 1, 2024
What I have found is that anything goes in her world. It is original, it is fun, it is sexy, it is sizzling, it is strangely erotic in this paranormal world, and you will need more than a long drink to cool down.
There is plenty of action and sexfests.
If you like something oh so sexy, spicy and erotic, steaming and exciting with multiple partners then this is a book you should grab and dive right in.
Profile Image for Pam Sweigert.
76 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2015
The second book in one of my favorite trilogies. It does sort of suffer from that second child syndrome (probably not a thing, but I'm making it one). Not quite as exciting as the first book, but still great on it's own. The premise is intriguing. This is definitely an "adult book" so do not read if that is not your thing, but if that is your thing then please enjoy! I love this author and I really like her writing style. Can't wait to read the third book, so glad it's finally out!
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews447 followers
March 18, 2018
The second book in the Ethereal Foes series is another sizzling and compelling read. Part of the timeline in the book stats at the beginning of this book will run parallel with book one, Dragons’ Demon, and then will pick up where it ends, with one of the brother’s stories. It is best to read the books in the order they come in, in my opinion. As punishment for the huge trouble cause by Duncan’s prank with the dragon’s egg, Duncan must serve his punishment in heaven under Uriel, the head angel. He is paired up with an Angel named Sapphira and they head to Earth to try and sway souls towards good so they will go to heaven. Duncan finds himself attracted to Sapphira and he learns that she is not the perfect angel she portrays but is actually not a perfect straight laced Angel and they end up having some steamy relations that sizzle up the pages of this book. This is a book that is Angels vs Demons, seeing if the humans can be swayed toward good or evil. So will Sapphira end up the bad girl or will Duncan become a good boy? This is full of drama, intrigue, action, passion and romance. Ms. Harte has done it again and written a fantastic follow up to book 1. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.


My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
Profile Image for Kathleen.
847 reviews
June 17, 2019
I wasn't impressed with book one, but I already requested books 1-3 from the library and they came available one right after the other. So I am reading them. Meh, it is better than the first, but I am not really invested and the sex isn't that hot.
Profile Image for M Robinson .
2,419 reviews
January 12, 2022
Started off slow and tbh I almost dnf but wanted to read book 4 so I pushed on and im glad I did because it was a really great book.

Great characters again n storyline. Love the whole ascent descent thing.

Duncan is finally tamed, couldnt have happened to a nicer demon!!
Profile Image for Andrea.
456 reviews
December 7, 2019
Okay this is better than the first but still just ok and pointless. Just not getting this series. Ordered so went thru it.
4,811 reviews9 followers
August 25, 2021
Great read

Loved this book. Good and evil, angels and demons what’s not to like. Plenty of humour for me as well as a nice paranormal romance.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,809 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2021
Duncan's Descent

Holy shiznet!!! What another gr8 story. This book is just as good as book 1. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
Profile Image for Beth Garrison.
18 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2024
MFM, intriguing story minus the MFM content. The only reason I'm finishing this series is my curiosity is peaked for the world and background plot lines.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,917 reviews1,439 followers
July 14, 2022

When it comes to Ms. Harte, there will be questionable lines crossed between good and evil. In this angel versus demon to sway people to Heaven or Hell, two beings are paired up under questionable orders. Duncan and Sapphira are from two different realms and yet they find more in common than expected.

To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website

Welcome to My Dungeon
Profile Image for Denise H.
1,051 reviews55 followers
January 15, 2019
Duncan’s Descent is book two in the Ethereal Foes series. Part of the timeline in the beginning of this book runs parallel with book one, Dragons’ Demon, and then picks up where it ends, with one of the brother’s stories. In order to understand the world dynamics, the characters (as they overlap through the stories) and the overall storyline it would be best to read the series in order. It would also make for a more enjoyable read to see how everything unfolds from the beginning. Ms. Harte has created a fascinating world with a new twist on the relationships between angels, demons, dragons and other interesting creatures in a battle of survival and good versus evil. This is a fun, fast paced story full of laughs that will keep you entertained and wanting more. The characters she has created are fascinating and the dialogue is fun and enjoyable. Each of the main characters in this series bring their own strength and stubbornness to the situation they are presented with and do a good job of twisting the circumstances to best suit their needs. Though other books in this series contain ménage scenes, this particular book is M/F alone.

Duncan and his twin brother James are in trouble for pulling a prank on the dragons by stealing a royal egg and blaming the angels, which started a war where lives were lost. As penance for their prank their father Asael has sentenced them each to servitude for an allotted period of time to each offended party. Duncan’s particular penance is in the upper realm with the Angels and it is the last place he wants to be. He is a demon who sways souls and the last thing he wants is to be bathed in light and love. Uriel has had his eyes on Duncan since he was younger and has other plans for the wayward demon. After several torturous days at the angel’s mercy, he assigns a young angel as his keeper and wants her to sway him to ascend and work with them. Seeing the heavenly creature he is to work with gives Duncan other ideas and he puts together a plan of his own. He has set his sights on his keeper and will do whatever is necessary to keep her for his own…even if that means he has to ascend.

Sapphira has lived her life doing her mother’s bidding and fighting her inner nature. She feels out of place, restless, is too curious for her own good and always getting into trouble for not abiding the rules of her kind. When she is summoned to Uriel’s quarters she fears she is in trouble yet again but is pleasantly surprised at her assignment…and with a demon, no less. She is young and inexperienced in the ways needed to complete her task and she is wary to be around Duncan and in his world. Something in him calls to her, the part she has tried to deny, and the more time together his temptation is too much to resist. When push comes to shove and hard choices have to be made which direction will she choose? To live under the thumb of her heavenly family, never happy or satisfied with her life or will she decide to fall and be true to her nature? To take a chance with Duncan, who stirs her inner desires?
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Krissys Bookshelf Reviews.
1,640 reviews81 followers
August 26, 2015
Duncan's Descent: A Demon's Desire (Ethereal Foes) I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Samhain. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Omg why couldn't this book just last forever? I mean seriously. The sarcasm, the fun, the exploration and to top it off the absolutely steamy sky rocketing dirty talking brain love making and ofcourse the heavy mind blowing ... yeah. Yummy. Fantasy to the xtreme, and the alley scene... Epiiiiic! It isn't sex unless its pulse pounding and wall slamming good. Duncan and Sapphira are a total win. I got three words for Marie Harte. Duncan's Descent is sexy, beautiful, and funny... its chalk full of some tense tummy moments and plenty of wet panty moments, I absolutely loved it. I have to get a print copy to add to my collection at home. I enjoyed it so much I had to read it twice. Fantastic writing and world building. I had a blast being a part of the journey.
Profile Image for Melissa.
125 reviews13 followers
October 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was sexy and the hero was a smooth talking smart ass that made me laugh out loud. This book is on the shorter side and I finished it in about one and a half hours. The basic premise of the book is a half human half demon named Duncan pulls a prank on heaven and ends up killing a bunch of Angels. In this story the world is all about balance so since he killed so many Angels he know has to temporarily serve in Heaven. He gets paired up with an Angel named Sapphira and they head to Earth to try and sway souls towards good so they will go to heaven. To Duncan's delight he finds that Sapphira is not a perfect straight laced Angel and they end up hooking up. This was an easy read without a lot of angst. I will be checking out the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Eva Millien.
3,115 reviews45 followers
March 7, 2016
Duncan Sinclair is being bombarded with love, kindness and affectionate sex and the only way out is to agree to sway souls for heaven with an angel as his partner in this delightful paranormal romance. I have to tell you that Duncan is one temptation that I don’t think I could deny and if sinning can be this hot then I want some more of it, I was panting through all the heat and the book was so much fun that I wasn’t ready for it to end.

“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©

4 ½ STARS

See my full review at:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
Profile Image for Ana.
1,247 reviews35 followers
July 31, 2013
A little over dramatic towards the end but nice enough. Less incomplete than the previous one. This book actually told a nice story from the beginning to the end without messing it up much. I still feel like it could've been better but this was enjoyable and interesting nevertheless. I also liked Duncan a lot more than I liked Ranton. He was all alpha but with a mischievous glint that made everything bearable and funny. Nice ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,337 reviews46 followers
November 21, 2016
What a good read about Duncan and Sapphira. Whilst not quite as crazy as book one it is still very enjoyable.
A well written and good paced story that gives us more fun with this crazy group of characters. Heaven and Hell both trying to outdo and one up each other is funny.
Sapphira was so nice and her being naughty on the sly was sweet but it was mean of her mother to lie to her for her whole life.
I liked Duncan surprise when he realised he loved Sapphira.
Profile Image for Valerie.
Author 21 books172 followers
September 24, 2015
It was a good story, but there wasn't enough concentration on the couple, Duncan and Sapphira, and their relationship development. I thought the story was fast-paced, but I wish there was more time for the characters to get to know one another, rather than deal with other character's pasts.
Profile Image for Anne.
3,055 reviews35 followers
July 23, 2015
This was a great story. I loved it! Now I've got to read the next one.
Profile Image for Hollie.
802 reviews
March 7, 2016
I was a little confused at the beginning trying to get the characters straight and what was going on. I think if you remember the first story in this series....you won't be confused.
Profile Image for Tina.
1,111 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2015
Angels versus demons, swaying humans toward the dark path or the light. Fun story with a sort of light and airy feel. A chick lit fantasy, with lots of hot sex.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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