Death's Hand, the Darkest Gate, and Dark Union

The Descent Series, Books 1-3

By: SM Reine

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 25 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is a collection of the first three titles in The Descent Series, which are gritty urban fantasy books about an exorcist, a witch, and their battles against the forces of Heaven and Hell.

©2011-2013 SM Reine (P)2013 Red Iris Books

Good story, okay narrator

I enjoyed these books. I liked the characters and the pace was a nice mix of action and non-action. I like characters that suffer and suffer and suffer some more but still manage to win the final battle. The main character suffers a lot physically and emotionally thereby making it difficult for me to stop listening.

The only issue was the narrator's incredibly slow drawn out speaking style. I had to increase the speed to 1.25 and that improved the pace that I ended up enjoying the narrator. I thought she did accents and female voices very well. The men were sometimes a little to gravelly but acceptable. Her habit of over pronouncing the last letter of the last word in almost every sentence made it impossible to listen at regular speed but at the faster speed, it was barely noticeable.

All in all a good listen if you like these kind of worlds with demons and angels.

Not much of a heroic protagonist

My main issue with these books are the fighting scenes. Her escapes seem silly and contrived. How many times can she be knocked unconscious without the villains following through on their threats to kill her? One scene the bad guys put her to sleep with a spell and instead of finishing her off they run off. Another scene shows her getting knocked out and none of the bad guys take advantage to finish her. She goes off on her own against big odds fairly routinely and has to be rescued.

Anyway, I slogged my way through it because I did like the premise but I won't be getting any more books by this author.

interesting trilogy

I'm a big fan of preternatural affairs series, this was my first time listening to this series. it took a bit to get used to the place of the story, but by book 2,I was really enjoying it. It's interesting how the characters cross over to the different books. narration was okay. but I'm REALLY used to Jeffery Kafer reading these books.

best I've heard in a while

I could tell you that the woman is strong is awesome and totally kicks but. I could tell you that the author almost made me hate the story because of the way things were going. I could tell you that I wanted the story to give more details here and there. but I wont. I will say that this was the best I've heard in a while because it is.

Interesting !

The series started slow for me. I like Elise because she is a bad azz. I am not feeling James because he is insensitive. The jumping back and forth to other periods to explain the back story was both helpful and confusing. By the end of the Dark Union I am on board and looking forward to what’s coming next. Still don’t get what the heck happened with the parents or what Elise’s relationship with the Angels.

loved the books

reading the books was great love the story but the readers voice kikd of ruined it for me.

I couldn't get into the way the narrator read...

The book was recommended to my by a friend who enjoyed reading them herself. I downloaded the audio book without listening to a preview. I don't know what it is, but the narrator's style is so jarring to me that I can't get past it. Something about her enuncuation and pacing just sounds forced, and I couldn't enjoy the story.

entertaining

This story is told delineating past and present events. A team, a witch (James) and warrior (Elise) fights demons and angles. Their partnership is slightly odd because the female is the fighter. Their relationship, Kopis and Aspis, a bonded relationship.

Of course, our heros are exceptional, they would not be our heros. They are savers of the world and have made enemies of everyone. Elise is taciturn with zero social skills, but she can kill even a god. James is paper witch. He saved Elise when she was a young teen.
They fight well as a team and there are interesting paranormal stories. The length of the stories is reasonable. The conflict is quickly presented, and our team is off fighting. Elise’s dogged determined to not give up, keeps the action going. Unlike some spell users, i.e. Harry Dresden (Jim Buther author), or Cesar Hawke (SM Reine author), Faz Pound (Al K. Line author), or Nate Temple (Shayne Silvers author), who offensive and defensive spells are much more convenient than carrying a spell book. So, if your book becomes lost, stolen or wet, James is shit out of luck. You must read at least the first two stories to understand their relationship.

There are a few flaws, which cause me slight discomfort in appreciating the stories. ***SPOILERS *** There is a point when the team had no choice but the reveal their real talents to their friends. James has a coven. Yet, the members have a problem accepting the existence of demons. Elise begins a romance with Anthony. He is an eager “boyfriend” who has no fighting skills. His chivalry gene works overtime and insistent on helping her. Knowing that she in putting his life in danger, she uses him as back-up. He is immature for a woman who has such life experience. He ceaseless questions and getting in the way became annoying.

The willingness of the team, really Elise, to use non-trained people to go into battle with angles and demons is out of character for heros. That detracted from my enjoyment. Many of the questions presented in book one, ie what is with Elise and wearing gloves, what happen to the people in the killed at James’ aunt house, what happen to Elise’s parents, what is the deal with the organization they are affiliated with, have the answers sprinkled through-out books 2 & 3.

Not good.

So let's start off in the middle of the story, like the author did..... can't get into this. No attachment to the characters. Surreal plot to say the least.

Stories had a good pace; narrator no so much

I'm a big fan of this series and Preternatural Affairs (there is some overlap). The narrator's pace is too slow for me, but I sped it up to 1.15, and that sounded normal.

Angels and Demons - who are the good guys?

What started as interest has developed into something nearing addiction. I desperately want to know what happens next and am quite annoyed - in a good way - that there are so many unanswered questions.
I never really warmed to Anthony - and the last book didn't really do much to change my mind or attitude. I am concerned about James though, and wonder what will happen between them.
I found the last book less appealing than the first two and hope that the rest of the series is not a matter of dragging what could fit in two books across four.
I liked the narrator and will listen to her again. It is a pity the rest of the series is not available on audio.