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

The Descent Series, Books 1-3

By: SM Reine

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

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

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.

Great story line

You want strong Female character? You get it here. I think more and more info comes to us with each book, I also hope I learn to like the main male character. Right now I am on the fence.

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.

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.

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.

great story

I love this story. I have always like audible. unfortunately I can't stand the way this book is read. I do not believe it is any fault of the reader. I don't think she can help it. but like I said the story is great. I have read all the books I'm the descent and assent series. please forgive my misspelled words.

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.

loved the books

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

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.

I'M ABOUT HALF WAY DONE

let me tell you this is a bit hard to follow... I WAS SO EXCITED TO FIND A ANGEL/DEMON BOOK BUT THIS ONE IS SO HARD TO FOLLOW & IT DON'T MAKE SINCE HALF THE TIME!! I'M TAKING A BREAK FOR A BIT & I'LL TRY IT AGAIN LATER! I'LL UPDATE MY REVIEW THEN!