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siobhan27's review
5.0
Whenever I pick up a Lesley Livingston book, whether it be about fairies, time travel, or norse mythology, I know it will be an amazing read, and I am so glad to tell you that Descendent was even more than I ever expected.
In Descendant we continue to follow Fenn and Mason has she travels to Asgard, alone and frightened about what just happened to her. Fenn is desperately trying to get her back but doesn't know how. He has to trust his friends in getting him into Asgard safely and getting Mason out without turning herself into the Valkyrie her father wants her to become.
I have to tell you right now that I loved this book, I think I read it in one day, on my two subway rides to and from work. I couldn't seem to put it down and after finishing it I declared that this book was better than the first. This is something I do not say often because most often it is not the case. In a trilogy it is usually the second book that usually sufferes in comparison, but not Descendant.
This sequel had way more mythological creatures which were both terrifying and amazing at the same time, and I found the cast of characters more interesting this time around. Especially a certain Norse god we meet near the beginning. He was one of my favourites of the whole book, even though his spotlight was only for a short time, I hope he is the next book? Lesley?
What I think I loved most about this book was the amount of perspectives we got in the narrative. We did not only get Fenn and Mason, but also her brothers and some friends as well. This made for interesting perspectives on a story that was somewhat one sided in the last book. And just to warn all you readers out there that hate cliffhanger endings? This one is a big one, and it was something i thought would never happen. And I commend Lesley on her ability to take the plot to a place that not all readers might be ready for, but ultimately needed to happen. I seriously cannot wait to see where this series ends.
In Descendant we continue to follow Fenn and Mason has she travels to Asgard, alone and frightened about what just happened to her. Fenn is desperately trying to get her back but doesn't know how. He has to trust his friends in getting him into Asgard safely and getting Mason out without turning herself into the Valkyrie her father wants her to become.
I have to tell you right now that I loved this book, I think I read it in one day, on my two subway rides to and from work. I couldn't seem to put it down and after finishing it I declared that this book was better than the first. This is something I do not say often because most often it is not the case. In a trilogy it is usually the second book that usually sufferes in comparison, but not Descendant.
This sequel had way more mythological creatures which were both terrifying and amazing at the same time, and I found the cast of characters more interesting this time around. Especially a certain Norse god we meet near the beginning. He was one of my favourites of the whole book, even though his spotlight was only for a short time, I hope he is the next book? Lesley?
What I think I loved most about this book was the amount of perspectives we got in the narrative. We did not only get Fenn and Mason, but also her brothers and some friends as well. This made for interesting perspectives on a story that was somewhat one sided in the last book. And just to warn all you readers out there that hate cliffhanger endings? This one is a big one, and it was something i thought would never happen. And I commend Lesley on her ability to take the plot to a place that not all readers might be ready for, but ultimately needed to happen. I seriously cannot wait to see where this series ends.
gwenythlove's review
3.0
Typical middle trilogy book. Not bad, but not great either. Would love to see how the trilogy ends but unfortunately it seems the last books isn't available as an audiobook at the library....not sure if or when I will get a chance to read it.
sungmemoonstruck's review
3.0
A fast-paced, exciting blend of Norse mythology and contemporary romance.
bwilcox's review
3.0
I don't understand... I'm so confused. Shouldn't the second book help to explain the plot, not confuse it. The series so far has had way to many plot twists, and if one more person comes back to life, even though they weren't dead yet they have been dead for awhile I will scream. Yes, the book is that confusing. On the plus side I like the main couple in the story, they seem nice.
joxertd's review
3.0
Definitely better than the last one. I liked the pace it moved at.
I did not like how corny most of it was though. I ignored it and kept on. I think I will read the rest of this series when it comes out.
I did not like how corny most of it was though. I ignored it and kept on. I think I will read the rest of this series when it comes out.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book! Such a great sequel, and picks up quickly! And things happened fast, and I loved the developments, and I can't wait to read the last book!
losetimereading's review
4.0
Well, that was a totally different ending than I was expecting!!! How will I survive until book three?
*****
I have zero idea why I held off so long to read Descendant. I really enjoyed Starling, and last year at Fan Expo I was dying to pick this one up to start right away. Yah, that didn’t happen and then randomly in July I seen it on my shelf and knew I had to read it immediately.
Descendant leads off nearly at the moment that Starling ended. I was worried that there might be a gap in story, but alas it didn’t!
Mason is definitely much stronger in Descendant. She seems to have an extra push in her that she didn’t in Starling, and her claustrophobia doesn’t seem to have as big of an impact on her. Fenn is still awesome as he was in Starling. It’s really hard to think back about the impact that the characters had on me, because really the punch that Descendant packs is in its story, plot and the never-ending action…
One of the things that I absolutely adore about this series is the non stop action. There isn’t a single moment in both Starling and Descendant where there is a lull in action or plot. The pacing is fantastic, I couldn’t put this book down and it’s definitely a one sitting type of read.
Once again the mythology drew me into the story. Over the past year I have really taken a bit interest in mythology so that aspect thrilled me even more in Descendant than it did in the first installment. I was much more familiar with a lot of the characters so I think that played a part in drawing me in. There is a lot of mythological beings that are shown in this book and I enjoyed encountering everyone.
Descendant was a perfect second book in this series. I didn’t find that there was the seemingly regular second-book-syndrome and I’m itching to read the third and final book in the trilogy. There was another huge cliffhanger at the end, so I have no idea where Transcendent will take us or what will happen!
*****
I have zero idea why I held off so long to read Descendant. I really enjoyed Starling, and last year at Fan Expo I was dying to pick this one up to start right away. Yah, that didn’t happen and then randomly in July I seen it on my shelf and knew I had to read it immediately.
Descendant leads off nearly at the moment that Starling ended. I was worried that there might be a gap in story, but alas it didn’t!
Mason is definitely much stronger in Descendant. She seems to have an extra push in her that she didn’t in Starling, and her claustrophobia doesn’t seem to have as big of an impact on her. Fenn is still awesome as he was in Starling. It’s really hard to think back about the impact that the characters had on me, because really the punch that Descendant packs is in its story, plot and the never-ending action…
One of the things that I absolutely adore about this series is the non stop action. There isn’t a single moment in both Starling and Descendant where there is a lull in action or plot. The pacing is fantastic, I couldn’t put this book down and it’s definitely a one sitting type of read.
Once again the mythology drew me into the story. Over the past year I have really taken a bit interest in mythology so that aspect thrilled me even more in Descendant than it did in the first installment. I was much more familiar with a lot of the characters so I think that played a part in drawing me in. There is a lot of mythological beings that are shown in this book and I enjoyed encountering everyone.
Descendant was a perfect second book in this series. I didn’t find that there was the seemingly regular second-book-syndrome and I’m itching to read the third and final book in the trilogy. There was another huge cliffhanger at the end, so I have no idea where Transcendent will take us or what will happen!
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
4.0
I am...pretty sure I liked this better than the first one? Yes. Wait. Maybe.
The first half was a little annoying, I'm not sure why. But then it got better, and more characters appeared, and everything all the sudden became way more complicated and I found a few of my guesses to be wrong. What makes this book standout from other myth retelling books, is that Livingston incorporates allll the mythologies: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse. (well the most well known ones at least.) While that makes it pretty great, it's also confusing at some parts. Good concept though.
I still don't like this spin-off series as much as the original, and I don't really think Fenn was awesome enough to get his own story, but this sequel was better because he actually had his memories back, and there are a lot of great supporting characters.
BUT REALLY. ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER?
That's my real review ^ because that's about all I can process at the moment.
The first half was a little annoying, I'm not sure why. But then it got better, and more characters appeared, and everything all the sudden became way more complicated and I found a few of my guesses to be wrong. What makes this book standout from other myth retelling books, is that Livingston incorporates allll the mythologies: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse. (well the most well known ones at least.) While that makes it pretty great, it's also confusing at some parts. Good concept though.
I still don't like this spin-off series as much as the original, and I don't really think Fenn was awesome enough to get his own story, but this sequel was better because he actually had his memories back, and there are a lot of great supporting characters.
BUT REALLY. ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER?
That's my real review ^ because that's about all I can process at the moment.
ruthsic's review against another edition
4.0
The last thing Mason Starling remembers is the train crossing a bridge. An explosion . . . a blinding light . . . then darkness. Now she is alone, stranded in Asgard—the realm of Norse legend—and the only way for her to get home is to find the Spear of Odin, a powerful relic left behind by vanished gods.
The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.
I'll keep this short - awesome sequel! It brings in mythological elements that we love and all that quests and destiny thing. I did find it amusing that almost everyone had an agenda and Mason was the one unaware of it. The book had pretty good writing, and the plotlines of each character opened up the world. I was engrossed while reading this book, with it's action and mystery and magick. Some things are still not clear but I loved it!
The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.
I'll keep this short - awesome sequel! It brings in mythological elements that we love and all that quests and destiny thing. I did find it amusing that almost everyone had an agenda and Mason was the one unaware of it. The book had pretty good writing, and the plotlines of each character opened up the world. I was engrossed while reading this book, with it's action and mystery and magick. Some things are still not clear but I loved it!