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Dire Blood

(Descent #5)

S.M. Reine (Goodreads Author)

4.26 · Rating details · 2,306 ratings · 96 reviews

Elise Kavanagh died while killing the mother of all demons, and her fight should be over. But nothing is ever that easy where the Godslayer is concerned. Elise has been resurrected--and she came back as a demon.

Now the most powerful witch in the world, James Faulkner, has been dragged to Hell and accused of violating an ancient treaty. The punishment is eternity in Hellfir ...more

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Kindle Edition, 428 pages

Published December 28th 2012 by Red Iris Books

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Aug 15, 2014 ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite-series, cool-kick-ass-chicks-ltd, urban-fantasy, absolute-favourites, rr-2019, blood-and-gore-and-violence-oh-my, 2017, darker-is-cooler, br-2017, gloriously-fished-up-characters

➽ And the moral of this rereread is: There's nothing quite like a wonderfully relaxing, all-inclusive holiday in hell with Elise Kavanagh and James Faulkner, if you ask me.

Those guys from the City of Dis, such party animals they are.

👋 To be continued and stuff.

[February 2017]

❣ Fear Not My Dear For I Will Be There to Hold Your Hand While We Read this One Buddy Read (FNMDFIWBTtHYHWWRtOBR™) with my Dearest of Wives (DoW™), aka Choko ❣

Previous rating: 4 stars. Me, young, naïve, didn't know any bette ...more

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Feb 25, 2017 Choko rated it really liked it

Shelves: demons, kick-ass-ladies, urban-fantasy

*** 4.44 ***

A buddy read with my lovely Sarah, because I am terrified to read this series on my lonesome!!!

This series has been one terrifying experience after another and I am not sure my psyche is built to withstand this amount of constant danger!!!! The only thing that has kept me going so far, apart from the loving caring support of my Sarah, is the fact that I know there are more books left in the series and the main character is not going to die for at least that long. And by die, I mean *** 4.44 ***

A buddy read with my lovely Sarah, because I am terrified to read this series on my lonesome!!!

This series has been one terrifying experience after another and I am not sure my psyche is built to withstand this amount of constant danger!!!! The only thing that has kept me going so far, apart from the loving caring support of my Sarah, is the fact that I know there are more books left in the series and the main character is not going to die for at least that long. And by die, I mean permanent obliteration, not moving from one form of existence to another... Elise! However, given this assurance for one incarnation of our leading characters or another to be with us at least to book 7, SMR does not guarantee that their continuous existence is not going to be riddled with torture, angst, drama, constant peril, pain, bloodshed, betrayals, divided loyalties, jealousy, traps, more pain, angst and abuse... My fragile heart just about burst out of my chest at times, and yes, I admit it, I shivered with fear and miscomprehension most of the story...

Elise is something new, being in a different shape, having different powers, and not being able to recognize herself in the mirror... I thought great, maybe with her new makeover comes a new outlook on life and she can stop pathetically panting over douchebag witch James. Obviously, it was too much to ask. With all her newness, her old love for that dolt is still there and stronger than ever.

James is grieving and feeling sorry for himself most of the first half, then spends most of the second half trying to set himself and his ex fiance and mother of his son, free from demonic/angelic captivity. His son comes to Elise and the two of them through themselves in the same endeavor as well, entering Hell in order to achieve it. The kid is 9 years old and is one cool customer. His talent as a witch rivals that of his father's and his youth makes him fearless, since he has no true idea of the evils that await all around. I loved his character and hope to get to see him more in the next two books left in the series.

The coolest part of this book was our introduction to the world of Hell and its inhabitants. The picture the author paints is very vivid and the characters fascinating. I loved the absolutely screwed up, but powerfully impressive roles of Elise's mom and dad, the human couple who work in managing Hell and keeping some type of order there. They have an even more important role, but I am not giving away any of that. They were both so screwed up, that it made Elise's character make much more sense now. I mean, we all knew it was not all roses when she was with them, but daaaaaang!!!! And the "acting judge", Oooo, he has no good will coming from me what so ever!!! Evil upon evil upon evil!!! I was worried that there is nothing but doom, then there was a glimpse of hope, and than ... boom! What the hell, SMR??? Why???

This series is darker than the usual Urban Fantasy I read, but it is still very interesting and completely addictive! I would recommend it to all fans of the genre who can deal with bad things happening in their stories. Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a good book!!! ...more

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Aug 07, 2013 S.M. Reine added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: stuff-i-ve-written, urban-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I know I probably shouldn't review my own books, but I spent all day rereading Dire Blood for reference with the current WIP (Oaths of Blood), and I just had to share some thoughts. Yeah, I know, weird - right? But I haven't reread this book since I published it back in December, and I was surprised by my reaction to it.

I don't remember writing this book. At all. It's like someone else made it. On the other hand, I am still REALLY emotionally invested in it, and James's grief through the whole f I know I probably shouldn't review my own books, but I spent all day rereading Dire Blood for reference with the current WIP (Oaths of Blood), and I just had to share some thoughts. Yeah, I know, weird - right? But I haven't reread this book since I published it back in December, and I was surprised by my reaction to it.

I don't remember writing this book. At all. It's like someone else made it. On the other hand, I am still REALLY emotionally invested in it, and James's grief through the whole first third makes my heart throw up in my chest. All the feels! Grieving for Elise with the guilt of what he did to her, and the fact that they never got to be together - I kept dropping my Kindle to roll around in bed going "noooooo!" which sounds exactly as embarrassing as it was.

The fact that I don't remember writing this book tells me that I must have been pretty depressed during production, which also explains why this book is so damn emotional. The angst and drama radiates off the page. But I don't think it ever dips into melodrama - the raw emotion doesn't really go over the top, in my humble and utterly unbiased opinion.

Also, the world building? With all the iron and bones and human bits? AWESOME. And having time split into days rather than hours (to reflect the passing time on Earth) was pretty awesome, too.

The way I introduced Elise's new body, after a bit of a time jump from the end of Damnation Marked, was fairly graceful. I had to get a lot of information about her across in a short time, and I think I executed it well, and in a super cool way. (The shadow assault on the Union? Dude, wicked.)

Which isn't to say this book is perfect. Far from it. I wish I'd done a better job with the kissing and sex scenes. I've gotten a lot more comfortable writing that stuff since December, and I'm a little embarrassed by how vague they are. It doesn't feel as genuine, emotionally speaking, as the rest of the book. I also feel like the book was too short, even though it's over 90,000 words, which should be a very comfortable length for a book. There were so many character subplots that it kept any of them from getting too "deep" - if I were to write this book now, it'd probably be twice as long to do all that stuff justice. Or I'd cut out some of the subplots. (Oh, but I couldn't possibly cut Isaac, he's too awesomely terrible...)

The world building stuff that I think is so cool is also one of my regrets for the book. This title is GROSS. Off-the-map yucky. I mean, Elise is wearing human skin leather during the sex scene. D: God, Elise, EW. That level of horror really reduces the book's general appeal, and I think I could have done an equally cool universe without so much rotting flesh and I don't know what if I had been more creative.

I also think I failed to foreshadow all of the Elise and James stuff well, especially in the books before Dire Blood, which made for some transitional awkwardness in this book. I mean, I DID foreshadow it, but I wish I'd done better from James's POV earlier on.

All that said, rereading this book has left me with this wonderful bittersweet feeling, all sad and funked up. Which I have never had happen to me after rereading one of my books. So...awesomeness. I'm really proud of this book. It's dark and moody and melancholy and gross, but in a very rich and colorful way. Definitely not for everyone, though. ...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Christyn (The Book Cafe) rated it it was amazing

I... what... how... WTF just happened!!

Yup, that's essentially the reaction I had after reading the final 1% left on my kindle...literally about 5 times just to attempt to process that ending.

I've really enjoyed this series so far, every book seems to just get so much better than the one before it. This book is more James focused which after the previous three being pretty much evenly split was an interesting change. Especially being that Elise isn't fully the Elise from the previous books.

It t ...more

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Feb 18, 2013 mich rated it really liked it

Shelves: addicting-series, will-read-next-one, uf-or-paranormal

I'm starting an I Hate Cliffhangers Club. Who's in?
A freakin abrupt crackhead cliffhanger. AGAIN! I seriously can't stand those. But I also can't not read these books as soon as I see that it's out. ugh, I need more self control.

Anyway, this is another good addition to the series. A lot of things are finally revealed in this book, so that at least was pretty satisfying. I also loved the introduction of Nathaniel - that is one cool kid. The writing is still pretty awesome - Reine is one of the fe ...more

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Dec 27, 2012 JB rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, sexual-tension, book-in-a-series, witches-wizards-magic, urban-fantasy, angels, demons, kickass-heroine, cliffhanger

"Finally," he sighed.

"Finally"....what? WTF JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!?!?

That ending....it can't be what I think. Can it?

F*ck, I hate cliffhangers! ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Nancy D Miz-Firefly aka Sparky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: where-s-my-skillet, kick-ass-heroines, paranormal, uf, clean-that-tbr-2019

This book put me through the wringer.
And when it was done; left my desiccated carcass out to ossify in the sun.

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Jul 24, 2013 Beau rated it really liked it

I'm not even sure I can write a review for this one. I'm speechless. The ending kind of made me want to throw my Kindle, until I realized it might break.

Okay, okay. Seriously.

In the 5th book of The Descent series Elise is back and ends up in Hell fighting to save her aspis, his ex fiance and their child. Picking up shortly after the ending of the previous installment Elise is found by Nathaniel, the son of James and Hannah, who needs her help retrieving them from Hell where they were dragged s ...more

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Oct 22, 2017 Samantha Kane rated it it was amazing

James what have you done!?! SM Reine what have YOU done! Make it better! Make it right! Oh god I’m off to read the next book praying to the book gods and goddesses that Elise is ok. *Sobs* Why would you break my heart so... Miss Reine why?????

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Mar 16, 2019 iva rated it liked it

I don't understand the ending and i don't like it
But except from that it was fine ...more

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Nov 29, 2015 Sandra rated it really liked it

4.something.

This was so much better. EXCITING. THRILLING. The best of the series so far.

What I loved:
-The plot is stroking THE GREAT. The pace has always been constantly good in the whole series but it got so much better this time! There were less flashbacks and all of them were INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL. For the first time I didn't fear to get lost among them.
- Great insight at James teenage years and SUPERB interventions by him.
- Amazing reborn. If I say anything else I will have to spoiler tag ...more

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Sep 21, 2013 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2013, ebooks, urban-fantasy

I don't think I can adequately express how terrified I was to read this book. Elise's life isn't easy in any way, shape, or form and her death and rebirth as a demon just felt HUGE. I was afraid! AFRAID! But I shouldn't have been. Because no matter whether she's a freakishly powerful human or a freakishly powerful demon, she kicks ass and takes names.

She also gets her heart ripped out a time or two. Not literally.

I honestly LIKE Elise. She's prickly. She doesn't have many social skills. She's pa ...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Nereid rated it it was amazing

Shelves: descent-series, s-m-reine

James felt like a piece of himself was missing and he was shell shocked that she could actually be gone. The beginning of this book recaptures the feelings that James had for Hannah and their past history together with the coven, filling in the gaps about their relationship and the evolution of his growing power as a witch. His new travel destination is unexpected to say the least and the consequences of his journey will be dire and far reaching for everyone. Old enemies will resurface with a hi ...more

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Apr 30, 2013 ♥¸.•*´Tanya`*•.¸♥ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, paranormal, romance, female, all-time-favorites

I purchased this as an ebook from Amazon.

Ok this is going to be a little weird. My review will actually be for Books 1-6 in The Descent Series,
Death's Hand
The Darkest Gate
Dark Union
Damnation Marked
Dire Blood
Defying Fate
The reason is I became so obsessed in reading the next book that I didn't bother to stop to write a review. Really who'd want to write a review when you could be with James and Elise traveling through inter-dimensional gates to hell, fighting angels and demons or coming back from ...more

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Dec 08, 2016 Kaisa "Giga" rated it it was amazing

Shelves: awesome, angels, uf, sm-reine

Elise is back. Better than ever. She died and mother of all demons made her a demon with al kind of cool powers. James does not know, he thinks Elise died, and is almost mad with grief. Only thing keeping him sane is the knowledge that he has a son. And he's on a mission to find him... And gets dragged to hell.

Elise is badass. Really badass. Like the most Badass of all badasses. James comes to his senses and realizes where his true feelings are. Oh James! He's maybe the most complex character I ...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Toni ~married to a hunk~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-series, kindle, 2013-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 03, 2015 Ara Prado rated it really liked it

Review to follow soon...

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Aug 26, 2018 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it really liked it

Elise died in the last book. But she’s not going to let that stop her - she’s back and she’s a demon. Much to James’s concern

But the most powerful witch in the world doesn’t have time to adapt to this. Nor can he focus on his newly found, magically powerful son (and budding Elise sidekick) or reconnecting with his ex-fiance. Because he’s been kidnapped and taken to hell to stand trial for breaking the Treaty of Dis

Elise is not going to stand for this.

I expect a lot from the Descent Series

I expec ...more

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Jan 06, 2021 Alexandria Woods rated it really liked it

*****Spoilers*****

Elise is back with a bang and with new looks. Pale skinned, black hair, black eyes and with curvier feminine attributes. She has new powers upon her resurrection or whatever it was as a demon, something along the lines of what Yatam was but since Elise isn't not fully aware of all of her abilities, we don't know for certain what she can and cannot do. The phasing to shadow is the most impressive ability in her new arsenal and the ability to transport others even through dimensi *****Spoilers*****

Elise is back with a bang and with new looks. Pale skinned, black hair, black eyes and with curvier feminine attributes. She has new powers upon her resurrection or whatever it was as a demon, something along the lines of what Yatam was but since Elise isn't not fully aware of all of her abilities, we don't know for certain what she can and cannot do. The phasing to shadow is the most impressive ability in her new arsenal and the ability to transport others even through dimensions of cool too. The coughing up bullets though kind of gross makes the list and so does her ability to perform the paper magic spells. The magic was revealed in the last book but it's still worth a mention I think.

Early on in this book, James and Hannah are transported to Hell and Elise and Nathaniel, James's son go there to rescue them. Long story short, mission accomplished. Even though Nathaniel is only ten, he has an impressive grasp on paper magic and comes in handy a couple of times. Unfortunately we lose Anthony in this book, he refuses to travel to Dis with Elise on the heroics for once and he's out of the picture.

We get some page time with Elise's parents Ariande and Isaac which gives a small peek into who they are and the lives they built in Hell together. Turns out Ariande was adulterous with the angel Mataroan. Does this mean Elise's parentage is in question? Not sure since there's no timing mentioned but it's an intriguing possiblity made kind of gross when Mataroan kisses Elise after he activates her in her powers. Still not sure what it means though. Isaac wasn't as impressive as I thought he would be and Ariande was portrayed slightly better than a tool. Really nothing to see here as it relates to the parents which was a let down. I expected more from them both.

James spends a lot of time in Dis as a prisoner but is still somehow and to perform feats of strength and endurance. Unrealistic in a word but makes for a good way to keep him alive and well enough for a reunion with Elise. The Treaty of Dis is blown up and He is free to seek Elise no matter where she is now.

More flashbacks and background, most of it from James's perspective this time around. His life before Elise which is a little out of place in the book. There's so much time spent on how James loves Hannah, it's a little disjointed to get back to present day James who decides he's done being a gentleman and lets the barriers he put up between him and Elise to fall. It's something, particularly his past, but I'm still dissatisfied because we've yet to learn his secret or whatever information he's been withholding this whole time. I'm thinking it may have been him either admitting his love for Elise or consummating their desires or admissions of or understanding their love because shortly after they wake from the intimacy and hearts bared, He comes and grabs Elise. Speaking of which, I'm still not sure if she was meant to be a child bride to Him or what before she escaped the garden. Nor do I know what she faced while there but maybe it'll be spelled out in the next book.

The thing I liked best was when James said "finally" in response to Elise being snatched by Him. Hopefully answers will be forthcoming. ...more

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Mar 30, 2020 Melanie Page rated it it was amazing

Elise is back from the dead, but she's not quite the same. Certain features -- her eyes, hair, and lack of battle wounds -- are all different. That, and she can jump between shadows like a nightmare. Turns out, letting Yatam drink blood from her thigh to make him mortal might have had some unintended consequences!

James, thinking Elise is dead, is dumped off in Colorado where his old coven still operates. While there, he and his ex-fiancee, Hannah, and nabbed and taken to Hell, where James is acc Elise is back from the dead, but she's not quite the same. Certain features -- her eyes, hair, and lack of battle wounds -- are all different. That, and she can jump between shadows like a nightmare. Turns out, letting Yatam drink blood from her thigh to make him mortal might have had some unintended consequences!

James, thinking Elise is dead, is dumped off in Colorado where his old coven still operates. While there, he and his ex-fiancee, Hannah, and nabbed and taken to Hell, where James is accused of violating the Treaty of Dis. But in what way? Judge Abraxas will determine that, and James's fate.

What I loved about this novel is that it took us back in time to when James was a boy. He is given to his Aunt Pamela to learn magic, and proves to be the most powerful witch in the group. There are three other trainees, all aged around 16: James's sister, Hannah, and Elise's future mother. The background really fleshed out James for me as I learned more about why he became a dancer (I had been wondering) and how he ended up with a son he'd never met. James's son, Nathaniel, is a character in this novel, and it's cool to see how Elise ends up working with this ten-year-old boy who is so like father in an effort to save James and Hannah in Hell.

There are surprises around every corner than actually make sense -- Reine never pushes things so hard that I'm feeling incredulous -- and each one kept me on my toes (especially that ending!!!!). The setting was excellent. I could really feel the oppressive heat of hell, the hot floor and hard to breathe air. Oh, and the latest fashions: leather made from human and demon flesh! Ewwww.

Best of all, I keep wondering how Reine is going to create a bigger, badder situation in each following book. I don't want that Power Rangers experience where everything starts small and then gets big fast, the end -- and then the next episode follows the same trajectory. No, with Reine, things get bigger and scarier and more costly to the characters. I'm just totally loving it!

Right now, I have so many questions that I know will be answered in the coming books. Until then: *chews nails* ...more

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Sep 14, 2017 svnshowers rated it really liked it

Do you ever feel like screaming incoherently? Yeah, me too. I love these books, I love Elise, and these books have driven me to the extent that I'd happily take out every single idiotic, lying man in her life because honestly she deserves SO MUCH BETTER than all of them? I'm... speechless, I just finished this book and I'm so mad that I can't even think straight. I don't want to get into specifics, because spoilers, but my biggest takeaway from this volume is pure, unadulterated, murderous rage. ...more

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Jan 01, 2020 Elena Linville rated it it was amazing

Shelves: absolutely-loved, urban-fantasy

I loved this book the most in the series so far. I think it's because so many things came to head, but I will remain vague not to give out any spoilers. Unanswered questions finally got answered, some things were resolved and some others started. Anthony is finally out of the picture (and not a moment too soon, in my opinion). James and Elise finally resolved their problems (sort of).

Oh, and we meet Elise's parents, for all the good it did us. No wonder she turned out the messed up psychopath s ...more

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Sep 23, 2017 Victoria rated it really liked it

Woah that was such a good cliffhanger ending. Have I mentioned how much I'm loving this series? It's so good and each book keeps getting better. ...more

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Aug 22, 2018 Julia Stephanie rated it really liked it

Wtf did I just read?! That ending!!!

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Jan 18, 2019 Laura Figueroa rated it really liked it

Attention grabbing

The book is attention grabbing that keeps you hooked until you finish. Eager to read the next book to see how the story continues

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Jan 22, 2019 Bethany rated it really liked it

Great read for a book in a great series with everything in them. Over the moon when James and Elise got together as I've wanted it to happen since the first book. ...more

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Dec 08, 2019 Ash Grey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, 3rd-pov, cool_kick_sass_fantasy, realistic-fantasy-actual-struggle, love-the-woman-s-job, fabulously_deadly_persona_ladies

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Was there even a doubt?

PS: The 6 stars are not a typo.

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Mar 01, 2017 Llaph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pnr-uf, werewolf-shape-shifter, kick-ass-heroine, demon-angel, woo-woo, horror, kindle

I love this series for so many reasons. I really like her take on demons and hell, its facinating. Her descriptions of demons were freaky enough, but to have her descriptions of hell itself were awesome. We finally get to know more about Elise's parents and about the time period when they had gotten together, her mom and dad are something else ... just something else, and Jame's past. I want to speed read through the rest and gobble up the next series
I've read some of her other series and had a ...more

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Mar 14, 2014 Maria added it

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! JAMES WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?!?!?

Okay, this ending has got me tearing my hair out. I was happy they finally get together and this happens, and I'm not even sure what "this" is. After fighting all manner or demons, seeing the evil that is her parents, getting used to being a demon and learning James has a son Elise finds herself where she has been fighting never to be again.

Oh, this book was a roller coaster ride. I finished it in less than 24 hours because I couldn't wait to ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Rebecca rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

A lot of this book is the background we have been waiting for...no wait...its the background on Hannah and James we've been waiting for..what? So getting some of the background on James was interesting but it did not answer any questions about Elise. So much of this story is about 10-15 years ago that it really slowed the pace down for me. None of it even answers anything about Nathaniel. Loved him by the way! Really kinda glad that Anthony is gone, don't even care where he went.
S.M. ...more

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About S.M. Reine

S.M. Reine

1,932 followers

Hi 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 ...more