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Paradise Damned
(Descent #7)
by
The final book in The Descent Series.
Elise Kavanagh is being held captive without weapons or allies. The only way out of the garden is to kill God Himself.
James Faulkner's son has been taken by Metaraon, but James is caught in Limbo and helpless to save him.
An army of half-angel, half-demon hybrids is converging on the gates of Heaven, where the Union prepares for a final ...more
Elise Kavanagh is being held captive without weapons or allies. The only way out of the garden is to kill God Himself.
James Faulkner's son has been taken by Metaraon, but James is caught in Limbo and helpless to save him.
An army of half-angel, half-demon hybrids is converging on the gates of Heaven, where the Union prepares for a final ...more
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Kindle Edition, 401 pages
Published
May 20th 2013
by Red Iris Books
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Showing 1-30

Start your review of Paradise Damned (Descent, #7)

Aug 15, 2014
✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)
rated it
it was amazing
➽ And the moral of this rereread is: best New Year's Eve ever? With Elise Bloody Shrimping Kavannagh. In Hell Paradise. Or is it Paradise Hell? I forget. Not that it matters, really. Because Elise Times always = Super Extra Fun Times (SEFT™).

See what I mean?
👋 To be continued with Ascension and stuff.

[March 2017]
❣ Honeymoonish Buddy Read (HBR™) with my Dearest of Wives (DoW™), aka Choko ❣
➽ And the moral of this reread is :
Want to have your littleblack, withered heart beautifully manhandled,
...more

See what I mean?
👋 To be continued with Ascension and stuff.

[March 2017]
❣ Honeymoonish Buddy Read (HBR™) with my Dearest of Wives (DoW™), aka Choko ❣
➽ And the moral of this reread is :
Want to have your little

*** 4.65 ***
A buddy read with my Sarah at the MacHalo Freaks!!! We are mad at the Angels!!!
What a mind-blowing conclusion to this series!!! I really do not want to say anything about the content, because it feels like everything would be a spoiler and I can't do that to anyone!!! This is a book you have to read so you can experience every shock, every punch in the gut, every rip of the soul and every breathless second trying to live from one moment to the other... WOW!!! S.M. Reine sure find a ...more
A buddy read with my Sarah at the MacHalo Freaks!!! We are mad at the Angels!!!
What a mind-blowing conclusion to this series!!! I really do not want to say anything about the content, because it feels like everything would be a spoiler and I can't do that to anyone!!! This is a book you have to read so you can experience every shock, every punch in the gut, every rip of the soul and every breathless second trying to live from one moment to the other... WOW!!! S.M. Reine sure find a ...more

3.5/4 stars. Cool!

What I didn't expect: this is, indeed, the end of the series, but not the end of Elise and James. Their story continues in a different series, Ascension. I don't know if I like that... I mean, I like them and I wanna continue with Elise's story, but this thing between them keeps dragging, and it will definitely become annoying at one point.

Also: this whole series was less than 2$ on Amazon. I AM SHOCKED! I'm not shocked because it's cheap, I'm shocked because it's good. I never ...more

What I didn't expect: this is, indeed, the end of the series, but not the end of Elise and James. Their story continues in a different series, Ascension. I don't know if I like that... I mean, I like them and I wanna continue with Elise's story, but this thing between them keeps dragging, and it will definitely become annoying at one point.

Also: this whole series was less than 2$ on Amazon. I AM SHOCKED! I'm not shocked because it's cheap, I'm shocked because it's good. I never ...more

So I started reading this series because of the first three being free on amazon, I assumed that being free that maybe they wouldn’t be that amazing, but that’s silly considering I’ve read crap that cost me £8, and how wrong I was. I am so happy to have found this series but also a little resentful because I've just spent 5 days (days that should have been spent working on my PhD) reading all 7 books and now I’m at a loss. To a friend, I compared the feeling of finishing these books to losing an
...more

What an excellent closing book for a series. The main conflict has been resolved. Most bad guys got what they deserved, and some good(ish) guys got what they deserved as well. I mean seriously, James, how did you expect Elise to react once she found out?
I think that this book handled the resolution of all the threads we followed in the previous 6 books pretty neatly. Elise finally fulfilled her purpose, and wrought unintentional havoc to the different worlds in the process as well. I liked that ...more
I think that this book handled the resolution of all the threads we followed in the previous 6 books pretty neatly. Elise finally fulfilled her purpose, and wrought unintentional havoc to the different worlds in the process as well. I liked that ...more

Feb 12, 2013
JB
marked it as to-read
Please please PLEASE let there be a HEA for James & Elise in the end!

I have so many extremely strong emotions about this series, and about this final book, that it's hard to pick a place to start.
First is that I can't remember being so legitimately stressed by a series in a VERY long time. Issues of consent and free will and identity are really big buttons for me. The idea of someone wiping away who you are, replacing it with someone else... terrifying. So much about this book is so legitimately horrifying, and not in this-is-halloween kind of way, but more in th ...more
First is that I can't remember being so legitimately stressed by a series in a VERY long time. Issues of consent and free will and identity are really big buttons for me. The idea of someone wiping away who you are, replacing it with someone else... terrifying. So much about this book is so legitimately horrifying, and not in this-is-halloween kind of way, but more in th ...more

sorry but it's 2.5 stars for me. Rounding up cuz I like the series overall.
This final book was definitely my least favorite of the bunch. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I was actually pretty bored throughout more than half of it (something I would never have thought possible with this series). There seemed to be a lot of pointless, I don't know...TIME, I guess, just passing. Time spent trying to escape places. It dragged and felt tedious to me.
And damn, it was so fucking depressing! I ...more
This final book was definitely my least favorite of the bunch. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I was actually pretty bored throughout more than half of it (something I would never have thought possible with this series). There seemed to be a lot of pointless, I don't know...TIME, I guess, just passing. Time spent trying to escape places. It dragged and felt tedious to me.
And damn, it was so fucking depressing! I ...more

One thing I can say with complete conviction -- the ending of this series DOES NOT disappoint. There's epic badassery, battles that level cities (and dimensions), and betrayal so intense that the Heavens themselves can't contain them.
Elise's incarceration in the garden is creeptastic in the extreme. What's done to her to get her to comply is horrific. The way her mind twists in on itself is ... well, it's mind bending. She doesn't know if what she's seeing is truth or another deranged delusion b ...more
Elise's incarceration in the garden is creeptastic in the extreme. What's done to her to get her to comply is horrific. The way her mind twists in on itself is ... well, it's mind bending. She doesn't know if what she's seeing is truth or another deranged delusion b ...more

So i stumbled across the descent series on amazon as books 1-3 were free!! I've become so immersed in elise and James world that I've read all 7 within a week!! Love the twists and turns in each story but did find myself waiting for some sign that both would get it on!
So we get to book 7 and wow! As with the other books you are given detailed descriptions of each dimension and the ongoing battle of each character. Didn't doubt for a second that elise would fight til the end.
I have to say i ha ...more
So we get to book 7 and wow! As with the other books you are given detailed descriptions of each dimension and the ongoing battle of each character. Didn't doubt for a second that elise would fight til the end.
I have to say i ha ...more

I'm sad to see it end- oh wait, it doesn't! There's another series! YAY!!!!
The ending made sense in true Elise fashion even when a part of me was sad. It was a great ride knowing all the characters and I can't wait to see them again in the Ascension Series, which I'll be reading after the Seasons of the Moon, Reine's other series.
The way she created the the main worlds and explained how they all worked was brilliant, and I've gotta say I liked her story on Adam and Eve a LOT. She wraps up loose ...more
The ending made sense in true Elise fashion even when a part of me was sad. It was a great ride knowing all the characters and I can't wait to see them again in the Ascension Series, which I'll be reading after the Seasons of the Moon, Reine's other series.
The way she created the the main worlds and explained how they all worked was brilliant, and I've gotta say I liked her story on Adam and Eve a LOT. She wraps up loose ...more

And all comes to the end. And WHAT AN ENDING IT IS.
This series is so underrated that I just can't believe it.
Elise and James. You two break my heart. With your adventures, you shortcomings, your destinies, how you simply are too blind sometimes. How badass you are. How deliciously, amazingly flawed but still badass.
And Nathaniel. Poor Nathaniel.
Luckily this is NOT the end, really. Ascension series awaits!
...more
This series is so underrated that I just can't believe it.
Elise and James. You two break my heart. With your adventures, you shortcomings, your destinies, how you simply are too blind sometimes. How badass you are. How deliciously, amazingly flawed but still badass.
And Nathaniel. Poor Nathaniel.
Luckily this is NOT the end, really. Ascension series awaits!
...more

Wow, great end to a fantastic series, good versus evil, heaven versus hell, angels versus demons. I was sad to know this was the last book but am thrilled that James & Elise will be back in another series. Great job SM Raine. Only problem was that I could only give it 5 stars, would have given more if it were allowed!

Elise is trapped within the Garden of Eden - and it is time for the godslayer to finally comfront God himself. Or at least try to survive his presence...
James has run to the rescue - but he is trapped and lost in endless limbo. While on Earth forces gather, the Union, hunters and even demon/angel hybrids as a cataclysmic event is predicted
This book is an odd book. There is plot but for the most part it doesn’t progress and go anywhere. We follow Elise almost exclusively now she is trapped in The ...more
James has run to the rescue - but he is trapped and lost in endless limbo. While on Earth forces gather, the Union, hunters and even demon/angel hybrids as a cataclysmic event is predicted
This book is an odd book. There is plot but for the most part it doesn’t progress and go anywhere. We follow Elise almost exclusively now she is trapped in The ...more

*****Spoilers*****
This book was really good once it picks up toward the end, but that unfortunately doesn't make up for the monotony of the book when we get to Elise in the garden. Chapters of her confusion and events with Adam, then add Ariane and Betty was a point where I felt I needed a speed reader. That is until James comes and pulls her from the tree but before that, the garden scenes bogged this book on down for me. We also get the story of Adam and Eve which was interesting, along with M ...more
This book was really good once it picks up toward the end, but that unfortunately doesn't make up for the monotony of the book when we get to Elise in the garden. Chapters of her confusion and events with Adam, then add Ariane and Betty was a point where I felt I needed a speed reader. That is until James comes and pulls her from the tree but before that, the garden scenes bogged this book on down for me. We also get the story of Adam and Eve which was interesting, along with M ...more

I would be torn asunder if I didn't know there are three short stories that come after Paradise Damned. But I feel like the ending was absolutely earned. I know there are readers who will not like it because we want things to be easy in fiction, but Reine doesn't strike me as that kind of writer or person. I thought the ending profound in the way it fits perfectly with the characters but doesn't wrap things up. You can continue to imagine what happens next in the world. Then again, you only have
...more

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

Absolutely Fan-fucking-tastic !!
I am indebted to Sarah for introducing me to Descent.
I know I am gushing but I promise Elise Kavanagh is the most Awesome, Badass, Dangerous, Lethal, and *insert at least a million cool dark compliments* Ever. Okay maybe Kate (view spoiler) rivals. But seriously, these women create their own league for each of them.
Real Spoiler alert -
(view spoiler) ...more
I am indebted to Sarah for introducing me to Descent.
I know I am gushing but I promise Elise Kavanagh is the most Awesome, Badass, Dangerous, Lethal, and *insert at least a million cool dark compliments* Ever. Okay maybe Kate (view spoiler) rivals. But seriously, these women create their own league for each of them.
Real Spoiler alert -
(view spoiler) ...more

Elise and James did not get the ending I had hoped for. In fact, doom and gloom continues to wreak havoc on this couple. The story was very sad to me. Nathaniel and Anthony - I hope they show up in more books. I want to know what happens with her mother and whether the “order” is done or just getting started. SMH 🤦🏾♀️

While a lot was covered and a lot of background was filled in, I was disappointed with the cruelty of these angelic beings and the constant waste of time on this person that everyone hated to love. I doubt I'll read the follow-up series.
...more

Nice conclusion to the series and a satisfying end to the Godslayer plot. I just found out the characters continue in another series and I'm !!!! Seven more books to consume heck yeah.
...more

Omg!
This story is spellbinding & captivating until the very end. I can't wait to read more about Elise and James ...more
This story is spellbinding & captivating until the very end. I can't wait to read more about Elise and James ...more

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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
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
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Descent
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“In the beginning, there was the earth, formless and empty. Darkness hung over the surface of the deep. And then there was light. It spilled over the waters, vast and powerful, and its creation severed the unity that had come before. This light was a separate entity from the darkness. Something novel and cruelly different. The spirits called it “day.” Its opposite was called “night.” Between them was evening and morning—the First Day. This division marked the end of peace in the universe. Everything has been pretty much fucked up since then.”
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