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Line of Descent

James Derry (Goodreads Author)

3.95 · Rating details · 22 ratings · 14 reviews

Some women dread the idea of turning into their mothers. For Elise Gardener, that dread has twisted into an all-too-real nightmare.

Elise has always been the spooky misfit of her wealthy family—and a disappointment to her overbearing mother. Elise’s problem is that she’s supernaturally sensitive. She’s an empath who can’t help seeing and feeling the intimate emotions— ...more

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Kindle Edition, 248 pages

Published February 13th 2015

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Reincarnation - fiction

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Female Leads in UF/PF Who Are Charismatic Or Empaths

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Mar 04, 2015 Aimal (Bookshelves & Paperbacks) rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2015, paranormal, young-adult, 2-and-a-half, annoying-mc, arcs

This book review, like all my other reviews, can be found on my Wordpress blog: Bookshelves & Paperbacks.

I was contacted by the author and he was kind enough to provide me with a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be one of the first people to read and review this book, and I’m glad I got the chance to read such a different piece of YA literature.

I’m not much into paranormal books, and I never have been. Recently, ...more

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Apr 10, 2015 Justine rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal

Line of Descent touches on many things that we face in life, just in a supernatural way. It combines a thriller aspect with a supernatural fantasy aspect. Elise is a psychic, gifted with the ability to see auras. She has what seems to be an inexplicable liking for her camp counselor, Mallory. After the death of Elise's mother, Mallory is sent to an exclusive peninsula, and thrown into a world of unimaginable luxury. Mallory and Elise solidify their friendship throughout the book, as the Line of Descent touches on many things that we face in life, just in a supernatural way. It combines a thriller aspect with a supernatural fantasy aspect. Elise is a psychic, gifted with the ability to see auras. She has what seems to be an inexplicable liking for her camp counselor, Mallory. After the death of Elise's mother, Mallory is sent to an exclusive peninsula, and thrown into a world of unimaginable luxury. Mallory and Elise solidify their friendship throughout the book, as the terrifying truth about the supernatural entity that is passed down through Elise's family is revealed. While Elise struggles to fight off what she feels is an evil presence trying to invade her mind and body, Mallory is held hostage. In an escape attempt that will have you on the edge of your seat, the two are in a wholly unnatural fight for their lives.

Showing how tragedy can solidify friendships and alienate family members, this book is sure to remind you of real life. It embodies in a surprising way the idea that every girl's worst fear is to turn into her mother. This book adds the supernatural element, but truly, when we're young we all dread becoming our mothers.

The ending will most definitely catch you off guard. It was a surprising turn of events that I did not predict. The whole book, especially the ending, will have you imagining life from an entirely different view of reality - one where forces beyond our control survive without us realizing that anything is amiss.

Overall, the book was an entertaining read. The writing was good, and the story is definitely unique. The characters are original and memorable. The only thing that put me off about this book was the beginning - while it was important to set the scene and the characters, there was a lot of mystery being built up without a lot of action going along with it. By no means does this mean you should set the book aside - I had something very similar to say about other books that turned out to be quite good later on, and that was the case with this book.

If you enjoy the supernatural (no werewolves or vampires in this one folks, there are other types) then this is definitely a book to read. The last half of the book is amazing and almost reads like a thriller. I believe Line of Descent was a well-written novel that is most definitely worth your time. ...more

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Mar 04, 2015 Karen rated it really liked it

With Line of Descent, James Derry has created an entertaining and cleverly elaborated story. Elise is a very interesting character with a gift who wants to live life without being domineered by third parties. She and Mallory are rather likeable, there is depth in their thoughts. I was drawn into the story right away - as a silent and invisible bystander. The author tells the story in a quite intense way - giving the reader the opportunity to be very close; he handles his characters with empathy. ...more

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May 29, 2015 Barb Taub rated it really liked it

James Derry’s debut novel puts the dark back in fantasy. While they might live on a beautiful Georgia coastal island, the force that leads the Gardener family is ancient, alien, and above all dark. Like most good—and evil—fairy tales, this one focuses on the number three. Three women are locked in a struggle that only two can survive. First is Regina Gardener, whose suicide as the novel opens doesn’t keep her massive will from reaching out to control future events. Second is her daughter, Elise, James Derry’s debut novel puts the dark back in fantasy. While they might live on a beautiful Georgia coastal island, the force that leads the Gardener family is ancient, alien, and above all dark. Like most good—and evil—fairy tales, this one focuses on the number three. Three women are locked in a struggle that only two can survive. First is Regina Gardener, whose suicide as the novel opens doesn’t keep her massive will from reaching out to control future events. Second is her daughter, Elise, whose ability to sense emotions and auras of those around her has led her to withdraw into a semi-autistic existence. Finally there is Mallory, nominally Elise’s boss at the camp where they work, but somehow elevated to the status of best friend to the woman she’s only known for two months, and—she soon realizes—actually doesn’t know at all.

As Mallory arrives for Regina’s funeral, she marvels at a world of luxury undreamed of in her working class existence. At first she lets herself be seduced—both by the indulgence of the surroundings and literally by the shallow, handsome young man who carelessly pursues her. But Mallory can’t ignore that something seems wrong with the Island and with her friend Elise in particular. Eventually Elise and Mallory face the reality that they are surrounded by monsters. Elise’s palatial home is their prison, and those who should be her protectors are actually committed and eager for her destruction.

For the most part, Derry’s tale is well-paced, its slow build exploding into a desperate chase that’s nicely timed and developed. In a few places, the pace was slightly uneven, probably not so much because of the writing but because the plot jumped around in time, and also failed to connect some things in the present day. For example, Mallory has a sexual encounter, but there never seems to be an actual plot point that develops from that, and it’s simply dropped when it reaches its (mutually unsatisfactory) conclusion.

I’ve always put a lot of weight on the characters in a book. Are they three-dimensional, fully-fleshed out people with both strengths and flaws? Do they grow, develop, weaken, or become changed by the events of the story? In this case, Regina’s character as the evil entity is of course incapable of change, but we do get a fairly complete picture of her overwhelming self-absorbed assurance. Even as she’s about to commit suicide—knowing that it will actually lead to her daughter’s death instead—she demands that her husband repeat, “If you were gone, we would be nothing.”

But I never got the same sense of Elise, and there certainly was no feeling that the horrific betrayal by parents and caregivers created any fundamental change. Nor do we really understand what it is that draws her to Mallory. There’s no sign that it’s a sexual attraction, but there is very little else that might constitute common ground. (Of course, when you compare “Mallory didn’t actually hurt me” to the way almost everyone else in her life treats Elise, maybe that’s enough reason right there.)

Mallory, too, was something of a closed book. We see that she fails utterly at the sexual encounter, but we never really find out why. We don’t know about her life, what her hopes are, or even what fears are holding her back. And despite her imprisonment and injuries, we don’t really get a sense that events or her own character will grow or change. I even would have liked to find out about the old Regina, the woman whose body the millenia-old entity took over before she married Elise’s father. All we have is his casual remark that he never had much interest in Regina before her transformation, so clearly it’s the monster he loves. And that, right there, was what moved this book from fantasy to horror. The fact that Elise was created and raised to provide a shell for the next incarnation—and that her death would be planned and actively accomplished by her own parents—was just about the scariest thing I can imagine.

There are many things about Line of Descent that I admired, but most of all it was the style. Author James Derry builds a world and an atmosphere that combines beauty with a horrifying sense of alien evil, and he maintains that through flashbacks to its prior hosts, from ancient princess to pre-revolutionary French aristocrat to Regina Gardener.

I’m not a huge fan of horror or dark fantasy, and this one had a few things that will probably be showing up in nightmares to come. However in future books, if James Derry could show readers not just the events, but the ways those events affect and change the characters (and, no—dying doesn’t count!), then his approach to horror could reach sleep-with-the-lights-on levels.

When I’m rating a book, I always start by giving it five stars and taking away for various issues. At one point, I was down to three stars for character development and a few plot-related issues. But the combination of pace and especially of style added to the total, and I’d give Line of Descent three and a half stars. Certainly, I’d look forward to more stories from James Derry. I’ll just make sure to read them in the middle of the day. Maybe leave the lights on just to be on the safe side.

**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
...more

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Mar 22, 2015 Ana rated it really liked it

Shelves: r4r, horror, fantasy, thriller, paranormal

https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/0...

Line of Descent has some very unique elements, like the way Elise views auras. She does not only see colours - they are flower shaped and accompanied by smells and it is all exquisitely complex. Add that to a secluded environment (an estate on a peninsula owned by her filthy rich family), an eight thousand year old plot (view spoiler), a perfectly normal human with plenty of baggage of her own ...more

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Jun 28, 2015 S.F. Benson rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC from Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.

James Derry's "Line of Descent" is a dark, creepy horror story. I enjoyed the well-written suspenseful tale of Elise Gardener, a girl destined to become just like her mother, grandparents, etc.

I loved the characters Derry crafted. Elise moved me to sorrow. The poor girl lost her mother and was forced to carry out a strange, twisted family tradition. Mallory was someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. She I received an ARC from Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.

James Derry's "Line of Descent" is a dark, creepy horror story. I enjoyed the well-written suspenseful tale of Elise Gardener, a girl destined to become just like her mother, grandparents, etc.

I loved the characters Derry crafted. Elise moved me to sorrow. The poor girl lost her mother and was forced to carry out a strange, twisted family tradition. Mallory was someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was a courageous girl wanting to be a good friend. Unfortunately, I think she may have enjoyed being in the Gardener's world. She may even have found it to be advantageous. The character of the Wise One was a classic creepy villain. It was a being only concerned about itself and its survival. Each character Derry created was fully developed and interesting.

I felt "Line of Descent" was the embodiment of the classic horror tale. Derry included all the right elements: foreshadowing (sprinkled throughout the tale), fear (evident in Mallory's and Elise's actions and thoughts), suspense (I couldn't put the book down), mystery (what role did the ring, blood and all the artifacts play in the tale?), and imagination (Derry nailed it with a unique story). Derry's tale included an overpowering evil persona, a strong protagonist, a cast of wannabe's in a power struggle and the good friend who is supportive even in the face of danger.

The details were excellent in "Line of Descent". I could easily slip inside Elise's dreams and visualize everything. Even the setting of the story was easy to create in my mind.

I loved how Derry ended Elise's story. Whether or not there's a sequel, isn't important. Classic horror tales don't need one. Think back to Rod Serling's "Night Gallery". You didn't have to know what happened next to the characters. Your mind created the conclusion or it left you with a thought. Derry's Line of Descent left me a thought: Can something be called a parasite, if the host is willing?

Pick up a copy of "Line of Descent". You will not be disappointed! ...more

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Jul 07, 2015 Robin rated it it was amazing

Given the plethora of e-books – fresh titles appearing in their thousands every day – searching for real quality among them can sometimes seem like a hopeless task; so here at least is a sound piece of advice: read ‘Line of Descent’ by James Derry. It is a truly excellent work, in my opinion to be ranked with the best in modern fiction.
The author has summarised the plotline in the book description above, so there is no need for me to do that. Suffice it to say that I found the story fascinating ...more

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Jul 20, 2015 Anna rated it liked it

Shelves: r2r

***I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, Lovers of Paranormal.***

I've been thinking about how I felt about this book since I finished it last night. It was different, to be sure. It kept my attention and was surprising, although I could have guessed that ending twist. It just wasn't what I had expected.

Elise was a great character. Strong, willful and resilient, I definitely enjoyed her most. Mallory was, in my opinion, weak compared, and was deserved of the plot twist, lol ;)

I ...more

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Jun 24, 2015 Judy Goodwin rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, horror, psychic

I thought this was an okay book, but the ending didn't really satisfy me. I think it was because the book was labeled as a "fantasy" novel when it was delivered to me; I see now that on Amazon the main category is now horror/occult. If I had approached this novel as a horror, I think I would have been better prepared. The book was well written and the plot drew me along. I think it was an interesting premise: an ancient (and possibly alien) intelligence has been replicating itself through a ...more

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Jun 24, 2015 Denise rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-goal

** I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Lovers of Paranormal, LoP**

'Line of Descent' was a good supernatural/paranormal thrilling read. The storyline was well written and it pulled me in from the beginning. I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were a great cast of personalities. Elise made a good lead. The memories she endured and how she dealt with them, along with her ability to see emotions made her an interesting character. It had me wanting a different outcome ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Nele rated it liked it

I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)

Well, first off, I didn't expect that ending! That made me give 3 stars. Great plot twist.
The reason why I gave 3 stars, is mainly because I didn't overly connect with the story and the characters. I did like the story line and like I already said, the ending.
And I guess, I'm also a bit in a reading slump for the moment. That has nothing to do with the book.
I don't want to reveal too much, but let me just say... ...more

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Aug 25, 2015 Jenn : Godzilla is King rated it it was amazing

I received this book for free from LoP in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! I couldn't put this book down. So not what I expected. The story line between Mallory and Elise was like watching a movie, and the detail given to describe the Wise One and Elise's changes were just so addictive. Elise was strong in how she kept fighting. Her family members however were a bunch of wackos and so was Cray. I really felt like I was there with Mallory experiencing everything she went through. The ending ...more

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Apr 15, 2015 Ashley rated it it was amazing

I started reading Line of Decent and couldn't put it down. Very impressive debut book by James Derry. The novel is a supernatural story that turns into a thriller with a surprise twist that you won't see coming. Well developed and likable characters that you want to root for. Especially Mallory who I hope comes back in Derry's next book! If you are looking for a good read, I recommend this book.

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May 14, 2015 Cat (cat-thecatlady) rated it liked it

wasn't really my thing but not that bad!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/0...

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“Think about the world the way it is now. Each generation mourns for the golden years of their youth. Each generation weeps that times have never been so bad. Then their children grow old and wail that things have become even more unbearable. Their golden years are the previous generation's worst days.” — 0 likes

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