Destined Blood

Nephilim's Destiny #2

by Tessa Cole

Like it or not, she’s part of the team… come hell or fiery demon.

Barely a week after a searing wraith battle left me with amped-up supernatural abilities, I’m back to my cover as Essie Shaw, “normal” beat cop. My frostbite-inducing empathic gift and enhanced hearing, I can work with. My combat spell — weak at best — still comes in handy. But it’s the 24/7 glowy eye thing that’s toughest to hide.

When an encounter with a feral vampire nearly kills my partner (déjà vu, anyone?), the chief of police gives me a make-or-break assignment — join the JP team. Yeah, good luck bridging the aching gulf that’s divided us since that near-fatal fight with the wraith. There’s Gideon, who electrifies my soul; Jacob, who commands it; and Kol, who tempts it. Then there’s Marcus with his ferocious, pulse-pounding energy, who left without even a goodbye.

Amid lingering tensions, we investigate who’s creating an army of twisted, insatiable feral vampires. The truth will extract a terrible price from us all — body, magic, and soul.

Destined Blood is the second book in the Nephilim’s Destiny series, an action-packed full-length paranormal romance with four irresistible guys and a kick-ass heroine who doesn’t have to choose.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Romance, Angels, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Magic

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine in this book was dum dum dum dum dumb

She is such a pushover. She cannot take a stand, the guys insult her all the time, especially Marcus, she sees nothing wrong with that. They all tell her they don't want her but she still wants to be with them. Pathetic.

These guys are some sort of supernatural detectives but we are almost at book 3 and they still haven't figured out what she is, worst detectives ever. I had to listen to her inner monologue of what will happen when they find out. It was so exhausting.

I said I was not going to read more of the series but it's becoming a guilty pleasure, I like seeing how much she can act like a dumbass without driving herself crazy. So I might read the next one as well.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay my question is why is the author trying to make Essie look completely inept?



Or at least have all of the character treat her like crap and blame her all the time for things that are not her fault or completely out of her control?

“Sure, you can survive some serious shit.” He rolled his eyes at me. “But that shit keeps finding you. I’m glad I’m not your partner.”

“You don’t have a choice. The mayor wants a human seen working in the field with your team, and I don’t want to sacrifice any of my other officers.” Jeez, he wasn’t even trying to keep his true intentions a secret.

“So much for your promise not to get my guys killed.”

“Focus on not getting us killed.”

I had no doubt this was the barest minimum healing Amiah could do and my bleeding had been stopped and nothing more. “Get out of here,” she snarled at me.

Jesus. I mean why is everyone blaming her for every thing that goes sideways like she's an idiot??



Everything is her fault no matter what
-getting put on the team (even though that wasn’t her choice)
-getting bit by a vampire (even though it was because of Gideons Mark)
–getting ambushed by a demon vampire – her fault right?

le sigh.


Also, I wish that every time someone walked into a room we didn’t have to spend paragraphs taking about how drawn to them Essie is, how much she wants them, and how attractive they are- Once or twice is fine – I don’t need to her about every guys individual pull on her every time.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are making progress here!!

Gideon called her by her first name. Wow.
A true accomplishment and step forward from Officer Shaw.

BUT FRET NOT, because he’s still being snooty and dismissive and doesn’t want her.

But you know who DOES want her?

Marcus.
Jacob. *fans self*
Kol

AND LET US NOT FORGET THE NEW ADDITION TO THE PLAYING FIELD
Sebastian Bane.

Because four is just not enough right?
Four was enough for Tris, authors, so we don’t always need so many.
Sometimes the perfect Four is just enough. *wink*

PLEASE TELL ME SOMEONE GOT THAT REFERENCE.
If you didn’t, go back and read the YA genre. It’s one of the stepping stones to RH.

So anyway,
Public enemy #2 DIES
The secret is still oh so hush hush, even as Kol is slowly figuring it out.
As we’ve gathered, each book is a new mystery.
Bring on the Scooby snacks.

Cmon book 3. Let’s gooooo.

[Princess J. Antoinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still okay... but hope it gets better in the 3rd installment of this series..

Overall rating
3.5*~ Liked

[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but a mess! The writing was still super easy to get into and Essie's perspective was great, but there was too much of Essie keeping her mouth shut and letting other characters walk all over her with their assumptions that she was a idiot when she! was not! We did find out more about the guys, but they still weren't as fleshed out as I hoped they would be.

The plot was pretty superficial and wishy-washy? It started out interesting but then took a turn that ended up not making much sense. Victoria seemed to only be there to sexually harass people. The introduction of a new character connected to Jacob became totally irrelevant after a certain plot point was achieved. The villain's motivation was weak and, as far as my understanding goes, isolated from other things that happened in the series so far.

There was progress in regard to romance, though. There were a few steamy scenes and at least some of the sexual tension was resolved! It did bother me that Marcus' change of heart happened so abruptly, but I really liked how things developed in regard to Jacob. Kol was still my absolute favorite and Gideon's entire personality made me so tired lmao

[Angela Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging

The write flows well and sucks you in to their world. The relationships are moving along without being insta-love. My only complaint isn't for the writing, more storyline related. The h gives her all to all the guys and constantly gets shut down, I'd like to see more of them chasing her and proving their feelings for once! I cant wait for the next one.

[Saint Fitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars bc I am starting to see red about how SHITTY everyone is treating Essie. Marcus calls her stupid repeatedly. Gideon makes me want to throw my iPad the wall. Essie gets blamed nonstop for stuff that isn’t her fault and can she just please grow a backbone? She saves everyone’s ass repeatedly and then the guys give her shit about her self sacrificial nature. SERIOUSLY?! I guess it’s supposed to be that whole “damsel in distress protective” thing some people like to read about in romance novels. But why make her a bad ass? Why make her brave? The conflict (between a strong heroine and equally strong male interests) isn’t making me want to read further because her constant unrequited desires make her emotionally weak.

I find myself wishing she’d “burn the house down”, lash out at Gideon, run away, turn dark—something. ANYTHING, that brings this troupe of idiots in agreement that they need and want Essie, that she’s valuable, and strong. The only character who has his head on straight is Kol, and he’s such a pushover (too passive, which feels like a missed opportunity on the author’s part), that his relationship with Essie doesn’t spark.

Ughhh I am likely still going to read on in this series, holding out hope that things improve. right now it might be a hate-read.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 3 out of 5]

ONE LINE REVIEW

The books are certainly well written, and the heroes are growing on me, but there's just so little explanation offered for all the things that happen to Essie - neither she nor anyone else on the team seem to question it, it's very strange and unbelievable.

[Blog] - [Bookstagram]

[Rhiannon Chillingworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really knownhow to rate this... 3.5?

Thid series is rather frustrating. It is well written, full of action (a bit too much actually, as we could do with some down time), the pote 5iap.harem characters are all distinct and have separate personalities and the whole concept and world building is good.

What's the issues then, I hear you ask?

Mainly...the characters.

Essie is pretty much treated like crap by everyone apart from Jacob and Kol. And she just takes it. I know part of it is because she is afraid they'll work out her secret, but mainly she just allows herself to be treated poorly and doesn't tell them where to go.

She needs to tell Gideon to go fuck himself, pronto, and whilst Marcus redeemed himself by the end partially, his whole possessive 'Essie is mine' bullshit did my head in (that was after he spent the first half of the book telling her to get lost).

Poor Jacob, he's getting a pretty shitty deal out of it all really and Kol, who is such a sweetie to her and always has been, is just friend zoned.

I'm continuing with the series, but it is with a sense of great trepidation, as I don't see how this Harem is going to come together without MAJOR drama and the longer Essie keeps her big secret the more annoying it is going to become!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through book two today in what seems to be a binge of this paranormal reverse harem series by an author new to me. I really like the different ways Essie is “connected” to all of the potential harem members, and what it will mean for their dynamic. I’m still completely in love with stoic team leader Gideon and hooked on the slower progression of the romantic elements. This book followed a similar pattern to book one - there’s a “case of the week” where everyone gets injured over and over and has to be healed in various ways. I’d like to see the team doing some other things together that aren’t just battles and healing related, and I sure hope we see more of a new character introduced in this one too. I’m happy to have found this series after it is complete so i don’t have to wait to find out what happens next.

[Klizbet · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I don’t like self sacrificing females.

I don’t like desperate females who chase men who constantly reject them.

I don’t like how this FMC lets everyone blame her for things that aren’t her fault. She never stands up for herself. She lets EVERYONE talk to her like she’s a pile of shit and never refutes their accusations.

This girl makes me wanna have a rage fit. I want to wipe this book from my mind.

✅ single, first person POV
✅ slow burn (it’s more of a no-burn)
✅ BULLY - the men all treat her like garbage.
✅ Fated mates (this felt more like a rejected mates, and I hate those)
✅ FMC is a hated Nephillim in hiding as a human
🔥 I didn’t read far enough into this book to know if it gets spicy.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sequel! Continues the action, develops the romance (Marcus is officially a member of the harem now, which I love), and Essie continues to be awesome. She's also figuring out her new dynamic as a member of the team. 4 stars. I've binge-read the first three books of this series today, and they are magical, exciting, romantic, hot, and just a bit frustrating (but in a completely fun way). Great series!

[Heather Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - KU. Beautiful!

I am really enjoying the build up and interplay of these books and the characters I am growing to love. Essie is growing yet still hiding, vainly trying to be part of a world that could destroy her - if her heart doesn’t implode first.

Pros:
- well written
- characters feel alive and relatable
- Unique take on familiar themes, especially empathy
- dialogue

Cons:
- some minor editing issues, more spell check error than anything.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great but

Great but when are her wings going to appear lol! I can’t wait for the buzzing to turn into something! It’s keeping me hanging and driving me crazy

[Mieke Moontiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediatly read this after the first one...
I'm totally hooked.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Sequel

The action is pretty non-stop again in this book. Essie and Marcus even make some progress and boy does Amiah not like that. I have a feeling that she's going to be a problem. Things are more complicated with Jacob as well and Gideon just keeps tearing her emotions apart. I'm really interested in what may develop with Kol, too. And now there's Sebastian Bane who I'm sure will pop up again. I'm sure Essie's secret won't be secret much longer, either. I want book three now.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I read this book and the next one and the one after that in quick succession without reviewing them after I read them. So really I'm a little confused with what I felt for this book.

I will say that this series got me to read it very quickly. I will also say that wasn't because I loved it but was more wondering what was going on with her and what was she? Was she going to be found out? etc. etc.

[Ms. Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough

I can't get enough of this story. Essie gets pulled back into the supernatural world and I think she will stay. She needs the JP team. Each of them has a strong connection to her whether they want to or not.

[Ana Paula Fiorotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wanted to be part of a team, respected, not despised. I wanted to have a family, a group of people who cared about me, something I’d gotten a small glimpse of when it had just been me and my mom. But then I’d lost it all when she’d died. I hadn’t realized how alone I was, how much of an outsider I was— how much of an outsider I’d made myself to be."

Mais um livro da série que eu não consegui parar de ler, curiosa em saber como os eventos iriam acontecer e ver as interações entre Essie e seus companheiros de equipe. E novamente, não fui decepcionada. Destined Blood foi um livro bastante envolvente, com muitas reviravoltas, muita tensão sexual, um monte de lutas, e mais uma vez, Essie salvando o mundo e a bunda dos nossos mocinhos.

Começamos a leitura com Essie voltando à sua vida normal, se afastando dos acontecimentos do livro anterior e de seus companheiros. No entanto, em uma de suas rondas no trabalho que inicialmente deveria ser apenas uma briga entre um casal, Essie acaba se deparando com um ninho de vampiros selvagens, junto com um monte de corpos. Atacada pelos vampiros, Essie e seu parceiro quase morrem, antes que nossa mocinha consiga os salvar.

Envolvida mais uma vez no mundo dos Super, dessa vez nossa mocinha é transferida para a equipe de seus companheiros, notícia esse que não os deixa feliz, principalmente Gideon, que faz de tudo para não aceitá-la na equipe ou não se aproximar de Essie.

A equipe então recebe mais uma missão: não só acabar com os ninhos de vampiros selvagens, como também seu criador, e não só isso, impedir a libertação de um dos príncipes demônios. Tudo isso enquanto se mantém vivos e resolvem todas as problemáticas envolvendo Essie e o desejo crescente de cada um dos mocinhos por ela. Enquanto nossa Nefilim tenta de tudo para continuar a manter sua real identidade e poderes em segredo, Essie decide que cansou de se esconder e que vai ser parte da equipe, independente dos protestos de Gideon.

Diferente do livro anterior, neste toda a tensão sexual começa a ser libertada de acordo com que Marcus e até mesmo Jacob se envolvem mais profundamente com Essie. Apesar de o vampiro não chegar aos finalmente com nossa mocinha, ainda podemos ver uma química gigantesca sendo construída, que promete muito fogo no próximo livro. Gideon, por outro lado, continua se mantendo distante, evitando nossa mocinha e o laço de companheirismo, mas no momento em que a vida de Essie corre perigo, vemos sua preocupação e desespero em mantê-la viva. Já Kol continua sendo colocado na friendzone por Essie, apesar dos olhares acalorados e os pensamentos desejos por parte da nossa mocinha, que acredita não passar de seus encamentos como íncubo. Porém é possível ver a chama do desejo e da necessidade de pertencimento cada vez crescendo mais forte nos olhos de Kol, que deseja nossa mocinha como qualquer dos outros companheiros de equipe.

Por não estarem acostumados com a ideia de compartilhar, acredito que a transição de ter apenas um companheiro para ter vários, continua sendo tumultuosa, causando sofrimento não só em nossa mocinha, como também em seus futuros companheiros, que acreditam que o melhor é se afastar para que Essie e Marcus possam ser felizes.

A escrita do livro continua envolvente, deixando o leitor curioso para saber o que vai acontecer nos próximos capítulos e desejando que a natureza de Essie seja descoberta e que ela consiga ficar junto à seus companheiros.

Obs: Lido em inglês.

[Tchullullu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐

"This was my choice. My decision. And magic wasn't going to coerce me."

E lá fui eu ler o segundo livro dessa série, na esperança de que as coisas melhorariam...

Em alguns pontos, melhoraram. A Essie se tornou mais forte e segura de si nesse livro, realmente ajudou o time e não ficou assistindo durante as lutas, e começou a se impor mais. Isso foi um lado bom da leitura. A escrita, como no livro anterior, é fluida e rápida, e você fica preso aos acontecimentos.

No entanto, eu passei muito mais raiva com esse segundo volume. Os monólogos internos sobre o medo de ser descoberta e estar disposta a se sacrificar continuaram, assim como a insitência em falar sobre como os rapazes são lindos e atraentes. Levando em conta que estamos no segundo livro, isso provavelmente não vai mudar, e me dá preguiça em pensar que ainda vou ler os três livros da série com a mesma ladainha.

Eu também não gostei muito da atitude dos caras em relação a ela nesse livro - principalmente do Gideon. Eles a trataram mal e em diversos momentos a fizeram sentir como se ela não fosse boa o suficiente para o time e que não a queriam ali, o que me irritou. E, como no livro anterior, há vários sinais de que ela não é puramente humana, e sinais bem mais óbvios, porém ninguém desconfia de nada. É irritante.

Desta vez os vilões eram um vampiro e um demônio, e apesar de falarem um pouco mais sobre como funcionam os vampiros no mundo criado para a série, isso não foi aprofundado. Enfim, pelo menos eu me distraí colocando comentários irritados nos trechos pelo kindle e consegui achar uma frase bonitinha pra resenha. Vou ler o próximo porque nesse ponto eu estou sendo sustentada pela força do ódio em querer saber quando e como vão reagir à menina sendo uma nefilin.

[Nikki Orta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again!?

I swear.. I cant stop myself with this series.. it's so amazingly written. I read the entire book in one sitting just as I did the first.

I am so happy to see Essies story progress in a very real manner. I can totally see this harem forming but I love that it has trouble fitting into everyones "mold" of a relationship. That just makes it seem so much more real to me. Gideon.. still Gideon I see, and his whole situation has me so flustered.. but once again I love that theirs no insta love. They might have a very clear bond but it was obviously something neither one asked for and I'm super excited to watch them actually get to know each other and progress! Some may argue shes known most of the team (minus Marcus) for the same amount of time and progressing faster with other members.. but clearly that's just from mutual respect and something that came naturally with no expectations. Gideon and Essie however were basically just told they were a mated pair and that would be that.. which would naturally cause strife between anyone.. especially on the heals of losing the person you actually loved.

Essentially what I'm trying to say is I love Tessa's characters, and her writing so much! RH can be very insta love or (especially in the PRN universe) easily explained away as a culture thing. You often dont get anymore of an explanation to the dynamic. But it's very clear that this is going to be an ever changing dynamic that's always progressing (can anyone say Sebastien??) and just naturally moving with the characters development. Definitely a reason to keep reading!

[Duke Silver's Duchess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Starting to get seriously annoyed with Gideon and his lack of empathy. I really enjoyed the slow burn in the first book between them, I thought it was really well done, but now he's just turning into an a**hole. Like, dude, you don't have to love her but at the very least can you respect her and treat her like a person? I know he's grieving, but again, the pacing of this book moves so fast that we don't really see him grieve before the next monster shows up, so now I feel rushed and expect him to get over Zella's death. Which is horrible, but that's how the fast pacing is making me feel.

Also, I'm starting to realize that none of the characters have gotten a breather. As a reader, I need some down time so that we can see them bond as a team. I don't think even one of them has laughed. Its making the characters feel very distant.

And, seriously, how in the world has Essie been able to keep her nature a secret for this long? Again, these guys are supposed to be top agents or whatever and they don't sense or see anything weird going on with her? Seriously?

Oh, and for those who like their romances steamy, this is not steamy. This reads more like an Urban Fantasy actually, where you get one semi-detailed intimate scene and then ever encounter after that is just glossed over. Super disappointing.

[Stacy Gallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series

The action was great. I liked the fact that we got to know Jacob a little better. I know this is supposed to be a reverse harem. However, monogamy seems more obvious because she really acts like she does not have any romantic feelings toward the others. She likes them, but she does not act like she has chemistry with them. I mean I know slow burn romance, but normally there is strong attraction and that does not seem like the case. Yes, she does like them as friends and thinks they are good looking men, but that is all. Yet, that is only my opinion. The book was intense and I fell harder for the characters because they are a good mix and each character contributes to the story. Now I know Amiah is protective of the men in the team, yet she is a complete b*h and blames Essie for any injury to the guys. A pet peeve of mine is that for some reason Essie does not stand up for herself nor do the guys defend her. Oh well, this is still a must read.

[Suri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has got to be the most frustrating heroine with unlikeable heroes I have ever read. She's such a masochist, always giving and such a sacrificial lamb meanwhile the guys are such condescending assholes, too full of themselves and believing they're so powerful that they treat a human like crap. She's being treated as useless, she knows it and yet she still doesn't walk away bec she thinks if she could save just one person, never mind if I die, then it's ok. She doesn't even get a thank you from those guys she saved. One guy unknowingly takes her power when he gets hurt but when he gets told about it, he doesn't say thank you and doesn't even feel contrite. Another guy takes her blood even when she was weak herself. There's another whose motto seems to be treat the one you supposedly like cruel to drive her away. Conversations go a long way but no, he yells at her every time and even made her feel like she ruined her life when ahe appeared again. The only ok guy here is the incubus but then he's such a beta when it comes to the leader that it's a bit of a turn-off.

Dropped.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The guys kind of disappear after the whole arch-Nephilim fight and Essie goes back to semblance of normal. But since her normal is being attacked by supernatural beings, the guys soon show back up and it seems like it will be on a more permanent level this time....and not everyone is thrilled by this. But work is work and they need to focus on the rogue vampires terrorizing the city.

A lot of Essie's thoughts are super repetitive but also contradictory...."I know I belong with the team" "I can't be with the team because they will discover my secret". I am just really ready for something to give, it's book 2 already. It also doesn't seem like she has much of her own personality, it's based around whichever guys attention she has at the moment. The other issue I have is that Essie KNOWS she belongs with Marcus but the 2 of them together is so meh, her and Jacob is only slightly better. I find myself more drawn to scenes with Cole and Gideon...but oh well despite all that I like reading these books and look forward to book three. Go figure.

[Tab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping the hope

FMC Essie, oh my, where to start? I like her and extremely dislike her all at once. She comes off as all sorts of great and then becomes a Mary Sue over and over and over again. It's a bad ping pong match with the constant rebounding. To me, it seems like a terrible character flaw that she constantly gives in after fighting, arguing, or what not, for what she wants or what's right. I just don't understand how she can have a spine and yet become such a flip flop. Sigh.
I like the turmoil between her and the guys. I didn't understand a bit of why things are happening to "her" specifically and why she's even so scared of others finding out what she is. Everything that happens to her, minus the frosting skin, is easily explained away. Sigh. This story has loads of potential to become better, and I keep hoping with each installment it will finally get there. We'll see.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Honestly, I'm interested in the story, but if all of the men don't get their heads out of their collective asses in the next book I might not. Gideon, I'm particularly looking at you. It's just page after page of people constantly shitting on Essie even when she's more than pulling her weight and obviously trying so hard. And the fact that Amiel is always glaring at her and healing her almost spitefully, I would say, also really burns my biscuits. There is absolutely no one that is 100% on Essie's side, and it's really angry-making to read. Even though Marcus comes around, he's a jerk about it up until then, and even Essie is sure he's not going to flip flop on her and change his mind later.

[Saki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Essie by the graciousness of Lady luck get backs to her normal "human" life( yep totally happening chica). After a week all hell breaks loose and guess who comes to investigate (tadaa the guys). Then it all goes to hell just like that all the emotional roller coasters are ready for the ride. The brand of an angel,claim of vamp and wolf, friendship of an incubi shouts angst. Then for the fun of it there's a demon with a witch packet thrown into the madness(duh what book doesn't have a villain).

My thoughts

The dove(angel) is stupid for one. All the other guys are good enough. There's always this six seater bench where they sit and I am thinking we need a guy to fulfill the sixth seat. And I want to meet the father n co. It will be fun.

[Kai P · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I would love to say I like this, some construction confused me. especially, the story setting. Essie killed Logan with a sword of light and they didn’t suspect anything? At all? And why’s is Gideon so much of an ass? At first I find it entertaining but the ‘I don’t want her to be my mate’ and all the despising words that came out of Gideon’s mouth pains me for Essie. And Jacob will have a 24 hr bloody sex with his sire and Essie seemed to be okay with that? It’s freaking irritating. And will Sebastian be one of the harems too? I have whirlpool of emotions towards this book. Mostly pissed emotions.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining..

I have enjoyed this series so far. It has a lot of action, drama and the entertainment factor is pretty good.

The chemistry between Essie and the guys is medium burn at best. I wish Essie had more confidence and didn't question herself so much. I also got really tired of the excessive use of GD. I don't mind cussing in book at all but the author uses GD so often that sometimes it doesn't even make sense. I also don't understand why the cover shows the female with wings when Essie doesn't have them. I don't know if she'll get them but it's confusing to show them in the cover now.