Kelley Grealis

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

I keep saying that I hate doing this - making comparisons to other series and shows - but I seem to be doing it more and more often in my reviews lately if the thought strikes me upon finishing a book, only because it just seems like it would be helpful for readers, and references to well known others is a decent way to do it. Obviously this is all just my opinion... With that said, this story had a very Vampire Diaries (the show more show), meets Twilight (for grown-ups), meets the Marked series 'feel' for me. HOWEVER, it was incredibly unique in its history and set up; I'm only referring to the 'feel' of the read.

Kelley introduces the vampires in this story as having ties to Biblical figures, and I found that fascinating. In addition, the plot was interesting, and the mystery, suspense and intrigue were well written.

Our heroine begins the book thinking she's going through a massive mid-life crisis and nothing seems to be filling the hole she feels in her soul. While dealing with that and some major health issues that the doctors just can't figure out, her life starts to turn upside down and her mercurial moods are affecting things at work and at home. And then things get really good...

She wakes up in the hospital having fragmented memories of both her past and what happened to get her there, but with the help of her best friend and our hero, Vincent, she starts to regain the life she's lost. Only things aren't quite adding up the way she thinks they should in her head, and the weirdness just keeps multiplying.

I would love to tell you more but I just can't without spoilers, so I can only tell you to take the plunge and read The Descendant. A side note: this book is not a fluffy vampire tale. I found myself angry for most of the story, and would say that Kelley can make a reader tap into a character's feelings betrayal like no other. ;)

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Descendant 4 Skulls and would recommend it if you're a vampire lover looking for a refreshing spin on the norm. show less

3 1/2 stars is what I want to give it but leaning towards 4' I really enjoyed the middle and end of this book, the beginning? Not as much. I didn't read the previews or back cover for this book which might have prepared me for it being a story of vampires and at first I just thought this was about Allison Carmichael, woman who is going through some emotional issues. From what I read in the beginning I began to think of Allison as an only child who had been spoiled by overindulgent parents show more who of course thought their only child was "special".

That being said, from the moment when Allison has the accident Ms. Grealis' skill as an author truly shines. The historical background was presented in a way that fit without losing the momentum of the developing story and Allison's reactions and frustrations at the beginning of the book make sense. Really enjoyed the ending and am looking forward to reading more show less

3 1/2 stars is what I want to give it but leaning towards 4' I really enjoyed the middle and end of this book, the beginning? Not as much. I didn't read the previews or back cover for this book which might have prepared me for it being a story of vampires and at first I just thought this was about Allison Carmichael, woman who is going through some emotional issues. From what I read in the beginning I began to think of Allison as an only child who had been spoiled by overindulgent parents show more who of course thought their only child was "special".

That being said, from the moment when Allison has the accident Ms. Grealis' skill as an author truly shines. The historical background was presented in a way that fit without losing the momentum of the developing story and Allison's reactions and frustrations at the beginning of the book make sense. Really enjoyed the ending and am looking forward to reading more show less

3 1/2 stars is what I want to give it but leaning towards 4' I really enjoyed the middle and end of this book, the beginning? Not as much. I didn't read the previews or back cover for this book which might have prepared me for it being a story of vampires and at first I just thought this was about Allison Carmichael, woman who is going through some emotional issues. From what I read in the beginning I began to think of Allison as an only child who had been spoiled by overindulgent parents show more who of course thought their only child was "special".

That being said, from the moment when Allison has the accident Ms. Grealis' skill as an author truly shines. The historical background was presented in a way that fit without losing the momentum of the developing story and Allison's reactions and frustrations at the beginning of the book make sense. Really enjoyed the ending and am looking forward to reading more show less