Deadly Descendant

Second books in a planned series are quite a tricky maneuver in my opinion as the world building has already been started in the first book and the series isn't ending. Happily enough Deadly Descendant blew the first book out of the water in my opinion and left me wanting more! In this installment, Nikki is up against a mysterious man who seems to be causing random fatal "wild dog attacks". Interestingly enough, these aren't actual wild dogs but instead are deadly jackals which have the ability to harm even an immortal like Nikki herself. Nikki will have to figure out who is controlling the jackals while also keeping herself out of harms way. But who better than an immortal descendant like herself??

As soon as I cracked this book open, I show more knew that I was going to be well and truly hooked. The story started off with a bang and just kept going throughout. I love a book that keeps me turning pages without taking the time to check and see how far along I am or how many pages I might have left. This was one of those books. I just HAD to see what was going to happen next and I was finished before I knew it. I loved that while Nikki is still learning about her new abilities and skills, her character grew stronger and more self confident in this book. She was more kick-ass which is never a bad thing in my opinion :) I also enjoyed the fact that the author took strands from the first story and really tied them into this storyline. I'm curious to see what will happen in the next book especially in regards to Anderson and his wife. Hmmm...the plot thickens. And Jamaal. Yum! I seriously hope that we get to see more of his character in the 3rd book and learn more of his history. I'm so intrigued!

Overall, this was an amazingly strong follow-up to Dark Descendant! I. Need. More! I love the way the author was able to continue on the storyline from book one without telling it all over again. I'm anxious to see the way the ending of this book will play out in regards to the next book. I want more of Nikki and Jamaal! I just plain want more of this series! The series is fresh and different from a lot of what is out there in urban fantasy which makes me like it all the more. And I really enjoyed the fact that this book was darker and grittier than the first. Because you should all know by now that I love a dark urban fantasy series. My favorite! Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: A surprisingly good follow-up to Dark Descendant and actually WAY better than Dark Descendant if I'm being honest!

Disclosure: Checked out from my local library. show less

I was pretty quick to pick up DARK DESCENDANT, the first Nikki Glass novel, when it came out last year even though Jenna Black has been hit or miss for me in the past. I thought the world she created sounded like a lot of fun and for the most part, it was. I was quite excited to see DEADLY DESCENDANT when it arrived in the mail a little while ago because I wanted to know what was going to happen to Nikki next.

In this amazing world, there are people descended from gods from all of the pantheons around the world, each blessed (or cursed) with near-immortality and gifts based on their ancestor. And just like regular people, some are good and some are bad. The bad ones are the Olympians. They believe that only descendants of Greek gods show more matter and they're all about domination. The good ones are the Liberi. They're woefully outnumbered but they're more accepting and sort of left alone by the Olympians thanks to a deal between the two leaders, Constantin (Team Olympian) and Anderson (Team Liberi). Nikki was a very reluctant Liberi in DARK DESCENDANT but she's much more accepting of her place on the team and her new life in DEADLY DESCENDANT. Of course, the Olympians still want her since she's a descendant of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, which makes her a rare commodity, so Nikki's life is still constrained by forces outside of her control.

I thoroughly enjoyed the main mystery of DEADLY DESCENDANT: dealing with the "wild dog" attacks that are actually controlled by a descendant of Anubis. It unfolds in a very interesting way and it brings a lot of the characters' morals into question. Different characters -- Anderson and Nikki, in particular -- have different ideas about how this descendant should be dealt with and it's interesting to see folks butting heads over appropriate punishment for immortals.

There are also some excellent developments in Nikki's relationships with the rest of the Liberi. The sexual tension between Nikki and Jamaal is incredible and I loved watching Nikki try to find her footing with Anderson after learning his secret in DARK DESCENDANT. There are also some nice moments between Blake and Nikki, and Nikki and her sister Steph. The most challenging person in the Liberi mansion, though, has to be Emma. She's so angry and more than a little crazy and she's taking many of her frustrations out on Nikki.

DEADLY DESCENDANT builds on the world established in DARK DESCENDANT and creates something even more satisfying and thrilling. This book is packed with action, adventure, mystery, and character growth, and I can't wait to see where Jenna Black takes us next time. This series is a strong entry into the urban fantasy genre and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves stories rooted in mythology or kick-butt heroines!

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Another great book in the Nikki series. The first one is slightly better but only by a little bit. This book picks off about a few weeks after the first book ended.

In this one, we see a little more of how some of the other descendant powers work. We get a little bit of back story from a few others as well. I can't wait to learn more in future books, I'm fascinated by how they came to be as well as their powers. The one I'm most excited and hope to learn more about in future books is Anderson, he's the most intriguing one.

I love the interactions between him and Nikki the best. And I can't wait to see what kind of dynamic they build between them in future books. I think Anderson does care for her and doesn't wish her harm. I love reading show more the parts where they interact.

Nikki is trying to learn how to use her powers, but it's not easy since she doesn't have anybody around to teach her. There is no guide book for any of the descendants, some have it easier than others. Which reminds me of Jamaal, we see him in this book trying to some kind of reign on his powers, since Emmett is now gone. Him and Nikki how quite a few interactions in this one and I don't want to spoil anything, but I can guess where the author is going to go with those two. We learn some of Jamaal's backstory and why he is the way he is. But that doesn't excuse some of his behavior.

Nikki is still her strong self and tries to make the best logical decision she can. Even when backed into a corner by certain circumstances. I can't wait to her grow into her powers and what happens to her next. The only person she does seem to back down from is Jamaal and I think that has to do with her attraction to him. I hope in the future book she learns to stand her ground more.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm going to go and read the next one now. I want to see how things play out.

I would recommend this series to anything who would like to read a non-young adult book about descendants of gods. It's in a darker and more realistic setting. show less

The second Nikki Glass story picks up near where the first installment left off. Nikki is living life in Anderson home with the other Leberi. She is struggling with the shocking revelation about Anderson. It's a secret she must keep for her own safety. She is also dealing with the fallout from the first book. Nikki is dealing constantly with Anderson's crazy, jealous, and paranoid wife. She was rescued from the Olympians but the torture at their hands has left her seriously unbalanced.
The Olympians and Anderson's group are certainly enemies so imagine their surprise when the Olympian's Oracle comes to them and asks for their help in catching a killer who takes the form of a pack of jackels. This seems to be the work of Death god. Since show more they want to stop the murders the Leberi agree to try to capture the killer.

Nikki is a strong and compassionate heroine. I like that she feels sickened when she sees grisly murders. She doesn't quite understand her powers yet but is trying to figure them out. She speaks up when she thinks she needs to. I adore the secondary characters in this series. I want to more about each of them. I really thought Anderson would divorce and end up with Nikki and I was pleasantly surprised to find there is another romantic interest for Nikki whom I like a lot better. Jamal is the type of hero all the female book readers swoon over. He is hot and tortured a soul who could benefit from a loving woman. While things are far from uncomplicated, I hope that the two continue to grow closer in the next installments.

The action in the book really almost takes a backseat to the characters and their interplay and back-stories. It was entertaining but I felt like it was missing some tension and maybe a more detailed resolution. Jenna Black is a standout author and I am sure that this series will get tighter as it progresses. Again I'd just like to see more detailed and forward moving plotlines and more interaction with all the other characters. These are fantastic creations and Black needs to allow each their time to shine. show less

If I could, I'd rate this one 3.5 stars, so I'm being generous with my rating. I definitely enjoyed reading this book, but I had completely forgotten the first book and had to read it again to catch up with the plot lines and characters. Luckily I'm a fast reader, but for some reason these characters don't stick with me as others do (Kate Daniels, anyone?). I'll continue reading the series and hoping for the best.

I was anxiously waiting for this 2nd book in the new series by Jenna Black. I was on the edge of my seat when reading the first book Dark Descendant, and it was no different in this book.

Overall, all of the fast-paced excitement, danger, suspense, and mystery are back along with a bit of romance and emotional drama that made this impossible to put down.

This book has solid characters, action, adventure, magic, and plenty of humor make this a must read for any fan of the genre.

For anyone who read book 1, I hope you buy this because you won’t be disappointed. If you have NOT read book one, go get it, read it, then you will WANT to pick this one up to find out what happens next!

***Mild spoilers for both books below this line.****

In show more Deadly Descendant, we return to the Liberi and Nikki Glass shortly after the events of book 1, and she is feeling pretty lost after all the events that took place. We learned in Book one that Nikki Glass is a descendant of the goddess Artemis the Huntress. She is also a private investigator - which makes her quite good at finding things.

Nikki is still trying to adjust to her new life, her immortality, and the power she doesn’t really know how to use yet. It’s not like it comes with a user manual. This is a thrilling sequel; there is a serial killer out and about killing innocent people, who just may be more than a human.

In this book, we get introduced to some new faces, as well as learn about some minor characters from book one: Jack a descendent of Loki is the trickster of the group. Cyrus (he’s an Olympian), the son of Konstantin, who seems to have a past with Blake, and an up and coming power in the Olympians group, and Emma, well, her psychotic episodes of anger are fueled by her need for revenge against Konstantin, and until she gets what she wants... well Nikki seems like a good target, so plenty of stress here for Nikki, and Emma’s unreasonable jealousy toward Nikki is certainly undeserved. Emma is a dangerous enemy to have. That’s all Nikki needs, another enemy!

Nikki and Jamaal, wow is one word to describe them. Both Jamaal and Nikki have had a bad past which I loved learning about and hopefully more will be revealed in future books. We had some pretty steamy scenes between these two. The insight into his past, the way he is slowly opening up to Nikki, and vice versa had me hanging on every word. They are so alike, and oddly enough they seem so good for each other. I really do hope this relationship will grow in the next book. To me it seems they NEED each other.
Overall, very exciting.
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Nikki Glass is a descendant of the goddess Artemis. She is also a private investigator - which makes her quite good at finding things. Hellhounds are attacking people which is a problem for both the Olympians and Liberi. Nikki must find & stop the descendant who is behind the attacks - before both fractions are exposed.

The first book in this series, Dark Descendant was a surprise read for me last year. I loved it more than I thought I would. So, when book two arrived I was really excited to start reading it.

Excellent Read! With a new series I always hope book two is gonna be just as good as the first. But there was no need to worry, this one was full of awesome. Deadly Descendant is a page-turner, full of action that is heart racing and show more addicting. Once again Nikki makes a wonderful heroine to read about. I especially love Jamal and Anderson. Bottom line is... more story please.

If you enjoy the mythology of the Mythos Academy or Dark-Hunters you love the Nikki Glass series. show less