Preview Descending
When Xanthus cashes in a long-standing favor, Kyros is faced with doing two things he thought he'd never do—protect a mermaid and live on land. Dagonians loathe mermaids and Sara, Xanthus's wife, is no exception. Also, a Dagonian standing on human legs? As if being around the vile creatures responsible for polluting his home and killing his sister wasn't horrible enough, Kyros has to deal with Sara's troublesome human friend, Gretchen.
Kyros can't help but resent Gretchen. Not only is she human and unforgettably gorgeous, but she leaves him swimming in confusion and feeling things he shouldn't be feeling—least of all for a land-walker! When Gretchen is nearly killed by an assassin's bullet, Kyros's mission changes. He's forced to become her protector. Forced is a gross exaggeration, though. The more time Kyros spends with Gretchen, the more he finds himself falling for this spunky, witty human. When it becomes apparent that something dark and evil will stop at nothing to see Gretchen dead, Kyros expends his resources to find out who that being is. Unfortunately, the answer causes more problems than it solves. When a rogue mermaid wants you dead, you’re safe from no one… not even the ones you love.
ReviewDescending is a great second book to the Rising series. I hope more are coming because I would love to see more of Xanthus and Sara and Gretchen and Kyros. This is a must summer read!
~Kristy's Reviews
Descending by Holly Kelly is book two of the Rising Series and picks up not too long after the end of book one. Xanthus has been given permission to continue his work on land by Triton, but because Sara is his daughter he requires that Xanthus have bodyguards for her. So he asks his best friend Kyros and a few others to take on the task. Kyros was raised a true Dagonian, he loathes mermaids and humans killed his sister so he hates them too. Now his best friend has asked him to do two things he finds revolting: protect a mermaid and walk on land with the humans. Only because he fears Xanthus is under a mermaid spell does he accept, but when Gretchen, Sara’s best friend, arrives and is nearly killed, he finds that maybe humans aren’t so bad after all.
So I loved this installment even more than book one! This book is the story of Kyros and Gretchen. Kyros has no love lost when it comes to humans, they brutally killed his twin sister. And mermaids! He’s a Dagonian, all mermaids should be dead. But Xanthus is his best friend and he owes him a favor, so when he is asked to help protect Sara on dry land, he accepts, but only so he can break the spell the mermaid has over his friend (or at least that’s how he thinks). Gretchen is Sara’s spunky best friend that we met in book one, but she’s not so spunky anymore. She’s lost her intern job with an attorney after telling a client to basically kill himself, and then he does. Distraught she goes to Sara for cheering up. But Sara doesn’t know Gretchen’s secret. She was adopted and well her true mother is a mystery she will tell no one about. When Sara takes a bullet for Gretchen (and is miraculously walking instead of in a wheelchair), she begins questioning why she is harboring this secret.
I loved both main characters and of course the alternating POV was awesome! Gretchen is spunky, a fighter, who doesn’t take no for an answer. Kyros is a warrior, an old-fashioned male who finds it very confusing when he is attracted to this loud mouthed female human. It makes for an ironically funny read.
The plot revolves around Gretchen and her past, but also why someone is trying to kill her. I had figured out the big plot twist early on, despite that I still found it an excellent read. The suspense was page-turning (I read the book in one sitting!), and the romance was sweet. If you enjoy a good fantasy with lots of suspense/action and a little romance, I highly recommend you check out this series. A little note, even if you have not read book one, this book can easily be picked up and read as a standalone novel.
http://www.momwithareadingproblem.com/2014/05/descending-by-holly-kelly/
(Mom With a Reading Problem)
Reel em' In!
OMG are these Men from the deep hot or what?? I thought I was in love with Xanthus, but now I'm in love with Kyros too...
Holly Kelly has proved once again how great a writer she is.
What a fantastic story and nothing like I ever in my wildest dreams thought would happen.... There are surprises throughout the story.
Horror at what a mother is capable of and the lengths that a man in love would go....There is action, suspense and a love unmatched!
I was pivoted to my seat throughout the whole story and was not able to put it down till the end..
This is a book really worth reading and I know there has to be another in the future, right Holly?
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(Authors Book Readers Book Club)
I loved Rising, but Descending managed to top it. This book has it all - brave heroes, women who are just as strong, action, and a brief glimpse at the quest to come. It was wonderful to see Xanthus and Sara again, but this time through Gretchen's adventure. The mix of various mythologies is very entertaining, and the world Holly created is fascinating, alternating between beautiful and dangerous. The romance element is perfectly balanced with swoon worthy moments and sweet declarations that make your heart melt. This mermaid series has me hooked! ~Kelly Risser (author of Never Forgotten)
(Kelly Risser (author of Never Forgotten))
About the AuthorI'm a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation--I hide in the bathroom with my laptop and lock the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. I was born in Utah but moved around a bit, living in Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii where I studied marine biology. I'm now back in Utah--happy valley. I'm married to a wonderful husband, James, and we are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. My interests are reading, writing (or course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.
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