Death's Hand (The Descent Series) [Kindle Edition]

SM Reine (Author)

Book Description

Find the entire series here: smarturl.it/descentseries

  

Elise Kavanagh doesn't want to hunt demons anymore. It's been five years since she killed her last enemy, and life has been pretty good since then. She went to college. Got a job, and then lost it. Made a friend or two. Lived a normal life.

  

Now her former partner, a powerful witch named James Faulkner, wants Elise to fight one more time. The daughter of a coven member has been possessed, and Elise is the only exorcist nearby.

  

Doing the hero thing again would mean risking discovery by old enemies. But digging into the case reveals that it might already be too late--bodies are disappearing, demons slither through the night, and the cogs of apocalypse are beginning to turn. Some enemies aren't willing to let the secrets of the past stay dead...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Freakin' loved, loved, loved this book from page #1! Elise is TOTALLY my kind of bad ass heroine. All in all this book would have received 6 stars from me if it was possible. By far one of my top 10 reads of the year! It was refreshing, unique and pulled at all of my emotions." -Taking It One Book at a Time

 

"If you're looking for a nice, sweet, romantic urban fantasy then look elsewhere! This book is gritty, scary and gruesome... I will definitely be looking out for future books in this series and author." -Book Passion for Life

  

"I didn't stop reading until I was falling asleep from exhaustion. I just had to know what was going to happen next... I would for sure recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy." -Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy

From the Author

Death's Hand is a 70,000-word (260 pages in paperback) urban fantasy novel featuring demon-possessed zombies, brutal exorcism rituals, and one maniacal necromancer.

  

If you're new to The Descent Series, you can start reading here or with Death's Avatar, which is free to enjoy for your Kindle. The entire series can be found here: smarturl.it/descentseries

  

The Descent Series

• Death's Avatar
• Death's Hand
• The Darkest Gate
• Dark Union
• Damnation Marked

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 418 KB
• Print Length: 258 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Red Iris Books; 1 edition (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005WZKJN6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,871 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and twisted October 18, 2011

By Erin Conroy

Format:Kindle Edition

I'm going for non-spoilery, so bear with me here. Okay, it starts with a bang -- a scene in the past with the two main characters, Elise and James, who were powerful hunters of evil. Something horrific happened and they retired. We are thrust into the present time, where Elise and James are living out their very normal lives. That is until they end up trying to exorcise a little girl.

It gets worse.

As an aside, I have to say: I'm not familiar with actual exorcism or demonology. I believe there are some elements in Elise's exorcisms that are taken from true exorcism. I was impressed with it. It was simple, clean, and rang true for me whether or not it's actually real. But most importantly, it made perfect sense within the context of the world Reine created in Death's Hand. Also something else I liked was the bond between Elise and James. It's actually a magical bond. I don't believe they are in love or anything like that, but are close friends that would die for each other. I thought it was refreshing to see something other than a soulmate/mating-type bond between a man and a woman.

Okay, back to the story. There's this goddess of death that Elise encountered before who swore she'd come back for Elise. And she's in an object that is wielded by a powerful witch/necromancer. You'll never guess who it is (I knew from reading a previous draft, but the way it's laid out will surprise you). *winks* So between the possessed girl, the workings of the death goddess, the newly-risen dead (zombies?), Elise and James have their hands full. They're forced out of retirement.

What happens is twisty and dark and awful, but it ends happily, I assure you. But you'll have issues putting it down. The last 100 pages flew for me, and I was technically proofreading, except I kinda forgot to keep an eye out at that point. I admit that. It completely riveted me to the point where I was sitting at work counting down the hours until I could go home and read more. It's nuts.

Another thing, too. This is a very unique take on demons, exorcism, witches, necromancers. There is a lot of that out there, but you'll find Death's Hand refreshingly different. I like the elements of the paranormal and the grittiness of dark fantasy. It really, really works.

So, whatcha waitin' for? Check it out.

Also, this is the first book in SM Reine's Descent series. It is a complete story, but there is one teeny tiny little thing at the end that will flow into the next book, which I believe is called The Darkest Gate. I can't wait to read that. I'm kind of addicted -- uh, actually I am addicted to these stories. ....Yeah.

Red Iris Publishing is new to the game and I believe they will become one of the finest publishers out there. With writers like SM Reine, it's a certainty. So check them out.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A really great book and promising author. November 5, 2011

By Jennifer Bielman @ Reading & Writing UF & PNR

Format:Kindle Edition

Summary
Policing relations between Heaven, Hell, and Earth is messy and violent, but Elise Kavanagh and James Faulkner excelled at it-- until coming across a job so brutal that even they couldn't stand to see one more dead body. Now they've been pretending to be normal for five years, leaving their horrific history a dark secret. Elise works in an office. James owns a business. None of their friends realize they used to be one of the world's best killing teams.

After years of hiding, something stirs. Bodies are vanishing. Demons scurry in the shadows of the night. A child has been possessed. Some enemies aren't willing to let the secrets of the past stay dead...

The Good
Wow. I was very surprised by this book. It had interesting characters, great action scenes, and a unique world that I haven't seen before.

The beginning of Death's Hand was outrageous. It grabbed my attention and made me want to read more. There were so many facets at play throughout the whole novel. There were exorcisms, creepy demons, magic, fiends, witches, and goddesses. Each had a role in the fantastical world Reine created.

The protagonist, Elise, was hard-core in every way. She knows how to fight, she fights for what she wants, and she can fill out a mean tax form (she's an accountant). But this accountant is good with a sword and will gut the bad guys without a backwards glance.

James is still somewhat of a mystery to me. He is a powerful witch and tries to do whats right. But I can tell there is something deeper about his character, something that will surprise us all when it comes out. But he and Elise are a pair to be reckoned with. They will fight for each other no matter the consequences.

I also really like Betty, Elise's roommate. She is loyal, almost to a fault, and she can always bring a smile to your face. She's optimistic and loves Elise, no matter her failings.

The action in the second half of the book was non-stop. As things start to crumble under Elise's feet, she enlists the help of Betty and Betty's cousin, Anthony, to pretty much save the world. But it's just not that simple. Too many things want Elise either dead or out of the way.

The writing was well-done. Not too much description but enough to give the reader a great visual. The pacing was on spot and the plot was well thought-out.

The Bad
The first half of the book was somewhat slow. Though I enjoyed reading it, I felt the second half was so much more enthralling.

More than anything, I wish Reine had spent more time on world and character building. I found myself sometimes lost in the expressions used for demons, magic and such. If these things were explained, I felt I would have had a better understanding of the world Reine had created. Maybe even a little more backstory to set the scene. And though I liked all the characters, I would have loved to know more about a few of them. There seem to be some gaps in character history that left me a little disappointed.

The Snuggly
There is some slight sexual content but it was pretty mild.

Overall
I think Reine is a great writer that has a very successful future in store for her. For most of the book, I didn't stop reading until I was falling asleep from exhaustion. I just had to know what was going to happen next. If Reine would just supply a fuller backstory for both the characters and the world in which they live, I would be one of her most devoted readers. I would for sure recommend this book to anyone who loves urban fantasy.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars an interesting read February 10, 2012

By Mrs. D. L. Powell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I won't go into the depths of precising the storyline, as that has already been done.

The book was an okay read but there was something that stopped me giving it 4 stars. I think the main reason is because I didn't really feel I liked Elise or James. James seemed to have no real depth or personality, and Elise seemed to be unapproachable for the reader as well as being unapproachable to those who would have been classed as her friends. I would have liked to have warmed to her but didn't. Having said that, if you want anyone on your side if your back is against the wall, it would be her. Her fight scenes and determination to not give up came through and in that respect, the book is well written.
The storyline is also interesting but I can't help but feel the book was just a little too long. You see Elise have so many battles by the end of the final battle, you sort of start disbelieving her. Nobody can get that pummelled surely, and still come out on top the way she did. Overall I am glad I read it, but I am not sure who I would recommend it to. Maybe those who like a kick ass type of heroine who partakes in battles involving demons and such like. Otherwise, there is not a lot else she really does other than fight battle after battle.

More About the Author

Hi everyone! My name is Sara, and I write urban fantasy novels as SM Reine. I collect swords, cat hair, and typewriters (which I do use for writing!). It's a good day when those three things have nothing to do with each other.

If you would like to know the instant I have a new book available, you should enlist in my Army of Evil! We have a WICKED cool secret handshake, but you'll have to sign up to learn it. ;) Check it out -- http://smarturl.it/armyofevil

A few fun facts about me:
- The #1 song on the day I was born was "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, which means my life is a Rickroll.
- I have three black cats and one black dog, but it's not an obsession, I swear.
- I am a full time writer these days, which means I will never wear a pair of heels to the office again. Viva la sweatpants!

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#78 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#89 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#78 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#89 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy