Review: Descended (Fallen Guardian Saga #1) by Debra Ann Miller

 

Published: June 2013
Length: 273 pages

Description: Destiny has two ways of crushing us…by refusing our wishes…and fulfilling them.

Vie had no idea when she descended into the small town of Newcastle, Wyoming that she’d find herself mesmerized by the mysterious and alluring eyes of one Carter Stone. And Carter believed he knew everyone that lived in his rural town until the day he locked eyes with Vivian Thorne. He couldn't help but wonder what was different about this girl he had known all of his life.

He was right, Vie was the beautiful young Guardian that had been sent to their world looking for Carter and she did so merged in the vessel of the Thorne girl. Their meeting sparks a passionate romance between the two and soon after they embark on their journey to uncover the secrets of a past that they begin to realize they both shared. Their forbidden connection unleashes a war with disapproving parties and the lovers find themselves on a mission to uncover the truth of their not wholly human existence and their unbreakable bond. Darkness falls as Lucian returns to settle a score with them and their lives take a thrilling and terrifying turn. The only way for Carter to stop Lucian and save the one he holds most dear is to unlock the secrets of his past and unleash the powers within him. What are the chances that two raindrops, flung from the heavens, will merge on a windowpane? Gotta be fate!

Deeply passionate and extraordinarily suspenseful, Descended captures the struggles between doing what is expected of you and unleashing your destiny, between fulfilling prophecies and desires, between loyalty and love.

3 Stars

My Review: I felt like there were two parts to this book, just as there were two parts to Vie. First of all, there was the YA romance part and then there was the fantasy/angel/guardian part.

Vie descends into the vessel of Vivian, a soul sent to look for Carter Stone. Vivian is suppressed and therefore, her relationships with her boyfriend, friends, and dad change. She does occasionally break through, which causes some conflict. Vie is a very strong character and is a nice person. Although she hurts people unintentionally, she does what she can to mend relationships and to strengthen the ones she was sent to work on. I definitely liked the YA romance parts better than the angel/guardian parts.

The first half is more YA and then second half more fantasy/angel. I thought it was all written in a way to draw the reader in and it was definitely entertaining, but that's just my personal preference.

Content: swearing (most of it mild); some very mild violence; kissing (one almost intense make out scene).

About the Author:
  
I am a happily married, devoted mom of 3 living in Naperville, Illinois. I'm married to a fifth grade teacher, who is my best friend and soul mate. Being "Mom" for the past 23 years has been my privilege but really didn't allow me the time I needed to pursue what I loved most...writing. I put my interests on the back burner while I carted kids off to soccer games, baseball practice, and back home to make dinner and help with homework. By the time my head hit the pillow I was off to dream land where my imagination flourished.

After my grandmother passed away, I decided that life was too short to put the things we love to do on hold. The next day my story took flight. I felt compelled to put the words inside my head to the pages of my old school notebook. I wrote freehand whenever I could and the more I wrote the more the characters came to life. Carter and Vie began having conversations in my head daily and I found myself addicted to writing their story. Nine months later I finished and published, Descended (Fallen Guardian Saga #1).

I am so excited to have published my second novel, Ascended (Fallen Guardian Saga #2).I hope people will enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them. :)