This book is a remarkable blend of poignant storytelling and subtle fantasy. It delves into the life of Indigo, a boy growing up in the shadow of his famous but often absent parents. With his unique ability to feel others' pain and emotions, Indigo’s journey is both touching and tragic. Set in 1990s Australia, the narrative follows his tumultuous teenage years, from encountering the wrong girl to finding the right one, and facing subsequent hardships. The story bravely tackles heavy themes such as suicide, depression, and death, delivering a raw and heartfelt exploration of these issues. While it took me a moment to fully immerse myself in the book due to some back-and-forth storytelling, it ultimately proved to be a profoundly moving experience.

Thanks to the author and publisher for giving me access to the ARC.

So this book was a little heavy so I’m surprised it’s categorized as YA. The author did a great job managing the heavy topics. The difference in genres within this one book kept me on my toes. It definitively helps to throw on 90s music in the back while reading this to really feel in the moment.

Sorry guys, it's gonna be a DNF for me. I put this one off for so long without reason, despite the high star ratings. I finally decided to get back to my ARC TBR and this was first on the list. I've tried the past 4 nights and can't get into it. The Australian slang threw me a bit, and on top of that, I can't get over the multiple passages about a 14 year old having sexual interactions. Yes, I know it happens in real life. No, I don't want to read a fictional story about it. The end.

The cover drew me in, and I couldn't pass up any fantasy set in the 90's!
There are several layers to this unique plot. This urban fantasy builds as a coming of age, young love story, following two teens, Indigo and Cordelia (dual POV).
Nostalgic, sweet, and so uplifting. This begins as a wholesome journey in where Indigo finds people who care about him. The relationship he forms with Cordelia, in particular, is deep and meaningful, as if they've known each other in a previous life . . .
Somewhat abruptly, Indigo and Cordelia are forced to part ways. A large portion of their story is spent completely apart from one another.
In hindsight, the choppy change of setting actually adds to the confusion and overwhelming loss Indigo experiences as he's yanked away from Australia and the family he's grown to love.
There is dark, triggering elements that some readers might want to prepare for - It does get rather sad. This experience and separation put Indigo on a path of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual growth that I really resonated with.
As both main characters evolve, the fantasy plot really starts to surface. Hints of an under-hyped, ancient tale are mentioned, and I'm thrilled with the potential world building! If the ending chapters were any indication, there is also possibility of book two shifting from YA into NA territory as we age up with the characters!

What a beautiful Young-Adult fantasy story!
I enjoyed this mystical love story and loved the 90s vibes.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this one, including most aspects from the characters to how they and the plot developed. Would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in the genre. Taking all of this into consideration, I am giving it 4/5 stars. Can’t wait to read other works from this author.

IT PULLED ME IN FROM THE MOMENT I STARTED LISTENING TO IT. IT WAS AMAZING AND WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN. I RECOMMENDED THIS TO MY FRIEND AND SHE LOVED IT AS WELL. WE ARE BOTH EXCITED TO READ MORE OF THIS AUTHORS BOOKS

I received a copy of Descended by Ingrid J. Adams from NetGalley. Descended is a YA fantasy supernatural romance that is set in the 1990s in Australia. The story follows the characters of Indigo Wolfe, a teen with troubled family life, and Cordelia Carlisle, who becomes his solace.
Indigo can feel what other people feel from a very young age; he is sort of like an empath. It makes everything very difficult for him because being tuned into people's emotions all the time is taxing. He has a non-existent relationship with his famous parents and is the popular kid in school. He can't really tell anyone about the voices, but slowly, he has learned to shut them out. Cordelia is a smart and kind person. She has a twin Robbie, and her family is devoted to each other.
Indigo and Cordelia are souls destined to find each other and lose each other over lifetimes. But, this pattern can be broken if Indigo changes the course. When Indigo is healing, we delve into the supernatural and spiritual world where Indigo can learn more about himself and his powers. His ultimate aim is to change his and Cordelia’s fate. The world Ingrid J. Adams has created is intriguing. Indigo is finding out about this world at the same time as us, so it ties nicely together. It becomes almost spiritual in parts, but I found it fascinating as a concept.
Descended is the debut novel of Ingrid J. Adams, but it is written well. The journey that Indigo and Cordelia go through is an emotional roller-coaster. The book is a supernatural fantasy with romance, and all aspects are done well. This is the first book of the series, and I can't wait to read the next ones. It has an intriguing setting, amazing characters, and sequel to come soon (hopefully). It is an enjoyable and emotional YA book.

Who do you trust when you don't even trust yourself? Sometimes the darkness has such a hold on you that it doesn't allow you to see the light or love. Indigo seems like he has everything but looks can be deceiving. What he thinks is his greatest weakness may just help save those he loves.


Some mild spoilers beyond this point.


Interesting story with elements I haven't seen before. Indigo's pov was interesting, the darkness he felt was so real, and the isolation that depression can create was realistically told. While it was frustrating to see his self-doubt and how far he pulled into himself that made his transformation that much more bright. I also loved the dream sequences and their ultimate meanings!

I really wanted to love descended, but found myself let down by this one. I am unsure what I expected, but this wasn't it. It just fell flat and like something was missing from the story overall.

I really enjoyed this book! It had so many elements that I love and it was very well written. The writing style is something so important to me, and because of this, I will be sure to pick up other works by this author! Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the ARC!

I am so sorry but this book really isn't for me. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the book but I started it at a bad time and I just couldn't get into it. I could force myself to finish it but then I wouldn't be able to give an honest review and I would most likely fall into a slump.

Till the point I read, it was going okay. I had not yet got into the paranormal bit of it so I practically know nothing about the story to comment on it. But the pacing and the writing were amazing. I just wish my mood hadn't failed me.

Tw for abuse and suicidal thoughts :)
This book was very entertaining and kept me wanting more! I loved watching the characters grow through the years with multiple povs. Cordelia and Indigo better be endgame!!! I fell in love with their story. The story was amazingly descriptive with very beautiful writing. I absolutely loved the paranormal aspects and learning the world Ingrid made. I highly recommend this book if you want a twist on normal paranormal fiction.

Descended explores the concept of reincarnation and relationships across different lifetimes. If true love exists, will we be able to find it again if we live more than one life? What of those of true friendships or close family relationships?

Descended follows the life of Indigo Wolfe, child prodigy, in Australia in the 90's. He's the kid that everyone wants to be or wants to be with. But he is a troubled youth, plagued by hearing voices and the ability to feel others emotions, although he keeps this deep beneath the surface. That is, until he meets Cordelia who he feels inexplicably drawn to and deeply connected with. He lets her underneath his polished exterior as their friendship grows and tells her things that he has never told another. Indigo knows he is not like other kids, but finally feels at peace in Cordelia's presence until a series of events has him taken away from all he knows and loves and he spirals into darkness.

This book is in the young adult/new adult fantasy genre and is the first book in a planned four part series. Reading this book reminded me of reading Stephanie Meyer for the first time as a teenager as it has a bit of that raw/angsty teenage feel. However, the characters in Descended are a lot more likeable and believable with their flaws and complexities. This book was heavy in character development/redemption in parts which did slow down the plot progression, but that may become important in the novels to come.

The fantasy aspect of this novel comes from telepathic powers such as foresight, clairvoyance, telekinesis and other powers. It also looks at reincarnation and other similar themes.

I really enjoyed this novel and was impressed with the writing style and editing given it is a debut novel. It was also great having a fantasy novel with such a unique concept penned by an Australian author in an Australian setting! I am really looking forward to seeing how the story progresses from this point and can't wait for the subsequent books.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Tank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this book.

It is a book full of emotion and touches on so many sensitive issues. The book stays with you long after the last page is turned. I hesitate to recommend books to others because something I highly enjoy may not resonate with others, but this is a book I will not hesitate to recommend continuously.

Five stars.

An original story with great characters. At the moment I have taken a break from reading (although I have been 80% done for months) because I lost interest in the story. Being a mood reader this can sometimes happen to me.
I will be finishing this one soon.

Links and detailed review to be added at a later date...

It has been a while since I’ve had a book pull me in so much that I temporarily forget where I am, but this debut novel by Ingrid J. Adams has done it! In this boy-meets-girl romantasy, it was all too easy to get swept away in their world.

Indigo Wolfe is not your typical Aussie, popular, school boy in the 90s. He’s got all the friends, money, the hot girlfriend, and the status but he also harbors secrets in his empathetic heart. He meets Cordelia and creates an instant connection with her after saving her brother from total social annihilation via karaoke. Unofficially adopted into their family until forced to leave by his absentee father, Indigo goes through a dark time where he has to face his pain in darkness so he can come back to Cordelia. A battle of the mind, the heart, and of course, evil people with magical powers, “descended” had me experiencing all the emotions: from totally happiness and contentment to the lowest of all lows.

Great world building! I felt this first in four book series was to thoroughly lay the foundation for the three remaining books. The main characters experienced deep growth, but I felt like the climax was just the beginning, almost like a teaser of what is to come later.

I’d recommend this book to readers who love a good romance mixed with fantasy and magical powers.

The characters’ stories stayed with me well beyond the end of the book, and I greatly look forward to reading the second book!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @shawline_publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book with my own honest opinions!

Hmm...lots of thoughts on this book. Overall, this book should have emotionally impacted me greatly, but it for some reason didn't leave me with that big of an impression. I loved the premise, but I worry the execution wasn't quite there.
Adams writes very well! There's no doubt there. But in a story that should be emotionally impactful, I felt that the pacing sort of stunted the emotion of the story, and that there was more tell than show. Which unfortunately sort of separated reader from the story.

Honestly this book was okay, not the best but definitely not the worst, I just felt like something was missing in it.