There are so many feelings and emotions I have with this book, that I don't exactly know where to begin.
The book is about a boy, Indigo, who has a secret burden of feeling other people's emotions and feelings as well as physical pain and injury. In addition to this, he hears voices in his head, which sometimes gives him headaches. These abilities are his curses and gifts, as while it makes him a great friend because he knows what others are feeling and is compassionate towards them, it also becomes a burden because he also has to feel the bad and it affects him too. Then there are the voices which gives him headaches and overwhelms him. Sometimes they say bad things to him that make him feel bad. He keeps this all a secret from his friends because on the outside, he's perfect in every way: handsome, athletic, smart, and virtually good at everything. On the inside, he's tormented by his abilities, and if people knew about this, he fears no one will be his friend anymore, and he will be left alone, just like his rich parents left him alone (more on that).
One day, his path collides with a girl's named Cordelia when he is invited by her twin brother Robbie to their thirteenth birthday party. He went with his mean girls girlfriend Harper, yet there is something about Cordelia that draws him to her. Some kind of magnetic force that Cordelia can't help but feel too. Robbie get taunted and bullied when he karaoke party is nearly a bust, and thus, Indigo saves the day by singing well into the karaoke machine, and everyone loves Indigo, so people go along. Thus, this is how Indigo is introduced into the lives of the Carlilses, Cordelia's family.
The family is everything he's ever dreamed of having: a loving home, family who loves each other no matter what and loves being around each other. He'd drawn to them, and becoming such close friends with Robbie, becomes another member of the family. And he gets closer to Cordelia. They become close friends, but their hearts both want something more, which goes unrequited for a long time. Until one day, Indigo's father wants to take him back to New York with him because of being outed by the media for being an absentee father. He rips Indigo from his home, his family, and thus Australia, and when he says his final good-bye to Cordelia, he kisses her for the first time and confesses that he loves her, and that he's always loved her. Cruelly ripped away from the only true family and true love he's ever known, he ends up in New York where his darkness consumes him ala Poppy and Rune from A Thousand Boy Kisses. His darkness consumes him to the point of no return, and one fateful night, a tragedy almost ensues, but then he meets someone who will change everything for him and tell him who he is.
Okay, so there's a lot of conflicted feelings I have for this, so I guess I'll have to divide it by the good and not so good. This is a very interesting premise with good, well fleshed out characters, but a lot also didn't work for me, which is mostly the pacing and the storytelling as well as execution. Allow to me to explain:
What didn't quite work for me:
-The writing style/pacing: Adams writes very well, however, there are many moments where the pacing is an issue. In several scenes she tells instead of shows, which makes the scene less meaningful and makes you feel at times like your reading a book like watching a slideshow instead of a movie. A lot of explaining and not so much being active part of the story. Several examples of this happens in the beginning of the book. She explains the Mardi Gras scenes for example, explains away a good part of Harper and Indigo's relationship. Explains him becoming a fixture of the Carlisle family. Explains him and Cordelia having a spark (which is the biggest no-no of them all). As a result, I'm not really feeling the romantic tension towards Cordelia and Indigo. It just is, according to the book. And I don't feel the love until after Indigo comes back to Sydney. This kind of is a big deal for me, because it is explained later why they have an inexplicable bond, but the bond is not really shown, so its hard for me to be invested.
Also, when Harper's secret is revealed, it's done super fast and Harper explains right away to Indigo the tragedy that befell her family early in life that made her the way she is. Then there's Indigo one day deciding to tell Cordelia about all his secrets, right after he breaks up with Harper, which also happens really fast. He tells Cordelia all is secrets in one emotional dump and right away, she understands and tell him he could tell her anything. I don't know, makes for a lack of emotional investment like I've said.
On another note, don't get me wrong, I really like Indigo. My heart went out to him when he was having a hard time with his emotions and understanding what's going on with him and remembering all the hurtful things his parents didn't/did do. He's a sweetheart through and through who is full of love and loveable. But...Indigo is also the biggest Marty Stu I've ever read. I feel like I keep being beaten over the head over how great he is, how handsome, how smart, how suave, etc. I get the reason for his seeming perfect on the outside contrasting to his struggles, but c'mon! One of his friends is in a band and their guitarist is out, but oh Indigo can sing really good and play guitar really really good! (which, by the way added little to the story). Drew is handsome, but not nearly as handsome as Indigo, all over over six feet tall, lean, with multi-colored eyes, etc. Despite very little effort, Indigo makes almost perfect scores on his SATs! And then Cordelia commented that he's super good at everything he does, etc etc. It took a lot for me not to roll my eyes.
I like how the story took place in the 90s and how the author titles all of her chapters after 90s songs, but this is not exactly a necessary piece of the story and at times it kind of distracts me. All the constant references to mostly 90s songs and saying what song is playing and then all the 90s shows really added little overall and like I've said becomes a distraction. Like how they'll have quite the convo about 90210 and X-files, which is not important to the plot, and yet things that are important or merely explained and summarized. I don't need to know what song is playing in nearly every page!
All that aside, there's a lot of good here. Like I've said, very good premise with good bone structure and very well fleshed characters. I'm a psych nurse, so I very much appreciated the description and detail of Indigo's dark descent into his moods. This was so well explained that I can see what's happening in Indigo's head and feared for him. In addition, even though Adams did rely on the tell no show method a lot, I enjoyed the parts where he's healing going through a spiritual journey and transformation (which does require a lot of explaining anyway). There's a lot of good stuff there that she talks about with souls and spirituality, and I wonder if Adams may have been a counselor at some point or really took the time to study these aspects. I enjoyed reading this part very much and found myself looking inside myself and how I'm living my life as Indigo goes through his mental health journey.
There were many scenes that were played out very well. The scenes where Indigo meets his roommate in the psych hospital sees him for the first time and then helps him before leaving was very compelling. I loved the found family dynamic Indigo has with Raf, Nash, and Aurora. Even though Cordelia and Indigo's love really lacked substance, the ending where Indigo and her talk about what happened between them the last two years was very well written and the thoughts and feeling expressed beautifully. I can feel Cordelia's torment as she is torn between the only boy she's ever really loved, and the one she's with now and needing to be loyal.
Last but not least: that ending. Goodness, that ending! I was a little confused with the very beginning and middle with the hooded figures that seemed to not be important at first, but in the end, it came full circle, and there was a twist that I did not see coming miles away, but it makes sense.
Honestly, this book had a ton of potential, and I think there were so many ideas placed in one area that pacing did become a problem, and the story suffered for it. However, I consider this book to be an introduction to what looks to be a very promising series in the long run, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

this was okay, but read a little juvenile and i didn't feel connected to the characters or what happens to them at all. i can see other reader enjoying this a lot tho!

— thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC.

Title: descended
Author: Ingrid J Adams
Publisher: Shawline publishing
Publishing Date: April 27, 2023
Pages: 382
Genre: Romance, YA, New Adult
Rating: ☆☆☆

This book was really emotional for me. I think the sensitive subjects and content were a little much for a YA book, and should be more marketed to the new adult genre.
It took a while to get invested in the book and it didn’t really grip me until at least halfway through. It made it difficult to develop a connection with the main characters, and to be invested and intrigued by where the story would go. I understand why/how people may DNF but if you just push past the halfway point it really does get very gripping and makes up for the first half.
Great job on the cover and the title. It’s very attractive and intriguing and at the very least will make people pick it up to at least read the synopsis.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shawline Publishing for sending this book for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

I found this book to be difficult to read and did not finish it unfortunately. The local language used in the book was difficult for me at some point and would no suit a lot of my students who have struggles reading already.

A mixed bag of fantasy and romance

I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the premise of a love story that spans across lifetimes and realms, set in Australia in the early 90s. I also liked the cover and the blurb, which promised a fresh and original debut novel by an Australian author.

The book follows Indigo Wolfe, a popular and charismatic teenager who has a secret: he can sense and manipulate energies that others can't. He suffers from mysterious pains and visions that make him feel like an outcast. He meets Cordelia Carlisle, a beautiful and kind girl who seems to recognize him from somewhere. They develop a friendship that soon turns into something more, but their relationship is threatened by forces beyond their control.

The book has some strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the author has a proficient writing style that flows well and creates vivid scenes. The setting of Manly beach in Sydney is well described and adds some local flavor to the story. The concept of energy manipulation and reincarnation is interesting and has potential for further exploration. The book also touches on some themes like family, identity, destiny, and free will.

On the negative side, the book suffers from some flaws that affect the overall enjoyment. The main characters are not very well developed or relatable. But given that it's the first book that's expected. Indigo is too perfect and flawless, while Cordelia is too passive and naive. Their romance is rushed and lacks chemistry. The plot is also too predictable and cliched, with many tropes like insta-love, love triangle, chosen one, evil villains, etc. The book also ends on a cliffhanger that leaves many questions unanswered. Though it should make readers more excited about the next book.

Overall, I think this book is a mixed bag of fantasy and romance that might appeal to some fans of YA. However, it did not live up to my expectations and I was left feeling disappointed. I might give the next book in the series a chance, but only if the author improves on the character development and plot twists. I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I was originally drawn to this book because of the cover and description, and unfortunately I had to stop reading. It wasn't keeping my attention, and it could just be the wrong time for me to read this story. I did enjoy the characters and plot, but I decided to not finish the book.

For as slow as the first half of this book was, I couldn't put it down once I hit about 50% in! It's been a long time since I've read a fantasy book as original as this one - this is going to be a serious young adult hit when people realize what it is! The realness of the characters and their own personalities, their experiences, the issues that they deal with juxtaposed by the creativity that is the fantastical in the plot is so, so good. And the ending! I VERY rarely get surprised with fantasy books any more, but man that one caught me so off guard! I can't wait to continue this series!!

My 14 year old daughter loved this book!! She can't wait for the next one in the series. Very well done.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. The cover is gorgeous and the title had me interested at first. I really really tried to finish this book, but struggled. The idea was awesome and I could see what the author wanted to achieve. But it felt like something was lacking.

/// English


Rating: 5/10 – 2,5 stars out of 5

Life is full of secrets. It is up to us to follow our intuition and leave the world better than we found it.

In this book we find so many things that I wouldn't know which one to talk about first. While the plot is incredibly engaging, I think it's poorly developed. The general idea revolved around the abilities of a special group of people who are close to the other world while the membrane between them is dissipating.

I loved the epilogue because it had those dark fantasy vibes that we were promised. However, we find ourselves with the first 130-150 pages that are pure and hard filler, which do not allow the reader to feel close to any of the characters and make a slow and desperate story look. I almost gave up the book on several occasions… and never do.

In short, he has not convinced me. I'm giving it a 5 because it's well written and has a clever plot behind it, but it wasn't for me. Anything make sense to me.



///// Spanish



La vida está llena de secretos. Está en nosotros seguir nuestra intuición y dejar el mundo mejor de lo que lo encontramos.

En este libro encontramos tantas cosas que no sabría de cuál hablar primero. Si bien la trama es increíblemente atrayente, creo que está mal desarrollada. La idea general giraba en torno a las habilidades que tiene un grupo especial de personas que se encuentran cercanas al otro mundo mientras la membrana entre ambos se está disipando.

El epílogo me encantó porque tenía esas vibras de fantasía oscura que nos prometían. Sin embargo, nos encontramos con unas primeras 130-150 páginas que son relleno puro y duro, que no permiten al lector sentirse cercano a ninguno de los personajes y hacen ver una historia lenta y desesperante. Casi abandono el libro en varias ocasiones… y nunca lo hago.

En definitiva, no me ha convencido. Le doy un 5 porque está bien escrito y tiene una trama ingeniosa detrás, pero no ha sido para mí. Nada tiene sentido para mí.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. The following opinions are my own.

I found this book lacked consistency in how it was written. Which made picking it up after putting it down hard. It felt like I was reading a different story every time. There are some good elements in it and good messages regarding mental health and suicide. I also think the representation was done well. But I think it needed some direction in which genre it wanted to be.

A fantasy romance that will literally help you descend (See what I did there) into the world. A book that will break you along with the characters and pray to be stitched up.

Wow. I went into this book completely blind and it caught my attention very quickly. The writing style was really interesting, as we bounce between timelines and also different characters points of view. The mythology and "magic" system was so well explained, if a bit heavy on information at times. I loved getting to know the characters and their flaws and fell in love with their stories. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Fun novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

This book had an interesting premise and I wanted to love it but it fell flat to me. It took me more than halfway through the book to even care about the characters enough to finish it. Maybe because I’m not Aussie, some of the terminology/language used really threw me. The “twist” at the end was predictable. Reading chapters and chapters of the main character in a deep depressive state was really hard to get through. Overall, the story had potential, but I don’t think it was executed properly. The book felt all over the place, not really hitting a specific genre.

Thank you to Ingrid J. Adams & NetGalley for this copy of descended.

This book has 90's nostalgia, and Aussie humour, combined with supernatural themes. I enjoyed the way that worlds were woven into place, and you can't not like nice-guy Indigo.

This book gives a great look into mental health struggles, and explores suicide.

Thank you for letting me read the advance copy of Descended by Ingrid J Adam’s.

I won’t deny I wasn’t too sure what to expect when the story first started. It took a little while to really get into the characters and for the story and relationship between Indigo and Cordelia to really start to develop.
I did struggle with them only being aged 13 and 14 at the beginning of the book, I really feel the language used and the way the characters were developing and so casually having drug use was far more mature and advanced than most kids I have met their age.
I loved the fact it was set in the nineties, this is my era and it really took me back!

What I can tell you however, is I absolutely…. lOVED LOVED LOVED this book!
I have already ear marked it, and will be on the look out for the future sequels as I just cannot leave Indigo and Cordelias story there. - The story is very unfinished, and I hope that the sequel will be out very soon as I will be impatiently waiting!

I loved the spiritual elements in this book, it all starts with Indigo hearing voices in his head, and being able to feel the emotions and feelings of others.
This does in turn cause a tragic tale of events, which leads to the biggest plot in this book,

It does feature heavily on suicide, and there is an element of violence, so possibly not for young readers.

Thank you so much for a brilliant read I really hope this spiritual read goes far and wide as it does really deserve it,

This is the story of Indigo, a boy struggling with his ability to sense emotions and hear voices. He is befriended by a family that shows him he's worth more than his parents have shown him, and quickly becomes best friends with a set of twins, Robbie and Cordelia. Out of his friendship with Cordelia, he finds safety for the first time to be himself, and he gives her his heart. But Indigo's fate has other plans for him as it upends his life in Australia as his father moves him to the US, leaving behind Cordelia and her family. Indigo battles with his mental health, and it's this battle with himself that helps him determine who he will be, nothing, or everything for her. He soon learns there is more to life than he knew, and as he begins to learn more about this mysterious new world and his abilities, he comes to realize that it's all moot without a home, without Cordelia, so when he learns she may be in danger, he risks his greatest fears to be near her again.

Triggers: Bullying, Suicide, Parental neglect
Spice: 1/5
Angst:2/5

I received a free copy of this book to review, and am thankful to be selected as a reader. This book had me on a bit of a roller coaster. I was sucked in with the beautiful cover art, and the tantalizing synopsis. Indigo was someone I related to heavily as a character as I to had teenage angst and demons to work through. Cordelia was a beautiful spirit, but I didn't really get a sense of her throughout the book if I'm being honest. It felt very "tell don't show" to me. We got so much detail about Indigo's first girlfriend that I felt confused why I didn't get that level of detail with Cordelia. I also can't emphasize enough to be aware that the first part of this book has a heavy bullying element which did make me feel anxious, but it does resolve and truly probably could have been left out all together. I did really struggle with the age of the characters in relation to their dialogue and actions; they were 13....but they read as if they were much older. I remember their being a line where Indigo is reflecting on meeting Cordelia and saying "all the girls that warmed my bed before her" ..... he met her when he was like ...14. ? Finally, it felt like two different books at times, up until about 50%, I had no idea there was a paranormal element. I suspected, but we were never really shown. That took a star away for me. Another issue I took with the book was the pacing/timeline; it felt very disjointed. I feel that more editing would have rescued this book from what felt like a bumpy ride between filler details and plot movement. I was very confused where the story was going most of the time, which around 50%-60% did have me considering a DNF; however .... this story had that something that pulled me back. The idea was endearing, and the book finally did pick up in the last third and was building to something actually happening when it ended. It does end on a cliffhanger, but it's not one that will leave you ripping your hair out. Things are a at a good intermission point for the next book. I'm still confused what genre this book was aiming for, but I will be reading the next book because I feel like the author started to get a stronger sense for their story towards the end. Happy reading.

descended is ingrid j. adams' debut novel and focuses on indigo and cordelia, two children turned young adults who are struggling with real life issues while also coming to terms with having powers others do not have. Set in early nineties Australia, the novel captures the time but also succeeds in creating its own world.

The immaculate world building, on top of the in-depth study of the characters allows the reader to fully dive into the book and live through the characters. Although their world is different, they still face issues familiar to a lot of readers, such as self-doubt, the feeling of inferiority and heartbreak.

The book has a content warning on the first page which I would say is needed because the text thematizes heavy topics that might not be suitable for everyone, examples being suicide and sexual abuse. This book is beautifully brutal.

Even though the characters realize and form their powers and the world they live in pretty far into the book, by the end it leaves you wanting more. I will pick up the next book in the series once it is published for sure!

Thank you to @netgalley, the publisher and the author for the free advanced reader copy.

Ingrid J. Adams has the ability to transport you in time, back to the 90s, and intermingle you in between reality and fantasy with 'descended'.

Growing up within the 90s, I can really relate to all of the references. The intermixing of categorical genres is astounding, and the book itself mesmerizes you until you realized you are nearing the end. The complex characterization of relatable and flawed is remarkable, as indicated in Indigo and all the others. The aspects of mental health can be daunting at times, and gives the book a sense of heaviness and weighty dialogue, and this lends to the beautifully romantic love story and found familial love. The amount of emotion weaved into the storyline, the sound and sage wisdom, and the real life issues are what makes 'descended' relatable to so many age groups.

With wisdom and nostalgia, Ingrid J. Adams tells one of the best written stories of love, family, and self that I've read in awhile.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this masterfully written story that will stay with me, and hold me captive. Thank you to Ingrid J. Adams and NetGalley for the opportunity to write my honest and unbiased review.