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Line of Descent
Some women dread the idea of turning into their mothers. For Elise Gardener, that dread has twisted into an all-too-real nightmare.
Elise has always been the spooky misfit of her wealthy family—and a disappointment to her overbearing mother. Elise’s problem is that she’s supernaturally sensitive. She’s an empath who can’t help seeing and feeling the intimate emotions—sometimes painful or shameful—of every person she meets. While her cousins are starting glamorous and lucrative careers, Elise is happy working as an unseen housekeeper at a camp for underprivileged children. But Elise’s cloistered life is shattered when her mother seemingly drowns herself.
Elise invites her tenuous best friend—Mallory, a girl she’s only known for two months—to the memorial at the Gardeners’ private isle on the Georgia coast. Together, they discover that Elise’s family have a sinister secret that they’ve been keeping for generations.
They are in the thrall of a dark spirit—a powerful, primordial ancestor who lives eternally by possessing the bodies of its descendants. Elise’s own mother was its last host…and the Gardeners’ inner circle have been raising Elise to be next.
As the entity invades her mind, Elise is haunted by the memories of its past victims (including a Khmer princess and a mesmerist in pre-Revolution Paris). Through these visions she may find salvation, but her chances are slim. In 8,000 years no heir has ever broken free of the Gardener’s Line of Descent.
Elise has always been the spooky misfit of her wealthy family—and a disappointment to her overbearing mother. Elise’s problem is that she’s supernaturally sensitive. She’s an empath who can’t help seeing and feeling the intimate emotions—sometimes painful or shameful—of every person she meets. While her cousins are starting glamorous and lucrative careers, Elise is happy working as an unseen housekeeper at a camp for underprivileged children. But Elise’s cloistered life is shattered when her mother seemingly drowns herself.
Elise invites her tenuous best friend—Mallory, a girl she’s only known for two months—to the memorial at the Gardeners’ private isle on the Georgia coast. Together, they discover that Elise’s family have a sinister secret that they’ve been keeping for generations.
They are in the thrall of a dark spirit—a powerful, primordial ancestor who lives eternally by possessing the bodies of its descendants. Elise’s own mother was its last host…and the Gardeners’ inner circle have been raising Elise to be next.
As the entity invades her mind, Elise is haunted by the memories of its past victims (including a Khmer princess and a mesmerist in pre-Revolution Paris). Through these visions she may find salvation, but her chances are slim. In 8,000 years no heir has ever broken free of the Gardener’s Line of Descent.
- GenresParanormalFantasyHorror
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2015
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23 people want to read
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September 2, 2016
This book review, like all my other reviews, can be found on my Wordpress blog:
Bookshelves & Paperbacks.
I was contacted by the author and he was kind enough to provide me with a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be one of the first people to read and review this book, and I’m glad I got the chance to read such a different piece of YA literature.
I’m not much into paranormal books, and I never have been. Recently, I got into some major paranormal titles in the YA world and I grew to love these books, which was why I was more inclined to accept this book now than I would have been a few months ago. Now, don’t let my rating be the indicator of the quality of this book, because my rating is more personal than professional, in this case. If you like paranormal books in general, definitely give this a go. If you’re into inherited stories, definitely give this a go. If you’re into complex family dynamics, concepts of good and evil and a certain sense of mystery and intrigue, give it a go, you will not be disappointed. A three-star rating is not a bad rating by any means. It just means that I absolutely understand and recognize the multiple things that worked, but the things that didn’t work brought down the enjoyment for me, as a whole.
Plot:
The concept of this book is fascinating. I have never read a book quite like this with regards to the concept and the sheer creativity of it. The concept of an inherited paranormal trait has been used before, yes, but the way James Derry puts his own twist to this idea was refreshing.
I thought the story moved pretty well. I thought that the book was wrapped up nicely- it wasn’t overdramatic or rushed, it was nicely done, and it left an interesting twist hanging by a thread. I enjoyed the several layers to the main story. I enjoyed how James Derry’s main character was not the person who was going through the cycle, but rather the friend witnessing it as it went down. That was unexpected, but it offered a different type of insight to the story.
However, sometimes I felt like there was some info-dumping going on. The author wasn’t just telling his reader what was going on and why it was happening, but he incorporated it in large chunks of dialogue that were a little overwhelming. There’s a lot going on with this story- there are several different timeframes at play, different settings and different cultures, so I understand that it’s significantly difficult for someone to map everything out without info-dumping. But this may be something Derry might think about further when he writes his next novel.
Characters:
My major contention with this book was the characters. As I have said multiple times in my previous reviews, what makes a book stand out for me is if it contains well-developed, evolving, multi-dimensional characters. I, personally, thought that this book was more plot-driven than character driven.
Now, there are several dimensions to Mallory’s character and they are touched upon in the novel, such as her fear of commitment, but these issues are never expanded upon or solved. After being involved in a creative writing course this semester, I was given exposure to the concept of “Chekhov’s gun” - if a gun is introduced in the story, it must go off before the story ends. Every element is important, and it cannot be abandoned. I think some of Mallory’s complexities were abandoned as the main plot took over, and these complexities were important for the reader’s understanding of not only her, but the other characters she was involved with.
I was indifferent to Elise’s character. We don’t get much insight into her personality, and I wish we got some of that. It would’ve made empathizing for her infinitely easier.
I also thought that the relationship between Elise and Mallory wasn’t really explored to its potential. We know from the very start that Elise is, somewhat, clinging to Mallory, and Mallory is slightly uncomfortable with it. And then as the story progresses, this tension in their relationship just vanishes without any reasons or emotions, and it made the resulting relationship seem very flat for me.
Writing Style:
James Derry is a fantastic writer, there is absolutely no doubt about it. His use of image and metaphor is very strong, and his writing has the ability to suck you in and think about every word he uses. It’s not easy writing, but it isn’t clunky- it flows, despite being complex in its quality. For the most part, I really enjoyed reading the way he wrote, and I would be interested in what else he has to offer.
What didn’t work for me, when it came to the writing, was the overwhelming details that didn’t really advance the plot. This happened mostly when Derry was describing the auras Elise saw, and for the first few times, it was fine because it provided a clear picture of what Elise experienced. But after that, it hindered the flow of the plot. Also, the dialogue was slightly stiff and I would work on injecting some energy into it.
I was contacted by the author and he was kind enough to provide me with a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be one of the first people to read and review this book, and I’m glad I got the chance to read such a different piece of YA literature.
I’m not much into paranormal books, and I never have been. Recently, I got into some major paranormal titles in the YA world and I grew to love these books, which was why I was more inclined to accept this book now than I would have been a few months ago. Now, don’t let my rating be the indicator of the quality of this book, because my rating is more personal than professional, in this case. If you like paranormal books in general, definitely give this a go. If you’re into inherited stories, definitely give this a go. If you’re into complex family dynamics, concepts of good and evil and a certain sense of mystery and intrigue, give it a go, you will not be disappointed. A three-star rating is not a bad rating by any means. It just means that I absolutely understand and recognize the multiple things that worked, but the things that didn’t work brought down the enjoyment for me, as a whole.
Plot:
The concept of this book is fascinating. I have never read a book quite like this with regards to the concept and the sheer creativity of it. The concept of an inherited paranormal trait has been used before, yes, but the way James Derry puts his own twist to this idea was refreshing.
I thought the story moved pretty well. I thought that the book was wrapped up nicely- it wasn’t overdramatic or rushed, it was nicely done, and it left an interesting twist hanging by a thread. I enjoyed the several layers to the main story. I enjoyed how James Derry’s main character was not the person who was going through the cycle, but rather the friend witnessing it as it went down. That was unexpected, but it offered a different type of insight to the story.
However, sometimes I felt like there was some info-dumping going on. The author wasn’t just telling his reader what was going on and why it was happening, but he incorporated it in large chunks of dialogue that were a little overwhelming. There’s a lot going on with this story- there are several different timeframes at play, different settings and different cultures, so I understand that it’s significantly difficult for someone to map everything out without info-dumping. But this may be something Derry might think about further when he writes his next novel.
Characters:
My major contention with this book was the characters. As I have said multiple times in my previous reviews, what makes a book stand out for me is if it contains well-developed, evolving, multi-dimensional characters. I, personally, thought that this book was more plot-driven than character driven.
Now, there are several dimensions to Mallory’s character and they are touched upon in the novel, such as her fear of commitment, but these issues are never expanded upon or solved. After being involved in a creative writing course this semester, I was given exposure to the concept of “Chekhov’s gun” - if a gun is introduced in the story, it must go off before the story ends. Every element is important, and it cannot be abandoned. I think some of Mallory’s complexities were abandoned as the main plot took over, and these complexities were important for the reader’s understanding of not only her, but the other characters she was involved with.
I was indifferent to Elise’s character. We don’t get much insight into her personality, and I wish we got some of that. It would’ve made empathizing for her infinitely easier.
I also thought that the relationship between Elise and Mallory wasn’t really explored to its potential. We know from the very start that Elise is, somewhat, clinging to Mallory, and Mallory is slightly uncomfortable with it. And then as the story progresses, this tension in their relationship just vanishes without any reasons or emotions, and it made the resulting relationship seem very flat for me.
Writing Style:
James Derry is a fantastic writer, there is absolutely no doubt about it. His use of image and metaphor is very strong, and his writing has the ability to suck you in and think about every word he uses. It’s not easy writing, but it isn’t clunky- it flows, despite being complex in its quality. For the most part, I really enjoyed reading the way he wrote, and I would be interested in what else he has to offer.
What didn’t work for me, when it came to the writing, was the overwhelming details that didn’t really advance the plot. This happened mostly when Derry was describing the auras Elise saw, and for the first few times, it was fine because it provided a clear picture of what Elise experienced. But after that, it hindered the flow of the plot. Also, the dialogue was slightly stiff and I would work on injecting some energy into it.
April 11, 2015
Line of Descent touches on many things that we face in life, just in a supernatural way. It combines a thriller aspect with a supernatural fantasy aspect. Elise is a psychic, gifted with the ability to see auras. She has what seems to be an inexplicable liking for her camp counselor, Mallory. After the death of Elise's mother, Mallory is sent to an exclusive peninsula, and thrown into a world of unimaginable luxury. Mallory and Elise solidify their friendship throughout the book, as the terrifying truth about the supernatural entity that is passed down through Elise's family is revealed. While Elise struggles to fight off what she feels is an evil presence trying to invade her mind and body, Mallory is held hostage. In an escape attempt that will have you on the edge of your seat, the two are in a wholly unnatural fight for their lives.
Showing how tragedy can solidify friendships and alienate family members, this book is sure to remind you of real life. It embodies in a surprising way the idea that every girl's worst fear is to turn into her mother. This book adds the supernatural element, but truly, when we're young we all dread becoming our mothers.
The ending will most definitely catch you off guard. It was a surprising turn of events that I did not predict. The whole book, especially the ending, will have you imagining life from an entirely different view of reality - one where forces beyond our control survive without us realizing that anything is amiss.
Overall, the book was an entertaining read. The writing was good, and the story is definitely unique. The characters are original and memorable. The only thing that put me off about this book was the beginning - while it was important to set the scene and the characters, there was a lot of mystery being built up without a lot of action going along with it. By no means does this mean you should set the book aside - I had something very similar to say about other books that turned out to be quite good later on, and that was the case with this book.
If you enjoy the supernatural (no werewolves or vampires in this one folks, there are other types) then this is definitely a book to read. The last half of the book is amazing and almost reads like a thriller. I believe Line of Descent was a well-written novel that is most definitely worth your time.
Showing how tragedy can solidify friendships and alienate family members, this book is sure to remind you of real life. It embodies in a surprising way the idea that every girl's worst fear is to turn into her mother. This book adds the supernatural element, but truly, when we're young we all dread becoming our mothers.
The ending will most definitely catch you off guard. It was a surprising turn of events that I did not predict. The whole book, especially the ending, will have you imagining life from an entirely different view of reality - one where forces beyond our control survive without us realizing that anything is amiss.
Overall, the book was an entertaining read. The writing was good, and the story is definitely unique. The characters are original and memorable. The only thing that put me off about this book was the beginning - while it was important to set the scene and the characters, there was a lot of mystery being built up without a lot of action going along with it. By no means does this mean you should set the book aside - I had something very similar to say about other books that turned out to be quite good later on, and that was the case with this book.
If you enjoy the supernatural (no werewolves or vampires in this one folks, there are other types) then this is definitely a book to read. The last half of the book is amazing and almost reads like a thriller. I believe Line of Descent was a well-written novel that is most definitely worth your time.
March 4, 2015
With Line of Descent, James Derry has created an entertaining and cleverly elaborated story. Elise is a very interesting character with a gift who wants to live life without being domineered by third parties. She and Mallory are rather likeable, there is depth in their thoughts. I was drawn into the story right away - as a silent and invisible bystander. The author tells the story in a quite intense way - giving the reader the opportunity to be very close; he handles his characters with empathy. As the story proceeds you learn more about the line of descent - you automatically take sides. This is a book for you if you appreciate a pretty different urban fantasy story, a story providing food for thought.
This is a book to read again. Recommended!
This is a book to read again. Recommended!
May 29, 2015
James Derry’s debut novel puts the dark back in fantasy. While they might live on a beautiful Georgia coastal island, the force that leads the Gardener family is ancient, alien, and above all dark. Like most good—and evil—fairy tales, this one focuses on the number three. Three women are locked in a struggle that only two can survive. First is Regina Gardener, whose suicide as the novel opens doesn’t keep her massive will from reaching out to control future events. Second is her daughter, Elise, whose ability to sense emotions and auras of those around her has led her to withdraw into a semi-autistic existence. Finally there is Mallory, nominally Elise’s boss at the camp where they work, but somehow elevated to the status of best friend to the woman she’s only known for two months, and—she soon realizes—actually doesn’t know at all.
As Mallory arrives for Regina’s funeral, she marvels at a world of luxury undreamed of in her working class existence. At first she lets herself be seduced—both by the indulgence of the surroundings and literally by the shallow, handsome young man who carelessly pursues her. But Mallory can’t ignore that something seems wrong with the Island and with her friend Elise in particular. Eventually Elise and Mallory face the reality that they are surrounded by monsters. Elise’s palatial home is their prison, and those who should be her protectors are actually committed and eager for her destruction.
For the most part, Derry’s tale is well-paced, its slow build exploding into a desperate chase that’s nicely timed and developed. In a few places, the pace was slightly uneven, probably not so much because of the writing but because the plot jumped around in time, and also failed to connect some things in the present day. For example, Mallory has a sexual encounter, but there never seems to be an actual plot point that develops from that, and it’s simply dropped when it reaches its (mutually unsatisfactory) conclusion.
I’ve always put a lot of weight on the characters in a book. Are they three-dimensional, fully-fleshed out people with both strengths and flaws? Do they grow, develop, weaken, or become changed by the events of the story? In this case, Regina’s character as the evil entity is of course incapable of change, but we do get a fairly complete picture of her overwhelming self-absorbed assurance. Even as she’s about to commit suicide—knowing that it will actually lead to her daughter’s death instead—she demands that her husband repeat, “If you were gone, we would be nothing.”
But I never got the same sense of Elise, and there certainly was no feeling that the horrific betrayal by parents and caregivers created any fundamental change. Nor do we really understand what it is that draws her to Mallory. There’s no sign that it’s a sexual attraction, but there is very little else that might constitute common ground. (Of course, when you compare “Mallory didn’t actually hurt me” to the way almost everyone else in her life treats Elise, maybe that’s enough reason right there.)
Mallory, too, was something of a closed book. We see that she fails utterly at the sexual encounter, but we never really find out why. We don’t know about her life, what her hopes are, or even what fears are holding her back. And despite her imprisonment and injuries, we don’t really get a sense that events or her own character will grow or change. I even would have liked to find out about the old Regina, the woman whose body the millenia-old entity took over before she married Elise’s father. All we have is his casual remark that he never had much interest in Regina before her transformation, so clearly it’s the monster he loves. And that, right there, was what moved this book from fantasy to horror. The fact that Elise was created and raised to provide a shell for the next incarnation—and that her death would be planned and actively accomplished by her own parents—was just about the scariest thing I can imagine.
There are many things about Line of Descent that I admired, but most of all it was the style. Author James Derry builds a world and an atmosphere that combines beauty with a horrifying sense of alien evil, and he maintains that through flashbacks to its prior hosts, from ancient princess to pre-revolutionary French aristocrat to Regina Gardener.
I’m not a huge fan of horror or dark fantasy, and this one had a few things that will probably be showing up in nightmares to come. However in future books, if James Derry could show readers not just the events, but the ways those events affect and change the characters (and, no—dying doesn’t count!), then his approach to horror could reach sleep-with-the-lights-on levels.
When I’m rating a book, I always start by giving it five stars and taking away for various issues. At one point, I was down to three stars for character development and a few plot-related issues. But the combination of pace and especially of style added to the total, and I’d give Line of Descent three and a half stars. Certainly, I’d look forward to more stories from James Derry. I’ll just make sure to read them in the middle of the day. Maybe leave the lights on just to be on the safe side.
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
As Mallory arrives for Regina’s funeral, she marvels at a world of luxury undreamed of in her working class existence. At first she lets herself be seduced—both by the indulgence of the surroundings and literally by the shallow, handsome young man who carelessly pursues her. But Mallory can’t ignore that something seems wrong with the Island and with her friend Elise in particular. Eventually Elise and Mallory face the reality that they are surrounded by monsters. Elise’s palatial home is their prison, and those who should be her protectors are actually committed and eager for her destruction.
For the most part, Derry’s tale is well-paced, its slow build exploding into a desperate chase that’s nicely timed and developed. In a few places, the pace was slightly uneven, probably not so much because of the writing but because the plot jumped around in time, and also failed to connect some things in the present day. For example, Mallory has a sexual encounter, but there never seems to be an actual plot point that develops from that, and it’s simply dropped when it reaches its (mutually unsatisfactory) conclusion.
I’ve always put a lot of weight on the characters in a book. Are they three-dimensional, fully-fleshed out people with both strengths and flaws? Do they grow, develop, weaken, or become changed by the events of the story? In this case, Regina’s character as the evil entity is of course incapable of change, but we do get a fairly complete picture of her overwhelming self-absorbed assurance. Even as she’s about to commit suicide—knowing that it will actually lead to her daughter’s death instead—she demands that her husband repeat, “If you were gone, we would be nothing.”
But I never got the same sense of Elise, and there certainly was no feeling that the horrific betrayal by parents and caregivers created any fundamental change. Nor do we really understand what it is that draws her to Mallory. There’s no sign that it’s a sexual attraction, but there is very little else that might constitute common ground. (Of course, when you compare “Mallory didn’t actually hurt me” to the way almost everyone else in her life treats Elise, maybe that’s enough reason right there.)
Mallory, too, was something of a closed book. We see that she fails utterly at the sexual encounter, but we never really find out why. We don’t know about her life, what her hopes are, or even what fears are holding her back. And despite her imprisonment and injuries, we don’t really get a sense that events or her own character will grow or change. I even would have liked to find out about the old Regina, the woman whose body the millenia-old entity took over before she married Elise’s father. All we have is his casual remark that he never had much interest in Regina before her transformation, so clearly it’s the monster he loves. And that, right there, was what moved this book from fantasy to horror. The fact that Elise was created and raised to provide a shell for the next incarnation—and that her death would be planned and actively accomplished by her own parents—was just about the scariest thing I can imagine.
There are many things about Line of Descent that I admired, but most of all it was the style. Author James Derry builds a world and an atmosphere that combines beauty with a horrifying sense of alien evil, and he maintains that through flashbacks to its prior hosts, from ancient princess to pre-revolutionary French aristocrat to Regina Gardener.
I’m not a huge fan of horror or dark fantasy, and this one had a few things that will probably be showing up in nightmares to come. However in future books, if James Derry could show readers not just the events, but the ways those events affect and change the characters (and, no—dying doesn’t count!), then his approach to horror could reach sleep-with-the-lights-on levels.
When I’m rating a book, I always start by giving it five stars and taking away for various issues. At one point, I was down to three stars for character development and a few plot-related issues. But the combination of pace and especially of style added to the total, and I’d give Line of Descent three and a half stars. Certainly, I’d look forward to more stories from James Derry. I’ll just make sure to read them in the middle of the day. Maybe leave the lights on just to be on the safe side.
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
May 20, 2015
https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/0...
Line of Descent has some very unique elements, like the way Elise views auras. She does not only see colours - they are flower shaped and accompanied by smells and it is all exquisitely complex. Add that to a secluded environment (an estate on a peninsula owned by her filthy rich family), an eight thousand year old plot , a perfectly normal human with plenty of baggage of her own and this book has a plethora of ingredients to make it a thrilling experience.
Throughout the book we follow mostly Elise and Mallory around, but we get to know a bit of a few secondary characters as well. And you'd think that being able to see auras - basically discerning what people are really feeling and thinking no matter what they say - would make it pretty clear who Elise can trust, but no. The author was very skilled with this. You see, it's not really lying if you actually believe it. And there is no way to tell what people are hiding or lying about unless the conversation steers in that direction.
The writing was extremely approachable but absolutely superb. I particularly loved the analogies the author used, since I could connect with them. The simplest lines would resonate within me, like There was something about beaches in general that made the sky seem bluer. I had actually never thought of that. Simple things throughout the book that made me go that's right! and feel like I was right there. My personal favourite: Think about the world the way it is now. Each generation mourns for the golden years of their youth. Each generation weeps that times have never been so bad. Then their children grow old and wail that things have become even more unbearable. Their golden years are the previous generation's worst days. Absolutely brilliant!!
But please don't take this as the writing being flat or something, there was plenty of excitment throughout the narrative. The sceneries described were just gorgeous. And some imagery was absolutely stunning, like Simona getting out of the pit. How eerie!
I kind of wish I had got to know a bit more about Elise, other than that she can see auras and that made it hard to make friends. And there were things we got to know through Mallory's perspective that I would like to know Elise's take. I found it a bit hard to connect with her - I could do it better with Mallory (her insecurities regarding boys made her very real) - but the narrative was so enthralling that it didn't make much of a dent in my overall satisfaction.
I had a bit of trouble figuring out the extent of the entity's power over Elise. She can obviously take over her body entirely (the visit to Mallory's room is an example) but she does not even realize what Elise is up to. That revelation in chapter 32 lacked progression and was too easy - I get that that is the whole point but, really, it came out of nowhere, or at least it felt that way.
So there were a few things here and there regarding plot and character development that I would have liked to seen further elaborated. I have to say my favourite part of the book were the first few chapters, I was completely engaged by the way Elise saw the world and that scene with Naomi was particularly remarkable. I really got an idea of what it must have been like for Elise to try and maintain a conversation with someone who says one thing but is screaming the exact opposite on the inside.
The ending left me sad but was appropriate, and there was absolutely no romance - yay!
Overall this is a very enjoyable work of fantasy which I am sure will stay with me for a while. It was not a linear story, it had depth. We are not only given a great fantasy adventure where the main character fights to get posessed, but are also made to think about important things like what kind of person do you want to be when confronted with such dreary situations and decisions. Would you care to keep someone innocent safe?
I highly recommend Line of Descent.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Line of Descent has some very unique elements, like the way Elise views auras. She does not only see colours - they are flower shaped and accompanied by smells and it is all exquisitely complex. Add that to a secluded environment (an estate on a peninsula owned by her filthy rich family), an eight thousand year old plot , a perfectly normal human with plenty of baggage of her own and this book has a plethora of ingredients to make it a thrilling experience.
Throughout the book we follow mostly Elise and Mallory around, but we get to know a bit of a few secondary characters as well. And you'd think that being able to see auras - basically discerning what people are really feeling and thinking no matter what they say - would make it pretty clear who Elise can trust, but no. The author was very skilled with this. You see, it's not really lying if you actually believe it. And there is no way to tell what people are hiding or lying about unless the conversation steers in that direction.
The writing was extremely approachable but absolutely superb. I particularly loved the analogies the author used, since I could connect with them. The simplest lines would resonate within me, like There was something about beaches in general that made the sky seem bluer. I had actually never thought of that. Simple things throughout the book that made me go that's right! and feel like I was right there. My personal favourite: Think about the world the way it is now. Each generation mourns for the golden years of their youth. Each generation weeps that times have never been so bad. Then their children grow old and wail that things have become even more unbearable. Their golden years are the previous generation's worst days. Absolutely brilliant!!
But please don't take this as the writing being flat or something, there was plenty of excitment throughout the narrative. The sceneries described were just gorgeous. And some imagery was absolutely stunning, like Simona getting out of the pit. How eerie!
I kind of wish I had got to know a bit more about Elise, other than that she can see auras and that made it hard to make friends. And there were things we got to know through Mallory's perspective that I would like to know Elise's take. I found it a bit hard to connect with her - I could do it better with Mallory (her insecurities regarding boys made her very real) - but the narrative was so enthralling that it didn't make much of a dent in my overall satisfaction.
I had a bit of trouble figuring out the extent of the entity's power over Elise. She can obviously take over her body entirely (the visit to Mallory's room is an example) but she does not even realize what Elise is up to. That revelation in chapter 32 lacked progression and was too easy - I get that that is the whole point but, really, it came out of nowhere, or at least it felt that way.
So there were a few things here and there regarding plot and character development that I would have liked to seen further elaborated. I have to say my favourite part of the book were the first few chapters, I was completely engaged by the way Elise saw the world and that scene with Naomi was particularly remarkable. I really got an idea of what it must have been like for Elise to try and maintain a conversation with someone who says one thing but is screaming the exact opposite on the inside.
The ending left me sad but was appropriate, and there was absolutely no romance - yay!
Overall this is a very enjoyable work of fantasy which I am sure will stay with me for a while. It was not a linear story, it had depth. We are not only given a great fantasy adventure where the main character fights to get posessed, but are also made to think about important things like what kind of person do you want to be when confronted with such dreary situations and decisions. Would you care to keep someone innocent safe?
I highly recommend Line of Descent.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 8, 2015
I received an ARC from Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
James Derry's "Line of Descent" is a dark, creepy horror story. I enjoyed the well-written suspenseful tale of Elise Gardener, a girl destined to become just like her mother, grandparents, etc.
I loved the characters Derry crafted. Elise moved me to sorrow. The poor girl lost her mother and was forced to carry out a strange, twisted family tradition. Mallory was someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was a courageous girl wanting to be a good friend. Unfortunately, I think she may have enjoyed being in the Gardener's world. She may even have found it to be advantageous. The character of the Wise One was a classic creepy villain. It was a being only concerned about itself and its survival. Each character Derry created was fully developed and interesting.
I felt "Line of Descent" was the embodiment of the classic horror tale. Derry included all the right elements: foreshadowing (sprinkled throughout the tale), fear (evident in Mallory's and Elise's actions and thoughts), suspense (I couldn't put the book down), mystery (what role did the ring, blood and all the artifacts play in the tale?), and imagination (Derry nailed it with a unique story). Derry's tale included an overpowering evil persona, a strong protagonist, a cast of wannabe's in a power struggle and the good friend who is supportive even in the face of danger.
The details were excellent in "Line of Descent". I could easily slip inside Elise's dreams and visualize everything. Even the setting of the story was easy to create in my mind.
I loved how Derry ended Elise's story. Whether or not there's a sequel, isn't important. Classic horror tales don't need one. Think back to Rod Serling's "Night Gallery". You didn't have to know what happened next to the characters. Your mind created the conclusion or it left you with a thought. Derry's Line of Descent left me a thought: Can something be called a parasite, if the host is willing?
Pick up a copy of "Line of Descent". You will not be disappointed!
James Derry's "Line of Descent" is a dark, creepy horror story. I enjoyed the well-written suspenseful tale of Elise Gardener, a girl destined to become just like her mother, grandparents, etc.
I loved the characters Derry crafted. Elise moved me to sorrow. The poor girl lost her mother and was forced to carry out a strange, twisted family tradition. Mallory was someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was a courageous girl wanting to be a good friend. Unfortunately, I think she may have enjoyed being in the Gardener's world. She may even have found it to be advantageous. The character of the Wise One was a classic creepy villain. It was a being only concerned about itself and its survival. Each character Derry created was fully developed and interesting.
I felt "Line of Descent" was the embodiment of the classic horror tale. Derry included all the right elements: foreshadowing (sprinkled throughout the tale), fear (evident in Mallory's and Elise's actions and thoughts), suspense (I couldn't put the book down), mystery (what role did the ring, blood and all the artifacts play in the tale?), and imagination (Derry nailed it with a unique story). Derry's tale included an overpowering evil persona, a strong protagonist, a cast of wannabe's in a power struggle and the good friend who is supportive even in the face of danger.
The details were excellent in "Line of Descent". I could easily slip inside Elise's dreams and visualize everything. Even the setting of the story was easy to create in my mind.
I loved how Derry ended Elise's story. Whether or not there's a sequel, isn't important. Classic horror tales don't need one. Think back to Rod Serling's "Night Gallery". You didn't have to know what happened next to the characters. Your mind created the conclusion or it left you with a thought. Derry's Line of Descent left me a thought: Can something be called a parasite, if the host is willing?
Pick up a copy of "Line of Descent". You will not be disappointed!
July 7, 2015
Given the plethora of e-books – fresh titles appearing in their thousands every day – searching for real quality among them can sometimes seem like a hopeless task; so here at least is a sound piece of advice: read ‘Line of Descent’ by James Derry. It is a truly excellent work, in my opinion to be ranked with the best in modern fiction.
The author has summarised the plotline in the book description above, so there is no need for me to do that. Suffice it to say that I found the story fascinating and tightly constructed, the characterisation strong and compelling, and the writing fluent, intelligent and poetic. I have read and reviewed more than 50 books in the last 15 months, and this one is up there with the very best of them.
Let me give you just a flavour. “The moon hung over the ocean like a faint, half-lidded eye.” “His tongue was its own frightened animal shuddering before the tunnel of his throat.” “Each day killed the one before it; her life had become one long tedious chain of usurpers and midnight assassins.” “The Gardeners’ summer house was obscenely gigantic, like four normal-sized mansions entwined in an orgy. The chartreuse yard was prickled with black-clad guests.” If you like stories which luxuriate in the language of their telling, then this has to be a book for you.
Notions of multiple personalities within one body, and the perpetuation of power and privilege within families at whatever cost are given a fresh sharp edge in this extraordinarily accomplished piece of paranormal fiction. My recommendation of it is without reservation.
The author has summarised the plotline in the book description above, so there is no need for me to do that. Suffice it to say that I found the story fascinating and tightly constructed, the characterisation strong and compelling, and the writing fluent, intelligent and poetic. I have read and reviewed more than 50 books in the last 15 months, and this one is up there with the very best of them.
Let me give you just a flavour. “The moon hung over the ocean like a faint, half-lidded eye.” “His tongue was its own frightened animal shuddering before the tunnel of his throat.” “Each day killed the one before it; her life had become one long tedious chain of usurpers and midnight assassins.” “The Gardeners’ summer house was obscenely gigantic, like four normal-sized mansions entwined in an orgy. The chartreuse yard was prickled with black-clad guests.” If you like stories which luxuriate in the language of their telling, then this has to be a book for you.
Notions of multiple personalities within one body, and the perpetuation of power and privilege within families at whatever cost are given a fresh sharp edge in this extraordinarily accomplished piece of paranormal fiction. My recommendation of it is without reservation.
June 24, 2015
I thought this was an okay book, but the ending didn't really satisfy me. I think it was because the book was labeled as a "fantasy" novel when it was delivered to me; I see now that on Amazon the main category is now horror/occult. If I had approached this novel as a horror, I think I would have been better prepared. The book was well written and the plot drew me along. I think it was an interesting premise: an ancient (and possibly alien) intelligence has been replicating itself through a single bloodline, being passed down from generation to generation and gaining power all the while.
There are a lot of dreams in the book and even the waking moments have a dreamlike quality to them, giving the entire book a sort of surreal feel to it. Something about the style of writing put distance between me and the characters, but I couldn't point to exactly what. I think one of the best scenes was Elise teaching Mallory sign language via the pipes in separate bathrooms.
If you like Kurt Vonnegut type stories, or films like "Pan's Labyrinth," you'll probably enjoy this book.
There are a lot of dreams in the book and even the waking moments have a dreamlike quality to them, giving the entire book a sort of surreal feel to it. Something about the style of writing put distance between me and the characters, but I couldn't point to exactly what. I think one of the best scenes was Elise teaching Mallory sign language via the pipes in separate bathrooms.
If you like Kurt Vonnegut type stories, or films like "Pan's Labyrinth," you'll probably enjoy this book.
July 24, 2015
***I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, Lovers of Paranormal.***
I've been thinking about how I felt about this book since I finished it last night. It was different, to be sure. It kept my attention and was surprising, although I could have guessed that ending twist. It just wasn't what I had expected.
Elise was a great character. Strong, willful and resilient, I definitely enjoyed her most. Mallory was, in my opinion, weak compared, and was deserved of the plot twist, lol ;)
I was frustrated with most of the household characters and the fact the whole story took place on their island, it kept the story dark and at times scary (which I believe was the intention).
The Wise One's back story, was the most interesting to read. It was historical and gave us so much information about what was happening, I really enjoyed that addition.
The flow of the story was great, my opinions (and they are more just opinions) lie with the plot choices, but it's mainly because I usually dislike nonHEA endings.
3.5 stars
I've been thinking about how I felt about this book since I finished it last night. It was different, to be sure. It kept my attention and was surprising, although I could have guessed that ending twist. It just wasn't what I had expected.
Elise was a great character. Strong, willful and resilient, I definitely enjoyed her most. Mallory was, in my opinion, weak compared, and was deserved of the plot twist, lol ;)
I was frustrated with most of the household characters and the fact the whole story took place on their island, it kept the story dark and at times scary (which I believe was the intention).
The Wise One's back story, was the most interesting to read. It was historical and gave us so much information about what was happening, I really enjoyed that addition.
The flow of the story was great, my opinions (and they are more just opinions) lie with the plot choices, but it's mainly because I usually dislike nonHEA endings.
3.5 stars
June 27, 2015
** I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Lovers of Paranormal, LoP**
'Line of Descent' was a good supernatural/paranormal thrilling read. The storyline was well written and it pulled me in from the beginning. I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were a great cast of personalities. Elise made a good lead. The memories she endured and how she dealt with them, along with her ability to see emotions made her an interesting character. It had me wanting a different outcome that her destiny/fate had in store for her. Mallory was an interesting character. She seemed strong at times and then indecisive at others. But overall I wanted to see her safely overcome the obstacles that were part of the Gardener's sinister family secret. I look forward to reading the next book. A good add to your tbr list.
'Line of Descent' was a good supernatural/paranormal thrilling read. The storyline was well written and it pulled me in from the beginning. I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were a great cast of personalities. Elise made a good lead. The memories she endured and how she dealt with them, along with her ability to see emotions made her an interesting character. It had me wanting a different outcome that her destiny/fate had in store for her. Mallory was an interesting character. She seemed strong at times and then indecisive at others. But overall I wanted to see her safely overcome the obstacles that were part of the Gardener's sinister family secret. I look forward to reading the next book. A good add to your tbr list.
July 3, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)
Well, first off, I didn't expect that ending! That made me give 3 stars. Great plot twist.
The reason why I gave 3 stars, is mainly because I didn't overly connect with the story and the characters. I did like the story line and like I already said, the ending.
And I guess, I'm also a bit in a reading slump for the moment. That has nothing to do with the book.
I don't want to reveal too much, but let me just say... I'm glad my mom loves me the way she does.
And... people are so selfish, and greedy. I can't imagine being that way.
Well, first off, I didn't expect that ending! That made me give 3 stars. Great plot twist.
The reason why I gave 3 stars, is mainly because I didn't overly connect with the story and the characters. I did like the story line and like I already said, the ending.
And I guess, I'm also a bit in a reading slump for the moment. That has nothing to do with the book.
I don't want to reveal too much, but let me just say... I'm glad my mom loves me the way she does.
And... people are so selfish, and greedy. I can't imagine being that way.
August 30, 2015
I received this book for free from LoP in exchange for an honest review.
Wow!! I couldn't put this book down. So not what I expected. The story line between Mallory and Elise was like watching a movie, and the detail given to describe the Wise One and Elise's changes were just so addictive. Elise was strong in how she kept fighting. Her family members however were a bunch of wackos and so was Cray. I really felt like I was there with Mallory experiencing everything she went through. The ending totally caught me off guard, I love when that happens, and Pierce really needed a rude awakening about the whole thing.
Thank you for letting me read your book, I totally enjoyed it!!
Wow!! I couldn't put this book down. So not what I expected. The story line between Mallory and Elise was like watching a movie, and the detail given to describe the Wise One and Elise's changes were just so addictive. Elise was strong in how she kept fighting. Her family members however were a bunch of wackos and so was Cray. I really felt like I was there with Mallory experiencing everything she went through. The ending totally caught me off guard, I love when that happens, and Pierce really needed a rude awakening about the whole thing.
Thank you for letting me read your book, I totally enjoyed it!!
April 15, 2015
I started reading Line of Decent and couldn't put it down. Very impressive debut book by James Derry. The novel is a supernatural story that turns into a thriller with a surprise twist that you won't see coming. Well developed and likable characters that you want to root for. Especially Mallory who I hope comes back in Derry's next book! If you are looking for a good read, I recommend this book.
June 8, 2015
wasn't really my thing but not that bad!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/0...
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2015/0...
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