"The continuation of a compelling gothic story"
Caitlyn McKenna continues her compelling gothic saga in
DESCENT OF DEMONS, the second book in the trilogy. This story begins where ECHOES OF ANGELS left off, with
Julienne Blackthorne thought dead and her lover Morgan
Saint-Evanston chasing after his nemesis, Xavier D'Shagre.
Julienne had been abandoned and though near death, with a
dreadful daemon coming to life within her chest, she had an
incredible will to live and find Morgan, her only hope of
survival in the harsh world of Sclyd. Morgan had always scorned his birthright, turning his back
on his magickal half after the death which caused the
burning hatred between he and Xavier to be born. He
believes Julienne is lost and cannot forgive himself for
the tragic end which became her. Now he awakens his powers
once more, knowing he'll need them in the coming battle
which could spell the end of his world. Xavier has found the key to using the greatest of all
magickal forces, and hopes to unlock the secrets of the
Scrolls of Cachaen to claim that untold power, to
regenerate himself, and to gain control of all three
worlds: that of humans, that of Sclyd, and that of the
spirit realm. Morgan and Julienne must find each other
before it's too late, and use his powers and hers- soon- to-
be- gained, to defeat Xavier and prevent the hell he
intends to unleash. Time is against Julienne and Morgan,
but will they achieve success before it is too late? Once again, Ms. McKenna welcomes readers into the world of
her imagination, where magick reigns, both good and ill.
She has created such vivid imagery that readers will be
drawn into the scenery, from the beautiful forests of
Danarra, to the twisted realm of the Cult of Ouroborous
(the Dragon), to the underground caverns of Erabris. One
will see it all, and feel the heat or chill so clearly that
it is as if being present there. The magick found, both white and black, is so clear, so
crisp, with rituals defined, that one will believe such
things as described do in fact exist. The cult's evil is
felt and experienced along with the fictional participants
and it is almost expected that the powers unleashed can
reach beyond the pages of the book to taint this world. Julienne and Morgan's relationships grows in this chapter
of the saga, giving more understanding as to why they are
drawn to one another, in spite of the huge emotional
burdens and flaws they each carry. Julienne comes into her
strengths more in this story, and her path to learning more
about her legacy, and overcoming her past, will intrigue
readers and make them long to know more about her. Morgan
is more an antihero then hero, but readers will empathize
with him, as they come to learn more about his reasons for
turning to the vices he did. His whole desire in life is to
overcome his corrupted history, to get past the sick things
he learned at his father's knee. His twin sister Megwyn, is
seen more in this story as well, and though her role is
more behind the scenes here, it is evident that she will
come into play much more in the third book in the series.
One gets the feeling her ultimate showdown with Morgan will
forever change their world, and determine if good or evil
shall win the war. This story will be much better understood by people who
have read the first story in the trilogy before this one,
but it can stand alone as a separate book as well. In
short, the progression of the saga is brilliantly
continued, and will make fans, be they new or old, stand up
and take notice of Ms. McKenna's talent, while awaiting the
final, sure to be breathtaking chapter, in the series. © Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2004. All rights reserved.
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted November 28, 2004
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted December 14, 2006
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Keepers of Eternity
The Scrolls of Cachaen.
Remembered only as legend, these writings gathered by an
obscure sect of wizards were hidden because of the
diabolical forces they could unleash from the netherworld.
Lost for five millennia, the resting place of the scrolls is
accidentally discovered by Xavier D'Shagre. Wounded and
dying, the sorcerer seeks to possess the writings to restore
his waning magic. Revenge fires his hatred, lit by Morgan
Saint-Evanston, the assassin who murdered Xavier's beloved
wife, Nisidia.
Xavier vows he will not rest until his enemy is dead.
The sorcerer's search for the scrolls is discovered by an
unlikely source: Julienne Blackthorne. Believed dead, her
body was tossed into a charnel room. Alive amongst the reek
of the battle dead, she seeks to escape her hellish
incarceration. Time is against her, for she carries the
embryo of a vampiric daemon that will consume her if it is
not fed human blood. Julienne must escape Xavier's dungeons
and find Morgan, her last hope for survival in the realm of
Sclyd.
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