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.

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.