Descent (Kissed by Death) by Tara Fuller – a Review

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Description:
Easton doesn’t believe in love. He believes in Death. Darkness. Sin. As a reaper for Hell, it’s all he’s known for over four hundred years. When he gets slapped with the job of training the boss’s daughter, an angel who knows nothing but joy, he knows he’s in for a world of trouble.

Though he’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with her outside of work, Gwen would do anything to get closer to the dark and wounded reaper—even taint her angelic image and join the ranks of her father’s team of reapers. But in all her planning, she forgot to factor in one thing—how far the demons Easton doomed to hell would go to get revenge.

When the dangers of the Hell threaten Gwen, Easton will do whatever it takes to save her. But as the darkness closes in on them both, will he be able to save himself?

Review:

Easton has finally arrived…and resides in my heart. He stays, goes nowhere – I’ve waited too long! I have been dying for Easton’s book, Ms. Fuller can attest to several pleading emails, lol. The enigmatic, dark horse reaper for hell is uncomfortable in the spotlight, but he’s made himself too irresistible to hang back any longer. I was swept anew thanks to the layered world building and amazing character developments. Descent was well worth the wait!

A reaping gone wrong introduces Easton to Gwen. A yellow card for interference, but to whom exactly?! Easton’s the ultimate soul reaper, cold and detached, ready to collect his charge, but for heavenly Gwen, Easton intercepts one of her “projects”.

“I should have felt guilty, but that would require feeling. I didn’t do feeling. Not anymore.”

Regardless of claim or purpose, the unflappable Easton is shaken to the core. From that unexpected moment on, Gwen’s brief observation of Easton (and the error they inadvertently contributed to) catapults her to shake off expectations and explore the darker side she’s never been privy to. With such foundations breaking, someone higher up, or below, is bound to notice.

“You’ve been requesting a replacement for Anaya for months. Here she is. Your job is to train her. If you don’t think you can handle the task, I’m sure I can find a more suitable assignment.”

So now big, bad Balthazar (his boss) considers Easton management material? Could Balthazar simply be setting up Easton for failure? Gwen is his daughter after all! I know, how very intriguing! The mounting tension and desire was too impossible to deny; Easton is helpless to reject the offer. Lucky for us, Ms. Fuller doesn’t deprive us of the swoon-worthy. Moreover, we again are shown a different side to Balthazar. His dynamic as the big bad coupled with being a father is a unique story begging to be told.

I have to say Gwen was too chipper for me to start. She’s an angel, it’s par for the course, but her beatific, angelic outlook was off-putting. She was on a personal, irreversible mission of “salvation” whether Easton wanted her help or not.

“I felt too much. I wanted too much…I needed a new challenge. Whatever the reason, I felt an unquenchable need to bring this reaper joy.”

Again, it’s in her angel nature. I just took umbrage at Easton being her objective; I’d gladly take Easton as is!

It was Gwen’s acceptance of Easton’s rough edges that shattered my impression, however. Angel or no, Gwen is no pushover; especially when she realizes she would love Easton by her eternal side. For the time being, she’ll settle for his help to fix the huge reaping mistake. Who wouldn’t fight for this guy?!

Will their collaboration on the “pointless rescue mission” be a success? Will Easton’s tour of hell scare the curiosity out of Gwen? Someone’s getting fired…one way or the other.

A descent implies downward movement, but I could not have been more uplifted. I really recommend you begin at Inbetween, the introduction to the Kissed by Death series. The terminology will not only clarify this complex world, but it sets the mood for tremendous developments and heart. When you arrive at Descent, though, prepare for a fabulous read centered on Easton, the ever enthralling character, and Gwen, one outstanding woman in her own right, as well as his worthy counterpart. Love, love, looooooooved this book!!!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher