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 makes a nice gesture to save Robbie’s embarrassment at a party as he is bullied in school. This brings Robbie and Cordelia into Indigo’s life. Robbie becomes his best friend, Cordelia and him also form a strong connection, and the Carlisles’ become his family. Cordelia is the only person he tells about the voices. There is clearly a connection between them, and both of them feel it. But, their affection for each other is an unsaid thing. Until Indigo is forced to move to New York with his dad as a PR stunt. This makes his world spin on its axis.
Indigo is thrown for a loop. He cuts out the Carlisles’ from his life, which breaks their hearts, especially Cordelia’s. He drowns himself in alcohol and drugs, the voices in his head getting worse until he can’t take it anymore. Cordelia keeps pining for him in Australia. She is heartbroken that she can’t help Indigo, and worse that he is not even speaking to her. After he refuses to see her when they visit, she has to accept that things with Indigo are over. He is not coming back. Meanwhile, Indigo is recused and learns about a new world and how thin the veil is amongst the realm.
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.
The story is a character arc for Indigo. He goes through hell and back. His actions and reactions make sense because you can see how difficult it has been for him. What he does to Cordelia and her family hurts them, but it hurts him too. He is ashamed. You can always empathize with him. His healing is slow and realistically depicted even in a fantasy setting. You can also understand and hurt for Cordelia. It’s how they are able to talk about everything when they are together, to him cutting her out of his life. It is painful for her and even her family. Indigo and Cordelia both are pining for each other for the duration they are separated.
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 a sequel to come soon (hopefully). It is an enjoyable and emotional YA book.
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