For centuries, Phoebe Whelan’s family of witches and mages has guarded the Book of Sindal, a tome filled with spells so evil it could destroy the world. After their parents’ death six years ago, it’s up to Phoebe and her older and younger sisters—Rowan and Celeste—to guard the book with their magic and their supernaturally fortified land. But Celeste’s expression magic is wild and untamed, and … without their mother’s calming influence, Celeste is slowly going mad.
When the book—and Celeste—go missing, the Valarian Small Council believes Celeste stole the deadly book of spells. When they assign Captain Brandon Cassidy, the head of the Magical Protective Force and Phoebe’s former high school crush, to look for book, and things get a whole lot more complicated
Soon it becomes apparent a dark force has taken the book, which will only open with the blood of all three Whelans. The Dark Set has the strongest sister, now it needs the blood of the other two. Brandon’s mission quickly changes to include her protection, but Phoebe’s goal has remained the same—find the book and her sister, prove Celeste’s innocence, and let nothing get in her way, including her reawakened feelings for the man at her side.
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As always a great read. Couldn’t put it down.
This story line was completely original. It kept me guessing from beginning to end. The main characters are likable and remarkably realistic even though they are apart of a fictional universe. I liked that it was an adult book. Most other witch books I have read are young adult. The story also flowed seamlessly and I would have not been able to guess it was co-authored. I look forward to the next installment of this series.
Such a different book compared to DGS others, but it was awesome. I really enjoyed it. A coven of witches, in which the Whelan sisters have a very important task of protecting a book. The book of sindal. Everything is normal, as normal as it can be with the youngest sister struggling with their task. Until the two older sisters wake realizing they had been asleep for 24hrs and their sister and the book are gone.
I felt this book in my whole body! Book One of the Book of Sindal series was fantastic! I’ve been saving this series because I knew it would rock my world. And boy was I not wrong. My feelings didn’t know which way to go throughout the book. Didn’t know who to trust or how I thought it would end. I love books that don’t follow the same type of script. Hands down five stars for this amazing first book, Descended from Shadows!
So, I listened to this book with the audible app because I was driving over 24 hours in two days. I really wish book two had been available because after listening to this first book, I can’t wait to read the second! So three sisters, who happen to be witches, have to protect a book full of magical secrets passed down for centuries. It sounds a little far fetched but somehow Denise Grover Swank makes it sound perfectly normal. The three sisters live pretty normal lives and only use their magic to hide this book – for the most part. Well, there are a lot of “bad guys” out there who want to get their hands on this book filled with black magic and blood magic potions and information. There is a breakdown in the secret community and the prized book that the sisters thought was so secret and protected is not! Throw in an old high school crush who is now the head of the secret witch society police force and you have some pretty exciting adventures and sexual tension. Pheobe and “Bran” – his nick name from high school- hit the road to find who kidnapped the youngest sister and THE BOOK!
I absolutely loved this book!! It is so entertaining I couldn’t put it down.
Phobe Whelan and her two sisters have the daunting task of guarding a magical book that could change the world. The book of Sindal has been protected by her family for generations. While it possible task it is burdensome, always being in guard, not being able to trust those around you, being bound to their property. It’s all weighing heavily on her and her sisters. But what happens when the book is stolen and her younger sister kidnapped…..
Brandon Cassidy is the captain of the Protective Force, they are charged with keeping the magical community in line. Brandon can’t believe he is seeing Phoebe again after all this time, she is more beautiful than when they were in high school. Brandon is tasked with the investigation into the missing book and the missing Whelan sister a task that will be difficult to separate his personal feelings from his duty.
This book is a great escape into a world of magic!
Oh my gods! I absolutely loved this modern day witch story by DG Swank and Alessandra Thomas. Descended From Shadows is about Phoebe Whelan’s family of witches, whose quest to protect the Book of Sindal has spanned hundreds and hundreds of years. After the death of their parents, the three Whelan sisters are entrusted to guard the book with their magic and supernatural family land. When the book and her sister Celeste go missing, Phoebe must work together with her old high school crush, Brandon Cassidy, to reclaim the book that could destroy the world. If you aren’t familiar with the paranormal or anything relating to witches, Swank and Thomas do an amazing job of explaining everything you’ll need to know to enjoy this wonderful story. You would also never know that it was co-written between two authors. Their beautiful writing flowed together flawlessly, and I can’t wait until Rowan’s story in the Reign of Mist is released next month!
You want suspense? You want mystery? You want a story that is fast paced and filled with the unexpected? You want a book that has a sexy, HOT, Alpha male, and a strong female who is protective of the people she loves? All, of which is intertwined in a magical world of witches, mages, and all the facets of that world you would expect and a romance of years in evolving? Then, “Descended from the Shadows”, book one of Book of Sindal, is a must read for you! It is a Sci-Fi romantic adventure, the characters are well developed and we see their growth in understanding themselves and accepting who they are throughout the story.
The sister Witches: Phoebe, Celeste and Rowen have been entrusted to protecting The Book of Sindal. They have a beautiful bond, are strong characters and are loyal to each other. Celeste goes missing, along with the book and the story begins! Oh, wait! Here come handsome Brandon – now, the story takes off! He has been recruited to find the book and needs to help Celeste realize that he can help her and the sparks fly!
A wonderful start to a new series! D.S. Swank and Alessandra Thomas do an amazing job. This book isn’t a cliffhanger BUT the story continues in the next book and I can’t wait to read Rowan’s story! Thank you both for a wonderful read!!!
Wow! This book was amazing. I really don’t read books on witches and mages but I gave it a try because I LOVE Denise’s work. Denise and Alessandra Thomas wrote a fine book. I love the characters. Brandon and Phoebe join forces to find Phoebe’s sister Celeste and the Book Of Sindal.. I love the twist and turns in this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat until I was done.
It’s always hard to start a new series…but how can you love new characters without taking a risk. This book starts off with three sisters who are tasked with a job at some personal cost. It took me a chapter or two to figure out who I liked, which then quickly became characters I loved! Reading about the sisterhood and magic reminded me slightly of the show charmed. A show that I loved as well. I also like how these witches don’t have basic magic, like telekinesis and mind reading…it’s different. Must read to find out what kind!
3.75-4 stars. This was a good book! Descended from Shadows is the first book in the Book of Sindal series. This book is Phoebe and Brandon’s story. Phoebe and her two sisters are witches. In their witch community, the women in their family has been tasked for hundreds of years with the responsibility of guarding the Book of Sindal. The mysterious book is full of evil spells that could ruin the world if they get put in the wrong hands. Now, as the keepers of the book, Phoebe and her sisters hold the fate of the world in their hands. Something terrible happens and the book disappears, along with Phoebe’s sister Celeste, who has been acting very strange lately. The witches counsel takes the disappearance very seriously. They assign Brandon, head of the Magical Protective Force and Phoebe’s former high school crush, to look for book, and things get a whole lot more complicated. Phoebe is worried about her sister and because of their magical bond, she convinces Brandon that she must go with him to search for the book . Their relationship develops along the way.
While I enjoyed this book, I do think it was a slow starter. There was a lot of telling, not showing, in the beginning with the worldbuilding. But, once the story got going it, turned out to be really good and pretty fast paced. As the book went on, I got more and more hooked. This book is paranormal romance with a strong suspense element, action, and a romance. It was an easy and entertaining read. I really liked Phoebe, her sisters and Brandon. Phoebe and Brandon have a strong connection that felt like they were meant to be. This book has witches, a mysterious book, magic, a strong sisterly bond and a second chance romance. I really enjoyed the story and seeing the romance develop amidst the adventure.
Overall, Descended from Shadows was a good book! I am really looking forward to Phoebe’s sisters books and more from by D.G. Swank and Alessandra Thomas in the future!
Totally awesome heroine? Check. Romance? Check. Brooding yet sweet Hero? Check. Mystery? Check. The amazing “Wow” factor that is all things D.G. Swank? Check. This book has everything and more! I love the relationship between the heroine and her sisters, its a love like no other. I’m excited to read their stories soon! The authors constructed a relationship between the hero and heroine that make you cheer them on the entire time, which I love, despite their hardships. I do love paranormal books and this one is one of the best, its a fantastic blend between paranormal and the real world. I think D.G. Swank and Alessandra Thomas did a fantastic job!
What a magical start to a new series.
Descended from Shadows begins the story of the Book of Sindal.
We are introduced to the three sisters Phoebe, Rowan, and Celeste.
One very questionable, and quite handsome, captain of the guards Brandon.
And quite a few friendly, as well a nefarious secondary characters
Phoebe is the middle sister, she carries the gift of ancestral magic. Out of all the sisters, I think she leads with her emotions the most. Being the middle child she is also the peacekeeper. IMO this role has also given her a strength of will that puts her ahead of the game when it comes to stubbornness
Rowan the eldest wields the gift of glamour she also seemed to me to be less confident about her self worth. She is driven though, and at times seemed a bit superficial. We truly don’t get to know her as well as Phoebe.
Celeste is the wild card. The youngest of the sisters. Not only does it seem that she sacrifices the most with regards to her magic and the cost of casting but she seems to carry quite the chip on her shoulder. Again we don’t really get to know her except that her own feelings of jealousy may have led her to betray her sisters.
Brandon has a lot of secrets. It seemed he positioned himself so he would have a connection to Phoebe. What is his end game? What powers does he truly yield? Can he be trusted?
Celeste seems to be having a hard time keeping it together and when it comes time to set the protection spells something goes horribly wrong. When Phoebe and Rowan approach the council accusations begin to fly freely. The head Witch decides that Brandon will lead the investigation. Brandon the one boy who once held Phoebe’s heart is not the same warlock that stands before her today. With the possibilities that the betrayer could be from the council or her own sister, Phoebe is unsure of who to trust. As they uncover the evidence it is looking more and more like Celeste is guilty. Will Phoebe choose family or duty? Who is telling the truth?
A wonderful first in series. Plenty of mystery with a touch of suspense and a side of romance.
Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
And if you need to know this ends on an HFN
It is always fun to be introduced to another wonderful writer, and especially in a genre that is not typical for me to read. I read the blurb, and said yes. So glad I did. I enjoyed every chapter! Protecting a book of spells, cannot be an easy feat. It is the sisters job to do that! And who helps? A sexy alpha….. maybe!!!!
this is a brand new series and I have to say that I absolutely love it! bit of humour, bit of magic and a bit of romance, what else is needed to make a great read? The three witches in this story are sisters with a secret to protect and when this is broken they will do anything to protect it. I look forward to the next in the series to see how this progresses.
I also am going to look for Alessandra Thomas’ books as I hadn’t heard of her before and it may be an another great author to follow!
Descended from Shadows is the first book in this series by D.G. Swank and Allessandra Thomas. I have read everything D.G. Swank has written, But I am new to Allessandra Thomas. I loved this book so much. Phoebe , Rowan and Celeste have been guarding the Book of Sindal with their magic. Soon the book and Celeste go missing . It’s up to Phoebe and the council to find Celeste and the Book of Sindal.This book was a real page turner, I am excited to read the next book in this series.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very well developed and like able. There were several twists that kept me wondering who to trust, which kept me on the edge of my seat. I also love the idea of a witch heroine and am thrilled this is going to be a trilogy. I honestly. Annoy wait for the next book and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting read.
This book was very, very good! This intriguing read is filled with suspense, drama, romance, magic, evil, danger, steam and lots of twists. I liked Phoebe. She is smart and strong. Brandon is appealing but I think he is not being 100% upfront. Does end on a cliffhanger. I’m quite excited to see what happens when things continue in book two.
Not only does this have a stunning cover but the text inside was just as entertaining. Three sisters, three witches, a sacred book that needs protecting and a a hot mage. What’s not to like.
If you are a PNR fan, you too will enjoy this story. As Phoebe and Brandon race to find the book and a missing sister, their attraction grows. Both are drawn to each other but neither know how to trust one another. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.
Not what I expected at all! I love everything Denise Grover Swank writes, so there was no question… I was definitely going to read it! Not my typical genre, so wasn’t expecting to fall into this book so completely. I think I was thinking it was going to be something like “charmed” and while I loved the show… it was done to death. Yes, 3 sisters, yes, they are witches, yes they have a book… but that’s nothing! This world of witches, mages, and magic, is fantastically written and amazingly detailed. The way the story weaves ancestry, myth, magic, history, and just good old fashioned story telling… is pure magic! I can’t wait to see what happens next.