“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis #1)

by Kelsey Ketch

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology

Release Date: October 26, 2013

Rating: 3 stars

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Synopsis:

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

Book Excerpt

“Natti, you need to relax,” Seth finally said.

She froze in her place and looked at him. “Relax! Are you mental? My best friend was drugged!”

Seth stood up from the long, ratty sofa, peeled apart her hands, and took them into his. “You don’t know that for sure.” He brushed his thumbs over her skin in soft, smooth strokes. “Just let the doctors worry about it.”

The calm, soft tingle of his touch seeped through her skin, coursing lightly over her nerves and releasing their tension. Her mind and body began to calm down, making her realize how badly every muscle had been physically shaking. Slowly, layer upon layer of fear and stress simply vanished until she felt nothing at all. She looked up at Seth’s eyes, drawn to their warmth and comfort.

“Okay . . .” Natti spoke, almost breathless. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” Seth’s voice was seductive as he leaned his forehead against hers. His scent of spice cologne, myrrh, and sandalwood consumed her senses, and his eyes captured her soul.

“This,” she pressed. “The sensations of your touch. I’ve been feeling it all night and even before. Ever since we met. And don’t try to lie. I know you’re doing it, but how?”

Seth smirked at her question, his eyes turning their focus to her hands. “It’s nothing.”

Natti couldn’t help smile as more of the tingling sensation slipped over her skin. “Oh, it’s something. What is it?”

His beautiful full lips tempted her with a smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

Silence fell between them while he seemed to think it over, meanwhile massaging her hands with his thumbs and fingers. The pressure, the release, each movement slowly pulling her thoughts and focus onto his hands. “Touch is a magical thing, Natti,” he explained. “It can comfort.” He raised one hand and stroked her cheek, soft and gentle. “It can entice.” His thumb moved along her jaw and applied pressure as it traveled down her neck, causing her to shiver with delight. “And it can hurt. Whatever the intensions, it brings two people together. It makes a certain . . . connection.”

Though there was no heaviness of a lie, she chuckled at his response. “You’re right. I don’t believe you. Touch is just a sense. A tool the human body uses.”

“Yes, and it’s a powerful tool when used the right way.” His honey voice teasing her, tempting her. “Now come sit with me and relax. Wanda will be all right.”

My Thoughts:

Right off the bat, Natti’s character is pretty likeable. She’s sarcastic, smart and a level headed teenager, even though her father is completely clueless and uninvolved in her life. I really would have liked it if the author spent more time on Natti’s mother and her grandmother in this first book as their lineage holds such a high stake on Natti’s fate in the book rather than focus so much on Seth’s family and his perspective. Looking back on it, ¾ of the book deals with Seth and his connection with Set than it does the Daughters of Isis.

As a result, Natti’s character began to feel like a supporting character rather than the protagonist. The more time Natti and Seth spent together the less Natti’s character acted like herself.

It kind of felt like the author turned Natti into a lovesick puppy around Seth and she seemed to stop thinking for herself. Moreover, with such a short time span, I don’t feel as though Natti and Seth qualified as being in love by the end of this book. Strong crushing—maybe. The thing that disappointed me the most was the way in which the author made Natti’s character fall victim to Seth’s father, Sean and the fact that the only way Natti survives is because she essentially becomes the one thing she fought so hard not to become throughout the entire book—an obedient slave.

Regardless of Seth’s so called feelings for Natti, at the end Natti is his slave. Not his equal, not his soul mate, not his girlfriend or destined one true love.

Finally, since the book went on for so long and focused most of its content on the abilities from Seth and those in his inner circle, I found it confusing at times as to why so much content was being stretched into a series. And Seth’s hot and cold routine grew tiring quickly and extremely early in the book and by the end I started to get bored with the direction of the story. I would, however, be interested in what happens next in this book series if just to see Natti grow a back bone and turn on Sean, Seth and their Set brood.

Which is why I give this book 3 stars. It was not terrible, but a bit of a let down when it came to Natti’s character development. I did, however, love all of the Egyptian mythology and historical details and cultural rituals that the author incorporated in this book. It will be the main reason I continue with this series. I’m just hoping that with the next few books in this series we’re able to discover that Natti will unlock a hidden power or ability to help her stop the Set followers and regain control over her life. *fingers crossed*

About the Author:

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.

For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

You can also find and contact Kelsey here at  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 

Review copy was provided by:

Thanks so much for reading.

Until next time,

Gia.