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pgmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars!
WOW. This book really upped the ante from the first. I feel every aspect was done with care: the story, the worldbuilding, and the characters.
By far my favorite part of the book was Bree's growth with her magic and her character. The magic system in this is really inventive and interesting. As the main character is a WOC, the struggles she goes through specifically are so impactful and emotional. The scene when she is confronted by the Regents about their true plan truly brought me to tears. I was rooting for Bree everytime she spoke her mind!
Additionally, the small complaint I had in this book about some characters not getting development got remedied; by focusing on fewer characters, we got to know the select few much more. I ADORE Alice and am literally waiting on the edge of my seat after her story ended. Nicholas, despite not being in it much, has a little character development, and of course, the relationship between Selwyn and Bree is very interesting and nuanced! Because the characters got more screentime and we follow Bree's journey with her title and magic, the ending of this book was so thrilling and beautiful.
If I had any complaints, I will say it was sometimes hard to follow the world building with Arthur's memories, and the beginning of the story is a little slow-paced. But by the middle of the book I was very invested. I can't wait until Tracy Deonn drops the next book! I'm waiting patiently.
WOW. This book really upped the ante from the first. I feel every aspect was done with care: the story, the worldbuilding, and the characters.
By far my favorite part of the book was Bree's growth with her magic and her character. The magic system in this is really inventive and interesting. As the main character is a WOC, the struggles she goes through specifically are so impactful and emotional.
Additionally, the small complaint I had in this book about some characters not getting development got remedied; by focusing on fewer characters, we got to know the select few much more.
If I had any complaints, I will say it was sometimes hard to follow the world building with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault
kenzaett's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a wild ride. I finished this at work, with an audiobook. Couldn't not finish it today. Soon as I got off work I hit the five stars, haha. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND PICK IT UP. I would have neveerrrr guessed two of the big plot twist reveals.
This series is absolutely beautiful, and I haven't been quite enthralled in a long time. I first heard about the cycle from "cary can read" on YouTube who hyped it as her favorite, and I just wanna thank her sm. I understand you know, though the book was very different from what I imagined. The world building is INTENSE, especially compared to Book #1, and you can tell Tracy has spent soo much time planning and researching and writing for this. Thank you, if you happen to read this.
I didn't realize how very important and underrated/used POC main characters were, and to not only mention them but to highlight their struggles unapologetically, brief on their trauma and make them human and not a plot device. The diversity didn't feel forced, rather natural, in flow with how the real world is reflected. I'm happy for a generation of young girls who will have many new heroines to look up to and identify with.
I found myself not really caring for their ages btw, as I do believe it all to be a bit unrealistic for 16 to 18 year olds to to through, knowing curring 16 year olds and their maturity, so I just decided to imagine them all aged up by 4 years. But my 14 year old self would have loved it and identified with them, no complaints.
Anyhow, I loved the writing, wording, the integration of Welsh in the many flashback scenes, don't think I've ever looked up so many words in my kindle dictionary, loved the character development, even in minor characters ... Even the Southern charme got to me a a German girl, I now have American suburbs and cowboy ranches on my tiktok algorithm. Top ten favorite reads this year for sure. Cannot wait for the third book. There's still so, so many questions unanswered.
Oh - and I'm definitely Team Nick (although the waterfall and clearing scene gave me huge butterflies). I hate the trope of good guy disappears so he's replaced by the one who stayed. Naaaaahhhh. Give him time to find himself again pls Bree.
This series is absolutely beautiful, and I haven't been quite enthralled in a long time. I first heard about the cycle from "cary can read" on YouTube who hyped it as her favorite, and I just wanna thank her sm. I understand you know, though the book was very different from what I imagined. The world building is INTENSE, especially compared to Book #1, and you can tell Tracy has spent soo much time planning and researching and writing for this. Thank you, if you happen to read this.
I didn't realize how very important and underrated/used POC main characters were, and to not only mention them but to highlight their struggles unapologetically, brief on their trauma and make them human and not a plot device. The diversity didn't feel forced, rather natural, in flow with how the real world is reflected. I'm happy for a generation of young girls who will have many new heroines to look up to and identify with.
I found myself not really caring for their ages btw, as I do believe it all to be a bit unrealistic for 16 to 18 year olds to to through, knowing curring 16 year olds and their maturity, so I just decided to imagine them all aged up by 4 years. But my 14 year old self would have loved it and identified with them, no complaints.
Anyhow, I loved the writing, wording, the integration of Welsh in the many flashback scenes, don't think I've ever looked up so many words in my kindle dictionary, loved the character development, even in minor characters ... Even the Southern charme got to me a a German girl, I now have American suburbs and cowboy ranches on my tiktok algorithm. Top ten favorite reads this year for sure. Cannot wait for the third book. There's still so, so many questions unanswered.
Oh - and I'm definitely Team Nick (although the waterfall and clearing scene gave me huge butterflies). I hate the trope of good guy disappears so he's replaced by the one who stayed. Naaaaahhhh. Give him time to find himself again pls Bree.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Car accident, Racial slurs, and Mental illness
Minor: War, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, and Vomit
th3a's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
sankta_aleena's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
SELWYN KANE MY LOVE
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, Slavery, and War
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bloodmarked is book two in the Legendborn cycle by Tracy Deonn, and I would give it 6 stars if I could !
I really loved the commentary on racism and prejudice, it reminded me of (view spoiler) but for young adults.
My mind is racing with so many questions, because of course it ended on a cliff hanger. Which, I'm not mad about, I expected the cliff hanger because there's supposed to be at the least one more book in the cycle.
I'm not sure what else to say other than my friends and I are definitely team Sel, the last part ofthe book had us shook, and we can't wait for the next book in the cycle! It's so nice to buddy read books with a book club.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars!
I listened to this for free on Scribd
I really loved the commentary on racism and prejudice, it reminded me of (view spoiler) but for young adults.
My mind is racing with so many questions, because of course it ended on a cliff hanger. Which, I'm not mad about, I expected the cliff hanger because there's supposed to be at the least one more book in the cycle.
I'm not sure what else to say other than my friends and I are definitely team Sel, the last part ofthe book had us shook, and we can't wait for the next book in the cycle! It's so nice to buddy read books with a book club.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars!
I listened to this for free on Scribd
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Slavery, Murder, Racial slurs, Death, Body horror, Abandonment, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Racism, and Rape
saltylane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The two books in this series (so far??) are full of emotions and plenty of drama & action. There are many mysteries intertwined, and by the end, most are buttoned up nicely… Others are left to either set up for an additional book or to give readers something to think about after.
It’s rough listening to some scenes, especially because the reader is excellent at inflecting intense emotions in their voice acting. There are heartbreaking moments, as well as moments that will leave you mentally yelling at the very-much-flawed characters when they make questionable decisions.
The author has a good method of fleshing out characters in a way that makes them very three-dimensional and making their interconnected relationships really show in the best and worst ways. The twist endings and plot points are also ones that make sense and aren’t there only to mess with the reader expectations. The end of this book especially makes me want to know the answers to the many questions left by the last words. If there’s not an additional book in the series, the ending still works, even with threads hanging in uncertain directions.
It’s rough listening to some scenes, especially because the reader is excellent at inflecting intense emotions in their voice acting. There are heartbreaking moments, as well as moments that will leave you mentally yelling at the very-much-flawed characters when they make questionable decisions.
The author has a good method of fleshing out characters in a way that makes them very three-dimensional and making their interconnected relationships really show in the best and worst ways. The twist endings and plot points are also ones that make sense and aren’t there only to mess with the reader expectations. The end of this book especially makes me want to know the answers to the many questions left by the last words. If there’s not an additional book in the series, the ending still works, even with threads hanging in uncertain directions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Murder, Car accident, Grief, Medical content, Racism, Medical trauma, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Confinement, Bullying, and Colonisation
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, Transphobia, Sexism, Racial slurs, Self harm, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
marippe's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“That I am Arthur’s heir not by choice or honor, but by violence.”
Bloodmarked didn’t fail to impress me~
Sel’s screentime and rizz was CHEFS KISS.
That ending was criminal… Can’t wait till book 3!!!
that CARIAD SPEECH. got me KICKING MY FEET!! AND SCREAMING!!!!!
Bloodmarked didn’t fail to impress me~
Sel’s screentime and rizz was CHEFS KISS.
That ending was criminal… Can’t wait till book 3!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Xenophobia, War, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, Death of parent, Slavery, Death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, and Racial slurs
myahstover's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent
cady_sass's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is SO CLOSE to perfect - I love everything about it but the plot gets really muddy and confusing in the last couple of chapters with all the dream sequences and big reveals. I don’t often say this, so you know I’m serious when I do say it, if you need to add another 100 or so pages to make it make more sense then PLEASE do it and don’t rush through crucial plot points! All that said…… team selwyn forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ u can fight me idc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Sexism, Abandonment, Medical content, Slavery, Classism, Bullying, Kidnapping, Misogyny, War, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, and Murder
kianareads's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
y’all.
This. Freaking. Book.
It took off RUNNING and dragged me right along with it 😭 Everything we loved about Legendborn is back in BLOODMARKED but amplified by 1000:
• The literal Black girl magic
• THE TWISTS
• The romance (pls don’t talk to me about the “cariad” moment I’m still recovering 🥺)
• Nuanced exploration of grief, generational trauma, racism, tradition, and resilience
• Artful world building
All of it. x1000.
BLOODMARKED is a love letter to being your ancestors’ wildest dreams, and also just being yourself. It’s a reminder to choose yourself. It’s a breath held for generations, released with understanding and with fire. It’s gratitude for unconditional friendships. It is a truly gorgeous fantasy that so (seemingly) effortlessly weaves all of this and more into its pages.
I started and finished (all 551 pages of it) within one day.
I laughed, I cried (often), I screamed (out loud), I jabbed my book with my finger (so often my finger was red), I gasped (way too many times).
Tracy Deonn is a master of her craft and I’m just so damn grateful to be able to experience Bree’s story. ❤️🔥
This. Freaking. Book.
It took off RUNNING and dragged me right along with it 😭 Everything we loved about Legendborn is back in BLOODMARKED but amplified by 1000:
• The literal Black girl magic
• THE TWISTS
• The romance (pls don’t talk to me about the “cariad” moment I’m still recovering 🥺)
• Nuanced exploration of grief, generational trauma, racism, tradition, and resilience
• Artful world building
All of it. x1000.
BLOODMARKED is a love letter to being your ancestors’ wildest dreams, and also just being yourself. It’s a reminder to choose yourself. It’s a breath held for generations, released with understanding and with fire. It’s gratitude for unconditional friendships. It is a truly gorgeous fantasy that so (seemingly) effortlessly weaves all of this and more into its pages.
I started and finished (all 551 pages of it) within one day.
I laughed, I cried (often), I screamed (out loud), I jabbed my book with my finger (so often my finger was red), I gasped (way too many times).
Tracy Deonn is a master of her craft and I’m just so damn grateful to be able to experience Bree’s story. ❤️🔥
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Racism, Sexism, Stalking, Death, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Slavery, Torture, Grief, Sexual assault, and Violence