Scan barcode
loonytoons's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Entertaining. No resolution so need the later books in the series
zazreads's review
3.75
My word. This book is free on kindle so I did not remotely expect it to be that damn good. Where is all this missing hype hiding?
I recommend this read for fans of fantasy with a strong focus on world building. The cliche YA-type title is misleading, this is worth tapping into.
I recommend this read for fans of fantasy with a strong focus on world building. The cliche YA-type title is misleading, this is worth tapping into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Forced institutionalization
lycheeteareads's review
4.0
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
ryoflame's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved the worldbuilding in this one, I could almost feel the rain throughout as I followed this adventure. A refreshing adult fantasy with a lovable and broad cast of characters, I'm excited to see where things go in the next few books!
galaxyaf's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest
deafandbookish's review
5.0
First book for a four book series called Nightmarked by Kay Ross. This is the first book I have read by Kay Ross and it is gold!
The world building is amazing and the characters seem to be morally grey at this point, I still don’t know who to root for.
This seems to be a modern take on SJM’s ACOTAR series.
Love!!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world building is amazing and the characters seem to be morally grey at this point, I still don’t know who to root for.
This seems to be a modern take on SJM’s ACOTAR series.
Love!!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
neilsef's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
This is an urban fantasy, but one set in a dystopian future where society is governed by a church that controls the populace, which in turn can manipulate a power called 'The Ley', but only if they are, 'Marked', a type of tattoo which are administered by the church.
The backdrop of philosophy and theology behind this story takes a bit to get into but is worth the effort.
The characters are all likeable, for the most part, and are well-defined with interesting personalities, however, the pace of the story isn't quick, but it is consistently engaging and intriguing enough to keep you turning the page.
As the first book in a new series it certainly does what it needs to do, draw you in, get you invested in the characters and wanting to know what happens next.
The backdrop of philosophy and theology behind this story takes a bit to get into but is worth the effort.
The characters are all likeable, for the most part, and are well-defined with interesting personalities, however, the pace of the story isn't quick, but it is consistently engaging and intriguing enough to keep you turning the page.
As the first book in a new series it certainly does what it needs to do, draw you in, get you invested in the characters and wanting to know what happens next.
roxxie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
City of Storms (Nightmarked, #1) ♦ Kat Ross | Review
A tarot reader who is hiding a sinister secret. A priest whose damaged heart prevents him from falling asleep. A fallen angel determined to destroy them both.
City of Storms by Kat Ross captured me whole.
When I first started reading City of Storms, I had some hiccups with the story. Because there was a lot of information presented initially that was confusing. But after reading a few pages, and with the aid of the glossary, a mystical world brimming with magic became clear to me.
Opinion
The setting is incredibly immersive and dark, and the characters are quite well-developed and very interesting. Kat Ross does a brilliant job of capturing the reader in a world that is both very different from our own and appears to be so very similar to it. Furthermore, her perspective on magic and how everything is interconnected is magnificent.
City of Storms is the first installment of a quadrology called Nightmarked. The story comes around with a lot of unexpected twists, which drew me deeper and deeper into the plot. I was very intrigued by the whole of it. The world building and the three main characters excited me, that I could hardly put my Kindle down.
Fra Alexei Bryce reacts to the Markhounds (special bred dogs) alarm about someone turning insane and Kasia Novak, a cardomancer (tarot reader), who ran for her life because of the mad one. That’s how Ross threw me into the action as the novel begins. Although the rapid-fire introduction of new vocabulary and terms initially makes reading difficult due to the absence of prior context, it was a strong and enthralling beginning. Given that the world building seems to draw extensively from both Latin and the Catholic Church, some knowledge with both would come handy. But as I stated already, the glossary helps a lot as well.
The pace of the story was perfect. I never felt like I had to rush through the pages to keep up. Also, there weren’t any boring sections that contained too many explanations or described unimportant dialogues and actions.
City of Storms is really well written, and I didn’t even lose touch with the characters. They did take a little time before I took a liking to them, including the antihero.
Conclusion
★★★★★
I really did enjoy reading City of Storms, and I am really excited to dive right into the next installment. I can’t really say why I am excited, because I am not willing to leave any spoilers. But I can recommend this book for readers who enjoy Dark Fantasy paired with Mystery, Magic and Paranormal.
I received an advance review copy for free at BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
A tarot reader who is hiding a sinister secret. A priest whose damaged heart prevents him from falling asleep. A fallen angel determined to destroy them both.
City of Storms by Kat Ross captured me whole.
When I first started reading City of Storms, I had some hiccups with the story. Because there was a lot of information presented initially that was confusing. But after reading a few pages, and with the aid of the glossary, a mystical world brimming with magic became clear to me.
Opinion
The setting is incredibly immersive and dark, and the characters are quite well-developed and very interesting. Kat Ross does a brilliant job of capturing the reader in a world that is both very different from our own and appears to be so very similar to it. Furthermore, her perspective on magic and how everything is interconnected is magnificent.
City of Storms is the first installment of a quadrology called Nightmarked. The story comes around with a lot of unexpected twists, which drew me deeper and deeper into the plot. I was very intrigued by the whole of it. The world building and the three main characters excited me, that I could hardly put my Kindle down.
Fra Alexei Bryce reacts to the Markhounds (special bred dogs) alarm about someone turning insane and Kasia Novak, a cardomancer (tarot reader), who ran for her life because of the mad one. That’s how Ross threw me into the action as the novel begins. Although the rapid-fire introduction of new vocabulary and terms initially makes reading difficult due to the absence of prior context, it was a strong and enthralling beginning. Given that the world building seems to draw extensively from both Latin and the Catholic Church, some knowledge with both would come handy. But as I stated already, the glossary helps a lot as well.
The pace of the story was perfect. I never felt like I had to rush through the pages to keep up. Also, there weren’t any boring sections that contained too many explanations or described unimportant dialogues and actions.
City of Storms is really well written, and I didn’t even lose touch with the characters. They did take a little time before I took a liking to them, including the antihero.
Conclusion
★★★★★
I really did enjoy reading City of Storms, and I am really excited to dive right into the next installment. I can’t really say why I am excited, because I am not willing to leave any spoilers. But I can recommend this book for readers who enjoy Dark Fantasy paired with Mystery, Magic and Paranormal.
I received an advance review copy for free at BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
mlludwig's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Loved it! Even as a frequent reader of fantasy, I found there were unique aspects to the magic system and how it worked, who used it, and what it was capable of. Also I really appreciated the development of how the magic worked in the theocracy setting – and the different religious sects, and the political power games that come into play with that. There was a ton of religion in the book (with the government and characters) without actually being religious, which was something I appreciated.
I instantly loved Alexei – because dogs always know the good ones – and also Kasia, two of the main characters. Both bright and sharp, with interesting backstories and strong motivations. Still there are viewpoints from a lot of characters which I think worked really well to give the reader an excellent bird’s eye view of the action, and with all the characters being really well developed. Even for characters I didn’t “like” I still loved reading their POV – ah, Malach – and seeing what chaos they were causing next.
Great characters, an interesting magic system, fast-paced, lots of political games – these are a few of my favorite things in fantasy novels. Will absolutely be adding the sequel to my TBR pile.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of the book via Voracious Readers Only.
I instantly loved Alexei – because dogs always know the good ones – and also Kasia, two of the main characters. Both bright and sharp, with interesting backstories and strong motivations. Still there are viewpoints from a lot of characters which I think worked really well to give the reader an excellent bird’s eye view of the action, and with all the characters being really well developed. Even for characters I didn’t “like” I still loved reading their POV – ah, Malach – and seeing what chaos they were causing next.
Great characters, an interesting magic system, fast-paced, lots of political games – these are a few of my favorite things in fantasy novels. Will absolutely be adding the sequel to my TBR pile.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of the book via Voracious Readers Only.
autumnrosepetals's review
So incredibly boring, so much was happening and yet it did not capture my attention in the least