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booksplantsandtea's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly. How I loved this book...
When I picked up Marked, I was fighting a reading slump after starting a few books that were too slow and with which I didn't really connect. I was desperate for something to get me out of the slump. So thank the gods I picked up Marked!
This book was definitely not what I expected. I thought I'd get a lovely pnr, period. But this was everything I needed and more. It contained all of my favorite tropes, the fates mates, the FMC being a strong badass woman who stands up to the grumpy MMC, there were different plotlines that kept me going "wait what? What is happening omg?!" (plottwists!). It was delicious! I've never read a Greek mythology retelling or anything of the kind, but what I'm taking away from this book is that I'm going to need to jump on that train!
I am so curious how everything is going to turn out, I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series. Zander's book is next and that little sneak peek at what may have happened between them... I need to read it like yesterday!
I'd definitely recommend this book to PNR lovers, esp if you like the fates mates trope and if you're into Greek mythology.
When I picked up Marked, I was fighting a reading slump after starting a few books that were too slow and with which I didn't really connect. I was desperate for something to get me out of the slump. So thank the gods I picked up Marked!
This book was definitely not what I expected. I thought I'd get a lovely pnr, period. But this was everything I needed and more. It contained all of my favorite tropes, the fates mates, the FMC being a strong badass woman who stands up to the grumpy MMC, there were different plotlines that kept me going "wait what? What is happening omg?!" (plottwists!). It was delicious! I've never read a Greek mythology retelling or anything of the kind, but what I'm taking away from this book is that I'm going to need to jump on that train!
I am so curious how everything is going to turn out, I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series. Zander's book is next and that little sneak peek at what may have happened between them... I need to read it like yesterday!
I'd definitely recommend this book to PNR lovers, esp if you like the fates mates trope and if you're into Greek mythology.
bergamotandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm going to be completely honest here - there were multiple times that I wanted to put this book down and stop reading. It felt overly hard to get into and the beginning of the book was very slow going. I also don't feel like there was enough background/world-building done to help the reader understand the storyline until much later (I read this an an ebook and didn't realize that there was a glossary until the end, which may have helped out with some of the new 'terms'.)
I'm kind of disappointed, since they play this off as a sort of SK/JR Ward style book, which it is. I just feel like this wasn't as well put together as either of those authors. Yet.
It wasn't an enthralling reading but it was a decent one - I hope that the next books are more fleshed out than this one was.
I'm kind of disappointed, since they play this off as a sort of SK/JR Ward style book, which it is. I just feel like this wasn't as well put together as either of those authors. Yet.
It wasn't an enthralling reading but it was a decent one - I hope that the next books are more fleshed out than this one was.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
3.0
French & English reviews
Ahhhh déçue déçue déçue ><
J'avoue, j’attendais pas mal de ce livre : une romance avec de l'urban fantasy et de la mythologie grecque ?
JE FONCE !!
Sauf que j'ai été déçu >< :
- l'univers était peu développé et pas franchement passionnant (je n'ai pas été particulièrement curieuse d'en apprendre plus sur Argolea ou sur Atalante ...)
- les personnages qui étaient ... bof bof ... Theron est juste sexy mais à côté il ne fait que mentir à l'héroïne et il l'a conduit à la mort, Casey se laisse manipuler sans trop résister (sérieux, qui emmène un inconnu à moitié mort chez soi sans appeler la police ??) et les autres personnages étaient beaucoup trop clichés ...
Deux exceptions : Isa que j'ai bien aimé et Hadès qui était génial =D J'aurais adoré qu'il y ait une romance entre eux x))
- l'histoire avec la prophétie et les intrigues politiques à Argolea ... Je ne sais, je m'attendais à plus, des choses plus développés (comment les Argonautes peuvent-ils ignorer l'existence des Misos ?? Sérieux ??)
Bref, un livre qui ne m'a pas trop convaincu ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhhh disappointed disappointed disappointed ><
I must admit, I expected a lot from this book : a romance with urban fantasy and Greek mythology ?
GO GO GO !!
Except that I was disappointed >< :
- the universe was undeveloped and not really exciting (I was not particularly curious to learn more about Argolea or Atalante ...)
- the characters who were ... bland ... Theron is just sexy but he also keeps lying to the heroine and he led her to death, Casey lets herself be manipulated without too much resistance (serious, who take a half-dead stranger home without calling the police ??) and the other characters were way too cliché ...
Two exceptions: Isa who I liked and Hades who was awesome = D I would have loved there was a romance between them x))
- the story with the prophecy and the political intrigues in Argolea ... I don't know, I expected more, more developed things (how can the Argonauts ignore the existence of the Misos ?? Seriously ??)
In short, a book that did not convince me too much ...
Ahhhh déçue déçue déçue ><
J'avoue, j’attendais pas mal de ce livre : une romance avec de l'urban fantasy et de la mythologie grecque ?
JE FONCE !!
Sauf que j'ai été déçu >< :
- l'univers était peu développé et pas franchement passionnant (je n'ai pas été particulièrement curieuse d'en apprendre plus sur Argolea ou sur Atalante ...)
- les personnages qui étaient ... bof bof ... Theron est juste sexy mais à côté il ne fait que mentir à l'héroïne et il l'a conduit à la mort, Casey se laisse manipuler sans trop résister (sérieux, qui emmène un inconnu à moitié mort chez soi sans appeler la police ??) et les autres personnages étaient beaucoup trop clichés ...
Deux exceptions : Isa que j'ai bien aimé et Hadès qui était génial =D J'aurais adoré qu'il y ait une romance entre eux x))
- l'histoire avec la prophétie et les intrigues politiques à Argolea ... Je ne sais, je m'attendais à plus, des choses plus développés (comment les Argonautes peuvent-ils ignorer l'existence des Misos ?? Sérieux ??)
Bref, un livre qui ne m'a pas trop convaincu ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhhh disappointed disappointed disappointed ><
I must admit, I expected a lot from this book : a romance with urban fantasy and Greek mythology ?
GO GO GO !!
Except that I was disappointed >< :
- the universe was undeveloped and not really exciting (I was not particularly curious to learn more about Argolea or Atalante ...)
- the characters who were ... bland ... Theron is just sexy but he also keeps lying to the heroine and he led her to death, Casey lets herself be manipulated without too much resistance (serious, who take a half-dead stranger home without calling the police ??) and the other characters were way too cliché ...
Two exceptions: Isa who I liked and Hades who was awesome = D I would have loved there was a romance between them x))
- the story with the prophecy and the political intrigues in Argolea ... I don't know, I expected more, more developed things (how can the Argonauts ignore the existence of the Misos ?? Seriously ??)
In short, a book that did not convince me too much ...
mariefun's review against another edition
2.0
I quit this book and then picked it up later and finished it (all via audiobook). I shouldn't have bothered. I quit it for a reason and that is because it's boring. The relationship moved so incredibly slow, and not in a slow-burn kind of way. They meet and it's instant attraction and lust for both of them, but they have to go through so much plot and distrust and guilt before they can come together in any real way.
The audiobook narrator made the females sound very prissy and old. I thought I was reading a more dated book by the cultural references and writing style, too.
The audiobook narrator made the females sound very prissy and old. I thought I was reading a more dated book by the cultural references and writing style, too.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Great read. Excellent start to the series
traecrochet's review
3.0
Honestly, I was going to give up on this book. It was slow moving, and I didn't connect with Casey or Theron. However, as the story went on I became intrigued by the mythology and what is going on in the background. I don't think I will continue the series.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
2.0
This book sounded like it could be a new favourite for me. I liked the sound of the mythical warriors tasked with protecting the mortal realm. And then the angst of falling for the one person who needs to die to save his people. It should have been adventurous, sexy and emotional. But instead all I really felt was a little bored. Marked felt like a book I’d read before but somehow not quite as interesting or compelling. I didn’t’ like the characters. Casey annoyed me almost from the beginning (possibly not entirely her fault. But it’s the second book I’ve read this month featuring a cocktail waitress who doesn’t dance in the gentlemens club she works at because that would be demeaning. I find it more demeaning that she’s insulting her co-workers but I should stop this rant). I didn’t like Theron either. He’s a little too macho for me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between him and Casey. Actionwise it started out pretty good but after that it seemed like it took forever for anything to happen. I did find myself wanting to flick through and see if things got exciting soon because my attention was wandering.
I can see why this book is rated just under 4 stars by most people. Because it does feature a “Greek god” style hero (as Casey kept reminding us) who is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome complete with magical powers. It has someone who proclaims to be average who turns out to be the superspecial chosen on who can save the world. There’s some steamy scenes and a healthy mix of Greek mythology and gods to spice things up. But it wasn’t the book for me. I find it hard to connect when I dislike characters and the worldbuilding at times felt overwhelming and a little boring.
I can see why this book is rated just under 4 stars by most people. Because it does feature a “Greek god” style hero (as Casey kept reminding us) who is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome complete with magical powers. It has someone who proclaims to be average who turns out to be the superspecial chosen on who can save the world. There’s some steamy scenes and a healthy mix of Greek mythology and gods to spice things up. But it wasn’t the book for me. I find it hard to connect when I dislike characters and the worldbuilding at times felt overwhelming and a little boring.
jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Casey Simopolous is just an average 27 year old working two jobs in order to keep the family bookstore in business and get by. Or at least that’s all she thinks she is until she encounters a man who looks like a Greek god during a shift as a waitress at her second job in a strip club, then finds that same man outside in the parking lot being attacked by creatures that defy imagination. Theoron is an Argonaught, a descendent of the original seven heroes and an Argoleon. He’s never had an interest in human women until he encounters the one who saves his life. He almost sleeps with her until he notices a mark on her body she shouldn’t have. Even though he decides it must be a tattoo not a birthmark like she claims the sight of it shakes him and he returns to Argolea with taking her, still the woman stays on his mind. When the King sends him on a mission to find his human daughter and bring her back to be sacrificed for the princess’s health he goes without question. When he learns that woman is Casey and that she is his one soul mate he’s torn. Will his loyalty to his kingdom cost him his heart?
I’ve read this book twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The take on the Greek Gods particularly is highly original. Persephone has been portrayed in many popular novels of late in both adult and young adult genres, but I’ve never before seen her portrayed as almost evil. The Goddess, though a secondary character in this story is definitely portrayed with a darker side than she’s normally given. Beyond that this story is steeped in mythology, both that which is common Greek, and only that is distinctively Naughton’s own she twists old myths to fit the world she’s created here. Like most romance the story does include sex, but the story is neither built on it nor is sex the focus of the story. The close third person tale is well written and fast paced. It offers much more than a love story as the characters are faced with constant danger and impossible choices. The main reason I didn’t give this tale a five stars is that the romance between Theoron and Casey happens rather quickly in just a matter of days in fact. Also while Casey is a strong female lead there are scenes where I would like to have seen her fight a bit more even if she is deathly ill. Not to mention that if she’s basically deathly ill shouldn’t she have a harder time accomplishing that which she does accomplish. Yes I know those two statements are contradictory, but no one ever said a readers wants and opinions had to make sense how did they?
The characters are impressive with their blend of unbelievable mythical abilities and human weaknesses. Because this is a romance it’s a given that Casey and Theoron are well developed. Both characters have their share of strengths and weaknesses and are easy to relate to. Unlike many romance novel which keep their focus on the romantic leads Naughton puts a lot of time in to developing secondary characters as well. Though most of the secondary characters still have their mysteries characters like Nick and Isadora have just as much flesh to them as Casey and Theoron. Naughton takes the time to help readers understand why the villain of the story made the choices she did as well. She also offers first hand scenes of Atalanta current depravity.
Overall the story and characters combine to create an excellent story. Though a full thory is offered in this tale a larger unfinished story is also created making a series not to be missed by readers who enjoy paranormal romance. Highly Recommended.
Casey Simopolous is just an average 27 year old working two jobs in order to keep the family bookstore in business and get by. Or at least that’s all she thinks she is until she encounters a man who looks like a Greek god during a shift as a waitress at her second job in a strip club, then finds that same man outside in the parking lot being attacked by creatures that defy imagination. Theoron is an Argonaught, a descendent of the original seven heroes and an Argoleon. He’s never had an interest in human women until he encounters the one who saves his life. He almost sleeps with her until he notices a mark on her body she shouldn’t have. Even though he decides it must be a tattoo not a birthmark like she claims the sight of it shakes him and he returns to Argolea with taking her, still the woman stays on his mind. When the King sends him on a mission to find his human daughter and bring her back to be sacrificed for the princess’s health he goes without question. When he learns that woman is Casey and that she is his one soul mate he’s torn. Will his loyalty to his kingdom cost him his heart?
I’ve read this book twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The take on the Greek Gods particularly is highly original. Persephone has been portrayed in many popular novels of late in both adult and young adult genres, but I’ve never before seen her portrayed as almost evil. The Goddess, though a secondary character in this story is definitely portrayed with a darker side than she’s normally given. Beyond that this story is steeped in mythology, both that which is common Greek, and only that is distinctively Naughton’s own she twists old myths to fit the world she’s created here. Like most romance the story does include sex, but the story is neither built on it nor is sex the focus of the story. The close third person tale is well written and fast paced. It offers much more than a love story as the characters are faced with constant danger and impossible choices. The main reason I didn’t give this tale a five stars is that the romance between Theoron and Casey happens rather quickly in just a matter of days in fact. Also while Casey is a strong female lead there are scenes where I would like to have seen her fight a bit more even if she is deathly ill. Not to mention that if she’s basically deathly ill shouldn’t she have a harder time accomplishing that which she does accomplish. Yes I know those two statements are contradictory, but no one ever said a readers wants and opinions had to make sense how did they?
The characters are impressive with their blend of unbelievable mythical abilities and human weaknesses. Because this is a romance it’s a given that Casey and Theoron are well developed. Both characters have their share of strengths and weaknesses and are easy to relate to. Unlike many romance novel which keep their focus on the romantic leads Naughton puts a lot of time in to developing secondary characters as well. Though most of the secondary characters still have their mysteries characters like Nick and Isadora have just as much flesh to them as Casey and Theoron. Naughton takes the time to help readers understand why the villain of the story made the choices she did as well. She also offers first hand scenes of Atalanta current depravity.
Overall the story and characters combine to create an excellent story. Though a full thory is offered in this tale a larger unfinished story is also created making a series not to be missed by readers who enjoy paranormal romance. Highly Recommended.
rattybluestocking's review against another edition
4.0
I surprisingly really liked this book. So much so that I want to read the next story. I got it free on my B&N account and I was a little skeptical about it (I have had it for a while). I love the world the author built, and the characters she introduced. There were some things I was not too crazy about, like the constant obstacles and what goes on with Hades, Peresphone and the Princess, but otherwise I really enjoyed this book.