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debrakelsey's review
5.0
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.
I made two mistakes with this book. My first mistake was letting it sit unread on my shelf for months. The second mistake was thinking I could start it in the evening and be able to go to sleep. This story had me in its clutches from the moment I dove in and wholeheartedly consumed me until around 3:45 in the morning the next day. I quite literally could not put it down! I don’t know the last time I fought sleep so hard to read a book.
This is a new series starter. It’s paranormal / dark fantasy romance (definitely 18+ check CWs). It’s left on a mild cliffhanger, but in my opinion, the integral pieces for this first book were well concluded by the time you reach the end. Of course it leaves you wanting more, but that’s the fun in a series.
Valkyrie (Val) and Jack were both great characters! The banter was fantastic. There’s a lot of angst and turmoil to get through to reach the end and it kept me at the edge.
Highlights:
Intriguing lore and plot with Greek and Egyptian mythology. An enticing mystery involving a paranormal police force. The FMC is a hellhound for Cerberus while also being an officer of this paranormal special unit. The MMC is her new partner and they have to work together to find a serial killer.
Tropes I loved:
alpha hero / protector
secret identity
✨praise✨
GG
I made two mistakes with this book. My first mistake was letting it sit unread on my shelf for months. The second mistake was thinking I could start it in the evening and be able to go to sleep. This story had me in its clutches from the moment I dove in and wholeheartedly consumed me until around 3:45 in the morning the next day. I quite literally could not put it down! I don’t know the last time I fought sleep so hard to read a book.
This is a new series starter. It’s paranormal / dark fantasy romance (definitely 18+ check CWs). It’s left on a mild cliffhanger, but in my opinion, the integral pieces for this first book were well concluded by the time you reach the end. Of course it leaves you wanting more, but that’s the fun in a series.
Valkyrie (Val) and Jack were both great characters! The banter was fantastic. There’s a lot of angst and turmoil to get through to reach the end and it kept me at the edge.
Highlights:
Intriguing lore and plot with Greek and Egyptian mythology. An enticing mystery involving a paranormal police force. The FMC is a hellhound for Cerberus while also being an officer of this paranormal special unit. The MMC is her new partner and they have to work together to find a serial killer.
Tropes I loved:
alpha hero / protector
secret identity
✨praise✨
GG
misskatt's review
5.0
I'm reviewing my own book because I believe this is the best thing I've ever written, both published and not.
Marked is a blend of Egyptian and Greek mythology, set in today's day and age where 'monsters' live among humans. It follows Valkyrie (Val) Dalton, a detective for preternatural crime in Las Vegas with some serious issues. She's also a hellhound for Cerberus, tasked with marking souls in the living realm for the Greek side of the underworld. Because, you know, balance and whatnot.
Did I mention her new partner is an alpha-male with the 'touch her and die' trope? And that he's also from the underworld?
As you progress through the book, so does Val. Honestly, I set this bish up for failure so that she can thrive in the sequel.
Marked is a blend of Egyptian and Greek mythology, set in today's day and age where 'monsters' live among humans. It follows Valkyrie (Val) Dalton, a detective for preternatural crime in Las Vegas with some serious issues. She's also a hellhound for Cerberus, tasked with marking souls in the living realm for the Greek side of the underworld. Because, you know, balance and whatnot.
Did I mention her new partner is an alpha-male with the 'touch her and die' trope? And that he's also from the underworld?
As you progress through the book, so does Val. Honestly, I set this bish up for failure so that she can thrive in the sequel.
baguettebrett's review
5.0
I was very into the world built with Skin and Shift, but this book.....this blew both of those great works away. It could be my own personal bias and love for mythology but I was thrilled with the added layer of God's interacting with this monster-moved universe. An easy 5/5 with well written steamy moments, flawed characters, and tear jerking instants that will have you almost confused as to why it's impacting you so hard.
Can't wait for more
Can't wait for more
jennlynn290's review
4.0
This book ignited a genre I didn’t even realize I needed: detective partner romance
small_alex's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Right...
So I was really into the concept. The idea was interesting, and I initially liked the characters. The FMC got a bit on my nerves just in the sense that she was reallyyyy insecure and had a lot of issues, which was fine up until it overtook her entire personality. She was constantly whining, and like. Idk. It didn't feel like she actually had any character development, which was frustrating. It kind of just felt like the author was trauma dumping her own experiences into a character (which is fine ofc but just not for me. I felt like I was in middle school again).
The romance was also super fast paced. I usually prefer slowburn, but honestly the smut was pretty damn good so I won't complain. He was definitely too perfect though. Like it was obviously a fantasy man, which again, also fine, but I just wish he would've been a little more humanized even if he wasn't technically... human... idk I'll be honest that Anubis shit took me by surprise like I did NOT expect that so kudos there but then he just dipped??? And she almost offed herself and then everyone got mad at her but she also chose to live again but idk that whole ending sequence just irked me if I'm being honest .
I wasn't a fan of that ending, and also by the end, I wasn't a fan of the FMC. Ik her whole point is that she's damaged and all that, but it really just felt so unnecessarily dramatic sometimes. Like even with the whole bullying thing idk, as a kid I absolutely understand that being traumatizing, but I just felt like her adult self was still that same kid, which was a weird contrast with all the smut and gore. And the FMC and MC trauma dumped on each other SO quickly like oh my goodness that felt super unnatural. And like... be serious... how the fuck did Taylor survive getting her throat literally slit by a god... not that I wanted her to die but that entire plot choice was just used to justify the FMC's depressive spiral, which I did not like. It totally detracted from Taylor being her own character. I just hate when side characters exist solely for trauma/character development for the main character.
SO yeah all in all, this was an enjoyable read, but the characters were a little too immature and annoying for me. It's hard to read about a grown woman consistently throwing herself pity parties. The worldbuilding was cool though, and I liked the tie ins to different mythologies.
So I was really into the concept. The idea was interesting, and I initially liked the characters. The FMC got a bit on my nerves just in the sense that she was reallyyyy insecure and had a lot of issues, which was fine up until it overtook her entire personality. She was constantly whining, and like. Idk. It didn't feel like she actually had any character development, which was frustrating. It kind of just felt like the author was trauma dumping her own experiences into a character (which is fine ofc but just not for me. I felt like I was in middle school again).
The romance was also super fast paced. I usually prefer slowburn, but honestly the smut was pretty damn good so I won't complain. He was definitely too perfect though. Like it was obviously a fantasy man, which again, also fine, but I just wish he would've been a little more humanized
I wasn't a fan of that ending, and also by the end, I wasn't a fan of the FMC. Ik her whole point is that she's damaged and all that, but it really just felt so unnecessarily dramatic sometimes. Like even with the whole bullying thing idk, as a kid I absolutely understand that being traumatizing, but I just felt like her adult self was still that same kid, which was a weird contrast with all the smut and gore. And the FMC and MC trauma dumped on each other SO quickly like oh my goodness that felt super unnatural.
SO yeah all in all, this was an enjoyable read, but the characters were a little too immature and annoying for me. It's hard to read about a grown woman consistently throwing herself pity parties. The worldbuilding was cool though, and I liked the tie ins to different mythologies.
anomalouspulsar's review
5.0
I was an advanced reader for this book, and I have to say its one of my most anticipated purchases when it comes out. I cannot wait to have a physical copy on my shelves, ready to be re-read.
Marked is set in the same universe as Skin and Shift, but takes place following a new character, Val. It expands and explores new components of her urban fantasy world. It's fast, fun, violent and steamy. I enjoyed myself the entire time.
Val -our main character- is brash, bold, coarse and troubled. Shes dealing with extended trauma, a high-stress line of work, a pushy friend-with-benefits, in addition to being a 'monster' in human society. I love her to bits, flaws and all.
Marked is set in the same universe as Skin and Shift, but takes place following a new character, Val. It expands and explores new components of her urban fantasy world. It's fast, fun, violent and steamy. I enjoyed myself the entire time.
Val -our main character- is brash, bold, coarse and troubled. Shes dealing with extended trauma, a high-stress line of work, a pushy friend-with-benefits, in addition to being a 'monster' in human society. I love her to bits, flaws and all.
books_with_bri's review
5.0
I’m so happy I found this at B&N! The synopsis hooked me and the book did not disappoint at all!
kellicat94's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
adutxi's review
3.0
Nice and funny writing style. Strong MC, very interesting story.
Different from anything I’ve read before, this is a mix of… mythological, urban fantasy and crime novels. Unexpected and well carried on. Is the first of what I think may be a series, taking into account the open finish.
Looking forward to see what’s to come.
Different from anything I’ve read before, this is a mix of… mythological, urban fantasy and crime novels. Unexpected and well carried on. Is the first of what I think may be a series, taking into account the open finish.
Looking forward to see what’s to come.