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storilover's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I like this concept, but if you’re not already versed in Arthurian fantasy it can be a bit difficult to follow. I felt like Deonn could be a bit heavy-handed at times with certain elements.
meggirl94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Super emotional, but in a satisfying way
deejloueej's review against another edition
5.0
“Two faults. My race and my gender. But they are not faults. They are strength. And I am more than this man can comprehend.”
Where do I even begin with this book?
I can’t even tell you how many times I was frustrated with myself that I decided to tab & annotate this copy. Because there were countless times where I just wanted to listen to it and speed through the masterpiece that is this book.
There wasn’t a single moment where I knew what was going to happen next and the world building & magic system had me SCREAMING. Not to mention the triangle of nonsense (iykyk).
If this isn’t on your TBR, you better put it on there because you’ll want to be in loop come November when book 2 is released. This modern day bend to the traditional Arthurian legend will knock on your butt (in the best way possible).
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXyjSwsLEZ6/
Where do I even begin with this book?
I can’t even tell you how many times I was frustrated with myself that I decided to tab & annotate this copy. Because there were countless times where I just wanted to listen to it and speed through the masterpiece that is this book.
There wasn’t a single moment where I knew what was going to happen next and the world building & magic system had me SCREAMING. Not to mention the triangle of nonsense (iykyk).
If this isn’t on your TBR, you better put it on there because you’ll want to be in loop come November when book 2 is released. This modern day bend to the traditional Arthurian legend will knock on your butt (in the best way possible).
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXyjSwsLEZ6/
brandi_crosby's review against another edition
I think maybe it was Too YA for me? I'm going to try again later.
lookingglass_library's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erinreadsbooks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
janina_0809's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
jae_28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was my third read of this book and it’s only right to say I get more invested, emotional, and mindblown each and every time. I don’t even know what else to say at this point. This series is so MASSIVE. The horrible depth and threads that tie these characters together but cultivate soul-aching beauty in their connection make me vibrate in my skin. And I’m specifically talking about the fantastic three here (Bree, Sel, and Nick).
After reading the second book last year and coming back to this… so many things just clicked. You’re constantly learning and seeing new things and I can do nothing but commend Deonn for beautifully executing this and being an amazing storyteller. This time round, I decided I needed to take my own notes and probably get another copy of the physicals just to highlight and annotate plot stuff alone because it’s necessary. Especially now that I’m hopping back into Bloodmarked. Despite already reading it, I AM NOT READY. I bought the ebook even though I already have the hardcover (that I’m reading again in February).
Having to wait until March for the third book is actually criminal because after that cover reveal I know it’s going to be EPIC. I’ve had conversations with myself about that cover and what’s coming with it. It’s been almost two years and Ms. Deonn was cooking up greatness, I can feel it in my soul.
All this to say, read the book. A black girl at a PWI, infiltrates a secret society (that’s predominantly white) to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. It’s heavy, there’s a lot of racist, elitist, colonizer shit and it’s so worth it. Because there’s also empowerment, black girl magic, and love so deep and ancestral that it moves you spiritually. And if that’s too “political” for you… thaaaaat’s more your problem than the book’s SNS.
After reading the second book last year and coming back to this… so many things just clicked. You’re constantly learning and seeing new things and I can do nothing but commend Deonn for beautifully executing this and being an amazing storyteller. This time round, I decided I needed to take my own notes and probably get another copy of the physicals just to highlight and annotate plot stuff alone because it’s necessary. Especially now that I’m hopping back into Bloodmarked. Despite already reading it, I AM NOT READY. I bought the ebook even though I already have the hardcover (that I’m reading again in February).
Having to wait until March for the third book is actually criminal because after that cover reveal I know it’s going to be EPIC. I’ve had conversations with myself about that cover and what’s coming with it. It’s been almost two years and Ms. Deonn was cooking up greatness, I can feel it in my soul.
All this to say, read the book. A black girl at a PWI, infiltrates a secret society (that’s predominantly white) to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. It’s heavy, there’s a lot of racist, elitist, colonizer shit and it’s so worth it. Because there’s also empowerment, black girl magic, and love so deep and ancestral that it moves you spiritually. And if that’s too “political” for you… thaaaaat’s more your problem than the book’s SNS.
a_fucking_turtleduck's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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
Just.... Perfect. Queer, Black, making me fare about the main character. The world building was confusing but I got it and I sense some fandom (I think) influences.