Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Bloodmarked

BLOODMARKED is a stellar feat of a novel. Never have I been so captured by a book. And, though the writing was stronger than the first novel in the series (which I rated five stars), I shave off half a star for my gripes with the ending of the book. It feels all a bit..sudden. The alliances and choices made. The tone. Though, this is the midpoint of the series, so there is much room for change in OATHBOUND and the final book. I truly cannot wait to see where Bree and her friends go after this. I hope to see, I suppose, Bree processing and growing from her experiences in this book and even in the previous one (so many things have happened, so it’s very possible that Bree hasn’t even had the time to process the events of the original novel).

Content Warnings

alicia_rausch's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

Selwyn Kane 🔛🔝

Tracy Deonn’s writing ARE YOU KIDDING ME. This felt like a grown-up Percy Jackson adventure and I ate up every second. The writing was gorgeous, the action was nonstop, and every single success felt earned and struggled for. Watching Bree truly grow into her power was so satisfying and the ending (!!). Her and Selwyn's relationship development alongside their personal development through this book was also everything and had me internally squealing and kicking my feet. I’m so excited for the final installment and can’t believe it took me so long to start this sequel. Going onto my list of “sequels that were better than the first book of the series” list right alongside Two Twisted Crowns and The Dragon Republic 👑

Content Warnings

elustrabable's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

SPOILER WARNING

Bree was the absolute downfall of this book. So many times she had SO many chances to actually be useful and make smart decision but instead she let her stubbornness and hot-headedness ruin any semble of a plan and then go on to cry about it like girl... grow a spine??? SO many times her selfish actions willingly put all the characters around her in danger that at many times I did not feel bad for her. It became so repetitive too. She does something selfish, people around her get hurt, she feels bad about, get depressed, and then go back to do it all again. She does not learn and she does not grow as a character at all. Even more frustrating is that she even ACKNOWLEDGES when she messes up!! And she STILL go on to let her emotions and hot temper ruin a situation.

The whole plot for saving Nick too was such a mess. It just kept going back in circles and every time I think they are FINNALY moving forward, they get right back the beginning with nothing being done to advance the plot because Bree got hurt and nearly died. Again. For someone so powerful, I don't think there ever was a time Bree was ever useful in battle. She got tapped so many times and nearly died during all of it it was very frustrating. I felt so bad for William like he trully was the only thing keeping this story together because of his healing ability. The story wouldve ended like 10 different times if it wasn't for Will healing Bree from death.

The romance was atrocious too the whole time I was literally screaming "BREE YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!!" ugh..... Bree downright cheat on Nick but it's all okay because Sel had a crush on Nick when Sel was 14... 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️ This was not a love triangle, this was Bree cheating on her missing boyfriend with the guy who told her to her face he had planned to kill her in the first book. Absolutely no chemistry between them too just a bunch a "oh look he has a hot body" and "oh no I can't do this im dating Nick"

The ending was just terrible. There was no indications, no hints at all that even remotely showed Bree had any clue or plan of what was going on in the story. Throughout the whole book 90% of it was them running around in circles not getting anywhere and then suddenly in the last pages Bree solves the big mystery and then dissappears. What a let down.

This such a shame too because Tracy is an amazing writer who I immediately fell in love with. She has so much skill and range as a writer especially with the themes she tackles. Sucks her main character is so unbearable in this book.

Content Warnings

pastelmeganes's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

3.75

Okay so for this book I had more hope going into it because i felt legendborn had a lot to build upon but personally i think the author bit off more than they could chew.

To be frank, one of my main gripes with this installment is that racism is used as an avenue for the narrative constantly yet Bree makes little effort to really indulge in her Black roots. Speaking of that, i think the development of the “Root” magic system wouldve been a great direction for the story to go to flesh out the distinct difference from that of the others. I felt it also couldve allowed for more character growth on Bree and Sel’s part(especially since Sel DID dabble in micro-aggressive behaviors). Near the last act, things started happening very haphazardly.

Some things I enjoyed on this installment were definitely the fleshing out of some of the other characters. I found myself thoroughly enjoying William, Sel and Alice a lot more in this book, specifically Sel. Was Sel problematic and mildly racist in Legendborn? Yeah, but also hmmm the oath really made him “all or nothing” when protecting Nick so for ME he gets a pass. The expansion of the world in this book also kept me enthralled.

Im looking forward to the next book, if I had to root for a couple it would be Sel and Bree but thats because Nick is kinda cringey for me.

Content Warnings

jokehelldo's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Thank you for your service.

Content Warnings

kiwij96's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

Bloodmarked really continued the adventure from Legendborn in a way I didn't expect. The characters really came into their own here, granted they were all under a lot of stress. This history and heritage and culture was beautifully done. The Iaeth Cymraeg (Welsh Language) which was also used in the story brought so much joy to my proud Welsh heart.

The friendships, the betrayals, the romance, the plot twists, the community, the grief. Everything was so wonderfully written with a great amount of depth for a story that was so action-packed. I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen next and I just couldn't put it down.

This is a YA that I would also highly recommend to adults.

Content Warnings

lqne's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous 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

Content Warnings

More...