Scan barcode
isamoledo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.0
rae_shutupandbookup's review against another edition
4.0
3.8 out of 5 stars!
"Monsters are nothing but bullies who hide in the dark. . ."
Kara's trying to get back at the people who ruined her life so many years ago. Only things may not have gone the way she wanted them to, dumping her in the middle of a real mess. Not to mention the benevolent ruler's interest in children with certain marks. . . Kara's set on revenge but what happens when the revenge she seeks merges with the need for protecting?
"A gilded cage is still that---a cage." - Kara
Kara's walking down a path full of aliens, disruptions within an estranged hierarchy, insane rules and laws, along with magic she's deemed a curse. Not being able to see a bright side to things and trying desperately to be accepted, never feeling abandoned again. But at what price will she pay to keep people in her life? Will she be able to find herself and what she's been so desperately searching for?
"Why are you afraid of your power?" - Malakyte
Kara's had to deal with some pretty heavy things growing up. She's not even eighteen yet! Kara has two goals in her head that no one can detour her from. But things go so wrong in the course of a day. Kara's about to learn what it means to be a part of a team and lowering her walls. Whether she likes it or not, she may just have to grow up a little. Secrets and lies can eat away at you until there's nothing left.
I loved watching Kara and how she grew and overcame things. I liked how she wasn't the typical FMC, she was a take charge and no prisoners type of young woman. Having tattoos and working as an apprentice! This world is set on Earth only a lot of things have changed. We are no longer the only race on the planet. . .and we don't hold all the power.
I chuckled to myself when I read how the characters within the book call Extra-Terrestrials. This may be a spoiler but it made me laugh, they call E.T.'s "Extras". And being my nerdy self all I could see was our glorious, angry-Pomeranian, Bakugo from "My Hero Academia" going around pointing and shouting Extras at everyone.
I enjoyed reading the flashbacks one of the characters had throughout the book. It made me curious as to how everything was going to merge together. I loved all of the cast! Malakyte was one of my favorites. . .I don't want to spoil anything so I will just leave it there.
Jance was another one of my favorites that I really enjoyed. Just a big softie with a heart of gold. I would gladly visit his home any day! Even if it's just to vent about life being hard and needing a shoulder to lean on. He was a great character and I loved this one scene where he sensed something was wrong and stopped things immediately. A training session with a character that brought up triggers.
One of the characters has been through a lot in their past. It never went into great detail and it certainly didn't need to! But a character suffered from SA when they were younger. Again there's no details only knowledge that something bad happened.
This book had quite the array of elements! We've got Science Fiction and Magic along with so much more! I loved the fusion of the two genres. The magic was phenomenal and I loved how the author tied so much science into her world. Describing how the magic worked and where it came from. The medical background of how it cannot be removed from an individual.
This is a YA book, there was some MF and FF action but only kissing. A scene implied that something more happened but it didn't show anything. I loved all the tension and buildup along with the enemies to lovers trope! There is language throughout the book and I chuckled when multiple characters would even get onto other's for their foul mouths. Also really loved that there was a bisexual character within the book! May or may not have squealed a little when I read about them. . .
For me, this is a personal opinion, I felt like in some areas of the book scenes were a little too long. Or there were a couple of winded paragraphs. This is just me, you may find absolutely nothing wrong. I still very much loved this book and thought the author did a fantastic job!
Sorry loves, this book does end with a cliffhanger! And oh! The last sentence of the book. . . You will be wanting to dive into the next book when it comes. This was a fun read with all the good stuff. Plot twists and elements that caused a wide array of emotions.
Enjoy the read with magic and extras! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.blogspot.com
"Monsters are nothing but bullies who hide in the dark. . ."
Kara's trying to get back at the people who ruined her life so many years ago. Only things may not have gone the way she wanted them to, dumping her in the middle of a real mess. Not to mention the benevolent ruler's interest in children with certain marks. . . Kara's set on revenge but what happens when the revenge she seeks merges with the need for protecting?
"A gilded cage is still that---a cage." - Kara
Kara's walking down a path full of aliens, disruptions within an estranged hierarchy, insane rules and laws, along with magic she's deemed a curse. Not being able to see a bright side to things and trying desperately to be accepted, never feeling abandoned again. But at what price will she pay to keep people in her life? Will she be able to find herself and what she's been so desperately searching for?
"Why are you afraid of your power?" - Malakyte
Kara's had to deal with some pretty heavy things growing up. She's not even eighteen yet! Kara has two goals in her head that no one can detour her from. But things go so wrong in the course of a day. Kara's about to learn what it means to be a part of a team and lowering her walls. Whether she likes it or not, she may just have to grow up a little. Secrets and lies can eat away at you until there's nothing left.
I loved watching Kara and how she grew and overcame things. I liked how she wasn't the typical FMC, she was a take charge and no prisoners type of young woman. Having tattoos and working as an apprentice! This world is set on Earth only a lot of things have changed. We are no longer the only race on the planet. . .and we don't hold all the power.
I chuckled to myself when I read how the characters within the book call Extra-Terrestrials. This may be a spoiler but it made me laugh, they call E.T.'s "Extras". And being my nerdy self all I could see was our glorious, angry-Pomeranian, Bakugo from "My Hero Academia" going around pointing and shouting Extras at everyone.
I enjoyed reading the flashbacks one of the characters had throughout the book. It made me curious as to how everything was going to merge together. I loved all of the cast! Malakyte was one of my favorites. . .I don't want to spoil anything so I will just leave it there.
Jance was another one of my favorites that I really enjoyed. Just a big softie with a heart of gold. I would gladly visit his home any day! Even if it's just to vent about life being hard and needing a shoulder to lean on. He was a great character and I loved this one scene where he sensed something was wrong and stopped things immediately. A training session with a character that brought up triggers.
One of the characters has been through a lot in their past. It never went into great detail and it certainly didn't need to! But a character suffered from SA when they were younger. Again there's no details only knowledge that something bad happened.
This book had quite the array of elements! We've got Science Fiction and Magic along with so much more! I loved the fusion of the two genres. The magic was phenomenal and I loved how the author tied so much science into her world. Describing how the magic worked and where it came from. The medical background of how it cannot be removed from an individual.
This is a YA book, there was some MF and FF action but only kissing. A scene implied that something more happened but it didn't show anything. I loved all the tension and buildup along with the enemies to lovers trope! There is language throughout the book and I chuckled when multiple characters would even get onto other's for their foul mouths. Also really loved that there was a bisexual character within the book! May or may not have squealed a little when I read about them. . .
For me, this is a personal opinion, I felt like in some areas of the book scenes were a little too long. Or there were a couple of winded paragraphs. This is just me, you may find absolutely nothing wrong. I still very much loved this book and thought the author did a fantastic job!
Sorry loves, this book does end with a cliffhanger! And oh! The last sentence of the book. . . You will be wanting to dive into the next book when it comes. This was a fun read with all the good stuff. Plot twists and elements that caused a wide array of emotions.
Enjoy the read with magic and extras! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.blogspot.com
samantharenee's review against another edition
5.0
Okay so I LOVED this book. I read it in prep for the arc for book 2 and OMFG I loved it. I love the incorporation of Magic AND aliens. It's fantasy and scifi all in one and I couldn't get enough.
Also I would d¡e for Jance.
Also I would d¡e for Jance.
copyrightxcasey's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this title from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Like I’ve seen a few other reviewers mention, this book took me a little longer than I wanted to really get into. You get hit with a lot of world building from the jump, which looking back on, I do think will be good as the series goes, but I found it a little hard to wade through at first.
All in all, The Mark of Chaos and Creation is a beautifully written series starter that will absolutely keep you on your toes, with a cliff-hanger ending that will have you eager for its next installment.
Like I’ve seen a few other reviewers mention, this book took me a little longer than I wanted to really get into. You get hit with a lot of world building from the jump, which looking back on, I do think will be good as the series goes, but I found it a little hard to wade through at first.
All in all, The Mark of Chaos and Creation is a beautifully written series starter that will absolutely keep you on your toes, with a cliff-hanger ending that will have you eager for its next installment.
thevirtualbookmark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As I read this book I found myself getting annoyed by the main character, Kara, at times but eventually she grew on me because I had to remember where her story starts. She just wants a family and someone she can truly trust without having to be seen as a monster because she's not able to control her powers. Also, she wants to find her childhood best friend who was taken away by an alien faction called The Arianyte. On her search she finds herself playing both sides (rebels & Arianyte) having to figure out where her loyalty truly lies.
dreed's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. Sucks you in and doesn't let go. Kara's journey is a Rollercoaster of emotions as she learns who she is and her powers. While also trying to find her lost childhood friend. I cannot wait for the next in this series. Careful it does end on a cliff hanger.
I received a free copy for my honest review all thoughts are mine alone.
I received a free copy for my honest review all thoughts are mine alone.
goldie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
deanawright's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.5
“Darkness loves darkness.”
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this story and the characters. I was impressed with the sci-fi/fantasy aspect with all of the magic and aliens and just the plot in general. I think Arabella did an amazing job to suck you into this world that was created and kept you on the edge of the seat with some of the twists and turns. I switched back and forth from the audio to ebook and I was really impressed with the narrator as well. Especially with the emotions that was put into the story that last chunk of it.
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this story and the characters. I was impressed with the sci-fi/fantasy aspect with all of the magic and aliens and just the plot in general. I think Arabella did an amazing job to suck you into this world that was created and kept you on the edge of the seat with some of the twists and turns. I switched back and forth from the audio to ebook and I was really impressed with the narrator as well. Especially with the emotions that was put into the story that last chunk of it.
bookaddictedfox's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
THIS is how I love my sci-fi fantasy!
I loved the way alien tech got incorporated into the human world, I love that we have aliens and weird tech but also magic.
The characters with their flaws and strength were relatable and interesting.
Until close to the very end this book had me falling for all the wrong people and the ending still has me reeling! After finishing it took me a few days to collect my thoughts and I still don't think I'm making much sense, but gods the book was so good! I'm very excited for the second book!!
I loved the way alien tech got incorporated into the human world, I love that we have aliens and weird tech but also magic.
The characters with their flaws and strength were relatable and interesting.
Until close to the very end this book had me falling for all the wrong people and the ending still has me reeling! After finishing it took me a few days to collect my thoughts and I still don't think I'm making much sense, but gods the book was so good! I'm very excited for the second book!!
ladyinverse's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I received an ARC so my opinion is freely given and I'm super grateful for the opportunity to read it.
that being said, I very often forgot while reading that the MC (Kara) is technically a minor (17) because the actions and mannerisms from the character felt so much more mature than a 17 year old.
this book was a bit of a slug for me to get through, while enjoyable, it felt like it was over explaining itself to the reader in passages. I could also just have a hard time read scifi/fantasy, as with it there is usually a lot of information being explained.
I'm still not quite sure how it's "Sailor Moon meets Avengers meets League of Legends" but I can see the Avengers part at least.
that being said, I very often forgot while reading that the MC (Kara) is technically a minor (17) because the actions and mannerisms from the character felt so much more mature than a 17 year old.
this book was a bit of a slug for me to get through, while enjoyable, it felt like it was over explaining itself to the reader in passages. I could also just have a hard time read scifi/fantasy, as with it there is usually a lot of information being explained.
I'm still not quite sure how it's "Sailor Moon meets Avengers meets League of Legends" but I can see the Avengers part at least.