A review by rays_reads
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

3.0

Boy this might be a long review. So.... this book was.... mid. There was good and there was bad and unfortunately it doesn't didn't follow the hype of the first book.

Here's a meme to quote my experience:
Daddy issues. - Nick
Chaos Junkie. - Bree
Mommy issues. - Sel
Obnoxious asshole issues. - Sel
Self-Actualized - William & Alice

What I liked:
The root magic: I felt like Deonn did a great job at going into more detail about root craft and how it connected to her family and their will to live. It gave Bree and the audience a first look at how slavery, Legendborn magic and bloodcrafter along with root craft affected her family across generations. It felt so raw and I honestly loved hearing about Bree's ancestors and how they all tried to survive. Not to mention Ms. Deonn dropped probably one of the fucking best lines throughout the whole series so far.

We ran for many reasons. We ran to protect ourselves. We ran so we would not die, so that our daughters could live.

God I don't think I ever related to a quote as much as this one. Coming from a family of immigrants who were directly affected by a country's civil war the horror stories I would hear about what happened in the past and how my family escaped it to give me a better life UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I just felt so at home and it made me cry a little bit.

Another thing I loved was how again, Deonn didn't shy away from the racism and micro aggressions that were put into place. Bree faces them so much throughout the book as people deem her unworthy and a "mistake." I was so frustrated and wanted to throw the book across the room by how the people of the Order were acting. Bree was honestly better than me and even confronted the Order on how they were acting... the audacity of some white people istg...

What's even crazier is how the Order was acting the EXCAT SAME WAY EVEN AFTER ARTHUR POSSESSED BREES BODY LMAO. It felt nice seeing him be subjected to the disgusting ideals his people put in place to put down other POC.

Then there's the action. The action scenes in this book were honestly the BEST THING about this book aside from Bree's history and ancestors. Deonn KNOWS how to write action and every action scene kept me on the edge of my seat. Especially towards the end when we can see Bree interacting more with Arthur and the Order... UGHHHHHHHHHH that's one of the main reasons I didn't make the rating any lower.

What I disliked:
First we have the plot. What was the plot, you ask? Fuck if I know. The plot didn't come into existent until about 60% but even then it was like Deonn prioritized side quests and romance other than the main plot. Now did I like hearing more about Root craft, yes. BUT THE AMOUNT OF FUCKING BACK AND FORTH AND TRAVELING HAD ME SO FUCKING BORED I'D RATHER WATCH PAINT DRY. Bro I think the editor really failed Deonn here because the amount of fucking dialogue and story she could've cut is ASTOUNDING. Felt like I was reading a fucking Naruto filler episode and no matter how much I skipped forward it was always just more. Fucking. Filler. I wish the author had more time as Camlann, saving Nick, and training felt like they were put on the back burner of the story in face of introducing new characters and the love triangle RoMaNcE.

That goes into thing I disliked. The relationship between Nick, Sel, & Bree. Wtf was this relationship? Sel pretty much has no fucking development in this story because he's constantly playing the "hot and cold" shtick and omfg that gets so old so quick. The minute I thought I could start liking him, he does some bullshit to make me feel the opposite. His relationship (if you can even call it that) with Bree felt SOOOOO FORCED and I don't see them being a healthy and happy couple. Honestly, if it's not Nick and Bree or a trouple situation I don't wanna hear it because Nick is definitely the buffer and unlike Sel, actually respects Bree's wishes. And you can't honestly tell me Bree and Sel care for Nick cuz he was put on the back burner FOR PRETTY MUCH 3 MONTHS.... Like huh??? Girly that is your boyfriend and you're continuously putting off rescuing him to chase bad chemistry with an asshole??? Make it make sense.

Finally we move onto Bree's characterization and relationship with her ancestors and power. This was probably one of THE MOST disappointing things I've ever read in a fucking story (alongside The Gilded Cage). In the first book I thought Bree learned to accept her whole self and came to terms with her own grief alongside the grief and strive her ancestors had to go through. Yet, in this book it's like she becomes a shadow of her former self. In the beginning it wasn't as noteworthy but by the middle of the book I was ready to slap her silly.

First she "fuck off" to Arthur when it came to wanting to learn about the powers the about the oath... It honestly was understandable but wanting to disown him to the point of what she did was SO FUCKING STUPID... Like you're supposed to fight demons and you don't even want to learn how to wield his power? Are we sure this is the same girl who was chosen for an "early college program?" Cuz what kinda dumb.... Nest she was complaining how she didn't want to be coddled... Bree you didn't want to learn Arthur's powers and you won't ask anyone to train with you... of course nobody is gonna take you fucking seriously... Denon unintentionally wrote a Damsel in Distress when she had all the elements to do the exact opposite and instead chose to go the "mary sue" way of fucking luck and possession and said "ya that's good enough." NO ITS NOT. ITS FUCKING BAD. Then when she has the chance to learn more about root craft and bloodcraft from her ancestors she completely disregarded Vera's words and basically threatened her to spill the fighting secrets... bro huh??? It's like I was reading a completely different character.

Now, I will recognize the trauma Bree has gone through but throughout this whole book she just seems like a spoiled brat who throws a tantrum when things don't go her way instead of taking 5 fucking minutes to sit down and actually think things through. By the end of the book I did like her more but it honestly isn't the same as how much I liked her in the first book.

Not to mention girl is a cheater..... no.

Overall, I was kinda disappointed in this installment of the series but I really did enjoy the end which is why I'll continue it.

Rating: 3/5