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zhanae_j 's review for:
Bloodmarked
by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
Reread Bloodmarked in anticipation of Oathbound's release.
I simply must've blocked out the trauma sustained by the first read through back in 2022. Once again, I've allowed this book to wallop me on the head, grab me by the throat, and slam me into a wall. No lie, I'm entitled to financial compensation.
As a sequel, Bloodmarked has a difficult job and it packs a number of punches in its exploration of betrayal, and who gets power and the cost of wielding it. It juggles so many new settings, characters, and rules. I enjoyed the expansion of the magic world outside of the Order's laws, politics, factions, and hierarchy. I was especially moved by the portrayal of the Rootcrafter network in contrast to Bree's struggle to connect with her magic and her ancestors.
This time she has her friends Alice, Will, and Sel to back her up (and sometimes cuss her out) as she races to gain control of two magical inheritances, stave off a power-hungry council of Regents, and rescue her boyfriend and second Nick (who is also on the run). The dynamic of Bree's friend group is so special. It was brilliant to put them and their varying degrees of strength together. I adore the love her friends have for her but I do wish we got to explore who they are and what they are feeling a little bit more outside of their concern for Bree. Will and Alice especially could have benefited from this.
Speaking of relationships, I need to be delivered from the jaws of whatever grief-bonded-fever-dream-love-triad is going on with Breeselnick. I don't think I'm going to make it out alive.
I simply must've blocked out the trauma sustained by the first read through back in 2022. Once again, I've allowed this book to wallop me on the head, grab me by the throat, and slam me into a wall. No lie, I'm entitled to financial compensation.
As a sequel, Bloodmarked has a difficult job and it packs a number of punches in its exploration of betrayal, and who gets power and the cost of wielding it. It juggles so many new settings, characters, and rules. I enjoyed the expansion of the magic world outside of the Order's laws, politics, factions, and hierarchy. I was especially moved by the portrayal of the Rootcrafter network in contrast to Bree's struggle to connect with her magic and her ancestors.
This time she has her friends Alice, Will, and Sel to back her up (and sometimes cuss her out) as she races to gain control of two magical inheritances, stave off a power-hungry council of Regents, and rescue her boyfriend and second Nick (who is also on the run). The dynamic of Bree's friend group is so special. It was brilliant to put them and their varying degrees of strength together. I adore the love her friends have for her but I do wish we got to explore who they are and what they are feeling a little bit more outside of their concern for Bree. Will and Alice especially could have benefited from this.
Speaking of relationships, I need to be delivered from the jaws of whatever grief-bonded-fever-dream-love-triad is going on with Breeselnick. I don't think I'm going to make it out alive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail