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lizziechap91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mycupoftealcsw's review against another edition
**spoiler alert** DNF at 25% - I don’t normally rate DNFs unless it’s an “I’ve seen what I need to see” situation, and this definitely is. TW SA.
What in the normalizing/minimizing SA is this book?
The book starts fine - nothing amazing, but enjoyable enough. Sadie (the FMC) is living apart from her super magical family because she is bound to a magical rival and is trying to escape this. She also barely uses her own magic so the rival can’t track her and take her magic from her (the lien - as they call it - means the rival can take her magic - and something else, but we’ll get to that), but she is supposedly super powerful.
But then she gets called back home and everything gets so revolting.
First of all, her family is fully aware of why she left and knows the risks she takes by returning but ask her to do it anyway because their golden boy, Bren, is in trouble and she is supposedly the only one who can help him - he has been accused of murder and she is a lawyer. They all, especially her mother, address this risk with her with so much apathy and condescension I immediately hate them.
Second, her family is basically a magical mafia family and generally pretty horrendous. The father holds court like some king of old and where the lowly subjects come to him with requests or get dragged in for not making payments. The first request we see is some loser rando asking for a love potion so his coworker (who apparently isn’t interested in him at all) will fall in love with him. So, mafia dad (someone Sadie has made a point of saying is a good person twice before we even get to this part) gives the loser his potion for the agreed upon price. And apparently this is pretty common. So now this poor coworker who should be allowed to not like this loser will be forced to be with him - consent, who needs it? It’s an incel wet dream.
Next, we get more info on the deal she has with the rival - Gabriel. So, apparently Bren (yes, the same Bren who she has to risk herself for) is also responsible for Sadie being in her current predicament. He got caught doing something stupid by Gabriel who is punishing him by draining his power and asks for volunteers to take his place and the other siblings offer to be SA’d and give him some power (because that is a thing in his world) and he says “no - I want the 18 year old” (i.e. Sadie) - he’s at least 22 btw. Well, everyone is horrified, but Bren is the goldenest of golden boys so, what else can she do? She agrees (while her family stands around and does NOTHING - they all make a show of wanting to do something much later, but just couldn’t because…reasons). They go to his house where she prepares to be raped and drained but Gabriel says he’s not that much of a monster. By the way - they keep using the word “ravished” to make it more palatable. But, don’t start thinking Gabriel is a good guy - he puts a lien on her to take her power and rape her at a later date - what a prince! Of course, Sadie is freaked out but also really attracted to this guy, because what is a book that normalizes SA without the FMC thinking their would-be rapist is hot?
Also, Bren the Great has a history of driving off every guy that Sadie consensually is interested in (which is disgusting in itself) but does fuck all when she is dragged off by Gabriel. The excuse is he was too drained - but, sorry, the way this book makes up reasons for why this crap is allowed to happen is lazy and inconsistent.
This book literally made me nauseous.
What in the normalizing/minimizing SA is this book?
The book starts fine - nothing amazing, but enjoyable enough. Sadie (the FMC) is living apart from her super magical family because she is bound to a magical rival and is trying to escape this. She also barely uses her own magic so the rival can’t track her and take her magic from her (the lien - as they call it - means the rival can take her magic - and something else, but we’ll get to that), but she is supposedly super powerful.
But then she gets called back home and everything gets so revolting.
First of all, her family is fully aware of why she left and knows the risks she takes by returning but ask her to do it anyway because their golden boy, Bren, is in trouble and she is supposedly the only one who can help him - he has been accused of murder and she is a lawyer. They all, especially her mother, address this risk with her with so much apathy and condescension I immediately hate them.
Second, her family is basically a magical mafia family and generally pretty horrendous. The father holds court like some king of old and where the lowly subjects come to him with requests or get dragged in for not making payments. The first request we see is some loser rando asking for a love potion so his coworker (who apparently isn’t interested in him at all) will fall in love with him. So, mafia dad (someone Sadie has made a point of saying is a good person twice before we even get to this part) gives the loser his potion for the agreed upon price. And apparently this is pretty common. So now this poor coworker who should be allowed to not like this loser will be forced to be with him - consent, who needs it? It’s an incel wet dream.
Next, we get more info on the deal she has with the rival - Gabriel. So, apparently Bren (yes, the same Bren who she has to risk herself for) is also responsible for Sadie being in her current predicament. He got caught doing something stupid by Gabriel who is punishing him by draining his power and asks for volunteers to take his place and the other siblings offer to be SA’d and give him some power (because that is a thing in his world) and he says “no - I want the 18 year old” (i.e. Sadie) - he’s at least 22 btw. Well, everyone is horrified, but Bren is the goldenest of golden boys so, what else can she do? She agrees (while her family stands around and does NOTHING - they all make a show of wanting to do something much later, but just couldn’t because…reasons). They go to his house where she prepares to be raped and drained but Gabriel says he’s not that much of a monster. By the way - they keep using the word “ravished” to make it more palatable. But, don’t start thinking Gabriel is a good guy - he puts a lien on her to take her power and rape her at a later date - what a prince! Of course, Sadie is freaked out but also really attracted to this guy, because what is a book that normalizes SA without the FMC thinking their would-be rapist is hot?
Also, Bren the Great has a history of driving off every guy that Sadie consensually is interested in (which is disgusting in itself) but does fuck all when she is dragged off by Gabriel. The excuse is he was too drained - but, sorry, the way this book makes up reasons for why this crap is allowed to happen is lazy and inconsistent.
This book literally made me nauseous.
lilucske's review against another edition
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Williamson, and Storm Publishing for the ARC!
Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. The description seemed amazing, the cover was beautifully done- I was ready for a world of witches with a classic enemies to lovers, but too many things got in the way of the plot for me.
The basis of this book is amazing where magic practitioners live in an urban time and Sadie has to battle to save her brother all while avoiding the Gabe-until she can't.
I could not truly delve into The Twisted Mark as descriptions were often over-detailed and focused on trivial details rather than the larger picture. I felt I was lacking details about the plot throughout the story which I felt lead to a disconnect between the reader and first person POV.
Sadie was a little too much for me- full of herself and deemed very special. One part that particularly bothered me was when Sadie took a man to bed and thought "Before he has the chance to collect his senses or take control of the situation, I straddle him, lean over, and kiss him with renewed passion."
Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. The description seemed amazing, the cover was beautifully done- I was ready for a world of witches with a classic enemies to lovers, but too many things got in the way of the plot for me.
The basis of this book is amazing where magic practitioners live in an urban time and Sadie has to battle to save her brother all while avoiding the Gabe-until she can't.
I could not truly delve into The Twisted Mark as descriptions were often over-detailed and focused on trivial details rather than the larger picture. I felt I was lacking details about the plot throughout the story which I felt lead to a disconnect between the reader and first person POV.
Sadie was a little too much for me- full of herself and deemed very special. One part that particularly bothered me was when Sadie took a man to bed and thought "Before he has the chance to collect his senses or take control of the situation, I straddle him, lean over, and kiss him with renewed passion."
thestoriedblog's review against another edition
4.0
What. A. Rollercoaster. Okay buckle up because this courtroom drama/family feud/magical world/sexy romance is CRACK. It took a minute for me to get into the story as it is told in first person present, but once I was in I WAS IN. Sadie is an amazing independent woman who has made a life of her own away from everything she grew up with and loved. Her family loves each other and the town they rule dearly, almost to the point of insanity. When she returns, what she thought she knew about her life and her family is rocked with murder allegations and her own discoveries now as a full grown women with immense power. The person responsible for literally all of this and the man holding her freedom in his hands is Gabriel. Whooooooo boy Gabriel gives major Rhysand vibes and I will always be sat for that. I loved being in Sadie’s mind, but I would love a POV from Gabriel’s.
Moving on from our main characters to the plot. Part 1 is all set up and backstory, but Part 2 is where it all starts to move and boy does it move. Like Sadie’s bed, it is rocking with every new allegation and discovery both in the courtroom and outside. The plot moves quickly, but its the characters that really stick with you. Revelations of Sadie’s past and present, Gabriel’s involvement, the family feud, the protection of their town, the history of both families just keep coming and you cannot put this story down. Highly recommend and I can’t wait for the sequel!
For more reviews check out The Storied Blog
Moving on from our main characters to the plot. Part 1 is all set up and backstory, but Part 2 is where it all starts to move and boy does it move. Like Sadie’s bed, it is rocking with every new allegation and discovery both in the courtroom and outside. The plot moves quickly, but its the characters that really stick with you. Revelations of Sadie’s past and present, Gabriel’s involvement, the family feud, the protection of their town, the history of both families just keep coming and you cannot put this story down. Highly recommend and I can’t wait for the sequel!
For more reviews check out The Storied Blog
lexibriley's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book more than I expected! Unlike a lot of the books I’ve read in the past couple weeks, this one has a plot line that is well defined. I enjoyed that while romance was part of the book, arguably a large part, there was still a lot to the story that didn’t involve the romance. While I do wish that Sadie hadn’t confessed she was in love in the first book, I think that the way the story ended and set the scene for the next book was a good one. I feel like there were some plot holes, but not enough to ruin the book or the overarching plot. It was a very good, dramatic read about loyalty to family, moral compasses, and I always love a starcrossed lover moment. I will say, from the beginning of the book to when Sadie actually hooks up with Gabriel, before we found out what the lien was actually for, I was genuinely worried she would die if this man ever found her. But then, when we got the story from when she had the lien drawn and the whole situation, i realized Sadie is honestly just pretty dramatic. Like, yes it could’ve been awful and he could’ve cashed in, but I fully thought the second this man got his hands on her he would drain her of her magic and then kill her. I understand it was traumatizing but the way that man acted the night of the deal? Oh please I knew he would never cash in on it.
But anyway! Good book! Will definitely read the rest of the series starting soon!
But anyway! Good book! Will definitely read the rest of the series starting soon!
kkimlyreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5
I wanted a witchy read to get me in the mood for fall. Though I thought this one had a really interesting premise, I just had too many issues with it. It's advertised as a fantasy but it's very much low-fantasy/paranormal. I think my expectations for it were different than what we got.
It's got all of my favorite trope-- enemies to lovers, mystery, rival families, etc. but it just didn't hit for me. Though I wasn't a big fan of the setting, I did really enjoy the romance. It saved the story for me.
I can definitely see a lot of people enjoying this book, it just wasn't for me.
I did enjoy the audiobook. I'd highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of The Twisted Mark. This is my honest review.
I wanted a witchy read to get me in the mood for fall. Though I thought this one had a really interesting premise, I just had too many issues with it. It's advertised as a fantasy but it's very much low-fantasy/paranormal. I think my expectations for it were different than what we got.
It's got all of my favorite trope-- enemies to lovers, mystery, rival families, etc. but it just didn't hit for me. Though I wasn't a big fan of the setting, I did really enjoy the romance. It saved the story for me.
I can definitely see a lot of people enjoying this book, it just wasn't for me.
I did enjoy the audiobook. I'd highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of The Twisted Mark. This is my honest review.
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
This is a witchy fantasy romance. Enter Sadie, a total badass witch-lawyer living it up in the city, doing everything she can to stay off her creepy nemesis, Gabriel's radar. But, wouldn't you know it, her brother lands in deep trouble, accused of murder, and she's dragged back to her magical hometown, Mannith. Cue the family feud drama and hidden secrets galore! Sadie's got the magic mojo and looks to boot, but she's oblivious to it. Oh, and did I mention the intense chemistry crackling between her and Gabriel? Talk about enemies turned lovers! The story had me on the edge of my seat with its suspense, magic, and jaw-dropping twists. Though I must admit, some characters felt a bit lackluster, and the plot had a few loose ends. Regardless, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel, hoping it'll be up the ante!
claragweny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lautumns16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
🌶️🌶️ /5 - Some good spice that doesn’t drive the plot forward but does serve in character development
shannjae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
A Thrilling Yorkshire Journey into the Supernatural - "The Twisted Mark" Review
🔮Tropes:🔮
-Witches
-Hidden society
-Spicy
-Mystery
-Paranormal
-Touch Her & Die
-Burn the World for Her
-Treachery
-Twisted
As a Yorkshire resident, "The Twisted Mark" had me hooked from the very beginning with its vividly depicted setting in the heart of our beloved county. The story follows Sadie, a fiercely witty and no-nonsense female protagonist. Her frankness and the open, relatable way she discusses her personal life feels like you're sharing secrets with a friend.
Sadie pays a high price for her brother, Bren, and this becomes a central point of intrigue. The supernatural world presented in the book is captivating. The author’s portrayal of witches as a product of both humans and demons adds an exciting twist to the narrative, inviting readers into a world teeming with supernatural creatures, including enigmatic vampires.
The question of whether Sadie and Gabriel are fated mates keeps readers on edge, and the mystery surrounding Bren’s allegiance adds complexity to the plot. Sophie Williamson expertly keeps us guessing and glued to the pages as we struggle to unravel the enigma behind Sadie's family secrets.
"The Twisted Mark" is filled with twisted turns and a hint of kink play, bringing a unique flavor to the narrative. The complex dynamics between Sadie and Gabriel add depth to their relationship, with moments of passion and tension making their connection utterly engaging.
As the story unfolds, unexpected developments occur, and readers will find themselves sympathizing, loving, and occasionally cursing the characters. The final pages of the book deliver a heart-pounding conclusion, only to set the stage for a new and thrilling adventure in the sequel.
Sophie Williamson has crafted a story that leaves you craving more. "The Twisted Mark" offers an enthralling mix of humor, romance, suspense, and the supernatural, creating an irresistible journey that fans of the genre won't want to miss. I can't wait to join Sadie on her next adventure.
🔮Tropes:🔮
-Witches
-Hidden society
-Spicy
-Mystery
-Paranormal
-Touch Her & Die
-Burn the World for Her
-Treachery
-Twisted
As a Yorkshire resident, "The Twisted Mark" had me hooked from the very beginning with its vividly depicted setting in the heart of our beloved county. The story follows Sadie, a fiercely witty and no-nonsense female protagonist. Her frankness and the open, relatable way she discusses her personal life feels like you're sharing secrets with a friend.
Sadie pays a high price for her brother, Bren, and this becomes a central point of intrigue. The supernatural world presented in the book is captivating. The author’s portrayal of witches as a product of both humans and demons adds an exciting twist to the narrative, inviting readers into a world teeming with supernatural creatures, including enigmatic vampires.
The question of whether Sadie and Gabriel are fated mates keeps readers on edge, and the mystery surrounding Bren’s allegiance adds complexity to the plot. Sophie Williamson expertly keeps us guessing and glued to the pages as we struggle to unravel the enigma behind Sadie's family secrets.
"The Twisted Mark" is filled with twisted turns and a hint of kink play, bringing a unique flavor to the narrative. The complex dynamics between Sadie and Gabriel add depth to their relationship, with moments of passion and tension making their connection utterly engaging.
As the story unfolds, unexpected developments occur, and readers will find themselves sympathizing, loving, and occasionally cursing the characters. The final pages of the book deliver a heart-pounding conclusion, only to set the stage for a new and thrilling adventure in the sequel.
Sophie Williamson has crafted a story that leaves you craving more. "The Twisted Mark" offers an enthralling mix of humor, romance, suspense, and the supernatural, creating an irresistible journey that fans of the genre won't want to miss. I can't wait to join Sadie on her next adventure.