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ck11's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this. Tracy Deonn has become one of my favourite authors; the way she writes relationships between characters is phenomenal. Really, she's been gifted with the ability to imbue her writing with so much meaning, it's spectacular.
I loved Bree, Sel, William, Valec. Everyone but for those three fuckheads + Tor.
I loved Bree, Sel, William, Valec. Everyone but for those three fuckheads + Tor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
This book doesn't romanticise or sugar-coat any of the CWs I highlighted, but given the fact that the protagonist is a Black girl with a deep connection to her ancestors, many of the issues Black people have faced --and the issues that they face to this day-- feature in the book in a realistic manner. However, Deonn's portrayal isn't unnecessarily explicit (eg there's talk about slavery but not flashbacks showcasing slurs directed at enslaved people or any corporal punishment)tinyy's review
adventurous
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I request book three in my hands now. Deonn is a fantastic writer and weaves in outstanding plot twists. Her style is easy to read but beautiful. Bree is amazing, especially toward the end, but does suffer from second-book, which is to be expected considering it’s the middle of her character arc. She remains my favorite YA protagonist. Now…
Nick is barely there but I loved him. I can’t wait to learn why he…did what he did. SEL, on the other hand, WHY. WHY SEL. I need ANSWERS. He is what Edward Cullen wishes he could be. Is it too much to hope that book 3 sees Bree with two boyfriends? 😁🤞
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual assault
ladygetslit's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? Yes
5.0
What can I say about this series that hasn't already been said?
What I loved:
What I loved:
- the complexity of the relationships between Bree, Sel, and Nick that are continually developed in this second book
- Alice is the most epic best friend ever
- a challenging conversation about politics, power, racism, & what it's actually like to try to break down barriers
- an identity crisis that isn't so much a crisis as it is an exploration
- have I mentioned that Sel is my entire heart?
Literally the only complaint I have is that I have no idea when I will get another installment in this series, and I didn't want it to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Stalking
Minor: Colonisation
sydapel's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
I'm not surprised that this was as good, if not better than the first, but I am absolutely flabbergasted at how excellent of an author Tracy Deonn is. This sequel is action packed, with tension and conflict that keeps you totally engaged and at the edge of your seat with the plot. Even in the quieter moments of the book, there's still internal and character conflict that is executed to absolute perfection. It's unpredictable and yet stays totally true to our main character and what she needs, even separate from potentially world ending conflict. This is an author in complete control of her vision and it's done so well I am nearly speechless. There's not a slump to be seen, and never have I said "woah woah WOAH" so much while reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
kianareads's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
y’all.
This. Freaking. Book.
It took off RUNNING and dragged me right along with it 😭 Everything we loved about Legendborn is back in BLOODMARKED but amplified by 1000:
• The literal Black girl magic
• THE TWISTS
• The romance (pls don’t talk to me about the “cariad” moment I’m still recovering 🥺)
• Nuanced exploration of grief, generational trauma, racism, tradition, and resilience
• Artful world building
All of it. x1000.
BLOODMARKED is a love letter to being your ancestors’ wildest dreams, and also just being yourself. It’s a reminder to choose yourself. It’s a breath held for generations, released with understanding and with fire. It’s gratitude for unconditional friendships. It is a truly gorgeous fantasy that so (seemingly) effortlessly weaves all of this and more into its pages.
I started and finished (all 551 pages of it) within one day.
I laughed, I cried (often), I screamed (out loud), I jabbed my book with my finger (so often my finger was red), I gasped (way too many times).
Tracy Deonn is a master of her craft and I’m just so damn grateful to be able to experience Bree’s story. ❤️🔥
This. Freaking. Book.
It took off RUNNING and dragged me right along with it 😭 Everything we loved about Legendborn is back in BLOODMARKED but amplified by 1000:
• The literal Black girl magic
• THE TWISTS
• The romance (pls don’t talk to me about the “cariad” moment I’m still recovering 🥺)
• Nuanced exploration of grief, generational trauma, racism, tradition, and resilience
• Artful world building
All of it. x1000.
BLOODMARKED is a love letter to being your ancestors’ wildest dreams, and also just being yourself. It’s a reminder to choose yourself. It’s a breath held for generations, released with understanding and with fire. It’s gratitude for unconditional friendships. It is a truly gorgeous fantasy that so (seemingly) effortlessly weaves all of this and more into its pages.
I started and finished (all 551 pages of it) within one day.
I laughed, I cried (often), I screamed (out loud), I jabbed my book with my finger (so often my finger was red), I gasped (way too many times).
Tracy Deonn is a master of her craft and I’m just so damn grateful to be able to experience Bree’s story. ❤️🔥
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
thebookcoyote's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
TW/CW: Talk of sexual assault, fantasy violence, murder, injury, possession, racism, scary sequences, drug use
REVIEW: This book picks up on Bree’s story from the end of Legendborn. There’s a lot I can’t say about the actual story of this book as it would necessitate massive spoilers of Legendborn and I don’t want to do that.
But I can say that this is an excellent, excellent book – I think even better than the first. It is fascinating to watch Bree’s growth over the time of this book, and to truly feel pain with her as we read.
This is not just a fantasy book, but as with the best fiction books, a look into something far more real than fiction. It’s sad, heartbreaking, and not always easy to read. But Bree’s strength moves it forward for both the character and the reader. Don’t read this book if you want something that’s comfortable and safe because this book is not that in any way.
The characters are real and you feel for them as the book progresses, reading of their strengths and their trials.
I can’t wait for the third book in the series!
REVIEW: This book picks up on Bree’s story from the end of Legendborn. There’s a lot I can’t say about the actual story of this book as it would necessitate massive spoilers of Legendborn and I don’t want to do that.
But I can say that this is an excellent, excellent book – I think even better than the first. It is fascinating to watch Bree’s growth over the time of this book, and to truly feel pain with her as we read.
This is not just a fantasy book, but as with the best fiction books, a look into something far more real than fiction. It’s sad, heartbreaking, and not always easy to read. But Bree’s strength moves it forward for both the character and the reader. Don’t read this book if you want something that’s comfortable and safe because this book is not that in any way.
The characters are real and you feel for them as the book progresses, reading of their strengths and their trials.
I can’t wait for the third book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, and War
bookwormbullet's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual assault