Reviews with content warning for Racism - Bloodmarked

The first time I read this book, it wasn’t five stars, but it is now. My first experience with this was overwhelming and I wasn’t looking forward to rereading because of it. On top of that, I listened to the audiobook. There were a lot missed and so many things I’d forgotten. This time round, I tried immersive reading to annotate and study for Oathbound (which is going to be EPIC).

This book is unstable, chaotic, and adventurous; these three things are what I think best describe what the characters went through and how they felt. The events, from start to finish, made me feel so many emotions I can’t begin to list them. I understand why this might not be five stars for some (and why it wasn’t for me when I first read it) but today… it’s a 10/10. I love these characters so much. They’re complex and well-rounded, with so much depth, and that goes for the story as well. I want so much happiness and peace for Bree, Sel, and Nick (yes, all three of them, they’re my kids). The magic, the history, connections, romance, action—there’s so much to talk about, but it’s easier to read it than explain.

What I’m looking forward to the most in the next installments, is Bree’s growth and mastery of her powers. AND don’t forget breaking off completely from the Legendborn because F*CK them. The day she stops caring about that Line, is the day we’ll all be free.

Lastly… if Tracy sets up this polyamorous relationship I see forming, and backtracks without due cause…. I will be LIVID. It’s either all three of them are together or no one’s together and I’m not taking backtalk about it.

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all_too_well's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“I am the Scion of Arthur by rape. I am your proof.” “You are my king, cariad.” “It is rage, expanding so fast and hot it fuels itself beneath our skin. Grief so deep you are only an open wound, only pain. Pain so fresh that the world itself feels like it should be burning.”

oh my god. the ending is insane. her giving herself over to the shadow king to save selwyn and control her power?? what is her plan to escape him once she can control her power? is she gonna kill him? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?

also bree selwyn nick throuple until the day i DIEE.

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corsetedfeminist's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I don't even know how to begin to write this.

Genuinely, I haven't been this affected by and in love with a book series in ages.

I'll try really hard to write a spoiler free review as I normally do.

Often second books in a trilogy are a bit slow and just setting up the third book. Not this one. This book is strong and twisty and emotional all by itself. I laughed, I cried, 1 yelled at Sel.....

Bree continued to make her space as one of my new favorite FMCs, and I love the way she is allowed to be kind of a hot mess and actually struggle for much of the book while still being strong and loved. One again, the last couple of chapters broke me, in the best way, as we watched her truly claim her power for herself.

I liked how we saw even more of Nick's courage and fire in this, while letting him continue to be Bree's safe space.

(Yes, this made the ending worse. No I am not okay.)

Sel's development in this book was extremely well done, and I literally cried when he held Bree together but also I wanted to strangle him for so much of the book because of some of his other choices. He is the illusive actually morally grey character everyone wants, but also just a traumatized baby.

Also, this is probably the first time l've actually cared about a love triangle and genuinely don't know how I want it to turn out. And a straight love triangle at that. My lesbian ancestors are ashamed of me.

The side characters continue to be a highlight of these books. Especially Alice and William. But really, William. I love him so much. I also enjoyed some of our new side characters, especially Valec, Hazel, and Lu, as well as Mariah's increased role.

Also, that plot twist with Arthur? My word.

Also, I want to give mention again to the expert handling of racism and the history of slavery in these books. So often books use those issues and stories just for fake depth, but this series is so much more, and I can't explain it.

I thought I knew what the plot would be going into this book, and I most certainly did not. It was, instead, about 500 times better. These two books together have rewritten my soul, and I apparently have to function now? And cope?

And wait for the naw hank?

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