What do you think?
Rate this book
Burn Mark #1
Burn Mark
In a modern world where witches are hunted down and burned at the stake, two lives intersect. Glory is from a family of witches, and is desperate to develop her 'Fae' powers and become a witch herself, though witch-activity carries a threat of being burned at the stake. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition with a privileged life very different from the witches he is being trained to prosecute. And then one day, both Glory and Lucas develop the Fae. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together. (Bloomsbury)
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2012
69 people are currently reading
2553 people want to read
About the author
Laura Powell
22 books81 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Laura Powell grew up in rural Wales and now lives in West London. She wrote her first book while studying Classics at Oxford and worked in publishing for five years before leaving to concentrate on her writing.
Laura Powell grew up in rural Wales and now lives in West London. She wrote her first book while studying Classics at Oxford and worked in publishing for five years before leaving to concentrate on her writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
May 25, 2016
Solid 3 stars, but not what I was hoping for.
The premise is that the Witch Trials were real trials for real witches, and now all witches have to be registered...for the safety of the public.
Of course, there are illegal witches who operate outside the law, and criminal witches who are given a trial, and then burned. Supposedly, they are given an anesthesia beforehand, though, so they don't actually feel anything. <--prepare yourself for a creepy opening scene.
*shudder*
In other words, the humans are very fair and humane when it comes to their treatment of them.
Or so one boy named Lucas thinks.
His father is the chief prosecutor for the Inquisition, and he's been raised to believe that the laws are fair, and that the witches are just naturally predisposed to evil (and deserving of pity). His father isn't a bad man. In fact, he tries his best to raise Lucas not to believe that cruelty is necessary when dealing with witches. And over the course of his career, he's done his best to be an honorable man.
But not everyone in the organization feels the same way.
Unfortunately for him, Lucas is about to learn all about how the other half lives when his witchmark pops up, and he has to go register.
Enter Glory!
Unlike Lucas, Glory comes from a long line of powerful & unregistered witches, and she can't wait for her witchmark to show up. Everyone she knows lives outside the law, and in her neighborhood being a witch is a good thing. Her family pretty much runs a mafia-like organization, and she's looking forward to having some real Power.
Ok. There's a lot of different themes packed into this story, but the biggest one seems to be about how {insert minority here} is abused privately or quietly, while the majority of people are blissfully unaware. And, quite honestly, this had some fantastically accurate insights into how that happens, and why most people choose to ignore and/or justify it.
BUT.
I just couldn't get into this one the way I wanted to, because so much of the book was borderline dull. Everything kind of plodded along slowly. There was (for me) too much information and not enough action, I guess?
It's not a bad book at all, but for whatever reason it just didn't blow me away.
The premise is that the Witch Trials were real trials for real witches, and now all witches have to be registered...for the safety of the public.
Of course, there are illegal witches who operate outside the law, and criminal witches who are given a trial, and then burned. Supposedly, they are given an anesthesia beforehand, though, so they don't actually feel anything. <--prepare yourself for a creepy opening scene.
*shudder*
In other words, the humans are very fair and humane when it comes to their treatment of them.
Or so one boy named Lucas thinks.
His father is the chief prosecutor for the Inquisition, and he's been raised to believe that the laws are fair, and that the witches are just naturally predisposed to evil (and deserving of pity). His father isn't a bad man. In fact, he tries his best to raise Lucas not to believe that cruelty is necessary when dealing with witches. And over the course of his career, he's done his best to be an honorable man.
But not everyone in the organization feels the same way.
Unfortunately for him, Lucas is about to learn all about how the other half lives when his witchmark pops up, and he has to go register.
Enter Glory!
Unlike Lucas, Glory comes from a long line of powerful & unregistered witches, and she can't wait for her witchmark to show up. Everyone she knows lives outside the law, and in her neighborhood being a witch is a good thing. Her family pretty much runs a mafia-like organization, and she's looking forward to having some real Power.
Ok. There's a lot of different themes packed into this story, but the biggest one seems to be about how {insert minority here} is abused privately or quietly, while the majority of people are blissfully unaware. And, quite honestly, this had some fantastically accurate insights into how that happens, and why most people choose to ignore and/or justify it.
BUT.
I just couldn't get into this one the way I wanted to, because so much of the book was borderline dull. Everything kind of plodded along slowly. There was (for me) too much information and not enough action, I guess?
It's not a bad book at all, but for whatever reason it just didn't blow me away.
February 9, 2017
4.5 stars. It really, really is refreshing to see teenage characters in a YA novel acting and reacting to the harsh environment and difficult situations like actual people would.
Laura Powell had taken on three different topics at once: witchcraft, alternative history/alternative world and the underground world of organized crime, and guess what? She made it. She has withstood the tests.
The world of Burn Mark is an alternative version of the modern United Kingdom, people in this alternative world live more or less like us modern citizens do (they have computer and iPhone, for one thing), but with one major difference: witchcraft and magic are real, so are witch-hunting and witch-burning.
But the existence of witches and magic has already been institutionalized in this fictional UK: the witches are now called 'witchkind' and each of them has to register themselves once their magic starts showing, witchkinds have more or less the same citizen rights like the non-witches but they are also easily subjected to mistrust and discrimination, there also is an official Inquisition Department to hunt down criminal witches. And the most dangerous criminal witches would still be burnt at a stake.
Our main characters, Glory is from a coven/crime family of witches; while as Lucas, is the son of a high ranking Inquisitor. But dangerous secrets from the past and a scheme to break the unstable peace between non-witches and witchkinds, forces these two teenagers to form an unlikely partnership.
What I really like about this book is how Ms. Powell managed to breath realism into her characters and her world. So Glory is a girl brought up by a local crime family? Her actions and attitude speaks that for her before her creator has to step in and tell you: "Look, see! This is a girl who has a tough life behind her!"
Just for the record, I also like how Glory's older cousin Tory, the heir of the powerful Wednesday Coven, is written. I like how he manages to show his capability as the future leader of a crime family instead of being stereotyped into some asshole.
Ms. Powell's world is also neatly and reasonably explained as well, not once did I feel like Ms. Powell is making wild claim or unwisely making things up to suit her story. It's so refreshing to see an author being serious about world-building instead of thinking her readers are all fools.
Still, I can understand some readers might find this book to be a bit slow paced and too uneventful, and the plot twists at the end might be a bit forced, but as a whole the story is nice enough for me to look forward for the sequel.
Laura Powell had taken on three different topics at once: witchcraft, alternative history/alternative world and the underground world of organized crime, and guess what? She made it. She has withstood the tests.
The world of Burn Mark is an alternative version of the modern United Kingdom, people in this alternative world live more or less like us modern citizens do (they have computer and iPhone, for one thing), but with one major difference: witchcraft and magic are real, so are witch-hunting and witch-burning.
But the existence of witches and magic has already been institutionalized in this fictional UK: the witches are now called 'witchkind' and each of them has to register themselves once their magic starts showing, witchkinds have more or less the same citizen rights like the non-witches but they are also easily subjected to mistrust and discrimination, there also is an official Inquisition Department to hunt down criminal witches. And the most dangerous criminal witches would still be burnt at a stake.
Our main characters, Glory is from a coven/crime family of witches; while as Lucas, is the son of a high ranking Inquisitor. But dangerous secrets from the past and a scheme to break the unstable peace between non-witches and witchkinds, forces these two teenagers to form an unlikely partnership.
What I really like about this book is how Ms. Powell managed to breath realism into her characters and her world. So Glory is a girl brought up by a local crime family? Her actions and attitude speaks that for her before her creator has to step in and tell you: "Look, see! This is a girl who has a tough life behind her!"
Just for the record, I also like how Glory's older cousin Tory, the heir of the powerful Wednesday Coven, is written. I like how he manages to show his capability as the future leader of a crime family instead of being stereotyped into some asshole.
Ms. Powell's world is also neatly and reasonably explained as well, not once did I feel like Ms. Powell is making wild claim or unwisely making things up to suit her story. It's so refreshing to see an author being serious about world-building instead of thinking her readers are all fools.
Still, I can understand some readers might find this book to be a bit slow paced and too uneventful, and the plot twists at the end might be a bit forced, but as a whole the story is nice enough for me to look forward for the sequel.
June 13, 2012
I’ve been sitting on this review for a while now and it’s because I’ve not really been able to sort my thoughts out. What is it with these British authors who make me think about their books?
Gawwwd.
I’ve had trouble with paranormal books before and I often avoid them like I would avoid a zombie. Or you know, minus the hysterical screaming and basically causing a nuisance to everyone who is involved. They’re just not my thing. But something about this book really interested me. Witches, in London? IN GANGS? Seriously, doesn’t that sound brilliant?
I always like to get the negative stuff out of the way when I review books, so I’m going to try and sort out how I felt about this one. I have to warn you though, it’s going to be a bit difficult because the main problem I had with this book is actually my favourite thing about.
I understand that makes no sense.
OK the thing that I simultaneously loved and disliked about this book: the world building.
Let me attempt to explain. This book is Shameless with witches…. Well, except it’s set in London. One of my main issues with paranormal books or, actually, any books where odd things happen, is how authors tend to insist that these paranormal beings are secret and no one knows about them. Chances are this would never happen. I know we mere mortals are a bit oblivious but come on… I mean, if there were werewolves running around Manchester, I’d like to think I was on the ball enough to notice, right? In this book, however, witches exist and everyone knows about them and their existence is woven into daily life. For better or worse.
Obviously, selling the idea that witches exist in London where they have public burnings in Trafalgar Square and witches are employed by the NHS (I know, brilliant, right?) is difficult. I couldn’t do it but Ms Powell really can. I know it sounds weird but I honestly think if there were witches in London, it would be exactly like this.
Unfortunately, and this is probably just me, I sometimes found that this book kind of got a bit bogged down with nitty-gritty details of things. The story is fast-paced, there are a lot of characters (maybe a little too many) and there are a lot of little side-stories which is fine, but when you add in all the details of witch politics, the intricate details of the spells, the entire character’s family tree… whoosh. It was an incredibly dense book and no stone was left unturned.
I know a lot of people will love and appreciate this, but for me it kind of slowed it down and I found some bits really difficult to get through.
And this is where I’m struggling because if Ms Powell hadn’t included and thought about all of these details, then I would have hated it and chalked it up as yet another paranormal book where plot doesn’t matter because there’s kissing and angst. I really appreciated how much thought Ms Powell put into the world building because, seriously, not a detail was spared. I just wondered whether some details could and should have been spared.
I know, it makes no sense. Poor Ms Powell really is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t and I know I’m being unfair.
But what I’m thinking is that now all that pesky world building is out of the way and the stage has well and truly been set, Ms Powell is going to be able to focus on her brilliant story and her fantastic characters and really get into her stride for the next book. And I for one, can’t wait!
So, now all that’s out of the way and you’re just as confused as I am… let’s talk about the things I did love.
As I mentioned, this world was fantastic. It was different and it was so fresh. We’ve all read books and seen films where the heroine is a witch and she’s in a flouncy nightie and she’s doing dainty spells to get a boy to love her or to protect her house from a boy who she’s inexplicably attracted to, haven’t we? In this book, the witch is a chav. She is next in line to run a coven (which, in this world, is more like a gang… with magic) and she could probably bottle you if she fancied it. She’s the kind of girl who would carry her PE kit in a Jane Norman bag and she wears big hoops and way too much make-up. She probably even has a Hooch coat lurking in the back of her wardrobe. She doesn’t cast spells to get herself a boyfriend; she casts them so she can take part in a heist. That’s right, A HEIST TO STEAL JEWELS
I loved both Glory and Lucas (the Witchfinder General’s son, by the way, who is just as brilliant in his own way) genuinely hated each other and not in that ‘Oh I hate you but my body is drawn to you’ kind of way. But in a ‘You’re a vile chavvy-hag’ and a ‘You’re a rich, poshboy twat’ kind of way.
So, you know… the best kind of way.
But what I really enjoyed was how there wasn’t even a hint that the two of them were going to start kissing all over the shop. They both have their issues, they both have their secrets and they both have their flaws. But they still respect each other and each other’s individual talents and it was great to see this progress at a normal and natural pace.
Whether they’ll get together and start respecting each other’s talents… I guess I’ll have to wait and see for the next book. I always have this thing when authors write a series and the lovers get together in the first book and then everything sparky and exciting is just forgotten in the subsequent books and is replaced by googly eyes and sharing ice-cream sundaes and life-altering destinies.
Yawwwwn.
What’s the rush authors?
But I think that Ms Powell has something up her sleeve with these two and she’s taking her time. No rush for the second book or anything, Laura Powell. *taps foot*
What? Oh don’t look at me like that. Of course I know that just because a book contains a boy and a girl who don’t like each other but have to work together and SPARKS and SARCASTIC COMMENTS fly doesn’t mean they have to become an item. But it will be a cold day in hell when I don’t root for the boy and the girl from different backgrounds to share a bag of crisps and a cheeky snog at a bus stop.
I know that’s not as romantic as kissing in a dreamy and lovely and sweet way after they’ve just saved the world. But this book isn’t dreamy and lovely and sweet.
…….
Fine, OK, seeing as it’s a YA book we’re talking about here, it can be raining or something and the boy can give the girl his posh boy blazer and a cagoule.
Better?
I have absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
OH YES. These characters. Yeah, I really liked them.
And I did really like this book, the world building is rich (although too much richness sometimes, um… too much) and the plot is really clever and, most importantly considering the genre, it’s different. And if you are a fan of paranormal/urban fantasy books (and don’t mind a lot of world building), I wholly recommend that you keep your eye out for this one.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Bloomsbury.
You can read this review and lots of other exciting things on my blog, Wear the Old Coat.
Gawwwd.
I’ve had trouble with paranormal books before and I often avoid them like I would avoid a zombie. Or you know, minus the hysterical screaming and basically causing a nuisance to everyone who is involved. They’re just not my thing. But something about this book really interested me. Witches, in London? IN GANGS? Seriously, doesn’t that sound brilliant?
I always like to get the negative stuff out of the way when I review books, so I’m going to try and sort out how I felt about this one. I have to warn you though, it’s going to be a bit difficult because the main problem I had with this book is actually my favourite thing about.
I understand that makes no sense.
OK the thing that I simultaneously loved and disliked about this book: the world building.
Let me attempt to explain. This book is Shameless with witches…. Well, except it’s set in London. One of my main issues with paranormal books or, actually, any books where odd things happen, is how authors tend to insist that these paranormal beings are secret and no one knows about them. Chances are this would never happen. I know we mere mortals are a bit oblivious but come on… I mean, if there were werewolves running around Manchester, I’d like to think I was on the ball enough to notice, right? In this book, however, witches exist and everyone knows about them and their existence is woven into daily life. For better or worse.
Obviously, selling the idea that witches exist in London where they have public burnings in Trafalgar Square and witches are employed by the NHS (I know, brilliant, right?) is difficult. I couldn’t do it but Ms Powell really can. I know it sounds weird but I honestly think if there were witches in London, it would be exactly like this.
Unfortunately, and this is probably just me, I sometimes found that this book kind of got a bit bogged down with nitty-gritty details of things. The story is fast-paced, there are a lot of characters (maybe a little too many) and there are a lot of little side-stories which is fine, but when you add in all the details of witch politics, the intricate details of the spells, the entire character’s family tree… whoosh. It was an incredibly dense book and no stone was left unturned.
I know a lot of people will love and appreciate this, but for me it kind of slowed it down and I found some bits really difficult to get through.
And this is where I’m struggling because if Ms Powell hadn’t included and thought about all of these details, then I would have hated it and chalked it up as yet another paranormal book where plot doesn’t matter because there’s kissing and angst. I really appreciated how much thought Ms Powell put into the world building because, seriously, not a detail was spared. I just wondered whether some details could and should have been spared.
I know, it makes no sense. Poor Ms Powell really is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t and I know I’m being unfair.
But what I’m thinking is that now all that pesky world building is out of the way and the stage has well and truly been set, Ms Powell is going to be able to focus on her brilliant story and her fantastic characters and really get into her stride for the next book. And I for one, can’t wait!
So, now all that’s out of the way and you’re just as confused as I am… let’s talk about the things I did love.
As I mentioned, this world was fantastic. It was different and it was so fresh. We’ve all read books and seen films where the heroine is a witch and she’s in a flouncy nightie and she’s doing dainty spells to get a boy to love her or to protect her house from a boy who she’s inexplicably attracted to, haven’t we? In this book, the witch is a chav. She is next in line to run a coven (which, in this world, is more like a gang… with magic) and she could probably bottle you if she fancied it. She’s the kind of girl who would carry her PE kit in a Jane Norman bag and she wears big hoops and way too much make-up. She probably even has a Hooch coat lurking in the back of her wardrobe. She doesn’t cast spells to get herself a boyfriend; she casts them so she can take part in a heist. That’s right, A HEIST TO STEAL JEWELS
I loved both Glory and Lucas (the Witchfinder General’s son, by the way, who is just as brilliant in his own way) genuinely hated each other and not in that ‘Oh I hate you but my body is drawn to you’ kind of way. But in a ‘You’re a vile chavvy-hag’ and a ‘You’re a rich, poshboy twat’ kind of way.
So, you know… the best kind of way.
But what I really enjoyed was how there wasn’t even a hint that the two of them were going to start kissing all over the shop. They both have their issues, they both have their secrets and they both have their flaws. But they still respect each other and each other’s individual talents and it was great to see this progress at a normal and natural pace.
Whether they’ll get together and start respecting each other’s talents… I guess I’ll have to wait and see for the next book. I always have this thing when authors write a series and the lovers get together in the first book and then everything sparky and exciting is just forgotten in the subsequent books and is replaced by googly eyes and sharing ice-cream sundaes and life-altering destinies.
Yawwwwn.
What’s the rush authors?
But I think that Ms Powell has something up her sleeve with these two and she’s taking her time. No rush for the second book or anything, Laura Powell. *taps foot*
What? Oh don’t look at me like that. Of course I know that just because a book contains a boy and a girl who don’t like each other but have to work together and SPARKS and SARCASTIC COMMENTS fly doesn’t mean they have to become an item. But it will be a cold day in hell when I don’t root for the boy and the girl from different backgrounds to share a bag of crisps and a cheeky snog at a bus stop.
I know that’s not as romantic as kissing in a dreamy and lovely and sweet way after they’ve just saved the world. But this book isn’t dreamy and lovely and sweet.
…….
Fine, OK, seeing as it’s a YA book we’re talking about here, it can be raining or something and the boy can give the girl his posh boy blazer and a cagoule.
Better?
I have absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
OH YES. These characters. Yeah, I really liked them.
And I did really like this book, the world building is rich (although too much richness sometimes, um… too much) and the plot is really clever and, most importantly considering the genre, it’s different. And if you are a fan of paranormal/urban fantasy books (and don’t mind a lot of world building), I wholly recommend that you keep your eye out for this one.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Bloomsbury.
You can read this review and lots of other exciting things on my blog, Wear the Old Coat.
October 13, 2015
https://martinabookaholic.wordpress.c...
Meine Meinung zum Buch:
Ich weiß zwar nicht genau, was ich erwartet habe, aber mit Sicherheit nicht das hier, sondern ganz was anderes. Schaut man sich das Cover und die Inhaltsangabe an, denkt man, hier würde eine spannende fantasiereiche Hexengeschichte erzählt, in der eine tragische Liebesgeschichte mit ihm Spiel ist: eine Liebe zwischen einer Hexe und einem Hexenjäger, einen Inquisitor – das alte Romeo und Julia Problem (nicht neu, aber manchmal gut) mit vielen kreativen Konflikten und und und. Hier gäbe es so viele grandiose Ideen, Umsetzungen und der Anfang hat auch wirklich vielversprechend begonnen, aber dann ging es rasch den Bach runter.
Denn aus der zuerst wie angenommen gut integrierten Hexengeschichte, in einer Welt, die wie unsere ist, nur dass dort seit jeher bekannt ist, dass es Hexen gibt und auch, dass diese nach mehreren Versuchen nun Teil der Gesellschaft sind, wird etwas ganz anderes. Zwar werden die Hexen gezäumt, um nicht einfach so mitten auf der Straße mit ihrem Zauber Schaden anzurichten, aber alle sind nicht glücklich mit dieser Lösung. Dennoch schaut alles nach außen hin sehr geordnet aus, zumindest auf den ersten Blick! Denn es gibt auch Hexenzirkel mit nicht registrierten Hexen, die sich nicht zäumen lassen wollen und hier fängt es an, dass der erste Funke immer mehr erlischt. Denn statt wirklicher Zauberei und atemloser Magie, beschäftigen sich diese ganzen Hexen und die Mitglieder der Zirkel fast ausschließlich mit kriminellen Machenschaften und Kleinkriegen untereinander. Wodurch ich mich erstens gefragt habe, warum es so vorurteilsvoll geschildert wird, dass alle im Hexenzirkel Kleinganoven sind. Und zweitens, weshalb diese Zirkel wie Mafiagruppen agiert haben.
Je weiter man in der Geschichte vorankommt, desto weniger wird wirklich auf das Hexendasein oder deren Befreiung, und auf die Liebesgeschichte wert gelegt, – Nein: es geht immer mehr darum, einen geheimen Agenten einzuschleusen, Mafiazeugs zu lesen und bla bla bla. Es hat mir ab der Hälfte immer weniger gefallen und das hat sich leider auch bis zum Ende nicht mehr geändert.
Meine Hoffnung lagen noch darauf, dass vielleicht, wenn schon die Handlung nicht passt, mich die Liebesgeschichte überzeugen kann, damit ich wenigstens etwas davon habe, aber leider war diese Romanze im ganzen Buch nicht existent. Keine Berührung, kein Kuss – kein Gefühl. Überhaupt NICHTS. :/
Leider konnte auch der Schreibstil nichts mehr retten, im Gegenteil. Er wirkt leider sehr hölzern und war gar nicht nach meinem Geschmack, und auch die Dialoge wirkten nicht echt, sondern zu konstruiert. Und die Figuren, was kann ich zu ihnen sagen, wenn sie mich nicht gepackt haben und mich irgendwie unberührt zurücklassen haben? – Nicht viel und daher auch hier nur ein kleiner halber Punkt dafür, weil zumindest der Versuch da war.
Für mich war das leider wirklich ein Fehlgriff, obwohl ich so große Erwartungen an das Buch hatte, aber das lag wohl auch an dem tollen Cover, das mich total geblendet und ‚Lies mich‘, ‚Lies mich‘ geschrien hat. Aber mehr werde ich von der Autorin wohl nicht mehr lesen, das war ein einmaliges Vergnügen.
(Mehr dazu auf meinem Blog)
Meine Meinung zum Buch:
Ich weiß zwar nicht genau, was ich erwartet habe, aber mit Sicherheit nicht das hier, sondern ganz was anderes. Schaut man sich das Cover und die Inhaltsangabe an, denkt man, hier würde eine spannende fantasiereiche Hexengeschichte erzählt, in der eine tragische Liebesgeschichte mit ihm Spiel ist: eine Liebe zwischen einer Hexe und einem Hexenjäger, einen Inquisitor – das alte Romeo und Julia Problem (nicht neu, aber manchmal gut) mit vielen kreativen Konflikten und und und. Hier gäbe es so viele grandiose Ideen, Umsetzungen und der Anfang hat auch wirklich vielversprechend begonnen, aber dann ging es rasch den Bach runter.
Denn aus der zuerst wie angenommen gut integrierten Hexengeschichte, in einer Welt, die wie unsere ist, nur dass dort seit jeher bekannt ist, dass es Hexen gibt und auch, dass diese nach mehreren Versuchen nun Teil der Gesellschaft sind, wird etwas ganz anderes. Zwar werden die Hexen gezäumt, um nicht einfach so mitten auf der Straße mit ihrem Zauber Schaden anzurichten, aber alle sind nicht glücklich mit dieser Lösung. Dennoch schaut alles nach außen hin sehr geordnet aus, zumindest auf den ersten Blick! Denn es gibt auch Hexenzirkel mit nicht registrierten Hexen, die sich nicht zäumen lassen wollen und hier fängt es an, dass der erste Funke immer mehr erlischt. Denn statt wirklicher Zauberei und atemloser Magie, beschäftigen sich diese ganzen Hexen und die Mitglieder der Zirkel fast ausschließlich mit kriminellen Machenschaften und Kleinkriegen untereinander. Wodurch ich mich erstens gefragt habe, warum es so vorurteilsvoll geschildert wird, dass alle im Hexenzirkel Kleinganoven sind. Und zweitens, weshalb diese Zirkel wie Mafiagruppen agiert haben.
Je weiter man in der Geschichte vorankommt, desto weniger wird wirklich auf das Hexendasein oder deren Befreiung, und auf die Liebesgeschichte wert gelegt, – Nein: es geht immer mehr darum, einen geheimen Agenten einzuschleusen, Mafiazeugs zu lesen und bla bla bla. Es hat mir ab der Hälfte immer weniger gefallen und das hat sich leider auch bis zum Ende nicht mehr geändert.
Meine Hoffnung lagen noch darauf, dass vielleicht, wenn schon die Handlung nicht passt, mich die Liebesgeschichte überzeugen kann, damit ich wenigstens etwas davon habe, aber leider war diese Romanze im ganzen Buch nicht existent. Keine Berührung, kein Kuss – kein Gefühl. Überhaupt NICHTS. :/
Leider konnte auch der Schreibstil nichts mehr retten, im Gegenteil. Er wirkt leider sehr hölzern und war gar nicht nach meinem Geschmack, und auch die Dialoge wirkten nicht echt, sondern zu konstruiert. Und die Figuren, was kann ich zu ihnen sagen, wenn sie mich nicht gepackt haben und mich irgendwie unberührt zurücklassen haben? – Nicht viel und daher auch hier nur ein kleiner halber Punkt dafür, weil zumindest der Versuch da war.
Für mich war das leider wirklich ein Fehlgriff, obwohl ich so große Erwartungen an das Buch hatte, aber das lag wohl auch an dem tollen Cover, das mich total geblendet und ‚Lies mich‘, ‚Lies mich‘ geschrien hat. Aber mehr werde ich von der Autorin wohl nicht mehr lesen, das war ein einmaliges Vergnügen.
(Mehr dazu auf meinem Blog)
June 19, 2012
This is book is part Harry Potter and part Godfather! I have definitely had an awesome year with my book selections and this one is no exception!
The story is about Lucas and Glory, two teenagers who live in a world filled with witches. Witches are liked by some, hated by others and there are some who would do anything to become one. Glory and Lucas each have their secrets and these secrets take them into the heart of the Inquisition, a police like organization that tries to keep all bad witches off the street, and also into the lions den of one of the toughest covens on the street. What happens throughout is an exciting tale and I honestly never knew what would happen next. This one is definitely a story for fans of mob stories and magic lovers.
I have to give Ms.Powell major credit for her world building. This book is filled with loads of history and so many intricate details. I really appreciated the time and effort spent on building everything up. I found that I could just get lost in the story because even though their was a lot of details Ms. Powell has a gift for storytelling that makes it all flow like water.
I loved loved loved the whole mob witch coven organizations. They were so much fun! I would love to learn more about each one of them. They really added a whole new level to your typical witch story. Glory and Lucas were also awesome additions. I have to say that I didn’t miss the romance and I am actually glad that the author chose not to have it as a major plot line. Lucas and Glory are so young and they each had so much on their plate that it would have felt forced to have any type of romance in this book. I liked that the story focused more on the plot and mystery, it was a very nice change of pace.
This was an awesome book that I think most everyone will like and find interesting. I really hope that there will be a sequel because there were quite a few loose ends and I am dying to see them all play out.
The story is about Lucas and Glory, two teenagers who live in a world filled with witches. Witches are liked by some, hated by others and there are some who would do anything to become one. Glory and Lucas each have their secrets and these secrets take them into the heart of the Inquisition, a police like organization that tries to keep all bad witches off the street, and also into the lions den of one of the toughest covens on the street. What happens throughout is an exciting tale and I honestly never knew what would happen next. This one is definitely a story for fans of mob stories and magic lovers.
I have to give Ms.Powell major credit for her world building. This book is filled with loads of history and so many intricate details. I really appreciated the time and effort spent on building everything up. I found that I could just get lost in the story because even though their was a lot of details Ms. Powell has a gift for storytelling that makes it all flow like water.
I loved loved loved the whole mob witch coven organizations. They were so much fun! I would love to learn more about each one of them. They really added a whole new level to your typical witch story. Glory and Lucas were also awesome additions. I have to say that I didn’t miss the romance and I am actually glad that the author chose not to have it as a major plot line. Lucas and Glory are so young and they each had so much on their plate that it would have felt forced to have any type of romance in this book. I liked that the story focused more on the plot and mystery, it was a very nice change of pace.
This was an awesome book that I think most everyone will like and find interesting. I really hope that there will be a sequel because there were quite a few loose ends and I am dying to see them all play out.
May 1, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal, Witchcraft
Rating: 2.5
*Gizmo's First Thoughts*
Gloriana Starling Wilde is a 15 year old teenager who, as the book opens, is having nightmares about the burning times. *The burning times is in essence the same as our Salem Witch trials which happened in both the UK and the US, and are still happening today in small countries in Africa.*
She believes she is seeing things from her mothers prospective. She knows that her mother disappeared without a trace when she was 3 years old. She has been her Auntie Angeline Starling for the past 12 years. She knows that one day soon she will be a powerful witch and lead the coven if only she could finally come into her powers.
Lucas Stearne is also 15 years old but from a prominent family of Inquisitors. His father is the current prosecutor for the Inquisitor court. In this alternative era United Kingdom, witches are put to death by balefire for crimes such as first degree murder, treason, and terrorism. Lucas, as history has shown, is supposed to follow in his father's footsteps once he graduates from school. Lucas's own mother was killed several years before and her murder hasn't been solved.
On the same exact day, Glory and Lucas come into their Fae. For Lucas, it's a devastating surprise that will have massive implications on his family life. Fae is what the writer is calling witchcraft. Fae runs thicker than blood, quicker than water, and wild as wind. Both Glory and Lucas's mothers were witches, or so it appears. Both have been missing from their lives since separate and unusual circumstances took them away from the kids.
Glory is a little git who is both strong and brave. She takes crap from nobody, including her no account father who sits around his apartment all day playing video games. Glory is also a glory hound and everyone around her knows it. She's supposed to be married off to her cousin to make things more interesting in the coven, but she doesn't rightly care about anyone choices that people have made for her. When she first meets Lucas, she's hates the very core of him because he has been sent to infiltrate the covens and find out if they are a danger to the Kingdom. Later, they become partners in crime and maybe even respect the other just enough to get along in order to work together.
Lucas falls into the category of doing the right things under the wrong situations. Until he comes into his fae, he was set to become yet another member of the Stearne family who went after witches and prosecuted them fully under the UK law. Lucas ends up being brought into the Witchkind Intelligence & Covert Affairs (WICA) after his father tries to ensure that his craft isn't exposed before a very important trial is wrapped up. It is up to Lucas to get to the bottom of the threats against the court before the trial is thrown for a loop. Lucas really gets put through a bunch of tests in order to prove himself. He even puts himself in harms way just to dig deeper into a major conspiracy happening within the UK's elite.
I don't mind diving into new story's by new authors to me. I don't mind reading about witches instead of vampires, fae, and werewolves all the time. I didn't even mind that this was intended for a YA audience, and yet most of the central characters were adults who went about choosing who should be condemned and who should live.
Perhaps the one negative I have is the alternating POV's. It's fine that they were every other chapter. What wasn't fine was when they suddenly merged without a warning. You really had to pay attention to each chapter in order to see who was speaking, as it were.
Another negative for me is that the story seemingly dragged on, and that put me at odds at trying to finish it. I ended up putting it aside for other books more interesting until I finally said, enough is enough--finish the damn book or DNF it!
I will give credit to the world building. It was pretty interesting to read about an alternative history UK where witchcraft is treated like scum on the bottom of a pool.
Overall, I liked it enough, but it just didn't blow the wind up my skirt.
*ARC recvd 02/15/2012 via Netgalley.com Expected publication: June 19th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Rating: 2.5
*Gizmo's First Thoughts*
Gloriana Starling Wilde is a 15 year old teenager who, as the book opens, is having nightmares about the burning times. *The burning times is in essence the same as our Salem Witch trials which happened in both the UK and the US, and are still happening today in small countries in Africa.*
She believes she is seeing things from her mothers prospective. She knows that her mother disappeared without a trace when she was 3 years old. She has been her Auntie Angeline Starling for the past 12 years. She knows that one day soon she will be a powerful witch and lead the coven if only she could finally come into her powers.
Lucas Stearne is also 15 years old but from a prominent family of Inquisitors. His father is the current prosecutor for the Inquisitor court. In this alternative era United Kingdom, witches are put to death by balefire for crimes such as first degree murder, treason, and terrorism. Lucas, as history has shown, is supposed to follow in his father's footsteps once he graduates from school. Lucas's own mother was killed several years before and her murder hasn't been solved.
On the same exact day, Glory and Lucas come into their Fae. For Lucas, it's a devastating surprise that will have massive implications on his family life. Fae is what the writer is calling witchcraft. Fae runs thicker than blood, quicker than water, and wild as wind. Both Glory and Lucas's mothers were witches, or so it appears. Both have been missing from their lives since separate and unusual circumstances took them away from the kids.
Glory is a little git who is both strong and brave. She takes crap from nobody, including her no account father who sits around his apartment all day playing video games. Glory is also a glory hound and everyone around her knows it. She's supposed to be married off to her cousin to make things more interesting in the coven, but she doesn't rightly care about anyone choices that people have made for her. When she first meets Lucas, she's hates the very core of him because he has been sent to infiltrate the covens and find out if they are a danger to the Kingdom. Later, they become partners in crime and maybe even respect the other just enough to get along in order to work together.
Lucas falls into the category of doing the right things under the wrong situations. Until he comes into his fae, he was set to become yet another member of the Stearne family who went after witches and prosecuted them fully under the UK law. Lucas ends up being brought into the Witchkind Intelligence & Covert Affairs (WICA) after his father tries to ensure that his craft isn't exposed before a very important trial is wrapped up. It is up to Lucas to get to the bottom of the threats against the court before the trial is thrown for a loop. Lucas really gets put through a bunch of tests in order to prove himself. He even puts himself in harms way just to dig deeper into a major conspiracy happening within the UK's elite.
I don't mind diving into new story's by new authors to me. I don't mind reading about witches instead of vampires, fae, and werewolves all the time. I didn't even mind that this was intended for a YA audience, and yet most of the central characters were adults who went about choosing who should be condemned and who should live.
Perhaps the one negative I have is the alternating POV's. It's fine that they were every other chapter. What wasn't fine was when they suddenly merged without a warning. You really had to pay attention to each chapter in order to see who was speaking, as it were.
Another negative for me is that the story seemingly dragged on, and that put me at odds at trying to finish it. I ended up putting it aside for other books more interesting until I finally said, enough is enough--finish the damn book or DNF it!
I will give credit to the world building. It was pretty interesting to read about an alternative history UK where witchcraft is treated like scum on the bottom of a pool.
Overall, I liked it enough, but it just didn't blow the wind up my skirt.
*ARC recvd 02/15/2012 via Netgalley.com Expected publication: June 19th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
March 23, 2012
This was something different, and special. The modern witches and witch-hunt theme worked really well, and I loved the two main characters - the heroine's a white-trash mafia type, a bit hard to like at first, but you really cheer for her by the end of the book. The hero, Lucas, is her complete opposite, but just as intriguing. I thought the witchcraft stuff was very original. It's a bit like voodoo (no magic wands or made-up words) and you can totally see why ordinary people would be so scared by it.
Can't wait to find out what happens next!!!!
Can't wait to find out what happens next!!!!
January 15, 2013
So clever - modern day East End witches with some of the best world building I've ever read. The politics and history of Burn Mark make Laura Powell's setting completely believable. Refreshing not to have romance as the focus of the plot in a YA novel
February 1, 2018
Just wasn't my cup of tea but good storyline and interesting character dynamics. I couldn't really connect to any of the characters though.
May 28, 2012
Burn Mark is a great debut from Laura Powell and I'm hoping that it is the first book in a series because I'd love to spend more time with these characters! I loved the combination of the supernatural witches alongside the mob style crime families in the East End. The mix of the old fashioned Inquisition (complete with the traditional burning of witches at the stake) but set in modern day London makes for frightening reading. I'm pretty sure most of us are horrified to look back at the past and the things that the Inquisition did so I really don't like the idea of that continuing through the ages into London today. It's those combinations that make this so different from anything else I've read before though and that's why I enjoyed it so much.
Glory is from a powerful witch family, one who has strong connections to the criminal underworld. All Glory has ever wanted is to come into her powers and she dreams of becoming the head witch of her coven and leading them back to the top. However, it turns out that being a witch isn't quite what she always expected it to be and her uncle has plans for her future that she isn't at all keen on. Lucas comes from a family of dedicated witch hunters, for twelve generations they have worked for the Inquisition and he has always planned on following in his ancestors footsteps. Never in a million years did he expect to become a witch - it's like his worst nightmare. Glory and Lucas both come into their powers on the same day and fate draws the two of them together as they work to bring down one of the most powerful crime syndicates in London.
Both Glory and Lucas are great characters, in a lot of ways they are complete opposites of each other but as they get to know each other they soon find they have a lot more in common than you would think. I really enjoyed watching them getting to know each other and building trust between them. I think one of my favourite things was watching Lucas' relationship with his father after he admitted he was a witch. As the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisitorial Court I expected a certain reaction from his father but was pleasantly surprised by his attitude.
It was interesting to see how witches are treated as second class citizens and blamed for anything that goes wrong in society. Crimes committed by witches are punished much more harshly than those committed by anyone else and this often involves the death penalty for witches. Even if they are registered witches they are limited on the jobs they are allowed to take on and are treated differently by others so it is no wonder most witches keep their abilities secret and turn to a criminal life. A major part of the story is dealing with prejudice in various different forms - everyone against the witches, the witches against the witch hunters and even to a certain degree Glory and Lucas against each other because of their backgrounds. Glory's coven has fallen on hard times and is no longer the powerful and wealthy organisation it once was, they don't have much money and their home isn't exactly a nice place to live. Lucas on the other hand comes from a wealthy background and has always had the best that money can buy for both his education and anything else he could ask for. It's just another of those differences between the witches and the hunters.
I have to admit that the story starts a little slowly as the author spends time building her world and creating the setting for the story. This wasn't something that bothered me though because there was so much I wanted to learn about. The action really picks up in the second half of the book and from that point it becomes impossible to put the book down. I've already mentioned that I would love to read more books in this world and I'll definitely be recommending this to anyone who is looking for a gritty supernatural crime story that is different to the usual YA paranormal romances and dystopian stories the market has been flooded with recently.
Glory is from a powerful witch family, one who has strong connections to the criminal underworld. All Glory has ever wanted is to come into her powers and she dreams of becoming the head witch of her coven and leading them back to the top. However, it turns out that being a witch isn't quite what she always expected it to be and her uncle has plans for her future that she isn't at all keen on. Lucas comes from a family of dedicated witch hunters, for twelve generations they have worked for the Inquisition and he has always planned on following in his ancestors footsteps. Never in a million years did he expect to become a witch - it's like his worst nightmare. Glory and Lucas both come into their powers on the same day and fate draws the two of them together as they work to bring down one of the most powerful crime syndicates in London.
Both Glory and Lucas are great characters, in a lot of ways they are complete opposites of each other but as they get to know each other they soon find they have a lot more in common than you would think. I really enjoyed watching them getting to know each other and building trust between them. I think one of my favourite things was watching Lucas' relationship with his father after he admitted he was a witch. As the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisitorial Court I expected a certain reaction from his father but was pleasantly surprised by his attitude.
It was interesting to see how witches are treated as second class citizens and blamed for anything that goes wrong in society. Crimes committed by witches are punished much more harshly than those committed by anyone else and this often involves the death penalty for witches. Even if they are registered witches they are limited on the jobs they are allowed to take on and are treated differently by others so it is no wonder most witches keep their abilities secret and turn to a criminal life. A major part of the story is dealing with prejudice in various different forms - everyone against the witches, the witches against the witch hunters and even to a certain degree Glory and Lucas against each other because of their backgrounds. Glory's coven has fallen on hard times and is no longer the powerful and wealthy organisation it once was, they don't have much money and their home isn't exactly a nice place to live. Lucas on the other hand comes from a wealthy background and has always had the best that money can buy for both his education and anything else he could ask for. It's just another of those differences between the witches and the hunters.
I have to admit that the story starts a little slowly as the author spends time building her world and creating the setting for the story. This wasn't something that bothered me though because there was so much I wanted to learn about. The action really picks up in the second half of the book and from that point it becomes impossible to put the book down. I've already mentioned that I would love to read more books in this world and I'll definitely be recommending this to anyone who is looking for a gritty supernatural crime story that is different to the usual YA paranormal romances and dystopian stories the market has been flooded with recently.
July 2, 2017
My rating 3.5 Burn Mark by Laura Powell is an interesting urban fantasy set in an alternate London. Filled with witches, inquisitions, burnings, the mob, and corruption. We meet two young people from different worlds who develop the Fae on the same day and suddenly find their lives intertwined.
The tale begins when we meet fifteen year old Gloriana Starling Wilde. She is having a nightmare about a woman being burned as a witch. She has had this dream since her mother disappeared when she was just three years old. She lives with her Auntie Angeline Starling and father. They belong to a mafia type witch family. They are unregistered and make their living in petty crime and running the neighborhood. Every night she prays for the mark of the Fae. We then meet fifteen year old Lucas Stearne. His family comes from a long line of Inquisitors and he is expected to fill his father’s shoes. On the very same day these two come into Fae power. The tale that unfolds takes us deep into the world of both witches and Inquisitors. Unexpectedly Gloriana and Lucas find themselves working together undercover. Both enter this arrangement for different reasons and on different sides of a war against/for witchcraft. They soon discover that not everything is black and white.
The characters Powell creates are unique. Gloriana in her dark eye make-up appears hard and streetwise. She has come into her Fae and she is powerful. While she wants to scream this from the tree-tops she is forced to keep it a secret. She is tough and life has taught her not to take crap from anybody. Her boisterous ways had me laughing aloud. She shows no fear and feels a sense of loyalty; even to those who don’t treat her well. In the beginning she had clear opinions about witchkind and humans. Her prejudice runs deep, and it’s her time spent with Lucas that changes her. Lucas is the perfect son, on track to follow in his father’s footsteps; even if he silently disagrees. As he comes into his Fae, we see a change in him. He sets out to prove himself to his father, but quickly forges his own path and begins to be firm in his own beliefs. While I didn’t always approve of him jumping into action without back-up, I liked him. Together their personalities worked of each other and made them each a better person. Other characters add to the story-line and present us with characters to love and loathe.
The world-building reminded me of a modern day version of Salem, Massachusetts (during the Salem Witch trials). Today they declare themselves much more civilized. They have rules by which all Fae are governor. They must declare themselves and be tested. They can choose to give up their Fae, by wearing irons or once they reach adult-hood seek work using their skills. Witchkind are constantly monitored by the Inquisitors and police. By all accounts they are second class citizens. They are sent to trial and burned at the stake for acts of witchcraft and treason. As we enter Powell’s world it is on the cusp of change. The Inquisitors are recruiting and working with Fae. This has caused a crack in the balance and some fear this change will lead to equality. Some might go to great expense to see that it never happens. I enjoyed this novel but I am afraid the pace might turn some readers off. I found the world-building fascinating and the writing flowed well, but there was very little action until the last few chapters. The conflict in this novel was resolved and this works well as a standalone, however Powell has left the door open for a series.
Fans of witches and witch trials should enjoy Burn Mark. While the pace is slow, the detail is rich. I am hoping a second book develops and that Powell’s next plot has more action. I am keeping this author on my watch list.
I want to thank Bloomsbury Publishing and netGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
The tale begins when we meet fifteen year old Gloriana Starling Wilde. She is having a nightmare about a woman being burned as a witch. She has had this dream since her mother disappeared when she was just three years old. She lives with her Auntie Angeline Starling and father. They belong to a mafia type witch family. They are unregistered and make their living in petty crime and running the neighborhood. Every night she prays for the mark of the Fae. We then meet fifteen year old Lucas Stearne. His family comes from a long line of Inquisitors and he is expected to fill his father’s shoes. On the very same day these two come into Fae power. The tale that unfolds takes us deep into the world of both witches and Inquisitors. Unexpectedly Gloriana and Lucas find themselves working together undercover. Both enter this arrangement for different reasons and on different sides of a war against/for witchcraft. They soon discover that not everything is black and white.
The characters Powell creates are unique. Gloriana in her dark eye make-up appears hard and streetwise. She has come into her Fae and she is powerful. While she wants to scream this from the tree-tops she is forced to keep it a secret. She is tough and life has taught her not to take crap from anybody. Her boisterous ways had me laughing aloud. She shows no fear and feels a sense of loyalty; even to those who don’t treat her well. In the beginning she had clear opinions about witchkind and humans. Her prejudice runs deep, and it’s her time spent with Lucas that changes her. Lucas is the perfect son, on track to follow in his father’s footsteps; even if he silently disagrees. As he comes into his Fae, we see a change in him. He sets out to prove himself to his father, but quickly forges his own path and begins to be firm in his own beliefs. While I didn’t always approve of him jumping into action without back-up, I liked him. Together their personalities worked of each other and made them each a better person. Other characters add to the story-line and present us with characters to love and loathe.
The world-building reminded me of a modern day version of Salem, Massachusetts (during the Salem Witch trials). Today they declare themselves much more civilized. They have rules by which all Fae are governor. They must declare themselves and be tested. They can choose to give up their Fae, by wearing irons or once they reach adult-hood seek work using their skills. Witchkind are constantly monitored by the Inquisitors and police. By all accounts they are second class citizens. They are sent to trial and burned at the stake for acts of witchcraft and treason. As we enter Powell’s world it is on the cusp of change. The Inquisitors are recruiting and working with Fae. This has caused a crack in the balance and some fear this change will lead to equality. Some might go to great expense to see that it never happens. I enjoyed this novel but I am afraid the pace might turn some readers off. I found the world-building fascinating and the writing flowed well, but there was very little action until the last few chapters. The conflict in this novel was resolved and this works well as a standalone, however Powell has left the door open for a series.
Fans of witches and witch trials should enjoy Burn Mark. While the pace is slow, the detail is rich. I am hoping a second book develops and that Powell’s next plot has more action. I am keeping this author on my watch list.
I want to thank Bloomsbury Publishing and netGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
March 17, 2013
For more reviews and giveaways go to George's Bookz and Bitz
4.5 Stars.
Following my success with witches in the Winter Trilogy, I braved another witch based book. I’m so glad I did.
Burn Mark is set in modern day London, with one big exception. Witches are very real, and live among us. They have been instrumental in every major even as far back as history records go, from the wars to the plague, sometimes not on the side of ‘good’. There are a multitude of organisations set to control the witches and where those gifted with the ‘fae’ (powers) can work, or if they so choose they can be brindled/bound with iron cuffs which stops their powers working. But witches slip through the net, a terrorist group, Endor have been all but eliminated now, but for year causes panic in London streets. Witch Burning is a punishment saved for the worst of the worst, child murderers and the like, but they still happen and when they do, they are public events.
The book revolves around two teens who come in to their fae on the same day (although they don’t know it) and who are both incredibly powerful. First is Glory, or Gloriana, who, quite brilliantly, is a complete chav (for those US readers who don’t know what a chav is - think white trash with gold hoop earrings and foul mouths!), she’s a coven witch, and her covens one of the worst, think mob or cray brothers. Glory’s illegal and hidden from the inquisition, and from her fellow coven members, for fear that if they find out how strong she is, they’ll use her for their bidding. Then their’s Lucas, son of the very top inquisitor, from a long line of pure bloods, no witch or fae traces as far back as they can see, yet his powers appear. He struggles with who he is, what this means for his future, his fathers future (he can’t keep working at the inquisition now, none with witch family members can) and controlling his fae.
Lucas and Glory and slung together in a tale of undercover mastery, deception and a few near misses.
I loved the book. Glory was a brilliant lead character, her chavtastic essence was pure brilliance, and such a lovely balance to Lucas’ stuffiness. Lucas was good to read too, its nice to read a book where the teens trust their parents enough to tell them whats going on, rather than trying to hide or handle it themselves. Lucas and Glory’s relationship was a refreshing change. Powell hasn’t tried to push them together and build a love triangle or forbidden relationship around them, she’s kept the story about friendship and looking past the exterior to learn to trust someone completely different (yet strangely similar at the core) to you.
There were few faults with the book, the story rocked on quickly, was suitably dark and twisted in places, but fun and light in others, the characters were well written and even the supporting cast were deep and powerful. The only one I disliked was Glory’s father, who one minute is saving her from bad dreams and the next is a complete waste of space who plays computer games all day, whilst this is explained a little, its still a bit of a contrast. The only real gripe I had was some of the scene setting, it felt a little like ‘oh I’d better explain this here’ and then we’d get a completely unrelated paragraph about a building before we could get back to the story, which made it seem a little disjointed. However this scene building was really contained in the first half and didn’t affect the overall experience too much.
in summary, a good fun read with a new take on witches and a world where they are part of the scenery was brilliant to break into. I’ve already started on book 2!
4.5 Stars.
Following my success with witches in the Winter Trilogy, I braved another witch based book. I’m so glad I did.
Burn Mark is set in modern day London, with one big exception. Witches are very real, and live among us. They have been instrumental in every major even as far back as history records go, from the wars to the plague, sometimes not on the side of ‘good’. There are a multitude of organisations set to control the witches and where those gifted with the ‘fae’ (powers) can work, or if they so choose they can be brindled/bound with iron cuffs which stops their powers working. But witches slip through the net, a terrorist group, Endor have been all but eliminated now, but for year causes panic in London streets. Witch Burning is a punishment saved for the worst of the worst, child murderers and the like, but they still happen and when they do, they are public events.
The book revolves around two teens who come in to their fae on the same day (although they don’t know it) and who are both incredibly powerful. First is Glory, or Gloriana, who, quite brilliantly, is a complete chav (for those US readers who don’t know what a chav is - think white trash with gold hoop earrings and foul mouths!), she’s a coven witch, and her covens one of the worst, think mob or cray brothers. Glory’s illegal and hidden from the inquisition, and from her fellow coven members, for fear that if they find out how strong she is, they’ll use her for their bidding. Then their’s Lucas, son of the very top inquisitor, from a long line of pure bloods, no witch or fae traces as far back as they can see, yet his powers appear. He struggles with who he is, what this means for his future, his fathers future (he can’t keep working at the inquisition now, none with witch family members can) and controlling his fae.
Lucas and Glory and slung together in a tale of undercover mastery, deception and a few near misses.
I loved the book. Glory was a brilliant lead character, her chavtastic essence was pure brilliance, and such a lovely balance to Lucas’ stuffiness. Lucas was good to read too, its nice to read a book where the teens trust their parents enough to tell them whats going on, rather than trying to hide or handle it themselves. Lucas and Glory’s relationship was a refreshing change. Powell hasn’t tried to push them together and build a love triangle or forbidden relationship around them, she’s kept the story about friendship and looking past the exterior to learn to trust someone completely different (yet strangely similar at the core) to you.
There were few faults with the book, the story rocked on quickly, was suitably dark and twisted in places, but fun and light in others, the characters were well written and even the supporting cast were deep and powerful. The only one I disliked was Glory’s father, who one minute is saving her from bad dreams and the next is a complete waste of space who plays computer games all day, whilst this is explained a little, its still a bit of a contrast. The only real gripe I had was some of the scene setting, it felt a little like ‘oh I’d better explain this here’ and then we’d get a completely unrelated paragraph about a building before we could get back to the story, which made it seem a little disjointed. However this scene building was really contained in the first half and didn’t affect the overall experience too much.
in summary, a good fun read with a new take on witches and a world where they are part of the scenery was brilliant to break into. I’ve already started on book 2!
February 6, 2017
Lucas und Glory leben eigentlich in zwei verschiedenen Welten: Während Lucas ein sehr piviligiertes Leben als Sohn des Inquisitors führt und selbst auch mal Hexen richten soll; wartet Glory nur darauf, dass sie wie ihre Mutter zu einer Hexe wird. Derweilen lebt sie in einem der Slums.
Doch dann passiert etwas Unerwartetes: Sogar noch vor Glory zeigt sich bei Lucas das Hexenmal ...
Ich mag Hexengeschichten, aber momentan gibt es nicht so viele auf dem Büchermarkt. Als ich dann "Witches of London" mit diesem wunderschönen Cover entdeckt hatte, stand für mich schnell fest, dass ich es lesen muss. Leider habe ich mir wohl ein bisschen zu viel und eine andere Art von Story versprochen ...
Der Anfang ist interessant. Man erfährt ziemlich alles, was man über Hexen und die Inuisition wissen muss: Wie wird man zur Hexe, wie werden diese behandelt, was ist die Inquisition, ... Das Info-Dumping ist genau richtig verpackt.
Ich fand es zudem toll, dass Glory und Lucas beide Hexen werden. Ich hatte schon richtig Angst, dass nur Lucas zur Hexe wird und Glory nicht. Der Klappentext führt da einem ja leicht in die Irre.
Aber nachdem wird das Buch ziemlich ... anders. Anders als ich erwartet hätte, denn es gibt die WICA,so etwas wie eine Behörde der Übernatürlichen und plötzlich war ich mehr in einem Jugend-Spion-Roman, statt in einer Hexengeschichte. Also ja, das Buch spielt in unserer Zeit, aber die Magie gibt es eben auch.
Nun zu den Charas ... Die Geschichte wechselt immer zwischen Glory und Lucas. Einen Draht konnte ich aber irgendwie zu keinem Aufbauen und ich hätte mir auch nicht gedacht, dass sie so "jung" sind (15). Auch die Liebesgeschichte hat mich dann nicht wirklich von den Socken gehauen ...
Alles in einem kann ich sagen, dass das Buch einfach nur Mittelmaß war.
Das Cover ist so verdammt hübsch! Das allein hätte 5 von 5 Punkten verdient, aber leider hält die Geschichte nicht mit.
"Witches of London" ist die etwas andere Hexengeschichte. Wer neben der Magie auch gerne etwas von einem Agenten-Roman in seinem Buch hätte, hey, vielleicht wäre das Buch dann genau das Richtige für euch? ;)
Ich vergebe 3 von 5 Herzen.
Doch dann passiert etwas Unerwartetes: Sogar noch vor Glory zeigt sich bei Lucas das Hexenmal ...
Ich mag Hexengeschichten, aber momentan gibt es nicht so viele auf dem Büchermarkt. Als ich dann "Witches of London" mit diesem wunderschönen Cover entdeckt hatte, stand für mich schnell fest, dass ich es lesen muss. Leider habe ich mir wohl ein bisschen zu viel und eine andere Art von Story versprochen ...
Der Anfang ist interessant. Man erfährt ziemlich alles, was man über Hexen und die Inuisition wissen muss: Wie wird man zur Hexe, wie werden diese behandelt, was ist die Inquisition, ... Das Info-Dumping ist genau richtig verpackt.
Ich fand es zudem toll, dass Glory und Lucas beide Hexen werden. Ich hatte schon richtig Angst, dass nur Lucas zur Hexe wird und Glory nicht. Der Klappentext führt da einem ja leicht in die Irre.
Aber nachdem wird das Buch ziemlich ... anders. Anders als ich erwartet hätte, denn es gibt die WICA,so etwas wie eine Behörde der Übernatürlichen und plötzlich war ich mehr in einem Jugend-Spion-Roman, statt in einer Hexengeschichte. Also ja, das Buch spielt in unserer Zeit, aber die Magie gibt es eben auch.
Nun zu den Charas ... Die Geschichte wechselt immer zwischen Glory und Lucas. Einen Draht konnte ich aber irgendwie zu keinem Aufbauen und ich hätte mir auch nicht gedacht, dass sie so "jung" sind (15). Auch die Liebesgeschichte hat mich dann nicht wirklich von den Socken gehauen ...
Alles in einem kann ich sagen, dass das Buch einfach nur Mittelmaß war.
Das Cover ist so verdammt hübsch! Das allein hätte 5 von 5 Punkten verdient, aber leider hält die Geschichte nicht mit.
"Witches of London" ist die etwas andere Hexengeschichte. Wer neben der Magie auch gerne etwas von einem Agenten-Roman in seinem Buch hätte, hey, vielleicht wäre das Buch dann genau das Richtige für euch? ;)
Ich vergebe 3 von 5 Herzen.
May 10, 2012
I just couldn't find myself getting into this book. I could barely get past 90 pages without wanting to hit something. It didn't have to do anything with the bad writing or errors, it was just boring to me. Nothing was happening and I didn't like not having any action.
Cover:
I really like the cover. It has this powerful meaning to it. Or it just looks pretty, one of the two. It reminds me a lot of the cover of Divergent by Veronica Roth because of the flame behind the fireball. I mean look at it! It looks similar!
Plot/Writing:
As I said above, nothing was happening. It was just the boring mundane lives of a confused rich kid and a lower east side girl. Which how I set that up reminds me of a different story. I don't like stories that go nowhere in the first 50 or so pages. If you don't have a good hook, then I will give up on your story. I'm a teenager I get bored easily.
There wasn't anything wrong per say with the writing. It didn't express many details that I would like to know about and my copy of the book doesn't have a Cleo, it has a Glory. Instead of quotation marks above dialogue, she used apostrophes.. Which I don't know why, it really bothered me.
Characters:
Glory? Or Cleo? I don't know which.. The summary says one thing and the book says another. I'm gonna go with Glory because that is what she is called up until I stopped reading. She was very strong willed and brave. She just wanted to get her power and become an amazing witch. She didn't let anyone push her around and stood on her own.
Then there's Lucas. He is one of those privileged kids. Going to the right school and being the rich and popular kid. Yet, Lucas still has really good morals in place. He stands up for what he thinks is right, and doesn't let other people intimidate him into doing the things that he wouldn't normally do. He's also confused and scared, but that is because he got a power that no one ever thought he was going to get.
All in All:
I don't exactly request this book. If you like magic and wizards, then go ahead and read this one. 2 out of 5 tacos.
Cover:
I really like the cover. It has this powerful meaning to it. Or it just looks pretty, one of the two. It reminds me a lot of the cover of Divergent by Veronica Roth because of the flame behind the fireball. I mean look at it! It looks similar!
Plot/Writing:
As I said above, nothing was happening. It was just the boring mundane lives of a confused rich kid and a lower east side girl. Which how I set that up reminds me of a different story. I don't like stories that go nowhere in the first 50 or so pages. If you don't have a good hook, then I will give up on your story. I'm a teenager I get bored easily.
There wasn't anything wrong per say with the writing. It didn't express many details that I would like to know about and my copy of the book doesn't have a Cleo, it has a Glory. Instead of quotation marks above dialogue, she used apostrophes.. Which I don't know why, it really bothered me.
Characters:
Glory? Or Cleo? I don't know which.. The summary says one thing and the book says another. I'm gonna go with Glory because that is what she is called up until I stopped reading. She was very strong willed and brave. She just wanted to get her power and become an amazing witch. She didn't let anyone push her around and stood on her own.
Then there's Lucas. He is one of those privileged kids. Going to the right school and being the rich and popular kid. Yet, Lucas still has really good morals in place. He stands up for what he thinks is right, and doesn't let other people intimidate him into doing the things that he wouldn't normally do. He's also confused and scared, but that is because he got a power that no one ever thought he was going to get.
All in All:
I don't exactly request this book. If you like magic and wizards, then go ahead and read this one. 2 out of 5 tacos.
January 27, 2015
Burn Mark is one of those books that draws you in and is so good that you don't want it to end of put it down. It's got witches, it's set in the East End of London, it's got mafia-esque rival gangs and a gorgeous boy or two ... what more could a girl ask for?
Burn Mark is the story of a world in which Witchcraft exists. Those with witch abilities are treated as second class citizens and generally seen as a scape goat for all that is wrong in modern society. The story focuses on two teenagers as they come into their powers. Glory is from a powerful witch family and Lucas from a powerful witch hunter family. Both come into their powers within days of each other and due to a series of events the unlikely pair are to work together and reply upon one another even though their families are natural enemies. The follows them as they work to infiltrate one of the biggest covens in the east end as they try to bring it down.
I loved several things about this book.
The writing style is awesome and made it effortless to read. The first section is, in all honesty, quite slow, but as the story was so well told and the ideas and characters so interesting I just found myself utterly hooked to every page and wanting to find out more and the world the characters were in.
I loved the characters and loved the uneasy relationship that was built up between the two as the book went on. I loved particularly how different they both were to each other yet at the same time there was a lot of common ground between the two.
The action in this book when it kicks off is awesome. I was glued to the book as soon as things started to happen and needed to know more.
I really enjoyed how unique this book was. As a book reviewer I have found myself inundated with YA paranormal romance books or dystopian books which after a while bleed into the same book and I forget which one is which and which I've read or not. This one will stand out for me for a long time simply because it was so different. Yay for originality!!
All in all an awesome read which is high recommended!
Burn Mark is the story of a world in which Witchcraft exists. Those with witch abilities are treated as second class citizens and generally seen as a scape goat for all that is wrong in modern society. The story focuses on two teenagers as they come into their powers. Glory is from a powerful witch family and Lucas from a powerful witch hunter family. Both come into their powers within days of each other and due to a series of events the unlikely pair are to work together and reply upon one another even though their families are natural enemies. The follows them as they work to infiltrate one of the biggest covens in the east end as they try to bring it down.
I loved several things about this book.
The writing style is awesome and made it effortless to read. The first section is, in all honesty, quite slow, but as the story was so well told and the ideas and characters so interesting I just found myself utterly hooked to every page and wanting to find out more and the world the characters were in.
I loved the characters and loved the uneasy relationship that was built up between the two as the book went on. I loved particularly how different they both were to each other yet at the same time there was a lot of common ground between the two.
The action in this book when it kicks off is awesome. I was glued to the book as soon as things started to happen and needed to know more.
I really enjoyed how unique this book was. As a book reviewer I have found myself inundated with YA paranormal romance books or dystopian books which after a while bleed into the same book and I forget which one is which and which I've read or not. This one will stand out for me for a long time simply because it was so different. Yay for originality!!
All in all an awesome read which is high recommended!
May 10, 2013
Original review on my blog:
http://throughthegateway.blogspot.co....
Burn Mark is the first in a contemporary fantasy series by Laura Powell. It is set in an alternative London in which witchcraft is real, and although only those who break the law are punished by death, witches are distrusted by most people. However, for the young Glory, who comes from a family of witches, fae-magic is what she wants most in the world. Her classmate Lucas, in contrast, comes from a family of witch-hating inquisitors, whose job is to arrest witch criminals. But the fae is unpredictable, and he is horrified to learn that he has the gift.
The blending of a contemporary setting and witchcraft made this book unique, and the concept of magic was different to any I’d read about before. It reads more like alternative history than fantasy. The world building is brilliantly done, and the setting was completely convincing, with a well-developed political back-story. I liked the use of two contrasting narrators from both sides of the tracks, but both trying to avoid their family’s politics. Glory has to keep her developing fae a secret from once-great coven family as there are too many who would want to take advantage of it, and Lucas’s could put him in danger from those he is closest to.
This is a well written novel with a very original take on witchcraft and witch trials. I really felt sympathy for Lucas, who is no longer able to become an inquisitor, and as a witch, effectively has a lifelong criminal record. Both protagonists were well drawn and the developing connection between them due to their similar circumstances is well described. Some of the other reviews complain about the lack of action and the slowness of the plot, but I didn’t find this a boring read, and I can tell a lot of the book is setting up action to come in future instalments. I thoroughly enjoyed this take on alternative history and witch trials and I’m eager to read the sequel!
http://throughthegateway.blogspot.co....
Burn Mark is the first in a contemporary fantasy series by Laura Powell. It is set in an alternative London in which witchcraft is real, and although only those who break the law are punished by death, witches are distrusted by most people. However, for the young Glory, who comes from a family of witches, fae-magic is what she wants most in the world. Her classmate Lucas, in contrast, comes from a family of witch-hating inquisitors, whose job is to arrest witch criminals. But the fae is unpredictable, and he is horrified to learn that he has the gift.
The blending of a contemporary setting and witchcraft made this book unique, and the concept of magic was different to any I’d read about before. It reads more like alternative history than fantasy. The world building is brilliantly done, and the setting was completely convincing, with a well-developed political back-story. I liked the use of two contrasting narrators from both sides of the tracks, but both trying to avoid their family’s politics. Glory has to keep her developing fae a secret from once-great coven family as there are too many who would want to take advantage of it, and Lucas’s could put him in danger from those he is closest to.
This is a well written novel with a very original take on witchcraft and witch trials. I really felt sympathy for Lucas, who is no longer able to become an inquisitor, and as a witch, effectively has a lifelong criminal record. Both protagonists were well drawn and the developing connection between them due to their similar circumstances is well described. Some of the other reviews complain about the lack of action and the slowness of the plot, but I didn’t find this a boring read, and I can tell a lot of the book is setting up action to come in future instalments. I thoroughly enjoyed this take on alternative history and witch trials and I’m eager to read the sequel!
March 27, 2012
I knew as soon as I started this book I would love it! Glory and Lucus make for two amazing characters. Glory has always hoped that she would some day become a witch like most of her other relatives so when she finally get her wish you think she would be overjoyed but being a witch is not all it’s cracked up to be. When the Inquisition hunts unlicensed witch's down and the head coven leader has his own plans for you, life looks more like a danger than fun. Then Lucas the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition gets the Fae the same day as Glory and two lives are turned upside down.
I have to say the storyline was something new and very different while I would normally think of a group of witch’s as a coven in this book I come to think of them as a gang. People feared and respected them and I enjoyed seeing how the author made witches much more modern and fun to read about. I like how the normal humans cope by making police that deal with the witch population. The Inquisition that hunts the unlicensed witch and burn the evil ones.
I soon come to see that normal people see the Fae as like a horrible virus that changes normal humans into a witch. While I thought of it as a gift I could understand that witch craft might seem scary to those that could not use it. The book held a magical Quilty but it had to be the family life and drama that really got me. The way Glory was with her family and how they worked together and then Lucus that has always been so shore of his future than having to confront the fact his whole life has changed.
Excellently crafted book with lots to love and enjoy.
The book was a massive hit for me and I would happily reread and recommend to others.
5 stars.
I have to say the storyline was something new and very different while I would normally think of a group of witch’s as a coven in this book I come to think of them as a gang. People feared and respected them and I enjoyed seeing how the author made witches much more modern and fun to read about. I like how the normal humans cope by making police that deal with the witch population. The Inquisition that hunts the unlicensed witch and burn the evil ones.
I soon come to see that normal people see the Fae as like a horrible virus that changes normal humans into a witch. While I thought of it as a gift I could understand that witch craft might seem scary to those that could not use it. The book held a magical Quilty but it had to be the family life and drama that really got me. The way Glory was with her family and how they worked together and then Lucus that has always been so shore of his future than having to confront the fact his whole life has changed.
Excellently crafted book with lots to love and enjoy.
The book was a massive hit for me and I would happily reread and recommend to others.
5 stars.
April 13, 2015
Burn Mark is an interesting and enjoyable novel – one that is surrounded by magic, fate and danger. The story surrounds Glory, who comes from a family of witches and Lucas who comes from a family of Chief Prosecutors who hunt witches. They lead completely separate lives until one day they both develop the Fae mark – the mark of the witch and are thrown together by fate meaning Lucas and Glory’s lives are intertwined forever.
Every since I heard of Burn Mark, I knew it was a book I had to read because it’s not often that Witch books grab my attention, but it’s hard not to miss Burn Mark. Laura Powell has done a good job creating something very different and something I’ve not read about before. The world building was good and had a great premise however at times I felt a little overwhelmed, especially at the start of the book with all the details and I did find I had to keep re-reading paragraphs to make sure I fully understood everything. Don’t get me wrong I like knowing all the details but preferably I like it spread out over the book and I just felt there was too much to start with.
The characters were enjoyable and I much preferred to see them together. I felt their story together was much more interesting and had a faster setting as appose to when they were on their own, they story just kind of plodded along. What I did enjoy was how their relationship developed. It took time for them to trust each other and I felt it was very realistic.
All in all, Burn Mark was a enjoyable read. It wasn’t a favourite but I’d definitely look out for more of theis authors work and I’d still recommend it because it’s definitely worth a read.
Every since I heard of Burn Mark, I knew it was a book I had to read because it’s not often that Witch books grab my attention, but it’s hard not to miss Burn Mark. Laura Powell has done a good job creating something very different and something I’ve not read about before. The world building was good and had a great premise however at times I felt a little overwhelmed, especially at the start of the book with all the details and I did find I had to keep re-reading paragraphs to make sure I fully understood everything. Don’t get me wrong I like knowing all the details but preferably I like it spread out over the book and I just felt there was too much to start with.
The characters were enjoyable and I much preferred to see them together. I felt their story together was much more interesting and had a faster setting as appose to when they were on their own, they story just kind of plodded along. What I did enjoy was how their relationship developed. It took time for them to trust each other and I felt it was very realistic.
All in all, Burn Mark was a enjoyable read. It wasn’t a favourite but I’d definitely look out for more of theis authors work and I’d still recommend it because it’s definitely worth a read.
December 5, 2013
Major Disappointment
I had such high expectations for this book, I don't know where to begin with how underwhelmed I'm feeling after reading this!
It had such a good plot and blurb witches set in modern day times,gangs and witches are burned at the stake publicly. Sounds cool right? WRONG!!
Nothing really happens I kept waiting for something big to happen it never did. Like the cover makes it look epic too I feel really let down. It has took me weeks to finish this as I was so bored but kept with it as I thought the plot could have been amazing. The execution was not great at all.
The characters were bland the only character I liked was Lucas, but even he was bland I just like his back story. Glory did my head in by the end of it I was like JUST LET THIS TORTURE END !!
It's not like the writing was bad or anything, or even that the story was bad it was the way it was wrote. Something big needed to happen to keep the reader interested and it never did.
I had the second book from the library to read straight after but I have ended up taking it straight back.
I won't be continuing with this series DAMN disappointing !!
I had such high expectations for this book, I don't know where to begin with how underwhelmed I'm feeling after reading this!
It had such a good plot and blurb witches set in modern day times,gangs and witches are burned at the stake publicly. Sounds cool right? WRONG!!
Nothing really happens I kept waiting for something big to happen it never did. Like the cover makes it look epic too I feel really let down. It has took me weeks to finish this as I was so bored but kept with it as I thought the plot could have been amazing. The execution was not great at all.
The characters were bland the only character I liked was Lucas, but even he was bland I just like his back story. Glory did my head in by the end of it I was like JUST LET THIS TORTURE END !!
It's not like the writing was bad or anything, or even that the story was bad it was the way it was wrote. Something big needed to happen to keep the reader interested and it never did.
I had the second book from the library to read straight after but I have ended up taking it straight back.
I won't be continuing with this series DAMN disappointing !!
May 21, 2016
Well I just finished this novel after much distractions and I need to be honest, at least seventy-five percent of it sucked. When I first started reading it, it was boring and I figured it would be way better if I carried on with it. When I got to the middle things started speeding up a bit more but it still was slow and way too boring for me. The ending was the best, sad to say, but it was. I was much impressed with the ending. A few nit picking things would be Glory and the way she speaks. Everyone else speaks pretty normal but the way she does makes her sound like a redneck loser with no education. It drove me mad. Also the emotional level of it all, it was so tame and lame. I wanted a bit more exciting, possibly a love interest. This girl is only young and she seems like a fifty year old. I just expected way more and the book failed in major ways. I assume there is or will be a second one. I can't say if I'd read it, this book wasted a good hour of my life for very little positive results.
August 6, 2012
When a book's description says:
"An action-packed drama full of East End gangs, witches, and a modern day Inquisition.
In a modern world-where witches are hunted down and burned at the stake-two live interact. Glory is from a family of witches, and is desperate to develop the 'Fae' and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition and his privileged life is very different from the witches he is being trained to prosecute. And then one day, both Glory and Lucas develop the Fae. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not."
I say, "Sign me up!"
Seriously, witches and a modern day Inquisition. So awesome. I'm loving the trend of alternate realities in contemporary culture. (See also Every Other Day.)
*The book description on NetGalley is better than the one here.
"An action-packed drama full of East End gangs, witches, and a modern day Inquisition.
In a modern world-where witches are hunted down and burned at the stake-two live interact. Glory is from a family of witches, and is desperate to develop the 'Fae' and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition and his privileged life is very different from the witches he is being trained to prosecute. And then one day, both Glory and Lucas develop the Fae. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not."
I say, "Sign me up!"
Seriously, witches and a modern day Inquisition. So awesome. I'm loving the trend of alternate realities in contemporary culture. (See also Every Other Day.)
*The book description on NetGalley is better than the one here.
June 20, 2020
This book is an alternative history of what the U.K. would look like now if witches had existed. In the present, the government has set up specialized sectors to deal with witches and witch crimes. A burning is the last tool used when judgment is handed down. Some people would like to change that.
Despite the fact that this book was written in 2012, I don’t think the issue with this book has anything to do with the times. I think I would have felt just as poorly about this book then as I did now. The main problem I had with the story is the lack of world building. Maybe the author thought that because it was just a slight difference to U.K.’s history that the audience wouldn’t need as much world building. But because these witches have different methods for doing magic I would get lost throughout the story. Also, the new system of government is never full explained so you don’t get the full picture of what’s going on there politically. Which is too bad really since this story is all about a power struggle between the government and witch covens in London.
I also didn’t enjoy the writing style itself. The writer would spend a lot of time focusing on small mundane things that the reader never sees again, but then gloss over huge action scenes. Maybe that was an attempt to add world building, but why do I need to be so intimately familiar with your spies deodorant when you haven’t even told me how his magic works? It didn’t help that the author kept changing the dialect or vocabulary of the main characters as the story went along. It made the characters’ voices so muddied throughout the novel.
I liked the premise for this book so much, but it just feels like a first draft to me. Maybe that’s the editing. Or maybe it would always feel like this simply because of the writing style. I got both this book and the next one from my local library in the Fall for less than a dollar each so at least I’m not spending too much money on some not so great books. But now I have to struggle with either picking up the next one or preemptively DNF’ing it.
Despite the fact that this book was written in 2012, I don’t think the issue with this book has anything to do with the times. I think I would have felt just as poorly about this book then as I did now. The main problem I had with the story is the lack of world building. Maybe the author thought that because it was just a slight difference to U.K.’s history that the audience wouldn’t need as much world building. But because these witches have different methods for doing magic I would get lost throughout the story. Also, the new system of government is never full explained so you don’t get the full picture of what’s going on there politically. Which is too bad really since this story is all about a power struggle between the government and witch covens in London.
I also didn’t enjoy the writing style itself. The writer would spend a lot of time focusing on small mundane things that the reader never sees again, but then gloss over huge action scenes. Maybe that was an attempt to add world building, but why do I need to be so intimately familiar with your spies deodorant when you haven’t even told me how his magic works? It didn’t help that the author kept changing the dialect or vocabulary of the main characters as the story went along. It made the characters’ voices so muddied throughout the novel.
I liked the premise for this book so much, but it just feels like a first draft to me. Maybe that’s the editing. Or maybe it would always feel like this simply because of the writing style. I got both this book and the next one from my local library in the Fall for less than a dollar each so at least I’m not spending too much money on some not so great books. But now I have to struggle with either picking up the next one or preemptively DNF’ing it.
December 10, 2017
"Vom Teufel geküsst" ist der erste Band der "Witches of London"-Reihe von L. R. Powell.
Ich liebe Bücher über das Thema Hexen und Hexerei und war gespannt, wie diese in diesem Roman umgesetzt werden würde. Direkt auf den ersten Seiten hat mich die Geschichte dabei überaus angesprochen. Diese punktet dabei mit einer überaus interessanten Welt sowie vielen spannenden Facetten, bei denen es so einiges zu entdecken gilt. Eine aufregende Mischung aus Fantasy und kriminalistischen Elementen eben.
Dementsprechend ist auch die Spannung angehaucht. Auch wenn diese nicht immer durchweg konstant ist, so weiß sie dennoch mitzureißen und zu unterhalten. Ich konnte mich aufgrund des angenehmen Tempos wunderbar mitreißen lassen und erhielt so einige wunderbare Lesestunden. Viele Geheimnisse und Wendungen runden das sogar noch ein Stück weit ab, sodass Lesespaß in jedem Fall gegeben ist.
Auch atmosphärisch gibt es kaum etwas zu bemängeln, denn die magische Komponente kommt wunderbar zum Tragen und vermittelt einen tollen Ausflug in die Welt der Zauberei, mit allem, was dazu gehört.
Am Ende dieses ersten Abenteuers bleiben noch allerhand Fragen offen, weshalb ich hoffe, dass auch der zweite Band endlich erscheint. Auch wenn dieses Buch jetzt nicht das Überragendste in seinem Genre ist, so hat das Lesen dennoch viel Vergnügen bereitet.
Fazit: Eingängiger Auftakt in ein phantastisches Abenteuer mit kriminalistischen Elementen, bei dem allerdings noch etwas Potential vorhanden ist.
Ich liebe Bücher über das Thema Hexen und Hexerei und war gespannt, wie diese in diesem Roman umgesetzt werden würde. Direkt auf den ersten Seiten hat mich die Geschichte dabei überaus angesprochen. Diese punktet dabei mit einer überaus interessanten Welt sowie vielen spannenden Facetten, bei denen es so einiges zu entdecken gilt. Eine aufregende Mischung aus Fantasy und kriminalistischen Elementen eben.
Dementsprechend ist auch die Spannung angehaucht. Auch wenn diese nicht immer durchweg konstant ist, so weiß sie dennoch mitzureißen und zu unterhalten. Ich konnte mich aufgrund des angenehmen Tempos wunderbar mitreißen lassen und erhielt so einige wunderbare Lesestunden. Viele Geheimnisse und Wendungen runden das sogar noch ein Stück weit ab, sodass Lesespaß in jedem Fall gegeben ist.
Auch atmosphärisch gibt es kaum etwas zu bemängeln, denn die magische Komponente kommt wunderbar zum Tragen und vermittelt einen tollen Ausflug in die Welt der Zauberei, mit allem, was dazu gehört.
Am Ende dieses ersten Abenteuers bleiben noch allerhand Fragen offen, weshalb ich hoffe, dass auch der zweite Band endlich erscheint. Auch wenn dieses Buch jetzt nicht das Überragendste in seinem Genre ist, so hat das Lesen dennoch viel Vergnügen bereitet.
Fazit: Eingängiger Auftakt in ein phantastisches Abenteuer mit kriminalistischen Elementen, bei dem allerdings noch etwas Potential vorhanden ist.
August 2, 2017
This book is a solid 3 stars....it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. I found the concept to be very interesting and had high hopes for this book but sadly it didn't pull me in like some. Whilst the main two characters were enjoyable to read about I found the author had included two many sub-characters....that my head was spinning trying to remember them all and how they related to the story and background. I found I was ready to complete this book about a third of the way in which is a shame. I also wasn't a fan of some of the characters language just sounded bogan and immature....but on a positive note the book did have a few good twists to it and found the concept overall very intriguing! I'm not sure if I'm going to read the sequel...I guess if I come across it I'll decide then!
July 31, 2023
Entertaining read, good storyline
July 14, 2012
Burn Mark by Laura Powell is an exciting start to a new series that blends the paranormal, witches in this case, with espionage, crime and conspiracy.
The Tale
History Sprinkled
Robust, goal driven characters
I am reminded of Kate Griffin’s Mathew Swift Series, in both tone and setting. This isn’t the usual paranormal fare of tight-jeaned, tattoo flashing, sassy ‘insert flavour of the month paranormal here’ heroines. No, Burn Mark is undeniably gritty, understated and British in the best sense of the word.
Powell is a YA writer but Burn Mark, by virtue of her skill, transcends that categorisation(in much the same way as Paolo Baccigalupi does), it’s simply a good story, an intriguing backdrop and a well paced adventure.
The Tale
Burn Mark is set in an alternate history modern England. Witches and witchcraft are real but the State registers and licences them, employing them in policing and espionage. The British Inquisition is real too, although a somewhat tame and civilised version of its former self;at least on the surface.
Our protagonists are Glory- the streetwise chav who hopes and dreams of inheriting her mothers fae ability and Lucas Stearne - son of the Chief Prosecutor of the Inquisitorial Court.
Lucas and Glory become unlikely allies in a race to uncover who is behind the spate of witch kind terrorist attacks. There’s a turf war and a national conspiracy - plenty of well paced intrigue and action to keep you reading.
It’s akin to the Krays meets Spooks plus Witches.
History Sprinkled
After an initial dose of backgrounding, Powell manages to weave in world building and setting nicely.
She has constructed a believable alternate history of witches, from John Dee to the Second World War. History seems to have pretty much worked out the same, the Allies won, Witches are still burned and killed in third world countries (actually that part’s not actually alternate history, more’s the pity). Witchkind are excepted into public life by virtue of liberal attitudes and government programs.
All in all we get a sprinkling of witch related events that makes for a nicely flavoured story, and sets up current tensions.
Robust, goal driven characters
Glory, a chav is presented as a young woman with agency, she knows what she wants and isn’t going to end up being some gangster’s pram pusher. Staying true to that character she isn’t looking for a young, brooding, distant but ultimately redeemable lost soul of teen. No she’s got priorities and finding a man isn’t one of them.
Lucas, too, has his vision of what he wants to be and despite the obstacles put in his way seems to roll resiliently with the punches.
On reflection, these strong characters (the adults always seem less focussed or compromised) strongly push Burn Mark as young adult tale. The teen protagonists and their actions direct the story. Which isn’t to say that life’s realities are treated with kid gloves. There’s witch burnings and murder, threats to kill and the well described “ducking” of suspected witches.
If you’re a fan of British crime or espionage drama I think you’ll enjoy this read and the rest that follow.
This book was provided to me by the publisher at no extra cost to myself
June 17, 2012
With a creative twist on witch mythology that extends beyond the medieval witch trials, 'The Burning Times', into modern day British society, Burn Mark has an intriguing premise. In Powell's alternate world hstory, approximately 1 in 1000 people become Witchkind, usually it is a hereditary condition. The Fae (witch magic) doesn't make itself known until late teens/early twenties and the earlier it appears generally indicates the strength of the power. Witches are regulated, controlled citizens barely tolerated by ordinary society. Iron bands moot their power and punishment for the unsanctioned use of magic is swift and harsh. Unsurprisingly given the blatant discrimination, there are witches who resent the government and hide within mafia like gangs spread out over the city. Powell's world is quite complex, politically and socially, and as a result it takes quite some time for her to establish the systems and rules that provide the framework for the novel. Powell only narrowly avoids the pitfall of an information dump, and the details tend to make the first quarter or so of the novel drag.
The story unfolds from the perspectives of two teenagers, Lucas and Glory. Lucas Stearne is the teenage son of a 12th generation Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition who hopes to follow in his fathers footsteps until the day he unexpectedly discovers he has the Fae. With his future dreams in tatters, Lucas volunteers to infiltrate a gang of witches suspected of multiple crimes in London's East End. Given Lucas's background it is surprising that he is not simply a privileged git, instead Lucas has a strong moral core that believes in fair treatment for all, even before his power manifests. He can be a bit smug and overconfident at times but in general his intentions are good.
Gloriana Starling Wilde is fifteen, living with her great aunt, Angel, on the fringes of society as part of a criminal gang of witches, desperately hoping her powers will prove to be as strong as those of her murdered mother, and twin great aunts - the infamous Starling Sisters. She is smart, tough and a touch arrogant with a definite bias against the government and the Inquisition. She resents being forced to cooperate with the Inquisitors but is compelled to do so after learning of a deep betrayal and agrees to assist Lucas in destroying the Wednesday Coven.
What Lucas and Glory discover together is evidence of a high level conspiracy amongst society's elite that threatens to trigger a war between the Inquisitors and the witches, and plunge society back into a maelstrom of chaos and violence. Once the pace of the plot picks up you come to appreciate the groundwork Powell has laid earlier as secrets are revealed and betrayed, however the action really needs to start much earlier in the book and carry through. It takes far too long to reach the first crisis point and I'm not sure how many teens would bother to persevere.
Burn Mark is the first in a new young adult paranormal series by author Laura Powell involving magic, politics and danger. With the framework now firmly established, the next installment has the potential to be an exciting and fast paced adventure in her alternate world.
The story unfolds from the perspectives of two teenagers, Lucas and Glory. Lucas Stearne is the teenage son of a 12th generation Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition who hopes to follow in his fathers footsteps until the day he unexpectedly discovers he has the Fae. With his future dreams in tatters, Lucas volunteers to infiltrate a gang of witches suspected of multiple crimes in London's East End. Given Lucas's background it is surprising that he is not simply a privileged git, instead Lucas has a strong moral core that believes in fair treatment for all, even before his power manifests. He can be a bit smug and overconfident at times but in general his intentions are good.
Gloriana Starling Wilde is fifteen, living with her great aunt, Angel, on the fringes of society as part of a criminal gang of witches, desperately hoping her powers will prove to be as strong as those of her murdered mother, and twin great aunts - the infamous Starling Sisters. She is smart, tough and a touch arrogant with a definite bias against the government and the Inquisition. She resents being forced to cooperate with the Inquisitors but is compelled to do so after learning of a deep betrayal and agrees to assist Lucas in destroying the Wednesday Coven.
What Lucas and Glory discover together is evidence of a high level conspiracy amongst society's elite that threatens to trigger a war between the Inquisitors and the witches, and plunge society back into a maelstrom of chaos and violence. Once the pace of the plot picks up you come to appreciate the groundwork Powell has laid earlier as secrets are revealed and betrayed, however the action really needs to start much earlier in the book and carry through. It takes far too long to reach the first crisis point and I'm not sure how many teens would bother to persevere.
Burn Mark is the first in a new young adult paranormal series by author Laura Powell involving magic, politics and danger. With the framework now firmly established, the next installment has the potential to be an exciting and fast paced adventure in her alternate world.
June 15, 2012
Loved the detail of the witches and the history
Didnt really take to the characters or the gang angle
This book gives a really interesting slant on witchcraft. How would you feel if there were people in your neighborhood with extraordinary amounts of power at the fingertips, literally at their fingertips. Would you be scared or envious, would you treat them differently. This book gives a unique perspective of the divides in society. Witches are portrayed as poor, often the scum of society, kept in there place by physical restrictions made of iron. While the Witch Hunters are the privileged, wealthy, educated section of society. It is easy to relate the divides to the working class and middle classes of our society today and the narrative makes you pause for thought as to how society shapes individuals.
The use of third person narrative is a necessary tool to manage the multi-level plot and diverse plot threads. Focalized from dual perspectives of Lucas and Glory, one from the lower class and one from the privileged Witch Hunters brought together by their shared ability. I have to say I didn’t really connect with Glory, for me she is everything that is wrong with the way some people think. She is very self-absorbed relating events and interactions to how it affects her not the bigger picture. She really is a product of her environment and shows no inclination to change, even though there are numerous opportunities for her to develop .
Lucas, on the other hand, I adored, his whole world is turned upside down when he gets his powers. He is the polar opposite of Glory, instead of becoming totally despondent and wallowing in despair that his life has changed so dramatically, he uses his abilities in the best way possible. His inner strength really does shine through the narrative. I loved how Lucas accepted who he was and was true to himself throughout.
The mixture of characters from both sides showed that there are good and bad in any society, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are one or the other as a result of where you were born. Gideon, would be the perfect example of this, drawn to being an Inquisitor in order to torture and dominate people. The seedy underbelly of the Inquisitors is shown clearly in Gideon.
The gang culture of the witches and the East End setting brought to mind images of The Krays and their control over that area as well as the tactics used to achieve control. The terror campaign depicted within the story brought to mind the IRA’s bombing campaign in the 1990′s adding to the realism of the plot.
Th research into the history of witches and witch hunters really shone through the narrative. It was utterly fascinating to read about and the references to the real Witch Hunters added depth and realism. This was really my favorite part of the book.
If witchcraft and the history of the witch hunters fascinates you then you will love this book. It really is an interesting read only spoilt by my dislike of Glory.
Didnt really take to the characters or the gang angle
This book gives a really interesting slant on witchcraft. How would you feel if there were people in your neighborhood with extraordinary amounts of power at the fingertips, literally at their fingertips. Would you be scared or envious, would you treat them differently. This book gives a unique perspective of the divides in society. Witches are portrayed as poor, often the scum of society, kept in there place by physical restrictions made of iron. While the Witch Hunters are the privileged, wealthy, educated section of society. It is easy to relate the divides to the working class and middle classes of our society today and the narrative makes you pause for thought as to how society shapes individuals.
The use of third person narrative is a necessary tool to manage the multi-level plot and diverse plot threads. Focalized from dual perspectives of Lucas and Glory, one from the lower class and one from the privileged Witch Hunters brought together by their shared ability. I have to say I didn’t really connect with Glory, for me she is everything that is wrong with the way some people think. She is very self-absorbed relating events and interactions to how it affects her not the bigger picture. She really is a product of her environment and shows no inclination to change, even though there are numerous opportunities for her to develop .
Lucas, on the other hand, I adored, his whole world is turned upside down when he gets his powers. He is the polar opposite of Glory, instead of becoming totally despondent and wallowing in despair that his life has changed so dramatically, he uses his abilities in the best way possible. His inner strength really does shine through the narrative. I loved how Lucas accepted who he was and was true to himself throughout.
The mixture of characters from both sides showed that there are good and bad in any society, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are one or the other as a result of where you were born. Gideon, would be the perfect example of this, drawn to being an Inquisitor in order to torture and dominate people. The seedy underbelly of the Inquisitors is shown clearly in Gideon.
The gang culture of the witches and the East End setting brought to mind images of The Krays and their control over that area as well as the tactics used to achieve control. The terror campaign depicted within the story brought to mind the IRA’s bombing campaign in the 1990′s adding to the realism of the plot.
Th research into the history of witches and witch hunters really shone through the narrative. It was utterly fascinating to read about and the references to the real Witch Hunters added depth and realism. This was really my favorite part of the book.
If witchcraft and the history of the witch hunters fascinates you then you will love this book. It really is an interesting read only spoilt by my dislike of Glory.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews