Marked

Stories of Midgate #1

by R.M. Krogman

Curses are powerful, if you believe in them enough.

Davon and his family live a simple life in the beautiful valleys of the Sikrat Mountains, as long as they don’t draw the attention of roaming ghastwolves or the keen Earth Dragons on the ridges above. Davy’s purpose is clear: to protect the flock and to help his mother and father.

But when Davy’s life is ripped away in one violent night, he learns that he is cursed. Left to the vicious wolves and dragons of the Sikrat, Davy must find a new way to survive. Evil hounds him and his flock as he works tirelessly to somehow earn his place in a superstitious and demanding society.

Was his curse the reason for so much lost? Was he an insidious curse infecting everyone around him?

With nothing left, Davy must face the bitter cold of abandonment and reclaim his life, before those who know his secret turn on him.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Dragons, Young Adult

122 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2023

About the author

Rebecca M. Krogman is an epic and dark fantasy author from Iowa, USA.

She writes most of her stories in Midgate, a medieval-inspired world of magic, mermaids, and wyverns, with settings spanning two continents and the sea between. Her work is best known for its deep characterization, emotional and sometimes tragic scenes that leave a mark, and elaborate world-building. When she's not writing about Midgate, she dabbles in dark fairy tale retellings and cookbooks. She will never apologize for describing a tree, as she finds trees to be fascinating and far more alive than they get credit for.

Reviews

[R.A. Sandpiper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-told story from an accurately limited perspective of a child. The midpoint turn made me want to cry, and I just wanted to give Davy a hug. A fantastic tale, well-paced and with a great amount of character development for a novella, woven with evocative agrarian description.

9/10

[Dimitris Kopsidas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in Krogman's main series but since those are chunky books, I decided to try first her novella (which by the way is free on her website) to see if her writing is to my taste and I'm glad I did.
The author's writing is simple though beautiful and addictive. The main series is an epic fantasy one, but here the story is very thin on fantasy and not epic at all. We follow the unfortunate story of a young kid, that tries his best to please everyone around him but can't seem to catch a break and the whole world seems to have a grudge against him. It was not the most original of stories but it was very well executed and now I can't wait to read Liberation which is also an SPFBOX contestant.

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the SFINCs!

Thoughts to come but I love how this one nose-dived off the dark scale

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is 4.25
Oh wow...that's not at all what I expected. Emotional, heartrending and throw in betrayal after betrayal and you'll have the crux of this story. Davy has nothing but terrible things happen to him...over and over. 
Things get very dire for him until he has hit bottom with no way out. Until there is. 
I felt so many things while reading this sad prequel story. On the top was rage and sorrow for the plight of Davy and the rotten townsfolk around him. 
I'm glad things turned out the way they did for Davy and I would like to see how this turning point evolves into the next book!

A note for readers....there are triggers for some found within. Take care of your mental health and your heart. 

[Sams_Fantasy_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a dark fantasy novel. Davy loses everything, his journey to self-discovery is mainly grief, abandonment, believing he is cursed, the superstitious villages turn their backs on him, and leave him to fend for himself. When wolves killed his father, he believed it was the dragons, but being finished by the villagers, it is a dragon who saves him, and he realised that they were the ones who had been keeping watch over him and the mark on his back bonded him to a dragon. It left me wanting more, and I can't wait to continue with the next book.

[K.E. Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a good dragon book. This book starts off very beautiful and pretty and then cuts your heart into tiny little pieces. I kept tearing up for poor Davy. So much trauma in this little book.

[S.C. Eston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey good-readers,

A few months ago, I got in touch with R.M. Krogman when she subscribed to my newsletter and shared some of her favorite books with me. In one of my emails, I asked readers to send me recommendations of books with dragons. When I replied, I got an error message. So I went on to visit R.M. Krogman’s website and I sent her a message via her contact form, thanking her for her suggestions. While on her website, I took a moment to browse her published books.

This turned out to be a great decision, because it lead me to the awesome novella that is ‘Marked’.

‘Marked’ is a charming and touching story, that skillfully balances the good and bad of a superstitious society. Although it has many of the dark fantasy genre’s elements, it is so much more. The main character, young Davon, sees everything and everyone he loves taken away from him as he learns that he is cursed. The book is very well written and introduces a world that I can’t wait to visit again. This is simply a great story and the more I read, the more I got hooked, all the way to the satisfying ending.

The good news is that ‘Marked’ is a prequel to R. M. Krogman’s The Keepers of Midgate epic fantasy series. So, there’s a lot more to read! Highly recommended.

[M.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read Dark Fantasy generally, but near Halloween I can make an exception or two, and this novella has intrigued me for a while. I mean, just look at that cover! Was the story inside too dark for me? Let’s just say it was at my threshold for violence and heartache, but I’m glad I forged ahead.

Little Davy is an absolute sweetheart, and the world where he lives is lush and real. Krogman’s writing is strong and visceral, painting beautiful vistas to cradle a bittersweet story that tackles heavy topics like suicide, loss, guilt, grief, and the dangers of prejudice/superstition.

The hardships Davy endures truly hurt my heart, and I half-dreaded reaching the end of this tale, but again, I’m so glad I kept going. The climax did everything I hoped it would.

Ultimately this is a beautifully crafted, heartrending story of endurance, forgiveness, and courage. Highly recommended!

Content: Peril, fantasy violence, animal death, brief mild language, suicide, child neglect/abuse.

[Bella Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Marked" as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Competition (SFINCS).

This novella follows the story of young Davy as he deals with loss and grief and the unkindness of his peers.
The story is well developed with enough detail to paint a vivid picture of Davy's world and the challenges he faces in a society marred by superstition and prejudice. Krogman's narrative is gripping and I could not put down the story till its jaw-dropping end.
My only comment is that Davy felt a bit two-dimensional. I thought it was difficult to ascertain whether he was a small child or a teenage boy and I would like to have seen more of his inner thoughts as he dealt with everything happening around him.
Overall a great novella and would highly recommend it for fans of the genre!

[Nikki Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this story, but by the end, I completely loved it. It's well written throughout, but I was struggling to connect with the main character, Davy, in the beginning. By the halfway point, I was completely invested, and wanted to somehow protect Davy from all he was going through. A great short read!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend Marked to readers who love fantasy that digs beneath the surface of magic and monsters to explore the loneliness of being an outsider. It’s not a lighthearted tale, but it’s beautiful in its honesty. If you appreciate character-driven stories that show both the cruelty and the simplicity of the world, you will find much to enjoy here.

[Joan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You R.M. Krogman

This is a side story from the series The Keepers of Midgate. The story flow is smooth as the writer deeper into the story. I felt Davy's pain as the progressed. I liked this story and I am excited about checking out more of this author's books.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this was such a fast and all over the place reading but in a good way. The writing and building was so easy to follow.

I do want to thank the author for reaching out to me about this ebook and note that all opinions/thoughts above are my own!

[Marena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Davy learns firsthand how fear and superstition can destroy. Davy loses his family in tragic ways and turns to his village for help after his last connection to the life he's known is stolen.

But no real help is coming because the people in the village learn he's Marked and the Marked are all killed at birth because they are cursed.

This tells how Davy survived on the streets and met his fate to overcome his own fears. He is my favorite side character of Midgate. Despite or because of his beginnings he is a loving person who just wants to do what's right.

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best fantasy novellas I’ve ever read

A determined, young shepherd takes on a world that seems to have completely turned against him. Niceties never last as he encounters one loss after another. Sadly, predators are everywhere, especially those who walk on two legs. The ending introduces quite an intriguing savior, and now, I can’t wait to dig into the rest of the series.

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was part of SFINCS2! The review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Marked

Davy lives a simple yet happy life. He helps his mother and father tend their flock of sheep and grows excited to help his mother drive the cart to market. But one night as his father slumbers and Davy sits watch over the flock, ghastwolves strike, causing devastating losses to the flock and Davy’s family. A cascade of horrible events will tear Davy away from his life, and plunge him into despair.

Davy’s story is heartbreaking. The loss of a family member is never easy to overcome and Davy will encounter one loss after another. Even when hope begins to shine through for him, inevitably something will sweep it all away. Marked is a book that dives into despair and does not surface from it frequently. In the world of this novella, if a child bears a certain mark they are considered cursed. The novella earns its name by having Davy bear such a mark.

The utter hopelessness Davy felt was a theme carried throughout the novella. If there had been a few more glimpses of happiness or even more encounters of people trying to sneak him help, it would have helped the story not feel as depressing. However, given the focus and theme of the novella, it was executed well. However, be prepared readers, Marked is not an easy read.

[Damien Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Erica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished “Marked” by R.M. Krogman that completely surprised me with how emotional and layered it was. At first, I expected a story filled with only dragons and dark magic, but it became something much deeper. “Marked” is a story about grief, identity, and the danger of judging people based on fear.

“Marked” follows a boy named Davy. He is the son of a shepherd living a happy, and peaceful life until a series of tragic events take place that tear Davy’s life apart. At one point, it is discovered that Davy is “marked”. The people around Davy believe the mark is cursed, and many even whisper that he is connected to the tragedies he has had to endure. Davy becomes isolated, blamed for tragedies or bad luck that he never caused, and treated more like a monster than a human being. Krogman does an excellent job showing how the rejection shapes Davy’s personality. Davy becomes hurt and angry with the world, and starts doing things that aren’t true to who Davy is as a person. However, beneath the hurt and anger is a boy who is deeply lonely and desperate to belong.

The atmosphere of the novella is beautiful and haunting from beginning to end. The description of the landscapes, the weather, and the looming presence of ghastwolves and dragons create a sense of wonder, beauty, and dread. The ghastwolves are terrifying, but the dragons themselves are not simply mindless beasts. They feel ancient, intelligent, and tied to Midgate’s mysteries. Some of the strongest scenes in the story involve Davy encountering them in moments that are both tragic and beautiful.

What stood out to me the most was the tragedy woven throughout the plot. Davy carries the wounds of loss, guilt, betrayal, and hopelessness. “Marked” never shies away from hardship, and there were moments that felt genuinely heartbreaking. However, the suffering in the story never felt pointless. Each painful event pushed Davy toward growth and revealed deeper truths.

The biggest strength of “Marked” is its central message. The people around Davy believe that Davy is evil because he is different, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the mark on his skin is not a curse at all. It is a blessing connected to an ancient power. Rather than being chosen for evil, he was chosen for something beautiful. I appreciated how the story challenged the idea that what looks frightening must automatically be wicked.

The ending was bittersweet and powerful. Without spoiling too much, “Marked” avoids giving the reader a perfect, happy conclusion. There is loss and lingering sadness, but there is also hope. Davy understands who he is, and for the first time, he no longer sees himself through the hatred of others.

Overall, this novella is a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy. It combines emotional depth with vivid world building, memorable dragons, and a protagonist who is easy to root for despite his flaws. If you enjoy stories about misunderstood heroes, tragic journeys, and finding light in darkness, this novella is absolutely worth reading.

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, this went from almost cozy to darkness in naught to sixty, and yep I have to say it my heart took a battering. The author really knows how to pull the rug from you right from the start, and continuously does so throughout the story. I literally read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down and I'm currently writing this review still sniffling at that beautiful ending (there were many tears throughout reading too.). After reading this novella I've literally added all the other books in the series to my TBR pile as I was that enchanted by the world building and storytelling, though I have a feeling I'll need to guard my heart when I read them, if this book is any indication.

Davy, along with his parents live a simple life in the valleys of Sikat Mountains, working hard and tending their flock. But in one violent night, Davy's world is torn apart and he learns that he is marked. In a town were superstition rules, Davy must find a way to survive before everyone he knows turns on him.

My heart ached for Davy, his belief that by inviting in bad luck and later on finding out he is marked everything that happens is his fault, just made me want to hug him and not let go. He learns just how far people will go when fear and superstitions take over, even if it's a threat to his very survival. Yeah sometimes I really hate people.

I loved everything about this even if I did spend most of the book crying and I'm looking forward to finding out more about this world and what I'm sure will be the start to an epic journey. Totally recommend 😁

[Andrew Platten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant, vivid, and immersive, Marked is a harrowing yet captivating novella that serves as a powerful introduction to R.M. Krogman’s epic Midgate series, Liberation and Sundering. This self-contained tale masterfully portrays a superstitious and prejudiced society teetering on the edge of starvation. In the wake of tragedy, their fragile mutual support quickly devolves into abandonment and abuse, creating a deeply affecting narrative.

The story follows Davon, a young shepherd boy thrust into a life of hardship and self-discovery. His journey evokes comparisons to iconic fantasy protagonists like Kaladin (The Stormlight Archive), Rand al’Thor (The Wheel of Time), and Rin (The Poppy War), offering a similarly rich exploration of resilience and identity.

Having read Krogman’s main Midgate epics first, I found Marked to be a shade darker—perhaps due to its focus on the trials of a child. While it doesn’t delve into the richly imagined non-human societies so brilliantly showcased in Liberation and Sundering, Marked is nonetheless a gripping and emotionally charged story.

If Marked is your entry point into the Midgate universe, you’re in for a treat. The wonders of this series await, promising an even deeper immersion into Krogman’s extraordinary world-building and storytelling.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella just wasn’t for me. The beginning started off good, but it got so depressing so fast. It was effecting my mental health and I thought about DNFing. Instead I went to the end, which I assumed would be happy and then went back to finish what I skipped. Regardless of whether his curse was real or not, it certainly seemed very real after bad thing after bad thing happened to him. It was like 7 chapters of bad with two chapters and an epilogue of good. I also wish Davy’s age was given, I was wondering the whole book. Was he 6 or 13 or something inbetween? I really wanted to know.

I liked the ending but it was a little confusing and not well explained, I assume because it’s explained in the series, but still I like my books to be a complete story without needing to read more to understand what’s going on. That’s my main problem with all novellas; I feel like they’re too short to tell the whole story. I didn’t know why all of a sudden a dragon could hear him and want to bond with him. Were there others bonded to other dragons? What do the bonded do? I just wanted to understand more. It just seemed weird that the dragons were so feared when they apparently can speak to humans and bond with them.

Even though I didn’t care for this novella, I’m still interested in trying the next book.

[Lara R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an ARC of the author's book Liberation and fell in love with her style of writing.
This is why Marked is perfect for everyone who wants to give this author's work a try but is hesitant about the first book's length.

Here, you have the opportunity to see if the writing is for you.
This novella is quite dark though, because it shows how unfair and even cruel people can be when confronted with their superstitions.
Davy is a young boy living on a sheep farm with his parents when he first loses his father and soon after, his mother. Suddenly, all alone, he must find a way to survive, but finding help is tough even if you're willing to work hard.

Just like in Liberation, the characters are well written and especially Davy. I was swallowing hard a couple of times and the author made me care more than I thought. I usually don't get so attached to characters in novellas simply because they're way shorter than the average book I read and it takes me some time to actually feel for the characters.

Give it a try - it's worth your time and you are most likely going to pick up Liberation afterward.

[Ellie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description and beginning of the novel was very interesting. The sudden loss of Davy’s father made sense for his role as a Shepard and was a sad turning point with a lot of well used potential in Davy’s character development as the short story progressed. The loss of his mother also made sense initially, being thought to have been a suicide due to her heartbreak and uncertainty of surviving the harsh winter ahead.

As the story progressed, however, the implication of their deaths being curse related seemed to create a sort of muddiness around whether or not Davy’s curse really existed or mattered. I feel the story may have been more compelling had there been a solid direction taken in this fact rather than left in a more interpretable manner.

The ending with the sudden appearance of the earth dragon felt jarring, along with the discovery of their sentience. Being rescued suddenly by an earth dragon who speaks of a “bond” between them seems like something that should have a bit more foreshadowing or context.

This seems like a promising introduction to a fantasy series with an interesting world and I would certainly be interested in any sequels or updates.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marked by R.M. Krogman is a novella about one of the main characters of the author's epic series. It's definitely intriguing enough to make me interested in trying out the full novels as well!

It felt a bit like a middle grade story at first, from the perspective of a boy who helps his parents on their sheep farm. However it did turn pretty dark later on. Please check trigger warnings if you need them:
death of parents, suicide, mention of killing babies with a specific mark

There's little fantasy in here, aside from dragons existing in this world, but I suppose the main series has more. However the world felt well done and three dimensional, and I especially enjoyed how realistic the details on the farm felt. This makes me really hopeful for a detailed and rich world to explore, outside of this little corner of the world!

The side characters could have had a little more meat to them, but I think that's mainly due to the short length of the novella, as the main character seems well developed.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked is a novella that sets the stage for more to come in the Keepers of Midgate series. Readers who enjoy dark fantasy novellas/novels are not going to want to miss out on this one!
Davy and his family live a simple life – tending sheep, making a living and loving each other. But everything changes after a night of terror destroys everything he once knew. Now, he has to try to make his way through a village weighed down by heavy beliefs and superstitions. It won’t be an easy road ahead for him. He will face moments of happiness only for it to be ripped away.
You’ll be inclined to think – maybe his “flippant” comments brought bad luck down on him and his family. Or was it just sheer chance that all these bad things happened to him?
Marked is an engaging story with just the right amount of detail to paint vivid pictures in your mind. This story will draw you in and keep you page-turning to learn how Davy will handle each set back that life hands him. Marked will pull at your heartstrings, stoke your anger towards the villagers, and leave you eager for more.
For sure you’ll be eager for the next book in this series as this author captivates you with dragons, dangerous ghastwolves, and the most dangerous creatures of all...heartless humans. Don’t miss out on this well-written novella!
5 out of 5 stars

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW was this one SAD! I wasn't prepared for just how heartbreaking it would be. Poor Davy just cannot catch a break. Every time you think things might finally start looking up for him, something else comes crashing down.

Everything goes from bad to worse as terrible accidents pile up, terrible choices get made around him, and superstition means he gets blamed and poorly treated in the wake of his own trauma. I loved how circumstances are tied to fear and superstition. The curse doesn't appear to be something magical. It's just something people believe in so completely that it shapes how they perceive things and makes them act horribly.

More than anything, this feels like a story about trauma, isolation, and trying to find your place again after your entire world has been ripped away. It's a gut punch of a read and that boy needs a therapist immediately. Hoping his new friend can help fill some of that gap. Dark, affecting, and I'm genuinely looking forward to reading more! An impressive, short novella that has a lot to say.

[Sherry Cammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say this book was an emotional rollercoaster. I literally sobbed while reading Davy's story. It begins with a family raising sheep, and struggling with life in general. But the love in this family was so beautiful. Until one night it ends in tragedy. And that is only the beginning of the heartbreak that Davy endures. He learns very quickly that no one in the village will help him. The villagers discover that Davy is "marked". And in this village the "marked" are considered cursed, and most are killed at birth.

This story is very dark. Davy endures so much pain and rejection at such a young age. He is literally a child trying to survive, without starving. He deserves so much love. My heart broke for him. Each turn of the page had me shedding more tears.

However, the author writes this story so beautifully and it all comes together in the end. This may be a novella, but it sure packs a punch. So much story, so many emotions in this book. I definitely want to read more of the Midgate series. This was my first book by this author, and I'll definitely be reading more.

[Colleen Villasenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a side character in The Keepers of Midgate. It's the story of a boy who loses everything and is betrayed by almost everyone he knows when it is discovered that he has a mark that signifies that he is cursed. The death of both of his parents is proof that he is cursed and he is tricked and taken advantage of partly because of the mark and partly because he is young and alone and an easy target. There were certain parts of the story that were predictable enough that I guessed the outcome, but it was still a good story. I was thinking it might be okay for mid-grades because of how young the main character is, but there is also some graphic violence and suicide warnings so that would need to be considered. I'm curious now about the main series. I'd love to learn more about the Earth dragons that live in this world.

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell y'all I was ready to burn down an entire village while reading this, I'm not joking. If I was trying to be lighthearted, I would say that this is "Davy's series of unfortunate events" but there was no being lighthearted here. Davy is a young boy who is met with tragedy and he is led to believe that he is cursed by the superstitious townfolk. My heart broke and just kept breaking but the writing was beautiful and I felt it in my soul that something good was bound to happen to sweet Davy. I have also never hated the phrase "it takes a village" more than I do right now after reading this.

[Elizabeth Snow]

I finished this novella a week ago & I’m still deciding how I feel about it. It’s an introduction to the world of Midgate, an origin story for one of the main characters.

While well-written, I found this story unremittingly Dark. Respect the trigger warnings. Technically, none of the trigger warnings applied to me, but I am an empathetic person and I do feel it keenly when I observe unfair things. This story could be subtitled A Book of Unfair Things!

However, I am still interested in this series, in the characters, the magic, & their mission. When I give it another go, I’ll likely read it in the summer, & read it in smaller bites.