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

107 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

[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 B · 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

[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.

[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

[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.

[Liz Fully Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marked is a prequel novella to the Midgate series and it was definitely heartbreaking. There are some heavy triggers in this short story, so make sure to check those.

This novella sets up Davy’s story. A young man who loses his parents, is then ostracized by his village and must try to survive on his own. In the end, they leave him for dead, and you’ll have to read the story to find out what happens.

The author does a good job of building Davy’s character and the world he lives in, despite being a short story. I’m looking forward to moving on to book 2, to read and learn about more of the characters in the Midgate series.

[Eloise Retief · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick but extremely emotionally charged read. It started off a bit slow, and I wondered when the fantasy aspect would become important, but everything is written with purpose. The whole build-up was so important to understand Davy's character and for the reader to truly emotionally connect with and root for Davy. I'm definitely intrigued to see where this series will go, and it really set up the rest of the series in this universe!

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story! This was an engaging book that kept me wanting to read more. The characters' development and the story line of the book did not disappoint. I can't wait to read the full series!

[Gail Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, wasn’t expecting that rollercoaster!!
It’s such an emotional story, I really felt for Devon. It truly showed how some people are sheep following others blind.
Brilliant descriptive writing. Can’t wait to see what comes next

[Katrina Tichnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It had every emotion going as Devon struggled with the loss his parents, his flock and being told he was cursed and thrown into a well. When Ar’we showed up and rescued him I felt the joy they felt at seeing each other for the first time. Devon deserves to be happy and belong to someone.

[Abigail Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

peaceful ending

I got this book on a stuff your kindle day. It’s not what I normally read but it was a good little story. The bad luck Davy had and just kept having made me sad but glad was able to be happy and have peace in the end. I do feel like the ending was rushed. Like they spent all this time building up his sad hard life to him just have peace and happiness with his earth dragon in like a paragraph.