Marked

by J.C. McKenzie

I am Artemis, Guardian of the Forbidden Forest.

I am fearless.

I am feared.

And I do not fail.

Until...one day, I do. And it's not me who pays the price.

Now, I must work with Ace, a man I loathe, to track down a group of merciless killers. If I fail again, I will become the next target and lose everything I've worked so hard to build. With danger lurking in every shadow, two things become abundantly clear—Ace isn't who or what he claims to be...

And neither am I.

Don't miss this addictive fantasy romance with mystery, mayhem and a slow burn romance by international bestselling author, J. C. McKenzie.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2024

About the author

J. C. McKenzie is a book loving, gumboot-wearing, unapologetic science geek. She predominantly writes urban fantasy and fantasy romance. When she’s not spinning tales, she’s in the classroom sharing her passion for science and mathematics while secretly warping the young impressionable minds of our future to carry out her evil plans for world domination. She lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book in this new series. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic has replaced technology, Artemis and her brother Apollo aka Paul, have had a tragic childhood. Now as a Guardian of the Forest, Artemis has become an bonded immortal - nothing and no-one can kill her, until they try to and she is seriously injured.

When other immortals are also being killed in the same manner, she is determined to find out who is behind it all with the help of her new partner, Ace, a old friend from her and her brother's past. But the more they investigate, the more dangerous this mission becomes and more secrets and questions are raised. What is Ace's agenda here? Where is Paul and how is he involved in all this? Who is trying to frame her and why? Does anyone else know her biggest secret?

Artemis, aka Emi, was a great character - she is strong, feisty, courageous and determined, but a little of her heart will always belong to Ace, even if she doesn't want it to! Ace is an intriguing character - there's so much more to him than he lets on and secrets he won't reveal (yet anyway!) Orion clearly cares a lot for Artemis, but who will she choose, if she has to, between them both!

A great start to this new series that he definitely left me wanting more!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but this review is my own, honest one!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artemis is such a bada$$. I loved her. Paired with her wolf, Nala, she could do no wrong in my eyes. But she surprised me multiple times by having points of rapid reflection and taking quick action in emotionally charged situations. It was delightful. The MMC and Artemis clearly have a past. Parts of it are revealed within this story, but it’s also a larger story arc of the series. So I was happy with the growth we got in book 1 and can’t wait for more!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emi is awesome! She is such a strong character. I’m not sure what is up with her brother. Ace and Orion both like her, but will she choose. The ending gave me the ….I need the next book asap feels!

[Kanyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a book sucks you in from the start. This one is amazing and well worth all five stars! The pace is very fast and easy reading and the story has quite a bit of action. I loved both main characters Emi and Ace. Their chemistry is perfect and I can’t wait to see more of it in book two! For the world building - I wanted more. Each piece interested me more and more and while that is mainly a chuck of the story line, I do hope to learn more about the Phaanons next book.

Marked is the first book in the Curse of the Immortals series.

I voluntarily received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Final Rating: 5 Stars

[Noxwitchbooklife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a bunch of books by J.C. McKenzie before and enjoyed them and this one was no different. Another new series set in a fantasy world she's created with a unique kind of darker type of storytelling which I like.

There is some great drama with Artemis and her love life affecting her job but it doesn't stop her being a pretty fierce headstrong hunter.

There a whole lot of questions brought up in this story which I look forward to learning more about as the series goes on

[Alonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely intriguing. It starts off with action and it leaves you on that high throughout the book to the end. The concept of familiars and hunters, in a post now world is interesting and the world building is simple and doesn't take up a large chunk of the book. This was a smooth read plot wise and easily followed. There is mystery, flirty banter as well as insults, jealousy from both FMC and both possible love interests. I am in love with Ace and I am hoping in book two we get more into the mystery that is him and his reasons, because I so need to know. The Artemis inspiration is there and I love it.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a blast to read as introduced a new world where immortal with magic are rare. Get introduced to Emi and get to follow her as her normal days are upended and an old friend shows up, trouble in the woods, and a mystery or two that must be solved Just grabbed me from the beginning and I had a hard time putting it down. Made me laugh and groan and shake my head. Good story adn good characters. So a fun entertaining story I enjoyed reading and cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I absolutely loved every minute of it! If I wasn’t so busy I would have finished it in one sitting! I need book 2 right away, I have so many questions! Love these characters and the banter. The plot twist is also wild. You will love this book, go and get a copy right away! I was very kindly sent an ARC and am going to buy a physical copy ASAP while I impatiently await the second book.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this series since the first teaser, and it lived up to all my hopes and expectations. As I've come to expect with all McKenzie's books, the worldbuilding is fantastic and the slow burn is delicious. I'm left with so many questions that I'll be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book!

[Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

DNF after the 'love interest' turns up. The MC was already irritating me.

Type of love interest = FYI in case anyone else doesn't like this type of 'enemies to lovers' the 'enemy' was of the knew from childhood & was/is a jerk variety.
I 'really' dislike that sort of pairing, because it means the MC is forever going to be telling us just 'why' jerk is a jerk because of their past together. (Although I hated jerk from his intro as her new work partner, see below.)
I prefer the 'meeting for first time in the book, and they hate each other and eventually get together' trope.

Other main points that annoyed me.
MC as part of her set up whines to herself about being indentured for life (she's immortal) to the Queen, but she's going along with it!
Queen took MC & her twin off the streets when they were 12. MC is now 25, so if she started working for Queen at 18 (guessing) that means 7 years, so she's paid back 6 years to 'raise' her and an extra year... IMHO she's good to leave now.
Queen then sends the jerk aka love interest as her surprise partner in guarding the forest with the terms to agree or lose your job.
Jerk seemed needlessly antagonistic to MC, (who had the utter gall apparently to have a crush on him 5 years earlier /s) 'for plot' is a crappy reason. ---- If he'd broken her heart, then turned up and tried to take over when she's the Guardian & she's supposed to train him, that'd make more sense. Although personally still annoying.
I mean I can see why she doesn't like him, throwing her old crush in her face, being insulting, jealous that she's the youngest person to ever bond a Familiar. Seeing it'd been 5 years and he was throwing that in her face and such and calling her immature, the immature one seems to be him. Her not wanting to work with someone she knows is a jerk, when her job means life or death situations, seems sensible to me.

I'd have sent my agreement to no longer be Guardian of the Danu Forest to the queen along with the report on the ambush.
The most adult thing someone can do is take control of their own life and the queen gave her the ultimatum, so why shouldn't the MC accept it?
The Queen could have refused to accept her 'resignation', even though she offered that out, because you know, royalty are like that and used MC's best friend as extra leverage to get MC to do what she wants.... That would have at least showed the MC has a backbone, but no MC just decides to remain being a dutiful little doormat of an indentured servant.

It was at this point I decided I didn't care to continue reading, because the MC just rolls over and is content to be indentured for her immortal life! If she doesn't care, then why should I?


Disappointed because I've liked other books by this author. ---- Second time within a month that's happened and as with the other author, its put me off trying any more new books by this author.

First time read the author's work?: No

Will you be reading more?: Probably only re-reads of the books I like by her.

Would you recommend?: Only if you like known since 12 enemy to lover stories.


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "MARKED" WOW!!! I was hooked on this story right from the start full of action, intrigue, mystery, banter, steam, twists that keeps you turning the pages.
Artemis & her twin brother Apollo aka "Paul" were save by the Queen as children so now they work for her, Artemis is bonded to her wolf Nala, protector of the forest, there's an attempt on her life on the way back to the city luckily she's saved by a random wolf, things have been happening in the forest where bonded pairs have been killed.
Artemis is supposedly immortal & protector of the forest having been assigned a partner she's not happy about, she knows him & he needs to give her some answers.
I definitely recommend to get this story Ace is an old friend from her & her brothers past, the more they investigate the more dangerous the mission becomes with more secrets & questions what is Ace's agenda & how is Paul involved, who's trying to frame her, does anyone else know her big secret, it's a must read you absolutely can't miss.
AWESOME ROMANCE BOTH ACE & ORION LIKE ARTEMIS WHO WILL SHE CHOOSE 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I’ve yet to find an author that does a slow burn the way J. C. McKenzie does and this book is another example of that. Artemis is a strong female main character who is supposedly immortal and the protector of the forest! She’s been assigned a partner and she’s not happy about it, or at least that’s what she’ll tell anyone who asks. Because she knows her new partner and he has some answering to do.
Now, I will say, it took me a moment to catch on to the the phrases and locations. Example: phaan is a bad word and despite the names being Greek gods and the magic and immortality talk, this takes place in a post apocalyptic North America. Overall, it was a great read that had me staying up much too late to try and finish!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super fortunate to get this as an ARC. I really enjoyed the characters and story. The world was interesting, I didn't realize until like 3/4th of the way through that it was like a post-apocalyptic magic world - when they said "Death Houses used to be called morgues" and it was like "ding!"

I love that the whole story is a huge mystery, giving clues throughout and keeping you guessing. Really fun and interesting.

I also love the interesting tie-ins to mythology, not just Greek with Apollo and Artemis, but with the king and queen, and Odin as the Queen's familiar, among other things.

Just a real fun read. I look forward to the next book!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in right from the start. I very quickly fell in love with Artemis and Nala. The world and the story keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time as you work with the main characters to figure everything out. I couldn’t put this one down, and end up reading all through the night to finish it. It’s going to be so hard to wait for book number two to come out, I wasn’t ready to leave the gang just yet. J.C McKenzie has a way of leaving you in the best of book hangovers and I highly recommend this one! I plan on reading it a second time already!

[Lora Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how JC McKenzie seems to find a new twist on familiar concepts and mythology, but she always seem to.

This book is set in a post apocalyptic world where technology has been replaced by magic and some are lucky enough to be paired with familiars. Artemis is immortal and she's a total bada$$ - I love reading strong FMCs, and particularly when there is significant character growth. I loved the relationship between her and Ace - true enemies to lovers vibes.

Thanks to JC McKenzie for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book really but i must admit at time it may have been a a little confusing though i'm sure the mystery will unravel and we will understand more about that world.
I loved Nala, she is a funny wolf and so cute. Artemis is determined , strong and loyal , Ace and Rye are both mysterious so i can't decide which is my favourite yet

lot of action , touch of romance, lot of secrets and mysteries , a must read but beware the cliffhanger you will want the next book soon

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and read it almost in a day (life always gets in the way of reading). Emi (Artemis) is a strong female character. 2 males like her Ace and Orion, but who will she choose if any? Please we need the next book I can't wait to see what else happens. I love that she also has Nala her paired wolf that she will do anything for.

[Kerena Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 ⭐️
A good start for a new series and I really like Artemis so far - she’s a good fmc. As with a lot of fantasy, I was a bit confused with some of the terms until I got a hang of it. The ending really got you hooked for the next book. I felt like the story was really starting to pick up there, so looking forward to that.

[Michelle VanDaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Marked - it gives us a new type of supernatural character which was fantastically original. There is plenty of action and twists that kept me reading well into the night. The characters had depth and I liked the relationships. The world the story is set in is detailed and I could visualize the story taking place which I love. Excited to see where Book 2 takes us

[eclectickel13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
I found the fmc pleasant and loved that I was reading from her pov
The story was steady going throughout and kept me intrigued, I look forward to seeing more from this author and can’t wait for the next book in the series

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I enjoyed the first book of this new series and look forward to seeing the growth of the main characters and discovering more about the main characters powers. There were so many intriguing characters that I’m already thinking of the various storylines that could be ahead of us..,,

[Dana Hitzhusen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved everything I've ready by J. C. Mckenzie and Marked was no exception. Such a fun read and I loved having a retelling of Artemis and Apollo. The world building was great and to the point. Not a long read but that didn't matter at all, I loved it! Can't wait for the next one.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. J. C. Mckenzie does a slow burn amazingly.

[Helen Wawrejko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Such a great mystery! The H/h were engaging, secondary characters were on spot. Badass heroine, lots of action.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was boring. To me, it was because the characters never really clicked. There was witty banter, but the characters had no real connection. End of the line for me.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. The characters just call to me! Well written. I will definitely read again and recommend this to everyone!

[Cassandra Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

New types of supernaturals are so hard to find in stories and it was a nice surprise to get that in this book! There’s so much going on and just when it seems like I had the story figured out, BAM! There was twist and it completely blew my theory out of the water. I’ve should’ve just trusted JC McKenzie because I’ll admit this book did start a little slow for me but when it picked up, I was absolutely sold! I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in this series!

[karl.loves.the.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is keeping secrets and I love it. Slow burn, enemies to lovers, a total badass FMC. ✅✅✅ Did I forget to mention a forbidden magical forest that’s home to animal familiars. Wolves & a fanged unicorn. Need I say more. The back and forth between Emi & Ace is yummy.. The action & just wanting to figure it out kept me turning the page. I can’t wait for book 2 , I have so many questions and the ending had me saying What?!?! As always make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re consuming. Happy Reading💙

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbonded familiars are in trouble but why...

Artemis aka Emi is the Queen's hunter and she is dang good at her job until... arrogant males decide she needs a partner.

All Emi needs is her bow and arrow, and Nala her familiar but the Queen makes the decisions.

A blast from her past shakes Emi... Why... Why him of all people...

Tons of action in this one, and a few thieves, and a long lost past brought to light... can not wait to see what happens next.

[Nickole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. We meet Artemis and her twin bro Apollo. Both were saved by the Queen as kids and now work for the Queen. Artemis is bonded to her wolf Nala and is unkillable. She is also the protector of the forest. On her way back from the city, there is an attempt on her life and a random wolf saves her. Things are happening in the forest and other bonded pairs have been killed. Paul brings over an old friend who left 5 years ago, Ace, who has now been assigned as Artemis' new partner...ugh! No one but the Queen knows the truth of the twins and it's a secret worth keeping. When another bonded paid is found, the 3 set out to investigate and learn smtg...it's pure magic...a magic that is supposed to have been eliminated. This has more questions than answers for Artemis and the clock is ticking as she is now a suspect. Good book! When's the next one out??