Elevation of the Marked

The Marked #2

by March McCarron

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00QJYGAW8


THE MARKED SERIES: BOOK TWO

At the end of Division of the Marked, it seemed that Quade Asher and his Elevated planned to start a war. In Elevation, Bray, Yarrow, and Ko-Jin will learn the truth: Quade need not fight a single battle; he has already won.

With his ability to charm and persuade, Quade holds the entire nation enthralled. Those who resist are labeled defectors and are widely hunted. For these outlaws, no place is safe; no one can be trusted. The Elevated have eyes everywhere.

Desperate to counter Quade’s control, the group who could once barely coexist must now rely solely upon each other. Ko-Jin strives to protect those most in danger, Bray seeks weaknesses, and Yarrow discovers long-lost knowledge of the Chisanta; but when Quade threatens to commit his worst atrocity yet, they all must come out of hiding to defy their enemy face-to-face.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure

365 pages, ebook

First published December 4, 2014

About the author

March McCarron is the author of The Marked Series. She writes character driven fantasy and science fiction stories. She grew up outside of Philadelphia, but has relocated several times, including a three year stint as an English teacher in South Korea. In addition to writing, March is an avid traveler, a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a sore loser at Scrabble. She believes strongly in the continued value of the Oxford comma. Her other interests include photography, talking about herself in the third person, and coffee as black as her villain’s soul. You can learn more at her website, www.marchmccarron.com.

Reviews

[Kelly Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

ELEVATION OF THE MARKED

Five things that will make me five star a book

1. Characters.
2. Emotion. Did I laugh or cry?
3. Quality of writing.
4. Transport. Did I find myself in another world?
5. Did I fall in love?

Any one of these things followed by a story I couldn't put down would cause me to care about it so much that I have no choice but to give it five stars. Imagine my surprise when I find Elevation of the Marked had every single one of them.

In Elevation, we return to the world of Chisanta and the marked children who have now become adults. The most fascinating thing about these characters besides their x-men-like qualities, is the bond they share and their loyalty towards one another. On more than one occasion, simple interactions between them would bring me to tears because the bond they felt for each other was felt so deeply, by me the reader.

I have to describe this book as full of action with never a dull moment…because it is….but really the depth of the characters and the relationships between each other is really why I’m in love with this story. It is a perfect combination of heartfelt emotion and humor. The dialogue is actually laugh out loud funny. Arlow has found a special place in my heart, if only for his sarcasm.

REALLY FUN STUFF:
1) This story is a cross between X-men, Divergent, maybe a little Harry Potter, and a dash of Robin Hood. (The Robin Hood element is one of my favorite things about this book.)
2) As this story follows multiple characters, there is never a dull moment. Someone is always getting themselves into something and you find yourself rooting for them all the way.
3) Backstory with the families. This added so much richness and color to the story.
4) The villain, Quade Asher. I’ve never been more chilled by a bad guy. Sometimes in stories bad guys are drawn because you need to have one. This guy practically jumped off the page, he was so real and terribly unsettling. You love to hate him, but really you just want to punch him in the throat.

CHARACTERS
Most Surprising: Arlow
Most kick-ass: Bray
Most loved: Yarrow
Most hated: Quade

IF I COULD CHANGE ANYTHING: I wish the end was different somehow. I know we have another installment coming in, but I was left with a bit of a book hangover. I felt like I had given it everything I had and it left me a little broken-hearted. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next.

[Scott Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already checking for book 3. Bummed it may be more than a day or two until I can get it.

Having read book one, I picked up book two fairly quickly, bumping it to the top of my TBR list. I'm so glad I did. Ms. McCarron has a fantastic imagination and the writing ability to back it up. I very much enjoyed this book. I love the characters, and would recommend this to fantasy readers. The author balances wonderfully the task of world building, while including the perfect amount of action to keep me turning the pages late into the night. It's got a couple of sensitive topics, so it's geared toward the YA audience and may be a bit much for the middle grade crowd. All said, if you're over about 13 or 14 and like fantasy, give this series a try. I'm confident you'll get hooked.

[Val. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought there was going to be a giant cliffhanger..I really enjoy this series. The story and the characters are great! I am loving how each one is growing and we get to see their growth. Arlow is really growing on me as well. At first he was this giant douche who betrayed his friends and he is really trying to make up for it. I am fully invested in all of the characters and their feelings and stories. We get to hear about each one Yarrow, Bray, Ko-Jin, Peer and Arlow. You get to feel what each of them feel on their journeys. I love the writing of this book I love everything about it.I didn't think it was a dark story like a lot of people were saying. I really enjoyed where this series is going.

[William Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book of March McCarron’s series, Division of the Marked (and gave it 5 stars), so it was only natural I would read the second book, Elevation of the Marked. I was not disappointed!
Synopsis (from the author): At the end of Division of the Marked, it seemed that Quade Asher and his Elevated planned to start a war. In Elevation, Bray, Yarrow, and Ko-Jin will learn the truth: Quade need not fight a single battle; he has already won.

With his ability to charm and persuade, Quade holds the entire nation enthralled. Those who resist are labeled defectors and are widely hunted. For these outlaws, no place is safe; no one can be trusted. The Elevated have eyes everywhere.

Desperate to counter Quade’s control, the group who could once barely coexist must now rely solely upon each other. Ko-Jin strives to protect those most in danger, Bray seeks weaknesses, and Yarrow discovers long-lost knowledge of the Chisanta; but when Quade threatens to commit his worst atrocity yet, they all must come out of hiding to defy their enemy face-to-face.

What I liked: March McCarron created memorable characters in the first book of the series and they get even better in Elevation of the Marked. The relationship between Yarrow and Bray continues to evolve and the sacrifices made are heartbreaking. The growth of Ko-Jin’s character and the strange hold Quade has over the Elevated makes for compelling reading. Plenty of action, lots of intrigue, and a darker, more sinister plot makes Elevation of the Marked and excellent read.

What I didn’t like: There wasn’t much to dislike about Elevation of the Marked, though I would have liked to know more about the Prince and Princess. Other than that, great book!

Overall impression: As with the first book, March McCarron has done a marvelous job of creating a compelling story in Elevation of the Marked. I think the story, the characters, and the sorrow brought about by the sacrifices make this one of my favorite books!

My rating: 5 Stars!

[Billr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacrifice and Loyalty

Finally...... a female protagonist not defined by her willingness to have sex with a man she hates for "the cause" Not defined by her sex or sexually but her strength, loyalty, choices and actions. Finally a male protagonist defined by his character and willingness to sacrifice for others ...... not his martial prowess

Refreshing

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was tempted to give this a 4.5-star rating for its cliffhanger ending, but it's too well-written for me to justify such great writing with this rating so yes, I have to give it a 5-star rating. Willingly, though :)

Elevation of the Marked picks up quickly after book one ends, and it was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. As with the first book, the plot is well-written (I can't exactly say kids being marked and having special abilities is an entirely new concept, but McCarron executes it so well that it's insignificant; I have nothing against not-so-new plots that are done well enough, in fact more props to the author), with the characters we've come to know (and even love), as well as some new faces coming together to fight the common enemy, all with their own ideas and strategies. As the author said it herself, this book is far darker than the first, and some things might really disturb readers, so be warned. Though, I consider it a mark of good writing if I can be sufficiently disturbed.

While the plot is great, what really makes McCarron's writing stand out is the way she has fleshed out the characters. The characters truly feel like they are alive, and McCarron's writing really makes this book go from great to amazing. You really feel for the protagonists; especially Yarrow. I really appreciate how detailed the author goes into describing his sacrifices. Whenever he chose to make another sacrifice, the abject pain he goes through and after really wrung my heart, and I don't say this lightly - to make me feel so much for one character is quite rare, and it tells a lot about the author's writing ability. I felt Yarrow's pain and despair so keenly, it was as though I lost Arella as well, as though I lost my own daughter. And the sacrifices he made afterwards were no less painful, either. I think when Yarrow made the third sacrifice, and the loss afterwards, and to think about how much pain the other characters would go through once they knew - I was really broken by it. It's one thing to know the pain the characters go through, but it's quite another to write it so well that you feel like you're right there beside them, going through the pain with them, feeling the same loss and regret that they feel as well, to hurt alongside with them. Even the less likeable characters this goes out to Arlow, obviously are written well enough that you feel for them as well. Seriously, this author has great characterising skills.

Also, I love how this series has a good mix of cultures; you can call it POCs if you want to, though this is set in a fantasy world. And they are definitely not token characters either - they are all fleshed out well enough, and organic enough, not in a ham-fisted way. (I suspect the Korean-ness of the Chasku people to be based on the author's experience though, considering she lives in South Korea. It's an awesome thing, though!)

After all that is said and done, though, that's not to say this book doesn't have its flaws, but rather its writing far outshone its flaws. There were a few grammatical errors here and there, but few and far between enough that it was only slightly jarring. As usual, some things were left unaddressed, likely for the next book. And oh, that ending - it nearly drove me nuts with how cliffhanger it was. It's highly unlikely Arlow would bring Yarrow to the others anytime soon, so I can just imagine how broken Bray will be, both before and after Yarrow's return. But what I fear is that Quade will make use of Yarrow's now willing mind against both him and the other Chisanta, which can yield all sorts of trouble. I do wonder if the author intends to finally bring about a republic/democratic country in the end, though; seems like there was a small hint for it, and I wouldn't be surprised nor upset if she does do this. Although, I think Jo-Kwan would make a good king in time, so it would be a shame if he isn't at least given some sort of power in the new republic. But by far the biggest flaw in this book would be the villain himself. It was never truly explained why Quade turned out the way he was. Ellora's explanation was that he was born that way, which is a shame; I would have far preferred there be an incident that caused him to turn out like that, rather than what seems to be determined by fate. The fact that psychopaths and sociopaths exist in our own world is proof that madness and evil can exist without a real justification for it, but in this book it feels more like a cop-out. While effort was made to make him a more complex (and disgusting) character and villain, the fact that there was never an actual reason for him to be this evil other than him being born that way, ultimately made him come across as a villain that was flatter than I would like him to be.

All in all though, counting the flaws, this was still a standout book. In my mind I compare this favourably to Lindsay Buroker's The Emperor Edge series, which has similar elements with this series, but more importantly, are able to make me feel and care for the characters immensely. I'm definitely anticipating the next book in this series eagerly, and it's safe to say that March McCarron is now an instant-buy author for me.

[Ashley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Range of emotions is crazy. McCarron can write.

[Demelza Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book you'll end up reading with your heart in your throat half the time. What sort of villain has a gift that makes him universally lovable? Downright despicable, that is...yet every villain has a past and weaknesses that can come back to haunt him. Quade is certainly a villain you'll want to annihilate.

When four sacrifices are mentioned in the beginning of the first book, you just know it's going to happen to someone, no matter how much you wish it won't. And each one is more heartbreaking than the last...I won't spoil it for you as to who it is or which sacrifice they choose to make. But when it comes to war and everyone seems to be losing something...sometimes a sacrifice doesn't seem like such a big thing to make. And the implications are so little understood, leaving me wondering where the third book in the series will take the characters...

Heart-twisting fantasy that rocks you to the core because you're so close to the characters, it's hard to let them go. Or wait until the next book.

Five stars, no question.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not finish. I got about half way through this and after having it on my "currently reading" list for over a year I'm throwing in the towel. Book 1 was great, but this one meandered and just got kind of muddy. It just wasn't as captivating as its predecessor. Perhaps this book isn't really that bad but just seems that way because it doesn't live up to my expectations. But I would say it doesn't matter why, I still couldn't finish it (and that is something I don't frequently have a problem with).

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing. It's one of the best and most original fantasy series I've read. The characters are captivating and complex, inspiring a strong emotional connection, which can be as heartbreaking as it is rewarding. I recommend this to everyone I know who reads fantasy, but I particularly thing that if you like authors like Patrick Rothfuss, you will love this series.

[Bahare A · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I don't die of heartache then waiting for the next book is going to kill me surely.

[Sarah Battease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing (and sometimes heartbreaking) story... The entire time I was reading I was sucked further and further into this world. It is a roller coaster of adventure and emotion. You won't regret reading this series.

[Ann Walkden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls you in, more so than the first book.

[Pinkpigg33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing on in the world of Trinitas

The second book in this series. Enjoyable, quick read. Some things are cleared up, some things become murkier. Can't wait for #3.

[Rizwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After how much I enjoyed the first book, I didn't take took long before I downloaded this off Amazon. I am still surprised at how there has been virtually no marketing or distribution of this most excellent series of books. Which was what made it impossible to find the sequel in any of the overdrive libraries I usually turn to, and resulted in my first Amazon Kindle ebook purchase in 3 years.

I don't regret it.

This is a solid sequel, and McCarron steps away from world-building (not her strong suit) to her character-driven plot and flashbacks. The writing is excellent, with a few surprises thrown in, and I enjoyed the story of the honey-tongued megalomaniac's rise and fall from power along with the greater depth and complexity of all the supporting cast. Peer, Quade Asher, Vendra and Ko-Jin are shown to be complex characters in their own right and not at all one-dimensional (which I find is often the signs of a sloppy fantasy novel - as if giving someone magical skills made them believable characters).


The two things that bothered me a little were
a) Sometimes Yarrow borders on Mary Sue and deus ex machina territory, where he is able to just take the 1st/2nd/3rd sacrifice and elevate himself quickly to get out of a sticky situation. Although I do like the way with the extra gifts there are sacrifices that have consequences, it still seems a little too easy for Yarrow (considering other Chisanta haven't done so in hundreds of years). I mean teleportation, come on.
b) The amnesia and star-crossed lovers trope seems straight out of a telenovella...


But these are minor quibbles, and I am still astonished that such an amazing book is languishing in the depths of anonymity, when thousands should be reading and writing about it. There are so so many popular books on my feed right now that fail to match March McCarron's excellent books.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story but not as much as the first one. By definition the middle story in a trilogy is darker and leaves things unresolved. Although, at the end of this one the situation is so much better. I expect a huge setback at the start of book three or there will be no need for the story to go on.
This book seemed more disjointed. We only had two points of view in book one but we seem to have half a dozen or more here. We also jump around the world practically with each new chapter.
I was also confused at one point when we had three hyphenated names in the same chapter (Ko-Jin, Chae-Na, & Jo-Kwan). I had to move back repeatedly to remember who was who.
The characters are all great, but I didn't appreciate long-lost friends suddenly showing up and being expected to remember who they were. We don't all have a character outline at our fingertips. Maybe some introduction, such as oh, you're the guy who's from x and your gift is y.
There's also a flashback scene that took up a few chapters. It seemed pointless to me because a. The lesson learned was one pointed out at the beginning of book one, and b. I can't see how this lesson can be possibly shared now that the notes are burned and the memory is erased.
I suppose I haven't said why I loved it. It's easier to find fault than give praise. Of course the characters are my friends now and the plot is interesting. I was in a bit of a rush to read because I wanted to know what happens next. I'll have to wait for book three now and hope some of the disappointments are offset. Why does the strongest character have to give up so much? We don't even know yet what he gained or what use it will be or has been.
I found three errors. It's shadow for its shadow, I been dreaming for I've been dreaming, and desire the cry for desire to cry.

[Paul DiBara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Division of The Mark set the stage. Elevation of The Marked takes us on a wild ride.

The characters I became so enchanted with in the first book have lost none of their charm in this, the second of the series. New characters, some with fresh and unique gifts have been seamlessly woven into the fabric of this fantasy adventure. But the unique and extraordinary powers are not used to overwhelm or subordinate the character, it is always the individual personality that is paramount. Some new characters have no gifts but stand on their distinctive personality only, and delightfully so. The author obviously has a talent for creating interesting characters - and a diversity of them.

Having an abundance of such characters allowed the development of several story lines, each is written so well that I didn't mind as the focus moved from one thread of the tale to a parallel one.

Another great aspect of this story is the crafting of the threat and villain and his villainy. There are no shades of gray in this villain, but an abundance of craftiness and darkness. I experienced the frustration of the good guys at their inability to mount an effective deterrent to his program. The ending is satisfying yet frustrating and even tantalizing.

There is also social commentary between the lines which only enhances the overall story.

[Michael Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book, Yarrow and Bray must fight against Quade from taking over the monarchy. It picks up right where the first novel left off, and it took me a little while to get into it again since its been a while since I read the first book. It opens with a bang and just keeps going full blast the whole way. Quade is a really well-done villain with some major mental issues. Yarrow continues to be a strong character who makes huge sacrifices for his friends and country. Arlow is really interesting as he walks a line between multiple sides, and Bray is a flat-out heroine in this novel. The Elevated have a large range of abilities and several of them are developed deeply and make a big impact in the book. The world building continues to be great and we get some back story into the origins of the marked. Overall a wonderful read and I am really looking forward to the next book.

NOTE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Ayla Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This series has quickly become one of my favorites. I was not expecting this when I bought it. The creativity required to create such a detailed world is astounding. The characters are all very well developed and unique. I read a lot of books and too often the characters are all the same. I loved that they all had their own quirks and different senses of humor. I was very disappointed to learn this is not the final book in the series as I had originally thought. I have not seen anything to indicate that it will be released any time soon either. If you don't mind waiting for the next installment, pick it up and read it. If you enjoy anything like Game of Thrones I would recommend the series.

[Linda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read...can't wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, the plot, and something very rare these days in e-books - it seems to have been edited. I also appreciate that the primary conflict of this book was resolved, while still leaving enough unresolved to make me excited for the next book, which is a difficult balance for a series. Often authors seem to write one book and split it into three books but this series provides some resolution at the end of each book, similar to a tv series where each week an individual story is competed while leaving a larger story to be continued. Really enjoying this fantasy/sci fi series and looking forward to book 3.

[K.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elevation of the Marked continues on from award winning Division of the Marked. I loved Division and was not disappointed by this sequel. It was pretty awesome and extremely hard to put down. The characters are further developed and the reader is pushed and pulled between the various alliances, as the land of Trinitas is threatened by the terrifying Quade Asher. The storyline is incredibly well thought out and the dystopian world drags the reader in and carries them along. I love how this isn’t just another samey dystopian novel for young adults; it’s really very different. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and heartily recommend it.

[Berk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style of this book is absolutely beautiful. It is not unusual but accented. You can hear that distinct writers voice at the back ground.

The story in this book reads much like a Korean drama again, but less romantically so. The love is there, yes, but the tone of this instalment is decidedly darker. I think it is fitting.

Madam McCarron knows her characters and adapts them naturally to situations which are previously unimaginable in a progressive and logical way.

My only complaint regarding this series in general could only be about the time gaps between the release of instalments: they are too long. I want to read the third book now. NOW!

[Beth ~Book Loving Is My Superpower~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was slightly disappointing. The characters were rich and the world building was just as beautiful as the first book but it just didn't hold my attention like the first did. There were serious lulls in the action and times where the names and powers got confusing (especially with multiple hyphenated names swimming around). The last 15% made up for the majority of the book's shortcomings but unfortunately it still did not meet the enormous expectations set by the first book. I'm definitely going to keep reading the series but I was hoping to LOVE this book as much as I did the first.

[Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the other reviews have said-- this book gets a lot darker. This went from appropriate for a middle school kid to read to high school appropriate quickly. That said, I really like the darker twists. The second book in a trilogy is often the darkest so there is a greater climax at the end. I loved seeing things from Arlow's perspective, and I look forward to hearing more about the history of the Chisanta and how they came to be as they are. I am just sad I have to wait so long for the next book!

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Can this storyline get any better? This is a terrific continuation from book 1, taking the reader through a ride of twists and turns worthy of a Disney roller coaster ride. While complex, the reader is never left behind regarding the plot, and many times during the reading, my heart was in my throat for every sacrifice the characters make for the people they love. A truly wonderful story. I can't wait for book three to find out what happens next.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs McCarron strikes again with Elevation of the Marked. This is part two of a series that picks up right where part one leaves off. Once again, the author drew me in such a way that I couldn't put this book down. I am now an official "fan" of hers on Facebook and I'm hoping to receive an update on the release of book three very soon!

[Julie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books should be the next big thing!!! If you are into YA fantasy literature such as Hunger Games, you will LOVE this series. These books were soooo good. MUST read! Cannot wait until the next book is written. Hurry up and write March McCarron!

[Carol Hassien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment in the series! At least, I hope it's a series! The book ended at a reasonable stopping point I guess, but it left so many unanswered questions! Waiting for the next book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a lot darker than the first.

The author does a very good job of making you feel what the characters are feeling. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the the 3rd book in the series to come out.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absolutely loved these this two book series. i read each book in sequence back to back. couldnt seem to stop reading them and when i had to take a break the story was always playing in my mind. i can not wait until another is published. i enjoy reading this author.