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The Marked #1
Inception
Be careful who you trust, for even the Devil was once an Angel.
My name is Jemma Blackburn, and I have a secret. I know vampires are real. I watched one murder my father eight months ago, and even though they tried to convince me it didn’t happen—that I’d lost touch with reality due to the trauma, I know what I saw was real.
Hollow Hills is now the place I call home. It was supposed to be my chance at a normal life. My chance to bury my secret and start over. But everyone around me is keeping their own secrets, whispering lies into my ears like promises, and one of them is about to turn my entire world upside down.
I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I had the answers. I thought I knew who I was. The truth is, I didn’t even know the half of it. There's a reason these vampires are still after me. There's a reason they will always hunt me. Because I'm not human.
I'm the devil they fear and the angel they crave.
Only problem is, I don't know it yet.
INCEPTION is the enthralling first installment in The Marked series. A YA paranormal romance full of atmosphere, supernatural adventure, and jaw-dropping twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
My name is Jemma Blackburn, and I have a secret. I know vampires are real. I watched one murder my father eight months ago, and even though they tried to convince me it didn’t happen—that I’d lost touch with reality due to the trauma, I know what I saw was real.
Hollow Hills is now the place I call home. It was supposed to be my chance at a normal life. My chance to bury my secret and start over. But everyone around me is keeping their own secrets, whispering lies into my ears like promises, and one of them is about to turn my entire world upside down.
I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I had the answers. I thought I knew who I was. The truth is, I didn’t even know the half of it. There's a reason these vampires are still after me. There's a reason they will always hunt me. Because I'm not human.
I'm the devil they fear and the angel they crave.
Only problem is, I don't know it yet.
INCEPTION is the enthralling first installment in The Marked series. A YA paranormal romance full of atmosphere, supernatural adventure, and jaw-dropping twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
394 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2015
7482 people are currently reading
14667 people want to read
About the author
Bianca Scardoni
12 books1,555 followersBIANCA SCARDONI is a paranormal fiction writer who resides on the East Coast of Canada with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading, eating junk food, and staying up too late.
For upcoming book releases, bonus material, and additional information on the author, please visit her website: www.biancascardoni.com
For upcoming book releases, bonus material, and additional information on the author, please visit her website: www.biancascardoni.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 960 reviews
June 5, 2016
I may be a tiny bit bias, but I definitely think this book deserves 5 stars :)
March 15, 2016
Incredibly stupid and willfully ignorant main character. Flowery amateur writing that was laughable at times--right before I DNFd it a character "rattled her head" at someone. Rattled her head! Lololololol. Did she. Did she really. The book was a lot of unedited trying-too-hard nonsense like that.
While none of the characters were likable, the main character was downright hate inducing. She has little to no connection to the brutal events of her past; it's like her father's death and her subsequent institutionalization happened to someone else. She constantly covers up or hides things from everyone for NO REASON. There's just half-assed excuses that she's not going to tell anybody about things because "it would be bad for me" or some bullshit. What?! Oh maybe you mean the crappy plot needs you to not tell anybody so you can end up in some dumb situation for dramatic effect?
Can we please have some smart YA, please. I am begging. Just like this main character is begging for a personality and basic common sense.
Nice cover tho.
While none of the characters were likable, the main character was downright hate inducing. She has little to no connection to the brutal events of her past; it's like her father's death and her subsequent institutionalization happened to someone else. She constantly covers up or hides things from everyone for NO REASON. There's just half-assed excuses that she's not going to tell anybody about things because "it would be bad for me" or some bullshit. What?! Oh maybe you mean the crappy plot needs you to not tell anybody so you can end up in some dumb situation for dramatic effect?
Can we please have some smart YA, please. I am begging. Just like this main character is begging for a personality and basic common sense.
Nice cover tho.
January 23, 2021
DNFed in 2018
Read in 2021
* The following is more of a rant than a review. Beware of spoilers because I was just that angry with myself for picking up this book again.
Why did I do this to myself?! This is what I get for marking this book as a 'DNF' back in 2018 and not noteing why I did it in the first place. 2021 me thought that 2018 me was wrong and so sealed her fate by trying to get through this book again. Long story short, 2018 me knew what she was doing, and 2021 me is a brat for not listening.
I don't think I have anything good to say about this book. The writing was ok. The universe the author attempted to create was lacking in detailed world-building because the heroine (what a fountain of information that one.) knew absolutely nothing about anything since no one ever trusted her with any relevant information.
The love interests (I don't even think they should be called that because URGH.) were weird and sketchy from day 1. They both turned out to be using the heroine in some form or another. They were both jack*sses from the get-go. I don't understand how that was supposed to be mysterious and hawt.
The heroine was dense and had way too many too-stupid-to-live moments to be entertaining in the long run. After being the brunt of snide comments from one of the love interests for the longest time she still finds it in her heart to trust them only to have things blow up in her face. To that, I say good riddance. By the end, I was rooting for the big-bad because I just couldn't take being in the heroine's head one moment longer.
That brings me to the end. Ah, the best part of this whole book. The part where things actually happened but we're still in the dark and no one will EXPLAIN a damn thing. The most frustrating part about this whole book was just that: the lack of information given to the heroine. Personally, all this cloak and dagger crap doesn't roll with me. I need to have at least a tiny bit of information sprinkled in every few chapters to keep me hooked. This novel didn't even come close to doing that. I listened to the whole book and I still have no clue what the heroine is or what everyone seems to want from her. This kind of storytelling just doesn't work for me.
If it wasn't clear from the rant above I have no intentions of going onto the next book to try and figure out what convoluted story the author stitched together with this series. It's abundantly clear by this point that this book isn't for me.
Read in 2021
* The following is more of a rant than a review. Beware of spoilers because I was just that angry with myself for picking up this book again.
Why did I do this to myself?! This is what I get for marking this book as a 'DNF' back in 2018 and not noteing why I did it in the first place. 2021 me thought that 2018 me was wrong and so sealed her fate by trying to get through this book again. Long story short, 2018 me knew what she was doing, and 2021 me is a brat for not listening.
I don't think I have anything good to say about this book. The writing was ok. The universe the author attempted to create was lacking in detailed world-building because the heroine (what a fountain of information that one.) knew absolutely nothing about anything since no one ever trusted her with any relevant information.
The love interests (I don't even think they should be called that because URGH.) were weird and sketchy from day 1. They both turned out to be using the heroine in some form or another. They were both jack*sses from the get-go. I don't understand how that was supposed to be mysterious and hawt.
The heroine was dense and had way too many too-stupid-to-live moments to be entertaining in the long run. After being the brunt of snide comments from one of the love interests for the longest time she still finds it in her heart to trust them only to have things blow up in her face. To that, I say good riddance. By the end, I was rooting for the big-bad because I just couldn't take being in the heroine's head one moment longer.
That brings me to the end. Ah, the best part of this whole book. The part where things actually happened but we're still in the dark and no one will EXPLAIN a damn thing. The most frustrating part about this whole book was just that: the lack of information given to the heroine. Personally, all this cloak and dagger crap doesn't roll with me. I need to have at least a tiny bit of information sprinkled in every few chapters to keep me hooked. This novel didn't even come close to doing that. I listened to the whole book and I still have no clue what the heroine is or what everyone seems to want from her. This kind of storytelling just doesn't work for me.
If it wasn't clear from the rant above I have no intentions of going onto the next book to try and figure out what convoluted story the author stitched together with this series. It's abundantly clear by this point that this book isn't for me.
January 27, 2018
Yeah. No.
This book is filled with every last cringe worthy cliche you can imagine. Now sometimes cliches are alright, if handled properly, but in this case not so much. Add to that cheesy dialogue and all the flowery language, bad editing, tstl main character and I just can't.
Some of the writing didn't even make sense. How does one rattle their own head? What the actual fuck does ticking one's chin mean or bouncing a glance?Or pump their own jaw? I swear if Trace pumps his jaw one more time, so will I...with a shot gun, because you can actually pump those!
This book is filled with every last cringe worthy cliche you can imagine. Now sometimes cliches are alright, if handled properly, but in this case not so much. Add to that cheesy dialogue and all the flowery language, bad editing, tstl main character and I just can't.
Some of the writing didn't even make sense. How does one rattle their own head? What the actual fuck does ticking one's chin mean or bouncing a glance?Or pump their own jaw? I swear if Trace pumps his jaw one more time, so will I...with a shot gun, because you can actually pump those!
February 10, 2017
I hate not finishing books + giving them bad ratings because I feel like I judge them too quickly.
Being almost halfway through the book, I lost interest. Which is surprising because this sounded like a perfect combination of paranormal creatures, action and a love-triangle that would make Edward and Jacob jealous. Being an avid fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and True Blood - I was looking for a vampire/paranormal read that would blow me away.
Yet I kept waiting for the story to hook me in. It felt overly cliche at times and the protagonist was just bland and I didn't care for her much. The other characters faded into the background; except for Dominic. He had that mysterious allure going for him.
Maybe I'll give it another go soon.
Being almost halfway through the book, I lost interest. Which is surprising because this sounded like a perfect combination of paranormal creatures, action and a love-triangle that would make Edward and Jacob jealous. Being an avid fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and True Blood - I was looking for a vampire/paranormal read that would blow me away.
Yet I kept waiting for the story to hook me in. It felt overly cliche at times and the protagonist was just bland and I didn't care for her much. The other characters faded into the background; except for Dominic. He had that mysterious allure going for him.
Maybe I'll give it another go soon.
December 23, 2016
I had to stop reading at 40%. I could not go any further. If Nikki was not in this book, maybe I would have continued, but she was the absolute worst. No girl actually acts like that, at least none that I have ever met or heard of. She absolutely loathes and makes Jemma's life miserable just because she moved to the town and said hello to her boyfriend? She didn't even flirt. Just enrolled in school and was an instant target because her boyfriend might find her pretty. Nikki is the most insecure character ever. She is the epitome of evil. Not even an evil that makes the book more exciting, just makes it super annoying.
July 14, 2020
جلد اول قشنگ و آروم شروع شد.
البته چون نویسنده یکسری خلاقیت به خرج داده و روابطی بین خوناشامها، انسانها، فرشتهها و شیاطین درست کرده، نیمی از جلد اول صرف معرفی این نوع روابط میشه اما من از همین بخشش هم خوشم اومد چون روابط قشنگی از گذشتهی خوناشامها و بقیه رو شرح میده. نیمه دوم کتاب هیجانها شروع میشن و وارد داستان میشیم و در نهایت آخرش جوری تموم میشه که اصلا فکرشم نمیکنی. یعنی خیانت در این حد؟😳 ترجمهی جلد اول به شدت بد بود و همه چیز ادبی با سخت ترین کلمات نوشته شده بود.
( زیاد نمیشه در مورد این جلد خلاصهای نوشت چون همونطور که گفتم بیشتر حالت مقدمه داره اما فوق العاده جذابه😍)....
واقعا چرا اینقدر کم خونده شده این کتاب؟😕
البته چون نویسنده یکسری خلاقیت به خرج داده و روابطی بین خوناشامها، انسانها، فرشتهها و شیاطین درست کرده، نیمی از جلد اول صرف معرفی این نوع روابط میشه اما من از همین بخشش هم خوشم اومد چون روابط قشنگی از گذشتهی خوناشامها و بقیه رو شرح میده. نیمه دوم کتاب هیجانها شروع میشن و وارد داستان میشیم و در نهایت آخرش جوری تموم میشه که اصلا فکرشم نمیکنی. یعنی خیانت در این حد؟😳 ترجمهی جلد اول به شدت بد بود و همه چیز ادبی با سخت ترین کلمات نوشته شده بود.
( زیاد نمیشه در مورد این جلد خلاصهای نوشت چون همونطور که گفتم بیشتر حالت مقدمه داره اما فوق العاده جذابه😍)....
واقعا چرا اینقدر کم خونده شده این کتاب؟😕
October 27, 2015
No! Trace you couldn't have!! *GASP* Ok I won't give away too many spoilers here, but this was a great read and I absolutely recommend it. There was just so much of everything - vampires, angels, demons, witches, slayers, oh and did I mention time travel? This story was action packed and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time with so many twists and turns I totally did not see coming. And that cliffhanger ending... Geez! When's the next one coming out?!
August 24, 2016
Ahhh that ending! Totally caught me by surprise. Now onto Book 2.... <3
July 4, 2016
The writing and feel of this one is exceptional, usually I'm all about the characters and there were some good ones, but mostly I enjoyed the flow and the feel of these lovely words.
If I'm being really honest Jemma kinda annoyed me, she was a little whiny and a little bit of a pushover but what she lacked in kicking ass she made up for in sarcasm and sass.
It also felt like all the male characters melded into one, basically the same person with a pinch of something to differentiate him from another.
Taylor is a little nugget of joy and Nikki is a wonderful gem you just love to hate.
I think my biggest problem was the reader being forewarned that you can't trust anyone and Jemma basically trusting anyone and everyone at the drop of a hat. But it's all more than made up for by what a roller coaster this was and that's definitely part of its greatness.
I'm not gonna lie, the ending kinda knocked the air outta me and at the same time totally geared me up for the next one.
If I'm being really honest Jemma kinda annoyed me, she was a little whiny and a little bit of a pushover but what she lacked in kicking ass she made up for in sarcasm and sass.
It also felt like all the male characters melded into one, basically the same person with a pinch of something to differentiate him from another.
Taylor is a little nugget of joy and Nikki is a wonderful gem you just love to hate.
I think my biggest problem was the reader being forewarned that you can't trust anyone and Jemma basically trusting anyone and everyone at the drop of a hat. But it's all more than made up for by what a roller coaster this was and that's definitely part of its greatness.
I'm not gonna lie, the ending kinda knocked the air outta me and at the same time totally geared me up for the next one.
January 20, 2016
This book was a total surprise! WOW! I had no idea what to expect from this new author. I'm glad I gave it a chance. t was so good! The vampire and angel concept the author weaved was interesting. The characters were well written. The ending was epic. It was a cliffhanger and now I am dying for more. I can't wait for the next installment!!! Five glittery stars!
March 1, 2019
I am doing a book bingo which is why I ended up with this book. I have had this in my kindle library since 2016, and I think I bought it because I like the cover.
You know a book is gonna be a wild ride when it starts with
The most dangerous enemy is not the one who lingers behind you in the shadows, but the one who walks beside you as a friend. They shape the world around you with well-constructed lies, entombing you in the gossamer of their deceit. You’ll never know their true face, for they shed their masks in layers—meticulous and devious, like the skin of an ever-changing snake. I walked hand in hand with my enemy, allowed their kiss of death to linger on my lips while the world disintegrated around me. I couldn’t see through the smoke and mirrors; too consumed with fighting a destiny I didn’t want; too afraid to let go of a life I wasn’t meant to have. Running only brought me closer to them. Back to where I started. Back to my inevitable fall from grace. One misstep was all it took, and it all came crashing down. And they were right there waiting for it—eager and ready to bury me in the wreckage. The stage had been set. The actors were in place. Everything was a lie, and I never saw it coming.
Starting a new school isn't that awful, and the MC finds someone she clicks with called "Taylor". Taylor is largely supportive of Jemma, which is really nice and I love books where women support each other.
I don't know if this is a pro or con, but all the guys checking our lovely Jemma out is hot AF apparently. I don't know which world she lives in, but she def does not live in mine.
Jemma is crying all the time. It's a good thing because I feel like crying because I hate this book and I chose it because I wanted something trashy. Why am I like this????????????????
The girl that the MC instantly hate. Which I really despise as a trope, and this one was just plain awful. Their meeting is the "bad" girl Nikki staring at our magicial MC because the MC check outs here supposed boyfriend? The "bad" girl is set up as a price and she is soooo special and no one can compete. I don't need to mind this, but it felt contrived and not real. Yikes. Nikki is just mean because the author needed someone put in there who is a bitch. I have no problems with bitches, I love a good bitch, but Nikki's reasons are shallow and they seem like they aren't developed enough in the start and by the ending we get some insight but it could have been explained better and further added-to.
Sad girl with both parents dead. Good thing? It was the mum who left the kid this time. LOL, JK. Kinda. Her sister Tessa is super absent and travels all over the world, which is nice. They seem to have a good relationship in the start of the book but of course she keeps secrets from her which could have actually made Jemma's life much easier to know.
Trace (Mace, fuckface) is a super brooding guy which comes with well-meaning advice for our lovely Jemma. That's super hot. Jemma wants to eyefuck Dominic, why can't she? Because he is TROUBLE!!!! He forces our MC into the car because "she can't walk home by herself and I'm gonna drive besides her until she sits herself down into the car" which is super hot.
Jemma also seems uncomfortable with a t-shirt she is given at the job she works at, and fucking Trace answers with "it's supposed to be", like bitch what?
Other hot guy Dominic? Naaah, he is a "Descendant of Guardian Angels" and is an asshole. Just plain simple. His reasoning so far has been bad, and I don't love it.
Finished at 01.03. 23:02.
You know a book is gonna be a wild ride when it starts with
The most dangerous enemy is not the one who lingers behind you in the shadows, but the one who walks beside you as a friend. They shape the world around you with well-constructed lies, entombing you in the gossamer of their deceit. You’ll never know their true face, for they shed their masks in layers—meticulous and devious, like the skin of an ever-changing snake. I walked hand in hand with my enemy, allowed their kiss of death to linger on my lips while the world disintegrated around me. I couldn’t see through the smoke and mirrors; too consumed with fighting a destiny I didn’t want; too afraid to let go of a life I wasn’t meant to have. Running only brought me closer to them. Back to where I started. Back to my inevitable fall from grace. One misstep was all it took, and it all came crashing down. And they were right there waiting for it—eager and ready to bury me in the wreckage. The stage had been set. The actors were in place. Everything was a lie, and I never saw it coming.
Starting a new school isn't that awful, and the MC finds someone she clicks with called "Taylor". Taylor is largely supportive of Jemma, which is really nice and I love books where women support each other.
I don't know if this is a pro or con, but all the guys checking our lovely Jemma out is hot AF apparently. I don't know which world she lives in, but she def does not live in mine.
Jemma is crying all the time. It's a good thing because I feel like crying because I hate this book and I chose it because I wanted something trashy. Why am I like this????????????????
The girl that the MC instantly hate. Which I really despise as a trope, and this one was just plain awful. Their meeting is the "bad" girl Nikki staring at our magicial MC because the MC check outs here supposed boyfriend? The "bad" girl is set up as a price and she is soooo special and no one can compete. I don't need to mind this, but it felt contrived and not real. Yikes. Nikki is just mean because the author needed someone put in there who is a bitch. I have no problems with bitches, I love a good bitch, but Nikki's reasons are shallow and they seem like they aren't developed enough in the start and by the ending we get some insight but it could have been explained better and further added-to.
Sad girl with both parents dead. Good thing? It was the mum who left the kid this time. LOL, JK. Kinda. Her sister Tessa is super absent and travels all over the world, which is nice. They seem to have a good relationship in the start of the book but of course she keeps secrets from her which could have actually made Jemma's life much easier to know.
Trace (Mace, fuckface) is a super brooding guy which comes with well-meaning advice for our lovely Jemma. That's super hot. Jemma wants to eyefuck Dominic, why can't she? Because he is TROUBLE!!!! He forces our MC into the car because "she can't walk home by herself and I'm gonna drive besides her until she sits herself down into the car" which is super hot.
Jemma also seems uncomfortable with a t-shirt she is given at the job she works at, and fucking Trace answers with "it's supposed to be", like bitch what?
Other hot guy Dominic? Naaah, he is a "Descendant of Guardian Angels" and is an asshole. Just plain simple. His reasoning so far has been bad, and I don't love it.
Finished at 01.03. 23:02.
December 20, 2018
4 stars!!
This was a re-read for me so that I can finish out the series... The first time I read this was years ago and I rated it a 5. Its amazing how I forgot absolutely everything about this book so it was sort of like reading it for the first time. After reading it again I have dropped my rating down a star but it was still pretty good. I have just read better books since then.
I enjoyed the story line and the pace of the book. It starts out kind of slow just because of the world building, but picks up towards the end. Some of the characters were a little too juvenile for me this go round and a little annoying. I did like the MCs- Jemma and Trace and the slow burn that led up to the twist at the end. I have also read book 2 before so its going to be interesting to see if I remember anything from it the second go round. Looking forward to finishing out the series.
This was a re-read for me so that I can finish out the series... The first time I read this was years ago and I rated it a 5. Its amazing how I forgot absolutely everything about this book so it was sort of like reading it for the first time. After reading it again I have dropped my rating down a star but it was still pretty good. I have just read better books since then.
I enjoyed the story line and the pace of the book. It starts out kind of slow just because of the world building, but picks up towards the end. Some of the characters were a little too juvenile for me this go round and a little annoying. I did like the MCs- Jemma and Trace and the slow burn that led up to the twist at the end. I have also read book 2 before so its going to be interesting to see if I remember anything from it the second go round. Looking forward to finishing out the series.
August 2, 2018
This book was so good loved everything about it very hard to stop reading once you start.
I HAVE READ EVERY BOOK IN THIS SERIES AND LOVED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THIS SERIES IS THE CURE TO A READING SLUMP.
I HAVE READ EVERY BOOK IN THIS SERIES AND LOVED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THIS SERIES IS THE CURE TO A READING SLUMP.
November 12, 2015
Inception took my on a little jaunt down memory lane. The similarities to the beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series were very nostalgic. Jemma has just learned that life is not quite what she believed. The late death of her Father at the hands of something that is not supposed to exist will do that to a girl. After a short little stay in the "nut house" she is off to move in with her rich Uncle. This is her chance, and she knows were the boundary lines exist so she will never let anyone discover her past. Only everyone is keeping secrets, and she is about to enter a dangerous war she didn't even know existed. With each opportunity for answers Jemma soon learns every one is harboring ulterior motives, and the deceptions and betrayals begin to pile up. The conclusion leaves us with a major cliff hanger where the lines are blurred. This was a breath of fresh air the genre, and an excellent debut novel for this adventure.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer JO~
~BookWhisperer Reviewer JO~
June 28, 2018
کاش دومینیک آدم بده داستان نبود...به قول کرولاینsome girls like bad boys..
March 30, 2019
I liked this story about a young girl that finds out she has special blood lineage that makes her a slayer of really old vampires, the revenants. I was a bit disappointed with the ending - I don't really like cliff-hangers, but it does make me want to consider reading the next book in the series. I guess that's why they do that :).
November 21, 2015
Amazing. One of the best debut novels I've read all year - probably one of my favourite books this year.
Although I can understand why some people might be upset with Jemma, she grew up really sheltered. At least she shows promise towards the end. I can't wait to see how she grows throughout the series.
I loved all the side characters, especially Taylor, Ben, and Nikki. Although some of them do follow some tropes (Taylor - , Nikki - classic "mean" girl), I wasn't even bothered by it because they felt very distinctive.
The ending. Holy crap. I'm speechless. This has got to be the worst (and by that, I mean, give me the next goddamn book D:) cliffhanger I've read all year. I definitely thought this was headed in the stereotypical paranormal romance where you can pretty much guess endgame, the "winners" (and how they get there), "enemy", etc, but that ending really changed it up.
TLDR; Drop whatever you're reading and READ THIS BOOK.
Although I can understand why some people might be upset with Jemma, she grew up really sheltered. At least she shows promise towards the end. I can't wait to see how she grows throughout the series.
I loved all the side characters, especially Taylor, Ben, and Nikki. Although some of them do follow some tropes (Taylor - , Nikki - classic "mean" girl), I wasn't even bothered by it because they felt very distinctive.
The ending. Holy crap. I'm speechless. This has got to be the worst (and by that, I mean, give me the next goddamn book D:) cliffhanger I've read all year. I definitely thought this was headed in the stereotypical paranormal romance where you can pretty much guess endgame, the "winners" (and how they get there), "enemy", etc, but that ending really changed it up.
TLDR; Drop whatever you're reading and READ THIS BOOK.
November 19, 2015
I really, REALLY want to punch someone in the face right now. That being said, this book is amazing. I was a little thrown off at first by the descriptive verbiage- it seemed a little grandiose to me at the beginning- but soon, the feel of it swept me away into this world of magical and mythical beings mixed with high school drama. The story is well developed and well-written with very few typos (not enough to even blink an eye at, which is rare in self published books). The characters are mysterious, yet believable. There a twists and turns aplenty and I found myself reading ravenously to find out what was going to happen next.
Back to the face punching. Oh my dear God in heaven, I never saw that coming. I am usually very, very good at predicting plot twists, but that....that left me screaming expletives that made me glad my kids weren't home. My heart is broken. Like seriously, thousand pieces on the floor broken. I am angry and yes, I know these are fictional characters in a fictional story but I feel very betrayed.
And that, my friends, is how you know you've read an excellent book. When hours later, it still affects you and you can't stop thinking about it. Do yourself a favor and don't pass this one up.
Back to the face punching. Oh my dear God in heaven, I never saw that coming. I am usually very, very good at predicting plot twists, but that....that left me screaming expletives that made me glad my kids weren't home. My heart is broken. Like seriously, thousand pieces on the floor broken. I am angry and yes, I know these are fictional characters in a fictional story but I feel very betrayed.
And that, my friends, is how you know you've read an excellent book. When hours later, it still affects you and you can't stop thinking about it. Do yourself a favor and don't pass this one up.
February 18, 2016
3.5 stars!
This was an enjoyable easy read. I kind of missed books like this. I was in love with paranormal romance books when I was in high school, and it makes me nostalgic to read books like this.
Jemma has just been released from a mental institution. Now, she’s been sent to her uncle’s house. She has to go to a new school, and she has to act normal. She was prepared to continue that farce until she discovers that her uncle is hiding something from her, and her new friends may not be as normal as she thought they were.
I felt bad for Jemma. She was always kept in the dark, and she was always confused. The only true friend Jemma had was Taylor; which is unfortunate since Taylor is perfectly human. Jemma had to hide things from her, and she couldn’t vent to Taylor about any of her fears and frustrations. I wasn’t surprised by the twist, because I have been spoiled by some reviews while I was on goodreads. Thanks for that, you know who you people are.
I hope that twist will be remedied in the next book. I like that character too much.
This was an enjoyable easy read. I kind of missed books like this. I was in love with paranormal romance books when I was in high school, and it makes me nostalgic to read books like this.
Jemma has just been released from a mental institution. Now, she’s been sent to her uncle’s house. She has to go to a new school, and she has to act normal. She was prepared to continue that farce until she discovers that her uncle is hiding something from her, and her new friends may not be as normal as she thought they were.
I felt bad for Jemma. She was always kept in the dark, and she was always confused. The only true friend Jemma had was Taylor; which is unfortunate since Taylor is perfectly human. Jemma had to hide things from her, and she couldn’t vent to Taylor about any of her fears and frustrations. I wasn’t surprised by the twist, because I have been spoiled by some reviews while I was on goodreads. Thanks for that, you know who you people are.
I hope that twist will be remedied in the next book. I like that character too much.
December 22, 2015
Four stars for the twisted-plot!
I didn’t expect to be absorbed. I expected even less to be surprised.
Here’s the deal: I'm not an easy person to ‘dupe’ when it comes to plots- I’m being quite cocky here in saying this but I have a tendency to know from the start where the story is heading, and this sometimes bothers me because I’m not often surprised.
Also, I’m every so slightly blasé when it comes to Vampires, and I absolutely try to stay away from Angels, so it just beats me what happened here, but I actually enjoyed this book.
The cons that can come over as eye-rollers and dump-the-book igniters:
1. The Heroine is the epitome of naivety, and lacks punch- but the ending of this book sees her picking herself up and promising us to wreak quite some havoc in the future (Which I’m really rooting for because her town is filled with elitist and self-centred douche-bags). Weak character becoming strong is actually a favorite character arc of mine and I was delighted with it here.
2. The story starts off with the nerve-shattering effect of what looks like an insta-love affair (on which I gagged and for which I almost tossed the book aside … luckily we’re talking about my kindle here, and there is no way I’ll smash that to the floor ;) but tut tut, and shh let me just say I was relieved the whole was part of the facade.
3. It carries some stereotypes.
Definite Pros:
1. Beautiful writing style that I found pleasant to read.
2. A- Romance I punch you in the guts and tear your heart out to step on it and shatter it to smithereens- and chew on it to spew it back in your face- book.
3. Least but certainly not last in my humble cheapskate opinion; for all those owning a Kindle this book has a more than friendly price to it.
If you’re a fan of Twilight, Buffy, the Vampire Diaries, and you enjoyed the Red-Herring in the movie Scream- then this is a book to look into.
If you can stand a cock-chaffing ending and you can wait until the beginning of next year to read the sequel, go on and read it now.
BUT if you are of the kind to get impatient and cliff-hangers make you want to barf, then I would strongly suggest you set this plate aside and only pick it up when the next one is served.
I didn’t expect to be absorbed. I expected even less to be surprised.
Here’s the deal: I'm not an easy person to ‘dupe’ when it comes to plots- I’m being quite cocky here in saying this but I have a tendency to know from the start where the story is heading, and this sometimes bothers me because I’m not often surprised.
Also, I’m every so slightly blasé when it comes to Vampires, and I absolutely try to stay away from Angels, so it just beats me what happened here, but I actually enjoyed this book.
The cons that can come over as eye-rollers and dump-the-book igniters:
1. The Heroine is the epitome of naivety, and lacks punch- but the ending of this book sees her picking herself up and promising us to wreak quite some havoc in the future (Which I’m really rooting for because her town is filled with elitist and self-centred douche-bags). Weak character becoming strong is actually a favorite character arc of mine and I was delighted with it here.
2. The story starts off with the nerve-shattering effect of what looks like an insta-love affair (on which I gagged and for which I almost tossed the book aside … luckily we’re talking about my kindle here, and there is no way I’ll smash that to the floor ;) but tut tut, and shh let me just say I was relieved the whole was part of the facade.
3. It carries some stereotypes.
Definite Pros:
1. Beautiful writing style that I found pleasant to read.
2. A- Romance I punch you in the guts and tear your heart out to step on it and shatter it to smithereens- and chew on it to spew it back in your face- book.
3. Least but certainly not last in my humble cheapskate opinion; for all those owning a Kindle this book has a more than friendly price to it.
If you’re a fan of Twilight, Buffy, the Vampire Diaries, and you enjoyed the Red-Herring in the movie Scream- then this is a book to look into.
If you can stand a cock-chaffing ending and you can wait until the beginning of next year to read the sequel, go on and read it now.
BUT if you are of the kind to get impatient and cliff-hangers make you want to barf, then I would strongly suggest you set this plate aside and only pick it up when the next one is served.
March 31, 2019
Jemma Blackburn moves in with her Uncle Karl following the murder of her father and about a year of being in a mental institution. She claims that vampires killed her father, something she still believes but was able to get released from the hospital by claiming otherwise. She starts her life over at a new school, makes new friends and enemies, even has a couple of boys that she is interested in. Things seemed to be returning to "normal" until
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the start and the overall premise......but there were a few things in the execution of the world building that bothered me. Just when Jemma gets a handle on what she is and who the bad guys are, the author introduced a handful of other (very distracting) elements. I'm sure they will be important in future plots but it seemed a little random and excessive to include them so soon in the first book in the series. That said, I still find myself interested in what is going to happen to Jemma and the dilemma she finds herself in at the end of the book. It looks like the ratings of future books get better, so I'll give them a chance too.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the start and the overall premise......but there were a few things in the execution of the world building that bothered me. Just when Jemma gets a handle on what she is and who the bad guys are, the author introduced a handful of other (very distracting) elements. I'm sure they will be important in future plots but it seemed a little random and excessive to include them so soon in the first book in the series. That said, I still find myself interested in what is going to happen to Jemma and the dilemma she finds herself in at the end of the book. It looks like the ratings of future books get better, so I'll give them a chance too.
October 13, 2016
4.5 stars ;)
I can't believe that douche bag! I hope he gets what coming to him and I hope I don't like him again cuz he doesn't deserve it! Lol
I really liked jemmas character, I really liked Taylor. The story is interesting and keeps u engaged
I can't believe that douche bag! I hope he gets what coming to him and I hope I don't like him again cuz he doesn't deserve it! Lol
I really liked jemmas character, I really liked Taylor. The story is interesting and keeps u engaged
August 12, 2016
this sounds like a cross between Hush, Hush and Buffy the Vampire Slayer
February 6, 2020
Okay, there was just way too much special snowflake business going on, and I just could not deal with it.
Jemma Blackburn has just been released from the hospital after watching her father killed by vampires and subsequently being committed for being crazy. Her older sister Tessa didn't blink at her claim about vampires but was too busy to come to her, so Jemma moves in with her uncle in Canada.
Okay, let's begin. She moves from Florida to Canada? Sunny skies to rainy days? Anyone hearing Twilight?
She is enrolled at Weston Academy, where on the first day, she locks eyes with a dreamy boy. In his eyes, she sees something familiar.
Yeah, excuse me while I go gag.
But lo and behold! Trace, this dreamy boy, has a girlfriend, Nikki!
And thus begins the downward spiral of this book into teenage drama. Actually, there isn't much teenage drama in the form of petty rivalries. It's mostly about death and stuff. But there is a lot of fucking teenage angst.
And I literally cannot deal with that.
Jemma is out here juggling like, four motherfucking guys. Bruh. There's like three solid pages of word vomit where the whole worldbuilding occurs. And we're just supposed to remember all this random shit that is told to us in .34 seconds?
And literally everyone is out to get her. No one can be trusted. Usually, this makes for an exciting read, but in this case, it just highlighted how naive Jemma is. An unflattering character trait, if you ask me.
All in all, I wasn't particularly excited by anything. The action was weak, the plot was confusing and thin, the characters were atrocious, and the idea wasn't particularly new.
And I'm out.
Jemma Blackburn has just been released from the hospital after watching her father killed by vampires and subsequently being committed for being crazy. Her older sister Tessa didn't blink at her claim about vampires but was too busy to come to her, so Jemma moves in with her uncle in Canada.
Okay, let's begin. She moves from Florida to Canada? Sunny skies to rainy days? Anyone hearing Twilight?
She is enrolled at Weston Academy, where on the first day, she locks eyes with a dreamy boy. In his eyes, she sees something familiar.
Yeah, excuse me while I go gag.
But lo and behold! Trace, this dreamy boy, has a girlfriend, Nikki!
And thus begins the downward spiral of this book into teenage drama. Actually, there isn't much teenage drama in the form of petty rivalries. It's mostly about death and stuff. But there is a lot of fucking teenage angst.
And I literally cannot deal with that.
Jemma is out here juggling like, four motherfucking guys. Bruh. There's like three solid pages of word vomit where the whole worldbuilding occurs. And we're just supposed to remember all this random shit that is told to us in .34 seconds?
And literally everyone is out to get her. No one can be trusted. Usually, this makes for an exciting read, but in this case, it just highlighted how naive Jemma is. An unflattering character trait, if you ask me.
All in all, I wasn't particularly excited by anything. The action was weak, the plot was confusing and thin, the characters were atrocious, and the idea wasn't particularly new.
And I'm out.
March 8, 2016
THE BETRAYAL MAN!
If this book was aiming for shock and awe with this ending - they succeeded.
That being said I had some mixed feelings for this book in general (hence the 4).
Cons:
I totally knew he was a vampire.
Jemma - her whole family are liars. A bunch of lying liars with lies.
Her "friends" - unimpressed.
Her forced relationship with Trace... I mean you know where it's going from page one with their attraction and yet they fight it unnecessarily and then it's haphazardly thrown together and rushed at the end.
Pros:
Jemma comes from a nuthouse and grows up a bunch through the book which I liked
Overall the main character doesn't suck too much
Gabriel was pretty cool although...grow a backbone man
OMG THAT ENDING!! I totally didn't see it coming (I love when books end that way)
Overall it was pretty good, but I'll be honest. If the ending had been less shocking I probably wouldn't have liked it that much but now that I know what happens - stoked for book two.
Book type: YA Paranormal Romance
Book rating: 3.5/5
Read time: 3 hours
For more reviews check out my blog: www.booksandchai.com
With love, parchment, and freshly mowed grass,
Kendall
If this book was aiming for shock and awe with this ending - they succeeded.
That being said I had some mixed feelings for this book in general (hence the 4).
Cons:
I totally knew he was a vampire.
Jemma - her whole family are liars. A bunch of lying liars with lies.
Her "friends" - unimpressed.
Her forced relationship with Trace... I mean you know where it's going from page one with their attraction and yet they fight it unnecessarily and then it's haphazardly thrown together and rushed at the end.
Pros:
Jemma comes from a nuthouse and grows up a bunch through the book which I liked
Overall the main character doesn't suck too much
Gabriel was pretty cool although...grow a backbone man
OMG THAT ENDING!! I totally didn't see it coming (I love when books end that way)
Overall it was pretty good, but I'll be honest. If the ending had been less shocking I probably wouldn't have liked it that much but now that I know what happens - stoked for book two.
Book type: YA Paranormal Romance
Book rating: 3.5/5
Read time: 3 hours
For more reviews check out my blog: www.booksandchai.com
With love, parchment, and freshly mowed grass,
Kendall
October 15, 2015
This book was okay but not my favorite. Besides the main character being internally confused, she didn't seem have any other personal qualities. The supporting characters were bland and irrelevant to the story. The story was confusing with all the different types of angels and demons and what not. They were all introduced in a very rushed manner and then rapidly thrown in throughout the novel. This one just wasn't my favorite.
January 6, 2017
Let me just say, if you are interested in reading this book, please move on and do not read my thoughts on it. I am going to spoil, as if it was possible, the book, and I am not holding back. So if you think you might want to be *ahem* surprised then move on down the line.
You have been warned.
**********spoilers ahead***************
No vampires were harmed in the plot of this book. About vampire hunters.
This is quite possibly the worst book I've read in this genre. Granted I didn't read any of the Twilight saga, but I can imagine this is on par from what I've heard.
First, let me congratulate the author for coming up with her own rules and regs regarding monsters and those that fight them. I think it was interesting to see her spin on things. I know that can be difficult world building, so kudos for that.
That was really the only thing good about the book.
We first meet the main character, Jemma, after she gets out of a mental institution. A hospital she was placed into because her father was killed by a vampire, that she apparently witnessed, and she tried to convince people of the fact. They (whoever 'they' are), of course, try to help her cope and lock her up. With no other family to take care of her now that she's out (she's 17) she goes to live with her rich, high-society uncle.
She starts in a new private school and finds a new group to hang with, only the head chick of the group immediately hates her. But she stays with that group. No reason to find another. No no, I'll keep the one that hates me, thanks.
Every time a boy walks in the room Jemma, ie hero of the book, immediately turns to a drooling mess and loses complete focus. If this is what being a 17-year-old girl is like, how is anything ever done? Seriously, you wouldn't even be able to finish lunch much less any amount of schooling. The simple act of walking down a hallway would be detrimental to your health. And hunting vampires? Especially cute boy vampires?
She breaks into her uncle's library and steals a book, a really old book, about vampires because she needs to know. He yanks her out of school to get it back and they have a conversation about how vampires are real and how they came to be. Jemma asks a few questions and moves on. Not once was she upset that her wealthy, powerful uncle not only knew about vampires, but allowed her to lose 6 months of her life to a mental institution so she could be convinced they didn't exist. One phone call from him and she's "treated at home" and gets all the explanation. Nah, that's not necessary. She's not upset by it. Oh well. 1/32 of my life gone for nothing and whatevs. No big.
What she is upset about is that she is supposed to be a slayer and able to take on vampires and, well, slay them. Only she doesn't want that. She just wants a normal life. Except that a few pages ago she thought she was crazy for thinking vampires exist, when she gets confirmation from her uncle she doesn't want to know. But she did a b&e and stole a book to find out. WTF?
It needs to be said that there are no police or security anywhere in this town. None. At one point a fist fight breaks out between Trace (one of the many guys she turns into a puddle over) and two guys from the opposing team (I'm sure she would have gone to a puddle over them, she just didn't see them well enough) while in the stands to watch the school hockey game. The two guys get dragged off by friends and Trace has an unfortunate bloody lip at the end. And that is all that happens. Seriously. Punches are thrown at a school event by a student and he is not reprimanded or detained or removed. He gets to sit back down and enjoy the match. Huh.
Jemma's locker at school is defaced with the word 'slut' written in huge permanent marker letters. Well, the teachers or administration of the school should know, right? Nope, the students will have to clean it up. Fortunately one of the big, strong guys has industrial strength cleaner in his locker and can clean that right up for her. *drool*
Jemma, our heroine extraordinaire, is physically attacked outside of her workplace. She kicks and tries to get away and the assailant drags her by her hair across the ground. Big, strong Trace shows up and scares the guy off. Anyone think to call the cops? Nope. No need. Our heroine is a-okay.
In order to get Jemma to do anything you want her to, you just have to threaten violence. Jemma gets onto a ferris wheel ride with a vampire who has attacked her previously because "you know what I could do to these people." Sure, I also know that had she gone to people who keep his kind off the streets. The Council, after the initial attack he wouldn't have been there. I also know that after she got off the ferris wheel SHE HAD ANOTHER CHANCE TO GO TO THE AUTHORITIES. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Authoritative figures are a myth. Vampires are real.
In the end, when it comes down to the big throwdown between evil vampire and the good guys, Jemma, our heroine extraordinaire, literally stands out of the fight, next to a chair, wearing a necklace that makes her invulnerable, and cheers on Trace. She adds nothing to it. She doesn't try to help. She stands there screaming. That's you're hero of your story. She had to be rescued at every single turn in this book. Every time something threatened her or even physically harmed her, she had to be rescued by a big, strong man. Even when wearing a necklace from legend that grants you immunity to damage.
I have no problem with that if your hero of the book is the big, strong man (or woman) looking after the weak, innocent girl (or guy) who has no way to defend themselves. Hero stories make up a ton of every library from way back in time. I do, however, have a problem if the hero of the book goes through training, learns they have, deep inside them, power to defeat the dark vampires, given the ability to not take damage, and they stand there watching the fight happen. Oh save me, save me.
Seriously, save me from this crap. This is no hero story. This is a book about a masochistic girl who gets off on being saved by others. By the end of the book I wanted someone to lob a missile or hand grenade or nuke at the site and just end the torment for all of us readers. There wasn't a single character that was worth the time it took to get through this. If this had been written from Trace's point of view then it might have been worth reading a story about. I don't like reading a story about a girl running around getting into trouble just so someone will rescue her. At least Trace's story about trying to get the legendary necklace so he can save his sister using any means necessary would have been bearable.
I hope the rest of Scardoni's books are better than this one. I won't know because this is the last of hers I read. The characters and plot weren't the only thing I didn't enjoy. I found the writing to be off-putting as well. My initial comment to a friend was "if this was written by a middle schooler then it was a very decent jump into the world of writing. If it was written by an adult she needs to go back to the drawing board." My friend was kind enough to tell me that people have given this 4 stars on Goodreads.
Find better books people. It won't be that difficult to do.
You have been warned.
**********spoilers ahead***************
No vampires were harmed in the plot of this book. About vampire hunters.
This is quite possibly the worst book I've read in this genre. Granted I didn't read any of the Twilight saga, but I can imagine this is on par from what I've heard.
First, let me congratulate the author for coming up with her own rules and regs regarding monsters and those that fight them. I think it was interesting to see her spin on things. I know that can be difficult world building, so kudos for that.
That was really the only thing good about the book.
We first meet the main character, Jemma, after she gets out of a mental institution. A hospital she was placed into because her father was killed by a vampire, that she apparently witnessed, and she tried to convince people of the fact. They (whoever 'they' are), of course, try to help her cope and lock her up. With no other family to take care of her now that she's out (she's 17) she goes to live with her rich, high-society uncle.
She starts in a new private school and finds a new group to hang with, only the head chick of the group immediately hates her. But she stays with that group. No reason to find another. No no, I'll keep the one that hates me, thanks.
Every time a boy walks in the room Jemma, ie hero of the book, immediately turns to a drooling mess and loses complete focus. If this is what being a 17-year-old girl is like, how is anything ever done? Seriously, you wouldn't even be able to finish lunch much less any amount of schooling. The simple act of walking down a hallway would be detrimental to your health. And hunting vampires? Especially cute boy vampires?
She breaks into her uncle's library and steals a book, a really old book, about vampires because she needs to know. He yanks her out of school to get it back and they have a conversation about how vampires are real and how they came to be. Jemma asks a few questions and moves on. Not once was she upset that her wealthy, powerful uncle not only knew about vampires, but allowed her to lose 6 months of her life to a mental institution so she could be convinced they didn't exist. One phone call from him and she's "treated at home" and gets all the explanation. Nah, that's not necessary. She's not upset by it. Oh well. 1/32 of my life gone for nothing and whatevs. No big.
What she is upset about is that she is supposed to be a slayer and able to take on vampires and, well, slay them. Only she doesn't want that. She just wants a normal life. Except that a few pages ago she thought she was crazy for thinking vampires exist, when she gets confirmation from her uncle she doesn't want to know. But she did a b&e and stole a book to find out. WTF?
It needs to be said that there are no police or security anywhere in this town. None. At one point a fist fight breaks out between Trace (one of the many guys she turns into a puddle over) and two guys from the opposing team (I'm sure she would have gone to a puddle over them, she just didn't see them well enough) while in the stands to watch the school hockey game. The two guys get dragged off by friends and Trace has an unfortunate bloody lip at the end. And that is all that happens. Seriously. Punches are thrown at a school event by a student and he is not reprimanded or detained or removed. He gets to sit back down and enjoy the match. Huh.
Jemma's locker at school is defaced with the word 'slut' written in huge permanent marker letters. Well, the teachers or administration of the school should know, right? Nope, the students will have to clean it up. Fortunately one of the big, strong guys has industrial strength cleaner in his locker and can clean that right up for her. *drool*
Jemma, our heroine extraordinaire, is physically attacked outside of her workplace. She kicks and tries to get away and the assailant drags her by her hair across the ground. Big, strong Trace shows up and scares the guy off. Anyone think to call the cops? Nope. No need. Our heroine is a-okay.
In order to get Jemma to do anything you want her to, you just have to threaten violence. Jemma gets onto a ferris wheel ride with a vampire who has attacked her previously because "you know what I could do to these people." Sure, I also know that had she gone to people who keep his kind off the streets. The Council, after the initial attack he wouldn't have been there. I also know that after she got off the ferris wheel SHE HAD ANOTHER CHANCE TO GO TO THE AUTHORITIES. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Authoritative figures are a myth. Vampires are real.
In the end, when it comes down to the big throwdown between evil vampire and the good guys, Jemma, our heroine extraordinaire, literally stands out of the fight, next to a chair, wearing a necklace that makes her invulnerable, and cheers on Trace. She adds nothing to it. She doesn't try to help. She stands there screaming. That's you're hero of your story. She had to be rescued at every single turn in this book. Every time something threatened her or even physically harmed her, she had to be rescued by a big, strong man. Even when wearing a necklace from legend that grants you immunity to damage.
I have no problem with that if your hero of the book is the big, strong man (or woman) looking after the weak, innocent girl (or guy) who has no way to defend themselves. Hero stories make up a ton of every library from way back in time. I do, however, have a problem if the hero of the book goes through training, learns they have, deep inside them, power to defeat the dark vampires, given the ability to not take damage, and they stand there watching the fight happen. Oh save me, save me.
Seriously, save me from this crap. This is no hero story. This is a book about a masochistic girl who gets off on being saved by others. By the end of the book I wanted someone to lob a missile or hand grenade or nuke at the site and just end the torment for all of us readers. There wasn't a single character that was worth the time it took to get through this. If this had been written from Trace's point of view then it might have been worth reading a story about. I don't like reading a story about a girl running around getting into trouble just so someone will rescue her. At least Trace's story about trying to get the legendary necklace so he can save his sister using any means necessary would have been bearable.
I hope the rest of Scardoni's books are better than this one. I won't know because this is the last of hers I read. The characters and plot weren't the only thing I didn't enjoy. I found the writing to be off-putting as well. My initial comment to a friend was "if this was written by a middle schooler then it was a very decent jump into the world of writing. If it was written by an adult she needs to go back to the drawing board." My friend was kind enough to tell me that people have given this 4 stars on Goodreads.
Find better books people. It won't be that difficult to do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
The Bewitched Reader: Inception (The Marked #1) by Bianca Scardoni
Everyone has told Jemma Blackburn that she is crazy. She saw her father be killed by a vampire but no one believed her. They put her in a mental institution and brainwashed her not to believe what she saw, or so they thought. Jemma knows very well what she saw.
Now she must move in with her uncle in his giant home in Hollow Hill, the town her father tried to keep her away from. She has entered a new world and realises that there are some things happening but that no one wants to tell her what's going on. Besides a new home, she now has to go to a new school and one of the girls is constantly treating her very badly because she thinks that Jemma will steal her boyfriend - that she doesn't even know.
Strange things are unfolding in Hollow Hill and, without knowing it, Jemma is in the core of all of it.
I first started reading this book with reluctance, afraid that it would turn out to be another "Twilight" kind of book - not that I do not like Twilight but that genre has passed its prime - but it actually surprised me. In this story, I found a lot of details that make it very relatable to girls - mostly teenage, but still... - it made me relive things that actually happened to me in high school, and I bet that other people who read this book felt the same way.
The thing that stands out the most is the intertwining of reality and myth and religious aspects. Hearing of the concept you would think that it had a big chance of not working but it actually does, what is amazing. Not only does this book satisfy the "relatability" aspect but also the "otherworldly" and "sort-of-divine" one. They work together.
Like everything in life, not everything is perfect but I believe that the following instalments will clarify the not so well explained aspects of the story but, as the writer gains experience the writing will get better. Besides this, all the characters have a deep complexity that may not be very noticeable but you get to know them layer by layer, and not all at once.
This is a good book for everyone who doesn't mind a little guilty-pleasure reading, something that is not too deep but still has some depth and complexity to it. Even if you do not, give it a chance, it may surprise you.
The Bewitched Reader: Inception (The Marked #1) by Bianca Scardoni
Everyone has told Jemma Blackburn that she is crazy. She saw her father be killed by a vampire but no one believed her. They put her in a mental institution and brainwashed her not to believe what she saw, or so they thought. Jemma knows very well what she saw.
Now she must move in with her uncle in his giant home in Hollow Hill, the town her father tried to keep her away from. She has entered a new world and realises that there are some things happening but that no one wants to tell her what's going on. Besides a new home, she now has to go to a new school and one of the girls is constantly treating her very badly because she thinks that Jemma will steal her boyfriend - that she doesn't even know.
Strange things are unfolding in Hollow Hill and, without knowing it, Jemma is in the core of all of it.
I first started reading this book with reluctance, afraid that it would turn out to be another "Twilight" kind of book - not that I do not like Twilight but that genre has passed its prime - but it actually surprised me. In this story, I found a lot of details that make it very relatable to girls - mostly teenage, but still... - it made me relive things that actually happened to me in high school, and I bet that other people who read this book felt the same way.
The thing that stands out the most is the intertwining of reality and myth and religious aspects. Hearing of the concept you would think that it had a big chance of not working but it actually does, what is amazing. Not only does this book satisfy the "relatability" aspect but also the "otherworldly" and "sort-of-divine" one. They work together.
Like everything in life, not everything is perfect but I believe that the following instalments will clarify the not so well explained aspects of the story but, as the writer gains experience the writing will get better. Besides this, all the characters have a deep complexity that may not be very noticeable but you get to know them layer by layer, and not all at once.
This is a good book for everyone who doesn't mind a little guilty-pleasure reading, something that is not too deep but still has some depth and complexity to it. Even if you do not, give it a chance, it may surprise you.
The Bewitched Reader: Inception (The Marked #1) by Bianca Scardoni
Read
August 6, 2022DNF at 80%- at least for now. I can't handle these overly dumb things the heroine does. I tried pushing through it but nah.
May come back to it if my TBR list ever looks normal.
May come back to it if my TBR list ever looks normal.
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