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Mad Max meets Firefly in the exhilarating sequel to the sci-fi novel Tracked Cash, the prince of Bisera and leader of the rebellion, is missing. Phee's uncle James is dead. And Charles Benroyal, once again, is behind it all. Caught between grief, thoughts of revenge, and traumatizing flashbacks of battle, Phee struggles to aid the resistance and prove her worth, even as she attempts to reconcile her growing romantic feelings for Bear with her loyalty to Cash. But when Benroyal's attacks grow bolder, no one is prepared for the sacrifices Phee will have to make to win this war once and for all. With the high-stakes action of The Fast and the Furious, a swoony love triangle, and a wholly original science fiction world, Marked will have your heart racing until its breathless conclusion.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2016

3 people are currently reading
873 people want to read

About the author

Jenny Martin

3 books253 followers
Jenny Martin is an author, librarian, and Beatle-maniac. Her first novel, Tracked, is available now, from Dial, an imprint of Penguin Random-House.

She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with her husband and son, where she hoards books and writes fiction, and hangs out with people who like those things, too.

And yes, she’s still on a quest for the perfect pancake. (Maybe you can recommend the perfect short stack?)


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5 stars
41 (25%)
4 stars
50 (31%)
3 stars
47 (29%)
2 stars
18 (11%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Eric Smith.
Author 21 books894 followers
April 21, 2016
How have I not posted something about this book yet? Especially when it is, hands down, one of my favorite YA series ever. EVER, you guys. EVER.

Lemme tell you about Jenny Martin's Tracked series. They read like an incredible mashup of Star Wars, Firefly, The Fast & the Furious, Mad Max, and every other geeky sci-fi, galaxy-traveling, fast-paced, high-stakes-racing movie / TV show you've ever consumed. The books are funny, charming, heartfelt, and are set in one fantastic world.

Marked picks up where Tracked left off, with Phee going up against the folks running the galaxy, and on a question to save... well, someone. No spoilers here, you guys. You get to see more of this corrupt world that Martin has written in the sequel, and let me tell you, she does not hold back when it comes to hitting you where it hurts. Oof, the feelings. THE FEELINGS.

Pick up Tracked and the sequel. You'll devour them both in a weekend. It's an incredibly underrated series, and I desperately want more people reading these. You'll become a hardcore fan too. Trust me.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,387 reviews15 followers
May 26, 2022
Ahhh...this is going to be a hard review to write.

I absolutely loved Tracked.
I loved the world and the racing and the Star Wars references.
I loved the twists and turns in the plot and the socio-political climate that reminded me of The Hunger Games.
I loved Phee's spunk and fire.
I loved Cash's passion and his dedication to his people.
I didn't dislike Bear, although I felt kind of sorry for him.
I straight up respected the way Ms. Martin handled the love triangle.

Tracked was fun and passionate and made even more awesome because it came out of nowhere (I knew nothing about it when I picked it up off the new reads shelf at the library).

And then...and then came Marked. I bought the Kindle edition on a whim last night off of Amazon, despite the fact that I've bought way too many books recently, because I couldn't bear to wait the month plus it was going to take my library to get it processed and onto the shelves.

I needed to know what happened to Cash of course. I'd read the blurb, I knew the love triangle re-emerged, but that there was no guarantee Cash would.

I'm not sure what I expected when I started reading last night...probably more of the same high octane action as the first book. But that's not what I got.

Marked, to my great surprise, had a completely different feel than Tracked. It was sad and achingly painful, although at times still sweetly hopeful. And yet it was so very hard to read at times.

But I also want to say that sad and painful and hard to read are not a bad thing at all. They are merely proof that the words on the page have the ability to make you feel. And, honestly, that's the highest praise I can give when it comes to the written word.

Phee's struggle with PTSD, the aching uncertainty and loss she felt for Cash, the confusion about Bear - it was all real, and raw, and ugly...and at the same time beautifully written.

The supporting cast of characters - Miyu, Larken, Fahra - were well-rounded and well-loved. And Bear...well, Bear grew up.

All that being said, there were some areas that were enough of a let-down for me to give the book four stars instead of five.

Benroyal's take down was underwhelming to say the least. It felt almost anticlimactic. It almost seemed like was meant to be the book's climax and not Benroyal's defeat. I felt like it took entirely too long to . After all the build-up with Benroyal, taking him down should have been the climax, and as it was, it felt like a post script. The book felt too short. I wanted it to be longer and the final confrontation more well-developed.

I feel like one of the reasons was to allow room for Phee to develop feelings for Bear. Being that this was a duology and not a trilogy, and with the way the love triangle was essentially squashed in Tracked, there wasn't a whole lot of time to re-inflate her feelings for him in a way that felt believable without taking much of the book to do it.

I said in my review of Tracked that there are two types of love triangles and that, for me, one works and one doesn't. For a love triangle to really work, I think the main point in the triangle has to truly have feelings (beyond just physical) for both other people at the same time. There has to be some level of uncertainty on the part of the reader who this person will eventually choose, otherwise it just feels cheap. And , this one worked. And was made infinitely more painful due to the circumstances. I hurt for both Phee and Bear in this book, lost as they were in this mess of hope that just wouldn't die and painful memories that wouldn't let go.

But...

Overall impression: Despite its flaws, this isn't a book I'll forget quickly.
Profile Image for Bailey.
1,201 reviews14 followers
March 1, 2017
This is probably one of my least favorite plot directions for a second book. Marked did keep a lot of the plot elements that I liked from the first book: space adventures; technological advances; new cultures, languages, and customs; a revolution; an excellent villain; and a lot of pulse-pounding moments. There wasn't as much racing in this book. That entire world is on the sideline because the main focus is now the revolution, which is fine. Most of these elements kept the book going for me. Because despite the main focus, there was still a lot of adventurous imagery and climactic moments. It was the direction outside of these moments that is not my favorite. Following in the path of Mockingjay and other later books in a series, Marked focuses on Phee's emotional turmoil as a result of the trauma she has experienced. While this is a very legitimate course of action, it is not as interesting for me to read about how someone is hiding in a corner for most of the book (I'm looking at your Katniss) or blacking out, shaking, not sleeping, and basically in denial of what is really going on. These are obviously conditions that should be dealt with and she should find some help; however, it is when this emotional turmoil becomes the main focus of the story rather than the action with the revolution, that I find the novel less interesting. I would rather have the action in the driver's seat and the emotion in the passenger seat, where the emotion is along for the ride but it is not what drives the story. There was a lot of sadness and loss in this book. Not the most joyous but more of a realistic portrayal of the cost of a revolution. The main focus of the story was more so the mission to reunite Phee and Cash, and then the actual overthrow of the villain happened fairly quickly. So altogether it is not a bad novel, but it will never be a stand out to me because of the direction the story took.
Profile Image for Nicole Wagner.
417 reviews16 followers
August 6, 2020
This sequel drew the same sort of praise and criticisms from me as the first one. So, it gets the same 4-star rating from me as TRACKED got.

I've never been torn between two loves. "Happy, safe and loved," is how our heroine feels around the childhood best friend and foster brother, who's hopelessly in love with her and whom she has rejected in favor of the mysterious, dark, dangerous and fiery Prince Cashoman, who's been captured by the enemy. Is it chemistry? Thrill-seeking? Why does she choose Cash? Happy, safe, and loved has always been enough for me. I couldn't relate to this part of the story. Phee is young and fired up, and gravitates toward trauma bonding. So be it. For its part, this plotline reminds me too much of that in Twilight. (#TeamJacob)

The author is a Texas school librarian, which is important to know because librarians by and large believe that literacy is crucial and powerful. This tenet shines through Jenny Martin's writing. Priceless artifacts hoarded by the corrupt King include the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights; these are hidden away in lieu of deep propaganda control over the populace's perceptions of history. Add on an artificial war on drugs and exploitative oil profiteering, while massive corporations funnel money away from the masses and into their own pockets and that of the 1% elite -- sound familiar? This YA highlights some of the most insidious problems of our own society.

Still, unfortunately, I thought the author wasted the opportunity to describe how the heroes won back the hearts and minds of the proletariat. How precisely did they infiltrate the coronation? Surely not with their monks' disguises? It's never explained -- and far too convenient. A generous dose of Deus ex machina is utilized here to keep the book under 400 pages. Honestly I would have loved this book if it was written in the full richness and complexity of DUNE. I'm not mad at it for being YA, but I felt the potential was there for much more depth.

I loved that the information hackers were the righteous, mischievous saviors. Peacefully protesting. Timely. One of the ways the corrupt corporate Sixers consolidate power is through the careful management of information. Disrupting that

"No shame in survival" is a choice phrase that stuck with me. The righteous rebels were given a choice. They weren't impressed into military service or anything. They were there because they wanted to be and because they believed in the cause. They wouldn't have been shamed one bit had they gone home to their families. As a mom, I'm well aware that how I raise my kids will have an effect a hundred years from now. These sorts of stories can sometimes feel surreal and fantastic because nobody's worrying about the little ones back home. Not so with this book, not exactly.

It's a bit bittersweet that there isn't a book 3 in this series. My passion for it has waned a bit, but I believe I'd eventually get around to reading a followup.
Profile Image for Bryn.
190 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2019
Did I expect this book to make me cry? No. Did it? Yeah, I guess. Twice. I'm a little mad at that, but it's hard to stay mad.

The worldbuilding is still cool, and I love the exploration of Biseran society. It's just so nice. And the way the conflict is set up actually works (most of the fight is with propaganda, not with weapons) and I definitely enjoyed that. The expanding on everything else was really cool too.

The writing is even better than the first book. So much of Phee's personality comes through in the style. There's so many lines in here that are gorgeous. There are so many more that are short, to the point, and absolutely emotionally devastating. This book made me feel things.

The plot wasn't quite as full of twists as book one, but I loved the trajectory. I loved the way all the facets of the rebellion were thoroughly explored. The pacing was nice, and though not quite as breakneck fast as the first, it was engaging. And damn, there were a lot of emotional bits in there. The ending was absolutely wonderful.

The characters were great. I absolutely love Phee's arc from the beginning of the series. She's grown so much and it's wonderful. And all the side characters, the ones introduced in this book especially, were done so well. I found myself caring for every single one of them. I even kind of... liked the love triangle? I could have done without it, sure, but this is by far the most tasteful execution of one I've ever seen.

Overall, this was a really solid ending to a really solid duology. I had a great time reading both, but this one was even better than the first.
Profile Image for Roxann.
876 reviews9 followers
November 7, 2016
From the cover: After an escape gone wrong, Phee barely made it out of Castra alive. But Cash, the leader of the rebellion, is still missing--and Charles Benroyal is to blame. Caught between grief and blinding thoughts of revenge, Phee fights for the resistance, gaining new allies and, perhaps, making new enemies, too. Meanwhile, Phee can't control her growing feelings for Bear, her best friend since childhood, and she's forced to make a choice--between the boy who has always been there for her, and the one who might never return. As Benroyal's attacks grow bolder, Phee and her team embark on a daring mission to defeat the Sixers and save the planet. But no one is prepared for the sacrifices Phee will have to make to win this war once and for all.

A good read and fast paced. I did not read Tracked, which is the first book for this series. I enter with Cash missing, Phee upset but still fighting. Her friends are still with her and fighting alongside of her. It is a nice fast read for YA.

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Profile Image for Mercedes McLean-Wheeler.
528 reviews5 followers
April 17, 2019
This book certainly had more originality and grace than the first one, but my chief complaint- that the love triangle is clumsy, trite, and overdone- is still there (for much of the book it’s great since one corner of the triangle is not available- which is probably why I liked this second book better) and the conclusion to the love triangle was very disappointing. Other than that, the discussion of political alliances and the trouble with news being in bed with businesses was good, though simplified.
Profile Image for ║ madalin ║.
265 reviews26 followers
September 28, 2017
This sequel made me so sad.. I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to continue on with the series, but it was simply disappointing. I feel like nothing happened until the last thirty some odd pages, and even then I was let down. I don't even feel like I read enough to even give a non-spoiler summary of what this book is about. The only thing I really liked reading was the ending and how everything ended up, but it wasn't enough for me to rate this high. I think I would read something else from Jenny Martin because of how much I liked the first book Tracked, as well as the writing style, but I would be a little hesitant. I wish this sounded like a real review, but I'm not going to waste my energy on a book I didn't like.
3 reviews
October 22, 2017
After reading the first book in the series, I couldn't wait to read this one. Action-packed and full of great plot-twists, the futuristic plot is absolutely amazing. The only thing I didn't enjoy was that there weren't more book.
Profile Image for A.
67 reviews
March 9, 2019
LOVED......IT!!!! Made me laugh, made me gasp, made me cry my eyes out. I loved this two book series! It was so awesome.
Profile Image for Kim Bondy.
63 reviews
July 27, 2024
I really liked book 1. This one reminded me a lot of other books in this genre, and it was mostly sad or angst. The ending was not what I was hoping to see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samantha.
623 reviews98 followers
June 7, 2016
Phee’s world is turned upside down now that she’s at the rebellion base. Cash is still missing, possibly presumed dead, her uncle is dead, and Charles Benroyal is out for her throat. Phee is ready to get answers and win the war, but she struggles with grief and PTSD. As the stakes of the war get higher, sacrifices will be made and lives will be lost before it’s all through.

MARKED, the sequel to TRACKED, by Jenny Martin is a strong combination of action, mental health, and family. The story picks up right where TRACKED left off, with Phee taking refuge with the rebellion and trying to process the events that got her there. The focus on Phee’s mental health is absolutely stunning. Phee has PTSD from the actions she witnessed, and that doesn’t simply go away overnight or change with a good day. Since she is still at the heart of the war, she is surrounded by triggers, and she does her best to deal with them the best way she can, though it is clear she will need help and treatment from others. Martin perfects keeping the action ongoing while not sacrificing the protagonist’s characterization.

Though family plays an important role in the first book, it takes a slightly stronger lead in the sequel. Phee has her adopted family with her, but she is still reeling from the loss of her uncle and the discovery of her mother. Family is a crucial motivator for several key characters, and in times of war, people will take drastic measures to ensure their families are safe.

While I love the introduction to a few new characters, one major character from the first book is absent for almost the entire sequel. Though the absence is understandable and definitely necessary at points, it makes the character feel almost like a stranger by the end, hindering some of the desired emotional effect. However, the focus on Phee and her journey is the most important part of the story, and the book beautifully captures that.

Readers who want their hearts racing as fast as the cars in this series should grab this emotional, action-packed duology. MARKED concludes Phee’s story with loss, needed answers, and hope.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/explore...
Profile Image for Allison.
401 reviews
August 22, 2016
A great sequel to Tracked!! Jenny Martin delivered a thrilling duology that was well worth reading which included even doses of revolution, war, family, love, and an unquenchable spirit that longs for peace and freedom! Phee's character gets more complicated but she sticks to her guns and her character stays untarnished. The love triangle from book one continues but is resolved by the end of this book along with the rest of the plot from book one. A nice wrap up but some of the characters you came to love over the course of this two parter don't make it to the end but the conclusion is satisfactory if not totally happy or totally sad but somewhere in between. Highly recommended to fans of dystopian and SF.
Profile Image for Kyla Schooling.
400 reviews2 followers
November 15, 2016
Teen fans of science fiction will enjoy this. It's a little bit Speed Racer, a little bit Star Wars and a little bit of Top Gun. Phee and her rebel friends have to free the Queen, her boyfriend and her mother and it won't be easy because they are fighting the biggest jerk in the universe and he's managed to make everyone else think she is the bad guy.
Profile Image for Jaclyn.
290 reviews
September 16, 2016
Good end to the series. There were quite a few touching and heart breaking moments. I cried. Multiple times. This book was definitely a bit darker and more serious than the first book. If you read the first book, you simply must read this one.
Profile Image for Brian Tracey.
123 reviews
October 22, 2016
MARKED picks up where TRACKED left off. Phee Van Zant is back. A little more broken. A little more wounded. But still moving as fast as ever to find the boy she fears is dead and take down the man, Charles Benroyal who's betrayed them all.
Profile Image for Sofia.
191 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2016
This was too much and not enough for me. I was so bored in some spots that I was just skimming to get through. It was anticlimactic. It was a good idea but just not well executed.
3 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2016
A good read

A good read - fast paced. At the heart of it a good thing to ponder for readers: what's the cost of revolution?
Profile Image for Tam I.
356 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2016
Appropriate for middle school. A bit predictable. Good ending to the duology.
61 reviews
October 19, 2016
I really enjoyed the book except with my favorite characters dying:( We need to get a way of doing half stars- this would be a 3 1/2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jenn.
459 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2016
3.5 Less pedal to the metal and more angst, but I'm still enjoying the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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