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Lords of Discord #1
Claiming Marcus
Vampires slaughtered my family.
No one believed me until I met some new friends, who promised to help me get justice.
But nothing prepared me for Marcus Varik.
Tall, dark, and mind-numbingly sexy.
But he’s also shy, protective, and adorably eccentric.
Oh God, I should have never agreed to betray him.
Hopefully, it's not too late to fix my mistake before I lose more people I love.
Claiming Marcus is the first book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a raven named Ozzie.
No one believed me until I met some new friends, who promised to help me get justice.
But nothing prepared me for Marcus Varik.
Tall, dark, and mind-numbingly sexy.
But he’s also shy, protective, and adorably eccentric.
Oh God, I should have never agreed to betray him.
Hopefully, it's not too late to fix my mistake before I lose more people I love.
Claiming Marcus is the first book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a raven named Ozzie.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2019
623 people are currently reading
2665 people want to read
About the author
Jocelynn Drake
141 books2,888 followersNew York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
When she is not hammering away at her keyboard or curled up with a book, she can be
walking her dog Ace, or playing video games. She loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, and fast cars.
She is the author of the urban fantasy books: The Dark Days series and the Asylum Tales. For gay romance, she has completed The Exit Strategy and Shadow Elite series, and is now working on a spin-off of her MM paranormal series, Lords of Discord. She has also co-authored with Rinda Elliot the following series: Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security, Pineapple Grove, the Weavers Circle. In addition, she has co-authored with AJ Sherwood the following series: Scales 'N' Spell and Wings 'N' Wands. She can be found at JocelynnDrake.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
October 31, 2019
I absolutely love paranormal romances and Vampires...yeah they are definitely my kryptonite. All that hot dark and broody ?? Count me in !! Knowing there are 3 more vampire brothers and that they are getting their own book ?? Hell yeah !!
This story sucked me in from the very first page. I was at the edge of my seat trying to find out more. The mystery and suspense were very well done and it kept me entertained from beginning to end.
The romance between Marcus and Ethan was a bit on the fast side though. Now I always say that I don't mind insta-love so much when it comes to paranormal book...and I don't, but in this case, the "I love you's" came a wee bit fast and unexpected.
One minute Ethan hated everything related to vampires and the next he was claiming his undying love...while they hadn't really been together yet. I had a bit of trouble adjusting myself to his very fast change of heart. Once I got myself to move past this fact, everything was right again and I could move on. I mean I did want these two together.
This was definitely a great start to a new series and I for one am gonna read all the books that follow. The brothers were awesome and I can't decide yet who is gonna be my favorite.... Rafe or Winter. I think they are both in the running for being my number 1 ;)
An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
December 8, 2019
4 My (not mine, Marcus’! Or maybe my…?!) Heart Stars
Ethan’s family was slaughtered when he was just ten years old. After that horible night, he felt so lonely and lived with endless nightmares. He was obsessed with this thought to get revenge! Now that he was twenty-six years old, he found a chance to get close to those who might know something (or maybe guilty). So he couldn’t lose his chance of getting revenge but always there is a BUT…
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it’s the first installment in the "Lords of Discord" series and it’s not really cliffy. I had tried one of this author’s books and it didn’t work out for me but this one was something else! Well vampires are always something else for me! Loved all the characters, both MCs and the secondary ones. It’s slow burn, well written, almost angst free with a good dose of intense chemistry. Anyway, I’m glad I tried this one and can’t wait for Rafe’s story, hope you enjoy it as well!
Ethan’s family was slaughtered when he was just ten years old. After that horible night, he felt so lonely and lived with endless nightmares. He was obsessed with this thought to get revenge! Now that he was twenty-six years old, he found a chance to get close to those who might know something (or maybe guilty). So he couldn’t lose his chance of getting revenge but always there is a BUT…
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it’s the first installment in the "Lords of Discord" series and it’s not really cliffy. I had tried one of this author’s books and it didn’t work out for me but this one was something else! Well vampires are always something else for me! Loved all the characters, both MCs and the secondary ones. It’s slow burn, well written, almost angst free with a good dose of intense chemistry. Anyway, I’m glad I tried this one and can’t wait for Rafe’s story, hope you enjoy it as well!
dnf
October 12, 2020DNF @30% and no rating
It pains me to say it and it's probably just my mood, but I'm not feeling it. I find it uninspired, unoriginal, sappy and - to be honest - boring. 😔
It pains me to say it and it's probably just my mood, but I'm not feeling it. I find it uninspired, unoriginal, sappy and - to be honest - boring. 😔
January 13, 2020
Claiming Marcus is the first book in the new Lords of Discord series by Jocelynn Drake. The series revolves around the lives of four vampire brothers the first book is about the oldest brother, Marcus.
Marcus Varik has enough to worry about. The vampire world is on edge, and it looks like his family is in the cross hairs. He’s trying to move his family, so he hires a new assistant, Ethan. Little does he know, Ethan has his own secrets that could be even more trouble for Marcus.
This was an okay read for me. The first half of the book was slow, but the second half picked up with some action. I also thought that Marcus and Ethan’s relationship was insta love, and I really couldn’t feel the connection. I may continue with the series because I really want to read about Rafe, the fun brother.
Marcus Varik has enough to worry about. The vampire world is on edge, and it looks like his family is in the cross hairs. He’s trying to move his family, so he hires a new assistant, Ethan. Little does he know, Ethan has his own secrets that could be even more trouble for Marcus.
This was an okay read for me. The first half of the book was slow, but the second half picked up with some action. I also thought that Marcus and Ethan’s relationship was insta love, and I really couldn’t feel the connection. I may continue with the series because I really want to read about Rafe, the fun brother.
October 29, 2019
Well, that was an absolute dream of a romance from Jocelynn Drake.
Thoroughly jam-packed with all the things I love to read in a paranormal - great world-building, compelling characters, actual repercussions for actions taken, seriously hot and sexy creatures of the night and two men I was rooting for from the start.
That Marcus has three equally interesting and complex brothers who will also be getting the spotlight shone on them was only the start of the bonus treats from this wonderful writer.
It's no secret I'm a big fan of Jocelynn's work both with Rinda Elliott in the Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security and Pineapple Grove series', but I also utterly adore her solo books and this one went right onto the favourites shelf.
There's just the right amount of danger, just the right amount of adrenaline-pumping action and just enough plot left open - without leaving any major cliffhanger for this particular narrative that is - to know that there's more to come.
It has a hint of Dom/Sub throughout, both with the undercover work which Marcus and Ethan carry out when the younger man plays his collared pet but also after Marcus loses the shame he felt as a gay man growing up two centuries earlier.
All in all, this is an astonishingly good paranormal and I read it in about two hours because I couldn't put it down (and made myself late for work (I work from home so...)
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Thoroughly jam-packed with all the things I love to read in a paranormal - great world-building, compelling characters, actual repercussions for actions taken, seriously hot and sexy creatures of the night and two men I was rooting for from the start.
That Marcus has three equally interesting and complex brothers who will also be getting the spotlight shone on them was only the start of the bonus treats from this wonderful writer.
It's no secret I'm a big fan of Jocelynn's work both with Rinda Elliott in the Unbreakable Bonds, Ward Security and Pineapple Grove series', but I also utterly adore her solo books and this one went right onto the favourites shelf.
There's just the right amount of danger, just the right amount of adrenaline-pumping action and just enough plot left open - without leaving any major cliffhanger for this particular narrative that is - to know that there's more to come.
It has a hint of Dom/Sub throughout, both with the undercover work which Marcus and Ethan carry out when the younger man plays his collared pet but also after Marcus loses the shame he felt as a gay man growing up two centuries earlier.
All in all, this is an astonishingly good paranormal and I read it in about two hours because I couldn't put it down (and made myself late for work (I work from home so...)
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
January 10, 2020
I finished. That may sound silly to say, but you wouldn't believe the sense of accomplishment I feel. It took me four days of pushing through and skimming, but I did it.
So...I've read a lot of PNR in my time. I've read a lot of vampire romance too. Claiming Marcus is nothing more than an amalgamation of all the other vampire stories I've read. There is nothing new here. In fact, it's a rather hodge podge collection of vampire romance lore. There are plot holes galore. The pace similar to a new driver just learning how to use the brakes, fits and starts. I could not figure out why Marcus and Ethan liked each other. I certainly didn't feel the chemistry.
Why am I being so negative? Because I am hard pressed to give this story 1.5 stars. Because I forced myself to finish it for a reading challenge. Because I refuse to get sucked in to another mediocre series. This plot has been done, redone, and overdone much better than here.
So...I've read a lot of PNR in my time. I've read a lot of vampire romance too. Claiming Marcus is nothing more than an amalgamation of all the other vampire stories I've read. There is nothing new here. In fact, it's a rather hodge podge collection of vampire romance lore. There are plot holes galore. The pace similar to a new driver just learning how to use the brakes, fits and starts. I could not figure out why Marcus and Ethan liked each other. I certainly didn't feel the chemistry.
Why am I being so negative? Because I am hard pressed to give this story 1.5 stars. Because I forced myself to finish it for a reading challenge. Because I refuse to get sucked in to another mediocre series. This plot has been done, redone, and overdone much better than here.
November 29, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 Fangtastic stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I don’t think I have read a vampire book since my Twilight obsession years ago but I am a huge Jocelynn Drake fan so I thought I would give it a go, try something different.
I am glad I did I LOVED Claiming Marcus, I cannot remember when I felt like I did reading this, I was on tender hooks waiting for the truths to come out, Ethan admitting he knows Marcus is a vampire and Marcus discovering that Ethan is a “spy” and staying up until stupid o’clock so I could finish this.
I loved how Jocelynn wrote her vamps, they don’t sparkle, fly or turn into bats LOL, they are what I think a classic vampire should be like sexy, mysterious but deadly.
Ethan and Marcus were made for each other, they just had to wait a VERY LONG TIME to meet, these two together are super sexy the sex OMG I needed a time out 😊 and at the beginning Marcus is shy which I found adorable.
Ethan is brave to go and work for Marcus considering the nightmare he went through as a child and thanks to the Varik clan being behind him he was able to get his revenge I LOVED THAT SO COOL.
The rest of the Varik brothers have me hooked as well, Bel, Rafe and Winter, I loved their brotherly banter and teasing. The bond these four have is special and how they accept Ethan as the new little Varik was cute.
I loved every single page in Claiming Marcus with all the high, lows and all the shenanigans thrown in, I don't mind insta love but I am not a fan of the owning a pet, this creeps me out, everything you expect from Jocelynn she delivers.
I will definitely be continuing with this series, Rafe is next due February 2020. I wonder if Aiden will get his own book?
This was a FIRST for me as in my first m/m vampire book and it will not be my last, Jocelynn has a m/m vampire reading list on her site, I will definitely be checking out, more vampires for me in 2020, I need something more with my romances these days.
I don’t think I have read a vampire book since my Twilight obsession years ago but I am a huge Jocelynn Drake fan so I thought I would give it a go, try something different.
I am glad I did I LOVED Claiming Marcus, I cannot remember when I felt like I did reading this, I was on tender hooks waiting for the truths to come out, Ethan admitting he knows Marcus is a vampire and Marcus discovering that Ethan is a “spy” and staying up until stupid o’clock so I could finish this.
I loved how Jocelynn wrote her vamps, they don’t sparkle, fly or turn into bats LOL, they are what I think a classic vampire should be like sexy, mysterious but deadly.
Ethan and Marcus were made for each other, they just had to wait a VERY LONG TIME to meet, these two together are super sexy the sex OMG I needed a time out 😊 and at the beginning Marcus is shy which I found adorable.
Ethan is brave to go and work for Marcus considering the nightmare he went through as a child and thanks to the Varik clan being behind him he was able to get his revenge I LOVED THAT SO COOL.
The rest of the Varik brothers have me hooked as well, Bel, Rafe and Winter, I loved their brotherly banter and teasing. The bond these four have is special and how they accept Ethan as the new little Varik was cute.
I loved every single page in Claiming Marcus with all the high, lows and all the shenanigans thrown in, I don't mind insta love but I am not a fan of the owning a pet, this creeps me out, everything you expect from Jocelynn she delivers.
I will definitely be continuing with this series, Rafe is next due February 2020. I wonder if Aiden will get his own book?
This was a FIRST for me as in my first m/m vampire book and it will not be my last, Jocelynn has a m/m vampire reading list on her site, I will definitely be checking out, more vampires for me in 2020, I need something more with my romances these days.
March 19, 2020
Audio - 3.5 stars
Story - 3.75 Stars
The story had decent action and low angst / lovey dovey romance. I enjoyed it.
Story - 3.75 Stars
The story had decent action and low angst / lovey dovey romance. I enjoyed it.
November 21, 2019
Good start to a new series and I'm definitely interested in seeing where it goes.
January 7, 2020
DNF at 58%.
This is not for me. I simply couldn’t get into this, and when you’re still not feeling connected to the MCs half way through the book and the plot does nothing for you, it’s better to call it a day.
This is not for me. I simply couldn’t get into this, and when you’re still not feeling connected to the MCs half way through the book and the plot does nothing for you, it’s better to call it a day.
November 29, 2019
I'm utterly disappointed with this book. The blurb makes it sound interesting. The cover is nice, especially given music is part of the brothers’ lives that crossed over from human to vampire.
The first chapter was enigmatic but intriguing, a brother willing to become vampire for the sake of family, particularly his mother.
The next chapter was very good, Ethan's whole family, his mother, father, and two sisters are killed by cruel vampires as he listened on, hiding in a wall cavity. I was onboard, a traumatised young boy who will grow up into a complex young man who wants revenge. And then, well, then the rest happened, and I was let down.
The writing is melodramatic and also leading. I found it to be manipulative. Telling me why I should believe in this pair and not being substantial or developing the storytelling depth so I could see for myself. There are so many adjective and (ad)verb laden sentences - nodding whilst frowning, and snickering, a word I hate, and furrowed brows with cocked heads.
Marcus growled and gave a quick shake of his head.
The overall prose just didn’t work for me.
Looking at the aristocratic creature seated on the piano bench, streaked with his brother’s blood, Ethan couldn’t see anything but a man exhausted and hurting in ways that he couldn’t fully understand.
It was a slow, haunting song that always made him think of a fox sniffing its way through the underbrush of the forest, slinking along in the low-lying fog until finally catching the scent of a hare.
So much ruminative perplexity from Ethan. ‘Is Marcus a vampire? I think so. Maybe. Maybe not. No. I’m not sure. But… he’s up at 10 am. Grrr. Yes. He definitely is… I think. Yes. Yes, he is. But vampires killed my family. Still, Marcus seems kind’, even though they’ve hardly done anything together, ‘I must tell him why I’m here but if I do, he’ll hate me. Some vampires can be good, but vampires killed my family’.
The internal monologue is circular and frustrating.
That the author set out to create Ethan to be unforgiving about his family’s cruel death and changed it because romance and the icy blue eyes and longish hair of his handsome (now) employer rankled. Of course, good looks will win over your family being brutally murdered whilst you’re being taunted at ten years old. Look, I can live with that but it has to be developed well. Ethan gave in so quickly to his desires. I was incredulous. Give me reason to believe.
Ethan joined a group, one with the most stupid name in the history of paranormal writing – The Humans Protecting Humans League. Really? It sounds like the paranormal equivalent of Space Force. That lost me when I first read it, but I continued.
Technically, the writing is okay, no real line editing issues, but it aggravated me. I wanted a strong vampire story and I got a weak romance with some vampires who felt clunky. There was no chemistry. No oomph. No world building. It seriously felt like things were made up on the fly about these vampires. The overall characters were bland and uninspiring - the kiss of death for me. I can see this book being enjoyed by many in the genre. Me? I’m looking for something with more meat, substance and depth, and with believable and/or inspiring characters.
The first chapter was enigmatic but intriguing, a brother willing to become vampire for the sake of family, particularly his mother.
The next chapter was very good, Ethan's whole family, his mother, father, and two sisters are killed by cruel vampires as he listened on, hiding in a wall cavity. I was onboard, a traumatised young boy who will grow up into a complex young man who wants revenge. And then, well, then the rest happened, and I was let down.
The writing is melodramatic and also leading. I found it to be manipulative. Telling me why I should believe in this pair and not being substantial or developing the storytelling depth so I could see for myself. There are so many adjective and (ad)verb laden sentences - nodding whilst frowning, and snickering, a word I hate, and furrowed brows with cocked heads.
Marcus growled and gave a quick shake of his head.
The overall prose just didn’t work for me.
Looking at the aristocratic creature seated on the piano bench, streaked with his brother’s blood, Ethan couldn’t see anything but a man exhausted and hurting in ways that he couldn’t fully understand.
It was a slow, haunting song that always made him think of a fox sniffing its way through the underbrush of the forest, slinking along in the low-lying fog until finally catching the scent of a hare.
So much ruminative perplexity from Ethan. ‘Is Marcus a vampire? I think so. Maybe. Maybe not. No. I’m not sure. But… he’s up at 10 am. Grrr. Yes. He definitely is… I think. Yes. Yes, he is. But vampires killed my family. Still, Marcus seems kind’, even though they’ve hardly done anything together, ‘I must tell him why I’m here but if I do, he’ll hate me. Some vampires can be good, but vampires killed my family’.
The internal monologue is circular and frustrating.
That the author set out to create Ethan to be unforgiving about his family’s cruel death and changed it because romance and the icy blue eyes and longish hair of his handsome (now) employer rankled. Of course, good looks will win over your family being brutally murdered whilst you’re being taunted at ten years old. Look, I can live with that but it has to be developed well. Ethan gave in so quickly to his desires. I was incredulous. Give me reason to believe.
Ethan joined a group, one with the most stupid name in the history of paranormal writing – The Humans Protecting Humans League. Really? It sounds like the paranormal equivalent of Space Force. That lost me when I first read it, but I continued.
Technically, the writing is okay, no real line editing issues, but it aggravated me. I wanted a strong vampire story and I got a weak romance with some vampires who felt clunky. There was no chemistry. No oomph. No world building. It seriously felt like things were made up on the fly about these vampires. The overall characters were bland and uninspiring - the kiss of death for me. I can see this book being enjoyed by many in the genre. Me? I’m looking for something with more meat, substance and depth, and with believable and/or inspiring characters.
June 1, 2021
DNF @53%....cause I have ZERO investment in the characters or storyline. Perhaps I would have fared better reading it and not listening to Kenneth Obi.
November 3, 2019
4.5 stars!
What a great first installment to a new series by the always wonderful Jocelynn Drake. We had gotten assassins with hearts of gold and now we've got vampires with hearts of gold and I love it.
The book starts off in 1843, where Marcus Verik, the oldest of 4 brothers, is in his families living room, and then we meet his two twin brothers, Bel and Rafe, who aren't identical but similar enough in appearance - and couldn't be more different personality wise. And then the youngest, Winter, who just turned 23 - and that they are all about to be turned into vampires, because his mother was turned into one by Adrian, a vampire who loves her, when she was dying. But their mother is a little mad and it was made worse when she was turned into a vampire, so they've all decided to be turned. Why it was when Winter turned 23, idk, it wasn't explained. Maybe just to have him be old enough to be dead for eternity, idk.
But then it cuts to 2003, where a ten year old Ethan's family is being attacked and murdered. He hears it but is able to hide in this floor board/panel thing in the bathroom and survives. Although there's this woman vampire who comes in there and he sees her - so I dunno how she didn't see, hear, or smell him.
That one reason I took .5 off, is that the vampires abilities were never fully explained. We find out that they can drink blood without killing a human, but that they need to drink directly from a human, can't drink from a blood bag - they can do it to tide them over, but after a few weeks they need to "hunt" again - and that they can erase human's memories of them feeding. That they can make it pleasurable for the human while they are feeding and they all come with some sort of power - different powers - for some reason. But we didn't find out if they can hear, see and smell better than humans. Which doesn't make much sense if they don't have at least one enhanced sense. But Ethan lived because the vampire didn't see, hear or smell him, so....
But anyway, fast forward to 2019, and Ethan is 26 and looking for revenge, and a vampire human "hunter" group sends Ethan into Marcus' home to get info on them so they can be killed, because Ethan has been told they had something to do with his families death.
But as soon as Marcus and Ethan meet, sparks fly, and as Ethan gets to know Marcus, starts to fall for him, he starts to wonder if Marcus and his family had anything to do with his families death at all and if they deserve to be killed just because they are vampires.
Marcus has been lonely for the past 167 years. He was very much in the closet and has stayed that way, even with the changing times of today. But with Ethan that all changes. Part of the reason I gave .5 off as well is that Marcus seemed to come to grips with being with a man and others seeing it and knowing it pretty easily after over a century and a half, almost two centuries really, of being so deep in the closet that he never even kissed another man. Seems a big leap to make with how little Marcus struggled with it. He did some, sure, but I think there should have been a little more of a struggle or seeing how Marcus came to terms with himself and loving a man openly.
But overall this was so good, so exciting and fun to read. I loved Marcus and Ethan together, they had great chemistry and their love shone through the pages.
I can't wait for the three other brother's and their love stories as well. Bring 'em on :D. Rafe is next and that should be interesting.
Definitely recommend, two thumbs up from me!
What a great first installment to a new series by the always wonderful Jocelynn Drake. We had gotten assassins with hearts of gold and now we've got vampires with hearts of gold and I love it.
The book starts off in 1843, where Marcus Verik, the oldest of 4 brothers, is in his families living room, and then we meet his two twin brothers, Bel and Rafe, who aren't identical but similar enough in appearance - and couldn't be more different personality wise. And then the youngest, Winter, who just turned 23 - and that they are all about to be turned into vampires, because his mother was turned into one by Adrian, a vampire who loves her, when she was dying. But their mother is a little mad and it was made worse when she was turned into a vampire, so they've all decided to be turned. Why it was when Winter turned 23, idk, it wasn't explained. Maybe just to have him be old enough to be dead for eternity, idk.
But then it cuts to 2003, where a ten year old Ethan's family is being attacked and murdered. He hears it but is able to hide in this floor board/panel thing in the bathroom and survives. Although there's this woman vampire who comes in there and he sees her - so I dunno how she didn't see, hear, or smell him.
That one reason I took .5 off, is that the vampires abilities were never fully explained. We find out that they can drink blood without killing a human, but that they need to drink directly from a human, can't drink from a blood bag - they can do it to tide them over, but after a few weeks they need to "hunt" again - and that they can erase human's memories of them feeding. That they can make it pleasurable for the human while they are feeding and they all come with some sort of power - different powers - for some reason. But we didn't find out if they can hear, see and smell better than humans. Which doesn't make much sense if they don't have at least one enhanced sense. But Ethan lived because the vampire didn't see, hear or smell him, so....
But anyway, fast forward to 2019, and Ethan is 26 and looking for revenge, and a vampire human "hunter" group sends Ethan into Marcus' home to get info on them so they can be killed, because Ethan has been told they had something to do with his families death.
But as soon as Marcus and Ethan meet, sparks fly, and as Ethan gets to know Marcus, starts to fall for him, he starts to wonder if Marcus and his family had anything to do with his families death at all and if they deserve to be killed just because they are vampires.
Marcus has been lonely for the past 167 years. He was very much in the closet and has stayed that way, even with the changing times of today. But with Ethan that all changes. Part of the reason I gave .5 off as well is that Marcus seemed to come to grips with being with a man and others seeing it and knowing it pretty easily after over a century and a half, almost two centuries really, of being so deep in the closet that he never even kissed another man. Seems a big leap to make with how little Marcus struggled with it. He did some, sure, but I think there should have been a little more of a struggle or seeing how Marcus came to terms with himself and loving a man openly.
But overall this was so good, so exciting and fun to read. I loved Marcus and Ethan together, they had great chemistry and their love shone through the pages.
I can't wait for the three other brother's and their love stories as well. Bring 'em on :D. Rafe is next and that should be interesting.
Definitely recommend, two thumbs up from me!
November 6, 2019
Everything I want in a MM Vampire story
January 3, 2024
Entretenido, divertido, romántico
Ethan era un niño cuando toda su familia fue asesinada por un grupo de vampiros, y cuando se convirtió en adulto lo único que quería era destituirlos. Pero no todos son iguales, y no todas las circunstancias son las mismas, ahí conoce a Marcus Varik, un vampiro al que jura matar, pero con quién descubre el otro lado de la moneda. Ahora debe decidir si quiere estar con él o destruirlo.
Es una bonita historia de romance-fantasía. El autor nos muestra un universo lleno de confianza, amor, fraternidad y confianza. Además nos muestra que no todo es lo que parece y que todos cometemos errores, el asunto es aceptarlos e intentar corregirlos.
En fin, es un bonito inicio de serie y es seguro que voy a continuarla.
Ethan era un niño cuando toda su familia fue asesinada por un grupo de vampiros, y cuando se convirtió en adulto lo único que quería era destituirlos. Pero no todos son iguales, y no todas las circunstancias son las mismas, ahí conoce a Marcus Varik, un vampiro al que jura matar, pero con quién descubre el otro lado de la moneda. Ahora debe decidir si quiere estar con él o destruirlo.
Es una bonita historia de romance-fantasía. El autor nos muestra un universo lleno de confianza, amor, fraternidad y confianza. Además nos muestra que no todo es lo que parece y que todos cometemos errores, el asunto es aceptarlos e intentar corregirlos.
En fin, es un bonito inicio de serie y es seguro que voy a continuarla.
March 17, 2020
The first book in Jocelynn Drake’s paranormal vampire series, Lords of Discord, starts with Claiming Marcus.
Four stars for the wonderful performance by Kenneth Obi. It’s clear to me over and over again how much fun he’s having bringing Claiming Marcus to life! Infusing each character with their own personalities (and there’s an extensive variety in this series), Mr. Obi shows no end to his range. I especially enjoyed the sweetness he brings to Marcus’ character. Old, a bit jaded, and resigned to his fate, Marcus’ gradual realization that he can have a life filled with love comes across beautifully in the audio version of Claiming Marcus.
Believing his desires for men is wrong, Marcus is a complete innocent in the ways of love. Even after several centuries, he’s resisted his urges. But when he meets Ethan, who is completely upfront and comfortable being gay, Marcus opens himself up and these two fall in love.
Jocelynn Drake does a wonderful job with the relationship between Ethan and Marcus, and their love story is the highlight of Claiming Marcus. The second part of the story is of Ethan seeking revenge for his family’s death, and the set-up for the political aspects of the different vampire factions vie for power.
Marcus is the eldest of four brothers, and this tight-knit family of musicians have an interesting rapport. I’m sure Ms. Drake is going to have a wonderful time with the next three novels in the series, and I hope we’ll get to see more of Ethan and Marcus in the upcoming episodes.
an audiobook copy of Claiming Marcus was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
Four stars for the wonderful performance by Kenneth Obi. It’s clear to me over and over again how much fun he’s having bringing Claiming Marcus to life! Infusing each character with their own personalities (and there’s an extensive variety in this series), Mr. Obi shows no end to his range. I especially enjoyed the sweetness he brings to Marcus’ character. Old, a bit jaded, and resigned to his fate, Marcus’ gradual realization that he can have a life filled with love comes across beautifully in the audio version of Claiming Marcus.
Believing his desires for men is wrong, Marcus is a complete innocent in the ways of love. Even after several centuries, he’s resisted his urges. But when he meets Ethan, who is completely upfront and comfortable being gay, Marcus opens himself up and these two fall in love.
Jocelynn Drake does a wonderful job with the relationship between Ethan and Marcus, and their love story is the highlight of Claiming Marcus. The second part of the story is of Ethan seeking revenge for his family’s death, and the set-up for the political aspects of the different vampire factions vie for power.
Marcus is the eldest of four brothers, and this tight-knit family of musicians have an interesting rapport. I’m sure Ms. Drake is going to have a wonderful time with the next three novels in the series, and I hope we’ll get to see more of Ethan and Marcus in the upcoming episodes.
an audiobook copy of Claiming Marcus was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
October 29, 2019
It took until just about midway through, but then I was sucked in completely, and finished Claiming Marcus in only a few hours.
Jocelynn Drake knows how to write a good page turner, but I'll admit, it took me a little longer than I would have liked to get into the story, and part of that was my only real complaint: it felt like a lot got skipped on page.
In particular, for me, the romance between Marcus and Ethan felt rushed and incomplete because they move into the "I love you's" and I would have liked more on-page romance. Honestly, the only time I'm not annoyed by insta-love is when the characters turn out to be "mates".
In this case, Ethan has a really good reason to despise all vampires, and I needed more to get me from the initial plan, to it's execution, to them getting to know each other, to them falling for each other.
Regardless, the brothers Varik are all interesting, the action is good, there's some humor, the sex is hot, there's a gooey and heart growingly sweet happy ending, and this should prove to be a really entertaining new series I'll definitely continue reading.
3.5 stars
Advanced Review Galley copy of Claiming Marcus provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted to Gay Book Reviews.
Jocelynn Drake knows how to write a good page turner, but I'll admit, it took me a little longer than I would have liked to get into the story, and part of that was my only real complaint: it felt like a lot got skipped on page.
In particular, for me, the romance between Marcus and Ethan felt rushed and incomplete because they move into the "I love you's" and I would have liked more on-page romance. Honestly, the only time I'm not annoyed by insta-love is when the characters turn out to be "mates".
In this case, Ethan has a really good reason to despise all vampires, and I needed more to get me from the initial plan, to it's execution, to them getting to know each other, to them falling for each other.
Regardless, the brothers Varik are all interesting, the action is good, there's some humor, the sex is hot, there's a gooey and heart growingly sweet happy ending, and this should prove to be a really entertaining new series I'll definitely continue reading.
3.5 stars
Advanced Review Galley copy of Claiming Marcus provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted to Gay Book Reviews.
January 12, 2020
Honestly the first half was pretty much a take it or leave it.
That maybe sounds a bit harsh. But it’s true. At almost any point I could have put it down and walked away.
I liked the characters (although the slow burn was getting to me a bit) and the fact that they are brothers. Brothers who became vampires to look after their mother.
But then about the half way point that all changed. It became a book and a series I wanted to read.
There’s lots of potential here for future books. I’m particularly looking forward to Rafe’s which is next.
That maybe sounds a bit harsh. But it’s true. At almost any point I could have put it down and walked away.
I liked the characters (although the slow burn was getting to me a bit) and the fact that they are brothers. Brothers who became vampires to look after their mother.
But then about the half way point that all changed. It became a book and a series I wanted to read.
There’s lots of potential here for future books. I’m particularly looking forward to Rafe’s which is next.
November 26, 2023
2.5
“We only want to live our lives in peace. ”
Primera novela de la saga “Lords of Discords.
Esta primera novela nos introduce la historia del mayor de los hermanos, Marcus y se nos presenta al resto de su familia. El inicio es convincente, me enganchó y todo y los personajes. Tenia las expectativas altas, no lo niego. Sin embargo, a medida que seguía con el libro sentía que me faltaba algo.
Una vez acabé me quedé con un sabor un poco agridulce. La historia me había gustado, sin embargo, sentí que faltaba relación entre los protagonistas y luego ha habido giros de guion que me han parecido demasiado gratuitos.
Me da un poco de rabia porque la premisa y la idea es original pero bueno, podría haber sido peor.
“We only want to live our lives in peace. ”
Primera novela de la saga “Lords of Discords.
Esta primera novela nos introduce la historia del mayor de los hermanos, Marcus y se nos presenta al resto de su familia. El inicio es convincente, me enganchó y todo y los personajes. Tenia las expectativas altas, no lo niego. Sin embargo, a medida que seguía con el libro sentía que me faltaba algo.
Una vez acabé me quedé con un sabor un poco agridulce. La historia me había gustado, sin embargo, sentí que faltaba relación entre los protagonistas y luego ha habido giros de guion que me han parecido demasiado gratuitos.
Me da un poco de rabia porque la premisa y la idea es original pero bueno, podría haber sido peor.
May 18, 2025
I think I got this book for free because I honestly don’t remember adding it to my books. I went into it without expecting much, and to be honest, I only picked it up because I was in the mood for a vampire book.
The story is somewhat original and interesting, even if it felt a bit too long at times. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, but I am curious to see how the brothers find their HEAs, so maybe 🤷🏻♀️.
The story is somewhat original and interesting, even if it felt a bit too long at times. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, but I am curious to see how the brothers find their HEAs, so maybe 🤷🏻♀️.
March 24, 2020
UPDATED
Audiobook Review on 03-24-2020
I enjoyed Kenneth Obi narration. He did a great job .
Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
ORIGINAL
Ebook Review: 11/1/2019
New and Fascinating Legends for the Vampire Folklore
In Claiming Marcus , Jocelynn Drake is expanding in the known Vampire Folklore by creating her own MM, brand of lore and vampires.
I loved the world building , the fresh and intriguing plot , the heroes , the hot AF sexy times, low angst and the exciting action adventure aspects of the story.
Claiming Marcus is an entertaining and awesome read . It kept me engaged and invested in it's outcome from the first page to the last.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fresh and fun take into the world of vampires.
Audiobook Review on 03-24-2020
I enjoyed Kenneth Obi narration. He did a great job .
Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars
ORIGINAL
Ebook Review: 11/1/2019
New and Fascinating Legends for the Vampire Folklore
In Claiming Marcus , Jocelynn Drake is expanding in the known Vampire Folklore by creating her own MM, brand of lore and vampires.
I loved the world building , the fresh and intriguing plot , the heroes , the hot AF sexy times, low angst and the exciting action adventure aspects of the story.
Claiming Marcus is an entertaining and awesome read . It kept me engaged and invested in it's outcome from the first page to the last.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fresh and fun take into the world of vampires.
December 27, 2019
Two point Five
There is an interesting storyline, a bit of a new look at vampires and engaging characters.
But, big BUT. The story is need of a good professional editor. Repetitive, numerous statements may add to the word count but detract from the flow of the story.
Authors you need only explain something once.
There is an interesting storyline, a bit of a new look at vampires and engaging characters.
But, big BUT. The story is need of a good professional editor. Repetitive, numerous statements may add to the word count but detract from the flow of the story.
Authors you need only explain something once.
November 8, 2019
Oh man! It's been a while since I have read a truly bad ass, well-written, super sexy vampire romance (sans mpreg, that is...I'm talking just a true vampire PRN romance) and this book delivered on so, so many levels! Great characters, great chemistry between our two MCs, great world building with clans and divided groups and inner-vampire politics, bad ass vampires - actually feeding on blood, and a book that left me needing book 2 right away!
Ethan's childhood was destroyed when vampires broke into his home and killed his entire family. He's now grown and has fallen in with a group of humans looking to put an end to all vampires. Ethan just wants revenge against the vampire who killed his family, so he agrees to help this group get the inside scoop on vampires. What he doesn't expect is to realize that, as with humans, not all vampires are killers, and he also finds himself falling for the very vampire he is sent to betray.
Marcus is one of four vampire brothers. I absolutely loved Marcus, Rafe, Bel, and Winter. They were all written so well, so different from another, and the author has done such a great job making me want a story for each one of them! Marcus is the most serious of the bunch, and definitely the care taker and provider for the brothers - it's only when Ethan comes into his life does he really see he can want something and someone for himself and have someone take care of him.
Of course, secrets come out, as they tend to do in a romance story. Once Both Marcus and Ethan know everything about the other, they must all work together to stay alive. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that the story of the different vampire factions, the different opinions on where vampires should be within human society, was really, really interesting. I can't wait to see how that entire plot continues to develop and grow in the next stories.
I loved Ethan and Marcus together. For being a vampire, their beginning romance is incredibly, wonderfully sweet. Marcus, having been born during a time when being gay was a crime and immoral, battles with that in his mind constantly, and because of that, has never been with a man. I just loved how sweet Ethan was with him, and once they're comfortable with each other? BOOM, hotness! Whew!
I absolutely loved this story, and can't wait for Rafe's story, hopefully out in February 2020!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ethan's childhood was destroyed when vampires broke into his home and killed his entire family. He's now grown and has fallen in with a group of humans looking to put an end to all vampires. Ethan just wants revenge against the vampire who killed his family, so he agrees to help this group get the inside scoop on vampires. What he doesn't expect is to realize that, as with humans, not all vampires are killers, and he also finds himself falling for the very vampire he is sent to betray.
Marcus is one of four vampire brothers. I absolutely loved Marcus, Rafe, Bel, and Winter. They were all written so well, so different from another, and the author has done such a great job making me want a story for each one of them! Marcus is the most serious of the bunch, and definitely the care taker and provider for the brothers - it's only when Ethan comes into his life does he really see he can want something and someone for himself and have someone take care of him.
Of course, secrets come out, as they tend to do in a romance story. Once Both Marcus and Ethan know everything about the other, they must all work together to stay alive. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that the story of the different vampire factions, the different opinions on where vampires should be within human society, was really, really interesting. I can't wait to see how that entire plot continues to develop and grow in the next stories.
I loved Ethan and Marcus together. For being a vampire, their beginning romance is incredibly, wonderfully sweet. Marcus, having been born during a time when being gay was a crime and immoral, battles with that in his mind constantly, and because of that, has never been with a man. I just loved how sweet Ethan was with him, and once they're comfortable with each other? BOOM, hotness! Whew!
I absolutely loved this story, and can't wait for Rafe's story, hopefully out in February 2020!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2020
YES, oh yes I loved this book!!! The chemistry between Marcus and Ethan once they got going was off the charts 🔥!!! I loved that Ethan went into Marcus's home expecting the worst but making up his own mind regarding Marcus and his brothers. 🤗
Many other characters and underlining powder strangles and deceit going on throughout the vampire population and I think with this book we just scratched the surface. My only regret is starting this series too soon without being able to read the next book right away 😥.
I am really looking forward to reading Rafe, Winter and Bel's story because the brothers are so different that it should be really interesting!!!
Many other characters and underlining powder strangles and deceit going on throughout the vampire population and I think with this book we just scratched the surface. My only regret is starting this series too soon without being able to read the next book right away 😥.
I am really looking forward to reading Rafe, Winter and Bel's story because the brothers are so different that it should be really interesting!!!
September 2, 2024
Cute. Pretty insta-love.
I will definitely be continuing on in this series because I am really intrigued by the rest of the brothers and the overarching plot.
I did not like the narrator but I see books 3-5 have a different narrator so I am still going to continue with these on audio.
I will definitely be continuing on in this series because I am really intrigued by the rest of the brothers and the overarching plot.
I did not like the narrator but I see books 3-5 have a different narrator so I am still going to continue with these on audio.
October 22, 2023
Walked into this series with no clue what to expect, but I'm pretty pleased with it. The mystery kept me on my toes, the action flowed seamlessly, and the romance was sweet. I liked it a lot
October 3, 2020
3,5 stars for a good start of a new series. I liked the World and the characters but it all seemed a bit superficial and it lacked depth.
Nevertheless I am really looking forward to the other, especially Bels
Nevertheless I am really looking forward to the other, especially Bels
April 2, 2023
4.5 stars....finally looks like I've got my vampire mojo back 😄😄😄
January 17, 2021
Q:
It was a slow, haunting song that always made him think of a fox sniffing its way through the underbrush of the forest, slinking along in the low-lying fog until finally catching the scent of a hare. The chase was on. The notes sped up, nipping on each other’s heels, darting here and there. But the hare escaped. The fox looked up, finding himself in a new pasture, the night sky spread wide above him with stars sparkling. The fox felt small and alone, the world pressing down. He slowly slunk back into the safety of the cover of the woods. (c)
Q:
All of his brothers worried Marcus in their own way. Bel tended to get lost in his work. Rafe tended to get lost in his pleasures while trying to run from his personal demons. And Winter just tended to get lost, dropping out of contact for long periods of time. (c)
It was a slow, haunting song that always made him think of a fox sniffing its way through the underbrush of the forest, slinking along in the low-lying fog until finally catching the scent of a hare. The chase was on. The notes sped up, nipping on each other’s heels, darting here and there. But the hare escaped. The fox looked up, finding himself in a new pasture, the night sky spread wide above him with stars sparkling. The fox felt small and alone, the world pressing down. He slowly slunk back into the safety of the cover of the woods. (c)
Q:
All of his brothers worried Marcus in their own way. Bel tended to get lost in his work. Rafe tended to get lost in his pleasures while trying to run from his personal demons. And Winter just tended to get lost, dropping out of contact for long periods of time. (c)
November 11, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
Claiming Marcus starts The Lords of Discord series about four vampire brothers. This first book focuses on the oldest, Marcus, but also introduces the other three brothers as well. It started out interesting with Marcus and the family having to move and Marcus needing an assistant to help with that. Ethan was left an orphan at a young age when a vampire killed his entire family and he has never forgotten and the need for revenge has never quieted. He falls in with a radical anti-vampire group, but then realizes they are not the type of people he wants to be associated with.
The initial interactions with Marcus and Ethan are a little sweet and a little hesitant as there are many reasons they shouldn’t be together. Marcus is a virgin and still can’t accept being attracted to men and he’s not sure if he can trust Ethan, and Ethan can’t wrap his head around falling for a vampire. Marcus and his brothers are wealthy men, but it is never disclosed what Marcus does or where all the money comes from; it seemed like vampires are supposed to be wealthy and so they were. The book then moves in a lot of different directions with many different storylines and not all of those worked for me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3 stars
Claiming Marcus starts The Lords of Discord series about four vampire brothers. This first book focuses on the oldest, Marcus, but also introduces the other three brothers as well. It started out interesting with Marcus and the family having to move and Marcus needing an assistant to help with that. Ethan was left an orphan at a young age when a vampire killed his entire family and he has never forgotten and the need for revenge has never quieted. He falls in with a radical anti-vampire group, but then realizes they are not the type of people he wants to be associated with.
The initial interactions with Marcus and Ethan are a little sweet and a little hesitant as there are many reasons they shouldn’t be together. Marcus is a virgin and still can’t accept being attracted to men and he’s not sure if he can trust Ethan, and Ethan can’t wrap his head around falling for a vampire. Marcus and his brothers are wealthy men, but it is never disclosed what Marcus does or where all the money comes from; it seemed like vampires are supposed to be wealthy and so they were. The book then moves in a lot of different directions with many different storylines and not all of those worked for me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
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