Marrow: Book One

by Alex Blythe

Latham is The Head Hunter's son. Marrow is his home. A peaceful settlement, or so it appears on the surface, however deep underneath its foundation, runs a river of lies.

Lies turn to rot, a malignant energy that seeps into the soul.

With Marrow vulnerable to the dark energy holding sway over their community, can Latham unravel the buried secrets of the past before the rot sets in?

Marrow: Book One, is the first installment in a fantasy series.

Genres: Ebooks

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2020

Reviews

[minaal.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest. When Alex reached out I was hesitant about reviewing her book as I've never read fantasy & I didn't want to do her a disservice. She is just so lovely though and told me that I'd still enjoy it so how could I say no?

Now let me paint a picture. I arrived in London on June 24th after not seeing my family for a year. I spent the first 3 days reading this book. Sorry, what family? I was hooked!

Marrow takes place in what I imagine to be beautiful highlands. Living there is a peaceful community who are led by Brae; The Head Hunter. There is a dark undercurrent in the form of rot that's trying to threaten the community. Rot eats up its inhabitants from the inside until nothing good is left. Told through multiple POV, we follow Brae, his son Latham & other community members as they try to keep the people of Marrow safe & stop the rot from setting in.

Alex fully transported me into this other world. She did an excellent job with the description, the plot & the character development. She's even created a playlist on Spotify to correspond with the book. To be fully immersed, I listened to the tracks as I read & now I'm not so sure why all books don't come with their own playlist. The music made me feel like I was there & helped me to further visualise everything I was reading about. My favourite aspect of the book was the Astral Realm & the cords that tie people together. You don't know what I'm referring to, I know. But you will when you read it.

Readers, if you're thinking you don't like fantasy, don't let that put you off. Remember, I wasn't a fan either. I don't know what the ingredients for fantasy are but when I told Alex I hadn't read fantasy before she described this book as a hybrid & I think that's the perfect word for it as there is a little bit of everything; love, loss, betrayal, fear, a little bit of magic, community and family.

This book is on Kindle right now & I'm going to recommend you download it because it's super cheap & worth every penny.

Now I just have to wait in anticipation for Book Two and Three.

Thank you so much Alex for asking me to review this book.

[Leslie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Thing is the darkness is catching and when bad energy wins...we all lose." - Marrow, Alex Blythe
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Rating: 4/5 🌟
Author: Alex Blythe
Publisher: KDP
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I really REALLY enjoyed this book! It’s a fantastic dark fantasy. Latham is precious I just want to protect him. I loved seeing his character development. Thora is just the best! She is so genuine and down to earth. I really connected with her! The world building is spot on!! I felt like I was in an alternate highland setting. The magic system was really interesting and I can’t wait to learn more about it. I am really looking forward to the next installment!

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author

Thanks to the author for reaching out and letting me know about this book. I was able to purchase it for free and read it.

This story was very different from what I’ve ever read before. I believe the people were either Scottish or Welsh descent and seemed primitive, however, they could connect to this spiritual realm called the Astral Plane. This allowed them to be connected by “cords” to each other, especially loved ones or those closest to each other, and to life all around them.

However, there is a darkness that exists there called the Black Omen that is trying to get out.

I love stories that involve family, and this story focused a lot on family and how love and loyalty can overlook wrongs or imperfections of others.

I enjoyed watching the growth of the young ones and seeing them learn about their clan’s history and becoming their own people.

The Astral Plane was and interesting take on mental connection amongst others. It was different from other books I’ve read and I appreciate the uniqueness of it.

I liked the story, it just didn’t completely grab my attention. The ending did have a bit of a twist, which I always love, and left a nice cliffhanger for the next book. I’m still unsure whether I will continue the series, but I will consider it.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marrow is an incredibly immersive story and gripped me from the beginning. It even comes with its own playlist which I used to accompany some of my reading and it really did add atmosphere! The only reason I didn’t use it throughout was because I do most my reading late at night.

The book perfectly depicts life, loss and love - platonic and romantic. How we are bound together with those we love and how those bonds are strengthened or broken.

Part 1 was very fast paced and had me on the edge of my chair. It really gripped you into the story, especially with the inclusion of a baddie that you love to hate. I could only compare them to Scar from the Lion King because that’s who I thought of but maybe that’s just me!

There were a few parts where I would have liked a bit more detail and explanation. I’m not sure if this was done to keep the intrigue and leave room to expand in the next book, I couldn’t tell. However, it would have been nice to just get a bit more.

Overall, it was a brilliant book with loveable characters that you really invest yourself in and want to root for! It was a beautiful way of thinking about things and I’m really looking forward to where the story will take the reader next.

[Beware the Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latham is on a hunting party with his father, who is the leader of the people, and other men from his home. Things go wrong when he's wounded and his father does something that makes his people question his sanity. Their magic isn't enough to know who to trust and who is lying.⠀
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This is a fun story that's so original. The characters are well-formed, the writing is done well, and the plot is amazing! I definitely recommend this one to fans of fantasy and give it four stars. ⠀

[Katie Ann Majeski-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced fantasy with just enough magic for my liking without getting carried away. The basic magical element is that the characters of Marrow have an Astral Sense (kind of like a sixth sense, but not the Bruce Willis kind) that allows them to sense the energies of those they have close bonds with. I found the concept really interesting and I enjoyed the intrigue and betrayal that was central to the plot. Such a cliffhanger though! Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Mrs J Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

This is not the type of book I would normally read, but I must say it was brilliant!!!
The author draws you into the story, it’s as if you are there living it along with the characters, and her description of them and their lives, and the surroundings they live in, just come to life and takes you on the journey with them.
The end is a real cliffhanger, and I honestly can’t wait for the next book to come out, just hope I don’t have to wait too long.

[em stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping novel...Read in one sitting!
One of the most interesting novels I have read for a long time...
Creative and all consuming it takes you on a long journey you won’t want to end... unputdownable, leaves you wishing for Book 2!!!
You won’t be disappointed !

[jon cj hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable and easy to read books I've come across in a long time! Looking forward to the next installment!

[Lucy Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, fast paced & that ending 🙌🏼 can’t wait for the second instalment!