What do you think?
Rate this book
The Marked #1
Blood and Fire
My name is Ruby Monroe, but most people know me by my other name: the One-eyed Hawk.
Back in the day, I wanted to be a superhero, hunt down bad guys and make them pay for doing bad things. Four years later, I'm still paying the price for thinking that there is such a thing as justice in the world. The only thing I have left of that life is a blind eye and the stupid nickname.
When the woman who raised me goes missing, I have no choice but to go back to my old home to find her. As if that wasn't bad enough, some supervillain-wannabe starts kidnapping the most powerful magians in the city, and I somehow always end up in the wrong place, at the wrong time. The authorities are looking for someone to blame, and who better to take the fall than an already wanted murderer?
Lucky for me, I don't give two shits about what people think. With the help of a walking, talking flame-thrower named Logan, who just so happens to be as hot as the fire he makes with his hands, I'm going to have to do the impossible and bring justice to this lawless city for once.
Better watch out, Mr. Bad Guy. Ruby Monroe is in town, and she's coming for you.
Back in the day, I wanted to be a superhero, hunt down bad guys and make them pay for doing bad things. Four years later, I'm still paying the price for thinking that there is such a thing as justice in the world. The only thing I have left of that life is a blind eye and the stupid nickname.
When the woman who raised me goes missing, I have no choice but to go back to my old home to find her. As if that wasn't bad enough, some supervillain-wannabe starts kidnapping the most powerful magians in the city, and I somehow always end up in the wrong place, at the wrong time. The authorities are looking for someone to blame, and who better to take the fall than an already wanted murderer?
Lucky for me, I don't give two shits about what people think. With the help of a walking, talking flame-thrower named Logan, who just so happens to be as hot as the fire he makes with his hands, I'm going to have to do the impossible and bring justice to this lawless city for once.
Better watch out, Mr. Bad Guy. Ruby Monroe is in town, and she's coming for you.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2020
273 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 10, 2020
Ruby is on her own for the past 4 years, ever since she ran from her conclave. She is wanted for crime by the Magican Ministry. The incident caused her to lose sight one eye, her best friend lost her life and her magic was taken from her. She is hiding in Nashville, when a guy comes to her. He tells her that her Nana was taken, he said she sent him. Ruby said she would never go back, but she will for her Nana.
She gets to the her Nana's enclave. She sees for herself that it what the guy said is correct. Her Nana was taken, there is enough evidence. She is surprised by an attorney that says her Nana left the enclave to her. While she is looking a Ministry agent shows up. He leaves her, promises more agents will come.
Ruby meets another man named Logan, he is after her Nana. He wants see her dead and won't tell her why. Ruby and Logan team up to find the truth of what is going. They are on a dangerous track. This person seems to be able to do magic only high priests can. They will follow the leads. They turn to the detective that wants to lock her up. Together they will try to find the missing people and stop whatever is going. What Ruby doesn't see is the one of them is working with the enemy will turn against her at the worst time
This book was so good, hooks you from the first page. There will be twists and turns that you will not see coming. The female character is strong survivor that has a lot of flaws. There is great chemistry between her and Logan. This author knows how to draw you, so you can't put down the book. I can't wait to read more from this series.
She gets to the her Nana's enclave. She sees for herself that it what the guy said is correct. Her Nana was taken, there is enough evidence. She is surprised by an attorney that says her Nana left the enclave to her. While she is looking a Ministry agent shows up. He leaves her, promises more agents will come.
Ruby meets another man named Logan, he is after her Nana. He wants see her dead and won't tell her why. Ruby and Logan team up to find the truth of what is going. They are on a dangerous track. This person seems to be able to do magic only high priests can. They will follow the leads. They turn to the detective that wants to lock her up. Together they will try to find the missing people and stop whatever is going. What Ruby doesn't see is the one of them is working with the enemy will turn against her at the worst time
This book was so good, hooks you from the first page. There will be twists and turns that you will not see coming. The female character is strong survivor that has a lot of flaws. There is great chemistry between her and Logan. This author knows how to draw you, so you can't put down the book. I can't wait to read more from this series.
January 12, 2021
Well ill be damned i never saw that plot twist coming. I was so sure i was right about the bad guy too lol.
•
•
This book had me hooked from the start. Ruby is a very interesting character and i thought she was incredibly strong. She returns home after 4 years to investigate a kidnapping of her former mentor to find some seriously weird things going on. I am a sucker for these detective type books where the MC has to investigate, im just sitting there trying to solve everything (not very well might i add). Poor Ruby doesnt have it easy or much luck as everytime she turns up somewhere stuff happens and the MM (the magic police) blame her.
•
•
We meet interesting side characters, i love Naomi i hope we see more of her in book 2. Not sure how i feel about Logan yet we dont know much about him and i feel like he is hiding some pretty serious stuff. I can say im not a fan of Nana, she probably has her reasons but it just seems like everyone is lying to Ruby and i find it weird how she cant remember stuff from her childhood, has Nana erased her memory??? Or maybe i am just reaching and poor Ruby really cant remember. The book ending had me shook so book 2 here i come. In conclusion to this essay i highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the paranormal genre or just want a nice good read with some sass thrown in.
•
•
This book had me hooked from the start. Ruby is a very interesting character and i thought she was incredibly strong. She returns home after 4 years to investigate a kidnapping of her former mentor to find some seriously weird things going on. I am a sucker for these detective type books where the MC has to investigate, im just sitting there trying to solve everything (not very well might i add). Poor Ruby doesnt have it easy or much luck as everytime she turns up somewhere stuff happens and the MM (the magic police) blame her.
•
•
We meet interesting side characters, i love Naomi i hope we see more of her in book 2. Not sure how i feel about Logan yet we dont know much about him and i feel like he is hiding some pretty serious stuff. I can say im not a fan of Nana, she probably has her reasons but it just seems like everyone is lying to Ruby and i find it weird how she cant remember stuff from her childhood, has Nana erased her memory??? Or maybe i am just reaching and poor Ruby really cant remember. The book ending had me shook so book 2 here i come. In conclusion to this essay i highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the paranormal genre or just want a nice good read with some sass thrown in.
December 23, 2022
She has only one eye and her magic is locked away.
Ruby Monroe has been on the run for four years. She has tried to keep her head down because there is a price on her head.
Four years ago her best friend died and her enclave leader stripped her of her magic for the incident since several people died that night.
When she gets recognized twice in one night, once by her nickname and the other time by her real name, all her troubles begin again. A stranger tells her that the woman who locked her magic is missing and that the last thing she told him to do was to find Ruby. He tells her that she must find her father, which she doesn't understand since he died years ago.
Ruby decides to find out what happened to the leader of the enclave herself. She just ends up with more questions and is being chased by many people. She is also kidnapped by a Pyro who thinks she is the enclave leader, and when he finds out she is not, he decides to help her find them.
This is just the beginning of the adventure. It has twists, and if you like solving puzzles, then you may enjoy this one.
Ruby Monroe has been on the run for four years. She has tried to keep her head down because there is a price on her head.
Four years ago her best friend died and her enclave leader stripped her of her magic for the incident since several people died that night.
When she gets recognized twice in one night, once by her nickname and the other time by her real name, all her troubles begin again. A stranger tells her that the woman who locked her magic is missing and that the last thing she told him to do was to find Ruby. He tells her that she must find her father, which she doesn't understand since he died years ago.
Ruby decides to find out what happened to the leader of the enclave herself. She just ends up with more questions and is being chased by many people. She is also kidnapped by a Pyro who thinks she is the enclave leader, and when he finds out she is not, he decides to help her find them.
This is just the beginning of the adventure. It has twists, and if you like solving puzzles, then you may enjoy this one.
June 23, 2020
Stupefied. Awestruck
What a roller coaster of action?! From the start we are following the viewpoint of Ruby Monroe aka One-Eyed Hawk. She’s a wanted criminal who’s evaded authorities for four years. The history of how Ruby came to be where she is, is told throughout her search for Nana. Given this quest, Ruby accumulates unwanted partners pyro mage Logan Haines and tiger-shifter MM Detective Ryan Dumont. Mages, shifters, ogres and humans are just a sample of the creatures Ruby has encountered. There are more creatures and the story is kinetic and dynamic. I enjoyed Ruby’s personality as she tries to keep the cool tough girl persona and the mysteries she solves amazes me. The ending? Stellar. I won’t reveal because spoiler and it definitely has book 2 on my preorder list. I want to see what happens next!
What a roller coaster of action?! From the start we are following the viewpoint of Ruby Monroe aka One-Eyed Hawk. She’s a wanted criminal who’s evaded authorities for four years. The history of how Ruby came to be where she is, is told throughout her search for Nana. Given this quest, Ruby accumulates unwanted partners pyro mage Logan Haines and tiger-shifter MM Detective Ryan Dumont. Mages, shifters, ogres and humans are just a sample of the creatures Ruby has encountered. There are more creatures and the story is kinetic and dynamic. I enjoyed Ruby’s personality as she tries to keep the cool tough girl persona and the mysteries she solves amazes me. The ending? Stellar. I won’t reveal because spoiler and it definitely has book 2 on my preorder list. I want to see what happens next!
February 2, 2021
Good
**Slight cliffhanger**
When a stranger tells Ruby that the woman who raised her has been kidnapped, she heads back to her hometown of Richmond to find her.
A wanted woman, Ruby has to dodge the authorities, as well as someone who seemingly wants her dead...
This is a fast paced, action packed urban fantasy. Set in an alternate universe where magic is not only real, but a major part of societal structure, it has a plethora of magical beings, unusual magical abilities and an intriguing setup.
There is a little cliffhanger at the end... not a horrible one, the mystery and issues were solved, but many questions are unanswered and an ongoing story remains incomplete.
Fortunately the other books in the series are already out, so no need to wait!
An entertaining addition to any urban fantasy library, fans of the genre and the author are sure to enjoy it.
**Slight cliffhanger**
When a stranger tells Ruby that the woman who raised her has been kidnapped, she heads back to her hometown of Richmond to find her.
A wanted woman, Ruby has to dodge the authorities, as well as someone who seemingly wants her dead...
This is a fast paced, action packed urban fantasy. Set in an alternate universe where magic is not only real, but a major part of societal structure, it has a plethora of magical beings, unusual magical abilities and an intriguing setup.
There is a little cliffhanger at the end... not a horrible one, the mystery and issues were solved, but many questions are unanswered and an ongoing story remains incomplete.
Fortunately the other books in the series are already out, so no need to wait!
An entertaining addition to any urban fantasy library, fans of the genre and the author are sure to enjoy it.
June 30, 2020
Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two...3 syllables..O...M...G. we meet magic locked mage Ruby, who has been on thr run for the past few years until another mage seeks her out and tells her Nana has been taken. That right there stopped Ruby from running...instead she went back to Nanas Enclave and found a whole lot of bloodshed and no Nana...how is that possible...she physically can't leave the house. On top of that she's got a MM shifter cop on her tail and a guy named Logan helping her so he can kill Nana. All the Masters are gone except for 2 and no one can give Ruby an answers. Shes agreed to help the cop Dumont but strange things keep happening. Ruby has no choice but to trust her intuition. A story full of intrigue, drama, black magic and a lot of OMGs.
June 22, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. This is the first book I have read by this author and I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised. It caught me into the story right from the beginning. Urban fantasies are often predictable and this one really was not. There were many interesting plot twists and surprises throughout. It did end on a cliffhanger, which is to be expected I suppose since it is the first in a series, so that was of course a little frustrating but I will definitely be reading the next edition when it comes out and may check out a few of the author’s other books. :-)
January 11, 2021
Better than I thought it would be
I thought this book started out a little slow, but it eventually sucks you in. Ruby is living her life in a different city than the one she grew up in and trying to keep her head down because of the bounty on her head. unfortunately, she is recognized and is going to have to run again before the law catches her. Before she runs, she is confronted by a former student of the woman who raised her. Ruby ends up going back to look for this woman and tries not to be put in prison. Ruby’s magic has been locked away and now she has to confront powerful magic with only her wits and weapons. This book turned out to be pretty good. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I thought this book started out a little slow, but it eventually sucks you in. Ruby is living her life in a different city than the one she grew up in and trying to keep her head down because of the bounty on her head. unfortunately, she is recognized and is going to have to run again before the law catches her. Before she runs, she is confronted by a former student of the woman who raised her. Ruby ends up going back to look for this woman and tries not to be put in prison. Ruby’s magic has been locked away and now she has to confront powerful magic with only her wits and weapons. This book turned out to be pretty good. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Read
September 23, 2020Blood and Fire (The Marked #1), my first read/listen from author D.N. Hoxa, an author I'd wanted to read for some time and never got around to. I was given a Kindle copy of this book and I'm voluntarily reading & reviewing it because every great book needs reviews. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author and I definitely need to read more in this series, in fact I just went out and got Deadly Secrets (The Marked Book, #2)! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
June 20, 2020
I loved this! Ruby has a lot of baggage that is left as a mystery, which I hope is explained in further books. Even so, when she finds that she is needed to help someone from her past, so goes immediately. However, she has to act fast to save her mentor, and has no idea who she can trust to help, and who is actually in on the plot. Anxiously awaiting the next book after that action packed and cliff hanging ending!
September 2, 2020
Good!
Way more than I expected.
I enjoyed the personality in the writing and in the main character. It was decently amusing near the beginning and serious near the end.
Action packed. Kind of a mystery. Or, at least, crime solving. Also had a little betrayal in there, which is always great for a storyline.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Fast read. Picked it up and didn't put it back down until I finished it.
Way more than I expected.
I enjoyed the personality in the writing and in the main character. It was decently amusing near the beginning and serious near the end.
Action packed. Kind of a mystery. Or, at least, crime solving. Also had a little betrayal in there, which is always great for a storyline.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Fast read. Picked it up and didn't put it back down until I finished it.
June 18, 2020
I liked the heroine, snarky kick ass thing.
Although she could fight like a ninja, she wasn't always the best of tactics which made me wonder how she was able to survive so long.
What I liked: snarky butt-kicking heroine with a heart of gold trying to do the right thing. Good plot and fast paced, interesting twist.
What I didn't like so much: the sexual tension everywhere she was going or everyone she was meeting. Every male character and even a strip club distracted her. She was also easily distracted from her mission e.g. by Naomi.
Although she could fight like a ninja, she wasn't always the best of tactics which made me wonder how she was able to survive so long.
What I liked: snarky butt-kicking heroine with a heart of gold trying to do the right thing. Good plot and fast paced, interesting twist.
What I didn't like so much: the sexual tension everywhere she was going or everyone she was meeting. Every male character and even a strip club distracted her. She was also easily distracted from her mission e.g. by Naomi.
June 29, 2020
First let me state that I received an advanced reader copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review.
Holy shiznet!!! This book was good. It started a little slow, but picked up pace quickly. This author sure knows how to keep you riveted to a story. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
Holy shiznet!!! This book was good. It started a little slow, but picked up pace quickly. This author sure knows how to keep you riveted to a story. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
July 2, 2020
Ruby's journey is filled with tons of action and adventure with friendship, laughs and a dash of romance. I really like the world th author has created and I had a hard time putting this book down because I really wanted to know what happened next. I am completely invested in Ruby! The ending is fatastically frustrating and I can't wait for book 2
July 31, 2020
Blood and Fire by D.N. Hoxa is such an awesome story to read. This is book number one in this awesome start to a brand new series that I can not wait to read the rest of this series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic and fantasy in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 17, 2020
Fascinating paranormal adventure
A very surprising first book in a new series. A battle weary, misguided and misunderstood ex magician turned outlaw trying to do what's right. I could hardly put the story down and I am already looking forward to the next book. Possibly my favorite Hoxa story.
A very surprising first book in a new series. A battle weary, misguided and misunderstood ex magician turned outlaw trying to do what's right. I could hardly put the story down and I am already looking forward to the next book. Possibly my favorite Hoxa story.
June 22, 2020
A good story. A lot of excitement, danger and intrigue. Different from what I thought when I read the what the story is all about. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 25, 2020
Lot of running through the city. And
I hope that’s it. Character development done. City landscape done. No let’s get to a really hearty plot in the next boom shall we?
Do in other words, slow plot. Crazy slow. And ended on a cliff hanger. Hate that. So three stars
I hope that’s it. Character development done. City landscape done. No let’s get to a really hearty plot in the next boom shall we?
Do in other words, slow plot. Crazy slow. And ended on a cliff hanger. Hate that. So three stars
April 20, 2021
Blood and Fire, book 1 of The Marked series, is an ebook I downloaded from Kindle Unlimited. I kinda liked this story. Lots of cliches, but they worked well collectively to construct an interesting protagonist and a fresh storyline. I'll admit, I hadn't expected to get so caught up in the story.
July 14, 2020
This book was engaging and fun. I liked it. Will read the next one.
August 8, 2020
Cliffhanger
I deeply dislike cliffhangers. It’s lazy writing at its finest. If your stories are good people will read the next story without the cliffhanger.
I deeply dislike cliffhangers. It’s lazy writing at its finest. If your stories are good people will read the next story without the cliffhanger.
January 28, 2021
😻
This was really good. A bit confusing at times though. For sure a crap ton of twisted plots. Hopefully find more stuff out I. The next book.
This was really good. A bit confusing at times though. For sure a crap ton of twisted plots. Hopefully find more stuff out I. The next book.
February 20, 2021
DNI
I could not get into this book. There is no world building, there’s just a big information dump that completely drowns out the characters.
I could not get into this book. There is no world building, there’s just a big information dump that completely drowns out the characters.
March 23, 2021
New to me author
Enjoyable KU read that had me hooked from the start! Ended on a small cliffhanger so I'm hoping the next book is available!
Enjoyable KU read that had me hooked from the start! Ended on a small cliffhanger so I'm hoping the next book is available!
July 28, 2021
Went into my DNF pile. Just couldn't warm to the MC.
December 25, 2022
Interesting premise, and I like the characters we meet, but towards the middle it kind of dragged...a lot. DNF at 70% I just couldn't find myself caring enough to finish.
October 21, 2025
Ruby, the One Eyed Hawk ninja, goes searching for her mage Nana who has been kidnapped, is helped by Pyro Logan. Aged 12yr+. Short. Urban magic.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews