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The Marionettes #1
The Marionettes
Vampire Academy meets True Blood in this dark and spicy New Adult Fantasy Romance series.
A betrayal. A deadly secret. An unlikely ally.
Valerie Darkmore’s entire life has been building up to this moment—her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she’d thought.
The academy is full of sabotage and secrets as the tasks begin, and Valerie quickly realizes she has more than her spot on the line. Her survival seems just as uncertain.
The closer she gets to the final trial, the more she learns everything—and everyone—around her isn’t quite what it seems.
The Marionettes is a dark and twisty paranormal series about a mysterious, broody vampire prince and an infamous, stubborn blood witch forced to work together. Inspired by The Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, and True Blood, The Marionettes is best suited for mature readers with a taste for angst, forced proximity, a little blood, and a little spice. The Marionettes Series (in order): Other titles by Katie Wismer (contemporary stand-alones)
A betrayal. A deadly secret. An unlikely ally.
Valerie Darkmore’s entire life has been building up to this moment—her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she’d thought.
The academy is full of sabotage and secrets as the tasks begin, and Valerie quickly realizes she has more than her spot on the line. Her survival seems just as uncertain.
The closer she gets to the final trial, the more she learns everything—and everyone—around her isn’t quite what it seems.
The Marionettes is a dark and twisty paranormal series about a mysterious, broody vampire prince and an infamous, stubborn blood witch forced to work together. Inspired by The Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, and True Blood, The Marionettes is best suited for mature readers with a taste for angst, forced proximity, a little blood, and a little spice. The Marionettes Series (in order): Other titles by Katie Wismer (contemporary stand-alones)
273 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2021
2036 people are currently reading
37065 people want to read
About the author
Katie Wismer
13 books3,642 followersKatie Wismer writes books with a little blood and a little spice (sometimes contemporary, sometimes romantasy.)
Be the first to know about upcoming projects, exclusive content, and more by signing up for her newsletter at katiewismer.com. Signed books are also available on her website, and she posts monthly bonus content on her Patreon (including a Patreon-exclusive book!)
When she's not reading, writing, or wrangling her two perfect cats, you can find her on her YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
Be the first to know about upcoming projects, exclusive content, and more by signing up for her newsletter at katiewismer.com. Signed books are also available on her website, and she posts monthly bonus content on her Patreon (including a Patreon-exclusive book!)
When she's not reading, writing, or wrangling her two perfect cats, you can find her on her YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 967 reviews
September 18, 2021
If you wanted to turn your brain off and enjoy some fast paced paranormal shit (not derogatory in the slightest), oh boy do I have news for u
November 17, 2021
4.5 star rating
78% rating
If you liked:
➖Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
➖The Vampire Diaries
➖Vampire academy
➖Vampire knight
➖The Inheritance Game
➖City of Bones
➖Twilight
➖Hush Hush
➖The Bridge Kingdom
➖From Blood and Ash
Then you should pick up The Marionettes because you’ll enjoy it
This is going to be very long and packed full of spoilers📈 so if you haven't read the book, turn away because you will be spoiled a lot and confused.
what you are about to read is basically a jumble of my thoughts throughout reading the book. If you just want to read my ‘final thoughts’ just scroll down until you see it.
The % is how far I was into the book.
27%
when I started reading this book my mind was like “what’s happening, what-what, what’s going on??”
A lot was just happening and I’m left: 😦
I was also getting quickly confused. There was so many characters that were getting introduced I was forgetting everyone’s name.
This book takes a moment to sink in. The world and pacing does not slow down for you to catch up. You’re either on board the train or you’re running after it trying to keep up.
I’m serious, there are so many things that have happened in such little time. lm trying to process it all piece by piece.
My first question is: I really want to know why becoming a marionette is so important to Valerie. I know there’s family stuff and she doesn’t want to be one of those witches telling humans their futures.
But she just avoided watching her mother yank out a poor girl's teeth for a literal evil queen… if she can’t handle that, why would she want a place in that social class? My theory is that it has something to do with her sister. Or the fact that the marionettes are the most privileged out of all the witches.
Because it was brought up that witches of necromancy are no more. But my theory is that Valerie’s family is trying to bring her sister back to life and that has something to do with Valerie's ambitions of being a powerful marionette.
And because of the sister, I think that has something to do with Valerie's healing acting up. Maybe the mother is using her as a source to bring the daughter back and that’s why she brushed her off so easily when she realised her injury.
ALSO!!! Wtf is up with her mom having like blades in her nails! Like you know not to mess with her.
But also imagine playing with your hair and then Oops 20strands of hair were just accidentally cut off.
I’m a bit confused on names with Valerie's friends, I’m struggling to picture them a certain way because I may have forgotten their description. I just remember that one can turn into a cat and one smokes and went skinny dipping.
Now, this prince. This boy probably has a good heart… or will probably stab the MC in the back and I’ll probably like him more🤣😭
But anyway, I’m guessing he’s in charge of tracking down a vigilante or something. It can’t be someone more evil could it? Cause then we gotta deal with that guy and this boy's mother.
Also, are these vampires so blunt and self-absorbed… maybe even stupid? Because they didn’t even think to make a deal or compromise with the prisoner!
Did this vampire really spend ages trying to get information out of someone just to get Valerie to easily do it?
Maybe Reginald just really didn't do anything and just needed to test Valerie? Or does he only know his powers, and dosnt want to do torture like his mother? So he needed Valerie to try and get information?
I think that’s why the prisoners weren’t scared of him and looked at him like he was a god. Because they could see that he wasn’t like his mother.
Also I was so confused by that raven scene. Did someone kill the raven? Was her pouring blood on it her attempting to bring it back to life? Does that connect back to her sister? Because she’s trying to bring her back and it’s draining her powers away? I was so confused by that scene.
When I read that they have dinner at 3:00am🤣😭 I could never. Imagine being up at 3:00 and be like “time to hang out together and eat.”
I would like to declare that there are 4 songs by Taylor Swift for the books playlist and what amazing taste it is for that.
I’m confused by the different types of witches. Thank god it’s going to be explained later. Because I think it would’ve been too much if they explained all the different witch powers so soon in the book.
The bond thing between a witch and vampire defiantly reminds me of Vampire academy and The vampire diaries. Like what happens if Valerie falls in love with Reginald but she doesn’t want to break the bond because she’s scared that it might remove her feelings and she's scared it will turn out to be fake?
What if R turns out to be the bad guy and she’s bonded to him!
If you asked me what was happening when Valerie had to put mud on her cheeks and she could sense her sisters spirit… yea I could not tell you what was happening there.
My brain cells were like galaxies in the universe at that point. My brain cells were too far apart and a thought couldn’t be comprehended by me. But I’m assuming they were trying to connect her spirit, or keep her spirit connected to the real/human world. I don’t think they were trying to raise her from the dead yet, they obviously did not have what they needed to do that.
And how can we not talk about the queen and her crown with her husband's teeth! Does she have a weird teeth thing? There’s a bunch of human teeth and then two vampire teeth that are her husbands. What’s the gossip? Please tell.
But the fact that Connor is a servant and he walked into their room having more attitude towards Valerie's mother more than Valerie😭🤣!
I have respect for that. Because he was able to stand up for Valerie when he knew she needed it. But omg, why didn’t her mother act out like you expect her to?
I don’t know what to think about the scene where Valerie walks in on Connor being railed and then drunk from. Because I understand why she’s mad. But from Connor’s standpoint he didn’t seem like he was in a position of consent. He even said himself that he couldn’t say no. I don’t know if he means he just can’t say no to more money or if he feels pressured to go along with what the vampires want. It’s icky at the moment.
40%
So, this random vampire obviously has to do with the guy R is trying to find.
I wonder; because humans are obviously aware of witches and either don’t like them or are uncomfortable by them.
I wonder if the random vampire that attacked at their school was a human who had a thing against witches and so he was turned into a vampire. Because this mystery guy knew the newly vampire would attack the witches without question.
I’m so glad cat girl talked about the situation Connor is in. Because she’s right, they’ll never know what it’s like for him. He’s desperate for money and there is such a huge power imbalance between humans and vampires.
46%
Of course vampire venom that can become addictive gets turned into an alcohol for a party😑.
“A couple of vampires from town are in attendance tonight as well, swaying along to the drums and sucking at the wrists of their human companions.” Why is this legal, 😖 electric chair.
Okay, so calliope probably died from her addiction to the venom. Explains Valerie rejecting the venom alcohol.
So Kirby= the nice, cheerful one
Monroe= cat girl.
51%
Okay, at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to care about Valerie and Regionals romance, but now they’re growing on me ☺️
55%
“I moan and dig my teeth deeper into her neck, desperate for more.”
Wwwwwwttttttttffffffff is she a vampire wtf ejandhajdbwibdbwjd wbjenzj hjbjszvjwbshsjsbsbsb
😏
😉
63%
“I—my mother gave it to me.”
It’s probably not her mother. Someone probably just snuck into her room and mixed the poison into her perfume.
We don’t know who her father is. That’s probably got something to do with her being half vampire. Unless someone like her mother wanted to make her stronger so she made her a half vampire.
Oh, wait, that’s so cool. I didn’t even think of that. Because vampires are dead, necromancers can control them with enough power. Maybe her mother wanted to create a necromancer.
I love how I’m just casually reading about Valerie’s vampire senses acting up, and how she knows she badly needs to pass this test but she can’t because everything is just too loud for her, and then the writing slides in this line: “Maybe if I can just make it to one of the breaks between tests, I can follow someone out when they head to the bathroom—” Like, yes, I love how that was written in 😆. She’s just trying to get by and her newborn vampire side is trying to surface.
I don’t really get why her friends are upset with Regional being the one to figure out where the poison was. Even though he didn't, she just had to say he did for obvious reasons.
If she’s bonded with a vampire doesn't it make sense for the vampire she bonded with to be the one to track it down? Why’s that something to feel left out about🤷♀️? Like your friend was being poisoned, not the best time to be like ‘oh, but why did you leave us out?’ It ain’t about you Kirby!
Also, for a sec I thought Regional had the magical ability to walk in the sun, but no it was just a dream… or was it🤔
Question, does the queen choose who the marionettes are? Because I thought the marionettes are like (in a way) the queen's small little special Army. If that’s the case, couldn’t the queen be like “I know you didn’t choose Valerie to be a part of the marionettes. But I don’t care I want her to be so put her in it.” Or are the marionettes their own seperate thing the queen some how dosnt have power over?
Because I doubt this queen who’s basically evil and wants control, would let the most powerful witches be out of her control.
I’m pretty sure as shown by Vals mother, that the queen would want the marionettes to be her puppets.
Now onto the Russians. I’m excited with how that gets explored. But also, what other storylines are there with other countries? Because I know Connor wants to leave to find better, so what if he goes to like New Zealand and discovers it’s basically real life with no magic?
Anyway, this is addicting
87%
I can’t tell if I always give people the benefit of the doubt or if these friends are just being a little too tone deaf with Valerie. Like girl just found a dead body, found out someone’s trying to poison her, while having an abusive mother and they’re mad that she shut the door on them and is threatening that she better not act out again????? Wtf!
Also, Reginald is always rolling up his sleeves. Like every scene he has it’s mentioned that he’s rolling up his sleeves.
“Why don’t you ask the halfling?”
Reginald, kill her, do it.
YEEEEESSSS! Kiiilllll!
Did- did she just see Reginald fucking someone else🤣. Poor Valerie. She’s walking in on so many people. If she had a dollar for every time, she’d have two dollars, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
I know it wasn’t just a dream because he saw her.
Omfg I completely forgot he was bonded to someone before, and that they tried to kill him. We still don’t know much about him or the other person.
What the fuck is happening with this Dereck guy?!?!? Why is Reginald coming across as the bad guy? I was joking when I thought he would be the bad guy at the start of the book! I was kidding when I thought the twist was that he was just like his mother.
Okay maybe he’s just doing it so his mother doesn't question him?
😶🤭😮 wait a minute. If Reginald has a reputation for killing people… and Connor hasn’t replied back yet in f*cking ages, and Reginald easily smoothes over the fact that Valerie won’t have to worry about other vampires going to Connor… What if Connor’s dead?!?!?
Like did Reginald kill him? Or had he been changing his memory? Wtf is happening?
100%
Oooooppppp I think I understand why there’s a snake on the cover now. Snakes aren’t actually slimy either, so imagine having that thing pulled out of your mouth!
Also did they kill it? You gotta make sure you kill the snake that was somehow put in you!
Okay so Connor isn’t dead yet… but I’m not surprised, he might have to die. Or maybe she doesn’t kill him. But I’m sure Rosemary will. Please don’t tell me it’s another illusion trick where she thinks she kills him but it’s not actually him, that feels so overdone in books.
“I am the law.” 🤣🤣 I can only picture and hear that guy from grown ups 2
Is Connor actually dead though? I have trust issues.
“He glamoured me.
He glamoured me, and now Connor is dead.”
Don’t tell me he actually made her do it. I know he was telling her to and got her to step forward. But made her do it😨!
🤣🤣🤣🤣shit hahaha I was so confused for a second. Blondes a vampire now… so how’s your day going? Mines um, interesting…
Also, I’ve come to the conclusion that Reginald is a mixture of Kaname Kuran and Elijah Mikaelson. But there’s also something else about Reginald’s character and I think that’s... originality…??
📚 My Final Thoughts 📚
To be honest, these aren’t my final thoughts. Because I realise the more I step away from Katie Wismer’s books the more my mind thinks over it and appreciates and understand the book more.
Because the more I look back on this book, the more I love it.
First of all, I just realised that this book incorporates one of my least favourite tropes and that is the school/magic school trope. I’ve just always been bored by it and never cared.
And yet this book pulls it off really well, because Valerie’s life becomes so much more than the school. But also I think this is the only book in the series that involves a school, because this book follows Valerie in her final year.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. Reninald was the most entertaining part of the book and yes it took me a while to memorise his name. I just called him R for the longest time.
He brought the drama, the mystery, the entertainment.
I don’t know how I feel about the friends; Kirby and Monroe. I didn’t like how they would get annoyed by the littlest of things.
➖Valerie finds out she’s being poisoned and has to lie saying Reginald found it because he’s a vampire that could easily smell it. And these friends get upset because Valerie didn’t come to them to find it. What do you want her to say? “Sorry the vampire I bonded with was in my room and accidently sniffed it.”
Why did they feel left out and not included for that? They already helped Valerie identify what the poison was, she didn’t keep them in the dark about it.
Also they got so mad when Valerie shut the door on them. Like I can understand being really offended by that. But then Valerie opened up about how she just found a dead body and they know people are trying to sabotage her, so she’s going through a lot. But one door slam and these friends are like ‘keep this sh*t up and we won’t be your friends anymore.’ Excuse me what!?!?! Maybe just ask Valerie not to act out like that. That seems like a better conclusion.
But then again we don’t really know what’s happening with them outside of Valerie’s life. For example we know Kirby has a crush on the vampire she’s bonded with. So we don’t really know what’s happening with them.
Connor kinda gives Peter Melark best friend vibes... but if this was the hunger games trilogy he’s now in the love triangle side that doesn't win.
The Mystery was very entertaining.
I think that's all I’m going to say. I can’t wait for the sequel.
78% rating
If you liked:
➖Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
➖The Vampire Diaries
➖Vampire academy
➖Vampire knight
➖The Inheritance Game
➖City of Bones
➖Twilight
➖Hush Hush
➖The Bridge Kingdom
➖From Blood and Ash
Then you should pick up The Marionettes because you’ll enjoy it
This is going to be very long and packed full of spoilers📈 so if you haven't read the book, turn away because you will be spoiled a lot and confused.
what you are about to read is basically a jumble of my thoughts throughout reading the book. If you just want to read my ‘final thoughts’ just scroll down until you see it.
The % is how far I was into the book.
27%
when I started reading this book my mind was like “what’s happening, what-what, what’s going on??”
A lot was just happening and I’m left: 😦
I was also getting quickly confused. There was so many characters that were getting introduced I was forgetting everyone’s name.
This book takes a moment to sink in. The world and pacing does not slow down for you to catch up. You’re either on board the train or you’re running after it trying to keep up.
I’m serious, there are so many things that have happened in such little time. lm trying to process it all piece by piece.
My first question is: I really want to know why becoming a marionette is so important to Valerie. I know there’s family stuff and she doesn’t want to be one of those witches telling humans their futures.
But she just avoided watching her mother yank out a poor girl's teeth for a literal evil queen… if she can’t handle that, why would she want a place in that social class? My theory is that it has something to do with her sister. Or the fact that the marionettes are the most privileged out of all the witches.
Because it was brought up that witches of necromancy are no more. But my theory is that Valerie’s family is trying to bring her sister back to life and that has something to do with Valerie's ambitions of being a powerful marionette.
And because of the sister, I think that has something to do with Valerie's healing acting up. Maybe the mother is using her as a source to bring the daughter back and that’s why she brushed her off so easily when she realised her injury.
ALSO!!! Wtf is up with her mom having like blades in her nails! Like you know not to mess with her.
But also imagine playing with your hair and then Oops 20strands of hair were just accidentally cut off.
I’m a bit confused on names with Valerie's friends, I’m struggling to picture them a certain way because I may have forgotten their description. I just remember that one can turn into a cat and one smokes and went skinny dipping.
Now, this prince. This boy probably has a good heart… or will probably stab the MC in the back and I’ll probably like him more🤣😭
But anyway, I’m guessing he’s in charge of tracking down a vigilante or something. It can’t be someone more evil could it? Cause then we gotta deal with that guy and this boy's mother.
Also, are these vampires so blunt and self-absorbed… maybe even stupid? Because they didn’t even think to make a deal or compromise with the prisoner!
Did this vampire really spend ages trying to get information out of someone just to get Valerie to easily do it?
Maybe Reginald just really didn't do anything and just needed to test Valerie? Or does he only know his powers, and dosnt want to do torture like his mother? So he needed Valerie to try and get information?
I think that’s why the prisoners weren’t scared of him and looked at him like he was a god. Because they could see that he wasn’t like his mother.
Also I was so confused by that raven scene. Did someone kill the raven? Was her pouring blood on it her attempting to bring it back to life? Does that connect back to her sister? Because she’s trying to bring her back and it’s draining her powers away? I was so confused by that scene.
When I read that they have dinner at 3:00am🤣😭 I could never. Imagine being up at 3:00 and be like “time to hang out together and eat.”
I would like to declare that there are 4 songs by Taylor Swift for the books playlist and what amazing taste it is for that.
I’m confused by the different types of witches. Thank god it’s going to be explained later. Because I think it would’ve been too much if they explained all the different witch powers so soon in the book.
The bond thing between a witch and vampire defiantly reminds me of Vampire academy and The vampire diaries. Like what happens if Valerie falls in love with Reginald but she doesn’t want to break the bond because she’s scared that it might remove her feelings and she's scared it will turn out to be fake?
What if R turns out to be the bad guy and she’s bonded to him!
If you asked me what was happening when Valerie had to put mud on her cheeks and she could sense her sisters spirit… yea I could not tell you what was happening there.
My brain cells were like galaxies in the universe at that point. My brain cells were too far apart and a thought couldn’t be comprehended by me. But I’m assuming they were trying to connect her spirit, or keep her spirit connected to the real/human world. I don’t think they were trying to raise her from the dead yet, they obviously did not have what they needed to do that.
And how can we not talk about the queen and her crown with her husband's teeth! Does she have a weird teeth thing? There’s a bunch of human teeth and then two vampire teeth that are her husbands. What’s the gossip? Please tell.
But the fact that Connor is a servant and he walked into their room having more attitude towards Valerie's mother more than Valerie😭🤣!
I have respect for that. Because he was able to stand up for Valerie when he knew she needed it. But omg, why didn’t her mother act out like you expect her to?
I don’t know what to think about the scene where Valerie walks in on Connor being railed and then drunk from. Because I understand why she’s mad. But from Connor’s standpoint he didn’t seem like he was in a position of consent. He even said himself that he couldn’t say no. I don’t know if he means he just can’t say no to more money or if he feels pressured to go along with what the vampires want. It’s icky at the moment.
40%
So, this random vampire obviously has to do with the guy R is trying to find.
I wonder; because humans are obviously aware of witches and either don’t like them or are uncomfortable by them.
I wonder if the random vampire that attacked at their school was a human who had a thing against witches and so he was turned into a vampire. Because this mystery guy knew the newly vampire would attack the witches without question.
I’m so glad cat girl talked about the situation Connor is in. Because she’s right, they’ll never know what it’s like for him. He’s desperate for money and there is such a huge power imbalance between humans and vampires.
46%
Of course vampire venom that can become addictive gets turned into an alcohol for a party😑.
“A couple of vampires from town are in attendance tonight as well, swaying along to the drums and sucking at the wrists of their human companions.” Why is this legal, 😖 electric chair.
Okay, so calliope probably died from her addiction to the venom. Explains Valerie rejecting the venom alcohol.
So Kirby= the nice, cheerful one
Monroe= cat girl.
51%
Okay, at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to care about Valerie and Regionals romance, but now they’re growing on me ☺️
55%
“I moan and dig my teeth deeper into her neck, desperate for more.”
Wwwwwwttttttttffffffff is she a vampire wtf ejandhajdbwibdbwjd wbjenzj hjbjszvjwbshsjsbsbsb
😏
😉
63%
“I—my mother gave it to me.”
It’s probably not her mother. Someone probably just snuck into her room and mixed the poison into her perfume.
We don’t know who her father is. That’s probably got something to do with her being half vampire. Unless someone like her mother wanted to make her stronger so she made her a half vampire.
Oh, wait, that’s so cool. I didn’t even think of that. Because vampires are dead, necromancers can control them with enough power. Maybe her mother wanted to create a necromancer.
I love how I’m just casually reading about Valerie’s vampire senses acting up, and how she knows she badly needs to pass this test but she can’t because everything is just too loud for her, and then the writing slides in this line: “Maybe if I can just make it to one of the breaks between tests, I can follow someone out when they head to the bathroom—” Like, yes, I love how that was written in 😆. She’s just trying to get by and her newborn vampire side is trying to surface.
I don’t really get why her friends are upset with Regional being the one to figure out where the poison was. Even though he didn't, she just had to say he did for obvious reasons.
If she’s bonded with a vampire doesn't it make sense for the vampire she bonded with to be the one to track it down? Why’s that something to feel left out about🤷♀️? Like your friend was being poisoned, not the best time to be like ‘oh, but why did you leave us out?’ It ain’t about you Kirby!
Also, for a sec I thought Regional had the magical ability to walk in the sun, but no it was just a dream… or was it🤔
Question, does the queen choose who the marionettes are? Because I thought the marionettes are like (in a way) the queen's small little special Army. If that’s the case, couldn’t the queen be like “I know you didn’t choose Valerie to be a part of the marionettes. But I don’t care I want her to be so put her in it.” Or are the marionettes their own seperate thing the queen some how dosnt have power over?
Because I doubt this queen who’s basically evil and wants control, would let the most powerful witches be out of her control.
I’m pretty sure as shown by Vals mother, that the queen would want the marionettes to be her puppets.
Now onto the Russians. I’m excited with how that gets explored. But also, what other storylines are there with other countries? Because I know Connor wants to leave to find better, so what if he goes to like New Zealand and discovers it’s basically real life with no magic?
Anyway, this is addicting
87%
I can’t tell if I always give people the benefit of the doubt or if these friends are just being a little too tone deaf with Valerie. Like girl just found a dead body, found out someone’s trying to poison her, while having an abusive mother and they’re mad that she shut the door on them and is threatening that she better not act out again????? Wtf!
Also, Reginald is always rolling up his sleeves. Like every scene he has it’s mentioned that he’s rolling up his sleeves.
“Why don’t you ask the halfling?”
Reginald, kill her, do it.
YEEEEESSSS! Kiiilllll!
Did- did she just see Reginald fucking someone else🤣. Poor Valerie. She’s walking in on so many people. If she had a dollar for every time, she’d have two dollars, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
I know it wasn’t just a dream because he saw her.
Omfg I completely forgot he was bonded to someone before, and that they tried to kill him. We still don’t know much about him or the other person.
What the fuck is happening with this Dereck guy?!?!? Why is Reginald coming across as the bad guy? I was joking when I thought he would be the bad guy at the start of the book! I was kidding when I thought the twist was that he was just like his mother.
Okay maybe he’s just doing it so his mother doesn't question him?
😶🤭😮 wait a minute. If Reginald has a reputation for killing people… and Connor hasn’t replied back yet in f*cking ages, and Reginald easily smoothes over the fact that Valerie won’t have to worry about other vampires going to Connor… What if Connor’s dead?!?!?
Like did Reginald kill him? Or had he been changing his memory? Wtf is happening?
100%
Oooooppppp I think I understand why there’s a snake on the cover now. Snakes aren’t actually slimy either, so imagine having that thing pulled out of your mouth!
Also did they kill it? You gotta make sure you kill the snake that was somehow put in you!
Okay so Connor isn’t dead yet… but I’m not surprised, he might have to die. Or maybe she doesn’t kill him. But I’m sure Rosemary will. Please don’t tell me it’s another illusion trick where she thinks she kills him but it’s not actually him, that feels so overdone in books.
“I am the law.” 🤣🤣 I can only picture and hear that guy from grown ups 2
Is Connor actually dead though? I have trust issues.
“He glamoured me.
He glamoured me, and now Connor is dead.”
Don’t tell me he actually made her do it. I know he was telling her to and got her to step forward. But made her do it😨!
🤣🤣🤣🤣shit hahaha I was so confused for a second. Blondes a vampire now… so how’s your day going? Mines um, interesting…
Also, I’ve come to the conclusion that Reginald is a mixture of Kaname Kuran and Elijah Mikaelson. But there’s also something else about Reginald’s character and I think that’s... originality…??
📚 My Final Thoughts 📚
To be honest, these aren’t my final thoughts. Because I realise the more I step away from Katie Wismer’s books the more my mind thinks over it and appreciates and understand the book more.
Because the more I look back on this book, the more I love it.
First of all, I just realised that this book incorporates one of my least favourite tropes and that is the school/magic school trope. I’ve just always been bored by it and never cared.
And yet this book pulls it off really well, because Valerie’s life becomes so much more than the school. But also I think this is the only book in the series that involves a school, because this book follows Valerie in her final year.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. Reninald was the most entertaining part of the book and yes it took me a while to memorise his name. I just called him R for the longest time.
He brought the drama, the mystery, the entertainment.
I don’t know how I feel about the friends; Kirby and Monroe. I didn’t like how they would get annoyed by the littlest of things.
➖Valerie finds out she’s being poisoned and has to lie saying Reginald found it because he’s a vampire that could easily smell it. And these friends get upset because Valerie didn’t come to them to find it. What do you want her to say? “Sorry the vampire I bonded with was in my room and accidently sniffed it.”
Why did they feel left out and not included for that? They already helped Valerie identify what the poison was, she didn’t keep them in the dark about it.
Also they got so mad when Valerie shut the door on them. Like I can understand being really offended by that. But then Valerie opened up about how she just found a dead body and they know people are trying to sabotage her, so she’s going through a lot. But one door slam and these friends are like ‘keep this sh*t up and we won’t be your friends anymore.’ Excuse me what!?!?! Maybe just ask Valerie not to act out like that. That seems like a better conclusion.
But then again we don’t really know what’s happening with them outside of Valerie’s life. For example we know Kirby has a crush on the vampire she’s bonded with. So we don’t really know what’s happening with them.
Connor kinda gives Peter Melark best friend vibes... but if this was the hunger games trilogy he’s now in the love triangle side that doesn't win.
The Mystery was very entertaining.
I think that's all I’m going to say. I can’t wait for the sequel.
August 31, 2021
2.5
*Disclaimer that I am a follower of Katie Wismer on her YouTube channel katesbookdate*
Despite the rating, there were a lot of aspects of this book that I enjoyed! As other reviewers have mentioned, the writing was addictive and I felt myself reaching for this book over others I was reading at the time. This was likely in part due to the fast pace and plot points that kept me interested.
Unfortunately, the parts of this book that I loved were overshadowed by issues I had with the writing and characters. The main issue I had was with Valerie herself. There was something missing in her characterization that I couldn't put my finger on through the first 30 percent or so of the book. I think it boils down to a lack of insight regarding Valerie's thoughts and feelings about plot points in the book. There was no sense of urgency/suspense/fear for the reader because we were not able to hear or see Valerie's own emotions. For example, her powers aren't working properly the week before her initiation into a group she has worked her whole life to get into and she seems only mildly concerned. The same could be said about the poisoning itself, witnessing murders, being kidnapped, etc. She barely has any thoughts or feelings about life-changing events.
I also was let down by the world building as I didn't have a grasp of how this world works by the end of the novel. I have a vague understanding based on the number of "estates" and know that there is a wild region outside of them but possess no real understanding of who holds the power and control in this world. If the witches possess equal power to the vampires why are they in servitude to them? And what is the history of that servitude? I was left with a lot of questions.
By far the most disappointing aspect was the utilization of Connor as a major plot point at the end of the book. Valerie and Connor's relationship was not fleshed out in any way which made the stakes very low regarding his death/turning. They have been dating for six years and talk a handful of times throughout the book??? We aren't shown how and why Valerie cares about this person and that makes it hard to care about him as a reader.
Despite my not loving this book, there were positive aspects and I will continue to support Katie on her writing journey!
*Disclaimer that I am a follower of Katie Wismer on her YouTube channel katesbookdate*
Despite the rating, there were a lot of aspects of this book that I enjoyed! As other reviewers have mentioned, the writing was addictive and I felt myself reaching for this book over others I was reading at the time. This was likely in part due to the fast pace and plot points that kept me interested.
Unfortunately, the parts of this book that I loved were overshadowed by issues I had with the writing and characters. The main issue I had was with Valerie herself. There was something missing in her characterization that I couldn't put my finger on through the first 30 percent or so of the book. I think it boils down to a lack of insight regarding Valerie's thoughts and feelings about plot points in the book. There was no sense of urgency/suspense/fear for the reader because we were not able to hear or see Valerie's own emotions. For example, her powers aren't working properly the week before her initiation into a group she has worked her whole life to get into and she seems only mildly concerned. The same could be said about the poisoning itself, witnessing murders, being kidnapped, etc. She barely has any thoughts or feelings about life-changing events.
I also was let down by the world building as I didn't have a grasp of how this world works by the end of the novel. I have a vague understanding based on the number of "estates" and know that there is a wild region outside of them but possess no real understanding of who holds the power and control in this world. If the witches possess equal power to the vampires why are they in servitude to them? And what is the history of that servitude? I was left with a lot of questions.
By far the most disappointing aspect was the utilization of Connor as a major plot point at the end of the book. Valerie and Connor's relationship was not fleshed out in any way which made the stakes very low regarding his death/turning. They have been dating for six years and talk a handful of times throughout the book??? We aren't shown how and why Valerie cares about this person and that makes it hard to care about him as a reader.
Despite my not loving this book, there were positive aspects and I will continue to support Katie on her writing journey!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
3.75⭐️
new-adult paranormal fantasy romance
- set at an academy w trials & initiations
- blood witches, vampires, necromancers, & more 🧛
- fast paced, compulsive
- first in a 4 book series
- slow burn!!! no actual romance development between the main couple yet which i LOVE! so sick of couples in fanro series getting together in book one
found it hilarious that the author randomly decided to refer to the MMC as Reid instead of Reginald about 80% thru the book (but honestly thank god because Reginald is a choice) 🤣
some aspects & characters felt a bit underdeveloped
but this was such a fun & quick read!! plus the cliffhanger ending has me wanting to jump into book 2 which i always appreciate ✨
new-adult paranormal fantasy romance
- set at an academy w trials & initiations
- blood witches, vampires, necromancers, & more 🧛
- fast paced, compulsive
- first in a 4 book series
- slow burn!!! no actual romance development between the main couple yet which i LOVE! so sick of couples in fanro series getting together in book one
found it hilarious that the author randomly decided to refer to the MMC as Reid instead of Reginald about 80% thru the book (but honestly thank god because Reginald is a choice) 🤣
some aspects & characters felt a bit underdeveloped
but this was such a fun & quick read!! plus the cliffhanger ending has me wanting to jump into book 2 which i always appreciate ✨
June 2, 2024
4.5 stars
Are you kidding me??? Vampires and witches and secrets and trials???? I signed up for this so quickly, and I was absolutely not disappointed.
For it being the first book in the series, this one definitely kept me on my toes. It was fast paced, action packed, and has me anticipating book two (which is already downloaded on my kindle).
If you’re wanting to read a spooky, gothic, vampire book, this is the one for you. Pick it up, do yourself the favor.
Are you kidding me??? Vampires and witches and secrets and trials???? I signed up for this so quickly, and I was absolutely not disappointed.
For it being the first book in the series, this one definitely kept me on my toes. It was fast paced, action packed, and has me anticipating book two (which is already downloaded on my kindle).
If you’re wanting to read a spooky, gothic, vampire book, this is the one for you. Pick it up, do yourself the favor.
April 20, 2025
this was a waste of my time.
September 2, 2021
I really enjoyed the world of the Marionettes and for the most part really liked the main character, Valerie. However, I still have so many questions and I don't think we got enough in Book 1 to make me want to continue with the series.
It felt like the author decided to randomly end the book halfway or maybe 75% of the way through the story. There are so many unanswered questions that were presented as major plot points. I don't feel that literally anything was resolved. I'm sure these things will be answered in future books, but I need SOMETHING to be answered in Book 1. I really wish we had gotten another 100 pages to make the first book feel more complete.
I also wish that the world was a little more fleshed out. I still have no idea why witches serve the vampires? It seems like they have more powerful abilities. Is this an alternate version of the US? I could have just missed that part, but it wasn't overly obvious I don't think.
I really didn't like the relationship between Valerie and Reginald (who she randomly starts calling Reid at the end?? He tells her to call him that during their first conversation and then she never does until the end of the book). I felt like Reginald had no real personality and the two characters had very little chemistry. I also didn't care for Connor, even though we're supposed to, because there were maybe 3-4 scenes with him in it. He's absent for most of the book and all Valerie thinks is, I guess he doesn't care about me anymore (despite having no history or evidence that this is true).
Overall, I really like the premise of the book and I liked most of what little story there was, I just felt that so much more could have been done with it before publishing.
It felt like the author decided to randomly end the book halfway or maybe 75% of the way through the story. There are so many unanswered questions that were presented as major plot points. I don't feel that literally anything was resolved. I'm sure these things will be answered in future books, but I need SOMETHING to be answered in Book 1. I really wish we had gotten another 100 pages to make the first book feel more complete.
I also wish that the world was a little more fleshed out. I still have no idea why witches serve the vampires? It seems like they have more powerful abilities. Is this an alternate version of the US? I could have just missed that part, but it wasn't overly obvious I don't think.
I really didn't like the relationship between Valerie and Reginald (who she randomly starts calling Reid at the end?? He tells her to call him that during their first conversation and then she never does until the end of the book). I felt like Reginald had no real personality and the two characters had very little chemistry. I also didn't care for Connor, even though we're supposed to, because there were maybe 3-4 scenes with him in it. He's absent for most of the book and all Valerie thinks is, I guess he doesn't care about me anymore (despite having no history or evidence that this is true).
Overall, I really like the premise of the book and I liked most of what little story there was, I just felt that so much more could have been done with it before publishing.
October 21, 2021
There are times when you read a book and you think about it for a week because you either enjoyed it or hated it, it at least makes you have some sort of emotion. This book I have absolutely no idea what it was about. I cannot remember anything that happened and I was a bit bored while reading it as well
September 1, 2021
I really didn’t want to dislike this book. I was really excited about this book and wanted to enjoy the witches and vampires running around together. I watch the author's YouTube channel and greatly enjoy her content I think I’m beginning to learn her books are not for me. That makes me sad but it happens.
What I liked:
- How the blood magic from Valerie was shown, I think it’s cool that she has a little knife on her so she’s ready at any moment.
- I liked the atmosphere at the beginning of the book, the first two chapters really had a dark feel to them and I enjoyed that.
What I didn’t like:
- The main character, Valerie, doesn’t seem to have much of a personality in my opinion. She’s ruled by the fact that she’s from the last line of blood witches - the Darkmores. She was always sick and stumbling around everywhere. She blacks out from something every other chapter and apparently has every talent. Is she a Mary Sue? You’re telling me she’s half-witch, half-vampire but also is a necromancer (it was mention but not explain well in my opinion)? I think her being a Darkmore is an easy cover up so she can stay in the trials even though she walked out during her tests because then there would be no book. It gives her special privileges because she’s one of few blood witches, which just makes her untouchable.
- You jump back and forth between the estate and the academy so much that I felt like I was getting whiplash. She’s moving back and forth between the two I was trying to figure out how she hadn’t missed any class.
- You never find out who is poisoning her to suppress her powers. I figured that would have at least been wrapped up because it seemed relevant to the first book since it’s the main plot for the first half of the book. Unless the people who kidnapped her and used the same poison did it but it never says and she was being poisoned before they ever knew who she was.
- I don’t think enough was explain about the world. Why do the humans have to donate blood to the vampires? Why are the vampires in control? How did the vampires come into control? Why does the Queen want to be allied with the rest of the areas? How is this all divided up? Is this going to be explained in future books because I feel like it would’ve helped build up the world and immersed me into the story more.
- I felt like there were too many scene breaks in each chapter and it really took me out of the story. Some of the scenes were so short and then you were thrown into the next thing it was jarring. I feel it really messed with the feel of the first two chapters and the atmosphere that had been built was lost.
- Conner turned into a Vampire. I thought turning into a vampire had to be approved but a million people before it happened. How are they going to just let him live? Also, I totally saw that coming, there was no way she was going to kill him and then that be it. Reid wouldn’t have pushed so hard if that was the case.
Questions I have (and hope are answered in the future books):
- What is the blood exchange for? Does it make it so the vampire and witches can sense each other? Reid mentions that the bond would be stronger than normal because of Valerie being half-vampire but what does it normally do so we have something to compare it to.
- Are Valerie and the Prince supposed to be a thing? Because they don’t have any chemistry, I don’t feel any tension between them.
- Why does the Queen add teeth to her crown? Is it to prove she’s oh so bad?
- Does the school know that Valerie is half-vampire after being attacked by the wendigo? Where did the wendigo come from? Valerie just whisked away so fast that we don’t get to hear anything about it.
- Whos is James Wescott? Why did the library worker Ryan turn up dead after Valerie asked him about it? How did the school not see him if they do nightly sweeps and he was clearly there for a while?
- Does class happen at night or during the day? Valerie talks about being on the vampires' schedule but then when they're running for class they run for so long it turns to night? Or did they start right before it was night and then it turned dark while they were running?
What I liked:
- How the blood magic from Valerie was shown, I think it’s cool that she has a little knife on her so she’s ready at any moment.
- I liked the atmosphere at the beginning of the book, the first two chapters really had a dark feel to them and I enjoyed that.
What I didn’t like:
- The main character, Valerie, doesn’t seem to have much of a personality in my opinion. She’s ruled by the fact that she’s from the last line of blood witches - the Darkmores. She was always sick and stumbling around everywhere. She blacks out from something every other chapter and apparently has every talent. Is she a Mary Sue? You’re telling me she’s half-witch, half-vampire but also is a necromancer (it was mention but not explain well in my opinion)? I think her being a Darkmore is an easy cover up so she can stay in the trials even though she walked out during her tests because then there would be no book. It gives her special privileges because she’s one of few blood witches, which just makes her untouchable.
- You jump back and forth between the estate and the academy so much that I felt like I was getting whiplash. She’s moving back and forth between the two I was trying to figure out how she hadn’t missed any class.
- You never find out who is poisoning her to suppress her powers. I figured that would have at least been wrapped up because it seemed relevant to the first book since it’s the main plot for the first half of the book. Unless the people who kidnapped her and used the same poison did it but it never says and she was being poisoned before they ever knew who she was.
- I don’t think enough was explain about the world. Why do the humans have to donate blood to the vampires? Why are the vampires in control? How did the vampires come into control? Why does the Queen want to be allied with the rest of the areas? How is this all divided up? Is this going to be explained in future books because I feel like it would’ve helped build up the world and immersed me into the story more.
- I felt like there were too many scene breaks in each chapter and it really took me out of the story. Some of the scenes were so short and then you were thrown into the next thing it was jarring. I feel it really messed with the feel of the first two chapters and the atmosphere that had been built was lost.
- Conner turned into a Vampire. I thought turning into a vampire had to be approved but a million people before it happened. How are they going to just let him live? Also, I totally saw that coming, there was no way she was going to kill him and then that be it. Reid wouldn’t have pushed so hard if that was the case.
Questions I have (and hope are answered in the future books):
- What is the blood exchange for? Does it make it so the vampire and witches can sense each other? Reid mentions that the bond would be stronger than normal because of Valerie being half-vampire but what does it normally do so we have something to compare it to.
- Are Valerie and the Prince supposed to be a thing? Because they don’t have any chemistry, I don’t feel any tension between them.
- Why does the Queen add teeth to her crown? Is it to prove she’s oh so bad?
- Does the school know that Valerie is half-vampire after being attacked by the wendigo? Where did the wendigo come from? Valerie just whisked away so fast that we don’t get to hear anything about it.
- Whos is James Wescott? Why did the library worker Ryan turn up dead after Valerie asked him about it? How did the school not see him if they do nightly sweeps and he was clearly there for a while?
- Does class happen at night or during the day? Valerie talks about being on the vampires' schedule but then when they're running for class they run for so long it turns to night? Or did they start right before it was night and then it turned dark while they were running?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
This book is absolutely fantastic!!!! So many twists and turns, the writing is addictive, I genuinely couldn’t get enough. And the ending!!!!! Oh my god I need the second book right now please! 10/10 recommend this to anyone who loves fast paced paranormal fantasy
October 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I am not surprised I have read a loved everything that Katie has written. But as her first time in the fantasy genre this was so well done! It was fast paced and well plotted! I felt like so much was happening but I was able to keep up very easily and it definitely keeps you on your toes!! The characters were so well written that really sets the rest of the series up for such great character arcs! It was a fun ride from start to finish and I cannot wait for book two!! That cliffhanger!!! Like WTF! December are you here yet????
February 9, 2024
i'm SO glad this is over. i fell asleep countless times!! the bond between the witch & the vampire felt waayy too similar to Violet & her dragon in Fourth Wing & i hated it.
the ending was decent, but the one scene i really enjoyed and made my jaw drop lasted like 2 pages & was left unexplained?? the dialogue also didn't flow well too many times & i found myself rolling my eyes a ton.
the ending was decent, but the one scene i really enjoyed and made my jaw drop lasted like 2 pages & was left unexplained?? the dialogue also didn't flow well too many times & i found myself rolling my eyes a ton.
May 13, 2025
YES PLEASE
January 22, 2025
Is this the best written piece of literature I have read? No. Did I have a damn good time? YES!
We have Vampires, and Witches, an academy setting, and a mystery plot. I was SAT.
The ending was crazy and honestly, I cannot wait to get into the second book. For how short this was, it was super fun.
4.25 for the vibes, and how short this book was. Love!
We have Vampires, and Witches, an academy setting, and a mystery plot. I was SAT.
The ending was crazy and honestly, I cannot wait to get into the second book. For how short this was, it was super fun.
4.25 for the vibes, and how short this book was. Love!
December 29, 2023
This book was being marketed as “Twilight for adults” and “twilight but make it dark.” I personally didn’t get any twilight vibes from it, aside from the fact that there were vampires in it. But I do feel like this is comparable to “The Coven” or “King of Battle and Blood.” Especially because the FMC is a witch and the MMC is a vampire.
The FMC also has to pass a series of tests to make it into this elite group of witches known as “The Marionette’s.” That part gave me a bit of a Hunger Games or Divergent vibe. It wasn’t a competition, more like crazy exams to see if she could make it. I’m not sure what other books I could compare that too.
At the same time she’s a blood witch and her body isn’t healing, she’s completely unsure why because nothing similar had been documented before.
She’s starting to think that maybe someone is sabotaging her or poisoning her so she can’t heal after she draws her blood to perform magic. I liked that part because I haven’t seen that done in another witchy book before.
There wasn’t any spice in this book either and I didn’t think it was too dark, but apparently those aspects develop more throughout the series.
I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I probably will opt to read a different vampire book than to continue the series.
My favorite part of this entire book though is the vampire queen wears a crown made out of human teeth that she yanks out! That part was wild!
The FMC also has to pass a series of tests to make it into this elite group of witches known as “The Marionette’s.” That part gave me a bit of a Hunger Games or Divergent vibe. It wasn’t a competition, more like crazy exams to see if she could make it. I’m not sure what other books I could compare that too.
At the same time she’s a blood witch and her body isn’t healing, she’s completely unsure why because nothing similar had been documented before.
She’s starting to think that maybe someone is sabotaging her or poisoning her so she can’t heal after she draws her blood to perform magic. I liked that part because I haven’t seen that done in another witchy book before.
There wasn’t any spice in this book either and I didn’t think it was too dark, but apparently those aspects develop more throughout the series.
I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I probably will opt to read a different vampire book than to continue the series.
My favorite part of this entire book though is the vampire queen wears a crown made out of human teeth that she yanks out! That part was wild!
September 26, 2021
I’m not a huge fantasy reader, but when I do read it I typically prefer urban fantasy to high fantasy. When the world, magic system, and lore is super complex my brain turns off. So I liked in The Marionettes how it was urban fantasy/paranormal that had some unique takes on vampires, witches, and other supernatural creatures but it wasn’t so complicated that it lost me completely. I enjoyed the mystery plot, it definitely went some places that I wasn’t expecting.
This is a new adult book and the characters are in their 20s, but at times their academy setting didn’t feel all that different from a boarding school for teenagers. It’s definitely apparent that this isn’t a YA book, but I think the author could’ve done more to make the characters feel like their age. Also, I found the writing in the sex scenes to be way too perfunctory. Maybe that was on purpose because they’re not supposed to be steamy because they’ll be contrasted with scenes later on when different characters get together… but they just felt awkward.
Overall I enjoyed how fast paced the story was. The characters weren’t the most unique, but I’m interested in reading more to see where the plot goes next.
This is a new adult book and the characters are in their 20s, but at times their academy setting didn’t feel all that different from a boarding school for teenagers. It’s definitely apparent that this isn’t a YA book, but I think the author could’ve done more to make the characters feel like their age. Also, I found the writing in the sex scenes to be way too perfunctory. Maybe that was on purpose because they’re not supposed to be steamy because they’ll be contrasted with scenes later on when different characters get together… but they just felt awkward.
Overall I enjoyed how fast paced the story was. The characters weren’t the most unique, but I’m interested in reading more to see where the plot goes next.
April 12, 2023
Read this so fast. Really enjoyed this world of vampires and witches and I can’t wait to read more. Reminds me a lot of vampire academy if it was written for adults.
December 22, 2024
Vampire Knight meets GenV in a dark paranormal world where monster attacks seem to be a common part of campus life for university students, and vampires have established a supremacist society where they're worshipped as living gods...
REVIEW: I have to say I wasn't sure going into The Marionettes whether we'd be getting a high fantasy world or an urban fantasy setting, and the unique blend of both was a nice surprise. We're in another world, but a familiar one that feels foreign enough to be both fascinating and at times intimidating, but also familiar enough that we can still make inferences about the world, social structures, and interactions between characters based on our own modern every day experiences: they use cell phones and take trains, they have parties and wear cowboy boots and go to clubs. But they also do blood rituals and sacrifices and blood farms and publicly lynch humans who refuse to 'donate' blood too many times, so it's also a dystopian nightmare, complete with a corrupt monarchy!
I have to say one of the few things that *wasn't* missing for me was a grasp on Valerie as a character. The few bad reviews I saw complained they couldn't click with her, and idk, I didn't have that problem. Valerie is trying to keep her head down and get through as much mandatory bullshit as possible so she can find some semblance of order and balance in her life where she's clearly never had much control or personal say in who she is, where she goes, what she does, etc. I connected with her easily.
Meanwhile the side characters were a mixed-bag. I did like Kirby, Monroe, Daniel, Wes, and Connor, but a lot was left to be desired from them. Overall the main complaint I can readily lodge against this book is that it could have and should have been longer, but the other books in the series all are so it looks like that won't be a problem going forward.
A few more scenes for the supporting cast to shine, particularly Connor, could have made certain elements of this book land with a greater punch, but I was willing to overlook them because it has so much going for it.
An amazing atmosphere: I love the setting. This world felt unique and alive, but still very fantastical and strange. It was dark but not hopeless, corrupt and edgy, but also kind of fascinating and compelling. I enjoyed exploring it and feeling immersed in the fantasy of being a witch at a paranormal university, going through magical tests and chasing after cryptic, dangerous mysteries and conspiracies.
I absolutely loved all of the supernatural elements. The vast array of different kinds of paranormals left nothing off of the table. I knew at any moment that some unique spell or potion of beastie would come into play. Fun!
I've seen people comparing this to The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and I would say it compares to Wednesday fairly as well. It was enough of a spectacle and a production to leave me impressed and appreciative overall. The prose was simple, but compelling and well-done, and it had that page-turner quality of writers like Amanda Hocking and Jennifer L. Armentrout where you can't put it down, every time you say "One last chapter" but then you're still turning the page when it ends...
I found the romance light in this book, which is fine; I think most disappointment from other readers will be from that contingent of romance readers, particularly dark romance booktok readers, who may expect more from this first book, where instead of being in a romance, Valerie and Reid are much more just becoming friends. I appreciated that a lot, actually, there was so much thrown at us in terms of friendships, politics, world-building, and school life, and the mystery, that I found forcing an instant love connection between them would have been too much to balance out. Instead we saw them develop a real friendship and partnership that was complicated and built on mutual parts trust and wariness. They're reluctant friends both making the best of a tough, complicated situation, and I enjoyed watching them size each other up and try to see what to make of one another.
It didn't bother me, because I found that all well-done and interesting. It will make the romance between them mean a lot more once they get to that point because then it will be built on this previously existing relationship, which works for me, but maybe some hardcore romance girlies will feel they've been cheated here.
All in all this is a fun start to a promising series. I found a lot to love and although it definitely feels like an introduction, it was a good first impression. It left a few threads hanging I'd have loved to see more development for, like Kirby and Monroe as individual characters, or a few more scenes regarding the main mystery, but, I also can't wait for book two and already feel attached to the world and the story.
BEFORE READING:
Valerie Darkmore’s entire life has been building up to this moment—her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she’d thought.
I AM LIVING FOR THIS CONCEPT T.T
A BITCH CAN'T WAIT
REVIEW: I have to say I wasn't sure going into The Marionettes whether we'd be getting a high fantasy world or an urban fantasy setting, and the unique blend of both was a nice surprise. We're in another world, but a familiar one that feels foreign enough to be both fascinating and at times intimidating, but also familiar enough that we can still make inferences about the world, social structures, and interactions between characters based on our own modern every day experiences: they use cell phones and take trains, they have parties and wear cowboy boots and go to clubs. But they also do blood rituals and sacrifices and blood farms and publicly lynch humans who refuse to 'donate' blood too many times, so it's also a dystopian nightmare, complete with a corrupt monarchy!
I have to say one of the few things that *wasn't* missing for me was a grasp on Valerie as a character. The few bad reviews I saw complained they couldn't click with her, and idk, I didn't have that problem. Valerie is trying to keep her head down and get through as much mandatory bullshit as possible so she can find some semblance of order and balance in her life where she's clearly never had much control or personal say in who she is, where she goes, what she does, etc. I connected with her easily.
Meanwhile the side characters were a mixed-bag. I did like Kirby, Monroe, Daniel, Wes, and Connor, but a lot was left to be desired from them. Overall the main complaint I can readily lodge against this book is that it could have and should have been longer, but the other books in the series all are so it looks like that won't be a problem going forward.
A few more scenes for the supporting cast to shine, particularly Connor, could have made certain elements of this book land with a greater punch, but I was willing to overlook them because it has so much going for it.
An amazing atmosphere: I love the setting. This world felt unique and alive, but still very fantastical and strange. It was dark but not hopeless, corrupt and edgy, but also kind of fascinating and compelling. I enjoyed exploring it and feeling immersed in the fantasy of being a witch at a paranormal university, going through magical tests and chasing after cryptic, dangerous mysteries and conspiracies.
I absolutely loved all of the supernatural elements. The vast array of different kinds of paranormals left nothing off of the table. I knew at any moment that some unique spell or potion of beastie would come into play. Fun!
I've seen people comparing this to The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and I would say it compares to Wednesday fairly as well. It was enough of a spectacle and a production to leave me impressed and appreciative overall. The prose was simple, but compelling and well-done, and it had that page-turner quality of writers like Amanda Hocking and Jennifer L. Armentrout where you can't put it down, every time you say "One last chapter" but then you're still turning the page when it ends...
I found the romance light in this book, which is fine; I think most disappointment from other readers will be from that contingent of romance readers, particularly dark romance booktok readers, who may expect more from this first book, where instead of being in a romance, Valerie and Reid are much more just becoming friends. I appreciated that a lot, actually, there was so much thrown at us in terms of friendships, politics, world-building, and school life, and the mystery, that I found forcing an instant love connection between them would have been too much to balance out. Instead we saw them develop a real friendship and partnership that was complicated and built on mutual parts trust and wariness. They're reluctant friends both making the best of a tough, complicated situation, and I enjoyed watching them size each other up and try to see what to make of one another.
It didn't bother me, because I found that all well-done and interesting. It will make the romance between them mean a lot more once they get to that point because then it will be built on this previously existing relationship, which works for me, but maybe some hardcore romance girlies will feel they've been cheated here.
All in all this is a fun start to a promising series. I found a lot to love and although it definitely feels like an introduction, it was a good first impression. It left a few threads hanging I'd have loved to see more development for, like Kirby and Monroe as individual characters, or a few more scenes regarding the main mystery, but, I also can't wait for book two and already feel attached to the world and the story.
BEFORE READING:
Valerie Darkmore’s entire life has been building up to this moment—her initiation into the Marionettes, the prestigious league of witches sworn to serve the vampires. As one of the last remaining blood witches, her spot is almost guaranteed. At least, so she’d thought.
I AM LIVING FOR THIS CONCEPT T.T
A BITCH CAN'T WAIT
September 13, 2021
This book was all over the place. I'm not sure what to focus on.
There are just too many floating mysteries, shallow relationships, and the story is missing a pulse (no pun intended). I don't care about these characters, the world seems like a pretty crappy place, and the pacing of the story is a bit wonky.
There are just too many floating mysteries, shallow relationships, and the story is missing a pulse (no pun intended). I don't care about these characters, the world seems like a pretty crappy place, and the pacing of the story is a bit wonky.
March 30, 2022
My main issue with this book is that it was completely un-memorable. I am sure that if I don't do the review now, I won't remember a thing about it tomorrow! At first, I actually thought I had missed an intro or something since the beginning was so abrupt. The main character, Valerie Darkmore, is thrust at you from the get-go. Her world is barely sketched, with a high-action sequence that is supposed to carry you along and introduce you to her family and court. It ends up giving you a hazy impression that leaves you with more questions than answers and barely improves as the book progresses.
The same can be said of the characters. Reginald doesn't translate as hot, Valerie's friends are so caricaturesque it's funny, even Valerie herself lacks backbone. Nothing made me care about them, there were no endearing traits or humanizing moments. Absolutely nothing. All of them, main and secondary, even villains. Smirking assholes, despot queens, overbearing (and maybe murderous) mothers... I couldn't care less.
Overall, poor world-building, bad character build-up... And the moment the author sold the book with the idea that it was an "adult Vampire Academy" she totally misrepresented it. There is no adultness, at all. Read-only if you are into teen angst YA drama, an obvious love triangle, overpowered heroines, and taciturn male leads that are so in their heads that it's impossible to guess what they are thinking.
The same can be said of the characters. Reginald doesn't translate as hot, Valerie's friends are so caricaturesque it's funny, even Valerie herself lacks backbone. Nothing made me care about them, there were no endearing traits or humanizing moments. Absolutely nothing. All of them, main and secondary, even villains. Smirking assholes, despot queens, overbearing (and maybe murderous) mothers... I couldn't care less.
Overall, poor world-building, bad character build-up... And the moment the author sold the book with the idea that it was an "adult Vampire Academy" she totally misrepresented it. There is no adultness, at all. Read-only if you are into teen angst YA drama, an obvious love triangle, overpowered heroines, and taciturn male leads that are so in their heads that it's impossible to guess what they are thinking.
September 13, 2021
Reread: Just finished my reread with the audiobook and I still stand by my 5 star rating. My physical copy is littered with tabs (I read along with the audio) and I cannot wait for book 2!!!
NOOOO KATIE WHYYYY?!!??? When is book 2 coming out again? Because I NEED IT NOW!
What’s better than witches, vampires, and suspense? Nothing. To no one else’s surprise, I had a hard time putting this book down. It was so action-packed with several different mysterious story lines interwoven within. Basically, this book will throw you through the ringer with no breaks in between punches. Regardless if you love the paranormal genre, I’m confident you’ll enjoy and devour this (just like I did)! This atmospheric story has so much action, you’ll be on your toes with each and every page turn.
I’d personally recommend going into this book as blind as possible, so I won’t get into any details. Just prepare yourself for a wild ride! Now, please excuse me while I go cry over the cliffhanger and beg Katie for book 2.
NOOOO KATIE WHYYYY?!!??? When is book 2 coming out again? Because I NEED IT NOW!
What’s better than witches, vampires, and suspense? Nothing. To no one else’s surprise, I had a hard time putting this book down. It was so action-packed with several different mysterious story lines interwoven within. Basically, this book will throw you through the ringer with no breaks in between punches. Regardless if you love the paranormal genre, I’m confident you’ll enjoy and devour this (just like I did)! This atmospheric story has so much action, you’ll be on your toes with each and every page turn.
I’d personally recommend going into this book as blind as possible, so I won’t get into any details. Just prepare yourself for a wild ride! Now, please excuse me while I go cry over the cliffhanger and beg Katie for book 2.
September 6, 2021
I've read all of Katie's books and have watched her youtube channel for years so I was so excited for this to come out! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and I loved her writing as always but the plot just wasn't really my thing. I don't typically read books like this so I think this is a me thing and not a book thing but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it. I loved the ending and am so excited to read the sequel.
December 1, 2023
the vibes are immaculate
November 20, 2021
This was really great if you want a fast paced vampire/witch “romance” with a lot of twists and turns. I put romance in quotes because this book isn’t heavy romance but it’s setting up for it.
Katie is great about keeping a story moving, and always having new things thrown at you. There were a few elements to this story that were missing and the world building lacked SLIGHTLY. I wish we understood the history of the marionettes better, and were told how their servitude to the vampires came to be. Maybe we will get that in future books? Other than that…. I highly recommend this. If you are a vampire diaries fan… this feels VERY reminiscent of that. I will definitely be reading the future books.
Katie is great about keeping a story moving, and always having new things thrown at you. There were a few elements to this story that were missing and the world building lacked SLIGHTLY. I wish we understood the history of the marionettes better, and were told how their servitude to the vampires came to be. Maybe we will get that in future books? Other than that…. I highly recommend this. If you are a vampire diaries fan… this feels VERY reminiscent of that. I will definitely be reading the future books.
June 14, 2025
This was a quick read, fast paced but not too rushed.
I’m curious if Val and Reid’s relationship will deepen in the future series.
It was a unique fantasy constellation, but I’m not quite sure what the Marionettes actually do, we will see.
Not me asking myself why Reginald is suddenly shortened to Reid, but ok.
I’m curious if Val and Reid’s relationship will deepen in the future series.
It was a unique fantasy constellation, but I’m not quite sure what the Marionettes actually do, we will see.
Not me asking myself why Reginald is suddenly shortened to Reid, but ok.
December 1, 2023
it was okay. i wasn’t engaged enough so i don’t think i’ll be continuing the series.
September 19, 2024
I think the MC may have something against bathing.
November 5, 2025
Popüler kitaplar dururken yine en bilinmedik kitapları okumaya devam ediyorum ve asla hatalarımdan ders almıyorum 😂
Kitap konusu bakımından bana çok nostaljik hissettirdiği için başladım açıkçası. Vampirler, kurtadamlar ve cadılar… Allahım sanki 2010lara dönmüş gibiyim 😭 özellikle kızımız Valerie mumlar, kan ve otlarla büyüler yaptıkça sonunda nefes alabiliyorum gibi hissettim çünkü FEYLERDEN İNANILMAZ SIKILDIM.
peki tüm bunlara rağmen kitabı sevdim mi? Pek sayılmaz.
Birincisi yazar oluşturduğu dünyayı bize aktarmadan ani bir çizelge ile başladı. Valerie ufak ufak ırklardan bahsediyor olsa dahi dünyanın ne çaplı geniş olduğunu anlamak mümkün değil. Özellikle akademi ve malikane arasında olaylar geliştiği için çok geniş bir anlatım anlamını yok.
İkincisi karakterler açısından çok derin duygular hissedemiyorsunuz. Olaylar üzerinden duygular yansıtılıyor ama kişisel fikirler, hobiler ya da arzular neredeyse yok.
Valerie bir kan cadısı. Ailesi diyardaki son kan cadıları ve ablası öldükten sonra vampir kraliçenin yeni gözdesi de Valerie. Annesi ise bu konuda neredeyse hiç fikir belirtmediği için onun ne düşündüğünü anlamak mümkün değil.
Valerie çok güçlü bir cadı olmasına rağmen birkaç haftadır güçleri neredeyse tükenmiş durumda ve bu onu korkutuyor. Nedenini araştırırken farklı olaylarla karşılaşıyor ve bu noktada ortağı vampir prens. Yasalar gereği vampirlerin bağlandıkları kişisel cadıları var. Kısaca cadılar onlara hizmet etmek için yemin ediyor ve Valeri de Prensin kanını içerek ona yemin ediyor. Ama beklenmedik bir şey gerçekleşince olaylar daha da genişliyor.
Kitap hakkında belki de en sevmediğim olay Valerie nin başına gelen olay hakkında aşırı sakin kalması. Duruma ayak uydurmadan önce çıldırıp nedenini sorgulaması kendi içinde çatışma yaşamasını bekledim ama dediğim gibi yazar duygu aktarımı konusunda iyi değil.
Valerieyi sevdim. Akıllı, iddialı ve meraklı birisi. Aynı zamanda kararlı ve olabilecek en iyi şekilde ayak uydurma konusunda da iyi.
Prens Reginald ile henüz pek samimiyetimiz yok 😂 kadın düşkünü değil ve kızımıza ilk görüşte aşık falan olmadı bu yüzden bence gayet makul bir erkek. Vampir olmasına rağmen insani değerleri koruma arzusunu hissedebiliyoruz ve bence bu bir noktada kraliçe ile çatışacak. Onun da kendine göre düşmanları var. Bakalım sonraki kitapta ne olacak? Sırf nostaljik havasından dolayı devam edeceğim.
Kitap konusu bakımından bana çok nostaljik hissettirdiği için başladım açıkçası. Vampirler, kurtadamlar ve cadılar… Allahım sanki 2010lara dönmüş gibiyim 😭 özellikle kızımız Valerie mumlar, kan ve otlarla büyüler yaptıkça sonunda nefes alabiliyorum gibi hissettim çünkü FEYLERDEN İNANILMAZ SIKILDIM.
peki tüm bunlara rağmen kitabı sevdim mi? Pek sayılmaz.
Birincisi yazar oluşturduğu dünyayı bize aktarmadan ani bir çizelge ile başladı. Valerie ufak ufak ırklardan bahsediyor olsa dahi dünyanın ne çaplı geniş olduğunu anlamak mümkün değil. Özellikle akademi ve malikane arasında olaylar geliştiği için çok geniş bir anlatım anlamını yok.
İkincisi karakterler açısından çok derin duygular hissedemiyorsunuz. Olaylar üzerinden duygular yansıtılıyor ama kişisel fikirler, hobiler ya da arzular neredeyse yok.
Valerie bir kan cadısı. Ailesi diyardaki son kan cadıları ve ablası öldükten sonra vampir kraliçenin yeni gözdesi de Valerie. Annesi ise bu konuda neredeyse hiç fikir belirtmediği için onun ne düşündüğünü anlamak mümkün değil.
Valerie çok güçlü bir cadı olmasına rağmen birkaç haftadır güçleri neredeyse tükenmiş durumda ve bu onu korkutuyor. Nedenini araştırırken farklı olaylarla karşılaşıyor ve bu noktada ortağı vampir prens. Yasalar gereği vampirlerin bağlandıkları kişisel cadıları var. Kısaca cadılar onlara hizmet etmek için yemin ediyor ve Valeri de Prensin kanını içerek ona yemin ediyor. Ama beklenmedik bir şey gerçekleşince olaylar daha da genişliyor.
Kitap hakkında belki de en sevmediğim olay Valerie nin başına gelen olay hakkında aşırı sakin kalması. Duruma ayak uydurmadan önce çıldırıp nedenini sorgulaması kendi içinde çatışma yaşamasını bekledim ama dediğim gibi yazar duygu aktarımı konusunda iyi değil.
Valerieyi sevdim. Akıllı, iddialı ve meraklı birisi. Aynı zamanda kararlı ve olabilecek en iyi şekilde ayak uydurma konusunda da iyi.
Prens Reginald ile henüz pek samimiyetimiz yok 😂 kadın düşkünü değil ve kızımıza ilk görüşte aşık falan olmadı bu yüzden bence gayet makul bir erkek. Vampir olmasına rağmen insani değerleri koruma arzusunu hissedebiliyoruz ve bence bu bir noktada kraliçe ile çatışacak. Onun da kendine göre düşmanları var. Bakalım sonraki kitapta ne olacak? Sırf nostaljik havasından dolayı devam edeceğim.
July 4, 2025
I will give almost anything a try if it involves vampires. This very much gave Vampire Academy vibes. The story is not similar but the atmosphere feels the same. I was a bit disappointed in the world building and lack of well developed side characters. I think this is labeled as New Adult but to me it read like upper YA. Despite all the complaints, I finished it and considered reading the sequel. It kept me interested and entertained while reading it. But after some thought I decided to not pick up the next book. It didn't really stick with me and I have too many other things to try on my TBR.
November 15, 2025
Highly entertaining and fast-paced. This paranormal fantasy was a genuinely fun read.
Although it’s marketed as a romantasy, this installment contains little romance—I assume that will develop in later books.
Personally, I didn’t mind. There’s plenty to enjoy: the friend group, the school atmosphere, and the mix of paranormal elements all worked well for me. The court scenes were less compelling, but the world has potential.
Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
Although it’s marketed as a romantasy, this installment contains little romance—I assume that will develop in later books.
Personally, I didn’t mind. There’s plenty to enjoy: the friend group, the school atmosphere, and the mix of paranormal elements all worked well for me. The court scenes were less compelling, but the world has potential.
Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
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