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Markless
Ruti is Markless. In a society where worth is determined by the mark on your palm and the magic it grants you, this also deems her worthless. Except she’s also a hardened survivor, a protector of the Markless…and the most powerful witch in Somanchi. With a single song, she can pray to the many gods for unimaginable powers.
Dekala’s Mark is strong, a Mark fit for the future queen of Somanchi, but it’s also unstable. She knows the only solution is to be bonded, but she also knows that this would mean relinquishing control over her throne and kingdom. So when she is witness to Ruti’s power, Dekala offers the witch a deal: She can be prosecuted for her crimes…or she can help Dekala ascend to the throne, unbonded.
Dekala is cold and brutal and cares only about getting her way. She is also determined, intelligent, and compassionate. Ruti is torn between wanting her to fail or to emerge victorious. But as the gods are defied, new alliances are forged, and unexpected feelings are unearthed, Ruti realizes the fate of the kingdom––and the survival of the Markless–– lies in her unmarked hands.
Dekala’s Mark is strong, a Mark fit for the future queen of Somanchi, but it’s also unstable. She knows the only solution is to be bonded, but she also knows that this would mean relinquishing control over her throne and kingdom. So when she is witness to Ruti’s power, Dekala offers the witch a deal: She can be prosecuted for her crimes…or she can help Dekala ascend to the throne, unbonded.
Dekala is cold and brutal and cares only about getting her way. She is also determined, intelligent, and compassionate. Ruti is torn between wanting her to fail or to emerge victorious. But as the gods are defied, new alliances are forged, and unexpected feelings are unearthed, Ruti realizes the fate of the kingdom––and the survival of the Markless–– lies in her unmarked hands.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
26 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
July 22, 2024
i had such a good time with this one. i've read many books from authors who started in fandom or turned their fandom works into original stories over the years, as someone who's been in fandom spaces for over 15 years now, and indie book spaces for the last 6 or so, there is some overlap. HOWEVER, i've never seen someone who i followed so long, and was inspired by so often, get their work published in the same way as this one (ie: i knew it was coming for so long and was so excited to read it).
looking at it beyond just like, proud of someone who i don't know personally well, but do know tangentially who did the thing! i really had a lot of fun with this. i loved ruti as an mc, kimya was a precious lil bean, the worldbuilding was interesting, and the pacing overall felt pretty good. it absolutely held my interest, as once i picked it up and sat down to read it for real, i spent nearly a full day and a half reading it in between other things. my only qualms were that i would have liked to get a little more perspective/insight into dekala, and wish some of the twists didn't hinge on the audience not knowing some info that was hidden in the last third, and juuuuuust a little more development in the romance. maybe i've just been spoiled by this author before in fandom, but she is SO GOOD at writing drawn out romance, maybe because it was ya? or there was more to do with the original world that needed a focus, i'm not sure, but i was left juuuuust a little bit wanting.
overall though, it was (imo) a solid debut and i'm so proud of someone i don't rlly know, lol. i can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
looking at it beyond just like, proud of someone who i don't know personally well, but do know tangentially who did the thing! i really had a lot of fun with this. i loved ruti as an mc, kimya was a precious lil bean, the worldbuilding was interesting, and the pacing overall felt pretty good. it absolutely held my interest, as once i picked it up and sat down to read it for real, i spent nearly a full day and a half reading it in between other things. my only qualms were that i would have liked to get a little more perspective/insight into dekala, and wish some of the twists didn't hinge on the audience not knowing some info that was hidden in the last third, and juuuuuust a little more development in the romance. maybe i've just been spoiled by this author before in fandom, but she is SO GOOD at writing drawn out romance, maybe because it was ya? or there was more to do with the original world that needed a focus, i'm not sure, but i was left juuuuust a little bit wanting.
overall though, it was (imo) a solid debut and i'm so proud of someone i don't rlly know, lol. i can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
June 8, 2024
I found the premise, world-building, and even characters highly intriguing in theory, but none of them really lived up to their promise. Although the system of marks caught my interest from the blurb, I felt that the author missed some opportunities to be really creative with it (for instance, I would have loved the marks to correspond to something more interesting than fire-water-air-earth) and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions about how it all works (for instance, do Zideshi women never touch each other's hands? Or is there something else that prevents the Zideshi from having same sex soulbonds?)
I actually liked both Ruti and Dekala as characters, but the romance between them was unconvincing - it was hard to see what appealed to Ruti about the Heir except that she was pretty. Dekala's ruthlessness, while not great for the romance, did make her an interesting character, but I thought her characterization was inconsistent in several places, and overall I would have preferred a stronger sense of her motivations and values.
Finally, the pacing of the plot was uneven, with a lot of the action packed into the second half of the book, and I disliked how much of the climax was dependent on concealing the POV character's thoughts and plans from the reader. I think this could have been handled better to maintain some suspense without giving the feeling of being disingenuous by withholding crucial information.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
I actually liked both Ruti and Dekala as characters, but the romance between them was unconvincing - it was hard to see what appealed to Ruti about the Heir except that she was pretty. Dekala's ruthlessness, while not great for the romance, did make her an interesting character, but I thought her characterization was inconsistent in several places, and overall I would have preferred a stronger sense of her motivations and values.
Finally, the pacing of the plot was uneven, with a lot of the action packed into the second half of the book, and I disliked how much of the climax was dependent on concealing the POV character's thoughts and plans from the reader. I think this could have been handled better to maintain some suspense without giving the feeling of being disingenuous by withholding crucial information.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
February 23, 2024
One of the best fantasy books I've read in a while and a beautiful take on a soulmates trope.
The story is set in a world where most people are born with half a mark on their hand that gives them powers connected to earth, fire, water or air. But those powers are impossible to control until the person finds their soulmate and their marks complete. Ruti was born without such a mark and through her character we get to see how this world treats people who are seen as less then the ones with marks. It's especially fascinating as Ruti has powers of her own, ones that don't require finding a soulmate to have control over. And yet that doesn't change how she's perceived just because she's markless.
The other main character is Dekala, the future queen of the kingdom Ruti lives in. She considers love a weakness and wants nothing more than to ensure she won't be tied to a soulmate. She wants to rule her kingdom freely and without anyone dictating her what to do.
This story is in a big part a romance and where I think the world building of the book could use a little expanding the romance part of it I have no complaints about. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and it's really easy to get swept by their transition from enemies to lovers and how it affects their development as characters. How much it changes both of them. I loved especially how, even though the story is told only from Ruti's perspective, it's so easy to see how Ruti changes Dekala even if Ruti cannot see that. There were multiple moments of this story that brought me to tears and broke my heart in the best way possible.
This might be a debut book for C. G. Malburi but she's well known as a beloved fandom author. And while I think some authors struggle with transition from writing fics to original stories, to me, C. G. manages to avoid the biggest issue where the main characters feel well settled into this world and not like they are ripped out from another story.
I hope this is a start of a great writing career because I look forward to reading many more books by this author. And I cannot wait to have a physical version of this book on my shelf.
The story is set in a world where most people are born with half a mark on their hand that gives them powers connected to earth, fire, water or air. But those powers are impossible to control until the person finds their soulmate and their marks complete. Ruti was born without such a mark and through her character we get to see how this world treats people who are seen as less then the ones with marks. It's especially fascinating as Ruti has powers of her own, ones that don't require finding a soulmate to have control over. And yet that doesn't change how she's perceived just because she's markless.
The other main character is Dekala, the future queen of the kingdom Ruti lives in. She considers love a weakness and wants nothing more than to ensure she won't be tied to a soulmate. She wants to rule her kingdom freely and without anyone dictating her what to do.
This story is in a big part a romance and where I think the world building of the book could use a little expanding the romance part of it I have no complaints about. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and it's really easy to get swept by their transition from enemies to lovers and how it affects their development as characters. How much it changes both of them. I loved especially how, even though the story is told only from Ruti's perspective, it's so easy to see how Ruti changes Dekala even if Ruti cannot see that. There were multiple moments of this story that brought me to tears and broke my heart in the best way possible.
This might be a debut book for C. G. Malburi but she's well known as a beloved fandom author. And while I think some authors struggle with transition from writing fics to original stories, to me, C. G. manages to avoid the biggest issue where the main characters feel well settled into this world and not like they are ripped out from another story.
I hope this is a start of a great writing career because I look forward to reading many more books by this author. And I cannot wait to have a physical version of this book on my shelf.
June 20, 2025
3.5 rounded up ⭐️ read this in one sitting on the train and it was so fun! haven’t read ya or fantasy in a long time but my fav fanfic author from middle school wrote this so i had to support
July 23, 2024
3.5!!! Solid debut!!
Happy book birthday to C.G. Malburi’s Markless! In the world of Somanchi, there are those who are Marked, and those who are Markless. The Marked are society’s welcomed, granted abilities based on the patterns on their palms, and the ability to be Bonded, the ultimate link between souls and the symbol of stability. To be Markless is the be the most worthless of society, unwanted, and cast down to the lowest of the low. It’s a tortured existence, one that Ruti knows well, but there’s something different about Ruti. She’s a witch who can sing to the spirits to grant her power; power that catches future Queen Dekala’s ruthless eye. The requirement for Dekala’s ascension to the throne is to be bonded, something she refuses. Ruti’s power is her way out. Now, they’re forced to work together, for both Ruti’s loved ones and Dekala’s freedom.
Something I really enjoyed about Markless was Ruti’s relentless determination to fight for the helpless (and her smart mouth 🤭), and Dekala’s headstrong determination to take control of her life, no matter what anyone in power tried to force her into. Unstoppable force meets immovable object…until the heart gets involved, of course. Then you’re subject to its whims more than anything else. 😏
There are a few things I would have liked to see go differently. Pacing was a bit of an issue to me, some of the plot reveals were not my fave, and the romance needed a some work, but overall I think this was a solid debut. I believe the author’s craft will definitely grow more with time.
Shoutout to Levine Querido for my copy! Markless is out TODAY, friends! For those looking for a story of queer awakenings, magic of the heart and soul, and dangerous plots to be uncovered, this one’s for you!
cw: discrimination, slavery, brief mentions and instances of SA
Happy book birthday to C.G. Malburi’s Markless! In the world of Somanchi, there are those who are Marked, and those who are Markless. The Marked are society’s welcomed, granted abilities based on the patterns on their palms, and the ability to be Bonded, the ultimate link between souls and the symbol of stability. To be Markless is the be the most worthless of society, unwanted, and cast down to the lowest of the low. It’s a tortured existence, one that Ruti knows well, but there’s something different about Ruti. She’s a witch who can sing to the spirits to grant her power; power that catches future Queen Dekala’s ruthless eye. The requirement for Dekala’s ascension to the throne is to be bonded, something she refuses. Ruti’s power is her way out. Now, they’re forced to work together, for both Ruti’s loved ones and Dekala’s freedom.
Something I really enjoyed about Markless was Ruti’s relentless determination to fight for the helpless (and her smart mouth 🤭), and Dekala’s headstrong determination to take control of her life, no matter what anyone in power tried to force her into. Unstoppable force meets immovable object…until the heart gets involved, of course. Then you’re subject to its whims more than anything else. 😏
There are a few things I would have liked to see go differently. Pacing was a bit of an issue to me, some of the plot reveals were not my fave, and the romance needed a some work, but overall I think this was a solid debut. I believe the author’s craft will definitely grow more with time.
Shoutout to Levine Querido for my copy! Markless is out TODAY, friends! For those looking for a story of queer awakenings, magic of the heart and soul, and dangerous plots to be uncovered, this one’s for you!
cw: discrimination, slavery, brief mentions and instances of SA
February 15, 2024
Im rounding my rating up from 3.5.
I read the ARC on Netgalley, this is my honest review.
There are a lot of things to love about this book. The magic is really interesting. People have marks on their hands, a half circle representing an element; then they find their soul bound to complete their circle and give them control over their magic. Some people in this world are born Markless and cast out of society. Our main character Ruti is Markless, so she was sent to live in the slums. This is all fantastic.
I feel like the interactions, the romance, and the attitude in this book is very young; Teen/YA. I think this book is intended for younger readers, and I didn't realize that when I picked it.
I do think this book will be a hit among YA readers, though. It was well paced, with plenty of action and despicable villains. The ending was perfect!
I read the ARC on Netgalley, this is my honest review.
There are a lot of things to love about this book. The magic is really interesting. People have marks on their hands, a half circle representing an element; then they find their soul bound to complete their circle and give them control over their magic. Some people in this world are born Markless and cast out of society. Our main character Ruti is Markless, so she was sent to live in the slums. This is all fantastic.
I feel like the interactions, the romance, and the attitude in this book is very young; Teen/YA. I think this book is intended for younger readers, and I didn't realize that when I picked it.
I do think this book will be a hit among YA readers, though. It was well paced, with plenty of action and despicable villains. The ending was perfect!
February 13, 2024
Ruti is Markless. In a society where worth is determined by the pattern on your palm and the magic it grants you, this also deems her worthless. But she's also a hardened survivor, a protector of the lowest class .. and the most powerful witch in Somanchi.
With a single song, she can ask the many gods to grant her unimaginable powers.
Dekala's Mark is strong, a Mark fit for the future queen of Somanchi, but it's also unstable. She knows the only solution is to be bonded with another, but she also knows that this would mean relinquishing control over her throne and kingdom. So when she is witness to Ruti's power, Dekala offers the witch a deal: She can be prosecuted for her crimes... or she can help Dekala ascend to the throne, unbonded.
Dekala is calculating and brutal, focused purely on getting her way. She is also determined, intelligent, and compassionate.
Ruti is torn between the grudging bloom of attraction and admiration, and the desire to see Dekala fail. But as gods are defied, new alliances are forged, and the fullness of Ruti's feelings emerge. The fate of the kingdom—and the survival of the downtrodden—lies in her unmarked hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC | release 06/04/2024
-found family
-slow burn romance
-third person pov
-elemental magic
🚫the following review contains small spoilers but does not give away the ending or any major details🚫
This book consumed me, I could hardly put it down until I finished reading it, and the ending?! It left me teary eyed and in awe. This was a fast paced and brilliantly written fantasy about love, friendship, power, and overcoming all odds.
Markless follows Ruti, a markless witch, through her life in the slums of Somanchi. The slums are harsh, pitting markless against each other with not many making it to adulthood. Ruti gets by with her unique abilities - being able to sing to the gods to ask for their favor. Ruti has a weak spot though - the little ones. She does what she can to protect them, whether using her gifts to ward off other cruel markless or the ones she has sheltered over the years. This brings us to Kimya. Kimya does not speak. Well not with words at least, she speaks with her hands. Ruti protects Kimya in a time of trouble, and gives her shelter for the night. What Ruti does not expect, is that this little girl would become attached and never want to leave.
“And so Ruti gives her a name. Khumeía, she calls her, after the ancient word for mixing offerings, but it becomes Kimya soon enough.”
The characters in this book were complex and interesting. I absolutely loved Ruti, she is brave, resilient, and caring. Kimya is sweet, brave, loving, and becomes the family Ruti has never known. Dekala fierce, calculating, and brutal. She is also the powerful unbonded queen-to-be of Somanchi. The growth of her character and seeing the growth of her’s and Ruti’s friendship grow was so beautiful to watch. Orrin, although a minor character, still made a lasting impression. Orrin is Dekala’s personal body guard, and husband to be, although that is kept in the dark since they are not each other’s soulbonds. Orrin proves to be faithful to his queen throughout the story and gets the ending that we all could hope for.
“There are some who claim that each mark is a sign of how the one who bears it is deep down. Ashto is fire, for people who are passionate and temperamental. Majimm, water, for the calm and introspective. Endhi is earth, for those who are grounded and compassionate. And then there is sewa, the rarest of the four signs. Sewa is air and wind and sky, distant and untamed and free, and the Heir can never be ruled by any man.”
The world building in this novel was fantastic. I could almost see myself standing in the slums next to Ruti, or on the Merchant’s Market running with Kimya. I could almost smell the fruits on the hut in the wasteland, and could definitely feel the crew’s joy when finding it.
“Ahead of them is the lake. Ruti can see it now, and she thinks at first that she’s seeing the reflection of the sun distorted in the water. But no, the Lake of the Carved Thousand is an unnatural red so dark it’s nearly purple, glistening in the sunlight like a pool of blood.”
I can’t say enough good things about this novel, and should definitely be added to your future tbr!
With a single song, she can ask the many gods to grant her unimaginable powers.
Dekala's Mark is strong, a Mark fit for the future queen of Somanchi, but it's also unstable. She knows the only solution is to be bonded with another, but she also knows that this would mean relinquishing control over her throne and kingdom. So when she is witness to Ruti's power, Dekala offers the witch a deal: She can be prosecuted for her crimes... or she can help Dekala ascend to the throne, unbonded.
Dekala is calculating and brutal, focused purely on getting her way. She is also determined, intelligent, and compassionate.
Ruti is torn between the grudging bloom of attraction and admiration, and the desire to see Dekala fail. But as gods are defied, new alliances are forged, and the fullness of Ruti's feelings emerge. The fate of the kingdom—and the survival of the downtrodden—lies in her unmarked hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC | release 06/04/2024
-found family
-slow burn romance
-third person pov
-elemental magic
🚫the following review contains small spoilers but does not give away the ending or any major details🚫
This book consumed me, I could hardly put it down until I finished reading it, and the ending?! It left me teary eyed and in awe. This was a fast paced and brilliantly written fantasy about love, friendship, power, and overcoming all odds.
Markless follows Ruti, a markless witch, through her life in the slums of Somanchi. The slums are harsh, pitting markless against each other with not many making it to adulthood. Ruti gets by with her unique abilities - being able to sing to the gods to ask for their favor. Ruti has a weak spot though - the little ones. She does what she can to protect them, whether using her gifts to ward off other cruel markless or the ones she has sheltered over the years. This brings us to Kimya. Kimya does not speak. Well not with words at least, she speaks with her hands. Ruti protects Kimya in a time of trouble, and gives her shelter for the night. What Ruti does not expect, is that this little girl would become attached and never want to leave.
“And so Ruti gives her a name. Khumeía, she calls her, after the ancient word for mixing offerings, but it becomes Kimya soon enough.”
The characters in this book were complex and interesting. I absolutely loved Ruti, she is brave, resilient, and caring. Kimya is sweet, brave, loving, and becomes the family Ruti has never known. Dekala fierce, calculating, and brutal. She is also the powerful unbonded queen-to-be of Somanchi. The growth of her character and seeing the growth of her’s and Ruti’s friendship grow was so beautiful to watch. Orrin, although a minor character, still made a lasting impression. Orrin is Dekala’s personal body guard, and husband to be, although that is kept in the dark since they are not each other’s soulbonds. Orrin proves to be faithful to his queen throughout the story and gets the ending that we all could hope for.
“There are some who claim that each mark is a sign of how the one who bears it is deep down. Ashto is fire, for people who are passionate and temperamental. Majimm, water, for the calm and introspective. Endhi is earth, for those who are grounded and compassionate. And then there is sewa, the rarest of the four signs. Sewa is air and wind and sky, distant and untamed and free, and the Heir can never be ruled by any man.”
The world building in this novel was fantastic. I could almost see myself standing in the slums next to Ruti, or on the Merchant’s Market running with Kimya. I could almost smell the fruits on the hut in the wasteland, and could definitely feel the crew’s joy when finding it.
“Ahead of them is the lake. Ruti can see it now, and she thinks at first that she’s seeing the reflection of the sun distorted in the water. But no, the Lake of the Carved Thousand is an unnatural red so dark it’s nearly purple, glistening in the sunlight like a pool of blood.”
I can’t say enough good things about this novel, and should definitely be added to your future tbr!
August 31, 2024
finally finished a book who would've thought. cute 🥰!
Read
September 16, 2025Thank you Netgalley Read Now!
The worldbuilding and the magic system in this story is phenomenal. The world is incredibly rich and each province is fleshed out, and the social commentary is incredible. The magic system is quite unique too, I liked the soulbond concept - although I didn’t like how heteronormative it was - but I felt like the song magic was a bit convienent in some places.
The characters by themselves are rather dynamic, and I liked Ruti being the sole narrator, but the relationships, save from the chosen family sisterly bond of Ruti and Kimya, didn’t really make sense to me. The romances felt flimsy and rushed, and plot twists at the end just kind of happened, they weren’t really hinted at beforehand.
Nevertheless, this was a fun action-packed fantasy with a brilliant and easy to read writing style.
The worldbuilding and the magic system in this story is phenomenal. The world is incredibly rich and each province is fleshed out, and the social commentary is incredible. The magic system is quite unique too, I liked the soulbond concept - although I didn’t like how heteronormative it was - but I felt like the song magic was a bit convienent in some places.
The characters by themselves are rather dynamic, and I liked Ruti being the sole narrator, but the relationships, save from the chosen family sisterly bond of Ruti and Kimya, didn’t really make sense to me. The romances felt flimsy and rushed, and plot twists at the end just kind of happened, they weren’t really hinted at beforehand.
Nevertheless, this was a fun action-packed fantasy with a brilliant and easy to read writing style.
June 21, 2024
What a wonderful ya fantasy read.
This book caught my attention and was able to keep me hooked through the whole thing.
The world building was detailed enough but not overly drawn out, the magic was really neat and unique, the concept of half a mark designated to an element until they find their soul bond at which point it's complete and they gain control of it. Some are born without a mark (markless) and are looked down upon.
I did find some parts a bit rushed, and the only real relationship I really truly loved was the sisterly type bond between ruti and kimya. The rest were just kinda meh
All in all I enjoyed it and very happy I got to read it.
This book caught my attention and was able to keep me hooked through the whole thing.
The world building was detailed enough but not overly drawn out, the magic was really neat and unique, the concept of half a mark designated to an element until they find their soul bond at which point it's complete and they gain control of it. Some are born without a mark (markless) and are looked down upon.
I did find some parts a bit rushed, and the only real relationship I really truly loved was the sisterly type bond between ruti and kimya. The rest were just kinda meh
All in all I enjoyed it and very happy I got to read it.
August 30, 2024
if anyone was gonna make me read a YA fantasy and like it, it was gonna be coalitiongirl
October 12, 2024
Read as an ARC from Netgalley
This was absolutely wonderful! The story had me hooked early on, and I genuinely had trouble putting this book down. This is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance, which is not usually my thing, but this book just set up everything right and didn't move too fast. I quickly fell in love with Ruti and Kimya, and eventually also with Dekala and Orrin. I think the story really handles the dynamics between these four characters well, clearly establishing them at the beginning and then slowly fleshing them out.
The last fourth of the book was the weakest, in my opinion, as it started to feel repetitive, with the same conversation between Ruti and Dekala happening over and over again, without much new information being introduced. It also introduced an element of secrecy, as Ruti was privy to information she'd discussed with Dekala, but did not divulge it to the reader - ultimately leaving the section to feel somewhat disjointed. These issues did have me considering giving this book only 4.5 stars, but ultimately the rest of the story had so enamoured me that I could not bear rating it anything but 5 stars.
This was absolutely wonderful! The story had me hooked early on, and I genuinely had trouble putting this book down. This is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance, which is not usually my thing, but this book just set up everything right and didn't move too fast. I quickly fell in love with Ruti and Kimya, and eventually also with Dekala and Orrin. I think the story really handles the dynamics between these four characters well, clearly establishing them at the beginning and then slowly fleshing them out.
The last fourth of the book was the weakest, in my opinion, as it started to feel repetitive, with the same conversation between Ruti and Dekala happening over and over again, without much new information being introduced. It also introduced an element of secrecy, as Ruti was privy to information she'd discussed with Dekala, but did not divulge it to the reader - ultimately leaving the section to feel somewhat disjointed. These issues did have me considering giving this book only 4.5 stars, but ultimately the rest of the story had so enamoured me that I could not bear rating it anything but 5 stars.
June 9, 2024
Overall it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t unique enough for me.
I liked the world-building, but it could’ve added something about the marks or so to make it more interesting. The pacing was decent. But it still struggled to hold my interest.
I really liked the characters and romance. They were also pretty stereotypical, like the overall book was. But that can also be quite nice if you’re looking for something that’s just an easy fantasy book.
My last point is in quite a lot of fantasy books so its not just here, but i don’t like it when there is sexism added to a fantasy world just to make it seem more powerful when a woman achieves something, but in the worldbuilding it just doesn’t make sense for there to even be discrimination. Like i understand if you want to bring awareness to an important real life topic, but please make it logical in the fictional world as well.
I liked the world-building, but it could’ve added something about the marks or so to make it more interesting. The pacing was decent. But it still struggled to hold my interest.
I really liked the characters and romance. They were also pretty stereotypical, like the overall book was. But that can also be quite nice if you’re looking for something that’s just an easy fantasy book.
My last point is in quite a lot of fantasy books so its not just here, but i don’t like it when there is sexism added to a fantasy world just to make it seem more powerful when a woman achieves something, but in the worldbuilding it just doesn’t make sense for there to even be discrimination. Like i understand if you want to bring awareness to an important real life topic, but please make it logical in the fictional world as well.
July 28, 2024
I absolutely devoured this in like 3 hours. This was honestly one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it exceeded all of my expectations. I am incredibly picky about the kind of fantasy I read but this was perfect. Magic, found family, enemies to lovers, soulmate tropes, sapphic love story—literally checks all the boxes for me. Such an incredible debut novel, I cannot wait to see what this author puts out next!
September 4, 2024
I just love seeing people I knew on Tumblr back in the day getting published :)
January 2, 2025
I DEVOURED the first half of this book and stopped only because of NYE festivities. I’m so happy this was my first read of 2025, it’s a wonderful novel.
I did love the first half more than I did the second, but it was still great. I’d be thrilled to see this story as a series or movie.
I did love the first half more than I did the second, but it was still great. I’d be thrilled to see this story as a series or movie.
August 5, 2025
haven't finished a book this quickly in a while, super captivating
just wish there was a bit more focus on the romance, as we are used to with cg <3
just wish there was a bit more focus on the romance, as we are used to with cg <3
June 27, 2024
DNF @27% - I was honestly just so bored. It started off so strong then shifted and the pacing was a mess. I found myself constantly zoning out and going HUH.? Present tense is more often than not used to add urgency to the story telling and yet here it was useless. I honestly can’t remember what any of the characters names are.
July 19, 2024
Overall rating: 3.5/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley as well as RB Media [Recorded Books] for providing me with an eArc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ruti is a Markless with. Blessed with magic from the Gods without a single mark on her palm. Markless are seen as the bottom of the barrel-- worthless and forced to live in slums. You learn quickly never to trust anyone as a pair never last very long. That is, until Ruti meets a girl who does not speak; Kimya, who has an amazing sleight of hand. Life starts going better than expected until the girls swipe from the wrong person and are thrown at the mercy of Princess Dekala, the ruthless future ruler of Somanchi who's unbonded and has out-of-control magic. In an effort to remain unbonded, Dekala forces Ruti to journey with her to escape her fate but what they find along the way shocks them all.
"There are some who claim that each mark is a sign of how the one who bears it is deep down. Ashto is fire, for people who are passionate and temperamental. Majimm, water, for the calm and introspective. Endhi is earth, for those who are grounded and compassionate. And then there is Sewa, the rarest of the four signs. Sewa is air and wind and sky, distant and untamed and free, and the Heir can never be ruled by any man."
What I loved💙
I enjoyed the narration and overall pacing of the story a lot. I felt like there were a lot of moments where I, who typically hates love triangles, was eating the story up. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Kimya. I think she brought a lot of representation with her presence in this story, but she also ended up being a larger part of the plot than I had initially anticipated. I found the worldbuilding to be very cool as well as Ruti was such a strong person to have navigated the situations she often found herself in the best she could considering how she grew up. I'm glad that the story ended the way it did because it's almost like there was hope purposely splashed into it.
What I didn't love❌
I wasn't a huge fan of Dekala. I found her to be all of the things the book described her to be with infuriated added to that. I get that she's young and that running away from her destiny is a part of the plot, I'm just not the biggest fan of how it was approached in this context. I wanted something more, though I can't specifically place what that "more" would be. I also could've lived without the whole love plot that was happening between her and her guard as I found him to be infuriating as well. Bigots will be bigots no matter what, doesn't mean I had to like it.
Tl;dr✨
Overall, this was a decent story with really good narration and banter between characters. If you like a story that has elements of fast-paced action and characters that will make you smile, rage, and laugh in the span of a couple of hours, I would recommend this one! This is also a decent standalone fantasy that puts a lot of people's favorite elements of magical realism into just a few hours so get ready for the whirlwind.
I would like to thank NetGalley as well as RB Media [Recorded Books] for providing me with an eArc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ruti is a Markless with. Blessed with magic from the Gods without a single mark on her palm. Markless are seen as the bottom of the barrel-- worthless and forced to live in slums. You learn quickly never to trust anyone as a pair never last very long. That is, until Ruti meets a girl who does not speak; Kimya, who has an amazing sleight of hand. Life starts going better than expected until the girls swipe from the wrong person and are thrown at the mercy of Princess Dekala, the ruthless future ruler of Somanchi who's unbonded and has out-of-control magic. In an effort to remain unbonded, Dekala forces Ruti to journey with her to escape her fate but what they find along the way shocks them all.
"There are some who claim that each mark is a sign of how the one who bears it is deep down. Ashto is fire, for people who are passionate and temperamental. Majimm, water, for the calm and introspective. Endhi is earth, for those who are grounded and compassionate. And then there is Sewa, the rarest of the four signs. Sewa is air and wind and sky, distant and untamed and free, and the Heir can never be ruled by any man."
What I loved💙
I enjoyed the narration and overall pacing of the story a lot. I felt like there were a lot of moments where I, who typically hates love triangles, was eating the story up. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Kimya. I think she brought a lot of representation with her presence in this story, but she also ended up being a larger part of the plot than I had initially anticipated. I found the worldbuilding to be very cool as well as Ruti was such a strong person to have navigated the situations she often found herself in the best she could considering how she grew up. I'm glad that the story ended the way it did because it's almost like there was hope purposely splashed into it.
What I didn't love❌
I wasn't a huge fan of Dekala. I found her to be all of the things the book described her to be with infuriated added to that. I get that she's young and that running away from her destiny is a part of the plot, I'm just not the biggest fan of how it was approached in this context. I wanted something more, though I can't specifically place what that "more" would be. I also could've lived without the whole love plot that was happening between her and her guard as I found him to be infuriating as well. Bigots will be bigots no matter what, doesn't mean I had to like it.
Tl;dr✨
Overall, this was a decent story with really good narration and banter between characters. If you like a story that has elements of fast-paced action and characters that will make you smile, rage, and laugh in the span of a couple of hours, I would recommend this one! This is also a decent standalone fantasy that puts a lot of people's favorite elements of magical realism into just a few hours so get ready for the whirlwind.
August 20, 2024
This was an interesting, enjoyable, and intriguing read. Now that I am finished, I am having some difficulty in sorting out my thoughts about this novel, but I do know that I enjoyed it. I was enthralled for the majority of the novel, tearing through pages and needing to see what happens next, which is always a clear indication that the book did something right. The characters were interesting and complex. I found that I was invested in the story, these fictional kingdoms, and what was going to happen in the story. That said, there is something “off” that I am having trouble putting my finger on that is preventing me from giving this a higher rating.
After a lot of reflection, I think the plot was very well done. The details, the foreshadowing, everything, was well planned and executed. At the same time, some of the way it was presented to the reader, and the way the characters went about executing the plot, I didn’t like as much.
There were a few plot points, or choices made, that I just didn’t follow or didn’t make sense (but I don’t want to give a bunch of explicit spoilers here). I continued reading hoping that things would be explained later, and many things were, but not everything. This somewhat pulled me out of the story and took away from the overall experience. There was also a series of big reveals and climax at the end (as there often is) which was fine, but the way the author chose to approach this part of the novel I simply didn’t love. (so vague, I’m sorry, I tried)
The worldbuilding was well done, providing all the explanations required while avoiding infodumping. This novel had some unique and original elements which I enjoyed a lot. While reading through, the worldbuilding made sense and seemed to be very well constructed. That said, since I have started to reflect and think about things a little deeper, I have a lot of questions popping up that either poke holes in this fictional world, or the answers I need were not given or overlooked. Its giving Harry Potter vibes; makes perfect sense if you don’t think too hard, but then falls apart if you really start digging into the details.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After a lot of reflection, I think the plot was very well done. The details, the foreshadowing, everything, was well planned and executed. At the same time, some of the way it was presented to the reader, and the way the characters went about executing the plot, I didn’t like as much.
There were a few plot points, or choices made, that I just didn’t follow or didn’t make sense (but I don’t want to give a bunch of explicit spoilers here). I continued reading hoping that things would be explained later, and many things were, but not everything. This somewhat pulled me out of the story and took away from the overall experience. There was also a series of big reveals and climax at the end (as there often is) which was fine, but the way the author chose to approach this part of the novel I simply didn’t love. (so vague, I’m sorry, I tried)
The worldbuilding was well done, providing all the explanations required while avoiding infodumping. This novel had some unique and original elements which I enjoyed a lot. While reading through, the worldbuilding made sense and seemed to be very well constructed. That said, since I have started to reflect and think about things a little deeper, I have a lot of questions popping up that either poke holes in this fictional world, or the answers I need were not given or overlooked. Its giving Harry Potter vibes; makes perfect sense if you don’t think too hard, but then falls apart if you really start digging into the details.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2024
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 - ★★★★★ 5/5 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗌
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital ARC copy!
If you're looking for a:
-YA sapphic fantasy romance
-diverse cast of characters
-slow burn enemies to lovers
-with a unique elemental magic system
Then this book is for you!
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Markless is powerful debut, fast paced and written in third person limited present tense, which follows Ruti, a Markless girl.
In a society where one's worth is determined by the Mark on the palm of their hands, Ruti's kind is at the bottom of the food chain. But Ruti has a gift that has helped her survive in the hostile environment of the slums for eighteen years: she is a witch, who can wield the power of the spirits by singing to them and making an offer.
Her range of magic is potentially unlimited, since unlike the Bonded witches, who have mastery over only one element, she is bound to none. Maybe this is one of the reasons why Ruti is so attached to her freedom, even from emotional bonds. Ruti has always flown solo, occasionally helping who was willing to pay her well. Which in her case, would very well be enough money to feed herself. If she gives in to hope, or worse, love, she'll become a dreamer, something no Markless can allow themself to be.
Too bad her fragile balance is bound to be shattered by two events of immense magnitude which will turn her life upside down.
First, a Markless little girl, who she'll name Kimya, entering Ruti's life and not planning to leave anytime soon; the two girls grow to love each other like sisters, the first and only family they ever had, and the first person Ruti gets attached to since the death of a boy she took care of when she was six.
Second, attracting the unwanted attention of the very princess of her country, the icy and beautiful Dekala.
Dekala was only a child when both her parents died, and even though she's of age now, she is still deemed unfit to take the throne that rightfully belongs to her. Why? Because she's Unbonded.
Even people with a Mark have their struggles: they're given an elemental power upon receiving their half of Mark, but they will not be able to control it until they bond with another person, their soulbond, who will complete the circle. And being Bonded is very much not in Dekala's intentions. Falling in love? Out of question. Even less with someone she doesn't have the right to choose.
So when she witnesses the power Ruti holds, Dekala understands she might be her only chance to avoid the inevitable.
But refusing a divine gift of the spirits is no easy task. Dekala and Ruti will have to embark on a long journey together, that will change their hardened views of the world, of themselves... and of love, of course.
The relationship between Ruti and Dekala blooms like a flower, slowly and beautifully. Their banter is priceless, trust is VERY difficultly earned – Ruti only starts calling Dekala by her name after 50% of the story! – but when they come to understand each other, burying the hatchet, finding the good in each other and learning from their shared experiences... yeah, it was definitely worth the wait.
They fall in love against their better judgment, swept up by a storm of feelings they can't resist. They're soulmates, defying the common way of thinking of their society, where souls bound to each other can only be a man and a woman's, with compatible marks on their hands. There's a lot of pining and longing and denial (the holy trinity of romance), which I definitely liked and felt true to the way these characters were described.
The side characters are well fleshed out and diverse too, something I really like to see in a romantasy – the genre tends to focus only on the main couple and forget the other people in their life are likely something more than plot devices and allies/enemies. Ruti doesn't suddenly forget about Kimya just because she fell in love, duh.
Speaking of Kimya, I absolutely appreciated the representation of disability she provides! I've seen very few in fantasy, or swept under the rug of invisibility if present. The way she expresses herself in a sign language that is perfectly integrated into the lore, the fact the other characters make the effort of learning her way of speaking and never deeming her opinion unimportant for that was just so heartwarming to read.
All the characters are changed in the end of the story, I cannot stress enough how important this is. Especially Ruti and Dekala's development met my expectations (it's difficult, trust me).
Markless deals with themes of discrimination, segregation, neglect and targeted violence against minorities in an overall mature and conscious way. The privileged characters gain a new, humane perception of the Markless throughout the book, but the problem doesn't magically get solved in the end. It is rather the start of a long way towards progress that left me with a feeling of hope for the future.
(i definitely immerse myself too much in these fictional little worlds...)
The worldbuilding was also greatly structured and gradually revealed. A refreshing take that combines soulmates with elemental magic in a wide multicultural and interconnected world. We only see two of the kingdoms in detail, Zidesh (where the main cast comes from) and Rurana (which will have a major role in the second half of the story), each with their unique cultures and traditions. They also have a sort of religion linked to spirits, who all resemble one animal.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the role of singing in this magic system. I'm pretty used to runes, magic wands, or similar external devices that channel the magic. But the power of song to appeal to spirits high above, it's such a human thing to do, you know? It's something people have been doing since the dawn of times.
The ending felt a little rushed. The last three-four chapters were longer than the others and even faster paced. It threw me off a little, but not enough to become disappointing.
Overall this has been a nice reading experience I would've completed earlier if university didn't gobble up most of my free time. I look forward to following the author in any of their future endeavors.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital ARC copy!
If you're looking for a:
-YA sapphic fantasy romance
-diverse cast of characters
-slow burn enemies to lovers
-with a unique elemental magic system
Then this book is for you!
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Markless is powerful debut, fast paced and written in third person limited present tense, which follows Ruti, a Markless girl.
In a society where one's worth is determined by the Mark on the palm of their hands, Ruti's kind is at the bottom of the food chain. But Ruti has a gift that has helped her survive in the hostile environment of the slums for eighteen years: she is a witch, who can wield the power of the spirits by singing to them and making an offer.
Her range of magic is potentially unlimited, since unlike the Bonded witches, who have mastery over only one element, she is bound to none. Maybe this is one of the reasons why Ruti is so attached to her freedom, even from emotional bonds. Ruti has always flown solo, occasionally helping who was willing to pay her well. Which in her case, would very well be enough money to feed herself. If she gives in to hope, or worse, love, she'll become a dreamer, something no Markless can allow themself to be.
Too bad her fragile balance is bound to be shattered by two events of immense magnitude which will turn her life upside down.
First, a Markless little girl, who she'll name Kimya, entering Ruti's life and not planning to leave anytime soon; the two girls grow to love each other like sisters, the first and only family they ever had, and the first person Ruti gets attached to since the death of a boy she took care of when she was six.
Second, attracting the unwanted attention of the very princess of her country, the icy and beautiful Dekala.
Dekala was only a child when both her parents died, and even though she's of age now, she is still deemed unfit to take the throne that rightfully belongs to her. Why? Because she's Unbonded.
Even people with a Mark have their struggles: they're given an elemental power upon receiving their half of Mark, but they will not be able to control it until they bond with another person, their soulbond, who will complete the circle. And being Bonded is very much not in Dekala's intentions. Falling in love? Out of question. Even less with someone she doesn't have the right to choose.
So when she witnesses the power Ruti holds, Dekala understands she might be her only chance to avoid the inevitable.
But refusing a divine gift of the spirits is no easy task. Dekala and Ruti will have to embark on a long journey together, that will change their hardened views of the world, of themselves... and of love, of course.
The relationship between Ruti and Dekala blooms like a flower, slowly and beautifully. Their banter is priceless, trust is VERY difficultly earned – Ruti only starts calling Dekala by her name after 50% of the story! – but when they come to understand each other, burying the hatchet, finding the good in each other and learning from their shared experiences... yeah, it was definitely worth the wait.
They fall in love against their better judgment, swept up by a storm of feelings they can't resist. They're soulmates, defying the common way of thinking of their society, where souls bound to each other can only be a man and a woman's, with compatible marks on their hands. There's a lot of pining and longing and denial (the holy trinity of romance), which I definitely liked and felt true to the way these characters were described.
The side characters are well fleshed out and diverse too, something I really like to see in a romantasy – the genre tends to focus only on the main couple and forget the other people in their life are likely something more than plot devices and allies/enemies. Ruti doesn't suddenly forget about Kimya just because she fell in love, duh.
Speaking of Kimya, I absolutely appreciated the representation of disability she provides! I've seen very few in fantasy, or swept under the rug of invisibility if present. The way she expresses herself in a sign language that is perfectly integrated into the lore, the fact the other characters make the effort of learning her way of speaking and never deeming her opinion unimportant for that was just so heartwarming to read.
All the characters are changed in the end of the story, I cannot stress enough how important this is. Especially Ruti and Dekala's development met my expectations (it's difficult, trust me).
Markless deals with themes of discrimination, segregation, neglect and targeted violence against minorities in an overall mature and conscious way. The privileged characters gain a new, humane perception of the Markless throughout the book, but the problem doesn't magically get solved in the end. It is rather the start of a long way towards progress that left me with a feeling of hope for the future.
(i definitely immerse myself too much in these fictional little worlds...)
The worldbuilding was also greatly structured and gradually revealed. A refreshing take that combines soulmates with elemental magic in a wide multicultural and interconnected world. We only see two of the kingdoms in detail, Zidesh (where the main cast comes from) and Rurana (which will have a major role in the second half of the story), each with their unique cultures and traditions. They also have a sort of religion linked to spirits, who all resemble one animal.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the role of singing in this magic system. I'm pretty used to runes, magic wands, or similar external devices that channel the magic. But the power of song to appeal to spirits high above, it's such a human thing to do, you know? It's something people have been doing since the dawn of times.
The ending felt a little rushed. The last three-four chapters were longer than the others and even faster paced. It threw me off a little, but not enough to become disappointing.
Overall this has been a nice reading experience I would've completed earlier if university didn't gobble up most of my free time. I look forward to following the author in any of their future endeavors.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
July 2, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this and the world was so immersive! I fould myself really invested in the main character and wanted her to succeed.
There were parts that felt a bit rushed were time jumps weren't really clear and that took me out of the story, but I was always excited to find my way back in.
There were parts that felt a bit rushed were time jumps weren't really clear and that took me out of the story, but I was always excited to find my way back in.
March 11, 2025
I know C.G. Malburi through her unofficial “works”, and I was a big fan of her writing, and her characterization. I was surprised that she finally published a book. It’s so rare to find a published book with the soulmates/soulmarks trope despite its popularity in fandom space. I was wondering what her take on this trope and I can’t believe it’s a subversion on the trope itself.
The world building was quite immersive for a YA novel. I enjoy the magic and the mark systems. Though I wish we learned more about the spirits, like why they granted mortals’ marks and power, why some markless can utilize their power or why they seemed to favor Ruti the most. I also wonder if this world is queernorm or not since most people didn’t bat their eyelashes at Ruti’s love for Dekala, but there were no records of same-sex bonded pairs in Somanchi.
Ruti was a lonely witch with a tender heart for young children. She was fine on her own until she saved a little girl who didn’t run from Ruti but chose to stay with her. I have to say, I love Ruti and Kimya’s relationship, I love how they cared for each other, and how it’s a family by choice not by blood. I also love how Kimya and Dekala’s relationship. We can see how Dekala’s heart melted for this little girl, and how she can’t help but care for her.
The romance was a little bit lackluster for me. Dekala was not the type of character that you instantly fell head over heels for. She was quite rude, standoffish and snobby as the beginning. I knew she had this prejudice towards the markless, but some of her interactions with Ruti made me very uncomfortable. As for Ruti, she was short tempered and provocative towards Dekala. The romance was slow burn enough, but it was not developed enough for me, especially from Dekala’s side. Which is quite strange considering all of her previous works, the romance was always tastefully done, the pining was palpable, the angst tugged of your heart. Maybe it was due to the worldbuilding, or maybe it was the case of original work. I just wish Dekala didn’t bond with that man. I know it’s a fuck destiny I’m choosing you type of story, but I also yearn for soulmates and the power of it. Imagine if Ruti and Dekala did something that no one ever did, imagine if they kissed and they became bonded.
Some other things I didn’t like: the twist hinged on the concealment of Ruti’s POV, Ruti being reckless for no reason, Dekala’s indecisiveness until the last moment, and the ending of the Regent and the villain.
Overall, it’s solid for a debut and I’m still looking forward to her future works and her unofficial works.
The world building was quite immersive for a YA novel. I enjoy the magic and the mark systems. Though I wish we learned more about the spirits, like why they granted mortals’ marks and power, why some markless can utilize their power or why they seemed to favor Ruti the most. I also wonder if this world is queernorm or not since most people didn’t bat their eyelashes at Ruti’s love for Dekala, but there were no records of same-sex bonded pairs in Somanchi.
Ruti was a lonely witch with a tender heart for young children. She was fine on her own until she saved a little girl who didn’t run from Ruti but chose to stay with her. I have to say, I love Ruti and Kimya’s relationship, I love how they cared for each other, and how it’s a family by choice not by blood. I also love how Kimya and Dekala’s relationship. We can see how Dekala’s heart melted for this little girl, and how she can’t help but care for her.
The romance was a little bit lackluster for me. Dekala was not the type of character that you instantly fell head over heels for. She was quite rude, standoffish and snobby as the beginning. I knew she had this prejudice towards the markless, but some of her interactions with Ruti made me very uncomfortable. As for Ruti, she was short tempered and provocative towards Dekala. The romance was slow burn enough, but it was not developed enough for me, especially from Dekala’s side. Which is quite strange considering all of her previous works, the romance was always tastefully done, the pining was palpable, the angst tugged of your heart. Maybe it was due to the worldbuilding, or maybe it was the case of original work. I just wish Dekala didn’t bond with that man. I know it’s a fuck destiny I’m choosing you type of story, but I also yearn for soulmates and the power of it. Imagine if Ruti and Dekala did something that no one ever did, imagine if they kissed and they became bonded.
Some other things I didn’t like: the twist hinged on the concealment of Ruti’s POV, Ruti being reckless for no reason, Dekala’s indecisiveness until the last moment, and the ending of the Regent and the villain.
Overall, it’s solid for a debut and I’m still looking forward to her future works and her unofficial works.
June 15, 2024
In C. G. Malburi's world, being Markless is almost always a death sentence. Born without the sigils on their palms that grant access to elemental power and the ability to soulbond, the Markless gather in slums, begging for food to survive. Among them is Ruti, whose aptitude for witchcraft draws the attention of Dekala, a princess willing to do whatever it takes to avoid the one thing Ruti can never have--a soulbond. When their reluctant alliance sparks unexpected feelings, Ruti and Dekala risk everything--including their hearts--to find freedom for themselves and the Markless Ruti is determined to protect.
Markless is trying to do a lot at once (at varying times it feels like a sapphic twist on Aladdin, a riff on Avatar: The Last Airbender, a "quest" journey, and a dystopian revolution), and though all of its elements have individual promise, none ultimately felt quite fulfilled. While Malburi's magic system was interesting, it wasn't as unique or fresh as I'd hoped, and more information about the world earlier on would have helped to ground the plot. I was left with many questions--how the elemental magic works beyond the small glimpses of Bonded we see, why so few can connect to the gods through witchcraft, why the Markless are so loathed, and how no Zideshi citizens soulbond in same-sex or platonic pairs while those living in bordering countries do, and though I understand avoiding information overload, none of these questions were ever truly answered by the end of the book.
That said, Markless did hook me as I continued to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dekala and Ruti's verbal sparring shift from antagonistic to affectionate. The romance felt realistic, and I loved how the ending allowed each character to be true to themselves. Markless celebrates difference, from a side character who expertly communicates through sign language to Ruti's status as both Markless and powerful witch, and it was Malburi's thoughtfulness and intentionality toward representation that really elevated my reading experience. This might not be the book for readers seeking spice or passionate, explosive declarations of love, but the plot is engaging, and fans of dystopias, sapphic romance, and fantasy driven by political intrigue will find a lot to enjoy--particularly in the second half of the book!
My rating: 3.5 stars
Markless is trying to do a lot at once (at varying times it feels like a sapphic twist on Aladdin, a riff on Avatar: The Last Airbender, a "quest" journey, and a dystopian revolution), and though all of its elements have individual promise, none ultimately felt quite fulfilled. While Malburi's magic system was interesting, it wasn't as unique or fresh as I'd hoped, and more information about the world earlier on would have helped to ground the plot. I was left with many questions--how the elemental magic works beyond the small glimpses of Bonded we see, why so few can connect to the gods through witchcraft, why the Markless are so loathed, and how no Zideshi citizens soulbond in same-sex or platonic pairs while those living in bordering countries do, and though I understand avoiding information overload, none of these questions were ever truly answered by the end of the book.
That said, Markless did hook me as I continued to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dekala and Ruti's verbal sparring shift from antagonistic to affectionate. The romance felt realistic, and I loved how the ending allowed each character to be true to themselves. Markless celebrates difference, from a side character who expertly communicates through sign language to Ruti's status as both Markless and powerful witch, and it was Malburi's thoughtfulness and intentionality toward representation that really elevated my reading experience. This might not be the book for readers seeking spice or passionate, explosive declarations of love, but the plot is engaging, and fans of dystopias, sapphic romance, and fantasy driven by political intrigue will find a lot to enjoy--particularly in the second half of the book!
My rating: 3.5 stars
June 17, 2024
I just finished listening to "Markless" by C.G. Malburi, narrated by the talented Sophie Amoss. This YA fantasy audiobook offered me a thought-provoking experience as it whisked me away into a world where the gaping divide between the Marked and the Markless resonated with themes of discrimination and societal injustice.
The exploration of social and political dynamics within the narrative struck a chord with me. The heartbreaking portrayal of the Markless, abandoned at birth and left to fend for themselves in the unforgiving slums, laid bare the systemic oppression and societal neglect that plagued this world. In the neighboring kingdom, the Markless faced even harsher realities, sold as slaves or forced to live in the shadows of an underground community.
As I journeyed through the intricacies of this divided society, I couldn't help but question the lack of progress in bridging the gap between these segregated factions. The proposed "solution" of relocating Markless children to a different kingdom only skimmed the surface of addressing the deep-rooted inequalities and injustices endured by the marginalized.
The audiobook skilfully unraveled a tapestry of power struggles and personal conflicts, although the romance between Ruti and the heir left me yearning for more depth and emotional connection. The story's resolution, muddled by our unreliable narrator's revelations, left me pondering the true motivations that drove the characters' actions.
A highlight for me was delving into the intricate magic system woven throughout the narrative. However, the lack of a comprehensive explanation surrounding the roles of spirits, witches, and the significance of Marks left me with unanswered questions. I craved a deeper exploration of these fantastical elements to fully immerse myself in the magical realm crafted by the author.
"Markless" ultimately captivated me with its exploration of discrimination and identity within a vividly imagined fantasy realm. While Sophie Amoss's narration enhanced the audiobook experience, unresolved plot points, underdeveloped relationships, and ambiguous world-building elements left me wanting more from this intriguing tale. This is a 3.5 rating for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this audiobook.
June 15, 2024
Characters (and readers) put thru the wringer in angsty romance adventure story
Markless is angsty, complicated and difficult to stop reading once you get into it, so plan your reading sessions with that in mind. The book is dedicated to swen, the swanqueen fandom, where the author contributed numerous stories to feed the imagination of readers, creating legions of fans of her addictive writing. Markless is not a simple rewrite of one of those fan fiction stories although there are faint echoes in the personality traits of the main characters that reminded me of characters in her previous writings. Markless is set in a world with magical ability or command over the elements given to some, discrimination meted out against many, and unwarranted privilege for others based on a single physical trait. The world building is well thought out and fascinating but unless there is another story set to be written in this alternate universe, your time in it is unfortunately limited.
The book is classified as being for teenagers but also can easily be enjoyed by adults of all ages. Some of the subject matter is dark with real life parallels so bear that in mind for younger readers. Parents or guardians of younger readers might consider using the story content to broach conversations with their young charges about some of the topics addressed in the book. Or they can simply read it for the high level storytelling, complicated characters and the author's ability to draw readers in to care about, root for or against, or even forgive, certain characters at any given time. The end of the book may not satisfy all readers for any number of reasons but there is resolution and perhaps a lessening of all the angst that pervades the story. Readers of Markless are put thru the emotional wringer nearly as much as the book's characters, the latter of whom suffer in other ways as well.
I recommend this book to adults and older teenagers if angst, adventure and alternate universes are your jam, or if you are part of swen, and hope the author publishes more stories in book form as well as online fan fiction.
Markless is angsty, complicated and difficult to stop reading once you get into it, so plan your reading sessions with that in mind. The book is dedicated to swen, the swanqueen fandom, where the author contributed numerous stories to feed the imagination of readers, creating legions of fans of her addictive writing. Markless is not a simple rewrite of one of those fan fiction stories although there are faint echoes in the personality traits of the main characters that reminded me of characters in her previous writings. Markless is set in a world with magical ability or command over the elements given to some, discrimination meted out against many, and unwarranted privilege for others based on a single physical trait. The world building is well thought out and fascinating but unless there is another story set to be written in this alternate universe, your time in it is unfortunately limited.
The book is classified as being for teenagers but also can easily be enjoyed by adults of all ages. Some of the subject matter is dark with real life parallels so bear that in mind for younger readers. Parents or guardians of younger readers might consider using the story content to broach conversations with their young charges about some of the topics addressed in the book. Or they can simply read it for the high level storytelling, complicated characters and the author's ability to draw readers in to care about, root for or against, or even forgive, certain characters at any given time. The end of the book may not satisfy all readers for any number of reasons but there is resolution and perhaps a lessening of all the angst that pervades the story. Readers of Markless are put thru the emotional wringer nearly as much as the book's characters, the latter of whom suffer in other ways as well.
I recommend this book to adults and older teenagers if angst, adventure and alternate universes are your jam, or if you are part of swen, and hope the author publishes more stories in book form as well as online fan fiction.
April 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this title!
I wish that I had ended up liking it better. For the first two thirds it seemed like it was setting things up to go in a direction I could love, but the last 25% or so felt like nonsense to me. This is mostly because the narrative, which was close third person up till that point, decided to try to keep the reader dark on the main character's plans and actions. This was weird since up till that point we'd always been on the same page as the protagonist, information-wise. This was an attempt to end the book on a series of surprising reveals, I guess, but rather than being excited I just felt like the character's actions made no sense at all... and I didn't feel much better about that fact when it revealed that the reasons their actions were completely disconnected was because they did a bunch of stuff off camera which the POV withheld from the reader in an extremely awkward and disconcerting way.
Besides that, I just could not see Dekala as being someone worth fighting for. She gets to act completely selfishly the entire book, except for a couple of pet-the-dog moments where she saves someone from danger that she created, and by the end of the book Ruti, the protagonist, is completely lovesick with her to the point that it just gets sort of frustrating and ridiculous. Like, girl, I kept saying to myself, have some self-respect. This is getting embarrassing.
The worldbuilding had a lot of cool ideas and interesting executions of those ideas, regarding the spirits. I just kind of wish it had been more about that, in the end. Given that people seem to hate Markless because they aren't loved/marked by the spirits, you would think that Ruti being an extremely powerful witch, much loved by the spirits, would challenge people's thoughts on that issue, but strangely that never really comes up at all. Witches, in general, were sort of an under-explored concept, and I wish I could have learned more about the spiritual side of the setting.
I wish that I had ended up liking it better. For the first two thirds it seemed like it was setting things up to go in a direction I could love, but the last 25% or so felt like nonsense to me. This is mostly because the narrative, which was close third person up till that point, decided to try to keep the reader dark on the main character's plans and actions. This was weird since up till that point we'd always been on the same page as the protagonist, information-wise. This was an attempt to end the book on a series of surprising reveals, I guess, but rather than being excited I just felt like the character's actions made no sense at all... and I didn't feel much better about that fact when it revealed that the reasons their actions were completely disconnected was because they did a bunch of stuff off camera which the POV withheld from the reader in an extremely awkward and disconcerting way.
Besides that, I just could not see Dekala as being someone worth fighting for. She gets to act completely selfishly the entire book, except for a couple of pet-the-dog moments where she saves someone from danger that she created, and by the end of the book Ruti, the protagonist, is completely lovesick with her to the point that it just gets sort of frustrating and ridiculous. Like, girl, I kept saying to myself, have some self-respect. This is getting embarrassing.
The worldbuilding had a lot of cool ideas and interesting executions of those ideas, regarding the spirits. I just kind of wish it had been more about that, in the end. Given that people seem to hate Markless because they aren't loved/marked by the spirits, you would think that Ruti being an extremely powerful witch, much loved by the spirits, would challenge people's thoughts on that issue, but strangely that never really comes up at all. Witches, in general, were sort of an under-explored concept, and I wish I could have learned more about the spiritual side of the setting.
July 25, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, CG Malburi and Levine Querido for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Ruti, Dekala and Kimya have wormed their way into my heart and I don't think they'll be leaving any time soon.
Ruti is born Markless in a world where people's Marks are both a source of power and belonging and a way to find their Soulbond. In the Zideshi slums that Markless are destined to live and die in, she has carved out a meagre life for herself, a small shop for a home, and a rotating cast of stray orphans that gravitate towards her for the magic that gives her a unique power among Markless. One such stray is Kimya, a young girl with a knack for pickpocketing who both surprises Ruti with how fiercely they come to care for each other and sets in motion the story that forces Ruti and the Heir, Dekala, together.
While the romance is a huge part of the storyline, it sits alongside a coming-of-age and a reckoning with identity for both Ruti, who believes she is destined to never have a family or any kind of close connection, and Dekala, who is trying to avoid finding or falling in love with her Soulbond so she can rule independently as Queen. The world of MARKLESS is one built on the tropes of marked soulmates, but different cities and cultures within the story reveal a myriad of attitudes towards the Marks and the Markless, as Ruti, Dekala and Kimya discover on their journeys. The forced proximity of a shared quest, as well as moments of tenderness and
desire that CG Malburi weaves alongside action and intrigue, help to bring both Ruti and Dekala out from behind their respective protective walls.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed MARKLESS and found myself picking it up again and again over a few short days, racing towards the end every spare moment I got. It's a masterpiece of fantasy worldbuilding, sapphic longing, found families, existing in a hostile world and coming of age despite it all.
This is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Ruti, Dekala and Kimya have wormed their way into my heart and I don't think they'll be leaving any time soon.
Ruti is born Markless in a world where people's Marks are both a source of power and belonging and a way to find their Soulbond. In the Zideshi slums that Markless are destined to live and die in, she has carved out a meagre life for herself, a small shop for a home, and a rotating cast of stray orphans that gravitate towards her for the magic that gives her a unique power among Markless. One such stray is Kimya, a young girl with a knack for pickpocketing who both surprises Ruti with how fiercely they come to care for each other and sets in motion the story that forces Ruti and the Heir, Dekala, together.
While the romance is a huge part of the storyline, it sits alongside a coming-of-age and a reckoning with identity for both Ruti, who believes she is destined to never have a family or any kind of close connection, and Dekala, who is trying to avoid finding or falling in love with her Soulbond so she can rule independently as Queen. The world of MARKLESS is one built on the tropes of marked soulmates, but different cities and cultures within the story reveal a myriad of attitudes towards the Marks and the Markless, as Ruti, Dekala and Kimya discover on their journeys. The forced proximity of a shared quest, as well as moments of tenderness and
desire that CG Malburi weaves alongside action and intrigue, help to bring both Ruti and Dekala out from behind their respective protective walls.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed MARKLESS and found myself picking it up again and again over a few short days, racing towards the end every spare moment I got. It's a masterpiece of fantasy worldbuilding, sapphic longing, found families, existing in a hostile world and coming of age despite it all.
April 14, 2024
Markless by C.G. Marlburi
Ruti is a social outcast, first for being “Markless”, meaning she can’t form a soulbound signified by the lack of markings on her palm. Being Markless puts her in the lowest rungs of society. Second, she’s a witch, able to sing to the gods and ask for their favors in specific ways, soemtimes with small offerings to assist her song. Ruti and her ward Kimya are captured by the royal princess and her bodyguard, as the princess has a request to ask of the gods.
I found this book to be interesting in a number of ways, more than I can really say that I enjoyed it. I found the magic system to be really interesting, particularly as it’s described in sort of a purple prose kind of way, much more so that magic systems usually are. I think this idea where not having a soulmate is super stigmatized, to such a degree that “Markless” people are shunned, is super interesting, especially with how obsessed we are with finding our romantic partner and living happily ever after, etc.
Overall, I liked the journey of this book. It’s exciting and well paced, it takes lots of turns and is a really fun read. But I found the characters to lack much depth. The love interest has a very cliche life philosophy (I guess you could call it) that never really acquires any sort of depth or menaing, and just stays surface level cliche through most of the book. The bodyguard, who we end up spending a lot of time with, is also kind of one note. We see a touch of a different note at the end, but that’s pretty much it. And the book tries to say a few things about soulbounds that the ending sort of undercuts, and its just left me wondering what we’re saying here.
So, in the end, if you’re looking for a fun fantasy adventure you’re willing to take a face value, this one might be for you. (This book might also be an interesting book to talk about with people.)
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Levine Querido for a copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.
Ruti is a social outcast, first for being “Markless”, meaning she can’t form a soulbound signified by the lack of markings on her palm. Being Markless puts her in the lowest rungs of society. Second, she’s a witch, able to sing to the gods and ask for their favors in specific ways, soemtimes with small offerings to assist her song. Ruti and her ward Kimya are captured by the royal princess and her bodyguard, as the princess has a request to ask of the gods.
I found this book to be interesting in a number of ways, more than I can really say that I enjoyed it. I found the magic system to be really interesting, particularly as it’s described in sort of a purple prose kind of way, much more so that magic systems usually are. I think this idea where not having a soulmate is super stigmatized, to such a degree that “Markless” people are shunned, is super interesting, especially with how obsessed we are with finding our romantic partner and living happily ever after, etc.
Overall, I liked the journey of this book. It’s exciting and well paced, it takes lots of turns and is a really fun read. But I found the characters to lack much depth. The love interest has a very cliche life philosophy (I guess you could call it) that never really acquires any sort of depth or menaing, and just stays surface level cliche through most of the book. The bodyguard, who we end up spending a lot of time with, is also kind of one note. We see a touch of a different note at the end, but that’s pretty much it. And the book tries to say a few things about soulbounds that the ending sort of undercuts, and its just left me wondering what we’re saying here.
So, in the end, if you’re looking for a fun fantasy adventure you’re willing to take a face value, this one might be for you. (This book might also be an interesting book to talk about with people.)
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Levine Querido for a copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.
June 10, 2024
It was simply remarkable.
It took me some time to adjust to the third person view in PRESENT TENSE but after four chapters my brain stopped being wierd and I was fully immersed into the story.
Immesrive world-building, awesome characters, magic, even pirates, and the cold-hearted (or is she?) queen on the quest to find her freedom and ascend the throne. Alas Dekala's heart is sealed, she will never love, or so she says.
Markless has a unique and simply remarkable (yes, I'm gonna say this word a lot) take on the soulmates trope. Soulmates trope is pretty high on my list of favourites, with all this cliches and cringy stuff at times. But this book, I promise, is stunningly something else.
I think I fell in love with this book the moment Kimya, a mute markless girl, gives a piece of chocolate to Ruti, our markless witch, as a thank you for saving her and the said chocolate from being plundered by other markless boys. From that moment on, Ruti and Kimya become like a family (found sisters) and together they enter the world of the queen Dekala, though not by their own will.
As someone who loves explosive love tropes, Markless is rather slow in this department BUT THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. Dekala's heart is wounded (broken?), at times seems, beyond repair due to what happened to her parents, or, as Dekala believes what love did to her parents. She's hell-bent on never loving anyone because love is what killed her parents, and wounds like this don't heal fast. But the chemestry between Ruti and Dekala is undeniable the farther they go on their journey seeking for Dekala's freedom from the bonding. And it was written simply remarkably (yes this word again, sue me).
Thank you to NetGalley Read Now for the opportunity to discover this book, it was truly remarkable!
It took me some time to adjust to the third person view in PRESENT TENSE but after four chapters my brain stopped being wierd and I was fully immersed into the story.
Immesrive world-building, awesome characters, magic, even pirates, and the cold-hearted (or is she?) queen on the quest to find her freedom and ascend the throne. Alas Dekala's heart is sealed, she will never love, or so she says.
Markless has a unique and simply remarkable (yes, I'm gonna say this word a lot) take on the soulmates trope. Soulmates trope is pretty high on my list of favourites, with all this cliches and cringy stuff at times. But this book, I promise, is stunningly something else.
I think I fell in love with this book the moment Kimya, a mute markless girl, gives a piece of chocolate to Ruti, our markless witch, as a thank you for saving her and the said chocolate from being plundered by other markless boys. From that moment on, Ruti and Kimya become like a family (found sisters) and together they enter the world of the queen Dekala, though not by their own will.
As someone who loves explosive love tropes, Markless is rather slow in this department BUT THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. Dekala's heart is wounded (broken?), at times seems, beyond repair due to what happened to her parents, or, as Dekala believes what love did to her parents. She's hell-bent on never loving anyone because love is what killed her parents, and wounds like this don't heal fast. But the chemestry between Ruti and Dekala is undeniable the farther they go on their journey seeking for Dekala's freedom from the bonding. And it was written simply remarkably (yes this word again, sue me).
Thank you to NetGalley Read Now for the opportunity to discover this book, it was truly remarkable!
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