Hey again guys!
As my second Mark This Book Monday entry of the week I have the sequel to Marked and the reason I finally started reading the series, because once I got approved for this eARC on NetGalley I felt like I really HAD to start the series!
Since this one is a fantastic mix of genres and it's an ARC I can count it towards three of my challenges, the 2015 Mythology Challenge, the Dystopian Challenge 2015 and the 105 Challenge for the books for review category!
Claimed by Sarah Fine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Getting approved on Netgalley for Claimed is what made me start this trilogy and I'm thankful for both the approval and for the push to start this series because I'm simply in love!
The second book expands on the world building and twists the plot another notch and although Eli and Cacia are present and continue to be important in the book, the focus is not on them this time, very much like it paranormal romance series, we have a new couple to take the lead, with their own conflicts and their on path to finding their way together.
Since most of the world got established in the first book, we focus more on the plot in this one, because even threads that we though had got solved in the first book aren't exactly as well tied as we thought, and things get even more dire, with people dying without getting Marked, rogue Keres are popping up everywhere and we aren't really sure who to trust at all! The tension was even higher in this one than in the first book, because even the good guys could be influenced and turned against each other.
Galena and Declan are an interesting couple because both are very closed off for their own reasons, but given how Galena is an abuse and rape survivor, some warning for triggers need to be given. It is explored rather well, in my uninformed opinion, but despite their relationship starting as a very marriage of convenience, Declan always gave Galena the power of deciding and choosing what, when and how, and she was the one that made the choice to finally stop letting her past control her.
We discover that there are traitors in both the Keres and the Ferrys and that the Fates are not as in control as we'd think (or even hope) and we meet more Greek myths in this one. Maybe that's why I guessed who the bad guy was a bit early in advance and it made me a bit mad waiting for the rest to catch up, because of my knowledge of Greek myths.
The mix of paranormal romance, urban fantasy in a postapocalyptic setting and Greek mythology is flawlessly done and I was turning pages as fast as I could read them! A fantastic sequel that was as good or even better than the first book was! Very well deserved 4.5 stars for this one and cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy!!
View all my reviews
As my second Mark This Book Monday entry of the week I have the sequel to Marked and the reason I finally started reading the series, because once I got approved for this eARC on NetGalley I felt like I really HAD to start the series!
Since this one is a fantastic mix of genres and it's an ARC I can count it towards three of my challenges, the 2015 Mythology Challenge, the Dystopian Challenge 2015 and the 105 Challenge for the books for review category!
Claimed by Sarah FineMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Getting approved on Netgalley for Claimed is what made me start this trilogy and I'm thankful for both the approval and for the push to start this series because I'm simply in love!
The second book expands on the world building and twists the plot another notch and although Eli and Cacia are present and continue to be important in the book, the focus is not on them this time, very much like it paranormal romance series, we have a new couple to take the lead, with their own conflicts and their on path to finding their way together.
Since most of the world got established in the first book, we focus more on the plot in this one, because even threads that we though had got solved in the first book aren't exactly as well tied as we thought, and things get even more dire, with people dying without getting Marked, rogue Keres are popping up everywhere and we aren't really sure who to trust at all! The tension was even higher in this one than in the first book, because even the good guys could be influenced and turned against each other.
Galena and Declan are an interesting couple because both are very closed off for their own reasons, but given how Galena is an abuse and rape survivor, some warning for triggers need to be given. It is explored rather well, in my uninformed opinion, but despite their relationship starting as a very marriage of convenience, Declan always gave Galena the power of deciding and choosing what, when and how, and she was the one that made the choice to finally stop letting her past control her.
We discover that there are traitors in both the Keres and the Ferrys and that the Fates are not as in control as we'd think (or even hope) and we meet more Greek myths in this one. Maybe that's why I guessed who the bad guy was a bit early in advance and it made me a bit mad waiting for the rest to catch up, because of my knowledge of Greek myths.
The mix of paranormal romance, urban fantasy in a postapocalyptic setting and Greek mythology is flawlessly done and I was turning pages as fast as I could read them! A fantastic sequel that was as good or even better than the first book was! Very well deserved 4.5 stars for this one and cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy!!
View all my reviews
This was on NetGalley? DAMMIT!!!! It's been so long since I've been on there, but it's okay because I can just buy this one tomorrow (I think). I'm so glad to see you loved it, I have really high hopes as I do for all Sarah's books and she hasn't let me down yet. MORE SARAH FINE PILI!!!
ReplyDeleteYESSSS!! I was so excited when I requested it and even more when I got approved!! And Jenny, you NEED to get it STAT!!!
DeleteAw, awesome review Pili. <3 I'm so glad you are enjoying this series. This book do sound pretty awesome :D Not my thing, not yet, but might want to read this series one day ;p And lol, yay for getting approved on Netgalley, and then starting this series :D Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3
ReplyDeleteI do hope you'll eventually give this series a try, because it's an awesome series!
DeleteThank you so much sweetie!! *hugs*
I like the idea of the time being taken to focus on the plot in this book, and the fact that it was able to develop a whole lot more. I have heard of these books and I would like to try something by Sarah Fine sometime. Great reviews, Pili!
ReplyDeletehttp://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2015/03/fantasy-favourites-read-thon-kick-off.html
This is my second Sarah Fine book and I own other 3 books by her so I really need to keep on reading more, because I've loved her writing so far!
DeleteThank you for visiting the blog Olivia!!
It sounds like this sequel novel does its job as a sequel novel! I'm excited to read it :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read the Guards of the Shadowlands series by Fine? Of Metal and Wishes? Scan? I can't remember if you have or not. I recommend all five :)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I have both the Guards of the Shadowlands and Of Metal & Wishes in my list, so maybe I should add them to the Alyssa Recommends list!! ;)
DeleteWoah, Greek myths, a deep respectful romance and paranormal mix? Man, this series sounds like it's totally up my alley. And i really appreciate how their relationship is based on respect as well! Great review Pili!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeann! I do hope you'll give the series a try!
DeleteAfter reading your review for Marked, I was definitely interested in the story (series). Your review of Claimed has bumped up my desire to read these books even more. I like that the author did not feel the need to keep stressing the world building in the next book, added more mythology and even through another couple into the storyline. Thanks for taking the time to post your opinions so others like me get a chance to find new books to read.
ReplyDeleteSo very happy to hear that Karen! I do hope you'll give the series a try and love it!
DeleteThank you so much for visiting the blog!