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Marked #1
Marked
**This book has been re-edited.**
'There's something terribly wrong with his eyes. My mind struggles to rationalize what I'm seeing and I tell myself that it's just a trick of the light, or that maybe I'm hallucinating due to the crushing amount of fear I'm feeling, because when I look at them, all I see is darkness. Deep dark voids that threaten to swallow me whole.'
When 17 year old Hanna Harper agrees to see a local band at The Iron Knife Club with her two best friends, she has no idea her life is about to change forever and that everything she thought was impossible...isn't.
Marked with a mystical symbol by a dying boy, she's thrust into a world she never imagined existed where her eyes are opened to the reality that fallen angels are very real, and very dangerous. And with just one look from their soulless black eyes, they can take everything from you.
And now, because of the symbol and the secret it contains, a secret she must protect at all costs, those black eyes have set their sights on her.
'There's something terribly wrong with his eyes. My mind struggles to rationalize what I'm seeing and I tell myself that it's just a trick of the light, or that maybe I'm hallucinating due to the crushing amount of fear I'm feeling, because when I look at them, all I see is darkness. Deep dark voids that threaten to swallow me whole.'
When 17 year old Hanna Harper agrees to see a local band at The Iron Knife Club with her two best friends, she has no idea her life is about to change forever and that everything she thought was impossible...isn't.
Marked with a mystical symbol by a dying boy, she's thrust into a world she never imagined existed where her eyes are opened to the reality that fallen angels are very real, and very dangerous. And with just one look from their soulless black eyes, they can take everything from you.
And now, because of the symbol and the secret it contains, a secret she must protect at all costs, those black eyes have set their sights on her.
312 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
368 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
T.L. McDonald
10 books102 followersT.L. McDonald lives in Ohio with her husband, her three wonderful children, and her little miniature pinscher Lola (who thinks she's a big beast.) When she's not spending time with her family or friends, she can often be found staring at the computer screen as she writes new material (okay sometimes she's actually just surfing her newsfeed on Facebook or Twitter), curled up with a good book, or occasionally binge watching an entire series on Netflix. Although T.L. has been writing since her childhood, Marked is her very first published novel and now that she's gotten this far, she has no plans of stopping. Nothing makes her happier than knowing she's put something out into the world for people to enjoy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 31, 2016
Marked is a good sort of paranormal story with some romance and a bunch of kick ass thrown in.
Hanna and her brother, Adam, live in a big house all alone. Their parents were killed over a year ago and since Adam is of age, they were able to stay in the house and live out their college/high school days. The book doesn't really cover what happened to the parents. I mean, they were talked about but I can't remember the details because there were not many. Adam, is in and out of the story. His character is not mentioned much and explored little in this book. Hanna is a goofy sort of person. She is clumbsy and unsure of herself. She lacks confidence and, imho, under eats
Jared and Kat are Hanna's best friends. Kat is a horribly selfish person where everything has to be about her and Hanna is just along for the ride. Jared, is Hanna's next door neighbor who she has known her entire life.
The book starts out with Kat convincing Hanna to go to a club. At the club, Hanna leaves to go after Jared when he becomes angry and gets lost and ends up meeting Sam and Blondie in a back alleyway. Blondie turns out to be a fallen angel who is trying to get information from Sam, a gifted human with a secret. Blondie takes off but before Sam dies, he marks Hanna with his memories and the secret he wasn't going to give away.
Later in the book, the reader is introduced to Will and Zoe who are twins. They, too, are gifted humans who were close with Sam and learn about Hanna. Zoe is a bit standoffish. Will has the hots for Hanna and is in the book much more. He tries to help Hanna by teaching her and talking to her about Sam's past.
What would a book be without the bad guy and good guys fighting? Blondie comes around only a few times in the book but each time there is a pretty good fight and the author does a great job of describing and allowing the reader to visualize the fight.
The book covers about a two week span of Hanna's life. In that short amount of time Hanna is flown into a whirlwind. Relationships change, a new world appears to her, knowledge of things she had no idea come to light, and she grows from her experiences. I actually enjoyed this book. There really wasn't much of anything that I didn't like.
Will is the hot guy in the book. Naturally, Kat has the hots for him and tries to convince Hanna to make her look good. This ends up in a huge fight between the two. Hanna feels bad and ruminates about Kat but Kat just goes out for revenge. Kat's character is interesting. Although a horrible person, I think the author really wrote her well and had fun with the character. Kat was very real for me.
Jared and Hanna create an understanding and a new relationship emerges. While Will is the hot guy, My opinion is that Jared is the hot guy. Team Jared! He was very sexy, but not by his looks. Jared is a very supportive and loving person. He shows he cares for Hanna in the things he does. Will is just there to look good.
I found a few instances of strange writing in the book. Nothing major but "these ones" is not correct English. Haha
The story did move a bit slow. Things progress and change but by the middle of the book the pace does slow down. The reader doesn't know much of anything at this point and the mystery isn't revealed until about 90% in. The book does end with a cliff hanger. So be prepared.
I predicted a love triangle half way through the book. I can't say I'm wrong, this story continues into a series, but in this book, there is no love triangle. There are many things that were not answered in this book. Although the major secret to the book is answered, nothing else is and nothing is elaborated on. The next book, presumably holds many more answers and much more information as to why Blondie wants things, who he is, how the Fallen work and so forth.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I found the story to be very interesting. Although, slow in places, I found the story entertaining and I wanted to read about the characters. I cared about them and I wanted to find out what the mystery was. The author did a good job in creating tension and keeping the mystery interesting for the reader. I was a bit surprised by the ending. I thought the author would go in a different direction but what she did in the end isn't bad. I would be interested in continuing on with the series.
I received this book from the author and through I Love YA books in exchange for an honest review.
Content: Clean, some minor language
Hanna and her brother, Adam, live in a big house all alone. Their parents were killed over a year ago and since Adam is of age, they were able to stay in the house and live out their college/high school days. The book doesn't really cover what happened to the parents. I mean, they were talked about but I can't remember the details because there were not many. Adam, is in and out of the story. His character is not mentioned much and explored little in this book. Hanna is a goofy sort of person. She is clumbsy and unsure of herself. She lacks confidence and, imho, under eats
Jared and Kat are Hanna's best friends. Kat is a horribly selfish person where everything has to be about her and Hanna is just along for the ride. Jared, is Hanna's next door neighbor who she has known her entire life.
The book starts out with Kat convincing Hanna to go to a club. At the club, Hanna leaves to go after Jared when he becomes angry and gets lost and ends up meeting Sam and Blondie in a back alleyway. Blondie turns out to be a fallen angel who is trying to get information from Sam, a gifted human with a secret. Blondie takes off but before Sam dies, he marks Hanna with his memories and the secret he wasn't going to give away.
Later in the book, the reader is introduced to Will and Zoe who are twins. They, too, are gifted humans who were close with Sam and learn about Hanna. Zoe is a bit standoffish. Will has the hots for Hanna and is in the book much more. He tries to help Hanna by teaching her and talking to her about Sam's past.
What would a book be without the bad guy and good guys fighting? Blondie comes around only a few times in the book but each time there is a pretty good fight and the author does a great job of describing and allowing the reader to visualize the fight.
The book covers about a two week span of Hanna's life. In that short amount of time Hanna is flown into a whirlwind. Relationships change, a new world appears to her, knowledge of things she had no idea come to light, and she grows from her experiences. I actually enjoyed this book. There really wasn't much of anything that I didn't like.
Will is the hot guy in the book. Naturally, Kat has the hots for him and tries to convince Hanna to make her look good. This ends up in a huge fight between the two. Hanna feels bad and ruminates about Kat but Kat just goes out for revenge. Kat's character is interesting. Although a horrible person, I think the author really wrote her well and had fun with the character. Kat was very real for me.
Jared and Hanna create an understanding and a new relationship emerges. While Will is the hot guy, My opinion is that Jared is the hot guy. Team Jared! He was very sexy, but not by his looks. Jared is a very supportive and loving person. He shows he cares for Hanna in the things he does. Will is just there to look good.
I found a few instances of strange writing in the book. Nothing major but "these ones" is not correct English. Haha
The story did move a bit slow. Things progress and change but by the middle of the book the pace does slow down. The reader doesn't know much of anything at this point and the mystery isn't revealed until about 90% in. The book does end with a cliff hanger. So be prepared.
I predicted a love triangle half way through the book. I can't say I'm wrong, this story continues into a series, but in this book, there is no love triangle. There are many things that were not answered in this book. Although the major secret to the book is answered, nothing else is and nothing is elaborated on. The next book, presumably holds many more answers and much more information as to why Blondie wants things, who he is, how the Fallen work and so forth.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I found the story to be very interesting. Although, slow in places, I found the story entertaining and I wanted to read about the characters. I cared about them and I wanted to find out what the mystery was. The author did a good job in creating tension and keeping the mystery interesting for the reader. I was a bit surprised by the ending. I thought the author would go in a different direction but what she did in the end isn't bad. I would be interested in continuing on with the series.
I received this book from the author and through I Love YA books in exchange for an honest review.
Content: Clean, some minor language
September 12, 2015
I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review.
I absolutely loved Marked and cannot wait to read the next one in the series! The book has a bit of everything - excitement, danger, and the classic love triangle. The author does a great job of weaving a vivid tale filled with twists and turns and creating characters that are truly relatable. Without giving too much away, the story begins with teenage Hanna witnessing a terrible murder in a back alley. Before the boy dies, he marks her with a mysterious symbol. Her world gets turned upside down as the symbol begins to reveal strange nightmares and memories of the dead boy. She discovers a hidden battle of good vs. evil going on all around her and as much as she wants nothing to do with it, she can’t help but get swept up in the war. The story ends with a great twist and leaves you wanting more. I’m going to start reading the next one right away!
I absolutely loved Marked and cannot wait to read the next one in the series! The book has a bit of everything - excitement, danger, and the classic love triangle. The author does a great job of weaving a vivid tale filled with twists and turns and creating characters that are truly relatable. Without giving too much away, the story begins with teenage Hanna witnessing a terrible murder in a back alley. Before the boy dies, he marks her with a mysterious symbol. Her world gets turned upside down as the symbol begins to reveal strange nightmares and memories of the dead boy. She discovers a hidden battle of good vs. evil going on all around her and as much as she wants nothing to do with it, she can’t help but get swept up in the war. The story ends with a great twist and leaves you wanting more. I’m going to start reading the next one right away!
September 29, 2015
I absolutely obsessed over this book the entire time I was reading it. I instantly fell in love with Jared, the best-friend-boy-next-door who was so obviously crushing on our heroine, Hanna. They story is well-written and the characters are well-developed. The book had a "Mortal Instruments" feel about it (minus the demons, vampires and werewolves). This story is all about fallen angels and the fight between light and dark, good and evil. I immediately bought the 2nd book in the series as soon as I finished it. I HAVE to know what happens!! Highly recommend.
September 13, 2015
I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I even begin? I LOVED this book!!! If you are going to keep reading (which I hope you do) be prepared for some fan-girling. Also: please, please, please take this review seriously. I do not know T.L. Mcdonald personally, and this review is completely honest and sincere. I really enjoyed the book this much!
Marked opens with Hanna and her best friends going out, and I was instantly invested in these characters. T.L. Mcdonald did an AMAZING job developing their personalities and relationships. I felt like I'd known Hanna, Kat, and Jared forever. The plot quickly develops with an awesome suspenseful scene which sets the tone for the rest of the novel. I don't want to go into too much detail and ruin the surprise for anyone. Let me just say, it's crazy good.
I want to discuss Jared specifically for a moment. Can you say swoon? Miss Mcdonald, I don't exactly know how you did it, but you made me crush on a 17 year old. Seriously. Jared is wonderful and I just loved his character.
The romantic relationships (or lack thereof - you will have to read to know what I'm talking about) had me on an emotional roller-coaster. I didn't know what/who I wanted for Hanna. I "aw"ed and smiled through a lot of the interactions in Marked. I LOVE when that happens while reading.
The writing in this book was descriptive without overdoing it. I'm guilty of skimming through descriptions when I'm just wanting to get to the good stuff. But in Marked, the descriptions were some of the good stuff. I felt fully immersed in Hanna's environment and emotions through them, and was impressed by that. That being said, full disclosure, there were a small amount of grammar issues. Definitely not enough to make me dislike the book, just enough that it was noticeable.
Okay. I guess that's enough. Long story short, this is an indie book to read. I'm excited to eventually read the continuation.
Fans of Mortal Instruments series will enjoy this book. I highly recommend you give it a go! :)
Where do I even begin? I LOVED this book!!! If you are going to keep reading (which I hope you do) be prepared for some fan-girling. Also: please, please, please take this review seriously. I do not know T.L. Mcdonald personally, and this review is completely honest and sincere. I really enjoyed the book this much!
Marked opens with Hanna and her best friends going out, and I was instantly invested in these characters. T.L. Mcdonald did an AMAZING job developing their personalities and relationships. I felt like I'd known Hanna, Kat, and Jared forever. The plot quickly develops with an awesome suspenseful scene which sets the tone for the rest of the novel. I don't want to go into too much detail and ruin the surprise for anyone. Let me just say, it's crazy good.
I want to discuss Jared specifically for a moment. Can you say swoon? Miss Mcdonald, I don't exactly know how you did it, but you made me crush on a 17 year old. Seriously. Jared is wonderful and I just loved his character.
The romantic relationships (or lack thereof - you will have to read to know what I'm talking about) had me on an emotional roller-coaster. I didn't know what/who I wanted for Hanna. I "aw"ed and smiled through a lot of the interactions in Marked. I LOVE when that happens while reading.
The writing in this book was descriptive without overdoing it. I'm guilty of skimming through descriptions when I'm just wanting to get to the good stuff. But in Marked, the descriptions were some of the good stuff. I felt fully immersed in Hanna's environment and emotions through them, and was impressed by that. That being said, full disclosure, there were a small amount of grammar issues. Definitely not enough to make me dislike the book, just enough that it was noticeable.
Okay. I guess that's enough. Long story short, this is an indie book to read. I'm excited to eventually read the continuation.
Fans of Mortal Instruments series will enjoy this book. I highly recommend you give it a go! :)
November 19, 2015
I received a copy of this E book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review, and honestly.... Wow just wow! I found this book captivating from the start and couldn't stop reading. I read it in one night...it was that good. Marked is a story about Hanna, a teenager orphaned at 15, who is under the care of her big brother Adam. After witnessing a horrific murder and waking up four days later in hospital with a strange symbol on her hand that Sam ( the murder victim) marked her with, she discovers new-found strength and abilities and can see Sam's memories as if they are her own. With a supernatural killer stalking her very real dreams and giving in to her feelings for her best friend as well as dealing with the drama of a 'catty' so called BFF, this is one heroine that doesn't crumble under pressure but embraces it and all other challenges like a pro. Except for a few spelling and grammar errors, this book was so well written. The story flowed easily making it easy to relate to the characters and making you want to keep reading to the end. It was very descriptive and action packed. This is a must read for any paranormal, romance or young adult. Can't wait to start reading the second installment!
October 24, 2015
Received the book free from the author in exchange for a honest review.
The books starts off as our main character Hanna as normal high school student. When her best friend Kat begs Hanna to see a band at The Iron Knife club, she agrees only to find when she gets there that her friend runs off Jared. When she tries to find him her world turns upside down. After finding out that she was in a coma for 4 days, she notices that she has a weird symbol on her wrist. Turns out that there is a battle between good and bad going on and she must find out who blondie/jasper wants as it could mean the end of the world. With the knowledge she holds will she be able to save the boy whose destiny could save the world or end it?
I started to read this night and as it's 1am now I can tell you that I could not put my book down or iPod. Marked has tons of twist and turns and of course our love triangle. If you love really about supernatural beings and how they could possible end the world as we know it, then I recommend you give this a try. Trust me I'm not much into that but this good had me hooked to the end and I'm wanting more.
The books starts off as our main character Hanna as normal high school student. When her best friend Kat begs Hanna to see a band at The Iron Knife club, she agrees only to find when she gets there that her friend runs off Jared. When she tries to find him her world turns upside down. After finding out that she was in a coma for 4 days, she notices that she has a weird symbol on her wrist. Turns out that there is a battle between good and bad going on and she must find out who blondie/jasper wants as it could mean the end of the world. With the knowledge she holds will she be able to save the boy whose destiny could save the world or end it?
I started to read this night and as it's 1am now I can tell you that I could not put my book down or iPod. Marked has tons of twist and turns and of course our love triangle. If you love really about supernatural beings and how they could possible end the world as we know it, then I recommend you give this a try. Trust me I'm not much into that but this good had me hooked to the end and I'm wanting more.
April 9, 2016
First off, I want to say I really like the cover change. It's so much prettier than the original one!!
So now that I've gotten that out of the way, onto the review.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Marked, being one of the better non-traditionally published books I've read. Though I did feel that many things could be improved upon, the general ideas and themes of the story are spot-on.
The good:
- The concept of the story: The author has taken unoriginal elements and turned it into something unique and different with its own twists, which I appreciated. I enjoyed finding out about this world, however I wanted to know more!
- Hanna and Sam: Hanna is marked by Sam as he is dying, giving her his memories.
At the same time, though I enjoyed the Sam parts, I felt like they slowed down the pace of the story in a way, which I will talk about below.
- There were definitely some nice action/suspense scenes that had my eyes glued to the page (or rather the screen) to find out what would happen next.
- The good cliffhanger ending. I'm actually really interested in how everything will turn out after this particular plot twist.
- I liked the close bond between Hanna and her older brother Adam. After all Hanna and he had been through, he was a very good older sibling to her.
- Kat wasn't a very good friend; she could be quite selfish at times. I didn't like her or her actions but I think that was kind of the point. I'm glad that Hanna had other friends as well.
- If it isn't obvious, I liked Hanna. I connected with her and could sympathise with her. It's always great when the protagonist is someone I can root for.
The not-so-good:
- I wasn't always on board with the romance.
- I actually was more on board with a romance between , though I felt Will's character could have been explored more. I wanted to get to know him better so I didn't connect with him like I did with Jared, however I preferred a romance between
- Though I understood Jared, and he seemed quite supportive and encouraging for Hanna, there were times I disliked him and felt like he wasn't so understanding. Many times he felt like a . I just felt like he could have been more involved in actually doing something.
- I felt that the However, I felt it was too predictable. It had the potential of being a really surprising plot twist - if the author had introduced the reader and Hanna to The general idea was there, of course. It just needed some work.
- For some readers they might become impatient with the first half of the story as it is setting up the story but done in a way that could come across as a bit repetitive, slow-paced or dragged out. For me, just enough things happen in each chapter to keep going and be invested in the story to the halfway point, after which things start picking up.
- In regards to , I wanted more explanation and 'world building'. I felt that this was the most lacking part in the book. As a reader, I hardly knew anything about them and thought that they would have played more of a part. From what I got, they are meant to be a pretty important organisation in This also brings me to the fact that the main antagonist in the book was interesting. However, I thought there would be other different ones too. I wanted to learn more about them and their world/the way their system works as well.
All things to look forward to in the sequel, I suppose.
- Also, a couple of things I wasn't really sure about.
- The editing. For the most part this was great (unlike many other indie books I have read). However, there was one thing that I noticed recurred throughout the story - the lack of commas. They weren't missing for every sentence, but for one particular type of sentence. To make myself clear, I don't mind the occasional spelling error or grammatical mistake or missing punctuation but I believe what happened here was a fundamental (for a lack of a better word) error - in that it recurred for every applicable sentence where a comma was needed. When there were sentences that were made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause - and obviously there were a lot of these type of sentences, the commas were missing there. A subordinate clause is a phrase that is dependent on the main clause to make sense. That is, it cannot stand alone as a separate sentence and make sense; only a main clause can do that. To quote the copy of the book I received from the author, some examples of the lack of comma use for this type of sentence is as follows:
'I spend the next forty-five minutes so immersed in my work that when the bell rings signaling the end of class it startles me so badly I knock over my tray of brushes.'
When it should be like this:
'I spend the next forty-five minutes so immersed in my work that, when the bell rings signaling the end of class, it startles me so badly I knock over my tray of brushes.'
And this:
'They fall to the floor with a clang scattering every which way.'
When it should be like this:
'They fall to the floor with a clang, scattering every which way.'
And also this:
'Grabbing a hand full of brushes she places them on my desk while I scoop up the rest.'
When it should be like this:
'Grabbing a handful of brushes, she places them on my desk while I scoop up the rest.'
These were just a few examples of an issue that is evident throughout the whole book. As well, there were some missing words, enough of them that I started to notice too much. These are issues that definitely need to be fixed. Editing is important, especially as it can detract the reader from the actual story, which should always be the main focus for them. As such, I didn't mind very much (though someone else probably would) and it didn't affect my overall rating.
Although it seems like a long list of bad and only some good, this is because I liked most things but also found things that could be improved within them. The rating reflects the overall enjoyment level I got from reading the book, which is mainly from the plot and connection to the characters.
To conclude, Marked was an enjoyable YA paranormal romance read. It had interesting characters, a cool concept and some great suspenseful scenes. I hope to see more development of the concept and world of in the next book. As well, editing needs to be worked on. Marked sets up relatively well for the sequel Fated, which I hope to get my hands on soon.
3.5 stars
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
P. S. I'm sorry there are so many spoilers in this review, but I couldn't think of any other way to properly review the book and get all my thoughts down on everything without having to include spoilers (in spoiler tags of course).
So now that I've gotten that out of the way, onto the review.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Marked, being one of the better non-traditionally published books I've read. Though I did feel that many things could be improved upon, the general ideas and themes of the story are spot-on.
The good:
- The concept of the story: The author has taken unoriginal elements and turned it into something unique and different with its own twists, which I appreciated. I enjoyed finding out about this world, however I wanted to know more!
- Hanna and Sam: Hanna is marked by Sam as he is dying, giving her his memories.
At the same time, though I enjoyed the Sam parts, I felt like they slowed down the pace of the story in a way, which I will talk about below.
- There were definitely some nice action/suspense scenes that had my eyes glued to the page (or rather the screen) to find out what would happen next.
- The good cliffhanger ending. I'm actually really interested in how everything will turn out after this particular plot twist.
- I liked the close bond between Hanna and her older brother Adam. After all Hanna and he had been through, he was a very good older sibling to her.
- Kat wasn't a very good friend; she could be quite selfish at times. I didn't like her or her actions but I think that was kind of the point. I'm glad that Hanna had other friends as well.
- If it isn't obvious, I liked Hanna. I connected with her and could sympathise with her. It's always great when the protagonist is someone I can root for.
The not-so-good:
- I wasn't always on board with the romance.
- I actually was more on board with a romance between , though I felt Will's character could have been explored more. I wanted to get to know him better so I didn't connect with him like I did with Jared, however I preferred a romance between
- Though I understood Jared, and he seemed quite supportive and encouraging for Hanna, there were times I disliked him and felt like he wasn't so understanding. Many times he felt like a . I just felt like he could have been more involved in actually doing something.
- I felt that the However, I felt it was too predictable. It had the potential of being a really surprising plot twist - if the author had introduced the reader and Hanna to The general idea was there, of course. It just needed some work.
- For some readers they might become impatient with the first half of the story as it is setting up the story but done in a way that could come across as a bit repetitive, slow-paced or dragged out. For me, just enough things happen in each chapter to keep going and be invested in the story to the halfway point, after which things start picking up.
- In regards to , I wanted more explanation and 'world building'. I felt that this was the most lacking part in the book. As a reader, I hardly knew anything about them and thought that they would have played more of a part. From what I got, they are meant to be a pretty important organisation in This also brings me to the fact that the main antagonist in the book was interesting. However, I thought there would be other different ones too. I wanted to learn more about them and their world/the way their system works as well.
All things to look forward to in the sequel, I suppose.
- Also, a couple of things I wasn't really sure about.
- The editing. For the most part this was great (unlike many other indie books I have read). However, there was one thing that I noticed recurred throughout the story - the lack of commas. They weren't missing for every sentence, but for one particular type of sentence. To make myself clear, I don't mind the occasional spelling error or grammatical mistake or missing punctuation but I believe what happened here was a fundamental (for a lack of a better word) error - in that it recurred for every applicable sentence where a comma was needed. When there were sentences that were made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause - and obviously there were a lot of these type of sentences, the commas were missing there. A subordinate clause is a phrase that is dependent on the main clause to make sense. That is, it cannot stand alone as a separate sentence and make sense; only a main clause can do that. To quote the copy of the book I received from the author, some examples of the lack of comma use for this type of sentence is as follows:
'I spend the next forty-five minutes so immersed in my work that when the bell rings signaling the end of class it startles me so badly I knock over my tray of brushes.'
When it should be like this:
'I spend the next forty-five minutes so immersed in my work that, when the bell rings signaling the end of class, it startles me so badly I knock over my tray of brushes.'
And this:
'They fall to the floor with a clang scattering every which way.'
When it should be like this:
'They fall to the floor with a clang, scattering every which way.'
And also this:
'Grabbing a hand full of brushes she places them on my desk while I scoop up the rest.'
When it should be like this:
'Grabbing a handful of brushes, she places them on my desk while I scoop up the rest.'
These were just a few examples of an issue that is evident throughout the whole book. As well, there were some missing words, enough of them that I started to notice too much. These are issues that definitely need to be fixed. Editing is important, especially as it can detract the reader from the actual story, which should always be the main focus for them. As such, I didn't mind very much (though someone else probably would) and it didn't affect my overall rating.
Although it seems like a long list of bad and only some good, this is because I liked most things but also found things that could be improved within them. The rating reflects the overall enjoyment level I got from reading the book, which is mainly from the plot and connection to the characters.
To conclude, Marked was an enjoyable YA paranormal romance read. It had interesting characters, a cool concept and some great suspenseful scenes. I hope to see more development of the concept and world of in the next book. As well, editing needs to be worked on. Marked sets up relatively well for the sequel Fated, which I hope to get my hands on soon.
3.5 stars
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
P. S. I'm sorry there are so many spoilers in this review, but I couldn't think of any other way to properly review the book and get all my thoughts down on everything without having to include spoilers (in spoiler tags of course).
April 25, 2021
I quite enjoyed this book!! It was a quick and easy read and wasn't slow at any part!
March 10, 2016
I received this book by the Author and the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Marked by T.L. Mcdonald is AMAZING!
Hanna Harper is a normal 17-yr old girl with two best friends, though after a wild night at a club her world changes forever. After witnessing a murder and waking up in the hospital with a strange symbol on her wrist, she begins to experience things that she can’t explain. She needs help, but who can she trust?
Her long time best friend (and next door neighbor) Jared, is her rock, the one person she can rely on. Can she tell him her secrets? Kat, her other best friend, is your typical “all about me” girl. Is their friendship strong enough that Hanna can depend upon her as well? And newcomer Will, just moved to town after the murder. Who is this new kid with a faux mohawk and motorcycle? Is he friend or foe?
The theme of this book focused on friendship with a few different love triangles thrown in to cause a good amount of conflict and drama. The confusing emotions between Hanna, Jared, Kat, and Will are too much for one person to handle. In order to protect the ones she loves, Hanna has to make several very difficult decisions. But can she resist those tempting green eyes and dimples?
‘“That was awesome.” A goofy smile plasters itself over his face as he looks at me with newfound interest.’
‘“It’s cool.” Jared winks flashing a grin. “I also laugh hysterically at random times.”
“His green eyes, so alive and so eager take me in, and in them I don’t feel so alone. He smiles and I melt leaving the rational side of me to drown in his kisses.”
I LOVED this book! The storyline was perfectly paced, I never felt the need to skim over boring parts (because there weren’t any). I love stories that are character driven, and this one pulled me in from the beginning! I felt connected with the characters as I watched the storyline unravel. I laughed, I cringed, and I tensed up in fear for what was coming next.
Not sure how you did it, but T.L. McDonald made me crush on Jared (a 17-yr old boy), he is totally swoon-worthy! It is an amazing story, such a fresh idea with interesting twists! I immediately went out to grab book 2!
Marked by T.L. Mcdonald is AMAZING!
Hanna Harper is a normal 17-yr old girl with two best friends, though after a wild night at a club her world changes forever. After witnessing a murder and waking up in the hospital with a strange symbol on her wrist, she begins to experience things that she can’t explain. She needs help, but who can she trust?
Her long time best friend (and next door neighbor) Jared, is her rock, the one person she can rely on. Can she tell him her secrets? Kat, her other best friend, is your typical “all about me” girl. Is their friendship strong enough that Hanna can depend upon her as well? And newcomer Will, just moved to town after the murder. Who is this new kid with a faux mohawk and motorcycle? Is he friend or foe?
The theme of this book focused on friendship with a few different love triangles thrown in to cause a good amount of conflict and drama. The confusing emotions between Hanna, Jared, Kat, and Will are too much for one person to handle. In order to protect the ones she loves, Hanna has to make several very difficult decisions. But can she resist those tempting green eyes and dimples?
‘“That was awesome.” A goofy smile plasters itself over his face as he looks at me with newfound interest.’
‘“It’s cool.” Jared winks flashing a grin. “I also laugh hysterically at random times.”
“His green eyes, so alive and so eager take me in, and in them I don’t feel so alone. He smiles and I melt leaving the rational side of me to drown in his kisses.”
I LOVED this book! The storyline was perfectly paced, I never felt the need to skim over boring parts (because there weren’t any). I love stories that are character driven, and this one pulled me in from the beginning! I felt connected with the characters as I watched the storyline unravel. I laughed, I cringed, and I tensed up in fear for what was coming next.
Not sure how you did it, but T.L. McDonald made me crush on Jared (a 17-yr old boy), he is totally swoon-worthy! It is an amazing story, such a fresh idea with interesting twists! I immediately went out to grab book 2!
February 27, 2016
( Source: I received this book directly from the Author T.L. Mcdonald. via (LOP) Goodreads, in exchange for my opinion and honest review. )
17-year-old Hannah gets caught in a whirlwind; that changes life as she knows it. When Hannah gets dragged to watch a band play at the iron knife club. Her life spirals out of control. A scary situation pushes Hannah to end up in a dark alley, where she encounters a murder, but not an ordinary killing. Landed with a dying boy who marks her with a mysterious glowing symbol which leaves Hannah thinking she is losing her mind. Hannahs life it tipped upside down and thrust into a world Humans have no idea exists. Hallucinations, soulless Black eyes. She has to face facts that she has entered into a world of Evil Fallen Angels, Guardians; ( the protectors ) and power she has no idea how to use. Hannah has secrets to unfold and Evil to try and defeat; Can Hannah unravel Sam's secrets? And can she cope with the pressure and Evil thrust upon her?
The answer is yes. Hannah is a strong, courageous character, that may come across as a little nieve sometimes, but has the backbone to kick ass. I think you'll find this a great read, there is certainly plenty of action, with a strong lead character that can honestly kick ass if needed. The story is interesting and very well written, with the characters slowly brought to life, and well developed. I do however have one little-annoyed quibble, as much as I love Jared as a character I can't help but feel Hannah needs to pair up with Will ( Jared is just to Brotherly ) somewhere throughout this series. They are such a match and would be a fantastic couple to read about! I must admit although I love Will so far in book one, my favourite character is Blondie; He is scary and full of Evil horrors with wit and playfulness. I know he is the villain and all, but I loved him in this story. I found book one an excellent read, and I am just about to purchase book two, So yes I thoroughly recommend this book. It's a quick page turner and a smooth, fast read even tho it is that of an average sized book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
17-year-old Hannah gets caught in a whirlwind; that changes life as she knows it. When Hannah gets dragged to watch a band play at the iron knife club. Her life spirals out of control. A scary situation pushes Hannah to end up in a dark alley, where she encounters a murder, but not an ordinary killing. Landed with a dying boy who marks her with a mysterious glowing symbol which leaves Hannah thinking she is losing her mind. Hannahs life it tipped upside down and thrust into a world Humans have no idea exists. Hallucinations, soulless Black eyes. She has to face facts that she has entered into a world of Evil Fallen Angels, Guardians; ( the protectors ) and power she has no idea how to use. Hannah has secrets to unfold and Evil to try and defeat; Can Hannah unravel Sam's secrets? And can she cope with the pressure and Evil thrust upon her?
The answer is yes. Hannah is a strong, courageous character, that may come across as a little nieve sometimes, but has the backbone to kick ass. I think you'll find this a great read, there is certainly plenty of action, with a strong lead character that can honestly kick ass if needed. The story is interesting and very well written, with the characters slowly brought to life, and well developed. I do however have one little-annoyed quibble, as much as I love Jared as a character I can't help but feel Hannah needs to pair up with Will ( Jared is just to Brotherly ) somewhere throughout this series. They are such a match and would be a fantastic couple to read about! I must admit although I love Will so far in book one, my favourite character is Blondie; He is scary and full of Evil horrors with wit and playfulness. I know he is the villain and all, but I loved him in this story. I found book one an excellent read, and I am just about to purchase book two, So yes I thoroughly recommend this book. It's a quick page turner and a smooth, fast read even tho it is that of an average sized book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
February 25, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fantastic five-star read!
T.L. McDonald’s “Marked” was intriguing. I couldn’t put the book down. The concept gave a different angle on the good vs. evil idea. The good guys were part of a group called The Order. They were in charge of keeping the world safe from evil. The bad guys were the Fallen, angels banished from Heaven.
A lot of paranormal stories have characters who inherit powers. One day they learn about their supernatural family. The characters either embrace the news or try their best to deny it. In McDonald’s story, there’s a transference of power. So cool!
The characters in “Marked” were well-developed. My favorites were Hanna, Jared, and Will. Hanna, the target in this story, seemed mousy in the beginning. But once her life changes, the girl doesn’t back down from a challenge. She was aware of her fears, but she didn’t let them hold her back. Jared was the supportive neighborhood boy. He was the best friend with a little extra. Will was the super human from The Order. I loved his strength, his heart, and his willingness to do what’s right.
“Marked” has the potential for the dreaded love triangle. In this book, however, it could have easily been a love square. Fortunately, nothing developed. Everyone kept to their boundaries.
The villains in “Marked” were just plain hateful. Blondie/Jasper is a Fallen on a mission. He was sadistic in his torture. His prodigy (I can’t use the name without giving things away) is a person who is perfectly brainwashed by the Fallen.
I loved this story! I highly recommend it, and can’t wait to read the next one.
This was a fantastic five-star read!
T.L. McDonald’s “Marked” was intriguing. I couldn’t put the book down. The concept gave a different angle on the good vs. evil idea. The good guys were part of a group called The Order. They were in charge of keeping the world safe from evil. The bad guys were the Fallen, angels banished from Heaven.
A lot of paranormal stories have characters who inherit powers. One day they learn about their supernatural family. The characters either embrace the news or try their best to deny it. In McDonald’s story, there’s a transference of power. So cool!
The characters in “Marked” were well-developed. My favorites were Hanna, Jared, and Will. Hanna, the target in this story, seemed mousy in the beginning. But once her life changes, the girl doesn’t back down from a challenge. She was aware of her fears, but she didn’t let them hold her back. Jared was the supportive neighborhood boy. He was the best friend with a little extra. Will was the super human from The Order. I loved his strength, his heart, and his willingness to do what’s right.
“Marked” has the potential for the dreaded love triangle. In this book, however, it could have easily been a love square. Fortunately, nothing developed. Everyone kept to their boundaries.
The villains in “Marked” were just plain hateful. Blondie/Jasper is a Fallen on a mission. He was sadistic in his torture. His prodigy (I can’t use the name without giving things away) is a person who is perfectly brainwashed by the Fallen.
I loved this story! I highly recommend it, and can’t wait to read the next one.
November 16, 2015
I received this book free from the author in exchange for a honest review.
This book series is a stand out in the paranormal young adult genre. In book One, Hanna is a teenager at a club watching a band with her friends and the story line leads her into an alley where she witness a murder of another teen. She tries to help the boy but the damage has already been done and when he dies before he is able to tell her his final word... Hanna wakes up days later from a coma in the hospital with a new mark like a tattoo around her wrist where the dying boys hand had been. The mark glows and she experiences memories from the boy which quickly drags her into a struggle of life and death. There is a love triangle in this book which cements Hanna into this new life style... Her best friend and neighbor turns out to be a star of this drama and his competition is the dead boys best friend who happens to be drool worthy. In book two, the story definitely becomes more clear as to why there is a conflict and what each side is fighting for.
All and all this is an enjoyable series, I really like the characters and they are well developed so I care what happens to them. The only thing I didn't enjoy was both books are cliff hangers. There was too much still unresolved in my mind to be happy with how book two ends. But that being said, I am still looking forward to book 3 because I want to know how the story gets wrapped up.
This book series is a stand out in the paranormal young adult genre. In book One, Hanna is a teenager at a club watching a band with her friends and the story line leads her into an alley where she witness a murder of another teen. She tries to help the boy but the damage has already been done and when he dies before he is able to tell her his final word... Hanna wakes up days later from a coma in the hospital with a new mark like a tattoo around her wrist where the dying boys hand had been. The mark glows and she experiences memories from the boy which quickly drags her into a struggle of life and death. There is a love triangle in this book which cements Hanna into this new life style... Her best friend and neighbor turns out to be a star of this drama and his competition is the dead boys best friend who happens to be drool worthy. In book two, the story definitely becomes more clear as to why there is a conflict and what each side is fighting for.
All and all this is an enjoyable series, I really like the characters and they are well developed so I care what happens to them. The only thing I didn't enjoy was both books are cliff hangers. There was too much still unresolved in my mind to be happy with how book two ends. But that being said, I am still looking forward to book 3 because I want to know how the story gets wrapped up.
October 23, 2015
Wow what an Amazing read!! I loved this book! I'm absolutely screaming right now because of the way it ended lol! Marked has it all! It has supernatural suspense, and romance! I was so completely consumed by this book! Hannah is a Strong character I loved her she gets something thrown at her and it changes her life just she just keeps on trucking! Jarred is completely book-boyfriend that sweet boy next door best friend that you just love so much! Throw in will, who's also gorgeous and wants Hannahs attention. I loved how the characters come together to piece together what Sam was trying to tell Hannah. The Entire time I was reading I was always hooked and ready for what's going to happen next, never got bored or thought it dragged on it was perfect put together! I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I received an Arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.. We ❤️ YA Books!
November 19, 2021
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via lovers of the paranormal book group on goodreads by the author.
The author brings you into a world where things are not as they seem, and yet at the same time everything is so real. This paranormal book of awesome sauce is a must read.
First chapter had me, and when life finally stopped cutting into my reading time I could not put this book down.
This book was really something else. So different than anything else. This book was a very refreshing read. I am glad I chose to read this book. Once I got to sitting down and reading it nothing else mattered. I have to be up early in the morning, but I really don't care, because this book was worth every wink of sleep I lost.
I loved everything about the book. When I got to the end I needed more. I am glad to see that there is a second book, and I look forward to continuing this story so that I might have those nights when it is worth losing sleep once again.
The author brings you into a world where things are not as they seem, and yet at the same time everything is so real. This paranormal book of awesome sauce is a must read.
First chapter had me, and when life finally stopped cutting into my reading time I could not put this book down.
This book was really something else. So different than anything else. This book was a very refreshing read. I am glad I chose to read this book. Once I got to sitting down and reading it nothing else mattered. I have to be up early in the morning, but I really don't care, because this book was worth every wink of sleep I lost.
I loved everything about the book. When I got to the end I needed more. I am glad to see that there is a second book, and I look forward to continuing this story so that I might have those nights when it is worth losing sleep once again.
March 2, 2016
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.
I really enjoyed the book and definitely recommend reading. It was a great story and kept me thoroughly interested from beginning to end.
Hanna is a normal high school girl trying to stay afloat. Her best friends Kat & Jared are always supportive - but sometimes things change. Learning to adapt to those changes can be challenging. Hanna is a character you will root for and want to see succeed. I am looking forward to the second series in the book.
I really enjoyed the book and definitely recommend reading. It was a great story and kept me thoroughly interested from beginning to end.
Hanna is a normal high school girl trying to stay afloat. Her best friends Kat & Jared are always supportive - but sometimes things change. Learning to adapt to those changes can be challenging. Hanna is a character you will root for and want to see succeed. I am looking forward to the second series in the book.
November 12, 2015
let me start by saying I officially love and hate this author. I was pulled in from the very beginning. I had a feeling the chosen one was Jared but towards the end I started to have doubt and to be honest I would rather her be with Will. Then what does the author do leaves the book on a cliffhanger. So now I have to WAIT til I can afford to get the second book. In all seriousness though this book was really good!
September 1, 2015
I was given a copy of this book to read and give an honest review.
Here it is:
I absolutely love this book.The kids seemed so real. I was rooting for them the whole time and at the same time really hoping the bad guy gets his.I highly recommend it.
Here it is:
I absolutely love this book.The kids seemed so real. I was rooting for them the whole time and at the same time really hoping the bad guy gets his.I highly recommend it.
February 8, 2017
New Favorite Book I think!
Review to Come!
Review to Come!
August 3, 2019
I really like the notion that you can become magical even if you are not born magical. The story is amazing and I always like the mix between the 'normal world' and the 'magical world'. What happens when you wake up one day and realize that magic does exists.
As this was the fate of Hanna, when she stumbles upon a magical scene, that sealed her fate. She is now trust in a world she didn't know existed but now she also need to come to term that it even exists.
The troubles begin when Hannah is magical marked by a stranger, murdered in front of her eyes by an evil entity she didn't know existed. Now black eyes is haunting her dreams, even hurting her physically and she doesn't know where to turn. Until she meets the friends of this murdered strange boy and learns that angels do exists. It is a race against time to save someone who doesn't know he is magical and can destroy or save the entire world.
It keeps you seated at the edge of your seat and there is a fair ratio between action, magic and romance. Will Hannah fall in love with her best friend?
As this was the fate of Hanna, when she stumbles upon a magical scene, that sealed her fate. She is now trust in a world she didn't know existed but now she also need to come to term that it even exists.
The troubles begin when Hannah is magical marked by a stranger, murdered in front of her eyes by an evil entity she didn't know existed. Now black eyes is haunting her dreams, even hurting her physically and she doesn't know where to turn. Until she meets the friends of this murdered strange boy and learns that angels do exists. It is a race against time to save someone who doesn't know he is magical and can destroy or save the entire world.
It keeps you seated at the edge of your seat and there is a fair ratio between action, magic and romance. Will Hannah fall in love with her best friend?
July 9, 2017
Great first book in a promising series!
Marked drew me in from the start with it's unique plot, interesting and diverse characters, and a world that was so easy to see through T.L.'s eyes that I could believe her world was actually real. The beginning begs an important question of who? and why? with the death of a character and the endangerment of another. And the ending provides these life-changing answers and so much more. Things are not what they seem and neither are the characters. Secrets, love, lust, jealousy, and trust all weave their way into this magic tale.
I am definitely a fan of T.L. now and can't wait to continue this dangerous and romantic with the next book in the series!
Marked drew me in from the start with it's unique plot, interesting and diverse characters, and a world that was so easy to see through T.L.'s eyes that I could believe her world was actually real. The beginning begs an important question of who? and why? with the death of a character and the endangerment of another. And the ending provides these life-changing answers and so much more. Things are not what they seem and neither are the characters. Secrets, love, lust, jealousy, and trust all weave their way into this magic tale.
I am definitely a fan of T.L. now and can't wait to continue this dangerous and romantic with the next book in the series!
March 9, 2018
The story:
Hanna is a typical teenage girl - not the prettiest, not the most popular, and totally not prepared for what lies in wait for her. A deadly encounter in an alley behind a nightclub leaves her with a mark on her arm that provides her with supernatural powers that can neither explain nor control. To make matters worse, there seems to be a wicked, fallen angel she dubs "Blondie" dogging her every step.
As her normal life gives way to bizarre, she finds herself keeping secrets from friends and family, all while juggling the attentions of two hot guys - lifelong friend Jared who has always had a thing for Hanna, and Will, the only guy able to help explain what's happening to her.
Read the rest of the review at YA Books Central:
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
Hanna is a typical teenage girl - not the prettiest, not the most popular, and totally not prepared for what lies in wait for her. A deadly encounter in an alley behind a nightclub leaves her with a mark on her arm that provides her with supernatural powers that can neither explain nor control. To make matters worse, there seems to be a wicked, fallen angel she dubs "Blondie" dogging her every step.
As her normal life gives way to bizarre, she finds herself keeping secrets from friends and family, all while juggling the attentions of two hot guys - lifelong friend Jared who has always had a thing for Hanna, and Will, the only guy able to help explain what's happening to her.
Read the rest of the review at YA Books Central:
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
July 29, 2017
Surprising, compelling and impossible to put down.
I purchased "The Marked" on a whim, not having heard of the book or author before and I am so glad I did. It was a marathon read, I was unable to put it down. It's been awhile since a book had captivated me so completely. The Marked is an exciting journey, unique in its take on the supernatural genre, with believable, compelling characters and a really well written plot. I am only pausing long enough to highly recommend The Marked before I dive into The Fated. I can already tell this series will make its way on to my "All Time Faves" list. I wish this series didn't have to end...
I purchased "The Marked" on a whim, not having heard of the book or author before and I am so glad I did. It was a marathon read, I was unable to put it down. It's been awhile since a book had captivated me so completely. The Marked is an exciting journey, unique in its take on the supernatural genre, with believable, compelling characters and a really well written plot. I am only pausing long enough to highly recommend The Marked before I dive into The Fated. I can already tell this series will make its way on to my "All Time Faves" list. I wish this series didn't have to end...
May 11, 2019
She’s possessed by a dead teenagers memory, until the mystery of what he wanted is found
I Arc review many books, but this tale was a fun read, with realistic characters, laughs, tension, and violence. I sympathize with the heroine, bonding to a dying teenage boy so that she can find and protect what he was seeking. It might get her killed, but it might also serve a greater purpose. Finding love, with friends and family to protect, she will learn how to use her new powers and save them all.
I Arc review many books, but this tale was a fun read, with realistic characters, laughs, tension, and violence. I sympathize with the heroine, bonding to a dying teenage boy so that she can find and protect what he was seeking. It might get her killed, but it might also serve a greater purpose. Finding love, with friends and family to protect, she will learn how to use her new powers and save them all.
October 20, 2017
This book was a thrill ride through a world where an unlikely heroine is cursed with knowledge and powers she shouldn't have, and malicious fallen angels who want it. I loved McDonald's take on this supernatural tale. With tension, suspense, action, and intrigue, this book kept me guessing for all the right reasons and didn't leave me unsatisfied. I can't wait to see how the story continues.
January 1, 2019
Great book
This book is great at building character relationships and it makes you care about the characters. There is an underlying mystery that keeps you hooked until the end. While there is a satisfactory conclusion to the mystery, the story continues on into the next book and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
This book is great at building character relationships and it makes you care about the characters. There is an underlying mystery that keeps you hooked until the end. While there is a satisfactory conclusion to the mystery, the story continues on into the next book and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
June 19, 2017
Marked for more
Uncoordinated teen who feels she's not perfect but lives her life the way it's dealt. Things get complicated when you add in this new attraction to her best friend. And ruining friendship that was one sided.
Uncoordinated teen who feels she's not perfect but lives her life the way it's dealt. Things get complicated when you add in this new attraction to her best friend. And ruining friendship that was one sided.
August 21, 2017
I am so hooked
Once I started reading this book I couldn't stop. Wow I was hooked after reading five pages into the book.. So I took a quick break from reading to buy the rest of the books in the series.. I can't wait to see what happens next..
Once I started reading this book I couldn't stop. Wow I was hooked after reading five pages into the book.. So I took a quick break from reading to buy the rest of the books in the series.. I can't wait to see what happens next..
January 24, 2018
Could not put my Kindle down.
Nice read in the evening, finding I would wake with my glasses on and Kindle on my chest. Anyone who think about Angels would enjoy this book. Good book!
Nice read in the evening, finding I would wake with my glasses on and Kindle on my chest. Anyone who think about Angels would enjoy this book. Good book!
March 9, 2017
Not bad. Typical YA but too short.
July 23, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book, for more info (but warning spoilers) visit: https://innermstthoughtss.blogspot.co...
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