The Mark of the Tala is the first book in the "Twelve Kingdoms" series. I was completely drawn into this book immediately, the narrator for this one was so talented and really got me hooked so easily with this story. I loved the style in which the author set up the series, there was some world building information dumped in, but not the point that it was overwhelming, just in a solid way in getting the story set up for the reader that I do feel was essential to really get a solid grasp on the circumstances.

I will say that I have been wanting to read more epic fantasy romance, and this book came to me by a recommendation through Instagram, and I am so happy about it, because this is definitely my cup of tea and I need more epic fantasy books just like this one here. I was so fascinated with this world, the bond that the three sisters have for each other, and the romance was perfection!! I honestly couldn't get enough of these two.

The romance is slowly built up but in a way that really worked for the characters. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding their romance. I was hooked on the hero though, he is such a bad boy in some ways, full-on alpha male and has such an intensity surrounding his characters, I became so intrigued by him. He fights for what he wants and I love his passion for Andi. Andi was such a heartwarming character and so relatable. She is the one sister I just felt so much compassion for. She is the forgotten sister, the one that no one trusts but she is an introvert and tends to like to be alone. I really felt for her because of how everyone treats her and loved seeing how she is willing to embrace the other part of her that her mother left behind. It was really so interesting to see how her character is developed and the ways in which she is willing to sacrifice for those that she cares about and do the right thing even if on the outside it looks worse than it is. I was completely on board with this book and I immediately had to get book 2.

Overall I found The Mark of the Tala, to be a purely fascinating journey that kept me reading, fully engaged and so hooked into the world that this author has crafted and I can't wait to indulge in more from this pure talent!