Review: “Bloodmarked” is everything I could have hoped for  in a sequel and more! 

 

With Nick having been kidnapped by his own father and the Arthur Awakened, Bree seeks help from the High Council of Regents, who serve as the backbone of The Order of the Round Table when it is not gathered. Having not been present in “Legendborn” the reader learns of the different responsibilities allotted to the Regent of Light (overseeing all of the society’s operations in the Onceborn world), the Lord Regent (looking after Legendborn records, Order History, and commanding the Table when Arthur has not been Awakened) and the Regent of Shadows (commanding the military). 

 

We also are exposed to their inherent racism and sexism as they try to convince Bree that despite having the king’s blood, she is a mistake. The regents’ use of power to instill fear and exert control not only forces Bree to go on the run and rescue Nick herself, but also calls attention to the many systems of oppression in our society today that have yet to be deconstructed. 

 

Luckily, Bree is not entirely without allies. Alice, Selwyn, and William join her on her quest to find Nick. I especially loved that Alice is given a larger role in “Bloodmarked” because it allows the reader to explore the dynamics of her friendship with Bree. I also appreciated how her character demonstrates throughout the novel that you do not need to have magical abilities to kick ass. 

 

Though the reader is never given Selwyn’s perspective in “Bloodmarked,” Bree’s growing attraction for him results in her discovering insecurities, strengths, and motivations of his that weren’t fully touched upon in “Legenborn”, adding complexity to his character. Her newfound feelings for him also create internal conflict as she mulls over whether her heart belongs to him or Nick. I personally loved watching Bree and Sel’s romantic relationship flourish in this book. Sel’s protectiveness over Bree and his proclamations in Old Welsh leave me with no choice but to give him complete and total ownership of my heart. 

 

Aside from the deepening of Bree’s relationship with others, she also learns more about herself under the protection of her ancestors in a place called Volition. Here, she is surrounded by rootcrafters who reclaimed the land from their oppressors. For the first time, people who look like Bree and share some of the same abilities help her learn the extent of her powers and uncover the mystery surrounding the origin of her bloodcraft. 

 

The jaw-dropping revelations made about Vera, the threat of Camlann on the horizon, Sel’s gradual loss of humanity to his demon blood, the Regent’s persistence to to find a new ancestor to replace Bree as the Scion of Arthur, and Bree’s sacrifice left me an emotional sobbing mess by the novel’s end. I can only hope that book three puts me back together again.