Death Marked audiobook

Morally complex, full of action, and great worldbuilding.

3 1/2 stars and a lot of thoughts on this one. Very surprised that this is the conclusion, as the story definitely doesn't feel finished. But I enjoyed it a lot, loved the darker side of Ileni, and the non-conventional way the story progressed. Still, I can't quite accept an ending as vague as that...

I really never thought I’d enjoy reading books about assassins. Throughout the last 5 years, though, I’ve realized that some of my favorite books have murderers for hire in them. The Death Sworn series is such a good fantasy and while it has assassins in it, I just freaking love it.My favorite part about Death Sworn was far and away the romance. I love the world building and I adore Ileni, the main character, but there was always something about Ileni and Sorin together that just made me so happy.Since Ileni is no longer at the assassin’s keep and is instead in the heart of the empire, we don’t get to see Sorin as much. That didn’t bother me nearly as much as I thought it would! Ileni's quest to find out the truth about the world she lives in captivated me. We know what the assassin’s and the Renegai think about the Empire, but I love that Ileni has decided not to trust what she’s been taught and instead decides to seek her own answers.If you liked Death Sworn, you’ll love Death Marked. And if you haven’t started the series yet, but enjoy a good fantasy than you need to pick this one up. Great characters, fantastic world building, and just a hint of love - Death Marked essentially has everything you need for a good book!For more book reviews, discussions, and book-related fashions, visit abouttoread.com

That ending was satisfying and disappointing at the same time.

DEATH MARKED is the absolutely enthralling, epic and bittersweet end to this two-book series filled with magic, betrayal, heartbreak, unexpected twists and shocking surprises. It will keep readers guessing as to whose side Ileni will choose, who she’ll betray, who is using her and for what purpose, and who will survive. And it will keep them glued to the page until all questions have been answered.Leah Cypess introduces Ileni to a new world and new characters in this second and final installment in the series. She takes her on a journey from the caves of the assassins to the mountains that house the Academy where the imperial sorcerers train. She puts her in a situation where she must fight against being used as a weapon, try to stay focused on her mission, find a peaceful solution to the conflict between the sorcerers and assassins, and attempt to stop the atrocities committed by the sorcerers to obtain their magic.She puts her at the mercy of the head of the Academy. She separates her from the one she loves but cannot trust. She tempts her with unlimited stores of magic. And she forces her to choose between her heart and what she believes in.DEATH MARKED leaves behind the world and most of the characters introduced in the series’ first book. It begins to explore the realm of the sorcerers, though its explorations don’t reach as far as the Empire. As with the first book, the story is largely contained within the walls of those Ileni has managed to infiltrate.It reveals a world that is as cold and ruthless as that of the assassins, if not more so. And it shows just how similar these enemies really are in their willingness to sacrifice, to kill, to stop at nothing to win. And with its new setting and characters, it feels like a brand new adventure.Difficult choices must be made – ones that come with a steep price. Realizations must be faced – about weaknesses, flawed beliefs, expectations, and love. Sides will be chosen. Sacrifices will be made. Lives will be lost. And hearts will be broken.Author Leah Cypess gives readers a heroine who had a lot to learn about the world she lived in and about herself. She allowed her to fail. She allowed her to grow. And she developed her into someone who was strong enough to make a difference.Fans of the first book should expect a fascinating world, interesting, flawed, likable and detestable characters, awesome abilities, and a gripping story in DEATH MARKED. They should also be prepared to expect the unexpected in this thrilling and heartrending tale.

SynopsisWhen Ileni’s powers began to fade, she was sent to the assassin’s cave to investigate the murder of the Renegai tutor before her. She didn’t expect to survive the mission, but the caves didn’t end up being her tomb. They only showed her that she was meant to be a weapon. With her beliefs shaken, Ileni struggles in the heart of the Empire—the sorcerer’s academy—to discover the truth and regain that unshakeable belief that her time in the caves destroyed. But what she finds will only bring more questions and threaten the budding relationship she has with the assassin Sorin.ThoughtsI found this book a little slower than it’s predecessor. I still really enjoyed it, but for very different reasons than book one. While the struggle between the Empire and the assassins is still going on, this book delves into Ileni’s internal struggles and makes that the focus. Ileni is still reeling from having holes blasted into what she believed and it’s left her rather indecisive. The more she sees of the world doesn’t help. Because of that we lose a little bit of the wit and bravado she had in book one. There’s just something about Ileni’s struggle with coming to terms with having her childhood beliefs tested that is wholly relatable. Who doesn’t go through that at some point? It’s painful and you’ll never be quite the same, but you can either remain stagnant or grow.I also really enjoyed how this book took the completely opposite path one expects with common fantasy tropes, which is something I’m sure a lot of readers won’t like. If an introspective, non-cliché finish with a main character who can be arrogant, indecisive, and just overall flawed sounds intriguing, definitely give this a shot. If you’re looking for a nice neat HEA, seek elsewhere and imagine for yourself the path that Ileni takes after book one.Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.Publication Date: March 3, 2015.

((4.5 stars))Death Marked started off weaker than its predecessor. I wasn't enjoying it as much, I didn't particularly like the new characters or care to learn more about them, but at some point around the middle it just clicked. I was flicking every page, consumed by this book. The setting continues to be strong and incredibly unique. From a cave of assassins, we're taken to a mountain academy of sorcerers. I can find absolutely no fault in Cypess's worldbuilding and look forward to going deeper into the Empire (I hope?) in the next book. The main characters - Ileni, Sorin - stay strong through the series, fascinating even when they crush my heart into teeny, tiny shards. I'm so invested in their relationship it hurts. Like I said, I didn't much care for Evin (is it Evin? It's been a while and he's quite forgettable. Oop.) or the other students, and Irys made me want to punch her a good five times. But the story was so damn good when it got going, enthralling and demanding of attention. This book managed to get deeper and grittier than the first, somehow, and we're shown the rotting underbelly of the Empire as Ileni struggles to take it down, while balancing the compulsion of being able to use magic again. It particularly hit me hard that children and the elderly and sick are the victims of the Empire. That is so fucked.I highly recommend this series. Each page is packed with action and tense emotion, intrigue alongside romance and the horrors of human temptation. If you haven't read the first book, Death Sworn, pick it up now! You don't want to miss this series.

3.5 stars I loved Death Sworn, and have eagerly awaited to jump back into this intriguing world Leah Cypress has created, with Death Marked. Many of the things I loved about this book's sequel, were as I had hoped they would be. The intrigue, the danger, the plot twists, and the betrayals were so well crafted and developed. I really enjoyed trying to figure out which side of all that is going on, Illeni should be on. There are so many secrets and new characters that are introduced to the story. Read my FULL REVIEW here http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2015/0...