[ 544 ]

[katara]

Insidious by Victoria Evers

Series:
The Marked Mage Chronicles #1

Genre:
Paranormal, Vampires, Demons, Magic, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Angels, Supernatural, Enemies to Lovers, Witches and Warlocks, First Person Point of View, Book Series, Hellhounds, Reapers, Monsters, Romantasy

Publication Date:
December 14, 2016

Pages Numbers:
449

Read Date:
September 21st, 2023

Date Finished:
September 21st, 2023

Rating:
4/5

Blurb:

All Kat Montgomery wanted was a fun night out on the town. What she got was a death warrant. As it turns out, the quaint little hamlet of Mystic Harbor, Maine houses more than sandy beaches and adorable B&B’s. Beneath the New England charm rests a deadly world where shifters, demons, vampires, and angelic hunters all vie for power.

A world where magic is the greatest weapon.

Magic that Kat now possesses.

After that one fateful night, she can feel the changes beginning to take hold of her. Only problem, she doesn’t even know what she’s turning into. With threats hiding in plain sight, deciphering the lines between friend and foe is nearly impossible. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Kat learns her only real ally rests in the one person she can’t stand: Reese Blackburn, an insufferably handsome magician whom the town fears most.

Kat’s very soul is at stake, and destiny doesn't seem to be playing out in her favor. Can these two unlikely partners challenge fate itself before it's too late?

Review:

This is the first book in a series, The Marked Mage Chronicles, that focuses on a girl living in a quaint little town in Maine. Kat Montgomery believed she had a normal life filled with friends and a boyfriend, but everything changed one night. The car crash that claimed the life of her boyfriend should have claimed hers as well, but someone seemed to have changed her fate.

Now Kat is starting to see things in her quaint little town. The place is a hotbed of creatures like vampires, demons, and hellhounds all after her because the Crown Prince of Lust has marked her as his mate. As Kat struggles through this, she finds Reese may hold the answer to the runes on her arms.

When it comes to reviewing the first book in the series, I try to give it the benefit of the doubt. The first book is a precursor to what we will see in the next three books. It offers a glimpse into the storyline and world-building. There will be much more to come.

The book does not do a lot of information drop. Most of it is vague and the lore seems to be lacking, if best. I am going to surmise that answers to some of my questions should start to have answers as I dive further into the series, at least that is what I am hoping.

The characters are interesting and have potential, but at this point in the story, they feel like they are still being developed. The pacing is slow and it takes a little while to get into the story, but once it gets going it becomes more engaging.

Final Thought:

Overall, the first book sets up the foundation for the series and introduces us to the characters and world. It has its flaws but it leaves the reader curious and interested in what will happen next. I will continue reading the series and hope to see improvement in the next book.

Similar Books:

The Marked Series by Bianca Scardoni
The Guardian Series by A.J. Messenger