The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns Book 1)

Book Review: The Song of the Marked by SM Gaither⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️I love this book, so much, no it wasn’t overly spicy, there was maybe one scene but the build up to that scene was so well done! SM does slow burn so well! She also does world building, character building, and twists that you really aren’t expecting so so well. It was just truly magical and I can’t wait for the ride the rest of the series has in store!BlurbThe old gods are growing restless. An ancient evil is stirring. Can they stop the coming storm?Mercenary Casia Greythorne cares about two things: Completing whatever her latest job is, and earning enough coin to buy the expensive medicine that’s keeping her mentor alive.So when the king himself offers her a job, she can’t resist the massive reward he offers—even if it means working with Captain Elander, the arrogant, mysterious right-hand to that king.Her partner may be infuriating, but at least their mission seems simple and quick enough: Investigate the origins of the strange plague that’s been ravaging their empire, help find a cure, and then call it a day.But in a land brimming with old magic and meddling gods, nothing is ever that simple, and nothing is ever what it seems.As the bodies pile up and strange monsters begin to wreak havoc throughout the realms, Cas and Elander will have to work together to protect their world whether they like it or not. Because one thing is clear: Something ancient and evil is stirring in the shadows of that world.And their empire will not survive its full unleashing.Filled with luscious world-building, banter-filled enemies-to-lovers romance, and epic battles, this first book in the Shadows and Crowns series is the perfect next read for fans of Throne of Glass. One-click today and start reading!

It had a good set up of the world of the whole book. I like how it introduced the characters and what is important for the readers to know

I loved this entire series, after first reading it several months ago, and it honestly reignited my interest in reading. I had not been a reader (like, at all) since finishing school over a decade ago, and this story has put me on a reading journey that now includes over 120 books. It is definitely a series that I will come back to read again (and probably again.) And I will automatically read anything else by SM Gaither.I adored the FMC as I related to her anxiety, I loved the bonds with her found family, and each of those characters' personalities. There's quite a bit of world-building, so some may consider it a slow start, but I personally thought it was done well and held my interest easily. There's a mysterious illness, a broody MMC, travels and adventure, heartbreak, relatable moments...it was easy to feel immersed in this story. I've recommended this series to anyone who asks me about books. Please give it a try!

I’m pretty torn on this book. Overall for me, it was just ok.It had a great plot. I liked the characters, although I never got attached to any of the side characters at all. The world building was good and descriptions were adequate. I liked the writing style for the most part. The flow was great in parts and dead to me on others. I’d go stretches where I couldn’t put this book down and then others where I could barely stay motivated to continue. I did not enjoy any of the battle scenes except where she went into the burning house. If you’re really into that sort of action, it’s not done poorly…it just really wasn’t my thing and I ended up skimming at points because I just felt like those scenes would never end. I kept wishing the romance would build a little more. For the length of this book, I felt it really took a back burner for most of it which saddened me. Despite that, the building romance that was included was very well done and I loved their connection. I also really appreciated the focus on anxiety and making Thorn relatable. Not to mention how it ties her and Elander together ❤️I truly did like the premise of the story and I would very much like to read on to know where Thorn and Elandar will go from here. At the same time, I felt it was dragged out a bit too much and I don’t know if I can invest myself into 5 whole books like that. I’m not sure if I will continue. I certainly think many would disagree with me and be very excited to continue the story. Oh, and I thought the ending was very well written.

This was a really good start to the series, Cas is a really interesting character with quirks and pitfalls that I think are really realistic. The universe is very complex and I was worried that I would have trouble following the God and magic system but the author did a good job of continuing to explain it as the book went on. There wasn’t any information dumps that I thought were hard to get through.The only reason this wasn’t five stars is some of the conversations between the main characters was a little stilted. Elander is hiding so much that it was hard to connect with him as a character. He did some sweet things but he also never apologized for some of the things he did that would really be a deal breaker for me. Even if he had a reason for them, he never explains them to Cas in a way that I feel like she should have just overlooked them. I’m at the point where if there was suddenly another love interest I would be okay with it. Either way I’m excited to start the next book.

Thus was a really good read! Well written with great twists! Love the continuous adventure and solid friendships! Always love reading about a budding romance too! Cant wait to read number 2!

Amazing fantasy/romance, lovely writing style. I love the characters and really identify with the female lead. It's great to see anxiety represented in the book as someone who struggles with it.

Bra första bok i en serie. Hoppas fortsättningen blir lika bra!

The naration is so classic , it draws the reader into the story, and almost feels like watching a movie..Wonderful storyline

I know this book is within the fantasy genre, but there are things that just cannot be. Illogical things, like the protagonist and her friends live in a hideout but the king can send them and invitation. The main city just a few hours ride from their hideout; the king inviting a felon to eat with him… I don’t know, I had higher expectations and just the first 12 chapters have made me decide to give up. However