World-building as realistic as any other with such a tangible feel to it, Marrow Charm contains plenty of potential for a truly kick-ass trilogy or series.

I enjoyed getting lost in the world of Marrow Charm and can't wait for some of the unanswered questions to be answered in the coming installments. There's plenty of suspense, action, drama, and plenty of excitement that you'll keep reading until your kindle's battery runs out.

Solid fantasy! My only criticism is I never truly matched the summary concerning The Third Reich. There were hints of it but I thought that piece could have been more developed.

That being said, I didn't feel the story was missing much without that connection. Characters were solid and I enjoyed reading from the different perspectives. The Wolf reminded me a bit of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, which I really enjoyed.

The conclusion leaves a lot of loose ends and I will definitely be looking for the sequel which is set to be released July 2020. I definitely recommend this book to YA (and older) fantasy readers!

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Parliament House for the copy of Marrow Charm in exchange for my honest review.

This book unfortunately wasn't my cup of tea so I did end up DNF'ing the book. I was attracted to the plot of this book but unfortunately did not meet my expectations.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The cover is .. gorgeous. Seriously, I'm in awe.

There are so many interesting elements to this book. Magic, Darkness, Plagues... and so much more. While labeled YA/teen, it was definitely interesting enough for this 30something year old. haha.

The two main characters are so interesting. One becomes infected and is "cast to the Above.". His sister sets off after him, determined to save him of course.

This book has adventure, thrills, sibling love, fantasy, and everything you'd want in a book.

It took me a while to get my bearings in this dark tale, but am I glad I persevered. The writing is accomplished, the premise fresh and original, and the world as engrossing as it is horrific. I'm definitely on board to see where book #2 takes Azzy, Kai and Armin.

I am a bit behind on reading this ARC (thank you NetGalley!) after having a rough end to 2019, but I'm SO GLAD that I was approved for this one! I loved it! I have been in a slump recently after being disappointed by a hyped up release that this was so refreshingly lush and wonderful. I'll be looking to add this hardcover to my collection!

I thoroughly enjoyed Marrow Charm by Kristin Jacques! It was beautifully written in a way that made you feel fully immersed. I'm also always a fan of a knockout ending.

However, I didn't love being dropped into a world of happenings with very little context. It's becoming increasingly popular to write first and explain later.

This book started off slowly but was worth the wait. It is a magical read that I think will be enjoyed by older students.

When I opened the pages of this book I did not expect to step into a magical and haunting world. Right from the start I was hooked.

It is not that often that the world a book transports me to leaves me speechless. Yes, I understood that this book would be set in world where a magical gate was opened but I did not grasp the full meaning. As the beautiful cover hints at, there is a world above ground that has the magically corrupted creatures and the world below with the survivors. But there is a plague wiping out the people underground and when Azzy’s brother is infected and casted out to the world above she has no choice but to face a world of monsters to find him.

Where do I even begin?! To say that this book was different than anything I have read in a while is an understatement. This book was hauntingly beautiful! The world that Jacques created was amazing. Everything in the above and below were echoes of each other. You had monsters above that physically appeared and acted like monsters…but they were not the only monster. The people in the below were actually scarier at times. The burning of people they thought were magical (Azzy’s mom), eating their dead (a child turned into a stew), and many more examples. There were moments that were just dark, but in this darkness you have Azzy sacrificing everything to get back to her brother.

The characters that Azzy meets along the way either made your heart ache or your skin crawl. Some of these creatures will help her along the way like her wolf companion, but even he is more than he appears to be. These characters, along with the world, was written so beautifully. Azzy is a strong and resourceful young woman and I loved going on this journey with her. There were so many moments where I thought things couldn’t get worse for her but somehow they always did. And the way that the book ended?! Let’s just say I NEED the next book in this series. If you are looking for a hauntingly beautiful fantasy novel this is absolutely the book for you!

Marrow Charm is the sort of book you need to dedicate some proper time to. You can't dip in and out of it, because if you did you probably wouldn't want to pick it up again because the pacing for the first half of the book is really off-putting. But once you breach the halfway point, it's one hell of a ride.

Magic, myth and monsters grace the pages of this novel. The writing is beautiful, borderline purple, and dares to be graphic when describing monsters doing disgusting things to people; the writing is actually what made me keep going when I initially felt a bit bored. I think the world building and characterisation far supercedes the quality of the plot, which is simply a girl trying to find her brother after he is banished from their society (she has help from a wolf, which is an interesting addition once you get your head around it).

I really love fantasy when it feels driven by mythology and folklore which this felt like it did, even though it actually didn't have any tangible links. It's a whimsical, atmospheric world that's easy to get sucked in to. But the problem for me was really that it felt like corners had been cut. In order to truly become invested in a story as simple as this I feel like I need to be immediately compelled to keep reading, which I wasn't, or interested in the history and story telling of the origin of a world, which wasn't present.

I can see why this is becoming a favourite for a lot of readers, but it's missing something for me.

ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Marrow Charm is a book that I didn't hear much about until I saw it here on NetGalley. The world was really well developed and made it seem like you were really there. I really liked the characters and thought they were all really well developed.

This book starts with our heroine, Azzy, fighting off a giant half-spider, half-bird, to save a wolf that can take the shape of a man, and how can you not love a book with that opening chapter?

Marrow Charm is a gloriously weird, incredibly fantastical, Tim-Burton fever dream. There are monsters and shapeshifters and magic and witches and mutations, but it never feels like too much is being crammed into one story. Instead we get a non-stop ride through this author's vivid imagination, and even though it ends with many questions unanswered, it doesn't feel unfinished. It just makes you want to read the sequel even more!

Title: Marrow Charm
Author: Kristin Jacques
Pages: 346
Genre: Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is an Advanced Readers Copy. That means that this is not the final version of the book. Therefore, facts and quotes are subject to change in the published book.

Release date: Out now!

An adventure for the decades.

Azure, Azzy for short, is one of the sole apothecaries in the village. But their village is a little different. All humans now live underground with the wild animals and thing wrought with magic thrive above them. When Azzy is forced to fight for her life in the above, she discovers more about herself than she ever thought was possible.

Oh No's
There was way too much detail in my opinion. The entire story is action packed with the tiniest of details being described over and over again. It just felt like this book needed to be chopped up a bit because I could not handle the constant fleeing and fighting. It felt like it would go on forever but there is hope because the second half of the book really takes off.

Yay's
The opening to this novel really piqued my interest. And when I saw piqued, I mean I was 100% sold and invested in this book. We open with our main girl coming back from foraging and having to take in the most recent death of a village- a child. But, the Heap has a very... different way of disposing of the bodies. Especially when times are tough.

"Nell brought a spoonful to her lips, tipping it down her throat, the mother who gave the flesh, cycling it back into herself." -ARC

Yup, you read that right. They eat the babies. Amazing. I love it. This is not what the rest of the book is like as this is the craziest thing to really happen but I loved it and I hope this interests you as well.

I love this world of the Above and I'm so excited to read more of it when the sequel comes out. Action packed to the extreme. Every chapter involves a fight so you will not be bored. The plot is a little redundant in the middle but hey, what can you do.

Finally,
I really enjoyed this novel. The beginning and last half are amazing but you have to get through the middle to get there. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

My similar recommendation for this novel would be Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. 

Favorite Quote
Between witch and wolf, Azzy walked with an odd sense of safety."

-ARC

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-PM

This was amazing! From the very beginning I was sucked into this story and it just got crazier and more exciting. The sibling bond between Azzy and Armin was my favorite part of the story. I love seeing siblings that are close and would do anything for each other. Azzy is a great main character, she cares for others, even those she doesn't know well, and will take on blame or pain if she thinks it will help someone else. She made a lot of great friendships throughout the story, especially the wolf/man Kai, who saved her more than once.
The format of the story was great, I enjoyed the change of viewpoints in the middle and the pacing was well done. I am so excited for the next book!!

Thank you NetGalley and Parliament House for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Marrow Charm
By: Kristin Jacques

*REVIEW* 💛💛💛💛
In Marrow Charm, people live underground, the Below, because the Above is not a safe place to be. This story is its own world rendered unique and imaginative by the author. The world building is quite interesting and complex. Azzy, her brother Armin and their caretaker, Brixby, live Below. One day, Armin is banished to the Above because it became known he has magic. Azzy and Brixby follow him because the Above essentially means death. The three become separated, and Azzy embarks on a quest to save her brother. Her journey is fraught with pitfalls and peril, but she will not be deterred from her goal. I like this story because it's unique from others I've read recently. I was invested in the outcomes for the characters, and I was entertained. Marrow Charm is a good read, and I recommend giving this book a try.





Azzy Armin Brixby

Yesterday when I completed this book, I had a panic attack; not because the book ended in a cliffhanger, but because the last author’s note informed that Azzy (the leading character) needed more readers for her story to continue. I still don't know if that's the case since I got an e-ARC, but before I proceed to write my in-detail review, I want to invite everyone reading my words to please give this story a try. I promise that by the end of it, you're going to be thankful you were introduced to this beautiful world full of magic. And if you read it, please leave a review; even if it's a short one, I bet everything will help in saving Azzy.

Marrow Charm is set in a world where a door was open and magic was brought into the human realm. As a consequence, humans started to get sick, and to avoid the transformation into monsters, underground cities were created to prevent more individuals from getting infected.
Azure Brimvine or Azzy, as everyone knows her, is one of the inhabitants of this underground world. She lives with her caretaker, Brixby, and her brother, Armin. Unfortunately, Armin holds magic inside of him, and after an episode brings it out, Armin is cast into the above where Azzy follows him. Nonetheless, the situation gets out of hand, and Armin and Brixby end up captured by some individuals of the above while Azzy gets to escape. Determined to rescue her brother and be there for him no matter the consequences, Azzy embarks on a journey to find him.

I can't even describe the spectacular world Kristin Jacques created. I have to admit that the beginning was a little bit too slow for my preference, but after twenty percent in, I was blaming life's duties for keeping me away from reading. Jacques's clear writing makes it easier to follow the story. You become consumed by the magic of the world she built. Azzy's journey brings out all types of magical creatures, including herself, who is different from everyone else.

My favorite part of this book is that it has a little of everything. It features romance, but the story is not consumed by it, on the contrary. Jacques slowly builds a bond between Azzy and her love interest, and it makes the reader desperate for more. We also get to know every important character in detail since the book is narrated through various points of view. Still, they are not hard to follow.
But most importantly, Azzy is not distracted from her goal, which is to find and save her brother. I personally hate stories where the mc is supposed to be following a path and gets sidetracked by everything she encounters. Throughout her journey, Azzy faces many obstacles, but her bond with Armin is much stronger.

As the first in a series, Marrow Charm is a story full of twists that keeps the reader on edge and biting their nails while questioning who is more humane, those non-magic, or those whose appearance leaves much to be desired.

Free ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The world-building that Kristin Jacques accomplishes in “Marrow Charm” provides an imaginative framework for her engaging and memorable characters. As the first in a series, this is another fine example of a fantasy book categorized as “young adult” but assuredly accessible to readers of all ages.

Jacques story of centers around Azure—Azzy to everyone—her brother Armin, and their guardian Brixby. Azzy regularly defies the masters of her underground refuge city “the Below” to go to “the Above” in search of medicines that Bixby, an apothecary by trade, uses to stave off various ailments including the dreaded Rot. Some of those medicines also help Armin and the forbidden magic that seeks to overwhelm him and betray them all.

Despite Azzy and Brixby’s efforts to hide Armin’s secret, he is revealed and banished to the Above. Where monsters and worse rule, banishment is effectively a death sentence. Brixby and Azzy set off to save Armin, but they are all separated and Azzy is left on her own in an unforgiving landscape she is wholly unfamiliar with.

Jacques has created a magical, frightening, and wonderfully engaging world in “Marrow Charm”. The flow and pacing of the story keeps the pages turning as readers are drawn along by Azzy’s tenacious drive to save her family. Jacques first installment in a larger series set up an imaginative world with relatable characters that readers will enjoy.

I really enjoyed Marrow Charm! The Heap gave me major City of Ember vibes which I adored and when the action starts up it's full on and doesn't shy away from being a boss-battle. The characters were extremely lovable and provided a wholesome quality to the book. I loved the exploration of the world and hope to one day find a map to go along so I could visualise their journey in a more holistic way. Can I please have a Kai? Great set up for future books, I'm keen to see how the world expands and what mayhem our characters end up in.

At first I wasnt sure this was going to be the book for me. It starts off really dark and I was very worried I would end up having nightmares about giant spiders. But, quickly the story drug me in. Azzy's story is twisty and turbulent. It keeps readers engaged and wondering what will happen next. My only complaint is the fact I didnt know this was going to be part one of the story and judging from the Author note at the end Im not sure that there is another book being written.

I’m gonna keep this brief because I think it’s one of those stories to go into with as little information as possible, it just makes for a really interesting reading experience.

So I really enjoyed this one! It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy story that I could get sucked into but this one definitely fit the bill. The world that it takes place in is so vivid, it’s a dystopian type story but it’s so far in the future and so full of dark imagery and themes that it feels like more of a high fantasy. It’s really dark and gritty, and at times disturbing, but it just makes all the threats so much more real.

The basic premise of the story is that magic is forbidden Below, so once the main characters brother is thrown Above for having magic, she sets out to save him. The book is full of weird and creepy creatures and shows a really dark side to humanity, but that makes the story really fast paced and easy to get through.

The characters didn’t full fully developed to me, but I also didn’t realize it was a series until the very end so I expect there will be more growth in the next installment. The different relationships were so varied and really pushed the story forward.

Overall I really liked this book! It was so easy to picture everything that was happening and I can’t wait to see what happens next.