I absolutely loved this book!!! I really liked the relationship between Azure and her brother Armin. The bond they have was so strong. No matter what happened to them she wouldn't and didn't give up hope if finding her brother. I can not wait to get this book at my local bookstore.

'I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.'

Overall: 3.75 stars

In a world where 'most' magic is tainted, Azzy, a girl who grew up in the Below, must travel across the Above to find her brother and guardian who were captured by snatchers. She encounters many obstacles along the way, including the realization that she has magic deep in her marrow and that all monsters aren't as monstrous as they appear.

I really love Azzy's character and how she interacts with the people and monsters in the Above, like she's connected to them all in a sense. The wolf companion was a great addition. The two characters introduced at the end captured my attention and I can't wait to see how they develop in book 2.

The the beginning was a bit slow, but picked up quickly and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book.
I didn't love the change in point of views and part 2. I enjoyed the story they told, but the randomness of it confused me. I would like more backstory on Brixby, Safiya, Kai and their mother. Their magic is tied to the gate, the world and their mother somehow, but it's never really explained. I'm assuming this will be discussed in book two, which I'm already looking forward to.

This would have been a 4-star possibly 4.5 star book, however the magic system wasn't explained that well and it's supposed to be the backbone of the book. There is rot, humans turned into monsters, and a Gate that was opened by a man, which caused all of this, but I don't know what happened. And it's stated that someone is trying to use the Gate again, but still no explanation. Only that many don't survive it, but Armin did.

Overall, I really enjoyed the journey to Avergard through Azzy's POV. I loved the characters she met along the way and I'm looking forward to book 2. ❤️

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this arc. I will be reviewing this book in the near future with an honest rating and review.

I am actually kinda mad. Here I was completely invested and riveted by the story of Azzy, Kai, and all the other characters....it just stopped. So, please give me a sequel cause it's cruel to leave people hanging like this.

As you can gather I really liked this book...there's fantasy, magic, good and evil and at the heart of all that a young woman who goes after her outcast brother and finds some unlikely allies on the way. The characters resonate, I was moved by the different backgrounds and stories and the world Kristin Jacques has created is beautifully described, you can envision the bleak surroundings, the multitude of a different creatures and the power struggles that take place.

The plot is also an interesting one, not everything is given away and we slowly find out that Azzy has magic in her as well, it's nice to find things out together with the main character and connecting the dots slowly to get a picture instead of already knowing the whole premise. Although I am left with questions now, so please get that sequel out soon, I almost beg you!

What a unique read! I loved the world-building and fast paced story-line! When I first read the description on Net Galley, I knew I needed to read this book. I quite enjoyed the "twisted" magic spin. Usually magic is made to be a "light/dark" side...whereas in this book, magic is like an infection and it is to be avoided at all costs. The only thing that bothered me just a teeny, tiny bit was the plot, I wish it would have been a little more.....something? I can't quite put my finger on what I want from the plot....but I just wanted a little more. BUT overall, I really enjoyed this book and would read more from this author in the future.

*I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

(Also posted on my GR account!)

I'm not sure if this is the case of 'it's not you, it's me' because others clearly thought this book is worth 4 to 5 stars.

Sadly, the gorgeous cover (seriously, so gorg!) and intriguing world-building couldn't help the fact that it wasn't interesting enough for me. I dozed off several times while reading because of the way the author described things. There were exposition left and right, epithet galore (couldn't read past 'his/her guardian' anymore), weird tones that I caught in the story.

Such a let down for the world-building to deal with unengaged lead female and unnecessary 'bond' and such. I know it's the first book of a series, but I don't think I will continue forward with this.

This book was an impulse read and I couldn't be happier to have read it!! I absolutely adored it!! Azure, or Azzy, has she is better known, lives with her brother under the care of their apothecary guardian in the underground city known as the Heap. It's a town on the edge of complete ruin and Azzy does all that she can to keep her brother safe and help her neighbors as best she can, by risking trips into the dangers of the Above.

When tragedy strikes and Azzy is separated from her brother, the remainder of the novel shifts into a more traditional journey-style fantasy novel. And the cliffhanger of an ending has me quite anxious for the sequel!! I really hope that the wait isn't too terribly long!!

Azzy is a heroine that is easy to root for - and her strong connections and relationships strengthen the book. The plot hold some truly shocking surprises that literally made me gasp aloud (so watch out for that if you read this in public!), The pacing moves along quickly and the book really is hard to put down (seriously, I wish I had been able to clear my calendar to read this in one sitting). The writing and world-building sets a genuinely stunning stage that is grim, but also darkly beautiful... I definitely think that this could be a great TV show, too. It's certainly a wonderful novel - Jacques' prose is lovely and I really adored the bonds between all of the characters (though of course I loved the wolf's relationship with her the most). The artwork of the interludes made for a nice surprise, too.

I didn't expect the ending to be quite so unresolved, so I really cannot wait for the next book!! I genuinely loved reading this and am so impressed with Jacques' writing. Truly excellent!!

Title: Marrow Charm (The Gate Cycle #1)
Author: Kristin Jacques
Pub. Date: October 1, 2019
Rating: 4.5

This will be a spoiler free review. Free copy of Marrow Charm provided by NeGalley in exchange for an honest review.

THIS. BOOK.

I had no expectations going into this. I saw the cover, it’s gorgeous, then I read the synopsis and thought that it sounded interesting. I requested it not even thinking that I was actually going to be approved, and I’m so glad I was. This is honestly a new favorite and I’m trash for Azure and Kai (the love interest) and I want them to be happy.

Marrow Charm is dark, gritty and unforgiving. Humans live underground after magic had (basically) ransacked the surface. Six cities, all havens for humanity but they’re falling. Azure’s (Azzy) home, Heaven, or better known as the Heap is struggling. A sickness called “The Rot” has steadily culled the cities population over time and the remaining humans are struggling to survive. Hope is all but nonexistent and choices have to be made in order to keep everyone alive. When meat is scarce…you don’t waste a single death.
It’s uncomfortable and a turning point for Azzy. Things are set in motion after one feast and they do not stop rolling even by the end of the book.

Azzy is badass. Even when the odds are stacked impossibly high against her, she keeps moving forward. She’s super capable but not invincible. She has many moments of weakness where she wants to give up, but she knows if she does, she’s dead. She knows that finding her brother may be the last thing she does, and if and when she does, he might not be the person she knew.

This book was amazing and the bonds that are formed between Azzy and the people she meets are raw, real and honest. She’s very much a girl who is willing to face anything, go the distance, but is also very much out of her element. Death scares her in the sense that it terrifies most people, but she also understands that it’s a very real possibility. She’s one to put herself in harm’s way to protect those she cares about.
Her bond with Kai is * chef’s kiss * perfect. At least in my opinion. It’s one that grew out of debts being paid, but also so much more – feelings that cannot be explained, that run deeper than given words can explain.
I fell in love with the two of them on their journey. They have a fierce protectiveness for each other and the more invested I got, the more my heart raced and the louder I screamed at the end of Part 1…okay it was like 3AM so I didn’t actually scream (audibly) but it felt like my heart was torn from my chest. I need to know if Kai and Azzy are okay because their current predicaments aren’t exactly great. Hell, no one’s predicament is great at the end of the book which leaves me with this feeling of dread and anxiety for what’s going to happen next and I have to wait until May 2020 to find out.
I’ll just be over here in the corner dying.

Much like [redacted]

This is my shout out to you all to read this book and fall in love.
You know that feeling when you’re reading a book and you get that bubbly, giddy feeling in your chest and you find yourself grinning like a fool because the book is so good and the romance is so good? and you just want to keep reading because you HAVE to know what happens next? That’s how I felt while reading this book.

Marrow Charm is out now! Make sure you pick up your copy and read this book! Fall in love with Kai and Azzy and get invested in her journey to save her brother! Make sure you add it on Goodreads as well!

This review will be posted to my blog on October 2, 2019 at 8AM EST

It took me awhile to get into this (until like 40%) and I was almost about to stop reading it for good when it started becoming better!

Majority of this book is spent by the main character, trying to find her brother who was cast out from their society because of his magic/power. It was slow at first until a wolf decided to join her on her quest. I really enjoyed the relationship between the girl and the wolf, especially how protective they were of each other.

Even if I'm not usually a huge fan of dystopian I found this book excellent.
I loved the fascinating, gripping and well crafted plot, the well written cast of characters and the amazing world building.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Azure ‘Azzy’ Brimvine lives in a world decimated by magic, where humans have retreated underground, but Below is no safer than Above. Magic borne plagues continue to eat away at the remaining human cities, a sickness that creates aberrations from the stricken: people twisted by magic. It is an existence of fear and constant dread. When Azzy’s brother, Armin, is infected and cast out into the Above, she sets out after him, determined to be there for him no matter what. The world Above is full of monsters, both wild and cunning, some more human than Azzy was led to believe. Armin is captured and bound for the Auction block of Avergard, a ruthless city of inhuman lords and twisted creatures. To reach him, Azzy must brave the perils of the Above. To reach him, she must find allies and forge new bonds in this broken world. And Azzy must reach him, before Armin’s new power is used to open the Gate once more.

I'm so thrilled to have had the opportunity to read Marrow Charm by Kristin Jacques! It's a pretty fantastic series opener. It's unique concept and luckily it really delivers. It was my first novel by Jacques, but it certain won't be my last. The fantasy dystopian world-building for both Below and Above is darkly lush and atmospheric. In regards to the cast of characters, I particularly appreciated the relationship between siblings, Azzy and Armin. Their journey is really something else, isn't it. The supporting cast is also quite intriguing as well. My only gripe is the multiple third person perspective. I would have preferred that aspect narrowed down to just one or two characters.

Overall, Marrow Charm (The Gate Cycle #1) by Kristin Jacques is a brilliant dark YA fantasy dystopian novel that stands out from the crowd. If you're interested in dark fantasy or dystopian worlds, I highly recommend this author's unique new story. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next this series with Skin Curse which is due to be released next May. Thanks again, NetGalley!

This book was really surprising. The setting of a post-apocalyptic world is always a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the different take on magic being an undesirable trait and it being seen as a curse. This definitely goes against most of the books about magic I have read. This book was a definite page turner and I cannot wait to read the next installment.

Received this as an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars for me!

What an intense dystopian book! I picked it up without reading the synopsis, the cover of the book was so gorgeous I just had to read it. Kristin Jacques' imagination is wild and intriguing! After couple of pages I was so dragged into the story. The magic, the extraordinary powers, the characters, the creatures. It has it all !

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

In his pursuit of the occult, the Third Reich opened the Gate to a realm of magic and brought the world to ruin. The Gate was eventually closed, but They were already in our world and They were hungry.

Marrow Charm is an insanely dark fantasy horror, set in a inventive dystopian world, where the few Humans who survive live below ground in makeshift towns. While the world world above-ground is crawling with dangerous beings that have been infected with a magical plaque called the Rot
Imaginative world building, The magic borne plagues continue to eat away at the remaining human cities, a sickness that doesn’t merely kill, but creates aberrations from the stricken: people twisted by magic into something dark, dangerous, and powerful. It is an existence of fear and constant dread. When Azzy’s brother, Armin, is infected and cast out into the Above, she sets out after him, determined to be there for him no matter what he becomes.

When her brother Armin, is captured and bound for the Auction block of Avergard, a ruthless city of inhuman lords and twisted creatures. To Save him, Azzy must brave the horrific chaotic life forms created by the Gate. Ultimately Their sibling bond is what drives through the dangers of their world. Twisted by fears and uncertainty of his fate, Armin's love for his sister is unwavering.
Azzy must step out of her comfort zone and alliances with allies in this gut wrenching dark an morbid, torn broken world

This book was everything I thought it would be. Perfect for readers who want to step out of the norm and into the dark

#marrowcharm #fantasyfiction #yafantasybooks #tbr2019 #newrelease2019 #octoberrelease #authorlife #authoursofinstagram #writersofig #booklove #fantasy #parliamenthousepres

Magic has taken over and those without are left to dangers that lurk from nearly every corner. Some magic provides good but most is bad. Many creatures are formed and can be very grotesque in their look but also in how they survive.
Azzy and her brother Armin live below ground for safety because Above is too dangerous. They are forced to leave below and their survival Above is instantly challenged.
There are only a handful of characters and each one I grew to care about. The magic is different, often dark, but also new to me. The story did not come off as a typical YA and I believe it’s her writing but also the different type of story. The world felt new and different but also enough to keep me guessing.
One thing I was confused about was why the world changed and specifically how? In NetGalley’s explanation of the book I got my answers but not IN the book. Also, the love interest didn’t quite seem genuine yet. It felt like their relationship was too new and challenging for there to be romantic feelings. It did feel more genuine later.
All in all, it was so unique that it kept me very interested. I’m curious to see where the story goes from here!

**Thank you to The Parliament House, Netgalley, and Kristin Jacques for providing me a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

Marrow Charm is set in a world where magic is not a desired gift, but a feared and malicious curse. Magic entered the world and twisted humans and animals into beasts that forget who they are and who are very dangerous. The world has moved underground, as the "Above" world is too dangerous to live in. When a human is "tainted" with magic, they are banished to the "Above", as there is no stopping magic's hold that dooms the human to either death or life as a monster.

Azzy is the daughter of a witch, living in one of the last human settlements below the surface. She is spending her life trying to protect her brother from the magic in his blood threatening to overtake him. A string of unfortunate events finds her brother cast out to Above, with her chasing after him to try and save him from herself. Her adventures take her across many miles, working with an eel lady, witch, and man/wolf. She has her own brand of magic, which isn't really clearly explained throughout the book, just hinted at.

Marrow Charm is the first book in The Gate Cycle, a new series by Kristin Jacques. A high fantasy novel with monsters, magic, apocalyptic plagues, some light romance, and some slight cannibalism - Marrow Charm is exciting and well written for those who really enjoy fantasy. It has an interesting take on magic that you don't generally see. Magic in books is something normally considered a gift or talent, something people should want to have. Marrow Charm creates a magical world where humans are begging to remain unaffected by magic. It creates an interesting dynamic.

I was a bit confused from time to time during some of the action scenes, and when Azzy's specific powers were being discussed. It wasn't very clear throughout the book what her powers are, as they don't adhere to the normal rules. I'm assuming this will be more fleshed out and explained in a sequel.

Overall, a very good book and I would definitely check out a sequel.

This book was soo boring. I couldn't get interested in the characters and in the plot at all, the former being completely one-dimensional and the latter being all over the place. The world-building is basically non existent, and the bits that we are provided with are confusing. The plot seems to be drawn from multiple ideas, smashed together in an unappealing mess. This novel is a hard pass.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book. A classic quest fantasy, where a girl ventures from her home, facing dangerous magic and a hostile and unfamiliar world, for the sake of saving her brother from a horrible fate. Azzy is an interesting character in that she seems completely oblivious to her own influence (though as that needle of awareness digs in, we get a really interesting picture of a unique system of magic and a hierarchy of monsters). There is a bit of a distracting love story (annoying territorial male character, blah blah blah) but I was definitely more sold on the magic.

And then, 60% into the book, we abruptly change perspectives, abandoning the driving force of the narrative in exchange for a more subdued picture. Unlike Azzy, Armin has a much clearer understanding of the magic that surrounds both him and his sister. So we end up getting the answers that Azzy was fighting for for free, which felt a little cheap. The brief forays into yet a third perspective (aforementioned territorial male, Kai) nudged the story forward until we finally get back to Azzy right at the end.

Apart from the rapid loss of momentum (and a really annoying obsession with eyes - they're mentioned constantly with every single character), Marrow Charm inhabits a world I would definitely revisit. I'm curious to see where Azzy's journey takes her and where the shattered pieces of the ensemble cast end up.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A STAND-ALONE AND I WAS WRONG.

World building is great
Characters are all great
Dialogue was great

I’m just... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW.

I don’t have any complaints with the writing or the delivery. It was all really solid. Like a solid 5/5 with no complaints or criticisms.

<I>*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *</i >

<b> 4 stars!</b>

Marrow Charm is a fantasy/horror tale set in a dystopian world, where the few Humans who survive live below ground in makeshift towns, because the world above-ground is crawling with monsters. The protagonist, Azure (Azzy) is a fierce heroine, who doesn’t agree with how society below-ground is (including gruesome practices such as eating their deceased, and casting out those who are ‘tainted’ by magic into the monster-ridden Above). When her brother is cast out for being tainted, she sets out on a dangerous journey to try to find him again.

This book was well-written, with great world-building (including some very imaginative creatures)

However, I felt like there were too many questions left unanswered, and the character development could have been more elaborate.