While the sapphic romance in this book was intriguing, I wished for a deeper exploration. Some plot twists left me puzzled, and crucial events in the finale seemed rushed, lacking the emotional impact I would have liked. Nonetheless, I adored the side characters, particularly Kitya, and overall, I found the book enjoyable. It's a definite recommendation for those seeking a sapphic YA fantasy fix.

This book was spectacular. The magic system was an interesting blend of soulmates, the four elements, spirits, and music. The characters were great. The twist on soulmates and the scrutiny it gave those tropes was really interesting, and watching the characters start to question the soulmates thing was also fun. All four of the main characters (yes, even Orrin) had fun development and made for a great team. This book has it all: enemies to lover, soulmates, getting kidnapped by pirates, political intrigue, the whole nine yards. I loved it.

This book was so unique and unlike anything I’ve read. I found the magic system/world a little difficult to get into and understand at first. It would have been nice to have some explanation or “setting the stage” at the beginning to make it a little more understandable. That being said, the story was really interesting and gripping. I enjoyed Ruti and Dekala’s interactions and Ruti’s growth overall.

Definitely a worthwhile read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this title!

I wish that I had ended up liking it better. For the first two thirds it seemed like it was setting things up to go in a direction I could love, but the last 25% or so felt like nonsense to me. This is mostly because the narrative, which was close third person up till that point, decided to try to keep the reader dark on the main character's plans and actions. This was weird since up till that point we'd always been on the same page as the protagonist, information-wise. This was an attempt to end the book on a series of surprising reveals, I guess, but rather than being excited I just felt like the character's actions made no sense at all... and I didn't feel much better about that fact when it revealed that the reasons their actions were completely disconnected was because they did a bunch of stuff off camera which the POV withheld for the reader in an extremely awkward and disconcerting way.

Besides that, I just could not see Dekala as being someone worth fighting for. She gets to act completely selfish the entire book, except for a couple of pet-the-dog moments where she saves someone from danger that she created, and by the end of the book Ruti, the protagonist, is completely lovesick with her to the point that it just gets sort of frustrating and ridiculous. Like, girl, I kept saying to myself, have some self-respect. This is getting embarrassing.

The worldbuilding had a lot of cool ideas and interesting executions of those ideas, regarding the spirits. I just kind of wish it had been more about that, in the end. Given that people seem to hate Markless because they aren't loved/marked by the spirits, you would think that Ruti being an extremely powerful witch, extremely loved by the spirits, would challenge people's thoughts on that issue, but strangely that never really comes up at all. Witches, in general, were sort of an under-explored concept, and I wish I could have learned more about the spiritual side of the setting.

This was an ARC I received from the publisher.

I overall found the plotpoints to be mildly interesting but the world building couldn't outweigh how flat the characters felt.

Markless by C.G. Marlburi

Ruti is a social outcast, first for being “Markless”, meaning she can’t form a soulbound signified by the lack of markings on her palm. Being Markless puts her in the lowest rungs of society. Second, shes a witch, able to sing to the gods and ask for their favors in specific ways, soemtimes with small offerings to assist her song. Ruti and her ward Kimya are captured by the royal princess and her bodyguard, as the princess has a request to ask of the gods.

I found this book to be interesting in a number of ways, more than I can really say that I enjoyed it. I found the magic system to be really interesting, particularly as its described in sort of a purple prose kind of way, much more so that magic systems usually are. I think this idea where not having a soulmate is super stigmatized, to such a degree that “Markless” people are shunned, is super interesting, especially with how obsessed we are with finding our romantic partner and living happily ever after, etc.

Overall, I liked the journey of this book. It’s exciting and well paced, it takes lots of turns and is a really fun read. But I found the characters to lack much depth. The love interest has a very cliche life philosophy (I guess you could call it) that never really acquires any sort of depth or meaning, and just stays surface level cliche through most of the book. The bodyguard, who we end up spending a lot of time with, is also kind of one note. We see a touch of a different note at the end, but thats pretty much it. And the book tries to say a few things about soulbounds that the ending sort of undercuts, and its just left me wondering what we’re saying here.

So, in the end, if you’re looking for a fun fantasy adventure you’re willing to take at face value, this one might be for you. (This book might also be an interesting book to talk about with people.)

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Levine Querido for a copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.

"Markless" was an exciting fantasy filled with interesting world-building. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters--Ruti was challenging and fierce, Kimya was quick and trusting, and Dekala was a mystery until the very end. I love characters that feel real and have flaws, and Dekala's arc was really up my alley in that regard. At times, it felt a bit rushed, especially towards the end.

In a world with magic, people receive a mark when they are young that symbolizes the natural element that they are born with. To be able to control their power, they need to bond with their soulmates. The children who don’t receive a mark are abandoned in the slums to fend for themselves. Our protagonist, a witch, manages to survive in the slums, learning song magic. After a display of her powers, she is recruited by the princess to help her stay unbonded forever.
 
I have mixed feelings about this book. At first, I was intrigued by the magic system and its lore. I loved the concept of soul bonds and how it was deconstructed in the book. Thinks started falling apart in the third act.

The author doesn’t understand how systems of oppression work. The discrimination is seen as cultural, and nobody actually ever challenges it in a meaningful way, not even our markless protagonist. There are minor concessions that we are supposed to be awe of. We are supposed to believe that the ruler of this kingdom is unable to enact economic and penal laws to stop people from abandoning their small children because they don’t have a mark on their palm. The previous ruler is regarded as good for building a barely functioning orphanage for the markless children with no food service.

The princess never apologizes for the treatment of our main character; she is rude with her, constantly calls her slurs, and is horrified by the thought of touching her. She never confronts her prejudice directly, and our protagonist never challenges her views directly or indirectly; she’s just grateful for the bare minimum. Our protagonist never once confronts how her beliefs about herself as worthless are wrong or how the fact that she doesn’t have a mark doesn’t make her less, and she is deserving of love, compassion, and respect from others.

The plot twist at the end didn’t work. The unreliable narrator works if we are fed information that is ambiguous, not if we are fed lies by our first-person protagonist, and at the end we realize that her thoughts were lies.

I hated that the markless underground city remained underground, and they were still seen as less. I hated that the effort to recover the markless children of a neighboring kingdom who were sold as slaves was underwhelming at worst and laughable at best.

None of the main characters who treated our protagonist like a thing took responsibility for their actions. I guess doing the bare minimum makes all the bad actions go away. None of the main characters are seen as anything other than good, even when they do and say objectively bad things. I would have preferred the cast to be seen as selfish characters who didn’t want to change the system that benefits them.

4.25 ⭐️

Markless is a strong debut featuring a diverse cast and a unique magic system. I really enjoyed how the magic system was layered and complex but not difficult to understand.

Those with magic fall into one of three categories: Bonded, Unbonded, and Witches. Our main character, Ruti, is a Markless witch living in the slums of her city. We watch as her circumstances change and her worldview shifts in a positive way. Markless are looked down upon and treated as less than human by most. I enjoyed watching each of the main characters with Marks unlearning their prejudices and growing as people.

Ruti is a very lovable character, so much so I found myself crying when she was going through something particularly painful.

However, there was a portion of the book that had me confused in an unpleasant way because it didn’t make a whole lot of sense with how our third person limited view is focused. It wasn’t enough to turn me off of the book but could definitely irritate other readers, so that’s something to keep in mind.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for a honest review.*

I really enjoyed reading this and the world was so immersive! I fould myself really invested in the main character and wanted her to succeed.

There were parts that felt a bit rushed were time jumps weren't really clear and that took me out of the story, but I was always excited to find my way back in.

I loved this book so much! I’m really hoping this turns out to be a series. There is great found family, LGBTQ representation, & enemies to lovers. Ruti and Kimya are some of the sweetest characters I’ve ever read about! There is so much potential for the story to continue. My only complaint is that the ending seemed a little rushed if it does turn out to be a standalone.

Why is this book not a TRILOGY?? I want more! I've grown all attached to Kimya's steadfast understanding of human nature even if only a child. I've grown accustom to rolling my eyes and slapping my forehead at Dekala's icy exterior. And, of course, I've grown to love Ruti as she makes her way into the hearts of even the coldest of queens with her song.

The author makes you feel as if you were luxuriating in a palace bath, then trudging through the muddy slums, swaying across the seas on a pirate ship, tripping over roots in dense forests, then slinking through a child sized tunnel. Their imagination is spellbinding and their ability to weave this story into existence makes it hard to put down.

You will fall for the Ice Queen just as hard as you'll fall for the Markless Witch and her ward, but when the closing chapters arrive, you will only wish for more.

Truly a fabulous read.

This was a cute YA LGBTQIA+ novel. We follow Ruti, a Markless witch and Kimya a 7 year old mute markless child who uses sign language as they are taken to the palace and forced to try and help Princess Dekala fight her fate. Dekala is a strong and stubborn Princess who does not want to find her soulbond and become bonded to unlock control over her powers. They sneak away and travel across kingdoms to find some way to fight the soulbond so she can rule by herself instead of beside one of her suitors who all wish for power and to control Dekala. I loved watching Dekala and Ruti grow closer and reading how they each care for Kimya.

This book was a masterpiece. The first book in a long time to grip me from the beginning and make me want to keep coming back whenever I had a chance. The world-building was great, the magic was sooo interesting, the romance was spot-on.

This book is about a girl named Ruti who has mastered the art of witchcraft. Part of what is so fun about this book is the way being a witch works in the world the author has built. Her abilities are what has kept her alive in a world that is harsh for those like her: Markless. If you are fortunate enough to be born with a mark on your palm, which grants power, you not only are viewed as worthy of basic respect, but also as someone's future soulbond. To be Markless is to be discarded. Through a mishap, Ruti meets the Heir of the kingdom. The Heir is headstrong and cold and sees an opportunity when she witnesses Ruti's magic. The story that follows is beautiful and a joy to read.

If you're into cool magic systems, strong character development, and a sapphic enemies(ish)-to-lovers romance, this one is for you!!

I read the ARC from netGalley and provide an honest review on this story. I am not the target reader (but I do read a lot of GL books). 4 stars rating ⭐.

The cover looks good. Meaningful, but could be misleading. I am attracted to this book cover, thinking it might be something more artistic and poetic type of literature.

The blurb served its purpose, conveying its intended story. Based on my reading experience, most books of this kind tend to feature character artwork on their covers.

The fantasy world is described in vivid detail, bringing that deeply problematic social stratification between Marked and Markless people to the stage. The magic system in this world revolves around the clash between elemental magic and animal spirits.

The story is heavy on royalty/nobility trope, focus on the power politics and family feuds. While the protagonist served as a liberator heroin, through her love a affection, guiding the somewhat ruthless future queen towards a compassionate rule.

The story is tailored for teen readers, with polished prose and sentences that surpass those found in web novels. If you’re looking for a sapphic-romance fantasy-drama, Markless is the right story you want. I am glad to read this book, since such genre combination is rare even within the web novel realm.

I may consider buying the ebook.

Markless is a story about healing from past traumas and learning to find what is most important in the most unexpected of places. Overall, Markless was a quick read that will appeal to younger readers looking for a sense of adventure while embarking on a journey to find unexpected love. Although the novel was a sweet story, I had an issue with coming to terms with tools that were used to further the plot. Many of the decisions the characters made felt forced. The author did an amazing job at convincing me that certain characters should fall in love for the sake of the story, but the characters themselves seemed to lack chemistry on the page to make their decision believable. It felt like the author was dragging the characters along and forcing them into situations instead of letting them happen organically. I do believe the writing has potential, and look forward to what Malburi has for us in the future.

Im rounding my rating up from 3.5. There are a lot of things to love about this book. The magic is really interesting. People have marks on their hands, a half circle representing an element; then they find their soul bound to complete their circle and give them control over their magic. Some people in this world are born Markless and cast out of society. Our main character Ruti is Markless so she was sent to live in the slums. This is all fantastic.

I feel like the interactions, the romance, the attitude in this book is very young; Teen/YA. I think this book is intended for younger readers and I didn't realize that when I picked it.

I do think this book will be a hit among YA readers though. It was well paced, with plenty of action and despicable villains, and the ending was perfect!

My review as written on Goodreads:

Ruti is Markless. In a society where worth is determined by the pattern on your palm and the magic it grants you, this also deems her worthless. But she's also a hardened survivor, a protector of the lowest class .. and the most powerful witch in Somanchi.
With a single song, she can ask the many gods to grant her unimaginable powers.
Dekala's Mark is strong, a Mark fit for the future queen of Somanchi, but it's also unstable. She knows the only solution is to be bonded with another, but she also knows that this would mean relinquishing control over her throne and kingdom. So when she is witness to Ruti's power, Dekala offers the witch a deal: She can be prosecuted for her crimes... or she can help Dekala ascend to the throne, unbonded.
Dekala is calculating and brutal, focused purely on getting her way. She is also determined, intelligent, and compassionate.
Ruti is torn between the grudging bloom of attraction and admiration, and the desire to see Dekala fail. But as gods are defied, new alliances are forged, and the fullness of Ruti's feelings emerge. The fate of the kingdom—and the survival of the downtrodden—lies in her unmarked hands.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC | release 06/04/2024

-found family
-slow burn romance
-third person pov
-elemental magic

🚫the following review contains small spoilers but does not give away the ending or any major details🚫

This book consumed me, I could hardly put it down until I finished reading it, and the ending?! It left me teary eyed and in awe. This was a fast paced and brilliantly written fantasy about love, friendship, power, and overcoming all odds.

Markless follows Ruti, a markless witch, through her life in the slums of Somanchi. The slums are harsh, pitting markless against each other, and not many making it to adulthood. Ruti gets by with her unique abilities - being able to sing to the gods to ask for their favor. Ruti has a weak spot though - the little ones. She does what she can to protect them, whether using her gifts to ward off other cruel markless or the ones she has sheltered over the years. This brings us to Kimya. Kimya does not speak. Well not with words at least, she speaks with her hands. Ruti protects Kimya in a time of trouble, and gives her shelter for the night. What Ruti does not expect, is that this little girl would become attached and never want to leave.

“And so Ruti gives her a name. Khumeía, she calls her, after the ancient word for mixing offerings, but it becomes Kimya soon enough.”

The characters in this book were complex and interesting. I absolutely loved Ruti, she is brave, resilient, and caring. Kimya is sweet, brave, loving, and becomes the family Ruti has never known. Dekala fierce, calculating, and brutal. She is also the powerful unbonded queen-to-be of Somanchi. The growth of her character and seeing the growth of her’s and Ruti’s friendship grow was so beautiful to watch. Orrin, although a minor character, still made a lasting impression. Orrin is Dekala’s personal body guard, and husband to be, although that is kept in the dark since they are not each other’s soulbonds. Orrin proves to be faithful to his queen throughout the story and gets the ending that we all could hope for.

“There are some who claim that each mark is a sign of how the one who bears it is deep down. Ashto is fire, for people who are passionate and temperamental. Majimm, water, for the calm and introspective. Endhi is earth, for those who are grounded and compassionate. And then there is sewa, the rarest of the four signs. Sewa is air and wind and sky, distant and untamed and free, and the Heir can never be ruled by any man.”

The world building in this novel was fantastic. I could almost see myself standing in the slums next to Ruti, or on the Merchant’s Market running with Kimya. I could almost smell the fruits on the hut in the wasteland, and could definitely feel the crew’s joy when finding it.

“Ahead of them is the lake. Ruti can see it now, and she thinks at first that she’s seeing the reflection of the sun distorted in the water. But no, the Lake of the Carved Thousand is an unnatural red so dark it’s nearly purple, glistening in the sunlight like a pool of blood.”

I can’t say enough good things about this novel, and should definitely be added to your future tbr!

Markless is one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while and a beautiful take on a soulmates trope.

The story is set in a world where most people are born with half a mark on their hand that gives them powers connected to earth, fire, water or air. But those powers are impossible to control until the person finds their soulmate and their marks complete. Ruti was born without such a mark and through her character we get to see how this world treats people who are seen as less than the ones with marks. It's especially fascinating as Ruti has powers of her own, ones that don't require finding a soulmate to have control over. And yet that doesn't change how she's perceived just because she's markless. The other main character is Dekala, the future queen of the kingdom Ruti lives in. She considers love a weakness and wants nothing more than to ensure she won't be tied to a soulmate. She wants to rule her kingdom freely and without anyone dictating her what to do.

The world-building aspect of the book could benefit from expansion and development, but the romance holds strong and I have no complaints about it. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and it's really easy to get swept by their transition from enemies to lovers and how it affects their development as characters. How much it changes both of them. I loved especially how, even though the story is told only from Ruti's perspective, it's so easy to see how Ruti changes Dekala even if Ruti cannot see that. Multiple moments of this story brought me to tears and broke my heart in the best way possible.

This might be a debut book for C.G. Malburi but she's well known as a beloved fandom author. And while I think some authors struggle with the transition from writing fics to original stories, to me, C.G. manages to avoid the biggest issue and wrote main characters who feel well settled into this world and not like they are ripped out from another story.

I hope this is the start of a great writing career because I look forward to reading many more books by this author. And I cannot wait to have a physical version of this book on my shelf.