I loved Markless and equally enjoyed the audiobook. As a reader who sometimes struggles with fantasy terms, having the audiobook gave me the chance to relax and be fully engulfed in the novel

Magic is determined by a mark on the palm. A mark on your hand, or lack of a mark on your hand determines your societal value. Ruti, a Markless, defies societal expectations. With her unique ability to communicate with the gods, she becomes a powerful force for change. Men bond with women for power more than love. When fate brings her together with Dekala, a princess with a dangerous secret, they must navigate a treacherous political landscape and confront their growing feelings for each other. Together, they fight to break free from the constraints of their society and forge their own destiny.
The story has all the elements I usually love. I just couldn't get invested in the plot or characters. Perhaps more character development and stronger relationships would have helped. Worldbuilding needs more development.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At first I wasn’t sure where this story was going Ruti being a markless that is able to temporarily use the powers of the gods by singing her intentions. I thought that was a needed power. For me she made the most powerful for them all even though she was segregated for not having the mark.

Overall I enjoyed this read. I love fantasy and making it sapphic is a cherry on top. The world building and hierarchy was a little confusing but still enjoyable.
The confusing parts came near to the end. From the time Ruti and Dekala were found on the river it feels like everything was rushed and not well described. I also felt like the ending was rushed. Like there’s more story here and while I’m prepared for more. I felt like it could have ended a different way.

All in all 3.5/5 stars

In this fantasy world, those born with a mark on their palm are deemed worthy and have magic abilities. Those who don’t have the mark are shunned and outcast from society, even from their own families. Ruti is Markless, but she is a powerful witch who uses her power to protect the other Markless. Facing prosecution for her witchcraft, she is rescued by future queen Dekala. The stipulation is she must use her magic to prevent Dekala from being bonded so that she may gain control of the throne without a king. This proves more difficult than expected.

This fast-paced fantasy is full of surprises, romance, magic, quests, and intrigue. The world building was easily visualized and the characters were relatable. Some plot twists were not really hinted at before the last third or so, and I wish those had been a little more fleshed out. The narrator for the audiobook made the story easily listenable and it was easy to follow, which isn’t always the case for audiobooks or fantasy books.

I would recommend to those who like fantasy, enemies-to-lovers, or fated mates trope.

Is the trend of African fantasy slowly petering out, or is it just me...?

I've read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin and I've read The Final Strife. Between these two, I already knew the the premise (even the plot) of Markless in its entirety. An oppressed magic-less class, a princess preparing to ascend the throne, a queer romance... Do you see it?

I can't even think of anything more to critique. Live and let live. Markless is in no way a bad book, but it's also nothing new and definitely not a reinvention. It was simply released a little too late, for an audience that I am a little too old for. One might even say, it's remarkless. HA! Sorry.

Really enjoyed this! Especially the first 2/3s I honestly wish this was a duology so we could spend more time building the world and politics. I loved the characters, was an amazing queer fantasy and need to read more like this. My only issue is the end did feel a little rushed and if it were a duology, think it would be a 5* series. I will definitely be looking out for other works from this author!

This is a repost of my review of the Kindle edition as I flipped between the two while reading!

Thank you to NetGalley, CG Malburi and Levine Querido for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Ruti, Dekala and Kimya have wormed their way into my heart and I don't think they'll be leaving any time soon.

Ruti is born Markless in a world where people's Marks are both a source of power and belonging and a way to find their Soulbond. In the Zideshi slums that Markless are destined to live and die in, she has carved out a meagre life for herself, a small shop for a home, and a rotating cast of stray orphans that gravitate towards her for the magic that gives her a unique power among Markless. One such stray is Kimya, a young girl with a knack for pickpocketing who both surprises Ruti with how fiercely they come to care for each other and sets in motion the story that forces Ruti and the Heir, Dekala, together.

While the romance is a huge part of the storyline, it sits alongside a coming-of-age and a reckoning with identity for both Ruti, who believes she is destined to never have a family or any kind of close connection, and Dekala, who is trying to avoid finding or falling in love with her Soulbond so she can rule independently as Queen. The world of MARKLESS is one built on the tropes of marked soulmates, but different cities and cultures within the story reveal a myriad of attitudes towards the Marks and the Markless, as Ruti, Dekala and Kimya discover on their journeys. The forced proximity of a shared quest, as well as moments of tenderness and
desire that CG Malburi weaves alongside action and intrigue, help to bring both Ruti and Dekala out from behind their respective protective walls.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed MARKLESS and found myself picking it up again and again over a few short days, racing towards the end every spare moment I got. It's a masterpiece of fantasy worldbuilding, sapphic longing, found families, existing in a hostile world and coming of age despite it all.

I would like to thank NetGalley as well as RB Media [Recorded Books] for providing me with an eArc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ruti is a Markless with. Blessed with magic from the Gods without a single mark on her palm. Markless are seen as the bottom of the barrel-- worthless and forced to live in slums. You learn quickly never to trust anyone as a pair never last very long. That is, until Ruti meets a girl who does not speak; Kimya, who has an amazing sleight of hand. Life starts going better than expected until the girls swipe from the wrong person and are thrown at the mercy of Princess Dekala, the ruthless future ruler of Somanchi who's unbonded and has out-of-control magic. In an effort to remain unbonded, Dekala forces Ruti to journey with her to escape her fate but what they find along the way shocks them all.

Overall, this was a decent story with really good narration and banter between characters. If you like a story that has elements of fast-paced action and characters that will make you smile, rage, and laugh in the span of a couple of hours, Though I really only liked Ruti and Kimya, I think there's something for everyone in this one. I would recommend this one! This is also a decent standalone fantasy that puts a lot of people's favorite elements of magical realism into just a few hours so get ready for the whirlwind.

I absolutely adored this. The world building, the characters, it was just beautiful. What I loved is how strong willed the female characters were, determined to make a difference and stand up for what they believed in. The willingness to love even though the world had not been kind to them.

In a world where you are judged by the mark, or lack thereof, on your palm, it’s best to stay hidden and keep to yourself. Ruti had been doing just fine until Dekala brought her to the palace in hopes her powers could turn away the soul bond.

The way these two grew together, learning from each other, was beautiful to watch. Though, at times, it could be frustrating (in a good way). And the last few chapters sent me on an emotional roller coaster ride! So well done!

A beautiful queer love story with an interesting magic system and a healthy dose of political intrigue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy of Markless!

I didn't find myself blown away by this book, but I do find myself wondering if that's because it is a YA book and I've read many other books with the same/similar premise. The world building was interesting and well done, but I found myself wanting more. It was overall a bit bland, though it wouldn't stop me from reading another book by the author or set in the same world. I did like the LGBT twist that developed in time.

DNF @27% - I was honestly just so bored. It started off so strong then shifted and the pacing was a mess. I found myself constantly zoning out and going HUH.? Present tense is more often than not used to add urgency to the story telling and yet here it was useless. I honestly can’t remember what any of the characters names are.

Markless by C.G. Malburi is filled with interesting characters in a well constructed world. The plot was entertaining and several of the setting were absolutely fascinating. Thank you to NetGalley for arc of the audiobook.

I think Markless will be very popular with readers who enjoyed Throne of Glass. This story follows Ruti, a markless woman who lacks the marking on her hand that society deems necessary to fit in. After building a life of hiding and eluding notice, she gets pulled right into an altercation with the heir of the kingdom. There's adventure, magic, backstabbing, and just a bit of sapphic romance.

I was granted access to an audiobook copy by NetGalley and RB Media | Recorded Books. I highly recommend recommend reading it this way! I think the narration helped me keep track of characters in a major way!

I thought the book was a fun take on your magical kingdom story. I enjoy the world-building around the magic of the realm in this world. I also enjoy the way of finding your soul mate in this book. I think the author did a great job building a new type of world in a trope that is done often. I found myself very drawn to this book and couldn't wait to pick it up again and finish it. a few characters I would have liked a little more development for them. Overall a fun read

3.75 stars

**Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Basics
Author: she/her
Genre: YA/NA fantasy
Setting: Africa-adjacent
Themes: fighting fate, power, types of love
Mood: longing, yearning

Characters
+ Dekala - cold princess set on gaining powder to rule without accepting a bond
+ Ruti - markless witch of immense power
+ Khemia - Ruti's silent 7yo assistant (my fav character)
+ Oren - Dekala's bodyguard who is in love with her

Pros
+ sapphic elements
+ palm marks grant magic
+ Avatar-like elemental powers which amplify if someone can find and bond with their fated person
+ in an Africa-adjacent setting where spirits are offered to for witch magic (maned one = lion)
+ romance tropes - soulmate subversion, hate-to-love, forbidden, love triangle, ice vs. hot, grumpy x grumpy, bickery banter
+ excellent listen on audio
+ sign language rep

Cons
- I hate Dekala's attitude toward Ruti & Oren
- the "I'll never love" plotline is tiresome
- the end became so over-dramatic

TW: poverty/slums, child endangerment and death (referenced, off-page), physical abuse

Comp Recs: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (vibes & sapphic elements), The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden & The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor (African setting & fantasy elements)

- Fated Mates
- Same Sex Couple
- Found/Chosen Family
- Magic
- Class System
- Strong Female Lead
- Characters Who Use Sign Language

Markless has all of these and more! The FMC Ruti is a witch who is dedicated to watching over and protecting others who were born Markless - those who are seen as society's outcasts. When Ruti meets Dekala, however, things get a bit interesting. Dekala is in line for the throne, but there's one problem. She must marry another Marked in order to ascend, so she enlists Ruti to help her make it happen.

I listened to this book on audio, and wanted to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided my Sophie Amoss. I've listened to other books narrated by her, and she always does a good job with clarity and pacing.

Overall, I'm giving Markless 4 stars. It was a really solid debut for C.G. Malburi. I definitely think that a few characters needed a bit more development, which makes me wonder if this will eventually be part of a series.

🧚🏻A HUGE thank you goes out to NetGalley, RB Media, and author C.G. Malburi for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and ratings are my own.

What a wonderful ya fantasy read.

This book caught my attention and was able to keep me hooked through the whole thing.

The world building was detailed enough but not overly drawn out, the magic was really neat and unique, the concept of half a mark designated to an element until they find their soul bond at which point it's complete and they gain control of it. Some are born without a mark (markless) and are looked down upon.

I did find some parts a bit rushed, and the only real relationship I really truly loved was the sisterly type bond between ruti and kimya. The rest were just kinda meh

All in all I enjoyed it and very happy I got to read it.

I did not expect to love this half as much as I did. I was blown away! I loved the world, the characters, the romance, the sign language, and the supernatural stuff. I love how our witch fought for her "little sister" like she did.
I was fully immersed in this audiobook. I mean completely and fully.
What a wonderful experience. The ending too! I was not expecting that at all!

This was just okay. The premise is a bit outdated, but I was still interested in it given the queer twist. The characters weren't super original or special, but they moved the plot along and that's enough, sometimes. Entertaining and pretty self-contained, I hope it remains a standalone.