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The Twelve Kingdoms #1
The Mark of the Tala
Queen Of The Unknown
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn't mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she'd thought was no more than legend--until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn't know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn't mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she'd thought was no more than legend--until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn't know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
241 people are currently reading
4055 people want to read
About the author
Jeffe Kennedy
93 books1,321 followers💙She/her💙 Award-winning Bestselling Author of epic fantasy romance. Taoist. Swiftie. Santa Fean. Cat lady @sfwa_inc Past-President. Rep by @seyitsme
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
March 14, 2018
Sale Alert: 14Mar18 Currently $2.99 on Amazon. Solid Romantasy (It is totally a thing)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G...
3.5 Stars
This is an adult romance with a few high fantasy points thrown in. Andromeda or Andi for short is the middle daughter and a princess of the twelve kingdoms. She has spent the majority of her life being invisible. Her older sister Ursula is being groomed to rule and the youngest sister Amelia is as sweet as she is beautiful. Andi has lived her life avoiding court, politics and strategy, that is until she has a chance meeting with the King of a hidden land and her world changes drastically.
“It’s true. I hadn’t expected this opportunity and I’m ill prepared. I hadn’t thought that—“ He sighed. Amused chagrin crossed his face. “Is it too late to woo you into coming with me willingly?”
Rayfe is the King of the Tala, a people who are shrouded in mystery and superstition. There are so many stories of the Tala and their cruel ways, rumors of shapeshifters and magic. While Andi is intrigued she is not about to go off with a stranger to a strange land. She just didn’t expect all trouble that would come out of that one chance meeting. Her father's determination to keep her from him is not so much an act of fatherly love but an obsession with conquerring the only kingdom not under his power.
This story took a little time to get going for me, mostly because I really wanted to see the magical land that Rayfe was trying to whisk Andi off too. It takes a little time to get there and so a little bit of the story went a little slow as Andi was in hiding. King Uorsin of the twelve kingdoms solidified himself as the bad guy right away after finding out that Rayfe has come for Andi. He was easily unlikable and I liked learning of the backstory of the girl’s mother Salena and the sacrifices she made for her people and her duaghters.
A few things I liked were the romance and strange customs and culture of the Tala, especially those surrounding a marriage. I loved the sisterly bonds between the girls and that each had their own redeeming qualities. Andi’s character grew on me as the story progressed and she grew into the role she was destined for, she was of course reluctant in the beginning. I loved Rayfe’s character from the beginning he was smart, charming, mysterious and dangerous.
The ending seemed a little rushed and I wish all of the magic was touched on a little more during their time in Annfwn with the Tala. I really wanted to know more about that world and everything that it had to offer. Once things started unraveling about Andi’s mother and her past it all came a little too easily and I would have liked a few things explained a little more. That is the fantasy lover in me as I wanted more details about the magic system of this world.
It is an entertaining starting story for the series that looks to have books for the other two sisters. I will most likely continue on to read those and see how the entire story plays out. I do hope that the author focuses a little more on the actual workings of the magic and the significance of the blood a little more later in the series.
ARC provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley for an honest review. Any quotes used may not be in the final draft of the book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G...
3.5 Stars
This is an adult romance with a few high fantasy points thrown in. Andromeda or Andi for short is the middle daughter and a princess of the twelve kingdoms. She has spent the majority of her life being invisible. Her older sister Ursula is being groomed to rule and the youngest sister Amelia is as sweet as she is beautiful. Andi has lived her life avoiding court, politics and strategy, that is until she has a chance meeting with the King of a hidden land and her world changes drastically.
“It’s true. I hadn’t expected this opportunity and I’m ill prepared. I hadn’t thought that—“ He sighed. Amused chagrin crossed his face. “Is it too late to woo you into coming with me willingly?”
Rayfe is the King of the Tala, a people who are shrouded in mystery and superstition. There are so many stories of the Tala and their cruel ways, rumors of shapeshifters and magic. While Andi is intrigued she is not about to go off with a stranger to a strange land. She just didn’t expect all trouble that would come out of that one chance meeting. Her father's determination to keep her from him is not so much an act of fatherly love but an obsession with conquerring the only kingdom not under his power.
This story took a little time to get going for me, mostly because I really wanted to see the magical land that Rayfe was trying to whisk Andi off too. It takes a little time to get there and so a little bit of the story went a little slow as Andi was in hiding. King Uorsin of the twelve kingdoms solidified himself as the bad guy right away after finding out that Rayfe has come for Andi. He was easily unlikable and I liked learning of the backstory of the girl’s mother Salena and the sacrifices she made for her people and her duaghters.
A few things I liked were the romance and strange customs and culture of the Tala, especially those surrounding a marriage. I loved the sisterly bonds between the girls and that each had their own redeeming qualities. Andi’s character grew on me as the story progressed and she grew into the role she was destined for, she was of course reluctant in the beginning. I loved Rayfe’s character from the beginning he was smart, charming, mysterious and dangerous.
The ending seemed a little rushed and I wish all of the magic was touched on a little more during their time in Annfwn with the Tala. I really wanted to know more about that world and everything that it had to offer. Once things started unraveling about Andi’s mother and her past it all came a little too easily and I would have liked a few things explained a little more. That is the fantasy lover in me as I wanted more details about the magic system of this world.
It is an entertaining starting story for the series that looks to have books for the other two sisters. I will most likely continue on to read those and see how the entire story plays out. I do hope that the author focuses a little more on the actual workings of the magic and the significance of the blood a little more later in the series.
ARC provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley for an honest review. Any quotes used may not be in the final draft of the book
June 10, 2014
I only finished this book because I wanted to find out how the romance between the star-crossed lovers evolved. Throughout the whole, I spent much of it skimming. In the end, I could not like this book. The writing, the plotting, and the pacing all fell short of my expectations.
It starts off a bit awkwardly - with the three beautiful princesses, each more beautiful than the last. I would expect this kind of element in a story based on the fairy/folktale traditions, but given that this one wasn't, it didn't really fit.
This first installment, of course focuses on the middle child, Andi, who is supposed to be lacking in some way, the one that always gets overlooked (the first is the future ruler, the smart one, the politically-minded one; the third is the most beautiful, and the most frivolous). Each of the three is a daughter of a woman from across a magical barrier - a woman from a shapeshifting people, the Tala.
The worldbuilding was intriguing, with two warring nations, one mysterious and magical. I enjoyed that the High King, Andi's father, is not a good king, but only has the propaganda machines to present him as a good king. But that falls apart later, when he refuses to give up his child to his rivals, the magical shapeshifters, in return for a bargain made long ago. He married her mother, and in return, his daughter was to marry the Talas' king. Although he despises Andi, because she is most like her mother, he insists on breaking the treaty. He does not even try to make it seem like the Tala broke the bargain - instead, he stubbornly refuses, provoking invasion and war. This clumsy plotting made little sense, and was barely rectified in an explanation near the end of the novel.
The pacing relied heavily on lengthy descriptive passages and indecision by the protagonists - as did the romance. To draw out the suspense, Andi waffles, supposedly torn between her love for her sisters and her growing restlessness. In reality, she is afraid - and frankly, her fear left me bored. Further, her indecision leads to nearly disastrous consequences, avoided only because her intended is softhearted (though he's supposed to be a ruthless, "animalistic" shapeshifter). Andi's indecision, and her fiance's forbearance and compassion, unrealistically prolonged the drama while postponing resolution.
Ultimately, although I felt this story had great potential before I read it, the writing style, the clumsy plotting, and the ponderous pacing ruined the tale for me.
For original review and Better Reads, see The Book Adventures
It starts off a bit awkwardly - with the three beautiful princesses, each more beautiful than the last. I would expect this kind of element in a story based on the fairy/folktale traditions, but given that this one wasn't, it didn't really fit.
This first installment, of course focuses on the middle child, Andi, who is supposed to be lacking in some way, the one that always gets overlooked (the first is the future ruler, the smart one, the politically-minded one; the third is the most beautiful, and the most frivolous). Each of the three is a daughter of a woman from across a magical barrier - a woman from a shapeshifting people, the Tala.
The worldbuilding was intriguing, with two warring nations, one mysterious and magical. I enjoyed that the High King, Andi's father, is not a good king, but only has the propaganda machines to present him as a good king. But that falls apart later, when he refuses to give up his child to his rivals, the magical shapeshifters, in return for a bargain made long ago. He married her mother, and in return, his daughter was to marry the Talas' king. Although he despises Andi, because she is most like her mother, he insists on breaking the treaty. He does not even try to make it seem like the Tala broke the bargain - instead, he stubbornly refuses, provoking invasion and war. This clumsy plotting made little sense, and was barely rectified in an explanation near the end of the novel.
The pacing relied heavily on lengthy descriptive passages and indecision by the protagonists - as did the romance. To draw out the suspense, Andi waffles, supposedly torn between her love for her sisters and her growing restlessness. In reality, she is afraid - and frankly, her fear left me bored. Further, her indecision leads to nearly disastrous consequences, avoided only because her intended is softhearted (though he's supposed to be a ruthless, "animalistic" shapeshifter). Andi's indecision, and her fiance's forbearance and compassion, unrealistically prolonged the drama while postponing resolution.
Ultimately, although I felt this story had great potential before I read it, the writing style, the clumsy plotting, and the ponderous pacing ruined the tale for me.
For original review and Better Reads, see The Book Adventures
February 17, 2015
3 1/2
I now see why all those mixed reviews out there. All those three stars, but not really glowing words. The Mark of the Tala is an intriguing fantasy tale that nonetheless fails to engage completely the reader. Or at least this reader.
I liked it, mind it, but I was at the same time off - put by the YA feel, the woe is me, the cliché bits of the story. (Read more or less in The Winter King.) I am not a fan of YA, but I find New Adult way worse. And this is NA, aka teen with sex in it. This mid way, not yet adult, but adult nonetheless is terribly un - intriguing for me, and it ruins an otherwise perfect story.
I fear that the bigger nit I had was the most damaging to the series: I utterly failed to appreciate (lingo for hated) the 2 sisters who are the next heroines.
Still, a book to try if this is your cup of tea.
I now see why all those mixed reviews out there. All those three stars, but not really glowing words. The Mark of the Tala is an intriguing fantasy tale that nonetheless fails to engage completely the reader. Or at least this reader.
I liked it, mind it, but I was at the same time off - put by the YA feel, the woe is me, the cliché bits of the story. (Read more or less in The Winter King.) I am not a fan of YA, but I find New Adult way worse. And this is NA, aka teen with sex in it. This mid way, not yet adult, but adult nonetheless is terribly un - intriguing for me, and it ruins an otherwise perfect story.
I fear that the bigger nit I had was the most damaging to the series: I utterly failed to appreciate (lingo for hated) the 2 sisters who are the next heroines.
Still, a book to try if this is your cup of tea.
March 10, 2017
I actually liked this book. Like, really liked it.
Rate: 3.5/4 stars.
Rate: 3.5/4 stars.
June 20, 2018
2.5 stars. The Amazon preview of this book intrigued me with its similarities to
A Kingdom of Dreams
so I ended up getting the whole thing. After all, I'm a sucker for those terrible warlord enemies-turned-lovers and arranged marriages between two feuding kingdoms plotlines.
Unfortunately, it ended up being a not-as-plot-nor-romance-driven version of A Promise of Fire as far as fantasy romance goes.
THE GOOD
1) Supposed book chemistry with many of my favorite tropes and with one of my all-time favorite genres: fantasy romance.
2) Finally, someone who addresses the whole conflicting sides and loyalty dilemma.
THE BAD
1) Completely was not buying the attraction between Rayfe and Andromeda.
Or you could remember that literally several chapters ago, you two were enemies and hated each other.
2) Little action or plot development.
3) Lackluster finale.
4) What's up with that death? Blink and it's done...and for very unconvincing reasons.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I feel compelled to read this series for some reason...so here we go.
Unfortunately, it ended up being a not-as-plot-nor-romance-driven version of A Promise of Fire as far as fantasy romance goes.
THE GOOD
1) Supposed book chemistry with many of my favorite tropes and with one of my all-time favorite genres: fantasy romance.
2) Finally, someone who addresses the whole conflicting sides and loyalty dilemma.
“A fine speech.” Terin hadn’t moved. “But what of your sisters, the noble Prince Hugh, whom you so admire—will you turn your back on them so easily? Would you sacrifice them to preserve Annfwn?”
“I don’t know.” I could give nothing but that honest answer. “If you could have Salena back, with a healthy child, your niece on the throne, would you wish Rayfe away?”
His face flooded with ruby rage. “Don’t you dare question my loyalty. I would never take any action that—”
“But you might feel it, wouldn’t you, Uncle? Isn’t that what you’re asking me—to imagine how I might feel if something terrible happened?” I shook my head at him, slow and measured. “No. I refuse to play that game. I am here. I’ve declared my intention to support Rayfe and protect Annfwn at all costs—for my sake and to honor my mother, who sacrificed her own happiness..
THE BAD
1) Completely was not buying the attraction between Rayfe and Andromeda.
“What shall I do with you, Andromeda, with all your insane and fierce certainty?”
“You could love me.” I offered it softly, with a wisp of delicate hope.
“I do, my queen. I love you beyond need or reason.” He kissed me then, pulling me in tight and slanting his hot mouth over mine, tasting of man and sleep and desire.
“I love you, too.” I grinned at him. “Now, where is breakfast?”
Or you could remember that literally several chapters ago, you two were enemies and hated each other.
2) Little action or plot development.
3) Lackluster finale.
4) What's up with that death? Blink and it's done...and for very unconvincing reasons.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I feel compelled to read this series for some reason...so here we go.
May 8, 2015
Romantic shifter fantasy princess story. I found the characters and the romance quite engaging but the world-building left me a bit cold. I've bought the second one in the series, and the third features a warrior woman (one of my favorite tropes), but I'm talking a breather with something more developed in the interim.
no-dnf-zzz-avoid
May 25, 2016DNF...couldn't stand the useless h
May 29, 2019
I've read several books by this author and realised that I hadn't actually read this the book that started the journey through the Twelve Kingdoms. Andi is our heroine and she's written as young, sheltered and perhaps a bit naive but not totally innocent. There's a restless quality to Andi that leads her into making a journey that will change not only her own life but also that of her two sisters.
I had mixed feelings about this as it's perhaps a slower pace than I wanted at times. The world building is everything I've come to expect from this author but it was very clear to this reader that this particular story wasn't written recently as the style at times felt a little more stiff. I will be blunt and say I didn't care for the language used to describe things during romantic scenes but I do understand that this is Andi's viewpoint so more modern terminology perhaps wouldn't fit but yes it took me out of the story at times .
Rayfe the man determined to woo Andi is a surprising hero. Quintessential tall, dark and handsome and driven by a driving need to get Andi home to Tala so she can save his people. I could imagine him as a knight and officer but strangely never a King as he's confusingly gentle at times. The big transition for Andi from regular human to Shifter of Tala happened almost too quickly and I actually would have preferred more insight into that . However this book ends in a way that clearly leads to the next book The Tears of the Rose and all the aftermath of what truly is a tragedy. This world is exciting, the characters are interesting and the storyline is was very engaging.
I had mixed feelings about this as it's perhaps a slower pace than I wanted at times. The world building is everything I've come to expect from this author but it was very clear to this reader that this particular story wasn't written recently as the style at times felt a little more stiff. I will be blunt and say I didn't care for the language used to describe things during romantic scenes but I do understand that this is Andi's viewpoint so more modern terminology perhaps wouldn't fit but yes it took me out of the story at times .
Rayfe the man determined to woo Andi is a surprising hero. Quintessential tall, dark and handsome and driven by a driving need to get Andi home to Tala so she can save his people. I could imagine him as a knight and officer but strangely never a King as he's confusingly gentle at times. The big transition for Andi from regular human to Shifter of Tala happened almost too quickly and I actually would have preferred more insight into that . However this book ends in a way that clearly leads to the next book The Tears of the Rose and all the aftermath of what truly is a tragedy. This world is exciting, the characters are interesting and the storyline is was very engaging.
May 25, 2016
A high fantasy fairy tale with princesses, princes and a corrupt king is augmented with shifters and magic. What's not to love about this story? Ms. Kennedy wows me with her latest series. Our story begins with three princesses, each more beautiful than the previous. These three sisters are loving and are adversarial in only a friendly sisterly manner. Andromeda aka Andi enjoys her isolated bubble as the middle child. She is neither the prettiest nor the strongest. She is the proverbial middle child. Except she is part of a larger picture which is hidden from her.
The plot of this story works well for me. I enjoyed how Andi fumbles and tries to do her best yet fails. Nothing comes easy to Andi. As Andi develops and quickly learns her past is told from a victor's point of view, it is as if she finally wakes up. It is understandable why Ms. Kennedy spent a good portion of the book focused on Andi's growth. For a tighter woven story, some editing and condenses would help. Because it would help the story pace move a bit smoother. There are times where the story movement felt stalled and this can be frustrating to a reader.
The characters in this story are well developed. Each sister is distinctive. It will be interesting to see when Andi's older and younger sister have their own story, if their uniqueness will disappear. What I like about Andi's character is her previous flaws now develop to become her strengths. This is a twist which is not often used. Andi's flaw of being overlooked and invisible becomes a strength when it is revealed her invisibility is a magical power. This is something I didn't see coming and I liked how it plays a part in the story.
I also like how Ms. Kennedy creates both male and female detractors for Andi. Andi also makes friends with both sexes. This balanced view is appreciated as many times a female lead will have no strong female friends. Or the lead female only relates to female friends. With Andi finding allies in both males and females, it strengthens her position when it comes time for her to protect her people and territory.
The world building in this story is off to a good start. There is more I'd like to learn about this world. I anticipate more reveals in the next book. This book definitely sets up for the next book quite well and right after reading this one, I added the next book into my to-be read list. We are just learning about Andi's mother's people. I want more! Andi's new world contains a bit of Tolkien elven city mixed with romanticization of Atlantis.
The interaction between Andi and her Prince Charming is fabulous. It's because Andi's her Prince Charming is more a Dark Knight out of nightmares. He's not the one sweeping her off her feet and away from danger. Although really, this is a matter of perception. Those who have the might will be the ones forcing their perception into reality. The question is, who is stronger in this story? The two opposing sides have no common ground. With Andi caught in middle, it is a dilemma. To make matters worse, being with her Prince Charming only makes her physically and emotionally feel better. Where does her alliance lay? Because she finally feels accepted and his teasing sexual manner awakens her sexual desire. The sexual tension between the two is well done.
This is a great start to a new series. I can not wait to read the next installment. This fantasy is recommended to those who enjoy erotic fairy tales with shifters, magic and princess who should be queen.
*provided by NetGalley
The plot of this story works well for me. I enjoyed how Andi fumbles and tries to do her best yet fails. Nothing comes easy to Andi. As Andi develops and quickly learns her past is told from a victor's point of view, it is as if she finally wakes up. It is understandable why Ms. Kennedy spent a good portion of the book focused on Andi's growth. For a tighter woven story, some editing and condenses would help. Because it would help the story pace move a bit smoother. There are times where the story movement felt stalled and this can be frustrating to a reader.
The characters in this story are well developed. Each sister is distinctive. It will be interesting to see when Andi's older and younger sister have their own story, if their uniqueness will disappear. What I like about Andi's character is her previous flaws now develop to become her strengths. This is a twist which is not often used. Andi's flaw of being overlooked and invisible becomes a strength when it is revealed her invisibility is a magical power. This is something I didn't see coming and I liked how it plays a part in the story.
I also like how Ms. Kennedy creates both male and female detractors for Andi. Andi also makes friends with both sexes. This balanced view is appreciated as many times a female lead will have no strong female friends. Or the lead female only relates to female friends. With Andi finding allies in both males and females, it strengthens her position when it comes time for her to protect her people and territory.
The world building in this story is off to a good start. There is more I'd like to learn about this world. I anticipate more reveals in the next book. This book definitely sets up for the next book quite well and right after reading this one, I added the next book into my to-be read list. We are just learning about Andi's mother's people. I want more! Andi's new world contains a bit of Tolkien elven city mixed with romanticization of Atlantis.
The interaction between Andi and her Prince Charming is fabulous. It's because Andi's her Prince Charming is more a Dark Knight out of nightmares. He's not the one sweeping her off her feet and away from danger. Although really, this is a matter of perception. Those who have the might will be the ones forcing their perception into reality. The question is, who is stronger in this story? The two opposing sides have no common ground. With Andi caught in middle, it is a dilemma. To make matters worse, being with her Prince Charming only makes her physically and emotionally feel better. Where does her alliance lay? Because she finally feels accepted and his teasing sexual manner awakens her sexual desire. The sexual tension between the two is well done.
This is a great start to a new series. I can not wait to read the next installment. This fantasy is recommended to those who enjoy erotic fairy tales with shifters, magic and princess who should be queen.
*provided by NetGalley
May 31, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! Although the pacing was a bit wack- a-doodle for my liking. I loved how the novel started, it was interesting and fun to discover the Tala along with the main character. However once the mystery was dissipated, the writing lost some of its steam and some of the important parts( in my opinion) were glossed over.
However despite my qualms I still liked this book. It was a great read, I just feel like it could have benefited from being more fleshed out. Another issue...although not an issue for some, is the dramatic changing of maturity in the span of one page. The entire book reads like YA...apart from the torrid sex scenes. I don't think that they were badly written but it was a bit shocking. Because of that I would have to shelf this book as New Adult.
Overall this is a relatively light fantasy with some unique concepts. A solid 3.5/5 for me.
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2017
Love the writing style but this was super depressing and heroine's sister is also a heroine apparently. She had no loyalty. She gave up her sister at every opportunity.
January 26, 2023
3.5/5.0
Maybe having read “The Pages of the Mind” and being super frustrated because I didn’t know all the characters actually worked out for the best, as I think I enjoyed this book even more because I already have glimpses of how well this couple love and work together down the road!
I actually really enjoyed the story. And the author has such a nice writing style that it is very easy to get into. Although it ended abruptly and really needed at least a few more pages allowing us to see what happens after the big showdown, I’m really interested to continue reading and find out what happens with Andy’s sisters.
Maybe having read “The Pages of the Mind” and being super frustrated because I didn’t know all the characters actually worked out for the best, as I think I enjoyed this book even more because I already have glimpses of how well this couple love and work together down the road!
I actually really enjoyed the story. And the author has such a nice writing style that it is very easy to get into. Although it ended abruptly and really needed at least a few more pages allowing us to see what happens after the big showdown, I’m really interested to continue reading and find out what happens with Andy’s sisters.
June 6, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A high fantasy with engaging characters, a destiny that doesn’t seem as dark as first believed and a steamy but complicated romance.
Opening Sentence: My version of the story goes all the way back to the once upon a time with the three princesses, each more beautiful than the last.
The Review:
The Mark of the Tala is a high fantasy novel that masquerades as a romance. My assumption that this was just a straight up romance was wrong. There is a bit of romance with some sexy, steamy detailed love scenes. This series is about three sisters who happen to be princesses. They each have their own stories that they have to learn. I have a feeling that this series will be the trials and tribulations that all of the sisters go through in order to save themselves and their kingdoms.
The Mark of the Tala is the first novel in the series and it begins with the middle sister, Andromeda. She has always felt invisible next to her sisters. Everyone has always gushed over the other two, Ursula with her warrior pride and Amelia with her beauty. Andromeda has never had a thing for politics. She left that to her sisters as she would spend her free time with her horse riding around the countryside or grooming her. It just so happens that on one of her rides leads her to a destiny she didn’t even know she had, let alone know that she even wanted.
Andromeda isn’t aware of her past or the legacy that her mother left to her. She knows nothing of the kingdom of Annfwn or the Tala. The Tala are a magical people with the skills of shapeshifting among their gifts. Andromeda has the strongest pull of the Tala among her sisters and is meant to lead Annfwn as their queen.
The dark and mysterious Rayfe is the one who opens up Andromeda’s eyes to her destiny. He needs her in order to save Annfwn and he will do whatever he has to in order to get her. He is strangely gentle and compassionate with her, even though he is waging war to get her hand in marriage.
Andromeda was such a strong woman whether she knows it or not. She was so comfortable in her invisibility that when the attention turned completely towards her she was quite uncomfortable. She wanted to run and hide, which sadly is what her family tried to make her do, but she didn’t want a war if it meant that she stay in hiding. She was willing to sacrifice her happiness. She was even willing never to see her sisters again if it meant that no one else would die over her. Instead of constantly fretting over her latent powers she fights for a way to figure out how to come into her own.
This novel was told entirely through Andromeda’s first person point of view. I connected to her personality and understood her reasoning. I also loved the conversations between the characters. Jeffe Kennedy’s writing immediately sold me on the story and I never once felt lost in the storytelling. (Side note: I tried to read the 3rd novel first since I was given it for review and was completely lost as to what was going on. I picked up the first two novels because I wanted to find out what happened from the beginning.)
I was instantly drawn into The Mark of the Tala. I had no problems with learning about this world and how everyone fit into it. I really found myself looking forward to the next time Andromeda would meet Rayfe on the page. That being said, I did find that the novel moved slowly at times before rushing to the ending. The Mark of the Tala does have an ending but it is set up for the next novel, The Tears of the Rose, which I am very much looking forward to reading.
Notable Scene:
“You are all I want. Annfwn needs you. Everything else is secondary, at best.”
“You keep saying that. Why does Annfwn need me?” I ground out.
“That is an old and complicated story. Trust that we do. And that I admire your desire to save the lives of my people.”
“My people, too,” I shot back.
“In truth, they are all your people, aren’t they?” He fingered my braid where it hung over the cloak. “Put the dagger away, my part-blood.”
“That’s an ugly thing to call me.” I shot a glance up into his shadowed face.
“I don’t mean it as such.”
I didn’t know what to say in reply, so I stared at the center of his chest, the blade gleaming silver against his dark vest.
“Why are you willing to come to me, if I frighten you so?” he finally asked, in a surprisingly gentle voice.
“I already told you. I explained it all in that letter.” Except the part about the strange changes in me. I superstitiously hadn’t want to put that into words.
“Only because you feel trapped into this course of action, then?”
FTC Advisory: I purchased my own copy of The Mark of the Tala. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A high fantasy with engaging characters, a destiny that doesn’t seem as dark as first believed and a steamy but complicated romance.
Opening Sentence: My version of the story goes all the way back to the once upon a time with the three princesses, each more beautiful than the last.
The Review:
The Mark of the Tala is a high fantasy novel that masquerades as a romance. My assumption that this was just a straight up romance was wrong. There is a bit of romance with some sexy, steamy detailed love scenes. This series is about three sisters who happen to be princesses. They each have their own stories that they have to learn. I have a feeling that this series will be the trials and tribulations that all of the sisters go through in order to save themselves and their kingdoms.
The Mark of the Tala is the first novel in the series and it begins with the middle sister, Andromeda. She has always felt invisible next to her sisters. Everyone has always gushed over the other two, Ursula with her warrior pride and Amelia with her beauty. Andromeda has never had a thing for politics. She left that to her sisters as she would spend her free time with her horse riding around the countryside or grooming her. It just so happens that on one of her rides leads her to a destiny she didn’t even know she had, let alone know that she even wanted.
Andromeda isn’t aware of her past or the legacy that her mother left to her. She knows nothing of the kingdom of Annfwn or the Tala. The Tala are a magical people with the skills of shapeshifting among their gifts. Andromeda has the strongest pull of the Tala among her sisters and is meant to lead Annfwn as their queen.
The dark and mysterious Rayfe is the one who opens up Andromeda’s eyes to her destiny. He needs her in order to save Annfwn and he will do whatever he has to in order to get her. He is strangely gentle and compassionate with her, even though he is waging war to get her hand in marriage.
Andromeda was such a strong woman whether she knows it or not. She was so comfortable in her invisibility that when the attention turned completely towards her she was quite uncomfortable. She wanted to run and hide, which sadly is what her family tried to make her do, but she didn’t want a war if it meant that she stay in hiding. She was willing to sacrifice her happiness. She was even willing never to see her sisters again if it meant that no one else would die over her. Instead of constantly fretting over her latent powers she fights for a way to figure out how to come into her own.
This novel was told entirely through Andromeda’s first person point of view. I connected to her personality and understood her reasoning. I also loved the conversations between the characters. Jeffe Kennedy’s writing immediately sold me on the story and I never once felt lost in the storytelling. (Side note: I tried to read the 3rd novel first since I was given it for review and was completely lost as to what was going on. I picked up the first two novels because I wanted to find out what happened from the beginning.)
I was instantly drawn into The Mark of the Tala. I had no problems with learning about this world and how everyone fit into it. I really found myself looking forward to the next time Andromeda would meet Rayfe on the page. That being said, I did find that the novel moved slowly at times before rushing to the ending. The Mark of the Tala does have an ending but it is set up for the next novel, The Tears of the Rose, which I am very much looking forward to reading.
Notable Scene:
“You are all I want. Annfwn needs you. Everything else is secondary, at best.”
“You keep saying that. Why does Annfwn need me?” I ground out.
“That is an old and complicated story. Trust that we do. And that I admire your desire to save the lives of my people.”
“My people, too,” I shot back.
“In truth, they are all your people, aren’t they?” He fingered my braid where it hung over the cloak. “Put the dagger away, my part-blood.”
“That’s an ugly thing to call me.” I shot a glance up into his shadowed face.
“I don’t mean it as such.”
I didn’t know what to say in reply, so I stared at the center of his chest, the blade gleaming silver against his dark vest.
“Why are you willing to come to me, if I frighten you so?” he finally asked, in a surprisingly gentle voice.
“I already told you. I explained it all in that letter.” Except the part about the strange changes in me. I superstitiously hadn’t want to put that into words.
“Only because you feel trapped into this course of action, then?”
FTC Advisory: I purchased my own copy of The Mark of the Tala. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
April 14, 2018
I was turned on to this series with the novella Jeffe Kennedy included in the Amid the Winter Snow anthology. It was good enough that I needed to go check out the back list in The Twelve Kingdoms and I was not disappointed. This was a good fantasy romance that reads quickly and easily enough that I devoured it all in one sitting.
Princess Andromeda is the middle daughter sandwiched between two other princesses who seem far more remarkable. Her older sister is strong and powerful, the heir apparent to their father’s kingdom. Her younger sister is an unparalleled beauty. Andi, meanwhile, tends to fade into invisibility. That is, until she meets Rayfe.
It starts off innocently enough. Andi is riding her horse on the edge of her father’s land when something spooks the animal and she falls. Rayfe is there looking all foreign and menacing and still somehow hot. Though they have never met, he recognizes something in her. He knows she is meant to be his queen. Though this makes no sense to Andi, all she has to do to get away is agree to kiss him. That kiss seals her fate.
She returns home, only to find that she now has a connection to Rayfe. It infuriates her father and eventually kicks off a war between her father’s land and the Tala, Rayfe’s people. Turns out, Andi’s mother was one of the Tala too–their queen in fact–and when she left them, she had always promised one of her daughters to come take the throne. Only, Andi’s mother died before ever sharing the details of that promise with her girls. The story follows Andi’s conflict as she must choose between the people and the home she has always known and the strange magical world where she feels such a deep connection.
As I said, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It was cool to focus on a middle sister who is neither beautiful nor powerful, at least on the surface. This book follows Andi as she comes into her own in ways she never imagined. I also really like Rayfe. He’s got this Alpha, animal thing going on, yet he doesn’t ever take it to a point where he bullies or abuses the heroine. It’s just enough to be sexy, and there are hints vulnerability there as well.
The next book belongs to that beautiful younger sister I mentioned, and I care about her already, not just because of the anthology, though that does help. But also because this book really sets up her story well. I wish there had been a little more on the backside of Andi’s love story, but I am hopeful we will see more of her, Hero, and the Tala people in the books to come. World building here is interesting and I want more of all of it. Can’t wait to jump in to Amelia’s story.
Rating: B+
Princess Andromeda is the middle daughter sandwiched between two other princesses who seem far more remarkable. Her older sister is strong and powerful, the heir apparent to their father’s kingdom. Her younger sister is an unparalleled beauty. Andi, meanwhile, tends to fade into invisibility. That is, until she meets Rayfe.
It starts off innocently enough. Andi is riding her horse on the edge of her father’s land when something spooks the animal and she falls. Rayfe is there looking all foreign and menacing and still somehow hot. Though they have never met, he recognizes something in her. He knows she is meant to be his queen. Though this makes no sense to Andi, all she has to do to get away is agree to kiss him. That kiss seals her fate.
She returns home, only to find that she now has a connection to Rayfe. It infuriates her father and eventually kicks off a war between her father’s land and the Tala, Rayfe’s people. Turns out, Andi’s mother was one of the Tala too–their queen in fact–and when she left them, she had always promised one of her daughters to come take the throne. Only, Andi’s mother died before ever sharing the details of that promise with her girls. The story follows Andi’s conflict as she must choose between the people and the home she has always known and the strange magical world where she feels such a deep connection.
As I said, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It was cool to focus on a middle sister who is neither beautiful nor powerful, at least on the surface. This book follows Andi as she comes into her own in ways she never imagined. I also really like Rayfe. He’s got this Alpha, animal thing going on, yet he doesn’t ever take it to a point where he bullies or abuses the heroine. It’s just enough to be sexy, and there are hints vulnerability there as well.
The next book belongs to that beautiful younger sister I mentioned, and I care about her already, not just because of the anthology, though that does help. But also because this book really sets up her story well. I wish there had been a little more on the backside of Andi’s love story, but I am hopeful we will see more of her, Hero, and the Tala people in the books to come. World building here is interesting and I want more of all of it. Can’t wait to jump in to Amelia’s story.
Rating: B+
May 4, 2014
The Mark of Tala was a great introduction into this intriguing trilogy!
Born of three sisters, the Andromeda or “Andi” is used to being the invisible one, the wildflower, over the seemly over looked sister. She is intuitive, doesn’t care for court life, and enjoys escaping to the outdoors to the countryside and wildlife.
But when one of those escapes leads to an encounter with the mysterious Rayfe, the King of Tala, soon the aloof Andi finds herself embarking on some revealing secrets and revelations. Among those being, she is to be Rayfe’s queen (due to an agreement made long ago) and her father has some darker side than meets the eye.
With love, mystery, danger, and magic in the air, how will everything pan out? And what about the Tala, the evil entity that Andi was taught to fear? Will she find her calling in them? Or will her union with Rayfe lead to destruction?
My thoughts: My first read by Jeffe Kennedy, I really enjoyed The Mark of Tala. It was fresh, different, and captivating. Especially the world of Tala and all of it’s customs and traditions! How interesting and “magical”! Such a different concept of shapeshifters!
I really admired the relationship of the three sisters and how throughout through we see specifically Andi coming out of her comfort zone and coming into her own and take a more proactive role in leadership she never thought herself treading.
What also sold me was Rayfe. His character was rough at first but as we got deeper we got to see a more diverse, charming, honorable, and intelligent side of him and the measures he will go to save his kingdom.
I am now curious as to the direction Ms. Kennedy will take the story as now we will see Amelia “Ami”, the youngest sister, and her Prince Charming’s story taking place. I wonder how that will play out as chaos, lies, and deception are in the air!
*I was provided a paperback ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
April 12, 2015
This was a quirky dark fantasy, and I found it quite enjoyable. Thank you, Grace Draven, for the recommend!
Andi is stuck in a sort of a limbo. A middle sister, a princess good for forging an alliance through a marriage between two kingdoms, she is neither a fierce warrior and a strong ruler like her older sister, Ursula, nor stunningly beautiful and gentle like her younger sibling, Amelia. Instead she walks unnoticed through the halls of the castle and spends most of her time away, riding her horse into the wild lands.
On one of such ventures she clashes with a dark stranger and barely gets away, but not before leaving behind some of her blood. And everything she always perceived true flips.
This is the most striking part of this story, - that everything is not what it seems. Andi has mixed heritage and is part Tala, which is a race of magical shapeshifters. The man she met is the king of Tala, and Andi has been promised him a long time ago. However her father reneges on his bargain, and all hell breaks loose.
Suddenly Andi is torn between her loyalty to a father who is not what he always seemed, but a darker, sinister version of himself, and her desire to explore a part of her nature that's been long closed off to her.
Rayfe, her dark stranger, is delicious. Almost an antihero, he keeps his cards close to his chest and does not share much with Andi, but what resonated strongly with me is that both characters did not want to overdramatize things and put their feelings above all. They both recognised the problem and decided to work together to solve it. I absolutely adore pragmatic heroes, and these two were not only that, they were sneaky and devious.
Overall, an intriguing book. It doesn't reveal all its secrets straight away, but the writing was solid and world-building beautiful with plenty of heat between the main characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Recommended.
Andi is stuck in a sort of a limbo. A middle sister, a princess good for forging an alliance through a marriage between two kingdoms, she is neither a fierce warrior and a strong ruler like her older sister, Ursula, nor stunningly beautiful and gentle like her younger sibling, Amelia. Instead she walks unnoticed through the halls of the castle and spends most of her time away, riding her horse into the wild lands.
On one of such ventures she clashes with a dark stranger and barely gets away, but not before leaving behind some of her blood. And everything she always perceived true flips.
This is the most striking part of this story, - that everything is not what it seems. Andi has mixed heritage and is part Tala, which is a race of magical shapeshifters. The man she met is the king of Tala, and Andi has been promised him a long time ago. However her father reneges on his bargain, and all hell breaks loose.
Suddenly Andi is torn between her loyalty to a father who is not what he always seemed, but a darker, sinister version of himself, and her desire to explore a part of her nature that's been long closed off to her.
Rayfe, her dark stranger, is delicious. Almost an antihero, he keeps his cards close to his chest and does not share much with Andi, but what resonated strongly with me is that both characters did not want to overdramatize things and put their feelings above all. They both recognised the problem and decided to work together to solve it. I absolutely adore pragmatic heroes, and these two were not only that, they were sneaky and devious.
Overall, an intriguing book. It doesn't reveal all its secrets straight away, but the writing was solid and world-building beautiful with plenty of heat between the main characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Recommended.
August 11, 2016
[ARC received through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]
I enjoyed some parts of this novel, while others left me cold, so in the end, I rounded it up to 3 stars: I didn't like the first half much, but found the second one better. (I guess this is one of those books I might have given up on in the beginning if I hadn't requested it (with the implicit promise of a review); fortunately, after a while, it finally worked for me.)
Andromeda didn't strike me as remarkable, indeed, though not because of her place as the "invisible" second daughter, the one always wedged between her two sisters, and of whom nobody seemed to expect much. The reason why I had my qualms with her at first was that she remained mostly passive, let things happen, let her family decide to whisk her away to Windroven, and so on. Once she decided to take matters into her own hands, the dynamics shifted, and the story went onto a more interesting road. Andi made plans, thought more in terms of alliance and politics, and turned out to be more savvy than her wallflower-princess role had led me to believe. Good thing, good thing.
Annfwn was quite a fascinating place, too, and I enjoyed learning more about it, and about the mysterious Tala, with their shapeshifting abilities and their "dark" magic that may or may not be the worst thing in the world. Boundaries were continuously tested and shifted: the actual boundary between Annfwn and the Kingdoms, as well as the characters' loyalties. Andi's come to mind first and foremost, yet her sisters' mettle will no doubt be tested, too. (I admit I would've liked to see more of this in the present novel; on the other hand, there would be a lot to show here, so I can understand that the focus here was on Andromeda—book 2's focus will be on Amelia, from what I saw in the preview, and we might assume that book 3 will be from Ursula's point of view?)
Throughout the story, I got to see sympathetic, antipathic, and grey-area characters. In the beginning, the court of Uorsin is shown as a place of nobility, with its "brought peace to all the kingdoms" gleam and its shiny guests (such as Hugh, overall a positive man, but not so blandly goody-two-shoes as his Prince Charming side leads people to think). Rayfe provides a rather striking contrast: dark, rough, a demanding, ruthless alpha-male who only cares about what he wants. However, the story soon points at different interpretations. The King's suspicious attitude towards his own daughter after her meeting with Rayfe, his way of immediately considering her a potential traitor (while her only "crime" was to be assaulted during a ride), clearly show that he's not so kind nor benevolent. There's a lot of talk about loyalty in here—Ursula's toward the crown, the continuous questioning of Andi's, Amelia's love and devotion to her family—but in the end, the most loyal ones aren't always the ones who're most vocal about it. Other characters are also ambiguous: Zevondeth with her mysterious demand, Dafne who may or may not hide deeper motives...
Mostly my problems with this story, and why I didn't give it a higher rating:
1) In the first half, Andi comes off as your average YA-novel narrator, which I found a bit juvenile. This seemed to coincide with her passiveness, though, and I felt it less and less as the story went on. Kind of like having her "grow up" at some point and make conscious decisions, become a stronger person who's been coerced once, but won't be again, not if she can help it. (So this "problem" was soon solved.)
2) Rayfe: I usually don't abide by dominating males who speak and act as if the woman doesn't have a say in the matter, and Rayfe was exactly that. After all, he was ready to besiege a whole castle, take prisoners, and perhaps worse to get Andi. On the other hand, he could've done those things much sooner, and somehow he also appeared as wishing to wait for Andi to come to him of her own free will. But it was free will thwarted by threat. But she—not Rayfe—was the one who decided on a plan that was definitely cunning and not so kind. So, yes, I had anticipated Rayfe as a much, much worse character, and was pleasantly surprised when he actually showed himself as still somewhat decent. Ruthless, yet not a complete boor either.
(Also, I had to remind myself that in such a setting, noble people so often got married for politics and alliances rather than love. While it seems pressuring to me as a woman, of course, it still fits the theme of this story. Andi acknowledges that such a marriage would be for politics only, just like Ursula's would have been.)
3) The romance itself: I'm definitely shared on that one. I still have no idea whether Andi loves Rayfe, or simply lusts after him. Sometimes she seemed to consider things under the "it'll only be political, so let's try to be friendly at least" angle, sometimes it felt like she couldn't live without him. I really didn't understand her in that regard, and she seems rather confused herself on the matter. As for the sex scenes, they didn't work for me, mostly because of the vocabulary, though: the story being told from the point of view of a princess, in first person, we can't really have vulgar words thrown in... but phrases such as "my nether tissues" just made me roll my eyes and wish the story jumped back to the magic and politics faster.
4) In my opinion, while it was great that Andromeda , I found it came to her just a tad bit too quickly. A matter of pacing, maybe? Too much time spent on her hesitation in the beginning (and on the sex scenes as well—they were eye-candy for me, nothing more)? All in all, I suppose I was more interested in the politics here, and in how Andi would "earn" her place in the second half of the book... so it may just be me.
What is and isn't a problem: I wanted to learn even more about Annfwn and its magic. For instance, a lot of it revolves around blood. Blood purity taken too far and producing weak offspring. Having enough Tala blood to get back into their home country, or remaining stranded outside. The fact that Tala royalty seems to be linked to queens rather than kings, in spite of Rayfe's position. And let's not forget the dichotomy between the rumours about Annfwn, and the country Andi discovers: are the rumours totally wrong, or are there darker secrets yet to be revealed? Lots, lots of fascinating aspects, that I hope will be developed in the next book, because I wanted more.
Conclusion: enjoyable story, not more than a "Like" due to the reasons mentioned above, but still interesting enough that I'll consider picking Amelia's story once it comes out.
I enjoyed some parts of this novel, while others left me cold, so in the end, I rounded it up to 3 stars: I didn't like the first half much, but found the second one better. (I guess this is one of those books I might have given up on in the beginning if I hadn't requested it (with the implicit promise of a review); fortunately, after a while, it finally worked for me.)
Andromeda didn't strike me as remarkable, indeed, though not because of her place as the "invisible" second daughter, the one always wedged between her two sisters, and of whom nobody seemed to expect much. The reason why I had my qualms with her at first was that she remained mostly passive, let things happen, let her family decide to whisk her away to Windroven, and so on. Once she decided to take matters into her own hands, the dynamics shifted, and the story went onto a more interesting road. Andi made plans, thought more in terms of alliance and politics, and turned out to be more savvy than her wallflower-princess role had led me to believe. Good thing, good thing.
Annfwn was quite a fascinating place, too, and I enjoyed learning more about it, and about the mysterious Tala, with their shapeshifting abilities and their "dark" magic that may or may not be the worst thing in the world. Boundaries were continuously tested and shifted: the actual boundary between Annfwn and the Kingdoms, as well as the characters' loyalties. Andi's come to mind first and foremost, yet her sisters' mettle will no doubt be tested, too. (I admit I would've liked to see more of this in the present novel; on the other hand, there would be a lot to show here, so I can understand that the focus here was on Andromeda—book 2's focus will be on Amelia, from what I saw in the preview, and we might assume that book 3 will be from Ursula's point of view?)
Throughout the story, I got to see sympathetic, antipathic, and grey-area characters. In the beginning, the court of Uorsin is shown as a place of nobility, with its "brought peace to all the kingdoms" gleam and its shiny guests (such as Hugh, overall a positive man, but not so blandly goody-two-shoes as his Prince Charming side leads people to think). Rayfe provides a rather striking contrast: dark, rough, a demanding, ruthless alpha-male who only cares about what he wants. However, the story soon points at different interpretations. The King's suspicious attitude towards his own daughter after her meeting with Rayfe, his way of immediately considering her a potential traitor (while her only "crime" was to be assaulted during a ride), clearly show that he's not so kind nor benevolent. There's a lot of talk about loyalty in here—Ursula's toward the crown, the continuous questioning of Andi's, Amelia's love and devotion to her family—but in the end, the most loyal ones aren't always the ones who're most vocal about it. Other characters are also ambiguous: Zevondeth with her mysterious demand, Dafne who may or may not hide deeper motives...
Mostly my problems with this story, and why I didn't give it a higher rating:
1) In the first half, Andi comes off as your average YA-novel narrator, which I found a bit juvenile. This seemed to coincide with her passiveness, though, and I felt it less and less as the story went on. Kind of like having her "grow up" at some point and make conscious decisions, become a stronger person who's been coerced once, but won't be again, not if she can help it. (So this "problem" was soon solved.)
2) Rayfe: I usually don't abide by dominating males who speak and act as if the woman doesn't have a say in the matter, and Rayfe was exactly that. After all, he was ready to besiege a whole castle, take prisoners, and perhaps worse to get Andi. On the other hand, he could've done those things much sooner, and somehow he also appeared as wishing to wait for Andi to come to him of her own free will. But it was free will thwarted by threat. But she—not Rayfe—was the one who decided on a plan that was definitely cunning and not so kind. So, yes, I had anticipated Rayfe as a much, much worse character, and was pleasantly surprised when he actually showed himself as still somewhat decent. Ruthless, yet not a complete boor either.
(Also, I had to remind myself that in such a setting, noble people so often got married for politics and alliances rather than love. While it seems pressuring to me as a woman, of course, it still fits the theme of this story. Andi acknowledges that such a marriage would be for politics only, just like Ursula's would have been.)
3) The romance itself: I'm definitely shared on that one. I still have no idea whether Andi loves Rayfe, or simply lusts after him. Sometimes she seemed to consider things under the "it'll only be political, so let's try to be friendly at least" angle, sometimes it felt like she couldn't live without him. I really didn't understand her in that regard, and she seems rather confused herself on the matter. As for the sex scenes, they didn't work for me, mostly because of the vocabulary, though: the story being told from the point of view of a princess, in first person, we can't really have vulgar words thrown in... but phrases such as "my nether tissues" just made me roll my eyes and wish the story jumped back to the magic and politics faster.
4) In my opinion, while it was great that Andromeda , I found it came to her just a tad bit too quickly. A matter of pacing, maybe? Too much time spent on her hesitation in the beginning (and on the sex scenes as well—they were eye-candy for me, nothing more)? All in all, I suppose I was more interested in the politics here, and in how Andi would "earn" her place in the second half of the book... so it may just be me.
What is and isn't a problem: I wanted to learn even more about Annfwn and its magic. For instance, a lot of it revolves around blood. Blood purity taken too far and producing weak offspring. Having enough Tala blood to get back into their home country, or remaining stranded outside. The fact that Tala royalty seems to be linked to queens rather than kings, in spite of Rayfe's position. And let's not forget the dichotomy between the rumours about Annfwn, and the country Andi discovers: are the rumours totally wrong, or are there darker secrets yet to be revealed? Lots, lots of fascinating aspects, that I hope will be developed in the next book, because I wanted more.
Conclusion: enjoyable story, not more than a "Like" due to the reasons mentioned above, but still interesting enough that I'll consider picking Amelia's story once it comes out.
June 4, 2014
4.5 stars
Also posted there:
The Mark of the Tala is the first book of The Twelve Kingdoms series, a series that featured 3 motherless daughters which their true destiny and nature will be unraveled after they learn about their mother secret and war coming in their door.
This book is about Princess Andromeda, or Andi. She's the middle princess, shy, ignorant of politic and any kingdom's matters, and doesn't mind being invicible. She knows that she's not as strong and determined like her big sister, Princess Ursula. Nor that she's as pretty as sunshine like her little sister, Princess Amelia. But after she meet Rayfe of the Tala, a realm of demon that her father, King Uorsin, High King of Twelve Kingdom despised, her world begin to crumbling. Rayfe demand Uorsin to give Andromeda as part of the old oath between Twelve Kingdoms and Tala, and Andromeda feel her body changed to become something she do not understand. To make things complicated, her relationship with her sisters become strained. Her father accused Andromeda as traitor, while her feeling and body yearn for Rayfe. Soon, Andromeda must learn her true nature, to gain her own happines, to not being invicible, even this mean she must betray everyone she loved.
I feel that the first half part of The Mark of the Tala was dragging a bit. We will see how Andromeda struggle with what happen to her, that she try to make her family understand that she is not a traitor. She also fight her desire to Rayfe and while I think Andromeda is a meek princess, she overcome her fear and become strong. But, yes this part also make me frustated because Andromeda still unsure to what to do. The romance part also start late and maybe this is one of some aspect that make me frustated because I want Andromeda just go to Rayfe and to Tala.
And then, when Andromeda finally with Rayfe, the story become interesting. We will see how Andromeda learn her true nature. I also love her relationship with Rayfe. Rayfe is alpha, but he respect Andromeda. He want Andromeda desperately, but do not want to force her to come to him, he want Andromeda to come to Tala and Rayfe with her free will. And even Andromeda thing that Rayfe blackmailed her to marry him to save her family, in the end she find her own Prince Charming in Rayfe. And nope, Andromeda is not a damsel in distress. She might be not a fighter like Princess Ursula, but she sure can fight and stand strong when some Tala's people doubt her because her mother's past.
I like the way Ms Kennedy stated that:
"history always written by the victors. Never forget it. What you believe to be true is exactly what the people who won want you to believe.
This is so very true and also relate to real world. It's also make the world in Twelve Kingdoms is not white and black. There are shades of Grey. Uorsin despised Tala, said that it's a demon realm, yet when Andromeda go to Annfwn, Tala's capitol city, she find that the people of Tala are very much the same with her. The difference just they can shapeshift and do magic, and worship the other Goddess. I find the myth behind Twelve Kingdoms is fascinating. The idea of three Goddesses that Tala and Twelve Kingdoms folks worship, Glorianna, Danu and Moranu remind me of the myth of Hecate and The Morrigan who also have three faces. Add it with three princess, and we know that three is a magic number. I can see that Ms Kennedy do a lot of research to make her own world building. I just wish that the history of the Twelve Kingdoms and the mystery that surround Andromeda's mother Salena can be explored more. But I guess she saved it for the next book
Anyway, for a fantasy book that have medieval setting (or once upon a time setting. Not sure what time), the Mark of the Tala somehow have a modern feeling. I don't mind the formal writing for it's will weird if this book written in modern style. Yet, some thing make me giggle, especially when Ms Kennedy write about the sex scene. Like I read a historical romance with word like "weeping (seriously??)", "manhood", "woman's core" etc. But well, the sex is steamy and I raised my brow when see some reviewers categorized this into young adult shelves, because this book is for adult readers! Once I read Ms Kennedy's blog that stated that this book have NA-vibe. I'm still scratch my head with all this NA-thingie. Back to the sex scene, while I'm not fans of sex told from 1st POV because imo that make the scene less hot than when its written from 3rd POV, surprisely I like this one! Very steamy indeed and yes, definitely for Adult only.
The next book of the Twelve Kingdoms series is The Tears of the Rose. About Princess Amelia, the sunshine and full of rainbow and unicorn Princess, also the fairest of them all. I suggest to not read the blurb if you not read this first, because some part are contain spoiler. I don't know if I want to read about Princess Amelia, consider to what happen to her in the end of this book. Also she's too.. bright for me, while I can relate to Andromeda who constantly in present of another. I want to know about Princess Ursula. From Andromeda's POV (and Amelia's POV from the excerpt) she looked like a hard, though and cold woman. They also refer that Princess Ursula do not need man and sleep with her own sword. Wow, that's harsh :/, but also make me impatient to read her own story, The Talon of the Hawk.
The Mark of The Tala is a good start for a new fantasy series and definitely must read if you love fantasy. Also, love the cover, it's so pretty, right? :)
Loyalty, like love, is based on trust and belief. I will always be loyal to my homeland and to people who live there. There is good and bad, tru, but they are worthy of my belief
e-ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington for honest review
Also posted there:
The Mark of the Tala is the first book of The Twelve Kingdoms series, a series that featured 3 motherless daughters which their true destiny and nature will be unraveled after they learn about their mother secret and war coming in their door.
This book is about Princess Andromeda, or Andi. She's the middle princess, shy, ignorant of politic and any kingdom's matters, and doesn't mind being invicible. She knows that she's not as strong and determined like her big sister, Princess Ursula. Nor that she's as pretty as sunshine like her little sister, Princess Amelia. But after she meet Rayfe of the Tala, a realm of demon that her father, King Uorsin, High King of Twelve Kingdom despised, her world begin to crumbling. Rayfe demand Uorsin to give Andromeda as part of the old oath between Twelve Kingdoms and Tala, and Andromeda feel her body changed to become something she do not understand. To make things complicated, her relationship with her sisters become strained. Her father accused Andromeda as traitor, while her feeling and body yearn for Rayfe. Soon, Andromeda must learn her true nature, to gain her own happines, to not being invicible, even this mean she must betray everyone she loved.
I feel that the first half part of The Mark of the Tala was dragging a bit. We will see how Andromeda struggle with what happen to her, that she try to make her family understand that she is not a traitor. She also fight her desire to Rayfe and while I think Andromeda is a meek princess, she overcome her fear and become strong. But, yes this part also make me frustated because Andromeda still unsure to what to do. The romance part also start late and maybe this is one of some aspect that make me frustated because I want Andromeda just go to Rayfe and to Tala.
And then, when Andromeda finally with Rayfe, the story become interesting. We will see how Andromeda learn her true nature. I also love her relationship with Rayfe. Rayfe is alpha, but he respect Andromeda. He want Andromeda desperately, but do not want to force her to come to him, he want Andromeda to come to Tala and Rayfe with her free will. And even Andromeda thing that Rayfe blackmailed her to marry him to save her family, in the end she find her own Prince Charming in Rayfe. And nope, Andromeda is not a damsel in distress. She might be not a fighter like Princess Ursula, but she sure can fight and stand strong when some Tala's people doubt her because her mother's past.
I like the way Ms Kennedy stated that:
"history always written by the victors. Never forget it. What you believe to be true is exactly what the people who won want you to believe.
This is so very true and also relate to real world. It's also make the world in Twelve Kingdoms is not white and black. There are shades of Grey. Uorsin despised Tala, said that it's a demon realm, yet when Andromeda go to Annfwn, Tala's capitol city, she find that the people of Tala are very much the same with her. The difference just they can shapeshift and do magic, and worship the other Goddess. I find the myth behind Twelve Kingdoms is fascinating. The idea of three Goddesses that Tala and Twelve Kingdoms folks worship, Glorianna, Danu and Moranu remind me of the myth of Hecate and The Morrigan who also have three faces. Add it with three princess, and we know that three is a magic number. I can see that Ms Kennedy do a lot of research to make her own world building. I just wish that the history of the Twelve Kingdoms and the mystery that surround Andromeda's mother Salena can be explored more. But I guess she saved it for the next book
Anyway, for a fantasy book that have medieval setting (or once upon a time setting. Not sure what time), the Mark of the Tala somehow have a modern feeling. I don't mind the formal writing for it's will weird if this book written in modern style. Yet, some thing make me giggle, especially when Ms Kennedy write about the sex scene. Like I read a historical romance with word like "weeping (seriously??)", "manhood", "woman's core" etc. But well, the sex is steamy and I raised my brow when see some reviewers categorized this into young adult shelves, because this book is for adult readers! Once I read Ms Kennedy's blog that stated that this book have NA-vibe. I'm still scratch my head with all this NA-thingie. Back to the sex scene, while I'm not fans of sex told from 1st POV because imo that make the scene less hot than when its written from 3rd POV, surprisely I like this one! Very steamy indeed and yes, definitely for Adult only.
The next book of the Twelve Kingdoms series is The Tears of the Rose. About Princess Amelia, the sunshine and full of rainbow and unicorn Princess, also the fairest of them all. I suggest to not read the blurb if you not read this first, because some part are contain spoiler. I don't know if I want to read about Princess Amelia, consider to what happen to her in the end of this book. Also she's too.. bright for me, while I can relate to Andromeda who constantly in present of another. I want to know about Princess Ursula. From Andromeda's POV (and Amelia's POV from the excerpt) she looked like a hard, though and cold woman. They also refer that Princess Ursula do not need man and sleep with her own sword. Wow, that's harsh :/, but also make me impatient to read her own story, The Talon of the Hawk.
The Mark of The Tala is a good start for a new fantasy series and definitely must read if you love fantasy. Also, love the cover, it's so pretty, right? :)
Loyalty, like love, is based on trust and belief. I will always be loyal to my homeland and to people who live there. There is good and bad, tru, but they are worthy of my belief
e-ARC provided by NetGalley and Kensington for honest review
January 21, 2020
One star...only because I liked Rayfe’s character. Reading this book was a waste of my time.
July 1, 2018
The Mark of the Tala was my first Jeffe Kennedy's book and it won't be my last. I enjoyed it a lot, this book actually managed to get me out of my 3 weeks book funk and for that, I'll be eternally grateful. The Mark of the Tala is an adult high fantasy romance, the writing reminded me a bit of Grace Draven's style which I adore.
This story follows Andromeda, the middle child of the High King of the Twelve Kingdoms. Always used to being in the shadows, she likes to be on her own. Neither a warrior nor a gentle princess like her two sisters, Andi has always felt out of sort amongst her peers, she longs for something else, something different but she doesn't quite know what. Until one day, while riding her horse she goes too far and stumbles upon a man with long black hair, a pack of giant wolves surrounding him. This man who seems to finally see her, to know her, claims her as his queen. Andi, confused and taken aback flees and goes back to the castle, not knowing that her entire life is about to change.
The first half of this book was quite boring to me, it took a while for the story to actually start. At first the author was introducing the characters and their world which is important but since the hero was introduced in the first chapter, I thought we'd get the romance and action that I love in high fantasy fast. I didn't expect to have to wait so long to get it all. I almost gave up about 35% in, I kept reading only because I was deeply curious about this hero and his strange world. I'm glad I did! The second half was much better, we finally got some answers and some much needed characters development.
The heroine, Andi or Andromeda was not my favorite. At first she was understandably confused and scared but I wish she had grown bolder quickly, it took a long time for her to actually make a decision at all and even then she was always doubting herself.
The hero, Rayfe, I liked better but he didn't have enough time time to reveal himself to us, in my opinion. For me he was this confusing man, hot and cold. One minute he could be sweet, the next unexpectedly harsh. Rayfe is also of the Tala, a magical race. We did get to learn more about that but I wish we had more in terms of shape-shifting and magic.
The romance aspect of this book was satisfying. It took a while for it to happen but I liked it. I liked the two of them together even though I felt like their relationship wasn't that deep. The marriage wasn't out of love but out of duty and sacrifice and then they didn't have time to bond, I think the author tried but, for me, she didn't succeed.
As for the other characters, I could've done without. Honestly no development there, no real connection, just a bunch of people to make the story work. I disliked both her sisters, they supposedly loved her but were always making decisions for her. One acted like a tyrant and the other like this naive, dumb thing. Her father was meant to be this big bad guy and, in a way, he was but no development there either so it felt forced. Some characters I simply didn't understand, others I didn't care for at all. None of them quite worked for me.
Despite all of that, I enjoyed the second part of the book. We finally got to see something different than this castle, some magic and battles. I did like the author's attempt at making our main couple bond even though it fell flat. I also liked the fact that the heroine really tried to get to know the Tala and protect them. All in all, the second half of the story was a good 4 stars for me but then the ending ruined it all. It was extremely underwhelming, to say the least. This was what we had been waiting for since the beginning of the story and the author managed to close it in 2 small pages. Two pages and it was done, over, the book was finished. I stared at my kindle for what felt like forever wondering if I had missed something, what in the hell had just happened. It was extremely disappointing to me, no epilogue, nothing. In all honesty I'm not sure I'll read the rest of this particular series, the other books are about the sisters and since I did not like them in this one, I simply don't want to force it.
This story follows Andromeda, the middle child of the High King of the Twelve Kingdoms. Always used to being in the shadows, she likes to be on her own. Neither a warrior nor a gentle princess like her two sisters, Andi has always felt out of sort amongst her peers, she longs for something else, something different but she doesn't quite know what. Until one day, while riding her horse she goes too far and stumbles upon a man with long black hair, a pack of giant wolves surrounding him. This man who seems to finally see her, to know her, claims her as his queen. Andi, confused and taken aback flees and goes back to the castle, not knowing that her entire life is about to change.
The first half of this book was quite boring to me, it took a while for the story to actually start. At first the author was introducing the characters and their world which is important but since the hero was introduced in the first chapter, I thought we'd get the romance and action that I love in high fantasy fast. I didn't expect to have to wait so long to get it all. I almost gave up about 35% in, I kept reading only because I was deeply curious about this hero and his strange world. I'm glad I did! The second half was much better, we finally got some answers and some much needed characters development.
The heroine, Andi or Andromeda was not my favorite. At first she was understandably confused and scared but I wish she had grown bolder quickly, it took a long time for her to actually make a decision at all and even then she was always doubting herself.
The hero, Rayfe, I liked better but he didn't have enough time time to reveal himself to us, in my opinion. For me he was this confusing man, hot and cold. One minute he could be sweet, the next unexpectedly harsh. Rayfe is also of the Tala, a magical race. We did get to learn more about that but I wish we had more in terms of shape-shifting and magic.
The romance aspect of this book was satisfying. It took a while for it to happen but I liked it. I liked the two of them together even though I felt like their relationship wasn't that deep. The marriage wasn't out of love but out of duty and sacrifice and then they didn't have time to bond, I think the author tried but, for me, she didn't succeed.
As for the other characters, I could've done without. Honestly no development there, no real connection, just a bunch of people to make the story work. I disliked both her sisters, they supposedly loved her but were always making decisions for her. One acted like a tyrant and the other like this naive, dumb thing. Her father was meant to be this big bad guy and, in a way, he was but no development there either so it felt forced. Some characters I simply didn't understand, others I didn't care for at all. None of them quite worked for me.
Despite all of that, I enjoyed the second part of the book. We finally got to see something different than this castle, some magic and battles. I did like the author's attempt at making our main couple bond even though it fell flat. I also liked the fact that the heroine really tried to get to know the Tala and protect them. All in all, the second half of the story was a good 4 stars for me but then the ending ruined it all. It was extremely underwhelming, to say the least. This was what we had been waiting for since the beginning of the story and the author managed to close it in 2 small pages. Two pages and it was done, over, the book was finished. I stared at my kindle for what felt like forever wondering if I had missed something, what in the hell had just happened. It was extremely disappointing to me, no epilogue, nothing. In all honesty I'm not sure I'll read the rest of this particular series, the other books are about the sisters and since I did not like them in this one, I simply don't want to force it.
May 29, 2014
A quarter of the story I really thought it was a Young Adult Fantasy novel by the writing style until I realize it was a Fantasy Adult Romance novel. I am not sure whether it was significant to me knowing it but I think the book reminded me too much like Kristen Ashley's Fantasyland series which further reduce my initial acceptance of the book because it is a fantasy novel with an emphasis on romance between characters that are too sparsely crafted to be enjoyable.
Princess Andromeda aka Andi was the middle child of a high-king who controlled several kingdom with a deep prejudice against the magical folks called the Tala who inhabit the neighbouring country beyond the mystical border. She was the invisible princess who was supposed to be a wallflower until the moment when she was assaulted by one shapeshifting Tala who turns out to be the King of Tala who tasted her blood by biting her lips and recognized her as his mate. Basically, half the story was about Andi arguing and hiding against the Tala and half of it was her embracing her lineage and becoming the focus of everyone's attention because she's the chosen one. You can assume the rest of the story at this point.
One of the things that really bothers me was the character inconsistencies and the insta-romance. I just don't buy the 'romance' between Princess Andi and King Rayfe. The basic premise of this book around that plot was he assaulted her and she fought him and they tasted each other's blood and immediately they think they're meant for each other except that she knived him and he aggressively stalked her in her dreams and wanting to kidnap her afterwards and in her dreams, he continuously sexually assaulted her until she relented and basically gave herself up to him despite it being a bad idea for both of the kingdom and her family. That being said, I also don't suddenly buy into this mysterious prophecy between two kingdom and her father irrational hate and her sisters treating her like an insect and actually describe her as a cross between butterfly and the crawling feels you get from a spider.
But I was remain interested with the worldbuilding and the whole irrational hate thing which never fully explain in this book because its a trilogy and despite the superficiality of the plot and characters in this book, I actually like Princess Ursula more and kinda wish the next book was about her (so I might read the third book instead of the next book). But if you like mostly romance or sex in a shallow confusing fantasy novel without character development whatsoever like Fantasyland, maybe you'll enjoy this book more than I did. It wasn't that bad but its too darn predictable for me.
The ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Princess Andromeda aka Andi was the middle child of a high-king who controlled several kingdom with a deep prejudice against the magical folks called the Tala who inhabit the neighbouring country beyond the mystical border. She was the invisible princess who was supposed to be a wallflower until the moment when she was assaulted by one shapeshifting Tala who turns out to be the King of Tala who tasted her blood by biting her lips and recognized her as his mate. Basically, half the story was about Andi arguing and hiding against the Tala and half of it was her embracing her lineage and becoming the focus of everyone's attention because she's the chosen one. You can assume the rest of the story at this point.
One of the things that really bothers me was the character inconsistencies and the insta-romance. I just don't buy the 'romance' between Princess Andi and King Rayfe. The basic premise of this book around that plot was he assaulted her and she fought him and they tasted each other's blood and immediately they think they're meant for each other except that she knived him and he aggressively stalked her in her dreams and wanting to kidnap her afterwards and in her dreams, he continuously sexually assaulted her until she relented and basically gave herself up to him despite it being a bad idea for both of the kingdom and her family. That being said, I also don't suddenly buy into this mysterious prophecy between two kingdom and her father irrational hate and her sisters treating her like an insect and actually describe her as a cross between butterfly and the crawling feels you get from a spider.
But I was remain interested with the worldbuilding and the whole irrational hate thing which never fully explain in this book because its a trilogy and despite the superficiality of the plot and characters in this book, I actually like Princess Ursula more and kinda wish the next book was about her (so I might read the third book instead of the next book). But if you like mostly romance or sex in a shallow confusing fantasy novel without character development whatsoever like Fantasyland, maybe you'll enjoy this book more than I did. It wasn't that bad but its too darn predictable for me.
The ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2019
4.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
This is the first Jeffe Kennedy fantasy novel that I did read and I admit that after having a good time with many of her novellas, I was really curious to discover her universe. My friend Sullivan McPig is a real fan, so how to resist it?
Andromeda is the middle girl but she is not nearly as interesting as her other two sisters. She is often invisible and no one is particularly interested in her. On the contrary, Ursula is known as the heiress of their father, the great king, a born fighter. Amelia is the jewel of the family, a beautiful girl and her beauty is known throughout the kingdom. However, Andy’s life will change when she meets a stranger in the forest, a man who seems to know who she is and who wants her to go with him willingly or forcibly. Fleeing in extremis, she does not expect that with this meeting will begin a war of which she is the central character. But this story will also bring a lot of questions when Andy learns more about her past, things that she did not even think possible.
I really had a great time with this story and I must say that I refrain from ordering all the other volumes right away! Yes, I loved discovering the world of Jeffe Kennedy with this novel and I can not wait to read more with the next volumes while following Ursula and Amelia. There is still so much to discover and I can not wait to see what happens next for these three young women. So many secrets to discover for each of them!
It was a very good start as you see, and I can only advise you to start the series!
Mon avis en Français
My English review
This is the first Jeffe Kennedy fantasy novel that I did read and I admit that after having a good time with many of her novellas, I was really curious to discover her universe. My friend Sullivan McPig is a real fan, so how to resist it?
Andromeda is the middle girl but she is not nearly as interesting as her other two sisters. She is often invisible and no one is particularly interested in her. On the contrary, Ursula is known as the heiress of their father, the great king, a born fighter. Amelia is the jewel of the family, a beautiful girl and her beauty is known throughout the kingdom. However, Andy’s life will change when she meets a stranger in the forest, a man who seems to know who she is and who wants her to go with him willingly or forcibly. Fleeing in extremis, she does not expect that with this meeting will begin a war of which she is the central character. But this story will also bring a lot of questions when Andy learns more about her past, things that she did not even think possible.
I really had a great time with this story and I must say that I refrain from ordering all the other volumes right away! Yes, I loved discovering the world of Jeffe Kennedy with this novel and I can not wait to read more with the next volumes while following Ursula and Amelia. There is still so much to discover and I can not wait to see what happens next for these three young women. So many secrets to discover for each of them!
It was a very good start as you see, and I can only advise you to start the series!
February 3, 2021
I was absolutely charmed with this story. It had a strong and determined heroine, a sexy and rough around the edges King, sisterly bonds, lots of fantasy and some oeh lala steamy scenes.
Plot
We meet Andi, middle sister and also the least remarkable one. Always the invisible one, not particularly good at anything and she just doesn't seem to fit quite in. On one of her rides she meets the brute Rayfe who is determined to take her to his lands where an unknown destiny awaits her. It turns out that Andi is a lot more special than she might've thought and that her mother had a secret past her daughters didn't know about.
Writing style
There is a lot of fluency in sentences in this book, the author uses easy to grasp vocabulary, there is consistency and she has a very describing style of writing. The story flows naturally and the plot immediately took of. After that however it became quite slow. I think the time between Andi meeting Rayfe and then eventually going with him was too long and I got a little irritated with Andi's indecisiveness.
Characters
I liked all three sisters because each is so different and has her own personality shine through. I loved Andi's wit, her calm nature and her strength. I'm also a fan of Ursula and can't wait to read book 3. Andi really grew on me and I enjoyed her point of view a lot. She is feisty yet she has a very kind and understanding side to her. I loved her relationship with Rayfe whom I adored from the start. Something about sexy villains that make me swoon. He also had a lot of character growth during the book and I think he and Andi are a true power couple.
Overall
I enjoyed this book, I loved the plot, the fantasy elements and its characters a lot. There was a bit of a slow part in the beginning. I also feel the ending was rushed, there was so much left that could've been explained, I also wanted a bit more of a wrap-up between Rayfe and Andi because it seems to me the next book will be about Ami and not about them. All in all it was a great read and I will read the next book when I get the chance.
Plot
We meet Andi, middle sister and also the least remarkable one. Always the invisible one, not particularly good at anything and she just doesn't seem to fit quite in. On one of her rides she meets the brute Rayfe who is determined to take her to his lands where an unknown destiny awaits her. It turns out that Andi is a lot more special than she might've thought and that her mother had a secret past her daughters didn't know about.
Writing style
There is a lot of fluency in sentences in this book, the author uses easy to grasp vocabulary, there is consistency and she has a very describing style of writing. The story flows naturally and the plot immediately took of. After that however it became quite slow. I think the time between Andi meeting Rayfe and then eventually going with him was too long and I got a little irritated with Andi's indecisiveness.
Characters
I liked all three sisters because each is so different and has her own personality shine through. I loved Andi's wit, her calm nature and her strength. I'm also a fan of Ursula and can't wait to read book 3. Andi really grew on me and I enjoyed her point of view a lot. She is feisty yet she has a very kind and understanding side to her. I loved her relationship with Rayfe whom I adored from the start. Something about sexy villains that make me swoon. He also had a lot of character growth during the book and I think he and Andi are a true power couple.
Overall
I enjoyed this book, I loved the plot, the fantasy elements and its characters a lot. There was a bit of a slow part in the beginning. I also feel the ending was rushed, there was so much left that could've been explained, I also wanted a bit more of a wrap-up between Rayfe and Andi because it seems to me the next book will be about Ami and not about them. All in all it was a great read and I will read the next book when I get the chance.
June 20, 2022
The Mark of Tala
4 Stars
As the middle daughter of the High King of the Twelve Kingdoms, Andromeda has neither her elder sister's skill on the battlefield nor her younger sister's sweetness and beauty. Nevertheless, she is the daughter who captures the attention of a dangerous stranger accompanied by wolves and ravens who will stop at nothing to claim her as his queen. Will Andi forgo all she has ever known in order to fulfill her destiny?
Although the book is slow to start, the world-building is intricate and interesting, the characters well-developed and appealing, and the romance engaging.
The world of the Twelve Kingdoms is very compelling although the details concerning the war between the kingdoms and the feud between the Tala and the Moriyha (Andi's people) are revealed slowly as the story progresses. Likewise, the exact nature of the Tala's abilities as well as Andi's connection to them emerges throughout the narrative. Nevertheless, it is well worth the patience to get to the twists and turns - some of which will obviously play a part in the next installments.
The enemies-to-lovers romance is the highlight of the book. Andi and Rayfe, the enigmatic leader of the Tala, have tangible chemistry from their first encounter and the emotional bond that eventually develops is very satisfying. The fact that they are not makes their relationship even better.
The next book focuses on the youngest sister, Amelia. To be honest, she is the least likable of the trio with her simpering and self-absorption. Despite Andi's claims that there is more to her than superficial beauty, it remains to be seen whether there is actually an intelligent and good person behind her facade. I am interested enough in the world and the ongoing story-arc to give her a chance.
4 Stars
As the middle daughter of the High King of the Twelve Kingdoms, Andromeda has neither her elder sister's skill on the battlefield nor her younger sister's sweetness and beauty. Nevertheless, she is the daughter who captures the attention of a dangerous stranger accompanied by wolves and ravens who will stop at nothing to claim her as his queen. Will Andi forgo all she has ever known in order to fulfill her destiny?
Although the book is slow to start, the world-building is intricate and interesting, the characters well-developed and appealing, and the romance engaging.
The world of the Twelve Kingdoms is very compelling although the details concerning the war between the kingdoms and the feud between the Tala and the Moriyha (Andi's people) are revealed slowly as the story progresses. Likewise, the exact nature of the Tala's abilities as well as Andi's connection to them emerges throughout the narrative. Nevertheless, it is well worth the patience to get to the twists and turns - some of which will obviously play a part in the next installments.
The enemies-to-lovers romance is the highlight of the book. Andi and Rayfe, the enigmatic leader of the Tala, have tangible chemistry from their first encounter and the emotional bond that eventually develops is very satisfying. The fact that they are not makes their relationship even better.
The next book focuses on the youngest sister, Amelia. To be honest, she is the least likable of the trio with her simpering and self-absorption. Despite Andi's claims that there is more to her than superficial beauty, it remains to be seen whether there is actually an intelligent and good person behind her facade. I am interested enough in the world and the ongoing story-arc to give her a chance.
August 8, 2022
The Mark of the Tala is the first book in the "Twelve Kingdoms" series. I was completely drawn into this book immediately, the narrator for this one was so talented and really got me hooked so easily with this story. I loved the style in which the author set up the series, there was some world building information dumped in, but not the point that it was overwhelming, just in a solid way in getting the story set up for the reader that I do feel was essential to really get a solid grasp on the circumstances.
I will say that I have been wanting to read more epic fantasy romance, and this book came to me by a recommendation through Instagram, and I am so happy about it, because this is definitely my cup of tea and I need more epic fantasy books just like this one here. I was so fascinated with this world, the bond that the three sisters have for each other, and the romance was perfection!! I honestly couldn't get enough of these two.
The romance is slowly built up but in a way that really worked for the characters. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding their romance. I was hooked on the hero though, he is such a bad boy in some ways, full-on alpha male and has such an intensity surrounding his characters, I became so intrigued by him. He fights for what he wants and I love his passion for Andi. Andi was such a heartwarming character and so relatable. She is the one sister I just felt so much compassion for. She is the forgotten sister, the one that no one trusts but she is an introvert and tends to like to be alone. I really felt for her because of how everyone treats her and loved seeing how she is willing to embrace the other part of her that her mother left behind. It was really so interesting to see how her character is developed and the ways in which she is willing to sacrifice for those that she cares about and do the right thing even if on the outside it looks worse than it is. I was completely on board with this book and I immediately had to get book 2.
Overall I found The Mark of the Tala, to be a purely fascinating journey that kept me reading, fully engaged and so hooked into the world that this author has crafted and I can't wait to indulge in more from this pure talent!
I will say that I have been wanting to read more epic fantasy romance, and this book came to me by a recommendation through Instagram, and I am so happy about it, because this is definitely my cup of tea and I need more epic fantasy books just like this one here. I was so fascinated with this world, the bond that the three sisters have for each other, and the romance was perfection!! I honestly couldn't get enough of these two.
The romance is slowly built up but in a way that really worked for the characters. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding their romance. I was hooked on the hero though, he is such a bad boy in some ways, full-on alpha male and has such an intensity surrounding his characters, I became so intrigued by him. He fights for what he wants and I love his passion for Andi. Andi was such a heartwarming character and so relatable. She is the one sister I just felt so much compassion for. She is the forgotten sister, the one that no one trusts but she is an introvert and tends to like to be alone. I really felt for her because of how everyone treats her and loved seeing how she is willing to embrace the other part of her that her mother left behind. It was really so interesting to see how her character is developed and the ways in which she is willing to sacrifice for those that she cares about and do the right thing even if on the outside it looks worse than it is. I was completely on board with this book and I immediately had to get book 2.
Overall I found The Mark of the Tala, to be a purely fascinating journey that kept me reading, fully engaged and so hooked into the world that this author has crafted and I can't wait to indulge in more from this pure talent!
May 12, 2018
Would have been a 4 star, but the ending fell completely flat. Very disappointing.
January 24, 2020
Voodoo Bride and I are big fans of Jeffe's work, so we were very happy when we heard about this trilogy. We were even more happy when Jeffe sent us an ARC of The Mark of the Tala.
This is a wonderful story.
I loved reading how the three sisters interact with each other. It was very recognizable. I could relate with how Andi felt, and why she seeks her solace away from court and family.
And that's how she meets Rayfe. I wasn't sure what to think of Rayfe at first. He's mysterious, a bit dangerous, but very intriguing. I really liked how Andi is torn about him and what happens as well. There might be an immediate attraction, but by no means insta-love. Instead Andi does the sensible thing at first: defend herself, and run away.
Then Andi discovers important secrets have been kept from her, and suddenly two countries are fighting over her.
I really love how Andi tries to do what is right, even if that means doing things her family doesn't approve of. She is faced with difficult choices, and is willing to sacrifice herself for those she cares about.
The complex relationship between Andi and Rayfe is also great to see develop. There's attraction, but Andi isn't foolish enough to mistake that for love. She keeps on her guard, and I loved seeing the two of them slowly getting to know each other better.
The ending was satisfying, but also leaves lots of things open that made me wonder what will happen next for the three sisters. All in all this is a beautiful story that captured me and has me eager for more. I can advice this to anyone who loves Romantic Fantasy. I will most certainly reread this book often, and I'll eagerly await the next book in this trilogy.
This is a wonderful story.
I loved reading how the three sisters interact with each other. It was very recognizable. I could relate with how Andi felt, and why she seeks her solace away from court and family.
And that's how she meets Rayfe. I wasn't sure what to think of Rayfe at first. He's mysterious, a bit dangerous, but very intriguing. I really liked how Andi is torn about him and what happens as well. There might be an immediate attraction, but by no means insta-love. Instead Andi does the sensible thing at first: defend herself, and run away.
Then Andi discovers important secrets have been kept from her, and suddenly two countries are fighting over her.
I really love how Andi tries to do what is right, even if that means doing things her family doesn't approve of. She is faced with difficult choices, and is willing to sacrifice herself for those she cares about.
The complex relationship between Andi and Rayfe is also great to see develop. There's attraction, but Andi isn't foolish enough to mistake that for love. She keeps on her guard, and I loved seeing the two of them slowly getting to know each other better.
The ending was satisfying, but also leaves lots of things open that made me wonder what will happen next for the three sisters. All in all this is a beautiful story that captured me and has me eager for more. I can advice this to anyone who loves Romantic Fantasy. I will most certainly reread this book often, and I'll eagerly await the next book in this trilogy.
May 14, 2019
The story of an ordinary middle sister that turns out to be anything but ordinary.
Andi has always been the odd princess out, with her older sister being the strong warrior ruler and her younger sister the incredibly kind and beautiful beloved of all. Andi was fine sticking to the shadows but her life left her restless somehow. That restlessness led her to the path of Rayfe, a strangely compelling man who completely changed her quiet life.
A long suppressed secret comes to light and brings everything Andi thought she knew to question. Her father might be less honorable than the kingdom believes and the fabled Tala, a magical race of people that are believed to be demons, are not as fabled as her father would have them believe.
Intriguing story that dragged a bit at parts but kept my attention throughout.
Next comes the youngest sister Amelia's story in The Tears of the Rose.
Andi has always been the odd princess out, with her older sister being the strong warrior ruler and her younger sister the incredibly kind and beautiful beloved of all. Andi was fine sticking to the shadows but her life left her restless somehow. That restlessness led her to the path of Rayfe, a strangely compelling man who completely changed her quiet life.
A long suppressed secret comes to light and brings everything Andi thought she knew to question. Her father might be less honorable than the kingdom believes and the fabled Tala, a magical race of people that are believed to be demons, are not as fabled as her father would have them believe.
Intriguing story that dragged a bit at parts but kept my attention throughout.
Next comes the youngest sister Amelia's story in The Tears of the Rose.
January 4, 2015
3.5 stars...Middle Child Loses Her Jan Brady-complex
Review to come...one year later.
The oldest sister is the warrior and the youngest incomparable beauty. Then, there is Princess Andromeda, the middle child. People will not meet her eyes and she feels invisible. Only in the company of horses does Andi feel comfortable. As she rides her horse farther than her father has allowed her she's confronted by a man who sees what no one else does. He'll lead her into another kingdom. She has a destiny to fulfill, the power to lead, and a beauty all her own.
"The Mark of the Tala" was an enjoyable read. The heroine was compelling, and her story seemed as if it would be a romance; yet, the romance wasn't as strong as the world-building and set-up for The Mark of the Tala series.
This book may not been as strong as I'd hope, but I'm interested in the High King's other two daughters' stories, and would recommend this story to those that crave fantasy with elements of romance. Overall, I'd rate "The Mark of the Tala" with 3.5 stars.
ARC compliments of Kensington via Netgalley
Review to come...one year later.
The oldest sister is the warrior and the youngest incomparable beauty. Then, there is Princess Andromeda, the middle child. People will not meet her eyes and she feels invisible. Only in the company of horses does Andi feel comfortable. As she rides her horse farther than her father has allowed her she's confronted by a man who sees what no one else does. He'll lead her into another kingdom. She has a destiny to fulfill, the power to lead, and a beauty all her own.
"The Mark of the Tala" was an enjoyable read. The heroine was compelling, and her story seemed as if it would be a romance; yet, the romance wasn't as strong as the world-building and set-up for The Mark of the Tala series.
This book may not been as strong as I'd hope, but I'm interested in the High King's other two daughters' stories, and would recommend this story to those that crave fantasy with elements of romance. Overall, I'd rate "The Mark of the Tala" with 3.5 stars.
ARC compliments of Kensington via Netgalley
May 22, 2016
This book hit so many things just right for me! I loved the writing, the way mysteries unfolded, and I kept finding myself rereading parts because it was hard for me to let them go. It's a once-upon-a-time fantasy about three sisters, who despite being so different from each other never waver in their love and willingness to sacrifice for one another.
This story is about Andi, the middle child, who is invisible and quiet, always overshadowed by her sisters. Ursula, the eldest, is an exceptionally strong and capable future ruler and Amelia the youngest, is exceptionally beautiful and sweet. Everything Andi thought she knew about herself and her world gets turned upside down when she discovers that her long deceased mother, Selena, had came from a kingdom she had not believed was real. A magical place called Tala, a land of sorcerers and shape shifters, whose current king has come to claim Andi as his bride in fulfillment of a pact made when Ursula first wed the High King, her father. A pact her father is now determined to break, not because he wants to protect his daughter, but because he wants to conquer the one kingdom not under his rule.
This story is about Andi, the middle child, who is invisible and quiet, always overshadowed by her sisters. Ursula, the eldest, is an exceptionally strong and capable future ruler and Amelia the youngest, is exceptionally beautiful and sweet. Everything Andi thought she knew about herself and her world gets turned upside down when she discovers that her long deceased mother, Selena, had came from a kingdom she had not believed was real. A magical place called Tala, a land of sorcerers and shape shifters, whose current king has come to claim Andi as his bride in fulfillment of a pact made when Ursula first wed the High King, her father. A pact her father is now determined to break, not because he wants to protect his daughter, but because he wants to conquer the one kingdom not under his rule.
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