I had no idea what I was getting into with this book, but I’m so glad I requested a review copy! MARK OF THE WICKED is enthralling, impossible to put down, and filled with the types of characters that are so complex, you don’t know whether to love them or hate them. I started off not much liking Matilda. She uses her magic to harm those she considers her enemies. The only problem is, if she harms someone with magic, she is scarred for life; their name carved into her face. But Matilda has learned how to hide her scars from everyone, so at the outset, it seems like she suffers no consequences for her actions. She’s angry, spiteful, and nearly impossible to sympathize with. At first.
When she meets Oliver, though, we get to see a side to Matilda that was missing — the reasons for the things she does. She reveals her deeper fears and her darker pain that she resorts to magic to help her cope, the way an alcoholic turns to booze to numb the pain. But there is something more sinister than Matilda afoot, with grisly animal deaths that somehow keep pointing to Matilda. But with her mother acting suspicious, her grandmother not having spoken in three years, and Matilda’s blackouts, anything is possible.
Plot
MARK OF THE WICKED is superbly plotted, with intertwining plots. Debut author, Georgia Bowers, creates intrigue with her storytelling. The pacing is perfection. Set in a small town in England, with a dark history, similar to that of Salem, Massachusetts in the states, her backdrop comes alive, becoming a part of the story as much as the characters.
The Characters
Speaking of characters, for me anyway, the ability to create an antihero like Matilda, and make us root for her the way we rooted for Walter White in the first few season of Breaking Bad, is a rare talent and Bowers does it masterfully. Supporting characters, like Matilda’s classmates, Erin, Oliver, her mother, and grandmother, are more than just cardboard cutouts and stereotypes. It would have been easy for the author to make someone like Ashley a less than sympathetic character, but even she has more depth than just the class queen bee.
Top Five Things I Loved About MARK OF THE WICKED
1. Magic. The magical world building is amazing and really adds to the plot and character development.
2. Characters. Their depth and complexity made this a book I couldn’t put down.
3. Plot. The story is unforgettable, with a number of twists and turns that made this a book I couldn’t put down.
4. Redemption. Matilda’s character arc is the opposite of Breaking Bad as she learns some brutal, valuable lessons about life, love, and what it means to be a good citizen.
5. Storytelling. The author does an amazing job of weaving in threads that stick with you, gnawing in your brain, that keeps you reading to find out what they mean.
Bottom Line
A stellar debut novel by an author I cannot wait to read more from.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Reviews with images
A brilliant young adult fantasy debut
The author did an excellent job with the concept of “Mark of the Wicked. ” The story is unique for the genre and one which felt fresh. I couldn’t put the book down right from the first chapter because of how unique Matilda’s storyline was. The story got intense as Matilda finds out about the carcasses from the police. What follows is how the author takes us on a wild ride as Matilda investigates who is framing her for the murders. The author also includes some shocking deaths that I honestly did not see coming, leading to an exciting climax on Halloween.Moreover, the author also wrote the characters brilliantly. I’ll only mention that many people were not who they seemed. Matilda is great in the lead, and I felt she was the perfect protagonist for the role. I also thought Ashley stood out even though she doesn’t appear much. Likewise, even Erin was fun to read. However, one of my highlights was Matilda’s friendship with Oliver and the scenes where they go to the party or celebrate her birthday.Moreover, initially, I felt the story staggered a bit from the plot with Matilda and Oliver’s private moments. However, later I realize why the author chose to do this, and the two left me speechless. I’m not giving away spoilers, but their twists are equally entertaining as what happens with the plot. This story is rare because the characters and storyline were similarly intense, and I loved reading all aspects.Overall, “Mark of the Wicked” is a brilliant young adult fantasy with a touch of romance and murder mystery and a perfect book to pick up for Halloween.
Top reviews from other countries
Reader in Beds
Seriously spooky stuff!
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Outstanding! couldn't put it down.
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The best YA witch book I've read in a few years!
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Fantastic, not just for young adults
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