Marrow Charm

Azure Brimvine lives in a world decimated by magic. One where humans have retreated underground from the overwhelming dangers of the surface. But Below is no safer than Above. Magic borne plagues continue to eat away at the remaining human cities. A sickness that doesn't merely kill, but creates aberrations from the stricken: people twisted by magic into something dark, dangerous, and powerful.

But when Azzy's brother, Armin, is infected and cast out into the Above, she sets out after him, determined to be there for him no matter what he becomes. The world Above is full of monsters, both wild and cunning, some more human than Azzy was led to believe.

Her search for Armin leads her to Avergard, a ruthless city of inhuman lords and twisted creatures. Azzy must find allies and forge new bonds in this broken world, brave the perils of the Above, and reach Armin before his new power is used to open the Gate once more.

Book source ~ BBNYA

Marrow Charm

The Gate Cycle, #1

Kristin Jacques

YA | Fantasy

346 Pages

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | IndieBound | Book Depository

My Rating ~ 4 bites

Azure “Azzy” Brimvine and her younger brother Armin have lived with their guardian, Brixby, ever since their mother was killed.  As an Apothecary he is training them to his craft, but Armin is showing signs of being infected with the Rot, a magic that eats away at a human. It won’t be long before he is cast out to the Above and there’s no way Azzy is going to let him go alone. The Heap may be a crappy place to live Below, but Above is filled with monsters. Sooner than expected Armin is cast out and that’s when everything in Azzy’s life changes. 

This is an interesting take on magic and what it does to humans. Those who make the transformation and actually survive can make a decent life for themselves in the Above. Some of them who do survive turn into monsters though and those are the ones to avoid at all possible. But make no mistake, this world is filled with dangers and monsters. Azzy has to navigate it to find her brother and her guardian, but she does not do so unscathed.

The world is fascinating and the people are varied. The monsters are creative. Some are super gross while others are only a bit so. The way magic works here is inventive. Azzy herself is a puzzle. She has no idea what she is. In a world of strange things she is by far the strangest. She’s also a bit too Mary Sue for my tastes. However, I enjoy her journey and look forward to continuing on.

About the Author

Mother of two, caffeine addict, sleep deprived book eater. Kristin Jacques writes primarily speculative fiction, dabbling with dark adventures, monsters, mayhem, and the occasional sarcastic zombie.

When not at her computer spinning tales she is generally herding cats or snuggling with her gremlins.

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I received this book to read and review as part of the BBNYA 2020 competition and/or the BBNYA tours organised by the The Write Reads tours team. My opinion is voluntary, unbiased, and honest.

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