The Marked Hosts by Auden Johnson

      I was honored to receive The Marked Hosts as a 'to-be-released' novel.  Since I'd previously purchased two other books by this author, I expected great things.  
     
     The Marked Hosts is about Contessa Torain, a sort of emissary between humans and Brevia (soul-eaters).   She's at the top of the Devortus (her home) caste system but she finds herself distracted by a Draior child and the safety of her loved ones in her homeland.

     First off, I love the amazing book cover.  Book covers are a huge tidbit for me, like eye-candy.  I've seen Johnson's in-process cover creations on social media; she's got a true talent.  As for the story, it was a difficult read.  I was looking for an intriguing, dark sci-fi of a thriller.  Instead, I found a near impossible plot to follow.  

     The author carries a rudimentary style of writing that feels convulsive.  The story's there but due to the way it's written, I couldn't enjoy it.  The characters are under-developed, but I feel it's due to a lack of anthropological background on Devortus.  Much of the information given feels made up along the way and caused a bit of conflict with previous data.  Lastly, the author took away the reader's ability to see what was happening and where.  I found everything told to me instead of described, even the most basic of details, preventing me from  seeing what was taking place.   I still have no clue as to what Contessa and Cezon look like.  To the reader, this is vital to the imagination; they need to see the characters in their mind's eye.

      I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn't; I found myself stopping and starting up several times.  When I did finish the book, I realized there was a story with possibility.  It just needs more structure and proper flow.  This author is determined and I see her improving with future books.  
Have a great week and and even better book!