Marked

Elite #2

by Charley Black

In a city on the brink of chaos, betrayal runs deep, and the line between love and loyalty is razor-thin.

She betrayed him.
He still craves her.

Kane should have destroyed Serenity the moment he learned the truth.
Instead, he lets her stay. Close enough to burn.
Because the one thing he shouldn’t want… is the one thing he can’t let go.

As rebellion stirs in the shadows of Celearius, Kane is determined to hunt down the leader threatening to tear his city apart—
even if it means using the woman who broke him.

Serenity knows what’s at stake.
Trusting Kane could cost lives.
But resisting him might cost her soul.

The clock is ticking.
The city is burning.
And in the end, they’ll both have to choose:
Love or loyalty.
Each other… or everything else.

Genres: Dark Romance, Vampires

ebook

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Charley Black is an up-and-coming writer and author who has been creating stories since she was twelve years old. Her early short stories dabbled in different genres, but her passion for romance novels — paranormal romance in particular — always shone through. Charley currently resides in Rhode Island, with her family and works at a local university. Entwined will be the first of three novels set in the Within the Darkness universe.

Reviews

[Meaghan Kube · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The only thing he knew for certain was that before this was over, he would have to choose.
And that choice would determine who lived, who died, and whether any of them had ever been fighting for the right side at all.”
- - - - -
I was hesitant going into this ARC having not read the first book prior AND never interacted with this author before. I truly wasn’t sure how lost I would feel reading book 2 of 3. To my surprise, I was IMMEDIATELY drawn in and completely absorbed by this story.

Marked delivered everything that I crave in a dark, paranormal romance: tension, danger, conflict, high emotions, and that slow-burning desire we all so desperately crave because the satisfaction? Is so real. The dynamic between Kane and Serenity is filled with longing and restraint, stolen glances and heated passion, the kind of angst that makes you savor every interaction.
“He’d allowed himself to believe…that there could be something genuine between them. That the walls he’d built around his heart over centuries could come crumbling down for a human woman with honey-brown eyes and a smile that made him forget what he was.”
I mean COME. ON. That kind of emotional vulnerability, paired with Kane’s internal struggle of duty over love? This book was impossible to put down.

My only minor critique is the sometime repetitive internal monologue of the 2 main characters. While noticeable at times, it didn’t pull me from the story or detract me in any significant way. And yes, obviously the cliff hanger is a major bummer. But the anticipation of another book in August has me literally counting down the days.

💥 ARC Disclosure: I was provided an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated, nor was I required to leave a positive review.

A HUGE thank you to the author for providing me the opportunity to read this book. I am truly counting down the days until book 3 though so…just keep that in mind 😬



🕯️ rating baseline available in my Goodreads bio.

[Geri • GardensandGrimoires · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Charley Black last year after falling hard for A Symphony of Shadows, and then jumped straight into The Elite Series, so I was first in line to sign up for an ARC of book two.

The series is based in a dystopian world (Celearius), where vampires rule and humans survive on the fringes of society or through the Elite Program, a sanctioned blood-donation program that trades blood for credits. Fearing for the life of her mother and sister, Serenity signs up and discovers she has a rare and addictive blood type so for protection, she’s paired with the head of the vampyre council Kane. And she turns his world upside down.

Marked (book two) drops us right back into the action. Serenity has betrayed Kane but he still craves her. There's a rebellion brewing and they're both in the fight of their lives to protect everything they care about whilst trying to deny the intense desire they have for each other. What starts as a dangerous arrangement quickly spirals into something far more intoxicating. Their connection is equal parts desire, power, and obsession and every interaction crackles with tension.

Dark, addictive, and dripping in angst, Marked raises the stakes in all the right ways and leaves you desperate for the finale.

“You undo me, Serenity. Every moment with you tears down walls I’ve built over lifetimes.”

The final book, Destined, lands later in 2026 and I am already counting the days...

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even begin to explain how much I am enjoying this series. The story of Kane and Serenity is addictive. Strap in for a wild ride as two sides hide betrayals and secrets.
Charley has a way with words and I can’t wait to read more when book 3 is published!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every girl needs her that Kane type of love 🖤

He not only takes care of her but takes GREAT care of her sick mother & sister 🥹

Currently not the biggest fan of Serenity’s actions & betrayal 🥲


Love love love Charley Black !! This is my 3rd ARC read and I can’t get enough 🖤

[Andreanne Parcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

English below :
Merci à Charley Black de m'avoir offer une copie numérique en avance. J'étais bien contente de retrouver Kane, Serenity, Rhyzan, Evelyn et Nox.

Points plus :
- ❤️ Un livre centré sur la relation entre Kane et Serenity. J'ai très bien ressenti la dualité du choix qu'ils doivent faire. Écouter leur coeur oui suivre la voie raison?
- 💫 Charley ajoute de l'action à la romance dans ce deuxième tome; ce qui augmente le rythme de l'histoire. J'ai dévoré le dernier 30% dans pouvoir m'arrêter.
- ⚡ J'ai adoré avoir des chapitres du point de vue des personnages secondaires (Evelyn, Rhyzan et [spoiler]Sebastian[/spoiler]). Tous les personnages ont des choix déchirants à faire.
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Beaucoup de scènes explicites. Lisez bien les mises en garde avant de vous lancer dans le livre. Si vous n'en êtes pas fan, ce livre n'est peut-être pas pour vous.

Points moins :
- 💬 Les dialogues intérieurs de Kane et de Serenity sont parfois répétitifs; tout comme dans le premier tome. À plusieurs reprises, j'avais l'impression d'avoir déjà lu le paragraphe quelques pages auparavent.


Tout est mis en place dans ce livre pour avoir une conclusion au prochain tome ➡️ Destined (août 2026) que j'attendrai avec impatience! Qui aura/n'aura pas son happy ending ?


English :
Thanks to Charley Black for sending me an ARC. I was so happy to reconnect with Kane, Serenity, Rhyzan, Evelyn, and Nox.

Pros:
- ❤️ A book focused on the relationship between Kane and Serenity. I really felt the duality of the choice they have to make. Listen to their hearts or follow reason?

-💫 Charley adds action to the romance in this second volume, which increases the pace of the story. I devoured the last 30% without being able to stop.

-⚡ I loved having chapters from the point of view of the secondary characters (Evelyn, Rhyzan, and Sebastian). All the characters have heartbreaking choices to make.

- 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Many explicit scenes. Read the TW carefully before starting the book. If you're not a fan of explicit content, this book might not be for you.


Minus:
- 💬 Kane and Serenity's internal dialogues are sometimes repetitive, just like in the first book. Several times, I felt like I'd already read the same paragraph a few pages earlier.



Everything in this book is set up for the conclusion in the next book, Destined (August 2026), which I'm eagerly awaiting! Who will or will not get their happy ending?

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dyslexic Reviewer - Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @authorcharleyblack
POV: Multi 3rd person
Gene: Urban/Dystopian Paranormal Romance
Triggers: Violence, Explicit sexual content,
Read Time: 7-10 hours
Expected Publishing Date: Happy Release day 🥳🎉(1/27/2026)

❤️ World Building: The world building is, of course, not as detailed as it was in the first book, which did a wonderful job of setting the tone and the feel of the world. That being said, we do go to new locations in this one, and those are wonderfully built up!

❤️ The Characters: Serenity and Kane are still our main characters and their relationship gets more complex as the book goes on. Both are torn between love and duty. The side characters really stand out in this series, and I’m engrossed in their stories as well, especially Evie and Sebastian's side story!

❤️ The Story: I love the story so much! I will say that the author seems to repeat words and phrases a lot, rehashing the same point over and over again, and it did take me out of the story some. Which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, BUT the story is just that AMAZING that this doesn’t stop me from being engrossed in this series at all.

❤️‍🔥Overall: I’m blown away at the concept of these novels! They are amazing and you should totally get them today!!! Trust me, it’s worth it.

🧛Vlad Drăculea “Facts” Inspired by Kane: Vlad Drăculea was born in Transylvania, Romania. He ruled Walachia, Romania, off and on between 1448 and 1477. Some historians describe him as a just—yet brutally cruel—ruler who valiantly fought off the Ottoman Empire. He earned his nickname because his favorite way to kill his enemies was to impale them on a wooden stake. According to legend, Vlad Drăculea enjoyed dining amidst his dying victims and dipping his bread in their blood.

I was gifted this book free for my honest opinion, you know the drill 😉

#MARKED #ReleaseDay #VampireRomance #TheEliteSeries #OutNow

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

-I received a ARC from the author-

This book was heartbreaking yet heartwarming, the love between Kane and Serenity will have you swooning one minute, and wanting to cry the next. Throughout the book you are wondering "Who's right? Who's wrong" "Who's good?" "Who's bad"? It will cause you question your own morals and asking yourself "What would I do, if I was in Kane's place?" "What would I do in Serenity's place?" When I signed up for this ARC, I didn't realize this was part of a series, it's written in a way that you don't feel like you missed anything. (although I know I missed A LOT) but if you had picked this up and started reading it, you wouldn't feel like you missed anything. The story is well written, the plot exciting and kept you on your toes, the love heartbreaking, the sex glorious! I LOVE 2 POV books, they are my favorite, this book was really a 5 POV book. The secondary/side/support characters, are more like MC/lite. lol They all get page time. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it's a cliff hanger! I can't wait for the next book!
I always like commenting on ARC cover art in my book reviews. I hope it helps the Indie writers out there. I think cover art does make a difference. It can be the reason someone does or doesn't pick it up. This one, although light on actual art that would point to anything or anyone in the book, the bright red against the white is definitely an eye catcher. It will stand out among any books it sits next to.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the city of Celearius and I never want to leave!
​Charley Black has masterfully delivered another immersive installment that is as heart-wrenching as it is addictive. The story of Kane and Serenity reaches new heights of tension, navigating a landscape of hidden betrayals and impossible choices. This volume focuses heavily on the emotional duality of the leads, forcing both the characters and the reader to choose between the heart and the cold demands of reason.
​The pacing is expertly handled, blending high-heat romance with a surge of action. While the first half builds a beautiful emotional foundation, the final thirty percent is a whirlwind that I absolutely devoured. I especially loved the expanded perspectives from characters like Evelyn, Rhyzan, and Sebastian; their individual heartbreaks add incredible depth to the world.
​While the internal dialogues can occasionally feel repetitive, the sheer momentum of the plot more than makes up for it. Be prepared for a major cliffhanger and check those trigger warnings for the explicit scenes—the spice is handled with serious intensity! Everything here serves as a masterful setup for the conclusion, Destined (August 2026). Between the gut-wrenching tension and the striking cover art, Charley Black has crafted a poignant addition to the series that will have you swooning one minute and crying the next.
​Thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[V Brown LetsBeRealBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Elite Series continues to captivate with Marked, its second installment, written by Charley Black. This romantasy is distinguished by its exploration of profound themes such as love's complexity, betrayal's sting, loyalty's test, and the turmoil of inner conflict, all navigated through the lens of hidden agendas. Serenity's status as an Elite endowed with ambrosia blood places her in a precarious position, especially given the vampyr council's stringent expectations from Elites like herself. With Kane, the council's leader, at her side, the danger her blood poses is temporarily mitigated. Yet, an emerging rebellion and a potent secret weapon poised to decimate vampyrs ensure that loyalty and deception are tested as never before. For those who have awaited Marked after Bound, this sequel does not disappoint, further entwining Kane and Serenity in a dance of secrets, lies, and fervent passion. Charley Black

#marked #charleyblack #theeliteseries #fyp #booktok #MorallyGrayMen #darkromancebookrecs #darkromancereads #badboysromance #BookTok

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked picks up with the same heart-pounding intensity that left me breathless at the end of book one. While Serenity’s indecisiveness occasionally drove me wild, seeing how everything worked out made the journey incredibly satisfying. The 'ups and downs' of Kane and Serenity’s relationship are constant, but their undeniable connection finally explodes in this installment, making it a true page-turner that kept me up far too late! I especially loved delving deeper into the emotions and backstories of the supporting cast, which added so much depth to the world of The Elite Series. If you love gritty dystopian settings, rich vampire lore, and a romance that makes you work for the happy ending, this is a 5-star read that effortlessly bridges the gap between fantasy and romance.

[Alijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

-Forbidden love
-Forced proximity
-Morally grey MMC
-Betrayals
-Multiple POVs
-Dystopian

Serenity and Kane’s story picks right back up from the cliffhanger of book one of The Elite series and it delivers! The tension keeps growing as they both know they have decisions to make that can bring down the other. The side characters are so amazing and I was crying and about to message Charley wanting to fight about 45% in. Let me just say, I screamed at the twist in the last chapter. Please give me book three now!

If you haven’t read Bound yet, get to it so you’re ready for Marked 1/27. If you have read Bound, be ready for more spice, betrayals and surprises.

[Kyla Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and Serenity and Kane are by far the addictive. Their story has so much going on and that is what captures my attention. Marked picks up right after book one and let me tell you, you will not be disappointed. I love the dystopian, vampire lore and magic as wells as everything else that Charley has in this book. Now, I cannot wait for book three and to see what happens next with our favorite characters.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark paranormal romance and I loved every bit of it and it’s the continuation of Serenity’s and Kane’s story. Serenity is still spying on Kane and she feels so guilty because Kane has been so good to Serenity and her family she feels absolutely horrible that she is going to betray Kane but Kane already knows that Serenity is involved in the rebellion. I loved this story I can’t wait to read book 3 and I definitely recommend this book/ series.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

I cannot wait until the next book comes out! I am fully engrossed in this series. There are good and bad people all around us, it doesn't matter who or what they are. Judge by your own experience not on hear say. This is part of Serenity's dilemma, who to believe or not. I guess we'll find out in the next book. Well Done Ms. Black!!!

[Yalonda D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo Good

So I read the first book and was desperately waiting on this one. This book did not disappoint. I can feel the yearning between the characters. The want, the need, the bond, I can feel it all through the pages! This author writes such good books. Her writing style is great and she doesn’t leave one character accounted for. Definitely will be waiting on book 3.

[Daynara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A powerful vampyr like you must have danced with countless partners over the centuries."
"Partners, yes. But few worth remembering." His voice dropped lower, meant only for her. "None who felt like this."

"But make no mistake—my desire for you hasn't diminished with the morning light."


Marked is book 2 in The Elite Series. The story continues for Kane and Serenity in Celearius, where the plot thickens.
Continuing secrets, betrayals and more shocking revelations come to light.

Who can they trust? Obviously not eachother, but they can't deny the invisible pull that keeps them wanting more.
Loyalties and friendships will be tested...which would you choose?

If you wanted a Series with some spice, a little fang, action and intriguing plot in a dystopian world, then The Elite Series is for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed Marked and can't wait to read Destined to finally find out, can love survive betrayal?

[Lil Paige Ternah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really digging the Elite series as a whole. Does Serenity piss me off? absolutely! She needs to slap out of it. Given her and Kane's relationship, you'd think she'd be smart enough to know you know what and do the right thing.



5/5📜
1/5 🌶️

[Coffeebooklibrary Rhea Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series does not let you BREATH ! Damn.

The elite series is aggressively addictive. love that it picks straight back from book 1. The storyline get more and more emotionally violent. Destined is going to finish me off 😭

ATE !

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the early copy. All opinions are my own

Angelbelle has marked herself safe!!

Whew yall I almost didn’t make it out intact cause this ish right here was stressful 😅 Charley Black is an amazing writer

Serenity, watch your back cause I promise it’s on sight 🥾💥 had me wanting to jump through the pages and channel Edna Mode 🗞️pull 🗞️yourself 🗞️together

While book 1 gave us a glimpse into the rebels we get to see more from them in this book 😵‍💫 plus some new faces

Book 3 is about to be a doozy and I honestly can’t wait. I’m loving this series