Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns #1) by S.M. Gaither -- Starting August 24th 2024

[Ashley W]

Mercenary Casia Greythorne cares about two things: completing her latest job and earning enough coin for the expensive medicine that's keeping her mentor alive.

So when the king commands her to investigate a strange plague devastating the empire, she can't resist the massive reward he offers - even if it does mean working with the arrogant and infuriating Captain Elander.

But as the death toll rises and strange monsters wreak havoc across the realms, Cas and Elander find themselves up against meddling gods and very old magic.

Because an ancient evil is stirring in the shadows.

And their empire will not survive its full unleashing.

[Krystal (KindlyKReads)]

Definitely interested in doing my first buddy read to this novel!

[Danique]

Welcome Krystal! Hope you'll enjoy it :)

I'm quite behind lol so I'm hoping to start soon

[Johanna]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Pheww. For me the beginning felt way too confusing and somehow it got me so irritated & frustrated and couldn't find the flow of the story at any point. I also would have preferred to have a decent plot, but this felt like a punch of separated action scenes without a clue binding them together. Her interest in Elander felt so sudden but at the same time I was waiting for it: again a brooding male character who is so irresistible that I wanted to roll my eyes because I have seen this same in so many stories. This wasn't bad bad. But nothing special either. Now when I know what to wait from this author I think her next books might be easier to dive into. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

okay I'm so behind that I've given up, and I read your update & it doesn't make me want to pick it up at all lmao

[Johanna]

Oh nooooo