This review is part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”. This is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.).
To see more information on my team Behind the Musings check out this post!
Blurb for Marked
Curses are powerful, if you believe in them enough.
Davon and his family live a simple life in the beautiful valleys of the Sikrat Mountains, as long as they don’t draw the attention of roaming ghastwolves or the keen Earth Dragons on the ridges above. Davy’s purpose is clear: to protect the flock and to help his mother and father.
But when Davy’s life is ripped away in one violent night, he learns that he is cursed. Left to the vicious wolves and dragons of the Sikrat, Davy must find a new way to survive. Evil hounds him and his flock as he works tirelessly to somehow earn his place in a superstitious and demanding society.
Was his curse the reason for so much lost? Was he an insidious curse infecting everyone around him?
With nothing left, Davy must face the bitter cold of abandonment and reclaim his life, before those who know his secret turn on him.
Marked Book Review
Davy lives a simple yet happy life. He helps his mother and father tend their flock of sheep and grows excited to help his mother drive the cart to market. But one night as his father slumbers and Davy sits watch over the flock, ghastwolves strike, causing devastating losses to the flock and Davy’s family. A cascade of horrible events will tear Davy away from his life, and plunge him into despair.
Davy’s story is heartbreaking. The loss of a family member is never easy to overcome and Davy will encounter one loss after another. Even when hope begins to shine through for him, inevitably something will sweep it all away. Marked is a book that dives into despair and does not surface from it frequently. In the world of this novella, if a child bears a certain mark they are considered cursed. The novella earns its name by having Davy bear such a mark.
The utter hopelessness Davy felt was a theme carried throughout the novella. If there had been a few more glimpses of happiness or even more encounters of people trying to sneak him help, it would have helped the story not feel as depressing. However, given the focus and theme of the novella, it was executed well. Be prepared readers, Marked is not an easy read.
To Purchase: Amazon | Author's Website
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