Cover Image: Rosemarked

Rosemarked

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Member Reviews

Cover: 4
Characters: 5
Writing: 5
Plot: 4
Swoon: 4
Overall: 4.4
Rosemarked is about a girl name Zivah, whose only dream is to be a great healer. Zivah is the most gifted healer of her time and the youngest to become a healer. But when soldiers from the capital, Amparan, pass through her village they have no choice but to accommodate them. But then the soldiers fall ill with the deadly rose plague.
Zivah works tirelessly to care for the sick; she even nurses the Amparan general back to health. But in doing so, she ends up catching rose plague herself. Instead of being left umbertouched and basically non contagious, she is left rosemarked. She will be contagious until the end of her days.
Zivah is prepared to live out her days on the edge of her town, forever separated. But when rebel soldier, Dineas, escapes an Amparan prison cell he is on the run. And he runs right into Zivah.
They meet on the worst of terms and neither Zivah nor Dineas trust each other. But they are forced to work together for their people; because one thing they agree on, Amparan cannot continue to run their people as they do now.
Zivah and Dineas must go under cover into the rose plagued city near the capital to find information on the Amparan army.
I really loved this book. It was quickly paced but had a very slow burning romance. Enemies to…more, doesn’t happen overnight after all. Rosemarked is definitely THE book of November. Told in dual point of view by Zivah and Dineas, you really get to delve so deep into these characters. I’m not sure if this series will have only one book more or many more, but I do know that I’m going to read them all!
The only thing I would have like more of was the romance. The tension was palpable, and I wanted these two MC’s to come together much earlier than they did. Hopefully book two will hold way more swoon. Also, I can’t wait to get this in hardcover so I can read it again.

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3.5 Stars

When I first saw this one, I was very intrigued. I love the idea of a healer teaming up with a soldier to save the world. This story contains potions and spying, and the main character is admirable. Unfortunately, the pacing of the story is too slow for my liking, so the book wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been.

I always love a good political fantasy novel. Rosemarked tells the story of a world contaminated with a plague, where those who contract it are rejected by society. An exiled healer who is infected then joins forces with a soldier to sneak into the capital and try to stop a war. In order to gain information effectively, the soldier’s memories are temporarily removed, which I found to be an interesting tactic. It’s almost like he is two different characters, which added some tension. I also really enjoyed the healing aspects of the book, since I haven’t read too many books that have a focus on potions and herbs. This book is original and complex, and I would definitely recommend it to fans of books like The Winner’s Curse.

I loved Zivah’s character! She is a very gifted healer who is pretty experimental. Zivah is actually so badass, and not afraid to use her pet snake as a weapon, which surprised me. I really sympathized with her, since she is Rosemarked but can’t do anything to heal herself. Zivah is so caring and willing to help others, and I really admired her determination.

The only thing that I found unenjoyable about this book was the pacing. I loved the beginning where Zivah is taking the test to become a healer, but after that, the plot fell flat. I found the story difficult to get through, since there is almost no action until the very end. There is a lot of character development, but I would have preferred more suspense and excitement in a book like this.

Rosemarked is a political fantasy in which two characters sneak into the capital to stop a war. I loved the main character and her healing abilities and the use of potions. However, the slow pacing of the book was frustrating, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

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What a great concept for a book. I had fun reading this and the pages just flew by. I can’t wait to read the rest of Zivah’s story.

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This, unfortunately, was a DNF and that makes me sad, but it's ok. Don't fret though, as I always say ... Don't let my opinions stop you from reading the book, if you are a curious heart then always give it a try. :)
Here a few notes:
* It started out strong with our MC going through a challenging test, but then it slows down and I lost interest.
* I'm not a fan of first person, present tense... some books have survived in my hands (meaning I read through it all), Unfortunately, Rosemarked did not survive.
* There is Hope! My bookseller senses are tingling: This series has potential, especially for those who are enjoying Ember in the Ashes series, Court of Fives, and others. So, I will keep this title in mind.

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I'm actually pretty ambivalent about fantasy books overall, but when they get it right, I adore them. Livia Blackburne really delivers with Rosemarked and I was riveted throughout the entire story. It almost reminds me of one of my favorite fantasy series, The Lumatere Chronicles, with the deceptive plot, intricate character dynamics and layered political intrigue.

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I loved this book so much. I thought that the characters were great and the story was so interesting. The way they went about using memory loss as a way to infiltrate the empire was so unique. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel.

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This story begins a new fantasy trilogy. The Amparan empire is on the move. Zivah is a healer for her agricultural village. They surrendered peacefully and are now forced to house Amparan troops and pay the required tithes for the empire. When the troops currently in their village come down with the Rose plague, Zivah and the other village healers need to tend to them so that the emperor doesn't believe that they let the troops die. Zivah tends to the commander of the troops and manages to bring him through the disease but catches it herself.

There are three outcomes for those who catch the Rose plague. First and most commonly, they die. Second, they survive but end up rosemarked - still able to spread the disease and with a lifespan that could be measured in months or up to ten years. Third, they could end up umbermarked. The umbermarked are immune from the plague and can go back to their ordinary lives. The commander Arxa ends up umbermarked while Zivah finds herself rosemarked.

Dineas is a Shidadi tribesman. The Shidadi didn't peacefully surrender and are still fighting. Dineas was captured and tortured for information until he caught the Rose plague and was discarded with a bunch of other corpses. He survived umbermarked and managed to get back to his tribe. His leader and the leader of Zivah's village are in talks about uniting in opposition to the empire.

When Zivah is given an invitation to the emperor's city to be a healer to the city's rosemarked, that seems to be a good opportunity for Dineas and Zivah to act as spies for the rebels. Zivah will be living with Arxa's rosemarked daughter. Dineas will take one of Zivah's potions which gives him the amnesia that is often a side effect of the plague and join the troops.

Zivah and Dineas have different viewpoints and Dineas doesn't really respect Zivah. However, once he takes the potion he becomes a different man. He is lighter and friendlier and becomes Zivah's friend and even falls in love with her. Zivah is torn because she knows that the other Dineas is so different. She begins to love the new Dineas but doesn't want to all in love because she is living under a death sentence.

Together the two discover a number of things and pass the news back to their elders. When they are discovered, they are forced to flee which is where this story ends. I am eager to read the next book in this trilogy to find out how their relationship develops now that there are no more potions between them. I also want to know if the seeds they planted with General Arxa will cause changes in his loyalty.

I thought the characters were well drawn and interesting people. I especially liked Zivah's struggle with her duty as a healer and her need to be a spy for her people. I also liked both Dineas versions and could understand how different it would be to balance both personalities.

I recommend this for readers looking for a new fantasy world.

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Zivah is one of the youngest healers her village has ever had. But she catches the rose plague when she's forced to tend enemy soldiers who have it and now she contagious. She decides the best way to help her village is by working undercover at the plague colony to overthrow the enemy.

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Just finished the undirected galley proof and I'm missing Zivah and Dineas already. The story is told by both characters in alternating chapters. I agree that fans of Sabaa Tahir's "Ember in the Ashes" would probably enjoy Rosemarked too. I'm looking forward to book 2 to find out what happens to Zivah & Dineas. Recommend for 5th grade and up.

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Loved this new world, the characters, amazing writing, was thrilled to be able to read this book and it did not disappoint! It was a slower start but I loved the description and could so easily picture this new world with Zivah and Dineas which makes me want to keep reading to see what happens next in their adventure!

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(I was sent an eARC through NetGalley from Disney publishing in exchange for an honest review)

I always TRY not to judge a book by it's cover, but by its ending.

Rosemarked was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I'm honestly ecstatic to tell you that it 98% lived up to my expectations.

From page one, I adopted a "THESE CHARACTERS ARE MY PRECIOUS BABIES" outlook, and I absolutely flew through Livia Blackburne's new novel, and I am now eyeing up her 'Midnight Thief' trilogy with eager puppy-dog eyes.

Blackburne's writing alone is enough to make you fall in love.

Combined with the world, the storyline and the characters - I warn you, you're in for a wild, emotional ride.

I'll put my hands up and say I finished reading Rosemarked whilst sat in a Brass Band concert, sneakily hiding my kindle and just allowing myself to fall completely into the story, with the music only adding to my experience.

My point, though, is to show you just how gripping Rosemarked is.

I finished it in less than 24 hours, and I'm feeling a little bit emotionally unstable from it's almost-perfection.

Whilst this book has easily earned a 5 star review from me, I have to talk about one of the things it does - which is my leAST FAVOURITE BOOK TROPE IN THE WORLD (although some of you might like it, and that's totally okay).

The plot of the book is essentially this:

Beautiful young girl, who dedicates herself to saving lives. Handsome young boy who is an expert at taking lives. One, a law-abiding citizen, one a clans-man, a criminal. An outlaw. Boy and girl meet. Boy and girl have instant, sizzling chemistry sparking with sarcasm and barely-disguised hatred--

(This isn't even the thing I don't like. I loooooove me some adorable characters who don't get on well at first)

Lots of action ensues. Murder. Chaos. And of course, the deadly rose plague makes an appearance. Lots of them.

The plot is so tantalisingly gripping that I can't go into detail without giving too much away.

HOWEVER. SKIP TO THE END. (***DISCLAIMER: PEOPLE MAY ACCOUNT WHAT I SAY NEXT AS A SPOILER***)

Boy and girl ride off into the sunset. Not necessarily in love or anything, so don't worry - I won't spoil that much for you.

BUT.

THE SUNSET SETTING?

Puh-lease.

I absolutely adore plot twists and cliff hangers. I like to have SOMETHING that will 100% ensure that I will pick up the next book in a series.

And though I don't think it's been confirmed if this is a stand alone or not (there'S A HELL OF A LET LEFT UNSOLVED IF SO), but there's no MASSIVE issues.

Our main babies are safe, the pet crows are safe, the pet snake is safe (#priorities) and other than the fact that I absolutely adored the rest of the boo, there is nothing encouraging me to find out what happens next...

I guess the ending just fell flat for me.

Which is heartbreaking.

But maybe YA needs some refreshing hope being pumped back into it.

Maybe, just this once - it's okay for us to know that our main characters are still alive.

Gives us a little anticipation for the future <3

A little... something.

- SilverWolfReads, howling her opinions online xx

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DNF 40%

I definitely think this is a case of "it's not you, it's me". I thought the plot was really intriguing, the characters seemed interesting and complex, and the writing was quite good. I just couldn't get into it at all. I do think this will make a lot of readers happy, but I will not be one of them.

Thank you for providing me with a copy

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While it did take me some time to get truly invested, I really did end up enjoying this.

Zivah..she is a very strong minded, strong willed, smart, and compassionate character. There wasn't anything that I really didn't like about her. Every decision she made was true to who she was and a lot of the times that gets lost in YA. Very refreshing to see!

Dineas...it took a little while for me to warm up to him, but once the twist involving Zivah comes into play and you see this other side of him, very nice. ;)

The story had just about everything - fantasy, politics, twists, betrayals, romance..a whole pot of goodnesss! Definitely would recommend!

*Thank you to Netgalley for offering an ebook arc to review!*

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When I picked up this book, I thought it was going to be another cliche, poorly plotted fantasy novel with an unoriginal and badly written romance.

I was wrong.

So, so wrong.

I wasn't expecting what Rosemarked actually is: a political fantasy novel dealing with the ethics of healing, spying, tyranny, and radicalized patriotism with remarkable world-building, beautifully written and flawed characters, and a slow-burn romance that was enjoyable to read and didn't feel at all forced.

Zivah is a lot of what made this book for me. Her internal struggles dealing with her status of a healer and using that status and her medicines for harm were surprisingly poignant and very realistic. She is SO dynamic and her friendship with Mehtap is so sweet.

Dineas was a little bit of a brooder, but, unlike most "brooders," he definitely wasn't the typical deep angst love interest in most YA novels nowadays. He has PTSD and struggles a lot, but still is able to forge connections with people. I absolutely hate the "male love interest seems like a bad guy and he doesn't treat the main female character well but twist! he is a good person and a good guy" trope that seems so prevalent in YA fiction nowadays (it perpetuates rape culture and the 'not all men' movement, which makes me want to barf), and at first I thought that Dineas would fit that trope. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that he didn't. He is a well-rounded, fleshed out character who loves his family and friends. He is working hard to get back into the world after suffering for many years. I went from liking him to not being his biggest fan to liking him again. I look forward to see where his character goes next.

I am always a sucker for well-written YA fantasy, and this is the best one I've read since the False Prince trilogy. I am highly excited to see where this series goes.

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She had dedicated her life to healing the sick, but when she must heal the enemy who has come into her land with a deadly and incurable plague, Zivah is forced to live an life isolated from her family and her people when she becomes another victim, another of the ROSEMARKED. Her life can end ostracized and alone or it can end on her own terms, healing others who are afflicted like her, but the chance to help others will come at a price and she will be forced to trust an enemy soldier who thirsts for vengeance against those who tortured him.

They say all is fair in war, but can a woman devoted to healing and an emotionally wounded soldier become allies in a dangerous game of spycraft neither is prepared to handle on their own? Will they find a common ground that could lead to so much more?

ROSEMARKED by Livia Blackburne is NOT a fantasy about war, it is a story about people, about the fact that no matter how vast the differences, even the enemy feels love, fear and loss. Ms. Blackburne focuses on the human element, compassion and the personal growth of her characters, as well as their flaws. Definitely not a fast-paced tale, there is far too much depth to rush through each scene. Feel the atmosphere of a world in chaos, the fear and devastation of the Rose Plague and the efforts of one woman to bridge the differences in people and to protect those who need her most, even if one of them happens to be a soldier she once saw as an enemy. He may be the one who needs her most.

Fabulous storytelling that brings it characters to life, in a tale that is both uniquely told and deeply intriguing, built in a flawed fantasy world that is ultimately not unlike our own.

I received an ARC edition from Disney Hyperion in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Rosemarked - Book 1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (November 7, 2017)
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Rosemarked started off so strong. I loved the characters: a healer who can't be healed and a recently escaped prisoner. I also loved the premise of them teaming up though their peoples are not the closest, to investigate the kingdom. Zivah and Dineas were the best part of the book. They were the most complex and the characters I felt most invested in. every other character was very one dimensional and for the most part forgettable. At first I was fine with the slower pace, but after a while I was craving something more action-packed. The romance also didn’t work for me. I couldn’t completely get behind the feelings that developed due to the situation they were in, that I can’t detail due to spoilers. Many of the twists were obvious and fell flat for me. Another issue I had was that I didn’t know this was part of a series, not a standalone. I feel like that could have been made clearer. Overall, this is not a bad book, it just wasn’t for me.

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Opening line:
"A bitter coat of ziko root coats the inside of my mouth."

Intriguing story told between two people: Zivah and Dineas. Zivah is a healer and Dineas a soldier. The title of the book comes from a plague that leaves it's victims marked with rose-like splotches on their bodies. As the book opens, Zivah is finishing up her healer trials. Then the plague hits the soldiers in her area and she is called on to help.

The pacing is steady and doesn't really peak. The writing is great and kept me reading. I didn't love the characters and didn't really care about them though they were unique. Dineas has a complex story line! The world was interesting but I got lost in the politics throughout.

I may read the next book...

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!

Sex: kissing
Violence: fighting, war, torture
Language: None

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Very hard to get into. A bit confusing on the direction of the story.

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Rosemarked is the tale of Zivah, a healer who catches a disease for which there is no cure and Dineas, a soldier spy who is trying to save his people from the Emperor's army. Together they work to sabotage the Emperor's plan and save their people from war. This is a good premise, healer who cannot heal herself and the plot they devise to learn about the Emperor's plans yet the story is a little slow moving. More action and suspense would improve this book. Still an enjoyable story.

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Rosemarked is a book that will appeal to many readers because of the plot and great character development.

Zivah is a healer in a tiny village. She is just starting out in her career when soldiers from the nearby capital come down with the deadly Rose Plague. Zivah knows that she must do everything that she can to heal them or disaster could come to their village. Unfortunately, Zivah contracts the plague and survives, but she is Rosemarked, which means she could die at anytime. I liked her character development because at the beginning she was a naive young woman who basically thought she was invincible to illness because she survived the deadly trials to become a healer. She learns throughout the book that she can still be useful as a healer even with her illness.

Dineas also had some great development. At the beginning he was a hardened warrior who wanted nothing but revenge but during the course of his journey, he learns that revenge might not be the best way to get what he wants. He is essentially two different people in the story, and I really enjoyed reading both of his POVs and seeing his transition from hardened warrior to understanding and loving man. I actually preferred his alter ego.

There was a lot of political intrigue, but for a book who's synopsis basically led me to believe that there would be a lot of espionage, I was let down by the lack of it.

The pacing was also pretty slow throughout. Most of the exciting moments happened within the very last chapters. So if you are looking for an action packed story from start to finish, Rosemarked is not the one for you.

Since it ended on such an intense and exciting note, I am eager to see where the sequel will take us.

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