Magic has taken over and those without are left to dangers that lurk from nearly every corner. Some magic provides good but most is bad. Many creatures are formed and can be very grotesque in their look but also in how they survive.
Azzy and her brother Armin live below ground for safety because Above is too dangerous. They are forced to leave below and their survival Above is instantly challenged.
There are only a handful of characters and each one I grew to care about. The magic is different, often dark, but also new to me. The story did not come off as a typical YA and I believe it’s her writing but also the different type of story. The world felt new and different but also enough to keep me guessing.
One thing I was confused about was why the world changed and specifically how? In NetGalley’s explanation of the book I got my answers but not IN the book. Also, the love interest didn’t quite seem genuine yet. It felt like their relationship was too new and challenging for there to be romantic feelings. It did feel more genuine later.
All in all, it was so unique that it kept me very interested. I’m curious to see where the story goes from here!

**Thank you to The Parliament House, Netgalley, and Kristin Jacques for providing me a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

Marrow Charm is set in a world where magic is not a desired gift, but a feared and malicious curse. Magic entered the world and twisted humans and animals into beasts that forget who they are and who are very dangerous. The world has moved underground, as the "Above" world is too dangerous to live in. When a human is "tainted" with magic, they are banished to the "Above", as there is no stopping magic's hold that dooms the human to either death or life as a monster.

Azzy is the daughter of a witch, living in one of the last human settlements below the surface. She is spending her life trying to protect her brother from the magic in his blood threatening to overtake him. A string of unfortunate events finds her brother cast out to Above, with her chasing after him to try and save him from herself. Her adventures take her across many miles, working with an eel lady, witch, and man/wolf. She has her own brand of magic, which isn't really clearly explained throughout the book, just hinted at.

Marrow Charm is the first book in The Gate Cycle, a new series by Kristin Jacques. A high fantasy novel with monsters, magic, apocalyptic plagues, some light romance, and some slight cannibalism - Marrow Charm is exciting and well written for those who really enjoy fantasy. It has an interesting take on magic that you don't generally see. Magic in books is something normally considered a gift or talent, something people should want to have. Marrow Charm creates a magical world where humans are begging to remain unaffected by magic. It creates an interesting dynamic.

I was a bit confused from time to time during some of the action scenes, and when Azzy's specific powers were being discussed. It wasn't very clear throughout the book what her powers are, as they don't adhere to the normal rules. I'm assuming this will be more fleshed out and explained in a sequel.

Overall, a very good book and I would definitely check out a sequel.

This book was soo boring. I couldn't get interested in the characters and in the plot at all, the former being completely one-dimensional and the latter being all over the place. The world-building is basically non existent, and the bits that we are provided with are confusing. The plot seems to be drawn from multiple ideas, smashed together in an unappealing mess. This novel is a hard pass.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book. A classic quest fantasy, where a girl ventures from her home, facing dangerous magic and a hostile and unfamiliar world, for the sake of saving her brother from a horrible fate. Azzy is an interesting character in that she seems completely oblivious to her own influence (though as that needle of awareness digs in, we get a really interesting picture of a unique system of magic and a hierarchy of monsters). There is a bit of a distracting love story (annoying territorial male character, blah blah blah) but I was definitely more sold on the magic.

And then, 60% into the book, we abruptly change perspectives, abandoning the driving force of the narrative in exchange for a more subdued picture. Unlike Azzy, Armin has a much clearer understanding of the magic that surrounds both him and his sister. So we end up getting the answers that Azzy was fighting for for free, which felt a little cheap. The brief forays into yet a third perspective (aforementioned territorial male, Kai) nudged the story forward until we finally get back to Azzy right at the end.

Apart from the rapid loss of momentum (and a really annoying obsession with eyes - they're mentioned constantly with every single character), Marrow Charm inhabits a world I would definitely revisit. I'm curious to see where Azzy's journey takes her and where the shattered pieces of the ensemble cast end up.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A STAND-ALONE AND I WAS WRONG.

World building is great
Characters are all great
Dialogue was great

I’m just... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW.

I don’t have any complaints with the writing or the delivery. It was all really solid. Like a solid 5/5 with no complaints or criticisms.

Fast paced and packed with action and a strong heroine as well. A smooth read that kept me turning pages at break neck speed. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a scary and fast paced thriller. Don't miss this one. It doesn't disappoint on any level. A must read.

<I>*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *</i >

<b> 4 stars!</b>

Marrow Charm is a fantasy/horror tale set in a dystopian world, where the few Humans who survive live below ground in makeshift towns, because the world above-ground is crawling with monsters. The protagonist, Azure (Azzy) is a fierce heroine, who doesn’t agree with how society below-ground is (including gruesome practices such as eating their deceased, and casting out those who are ‘tainted’ by magic into the monster-ridden Above). When her brother is cast out for being tainted, she sets out on a dangerous journey to try to find him again.

This book was well-written, with great world-building (including some very imaginative creatures)

However, I felt like there were too many questions left unanswered, and the character development could have been more elaborate.

Marrow Charm is the story of a young girl trying to reunite herself with the ones she loves. Having spent her entire life underground in a town of people who can barely eek out an existence while constantly being on the threat of dying from a mysterious plague, Azure’s world is turned upside down when an outbreak occurs. The world that Kristin Jacques has created for this book contains unexpected twists and turns as it slowly dishes out slivers of its mystery.

The true draw of the story here is its strong adherence to teasing explanations to the reader so sparsely that every new clue creates even more questions to the nature of the magic that permeates Marrow Charm. Choosing to describe the vicious effects of the taint but giving very little descriptive details of the numerous haunting creatures in this tale keeps your imagination on overdrive as you try to piece together everything that is happening. Every time a character is introduced, the plot thickens and the world expands . Jacques tells a tale of magic that defies standard tropes or definitions.

There are points where the vagueness of certain aspects of the story did slow me down or force me to reassess my position on the book. At times, I struggled with the narrative flow of the exposition of events and their significance in light of the events of the story, but the narrative itself always remained compelling. Some of these elements might have been necessary evils in the enigma of this story’s world.

Ultimately the story did entice me to its completion, and I look forward to the next chapter in the life of Azure. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantastical tale where answers are always kept just out of reach -- where magic is unpredictable and unexplainable. Thanks to Netgalley, The Parliament House, and Kristin Jacques for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing story by Kristin Jacques!!

Azure “Azzy” lives in a world where the surface is dangerous. Monsters live there. But Below isn’t any better. After her brother Armin is captured and sent Above to be sold, she goes after him. She does everything she can to find him and rescue him. Her journey is full of dangers, monsters, witches. But she also finds something unimaginable too. She finds friends, allies and even love.

This story is huge. I must admit I found the first few chapters harder to read but after Azzy goes Above I couldn’t put this book down. Kristin Jacques weaved such a gripping tale that I could see the story unfold in front of me. I’m really very curious what will happen next and I’d like to read about the Gate too and how this world came to be the way it is.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for my copy.

What an interesting read - Kristin Jacques' imagination is wild and admirable in Marrow Charm, a new fantasy based in a post-Apocalyptic world where magic is powerful but demands a powerful price. Those who are gifted with magic have extraordinary power, but are eventually corrupted by the magic, losing all sense of self, moral compass, and even physical form.

Azure, a brave scavenger and ward of an apothecary, is thrust into fighting for her brother as the magic takes him. He is exiled and she follows him into the Above, the main surface of Earth where monsters of all types rule. One of the things I found most interesting was the diversity of creatures - Ms. Jacques' vision is bright and pushes beyond the basics, allowing readers to explore many ideas in a short amount of time.

Halfway through the book, we switch perspective to Armin, Azure's brother. Unfortunately, this shift creates a weakness in the narrative. Armin is not a developed character, and as he devolves further and further into his magically-induced madness, it becomes very difficult to follow the thread of the story. So much is introduced so quickly that tracking the rules of the world and even the characters themselves is difficult. It would be significantly easier to digest on a reread, I assume, but the first time through feels off in the pacing.

I do have one significant critique here - cannibalism is included without any real justification in this book. It is so early in the book, and then not addressed until 80% of the rest of the book is already completed. Even when it does reappear, there isn't a cultural explanation of any depth which is questionable in the extreme. Shock factor just for shock factor has no purpose, and I would encourage authors to avoid it if at all possible.

Ultimately, Marrow Charm is good read. The main characters are likable and the world is complex and diverse. I imagine this will be the type of series that I actually enjoy the following books more than the first, once I am familiar with the world and can anticipate outcomes as actions are taken. A worthy investment of time and effort!

My thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this in exchange for a free and honest review.

**Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

4.5/5

This book was unexpectedly good, only because I've had a few downer of books recently.

PROS:
+ Amazing world building. The magic system is so interesting because magic is seen as a disease that infects the living and turns them into "grotesque" monsters (beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
+ There are a handful of characters that just warm your soul (Azzy, Kai, Brixby, Morglint, and Corrinne especially). I want so much more with all of them!!
- Kristen Jacques's prose and descriptions are so lively and poetic.

CONS:
- The book changes into multiple perspectives half-way through the story which was confusing as the first half was only from Azzy's point of view.
- Cliffhanger - noooooo

I received a digital ARC from The Parliament House through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The Marrow Charm is a thrilling story with extensive world-building and interesting characters. The plot follows a young girl as she travels the unknown “Above” in a fast paced journey to rescue her beloved brother and guardian. I found the plot to be a refreshing twist on the ‘world with magic’ trope. Instead of magic being a positive influence on the world and people, Jacques turns the magical influence into a macabre and violent corruption that shifts man and beast alike into nightmarish creatures. The amount of work put into the world-building is evident and if a prequel regarding the initial entrance of magic was written I feel as if it would do very well.
The main character Azzure “Azzy” Brimvine although lacking extensive depth, is a relatable character who’s main focus is saving her beloved family. Her brother Armin was a likable character who I could have better connected to if more chapters were written in his perspective. We only got a few chapters towards the end in other main characters perspectives but they each offered an insight into the minds of Azzy’s friends and loved ones.
Overall the book kept me hooked with its use of striking imagery and unique world building. I believe the book will do very well and will continue in success if a second book is written.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

For a Dystopian-Fantasy book, I never expected Marrow Charm to have such a lyrical, beautifully descriptive prose. It was probably one of the most excellent things I liked about this book. Kristin’s writing style is poetic but not tedious in any way. On the contrary, aside from being lyrical, the book is also dark, broody and atmospheric. It sets the overall tone and mood of the book. It also gets gory and creepy at times, which sets it at a different bar from the usual YA books. The horror themes are sensational, I specially love how Kristin describes the monsters, how they look and the terror they bring to the protagonists.

Another aspect of Marrow Charm that I enjoyed is the family relationship. Azzy and Armin are orphans, who were taken is by Brixby, the Apothecary of the Heap. The familial bond between Azzy and Armin are so admirable and beautiful, I absolutely adore these connections within YA books.

I’m gonna be honest, with the blurb I saw on GoodReads was so different compared to the actual story of the book. The blurb mentioned something of opening Gates but found very little to no mention of such things. However, the plot and story were really great despite this. I really enjoyed the fast paced plot and the unique world building, but would have loved for a deeper backstory on how the world ended. The magic system was also fascinating, but also needed more explanation and information.

Another aspect that I found iffy was when the perspectives suddenly shifted to multiple instead of only Azzy’s. I found it confusing and a bit of a whiplash at first because I wasn’t sure what head I was looking over at, but eventually I got over it due to the fast-paced nature of the book and the constant danger everyone was in.

Personally, I think the most important question this book poses is, what are the qualifications of humanity? As magic mutate and reconstructs human beings, do we call a cruel, normal person full of humanity, rather that someone who has changed physically but is compassionate and kind? Overall, I quite enjoyed it, there were personal preferences that made me read it a little slower and some scenes that got me wiggling in my seat as well. If you’re into YA and dark-atmospheric themes, I would definitely recommend for you to try it out.

This book is SO GOOD. I wasn't sure where it was headed when I started it. It was kind of weird, and I just didn't know what to expect.
This book is so unique in all the best ways. The amazing bond between siblings, a touch of found family. Just all-around great characters.

Azzy is such a great character and easily one of my new favorites. Armin, since he only has a handful of POV chapters, I didn't get to know his character as well as I would have liked, but perhaps we'll get to know his character if we get a sequel. And I desperately want a sequel. Kai is also a very fascinating character. He is part of why I need/want that sequel.

The more side characters are equally interesting. Brixby, Azzy and Armin's guardian after the death/execution of their mother. We learn a bit of his past, and what we learn has me very intrigued by what his full story could be. Safiya is also very interesting, and we know next to nothing of her character until pretty much the end of the book. And there is one character who I suspect is going to be a main character later on; one more reason I want this to get the sequel it deserves. I really want to know more about Lord Wallach. He is a huge mystery right now.

Now, I want to talk about the writing, this is a very well written book. It's unique in a way that I don't know how to describe. It was just so captivating, and it just pulls you into the story and traps you in the world.
I am also finding it difficult to talk about the book in general. Everything about this book feels like it's something you should experience when you read it. And I want people to go into this book mostly blind.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm really not sure what to say about this one, it's definitely not what I was expecting. Between the cannibalism, exorcism-like behavior and the sewing of a mouth shut, I just couldn't go any further into this book. I got to about 25% and I realized it just wasn't for me.

I found my mind wondering as I was reading, it wasn't holding my attention and I didn't have the ambition to backtrack and reread what I didn't fully grasp. It might be because of this that things did not make sense, the characters had little depth and the word building was severely lacking. Regardless, I think the story itself had promise but was executed poorly.

This book was received as an ARC from The Parliament House in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book blew me away with all of the morbid terms Kristin Jacques used throughout the book that it almost made me question whether or not I wanted to read on with this book because I was afraid that I could not handle the rest but to my surprise as the story went through it got more unique and interesting as I pressed on. The unique plot and characters were really exotic out there and different that it was almost refreshing to read something new and different. I know our teen book club will go crazy for this title and I can not wait to share it with them.

We will consider adding this title to our YFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Loved every single moment of this tale. Page turner from the begining in a world that oozes off the pages. I need book 2 because Armin??Azzy??Lord of Seven Smiles??

One of the best novels I have read this year. I shut the world out and devoured this story in less than a day. This is a hugely imaginative take on an alternate world where our civilisation has been destroyed and magic has replaced technology. The world is overrun by demons who were once human and infected by magic, and witches. The remaining few humans live in derelict underground cities where any signs of magical infection or witchcraft mean death or exile to the outside world. There are so many fairytale elements to this story, transplanted to a post-apocalyptic world. We follow Azure as she tries to rescue her brother Armin in the outside world before he succumbs to his magic and watch her as she learns to control the magic in the marrow of her bones, she makes bargains with the witch in the wood, reminds an eel-woman of her human name and falls in love with an enchanted wolf. This is just part 1 and the story ends on a cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next one.

Marrow Charm, though it was interesting and great at some parts, can be confusing and a bit of a letdown. There’s an interesting world-building and a fast-paced story line, but the plot, for me, failed to bring me as a reader to new heights. I give this one 2.5 stars

- Atmospheric writing
The writing was one of the things I really liked about this book. It was dark, it was atmospheric, and at times, it could be creepy, as well. The author has an excellent way of describing the current setting of the scene, and that will really get the readers hooked. Indeed, the visualization in this book was truly awesome.

- Okay characters
The characters of Marrow Charm were okay and I loved reading about their journey, and the dangerous things they went through. However, I was not that invested in them.

Azzy was interesting and I loved her love for her brother and her family, but I just wasn’t quite hooked with her character. She was interesting, but there were a lot of vague things about her that weren’t explained. Kai was okay as well, but I wanted more backstory for him. Same with Brixby and Armin.

- Letdown plot
Let me begin by saying that the synopsis is a bit misleading. In the synopsis, they talked about the Gate and Armin’s powers, but I didn’t see that in the book. If there was, it was very little and it wasn’t the main focus. Which is a bit disappointing for me, because there was a fast-paced story line and dangerous conflicts and adventures here and there, but all of those things didn’t add up to one big showdown or some sort of revelation. With all of those in the book, I definitely expected Azzy’s journey to reach a climax, or a plot twist, or some pivotal situation that will heighten the story. Sadly, I did not see anything like that, and the ending, for me, was just confusing and lacking. I believe this is the first book of a series, but that ending didn’t really give me something big.

- Interesting world-building
As I said before, the author has a very atmospheric writing—she was able to describe the setting of the story, both Below and Above. The author also described the creatures and the animals so wonderfully and it just helped the world to come alive even more.

As much as I loved that part though, it still felt lacking to me. Again, in the synopsis there was stuff about the Gate and everything, and I feel like that is such an important part of the history and the world-building, but there was no information about that. I’m always craving for a great world-building, but Marrow Charm fell a little bit.

Overall, this book was okay. I expected to love it, but unfortunately, there were more lows than highs for me.

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As any good millennial, I am a sucker for a good dystopian story and Marrow Charm is an absolute home run. The story starts simple but basically explodes in all the best ways possible. Every single part of this book is fantastic and the cover art is just gorgeous. I will say, this was much more gruesome than I had originally expected. I loved the plot, the characters, and everything about this book.

I do think this book needs a prequel, I am usually very against a prequel coming out after a book has already been published, but I would absolutely love to know how all of it started. I need an origin story for this book!!!

There is lots of violence and despair in this book (so be warned if that is something that makes you uneasy).
Jacques has a real talent for world building, I loved being immersed in her world. I hope that book two will live up to my feelings on Marrow Charm.