Reviews

Rosemarked – Livia Blackburne

December 4, 2017

DNF @ 63%

I really, really, hate to do this, but I have to put this book down. I’ve been working on it since November 1st (so, just over a month), and I’m only at 63%, despite many other books having come and gone in the last month. I just can’t seem to get attached enough to the story or the characters to finish it.
The book alternates perspectives between Zivah, a young healer, and Dineas, a rebel soldier, both of whom have been cursed with the rose plague. The illness leaves its victims in one of two states: rosemarked – which leaves the individual with red scars, a dormant and contagious illness, and inescapable death within a few years – or umbermarked – which leaves them with brown scars, fully healed, non-contagious, and free to live out the rest of their happy little lives. Zivah is the former, Dineas is the latter, and together, they set out on a task to spy on the army that has invaded and conquered their homes.
There’s nothing wrong with the book – the writing is easy to read and finely done, the characters are decent, and the story is fairly interesting – but with all the YA fantasy that I read, occasionally I meet one that, while not a bad book, just isn’t bringing anything new to the table, and that is certainly the case for Rosemarked.
I only give star ratings to books that I’ve DNFed if I make it pretty far into them, and I feel like 63% is far enough. I don’t think I’ve ever given 3+ stars to a DNF title before – usually, it’s 2 stars or less – but I genuinely believe this book could be incredible for many people. I’m just probably not one of them! I am totally open to the idea of trying this author’s future endeavors, for what it’s worth.

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  • Reply Kathy @ Books & Munches December 4, 2017 at 9:17 am

    I’ve seen this book pop up on several blogs I follow and none of them are overly enthusiastic about it. I was intrigued when I first read the blurb but if certain people – you included – of whom I really do value, and often share, the opinion on books – DNF one, I’m trusting them and throwing it off my TBR.
    Aaaand, unfortunately this is one of those books. :’)

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 20, 2017 at 11:54 pm

      1. AM I SERIOUSLY THIS FAR BEHIND ON COMMENTS? Jesus.
      2. Yeah, I don’t think I’ve seen a single review for it that was over 3 stars, honestly? So… it doesn’t feel good, lol. But that knowledge did make me feel a little better about DNFing it. I feel so special that you value my opinion :’3 *sniffle* I value yours, too! <3

      • Reply Kathy @ Books & Munches December 23, 2017 at 4:50 pm

        1. Apparently you are! I’m going to feel ignored and unimportant right now! [okay, no. I’m going through my comments now as well since I’ve been ignoring all things bloggish all week, oops.]
        2. I had to laugh when my FL arrived and there was a little book in there with the first chapters of this novel, haha. I think I might read THAT and then maybe decide otherwise but.. *naaah.*

        • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 23, 2017 at 9:10 pm

          1. SEE? You did it, too! I mean… for way less time than I did… but still. Lmao.
          2. Ohh, do that! Because, seriously, my feelings for the first few chapters were only about 5% more excited than my feelings by the time I DNFed it haha. So maybe you can make a snap judgment off of that!

          • Kathy @ Books & Munches December 24, 2017 at 6:25 pm

            1. This seriously was the first time I noticed how easy it can be to just go with a temporarily “Nope, not checking my comments” for days on end. I’m blaming my time off from work for that though. :’D
            2. Okay! I might do that tomorrow. If I don’t get too engrossed in The Cruel Prince – next on my TBR even though it isn’t diverse [I think?] because I reallyreallyreally need to read that one like.. a month ago. :’)

          • Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 25, 2017 at 11:56 pm

            1. It honestly is way too easy, and it just totally snowballs in the worst way. A day so easily turns into a week for me.
            2. I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on TCP! I’m dying for my pre-order to get here. I originally was getting it from Amazon, and then a sub box, and now Barnes & Noble instead – so the good news is that it’ll be here a good month before the sub box would’ve been, but the bad news is it’ll probably be about a week later than Amazon would’ve been. 😛

          • Kathy @ Books & Munches December 26, 2017 at 12:41 pm

            1. So I’ve noticed! I think I might curse myself next time I let it get that far. The comments did NOT end at all..
            2. I’m liking it so far! Although I’m having a hard time connecting to the MC but that might just be me. Almost 70% in so I still have a bit to go.
            Haha! I know what sub box you’re talking about since I’m getting it myself. :p It’ll be so weird receiving a book physically that I already read!
            That’s a whole lot of switching though, haha. At least you’re not going with the “let’s just get myself three copies”-thing? I know you’d do it if you could. [Fingers crossed I didn’t give you any weird ideas here..]

          • Destiny @ Howling Libraries January 15, 2018 at 10:22 pm

            I’m literally 15 pages deep in comments that I needed to reply to. Apparently, I haven’t done this in 3 weeks. Please shoot me. I feel terrible but I’ve reached the point where I’m just hitting “like” on a lot of the ones that don’t involve questions or anything specific, because I seriously do not have the spoons to tackle all of them tonight. Am I the worst book blogger ever yet?

          • Kathy @ Books & Munches January 16, 2018 at 1:53 am

            You’re not! You’re simply feeling a bit of the pressure of having a growing blog and being way too awesome which makes people want to talk to you EVERYWHERE! You have to see the bright side of things! We like you! We need to talk to you!

          • Destiny @ Howling Libraries January 16, 2018 at 2:11 am

            D’awwww. <3 Thank you~

  • Reply laurafreestone December 4, 2017 at 9:34 am

    No point pushing yourself forward with the story if your not overly enjoying it. We are grateful for your honesty 🙂

  • Reply confessionsofayareader December 4, 2017 at 9:39 am

    I’ve seen so many mixed reviews on this one. I still may pick it up, but I’m a bit worried now.

  • Reply coffeelovingbookoholic December 4, 2017 at 10:01 am

    it happens. don’t feel bad about it 🙂

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 20, 2017 at 11:55 pm

      Awwww, thanks, Alex. <3 I try not to beat myself up too much but I always feel kinda bad for DNFing ARCs!

  • Reply amyriadofbooks December 4, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    Oh no! I’m so sad you didn’t enjoy it! I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews, but I really want to read the book!

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 20, 2017 at 11:55 pm

      I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on it if you pick it up! I feel like it had soooo much potential!

  • Reply Aislynn d'Merricksson December 6, 2017 at 3:36 am

    I think everyone has those books once in a while. They just aren’t our cup of tea. I’ve seen reviews on both sides of the fence with this one. I’ll still read it, but it’ll likely get pushed further down my TBR mountain.

    • Reply Destiny @ Howling Libraries December 20, 2017 at 11:56 pm

      Yes, that’s very true! I’d love to hear your opinion on it if you pick it up – hopefully it catches your interest better than it did mine!

  • Reply December ’17 Wrap-up – howling libraries December 31, 2017 at 11:26 am

    […] Rosemarked (review) ! Unicorn of Many Hats (GR review) ! Three Sides of a Heart (review) ! The Altered History of […]

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