Book Blurb
“The stories talk about three sisters, daughters of the high king. The oldest is a brave warrior and heir to the throne. The youngest is the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. Then there’s the middle sister, Andromeda, or Andi, who tends to be overlooked.
Andi doesn’t mind going unnoticed; she prefers spending time with her horse rather than at the court, blending into the background effortlessly. But her life changes when she encounters a mysterious man who rides with wolves and ravens. He rules a land of shapeshifters and demons—once thought to be just a myth—until he declares her its queen.
Suddenly, her wise king father turns into a calculating warlord. Rumors paint her deceased mother as a traitor and a witch. Andi starts to question her own instincts as visions appear and her body undergoes strange changes. It’s time for Andi to discover her true self.”
The Mark of the Tala Review
“The Mark of the Tala” is a captivating adult novel with the vibe of a young adult fantasy. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one night, thanks to Jeffe Kennedy’s compelling storytelling about identity and love.
The first book in the Twelve Kingdoms Series focuses on Andi, the overlooked middle sister. While her older sister is a warrior and her younger sister is a beauty, Andi relishes her freedom, roaming wherever she wants. That is until she strays too far and meets Rayfe, a handsome and mysterious man. Rayfe, the King of the Tala, knows more about Andi’s heritage than she does. Andi finds herself drawn to him but is hesitant to trust, especially since her kingdom views Rayfe and the Tala as evil. The plot thickens when Andi learns her mother was a Tala—a shapeshifter and witch. This revelation forces Andi to question her identity and her trust in others.
“The Mark of the Tala” is rich with high fantasy elements and magic, making it an exciting read. Andi’s character is well-developed and relatable; her internal conflicts and choices make readers root for her. The tension between the two sides of her lineage adds depth to her journey.
The romance between Rayfe and Andi is engaging, though it leans heavily into romance novel territory. It’s refreshing to see Andi, who usually feels invisible, finding love. However, the adult content seems out of place in what otherwise feels like a young adult fantasy. The first half of the book feels like a coming-of-age story set in a magical world, but once Rayfe and Andi’s relationship escalates, the detailed love scenes seem incongruent with the rest of the narrative. I would have preferred a more toned-down version of these scenes. For those who favor a cleaner read, you might skip a few overly graphic parts to enjoy the rest of this compelling story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Mark of the Tala” and look forward to continuing the series to see what happens next with Andi’s sisters and the magical world they inhabit.
Adaptation Recommendation
With its intriguing mix of romance, magic, battles, and royalty, “The Mark of the Tala” would make an excellent TV show, much like “Legend of the Seeker.” There’s plenty of material to adapt, and I’d definitely watch it.
Overall Rating
“Hello Gorgeous.”
Romance Rating
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”
Book Info:
– Paperback: 353 pages
– Genre: Fantasy
– Author Website: http://www.jeffekennedy.com/
– Order: AMAZON
