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Reviews: Marked and Claimed by Sarah Fine

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Marked (Servants of Fate #1)
   by: Sarah Fine

Publication Date: Jan. 1, 2015
Publisher: 47North
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Purchased for Kindle
Page Count: 332 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

In a broken landscape carved by environmental collapse, Boston paramedic Cacia Ferry risks life and limb on the front lines of a fragile and dangerous city. What most don’t know—including her sexy new partner, Eli Margolis—is that while Cacy works to save lives, she has another job ferrying the dead to the Afterlife. Once humans are “Marked” by Fate, the powerful Ferrys are called to escort the vulnerable souls to either eternal bliss or unending fire and pain.

Unaware of Cacy’s other life, Eli finds himself as mesmerized by his fierce and beautiful partner as he is mistrustful of the influential Ferry clan led by the Charon—who happens to be Cacy’s father. Cacy, in turn, can no longer deny her intense attraction to the mysterious ex-Ranger with a haunted past. But just as their relationship heats up, an apparent hit takes the Charon before his time. Shaken to the core, Cacy pursues the rogue element who has seized the reins of Fate, only to discover that Eli has a devastating secret of his own. Not knowing whom to trust, what will Cacy have to sacrifice to protect Eli—and to make sure humanity’s future is secure?


 
I loved Sarah Fine's Guards of the Shadowlands series, so I was excited to see that she had written an Adult Paranormal series as well! I really enjoyed the premise of this one and learning about the Ferrys and Kers. I've always been a bit obsessed with mythology as well as the underworld. The Persephone myth is always a favorite, as well as Dante's Inferno, and more. In Marked Cacia (Cacy) Ferry and her family can traverse back and forth through the veil, which separates the living from the dead. It is their job to ferry souls into the afterlife. It is the job of the Keres to mark humans for death, getting their assignments from the Fates, the sisters of Moros, the leader of the Kers. Moros and the Ferrys have a rather uneasy understanding between them. I really love that the line between good and evil is really blurred here. Just because a Ker marks humans for death, doesn't necessarily mean they are evil. The same goes for being a Ferry. Just because they guide souls to their afterlife doesn't make them good either.
 
The Ferry family is a powerful one in Boston and their names are well known throughout the city. Cacy and her brother Declan both work as paramedics, trying to save lives- not just sending the dead through the portal to their afterlife. It gives them a purpose and I liked how much their job meant to them. Cacy is assigned a new partner named Eli, who has just moved to Boston with his older sister, Galena, who is working as a scientist. Galena has been through some pretty heavy stuff so Eli is quite overprotective of her. It's really sweet and shows you what a good guy he is. I loved him from the start, so naturally I was rooting for him and Cacy to get together.
 
I really liked Cacy and Eli's relationship. Fine certainly knows how to build up the tension between them and there were parts I wanted to scream because I couldn't stand Cacy pulling away from him. She has been afraid to fall in love, especially after her last relationship didn't work out so well. I understand her fears, but she is missing out on this amazing guy! As this is an adult novel, Fine does incorporate some very sexy scenes into the novel and they worked so well with Cacy and Eli's passionate relationship.
 
I will say this about Fine. She isn't afraid to pull a fast one on you. There's a pretty huge turn of events in this book, and I was terrified to see how she would resolve it. This is a series, so we do not get a definitive ending. The next book focuses more on Galena and Declan, but I don't think Cacy and Eli's story is quite over yet. I am really looking forward to seeing where Fine takes us next, especially after everything that happened in this book! You are in for quite the ride in this one- as I said earlier, good versus evil isn't cut and dry and I didn't know who to trust for a good portion of the book! I love Fine's writing style and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next!
 
 
 
 

Claimed (Servants of Fate #2)
   by: Sarah Fine

Publication Date: Mar. 24, 2015
Publisher: 47North
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 341 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Galena Margolis, a brilliant scientist with a tragic past, is determined to fulfill her destiny and develop the vaccine that could save millions. Yet when Galena’s test subjects meet with foul play, it’s clear that someone is still determined to stop her, and that Galena herself is a target. As the Ferry empire forges a plan to keep her safe, Declan Ferry, the politics-hating black sheep of the family, steps forward to protect her—but the emotional cost may be more than either of them is willing to pay.

As unknown enemies close in, it becomes terrifyingly clear that they threaten to destroy not only Galena’s lifesaving work but also the very fabric of fate. As Galena and Declan race to uncover the traitor, they also forge a special bond that could save both Galena and those she’s sworn to help. Torn apart by the past and hunted by those she trusted, can Galena find room amidst her fears for a passion that could make her stronger than ever? And even if she and Declan can find their way together, will it be enough to keep the future from coming apart at the seams?

 
 
I have to admit, when I realized this wouldn't be following Eli and Cacy again, I was a little disappointed. I really fell hard for those two in Marked and I just wanted to see them show us that love can overcome all odds. However, Fine does a really good job of switching main characters in this one and still keep the overall storyline moving in the same direction. I ended up loving Galena and Dec and their romance was just what I needed. It was slow and sweet, but sexy and intense at the same time.
 
Dr. Galena Margolis is a critical part of the future with her scientific knowledge that is on the brink of creating a vaccine that will help so many people. However, there are those who do not want her to succeed, and it's her life on the line. The Ferrys and the Keres have agreed to keep her safe, but it is clear there are those who would stop at nothing to see her and her work destroyed. Declan, Cacy's brother, is intrigued by Galena and finds himself wanting to protect her. The lengths he goes to for her for her felt so natural to me and while their relationship might have started out rather unconventionally- they grew into it and it really worked. He is such a good guy and I really loved that about him. Galena becomes his number one priority and I loved his immediate devotion to her. Sigh. He is incredibly patient with her as well, knowing she has been through a very traumatic experience.
 
I really liked Galena. She has been through one of the worst things imaginable and yet she is still determined to fight back. She allows herself to trust in Dec and giving him that trust was such a big step for her. It wasn't easy and that's not to say she wasn't scared, but she sought strength in him and together they were a great pair.
 
There is a rogue Ker that is targeting other Keres, making them feel uncontrollable rage, bringing all the negative to the surface and times it by a thousand. This definitely causes problems, especially since Keres are supposed to have a treaty with the Ferrys. Fine constantly keeps you on your toes as to who can truly be trusted.
 
I thought the development with Moros was quite intriguing and I am really looking forward to seeing how it will be handled in the next book. There is something simmering underneath the surface between him and the eldest Ferry sister, Aislin, and I cannot wait to see where Fine is going to take them and end the series!
 
 

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8 comments

  1. So glad that you loved both of these Jess. I loved Eli and Cacy in the first book and of course their sexy relationship. ;)
    But I've got to say Galena and Dec were my favorite couple. I love those 2 so freaking much!! Especially Dec and just how sweet it was.
    Can't wait to read Aislynn's story next. It's going to be pretty intense, in my opinion. :)
    Lovely reviews!

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    1. I really loved both couples! Galena and Dec totally won me over because of how wonderful they were together! Dec is the ultimate dream guy! I agree- Aislin's story is going to be intense... and probably WAY hot!

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  2. Oh my gosh! This sounds like a paranormal/fantasy read I must read! Glad to read you enjoyed this one so much :)

    Lovely review!

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    1. YES Magen! I cannot rec these enough! I love them! They are the perfect combo of sexy and awesome!

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  3. I have the first audiobook for this one, had to get it after reading her other series. I have been on an audiobook binge lately and as soon as I get through my review audiobooks, I'm gonna listen to these.

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    1. Yay! I can't wait to hear what you think Nereyda! And gosh, I admire how much you get listened to! Now that I can speed up my audio on the Overdrive, it certainly helps!

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  4. AHh I only read the review for Marked since I need to start this series still, but I am really excited! So glad to hear you enjoyed it since that means I probably will too. Great review!

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    1. You def need to start these Teresa! They are so good and so sexy!!!! You will LOVE.

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