Seventh Mark (Review)

Seventh Mark

(The Hidden Secrets Saga, #1)

By: W.J. May

Release Date: April 19th, 2013

Genre(s): YA Fantasy/Suspense

My Review: (4/5 stars*)

The Seventh Mark is a deeply fascinating fantasy story that unites paranormal, romance, and fairytale folklore. When I first picked up this book I didn't realize how little I actually knew going into it. A few chapters in and already I wanted to know what was going on so I continued to read only to find out the answers weren't given fast enough. I felt wholly compelled and terribly sad when the book ended. Why? Simply because I read it too quickly unraveled the secrets and still wanted more! The Seventh Mark is one of those slow burner books that keeps you enthralled till the end. The story felt like a fresh and new take on popular supernatural beings. I really enjoyed the building suspense and the mystery behind it all. The heroine Rouge is courageous, clever, and sees the world for how it really is. The male protagonist Michael is dazzling, protective and graceful. The book starts out light but the subject matter gets progressively darker and all the more gripping as history is uncovered and pasts are exposed. The world-building is intriguing and I loved the secondary characters. One of my favorites is Seth whose introduced mid-way as this dashing flirt and women-magnet. His attitude was so fun and contrasting to the story's atmosphere that I'm really hoping he'll be in the next book.

Rouge Ridding is a foster child who has never been wanted. Moving from place to place has always made her an outsider but when her current foster parents move out to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia from Niagara, Falls Canada things feel different. For starters on her first day around town she meets a way-too-attractive guy named Michael and his animated and gorgeous sister—Grace. But the more she hangs around them the more she starts to realize they are hiding something from her. One night when Rouge is at a party she's attacked by some monstrous yellow-eyed beast and everything she knows starts making less and less sense from there on out. Although she's worried about what secrets her best friend's family is keeping she has never felt more at home when she's around them. As Rouge gets more involved she learns their secrets and begins to understand the kind of danger it puts her in.

All in all I thought the Seventh Mark was creatively enticing, has a nice romance, and is very cloak and dagger. It satisfied my curiosity and left me wanting more. Fans of suspenseful fantasy and original story-telling should pick up this novel and give it a try. Inquisitive readers will enjoy the aspect of unraveling the mystery. Although there isn't much turmoil it certainly didn't lack for amusement. W.J. May delivers a satisfying read that will engross you right away.

Synopsis:

Like most teenagers, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.

An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.

All secrets have a cost and Rouge’s determination to find the truth can only lead to trouble…or something even more sinister.

LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR | B&N | SHELFARI !