Once Upon a Chapter

“From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life – silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.”

It’s definitely not a normal night at XScream, the strip club where Casey works. She’s used to the college idiots who make her job hell, but not the gorgeous blonde woman who moves discreetly towards the back of the club. Casey also isn’t used to the type of man, scratch that, Greek sex-god, who stalks in after the blonde.

Theron is the leader of the Argonauts. The Argonauts are a group of seven who are descendants of the heroes of Greek mythology. Theron descends from the line of Heracles. Their role is to protect their kingdom of Argolea, a kingdom separate from the human realm. Atalanta, a fallen Greek heroine, has vowed she will take her vengeance against the Argonauts, Argoleans and any one else who stands in her way. She has never gotten over not being chosen as one of the original seven Argonauts. Atalanta has waged her war for thousands of years.

Casey has never felt that she fit in anywhere. The same night that Theron enters the club, Casey saves him from things she can’t possibly explain. These monsters are daemons and Atalanta’s minions. Casey has no clue about everything she’s about to step into, but she’s inexplicably drawn to Theron for reasons she can’t explain. Casey is an important piece to the survival of the Argoleans but at what cost?

I’m glad this is the first book in a series. There is much to look forward to. Elisabeth Naughton blends Greek mythology, romance and a gritty generations long war with ease. The plot line is stellar and original. I only have one minor complaint: the heroine is quite often referred to as Casey and Acacia, sometimes even on the same page. With that being said, there are several things to be pleased with in Marked. Naughton has been able to establish a world unfamiliar to our own but doesn’t spend unnecessary time world building. Argolea is easy to visualize and is beautiful. The vocabulary is also easy to grasp. There are very few unfamiliar words to learn and there is a helpful one page glossary at the end of the novel.

Overall, if you’re a fan of paranormal romance, Marked is a book you do not want to miss!