I found this book very difficult to enjoy. Just wasn’t the right audience, ultimately. The characters are deeply unlikable, and I’m not sure why we should pull for them or for them to be together.
The magic system feels forced and the overall world building ultimately unsatisfying.

I really wanted to like this book and there are definitely parts of it that I enjoyed but overall the plot was not well conceived and I desired so much more from it.

I enjoyed this read. The magic system and dome were interesting and the family dynamics were definitely unexpected.

# The Twisted Mark
# 8/28/2024 ~ 8/29/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0

Loved the enemies to lovers and rival families storyline. Great world building and character development with plenty of future potential. I look forward to reading the next book!

'A promise made… a magical debt unpaid. This is a fight that could cost Sadie everything.'

ohh man. what does this book NOT have?
-romance
-personal vendetta
-enemies-to-lovers
-rivals
-love interests

This book seems to have it all and is displayed in the perfect flow to not overwhelm or come across as info dump. The characters are complex and intriguing, I enjoyed reading about them and following their lives.

what a book. A fantastic story, which is unlike any other story that I have read before. Full of all the fun stuff that I love. I felt the story could have been written just for me and it left me wanting more.

This book was okay. I struggled with it though, I really just don’t think it was for me. My review is late because it took me so long to get through this book. Somehow it felt so slow and fast at the same time. I needed a bit more of a backstory, I just couldn’t make myself actually care about these characters.

This has been on my tbr for ages and I finally got around to starting it this weekend. I finished it in two nights and downloaded the second novel in the series as soon as I finished.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

A really great book! I honestly was so engaged the whole way through I was sad to get to the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

18 year old witch Sadie Sadler agrees to a night with Gabriel Thornber in order to save her brother, Brendan from having his magic drained. Deciding to wait to call in the full debt, Grabriel only takes haf her magic instead.
Six years later and Gabriel accuses Brendan of murdering his father and Sadie is sent for by her family to prove his innocence. However, are their ulterior motives for Gabriel’s accusation? Is Brendan innocent and does Sadie know her family aswell as she thinks she does?

- This was a promising story that had an interesting progression. However, a lot happened! I felt that at times because so much happened that certain things fell flat, almost as if in-depth details that would have fleshed the story and plot out more were left out in favour of content quantity not quality. I did find the female main character hard to take sometimes, overall she packed a punch but at times she had pick me energy that left me rolling my eyes. However, these are things I can overlook as the overall story is good.
I am looking forward to reading the next instalment to find out what happens next and am intrigued by the overall premise of the novel.

This was a DNF for me.
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right state of mind to enjoy it, or if it just didn't grab me in the way that I had hoped but I may revisit later!

I think I just prefer more traditional romantasies! I love the world building and mythology but I think I need a ye olde setting.

One of the best books ive read all year. Think of Romeo & Juliet but with witchy vibes. Magical duels, love, family feuds and a morally grey love interest. Everything i love in one book. I cannot wait for the second book. Thank you NetGalley and Sophie Williamson for this ARC Copy.

A Thrilling Yorkshire Journey into the Supernatural - "The Twisted Mark" Review

🔮Tropes:🔮
-Witches
-Hidden society
-Spicy
-Mystery
-Paranormal
-Touch Her & Die
-Burn the World for Her
-Treachery
-Twisted


As a Yorkshire resident, "The Twisted Mark" had me hooked from the very beginning with its vividly depicted setting in the heart of our beloved county. The story follows Sadie, a fiercely witty and no-nonsense female protagonist. Her frankness and the open, relatable way she discusses her personal life feels like you're sharing secrets with a friend.

Sadie pays a high price for her brother, Bren, and this becomes a central point of intrigue. The supernatural world presented in the book is captivating. The author’s portrayal of witches as a product of both humans and demons adds an exciting twist to the narrative, inviting readers into a world teeming with supernatural creatures, including enigmatic vampires.

The question of whether Sadie and Gabriel are fated mates keeps readers on edge, and the mystery surrounding Bren’s allegiance adds complexity to the plot. Sophie Williamson expertly keeps us guessing and glued to the pages as we struggle to unravel the enigma behind Sadie's family secrets.

"The Twisted Mark" is filled with twisted turns and a hint of kink play, bringing a unique flavor to the narrative. The complex dynamics between Sadie and Gabriel add depth to their relationship, with moments of passion and tension making their connection utterly engaging.

As the story unfolds, unexpected developments occur, and readers will find themselves sympathizing, loving, and occasionally cursing the characters. The final pages of the book deliver a heart-pounding conclusion, only to set the stage for a new and thrilling adventure in the sequel.

Sophie Williamson has crafted a story that leaves you craving more. "The Twisted Mark" offers an enthralling mix of humor, romance, suspense, and the supernatural, creating an irresistible journey that fans of the genre won't want to miss. I can't wait to join Sadie on her next adventure.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this amazing book!

Overdone tropes. The protagonist is a typical Mary Sue and her love interest is boring. Reads a lot like fanfiction especially with the Romeo and Juliet-esque vibes.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first in the Witch trials series and follow Sadie and Gabriel in a witchy romantasy / enemies to lovers adventures. I was completely hooked from start to finish and THAT ENDING! omg nearly finished me!

I really enjoyed reading this, and found it hard to put down. Some of the storylines could have been explored further, so this is 3.5 stars for me.

The Twisted Mark is a dark fantasy romance with Romeo and Juliet vibes, except this isn't love at first sight, it's fear, hate and unexplainable lust. And while there is a feud between two powerful families the stakes are made higher by the involvement of magic.

This book follows Sadie who fled the magic and comfort of her home town after a disastrous night that could have destroyed her eldest brother, and family heir, had she not made a bargain with the son of the rival family. Gabriel. In exchange for him letting her brother go she bargained away her magic and her body. However, when he doesn't decide to collect that night she flees to London and starts a new life as a lawyer in London.

Six years later her family need her to come back and save her brother once again. He has been accused of murder, not only that but the murder of the head of the rival family and Gabriel's father. She has been hiding from Gabriel, not using her magic so he couldn't find her, and trying her best to live a normal life; but now as her brothers only hope she must return. She takes precautions, disguises herself with magic and continues to repress the power within her but with the strange link between her and Gabriel he quickly discovers who she truly is and so the games begin.

Sadie desperately wants to find the truth and free her brother, but she can't seem to stop thinking about the man to whom she owes a great debt, and not all her thoughts are necessarily bad. She must fight against him, her own desires and her families secrets to get out of the town with her heart and body still intact.

While this book ends with some of the story tied together we are still left wondering what will happen between Sadie and Gabriel, what the repercussions of the secrets she has discovered about her family will be, and how her life could possibly return to the 'normal' it was before.

This is a fairly easy read and I look forward to seeing how the story continues in book two.

this book was truly outstanding! As the introductory installment of a series, it began at a slower pace, with the author meticulously constructing the world for the characters and providing the necessary backstory to set the stage for the present narrative. However, once this groundwork was established, the story became a thrilling rollercoaster of action that held my undivided attention.

Throughout the story, my emotions swayed between sympathy and growing frustration with the Sadlers, particularly their alarming indifference toward Sadie's well-being. Her brother Bren's unexpected plot twist left me utterly flabbergasted The characters were exquisitely developed, each possessing layers of complexity that made them neither entirely virtuous nor entirely wicked, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. I found myself deeply enamored with both Sadie and Gabriel as individual characters and found their dynamic together even more captivating.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, as this book has left me hungry for more. This was my first encounter with Sophie Williamson's work, but it most certainly will not be my last.

I'd give this book a resounding 5-star rating, and I am absolutely counting down the moments until the next installment. The ending left me yearning for more!!