Rosemarked {by Livia Blackburne}

Title: Rosemarked
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Rosemarked #1
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 
Genre: YA Fantasy
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
source: NetGalley

When Zivah falls prey to the deadly rose plague, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she fully succumbs. Now she’s destined to live her last days in isolation, cut off from her people and unable to practice her art—until a threat to her village creates a need that only she can fill.
A soldier shattered by war . . .
Broken by torture at the hands of the Amparan Empire, Dineas thirsts for revenge against his captors. Now escaped and reunited with his tribe, he’ll do anything to free them from Amparan rule—even if it means undertaking a plan that risks not only his life but his very self.
Thrust together on a high-stakes mission to spy on the capital, the two couldn’t be more different: Zivah, deeply committed to her vow of healing, and Dineas, yearning for vengeance. But as they grow closer, they must find common ground to protect those they love. And amidst the constant fear of discovery, the two grapple with a mutual attraction that could break both of their carefully guarded hearts.

I loved Blackburne's Midnight Thief, so when I heard about this one and read the synopsis, I was so excited. I love Blackburne's writing and the worlds she creates, and she definitely did not disappoint with this one.

One of the things I love best about Blackburne is her writing. She pulls you into the story. That, paired with her ability to worldbuild, means you never want to leave. I loved learning about this new world. It's very political, but not in a way that dragged down the story.

I loved our characters. They are very different, but forced to work together. I thought the amnesia aspect was very intriguing and I liked how the idea played out. (Was it a little too perfectly convenient? Yes, but hey. It worked.)

Honestly, the only negative thing I have to say is probably the pacing. It started off well, but lagged in the middle, which made the ending seem too rushed. Also, for some reason I thought it was a stand-alone, so I was very happy to hear that there is a sequel. I can't wait to read more about Zivah and Dineas.

Livia Blackburne:

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