Incarnate: The Marked, Book 5

Excuse me if you find me rambling, however I often take the elbow route to my @$$hole, so bare with me.I stumbled upon this book after receiving an e-reader as a gift. I assumed I had given up on vampire romances when I couldn't finish Twilight, nor Vampire Kisses (this one was just a tad too drawn out) but contrary to the past I sped through all four books unable to put them down nor process my excitement for reading them.I thought I ran out of surprises until I got to the last line in book four.Oh boy, did I need more.Because surprise surprise, it wasn't a finale at all. -Insert Billy Mayes- "But wait, there's more."From being overjoyed by the main love interest (although slightly bored at times) it seemed steadily decent enough.Until book three, my view was skewed and I became more drawn and curious to the boy whom showed up at the beginning of it all....(Something readers seem to overlook as a major plot point and game changer). The boy who I had secretly been keen on and smitten to the entire time, waiting for the moment he would be painted in full color. And a lot less shadowed as a side character. Like I said, chalk full of surprises.So after what I believed was completing this series, I too felt like a junkie and dug through sites and Facebook to find out as much as I could. Months passed of me consistently checking the web and I finally saw an option to pre-order book 5. Boom. Click, sealed the deal. Now, I'm currently reading a looooongg series but took a hiatus to re read this saga in anticipation for what's to come. And once again I've found myself in the reviews section to gather further opinions. And what a shame that this series wasn't everyone's cup of tea.But opinions are like @$$holes, everyone has one, myself included.Personally, I am a terribly finicky reader. So this series was refreshing, it's a quick read and gets to the point. It's provocative in its writing, and has the perfect amount of diologue, vernacular, imagery and the like. I personally have never read nor watched Vampire Dairies so these comparisons in the comments don't eat at my table. However there's been multiple alike statements that have me pondering. Clouded/Murky/Obscure Spoilers follow; (AKA suggestive, piecy spoilers, are they even spoilers then?)1. Dom is manipulative and abusive:Everything done to Jemma was out of faithful protection of her own temper/emotions and the actions that would follow. At the end of the day she asked for what was given and he has never overstepped without her approval. (Aside from magical/whimsical elements to drive the friendship) He is the only honest character towards Jemma. he agrees or disagrees based off of facts and actions. Never sugar coating or doubting her unless it's to show that she herself is lying. He lets her be herself and make her own decisions. As someone who has been in a relationship with someone whom always doubted me, or didn't trust my intentions and feelings by gaslighting and drowning out my voice and opinions (amongst other horrible things) Dom gave me a perfect idea of who I should be looking for in a partner. And that is a 100% Partner. Not a father figure, final decision maker, throw a fit when it's not going my way partner. And he's certainly worth more than being wrapped up in the simple cliche that is the "bad boy" facade. He's more than that, and kudos to Bianca for writing it so fluidly and beautifully. By masking him so deliciously in this false front. There's still so much more mystery and advancment in this character and I'm rooting for it. Unexpectedly, of course.2. Trace is the perfect soulmate:In retrospect sure, I'll agree to some circumstances. After all that happened with Dom in the first bit, I wanted him to be the one and only too, but I love the idea of maturing in first loves and things that may or could pass. Change, It's the only constant. Aside from this, he wasn't perfect. There was guilt riding, emotional whiplash when things werent eye to eye as situations progressed, and I wasn't impressed. (Not with the author and Traces character but his over all personality-story wise) Alas, I can see why readers fawn over him. He's generally a sweet guy, a trooper and headstrung. I wouldn't be disappointed if she ends up with him either. (It's not usually this easy of a coin toss for me) His jealousy provided some juicy bits to the plot but tipped me in the latter's favor based off of personality flaws. Dom's jealousy is tame, composed and playful, whereas Trace's not in the slightest. Overall another brownie (cupcake?) point to the author for making such dynamic characters. I see through your writing style, past any "cliche's " and see it for what it is. A great story in development.3. Jemma's character growth (or lack thereof):I don't need to tred too far into this one. Mainly because those who quickly concluded this put the series to rest. Growth involves time. She is still a peaking-young lady coping with the less desirable parts of her ever changing and dangerous life. She's gonna grow and then digress over and over. It's human. She has emotions. And said emotions are well etched into her persona. Something that I love. I also have seen said prosperity through completing the first saga and I am impatiently waiting to see more of it. to the readers whom agree and for Bianca.... "You get a cupcake! You get a cupcake! YOU get a cupcake!" ( Oprah style).I could compliment all the other aspects; plot, characters and such. As well as critic a thing or two. But I've had my fair share of words.Overall, check this out. It's actual vampires and magic. to top it all off its an emotional roller coasters with time traveling coolness and I can't wait to read the completed puzzle in all its grandeur. (I still have so many questions left unanswered) It'll be bittersweet but fantastic nonetheless.Keep trekking Bianca. Or erm, typing?:)-WoahStickyDough

It wasn’t the story we necessarily wanted but really the one we needed. Beautifully written with so much romance and drama unfolding.

I understand that this is a teen book, but really any one that dense to not see that she was way over her head to understand the forces around her makes this book kind of boring at times.The twists that the story line takes are intriguing and interesting.The author alludes to the heroine as someone who is studious at times, but obviously it is only a passing phase, because the first time she was betrayed should of been the last time. With her uncles library and that of the council, she would have been the information she needed about the prophecy’s and her own place in them, not just learning how to fight.The fact that her “dear” sister didn’t tell her everything, as well as those around her, makes it just that much less believable that she would still believe or even associate with her anymore.I think Gabriel and Dominic would be able to help her learn how to be a slayer more thoroughly than her sister.

I absolutely loved books 1-3. Well written, great story.Then comes book 4. Chock full of incredibly distracting grammar and language errors. Dozens of them. To the extent I wondered if it was even the same author!You don't "yield" a weapon... you WIELD it.You don't walk "passed" someone. You walk PAST them.And on and on. I don't know why this book was published with so many glaring errors and it was very distracting. The story is another good one, no complaints there. However, the author needs an editor or pre-reader who is capable of catching such glaring, obvious errors.I'm not sure I'm even going to read book 5 because it's that distracting. Every time I run across another error it snaps me right out of the fantasy and kinda ruins it for me.I really hope the author sees this and fixes the book, because it's otherwise a great storyline and I do want to find out how it ends. I'm just not sure I can enjoy it if the rest of the books are similarly full of errors. I hope it's just this one...

I'm new to YA Paranormal books and this series is the best one I've read so far! My heart has broken for Jemma so many times... I can't wait to see her happy and in love! So much I wanna say but I need to see what Nikki is up to in book 5

Needs some diversity. I loved every second. Just needs more diversity. As a black reader I want the story to be relatable.

I love the story and I love Dominick. The story should have ended here so I don't believe I will read the next one. It's totally unnecessary. The only reason it's getting 3 stars is because for the love of god...hire a damn editor!

I really like her writing and the story. There are some spots that the wrong spelling of a word is placed or a missing word. However it's easy enough to figure out. I am ready to start on the next book and continue to the end! I've gotta find out what happens next.Thanks for the good series of books.

I love this series! The plot, characters and continuity are excellent with complex, interesting relax. It is fully deserving of 5 stars BUT!! The author thanks the proof readers in the acknowledgement and, in my opinion, this is her biggest mistake. I hope you will take note of the fact that the lack of comprehensive proofreading seriously let's these books down. Basic, elements mistakes in spelling and the wrong use of words is at times quite astonishing. Examples of this include the use of, knew instead of new and gravelly instead of gravely, not once but numerous times! It is one of my major gripes reading indie authors. It takes a lot away from my reading experience. Any author who wants to send me a hard copy so I can show them how many mistakes are getting through, despite proofreading, is welcome to do so at [email protected] Please, please get your books proofread by people with a higher level of ability in spelling and grammar. You have gone to all the trouble of writing your own books but not getting this part done properly, let's the entire process down and reflects badly on you. I hope this at least gets read and considered.

Excellent series...Dominic...bless him...Chase...oh dear who to choose...their both in love with our heroin...lucky girl...rooting for Dominic at the moment...please let me pre order book five...but also please let her choose the love of her life in Book five as the suspense is getting to me...love you and your books.

Spoiler alert!I have waited for this book since the day I put book three down and it was great but confusing, I just can't seem to decide whether I'm team Trace or Dominic and it real does my head in! Haha! I thought that the book was the end so when i read the last line and found out Trace wasn't in fact dead I was furious, I needed closure! But on the bright side at least it isn't over I am just a very impatient person who hates waiting to know what's next and I already want to know when this will be! Hopefully the author will release at least an estimation haha I'm just being optimistic. One thing I will say is hats off to Bianca Scardoni for thinking up Dominics character, it's brilliant! And I loved the racey chapters I thought it has needed it the whole way through, more more more in book 5! Overall I would recommend to anyone who loves reading about romance and fantasy xx

Excellent book once again left you wanting to find out what happens. Poor trace and jemma but things may change. Dominic is a great character tho makes me laugh want to cry and swoon all at once

Absolutely loved this book, cannot wait for book 5 and to read more of Dominic, he is like all my favourite vampires rolled into one person (Spike and Damon). Really enjoyed the main storyline, but because the romance is so intense I always found myself waiting for the next scene Jemma shared with Dominic because something always happened and then the scene would end and I was wishing the scene would go on forever. Haven’t been this into a series for about 6 years but the powerful writing of this book has just drawn me in.