The Awakening of Marcianna


Fiction - Supernatural
188 Pages
Reviewed on 10/12/2021
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Isabelle Markus is a writer of contemporary fantasy seasoned with romance and a dash of ancient lore. When not weaving stories or being a maven of science at her day job, Isabelle can be found drinking copious amounts of tea and shuttling her family around so they can live their #bestlife.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

"You are flesh, that is true, but inside that flesh is something ancient and powerful. And it is this creature, this being, that is awakening." In The Awakening of Marcianna (Thief of Destiny, Book 1) by Isabelle Markus, Marcianna 'Marci' Caruso is a pediatrician living a busy but blissful life with her loving husband and three children. All that changes when she realizes that a mysterious man has been watching her wherever she goes, there are unusual lights in the night sky, prophetic dreams warning her of future events, hearing a voice inside her head, and the stranger holds the key to her true self. As she revisits her forgotten past, an ancient evil threatens her family and friends, including humankind's fate.

The supernatural fantasy theme is fleshed out in a blend of contemporary, spiritual, but humanizing concepts. Her children's antics and work cause occasional headaches for Marci but her loving husband, Ray, and her close friends, Farah and Cece, are always there for support. Life is normal and good, but the appearance of a peculiar man, Tarquin Atellus, reveals that Marci is more than she thinks she is. With its clear and engaging narrative, the fast-paced plot moves the story through denials, reluctant acceptance, and finally embracing a destiny and confronting the evil that has been lurking all this time. Marci and her family's ordinary life is no more; demon-like enemies that can possess people and powerful allies bound to protect the protagonist give readers solid fight scenes and suspenseful moments. With reincarnation, ancient friends, familial love, and one's duty as a protector, the first installment of Isabelle Markus's Thief of Destiny series is an impressive start.

Pikasho Deka

The Awakening of Marcianna is the first part of the Thief of Destiny Duology by Isabelle Markus. Marcianna Caruso lives a happy life working as a doctor and living with her husband and three children. However, life soon turns upside down when she starts seeing visions of events that seem real. However, life soon turns upside down when she starts seeing visions of events that seem real and suspects she's being watched, leading her friends and family to worry about her health and sanity. After she is run down on the road, a mysterious man named Tarquin Atellus rescues her and enlightens her about her true identity as an ancient spirit destined to fight against demons over several lifetimes to protect and preserve humanity. Marci must now find a woman named Sarah and her two sisters to fulfill her destiny.

Author Isabelle Markus weaves an absorbing urban fantasy tale full of romance, immortals, and demons that entertains you all the way through. There is not a single dull moment in The Awakening of Marcianna. Each page reveals yet another twist, and the turns of the plot keep your eyes glued to the pages. The narrative is well-paced, with compelling characters and a story that moves in ways you never see coming. Marci is a riveting protagonist, and through her first-person perspective, we see the tale unfold. She is torn between her relationship with her friends and family and her duty as an ancient being which provides plenty of conflicts, making a captivating character arc. If you love tales involving supernatural beings, you won't regret The Awakening of Marcianna.

Susan Sewell

A pediatrician's life is thrown into turmoil when another aspect of her personality manifests in the supernatural novel The Awakening of Marcianna: Thief of Destiny Duology Book I by Isabelle Markus. On a return flight from a conference, pediatrician Marcianna Caruso notices a fellow passenger watching her. A few days later, she spies him outside her office window. In the meantime, she begins having disturbing dreams, visions, and an awareness that she can manipulate circumstances. When the stranger rescues Marcianna from a dangerous situation, he introduces himself as Tarquin. He explains they have known each other in many lifetimes, and Marcianna is not entirely human. She is a powerful being and is now awakening to her abilities and destiny. Demonic forces seek to kill her and everyone who stands in their way. Can Marcianna and Tarquin keep her husband and three children safe from demonic predators? Or will she have to take desperate measures to ensure their safety?

The Awakening of Marcianna by Isabelle Markus is the sensational first book in a thrilling new urban fantasy series. Well-written, the story has an intriguing plot and a suspenseful storyline that builds to an exciting and dramatic climax. The characters are not only likable but engaging and relatable. I suffered through Marcianna's conflict and her decisions that had so many heartrending consequences. The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as Marcianna makes her final decision, leaving the reader salivating for the next installment of the series. It is a thrilling story that will delight those who love urban fantasies. Due to some mildly intimate scenes and strong words, this book is more suitable for readers 13 years old and above.