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A. F. E. Smith
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The Dark Knife (Marked Book 2) Kindle Edition

by A.F.E. Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
Alyssia Gale has defeated the bad guy and returned to her old life – that’s how stories are meant to end. Now she’s faced with a far harder task: finding a way to be normal, despite her continued visions of a world she knows is real. She may be separated forever from her friends in Endarion, but at least she kept them safe.

Or maybe not.

Because fate isn’t finished with any of them yet. An age-old pattern is at work, drawing them back together to finish what they started. And though Alyssia longs to return, if she does, not just the world but the lives of everyone she cares about will be at stake.
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  1. Book 2 of 2
    Marked
  2. Print length
    514 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 5, 2022
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. Grade level
    7 - 12
  8. File size
    1.2 MB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A.F.E. Smith is an editor of academic non-fiction by day and a fantasy writer by night. She is the author of the Marked series for young adult readers, and the Darkhaven fantasy novels for adults.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09YP6QF42
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IronWright Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 514 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 12
  • Book 2 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Marked
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

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A. F. E. Smith

A. F. E. Smith

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

A.F.E. Smith is an editor of academic texts by day and a fantasy writer by night. So far, she hasn't mixed up the two. She lives with her husband and their two young children in a house that someone built to be as creaky as possible - getting to bed without waking the baby is like crossing a nightingale floor. Though she doesn't have much spare time, she makes space for reading, mainly by not getting enough sleep (she's powered by chocolate). Her physical bookshelves were stacked two deep long ago, so now she's busy filling up her e-reader.

What A.F.E. stands for is a closely guarded secret, but you might get it out of her if you offer her enough snacks.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
5 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Pages For Thoughts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic and Insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022
    My favorite parts of the book were not in Endarion, but the short parts that take place back in our world with Peter and Becca. The author skillfully placed these passages between key events. Sometimes with epic fantasy or dystopian novels, it can be overwhelming to keep reading. Smith provided a break to process what had previously happened and brace oneself for the next.

    All of the central characters have internal struggles to overcome events in their past. The Dark Knife particularly dove into the trauma of domestic violence and not only its long-lasting psychological impact on future relationships and sexuality, but also the views of society as a whole. No spoilers as to who, but I'm glad that the author included LGBTQ characters, and I'm excited to see what romances might develop in the coming books. Note that I also labeled the book as New Adult for some of that content.

    Alyssia's devotion to her friends in that other world is amazing, and I know that if she were me, I would never go back to the medieval world of Endarion. Her courage is impressive, but it is also related to her trauma and struggle to cope with the events from the prior book and her knowledge of who she really is. (Although, do we really know that? Just when we thought it was all figured out, the ending throws a new curveball of wondering.) Speaking of the ending, I don't like it when people die, but what is the alternative- happy endings for everyone? In some stories, there simply aren't happily-ever-after's possible, and while I am very sad for some of the characters, I appreciate that the author stayed true to Endarion's significant difficulties.
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  • Micah Thoreson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A solid followup that does not disappoint
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2022
    Just as good as the first book is. More peeks are given into the past of the world. Little nuggets of worldbuilding knowledge scattered about that hint at a much more cohesive plan for the setting than is typical of many indie authors.

    Heavy topics continue to be handled with aplomb and delicacy, and the spots of romance within the story continue to be a welcome reprieve, and a nice palate cleanser.

    I quite enjoyed this story, and maintain my previous opinion; this series is definitely worth recommending to people, especially those that don't have the time to read million word long sagas.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mr Paul Powell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story of connection
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A fantastic connection between the characters and reader will keep you reading. Excellent book and can't wait for the next instalment.
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  • Richard
    5.0 out of 5 stars "a very good, exciting and readable story"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    We wondered what new adventures would follow after Dawn Rising and we are not disappointed.
    Unsurprisingly, the apparently ‘final’ exit of Alyssia and the evil Ifor was not for good. Indeed, much of this volume concerns efforts to thwart Ifor’s bid to seize power. However, the most important character – to the extent that there is one other than Alyssia as ‘imaginer’ – is now Fabithe (‘the Dark Knife’).
    The story picks up after the escape from the Castle Retreat, soon followed by a bloody battle – the first of a number – at the Arc. The adventure progresses through the forest of Duskmire, then Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond to Kingstower in the Westlands, seat of Fabithe’s adoptive family, who are surprised to find that he still lives when he arrives on a mission to warn them of impending war.
    What we learn about these different kingdoms is mostly in terms of their ruling families and the rivalries and alliances between them. It is like a Medieval saga with all the intrigues, except that there are occasional pointed reminders we are in a different world – apparently the ‘real’ one – Or is this all a construct of Alyssia’s mind? There are also regular flashes into the modern ‘real’ world, struggling to understand Alyssia’s sudden re-disappearance. Which brings us back to the fundamental question of ‘what is Reality?’
    As in the previous volume, relationships develop through the story, sensitively described, and there are some surprising revelations. It turns out that Alyssia and Luthan are not the only ones who have supernatural powers, which is a big part of the problem, and the significance of the five main ‘marked’ characters (echoes of Rings and Horcruxes) and their role in the overall plot and pattern of destiny eventually becomes clear. At the end the characters face terrible choices.
    All of which makes for a very good, exciting and readable story, even if you don’t look for parallels with the unreality of current events. I guess if you liked Game of Thrones you will love this one.
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