In Cathi Shaw’s Five Corners, Marked children are being killed across the land. An ancient prophecy foretells the rise of the Marked Ones, and there are powerful factions that will do anything to make sure that that future doesn’t come to pass. Adopted sisters Kiara, Mina and Thia – all bearing the Mark – have lived a quiet life in the Lowlands, but they find themselves in terrible danger as the prophecy unfolds. As dark forces hunt them, the sisters embark on a perilous journey to the mystical Seremela, the land of the Elders, to seek refuge and answers. But even if they make it, there are no guarantees they’ll find what they need.
Five Corners is the first book in the Marked Ones series. I liked the premise of this book and would recommend it for younger readers. There were elements of the story that I’d like to have seen developed more though. Mystical races of beings were introduced that only lasted a chapter or two and then didn’t feature any further in the story. Likewise, I found myself wondering about the origins of the lifeforce-sucking Hunters stalking the Marked Ones. And the end felt a little rushed, with too many questions unanswered. If you read this first book, you’d best be prepared to read them all.
3 stars