Book Review: The Lazarus by Marlow Locker

This book altered my brain chemistry. I said it - the Lazarus is Marlow Locker's debut novel, and holy gods IT IS AMAZING. And Marlow is absolutely lovely, you should go follow her on Instagram @m.lockkerreads 🖤

The Lazarus is a standalone dark romance, inspired by comic books, with a side of spice. It is interconnected with upcoming books in a the series, but they follow different characters. As a standalone it delivers a satisfying ending with no cliffhangers and a HEA (yay!)

It is a book that delves into the depth of darkness and how you can find the strength in those parts of yourself. Well, that's what I took from it.

Brief Synopsis 📖

When Caden walks into June's life, everything she knows about black and white, heroes and villains, good and evil, is changed. She steps into the darkness, the unknown, with Caden at her side, to find the truth of who she is and wants to be in shadows of Vernum City. And together they face those who want to taken them down and destroy what they've worked so hard to create.

Writing Style 🖊

The Lazarus is first person, present tense, dual POV - written from the perspectives of our FMC, June, and our MMC, Caden. The first person present combo helps you get intensely caught up in their world and the whirlwind of emotions.

The pacing of this book was so on point. It was at the 10% mark that the story was thrown into action and I was already so invested by this point - but by 50% through I didn't want to put it down.

World Building 🌍

Vernum City isn't a fantasy world as such, so there isn't the same weight of describing an unknown or new world. But it is contemporary with heavily influenced from comics, so its very atmospheric and dark without the need for continuous description to feel into the world.

In saying that, I could easily (and still can) picture the different environments and locations. I can feel into the atmosphere and the scents and sounds and colours.

Characters 💕

This is the element of the Lazarus that had me in an absolute chokehold. I fell head over heels into an obsession with June (aka. Hex) and Caden (aka. the Lazarus) - everything about them made me want to be them... and be with them. There was a such an incredible image and story built for both of them 🔥

Caden is our morally grey MMC. Tattooed. Dark Hair. Muscular. Fighter with a gun. Our favourite type. He is a falls first guy who is OBSESSED with June in the most perfect way. Yes he's possessive af, but he gives her choices, he shows her how to carve a path for herself, he gives her all the tools to take what she wants and become who she wants to be. Also he has a rather large and pierced D... AND he wears a mask... yum.

Then there is June. Oh Hex. My love. My muse. My alter-ego (I wish). June is a woman I want to be with and want to be. She is powerful, she kicks-ass, she fights, she sees her dark parts and embraces them to become everything she could be and more. She steps into shadow with Caden at her side.

Spice 🌶

Omfg. This book was a slow, delicious burn with the best pay off that made everythiiiing worth it. The spice is rough and kinky in some places (check TWs as always) and holy hell I bloody loved it.

Favourite Quotes 💬

"It takes courage to play in the darkness." (Wallpaper here!)

"But I'm a sinner, and always will be. Dragging out her monsters from the depths of her soul every time she was told she's too much. I want it all. And I'll fucking take it all."

"You forget you're fucking with death, Sweetheart."

''Ive never felt so powerful than when my name replaces God's on her tongue.'

"Oh, Sweetheart... I'm going to crack you open and drag out that power that already exists. And together, we'll fucking rule."

"Some men want women who cook; some men want women who fuck. Having a woman who makes sure your pistols are ready and loaded makes my cock throb, growing until it's raging and begging itself into her sweet cunt."

"The poison and antidote all in one infuriating cocktail that had me aching to bury myself in her cunt and pray to her like she's an altar to my new religion."

"To have the most fun, you have to be open to anything, obviously. Confining yourself to one gender sounds boring as fuck, you're cutting out half the people in the world."

"What does it mean to be a hero?"

"We can't distinguish our true soul from the scripts we recite."

Features & Tropes

• Forbidden love ❤️‍🔥 • Found family 👑 • Slow burn spice 🌶 • Heroes, Villains and Vigilantes 😈 • Men in masks 🔥 • Dark and twisty 🖤

TBWW Ratings

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

🌶🌶🌶 / 5

If you like dark romances with powerful, kick-ass FMCs with strong men in masks (with pierced ds) by their side, comic book and vigilante vibes - this book is an absolute must read! I adored this book and have no doubt you will too!