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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This is a fairly unpleasant read. I kept trying to get into in but the characters are so one dimensional as to almost be cardboard cutouts of the Myers Briggs. The hook of the powers (current-gifts) is never really given a good explanation, the little you get is that it’s really only present in the populated bits of this galaxy. Then their are these different planets with different cultures that are supposedly sometimes enemies. Finally the culture that was a fairly put down one now reborn and taking what it likes of other cultures to rebuild and make a new culture.
The writing style is simple and very very annoying. The repetitive explanation and continual this is this way because this gets annoying. Their is no exploration about how this affected both cultures or even why that aspect was chosen (other than to improve the fighting styles of the invaders).
It doesn’t really get any better. I often find only one out of a few chapters unpleasant, but I never found one I liked. When the big baddy is finally killed I was rooting for him to win so I could actually get the only interesting character in the book some development! I hate to DNF a book someone got me as a present but I lagged through this book. I felt often unable to find any real enjoyable moments. I’m really not likely to recommend anyone read this. In fact, find something you want to read more, or again, before going to this one.
The writing style is simple and very very annoying. The repetitive explanation and continual this is this way because this gets annoying. Their is no exploration about how this affected both cultures or even why that aspect was chosen (other than to improve the fighting styles of the invaders).
It doesn’t really get any better. I often find only one out of a few chapters unpleasant, but I never found one I liked. When the big baddy is finally killed I was rooting for him to win so I could actually get the only interesting character in the book some development! I hate to DNF a book someone got me as a present but I lagged through this book. I felt often unable to find any real enjoyable moments. I’m really not likely to recommend anyone read this. In fact, find something you want to read more, or again, before going to this one.
I'm being generous with the three stars. It's more like two stars, so my rating may change. This is slow! It got surprisingly boring midway to the point where I completely lost interest. I doubt I'll write a full review for this one. I just want to move on.
The book was kind of slow. I had a hard time wanting to read this book because it didn't move fast enough for me. I will continue with the series, but it's not high on my TBR list
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't think I would've decently enjoyed this book had I not thought this book was going to be an utter shit-show.
I am so privileged and lucky to be white, to not have suffered from chronic pain, or have been r*ped in the past, and so for that I don't think I'm properly equipped to try to tackle the topics in this book that have received such controversy. From my personal, very privileged standpoint I found nothing in this book terribly offensive, but that does not take away from the accounts of people who have. Therefore, I am not going to be going further in depth about it, because I don't believe I should have an opinion or voice about this.
The only "controversial" topic I can personally speak for is the self-harm, and I would say the scene in the novel is fairly graphic but the actual concept itself in the novel has a significant reason to the building of the story therefore I personally am not against its presence in the story (once again, I do understand if people say otherwise)-- I do believe if self-harm in any form is triggering to you, to read this book with discretion.
With all that aside, the book was decent-- I think the political aspects of the novel and defining the cultures within the story to be well done. The world-building was well done. There are some well done character arcs within the story, specifically with Cyra who was a favourite character of mine.
I do think the story dragged on quite a bit and certain scenes could've been shortened or flat-out removed. Ryzek just seemed like a classic "bad guy who wants power" and I wish we could've seen more than just the surface level.
Overal-- decent. Won't be reading the sequel.
I am so privileged and lucky to be white, to not have suffered from chronic pain, or have been r*ped in the past, and so for that I don't think I'm properly equipped to try to tackle the topics in this book that have received such controversy. From my personal, very privileged standpoint I found nothing in this book terribly offensive, but that does not take away from the accounts of people who have. Therefore, I am not going to be going further in depth about it, because I don't believe I should have an opinion or voice about this.
The only "controversial" topic I can personally speak for is the self-harm, and I would say the scene in the novel is fairly graphic but the actual concept itself in the novel has a significant reason to the building of the story therefore I personally am not against its presence in the story (once again, I do understand if people say otherwise)-- I do believe if self-harm in any form is triggering to you, to read this book with discretion.
With all that aside, the book was decent-- I think the political aspects of the novel and defining the cultures within the story to be well done. The world-building was well done. There are some well done character arcs within the story, specifically with Cyra who was a favourite character of mine.
I do think the story dragged on quite a bit and certain scenes could've been shortened or flat-out removed. Ryzek just seemed like a classic "bad guy who wants power" and I wish we could've seen more than just the surface level.
Overal-- decent. Won't be reading the sequel.
CARVE THE MARK REVIEW
Rating- 40%
This was honestly the most average and confusing book I've ever read. It's just...????? seriously though, it gets interesting only in the third quarter i.e. the second half. I don't even know how I feel about the character. I mean Akos and Cyra are okay but both the moms are messed up af and the brother is one of the worst villains ever written. Idk, Ryzek is just messed up and when he tries to take her memories, when she was what...10, it felt like he was raping her. It was so horrible and cruel. And when he says "take a bit of her hair too" I LOST IT. He is probably the most frustrating anatagonist I've ever read and idk if that's a good thing i hate him so much because he is supposed to be hated. I think the fact that he is her brother just made it that much worse. Coming to villains I like, I think Sebastian from TMI was probably the best one I've read so far. The whole book was typical Roth writing, it was like divergent when you look at the storyline, it's a slow buildup and as singleminded as the characters are, they seem to drift from their goal quite often. The world building was confusing too and I still don't get where the stand technology wise. It's like the selection but I think the other way around. They have computers but no guns and vice versa.
Rating- 40%
This was honestly the most average and confusing book I've ever read. It's just...????? seriously though, it gets interesting only in the third quarter i.e. the second half. I don't even know how I feel about the character. I mean Akos and Cyra are okay but both the moms are messed up af and the brother is one of the worst villains ever written. Idk, Ryzek is just messed up and when he tries to take her memories, when she was what...10, it felt like he was raping her. It was so horrible and cruel. And when he says "take a bit of her hair too" I LOST IT. He is probably the most frustrating anatagonist I've ever read and idk if that's a good thing i hate him so much because he is supposed to be hated. I think the fact that he is her brother just made it that much worse. Coming to villains I like, I think Sebastian from TMI was probably the best one I've read so far. The whole book was typical Roth writing, it was like divergent when you look at the storyline, it's a slow buildup and as singleminded as the characters are, they seem to drift from their goal quite often. The world building was confusing too and I still don't get where the stand technology wise. It's like the selection but I think the other way around. They have computers but no guns and vice versa.
Im so disappointed.
"Divergent" is one of my all time favorite series. And this book was so bad I am actually starting to doubt if I ever liked divergent to begin with.
It was dull and boring. And although the ideas are somewhat novel they kind of get drowned in self-sorrow and everything is so predictable it's insane. Okay there were some turns I couldnt have predicted cause I wasn't given the info but they weren't shocking, they lacked the edge. They just existed for the sake of something finally happening.
At times I tried imagining Tris and Fours actors into the place of Cyra and Akos and it kind of made it so much better. And that made me doubt about liking Divergent. Maybe (dear booklovers, dont kill me) it was just the movie that made me like the book?!?!?!?! I'm doubting everything now.
Im gonna go grieve.
"Divergent" is one of my all time favorite series. And this book was so bad I am actually starting to doubt if I ever liked divergent to begin with.
It was dull and boring. And although the ideas are somewhat novel they kind of get drowned in self-sorrow and everything is so predictable it's insane. Okay there were some turns I couldnt have predicted cause I wasn't given the info but they weren't shocking, they lacked the edge. They just existed for the sake of something finally happening.
At times I tried imagining Tris and Fours actors into the place of Cyra and Akos and it kind of made it so much better. And that made me doubt about liking Divergent. Maybe (dear booklovers, dont kill me) it was just the movie that made me like the book?!?!?!?! I'm doubting everything now.
Im gonna go grieve.
I reread this in prep for book 2 coming out. the 4 star review stays. it's a little ridiculous with the love story but the world building is cool and the 2 main characters are great. cyra is best. excited to read the sequel!
As a fan of Veronica Roth's Divergent series, I had high hopes for Carve the Mark. The story itself struck me as a sort of intergalactic Romeo and Juliet. The book tells the story of two characters whose fates are intertwined and arguably destined to shape their nations. The protagonists, Cyra and Akos, learn that fates aren't necessarily what they seem; they have the power to shape their world and the galaxy.
At times, I felt like the novel was a thinly veiled attempt at making sense of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I don't mind political messages at all, and the plot becomes less heavy handed as the story progresses, but it bothered me when I first started reading. The action takes a while to build up, and it wasn't until I was past the 60% mark that I truly felt invested in the characters and what happened to them and their families. The romance between Akos and Cyra is a slow burn; it feels honest and authentic. It was among one of the most enjoyable aspects of the story because it enforces the idea of respect and honesty being the bedrock of solid relationships.
The true rating for this book is closer to a 3.5. I enjoyed the story by the end, but I felt like I was trudging through for the majority of it. I look forward to see what the next book has in store. Hopefully it will maintain the fast pace that the end of this book sets.
At times, I felt like the novel was a thinly veiled attempt at making sense of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I don't mind political messages at all, and the plot becomes less heavy handed as the story progresses, but it bothered me when I first started reading. The action takes a while to build up, and it wasn't until I was past the 60% mark that I truly felt invested in the characters and what happened to them and their families. The romance between Akos and Cyra is a slow burn; it feels honest and authentic. It was among one of the most enjoyable aspects of the story because it enforces the idea of respect and honesty being the bedrock of solid relationships.
The true rating for this book is closer to a 3.5. I enjoyed the story by the end, but I felt like I was trudging through for the majority of it. I look forward to see what the next book has in store. Hopefully it will maintain the fast pace that the end of this book sets.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated