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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
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
Veronica Roth’s imaginative start to a new trilogy can be summed up in one word...Fantastic!
As vested in the fiction world as I am, I had no previous knowledge of “Carve the Mark” and was surprised to find it in my local bookstore. Immediately recognizing the author, Veronica Roth, as none other than the curator of the “Divergent Series” I was immediately convinced that I NEEDED to read this book.
“Carve the Mark” is loosely reminiscent of Roth's first series the "Divergent Trilogy", and quickly captured my imagination as it sucked me into its galaxy of “Planet Nations” and the political strain between the two cultures carving out a life on the planet of Thuve. Once mature, everyone is granted a “current gift” which could be anything from prophesy to influencing peoples’ emotions or telekinesis. Between the obvious battle for control of the planet, Roth weaves an intergalactic coming of age story within the brutality of a flawed world, and manages to mix in a lesson in empathy as well. If that doesn’t get you excited, the anticipation of finding out what each character’s “current gift” will, and can anyone feel the love in the air? A great story wouldn’t be complete without an impossible romance to top it off! All of that and still 2 books to go? What’s not to love?!
Overall I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for its ingenuity and engrossing plot the only downside of which was the somewhat predictable relationship between the main characters. Regardless, Roth has captured my imagination with her new galaxy and realistic character development. I highly recommend it and have already begun explaining to my co-workers how my most recent weekend was spent in another galaxy!
[author:Veronica Roth|4039811]
As vested in the fiction world as I am, I had no previous knowledge of “Carve the Mark” and was surprised to find it in my local bookstore. Immediately recognizing the author, Veronica Roth, as none other than the curator of the “Divergent Series” I was immediately convinced that I NEEDED to read this book.
“Carve the Mark” is loosely reminiscent of Roth's first series the "Divergent Trilogy", and quickly captured my imagination as it sucked me into its galaxy of “Planet Nations” and the political strain between the two cultures carving out a life on the planet of Thuve. Once mature, everyone is granted a “current gift” which could be anything from prophesy to influencing peoples’ emotions or telekinesis. Between the obvious battle for control of the planet, Roth weaves an intergalactic coming of age story within the brutality of a flawed world, and manages to mix in a lesson in empathy as well. If that doesn’t get you excited, the anticipation of finding out what each character’s “current gift” will, and can anyone feel the love in the air? A great story wouldn’t be complete without an impossible romance to top it off! All of that and still 2 books to go? What’s not to love?!
Overall I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for its ingenuity and engrossing plot the only downside of which was the somewhat predictable relationship between the main characters. Regardless, Roth has captured my imagination with her new galaxy and realistic character development. I highly recommend it and have already begun explaining to my co-workers how my most recent weekend was spent in another galaxy!
[author:Veronica Roth|4039811]
This book reminded me how good of a writer Veronica Roth is, but it also reminded me of the repetitive nature of some young adult books. Carve the Mark follows Akos and Cyra, who belong to two different countries on the same planet. When they're brought together, they form a bond and together try to take down Cyra's brother.
Sound familiar, right? To me it does. What makes the book good is Roth's great writing. She makes it feel new, in a way. But there were times I felt bored and couldn't bring myself to care very much about the characters, and I think it's because deep down there was nothing new or different keeping me attached. In a way, they both very much felt like Tris and Four. A strong girl and boy, but in different ways, fighting for their survival, for the best of the people and themselves. Themes of family. I think the idea of Fates in this book was really interesting, but it was as much of a predominant part of the story as I thought it was going to be. I'll be continuing onto the next book because I have it already, but I'll probably listen to it on audiobook whenever I get the chance.
Sound familiar, right? To me it does. What makes the book good is Roth's great writing. She makes it feel new, in a way. But there were times I felt bored and couldn't bring myself to care very much about the characters, and I think it's because deep down there was nothing new or different keeping me attached. In a way, they both very much felt like Tris and Four. A strong girl and boy, but in different ways, fighting for their survival, for the best of the people and themselves. Themes of family. I think the idea of Fates in this book was really interesting, but it was as much of a predominant part of the story as I thought it was going to be. I'll be continuing onto the next book because I have it already, but I'll probably listen to it on audiobook whenever I get the chance.
[3.5]
I honestly do not understand the majority of the reviewers problems with this book. Representation of POC? Yes. Representation of LGBT? Yes. Representation of how women can be powerful and useful in more than just one way? Yes. This book even went so far as to have its own sort of religion, and showing that people might worship or revere the same entity, but go about it in different ways.
Were there things I feel could’ve been done better? Yes. Is the overall plot line predictable? Yes.
But it’s what happens in between. It’s in the dialogue that makes you laugh and cry and feel fury all within the same chapter. It’s the fact that pain doesn’t define you, that those you love are people too— that most won’t be singing Bruno Mars’ Grenade when the end of the world comes. The power of wealth and money and corruption is shown. The characters themselves can be analyzed and it can be shown that the antagonist is not born evil, but made.
No, this book wasn’t divergent. Anyone expecting it to be, or even expecting a single element to be the same is actually foolish. Same author? Yes. But, maybe, it is possible, that she’s a talented writer and therefore can release a story that doesn’t reek of her breakout work unlike many other authors. As of now, it’s a trap Veronica Roth has not fallen into~ lol guys that’s a GOOD thing.
I honestly do not understand the majority of the reviewers problems with this book. Representation of POC? Yes. Representation of LGBT? Yes. Representation of how women can be powerful and useful in more than just one way? Yes. This book even went so far as to have its own sort of religion, and showing that people might worship or revere the same entity, but go about it in different ways.
Were there things I feel could’ve been done better? Yes. Is the overall plot line predictable? Yes.
But it’s what happens in between. It’s in the dialogue that makes you laugh and cry and feel fury all within the same chapter. It’s the fact that pain doesn’t define you, that those you love are people too— that most won’t be singing Bruno Mars’ Grenade when the end of the world comes. The power of wealth and money and corruption is shown. The characters themselves can be analyzed and it can be shown that the antagonist is not born evil, but made.
No, this book wasn’t divergent. Anyone expecting it to be, or even expecting a single element to be the same is actually foolish. Same author? Yes. But, maybe, it is possible, that she’s a talented writer and therefore can release a story that doesn’t reek of her breakout work unlike many other authors. As of now, it’s a trap Veronica Roth has not fallen into~ lol guys that’s a GOOD thing.
Dnf-Ed about 1/3 of the way through. Loved divergent hated this.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think the other reviewers are slightly overreacting about the content of this book. It was all cool to me.
První polovina knihy mne nijak nenadchla, ale ta druhá byla super. Byla našlapaná akcí, byla čtivá a byla skvělá.
Na začátku jsem se bála romantické linky, ale nakonec jsem vztah mezi Akosem a Cyrou zbožňovala
Na začátku jsem se bála romantické linky, ale nakonec jsem vztah mezi Akosem a Cyrou zbožňovala