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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
Really only worth 2.5 stars. Nothing too new. At first I thought it was because the narrator was one I have heard before.
Other than a re hashing of a romance, similarbto an Irish Twilight, there were other issues. The story was rushed, the characters were poorly developed and the relationships werent developed at all. Hard to believe teens have a life long romance starting when it is so rushed and they never talk.
For a ya book, not bad. The characters were likeable. The plot was interesting, with a surprise or two.
Other than a re hashing of a romance, similarbto an Irish Twilight, there were other issues. The story was rushed, the characters were poorly developed and the relationships werent developed at all. Hard to believe teens have a life long romance starting when it is so rushed and they never talk.
For a ya book, not bad. The characters were likeable. The plot was interesting, with a surprise or two.
Well, it is safe to say that I won't be reading the rest of this series....
Twilight rip-off, terrible audiobook narrator.. not too much to say
Twilight rip-off, terrible audiobook narrator.. not too much to say
Graded By: Jenny
Cover Story: It Floats...
BFF Charm: Maybe?
Swoonworthy Scale: From 7 to 2
Talky Talk: Freshman Endeavor
Bonus Factors: The Elements, Ireland
Relationship Status: I'll Check Back In A Couple Of Years
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: It Floats...
BFF Charm: Maybe?
Swoonworthy Scale: From 7 to 2
Talky Talk: Freshman Endeavor
Bonus Factors: The Elements, Ireland
Relationship Status: I'll Check Back In A Couple Of Years
Read the full book report here.
I don't know.
I don't know, I don't know.
I'm really torn regarding CARRIER OF THE MARK, and here's why.
The reason I'm torn is that there are simply one too many similarities to TWILIGHT for me not to find it problematic. I also find the dialogue to be poorly crafted; never should one person's speech take up the entire screen of my Kindle when they're supposed to be in casual conversation. But the larger problem is that, as someone who's read TWILIGHT - though I feel that many folks who haven't read TWILIGHT would recognize this - there are too many scenes that read like paraphrased pieces of TWILIGHT. The initial meeting of the two protagonists, the characterization of Rian, the use of the term 'tracker' to label the enemy - all of this was shockingly similar to Stephenie Meyer's work, sometimes down to phrasing, albeit there was no lion or lamb reference. Probably most disappointing were the similarities between the the meadow scene in Meyer's work - arguably one of the most well known scenes in the book - and the equivalent scene in CARRIER OF THE MARK.
To be honest, I found myself interested in the story, despite the stilted dialogue, and for a hundred pages or so, there were no references that were similar to the other book, and I almost forgot. I was actually invested in Megan and Adam, in Aine's plight, in Rian's struggle... and then came two pages that were excruciatingly similar to TWILIGHT. And though a few pages later, though the story picked up my interest again, it really seems too convenient that there are so many similarities and the fact that this book was the winner of an online submission contest of sorts.
I wanted to like this more than I did. And the meat of it, the parts of the story that were original, the general characterizations - I enjoyed. But for me, it seems that there is perhaps too much of a very obvious influence here, and in the end, it was a distraction.
Le sigh.
I don't know, I don't know.
I'm really torn regarding CARRIER OF THE MARK, and here's why.
Spoiler
A lot of the meat of the story is really interesting; I am really drawn to the ideas of stories that center on Elementals, magic, and the like. I like the supporting characters - particularly Caitlin - and the DeRis family is lovely. This world that Fallon created is intriguing; the idea of a wayward Elemental stealing the power for herself is at once appealing and terrifying, when the possible consequences are considered. However, none of that is why I find myself torn with regard to the story.The reason I'm torn is that there are simply one too many similarities to TWILIGHT for me not to find it problematic. I also find the dialogue to be poorly crafted; never should one person's speech take up the entire screen of my Kindle when they're supposed to be in casual conversation. But the larger problem is that, as someone who's read TWILIGHT - though I feel that many folks who haven't read TWILIGHT would recognize this - there are too many scenes that read like paraphrased pieces of TWILIGHT. The initial meeting of the two protagonists, the characterization of Rian, the use of the term 'tracker' to label the enemy - all of this was shockingly similar to Stephenie Meyer's work, sometimes down to phrasing, albeit there was no lion or lamb reference. Probably most disappointing were the similarities between the the meadow scene in Meyer's work - arguably one of the most well known scenes in the book - and the equivalent scene in CARRIER OF THE MARK.
To be honest, I found myself interested in the story, despite the stilted dialogue, and for a hundred pages or so, there were no references that were similar to the other book, and I almost forgot. I was actually invested in Megan and Adam, in Aine's plight, in Rian's struggle... and then came two pages that were excruciatingly similar to TWILIGHT. And though a few pages later, though the story picked up my interest again, it really seems too convenient that there are so many similarities and the fact that this book was the winner of an online submission contest of sorts.
I wanted to like this more than I did. And the meat of it, the parts of the story that were original, the general characterizations - I enjoyed. But for me, it seems that there is perhaps too much of a very obvious influence here, and in the end, it was a distraction.
Le sigh.
I like the story. I like the lore and I like the location. However it saddens me to say, the writing just wasn't there. It was really hard to read most of the book. Sentences felt stilted and the dialogue with cheesy to name a few. Show me don't tell me. The writing really picks up by the time you get to the point in the story where the prologue occurs. That basically occurs two chapters from the end and I guess by that point you probably gotten used to the writing style. I will continue with this series for two reasons: I already bought the second book and I want to find out more about the Lore. Maybe the writing has or will improve with the sequel.
Started out a bit too angsty and superficial, and I did not like the insta-love between Adam and Megan. I don't think the magic system or world makes a lot of sense, and I'm not a fan of secret orders that have existed for thousands of years that don't sense. I have a feeling that there will be issues with the next book in the series, but I'll likely read it anyway because Overdrive.
When Megan and her father move to Ireland, she discovers that she is a Carrier of the Mark, descended from Danu. She is drawn to the mysterious Adam DeRis who reveals the truth behind her heritage and whose family begins to teach Megan about her powers. But prophecy says their love could be the end of everything.
A pretty good debut. I'd put it down for younger teens (older than middle grade). Interesting twist on Irish mythology.
A pretty good debut. I'd put it down for younger teens (older than middle grade). Interesting twist on Irish mythology.
I'm sad to say I came away from this book pretty disappointed. There was a lot of hype around this book so when I received an ARC I thought I was in for an interesting and unique read. Instead I found myself reading yet another unoriginal paranormal romance info dump.
The first third of the book was Twilight in Ireland. New girl at school who makes instant friends and then fall head over heels in love with a guy who treats her like smelly garbage. The middle of the book is insta-love and a massive info dump. Seriously page after page of "oh you must be confused, here's tons of information about our secret powers. Come back tomorrow for more and more pages of information". I didn't think it was well written at all, and there was a lot of potential for Megan to discover this information in much more interesting ways, not just being told in one big conversation. And then because this magical family decides they can trust Megan, the boy who was treating her like disgusting trash for the first 100 pages is suddenly madly in love with her. That doesn't make any sense!
The final third of the book we read about all of this drama about why Megan and Adam can'tbe together and how their love may not even be real, but just their powers being drawn together. I actually really liked that idea and I hoped the book would explore this more, but pretty much the characters went "Nope, we're actually in love" and that was the end of it. The whole mythology behind their powers was very weird too. It wasn't explained well and had an awkward incestual tone lurking around it which I just couldn't get over.
There were some good parts though. I really enjoyed the descriptions of Ireland. I've never been there so it was fun to read about the towns and the marina. The setting was very well described and very interesting to read. I also thought there were some cute moments between Adam and Megan. I liked the small moments when they weren't acting like their love was this magical destiny and were just joking around. The book only got bad when it started to take itself too seriously.
Overall Carrier of the Mark had an interesting premise, but fell far short of my expectations. It seemed like a weak mashup of Twilight and any book series with elemental powers such as House of Night or Vampire Academy.
The first third of the book was Twilight in Ireland. New girl at school who makes instant friends and then fall head over heels in love with a guy who treats her like smelly garbage. The middle of the book is insta-love and a massive info dump. Seriously page after page of "oh you must be confused, here's tons of information about our secret powers. Come back tomorrow for more and more pages of information". I didn't think it was well written at all, and there was a lot of potential for Megan to discover this information in much more interesting ways, not just being told in one big conversation. And then because this magical family decides they can trust Megan, the boy who was treating her like disgusting trash for the first 100 pages is suddenly madly in love with her. That doesn't make any sense!
The final third of the book we read about all of this drama about why Megan and Adam can'tbe together and how their love may not even be real, but just their powers being drawn together. I actually really liked that idea and I hoped the book would explore this more, but pretty much the characters went "Nope, we're actually in love" and that was the end of it. The whole mythology behind their powers was very weird too. It wasn't explained well and had an awkward incestual tone lurking around it which I just couldn't get over.
There were some good parts though. I really enjoyed the descriptions of Ireland. I've never been there so it was fun to read about the towns and the marina. The setting was very well described and very interesting to read. I also thought there were some cute moments between Adam and Megan. I liked the small moments when they weren't acting like their love was this magical destiny and were just joking around. The book only got bad when it started to take itself too seriously.
Overall Carrier of the Mark had an interesting premise, but fell far short of my expectations. It seemed like a weak mashup of Twilight and any book series with elemental powers such as House of Night or Vampire Academy.
Let me start off by saying Leigh’s writing is beautiful. She has this knack for turning words and sentences into images so lush and concrete that the beauty and wonder of Ireland unfolded in my mind. The story would not have been the same without the Irish setting and Leigh has done such an amazing job of making capturing its beauty in words and making it believable. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland and much like Stephanie Perkins’ Anna and the French Kiss, which made me feel as though I was experiencing France myself, this book took me on a little trip I didn’t want to end.
Just like the gorgeous setting, the book would not be the same without the intriguing and well-thought out mythology. At first I was a bit confused, but I think it’s because I was so excited I was reading too fast. I’m not going to say anything else because I’m afraid I might spoil it. But I will say that the mythology is refreshing and will captivate readers.
All in all, The Carrier of the Mark lived up to all the hype! It’s a great read with a fast-moving plot, wonderful characters, and amazing descriptions. Leigh has written a sweepingly beautiful story that will enthrall readers and leave them in awe and wanting more.
Just like the gorgeous setting, the book would not be the same without the intriguing and well-thought out mythology. At first I was a bit confused, but I think it’s because I was so excited I was reading too fast. I’m not going to say anything else because I’m afraid I might spoil it. But I will say that the mythology is refreshing and will captivate readers.
All in all, The Carrier of the Mark lived up to all the hype! It’s a great read with a fast-moving plot, wonderful characters, and amazing descriptions. Leigh has written a sweepingly beautiful story that will enthrall readers and leave them in awe and wanting more.
I enjoyed this story. Glad to read a paranormal romance that didn’t revolve around vampires, werewolves or witches, although the plot similarities to Twilight weren’t lost on me. Once I got over the Captain Planet images, I was able to get into this story. However, I do think some of the details of their powers need to be fleshed out a bit more – and I got a bit confused by all the discussion about Marked, Carrier, Royal and neutral bloodlines.
The action and suspense definitely seem a bit mild – nothing in the plot was too difficult to face. I felt like it could have benefitted from another good rewrite to add some more complexity to the plot and characters. But overall, a great read.
The action and suspense definitely seem a bit mild – nothing in the plot was too difficult to face. I felt like it could have benefitted from another good rewrite to add some more complexity to the plot and characters. But overall, a great read.