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harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
Well this book was certainly different. Not really what I was expecting, but when is it ever.
I don't really have any negative things to say about it, it's just not my cup if tea. I do wonder though will Gaia find her brothers? Will Leon live to see another day? And does she make it to the forest? I'll defiantly read the next ones..must know how it ends. But this just isn't my favorite( the sad thing is I was so excited to read it too ).
I don't really have any negative things to say about it, it's just not my cup if tea. I do wonder though will Gaia find her brothers? Will Leon live to see another day? And does she make it to the forest? I'll defiantly read the next ones..must know how it ends. But this just isn't my favorite( the sad thing is I was so excited to read it too ).
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
Very much enjoyed the setting, the original take on the dystopian scene, and the general awesomeness of the main character. I just hope she doesn't let some stupid boy mess her up. Make good decisions, Gaia!!!
murbi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
shorty_320's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!! I found the premise to be very fresh and not at all anything that I have come across. I honestly did not want to put this book down!
renuked's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.5/5
I really, really enjoyed this book! It didn't immediately draw me in from the first line, and the setting took some getting used to, but something about it was really easy to get into. The novel tells the tale of Gaia, a sixteen year old girl following the steps of her mother as a midwife. She lives on the outside of the wall where the people are required to give a quota of 3 babies a month to the Enclave, the governing town within the wall. When her parents are kidnapped, she goes on an epic quest to save them and unravel the mystery her mother left her in the form of a ribbon. It has everything fun imaginable-- secret codes, executions, prisons, long-lost siblings, scandals, forbidden romance, evil people in power. It was a bucketload of merriment.
The setting itself was really different, but it didn't take away from the story. I, for one, absolutely love the medieval type of town with midwives, bakers, market day, public hangings (etc), but it's actually set years in the future. They refer to present day as the "cool age" and have technology such as TV's, computers, and cameras. It's odd to reconcile the old township/historical period sort of feeling with the dystopian, gene sequencing future village. It's interesting though.
Gaia herself is intelligent, and stubbornly fights for what she believes in. She is sweet and kind, and believes that every living thing deserves a chance to live. Even though her scar has put her through some awful times, she isn't bitter or cruel. Her parents and their relationship with Gaia are also wonderfully sweet, they raised her to have morals and values through life experiences. Finally, her relationship with Leon is gradual but tender and beautiful. It isn't love at first sight, or even second sight, but they start to get to know each other and love blossoms.
Finally, the story telling is descriptive, the characters are all engaging. Even the secondary characters have pivotal roles (ex. Mack, Bartlett, Sephie). The world is new and interesting, few authors ever have suggested that the world can go completely backwards, the technology is barely even noticeable. The problems of genetic problems and inbreeding are delicately tackled and remain the focus of the novel, and overall the book is a very light, congenial read.
I really, really enjoyed this book! It didn't immediately draw me in from the first line, and the setting took some getting used to, but something about it was really easy to get into. The novel tells the tale of Gaia, a sixteen year old girl following the steps of her mother as a midwife. She lives on the outside of the wall where the people are required to give a quota of 3 babies a month to the Enclave, the governing town within the wall. When her parents are kidnapped, she goes on an epic quest to save them and unravel the mystery her mother left her in the form of a ribbon. It has everything fun imaginable-- secret codes, executions, prisons, long-lost siblings, scandals, forbidden romance, evil people in power. It was a bucketload of merriment.
The setting itself was really different, but it didn't take away from the story. I, for one, absolutely love the medieval type of town with midwives, bakers, market day, public hangings (etc), but it's actually set years in the future. They refer to present day as the "cool age" and have technology such as TV's, computers, and cameras. It's odd to reconcile the old township/historical period sort of feeling with the dystopian, gene sequencing future village. It's interesting though.
Gaia herself is intelligent, and stubbornly fights for what she believes in. She is sweet and kind, and believes that every living thing deserves a chance to live. Even though her scar has put her through some awful times, she isn't bitter or cruel. Her parents and their relationship with Gaia are also wonderfully sweet, they raised her to have morals and values through life experiences. Finally, her relationship with Leon is gradual but tender and beautiful. It isn't love at first sight, or even second sight, but they start to get to know each other and love blossoms.
Finally, the story telling is descriptive, the characters are all engaging. Even the secondary characters have pivotal roles (ex. Mack, Bartlett, Sephie). The world is new and interesting, few authors ever have suggested that the world can go completely backwards, the technology is barely even noticeable. The problems of genetic problems and inbreeding are delicately tackled and remain the focus of the novel, and overall the book is a very light, congenial read.
olagronski's review against another edition
Was not expecting the last chapter to be like that at all.
stephxsu's review against another edition
5.0
Words fail to adequately describe how astonishingly completely Caragh O’Brien drew me into Gaia’s dystopian world in this debut YA novel. Holy cow! BIRTHMARKED is a layered and action-packed dystopian treat that just might satisfy readers eagerly awaiting the third and final installment of The Hunger Games series.
I am absolutely bowled over by how well-written this book is. Caragh O’Brien presents us with interesting characters that we want to follow through all their suspenseful adventures and encounters. From Gaia, the determined “everywoman” protagonist, to the alluring and quietly troubled Captain Gray, to everyone who helps or harms Gaia along the way…all are engaging and three-dimensional to capture our attention from the start and hold on throughout.
A dystopian novel is nothing without a well executed and faithfully imagined world-gone-wrong. Luckily, Gaia’s world is one of the best I’ve read about in a long time, high up there with Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and Maria Snyder’s Poison Study. BIRTHMARKED starts with a bang in the first chapter and never lets up. There’s plenty of mystery, code-breaking, narrow escapes, and running to satisfy fans of action and adventure, and it’s all wrapped within a fully realized dystopia.
I don’t think my review was enough to express my admiration of and love for this book, but rest assured that if this sounds even mildly interesting to you, then you will NOT be able to put it down!
I am absolutely bowled over by how well-written this book is. Caragh O’Brien presents us with interesting characters that we want to follow through all their suspenseful adventures and encounters. From Gaia, the determined “everywoman” protagonist, to the alluring and quietly troubled Captain Gray, to everyone who helps or harms Gaia along the way…all are engaging and three-dimensional to capture our attention from the start and hold on throughout.
A dystopian novel is nothing without a well executed and faithfully imagined world-gone-wrong. Luckily, Gaia’s world is one of the best I’ve read about in a long time, high up there with Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and Maria Snyder’s Poison Study. BIRTHMARKED starts with a bang in the first chapter and never lets up. There’s plenty of mystery, code-breaking, narrow escapes, and running to satisfy fans of action and adventure, and it’s all wrapped within a fully realized dystopia.
I don’t think my review was enough to express my admiration of and love for this book, but rest assured that if this sounds even mildly interesting to you, then you will NOT be able to put it down!
robivy's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting premise, but I thought the execution fell a little flat. There were flashes of greatness, but overall it failed to hold my attention and I found myself just wishing it would be finished. And the ending was pretty unsatisfying.