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cendi's review against another edition
3.0
Reviewed By: Paperback Princesses
I really wanted to like this book. That being said, it’s not the story that was bad. The story was compelling. I loved the characters. Megan was real to me, a typical teenager, mostly focused on boys. It wasn’t until Adam was in her life that she would realize what power she had. The characters themselves were believable and convincing.
The problem I had with Carrier was the writing. It was obvious Fallon is a first time author. In the beginning of the book, before the story really kicked in, it felt as if I was reading bullet points on a list. “I did this, I did that, etc…” But the summary kept me going. I knew the story itself would be good, and it was. It did share some parallels with the Twilight series: girl is new to a school, she meets a boy who doesn’t date but ends up dating her, boy has a dark secret, secret vastly changes girl’s life, boy has a dark and uncontrollable side. The story was different though, and there are no sparkly vampires in this book.
At the end, I was glad I finished the book and didn’t give up on it. I find it unlikely that I’ll read Carrier of the Mark again, but its possible that I’ll read the sequel.
I would recommend some creative writing classes to the author though.
I really wanted to like this book. That being said, it’s not the story that was bad. The story was compelling. I loved the characters. Megan was real to me, a typical teenager, mostly focused on boys. It wasn’t until Adam was in her life that she would realize what power she had. The characters themselves were believable and convincing.
The problem I had with Carrier was the writing. It was obvious Fallon is a first time author. In the beginning of the book, before the story really kicked in, it felt as if I was reading bullet points on a list. “I did this, I did that, etc…” But the summary kept me going. I knew the story itself would be good, and it was. It did share some parallels with the Twilight series: girl is new to a school, she meets a boy who doesn’t date but ends up dating her, boy has a dark secret, secret vastly changes girl’s life, boy has a dark and uncontrollable side. The story was different though, and there are no sparkly vampires in this book.
At the end, I was glad I finished the book and didn’t give up on it. I find it unlikely that I’ll read Carrier of the Mark again, but its possible that I’ll read the sequel.
I would recommend some creative writing classes to the author though.
serenalawless's review against another edition
4.0
It's so refreshing to read a book that has so much of Irish folklore in it, and with such a modern twist. It's about time the old stories were updated and given an exciting makeover, and this story does that. Plus, it's just nice that it's set here, in Ireland! Since it's written by an Irish person, someone who knows the lie of the land, it's not given that twee, old-fashioned look and instead modernised, which I really appreciate. Who knows, maybe it'll give tourism a boost when fans want to see Kinsale for themselves, or apply to go to Trinity College! I'll be curious to see where the book goes next. Bravo, Leigh!
madz2023's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing debut to a promising new series! I absolutely loved it! Megan and Adam were adorable together and all the trials they must overcome to be together just make their relationship that much more interesting and believable (if you're a fantasy lover of course, because I don't know if hosting an element in your body, battling evil villains, and trying to fulfill a prophecy are super believable for a run of the mill normal romance). But I digress. Leigh weaves an intricate tale of love with enough action and conflict to keep the story moving in a great direction.
Megan, an American high school student, moves to Ireland with her father for his job. It's here that she meets Adam DeRis, her soul mate basically. At first Adam is standoffish and avoids Megan, but finally after a boating accident where Megan is knocked unconscious, she and Adam begin to understand that they are destined to be together.
From the start Meg has figured there was something up with the DeRis family. When she finally finds out, the surprise ends up being bigger than expected. She and the 3 DeRis children all have one of the four elements living inside their bodies. Together they must complete an ancient prophecy in order to balance the four elements of the world. Megan and Adam know its what they must do, but if in the process they may lose each other, will either have the heart to go through with it?
With great characters, lots of romance, fantasy elements up the wahoo, and crazy bad guys, Carrier of the Mark is a must read. My only regret/ sadness lies with the fact that book 2 isn't scheduled to come out until 2013. SO FAR AWAY! Anyway I recommend it! 5 out of 5 stars! :D
Check out more reviews here: http://wickedreaders.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=8
Megan, an American high school student, moves to Ireland with her father for his job. It's here that she meets Adam DeRis, her soul mate basically. At first Adam is standoffish and avoids Megan, but finally after a boating accident where Megan is knocked unconscious, she and Adam begin to understand that they are destined to be together.
From the start Meg has figured there was something up with the DeRis family. When she finally finds out, the surprise ends up being bigger than expected. She and the 3 DeRis children all have one of the four elements living inside their bodies. Together they must complete an ancient prophecy in order to balance the four elements of the world. Megan and Adam know its what they must do, but if in the process they may lose each other, will either have the heart to go through with it?
With great characters, lots of romance, fantasy elements up the wahoo, and crazy bad guys, Carrier of the Mark is a must read. My only regret/ sadness lies with the fact that book 2 isn't scheduled to come out until 2013. SO FAR AWAY! Anyway I recommend it! 5 out of 5 stars! :D
Check out more reviews here: http://wickedreaders.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=8
authornikola's review against another edition
3.0
The only reason i gave this book a 3 is because i really enjoyed the whole story idea. Otherwise due to the poor writing, not having a steady pace in the story and the cringy love couple i would have given it a 2.
If i am honest the only reason i got this book is because i found it for free in a book saving shop, the cover brought me in. I did look on goodreads to see what the overall ratings were but still decided to read it so i could have an opinion of my own.
Firstly as i already said the story idea was great, although the plotting of it wasn't good. There was a lot of un answered threads left behind which made me have to re read a few of the chapters every so often to get the just of things. Maybe if it was to be re- written in the future it would have been different. However i did notice that there wasn't much development in the characters OR the place it was set out which was rather dissapointing. Irish traditions and ways weren't really a part of the story which was a big bummer as that's where it was set. It more or less sounded like an American middle grade novell.
Personally it was clear that Leigh Fallon didn't outline the story properly and didn't really take time and consideration on what she was writing, although i can't say that at the beginning. At first the writing wasn't bad it was almost enjoyable but once the romance was included it was terrible, it was just the way things were being said and done. I mean how could possibly a 17 year old couple be so madly in love to devot their life's to eachother? They can't which i think was the biggest disaster.
I alos found that a lot of the things that were happening were there to demonstrate. For example when Adam and Megan were on yacht and then all of a sudden they were floating in the air, and then they dropped back down a"fter a terrible "AHH" from Megan which was JUST a way of letting Adam know that her powers a showing and how strong they are. (This is the moment when everyone goes what?)
Overall i think that although this book wasn't bad, it could have been improved A LOT before publishing. I don't really think i am going to be buying the next book any time soon as then ending didn't persuade me to read more.
Sorry Leigh Fallon but it's a no from me.
If i am honest the only reason i got this book is because i found it for free in a book saving shop, the cover brought me in. I did look on goodreads to see what the overall ratings were but still decided to read it so i could have an opinion of my own.
Firstly as i already said the story idea was great, although the plotting of it wasn't good. There was a lot of un answered threads left behind which made me have to re read a few of the chapters every so often to get the just of things. Maybe if it was to be re- written in the future it would have been different. However i did notice that there wasn't much development in the characters OR the place it was set out which was rather dissapointing. Irish traditions and ways weren't really a part of the story which was a big bummer as that's where it was set. It more or less sounded like an American middle grade novell.
Personally it was clear that Leigh Fallon didn't outline the story properly and didn't really take time and consideration on what she was writing, although i can't say that at the beginning. At first the writing wasn't bad it was almost enjoyable but once the romance was included it was terrible, it was just the way things were being said and done. I mean how could possibly a 17 year old couple be so madly in love to devot their life's to eachother? They can't which i think was the biggest disaster.
I alos found that a lot of the things that were happening were there to demonstrate. For example when Adam and Megan were on yacht and then all of a sudden they were floating in the air, and then they dropped back down a"fter a terrible "AHH" from Megan which was JUST a way of letting Adam know that her powers a showing and how strong they are. (This is the moment when everyone goes what?)
Overall i think that although this book wasn't bad, it could have been improved A LOT before publishing. I don't really think i am going to be buying the next book any time soon as then ending didn't persuade me to read more.
Sorry Leigh Fallon but it's a no from me.
fredicia's review against another edition
4.0
I can't finish this. It is just bloody painful. The writing is terrible, most of it is in simple sentences, and the author states everything in this really obvious way. And let's not get started on the heroine. You know what, I'll say a few things about her anyways.
I feel like she's so ... Useless. There's nothing wrong with non warrior and non fighter girls, but I feel like Megan is as dull as a rock. I don't feel the chemistry between her and Adam either. Maybe because the writing, maybe because Adam is pretty dull as well, but there's NOTHING notable between them. And it was not enjoyable trudging through scenes.
One last problem: this is like The Last Airbender. Wait, not like, it's pretty much the same thing. And that just pisses me off. I've read about people controlling the elements in plenty of books, but this? It is just frickin' annoying and it makes me mad.
I feel like she's so ... Useless. There's nothing wrong with non warrior and non fighter girls, but I feel like Megan is as dull as a rock. I don't feel the chemistry between her and Adam either. Maybe because the writing, maybe because Adam is pretty dull as well, but there's NOTHING notable between them. And it was not enjoyable trudging through scenes.
One last problem: this is like The Last Airbender. Wait, not like, it's pretty much the same thing. And that just pisses me off. I've read about people controlling the elements in plenty of books, but this? It is just frickin' annoying and it makes me mad.
codee's review against another edition
Their relationship was a bit too fast paced!
natalya_c14's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Death of parent
nykare's review against another edition
2.0
I cannot make myself to finish it.
Really.
It's just so tiring when you are seeing all the similarities in books and this one is just like Twilight.
I could put up with Half-Blood (VA similarity) because the story line was really great and the main character was fierce... but here I didn't feel anything. I cannot tell you anything about Meghan than being madly in love with Adam since the beginning and that her good friend is Caitlin, which both love to talk about boys. Woohoo.
Really.
It's just so tiring when you are seeing all the similarities in books and this one is just like Twilight.
I could put up with Half-Blood (VA similarity) because the story line was really great and the main character was fierce... but here I didn't feel anything. I cannot tell you anything about Meghan than being madly in love with Adam since the beginning and that her good friend is Caitlin, which both love to talk about boys. Woohoo.