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cstockey 's review for:
Carve the Mark
by Veronica Roth
To start off with. I can see where people take issue with the oppressed, brutish, wandering, less educated group being dark skinned. The way they only seem to be able to solve disputes with violence and pain. I can't comment much on how that feels from the perspective of a person of colour so I won't even try. Just know that there was a large controversy around this book because of that choice.
I didn't hate the book. It was an interesting premise, everyone having a current gift, the fate favoured families, the wandering people trying to find a place to call their own. It's a solid premise.
The scifi was there in genetic locks and special healing skins but in general I would have to agree with other commenters and say it didn't feel futuristic enough. It felt like it was set in space just not a futuristic space I guess.
Hearing from both main characters perspectives was alright, I'm the person who doesn't like too many perspectives so sticking to two was fine for me.
Cyra was an interesting character and I enjoyed her growth... Akos I could take or leave.
I like three book series from debut authors because they are never sure if their book will sell well enough to get the next two books so they make the first one able to be stand alone.
Veronica Roth, after the success of Divergent, knew she was writing two books. And thus, she cut off the first one at a very weird point for me. Normally books will have a structure where after the climax there is a dénouement and conclusion. This book ended partway into the climax. I had just figured out a plot point (I think) and thought to myself "Oh this will nicely wrap up the book, I'm finally interested to see how the tangled plot unwinds itself" and then the book ends. I didn't actually think the second book had been published because of the controversy with this one so I was a bit miffed.
I guess I'll listen to the second one but just where the first book ended already puts a sour taste in my mouth for the second (final) book.
In any event recommend to anyone looking for a young adult book with interesting world building. But keep in mind you are in it for two books. No dipping out after the first one, they are really just one long book split in half.
Rated 2.5/5 stars. That ending really peeved me off.
I didn't hate the book. It was an interesting premise, everyone having a current gift, the fate favoured families, the wandering people trying to find a place to call their own. It's a solid premise.
The scifi was there in genetic locks and special healing skins but in general I would have to agree with other commenters and say it didn't feel futuristic enough. It felt like it was set in space just not a futuristic space I guess.
Hearing from both main characters perspectives was alright, I'm the person who doesn't like too many perspectives so sticking to two was fine for me.
Cyra was an interesting character and I enjoyed her growth... Akos I could take or leave.
I like three book series from debut authors because they are never sure if their book will sell well enough to get the next two books so they make the first one able to be stand alone.
Veronica Roth, after the success of Divergent, knew she was writing two books. And thus, she cut off the first one at a very weird point for me. Normally books will have a structure where after the climax there is a dénouement and conclusion. This book ended partway into the climax. I had just figured out a plot point (I think) and thought to myself "Oh this will nicely wrap up the book, I'm finally interested to see how the tangled plot unwinds itself" and then the book ends. I didn't actually think the second book had been published because of the controversy with this one so I was a bit miffed.
I guess I'll listen to the second one but just where the first book ended already puts a sour taste in my mouth for the second (final) book.
In any event recommend to anyone looking for a young adult book with interesting world building. But keep in mind you are in it for two books. No dipping out after the first one, they are really just one long book split in half.
Rated 2.5/5 stars. That ending really peeved me off.