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lisa_the_bookdragon 's review for:
Carve the Mark
by Veronica Roth
Sometimes, you have a premonition. You know, when you see something, or hold it, just how it will turn out. That's what it was for me in this case. I had it in my hands, and no matter what anyone else said, I just knew it would be okay, and it was.
Saying "okay" means that I found no reason to un-recommend it or dislike it. Still, I can't say I loved it or that it's my newest favorite book. But it was okay. Let my try to explain...
It was slow. That is the first thing that took away stars. It wasn't as if I was at any point desperate to get on with the story. No. Every time I read it, I had to say to myself, "Now, you will sit down and read Carve the Mark. No excuses." It wasn't pulling me along like I want books to do.
Second, there were no shocks, no surprises. Maybe that's me, or maybe it really is the book. I could see what was coming, and at no time did I have my heart in my throat with suspense. Unfortunately.
As for the good things, they were there. There was Akos Kereseth. Right now if you asked me which one fictional character I'd like to meet, it would be Akos. I don't think I'd even want to talk to him. I'd just want to sit on one side of the room and watch him, and see how he treats Cyra and his brother and his family and his friends. Akos was the best part. From the beginning I considered Akos "good, and Cyra, "bad". I loved him, because he loved the monster. He loved Cyra when she was unlovable. When no one loved her. He loved his brother, even as Eijeh turned more and more into Ryzek, and even when the hope grew less and less. Others believed there was no hope of Eijeh's return, but Akos never did. "To continue to love someone so far beyond help, beyond redemption, was madness." That's what Cyra thought of him at first. But later, "You saw me as someone better than I was.... You told me that I could choose to be different that I had been, that my condition was not permanent. And I began to believe you.... I wanted you to know that your friendship has ... quite literally altered me." Yes, that was true. Akos's love for Cyra made her a better person. She was the beast here. She didn't deserve what he gave her. She may not have chosen her family or her currentgift or what she had become but she was right when she said she was a coward not to have stood up against her brother before. But these kinds of stories where someone loves the enemy are some of my favorite kinds.
The other things I liked included the setting (some people complained about this, but I have nothing to say except that it was beautiful), the idea of the current and the currentgifts, the fates and futures, all the characters (including Ryzek), the plot and the assassination attempts, the rescues and escapes, and the rebellion...(other than it was slow and not surprising it was good and simple and easy to understand).
My conclusion is that it was okay. Three and a half stars. Would I recommend it? That depends on you. Go read the other reviews. If you really want to even after everything that has been said, then do. But if you are afraid that you will dislike it too, don't. There are better things out there. Still, I am happy I read it and I am happy it was okay for me. After all, it's Veronica Roth. She was a "first" for me in a few ways, so maybe I'm biased.
If you have any questions (like whether I'd recommend it to you in particular, or about content and such, or anything else) feel free to ask :D
Saying "okay" means that I found no reason to un-recommend it or dislike it. Still, I can't say I loved it or that it's my newest favorite book. But it was okay. Let my try to explain...
It was slow. That is the first thing that took away stars. It wasn't as if I was at any point desperate to get on with the story. No. Every time I read it, I had to say to myself, "Now, you will sit down and read Carve the Mark. No excuses." It wasn't pulling me along like I want books to do.
Second, there were no shocks, no surprises. Maybe that's me, or maybe it really is the book. I could see what was coming, and at no time did I have my heart in my throat with suspense. Unfortunately.
As for the good things, they were there. There was Akos Kereseth. Right now if you asked me which one fictional character I'd like to meet, it would be Akos. I don't think I'd even want to talk to him. I'd just want to sit on one side of the room and watch him, and see how he treats Cyra and his brother and his family and his friends. Akos was the best part. From the beginning I considered Akos "good, and Cyra, "bad". I loved him, because he loved the monster. He loved Cyra when she was unlovable. When no one loved her. He loved his brother, even as Eijeh turned more and more into Ryzek, and even when the hope grew less and less. Others believed there was no hope of Eijeh's return, but Akos never did. "To continue to love someone so far beyond help, beyond redemption, was madness." That's what Cyra thought of him at first. But later, "You saw me as someone better than I was.... You told me that I could choose to be different that I had been, that my condition was not permanent. And I began to believe you.... I wanted you to know that your friendship has ... quite literally altered me." Yes, that was true. Akos's love for Cyra made her a better person. She was the beast here. She didn't deserve what he gave her. She may not have chosen her family or her currentgift or what she had become but she was right when she said she was a coward not to have stood up against her brother before. But these kinds of stories where someone loves the enemy are some of my favorite kinds.
The other things I liked included the setting (some people complained about this, but I have nothing to say except that it was beautiful), the idea of the current and the currentgifts, the fates and futures, all the characters (including Ryzek), the plot and the assassination attempts, the rescues and escapes, and the rebellion...(other than it was slow and not surprising it was good and simple and easy to understand).
My conclusion is that it was okay. Three and a half stars. Would I recommend it? That depends on you. Go read the other reviews. If you really want to even after everything that has been said, then do. But if you are afraid that you will dislike it too, don't. There are better things out there. Still, I am happy I read it and I am happy it was okay for me. After all, it's Veronica Roth. She was a "first" for me in a few ways, so maybe I'm biased.
If you have any questions (like whether I'd recommend it to you in particular, or about content and such, or anything else) feel free to ask :D