_mor06_ 's review for:

The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth

4.0

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Veronica Roth makes me skeptical to try her books after the train wreck that I found Allegiant to be. However, I picked up Carve the Mark in a thrift store and read it in January, and found myself enjoying the world and the characters created in the pages. After discovering this one in a library, I decided to give it a shot and see if Roth just has a tendency to ruin the ends of her series. She does not. The Fates Divide was much better than the first one, and what lacked in development was made up for in a face paced game of chess. This duology was planned to be just that, and it did not disappoint. Between the shifting dynamics of the characters, as well as the introduction of chapters from new perspectives, this whole story kept me captivated from first to last page. There’s no hesitancy in picking up where the story left off, and the pace of the action doesn’t relent, making the book hard to set down. Although I will say, Akos was my favourite character in the last book, Cyra was my favourite in this one. The tell tale personality traits that made their dynamic perfect as it was were shaken in this book (as is rightfully so) after the concluding events of Carve the Mark, and although the development lost little pieces I adored previously, the change was necessary and realistic to reflect how trauma and grief and depression can impact people who have grown up with inverse relationships to it. However, I do have to say that Akos’ moping become bearable and annoying after a short while, and I found myself turning away from a character I previously adored because although his reaction was warranted, it did not mean that said reaction needed to be rubbed in my face in the form of self loathing and immature decisions. The ending was good, albeit made loose and a little too mellow for the style of the book, but overall, it was one I enjoyed. From political maneuvering, to soft romance hidden in the words of a prophecy, to unique quotes on faith and grief from characters I didn’t expect to be quite so insightful that made the book beautiful in a way that left me turning each page eager for more :)