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nicolet2018 's review for:
Carrier of the Mark
by Leigh Fallon
I will admit this cover looks stunning so I would have wanted to read this base on the cover alone. I was like "yeah! let's pick this up and I bet it would be good" until I saw the reviews *stunned* "aww guys, it can't be all that bad.....can it?"
Now I know this book has mostly bad reviews and everyone is going on about how terrible this is but I thought let's give this a shot and if it isn't good, at least I know now.
Megan Rosenberg has recently just moved to Ireland with her father. They do not stay long in a place and so Meg had not had a chance to have roots and many friendships. That changes here though, she makes friends fast, and catched the eye of the broody and handsome Adam DeRis. pronouced De-reese. I almost could not get the hang of Irish names! Apparently, many rumours revolve around his family and that fuels gossip around the town. Also, his behavoir and that of his siblings have not exactly been warm and welcoming. But Meg feels the attraction anyway.
Okay, so let me say first what earned the four stars was not the romance. The mystery and intrigue of the truth of what the DeRis family was pulled me in. I mean initially I thought they were witches like the rumours said. How wrong I was, I liked that Megan had a part to play with them and they are connected to something even bigger. But I did not like that the basis of the idea of Carriers and Royal Bloods was so darn complicated.
Kudos to the use of Irish and Celtic myths for the plot. It really provided a firm base for something interesting. I also loved the immersion into how it is like to live on the Irish countryside.
On to the romance, I can really see why many people hate this book. It is love at first sight, literally. It happens very fast and it seems rushed. Granted they did not immediately throw themselves at one another but I think there should have been more build up before them getting together. This is very classic "new girl falls for bad boy". I think their togetherness is a convinience, it is much easier for the plot to go a certain way if they have a reason to be in each others company.
"Their love was meant to be"? Ha, maybe, possiblity or is it more correct to say "their elements are meant to be"? because it turns out their powers call to each other and that raises doubts as to whether what they feel for each other is real or simply of their powers' doing. They reassure and reassure each other that it is real, true and all but who knows?
If their attraction was so strong and they cannot stay away from each other, why did I not see more steam and heat? For a guy, Adam has some control. But I guess loosing their control might spark more outrage. It is a fine line. I am a die-hard romantic and even I found this a little too much. It just zoomed by so fast without giving a moment to slow down and really get into what being in a relationships means.
I realized the sapiness and melting into each other felt very juvenile. Like this book was meant for a younger teen audience. It felt very shallow and did not really dig deep into the emotions and struggles. It all just fell into place for this couple. I did not feel this deep intensity they keep talking about.
I also felt that alot of everything seemed so convinient like "oh Megan needs a bodyguard?" no problem everyone else is sitting around and very available. Like they do not have any lives of their own.
I found it hilarious that Caleb, Megan's father was dating someone at the same time she was. It made for some awkward moments like the "talk" and cringe-worthy thinhgs that a daughter does not want to imagine about when her father is dating another woman. Generally, her father seemed very easy going to allow her to do as she pleases and he was not home for noticeable periods, another "convenience".
I think this book has potential, if you leave other the romance, can I even call this love? Shall I say infatuation instead. Yeah, maybe that is what it is. Anyway, if you like paranormal, give this a try but don't have too high expectations here.
Now I know this book has mostly bad reviews and everyone is going on about how terrible this is but I thought let's give this a shot and if it isn't good, at least I know now.
Megan Rosenberg has recently just moved to Ireland with her father. They do not stay long in a place and so Meg had not had a chance to have roots and many friendships. That changes here though, she makes friends fast, and catched the eye of the broody and handsome Adam DeRis. pronouced De-reese. I almost could not get the hang of Irish names! Apparently, many rumours revolve around his family and that fuels gossip around the town. Also, his behavoir and that of his siblings have not exactly been warm and welcoming. But Meg feels the attraction anyway.
Okay, so let me say first what earned the four stars was not the romance. The mystery and intrigue of the truth of what the DeRis family was pulled me in. I mean initially I thought they were witches like the rumours said. How wrong I was, I liked that Megan had a part to play with them and they are connected to something even bigger. But I did not like that the basis of the idea of Carriers and Royal Bloods was so darn complicated.
Kudos to the use of Irish and Celtic myths for the plot. It really provided a firm base for something interesting. I also loved the immersion into how it is like to live on the Irish countryside.
On to the romance, I can really see why many people hate this book. It is love at first sight, literally. It happens very fast and it seems rushed. Granted they did not immediately throw themselves at one another but I think there should have been more build up before them getting together. This is very classic "new girl falls for bad boy". I think their togetherness is a convinience, it is much easier for the plot to go a certain way if they have a reason to be in each others company.
Spoiler
Suddenly it is revealed that they cannot be together or it will start a possible apocalypse. Oh my! More drama!"Their love was meant to be"? Ha, maybe, possiblity or is it more correct to say "their elements are meant to be"? because it turns out their powers call to each other and that raises doubts as to whether what they feel for each other is real or simply of their powers' doing. They reassure and reassure each other that it is real, true and all but who knows?
If their attraction was so strong and they cannot stay away from each other, why did I not see more steam and heat? For a guy, Adam has some control. But I guess loosing their control might spark more outrage. It is a fine line. I am a die-hard romantic and even I found this a little too much. It just zoomed by so fast without giving a moment to slow down and really get into what being in a relationships means.
I realized the sapiness and melting into each other felt very juvenile. Like this book was meant for a younger teen audience. It felt very shallow and did not really dig deep into the emotions and struggles. It all just fell into place for this couple. I did not feel this deep intensity they keep talking about.
I also felt that alot of everything seemed so convinient like "oh Megan needs a bodyguard?" no problem everyone else is sitting around and very available. Like they do not have any lives of their own.
I found it hilarious that Caleb, Megan's father was dating someone at the same time she was. It made for some awkward moments like the "talk" and cringe-worthy thinhgs that a daughter does not want to imagine about when her father is dating another woman. Generally, her father seemed very easy going to allow her to do as she pleases and he was not home for noticeable periods, another "convenience".
I think this book has potential, if you leave other the romance, can I even call this love? Shall I say infatuation instead. Yeah, maybe that is what it is. Anyway, if you like paranormal, give this a try but don't have too high expectations here.